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

Re: A0-51 "easy sat"
by Ben Jackson 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Actually, on busy passes of AO-51, I find phonetics best because it is often quite hard to hear weaker stations over the "free for all" that can occur Not all stations are full quieting into the sat, nor does everyone always have a great signal on the receiving end. :) Just my $0.02 -- Ben Jackson - N1WBV - bbj(a)innismir.net - http://www.innismir.net >From my Cell Phone -----Original Message----- From: "Robert Bruninga" <bruninga(a)usna.edu> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: 2/25/08 4:36 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: A0-51 "easy sat" > How about trying to use the more preferred protocol of... > Callsign phonetically. grid square, op mode > Like... > Kilo-Six-Lima-Charlie-Sierra, Delta Mike 13, handheld On FM, in my opinion, there is no need for phonetics except for calls with troublesome letters. Most calls can be heard easily without using up time with phonetics. Bob _______________________________________________ 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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PCSAT-1 Full operations and SSET
by Bob Bruninga 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

PCSAT-1 has fully recoverd and is available for normal contacts on 145.825. See the downlink on http://pcsat.aprs.org And we encourage everyone with a D7 or D700 (or other packet station) to go out and send yourself an Email via any of the birds, PCSAT-1, ARISS, GO-32, or even ECHO. (though we may not have enough IGates always monitiring the GO-32 or ECHO downlinks). By participating in this Satellite Simulated Emergency Test, you are not only showing our AMSAT interest in supporting EMCON, but you are also refreshing your skills at being able to use just a simple ARPS radio to get an emergency message out of anywhere at any time (when one of these satellites comes over). See: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html PCSAT-1 may crash back to W3ADO-1. The generic digipeater path "VIA ARISS" only works when PCSAT-1 is showing. Otherwise, when it crashes back to W3ADO-1, you can only use that callsign. The callsign PCSAT-11 is only on the 144.39 downlink over the USA. If you see it on 145.825, then the satellite has crashed and should not be used until the two systems are again isolated (since it draws twice the power and will die). Bob, WB4APR

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Items for sale
by Stefan Wagener 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Hi Folks, A few special items need a new home. Please contact me directly if interested: 1. ICOM IC-PCR1000 plus installed UT-106 DSP module (+ manual, serial cable, telescope antenna, software). Excellent condition. Wideband coverage: 100 kHz - 1.3 GHz 2. TEN TEC 2m Transverter (for 10m transceiver). Complete T-KIT (# 1210) with Case and all Hardware and Manual. NEW! see: 3. 2.4 GHz Low Noise P-HEMT downconverter with 144 and 434 switchable output frequency. NEW! The first DUAL IF downconverter made by KEPS communication in Italy see: http://www.keps.it/it/i_sat_products/i_downconverter/i_downconverter.html Photos of all items are available. Thanks, Stefan VE4NSA

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Re: Orbits
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Also add RS-15 Bob W7LRD -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "ANTHONY JAPHA" <tjjapha(a)earthlink.net> > Greetings all, > Can someone explain why the only orbits ever discussed these days--and for the > past decade and more--are either very low or very high? What really happened to > the AO-7-type orbits that were prevalent in days of yore, and so useful? Why > aren't current day birds ever placed in these orbits? Are they incompatible > with today's launch vehicles or their intended orbits? > > Many thanks and 73, > Tony, N2UN > LM 183 > _______________________________________________ > 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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Orbits
by ANTHONY JAPHA 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Greetings all, Can someone explain why the only orbits ever discussed these days--and for the past decade and more--are either very low or very high? What really happened to the AO-7-type orbits that were prevalent in days of yore, and so useful? Why aren't current day birds ever placed in these orbits? Are they incompatible with today's launch vehicles or their intended orbits? Many thanks and 73, Tony, N2UN LM 183

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The gentlemans bird AO7
by paul robinson 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Congratulations to all involved in the many qso's on ao7 ! i have had great pleasure working joe and terry ,and indeed many more guys on this great old bird! for years now,and ive not been counting! the qso's ! Ao7 is truly a great bird ,and the guys that use the transponder are also! how we all miss 13,10 and 40 !!! its just a good job we can rely upon the past !!! that is amsat oscar 7 to get us over the water to chat with our friends !! SOMTHING THAT SAT BUILDERS SHOULD CONSIDER TODAY FOOTPRINT and RELIABLITY and a transponder !73 's PAUL 2E1EUB. amsat uk/na member! --------------------------------- Sent from Yahoo! Mail. A Smarter Inbox.

