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

DM31 on AO-27, Monday 15 September
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Hi! I am planning a quick road trip to a point near the Arizona/Mexico border tomorrow (Monday, 15 September). I will be in grid DM31 for at least the two AO-27 passes around 2046 and 2227 UTC, subject to local weather conditions and law enforcement (heavy police and Border Patrol presence in that area). I might stick around for an AO-51 pass Monday evening, around 0132 UTC, before making the 3-hour drive back to Phoenix. If there is a safe place to stop off the highway, I *might* be able to park on the DM31/DM32 grid boundary. Otherwise, it will be just DM31 for those passes. Grid DM31 is mostly in Mexico, except for the northeast corner of the grid that crosses into Arizona. A portion of a military bombing range, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and the border town of Lukeville AZ in Pima County are in that corner. I've heard one station from that grid, on the Mexican side of the border, in June 2006 via AO-51. Others have told me it has been several years since other stations have tried the satellites from either side of the border in DM31. If we make a contact, I will send you a QSL. No worries! 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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

14 Sep '08

Hi, Today I mounted my S-band downlink antenna. I will be qrv on AO-51 mode LS during the 17:17 and 18:57UTC pass over europe. It would be nice to meet some stations on s-band. 73 Rob PE1ITR http://www.pe1itr.com

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Double leo satellites
by Håkan Harrysson 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

Hello, I was just wondering. Should it be possible to launch two Leo satellites with transponders who are connected to eatch other? I am not sure i can explain exactly what i mean, but if we imagine one of them (satellite A) are heading my direction in a west pass and retransmitts that on the ordinary way and then also retransmitts what it hears to the other Leo satellite (Satellite B) who is in sight of satellite A but just more west then i am located. I think in that way i could work NA every day? It feels like with new SDR transponders and the problem to get satellites in higher orbits this could be a way to go? This is no HEO/LEO discussion, just some thinking that maybe have gone wrong HI! 73 de Hakan SM7WSJ Who is also pulling for P3E

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ANS-258 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 14 Sep '08

