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

Re: Suggestions for Mode L antenna
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 12 May '08

12 May '08

Hello Currently the way I have been doing L band is as follows. IC1271A (1.2ghz xcvr) 10 watts, KJ6KO 60 watt amp to a M squared 23cm22E2 yagi at 50 feet, through 50 feet of LMR400. The yagi is at 50 feet for terrestial L band. When we get our next HEO (praying) I will most probably put the 22 el on the satellite array at 15 feet with the az/el rotor. I have been able to work through AO-51 with the current set up. The power is enough so some RF gets squirted up. I am considering a helix for 1.2 for satellites, or even my four foot dish. So many choices <grin>. Does anyone know what the expected ERP on L band should be?? 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: Ronald Nutter <rnutter(a)networkref.com> > Greg: > > Thanks for your option. My antenna building abilities havent been the > best, so I am looking at commercially made antennas. > > What type of coax/feedline should I use ? I will probably have the run > under 50 ft. I would hope I dont have to use hardline as that will > probably be very expensive with the price of copper. As I get close to > the antenna, should I shift over to a different type of coax/feedline so > that I can rotate the antenna to track AO-51 ? > > Ron > KA4KYI > > Greg D. wrote: > > Hi Ron, > > > > I've done ok on AO-51 with a homemade helix. See > http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th at the bottom of the page. I also have watts > in the shack, but a full az/el rotor system. I don't know how sharp the pattern > is for the helix, so I don't know how effective a fixed elevation system will > be. But from the reports I've received, the 10 watts and my 60' of hardline > with about 7 feet of RG-214 at each end seems to be quite adequate. > > > > Good luck, > > > > Greg KO6TH > > > > ---------------------------------------- > >> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:49:23 -0500 > >> From: rnutter(a)networkref.com > >> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Suggestions for Mode L antenna > >> > >> I am considering purchasing the 1.2 ghz module for my IC-910H. For my > >> satellite work, I have my antennas angled at about 20 degrees since I > >> dont have an az/el rotor. This setup worked reasonably well with Mode S > >> this weekend. What are my chances to be able to work Mode L with this > >> kind of setup ? Also, I would appreciate any suggestions for an antenna > >> that I could use. With only 10 watts, I am not expecting a great signal > >> but I would hope to have at least a readable signal. Also, would > >> appreciate any suggestions as to coax/feedline that I should look at > >> buying ? > >> > >> Thanks, > >> > >> Ron > >> KA4KYI > >> _______________________________________________ > >> 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 > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends. > > > http://www.windowslive.com/skydrive/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh… > rive_052008 > > _______________________________________________ > > 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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USNA 40 foot antenna controller.
by Robert Bruninga 12 May '08

12 May '08

> The Naval Academy will be looking for a new > Controller for its 40 foot dish. Last month > I sent out a web page on how we want to > upgrade the controller. I have replied directly to all respondents. But in case we missed anyone, here is the updated web page. I scanned in a PDF of the Ferranti Shaft Encoders too. I think we also fixed the permissions that prevented a lot of the original files and docs from showing up. http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/12m-dish.html Bob Bruninga, WB4APR US Naval Academy Satellite Lab

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Rooms Are Available for Dayton
by Martha 12 May '08

12 May '08

Before I cancel 2 rooms from the AMSAT block, does anyone need a room? You have until 5:00 today, to let me know. The phone number is 301-589-6062. -- 73- Martha

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Re: Decoding SEEDS 9k6 GMSK Packets
by Mineo Wakita 12 May '08

12 May '08

SEEDS-II has only 1200bps AFSK, not 9600bps GMSK. CUte-1.7+APDII has both of 1200bps AFSK and 9600bps GMSK. We are now using a software 'TunaTerm.exe' for Japanese Language. We can simultaneously save the signal as ascii and binary files. I don't know if this software work on your PC.

