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

Re: Malfunctioning Navy Satellite Elsets?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

> Subject: [amsat-bb] Malfunctioning Navy Satellite Elsets? > From: Rick Mann <rmann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:36:56 -0800 > > Does anyone know the Space Track catalog ID for the Navy satellite > they're about to shoot down? I don't even know if they're available, > but if they are, I wanted to see the track before it's destroyed. There is a lot of interesting discussion and observation details to be found on the www.satobs.org/seesat mailing list. In particular, this post by Ted Molczan has a link to a chart he has made ... http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Feb-2008/0420.html This chart references the same element set others here mention. Should be an interesting event (or at least the press coverage thereof)... /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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Re: How to mount sat antenna on camera tripod?
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

Hi Bill, A quick fit solution that I have used on many demos is to use a plastic clip,the type used for fixing central heating copper pipe to a surface. The older type seems better (and stronger) - It is ready drilled with a central hole which in my case also simply self tapped onto the thread of the camera fixing bolt. The other option is to remove the camera fixing bolt and replace it of course with a nut and bolt long enough to fit the plastic clip. I used it with an Arrow antenna which is of course "square" tubing, it was not a secure fit. --- MY SOLUTION - was to fit a short piece of central heating copper pipe to the Arrow antenna "At the correct point of balance" . If you want to make it more secure a cable tie will help with this problem. Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat- UK Amsat NA

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Re: Cute sat telemetry (CO-55. CO-57, CO-58)
by Jeff Mock 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

Robert Smith wrote: > Aloha > > I have sent a lot of 57 and 58 CW to Japan over > the months and in my convervations with them they claim that the packets > are over Japan only. > So I guess it XIV and UT1 code CW groups are it for now. > > robert NH7WN Honolulu > Mahalo, That's about what I figured. It would be nice if they left the AFSK on, but I guess they are trying to converse the batteries. You might be able to catch some of the japan passes from Honolulu with a fancy antenna. jeff

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Cute sat telemetry (CO-55. CO-57, CO-58)
by Jeff Mock 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

I can clearly hear the beacons for CO-55, CO-57, CO-58, but I have been unsuccessful hearing any FM AFSK telemetry signals from these satellites (west coast of California). Are the telemetry transmitters disabled or are these just enabled during passes over Japan? thanks, jeff AD6EO

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PCSat
by Fred (VE3FAL) 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Another question for the gang: I run a Kenwood TMD700 in the truck for APRS. My home station consists of a 2 meter rig (Yaesu) and I use UI-View for APRS (I am a digistation) and WinPack AGW V6.80 and AGW packet Engine. I am unsure of how or what I need to work PCSat without changing a bunch of my settings in UI-View.. Is there another program to use with my radio that will allow me to work PCSat without playing with my settings? Fred VE3FAL --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080220-0, 20/02/2008 Tested on: 20/02/2008 5:00:07 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com

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Malfunctioning Navy Satellite Elsets?
by Rick Mann 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Does anyone know the Space Track catalog ID for the Navy satellite they're about to shoot down? I don't even know if they're available, but if they are, I wanted to see the track before it's destroyed. Thanks! -- Rick

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No CEPT Reciprocal Licences For Some Americans
by Eric Rosenberg 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

FYI... Eric W3DQ Washington, DC ------------ "From 4 February the US Technician and General class amateur licences are no longer valid for CEPT reciprocal licensing. At its January meeting, the CEPT's Radio Regulatory Working Group re-evaluated current United States licence standards against those of the other CEPT signatories. They found that the recently revised standards for Technician and General no longer have any equivalent in the European community of nations. Affected licensees will now have to apply for a formal reciprocal licence if they wish to operate in a CEPT country."

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How to mount sat antenna on camera tripod?
by Bill Dzurilla 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Anyone come up with an easy way to accomplish this? I have built a small sat antenna but cannot figure out an easy way to secure it to my camera tripod, which has the standard screw on top of the mount that goes into a hole on the camera. 73, Bill NZ5N ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Keith Schlottman, KR7RK Kevin Hartley, VE7OVY Jim Sullivan, WB6TNF To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE

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Shuttle
by David - M0ZLB 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Fantastic double sonic boom that shook the house as Atlantis flew in off the Gulf of Mexico and over the house - unfortunately I didnt see it but the ex-wife was up at 1100 feet in a Cessna at the time so maybe she did! David M0ZLB/KG4ZLB

