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

metal or non metal cross booms
by Gopal Madhavan 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

I have experimented with both non-metallic and metallic cross booms after reading numerous articles on the subject some years ago. With CP antennae mounted in X configuration there seems to be hardly any difference in performance. I speak of experiments done when AO-40 was active. I now use a metallic boom as it gives very good rigidity to mount two CP antennae, a small dish for 2.4 GHz, preamps etc. Here in India I do not have the option to order a good section of fibre glass cross boom any way, and so had made do with PVC tube wrapped in fibre glass, but it eventually sagged and I had to periodically rotate it 180 degrees to keep it somewhat level. Gopal VU2GMN

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I: Re: metal or non metal cross booms
by Francesco Grappi 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Hi all, Another solutions : (I did it) Metal cross boom with, at the end of both side, 400 mm. of nylon shaft Inside. It works great ! 73" Frank IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] Per conto di kc6uqh Inviato: domenica 6 aprile 2008 19.05 A: Prathap Kumar; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Oggetto: [amsat-bb] Re: metal or non metal cross booms Suggestion, Wood has very good strength, why not place a wood dowel rod inside a pvc pipe with end caps to keep the weather out? THe wood will offer the support and the pvc will protect the wood from the elements. Art , KC6UQH ----- Original Message ----- From: "Prathap Kumar" <vu2pop(a)gmail.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 7:44 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: metal or non metal cross booms > Hi > I got the thick wall Blue PVC pipes used for plumbing wrapped in > fibreglass > mat and its been in use for over ten years now. > The final OD is now about 40mm. > It does support both my cross yagis on the rotator. > I am also looking for the fibreglass tube with thick wall and hope to get > some here in Bangalore and will keep you informed Gopal. > Best 73 > Pop > VU2POP > > > >> Gopal, >> >> A good decision that you made. A study by Kent, WA5VJB, shows that >> only some sensitivity of position between elements on the antenna >> boom impacts using a metal crossboom if the antenna is mounted in the >> "X" confinguration. My satellite antennas are mounted this way. >> >> 73 Ed - KL7UW >> >> At 05:50 PM 4/5/2008, Gopal Madhavan wrote: >>>I have experimented with both non-metallic and metallic cross booms after >>>reading numerous articles on the subject some years ago. With CP antennae >>>mounted in X configuration there seems to be hardly any difference in >>>performance. I speak of experiments done when AO-40 was active. >>> >>>I now use a metallic boom as it gives very good rigidity to mount two CP >>>antennae, a small dish for 2.4 GHz, preamps etc. Here in India I do not >>>have >>>the option to order a good section of fibre glass cross boom any way, and >>>so >>>had made do with PVC tube wrapped in fibre glass, but it eventually >>>sagged >>>and I had to periodically rotate it 180 degrees to keep it somewhat >>>level. >>> >>>Gopal VU2GMN >>> >>> >>>_______________________________________________ >>>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 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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 _______________________________________________ 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

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recording software
by Nick Pugh 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Hi AMSATERS I have ask the list before but have not gotten a good response. I am looking for shareware program that will record audio based on time that you enter. Skypipe comes close but it only let's you put one record time. thanks nick

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G-5500 lubrication
by Joel Kandel 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Am abut to put up a G-5500 rotor and noticed on the test bench that the elevation rotor makes a but of a grinding noise when it operates. More so than the azimuth rotor. 1. Is this noise normal? 2. Is it worth trying to open the rotor and grease the beartings or whatever is making the grinding noise? 3. Any pitfalls to opening the unit? I have worked successfully on Ham IV rotors in the past. Thanks, Joel Kandel, KI4T

