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

Ridge Test Results
by Nathaniel S. Parsons 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Hi again, everyone. It's a little overwhelming to get so much help at once, but thank you, everyone, for all of it. One clarification: I did indeed mean pF, not uF for the capacitors in the matching circuit. Also, we performed another ridge test this evening (another typo there: the ridge is 3.18km from the roof where we have the ground station setup), using the complete ground station (minus pre-amp), and TH-D7 with rubber duck. We transmitted from the ground station, while varying the amount of attenuators between the TS-2000 and coax to the antenna. The "PWR" column is in the format (TH-D7)/(TS-2000). With each test, two 319-byte packets were sent by the ground station in rapid succession. The results are below. If any of this is not clear, I will do my best to clarify things. Also, the entire test was performed at 437.405MHz, at 1200 baud, even though we would like to operate at 9600. I have gotten 9600 baud to work when two TH-D7's are across the room from each other, but since 9600 baud didn't work during the initial configuration, we decided to just characterize the rubber duck at 1200. Ant. Pos. PWR Atten. Packets Vertical .05W/5W 0dB 2/2 Vertical .5W/5W 50dB 0/2 Vertical .5W/5W 45dB 1/2 Vertical .5W/5W 45dB 2/2 Vertical .5W/5W 50dB 0/2 Horizontal .5/5 50dB 0/2 Horizontal .5/5 45dB 1/2 Horizontal .5/5 45dB 0/2 Horizontal .5/5 45dB 0/2 Horizontal .5/5 45dB 0/2 Horizontal .5/5 40dB 0/2 Horizontal .5/5 40dB 0/2 Horizontal .5/5 35dB 0/2 Horizontal .5/5 30dB 2/2 Horizontal .5/5 30dB 1/2 Horizontal .5/5 30dB 2/2 45 deg. .5/5 30dB 2/2 45 deg. .5/5 30dB 2/2 45 deg. .5/5 35dB 2/2 45 deg. .5/5 40dB 2/2 45 deg. .5/5 45dB 1/2 45 deg. .5/5 45dB 0/2 Comments? Concerns? Questions? My initial interpretation of these data is that our square loop antenna has a MUCH lower gain than is required, and something like a short length of measuring tape would be a better substitute, as has been suggested by numerous people. -Nate

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TVI problem
by w0dxz＠aol.com 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

I have a TVI problem that may curtail my? ham operation... I run 5 watts on 145.920,? FM,? to a beam 5 feet above my roof. my next door neighbor says I am getting into their TV,,, they have cable... I need some help,,, I think it is a leak in the cable system... but how do I approach the? cable company, and how do i? make sure it isnt my problem... not theirs.? I have new 9913,,, Bob W0DXZ

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clarification : audio interference
by w0dxz＠aol.com 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Let me modify that...? my original info was relayed from my wife... "you are getting into the neighbors TV"... after talking with the neighbors,,, I am NOT into their TV, I am being heard through her computer speakers... how do I solve this now that I know where it is... she is hearing audio on her speakers...? I am glad it is this rather than? TVI through cable. Bob W0DXZ

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Delfi-C3 telemetry decoding software test
by Wattage Perera 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Hi to the BB, I was able to locally test the Delfi-C3 RASCAL software using the 5MB telemetry sound file from the Delfi-C3 website using my computer with the following method. Set your computer Sound Recording Device Properties using the following path. I am using Windows XP Home Edition. Control Panel ---- Sounds and Audio Devices ---- Sounds and Audio Devices Properties ---- Click on Audio tab ---- Click on Sound Recording Volume tab ---- Select Mono Mix on Sound Recorder Properties ---- Set the recording volume level to half way on the scale. Now make sure you have a check mark in the Sound Recorder select box. Download the 5MB WAV file onto your desktop from the following link in the Delfi-C3 website: http://www.delfic3.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=1… Open the computer Sound Recorder program ( All Programs ---- Accessories ---- Entertainment ---- Sound Recorder ) or use the Windows Media Player. Play back the telemetry sound file you downloaded. Open the Delfi-C3 RASCAL software. Now you should see the software screen decoding the playback telemetry sound file. You can set the audio level by adjusting the computer Sound Recorder Volume level setting. 73, Kumara Perera VE4WKP

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Reminder
by Martha 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

If you have not called me for reservations for the AMSAT/TAPR Banquet, please do so as soon as possible. Just sending an email is not enough. I need your credit card number and expiration date. Please note that this will be a buffet and you do not have to make a choice of an entree - you can have all three! AMSAT's free phone number is 1-888-322-6728. -- 73- Martha

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TH-F6A?
by w0dxz＠aol.com 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

I am updating some radios I have,,, I am going to sell my Alinco dual bander? a DJ-V5, which I had used on sats,and as a scanner, and the W32A I had bought just for satellite work. I am going to update to a Kenwood TH-F6A,,, because I can work sats with it, but I also like having the? SW and AM band coverage. I saw, but didn't pay much attention to the recent HT discussion... is the TH-F6A my best choce for HT? for sats, ... or at least in the top two?? Before I go down thr street to HRO and plunk down the money... Any comments on this radio? in general or for? sat work (a radio to take on trips, etc) Bob W0DXZ DM33