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AO-51 "easy sat"
by Charles Reiche 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

I know starting out can be tough and discouraging for our newer Amsaters, especially when trying to make QSOs on the "easy sats". I just wanted to let you know that I called and called and called CQ on AO-51 this morning with no takers, just an occasional keyup from someone here too on the east coast. Some of these morning passes I can make 2 or 3 nice contacts and even get a chance to learn their name or what the weather is like on the other end. I worked 2 new grids this weekend on the morning passes and heard the same alligators on the evening passes.... Wake up early and head ourside with your handheld or however you can access the satellites, Im sure you will discover what they orignially meant in the words "easy sat." Keep with it. Keep trying. Keep reading and studying. You can do it! Here is my recording of thins AMs "no takers" pass. http://www.n3crt.net/amsat/AO51/N3CRT_AO51_Feb_25_1140Z_CQCQ_NO_TAKERS.mp3 Good luck Charlie FN20

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3000 QSO's
by John Hackett 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Terry, I hate !!!!!! you ... and if I was back in Blighty you could bet your Sunday britches I'd cut your coax !!! ... but I can tell you now mate, you're wasting your time chasing Joe .. that's about as sensible as a one legged man kicking "botty". Congratulations !!! ... and one of these days I might even be able to afford a microphone!. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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G1WPR
by dcowden＠nc.rr.com 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Congratulations Terry. Thanks for our contacts on AO-07 73 and Good DX Don,N8DDK

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G1WPR
by k3szh＠netzero.net 24 Feb '08

24 Feb '08

As a friend of many years , with whom I've had many many windy conversation's.I hold my TEA CUP high to congratulate you for your 3000 plus qso's on AO7. PS.Even John LA2QAA our gate keeper will be proud of you,hi hi 73 Joe Amsat 3788 _____________________________________________________________ Click for free info on online degrees and make up to $150K/ year. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4ugvZWAdBY2wthSRAyWYPY…

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[ans] ANS-055 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 24 Feb '08

