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

Rotor Control interface help follow up. Third Try.
by Michael Baker 13 Jul '08

13 Jul '08

WOW! Nice to have such a knowledge base to work with! I want to thank all of you who responded and gave me info and links to some inexpensive goodies to get the rotors under computer control. For anyone else who is lurking in the wings and reading the mail, here is what I got for a short list and links where applicable. FOD track boards. Boards available from Far Circuits, http://www.farcircuits.net AMSAT tracker. AMSAT carries the LVB tracker: http://wa4sxm.googlepages.com/home It uses the same protocol, can be configured for either USB or serial port, and goes assembled for around $200, and can be had in various versions of completion for less. ARRL Sat Tracker 688 boards. http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ariss-kits/ This is probable for the price it is looking like about the most inexpensive solution. Uni_Trac. http://www.etelectronics.com/html/uni_trac.html Nice but NOT inexpensive. Primetec Primesat Controler. http://www.primetec.pt/products.php?sec=2&cat=3&prod=12&lang=en Very nice but break out the bucks cause it ain't cheep! So, there you have it. Still modeling the current antennas (Old Cushcraft Oscar twins) and looking them over to see what needs servicing or parts and weighing if they get used or replaced with something homebrew (and better). Hopefully, when it cools down a bit in the fall here in Phoenix I can get up on the roof and put this mess together and be ready for what ever AMSAT puts into space. :>) Again, to all that responded, a big THANK YOU! Best 72,73, Michael Baker K7DD k7ddmjb(a)qwest.net

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Lost Email or delayed email
by Michael Baker 12 Jul '08

12 Jul '08

For some reason I have made two posts to this reflector and have not had them show up as a mailing from the reflector. Anyone got any ideas? I am getting other posts to the reflector. Michael Baker K7DD k7ddmjb(a)qwest.net

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Re: Rotor Controller Info Needed.
by Dave Aitch 12 Jul '08

12 Jul '08

Hi John, Interesting. But try telling his nibs in Portugal that. Thanks for your input. 73, Dave.

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FW: Rotor Control interface help follow up.
by Michael Baker 12 Jul '08

12 Jul '08

I don't know why this didn't post but I'll send it again. Michael Baker K7DD k7ddmjb(a)qwest.net WOW! Nice to have such a knowledge base to work with! I want to thank all of you who responded and gave me info and links to some inexpensive goodies to get the rotors under computer control. For anyone else who is lurking in the wings and reading the mail, here is what I got for a short list and links where applicable. FOD track boards. Boards available from Far Circuits, http://www.farcircuits.net AMSAT tracker. AMSAT carries the LVB tracker: http://wa4sxm.googlepages.com/home It uses the same protocol, can be configured for either USB or serial port, and goes assembled for around $200, and can be had in various versions of completion for less. ARRL Sat Tracker 688 boards. http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ariss-kits/ This is probable for the price it is looking like about the most inexpensive solution. Uni_Trac. http://www.etelectronics.com/html/uni_trac.html Nice but NOT inexpensive. Primetec Primesat Controler. http://www.primetec.pt/products.php?sec=2&cat=3&prod=12&lang=en Very nice but break out the bucks cause it ain't cheep! So, there you have it. Still modeling the current antennas (Old Cushcraft Oscar twins) and looking them over to see what needs servicing or parts and weighing if they get used or replaced with something homebrew (and better). Hopefully, when it cools down a bit in the fall here in Phoenix I can get up on the roof and put this mess together and be ready for what ever AMSAT puts into space. :>) Again, to all that responded, a big THANK YOU! Best 72,73, Michael Baker K7DD k7ddmjb(a)qwest.net

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Rotor Control interface help follow up.
by Michael Baker 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

WOW! Nice to have such a knowledge base to work with! I want to thank all of you who responded and gave me info and links to some inexpensive goodies to get the rotors under computer control. For anyone else who is lurking in the wings and reading the mail, here is what I got for a short list and links where applicable. FOD track boards. Boards available from Far Circuits, http://www.farcircuits.net AMSAT tracker. AMSAT carries the LVB tracker: http://wa4sxm.googlepages.com/home It uses the same protocol, can be configured for either USB or serial port, and goes assembled for around $200, and can be had in various versions of completion for less. ARRL Sat Tracker 688 boards. http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ariss-kits/ This is probable for the price it is looking like about the most inexpensive solution. Uni_Trac. http://www.etelectronics.com/html/uni_trac.html Nice but NOT inexpensive. Primetec Primesat Controler. http://www.primetec.pt/products.php?sec=2&cat=3&prod=12&lang=en Very nice but break out the bucks cause it ain't cheep! So, there you have it. Still modeling the current antennas (Old Cushcraft Oscar twins) and looking them over to see what needs servicing or parts and weighing if they get used or replaced with something homebrew (and better). Hopefully, when it cools down a bit in the fall here in Phoenix I can get up on the roof and put this mess together and be ready for what ever AMSAT puts into space. :>) Again, to all that responded, a big THANK YOU! Best 72,73, Michael Baker K7DD k7ddmjb(a)qwest.net