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Delfi-C3 telemetry decoding software available
by Wouter Jan Ubbels 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Hi all, we have released RASCAL, the telemetry decoding software for the Delfi-C3 satellite. You can find the download page at http://www.delfic3.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=94&Itemid=1… This page also includes instructions on how to apply for a user account to submit telemetry to our servers, and how to use RASCAL. Furthermore, the Mission Operations page is online, at http://www.delfic3.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=1… Here you can find all information regarding frequencies, TLE's and so on. Hoping for a successful launch, enjoy, Wouter Jan Ubbels PE4WJ

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WD9EWK's 19 April road trip (long)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Hi! I haven't done a road trip like I did on Saturday in a long time. I woke up early, left Phoenix before sunrise (5am local/1200 UTC), was part of an event with a radio club 90 minutes north of the city, and then proceed to put a bunch of miles (456.5 miles/734km) on my truck. In all of this, I was able to park in 4 different locations, putting a total of 4 different grids on the air during 4 AO-51 and 2 AO-27 passes and making a total of 65 QSOs with stations in the continental USA, Canada, Mexico, and Alaska. Through my fuel purchases, I also made a small boost in the economies of some oil-producing countries. The primary reason for the trip on Saturday was to help the Yavapai Amateur Radio Club with their activity at an event in Prescott AZ, about 100 miles/160km north of Phoenix. I added to that a loop through northern Arizona that would allow me to operate from 4 different grids, and in particular put a couple of unusual (for satellite ops) grids on the air: DM35 and DM45. These two grids in northern Arizona are rarely on the satellites, unless someone driving on I-40 decides to stop and work passes from up there. I can probably count on one hand the number of passes I've heard stations from both of these grids in the last 2+ years. First stop... 1410 UTC, about 85 miles/137km north of Phoenix, west of the I-17 freeway in grids DM34xm and DM44am at 4455 feet (1358m) elevation: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=34+31.1… This was a pass to my east, and the only time I would be on the air from DM44 during the day. Lots of activity, and I was able to log contacts with 12 stations in Canada, Mexico, and the US. I have operated from this spot off and on in the past year, and this time I had an "audience" - some cattle, roaming through this field just inside the Prescott National Forest. In this area, the national forest has very few trees. It is more high desert than forested area. After this pass, I made the 30-mile/50km drive west to Prescott. The event I was helping with would be in the public library in downtown Prescott, grid DM34sm: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=34.5397+n+112.4672+w&jsv=1… The event was only for 2 hours, between 10am and 12 noon (1700- 1900 UTC), and its location on a hill prevented me from working any eastern passes unless the satellites were above 40 or 45 degrees elevation. I was able to do a demonstration on one AO-51 pass to the west at 1548 UTC, logging contacts with 9 stations from Alaska to Mexico. The event, primarily focused on astronomy, was a good one. The Yavapai Amateur Radio Club had a table with general information on amateur radio including details of a local school's SAREX contact in 1994 and another table with information on radio astronomy, along with my table with satellite-related information. Thanks to Ray W1OTH, Terry KB7TRE, Bob WB6ODR, and the others with the radio club and the Prescott Astronomy Club for your assistance. After the event wrapped up, I grabbed some lunch and drove 35 miles/56km north to a spot east of Arizona route 89 in grids DM34tx and DM35ta near Drake AZ (25 miles/40km south of Ash Fork and the I-40 freeway): http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35+0.00+n+112+23.132+w&jsv… This was a very nice spot, again just inside the Prescott National Forest in the high desert (4735 feet/1443m elevation, per my GPS receiver). I had a great view of the sky in all directions, no hassles from people driving on the road, and was able to work a pair of AO-27 passes. I made 10 QSOs on the 2121 UTC pass to the east, and 8 more on the 2302 UTC pass to the west. After those passes, it was time to pack up my stuff and move on to the last spot I wanted to reach. After a 45-mile/72km drive I reached a spot on old US 66 west of Parks AZ in grids DM35xg and DM45ag: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35+15.570+n+112+0.00+w&jsv… No more high desert here. I was in the Kaibab National Forest, and this actually looked like a forest with lots of tall trees. I had gone up in elevation, up to 7128 feet/2173m. I had almost 90 minutes before the first AO-51 pass of the evening, so I tried to find a good spot that would still put me on the DM35/DM45 line away from the road. No luck with that, so I parked on the side of the road and prepared for the first pass. When I started to hear the satellite come up from the southeast, it was already jammed with stations from all over the USA and Mexico. Despite the crowd, I was able to make quick contacts with 15 different stations during the 0120 UTC pass. Between that pass and the 0259 UTC pass to the west, I drove around the area again to see the sights while there was still sunlight. I returned to the same spot for the 0259 UTC pass, and made 11 more contacts with stations from Mexico up to Alaska to wrap up my satellite operating for the day. After I dismantled my station, I drove to Flagstaff for dinner. Then a quick look around that city, before driving down the I-17 freeway to go home. If anyone who worked me Saturday wants a QSL card for the contact(s), please e-mail me. If I already have a QSL card from an earlier satellite QSO with you, there's no need to send me another card. If we have not worked before, I would appreciate receiving your QSL card. If you didn't work me and would like to hear DM35, DM45, or some other unusual grids in Arizona on future satellite passes, there will be other opportunities as summer approaches. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: Website
by N3UJJ (Scott Gillis) 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Looks like it's up now, it wasn't even answering a tracert before Scott Gillis N3UJJ My Current Location <http://location.n3ujj.com> My Amateur Weather Station <http://weather.n3ujj.com/> > _____________________________________________ > From: N3UJJ (Scott Gillis) [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 12:53 > To: 'AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org' > Subject: Website > > > Is the AMSAT website down? > > I can't get it to come up > > Scott Gillis N3UJJ > My Current Location <http://location.n3ujj.com> > My Amateur Weather Station <http://weather.n3ujj.com/> > > >