14 Sep '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-258 ************************************************************** *** 2008 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting *** *** October 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia *** ************************************************************** ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT Board of Directors to Conduct Presidential Search * Worldwide Amateur Radio Effort Saves COMPASS Cubesat * College Satellite Nite - 18 September 2008 * AO-51 Schedule - September 2008 * ARISS Status - 18 August 2008 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-258.01 AMSAT Board of Directors to Conduct Presidential Search AMSAT News Service Bulletin 258.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 14, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-258.01 AMSAT President Rick Hambly, W2GPS notified the AMSAT Board of Directors on Thursday, September 11 that he is not a candidate for President of AMSAT for the upcoming year. "After careful consideration, I have decided that I am not able to continue as AMSAT President beyond the next Board meeting and so I will not offer my name for consideration, and if nominated by others I will not accept the nomination for President. While I will be focusing most of my efforts on business activities, I will do my best to make the transition seamless", stated Rick in an e-mail to the current members of the AMSAT Board of Directors. Rick has served as President of AMSAT since October 2004. The current Board of Directors election concludes on Monday, September 15, when results of the balloting will be announced. Members of the new Board will then begin a formal search process to recruit and select a new President. This process is expected to take several weeks with the goal of having a new President identified prior to the AMSAT Board of Directors meeting on October 23, prior to the AMSAT Symposium in Atlanta. The search process starts immediately with an invitation to current AMSAT members (including BOD members, Senior Advisors, Officers, and the AMSAT general membership) to suggest current AMSAT members that they would recommend for consideration. Recommendations are requested by 1900 EDT Tuesday evening, September 16 to the AMSAT Corporate Secretary (Barry Baines, WD4ASW; e-mail: wd4asw(a)amsat.org). Names that are submitted will be initially reviewed by the BOD and those candidates that the Board would like to follow up with will be contacted concerning the interview/selection process. Rick Hambly, W2GPS will continue to fulfill his duties as President until the Board meeting in October. His current term on the Board of Directors expires in September 2009. [ANS thanks the AMSAT-NA Board of Directors for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-258.02 Worldwide Amateur Radio Effort Saves COMPASS Cubesat AMSAT News Service Bulletin 258.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 14, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-258.02 Mike, DK3WN said this week that a worldwide amateur radio effort saved the COMPASS cubesat. Mike reports receiving reports of good COMPASS beacons from Japan. The COMPASS cubesat has not reset over several eclipse periods and remains operational. The problem that depleted the batteries aboard COMPASS had its heater remain on constantly. Amateur radio stations around the world successfully transmitted the command to turn off the heater and allowed the batteries to recover. After the heater was turned off Mike wrote, "The only thing we can do is WAIT. Wait for longer sun periods and voltages over 3.47 Volts. That's the standard threshold value in emergency mode to switch into powersafe mode. Only in this mode we can change the threshold values. As of September 8, COMPASS was back in its powersafe mode of oper- ation. As of September 10 COMPASS was back in NORMAL mode. Mike had gained control of the satellite and could successfully command the satellite. Mike summarized, "Thanks to all - this is truly a worldwide ham radio effort - thanks so much for your help. Also, PLEASE do NOT send any commands to COMPASS until further notice. If you send any commands you overwrite the current settings and COMPASS may fall back into emergency mode. We almost lost a cubesat, but we've definitely gained some new friends. Thank you all for your efforts!" Meanwhile please listen to the beacon and keep your fingers crossed that COMPASS will remain in its normal mode. [ANS thanks Mike, DK3WN, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-258.03 College Satellite Nite - 18 September 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 258.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 14, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-258.03 A college Satellite night will be held Thursday, September 18, 2008 (local time). This event is a great opportunity for hams that are satellite active to interact with college students and elmer a new generation! Do you know a college student who would find amateur satellites interesting and intellectually challenging? Have them as a guest at your station and introduce them to amateur radio in a way they will never forget. Look for college stations and students on all the birds that evening and please give them preference for operation. With the new school year just starting, new student guests and thus potential young hams will be present in college shacks around the country. They look forward to meeting you through the exciting venue of Orbiting Satellites carrying Amateur Radio! 73, Hope to see you on the birds! Dr. Jay Garlitz, AA4FL [ANS thanks Jay, AA4FL, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-258.04 AO-51 Schedule - September 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 258.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 14, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-258.04 September 8 - September 14 FM Repeater, L/S Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM Downlink: 2401.200 MHz FM FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM September 15 - September 21 College Radio Night is September 18! FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM 9k6 BBS and Telemetry Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM September 22 - September 24 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM FM Repeater, L/U Uplink: 1268.700 Mhz USB Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM September 25 - September 28 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM FM Repeater, L/U Uplink: 1268.700 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM September 29 - October 5 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM 9k6 BBS and Telemetry Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-258.05 ARISS Status - 8 September 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 258.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 14, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-258.05 1. Successful Contact with Challenger Learning Center On Monday, September 1, ten students visiting the Challenger Learning Center of Lucas County in Oregon, Ohio participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. The students posed ten questions to Greg Chamitoff, KD5PKZ, in front of an audience of 80. News 24 TV was present and interviewed the students. The audio was fed into the EchoLink AMSAT server and IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) Reflector 9010. 2. NZZ Article on Swiss Contact On Saturday, August 30, students attending Schulehaus Feld 1 in Richterswil, Switzerland participated in a successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ posted an article (in German) on the contact. See: http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/zuerich/telefonkonferenz_mit_der_raumstation_… .820665.html 3. ARISS Presentations Posted On Thursday, August 28, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) member gave a talk to Rockwell Collins Amateur Radio Club in Richardson, Texas. His talk covered Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) satellites and ARISS projects. The presentation has been posted to the AMSAT Web site. See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/Presentations/AMSAT%20for%20RCARC.ppt The ARISS presentation given at the Challenger Learning Center (CLC) Lead Flight Directors Conference on August 27 has also been posted. See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/Presentations/Challenger%20National% 20Convention%202008.ppt [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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Static Discharge Protection - location
by Alan 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Where do you suggest mounting discharge units such as the Diamond CA-23RS - on the mast between the antenna and preamps? and grounded to the mast which is well grounded? - on the mast below the preamps and before the feedline enters your house/shack etc? - at the radio in the house or shack? - grounded to your service panel ground cable or grounded to the outside where your tower is grounded to something like I use - a copper rod driven 5 or 6 feet into moist salty soil. Knock on wood - I've never had an issue with static discharge that emanated from the antenna that has effected any radio or other equipment. Antennas and mast/tower are well grounded to earth outside my house and not to any inside cold water pipe. I ground my radio chassis ground lug to a copper cable run to my electrical panel's ground cable. All the 120 VAC is 3 wire and grounded to the same electrical panel grounding. I support there could be a potential between the service panel ground and the ground for my mast, but, I've never bothered to check this. I am slightly amused that these units are referred to by the various manufactures as lighting protection or surge suppressors. Lighting runs down the outside of a conductor. However, I can see an antenna building up a charge with wind or if my neighbour got a direct hit by lightning I house probably get some residual EMP. I suppose the discharge created by shuffling across a carpet in socks with low humidity and touching a wall switch could be call lighting of a few orders of magnitude less than what is commonly understood a lightning. Am I over thinking all this grounding and static discharge stuff and unnecessarily worrying about which ground to use. If I get a direct hit with lightning, all bets are off. Thanks all... 73, Alan VE4YZ EN19kw AMSAT LM 2352

