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

Satellite Simulated Emergency Test 2
by Robert Bruninga 16 Feb '08

16 Feb '08

Next Satellite Simulated Emergency Test (SSET), 9-18 Feb? PCSAT-1 will enter full sun on 9 Feb and will join ISS on 145.825 as a relay for 1200 baud SSET Emails. GO-32 is also available for 9600 baud Email (if we have sufficient Satgates). See the web page on how to use ANY TNC, and no special software to send an Email: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html That should work well for Packet. Now, for voice... Now that we have AO-16, combined with SO-50 and AO-51 and others for voice, these plus the digital birds give us a total of 36 passes per day opportuntiy for getting a simulated emergency message out via amateur satellite. I think we need to exercise our EmComm capabilities and demonstrate them. I'd like to suggest that we come up with a plan for how best to use our voice birds for this kind of test too. I'd suggest that we come up with NET Control operators who will take checkin's. Check-ins will report these items: TX power, Gain, portable or not, emergency power or not, location. Anyone want to take charge and move out? Bob, WB4APR > -----Original Message----- > From: aprssig-bounces(a)lists.tapr.org > [mailto:aprssig-bounces@lists.tapr.org] On Behalf Of Robert Bruninga > Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 9:56 PM > To: 'TAPR APRS Mailing List' > Subject: [aprssig] Simulated Emergency Test via Satellite 50% > status report. > > This weekend should be good for getting your Satellite - > Simulated Emergecny Test message through. See > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html. PCSAT is half way > through its 2 week long Fall full-ops period. > > Last weekend, we saw over 75 users per 24 hour period who > exchanged about 250 messages a day plus 23 SSET emails. Then > during the week, this tapered to about 50 a day with 15 more > SSET emails and 3 via ISS. PCSAT is coming up in the late > afternoon now in the Northern Hemisphere. See live user downlink > on http://pcsat.aprs.org . > > It is easy to send a Satelite Emergenncy Email without any > special hardware or software other than a TNC (or soundcard > software). Just set your outoing Email in your Btext and set > BEACON to once a minute. Enable it in the afternoon between > about 1400 to 1800 local standard time in the USA (or 5 to 9 > AM). Set on 145.825 using a digi path of UNPROTO APRS VIA > WIDE2-2 at 1200 baud. > > Or just set your Kenwood D7 or D700 to send the message > automatically from the front panel. > > Check your email after that time period and see if you got the > message. The format is in the above SSET web page. If you've > done it via PCSAT, and or ISS, then try it via GO-32 at 9600 > baud. Though you can do that at your leisure after PCSAT dies > again and GO32 then is the only reliable bird. See > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/GO32-ops.html > > Bob, WB4APR > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Bob Bruninga [mailto:bruninga@usna.edu] > > Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 10:50 PM > > To: bruninga(a)usna.edu; 'Amsat-BB' > > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Simulated Emergency Test via Satellite > > > > Simulated Satellite Emergency Test: > > > > I now see 74 PCSAT-1 users in the last 24 hours on > > http://pcsat.aprs.org > > > > I cannot count up the SSET emails till I get to work on > > Monday, but of those 74 users, 50 of them have sent about > > 822 messages via PCSAT-1 or ANDE or GO32 or maybe even ARISS > > over the weekend (2-4 Nov). > > > > By the way, this is NOT just APRS hardware and software. > > Anyone with a TNC and a radio can send their SSET checkin > > email. Just set your TNC BTEXT as follows: > > > > BT :EMAIL....:YOUR_EMAIL@WHATEVER.COM checking in for SSET!... > > > > Oh, replace the 4 dots after the word EMAIL with four spaces. > > The above format is an APRS message that will get ingested > > into the global APRS system and will get emailed to > > your_EMAIL (or any other email address you specify). > > > > Also set UNPROTO APRS VIA ARISS > > > > Set beacon to once every minute if attended until you see > > success. If unattended, set to once every 5 minutes. > > > > If successful, you will receive that message via your EMAIL. > > This demonstrates your ability to enter a EMAIL and or > > position and or status from anywhere on the planet in case of > > emergency TO any email address.. > > > > Join the SSET (Satellite Simulated Emergency Test)! > > > > WB4APR, Bob > > > > > Having heard no objections to the proposed Satellite > > > Simulated Emergency Test, we are proceeding with > > > the APRS satellite part of the test: > > > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > What is needed for this new opportunity is encouraging > > > a mind set... Towards... emeregency preparedness. > > > > > > I am thinking AMSAT (we) need to do more emergency > > > service preparations and tests with our satellites. > > > Not only will that test our capabilities, but we > > > will also need to demonstrate our emergency response > > > capabilities as a group to help sell the new > > > P4 concept to the supporters of this new Geo initiative. > > > > > > Can we work up a SSET, Satellite Simulated Emergency > > > Test? Something AMSAT can do to get this bandwagon > > > rolling. Here's a web page on what I am thinking: > > > > > > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html > > > > > > SATELLITE SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST: > > > > > > For the APRS satellites, everyone with an APRS station, > > > or D7 or D700 mobile would try to send an EMAIL > > > reporting location and status via satellite from the > > > field. > > > > > > For the PACSAT message birds, similarly send a message > > > reporting status from the field. > > > > > > For the Voice birds, have a net control take check-in > > > status from as many field stations as possible. > > > > > > I hope I'm not not re-inventing someone's wheel. SET > > > was in October and I am not a routine satellite > > > operator, but I do think we need field preparedness. > > > This is not another Field day contest. But this is > > > different. We will have good powerful net controls > > > taking as many low-power check-ins as possible to > > > demonstrate our capability to handle emergency traffic > > > from anywhere. By my count, there is a LEO satellite > > > pass on average at least once an hour most of the day > > > long. Plenty of time during a 2 day test for eveyone > > > to checkin. > > > > > > With PCSAT-1 returning to service for the next two > > > weeks, I would propose to do this during the 2nd week > > > in November. And to schedule it monthly from then on. > > > Sign up net controls for the FM birds, etc... > > > > > > Field Operations IS part of this new P4 opportunity. > > > Lets start exercising... > > > > > > And you can do this all from your mobile without a PC! > > > > > > See my draft web page... > > > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html > > > > > > Bob, WB4APR > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > aprssig mailing list > aprssig(a)lists.tapr.org > https://lists.tapr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aprssig >

