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

antenna-swr question
by w0dxz＠aol.com 14 Apr '08

14 Apr '08

I finally got my satellite antenna system up, using with my IC-910H,? Everything works well on? 144mhz, I have separate inline SWR - power meters for 144 and 432, SWR and PO on? 144 is good. When I? transmit on 432,,, I get good output, but no SWR reading. The antenna is , hopefully, circular right polarized, an old Cushcraft 416TB. As I go up and down the band, the PO increaes, decreases, as if it puts out more power where it is resonant, but the SWR meter reads nothing, no matter where i am on the band. is this because of the hook up for circular polarization? I am hesitant to? apply much power if I dont know the SWR. I can hit local repeaters, so i know something is going out the antenna, and it seems to hear OK. Haven't tried listening to the satellites yet. Why wont it read SWR on the circular polarized 432 antenna? Reads Power Out, but no SWR reading. I kind of expected either a good SWR? reading, or, a very high one, but I get no reading at all. Bob W0DXZ DM33? Sun City AZ

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Houston AMSAT Net Podcast
by Bruce 14 Apr '08

14 Apr '08

Good news.... The Houston AMSAT Net Podcast has now been picked up by iTunes. You can do a search on iTunes for "Houston AMSAT Net", "KK5DO", or "Bruce Paige" and will be offered to subscribe to the Podcast. "We're move'en on up" (for those of you that remember 70's sitcoms) 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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Icom 910H
by Mike McConnell 13 Apr '08

13 Apr '08

I am considering buying an IC910H. I will be controlling it via Trx-Manager. Any comments out there concerning this radio? Thanks Mike McConnell, Ph.D. W0PD 1518 Willson Ave. Webster City, IA 50595 515-835-9363

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Re: DX watering Hole
by David Houlden 13 Apr '08

13 Apr '08

Count me in please Bob. 73, Dave. G1OCN. Portland , Dorset. IO80SM .

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SSTV & Feild Hell on Satellites
by Robert Turlington 13 Apr '08

13 Apr '08

Hi All I have just updated my web site www.turlington.supanet.com to show an SSTV contact with GM0ICF via VO52 and Field Hell tests via AO7 mode B,AO16,SO50,AO51 & VO52Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the next generation of Windows Live http://www.windowslive.co.uk/get-live

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EW/G0SFJ Next Sunday 20th
by andy thomas 13 Apr '08

13 Apr '08

Thanks to Alex, EU1PA, Chairman of the BFRR, I have secured the callsign EW/ G0SFJ which I hope to operate on Sunday 20th April on AO-51 and possibly SO-50 from Minsk, Belarus. Due to import restrictions on radio transceivers I will be helped in this enterprise by radio hams from Minsk who will lend me equipment for the passes. However, I will be using my trusty and now well-travelled Arrow antenna - see the link to "operation qrp with arrow antenna" on http://www.andythomas.eu The proposed times utc are +/- 5 minutes of 0650 (AO-51) 0925 (SO-50) 1630 (AO-51) these are the predicted maximum elevations from Minsk that day - Local time in Minsk is utc +3, CET is utc +2 and BST is utc +1) depending on availability of transceiver, and weather conditions, and the unpredictable. I'll work as many stations as possible, if you hear me please remember I shall be QRP with unfamiliar radio equipment. SWL reports welcome, with record of my locator. All QSOs will get a card direct with a photo of this mini-dxpedition. 73 de andy, G0SFJ ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! For Good helps you make a difference http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/

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AO-51 L/U findu.com OPEN!
by Mineo Wakita 13 Apr '08

13 Apr '08

Please see the following my web: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ao51find.htm Thanks for Steve, K4HG. --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Apr 13, 2008 ---------------------------------------------

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XI-V Apr 13, 2008
by Mike Rupprecht 13 Apr '08

13 Apr '08

XI-V Apr 13, 2008 0958 UTC (CW) Orbit #13103 . xiv4 012001010c01 xiv5 82c78983867f xiv6 88e8488a69 xiv7 space for human happiness xiv1 d5f149 xiv2 8db8005f xiv3 363e92 xiv4 012101020b01 xiv5 7dc9878b888c xiv6 8ae743916a xiv7 for earth peace harmony xiv1 d5f1e9 xiv2 8db80051 xiv3 353d97 xiv4 012301030801 xiv5 7acb8793848d xiv6 8ee7429859 xiv7 everybody's heart is one xiv1 d5f289 xiv2 8db80043 xiv3 343d9b xiv4 012a01010201 xiv5 79d087967f8c xiv6 91e7429d41 xiv7 2004-9-28 harvest moon xiv1 d5f32e xiv2 8db8003a xiv3 343d9e xiv4 012a01010101 xiv5 79d488977b95 xiv6 93e743a13d xiv7 space .... 73, Mike DK3WN

