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

Building an EggBeater
by PE0SAT 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

Hi, Does anybody have a good article from building an Eggbeater for 144 and 435 MHz? Via Google I couldn't find a good one. Thanks in advance, PE0SAT

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ISS repeater V/U and EVA timeline comment
by andy thomas 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

Having not had hide nor hair of the ISS over the holiday, /p in Cornwall - making do with the Mighty KBC on Shortwave, hi - was very pleased to hear her again on the V/U repeater at 1018utc today, very low elevation over the Atlantic. 2E0EUB very strong initially, called him but incompletely relayed (which is all I could manage), then him in IO92BX working David G8OQW, and then when overhead spain EA1ESA called and EA1BYC working him. Would be great if it were left on this combination just a day or so more? BTW I was interested to see that on the Timeline for 22/23 December the crew switched comms into a standard mode for EVAs: "2050/2100: FE-1: Pre-EVA comms config reconfiguring C&W indication from [Cyrillic PSS] (Caution & Warning panel) to [Cyrillic POV] (EVA support panel)" and switched back at 07:40/55 - this must mean that 143.625 acts as a rebroadcast channel during EVAs. Good to know (unless just with Russian suits). 73 de andy G0SFJ

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what positioner interfaces exist?
by Eric Fort 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

I've been looking at how tracking hardware interfaces to positioner hardware. There seems to be multiple ways used to induce movement and multiple ways to sense/track position. some seem to require up, down, right, left (4 bit) control signals along with an analog voltage provided for position indication while others may just count pulses to track position and may use unipolar vs bipolar motors. I've also seen syncros and steppers used. What is being used and what is common for positioner interface requirements? What means are used to sense/track position and what signaling is needed by various systems to induce a change to that position? Thanks, Eric AF6EP

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ISS V/U repeater active, and audio recording ISS rep. on Japan.
by Cor 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

Hello All, This morning I worked only a few stations via the ISS V/U crossband repeater. Probably many people are not aware that it is active now. TX Uplink: 145.990Mhz FM (with 67hz tone!!!). RX Downlink: 437.800Mhz FM (adjust doppler few khz up and down). Renember this V/U mode is not useal and was sceduled for this 25 years ham radio in space event (for December 2008). I have received an audio recording from JA0CAW with ISS V/U repeater on Japan. I have posted the audio recording on my website. Good luck (to all) if you trie. 73's Cor PD0RKC http://iss.ontwikkel.nl

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Mahalo
by dukenuke＠pixi.com 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

Mahalo to the many ham enthusiasts that I have talked to via satellite over the holidays. What a treat this has been for me! I've noticed some "Arrow" discussion on the BBS. I am not a real technical ham but I do know that I can routinely hit the mainland from Hawaii at 1 degree elevation with the Arrow (ask K7WIN). So hopefully, when I am back in Honolulu next month I will be able to continue some of my new friendships via satellite. Always willing to travel, perhaps I can also provide some additional grids other than BL11. Mahalo and Happy New Year to all Respectfully, robert smith NH7WN

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Re: Arrow vs. Elk
by Clint Bradford 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

> > ... the Arrow, as built does not have its elements insulated from > the boom. It uses dimensions for insulated elements . . . so much > for the Arrow . . . . This is a case of where "engineering mentality" and "first-hand, practical experiences" are colliding. When I was selling these for HRO, a gentleman brought his back one day. "This can NOT work," he exclaimed. "It is designed all wrong ... " I refunded his money, and bought the antenna for a backup for myself. I am using it to this day, successfully working the FM sats with 1.5-to-2.5W TX power. So much for the Arrow, indeed ... (grin) Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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More LOTW stuff
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

Is there any interest in entering QSOs before 2003 (2003 is a natural break in my logs) in Log Book of the World? 73, Joe kk0sd

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Portable Satellite LOTW
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

Has anyone mastered putting records of portable satellite operations into Log Book of The World? I would like to give folks credit for the Grids I worked them from, but how to do this is not obvious. 73, Joe kk0sd

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Re: Delfi C3 status?
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

The packet data downlink is presently operational at 145.870. It is extremely strong from AOS/LOS. When the amateur transponder is activated, A CW beacon will be at 145.870 in place of the packet data signal. It sends "HI HI DELFIC3 in CW." I recently emailed wouterw(a)delfic3.nl asking when the satellite would be put back into the amateur mode. I have received no reply. It's the holidays at the university so I really do not expect an answer at this point in time so maybe after the new year. Unlike just after launch when transponder signals were strong, I have recently been having difficulty getting a signal through the transponder. I would like to experiment more so I'm waiting and hoping. All the best, Mike (K9QHO) AMSAT 33589

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Delfi C3 status?
by John Marranca, Jr 28 Dec '08

28 Dec '08

Happy Holidays, Everyone. I hope Santa was good to everyone this year. Is Delfi C3 non-operational at this time? Each time I monitor passes, I hear no activity. I was under the impression that it was SUPPOSED to be open for Amateur use. Also, Delfi's Operation's web page doesn't appear to have been updated since November. Did I miss something? 73 de 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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