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

sun noise and other natural noise sources
by Michael Heim 04 Sep '08

04 Sep '08

I am working on an S-band receive setup. I currently operate X band terrestrial, and used sun noise as a test of my receive equipment there. It is quite weak on 10 GHz. Noise from the earth (aimed at the ground) is many times stronger. Aiming at trees, buildings, etc produce substantial noise on 10 GHz. The question I have is... Can I use the same techniques on 2.4 GHz? Of course antenna gain is lower, but noise figure should be fairly close - 1dB or so.... I have 2 units for 2.4 I'm testing. one has an integral yagi antenna, supposedly about 16dB gain. The other has an N connector, of which I have not designed an antenna for it yet. So, the question is... is sun noise stronger, weaker on 2.4 than on 10 ghz? If equipment is functioning properly should I be able to detect the sun? I actually didnt think about trying to hear a tree on it, but they should also be noise sources on that band as well. Michael Heim ARS KD0AR

2 2

OLPC PACKET READY YET?
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 04 Sep '08

04 Sep '08

Hi folks, was wondering if anyone heard the latest about the OLPC and someone making some software so we can use them for packet. also was wondering if any software is out there that will let me use the OLPC with a telnet program. thank you in advance. kc8gkf

2 1

Spanish on A0-27
by Rick - WA4NVM 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Hi Everyone, Can anyone give me a correct explanation of the Spanish voices on the birds? Mainly A0-27 I heard Mexican Cab Co., etc. That does not sound correct. Just sounds like a conversation piped into the bird uplink. I might loose a few micro seconds of sleep tonight if I don't find out soon! Thanks for any help, Rick - WA4NVM

2 1

presentation and AO-51 demonstration, tomorrow (Thursday, 4 September)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Hi! I will visit the Yavapai Amateur Radio Club in Prescott AZ: http://www.w7yrc.org/ tomorrow evening. I will give a satellite-related presentation during the club's regular monthly meeting that starts at 1900 local (Friday 0200 UTC). About 30 minutes before the meeting, there is an AO-51 pass that covers much of North America. If the satellite is on and the weather is good, I will be doing a demonstration as WD9EWK from outside the club's meeting site. If you hear me on, please feel free to give me a call and say "hello" to those who are listening to the demonstration. Prescott is in Yavapai County and grid DM34. It is approximately 100 miles/160km north of Phoenix, in the mountains with an elevation of one mile (5280 feet/1609m). I was in Prescott for this club's hamfest in late May, and have made several trips to this grid in the past few months. Besides my trips, there has been some satellite activity from this area. I will send QSL cards for all contacts made during the demonstration. There will be no need for you to send me a QSL card or SASE to receive my card. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

Re: Information request
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

The article is in the September/October 2000 issue. I built the project, but it was not a complete success somewhat of a disappointment. I am modifying the circuit, etching a new PCB, and going to try it from a different design approach. The mini-circuits VCO, and power divider cost $50.00 for these two devices. They can be ordered online with a credit card. If I can help you with anything, please email. Mike K9QHO AMSAT 33589

1 0

Re: LEO DX RS-6 and RS-8
by John W Lee 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

I haven't checked for distance, but I did work a JA on one of those RS's and a couple of UAO's. 73 JOhn K6YK On Tue, 2 Sep 2008 22:22:57 -0500 "Andy MacAllister" <w5acm(a)swbell.net> writes: > I have been looking through my QSO info on and off, for a while now, > digging > for my QSO to Germany via AO-7B, in the early 1980's. It hasn't > surfaced > yet, but I did run across two QSL cards from DC9ZP for contacts from > my > previous QTH in Pearland, Texas to Sorup, Germany via RS-6 and RS-8 > in 1982. > Manfred calculated the distance to be 8262.23 km. My calculation is > more > like 8225 km. > > Has anyone been working up DX lists for RS-6 and RS-8? > > 73 de Andy W5ACM > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > ____________________________________________________________ Click for free home mortgage rates from top companies. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m36kGt4ESfTNBvHT9jm7jLAf…

3 2

How best to park your satellite antennas
by Graham Shirville 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Hi all, I cannot remember this question being discussed before! If you have a nice array of VHF and UHF antennas - 2 stacked X 8 foot long yagis one ach band plus a 2 foot S band dish, is it best from wind loading and other reasons to park it: vertically pointing straight up (the dish has a hole at the bottom) pointing to the horizon towards the prevailing wind somewhere else? I know that at SSTL in Guildford they are usually parked pointing straight up but I have never been able to find anyone with a really good explanation for doing so. If you look at 193.51.07.114 you can see the sort of array that I am talking about! Many thanks Graham G3VZV

5 6

LEO DX RS-6 and RS-8
by Andy MacAllister 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

I have been looking through my QSO info on and off, for a while now, digging for my QSO to Germany via AO-7B, in the early 1980's. It hasn't surfaced yet, but I did run across two QSL cards from DC9ZP for contacts from my previous QTH in Pearland, Texas to Sorup, Germany via RS-6 and RS-8 in 1982. Manfred calculated the distance to be 8262.23 km. My calculation is more like 8225 km. Has anyone been working up DX lists for RS-6 and RS-8? 73 de Andy W5ACM

1 0

Worked FO-29!
by John Marranca, Jr 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

Greetings all..... Just wanted to brag a bit to mention that I worked W9VNE on FO-29 during the Labor Day weekend. I was transmitting CW, and heard Jim/W9VNE returning to me in SSB. TNX Jim. For what it's worth, FO-29 can be heard at less than 5 degrees. What a GREAT SIGNAL! Can't wait for my CT62 cable! 73 de KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

2 1

Information request
by Jim Sanford 03 Sep '08

03 Sep '08

All: 4 or 6 years ago, there was an article in the Journal regarding a 2.4 GHz antenna tuning aid. As I recall, it was basically a return loss bridge, with an included VCO, and a DC or meter output. I'd like to revisit that article, but have not yet found it in a quick scan of tables of contents from my collection. Does anyone remember when that article was published? I'd appreciate a pointer; probably have the issue, just can't figure out which one. Thanks & 73, Jim wb4gcs(a)amsat.org

2 2