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Cosmonautics Day report
by Robert Turlington 13 Apr '08

13 Apr '08

Hi All had a hectic time yesterday on the air with GB0CD for Cosmonautics Day,I managed 111 Qso's in 22 Dxcc Countries in EU,NA,EA8 & UA9 ,Satellites used AO7 mode B ,AO16,AO27,SO50,AO51 & VO52 The other Station active on Cosmonautics Day was RS3X who I managed to work on a number of Satellites Thanks to every one who participatedRegards Robert G8ATE / GB0CD _________________________________________________________________ Get Hotmail on your mobile. Text MSN to 63463 now! http://mobile.uk.msn.com/pc/mail.aspx

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Re: AMSAT-Australia and the Ozsatgroup unite.
by Tony Langdon 13 Apr '08

13 Apr '08

At 11:11 AM 4/13/2008, Paul Paradigm wrote: >You may not be aware that AMSAT-Australia and the Ozsatgroup have > amalgamated, and that the new combined group has retained the name > AMSAT-Australia. Good to see Paul. The news was a bit of a surprise last week, but a pleasant one. Graham's done a lot for satellites in VK, and you've certainly been active in recent years in raising the profile of satellite operation down here. Congratulations on your new position and well done on your efforts over the last couple of years. You're giving me a guilt complex, I still have to pull the satellite antenna out of mothballs... ;) 73 de VK3JED http://vkradio.com

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Re: AMSAT-Australia and the Ozsatgroup unite.
by Dave Guimont 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

>You may not be aware that AMSAT-Australia and the Ozsatgroup have > amalgamated, and that the new combined group has retained the name > AMSAT-Australia. > > AMSAT-Australia and the Ozsatgroup have been working together for more > than two years, and have been discussing such an amalgamation for some > time. > > The decision to go ahead with the amalgamation was made after Graham > Ratcliff, VK5AGR formally tended his resignation as AMSAT-Australia > National Coordinator and as AMSAT Coordinator for the Wireless > Institute of Australia (WIA) in his annual report to the WIA 2008 Thank you Paul!! Graham has made so many contributions to Amateur Satellites, long before AMSAT "was invented", since Oscar 1, and you have a lot of courage to step into "such big shoes"..... I am proud to have known him. My very best to you, and if I can contribute in any way, let me know... Tnx agn, 73 Dave 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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AMSAT-Australia and the Ozsatgroup unite.
by Paul Paradigm 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

You may not be aware that AMSAT-Australia and the Ozsatgroup have amalgamated, and that the new combined group has retained the name AMSAT-Australia. AMSAT-Australia and the Ozsatgroup have been working together for more than two years, and have been discussing such an amalgamation for some time. The decision to go ahead with the amalgamation was made after Graham Ratcliff, VK5AGR formally tended his resignation as AMSAT-Australia National Coordinator and as AMSAT Coordinator for the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) in his annual report to the WIA 2008 Federal Convention on Monday, 7th Aprill 2008. The role of AMSAT-Australia National Coordinator has been taken on by myself Paul Paradigm, VK2TXT, formally the Coordinator of the Ozsatgroup, and joined by Judy Williams, VK2TJU in the role of AMSAT-Australia Secretary. The updated AMSAT-Australia web address has not changed - www.amsat-vk.org I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of both the Amateur Radio operators on the AMSAT-Australia mailing list and the members of the former Ozsatgroup to thank Graham for his outstanding contribution to the Amateur Radio community here in Australia and around the world. Graham has been in the role of AMSAT-Australia National Coordinator since 1983, and has been the driving force behind AMSAT-Australia since its inception. Visit our website for more information. 73's Paul – VK2TXT AMSAT-Australia National Coordinator.