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Schematic wanted on Henry 3004A
by Farrell Winder 16 Feb '08

16 Feb '08

Does anyone have a Henry 3004A Amplifier set up for ATV or EME ? I am looking for a schematic and tuning details. Please reply off line direct to my E-Mail address, fwinder(a)fuse.net. Many thanks, Farrell Winder, W8ZCF, Cincinnati, OH

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Sat Shoot Question
by hobergenix 16 Feb '08

16 Feb '08

I was wondering if this satellite is totally dead. And if its not could commands be sent to the satellite to fire the steering rockets and burn up the fuel? I think I read that its still transmitting a beacon signal and that could be used to help any rocket shot at the satellite to help guide the rocket. I am just wondering if this is nothing more than a big show to say the USA can shoot down satellites like China did? Mike N6IMF

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Navy to shoot down satellite
by Robert Bruninga 15 Feb '08

15 Feb '08

NASA news conference is saying the Navy will try to shoot down the soon to deorbit spy satellite. Should be fun! Bob, WB4APR

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Re: Since We Are Off Topic Somewhat....
by David Barber 15 Feb '08

15 Feb '08

Is it not possible to engineer a craft with a much lower re-entry speed thus reducing friction?

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Since We Are Off Topic Somewhat....
by Joe 15 Feb '08

15 Feb '08

Hi All,, Since we are somewhat off topic for the moment with the conversation about the bird to come down shortly.. Ok, the question is, and i've asked it to several other places, and yet to even get a answer, The question is,,, Space shuttle launches,, starts off at sea level, and in less than ten minutes goes from zero to 17K MPh (or so) And gets to orbital altitude. Time to come down,, the de-orbit burn happens to slow it down just a bit to cause the orbit to more or less decay.. It's at orbital altitude.. and moving at about 17K MPh.. 45 minutes or so later it's back on the ground and moving at zero MPh.. So in actuality it comes down from space even slower than going up. Yes? 45 min vs 10. Ok, same goes with any satellite,, How come, going up,, 0 to 17K MPh through the atmosphere, all is fine.. BUT coming down,, 17K MPh to 0 unless it has protection it will burn up in the atmosphere from friction with the air. why is it different? Joe WB9SBD & NSS

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AO-51 schedule for Feb 2008
by Gould Smith 15 Feb '08

