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)

1 0

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]

3 2

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

1 0

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

2 1

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

1 0

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

1 0

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

1 0

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

3 2

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

1 0

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

3 2