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Telemetry posts
by Mark L. Hammond 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

I concur with Chris. I cannot thank Mike DK3WN enough for all of the help he has provided my ability to capture and decode telemetry. In fact, without his help, I wouldn't be able to do much with AO-16 and its telemetry... His occasional posting of telemetry is a good reminder that these birds are alive and working well. He doesn't post every telemetry frame, every day. His posts are periodic and helpful. So...THANKS Mike :) 73, Mark N8MH >Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:40:18 +0100 >From: Chris Bloy <chris(a)photofuture.co.uk> >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LO-19 Apr 11, 2008 >To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Message-ID: <20080411203948.84BKdme00WWmi(a)mailbox6.ucsd.edu> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > >Hi, > >I don't agree, this is informative and lets us know that these old birds are still there.. > >Well done Mike on providing this info. > >Thanks ' >Chris - M0DQO >-----Original Message----- >From: "Alex Perez" <aperez(a)alexperez.com> >To: "Mike Rupprecht" <mail(a)mike-rupprecht.de> >Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Sent: 11/04/08 21:04 >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LO-19 Apr 11, 2008 > >Has anyone here ever considered spiltting the ML in half for this kind >of "spam"? I enjoy lurking here but these get old fast. > >On Apr 11, 2008, at 11:04 AM, Mike Rupprecht wrote: > >> .and the last one - LO-19 heard at 1618 UTC >> >> >> >> ao ava abu tb4 anv tbt anv avd ae6 >> >> ao ava abu tb4 anv tbt anv avd ae6 >> >> ao ava abu tb4 anv t6n anv avn ae6 >> >> ao ava abv tb4 anv t6n anv avn ae6 >> >> ao ava abu tb4 anv t6n an4 avn ae6 >> >> ao ava abv tb4 anv t6n anv avn ae6 >> >> ao ava abv tb4 anv t6n an4 avn ae6 >> >> ao ava abv tb4 anv t6n anv a4a ae6 >> >> ao ava abv tb4 anv t6n an4 a4u ae6 >> >> >> >> that was an good practice for CW within 30 minutes . >> >> >> >> 73, Mike >> >> DK3WN Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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On April 12, 1961 - Vostok 1, with Senior Lieutenant Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin
by Tom Clarke 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

On April 12, 1961 the first earthling escaped the gravity well of planet earth. In the spaceship Vostok 1, Senior Lieutenant Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin orbited earth one time at an altitude of 187 3/4 miles (302 kilometers) for 108 minutes at 18,000 miles an hour. He was the first man to see that the earth was indeed round, indeed mostly water, and indeed magnificent. E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (5.5.0.212) Database version: 5.09610 http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor/

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On April 12, 1961 - Vostok 1, with Senior Lieutenant Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin
by Tom Clarke 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

On April 12, 1961 the first earthling escaped the gravity well of planet earth. In the spaceship Vostok 1, Senior Lieutenant Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin orbited earth one time at an altitude of 187 3/4 miles (302 kilometers) for 108 minutes at 18,000 miles an hour. He was the first man to see that the earth was indeed round, indeed mostly water, and indeed magnificent. http://www.abamedia.com/rao/gallery/gagarin/ Tom - Ei6EH ----------------- E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (5.5.0.212) Database version: 5.09610 http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor/

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"Telemetry Spam"
by John Marranca, Jr 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

I also appreciate an update on TLM of the various satellites, since I listen for...and study...and report on the health and "fitness" of several of them. Alex...I will always RESPECT your opinion, but please....don't heckle or belittle the interests or pursuits of others. Think of it this way....it was the collection of your so-called SPAM TLM that led to AO-16's new life. Thank you, Mike...for doing what some of us haven't had time to do ourselves! John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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CV1LAI - Globosat 01
by CX2SA Ham Radio Services 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

*** CV1LAI - Globosat 01 *** Globosat 01 is the first uruguayan telemetry test from high altitude balloon of the LAI Project. CX0CFI (Club Facultad de Ingenieria) invites to the amateur radio community to participate and report telemetry data. * Date To be defined. Probably on Thursday 24 of April of 2008 (15:00 UTC aprox.) * Trajectory and flight plan The globosat will come out from the department of Durazno (central Uruguay), what would allow the recovery of the team inside national territory. The balloon should ascend to a speed of between 200 and 300 meters per minute, and to arrive until a maximum height of approximately 30.000m (like reference, the commercial flights go at 10.000m). Arrival that height, the difference of pressure among the interior and external of the balloon makes it explode. The equipment will fall with parachute. * Telemetry The platform send telemetry information in standard APRS format in 2m. band. The APRS message goes encapsulated in a AX.25 (Packet) frames and modulated in AFSK (1200 bps) FM. * Data: Callsign: CV1LAI (special callsign for the Globosat during these days) Mode: APRS (over AX.25 1200bps) Frequency: 145.030 MHz Power: 1W. Antenna: dipole 1/2 wavelenght in vertical position. * Web site of the LAI Project: http://iie.fing.edu.uy/twiki/bin/view.cgi/Satelite/GloboSat01Instructivo http://iie.fing.edu.uy/twiki/bin/view.cgi/Satelite/GloboRadiacion01 * E-mail: CX0CFI(a)fing.edu.uy Many thanks and have a nice day. Jose - CX2SA Ham Radio Services - http://www.cx2sa.net