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Suggestions for Mode L antenna
by Ronald Nutter 12 May '08

12 May '08

I am considering purchasing the 1.2 ghz module for my IC-910H. For my satellite work, I have my antennas angled at about 20 degrees since I dont have an az/el rotor. This setup worked reasonably well with Mode S this weekend. What are my chances to be able to work Mode L with this kind of setup ? Also, I would appreciate any suggestions for an antenna that I could use. With only 10 watts, I am not expecting a great signal but I would hope to have at least a readable signal. Also, would appreciate any suggestions as to coax/feedline that I should look at buying ? Thanks, Ron KA4KYI

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Putting keps for Delfi in Sat PC32???
by Michael Tondee 12 May '08

12 May '08

I'm about to pull my hair out! I've tried unsuccessfully for the last hour to put keps for Delfi into SatPC32. I tried a couple of methods posted here on the BBS and nothing seems to work for me. I'm using the keps on the Delfi C3 website. I cut and pasted them into a text file and put it in the Kepler folder of the program. I also just tried adding them to one of the existing txt files in the Kepler folder. Unfortunately I still cannot get anything to come up when using the program. Can someone explain to me what I might be doing wrong? Step by step would be best because right now I'm extremely frustrated. Tnx and 73, Michael W4HIJ

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Decoding SEEDS 9k6 GMSK Packets
by Sion Chow Q. C. (9W2QC) 12 May '08

12 May '08

Dear All, Sometimes, SEEDS is heard transmitting in 9600 baud GMSK or 1200 baud AFSK. Could someone please advice me: 1. Is the 1200 baud AFSK decodable using standard 1200 baud TNC? Sorry I have not attempted to decode it yet as all packet passes were copied when I was not in the shack, and unfortunately done in USB mode (in anticipation for the CW beacon) 2. What software are available for decoding 9600 baud GMSK Packets? Something that uses soundcard based solutions would be the best for me. Thank you very much in advance. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC.

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P3E Microwave Frequencies
by Stan 12 May '08

12 May '08

Hello The Net: Was just at the WWW.KEPS.IT website and saw a proposed frequency plan for P3E. I am starting to plan for Microwave receive only down converters and transmit only up converters. How firm is the frequency for the X band downlink at 10,490 MHz ? Ditto for the L2 uplink of 1,263 MHz and S band uplink at 2,447 MHz ? I am starting to look at possibilities of a common Local Oscillator (LO) for some of the bands, but I am having no luck. Having a common LO or at least parts of a LO multiplier chain, would economize and maybe lend themselves to being PLLed to the station 10 MHz reference. Has anyone come up with common LO and IF schemes for multiple P3E bands ? My IC-910H will cover 1,263 MHz nicely, but it looks like all of the other higher bands will have a unique LO for the band, at least for X band and below. Time to get ready.... Stan, W1LE FN41sr Cape Cod ZZZZZ

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bias tee circuits and components for 2.4 GHz downconverter
by Michael Tondee 12 May '08

12 May '08

I have a Pacific Monolithics surplus MMDS downconverter here that I would like to get up and running on S-band. It has an 122 MHz IF and I want to whip up a bias -tee to power it. I've looked at the circuits in the Satellite Experimeters handbook and my problem is finding an rf choke of the right value that is readily available in my area. Shouldn't I be able to just wind something with an air core out of magnet wire or something similar that will do the trick? According to the circuit I have I'd need about a 1.5 uh choke for 146 Mhz and it isn't critical so that's probably close enough for my downconverters IF frequency. I hate to spend shipping charges to get one little choke or ferrite core for winding a choke on here. Most places have a minimum order and I don't need anything else at this time. I'd also welcome links to any other circuits that might be out there. Thanks, Michael, W4HIJ

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Just starting (back) up
by Sebastian 12 May '08

12 May '08

About 10 years ago or so, I owned a Yaesu FT-736R, and used AO-10, UO-16 and a few others. I had a lot of fun. Family and job obligations, as well as several hurricanes later (I'm in South Florida), I ended up getting out of radio for many years. Now, things have changed. I'm disabled, so I was able to retire early (49 years old). I can't do any tower work, or antenna work anymore, so I have to rely on a friend. I kept my old AOP-10 antennas, my Yaesu G-5400B rotor, and I currently have an Icom IC-746 (non-pro) and a Yaesu FT-8800. I plan to put back up my AOP-10 antennas, and work the FM birds. So here is my question. Considering the equipment I have right now, and the birds that are currently up; is it worth it for me to get a satellite radio at this time? I'm interested only in voice. Should I even consider the old 736R, or go for the newer IC-910H. I loved the 736R, but they still demand a lot on eBay; and it's an old rig, which I'm not sure there are still parts available from Yaesu in the event it requires service in the future. It's also a relatively low powered rig, compared to the IC-910H, and even my IC-746. The IC-910H is expensive, however it's a current model, and puts out 4 times the power of the 736R. But it's about 40% higher in price than a 736R. Are there any birds planned for the near future which will require 440 SSB? I would appreciate any thoughts as to which direction I should go (I hope I have posted this in the right list). 73s de W4AS.

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