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p3e
by keith schaffrath 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Is there anything going on with p3e, or is it a fantasy to think we will ever have another Heo? keith N6ORS

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Marvelous Mentoring in Mesa
by Clint Bradford 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

AMSAT sure is well represented at the ARRL Southwestern Division Convention in Mesa, Arizona! The AMSAT booth looks great...and I just attended WD9EWK Patrick's presentation entitled, "Typical Radio Gear for Satellite Communications." His room was darned near full...as was the crowd for W7LB Larry's earlier presentation, "Future Satellites..." Great job to all the AMSAT folks who made this happen. We looked first- class and appropriately professional! Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Alaska grids [was: Grid CO-45]
by John Mock KD6PAG 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

John K6YK wrote: > Randy, WI7P was just on AO-27 from Ketchikan, AK > CO-45. About 2245Z Thursday. Maybe he'll show up > on AO-51 tonight? If you need it, keep an ear peeled! Indeed, he was on one of the evening AO-51 passes. In addition, KL1WE & W6HF are also returning from Alaska to California; as well as AK, you can later look for YT and also uncommon-to-rare BC grid squares. So do not neglect Pacific passes on AO-51 and SO-50 for at least a week or so and also AO-27 (albeit in Alaska, one can't hit it before the telemetry if one is too far north). -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) P.S. Remember, AO-51 is in mode J-FM on the 'QRP' side (435.15/145.88) this week.

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SatPC32 Interface to Yaesu G 5400B
by Ralph Milnes 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Hi, Re: SatPC32 Interface to Yaesu G 5400B New to the group... I tried to access the archives but there isn't an easy way to search them, so forgive me if this question has come up and been answered before. I'm helping a friend migrate to a new USB-only XP computer where he wants to run SatPC32 and interface it to a Yaesu 847 radio and a Yaesu G 5400B Az/El rotor. Our first problem is coming up with USB-to-serial converters that will work with the serial feeds to the radio and rotor. I tried one brand of converter and that didn't work. I know such converters are finicky, so I'll try another brand and hope that works. If I'm successful, that should solve the CAT control of the radio via SatPC32. But I'm not sure how to interface to the rotor. SatPC32 does not have a rotor control choice for the G 5400B. Has anyone solved this problem? Comments and suggestions welcome. 73 Ralph KC2RLM

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satscape
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Can anyone tell me why I cant find D0-64 on satsacpe ? **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)

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Re: Yaesu G-5400B computer control
by Ronald G. Parsons 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

An inexpensive solution is the FD ST1 kit. See my mini-review here in the archives and also http://www.foxdelta.com/products/st1.htm It uses the EasyComm interface. Ron W5RKN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:03:53 -0400 From: Sebastian <w4as(a)bellsouth.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Yaesu G-5400B computer control To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <7E82BF3F-9A8A-445D-8BF9-CCBAAF5CB5C0(a)bellsouth.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes What do I need to connect my G-5400B to my computer in order to automate satellite antenna tracking? I'm current using Ham Radio Deluxe. I've heard of the LVB tracker, and the GS-232 but I wonder if there is a cheaper or easier solution, being that the software program now does a lot of the functions (or so I believe it does). 73 de W4AS Sebastian

