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

Re: Yaesu G-5500 Azimuth Rotator Fluctuation Problem
by Alan P. Biddle 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

Gary, Hmmmm. I am not familiar personally with the ARSWIN, other than it has a good rep. So if you see the hunting with the ARSWIN program, then that is the place to solve the problem. It would not be unreasonable for there to be the equivalent dead band adjustment there, as in most such programs, but I would be guessing beyond that. Perhaps someone here has the needed experience. Otherwise, drop a note to Pablo. He has a great record of support. Alan WA4SCA Hi Alan The fluctuations are observed without the tracking program. Are you familiar with ARSWIN interface program? I can see the fluctuation when I am using ARSWIN to calibrate the rotators in particular the Azimuth section. I calibrate and set the minimum and maximum setting for each rotator. It is prevalent during this process. I am using Nova. Where would the dead band be defined in this tracking program? Thank you. I would be so pleased if this is just an adjustment. Gary -------Original Message------- From: Alan P. Biddle <mailto:APBIDDLE@UNITED.NET> Date: 2/17/2008 5:12:10 PM To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Yaesu G-5500 Azimuth Rotator Fluctuation Problem Gary, There is nothing in the rotator which should normally cause the problem. All tracking programs have a place to set a "dead band" which defines when the antenna is "close enough" to the calculated value. If that dead band is set too narrow, or to zero, the controller is likely to hunt back and forth as you describe. Depending on your array, a window of a few degrees should be fine. Something to test, in any case. Alan WA4SCA _______________________________________________ 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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Re: really strange RX
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

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 ->

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AO-51 S band - wonderful signals
by Michael Fletcher 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

Hi all, really enjoyed copying ao-51 last night on 2.4 GHz, finally realizing the S band TX was actually on. This time I used a helix with a modified California Amplier MMDS converter followed by ye olde FRG 9600 IF receiver. After copying a plethora of European stations during a nice 66 degree elevation pass I also turned my helix to the moon and the radio down to pick up the Japanese Kaguya lunar orbiter that is now beaconing at normal EIRP again. Just great fun, all packed within 20 minutes or so ;-) 73's Michael, OH2AUE

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G-5500 Manual
by TimN5KI 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

I downloaded my G-5500 from the Yeasu.com website. Search:G5500 then pick files Hope this helps. Tim N5KI

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Re: rotator
by Gary Schuchardt 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

Peter Do you have schematics and part numbers for the G-5500? I assume you are talking about a large wire wound pot inside the actual rotator vs the controller. I was think it might be something in the controller. I hope this is easy to replace. I have never had the G-5500 rotator disassembled. I had to send my EL rotator back to Yaesu 3 times last year. I had some bad experiences. My warrantee ran out about two years ago. I have already spent about half of what a new one cost. Anyway, I can pull the AZ rotator on a warm day and find the wire wound pot that you mentioned. Did you replace the pot and the fluctuations disappeared? I have been checking the dead band settings in the Nova program. Thank you. Gary N0EZH -------Original Message------- From: peter Date: 2/18/2008 2:59:39 AM To: gschuchardt(a)gp.hrcoxmail.com Subject: rotator Gary i have the same problem i think it is the Large wire wound pot on my az rotator and the ele a KR500 will do it some times could be crud on the pot the dead band sounds like a try as well good luck let me know how you go Cheers Peter VK4KHP

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Schematic Henry 3004A
by Farrell Winder 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

Have located a schematic and manual on a Henry 2004A/3004A Amplifier. I wish to thank all who may have been searching for the info that I requested. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF, Cincinnati, Ohio

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Re: [amsat-bb] antennas and schedule for AO-7?
by Jesse Morris 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

Since the days of RS-10 & 15 I've used a turnstile antenna with pretty good results. This antenna has been mentioned many time here but I have not seen any posts recently. I have also not had much luck without a preamp. 73 de Jess - W4MVB >From: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo(a)yahoo.com> >Date: 2008/02/17 Sun PM 05:56:01 CST >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] antennas and schedule for AO-7? >Hi, > >Today I listened for the first time for AO-7. I read >all the info pages about this bird, but did not see >anything about a key question: when is the bird in >mode A and when in mode B? Is there a schedule, or do >we have to listen on both 10m and 2m until we hear the >beacon? > >Anyhow, this morning there was a high pass and I heard >the sat loud and clear in mode A, although it was not >at all busy. Just 2 or 3 stations calling CQ on cw, >no ssb at all. I was able to hear my own ssb signal >on the downlink. > >Was wondering what is a good antenna for receiving the >10m downlink. I have a vertical that usually performs >quite well for regular HF work, but I lost the sat >signal when the bird was still quite high, 25 degrees >or so. This surprised me, as the vertical has a low >angle of radiation. > >Is there any SSB activity on this sat? > >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 >_______________________________________________ >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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Re: really strange RX
by OZ1MY 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

Hi Auke and Mark, I checked 3 passes of IO-26 this morning and it fits very well. I used this setting in the doppler file of SatPC32: IO-26,435789.4,145875,USB,FM,NOR,0,0 Happy hunting and looking forward to more news. 73 OZ1MY Ib ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark L. Hammond" <n8mh(a)embarqmail.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; "Auke de Jong, VE6PWN" <sparkycivic(a)shaw.ca> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 2:57 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: really strange RX > Hello Auke, > > You may very well be hearing IO-26, ITAMSAT. > > IO-26 is currently in MBL mode transmitting PSK at 435.790 MHz +/- Doppler, so it's quite a bit lower than the published/launch frequency of 435.822. It has drifted a good bit! > > If you share a footprint with my station, you might very well be hearing some MBL telemetry and/or packets coming from IO-26. Keep tuned for more information in the coming weeks :) > > 73, > > Mark N8MH