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Cubesat question
by William Leijenaar 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

Hi AMSATs, It has been a long time ago that I have been active "on-air", and here on AMSAT-BB. Reason is to little time, and because of that I choose to improve my home lab and spend my late after work hours there, and not in front of the rigs hihi... It is very interresting to see the work of the Delfi team, and they are now on the place where I was in 2005 with the Indian HAMSAT (VO-52) :) I can tell you its a hot place, in matters of sun and also hot (spicy) food hihi... I wish the team a good launch, and I will spend some more time to get my station ready to receive Delfi after launch... I have not been active "on-air", but even more active with designing some new transponders. The reason I had to improve my home lab is because I wanted to design a very small transponder, that would fit easily in 1-cube satellite. With 0805 SMD this was even not possible anymore, so I went even to smaller sized SMD. (I guess the next step is my own made chip hihi). My final design ended up in a 7cm x 7cm x 0,4cm prototype version. I guess this is small enough to fit in a cubesat :) Some details: Mode-B, Power supply 3.3V, >500mW PEP out, 30kHz Bandwidth (flat), with AGC, CW beacon incl, ~200 grams weight. Now I am fixing up my design to get it from a home made prototype into a more profesional "flight" version. My idea is to make several of these transponders, and make them also available for other (cube)sat groups. However, now I am stuck with the question what the standards are for mounting hardware in cubesat structures. I don't have a cubesat (for the moment) because they are not in the cheap price class for me as a ham. On the other hand I have no experience in any cubesat project, and don't know all the ins and outs. Maybe some cubesat expert can give me an idea how to make my final PCB (screw holes, sizes) in an efficient way to have my 7cm x 7cm x 0.4cm fit in other cubesat projects, in case some group will be interrested. Beside my analog transponder I also like to have a pacsat system, to have it together in my future own cubesat. The pacsat system is an efficient system and I think its worth to have it back again. Does anyone know if there is a group or ham that made (can make) such a system in cubesat format ? With todays small sized, low voltage, high speed and high amount of memory processors it should be no problem for a digital guru I guess. (I mean the pacsat system like KO-23/25 alike). Thats all AMSATs, Enjoy the sats, and listen for Delfi... the next linear transponder :) 73 William PE1RAH --- __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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Re: DX watering Hole
by Dave Guimont 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

How does 145.957-145.960 sound as our DX "hot spot"? Good idea, Bob for those of you that can take advantage of the "low" LEO's we have left! FO29 with its altitude gave us a shot here in San Diego, but unless some DXpedition goes to Siberia it wouldn't do us much good!! I get on O7 and VO52, and often find no takers... From where are you getting competition up there?? 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Demo Videos
by Ken Owen 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

Hi folks: One of the Amsatnet.com Podcasts mentioned demo videos by KI4HXT and N4HY. The URLs were supposed to have been on the amsatnet.com page, but I can't find them there. Does anyone know where I can get a copy of these files? I have a demo coming up two weeks, and I have about an hour and a half to fill. A good demo video will set up my own demo quite nicely. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks, Ken, N6KTH

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DX watering Hole
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

Greetings from the North West I would like to suggest (may have been done in the past) we establish a unofficial DX watering hole on AO-7. Given the very limited time to just find footprint edge to edge contacts. The middle of the passband (145-155), is usually filled with "local" cw/ssb qso's. How does 145.957-145.960 sound as our DX "hot spot"? Mika OH8MBN usually hangs out there, I have talked to him with elevations 2-4 degrees each way. With this "unofficial" DX watering hole we (I) can be challenged to "stretch" the footprint. comments/suggestions? 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle CN87 -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it"