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[ans] ANS-097 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-097 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: * Dayton Forums Schedule * AMSAT Booth Volunteers * DelfiC3 Update * AMSAT Room Block at Dayton * AO-51 Update * ARISS Status - 24 March 2008 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.01 Dayton Forums Schedule AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.01 AMSAT Forum at Dayton Hamvention 0900-1130 Saturday, May 17 Forum Room 5 We have a great lineup of speakers for the AMSAT Fourm at Dayton this year. The forum will concentrate on discussing AMSAT projects and activites for this year. Moderator: Barry A. Baines, WD4ASW AMSAT Corporate Secretary & VP-Special Projects Rick Hambly, W2GPS AMSAT President and Robert Davis, KF4KSS AMSAT Director-Spacecraft Integration and Lab Manager, "AMSAT Update". Rick will present a status report on the Intelsat Negotiations, a brief update on Eagle, and AMSAT-DL's Phase 3-E Project. Bob will provide an overview of AMSAT's new Integration Lab in Pocomoke, MD as well as discuss the HASP (High Altitude Student Payload) and Cubesat Projects that are under development at the Lab. Gould Smith, WA4SXM, AMSAT VP-Member & User Services, Andrew Glasbrenner, KO4MA AMSAT VP-Operations, and Mark Hammond, N8MH AMSAT Command Station, "AMSAT Satellite Operations Update" which will provide an overview of AO-51 as well as highlight how AO-16 has been reconfigured as a voice repeater satellite. Matt Ettus, N2MJI, ACP System Engineer and Michelle Thompson, W5NYV ACP Ground Station Development Engineer, "AMSAT's Advanced Communications Package (ACP)". Matt and Michelle will provide an overview of the new communications system currently under development for Eagle and a potential payload package to be placed on a commercial geostationary satellite. ACP is designed to provide emergency communications using portable ground stations as well as make it possible for amateurs living in areas with CC&R restrictions to be able to communicate via our next generation satellite. They will explain why ACP is being developed and discuss both the work being done on the payload as well as the ground station component that is being developed concurrently. Frank Bauer, KA3HDO AMSAT Director-Manned Space Programs, "A Ham Radio Operator's View of ARISS". Frank will outline several new initiatives under development for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) that will interest amateur radio operators as well as provide an overview of SuitSat-2 currently under development. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.02 AMSAT Booth Volunteers AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.02 AMSAT Booth Volunteers for Dayton 2008 I am looking for volunteers to help in the AMSAT booth during the 2008 Dayton Hamvention, May 16-18. I would like people to volunteer for 2 hour shifts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Multiple shifts are welcome. I also need help with booth setup and take down on Thursday May 15 and Sunday May 18. With enough people we have been able to setup and take down the booth in 3 - 4 hours ( or less). Please volunteer to Gould, WA4SXM at his callsign(a)amsat.org. This is a great opportunity to give back to AMSAT and to have an enjoyable time talking with other AMSAT members and future members. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.03 DelfiC3 Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.03 DelfiC3 Provisional launch date April 21st April 4th, 2008 Greetings from the clean room at Sriharikota! The Delfi-C3 checkout team has safely arrived at the launch site in India, and we are currently performing all checks on the space- craft. So far, everything goes as planned and we have found no problems. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed on the base so you'll have to use your imagination for now. Meanwhile, we will try to keep you updated by posting text-only blog entries. At this very moment, the team is building up the satellite into launch configuration, which means attaching the solar panels, the wireless sun sensors, and applying the final pieces of thermal tape and locking glue. All major health checks have been successfully completed up to this point so we know the spacecraft is in good health. The linear transponder was tested for the last time before launch, and it worked just fine. Frequencies: * Primary telemetry downlink: 145.870 MHz 1200 Baud BPSK AX.25 400mW * Backup telemetry downlink: 145.930 MHz 1200 Baud BPSK AX.25 400mW * Linear transponder passband downlink: 145.880 - 145.920 MHz (inverting) 400mW PEP * Linear transponder passband uplink: 435.570 - 435.530 MHz * Transponder mode beacon: 145.870 MHz CW (10dB below transponder PEP) Monitor http://www.delfic3.nl/photoblog/ for updates! [ANS thanks Wouter Jan Ubbels VU/PE4WJ for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.04 AMSAT Room Block at Dayton AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.04 Once again, Dayton is about 6 weeks away. If you plan to attend, we have a block of rooms reseved every year for our group. Please call Martha with C/C info and the days you plan to be there and she will make the reservations for you. [ANS thanks Martha for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.05 AO-51 Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.05 AO-51 is running less power than last week. Gould, WA4SXM, AO-51 Command station reported that the transmitter power levels on AO-51 have been reduced. 1) The SQRX receiver is on for L band uplink for the bulletin board 2) We are starting to enter a new eclipse cycle this week. TX B (analog) is 700 mW (was 820 mW) TX A (digital) is 550 mW (was 550 mW) We will reduce power slowly until mid June (eclipse length maximum), then slowly increase it until early Sept when we will again enter a no eclipse period for a number of months. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.06 ARISS Status - April 3, 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.06 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report 1. Upcoming School Contacts An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with Osnovna skola Pazin in Pazin, Croatia on Monday, April 7 at 14:52 UTC. Eight hundred students are enrolled at the school which has offered technical classes in robotics, electronics and computer science for the past ten years. Students from Pazin’s two high schools are also expected to attend this event. The schools hope to pique the students’ interest in space and electronics through this educational activity. 2. Kodomo Contact Successful Youth from the Kodomo Support Project in Kyoto, Japan participated in a successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Wednesday, March 26. One hundred thirty parents and community members watched as eighteen children asked astronaut Garrett Reisman, KE5HAE, twenty questions before the ISS went over the horizon. Three television stations, including NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, and seven newspapers covered the event. To view a video of the contact, go to: http://www.ariss.jp/kyoto/Kyoto.wmv 3. Shukor Crew Debrief Held An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) crew debrief was held on Tuesday, March 25. Spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 9W2MUS provided the team with feedback on his experience with ARISS contacts while onboard the ISS. 4. Articles Cover Upcoming Garriott Activities Articles have been posted covering the educational activities that Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, has planned while onboard the International Space Station. These activities include contacting children at the Challenger Learning Centers and taking part in amateur radio contacts. Prior to flight, children can take part in a contest creating a design for a patch. Spaceref.com and the Challenger Center articles may be viewed here: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25010 http://www.challenger.org/programs/garriottdownlinks.cfm 5. Astronaut Training Status An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) training session has been planned for astronauts Bob Thirsk, VA3CSA, and Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG, on Thursday, April 17. Thirsk is a scheduled crew member on Expedition 19; Hadfield is his back-up. [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, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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COSMONAUTICS DAY 12th APRIL SPECIAL CALLSIGN GB0CD ON AIR
by Robert Turlington 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