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Re: Delfi-C3 telemetry decoding software available
by Wouter Jan Ubbels 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Hi Alan, make sure to first extract the entire RASCAL zip file (including the lib folder) before running the jar file, RASCAL gives this error because it cannot reach the lib, most probably because it has not been extracted from the zip file. Let me know whether that works! For further questions, please also cc rascal(a)delfic3.nl which is a special e-mail address we have created for Q&A regarding RASCAL, and for obtaining a user account. 73! Wouter Jan Ubbels PE4WJ

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re Any more websites?
by Angus 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Ed Cole wrote, You can see my plans at > http://www.kl7uw.com/sat.htm Great site somethings to consider anyone else got a good site with photos and information? regards Gus M0IKB -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 3464 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len

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Re: [amsat-ne] Cornell Satellite Team Needs Help
by Roger Kolakowski 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

Hi Nate.... I am currently manually forwarding our posts to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org until you get you access. Then the discussion should shift over there. The boards or reflectors will not pass attachments so if you have any, please post on your website and insert URL's for our access. Please point out your antenna location in the pictures you provide. My responses are inserted between your text....Roger WA1KAT ----- Original Message ----- From: Nathaniel S. Parsons To: Roger Kolakowski ; gs(a)cusat.cornell.edu ; tc(a)cusat.cornell.edu ; Dan Oltrogge Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 12:11 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-ne] Cornell Satellite Team Needs Help Roger, Thank you very much for the quick response. I have a few more questions, though (inline, below). I've copied a few of my team's mailing lists so they can get involved, too. -Nate KC2SVI On Sun, Apr 20, 2008 at 11:29 PM, Roger Kolakowski <rogerkola(a)aol.com> wrote: Nate... I have forwarded your email to the entire AMSAT population as the amsat-ne reflector does not get used much and I don't think it is directed through the amsat-bb(a)amsat.org main reflector. Thank you very much. I'm in the process of joining those reflectors, but I'm waiting for moderator approval. In your ridge design test I think I would have used the radio with a simple quarter whip to set a baseline for the antenna. This would help isolate your problem by having a 0 dB gain level to your receiving system. Once you set that, you can start testing antennas. >Ah, that's a good idea! I just need a little >clarification. If I understand you correctly, you think >we should do some (or all) of the following: >1. Take a 6.89" piece of antenna wire, attach a UHF >connector to it, and stick it on a TH-D7. (is this how >you make a whip antenna? I really should get my hands >on that antenna handbook...) Yes, however use the same connector that is on the radio and have the vertical rod insulated from the outer shield with some sort of plastic sleeve where they "might" make contact. (I have not checked you 1/4 wave math) >2. Take this out to the hilltop where we had the >satellite Yes >OR the rooftop where we had the ground station (which?) No >3. Transmit from one and/or the other station (which?) You are trying to confirm that your control station will work both ways with alternating antenna systems at the "satellite" Both ways won't hurt. >adding attenuators one side and/or the other (which >one?) until the signal cuts out, and this is our >baseline. Add Attenuation at the base as initially this is your variable. Your Satellite is your "control." >4. Repeat, substituting the whip for the other station. Not necessary...your "base" will never have this configuration >5. Go back to the non-baseline setup with the same amount of attenuation. Go to the setup where the "satellite" 1/4 wave antenna is replaced by your "designed" antenna and remeasure >If we can't get signal, then we know one of the >antennas has negative gain, which is bad. If you can't get signal, your "satellite" antenna arrangement is exhibiting less "gain" toward the "base" than a 1/4 wave whip. Not good. >Then, add attenuators until signal is lost again, this >being how much gain we have in that direction. In relationship to 1/4 wave. >6. If step 5 works, take off 3 dB of attenuation, and >rotate until signal is lost again, to experimentally >determine the gain pattern. Remember, you are not in "free space," local objects, height above the ground, etc will skew any true pattern, but it won' hurt to try. I'm not sure how you are deploying such an elaborate antenna without damage during launch and the design is intricate enough that pictures would help. >We have no deplyables. As for pictures, I've attached >one, and our .EZ model. To be more specific, the loop >is epoxied to the same plastic that the solar panels >are. What the model does not show is that there is >another antenna on the bottom of the satellite, and, >for the first stage of the mission, there will be two >identical satellites stacked together. For a better >idea, see the "Documents" section of the web site for a >video of our planned mission. >Also, since we are spin-stabilized, deployables are a >bad idea, especially ones that radiate energy. Without reviewing your EZ-NEC calculations, have you taken into account that the epoxied antenna will be extremely close to the metalic frame and the solar cells? If your antenna is only on one axis will you be shielded in all other directions so that any spin will shadow the earth? Directionality of the antenna comes to mind, interaction with the cube's surface is a consideration. I agree that it is a consideration, but I'm not sure what tools or equations to use to consider them. What about a poor matching circuit? One idea on this side is to try swapping in and out various capacitors to iterate towards a better one. Do you think that would work? I know that the TH-D7 will dial back its power if it sees a high SWR... Many of the Annapolis' satellites used metal tape measure strips rolled up for launch and released into quarterwave whips in orbit as simple antennas. Unfortunately, we don't have this option, since we are spin-stabilized, and antennas that dissipate energy would get us spinning the wrong direction. Having the test transceiver external to the cube for the ridgeline test also brings up some questions as to the duplication of your space cube's actual configuration. We didn't have any electronics in the prototype structure, but we thought having all that metal was enough. We can certainly put the boards in to see if it will have any effect, though. I would suggest setting a direct, line-of-site baseline with a traditional antenna and radio first. I agree, I'm just a little fuzzy on the specifics (see above). Roger WA1KAT ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nathaniel S. Parsons" <nsp25(a)cornell.edu> To: <nsp25(a)cornell.edu> Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 9:32 PM Subject: [amsat-ne] Cornell Satellite Team Needs Help >> We had a the satellite's antenna attached to a structural prototype of > the satellite, and brought it to a hill roughly 4km from our ground > antenna. We stuck attenuators on the ground station, between the > antenna and the pre-amp in order to simulate the path loss we would > experience in space (LEO, 330x685, 9.1 degree inclination), and > transmitted from the satellite. By our calculations, we needed > roughly 57 dB of attenuation in order to be confident that we could > hear the satellite while it was at the edge of the horizon, but we > lost signal after 10 dB. It is possible we made mistakes in the design > or construction of the satellite's antenna, or in the configuration of > the ground station, so I would greatly appreciate if you could look > over what we have and did, and see if you could point out what we've > done wrong, what we can do to further test this, and what potential > solutions are. If anyone is in the Ithaca area, I would be more than > willing to show you our setup. > > On each satellite, we have two square loop antennas made of 12-gauge > copper wire, 8.3125 cm per side, corner fed. At the feed point of the > antenna, we have a matching circuit as follows: > > (antenna)-----------------------+----C2---+--------------TX/RX > |_________________C1______L________Ground > > C1=56uF > C2=33uF > L=10.7nH > > According to our EZNEC model, this comes pretty close to matching > impedence with our 50-ohm, RG316 coax, 1/2 wavelength long, which > feeds into a Kenwood TH-D7AG, modified to fit in a metal box suitable > for flight. For the test, we didn't use the flight radio, but > connected the same antenna to an unmodified TH-D7 held outside the > prototype structure (if that has any significance).

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Fw: [amsat-ne] Cornell Satellite Team Needs Help
by Roger Kolakowski 21 Apr '08

