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

Comet CX-902 as sat antenna?
by Bill Dzurilla 23 Mar '08

23 Mar '08

Hi, I'm trying to help one of the local Honduran hams get started on the sats. He has a dual bander and a Comet CX-902 vertical antenna, 9 db gain, about 35' in the air. We set up to work tonight's AO-51 pass but did not hear a thing. About halfway through the pass, when it was obvious we were not hearing the bird, we switched the antenna from his rig to mine, just to verify that the rig was not at fault. But we still heard nothing. This suggests to me that the problem is the antenna or feedline. Is there any reason why the Comet would not work at all on the sats? He can raise the local repeater with this antenna. 73, Bill NZ5N PS - Several of the Swan Island guys were intrigued by my sat operation and we hopefully we have a few more HRs active soon. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 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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My First Satellite Contact SO-50
by Kent R. Frazier 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

I made my first and second satellite contact via SO-50 at approximately 1639UTC 2008-03-22! My first contact was with Leo, W7JPI; followed by Jerome, W0SAT. My thanks to both for the contacts. I was in my vehicle, parked in the driveway, operating my Icom IC2720H with a 19" whip magmount antenna with 15 watts power. I now have some more questions: When operating from a vehicle, when is it proper to indicate "mobile"? At any time or only when actually in motion? Also, with regard to QSL cards, what is the proper protocol? Should I send them first? How accurate do I need to be on the time of contact? Thanks, Kent K5KNT -- Kent R. Frazier, K5KNT

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Re: RFI-Free PC's
by Wayne Estes 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

Kurt KU8L wrote: Yes..its very strange to see this question here this AM since just last nite I found out how bad my two CRT monitors are aon HF. My dell laptop seems fine. Since I am about to begin building up some SDR hardware, I'm looking for any solutions other than having to buy an LCD panel. Wayne W9AE replies: I doubt that you will be able to eliminate RFI without replacing the two CRT monitors. Fortunately, LCD monitors have become remarkably inexpensive. And with LCD monitors you will have a much sharper display, more desk space, and less heat in your face (lower energy consumption). I sure don't miss my CRT computer monitor. Now I no longer have to change the monitor's resolution/refresh rate to shift the monitor's harmonics off the frequency I'm listening to. It's very difficult to prevent harmonics radiating from a CRT monitor's horizontal sweep circuit. It's a 28,000 Volt triangle wave! Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA

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VHF Communications
by Gene Harlan 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

For those of you that have seen VHF Communications before, you know that it is a great technical publication. It is a quarterly publication covering VHF, UHF, and microwaves. There are many construction articles primarily for the higher frequencies. I learn something every time I read an issue. Harlan Technologies is the USA distributor, and we will be happy to take your subscriptions. Subscriptions are $44.00 per year (2008 rate). If you are not familiar with the publications, the publisher Andy Barter has sent a few sample issues to try and get the USA subscription interest up. If you think that you might be interested in subscribing but just not sure, send me your mailing address and I will be happy to send a sample to help you decide if you would like to subscribe. When they are gone, that's it. First come, first to get the samples. Gene Harlan - WB9MMM Name Tags by Gene Harlan Technologies - publisher of Amateur Television Quarterly http://www.hampubs.com atvq(a)hampubs.com 815-398-2683 - voice 815-398-2688 - fax

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NO-44 Question
by Curt Nixon 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

I've been trying ,unsucessfully, to get an APRS report thru NO-44. I can hear it faintly--well below the strength of ISS--even on high or optimum passes--like 30 degrees. (I'm using a vertical) How long does NO-44 need to be in sun before it begins to operate normally? Its probably my weak antenna set-up but its too cold out to play with that end yet! Thanks, Curt KU8L

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Re: RS-15
by Henk, PA3GUO 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

Hi Ryan Could not hear it this morning, but my last documented rx was July 2007: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/rs15.html Henk, PA3GUO >What is the last know report of people being able to hear RS-15

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AO7
by k3szh＠netzero.net 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

Dan AJ9K Congratulation on your 1000 plus qso's on cw and ssb on on AO7A and B. AO7 sure has been a fun ride since it return and what a foot print. 73 Joe K3SZH AMSAT 3788 _____________________________________________________________ Click to get free info on remodeling your kitchen. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/REAK6aBd6N9vwlkqcgfvmeio0u4m…

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RFI-Free PC's
by Tony 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

All, Need to replace the PC in the shack and would like to find something that's RFI-free out of the box. I've had terrible luck with desktop PC's, but the last two laptops (Toshiba) were very quiet. I'm leaning towards something in the small-PC catagory with an LCD monitor. Sound card and multiple USB ports are a must. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Tony -K2MO

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AJ9KL- AO-7, 1000
by TERRY BROMLEY 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

Dan congratulations on the reaching the magic 1000. I'm glad to have been part of it. 73 Terry, G1WPR.

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Hamfest
by Nick Pugh 22 Mar '08

22 Mar '08

Amsaters Please listen for AV5AV on 51 today at the 9:24 pass and SO 50 at 9:52 James will demo at the Lafayette, LA hamfest thanks nick

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