HI ALL JOHN G7HIA AND MYSELF WILL BE USING THE SPECIAL CALL SIGN GB0CD 'COSMONAUTICS DAY' ON THE 12th APRIL 2008 BETWEEN 0800 &2200 hrs UTC ON AO7,AO16,AO27,SO50,AO51 & VO52 DETAILS TO FOLLOW LATER ON IN THE WEEK. SOME OPERATION MAY TAKE PLACE OVER THE FOLLOWING 4 WEEKS WITH PROPOSED SSTV AND OTHER MODES POSSIBLY FIELD HELL Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ The next generation of Windows Live is here http://www.windowslive.co.uk/get-live

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AO-51 Mode S Antenna question
by Ronald Nutter 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

I have one of the K5GNA modified downconverters with the corner reflector attached. Since starting to set my satellite station back up, this is one area that I hadnt addressed. I have my antennas mounted to a Channel Master rotor on a commercial TV tripod. The antennas are angled at about 25 degrees because of some ground clutter, trees, etc that I have to shoot over to get to the satellites. With this setup, can I mount the Mode S downcoverter and have a reasonable chance at getting it to work or should I look at some type of patch antenna to get better signal picket ? Is mode S a little less unforgiving so that I have to have it more directed at the satellite than I can get away with on my current VHF/UHF antenna setup ? Thanks, Ron KA4KYI

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SO-50 67 khz?
by w0dxz＠aol.com 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Does SO-50 still require the? 67khz tone on input? I am gong to try it for the first time. Bob W0DXZ? DM33

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 171
by John Kopala 05 Apr '08

05 Apr '08

Yes, SO-50 requires a 67 Hz PL tone. Note that the satellite receiver is turned on by a 74 Hz PL tone and stays on for 10 minutes. After turning it on, if it is not already on, switch back to the 67 Hz tone to talk. Be aware that if you are talking through the bird and no longer hear the downlink, the 10 minutes since the last time it was activated may have expired. If so, just turn it on again. John - N7JK Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-50 67 khz? To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <8CA655E76661585-1754-1BFA(a)webmail-nb12.sysops.aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Does SO-50 still require the? 67khz tone on input? I am gong to try it for the first time. Bob W0DXZ? DM33

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HT debate
by andy thomas 05 Apr '08

05 Apr '08

This morning I successfully QSO'd with ON4ASG in jo10nx through AO-51 using a HT that I bought in Jinan, China for the equivalent of £12 or 25USD. It's called a PU GUANG PG-5118 and has 2.5 watts out from a Li-ion battery (no CTCSS though). Similar rigs are on ebay. I was using my Arrow of course, and an adaptor to change the SMA male antenna plug on the HT to BNC, on a 67 degree pass. Downlink was heard full duplex on another cheap radio, Hora C408, costing about £40-50 here, tuning in 5kHz steps. Runs on 2 AA cells. No desensing whatsoever. Bit fiddly to doppler tune a second rig, and the tape ran out before the end (!), so lost IW8RRF. Watch out for an announcement coming up soon about EW/G0SFJ! 73 de andy G0SFJ ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! For Good helps you make a difference http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/

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