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

Re: amsat-bb] Gulf Alpha Antenna Model No.2M 70CM Sat. (Dual
by Mike Ryan 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

Why not start with upgrading from handheld using what you already have before making the leap to the expensive antenna? I was recently right where you are in development but will hold off a little bit.This is what I did. I already had a Elk, and Arrow, 2 FT-857s, a switched AR2 (not mast mounted) preamp. I also picked up a Comet CF-416 duplexer. I put the Elk on a Alliance U100 and set elevation for 20 degrees, so far just out on sawhorse in the back yard. It works great and does very well for both FM Sats and SSB. Does as well as standing outside but much warmer for the winter and I can safely push a little more power. I run up to 35 W on 2M and 20 W on 70cm but rarely is more than 5 W needed on 2M. I do experience a little crosstalk running V/U but none running U/V. When it gets too annoying I just switch to Xmitting on my 2M turnstile. In my experience, the turnstile is more than enough for the VHF side. Its the 70cm side that really needs all the help it can get. I can routinely start copying at 5-7 degrees or so, even without being on the roof. Will a beefier antenna do better? Probably, but I was so intrigued by what I had on hand could do that I will run it for a while. Mike WB1AAT

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Gulf Alpha Antenna Model No.2M 70CM Sat. (Dual Band Antenna)
by Guy Brauning 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

Hello and thanks for reading this. I am looking for some "Owner Experience" before making a decision about buying one of the Gulf Alpha dual band satellite antennas. I know the antenna is a compromise compared to a pair of circular polarized yagis; however, I am looking for a less expensive alternative for a basic 2M/70CM base set-up. My only experience with the satellites has been with handheld/portable radios (FT-60R and FT-817ND) and the Arrow and ELK handheld antennas. My guess is that the Gulf Alpha dual band satellite antenna (installed above obstructions and with an AZ rotator / low loss feed lines / and a 70CM mast mounted pre-amp) would be comparable if not considerably better than the handheld Arrow/ELK for FM work on AO-51 and SO-51 (for passes at or below 40 degrees max elevation) but I would also like to work some of the linear sats on SSB/CW and I don't know if the antenna would meet that need. (I already have a 2Meter all mode in addition to the FT-817 as well as a refurbished CD-44 rotor.) If this antenna would support reliable CW/SSB contacts on the linear satellites, it would be a good fit. I would install the antenna at approximately 25 feet in height, leave it fixed at 15 degs elevation using the supplied mast mount, and rotate it with a CD-44 rotator. I plan on using LMR-600 coax for the 432 run and LMR-400U for the 2 meter run (Total length for each run about 30 - 40 feet). I would also use an AR2 mast mounted 432 preamp and Polyphasers at the shack entry with appropriate jumpers (best loss specs vs. needed flexibility) from the Polyphasers to the radios. Radios would be a Yaesu FT-290R MKII (2 MTR All-Mode) and a Yaesu FT-817ND for 432. I'm looking for someone with experience using the Gulf Alpha to let me know their opinion of how well the antenna might play given my anticipated installation specifics. Thanks for your help! Guy N3SCR

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Re: 4A1DXXE via FM satellite this weekend
by John Marranca, Jr 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

Sounds great, Pat. But I can just hear the CHAOS on the FM-sats already! 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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Telemetry.
by John Hackett 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

Dear Amsat friends, While having many years experience of analogue satellite operating, I'm the first to admit that I'm a *TOTAL* ignoramous regarding 'digitalis horriblis' ... so please don't 'smirk' at my question. Is the telemetry from AO-51 transmitted continuously?, or only at certain specified times? ... on 435.150? ... I 'could' probably find the answer to these questions by 'Googling' ... but isn't the Amsat-bb here for this precise purpose?. Answers on a $100 note please, to <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> ... failing the C note, an e-mail *WILL* be just as appreciated. In anticipation of your answers - thank you. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2009. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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4A1DXXE via FM satellite this weekend
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

Hi! The Mexican DX group DXXE has been authorized to use the special callsign 4A1DXXE to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the founding of their group, between 25 December 2008 and 6 January 2009. Along with plans to operate on the HF bands, DXXE members will put 4A1DXXE on the FM satellites during this time - and, in particular, this weekend. If you work 4A1DXXE, the QSL manager for this call is N7RO. Contacts will also be uploaded to the ARRL Logbook of the World system. Good luck and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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NEW AMATEUR FM SATELLITE FROM KACST!
by nader omer 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

HI all During the last summer I meet .Mark Kanawat (N4TPY) from SpaceQuest during a visit to KSA with Dr.Abd Alaziz Alsagir from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) at shack of Firas HZ1FS at Riyadh city. We had a nice friendly meeting Dr.Alsagir mentions and discussed the possibility of Adding a FM amateur satellite repeater to The future planed satellite from KACST I hope we will have another new Amateur FM Satellite soon from KACST photo of the meeting at my homepage link http://www.st2nh.com/news 73 Nader ,st2nh www.st2nh.com

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Apollo 8 Press Kit
by Clint Bradford 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

OK - Sorry 'bout this ... I promise this will be my last nostalgic post of the season ... The original press kit for Apollo 8: http://gizmodo.com/5118084/the-apollo-8-original-press-kit Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Re: Apollo 8 Press Kit
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 26 Dec '08

26 Dec '08

Clint- Don't apologize, this is cool stuff. Or we can always reminisce about past HEO's. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> > OK - Sorry 'bout this ... I promise this will be my last nostalgic > post of the season ... > > The original press kit for Apollo 8: > > http://gizmodo.com/5118084/the-apollo-8-original-press-kit > > > Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 > 909-241-7666 > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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XE1AO from DK99 through Friday night (North America)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 25 Dec '08

25 Dec '08

Hi! I had a chance to talk with Omar XE1AO after AO-51 and SO-50 passes around 0035-0105 UTC tonight. Omar was very happy with the chance to work several USA and Mexican stations on AO-51, and once again had an easy time on SO-50 with a few QSOs. Omar does not plan on being on AO-51 Friday morning from DK99, as it is too cold for him to go outside (below freezing). He is planning to work AO-51 and SO-50 Friday evening before heading home, if you still want a chance to get DK99 in your log. Merry Christmas and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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KE5GDB -> EM20 (North of Houston) through Tuesday
by Andrew Koenig 25 Dec '08

25 Dec '08

Hello all- I will be active in EM20 Friday through Tuesday. Every year my Boy Scout troop attends a winter camp program at Camp Strake, and this year I plan to bring my new Arrow Antenna along with an FT-60. Although I will do my best to make it on the birds, there will be times when I'll be eating the (horrible..) camp food or doing other activities during the pass times. Anyway, hope to hear y'all on the birds, and hopefully I can do a few demonstrations for my troop! 73 de KE5GDB (Life Scout) -- Andrew Koenig

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