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For K3SZH ...The Bitch is back.
by John Hackett 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Hi Joe, Thanks for the mail. I kind of lost interest after the latest extended stay in hospital but I got back on AO-7 today ... to find some clown knocking six kinds of excrement out out of the transponder. Probably another 100w/10 element beam uplink and rusty six inch nail for a receive aerial. Have a good weekend mate. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Re: satscape
by Stephen Davis 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

I don't use SatScape. instead I use Orbitron and in Orbitron, DO-64 is listed as Delfi-C3. Perhaps it's the same with SatScape? Is there a listing for Delfi-C3? 73, Steve - KJ4FEL ----- Original Message ---- From: "Cotejaune2(a)aol.com" <Cotejaune2(a)aol.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 12:12:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] satscape Can anyone tell me why I cant find D0-64 on satsacpe ? **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) _______________________________________________ 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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FOxx Satellite DXpedition Results
by Mark Saurman 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Hello all, I've made it back safe and sound from my little road trip. After my last contacts on the FN08/18 border near Amos, Quebec I put the Arrow back in the car for the last time and concentrated on driving. I went through Val-D'or, Mount Laurier, Mount Tremblant and finally Montreal where I picked my wife up from the airport the next day and we visited the city and Ottawa before heading back home. The trip was a lot of fun. I didn't haul out the gear until I hit FO11, although in hindsight I should have paid more attention and got out in FO10 on the way up since the passes weren't very viable in FO10 on the way back. These first contacts were made from along side the Rupert River rapids. They're endangered as Hydro Quebec is going to dam off the river for another huge hydro project so I'm glad I got to see them. Most contacts were made pulled alongside the Route de la Baie James, a 2 lane paved road with a 100km/h speed limit that isn't patrolled from about km 6 to km 600. The road is very isolated, with a 375km stretch with no gas stations or services of any kind. Some were made in the community of Radisson, the furthest north you can drive on a paved road in the eastern half of North America, and the northern most non-native permanent community in Quebec. Some were made in Chisasibi, on the shores of James Bay and some along Quebec route 109 which leads to the James Bay Road. I had hoped to catch a boat to one of the islands in the bay of which there are numerous, uninhabited ones very close, as these count as Nunavut VY0, however between the weather not cooperating (wind) and those who I came across weren't coming back to be able to pick me up, I had to scratch that plan. If I had more time to work with, I would have worked something out. More money could have helped, too, as I could have booked a flight for about $500 to Sanikiluaq in the Belcher Islands, which is comparatively cheap to what it costs to get to anything Nunavut from down here! Although for you newly married OM's, you and your XYL can go with a 75% honeymooner discount, so start sweet talking her about how nice the Belcher Islands are this time of year! HI HI!!! So here's the results: 5-Sept-2008 1815Z through 7-Sept-2008 1938Z Total Satellite QSOs: 158 - AO-51: 81 - AO-27: 36 - SO-50: 41 Grids worked from: FN08, FN18, FN19, FO03, FO10, FO11, FO12, FO13 Here's a link to the log: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pVYahBbb9c8aa3JJuIwiAOQ Working conditions: Antenna: Arrow Handheld Yagi, 3-elements for 2 meters, 7-elements for 70cm Uplink Radio: Radio Shack HTX-202 at 3 watts with 6 2500mAH NiMH AA's in the alkaline pack, still charged even after 158 QSO's! Downlink Radio: Yaesu VX-7R still charged as well ;-) Logging done via voice recorder built into my cell phone, as that was about all it was good for up in the wilderness hundreds of miles from a cell signal! I'm printing the cards this weekend. Thank you all for the many QSO's and the cards & stamps I've received! Hope that everyone picked up at least one new grid. QSL is via my N8TLV address, although if you sent it to my NL address I'll still get it, just will be delayed by a month hi hi. 73, Mark VO1ONE/N8TLV