15 Feb '08

Hi Keith, The table schedule does not easily show the dual band operation that we are running. Please see the text description @ http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php ,although I just noticed that this page is still broken. We are looking for a new web master. AO-51 is in V/US mode except for Tues to Thur when L/US. We haven't seen much activity on the L/US mode and are discussing whether to continue that mode the rest of the month. Standard mode for Feb 2008 145.92 FM up / 435.300 & 2401.2 FM down 73, Gould, WA4SXM ----- Original Message ----- From: "AMSAT Website" <www(a)amsat.org> To: <gouldsmi(a)bellsouth.net> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 11:41 AM Subject: Field Operations Question > > This message originated from the AMSAT website > > Sender: Keith Email: n8xd(a)arrl.net > Host: firetest.iti.net > > Subject: Field Operations Question > > Message: > Hi, > I'm having a little trouble finding the AO-51 Schedule for this month. It > doesn't appear to be on the website. Can you help? > Thanks! > --Keith > > (end of message) > > > Problems with this message? Email to w0eec(a)amsat.org

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Since We Are Off Topic Somewhat....
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 15 Feb '08

15 Feb '08

> Time to come down,, the de-orbit burn happens to slow it down just a bit > to cause the orbit to more or less decay.. I don't think orbital decay would be a good descriptor. Orbiter does the de-orbit burn about half-a-rev away, then a nose dive. The de-orbit burn puts the brakes on big time, then after it turns nose forward, a slight push towards the earth brings it on down fast. An orbital decay is very gradual, and takes many orbits... > So in actuality it comes down from space even slower than going up. > Yes? 45 min vs 10. Right, as others have said - going up through the dense atmosphere is the slowest part of the trip. They even hold back throttle until it has passed maxQ, or maximum dynamic shake, just before passing the 'sound-barrier'. After that, the air is much thinner and with less fuel on board - and the acceleration increases very rapidly. > Ok, same goes with any satellite,, Not really. Launch may be the same - but a de-orbiting satellite can take weeks/months/years of slowing/losing altitude enough to encounter the upper atmosphere. That's when the trouble starts. > coming down,, 17K MPh to 0 unless it has protection > it will burn up in the atmosphere from friction with the air. You hit the nail on the head. Orbiter has protection. Major protection. Reinforced carbon-carbon leading edge treatment on the wings and nose. Ceramic tiles on the belly provide the required capacity to shed all that kinetic energy as heat. The thermal padding over the rest of the orbiter is to protect the vehicle structure from the heat passing by. The shock wave just millimeters out in front of the orbiter is hotter than the surface of the sun... I remember seeing Wayne Hales describing this on NASA-TV after the TPS repair job a few flights back in 2007... De-orbiting satellites have no TPS, and as soon as they encounter atmospheric ionization - it cooks off pretty quickly. Only major chunks survive, and then only as really hot blobs. Think of the bright meteors during a storm like the Leonids - most of those are no bigger than a grain of sand - but come in around 70 km/sec ... It should be interesting to see what the media does with this story. Personally, I suspect the fuel would cook off before impact with some large body of water. But if we let it do that, we couldn't flex THE muscle. It would take to long to program an EKV target model for one of the big mid-course interceptors... so perhaps this approach will score some points. We gotta catch up you know. We've never destroyed a satellite 'on purpose' . . All you gotta do is get right in front of it, and let it hit you. An explosive just adds to the show. Waiting for Atlantis to get back is good idea .!. I think I heard that they did extend joint-ops for one day. Maybe early next week they'll let the Navy have a crack or two at "Shoot-Sat". Thanks (this wasn't supposed to get this long) /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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Re: Best coax for 2 meters
by Ken Owen 15 Feb '08

15 Feb '08

Hi folks: I get a lot of questions from folks about the best coax types for weak signal/satellite work. I found a good source for LMR400 (equivalent) which I use for both my two meters and 430 antennas. It's overkill for two meters though, since I have only have about a 50 foot run. I know someone who is planning a run of about 40 feet and he's using a pre-amp at the antenna. What would the group recommend for the two-meter coax? Thanks, N6KTH

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Satellite Shoot Down
by hobergenix 15 Feb '08

15 Feb '08

Maybe they should just farm out the job to the Chineese and get it done for a fraction of the cost and right the first time! Mike N6IMF

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