21 Apr '08

----- Original Message ----- From: "Nathaniel S. Parsons" <nsp25(a)cornell.edu> To: <nsp25(a)cornell.edu> Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 9:32 PM Subject: [amsat-ne] Cornell Satellite Team Needs Help > Hello everyone, > > I am a student at Cornell University, and a member of the Cornell > University Satellite Project Team (http://cusat.cornell.edu). We are > preparing for a launch in June, but problems were found with our RF > system, so I'm trying to solicit help from those with experience, > expertise, and/or equipment related to spacecraft > communication/antenna design on the amateur 70-cm band. If you have > any or all of this, please read on. > > Some backstory: last year, we won the University Nanosat-4 > competition, and the prize was a free launch. Right now, we are > aiming to be put on the next launch of the Falcon 1 rocket by SpaceX. > Both parts of the satellites have been assembled, and are undergoing > further testing with the AFRL in Albuquerque. While that seems to be > going along well, our latest test of the RF system doesn't look good, > and we don't have the equipment or expertise to correctly diagnose the > problem or find a solution, nor do we have much time. So, I apologize > if this email is rather disjointed, but there are many things going on > at once. I'll be glad to clarify anything I can. Also, I think it > would be best if you assumed that we don't know anything about > anything, because something that is obvious to you may not be very > obvious to us. > > The problem surfaced on Friday, when we performed a ridge test to > verify that our RF system was adequate, and found out that it is not. > We had a the satellite's antenna attached to a structural prototype of > the satellite, and brought it to a hill roughly 4km from our ground > antenna. We stuck attenuators on the ground station, between the > antenna and the pre-amp in order to simulate the path loss we would > experience in space (LEO, 330x685, 9.1 degree inclination), and > transmitted from the satellite. By our calculations, we needed > roughly 57 dB of attenuation in order to be confident that we could > hear the satellite while it was at the edge of the horizon, but we > lost signal after 10 dB. It is possible we made mistakes in the design > or construction of the satellite's antenna, or in the configuration of > the ground station, so I would greatly appreciate if you could look > over what we have and did, and see if you could point out what we've > done wrong, what we can do to further test this, and what potential > solutions are. If anyone is in the Ithaca area, I would be more than > willing to show you our setup. > > On each satellite, we have two square loop antennas made of 12-gauge > copper wire, 8.3125 cm per side, corner fed. At the feed point of the > antenna, we have a matching circuit as follows: > > (antenna)-----------------------+----C2---+--------------TX/RX > |_________________C1______L________Ground > > C1=56uF > C2=33uF > L=10.7nH > > According to our EZNEC model, this comes pretty close to matching > impedence with our 50-ohm, RG316 coax, 1/2 wavelength long, which > feeds into a Kenwood TH-D7AG, modified to fit in a metal box suitable > for flight. For the test, we didn't use the flight radio, but > connected the same antenna to an unmodified TH-D7 held outside the > prototype structure (if that has any significance). Since the best SWR > meter we have is an MFJ 269 we don't really know how to use, we have > not been able to verify that the antenna + matching circuit perform > the same as in the simulation, or have the same impedance. I just now > found someone at Cornell with a network analyzer, and I hope he will > let me use it. What else should we do to test the antenna? Did we even > choose the 'right' kind of antenna for what we want to do? > > On the ground station side, we have the following equipment: > > Antenna: M2 436CP30 70-cm, circularly polarized Yagi > Coax: RG-8, 50 ohm > Pre-amp: KP-1-440 70 cm in-shack GaSa FET Pre-amplifier (Oops, just > found out from ARRL Handbook we need a mast-mounted one. What > mast-mounted pre-amps are available for 70-cm? Can we simply weather > proof what we have and stick it on the antenna's mast?) > Transceiver: Kenwood TS-2000 > TNC: Kantronics KAM-XL > Rotator: G-5500 with GS-232B controller > Rotator control software: NOVA for Windows > Radio control software: Ham Radio Deluxe > > Unfortunately we're not entirely sure about how to fully use all of > our equipment, or if we're using them correctly. It's possible that > we have something off and we aren't able to fully step back and see > all the 'little things.' Would it be possible for someone to take a > look at what we have and show us best practices and/or help us with a > sanity check? We can flip through several different manuals and check > different websites for help but it might be better to have some > grizzled experience working alongside us. > > Thanks for any advice or help you can provide. We're excited to be > working on this and learning as we go along, but we could really use a > guided push towards success. > > 73 > -Nate Parsons > KC2SVI > _______________________________________________ > Via the AMSAT-NE mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA > AMSAT-NE(a)amsat.org > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-ne >

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software
by Nick Pugh 20 Apr '08

20 Apr '08

Hi Amsatters I am looking for software that will capture data out of a rs232 serial port. I expect the data to be ascii or hex. The format I would like to what you see when you turn the trace command on a TNC. thanks nick

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Any feedback on Mirage KP1-440 Preamp?
by Mike Ryan 20 Apr '08

20 Apr '08

Hello all, Zapped my ARR RX only preamp for the second time out of stupidity. Time for a switched model. Cant afford the $200+ amps from SSB and such. The Mirage seems attractive. Can anyone share their experiences with this model or suggest a differnt affordable preamp? I looked at the ARR switched models already. The high powerd mast mount is too much $$ and the low power one only handles 25 watts. I could easily smoke that one out of stupidity as well (my rig can do 50 watts). Mike WB1AAT

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Re: AO-16 @2230z
by Henk, PA3GUO 20 Apr '08

20 Apr '08

Hi Gary, No, I didn't, but the passes before that one were great. Yesterday was for me the 1st time I had time to try AO16. Signals got really strong(er) in the last minutes of a pass. Between 2 downto 0.5 degrees elevation the link was better as between 5 downto 2 degrees. I recall that AO7 145/29mhz mode had the same effect at my station. Kinda good for long distance contacts :-) Anyway, despite that, I 'only' worked other European stations, no Canada or US (OZ1MY, RK3DXB, SP9TTX, G8ATE). MP3 recordings are on my website (http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo under LOGS). But: of course looking forward to some intercontinental QSOs ! Henk, PA3GUO > Anyone hear any activity other than W0DXZ in DM33? > 73, Gary -K8KFJ-

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ANS-111 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 19 Apr '08