24 Feb '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-055 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT Keplerian Data Approval * Current AMSAT Awards/AMSAT Journal * Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight * ARISS Status - 18 February 2008 * OSCAR-11 Report SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.01 AMSAT Keplerian Data Approval AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.01 I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's 2008-2009 request to re-distribute Keplerian elements from US Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Space-Track web site has been approved. Our USSTRATCOM Form 1 request to re-distribute the Keps was approved as of February 21, 2008. This means that AMSAT will continue to distribute the NASA verbose and the two line format keplerian data for another year. Thanks to AFSPC for their help. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.02 Current AMSAT Awards/AMSAT Journal AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.02 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 Also, The JAN/FEB Journal was sent to the printer on 2/22/08. Ed, WA4SWJ, does an excellent job of putting together this publication and we thank him for his continuing efforts. [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO & Ed Long, WA4SWJ, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.03 Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.03 Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight The European Space Agency (ESA) Education Office has the pleasure in issuing a Call For CubeSat Proposals to universities in ESA Member and Cooperating States to participate as an educational payload on the Maiden Flight of the Vega Launcher. The ESA Education Office recognises the growing importance of CubeSat projects as a key tool in providing university students with a valuable hands-on practical education across all space engineering disciplines from end-to-end through the complete space project lifecycle. The launch opportunity on the Vega Maiden Flight is offered free of charge for up to 6 CubeSats, with an additional 2 backup CubeSats on stand-by. Proposals are solicited from interested universities with CubeSat projects of sufficient maturity level to be able to meet the Vega Maiden Flight schedule (current target launch date of December 2008). Proposals (max. 15 pages) must be submitted via e-mail to: education(a)esa.int in PDF or MS Word format by the deadline of 17 March 2008. Proposals will be evaluated by the ESA Selection Board and the selected CubeSats will be announced on the ESA Education web portal by 15 April 2008. Details can be found on-line at: http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMSJ8QR4CF_index_0.html [ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.04 OSCAR-11 Report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.04 OSCAR-11 Copied But Signal Becomes Intermittent OSCAR-11 was heard from 22 January to 01 February and from 11 February to 15 February. Signals have been very variable in strength sometimes very strong, sometimes undetectable, even at high elevations. Low signal strength was particularly noticeable at AOS and LOS, and also towards the end of the transmission periods. OSCAR-11 is expected to switch back on under control of its on-board timer around 07 March. There should be a short period of transmissions before permanent eclipses start in mid March. After March it is unlikely that the satellite will support any sustained period of operation, and will only transmit for a short time, possibly less than a single orbit, every 21 days. Many thanks to Peter ZL3TC, Chris M0DQO, Tobias DG3LV, Edward BX1AD, Mark KU7Z, Gene WA4UKX, SWL Mark in CM87, Ron G4PGY, Julian WB9YIG and John KB2HSH for their reports. OSCAR-11 beacon frequency is on 145.826 MHz, AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry. See http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ for additional information. [ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.05 ARISS Status - 18 February 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.05 ARISS Status Report for the Week of February 18, 2008 1. Upcoming School Contacts Robespierre Elementary School in Rueil Malmaison, France had an ARISS contact on Thursday, February 21 at 14:21 UTC. Two hundred fifty-six students in grades 1-5 are enrolled at the school. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, participated in this contact which will was conducted in French. An ARISS contact is planned for College Reydellet in Saint-Denis, Ile de La Réunion on Monday, February 25 at 14:44 UTC. Approximately 550 students, ages 10-17, attend the school. Students contacted Victor Afanassiev on MIR from Tsup, Moscow in September 1999 and the College welcomed Victor Poliakov and Pavel Vinogradov who threw the space model from MIR, and Jean-Lou Chretien , Jean-Pierre and Claudie Haignere. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, plans to participate in this contact which will be conducted in French. 2. Shukor Debrief Scheduled An ARISS crew debrief has been scheduled with Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 9W2MUS, on Tuesday, February 26. The first Malaysian space visitor, Shukor participated in 5 ARISS contacts with students in Malaysia while onboard the ISS. 3. ARRL Covers Columbus News The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted a W1AW bulletin and a Web story on the Columbus module with the ARISS antennas. To view t he story, see: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/02/14/101/?nc=1 On Friday, February 15, The ARRL Letter also posted the article, "Astronauts Work on Columbus Lab on the ISS." See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/08/0215/ 4. Amateur Radio Newsline Articles on ARISS Amateur Radio Newsline's Report 1592, posted on February 15, 2008 ran two ARISS related articles: "Ham Radio in Space: ISS Repeater Contacts Good for JAMSAT Award," and "Ham Radio in Space: New ARISS Antennas Now on the ISS." To view these articles, go to: www.arnewsline.org. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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Spy Satellite Again - This Time With Video
by JoAnne Maenpaa 24 Feb '08

24 Feb '08

Spy satellite revisited ... computer simulation of the spy satellite shoot down ... http://www.agi.com/corporate/mediaCenter/news/videos/US_ASAT.wmv -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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[ans] ANS-055 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 24 Feb '08

