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

AMSAT callsign badge with magnet back
by Bruce 26 Mar '08

26 Mar '08

For those that are interested in the AMSAT callsign badge with a magnetic clip instead of the pin clip, you can get the magnet option for an additional $2.00. Just tell Martha when you call. I will add a new online store item when the store comes back up. 73...bruce Sent from my iPhone

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 25 Mar '08

25 Mar '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. Kent Frazier, K5KNT Jay Frazier, AA4FL The following have earned the AMSAT Satellite Communication Achievement Award. Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, #459 Francis Geraci, WB1FXX, #460 Jay Garlitz, AA4FL, #461 The following have earned the South Africa AMSAT Satellite Communicaton Award. Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, #US118 Jay Garlitz, AA4FL, #US119 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com 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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G5600B rotor
by Peter Gibson 25 Mar '08

25 Mar '08

Hi I have the yaesu G5600B AZ/EL unit. I'm about to service the EL unit. Has anyone got a copy of the service manual or any info on setting the Pot up Thank you for reading this 73's Pete

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I'm Back!
by Martha 25 Mar '08

25 Mar '08

I'm back from my holiday and in the office. I will be here until 3:30 when I leave for an appointment with my Ophthalmologist I developed a problem with my eye in Spain . Back in the office tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM EST. -- 73- Martha

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Interactive Radio Spectrum
by Rick Mann 25 Mar '08

25 Mar '08

Too bad it doesn't detail the Amateur frequencies: http://www.spectrumatlas.org/spectrum/ -- Rick

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Using Ham Radio Deluxe with a pair of ICOM transceivers IC-271A and IC-471H?
by boprie＠aol.com 25 Mar '08

25 Mar '08

AMSAT-BB ? Is anyone using Ham Radio Deluxe with a pair of older ICOM transceivers IC-271A and IC-471H?? I'm also trying to get the CT-16 satellite interface unit set up with these radios. I had one suggestion to set the dip switches on the interface to (looking at the switches on the box with the buttons up) UDUUUDUU and UUUUUDUU.? Looks like this interface would just dial the other VFO but I would still have to manually move one. It works. ? The only?automated control is?on the Yeasu 5400 rotator via?a Sat688 interface with another tracking program.??If anyone has interfacing suggestions (or has done it!) ?to control?both VFOs as well, please let me know. You're welcome to send emails direct to spare the BB?the extra postings if you?like. Dave? WS8P? QRP HF AMSAT?? Tnx & 73

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FW: Transatlantic Ballon attempt on 29.498 now
by Robert Bruninga 24 Mar '08

24 Mar '08

Europeans standby for balloon! The Ballooon was launched on Friday and should be approaching Europe... If anyone hears SDG-9 (sending CW telemetry) on 29.498, please let everyone know! Launched from Michigan Friday morning, it was very strong over Maryland at 2035z. We attempted to post our signal strength plots: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/dfing.html See the balloon's web page: http://arhab.blogspot.com/ It should be arriving over Europe now... Bob, Wb4APR

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Re: On Easter, regarding negativity and renewal...
by PDC 24 Mar '08

24 Mar '08

On 24/03/2008, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org <amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > > As I awoke on this Easter Sunday, I was scanning my email (I subscribe > to lots of groups > and get lots of daily summaries) and once again found myself reading > amsat-bb. Amidst the > normal, pleasurable messages, I was again (as it seems to happen > weekly) faced with a > message of disappointment in AMSAT, this time by Brian Beckius. It > seems that whatever > he was searching for, he didn't find it in AMSAT, and thus proclaimed > to all that he wouldn't > be renewing his membership. > > He's not alone of course. Lots of people aren't very satisfied with > the current state of > AMSAT-NA or amateur satellites. It's not very hard to understand why: > launching satellites > actually _is_ rocket science. It's difficult, and even more difficult > with limited funds > and relying solely on the efforts of volunteers. But the simple fact > that it can be done > at _all_ should give everyone in amateur radio a sense of justified > pride. > > Personally, I joined AMSAT because I use the satellites and figured I should contribute at least a little toward the design, deployment and upkeep. Anything I get above that (and I do!) is sort of a bonus... that's how I look at it. Darin -VE3OIJ