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Re: antennas and schedule for AO-7?
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

Hello This post brings up an interesting issue regarding mode A. Back in the day of RS10 & 15, mode A was quite popular. I soon discovered that my 10 meter four element quad, though a hot antenna at 28.4Mhz was lousey at 29.5. In fact it received better off the back for mode A than off the front. After thinking about it, I realized the reflector was acting as a director at 29.5Mhz, and the other two directors were out of the picture. Yes the SWR was high but it was for receiving. I even went to the effort of building a 10 meter loop, "looking" up for high elevation passes. So, for those of us who still play with mode A on AO-7, flip that beam around, you might be surprised! 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo(a)yahoo.com> > Hi, > > Today I listened for the first time for AO-7. I read > all the info pages about this bird, but did not see > anything about a key question: when is the bird in > mode A and when in mode B? Is there a schedule, or do > we have to listen on both 10m and 2m until we hear the > beacon? > > Anyhow, this morning there was a high pass and I heard > the sat loud and clear in mode A, although it was not > at all busy. Just 2 or 3 stations calling CQ on cw, > no ssb at all. I was able to hear my own ssb signal > on the downlink. > > Was wondering what is a good antenna for receiving the > 10m downlink. I have a vertical that usually performs > quite well for regular HF work, but I lost the sat > signal when the bird was still quite high, 25 degrees > or so. This surprised me, as the vertical has a low > angle of radiation. > > Is there any SSB activity on this sat? > > 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 > _______________________________________________ > 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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Re: really strange RX
by Mark L. Hammond 18 Feb '08

18 Feb '08

Hello Auke, You may very well be hearing IO-26, ITAMSAT. IO-26 is currently in MBL mode transmitting PSK at 435.790 MHz +/- Doppler, so it's quite a bit lower than the published/launch frequency of 435.822. It has drifted a good bit! If you share a footprint with my station, you might very well be hearing some MBL telemetry and/or packets coming from IO-26. Keep tuned for more information in the coming weeks :) 73, Mark N8MH >Well, I got a chance to listen again and there it was again! I took some >better notes this time and even got a recording. There didn't seem to be >any telemetry frames transmitted, just the steady AFSK carriers. I picked >it up about 1/2 way through the pass. >I am 90% sure that these signals are coming from IO-26. the LOS occured >precisely at 21:05:39UTC Just as IO-26 met my horizon here in DO-33, and the >signal was strongest with my antenna pointed in the direction of that >satellite. All this is according to my Orbitron display. The only problem >is that the frequency is NOT on any list. I worked out the transmitter >frequency to be 435.790MHz, where it was 435.7825 when it disappeared. >FO-12 was also in view at the time, just as it was the first time I heard >this, but it was in the opposite direction from me. LOS happened to occur >at about the same time too, hence my less than 100% sure-ness. FO-12 also >happens to have it's beacon set to a more believable 435.795, but again, the >signal was stronger in the opposite direction from there. One last thing of >note about the reception is that I noticed pronounced fading as if the sat >was spinning, which seemed to mirror how AO-16 fades both in severity, and >rotational frequency. the fades occur about every 10 seconds, for about 1 >second, as observed on my 7 element Sinclair Yagi fixed at horizontal pol >and fixed elevation of 20 Deg. > >Can anyone here offer any help for me to understand these observations? Is >it even possible for a satellite to drift this far off-frequency? Can >anyone else confirm or dis-prove that these are coming from, or very near >IO-26 >IO-26's closest downlink frequency is listed as "Downlink 435.8670 MHz AFSK >1200 BPS" >as seen here on AMSAT's page: ><http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=50&retURL=satel…>http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=50&retURL=satel… > >Thanks, > >73's >Auke de Jong >VE6PWN > > >From: "Auke de Jong, VE6PWN" <sparkycivic(a)shaw.ca> >To: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 2:28 PM >Subject: [amsat-bb] really strange RX > > >>I cannot identify what it was that I just heard: >> at 20:55, i was bringing my dial up to try and hear IO-26, but I was >> startled when I came accross another signal several hundred KHz below my >> destination! I stopped to see if it was juse local noise, and found that >> it was indeed LEO in origin. I picked it up at about 435.801MHz while >> rotating the beam from the north to my east. As far as I can tell, there >> is no satellite using a frequency in that range, on the list found on the >> AMSAT website under "Satellite Frequencies". The signal seemed to be >> strongest in the direction of IO26/KO25. judging by the rate of >> doppler-shift it must probably be either one of those satellites. It also >> faded out just before IO26/KO25 were near my horizon, given the inaccuracy >> of my PC clock, they might have been exactly at the horizon. It's been a >> week since I synchronised my clock, it was 4 seconds behind. >> >> The signal sounded exactly like AO-16 MBL mode before they put it in voice >> mode. I think I even heard a packet or some form of data transmitted once >> during this pass. >> >> Is it just a typo where IO26 is actually lower in frequency by about >> 60KHz? Might it somehow have drifted that far down? Or is it another >> satellite altogether? >> >> Auke de Jong >> VE6PWN >> DO33go >> Edmonton, AB >> Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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