24 Feb '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-055 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT Keplerian Data Approval * Current AMSAT Awards/AMSAT Journal * Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight * ARISS Status - 18 February 2008 * OSCAR-11 Report SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.01 AMSAT Keplerian Data Approval AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.01 I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's 2008-2009 request to re-distribute Keplerian elements from US Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Space-Track web site has been approved. Our USSTRATCOM Form 1 request to re-distribute the Keps was approved as of February 21, 2008. This means that AMSAT will continue to distribute the NASA verbose and the two line format keplerian data for another year. Thanks to AFSPC for their help. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.02 Current AMSAT Awards/AMSAT Journal AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.02 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 Also, The JAN/FEB Journal was sent to the printer on 2/22/08. Ed, WA4SWJ, does an excellent job of putting together this publication and we thank him for his continuing efforts. [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO & Ed Long, WA4SWJ, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.03 Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.03 Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight The European Space Agency (ESA) Education Office has the pleasure in issuing a Call For CubeSat Proposals to universities in ESA Member and Cooperating States to participate as an educational payload on the Maiden Flight of the Vega Launcher. The ESA Education Office recognises the growing importance of CubeSat projects as a key tool in providing university students with a valuable hands-on practical education across all space engineering disciplines from end-to-end through the complete space project lifecycle. The launch opportunity on the Vega Maiden Flight is offered free of charge for up to 6 CubeSats, with an additional 2 backup CubeSats on stand-by. Proposals are solicited from interested universities with CubeSat projects of sufficient maturity level to be able to meet the Vega Maiden Flight schedule (current target launch date of December 2008). Proposals (max. 15 pages) must be submitted via e-mail to: education(a)esa.int in PDF or MS Word format by the deadline of 17 March 2008. Proposals will be evaluated by the ESA Selection Board and the selected CubeSats will be announced on the ESA Education web portal by 15 April 2008. Details can be found on-line at: http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMSJ8QR4CF_index_0.html [ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.04 OSCAR-11 Report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.04 OSCAR-11 Copied But Signal Becomes Intermittent OSCAR-11 was heard from 22 January to 01 February and from 11 February to 15 February. Signals have been very variable in strength sometimes very strong, sometimes undetectable, even at high elevations. Low signal strength was particularly noticeable at AOS and LOS, and also towards the end of the transmission periods. OSCAR-11 is expected to switch back on under control of its on-board timer around 07 March. There should be a short period of transmissions before permanent eclipses start in mid March. After March it is unlikely that the satellite will support any sustained period of operation, and will only transmit for a short time, possibly less than a single orbit, every 21 days. Many thanks to Peter ZL3TC, Chris M0DQO, Tobias DG3LV, Edward BX1AD, Mark KU7Z, Gene WA4UKX, SWL Mark in CM87, Ron G4PGY, Julian WB9YIG and John KB2HSH for their reports. OSCAR-11 beacon frequency is on 145.826 MHz, AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry. See http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ for additional information. [ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.05 ARISS Status - 18 February 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.05 ARISS Status Report for the Week of February 18, 2008 1. Upcoming School Contacts Robespierre Elementary School in Rueil Malmaison, France had an ARISS contact on Thursday, February 21 at 14:21 UTC. Two hundred fifty-six students in grades 1-5 are enrolled at the school. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, participated in this contact which will was conducted in French. An ARISS contact is planned for College Reydellet in Saint-Denis, Ile de La Réunion on Monday, February 25 at 14:44 UTC. Approximately 550 students, ages 10-17, attend the school. Students contacted Victor Afanassiev on MIR from Tsup, Moscow in September 1999 and the College welcomed Victor Poliakov and Pavel Vinogradov who threw the space model from MIR, and Jean-Lou Chretien , Jean-Pierre and Claudie Haignere. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, plans to participate in this contact which will be conducted in French. 2. Shukor Debrief Scheduled An ARISS crew debrief has been scheduled with Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 9W2MUS, on Tuesday, February 26. The first Malaysian space visitor, Shukor participated in 5 ARISS contacts with students in Malaysia while onboard the ISS. 3. ARRL Covers Columbus News The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted a W1AW bulletin and a Web story on the Columbus module with the ARISS antennas. To view t he story, see: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/02/14/101/?nc=1 On Friday, February 15, The ARRL Letter also posted the article, "Astronauts Work on Columbus Lab on the ISS." See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/08/0215/ 4. Amateur Radio Newsline Articles on ARISS Amateur Radio Newsline's Report 1592, posted on February 15, 2008 ran two ARISS related articles: "Ham Radio in Space: ISS Repeater Contacts Good for JAMSAT Award," and "Ham Radio in Space: New ARISS Antennas Now on the ISS." To view these articles, go to: www.arnewsline.org. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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Re: sirius orbit name?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 23 Feb '08

23 Feb '08

>> The Sirius birds are in an "Inclined Orbit". > Is this type of orbit can be a solution for the next HEO? The reference to the Molniya orbit could be to recall the orbit of AO-13... slow high-altitude lingering Northern Hemisphere apogees, rotating ascending nodes about the globe to distribute coverage more evenly around the globe. Over the US, next over Europe, then over Asia. This was very popular at the time, and would likely be welcomed again. I would suspect that a 'tundra-inclined orbit', fixed over the US as the Sirius Radio Sats are, would not be as internationally well supported. /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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UT1FG ao27
by Alvaro de Leon Romo 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Hi guys who can heard the grid Yuri was in AO27 pass at 2215 today ??? A lot of noise here :-( Al XE2AT _________________________________________________________________ Participa en nanometrajes y gana grandes premios http://cine.prodigymsn.com/nanometraje