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GB0CD on air for Cosmonautics Day
by Robert Turlington 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

Hi All had my first few contacts on air this moning as follows:- G7HIA,OE3GPB & EA8CEI on AO51 DL5RDI & RS3X on VO52 DG9YIP,OE3GBP,HB9DSU,DB1NT & DM9LSB on AO7(b)Regards Robert G8ATE/GB0CD _________________________________________________________________ Get Hotmail on your mobile. Text MSN to 63463 now! http://mobile.uk.msn.com/pc/mail.aspx

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NatGeo to Use TV Frequencies for Wildlife Sensing, Imaging in DC Area
by Eric Rosenberg 12 Apr '08

12 Apr '08

FYI, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC --------------------------- TV Technology Email Newsletters :: Doug Lung's RF Report NatGeo to Use TV Frequencies for Wildlife Sensing, Imaging by Doug Lung, April 11, 2008 The latest list of FCC experimental license grants, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2008, to Feb. 1, 2008, includes a license allowing use of VHF and UHF TV frequencies for wildlife sensing and imaging within Washington, D.C. License WE2XMB allows National Geographic to operate in the 54–72, 76–88, 174–216, 420–432, 433.92, 470–608, 614–806 and 902–928 MHz bands Ham Radio operators around Boulder, Colo., may hear unusual signals in the 2 meter and 440 MHz bands. The Colorado Space Grant Consortium at the University of Colorado in Boulder received a license to operate in the 144–146 and 435–440 MHz bands for testing the atmospheric neutral density explorer. As previously covered in RF Report, the FCC has been granting experimental licenses to nuclear power plant operators allowing them to use broadcast TV spectrum for communications around nuclear reactors. In the latest list, Nuclear Management Company LLC was allowed to use 470–806 MHz at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant in Welch, Minn. Boeing was granted an experimental license to use Ku-band satellite frequencies for testing a Maritime Mobile Satellite Earth terminal in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S territories and international waters. See the latest list of FCC experimental license grants for the complete list.

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Re: NatGeo to Use TV Frequencies for Wildlife Sensing, Ima ging in DC Area
by Keith N4ZQ 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

Can someone explain to me why this message had hieroglyphics in the frequency listings? Makes it just a tad hard to read. Is there something I can do on my end to correct it? Keith -- Eric Rosenberg <w3dq(a)arrl.net> wrote: FYI, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC --------------------------- TV Technology Email Newsletters :: Doug Lung's RF Report NatGeo to Use TV Frequencies for Wildlife Sensing, Imaging by Doug Lung, April 11, 2008 The latest list of FCC experimental license grants, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2008, to Feb. 1, 2008, includes a license allowing use of VHF and UHF TV frequencies for wildlife sensing and imaging within Washington, D.C. License WE2XMB allows National Geographic to operate in the 54â€“72, 76â€“88, 174â€“216, 420â€“432, 433.92, 470â€“608, 614â€“806 and 902â€“928 MHz bands Ham Radio operators around Boulder, Colo., may hear unusual signals in the 2 meter and 440 MHz bands. The Colorado Space Grant Consortium at the University of Colorado in Boulder received a license to operate in the 144â€“146 and 435â€“440 MHz bands for testing the atmospheric neutral density explorer. As previously covered in RF Report, the FCC has been granting experimental licenses to nuclear power plant operators allowing them to use broadcast TV spectrum for communications around nuclear reactors. In the latest list, Nuclear Management Company LLC was allowed to use 470â€“806 MHz at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant in Welch, Minn. Boeing was granted an experimental license to use Ku-band satellite frequencies for testing a Maritime Mobile Satellite Earth terminal in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S territories and international waters. See the latest list of FCC experimental license grants for the complete list. _______________________________________________ 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 _____________________________________________________________ Click for your daily horoscope, learn about money, love & family. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4suW4gj5MAnmj9f2RIHGSA…

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Telemetry postings
by john heath 11 Apr '08

11 Apr '08

At the risk of getting flamed - I am quite happy to see the occasional telemetry postings on this bb. Mike DK3WN does a great job with FREE software which you can download off his web site. It has software for telemetry decode for just about all of the current satellites. Software is easy to load and use, and works. Give it a try, telemetry can be fun. If you want an up to the minute quick overview of which sats are being heard/worked go to KD5QGR's site http://oscar.dcarr.org You can post your reports there too. 73 John G7HIA

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