19 Apr '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-111 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT Store and Dayton Update * Volunteer Opportunities at the AMSAT Lab * ESA Call for Cubesat Proposals * Cubesat Workshop Presentations Available * European Student Earth Orbiter Update * AMSAT-Australia and Ozdatgroup Combine Forces * Satellite Shorts From All Over * ARISS Status - 14 April 2008 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-111.01 AMSAT Store and Dayton Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 111.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-111.01 The AMSAT Store is still down, but we now have a computer that will be the server for the AMSAT Store. We hope to have the store operational as soon as possible. This is currently a volunteer effort, travel and work obligations have slowed down the process of getting the software installed. AMSAT at the Dayton Hamvention continues to grow. We will have a great Forum on Saturday morning and many new items available at the booth, including a limited number of LVB Tracker boxes. The outdoor demonstration area will be busy all three days plus offer an "Introduction to Amateur Satellite Operation" talk Friday and Saturday afternoons. Be sure and contact Martha to make your reservations for the joint AMSAT/TAPR Banquet Friday night May 16. Be sure an join us for the Pizza and Suds gathering on Thursday night. Additional information can be found on the AMSAT web site, http://www.amsat.org [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-111.02 Volunteer Opportunities at the AMSAT Lab AMSAT News Service Bulletin 111.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-111.02 Bob Davis, KF4KSS, AMSAT Lab Manager says the AMSAT Lab in Pocomoke City, Maryland will be open for work days on the following Saturdays: Sat Apr 26 Open 9-5 Sat May 3 Open 9-5 Sat May 10 Open 9-5 Sat May 17 Closed - Dayton Hamvention Again, if you're interested in coming and need directions or just want to talk first, send Bob an email KF4KSS(a)amsat.org or call 443-783-7794. [ANS thanks Bob, KF4KSS for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-111.03 ESA Call for Cubesat Proposals AMSAT News Service Bulletin 111.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-111.03 The European Space Agency Education Office has received good response to its call for CubeSat proposals issued last month to universities in ESA member nations and other cooperating states. This to participate in the development of an educational payload for the maiden flight of the new Vega launch rocket currently scheduled for December. The launch opportunity on the Vega maiden flight is being offered free of charge for up to 6 CubeSats, with an additional 2 backup CubeSats on back up standby. The ESA Education Office says that it recognizes the growing importance of CubeSat projects as a key tool in providing university students with a valuable hands-on practical education across all space engineering disciplines from end-to-end through the complete space project lifecycle. [ANS thanks Newsline for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-111.04 Cubesat Workshop Presentations Available AMSAT News Service Bulletin 111.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-111.04 The 5th Annual Cubesat Developers Workshop was held at CalPoly in San Luis Obispo April 9-11 2008. The workshop featured over forty presentations covering information for new Cubesat developers, innovative avionics, nanosatellites, access to space, ground station operations, and unique missions. All of the presentation have been posted on Cubesat.org: http://cubesat.atl.calpoly.edu/pages/workshops/developers-workshop-2008.php [ANS thanks Bryan, KF6ZEO, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-111.05 European Student Earth Orbiter Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 111.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-111.05 It has been quite a time since the AMSAT-UK European Student Earth Orbiter (ESEO) team have been able to provide an update on the progress of this satellite payload and just recently ESA have made a major change to the structure of the project organization. The plan has been to develop a package to provide downlink telemetry at 400 bps and provide backup tele-command and ranging facilities for the mission management teams. It would, additionally, provide a 435 to 2400 MHz (Mode U/S) linear transponder using both analogue and DSP based systems. ESEO is a 110kg student satellite project intended for launch in to low inclination GTO elliptical orbit. Until the beginning of 2008 the whole ESEO project had been organized directly by ESA Education Office under the SSETI (Student Space Exploration & Technology Initiative) banner but they have now decided to adopt new arrangements. To quote from the ESA website " To date, both projects (ESEO and ESMO) have proceeded in the early phases with a project team consisting entirely of students with project management and ad hoc technical support provided by ESA. It is now intended to implement a new project team structure for these two projects in order to enhance the educational benefits given to the students and to ensure that the project progresses through major reviews to a successful completion on schedule. The new project structure consists of: * a System Prime responsible for the system engineering and technical