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

Re: DO-64
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 16 Sep '08

16 Sep '08

I was able to get a signal through DO-64 on the recent 16:04 UTC pass @ 28 degrees. My downlink signal was not strong but good enough for a quick CW QSO. The beacon was very loud. I did hear W4MVB on SSB. As usual, the downlink signal gets weak on the second half of the pass. Mike Williams K9QHO

6 5

Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 467
by Bob DeVarney W1ICW 16 Sep '08

16 Sep '08

I tried it last week, maybe two weeks ago with nothing heard. Of course, I don't remember if I was in eclipse or not. It's a good idea to check on these things every once in a while. You never know when another satellite is going to start working after 25 years. > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:12:28 -0400 (EDT) > From: "Mark L. Hammond" <n8mh(a)embarqmail.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-10? > To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: > <1539933109.3948101221588748649.JavaMail.root(a)pd02.embarq.synacor.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > > > So when was the last time anybody tried to listen for AO-10?? Has anybody copied its beacon in recent weeks/months/years? > > Inquiring minds want to know ;) > > 73, > >

1 0

OLD Direct TV Sat Dish
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 16 Sep '08

16 Sep '08

Hi, folks I have a direct tv sat dish and am wondering if I should keep this or throw it away. Can I use this sometime for sat coms? KC8GKF

2 1

AO-10?
by Mark L. Hammond 16 Sep '08

16 Sep '08

So when was the last time anybody tried to listen for AO-10? Has anybody copied its beacon in recent weeks/months/years? Inquiring minds want to know ;) 73, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

1 0

AO-16 update 9/16/2008
by Mark L. Hammond 16 Sep '08

16 Sep '08

Hello All, On 15 Sept 2008 at 10:58 UTC I commanded AO-16 ON and put it in voice mode. As of the time of this message (16 Sept 2008 at 17:10 UTC), AO-16 is still being reported as operational. That is over 30 hours of continuous uptime, which is a "good thing." Our predictions regarding sustained activities seem to be right on the mark. Recording your observations about AO-16 at http://oscar.dcarr.org/ has been, and will continue to be, very helpful to us. It is possible that the transmitter will turn OFF; this requires some commanding to get it running again, which means a pass over the Eastern US coast is required for a change in status. But we're hoping that the bird will remain ON more often than OFF for the next several weeks. Illumination projects (and subsequent temperature predictions) suggest that we might be able to sustain operations until early November. So, if you want some AO-16 contacts, you had better get them before then. After November 2008, it may be a long, long, time before the orbit provides favorable temperatures for the bird to remain operational for more than a few seconds or minutes at a time... Current operational mode for AO-16 Mode FM Voice Repeater ( Downlink is DSB) Uplink : 145.9200 MHz FM Downlink 437.0260 MHz SSB One behalf of the command team, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

1 0

replacement pots
by George Burr 16 Sep '08

16 Sep '08

I found the pots on the old Kenpro rotors to be none standard. The mounting hole and the turning shaft are smaller than standard and this could require some more work to fit a "standard " pot because of the gearing. I don't know if this is true for the G5400. 73 Geo. Amsat# 26245

3 2

Re: Double leo satellites
by Bob Bruninga 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

> Should it be possible to launch two Leo > satellites...(satellite A) retransmitts > what it hears to the other Leo satellite > (Satellite B)... I think in that way i > could work NA every day? That is the intent of the APRS constellation of satellites. All operating packet on 145.825. We want to get as many of these satellties in orbit as we can to not only provide continuity of coveratge, but also dual-hop capabilities as you suggest. APRS can inherently, auomatically, work via dual hops, since it uses a generic path which does not need to be configured for each satellite callsign. That is also why the ISS moved to 145.825 a year or so ago, to be on the same channel, with PCSAT-1,PCSAT2,ANDE, RAFT, and others. There have been several instances of dual hop packets. The longest one recorded was from Africa over the Atlantic to Maryland. See: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/pec/pc2ops.html Unfortunately, only ISS and PCSAT-1 remain in orbit and PCSAT-1 only works under some conditions, and ISS only works under others. But if you can find them both working at the same time, then dual hops are possible. You can watch the downlinks from these two birds and look for activity and dual hops just by looking through the on-line real-time downlink logs: www.ariss.net for the ISS http://pcsat.aprs.org for the others You can see that ISS has been off the air for 79 days except for a brief period 2 weeks ago. And PCSAT-1 (W3ADO-1) continues to limp along with some lucky packets during northern hemisphere mid-day passes. Ideally, if we can get 6 to 10 small APRS satellites on 145.825, we can provide near continuous message/email/status capabiliy from anywhere on Earth at any time. That is why I encourage all Universities making CUBESATS or other small satellites to include a 145.825 1200 baud packet link so their satellites can be used in this constellation after their primary mission is over.. Our next Satellite from the Naval Academy will actually be two-cubesats-at-once. Both on 145.825 with APRS transponders. Please, if anyone is working with other universities, see if they would consider this global constellation mission for their transponder... Bob, Wb4APR

