December 2008 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Space Shuttle Cycle
by Clint Bradford 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Here is a 31-photo look at one full cycle for one space shuttle, starting with the landing of Endeavour from its previous mission (STS-123) on March 26th, and ending with its return to Florida 9 months (and 6.6 million miles) later, after mission STS-126. http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/round_trip_with_endeavour.html Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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IC-7000, SatPC32
by Erich Eichmann 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Hello all, I'm in contact with Scott, K0ATC. He tries to control his Icom IC-7000 with SatPC32, but has problems to get it working. I don't have that radio. Is there anyone on the board who steers an IC-7000 with the program or has already done that? Many thanks. 73s, Erich, DK1TB

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ISS EVA Coming UP
by David Barber 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Don't forget, EVA coming up. David G8OQW

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ISS SSTV active! (22 Dec. 2008).
by Cor 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Hello All WB9IIV reported me that ISS SSTV is on again at 145.800Mhz (FM). On Harry his received ISS SSTV image is a paper to see written: Go for EVA I have posted the ISS SSTV image (from Harry) on my website. Good luck if you go to trie. 73's Cor PD0RKC http://iss.ontwikkel.nl

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Making regular QSOs on the Linear Satellites
by John Marranca, Jr 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Happy Holidays Everybody! Recently, I added a CT62 cable to my FT-817ND, and have been using Ham Radio Deluxe for computer control. And without changing anything else (i.e. Still using the Eggbeaters on the garage), I have made several contacts on both VO-52 and FO-29. I have to say that it is JUST AS EASY, if not easier to make said contacts on the linear satellites due to more room on the transponder as well as having better reception capability since it isn't using FM as the mode of choice. Next challenge is to operate AO-7. John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Perl - ppd files
by renauld halbardier 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Hello to the group , I know this not really related to the right forum but.... Perl 5.10 is now installed on my XP system ; and trying now to install *.ppd files without success : error message is 'the ppd does not provide code to install to this platform'. Any idea ?? Tnx for help Renauld on4kvi

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Re: Web Audio Ursid Meteor Pings
by Steven Bienvenu 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

Try the fun I had 10 years ago: http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast22dec98_1.htm It's very easy to do; I just sat perched a TV antenna (only thing I could get very quickly) on a camera tripod, and pointed it in the direction of Lake Kickapoo, Texas (very close to Wichita, Tx) with some slight elevation. Lots of very loud returns (had to dive for the audio control at times) during the shower, lots of short ones- a great visual as well as radio event. As for Spacecraft, it was no sweat to pick up returns from the then small ISS. Just use your prediction program to predict when the station will pass through the beam (a huge, fan shape directed straight up), point your antenna at that point in the sky, and you will hear it if it is above the horizon at that moment at your location, and you are not too far away. The station is *much* larger now, so has a much greater RCS/larger return signal, so the horizon might be the only limiting factor now. I found the strongest signals occurred when the spacecraft was located in the NavSpaSur radar beam, and between my location and the transmitting ground site or nearer overhead and in the beam. I used no preamp, and only the twin lead from the antenna directly to an Icom R7000 receiver. The Shuttle was also quite audible. I did not try other spacecraft; remember these two are leo's. I could not convince the author of the NASA article that the short fainter pings were not other satellites, even with simple math examples. The receiving sites the government runs catch about 20,000 pings a day according to personnel. 73, Steve W5ZA (located in Shreveport, La. -Northwest Louisiana, about 300 miles east of the radar site)

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Re: Web Audio Ursid Meteor Pings
by Bob Bruninga 21 Dec '08

21 Dec '08

> I just listen when ISS was traveling > over NA and nothing seems to be "Ping" > only a faint long and slow fading tone > and i'm not even sure if it was due to ISS? The beam is only 0.2 degrees wide, so a spacecraft moving at 5km per sec will only be in the beam a fraction of a second. However for a number of days each month, the moon passes through the beam twice a day, and is moving slow enough to be in the beam for about 2 minutes. Maybe that is what you heard? Easy to prove, jsut set up Kikapoo Texas as a ground station, then run a moon track, and the time of the fence crossing is whenvever the moon croses the 91.5 or 271.5 azimuth from Kikapoo. And the mooon being so far away, anyone on this hemisphere can hear it. But for LEO spacecraft you have to live within the mid to southern USA. Bob, Wb4APR > > >"-" > > >Luc Leblanc VE2DWE >Skype VE2DWE >www.qsl.net/ve2dwe >WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE > > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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ITAR - Chinese Launchers
by Trevor 21 Dec '08

21 Dec '08

One of the effects of ITAR on satellite launches is mentioned in a BBC news report which says: "But we're in a situation today where you cannot launch satellites with American components using Chinese rockets. It is against the ITAR restrictions of the United States." Full story "Ariane makes final launch of 2008" at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7793715.stm ----

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Another newbie question
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 21 Dec '08

21 Dec '08

Again, thanks to all who are so supportive on this BB. I am trying out one of the ARR mast-mounted pre-amps on 432. I just listened to the SO50 and AO51 passes. I swear I cannot hear any difference, ok maybe just a bit. But not much, not enough to make a difference. SO50 was not audible except for a brief portion of the pass here (my antennas are oriented horizontal at 30 degrees elevation, so that explains part of it). Maybe the pre-amps really do their stuff on the passband birds? If I am wasting my time, I won't be embarrassed if somebody tells me so. Please, I am open to suggestions. Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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