management of the project, the provision of specialist technical advice to the students where needed, and supervising the student AIV(Assembly Integration & Verification) of the satellite at ESTEC. * a Network of Universities responsible for the delivery of payload items, satellite subsystem items and ground segment systems by their student teams and ensuring the adequate supervision/long-term continuity of the student teams locally." What does this mean for AMSAT-UK's involvement in the project? The launch date is now not expected to be earlier than 2011. The process for the appointment of the System Prime Contractor is presently underway and is expected to be completed by later this year. After the System Prime has been appointed, we will work with them and with ESA Education to ensure that the AMSAT sub-system is available when required by the programme. Further information should be available in time for the AMSAT-UK Colloquium which is being held at the University of Surrey at Guildford from Friday 25th to Sunday 28th July, [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-111.06 AMSAT-Australia and Ozdatgroup Combine Forces AMSAT News Service Bulletin 111.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-111.06 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 April 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. 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 at http://www.amsat-vk.org for more information. 73's Paul - VK2TXT AMSAT-Australia National Coordinator. [ANS thanks Paul, VK2TXT for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-111.07 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 111.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-111.07 + Robert, G8ATE has updated his web site at http://www.turlington.supanet.com to show an SSTV contact with GM0ICF via VO52 and Field Hell tests via AO7 mode B, AO16,S O50, AO51 & VO52. + When operating on AO-7 keep an ear open for the informal "DX Watering Hole" near 145.959 MHz +/-. This is the proposed frequency for those "footprint stretching", edge-to-edge QSO's on AO-7. + The Federal Communications Commission says it is seeking applications from engineering school graduates with superior academic credentials and an interest in communications engineering for its 2008 Engineer-in-Training Program. Additional information is available on the FCC's EIT Program page at http://www.fcc.gov/EITprogram, or by contacting the FCC's Human Resources Office at area code 202-418-0130. You can also e-mail for more information to recruit(a)fcc.gov. (via Amateur Radio Newsline) + Reminder! Visit the AMSAT Dayton Web page to learn of the latest events planned for this year's Hamvention: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2008/Dayton2008.php [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-111.08 ARISS Status - 14 April 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 111.08 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-111.08 1. Upcoming School Contacts Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Monday, April 21 at 17:48 UTC via the telebridge station W6SRJ in Santa Rosa, California. The audio for this event will be fed into the EchoLink AMSAT (101 377) and JK1ZRW (277 208) Conference Room servers and the IRLP Discovery Reflector 9010. 2. Croatian Contact Successful On Monday, April 7, students from Osnovna skola Pazin in Croatia participated in a successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Garrett Reisman, KE5HAE, answered 15 questions posed to him by 6 students as an audience of 100 people gathered around the radio. Three national television stations, three radio stations and five newspapers covered the event. The audio was fed into the EchoLink AMSAT (101 377) and JK1ZRW (277 208) servers and received 16 connections, including 3 link nodes and 1 repeater node, from 11 countries. 3. First Korean Contact Successful Students attending the Han Gwang Boys & Girls High School in Pyeong Taek City, Republic of Korea experienced an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Sunday, April 13. South Korean space visitor Yi So-yeon, HL0ARISS, answered 12 students' questions. Over 500 people attended the event. Media coverage included 5 television stations and 10 newspapers. 4. ARISS Crew Debrief Held A debrief session was held between the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team and Expedition 16 crew member Leopold Eyharts, KE5FNO/FX0STD, on Monday, April 7. Eyharts provided feedback on ARISS school contacts and operation of the ARISS radio equipment. 5. ARISS Presentation at Dayton Hamvention The Dayton Hamvention will be held at the Hara Arena Complex in Dayton, Ohio on May 16 - 18. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) will both support exhibit booths at the event. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Chairman Frank Bauer plans to give a presentation on "A Ham Radio Operator's View of ARISS" at the AMSAT forum which will cover new ARISS initiatives and a status report on SuitSat-2. The Dayton Hamvention is an internationally attended amateur radio convention that draws crowds of 25,000 annually. For more information on Dayton Hamvention 2008, go to: http://www.hamvention.org/hv2008/forums/forumlist.htm [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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Re: OLPC ... Neat!
by Bob Bruninga 19 Apr '08