4 3

ANS-259 ANS Special Bulletin - AMSAT BoD Election Results
by JoAnne Maenpaa 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-259.01 ANS Special Bulletin - AMSAT BoD Election Results AMSAT News Service Bulletin 259.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 15, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-259.01 AMSAT Corporate Secretary, Barry Baines, WD4ASW, announced the results of the 2008 election for the Board of Directors: Lou McFadin, W5DID - 738 Tom Clark, K3IO - 726 Gould Smith, WA4SXM - 665 Bill Ress, N6GHZ - 483 As a result of the 2008 board of directors election, K3IO, W5DID and WA4SXM will serve on the AMSAT BOD for 2 years. The alternate is N6GHZ. The total number of ballots cast was 919. Last year, the number of ballots received was 871. The Board will consist of: Richard Hambly W2GPS Barry Baines WD4ASW Gunther Meisse W8GSM Dr. Thomas A. Clark K3IO Lou McFadin W5DID Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA Gould Smith WA4SXM Bill Ress N6GHZ (First Alternate) The next Board meeting will take place in Atlanta, Georgia on October 23, 2008 prior to the start of the 2008 AMSAT Space Symposium. This meeting is open to all AMSAT members. Submitted by Martha Saragovitz Manager [ANS thanks Barry, WD4ASW and Martha for the above information] /EX

1 0

Annual Report Discussion
by joe cassano aka jmario 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

AMSAT Members: There have been several recent postings on the topic of an AMSAT Annual Report. At the time of writing this (September 15, 2008) as near as I can determine the most recent annual report available to the membership is for the year 2006 (see http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/AboutAmsat/documents/finance.php). On reading the AMSAT bylaws the closest thing I can find to a requirement for an annual report is in Section 1 which states: "An Annual Meeting of the corporation shall be held during October or November of each year at such time and place as the Board shall determine. At this meeting, the President shall present a report to the members." I believe the bylaws should be changed to incorporate the following: 1. assign responsibility for the production of an annual report to the the AMSAT President 2. specify a list of topics which must be addressed in the annual report 3. require no more than a 3 month interval between the close of the calendar year and the publication of the annual report 4. specify that publication must consist of mailing a copy to each member or posting a copy on the AMSAT website It might be appropriate to post the annual report on the AMSAT website and then later in the year distribute a printed copy of the annual report in the same mailing that is used to distribute BOD candidate's CVs and the BOD candidate ballot form. If you are a current AMSAT member your comments are solicited... Joe Cassano - K3FMA AMSAT member

5 4

(no subject)
by Sammy Jenkis 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Our club has a 5400 Elevation Rotor with a bad potentiometer (wires on the winding broken). The part number is Vertex Q9000408, but I contacted them and they say this part is no longer available. Anyone have a source for an equivalent part or another alternative? Thanks, Scott W0SJE

3 3

FW: AMRAD Van Re-listed
by Robert Bruninga 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

This comms van (satellite truck) needs to stay in Ham radio. It is 4 wheel drive I think and has the 35 foot pneumatic mast, etc.. -----Original Message----- Subject: AMRAD Van Re-listed I have re-listed the van on eBay. We got lots of lookers on the last listing but no bids. This time the starting bit is $1. I hope we will see some spirited bidding this time. You can see it at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140267405928 Let anyone that might be interested know about it. Frank K0BRA

2 1

Sumbandila satellite news
by Andrew Glasbrenner 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

I found a link to this news item today about the long delayed launch of Sumbandila. I thought it might be of interest to the group. The link is the translated version. <http://translate.google.com/translate?sourceid=navclient&hl=en&u=http%3a%2f…> 73, Drew KO4MA

1 0

DM31 trip postponed
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Hi all! I have received e-mails from a few operators that AO-27 was not operating during Sunday afternoon passes over North America. I also saw a note on the http://oscar.dcarr.org/ web site that shows a Japanese station did not hear AO-27 earlier today. Since this satellite was the one I was planning to use for my DM31 trip later today, and I don't want to make a long day-trip where there is a high probability that the satellite won't be operational, I am postponing this trip. I will not go out there today. I am looking to reschedule this trip for another time in the next few weeks, where I can spend more time out there and use other satellites instead of just AO-27. I will post details when I decide on a date for that trip. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

