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

Re: Information Request
by Rm2642＠aol.com 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

Hi Jim: This S band measurement technique I thought was interesting. It's a broad band directional coupler, can be used for L band too. Doesn't have a VCO but gives a good visual indication of return loss. _http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/24swr/index.html_ (http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/24swr/index.html) 73, Ron n6paa **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

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AO-16 Update and brief mode change
by Mark L. Hammond 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

Hello All, AO-16 has been in its "voice mode" continuously for nearly a month now. Many thanks to all the users of this "new" bird! It is time to pause voice operations long to receive some MBL telemetry (limited as it is, it's all we have). Around 0920 UTC on 17FEB08 I plan to return AO-16 to digital mode in order to receive some telemetry. If all goes as planned, it should be back to "voice mode" during the same pass. If not, I'll try to catch it on the 1056 UTC pass. Most of you will be asleep, so I don't think it will interfere with too many contacts. Looking to the future, we can see that after several months of continuous illumination, AO-16 will begin to experience eclipse periods at the end of March. The eclipse periods will increase and extend through the summer. This may impact AO-16's power budget such that the transmitter output will have to be reduced in order to protect its 18 year old batteries. We'll know more after the eclipse periods begin in late March and early April. In the meanwhile, enjoy AO-16 and her strong signals! 73 on behalf of the command team, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Icom W32A For Sale
by John Henderson N4NAB 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

I have an ICOM w32A in very good condition for sale. I bought it new and it has been well cared for. Includes radio, antenna ,wall charger and manual. I do not have the original box. This model is the last handheld that was produced with full duplex. Great for the sats with an Arrow. Price is $200 (includes shipping in CONUS). Inquiries off line at N4NAB@ amsat.org. John John Henderson N4NAB 212 Bayside Drive Cape Carteret, NC 28584

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History in the making!
by Alan P. Biddle 02 Sep '08

02 Sep '08

Congratulations on surviving the first calendar month since June 1913 which had no reportable sunspots. And counting. Of course, we satellite operators don't need no stinking sunspots, but have a word of sympathy for your friends who work only HF. Alan WA4SCA

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AO-7 DX-List *Update*
by SV1BSX 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

Hi all, Congrat's to Joe, K3SZH & Fabio PY4AJ on reaching of TOP in "AO-7 DX List" with a NEW record for Longest Distance *confirmed* QSO ! 7438 Km ! Visit: http://sv1bsx.50webs.com/oscardx/ao7-dx.html Stay tuned till the next month-updating. I have already received New QSL cards ! 73, Mak SV1BSX Email: sv1bsx "AT" yahoo .gr URL : http://sv1bsx.50webs.com

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AO-16 maybe back operational
by Andrew Glasbrenner 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

It looks like the temperature has come up enough on AO-16 that the watchdog problem has gone away. I turned the satellite on this afternoon on the ~1920Z pass, collected some telemetry, and then commanded it into bent pipe mode. On the next orbit, it was still on, and in bent pipe mode. It may or may not stay on. The command team will monitor http://oscar.dcarr.org/ and amsat-bb, and if the satellite goes quiet we will endeavor to restart it as soon as possible. Occasional interruptions to gather telemetry are likely. Just as a reminder, AO-16 now operates as a cross mode, cross band voice repeater, with an uplink on 145.920 FM. The downlink is reduced carrier AM, similar to double sideband, on 437.026. Most stations find receiving the downlink on USB works best. Work is continuing to predict how long this latest period of operation may last, but initial estimates are around 2-3 months total, symmetric around a period of continuous illumination in October. There may not be another opportunity after this one, as the satellite will generally head towards longer eclipses (and lower temperatures) for several years. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations PS Satellite is still on as of 2245Z

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M2 Eggbeaters for sale
by Bob Herrell 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

I have both the M2 EB144 and EB432 for sale. They are less than a year old and come with the radial kits. Asking $400 includes UPS shipping to Lower 48 ONLY. Reason for sale, I am upgrading to the M2 beams for SSB operation. US Postal Money Order or Pay Pal (you pay fees) aj5c(a)cox.net <mailto:[email protected]> Amsat #36645

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Is anyone using a discone antenna for AMSAT work?
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

Looking at the DS3000A from AOR USA. Wondering if it isa good backup/permanent installation versus the portable of handheld yagis like the Arrow. Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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Re: Discones
by Clint Bradford 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

> Looking at the DS3000A from AOR USA. Wondering if it isa good > backup/permanent installation versus the portable of handheld yagis > like the > Arrow. I wouldn't consider it for satellite work. It is a gain-less design, even though AOR claims 2.15 dBi (at 144 MHz), 3.0 dBi (at 430, 904, 1200 MHz). Difficult to get it "perpendicular" to the birds, too... Interesting antenna for events - it draws attention. But if you have to spend some money on weird antennas, grab a M2 Eggbeater for RX. At shows, I mount my Eggbeater on a rotator...I call it my "Souffle' Antenna." Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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AO-40 portable stations
by Andrew Glasbrenner 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