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AMSAT Journal
by Ed Long 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Hi Everyone, Just informing you that the JanFeb08 issue of The AMSAT Journal has been uploaded via ftp to the printer today. You should have the issue in your hands soon. The usual delays and one unusual delay kept it from being uploaded to the printer the first week of the month. Thanks for your support and thanks to all the authors for their work and contributions. 73, Ed Long WA4SWJ Editor, The AMSAT Journal

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Big brother some smaller now
by William Leijenaar 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Hi AMSATs, I have been off-air for some long time because of a holliday travel in Asia. Now in Hong Kong I've seen on HK-TV news that the Americans have distroyed one of their spy satellites. So "Big Brother" is a little smaller now hihi. To see more about the news I checked amsat-bb and seen that the satellite didn't lasted long. Snip: > Known by its military designation US 193, the satellite was launched > in December 2006. It lost power and its central computer failed > almost immediately afterward, leaving it uncontrollable. It carried a > sophisticated and secret imaging sensor. Maybe we hams are not that bad with making satellites hihi... I don't really understand why they use a milti-milion dollar rocket system to blow up some multi-miltion dollar satellite. Propably its more than only a damaged satellite. But I guess we will never know this. 73, William --- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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Help - FT817 & Commander
by john heath 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Hi, The FT817 is a great rig for satellite working. I want to do some signal strength measurements on satellite downlinks. Can anyone tell me how to disable the AGC? Hidden menus perhaps? If I use Computer control for the rig with Commander will that give me a way to do it ?. 73 John g7hia

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usa-193 destroyed
by Juan Alberto Bulacio 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

http://pentagontv.feedroom.com/?fr_story=e453220d8ff9ae6ebb181c56793de7ca66…

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Tracking PCSat
by Fred (VE3FAL) 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Are there any sights where I can track PCSat, my Nova for windows does not have this sat in its list. Fred VE3FAL --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080221-0, 21/02/2008 Tested on: 21/02/2008 4:24:59 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com

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Re: sirius orbit name?
by melachri＠speakeasy.net 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

> Strictly speaking, you can't have a truly geosynchronous orbit that's > elliptical (it must be circular). It must also have an inclination of > zero. Rick - You are confusing geosynchronous with geostationary. Geosynchronous simply means that the orbit period is equal to one sidereal day, so it's "synchronized" with the earth's rotation. As a result, it will always trace the same pattern on the earth's surface. The orbit shape can be just about anything as long as the period is 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4.1 seconds. A special case of geosynchronous orbits is the geostationary orbit, which as you point out, is circular with zero inclination. As its name indicates, it appears stationary to an earth observer, so the "pattern" on the earth's surface is simply the single sub-satellite point. Steve W3HF

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USA-193 destroyed
by Daniel Schultz 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

The 11pm TV news reports that the Navy sucessfully destroyed USA-193 tonight at about 10:30 pm EST, or 03:30 GMT February 21. I suggest you keep watching the predicted passes, you might see some nice meteors in the next few days as the debris falls back to Earth. The latest keps posted on heavens-above are: 1 29651U 06057A 08050.77400802 .00256405 00000-0 29678-3 0 02 2 29651 58.5208 31.8067 0009932 58.7181 301.4893 16.08191854 02 Epoch (UTC): 6:34:34 PM, Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Eccentricity: 0.0009932 Inclination: 58.5208° Perigee Height: 245 km Apogee Height: 258 km Right Ascension of Ascending Node: 31.8067° Argument of Perigee: 58.7181° Revolutions per Day: 16.08191854 Mean Anomaly at Epoch: 301.4893° Orbit Number at Epoch: 0 Dan Schultz N8FGV

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sirius orbit name?
by Auke de Jong, VE6PWN 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

Hi all, What, if any, is the name given to the type of orbit that the three "Sirius" broadcast satellites use? It shows as a figure-eight and altitude is between 24000KM, and 47000KM. Auke de Jong VE6PWN DO33go Edmonton, AB

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The moon is gone!
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

Nice lunar eclipse tonight. KB7ADL

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Just shot down by Navy!!Re: Re: Malfunctioning Navy Satellite
by W3NJ＠aol.com 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

...just heard it on news,details to follow I'm sure ************** Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-du… 002598)</HTML>

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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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