FW: [Discuss-gnuradio] USRP2 Announcement
by Bob McGwier 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Announcement from Matt Ettus: ======================================================================== USRP News and Announcements September 2008 ======================================================================== 1 USRP2 Now Available 2 Status of the original USRP 3 Daughterboard Status 4 Upcoming Events ======================================================================== 1 USRP2 Now Available We are very happy to be able to announce that the USRP2 is now available for purchase. The USRP2 builds on the success of the original USRP, and adds these new features: - Gigabit Ethernet interface - 25 MHz of instantaneous RF bandwidth - Xilinx Spartan 3-2000 FPGA - Dual 100 MHz 14-bit ADCs - Dual 400 MHz 16-bit DACs - 1 MB of high-speed SRAM - Locking to an external 10 MHz reference - 1 PPS (pulse per second) input - Configuration stored on standard SD cards - Standalone operation - The ability to lock multiple systems together for MIMO - Compatibility with all the same daughterboards as the original USRP At this time, the USRP2 is in "beta release" state. Not all of the software and/or features are currently ready for production use. The USRP2 is initially supported on Linux, and we anticipate that drivers for Windows, Mac OS X, and other systems will be developed in the coming months. We are currently offering the USRP2 for a special introductory price of $1400, which may change in early 2009. Due to the high initial demand, and the beta release status, we have made some modifications to the normal order fulfillment process: - You may order as many systems as you like, but we can only ship up to 2 units to each customer from the first batch. The remainder will be held as a back-order, and will be shipped when available. You can cancel the remainder at any time, if you wish. - Precedence will be given to longtime members of, and contributors to, the GNU Radio / USRP community. - There are no quantity, academic, distributor, reseller, or other discounts. We will not be selling to resellers for the time being, only directly. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we feel that this policy will ensure that we can get systems to the maximum number of users in the short term. The USRP2 package includes the USRP2 motherboard, an enclosure, 2 SMA-SMA Bulkhead cables for RF, an ethernet cable, power supply, SD memory card, and a hardware packet. The USRP2 is only available in this complete package configuration. Also available are extra ethernet cables, extra SD cards, and SD memory reader/writers for USB ports. The power supply is the same as the one used for the original USRP. For those wishing to use their USRP2s in a MIMO configuration, we are selling the USRP2 MIMO cable for $70 each. You only need 1 MIMO cable for every pair of USRP2s. The beginning of a wiki page for the USRP2 is at: http://gnuradio.org/trac/wiki/USRP2 ======================================================================== 2 Status of the original USRP We will continue to produce and support the original USRP for the forseeable future. We have no intention of discontinuing it. There is no trade-in or upgrade program available. ======================================================================== 3 Daughterboard Status Unfortunately, the release of the WBX0510 has been significantly delayed. We hope to have it ready in early 2009. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. The RFX400, which covers 400 to 500 MHz has been reintroduced, at the original price of $275. These are available to order immediately. ======================================================================== 4 Upcoming Events The USRP2 will demonstrated at the TAPR Digital Communications Conference, and will be the subject of a technical talk given by Matt. The DCC is being held in Chicago from September 26th through 28th. http://www.tapr.org/dcc Ettus Research is proud to be a sponsor of the 2008 IEEE DySPAN conference on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks. Johnathan Corgan of Corgan Enterprises will be giving a half-day tutorial on GNU Radio and the USRP, and there will be public demonstrations of the USRP and USRP2. DySPAN 2008 will be held from October 14th through 17th in Chicago, Illinois. http://www.ieee-dyspan.org/2008 Ettus Research will be exhibiting at the SDR'08 Technical Conference and Product Exposition, being held from October 26th through 30th in Washington, D.C. Matt is also the chair for the "Open Source Hardware and Software" session which will feature several exciting papers. Additionally, Ettus Research is proud to be a sponsor of the 2008 Smart Radio Challenge, a competition between university teams to solve real world communication problems using software radios. http://sdrforum.org/sdr08/index.html http://www.radiochallenge.org/ If you attend any of these events, please make sure to stop by and introduce yourself! ARRL SDR Working Group Chair Member: ARRL, AMSAT, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. "Trample the slow .... Hurdle the dead" -----Original Message----- From: discuss-gnuradio-bounces+rwmcgwier=gmail.com(a)gnu.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Matt Ettus Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 2:06 PM To: discuss-gnuradio(a)gnu.org Subject: [Discuss-gnuradio] USRP2 Announcement

1 0

strategic plan, budget, etc.
by Robb Hill 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Hi All, I read the last AMSAT journal and saw the very well written history of the Eagle project in the most recent issues of AMSAT Journal. The bit I felt was missing was the plans for the future including a plan, schedule, and budget. To that end I want to ask if anyone knows where one can access the strategic plan, budget, committee assignments, and annual report? Thanks, Robb