19 Apr '08

> I think the XO is a... ground breaking device. > Did I get one? No, I realized that it is does > not meet my needs and would end up in the > closet or given away to a child... Mine have done just that since Xmas, until today. ... I couldn't find my shoulder bag big laptop and so on my way out the door, I grabbed one of the kids XO's so I could try it out for the 5 hours I would be sitting at the kids swim meet. Sitting in the stands, I fired it up, and to my amazement wireless! bingo up came my favorite web pages, and then email. After reading email I went to edit some of my web pages. Flipped the screen around to tablet/book style so that the pages were long and I could read like a book. Holding the device in one hand with the nice finger holes provided. Wow, what a neat way to access wireless, email, web pages, and live mobile APRS. Less than 1/2 the bulk of my big laptop, and only $200 at risk instead of the $1200 labtop. I can't wait for the ham software to start working with it. Talk about portability... The ease of use, will assure that I will now probbly have the ham radio laptop apps with me more often than before since I will be more apt to carry the small XO at low risk then lug the big laptop. I'm sold! And now that my kids see how easy the itnernet access was, I now have to buy my own XO, since now their inteerest has been re kindled and they do want to take them both back to school... Bob, WB4APR

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Yuri UT1FG/mm travel plans
by Robert Turlington 19 Apr '08

