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

Re: 9600 baud+ sound card
by nader omer 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi Peter The audio isolation transformers (1:1) or the optical IC may be prevent flow of 9k6 baud data in some interfaces ( Notice I said may be). Use direct wires between radio data socket (pin 9600) to PC soundcard mike input or line input (I'm using mike input). Also take the sound (data!) direct from your PC to data pin. Make sure your radio at 9600 Key your rig using any interface (for sure use only the key line, Audio direct connected as mention above) Setup AWGPE for 9k6 UISS software doesn't want any additional setup Best 73 de Nader,st2nh www.st2nh.com

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Technical question regarding the long term performance of nylon in space
by Graham Shirville 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi all, I think this is a new one! It has been suggested that the nylon "fishing line" that is sometime used on space craft to retain a deployable item like an antenna or sensor will decay quickly in space due to radiation and out gassing destroying its structure. This might mean that the usual "hot" knife type cutter system could be redundant if quick release is not a mission requirement. Does anyone have any data on this or know if any research has been done? thanks Graham G3VZV

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Maritime Mobile in the Arabian Sea / Indian Ocean
by vq9jc＠gimail.af.mil 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Greetings all, I'm enroute on a merchant marine ship from the Persian Gulf to Diego Garcia (in grid MI62) and am QRV on AO-51 and SO-50 with a Kenwood TH-6FA and Arrow-2. I haven't heard any activity on these birds during the evening passes but given the region I'm in and the gear I'm using, that may not be all too surprising. Available SO-50 passes tend to occur during my work hours, so I can only try to be on for those. I should be in grid MK14 at the next available AO-51 pass at 11/1350Z. We're due to arrive at Diego Garcia around 16/0300Z. While I'm at Diego Garcia (scheduled to be there until April 2009), my ship will do various short term (1 to 3 days) events but should remain in grid MI62 or neighboring grids for most of the time I'm there. 73 for now, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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Re: AO-51 L/U mode just fine
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Drew,Jim etc I will make an effort to be on L/U mode tomorrow (12/11) during the afternoon passes over the U.S. I have 70W on 1.2Ghz but current antenna is 22 el. yagi with no elevation ability. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > I was on a few minutes this AM...same thing. I did hear VE3NPC at the > beginning of the pass, but that was it. > > 73, Drew > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "DeYoung James" > To: "amsat-bb" > Cc: "Jim DeYoung" > Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 6:13 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 L/U mode just fine > > > > Greetings, > > > > Just a reminder for those with L/U capability the AO-51 control team put > > the second system in L/U mode again after the reset last month. I have > > been full quieting talking to myself two evenings in row using my 10-watts > > and 10-elem. cheap yagi on L-band. I sound really good, btw, hi, hi. L/U > > on through the 14th, hope to hear someone else... > > > > 73, N8OQ, Jim, FM18lu > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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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AO-51 2300z pass
by Dave Webb 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Toward the end of that pass I heard what sounded like a Fire Dept. doing a nightly test with an announcement, just wondering if anyone else could hear it. Dave KB1PVH

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AO-51 L/U mode just fine
by DeYoung James 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Greetings, Just a reminder for those with L/U capability the AO-51 control team put the second system in L/U mode again after the reset last month. I have been full quieting talking to myself two evenings in row using my 10-watts and 10-elem. cheap yagi on L-band. I sound really good, btw, hi, hi. L/U on through the 14th, hope to hear someone else... 73, N8OQ, Jim, FM18lu

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ISS on 9600baud
by Bob Herrell 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

I was finally able to digipeat thru the ISS today (AJ5C-3) using only my Kenwood D700 and a vertical antenna. I have not been able to decode anything using UISS and my IC-910H. 73, Bob Herrell, AJ5C

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AMSAT-BB Azimuth predictions true or magnetic north
by Call Sign 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

I have asked so many Hams, a few pilots and mariners, here locally and none of them know the answer to my question, I know this body will have it; First off, I know that the difference between magnetic north and true north is not that much and is not affecting my success on my hand held Arrow II antenna that much, as it probably has the least amount of directivity that a beam antenna can have. However, I have been using a compass, therefore using magnetic north and in the interest of better understanding what I am doing, I just want to know, for sure. So......... when we get these azimuth degrees in the pass prediction charts, saying where we will acquire the signal, its high point and the loss of the signal; do these degrees relate to magnetic or true north? Second part, are there any reporting birds that differ in which of those two, that are being used and is the answer the same for the International Space Station? Thanks in advance for your response! Rich KI6RRQ

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Uni_trac and Vista
by John Price 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Has anyone been successful running the Uni_trac serial port version software with Windows Vista? The comport is not an issue with the Bifo BF-810 converter cable but the software that came with the Uni_Trac just crashes the laptop. No joy with that. 73's << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Internet N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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9600 baud+ sound card
by Peter 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Hi All, Has anyone had any success receiving 9600 baud using the Tigertronics, SignaLink sound card with AGWPE and UISS. I believe I have it configured correctly, the only problem might be the audio isolators in the sound card that might not allow the signal to pass. If this setup has worked for you, I would appreciate any insights, thank you. 73, Pete, WB2OQQ

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