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Re: DO-64
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Mark, Lately, I have not been able to get a signal through DO-64. I hear the beacon but no transponder activity. To check on DO-64, go to http://oscar.dcarr.org/index.php . I sent the Delfi team an email but got no response. I'll continue to try it when I'm in the shack and a pass occurs. When the transponder is on, activity is sparse. DO-64 is a challenge. My impressions of DO-64: Don't go spending a lot of money because of DO-64. When DO-64 was first released for amateur radio use, I was able the hear myself (CW) at very low elevation passes (<10 degs). My antennas are only 8 feet off the ground so I was shooting a signal through trees and buildings. When the sat got above 30 degrees, I was able to use the transponder for good CW QSOs. I think the transponder output is only 200mW. The circular polarity of the down link seems to be left hand in the north to south passes and right hand in the south to north passes. Since my down link antenna is LHCP, I can only work DO-64 in the morning ( north to south passes). The evening south to north RHCP passes across the US are currently not in the sun so the sat is off. I also notice down link signal strength is best on the first half of the pass then drops off in the last half. This makes it best to establish a QSO on the first half of the pass. The beacon always seems to be there and always at good signal strength. The transponder will have signal strength above the beacon at times when I have a good signal path at good elevations. At that point, I can reduce my 847s output to about 2 watts and still hear my down link pretty well. At this time, the transponder seems to be off. I will continue to try working DO-64. If I can help you any further, please email me. All the best in your satellite quests. Mike Williams K9QHO AMSAT 33589

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AO-51 L/S mode
by Luc Leblanc 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

I just ending a near complete pass QSO with Michael KC9ELU on L/S. This western pass was much better than the east one?. Always manually tracking the uplink i found a way to control the doppler on the downlink using the AFC button on the PCR-1000 that i used to received the output of the AIDC downconverter on 123mhz. There is no need to have a PC tracking program just tune the downlink and let the AFC doing the job!! It works and if you loose the downlink for few minutes the AFC is quite agile and he will retune by himself right on the center of the downlink. You can always fine tune the frequency manually. The scope feature is also usefull if you drift too far away from the downlink you can see where the signal is without tuning up and down. I don't know if this will work for other type of receiver but the FT-847 does not have this feature? "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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DO-64
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 13 Sep '08

13 Sep '08

Anyone hear DO-64 lately? I hear a beacon but the transponder seems to be off. Mike K9QHO AMSAT 33589

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SatPC32 Interface to Yaesu G 5400B - More
by Ralph Milnes 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

I forgot to mention that he's currently using the Unitrac interface to the G 5400. That's not supported by SatPC32. Any recommendations on an interface to use, preferably one with a direct USB connection (if such an animal exists). ---------------- Hi, Re: SatPC32 Interface to Yaesu G 5400B New to the group... I tried to access the archives but there isn't an easy way to search them, so forgive me if this question has come up and been answered before. I'm helping a friend migrate to a new USB-only XP computer where he wants to run SatPC32 and interface it to a Yaesu 847 radio and a Yaesu G 5400B Az/El rotor. Our first problem is coming up with USB-to-serial converters that will work with the serial feeds to the radio and rotor. I tried one brand of converter and that didn't work. I know such converters are finicky, so I'll try another brand and hope that works. If I'm successful, that should solve the CAT control of the radio via SatPC32. But I'm not sure how to interface to the rotor. SatPC32 does not have a rotor control choice for the G 5400B. Has anyone solved this problem? Comments and suggestions welcome. 73 Ralph KC2RLM

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Re: p3e
by Grant Hodgson 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Keith There was an update on P3E at the Amsat-UK Colloquium in July 2008. This was filmed and archived at www.batc.tv > film archive > Lecture 9. Lecture 10 gives an update on P5A. In a nutshell :- Amsat-DL are treating P5A as the primary mission, with P3E being a 'test bed' for P5A carrying some of the P5A communication systems, along with some rather useful transponders of course. The rationale being that P3E flies first to prove the various systems required for P5A, thus de-risking the latter. Amsat-DL are seeking funding for the combined P5A/P3E project. Full details in the presentations - recommended viewing. regards Grant G8UBN >Is there anything going on with p3e, or is it a fantasy to think we will ever have another Heo? >keith N6ORS

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YAESU 5500/Ars rotor controller
by Pedro Cruz 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Hi to all Any one knows how to calibrate the rotor yaesy 5500 ( 360 + 90dgr rotation) with the ARS rotor controller . Best 73 ! Pedro Cruz - CU2JX

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College Station Night Thursday Sept. 18
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