2 1

Annual Report
by Robb Hill 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Hi, There should be an Annual report distributed to the membership in printed/online form like any other non-profit orgranization provides. It should list the financial status, membership status, operations, achievments, project status, regulatoryu status, etc. It should compare this to previous years. This is basic stuff for any non-profit or association. Can the board or president please let me know if this can happen? Thanks, Robb

2 1

FOR SALE ICOM IC-W32A
by Stuart Underwood 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Greetings, I have for sale a very mint IC-W32A for sale. It looks like it was just brought home from the store. It is in that good of shape. I am asking $225.00 shipped. It comes with the HT, battery, antenna, HT case, wal-wart, box and manual. Pix on request. I will ship to the lower 48 States. If interested please feel free to call me at 440-639-9547 anytime after 3:00 PM EST or private email me at w8stu(a)arrl.net Thanks in advance. 73, Stuart W8STU

1 0

elevation rotor
by Gerry 15 Sep '08

15 Sep '08

Thanks to all that replied to my request for help. Problem was in the rotor cable, about 22 inches from the rotor found cable jacket bruised (three of the six wires found to be broken). Cause unknown appears that the cable was compressed (squashed) and subsequent movement back and forth over a period of time finally broke wires inside jacket . Using a power supply in the shack and a test bulb at the rotor, we were puzzled, as to why using one wire as common, that three wires failed the test. It was just by chance that we found the damaged spot. The Rotor Gods were with us today hi hi. Thanks Again, Hope to be back up and running soon. 73 Gerry VE4GTB / KD7MDB

2 1

BOD nomination
by Dave Guimont 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Barry, I nominate Bill Ress, N6GHz, as our next president. He has recently submitted a list of suggested changes, some of which are long overdue. I've seen similar suggestions from time to time, but have NEVER seen any action taken...With Bill as president we will get something moving. Thank you Lee for the recent bulletin.... 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

1 0

FS: MVT-7100 Rcvr for sale.
by Chris Hackworth 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Yupi MVT 7100 Rcvr for sale. 100Khz to 1.65 Ghz. Great second rcvr, field rcvr for on the road... Check out review on Eham.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&ite… -- Chris N8PHU ET1(SW) USN (Ret) Chief transmitter Heavy SES-Americom

1 0

elevation rotor
by Gerry 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

My Kenpro KR-500 elevation rotor has quit working. Has anyone the voltage outputs on the wiring terminals to the rotor. Like to check the controller before taking the rotor down. 73 Gerry VE4GTB / KD7MDB

4 4

AO-51 mode L/S report 2008-09-14
by Rob Hardenberg PE1ITR 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Hi all, Today I mounted a 67el 2.4GHz yagi antenna on S-band, installed my AO_40 equipment and used AO-51 mode L/S for the first time. It was great! I could make 3 qso's with EA3FXK, EA3EMG and OZ1MY. Also heard PA3GUO who has only a uplink tx. I noticed a lot of qsb between 51 and 59 independent on the uplink and/or downlink. So sometimes a strong downlink but no signal on the repeater. I could use the repeater to 4 degrees elevation on AOS and LOS. Also used no automatic doppler tuning. On the downlink tuned to the signal and switched on the AFC of the trx. The uplink was tuned by hand. equipment: L-band uplink: IC910 10w 26el yagi S-band downlink: IC910 + db6nt ao-40 converter + 67el yagi. I hope to see you on mode AO-51 L/S 73 Rob PE1ITR http://www.pe1itr.com

1 0

OLPC - TELNET
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Hi folks, thought I would let you know I got my OLPC to run telnet and its working great. Now I can work ham radio with it using the hamgates. If you want to know how I did it contact me off list. KC8GKF p.s. Now if they would only make hyperterm for it we could hook up our tncs/rigs.

2 1

Mirage KP-2 control box
by JW 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

I am looking for the Mirage KP-2 control box, this is black in color and may have come out of Starkville, MS. I have a blue one that is quite small and want to replace it with the larger black one so that I have a matching pair. A direct trade would be great but willing to purchase if need be. Thanks.

1 0

OK, what am I doing wrong with VO-52
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Overhead pass, heard W9VNE calling CQ on CW, and QSO between him and a VE3. Sounded like he was almost in the middle of the downlink passband at 145.900 +/- for Doppler, so I put my transmit signal in the middle of the uplink passband (remembering that it is inverted, so the middle is a good place to be). I was transmitting on 435.250, callin several times but no response. I also heard some USB, but decided to stay with the CW and try to make contact. Kinda tough since I am using one FT817 and one Arrow antenna, but I should be able to get through. I did work through AO-7 last weekend, so I am not sure what I am doing wrong here. It is my first try on VO-52, but I was thrilled to at least hear the bird. Any thoughts/suggestions welcome. Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

1 0