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

Re: Delfi3C
by Wouter Jan Ubbels 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Hi Bruce, yes, that's a very recent presentation we gave for local Dutch hams, enjoy! Indeed, the software is named RASCAL, and yes, the demod algorithm of Warbler is in there so you can indeed check whether your setup is ok by using Warbler. The rest of RASCAL (GUI, connection to server etc. etc.) was specially developed by the team. The screenshot is actually of the beta test we ran 3 weeks ago, with a handful of radio amateurs. The software passed this test with flying colours, only some minor cosmetic changes will be made. We will publish the software on our website when we are back from our pre-launch checkout trip from India, which will be in the week of april 14th. So stay tuned:) greetings from warm India, Wouter Jan Ubbels VU/PE4WJ

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JA-W7 QSO
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Hello I am looking for a station in northern JA to try to QSO with me on AO-7 mode A. My grid is CN87 near Seattle. If available and capable please email. Or if someone can assist me in getting this info to JA. Just trying to "stretch" the footprint.(grin) 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it"

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Free Ham Satellite!
by Bruce Robertson 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

There is a group that is willing to give we amateurs a LEO satellite with mode-B linear transponder on board and at no cost to us! The only catch is that they hope we will give them our help in collecting telemetry from their experiment for the first three months of the bird's life. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, in fact, not only is it true, but the satellite is due to launch in only two weeks! For those who haven't been following the story of the Delfi-C3 satellite, that's exactly the deal that these researchers from Holland are offering us. It's the sweetest opportunity in a long time, and we'd be wise to respond with an overwhelming response. If we do, we'll make it clear to the myriad cubesat developers that, by leaving some communications hardware for us to work with after their experiments end, they can be sure of our full support in collecting telemetry. Delfi-C3 matters greatly to us for two other reasons. First, it is the first time that amateur voice communications equipment has flown in the inexpensive 'cubesat' form-factor. If Delfi shows how this can be done, we can expect other groups to follow in their path. Delfi-C3 is sized 30x10cm, a stack three times the size of the usual cubesat. Maybe the software-defined transponder concept could miniturize our hardware to the point that we could get a ham transponder into an even cheaper 20x10 cubesat, making it even more affordable for local groups to undertake. Secondly, Delfi-C3's experiment pertains to solar panel technology, something we should all hope progresses to give us more watts in space. If you've been lukewarm on cubesats because you think they're not 'real satellites' or if you're in the doldrums because the satellite industry seems to be keeping us from afordable launches, here's your chance to fix things, at least on the LEO side: 1. Ensure your 2m downlink station is working well. You'll probably need a yagi to collect telemetry. Get that low noise preamp installed on the mast. 2. Ensure that your radio/souncard interface is working well. Test this with some software APRS packet decoding, for example. 3. Get a software 1200 bpsk demodulator. The java program from the lead developer of Delfi-C3 will probably work: http://home.casema.nl/b.ubbels/Warbler.htm then test it with the audio files available there. You might need to fiddle with the 'stereo mixer' settings in your Win32 machine to get the WAV file to play back into the computer. You'll want to download the RASCAL software from the delfi-c3 people when it is available. 4. Join the cubesat chat rooms during and after the launch to help these projects identify their birds and apply the right TLEs. This is high drama, and its great fun to see just how good at this stuff people like Mineo and Mike are. 5. Collect telemetry! And help out the other cube projects, too, while you're at it. Some of you with really great HEO-class stations can use them to great effect here. 73, Bruce VE9QRP

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416TB help
by w0dxz＠aol.com 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

I have an old 416 TB, need wiring help.? It currently has been wired for use with? the PS-4 switching box,,, instructions say that as wired, it will be LHC when not energized,,,? RHC only when energized. I want the opposite,,, RHC when NOT energized.??? (I am not going to energize?? --? not going to use? the PS-4) How do I wire it to be RHC when NOT energized... ?I do not have the original wiring harness for use without the PS-4. or should I just go down to HRO and buy a linear? 432 antenna?? I need RHC or linear, i dont care which. Bob W0DXZ DM33? Sun City AZ

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Aldert 1000 points, AO-7
by TERRY BROMLEY 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Well done Aldert on reaching 1000. Like Mika and Eric & Joe- Mak, all good friends through the old bird. Sorry i'm late with the congratulations just got back from my break with the 60 year old women hi hi. Hope she does not read this email. 73 see you all soon. Terry G1WPR.

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SSTL
by Willmott, Paul 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Europe's largest space company, EADS Astrium, looks set to acquire the British satellite manufacturer SSTL. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7334231.stm ********************************************************************************* This message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be privileged and/or subject to the provisions of privacy legislation. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed and review by anyone else is unauthorized. Any use, disclosure, reproduction, modification or distribution of the contents of this e-mail, or any part thereof, other than by the intended recipient, is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient or have received this message in error, please notify the sender of this e-mail immediately by return e-mail and destroy the message and all copies in your possession. Oil Management Services Ltd *********************************************************************************

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Delfi3C
by G0MRF＠aol.com 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Hi all. Hopefully 16 days and counting... The following has appeared on the website. delfi3c.nl "The launch preparation team has safely arrived in India and is busy checking Delfi-C3. Everything has been found ok so far. The launch window remains as is. " Regards David

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Re: AO-51 findu.com request
by Mineo Wakita 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Hello Steve, K4HG, There is 'findu_com web' for ISS APRS packet: http://www.ariss.net/index.cgi?absolute=1 And there is 'findu_com web' for PCSAT-1 APRS packet: http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/pcsat.cgi?absolute=1 We want to open similarly 'findu_com web' for L/U digital mode of AO-51 APRS packet like ISS and PCSAT-1. Thank you. I wrote at the last time: > AO-51 is working now as L/U digital mode. > We hope to open 'APRS findu.com' of AO-51 L/U. > > JH1BCL>APRS,PACB-1* [04/01/08 10:40:49z] <UI>:HELLO ALL GE vir AO-51 > L/U PKT > JE9PEL>APRS,PACB-1* [04/01/08 10:41:31z] <UI R>:=3523.05N/13936.61E- > Yokohama Japan {UIV32} > JA5BLZ>APRS,PACB-1* [04/01/08 10:42:20z] <UI>::JE9PEL :GE UR 599 TNX --------------------------------------------- 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 7, 2008 ---------------------------------------------

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FCAL Status
by DeYoung James 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

My latest prediction run as of 3 April 2008 gives a decay date of 1 June 2008 +/-6 days. 73 KG4QWC ____________________________________________________________________________________ You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com

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FCAL Status
by Chris Bloy 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Hi all, When is FCAL due down? Just want to clean up my keps. Thanks, Chris - M0DQO Locator: IO90KU

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