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

Re: Current ARISS Status/Usage?
by Bill Dzurilla 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

Rick, Check out http://issfanclub.com/ . It has all the details. The repeater was last active on February 5, and it was loud and easy to work, lots of activity, I made several contacts. It seems that the packet has been active more recently. 73, Bill NZ5N >>>I finally got my TNC hooked up, and was able to decode APRS packets. I wanted to try during a rather low ISS pass, see what I could get off of ISS, but got nothing. I tried both 145.825 and 145.8, hearing neither voice nor data. In fact, I've never heard anything on ISS (except for the one scheduled contact I made with it :-D). Is it currently operational for voice and/or packet? How often is someone likely to be using it (what are my chances of hearing something on any given pass)? TIA, -- Rick ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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Scottsdale AZ hamfest demo, Saturday morning (8 March)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

Hi! I will be part of the AMSAT table at the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club's "Springfest" hamfest at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona this Saturday, 8 March 2008. The hamfest will be in the east parking lots of the college, located just east of the AZ-101 freeway on Chaparral Road (exit 46) in grid DM43bm: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.5108+n+111.8806+w&ie=UT… The hamfest opens at 0600 local (1300 UTC), and will go until around midday or whenever the crowds leave. As part of the AMSAT table, I am planning for 3 demonstrations via AO-51's normal 145.920/435.300 MHz FM voice repeater during the morning using my call WD9EWK: 1342-1352 UTC (low, 8-degree pass to the east of the hamfest) 1519-1533 UTC (virtually overhead, 72-degree pass to the west) 1700-1708 UTC (very low, 5-degree pass to the west) Despite the low elevation on the 1700-1708 UTC pass, AO-51's increased power output should make it workable for a couple of minutes. If anyone in Hawaii happens to be awake at 7am Hawaii time Saturday morning, please give a call on that pass. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Anyone using GO-32 BBS?
by Jeff Mock 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

Is anyone actively using the BBS on GO-32? I've been trying to work it with little success for the last week or two. Watching the packets, I can get a connection, but the connection is disconnected by GO-32 after a few seconds. I'm using pb/pg on Linux, but I've tried connecting a few other ways with the same poor result, so I'm curious if anyone else is successfully using the BBS on GO-32 (4XTECH-12). Any advice, packet dumps, etc, appreciated. thanks, jeff AD6EO

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WorkedGrids Ham Log Grid Square Mapping Software
by Bert, VE2ZAZ 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

Hi Everyone, Version 5 of the WorkedGrids software is now available for download on my website. It contains several enhancements, such as printing, copying to clipboard and centering on a specific grid square. WorkedGrids is a ham log grid square mapping software. It is a freeware and it runs under Windows. The program displays a map showing the amateur radio grid squares contacted and logged in using a third-party logging program. WorkedGrids uses colors to display information on a per-band basis. Up to four bands can be displayed concurrently on the map. For its input, the program reads the plain-text (ASCII) log files generated by most logging programs as well as ADIF-format files. This project was initiated because I could not find a logging program that provided the level of detail and mapping quality that I wanted. The software is directed towards the VHF and above operators who collect grid squares for contesting or award purpose. It is designed to supplement a logging program and it replaces the pen and paper technique. Please visit http://ve2zaz.net for more details. Your input is still welcome! Best Regards, Bert, VE2ZAZ ____________________________________________________ Yahoo! Canada Toolbar: Search from anywhere on the web, and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now at http://ca.toolbar.yahoo.com.