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Re: Since We Are Off Topic Somewhat....
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Since We Are Off Topic Somewhat.... > From: Joe <nss@xxxxxxx> > Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:18:15 -0600 > > Does anyone have the actual speeds at each altitude > going up vs coming down? I tried to collect some notes of detail during this latest landing : Landing -20min : 44 miles altitude, 15,000 mph, 80degree roll left L -18min : 43 miles alt, 95 feet/sec descent rate L -16min : 38 miles alt, Mach17, 900 miles away L -13min : 33 miles alt, Mach12, 600 miles away, 64degree roll right (Cuba) L -10min : 200 miles away (Ft.Meyers), AOS MILA, TACANS L -8 min : 20 miles alt, 127 miles away (visible on tracking cam) L -6 min : 14 miles alt, 70 miles away L -4 min : Mach1 - sonic booms heard (heads-up pilot view showing clouds) L -2 min : 1,000 ft alt, thru the clouds L -0 min : touchdown L +1 min : rollout, wheel stop - Welcome home Atlantis and crew ! I somehow doubt that we'll enjoy such detailed commentary on tonite's "Spy-Sat smack-down"... 73 /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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SPECTACULAR NOAA SATELLITES IMAGES FROM EA4CAX SHACK
by Rodolfo 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Hi all, I have taken from NOAA satellites some spectacular images, some of them with 1 degree elevation from Spain in which you can see the east cost of Canada. I have also made some compositions with several images you can see at: http://personales.ya.com/ea4cax The WEB site is in Spanish, but the images have an universal languaje. Enjoy! Rodolfo EA4CAX 73s

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proposing a new gentleman's rule...
by Auke de Jong, VE6PWN 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

In light of hearing some stations calling "CQ" or "CQ Satellite" and then failing to reply to the terurn calls, I have realized that there is a need for a new procedure to be used when calling "CQ" on satellites. This is needed in order to address multiple satellites sharing a common uplink frequency, and having overlapping(or nearly-so) footprints. In particular, AO-51 and AO-16 are using 145.92 FM for their voice uplinks, and their footprints are presently seperated by only a few minutes. Perhaps the considerate operator should be naming the satellite that they are trying to use while calling, in order to avoid confusion or frustration when the operator's calls might be inadvertently received on multiple sats at once. Any thoughts? Auke de Jong VE6PWN DO33go Edmonton, AB

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Sat antenna fixed elevation -- how many degrees is the best?
by Bill Dzurilla 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

I've seen people with fixed elevations of 25, 30, 35 degrees, any consensus on which is the best? And how well, if at all, does an antenna with a fixed elevation of 30 degrees or so perform when the sat is higher than 60 degrees? 73, Bill NZ5N ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

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Re: How to mount sat antenna on camera tripod?
by Richard Limebear 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Bill > Anyone come up with an easy way to accomplish this? I > have built a small sat antenna but cannot figure out > an easy way to secure it to my camera tripod, which > has the standard screw on top of the mount that goes > into a hole on the camera. Good camera stores usually hold clamps designed designed to hold binoculars on tripods. I use one for this sometimes. -- 73 Richard W L Limebear G3RWL g3rwl(a)amsat.org FOC # 1188 So many beautiful girls ... (sob) so little time

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Re: Hell mode on vo-52
by Charles Reiche 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

RRR I copied K2MO just as the bird set to my north.... I thought i heard someone call around my freq prior to copying k2mo, maybe you Drew. Charlie N3CRT ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> To: "Charles Reiche" <reichec(a)verizon.net> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 9:10 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Hell mode on vo-52 >I thought I heard you a time or two, and I cqed some around 915. The next >pass is much better for me, and I'll be back on around .915. > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Charles Reiche" <reichec(a)verizon.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:33 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Hell mode on vo-52 > > >> Pending approval of the other half, I will be attempting Hellschreiber >> mode somewhere above the center of the vo-52 downlink on the next east >> coast pass here Feb 20, 2008 at 01:50 UTC, and potentially the next more >> westerly pass around 03:30 UTC. I will be using fast full doppler >> control and be working with feldhell mode unless someone replies fast >> with other suggestions or recommendations. >> >> This will be my first attempt with hell mode using what I think should >> work... :) >> Hope to hear from you. >> >> Charlie >> N3CRT >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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Hell mode on vo-52
by Charles Reiche 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Pending approval of the other half, I will be attempting Hellschreiber mode somewhere above the center of the vo-52 downlink on the next east coast pass here Feb 20, 2008 at 01:50 UTC, and potentially the next more westerly pass around 03:30 UTC. I will be using fast full doppler control and be working with feldhell mode unless someone replies fast with other suggestions or recommendations. This will be my first attempt with hell mode using what I think should work... :) Hope to hear from you. Charlie N3CRT

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The Store
by Martha 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Thanks to Emily, the store is up and running. It has moved to a new host and sound be a bit faster. -- 73- Martha

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PCSat
by Fred (VE3FAL) 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

What exactly is the frequency for PCSat and how would I set up my home station to link with it. I find some information but nothing that has helped me. Thanks Fred VE3FAL --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080218-0, 18/02/2008 Tested on: 19/02/2008 6:05:50 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com