19 Apr '08

Hi All here is a list of Yuri UT1FG/mm destinations over the next month EXPECTED DEPARTURE FROM ANNABA 31-MARCH.1ST APRIL PORT EL KALA/ALGERIA " JM47FA ". 2ND/3RD OF APRIL PORT EL KALA " JM46FW " .FROM 3TH UPTO 5TH APRIL BOUND TOGIBRALTAR STRAIT THROUGH JM47,JM37,JM27,JM17,JM07,IM96,IM86, IM76 AND IM75 THEN ALONG COAST OF EA/CT-LAND THROUGHBISCAY BAY,ENGLISH CHANNEL,NORTH SEA,BALTIC SEA. 13TH APRIL GDYNIA/POLAND/SP2 LEAVE ST.PETERSBURG/RUSSIA/UA1 ON 25TH APRILUA1 OF APRIL ) FOR LOADING CARGO AND THEN WE WILL BE BACK AGAIN THROUGH NORTH SEA,ENGLISH CHANNEL BOUND TO WEST COASTOF SOUTH AMERICA PERU AND CHILE. Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ Win 100’s of Virgin Experience days with BigSnapSearch.com http://www.bigsnapsearch.com

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XE83IARU
by D. Craig Fox 19 Apr '08

19 Apr '08

I just worked XE83IARU- special station and callsign- on VO52. I was unable to determine from the 'net if this is just one or multiple stations. Apparently it is operating April 18-20 in celebration of the 83rd anniversary of the International Amateur Radio Union. Good signal, seemed doppler controlled. Craig N6RSX DM13

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Re: Source of Mode S downconverters ?
by Russ Renaud 19 Apr '08

19 Apr '08

I have a few downconverters that I could part with. Same model, same price as K5GNA, with N-connector, power supply/bias-T, with LO xtal for 2 metre operation. de Russ, va3rr __________________________________________________________________ Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers.yahoo.com

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Re: LEO antennas
by w0dxz＠aol.com 19 Apr '08

19 Apr '08

Yes, there are several easy ways to improve the antenna system, I just went through the same thing, and got tired of having to go out in the back yard. 1. Use the arrow antenna, but as everyone says, be careful not to go over? the ten watt? duplexer limit. 2. Obtain- buy-build a simple 2meter beam,5- 7 elements, and obtain a small 432 beam...11 elements?? Something like that.? Use those with your? U-100 elevation rotor, it will work fine, and better than the Arrow, I imagine.? Not sure what rig you want to use, but you? will have to decide? whether to use two feedlines, or one with a duplexer. Depends on the rig I guess. ?I would not go too big on the antennas, you dont want such a narrow angle? that you have to constantly tweak the beams.? I went from an elk? (similar to the Arrow) to 7 elements on 144 and 10 elements on 432,,, BIG difference in what I hear, and l how long I hear? passes. And, I mounted mine on a small tripod on the roof of my house... even that helped, not having houses or trees in the way of the low elevation passes. Circular polarization is nice, you may decide to make that upgrade as well someday, but not necessary, mount one vertically one horizontally, or maybe mount them both at 45 degree angle...I think you will be amazed at the improvement. I'm no expert, by any means, but just went through the same process you are going through. Nice to be in the house. Bob W0DXZ DM33 Sun City AZ.

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Source of S-Meters Down converters
by Al Ozias 18 Apr '08

18 Apr '08

I have one for sale advertised on QTH, Ad number 656194> Al - N7EQF <I am looking to get another Mode S downconverter. I remember seeing one <from Italy I think that could convert to either 2m or 440 for the <converted signal but cant find the link anymore. I exchange emails with <K5GNA but he is out of stock and may not have anymore for a while. <Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

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WD9EWK from DM34/DM44, 1410 UTC tomorrow (19 April) via AO-51
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 18 Apr '08

18 Apr '08

Hi! In addition to the plans to operate from DM34, DM35, and DM45 tomorrow (Saturday, 19 April 2008): http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2008-April/010638.html I will be on the air earlier on Saturday morning from the DM34/DM44 line east of Prescott. I will go to the spot I've used previously to be in both of these grids simultaneously, near I-17 and Arizona route 169 south of Camp Verde AZ, for the AO-51 pass starting at 1410 UTC. This pass will favor eastern North America, and will be the only time I will operate from DM44 tomorrow. Then I will head to Prescott, for the demonstration on the next AO-51 pass at 1548 UTC to the west. I have been on from DM44 during many weekends in the past few months. Although this grid does not see much activity besides my trips, it has seen much more than DM35 - the main target of my travels tomorrow - and DM45. There will be other times for DM44, if anyone needs that grid via satellite. During the upcoming summer, I should be able to put DM45 and/or DM35 on the satellites occasionally as I escape the heat. :-) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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got on AO-16!
by w0dxz＠aol.com 18 Apr '08

18 Apr '08

Made first QSO on AO-16 today with VA7VW, who I had worked on FM birds... I wasn't going to make a QSO,,, but... heard the satellite fine, thought, well, I will just see if I can find my signal,,, put out my call and VA7VW returned a call! Thanks VA7VW,,,? Now I am hooked on AO16! Loved the long pass, long QSO capability, no fading, it was great. Bob W0DXZ DM33

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