A college Satellite night will be held Thursday September 18, 2008 (local time). This event is a great opportunity for hams that are satellite active to interact with college students and elmer a new generation! Do you know a college student who would find amateur satellites interesting and intellectually challenging? Have them as a guest at your station and introduce them to amateur radio in a way they will never forget. Look for college stations and students on all the birds that evening and please give them preference for operation. With the new school year just starting, new student guests and thus potential young hams will be present in college shacks around the country. They look forward to meeting you through the exciting venue of Orbiting Satellites carrying Amateur Radio! 73, Hope to see you on the birds! Dr. Jay Garlitz, AA4FL Faculty Advisor, Gator Amateur Radio Club at the University of Florida

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Uh, ISS, We Have a Problem...
by Clint Bradford 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

> How does Houston Control control the ISS when they have to close shop due to, say, a fierce, approaching hurricane? Well, it’s happening right now. Eleven laptop computers in a nearby hotel are controlling the ISS, since NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston closed Thursday due to the approaching storm. The storm has also caused the delay of the docking of a Russian module scheduled for Friday. Russian flight controllers will execute a maneuver to place the spacecraft into a safe orbit away from the station until docking, which is now planned for Wednesday, September 17. If Johnson is not restored to full capability for docking, one of the backup facilities may be used to command station systems. Station Commander Sergei Volkov and Flight Engineers Oleg Kononenko and Greg Chamitoff are awaiting the arrival of the cargo ship, which is carrying more than 2 tons of supplies including a new shipment of food and fuel. http://web.me.com/clintbradford/Site/Blog/Blog.html Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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NASA closes Johnson Space Center
by Rob Rousseau 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Clint, Thanks for the heads up. That is pretty cool they can do all that from laptops from a hotel room no less. The (large-ish) company I work for has about 42% of their employees working working from home. I found a news article about NASA here: -Rob, KI4BKE http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5996566.html By MARK CARREAU Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Sept. 11, 2008, 6:55PM NASA closed the Johnson Space Center, including Mission Control, at midday as Hurricane Ike neared the Texas coast. The agency activated a temporary control center near Austin to watch over the international space station until the storm threat passes. As part of the storm precautions, NASA postponed the docking of a Russian Progress cargo capsule with the station, which had been scheduled for Friday, just after 4 p.m. CDT. The station's three-man crew includes American Greg Chamitoff, the science officer and two Russians, commander Sergei Volkov and flight engineer Oleg Kononenko. "We will assess any damage, and decide when it's safe to come back," said NASA spokesman Kelly Humphries as Johnson prepared to release its 16,500 workers, many of them residents of the communities around Galveston Bay. The temporary control center, set up in a hotel outside Austin, is equipped to communicate with the space station's crew around the clock through NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The space agency dispatched more flight controllers to Marshall, home to the station's payload operations center, which supervises scientific research aboard the orbital outpost. In an adjoining control center established as an emergency backup to Houston's Mission Control, NASA was prepared to take over long-term support of the station if the Johnson Space Center sustained severe damage from Ike. The Progress cargo capsule was launched from Kazakhstan on Wednesday with fuel, food, water, spare parts and other supplies for the 220-mile high orbital outpost.

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14-Sept. WX balloon launch with UHF->VHF FM transponder.
by Cor 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Hello All, At 14 September is a balloon Fox hunt in Holland. On the Weather balloon is mounted: UHF -> VHF FM transponder. ATV video transmitter (with camera on balloon looking down to earth). The ATV video stream is also to follow (live) via internet. The ATV video transmitter TX on 2330Mhz. The FM transponder frequenties are: Uplink: 432.550Mhz FM Downlink: 145.475Mhz FM In the past I was been able to work hams from five (nearby) countries via the balloon transponder. More info is to see on: http://www.ballonvossenjacht.nl/gbtaal.html 73's Cor PD0RKC Ham Radio In Space: http://iss.ontwikkel.nl

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Re: DO-64
by Robert Turlington 12 Sep '08

12 Sep '08

Same here Mike even running 50w into a 13xy yagi gives a barely perceptable return signalRegards Robert G8ATE > Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:52:10 -0700> From: k9qho6762(a)sbcglobal.net> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] DO-64> > Anyone hear DO-64 lately? I hear a beacon but the transponder seems to be off.> > > Mike K9QHO> AMSAT 33589> _______________________________________________> 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 _________________________________________________________________ Make a mini you and download it into Windows Live Messenger http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/111354029/direct/01/

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