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Searching for a Bird 4380A-488
by Smith, Alan L 19 Feb '08

19 Feb '08

Message: I am in need of a Bird 4380A-488 interface unit for the Bird 4391 wattmeter. Any help locating one that is in good serviceable condition would be appreciated. Thank you for your help. Alan Smith alan.l.smith(a)ngc.com

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Re: proposing a new gentleman's rule...
by Robert Turlington 19 Feb '08

19 Feb '08

Yes Auke I couldn't agree with you more,I would further add that any Station wishing to call CQ after hearing another calling CQ should at least allow sufficient time for a response to the original call.There have been numerous occasions when stations answering my CQ call have blocked out by another CQ call almost straight afterwards!Regards Robert G8ATE > Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:47:00 -0700> From: sparkycivic(a)shaw.ca> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] proposing a new gentleman's rule...> > In light of hearing some stations calling "CQ" or "CQ Satellite" and then failing to reply to the terurn calls, I have realized that there is a need for a new procedure to be used when calling "CQ" on satellites. This is needed in order to address multiple satellites sharing a common uplink frequency, and having overlapping(or nearly-so) footprints. In particular, AO-51 and AO-16 are using 145.92 FM for their voice uplinks, and their footprints are presently seperated by only a few minutes. > > Perhaps the considerate operator should be naming the satellite that they are trying to use while calling, in order to avoid confusion or frustration when the operator's calls might be inadvertently received on multiple sats at once. > > Any thoughts?> > Auke de Jong> VE6PWN> DO33go> Edmonton, AB> > _______________________________________________> 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 _________________________________________________________________ Free games, great prizes - get gaming at Gamesbox. http://www.searchgamesbox.com

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Re: G-5500 Manual
by Gary Schuchardt 19 Feb '08

19 Feb '08

Thank you Tony. The G-5400 / G-5600 rotator instruction manuals are more improved over the G-5500. This has exactly what I need in terms of the actual rotator schematics showing parts and a parts listing so that an owner can order the parts they need. The guts are most likely close to how the G-5500 is arranged. I asked Yaesu several times for this and they never sent this information for my rotator. This will help. Gary N0EZH Chesapeake -------Original Message------- From: Tony Stone Date: 2/18/2008 3:51:49 PM To: Gary Schuchardt Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: G-5500 Manual I hope this helps. 73 Tony W4TAS

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IC-910 TNC connections
by Jeff Mock 19 Feb '08

19 Feb '08

What's the best way to hook an IC-910 to a TNC for digital modes? For awhile now I've been listening to the packets from GO-32 and I would now like to start sending some packets. Up until now, I've used the miniDin-6 for the main band and taking the 9600-baud audio line to the TNC with good results. In order to transmit I think that I need to build a spit cable, Rx audio to the sub band and Tx audio to main band miniDin connector? This all seems to get too complicated when I need to build yet another cable for Tx/Rx on the same band, and even more cables for 1200-baud vs. 9600-baud audio connections. Is there a good solution or do you wind up having a bunch of different cables for various situations? jeff AD6EO

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was Re: really strange RX
by Mark L. Hammond 19 Feb '08

19 Feb '08

Hi Alan, Yes, I had to dig my PSK stuff out of storage, too :) It's a bit nostalgic...but really cool when you see it still works! However, TLMDC won't work with the satellites in their current state. Rather, they are transmitting Microsat Boot Loader (MBL) telemetry that has to be collected in KISS mode--using something like Wisp. For IO-26, it's MBL KISS files can be decoded by Mike's DK3WN's great IO-26 MBL telemetry decoder here: http://www.dk3wn.info/software.shtml It has a nice graphic display of the telemetry channels. And YES, if you can grab the KISS files I'm interested in receiving them! 73, Mark N8MH >Mark N8MH said: >> You may very well be hearing IO-26, ITAMSAT. >> IO-26 is currently in MBL mode transmitting PSK at 435.790 MHz >> If you share a footprint with my station, you might very well be >> hearing some MBL telemetry and/or packets coming from IO-26. > >So, perhaps there might be some motivation to re-connect the old >TAPR-PSK demodulator - that has been keeping dust off the museum shelf. >I was considering hooking it up about the time AO16 went voice. >Using sound card now for so much, the MFJ-1278 doesn't have much to do. > >Any interest in collecting the telemetry ? >Anyone else still have a TAPR-PSK demod hooked up ? >Hummm, wonder if TLMDC still works... > maybe there is a reason all those old floppies are still in a box. > maybe they should stay there . . . > 73 /;^) >-- > <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * <http://wb5rmg.somenet.net>http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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RE - TNC3S
by nader omer 19 Feb '08

19 Feb '08

Hi Peter check this links it may help ! http://www.symek.com/g/tnc3update.html http://www.symek.com/g/tnc3s.html 73 Nader-st2nh --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

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