I'm trying to collect some data on the typical successful AO-40 portable-type station. What worked and what didn't work for a portable, throw it in a suitcase type setup, or CC&R evading driveway or backyard setups, either U/S or L/S. If you have any photos and/or descriptions of your setup, please forward them direct to me at ko4ma(a)amsat.org , or point me to a link if you have them on the web. Thanks in advance! 73, Drew KO4MA

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IM76QM portable activation EA4CYQ/p/qrp
by Fernandez Montaña, Juan Antonio 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

Hi all, I will spend a fortnight at IM76QM in the west passes over Spain in the AO-51 and AO-27 sats. My setup is an IOio antenna and a THD7 HT, I have just successfully worked several passes. I have yesterday worked to ea8bwy/p from Canary Island, He was working with the same setup, and IOio and 5 Watts. The AO51 let us an impressive contact. Juan Antonio EA4CYQ 73s =============================================================== Este mensaje se dirige exclusivamente a su destinatario. Los datos incluidos en el presente correo son confidenciales y sometidos a secreto profesional, especialmente en lo que respecta a los datos personales, se prohibe divulgarlos, en virtud de las leyes vigentes. Si usted no lo es y lo ha recibido por error o tiene conocimiento del mismo por cualquier motivo, le rogamos que nos lo comunique por este medio y proceda a destruirlo o borrarlo, y que en todo caso se abstenga de utilizar, reproducir, alterar, archivar o comunicar a terceros el presente mensaje y ficheros anexos, todo ello bajo pena de incurrir en responsabilidades legales. Cualquier idea contenida en este correo es exclusiva de su autor y no representa necesariamente el criterio de Iberdrola. El emisor no garantiza la integridad, rapidez o seguridad del presente correo, ni se responsabiliza de posibles perjuicios derivados de la captura, incorporaciones de virus o cualesquiera otras manipulaciones efectuadas por terceros. This message is intended for the exclusive attention of the address(es) indicated. Any information contained herein is strictly confidential and privileged, especially as regards personal data, which must not be disclosed, in accordance with legislation currently in force. If you are not the intended recipient and have received it by mistake or learn about it in any other way, please notify us by return e-mail and delete this message from your computer system. Any unauthorised use, reproduction, alteration, filing or sending of this message and/or any attached files to third parties may lead to legal proceedings being taken. Any opinion expressed herein is solely that of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the opinion of Iberdrola. The sender does not guarantee the integrity, speed or safety of this message, not accept responsibility for any possible damage arising from the interception, incorporation of virus or any other manipulation carried out by third parties. ===============================================================

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AO-51 update
by Andrew Glasbrenner 01 Sep '08

01 Sep '08

AO-51 will be unavailable for a few days beginning Tuesday morning EDT. The command team needs to reload part of the spacecraft operating software beginning at that time. The repeater should be back up and running within 48 hours, with the BBS following soon. Due to the reload and the recent return to continuous illumination, we haven't finalized a schedule for September. There have been a few special requests, including the return of AMSAT College Night, and requests for some L/S time. As soon as the second reload is complete, we'll have the schedule up. Sorry for any inconvenience. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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preamps
by Michael Heim 31 Aug '08

31 Aug '08

A recent post mentioned the need for a preamp. This reminded me of something I want to share with the group. Station here consists of an FT-817ND and an FT-857D. The 817 is pretty sensitive on UHF, but the 857 is a little lacking in comparison. I was looking for a preamp online that would help, especially with the 857. I went and ordered a Ramsey PR40. I figured for $15 I couldnt go wrong. Although its not a GaAs device, (its a bipolar), it works pretty well. I actually didnt want a GaAs because I was afraid of blowing the device anyway, being I'm running a homebrew "Arrow style" antenna on a fixed elevation mast, and the 144 MHz leakage getting into the preamp would probably blow the device the first time I keyed. I am not using any TR switching on the preamp. (I only work the FM birds at this time). After building the kit, I put it up, worked a pass on AO-27, then goofed and sent 432 TX energy up the line, blew the amp. I ordered replacement transistors from MCM for $.52 each! Although I cannot measure noise figure, it specs at 1dB, 15 dB gain. I know it makes a HUGE difference on my end. Satellites that were noisy before are now full quieting and armchair copy I have found this item a very cost effective solution. I wanted to share this experience with the group. I'm just pleased with the preamp and of course, receive no personal gain by recommending this product. Michael Heim ARS KD0AR

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IC-910H question
by W0DXZ＠aol.com 31 Aug '08

31 Aug '08

went to plug in my CW paddle to the back of my IC-910H,,, the manual shows a standard 1/4 inch phono plug,,, the back of my radio has something else... I havent turned it all the way around to see what it is, have to disconnect lots of wires,,,but it isn't a 1/4 inch plug... anyone else notice this? Bob DM33 **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

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Frequencies for Phase 3E Express
by RFI-EMI-GUY 31 Aug '08

31 Aug '08

Kudo's to Emily for that fine document! -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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