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TX5C ???
by Alvaro de Leon Romo 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

Who know if TX5C will work satellite ??? Many thanks Al XE2AT _________________________________________________________________ Participa en nanometrajes y gana grandes premios http://cine.prodigymsn.com/nanometraje

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college nights March 4th
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

College night was a success on AO-51. College stations heard at UF during the two evening passes (March 5 UTC) were the University of Arkansas and a student from the University of Kentucky. The SEC was well represented! Contacts were made at UF by two students, KI4LDJ (Dante) and N6WPV (Seth), and myself, and included contacts with: N0YK, N3UNM (Frostburg, MD, home of Frostburg state U), KI4VNV (UK student), KB2HSH, KU4OS (mobile in Cocoa, FL), WD9EWK (portable in city park Phoenix), W5YM (U ARK), N5AFV. Thanks to all that participated. Look for us again on the next college night on AO51, March 27th. Make sure to spread the word to college hams/club stations you may know. 73, Jay, AA4FL, UF

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Current ARISS Status/Usage?
by Rick Mann 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

I finally got my TNC hooked up, and was able to decode APRS packets. I wanted to try during a rather low ISS pass, see what I could get off of ISS, but got nothing. I tried both 145.825 and 145.8, hearing neither voice nor data. In fact, I've never heard anything on ISS (except for the one scheduled contact I made with it :-D). Is it currently operational for voice and/or packet? How often is someone likely to be using it (what are my chances of hearing something on any given pass)? TIA, -- Rick

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Re: [eu-amsat] Re: Good ideas for the AO-7 log.
by John Hackett 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

Hey Bob, Not nitpicking at all, it's an *excellent* idea and duly noted for reference for eventual changes. As you may have picked up - Emily, holder of the copyright for the AO-7 Resource Page, disappeared down the rabbit warren of SECOND LIFE and while I'm the "official" keeper of the keys I can't impliment changes without her permission. THIS IS WHY I KEEP BATTING ALL THESE BORING MAILS TO THE AMSAT-BB ... (there *IS* a method to the madness) ... in the hope that she might pop her head out and realise the wonderful resource the site is BUT THAT SHE NEEDS TO CONTACT LA2QAA. I do have a couple of balls in the air with people from EU Amsat but I would much prefer to use the original. Lets hope Emily pops up for air Bob. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: [eu-amsat] Re: Good ideas for the AO-7 log. Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 01:27:03 +0000 Hello John An idea I thought of for the AO7 log is you know that little magnifying glass you click on to see if there is a comment. You don't know if there is a comment unless you click it. That can mean a lot of clicking. If however say the magnifying glass looks different signifying that there is something there. I know this is nit picking, but it's just an idea. I don't envy you monitoring the comings and goings of the log. I have been on the wrong end of the stick a couple of times! I really do find it useful and a fantastic resource. I can tell who and when they have been on. From that I can at times predict who will be on the next pass. There are several regulars I enjoy chatting with. So hang in there and don't get your blood pressure up too much. Your efforts are appreciated. 73 Bob W7LRD -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it"

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Logging Software and LOTW
by Bruce 06 Mar '08

06 Mar '08

I am going to write an article to place on amsat.org. I use PDA's Logic 7 (Logic 8 is out now). I am familiar with it and using it to track all of my satellite QSO's and exporting in ADIF and pushing to LOTW. I also use it for contesting, WAS and DXCC tracking (HF and Satellite). I am looking for those that are using other logging programs. I would like to compile what some of our members are using, how they like the feel and ease of use of their chosen software, what they like and do not like about the software, etc. ****REPLY DIRECTLY TO ME, NOT TO THE LIST**** Thanks...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on SkyScanner Satellite Radio Network on Galaxy-25 @97° West, Transponder 23 (12115 Vert), Symbol Rate: 22425, APID: 1794 (DVB Free To Air) Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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AMSAT Field Day 2008 Rules
by Bruce 05 Mar '08

05 Mar '08

I have just uploaded the rules for AMSAT Field Day 2008 to my website. It will appear in the next issue of the AMSAT Journal and will also be at amsat.org soon. Depending on your flavor, the MSWord Doc and Adobe PDF files are located at: http://www.amsatnet.com/2008fd.doc http://www.amsatnet.com/2008fd.pdf With AO-16 in operation, this should make field day a bit more interesting. Although we did lose access to FO-29. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on SkyScanner Satellite Radio Network on Galaxy-25 @97° West, Transponder 23 (12115 Vert), Symbol Rate: 22425, APID: 1794 (DVB Free To Air) Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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