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Re: [digitalradio] RFI-Free PCs?
by Tony 24 Mar '08

24 Mar '08

All, I found what seems to be a good deal for the next shack PC. Dell offers a 200 Slim Tower with a 19" LCD monitor for around $400. As for the RFI issues, I have my fingers crossed. Anyone using a Dell in the shack? Any RFI complaints? Tony -K2MO

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Free Ham Mobile Web Page
by Robert Bruninga 24 Mar '08

24 Mar '08

Does everyone realize that they all have their own callsign WEB page that they can update anywhere, anytime, via ham radio and even without internet access? Any operator with a radio and his old TNC, and no special software can post just about anything for others to see... Including sending email. See the following AMSAT example: >> I just checked http://map.findu.com/w6gmt >> and don't see any position info on your >> [traveling satellite] station? > > APRS is the project for the summer. > So by June I should be back on the digi birds. Actually, I was not suggesting APRS via the birds, but simply using an APRS weblink as a means for informing everyone about your schedules and locations, status and announcements. Everyone with a callsign has an APRS web page... Just tell others to look there for your info. You -don't-even-need-to-run-APRS! All it takes to create your own instant web page for all the world to see is to TRANSMIT a single successful packet on 144.39 anywhere in North America, or 144.80 in Europe (etc), and then the above web page will work for your callsign. I will use W6GMT's cross country traveling satellite station as an example for how to take advantage of this capability from the field... 1) Set radio to 144.39 (in north america) 2) Set UNPROTO APRTNC VIA WIDE2-2 3) Set CONVERse mode >From this point on, anything you type will go to your FINDU APRS web page as long as it is in APRS format. Just transmit it once successfully. If you see it digipeated, then you can safely assume in most areas of the world, that it also got into the global APRS system. To make sure, wait a minute and send it again.. The simplest format is GRID Square. While in CONVERSE mode, just type this: [FM19sx] Sittin here waiting for AO51. Then go to the above web page, and you will see your station at that location and with that text. Even if it was just one packet, it will be there for up to 10 days. The age of the packet is also shown. You can only have one such position packet existing at any one time and using gridsquare, the position will only be approximate. New ones will replace old ones. But you can have as many MESSAGES as you want. Type this: :BLN1ABCDE: Operating times today will be 1430z from Grand Canyon The above web page will now have a link to ALL of your messages, which will include this bulletin. Additional bulletins can be BLN2, BLN3 and so on. The "abcde" is just to make sure that you padd the format to the indicated number of bytes.. You can even send someone an email. Just type: :EMAIL : w3xyz(a)amsat.org hi joe, will arrive tonight at 10PM. There has to be four spaces after the EMAIL in this case for padding and the first thing after the colon has to be a valid email address. Do it correctly, and it will get delivered. MULTIPLE OBJECTS: Another good example for a mobile traveler might be to put out future waypoints. But each waypoint has to have its own callsign. The easiest way to do that is to change the MY CALLSIGN in the TNC. Make W6GMT-1 be the first waypoint, and say W6GMT-2 be the second waypoint.... So make each MYCALL change in the TNC, then type in the way point in the above gridsquare format: For MYCALL W6GMT-1, type: [EN45gh] Waypoint for 1400z on 25 Mar. For MYCALL W6GMT-2, type: [EN46ab] Expected location on 1500z Friday And so forth. That is why the universal web page for any HAM on the FINDU system should end in an asteerix (*) so that all of his waypoints or other objects will show up. For example http://map.findu.com/wb4apr* Just think of it. Carry a TNC with you in your car, and you can communicate with the world anywhere, anytime, via the Internet. Just a tiny example of all the potential applications of packet radio and APRS and the web to improve our ability to communicate APRS, it is NOT just vehicle tracking! Bob, WB4APR

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