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AO7 UA9CS
by k3szh＠netzero.net 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

Igor Congratulation on your 3000 plus contacts on AO7.I always read the the AO7 logger to see how much activity there is across the pond.You enjoy the high flyer as much as i do. Again a hearty congratulation on your fine effort. 73 Joe K3SZH Amsat 3788 ____________________________________________________________ Amazing cruises. Click here to find great deals. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/Ioyw6i4uHUsMiumZFRfQlwVfxzXc…

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Special event 12-13/7 Fryktories
by Kostas Ioannidis 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

A Greek ancient system of communication with fire from torches above mountaintops is called fryktories from fryktos that means "the torch" in Greek . On 13 of July 2008 and after 3200 years we will be climbing up the same mountaintops with Turkish Hams and will transmit through the hamradio frequencies a message from Troy – located in N.W Turkey up to Mykines that is in Southern Greece using a special call on every mountaintop that the original message passed through. The same mountaintops are mentioned from Aeshylus in his drama "Agamemnon" and they are the ones that brought back to the Mikines city the message that Troy has fallen into the hands of the ancient siege army. The transmitted message will be passing along the nodes on the 2m band from one station to another. The special calls that will be used through this campaign will be: Turkey Mountain Ida(Troy): to be announced. Greece Station 1 (Lemnos Isl): SX8FRA Station 2 (Athonas mnt) : SX2FRB/A Station 3 (Kandili Evia): SX8FRC Station 4 (Mesapio, Biotia): SX1FRD Station 5 (Kitheronas): SX1FRE Station 6 (Gerania): SX1FRF Station 7 (Arachneon, Peloponisos): SX3FRG Station 8 (Mikines): SX3FRH Every Station will have at least 2m SSB/FM capability with yagi antennas. Before and after the event every station will be trying to make as many QSO's as possible with the special calls. Also that day we expect that many other hilltops will be activated in 2m band from other Greek and Foreign hams that will be joining this event. I will be QRV from Kitheronas mountain with the call SX1FRE. Except me the other ops will be SW1JGW SV1EEX, SV1EOS, SV1JGX, and SW1JCO GRID LOC: KM18OE. Will be active in 80- 70 cm. . Also will try LEO SATS and will operate through the 2008 IARU HF World Championship with the special call. Operating times: Sat 12/8/08 at 10:00 local time till 13/8/08. QSL cards will be sent via the SV buro or direct. For scheds concerning the SX1FRE activity On HF/VHF BAND pse contact SV1EEX at : SX1FRE Site: http://sx1fre.blogspot.com For scheds concerning the SX1FRE activity On Satellites pse contact me at kostas.ioannidis(a)gmail.com We will be QRV on the middle pass band Any station that will contact us is requested in the existence of traffic not to call us again because we want to contact with as many stations as possible. BEST 73 AND HOPE TO WORK YOU ON THE BIRDS ON BEHALF OF SX1FRE SW1IXP Kostas

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PA3GUO in OK for the next 2 weeks
by Henk, PA3GUO 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

All, The next 2 weeks I will be in Czech / OK for a holiday. I take my AO51 gear with me, maybe we have some QSO's ? Henk, OK/PA3GUO

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Rotor Controller Info Needed.
by Michael Baker 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

Hello gang, I am in process of putting together a ground station for AMSAT use and I have acquired a Yaesu 5400 rotor system with a pair of older Cushcraft antennas. I now need a controller box to go between the PC and the rotors. I checked the price of the GS-232B by Yaesu and nearly had heart failure! Then I looked at the schematic and was appalled! Surely someone has come up with a better/cheaper solution. Searching the web only produced a few build from scratch articles and a fellow from Europe selling a board. Isn't there some other alternative available off the shelf and reasonably priced? Michael Baker K7DD k7ddmjb(a)qwest.net

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AO-7 beacon
by Mike Rupprecht 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

Hi, good copy of the AO-7 cw beacon on 145.972Mhz for the last passes July 11, 2008 at 1720 UTC hihi 180 180 180 180 252 252 252 252 324 324 324 324 496 496 496 496 568 568 568 568 696 696 696 696 hihi 180 180 180 180 252 252 252 252 324 324 324 324 496 496 496 496 568 568 568 560 696 696 696 696 hihi 180 180 180 180 252 252 252 252 324 324 324 324 496 496 443 497 540 560 568 568 696 696 696 696 hihi 133 181 180 180 252 248 252 253 325 324 324 324 428 467 486 496 568 568 568 568 666 696 696 695 73, Mike DK3WN

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