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

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 19 Apr '08

19 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) 19 Apr '08

19 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 19 Apr '08

19 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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Source of Mode S downconverters ?
by Ronald Nutter 18 Apr '08

18 Apr '08

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. Thanks, Ron KA4KYI

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Re: A)-7
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 18 Apr '08

18 Apr '08

HelloBob Start here http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php The easy way to see which mode it is in is check the latest log entries. Mode B is the most popular with stronger signals. The semi operational part means it is only on when in sunlight. It doesn't take a lot of sunlight for it to function. There a great bunch of guys on there. You can actually have a conversation, and I've several three ways. The satellite automatically switches between A and B at about 0145Z. I was told how and why but I don't remember (senior moment). Give it a try, there's also the potential for a little DX (check out the footprint). I look foward to chatting with you. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -------------- Original message -------------- From: w0dxz(a)aol.com > I hear Leo and the guys talk about AO-7,,, I want to try it, what is the? most > popular mode on AO-7?? Where should I begin with that bird? > > I see where it lists? AO-7 as semi operational, what does that mean? > Bob W0DXZ > DM-33 Sun City AZ > _______________________________________________ > 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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IR3HST active on VO52 today
by Robert Turlington 18 Apr '08

18 Apr '08

Hi All I worked special event station IR3HST:-6th Region 1 European HST (High speed Telegraphy) Championship this morning 18/04/08 at1051 utc Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ Amazing prizes every hour with Live Search Big Snap http://www.bigsnapsearch.com

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Re: Source of Mode S downconverters
by Rm2642＠aol.com 18 Apr '08

18 Apr '08

I use a DEM product 2400-144 here. Used it for AO-40 operation. _http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm_ (http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm) Ron n6paa **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car listings at AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/used?NCID=aolcmp00300000002851)

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WD9EWK from DM34/DM35/DM45, Saturday (19 April)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 18 Apr '08

18 Apr '08

Hi! On Saturday, 19 April 2008, I will be helping the Yavapai Amateur Radio Club (W7YRC) as they support the Spotlight on the Stars event by the Prescott (Arizona) Astronomy Club. This is a week-long event, and the Saturday activity will be at the Prescott Public Library in downtown Prescott (215 E. Goodwin Street, grid DM34sm). The YARC will have a table with information related to amateur radio, and I will add satellite-related information to their efforts. This event will take place between 10.00am and 12 noon (1700- 1900 UTC). The library is on a hill, and the hill along with the library building prevent any view of the eastern sky unless a satellite has an elevation of 40 to 45 degrees. This will limit my activity to one on-air demonstration, an AO-51 pass at 1548-1603 UTC to the west for anyone showing up early. I may be on the earlier AO-51 pass at 1410 UTC from somewhere in the Prescott area in grid DM34 with a better view of the eastern sky, to test my radio gear before going to the library. After this event, I plan on making a long loop through northern Arizona on my way home. I am hoping to park on the DM34/DM35 boundary for the afternoon AO-27 passes at 2121 and 2302 UTC somewhere north of Prescott. After that, I will head to a point between Williams and Flagstaff near Interstate 40 to be on the DM35/DM45 boundary for the evening AO-51 passes around 0120 and 0259 UTC. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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