January 2009 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: [Satellites] RE: AMSAT???
by Luc Leblanc 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

>From e-ham net where the action shiffted to:) My comments in the text > Posted By KD5NJR > > I believe there is a single paid employee (Martha) in "all of AMSAT". > Yep we here in Canada we lost at RAC the equivalent in the name of the late Debbie Norman VA3RGM General Manager. A dedicated women as Martha > > It's just a volunteer organization. They have their hands full just getting the newsletter out. > Probably the only one AMSAT membership tangible assets actually > > Here below is one way to explain the inaction you perceive. > > > > 1) The early OSCARS rode for free as balast. There was also ballast in the last JAXA launch... > 2) Now they don't. Mass = money. If we add up the total mass of the cubes already in space EAGLE AND P3E should already be in space > 3a) Donors = money Yep but they need more than a journal and an annual general meeting/show > 3b) Donations = eager (cranky?) satellite users. Yep they want to make QSO ON AN AMATEUR SATELLITE FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES PER PASS > 4) These users want long (hours, not seconds), DX QSOs. Yep see above > 5a) So, there is a lot of pressure to employ frequencies and modulation schemes that can service the greatest number of users / kilogram. And they want that package in a high (long duration) orbit. Yep we agree here also > 5b) There is resistance to above when it means building / buying new ground station equipment for the end users. Years were spent in discussion on these points. > Stay in a KISS configuration and keep the fancy and exotic mode for a later launch > > 6) The lab was mothballed for a while after AO-40. > I keep mine away from mothballed as i recycle them on LEO'S and it helps to justify the junk in my backyard to my wife eyes...we never know! see this http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338706/ A good week end film to watch;) > > From when I got my ticket until last year (trying to cut back on costs) I was paid up on ARRL and AMSAT. Did the FMsat and PCSat thing. I have my IC-910. Listening for a clear game plan. > Then, I'll resume donations and collecting hardware for my station. > Who comes first syndrome the egg or the chicken? > > 73 > > Scott > > KD5NJR > > "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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New Operator Questions
by William Liporace - WC2L 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Good Evening, My current station setup is a TS790, Yaesu G5400 with the Sat688 controller. There is a 440/144 antennas, no preamp yet. I do have a 440 preamp, but I have not set it up. Currently trying SATPC32, but may try HRD when he finishes adding the Easycomn1 communications. I think the setup is working. I do have a series of questions so that I can make my fist QSO.. What are the better satellites to work evenings here in the NE? Are some easier to work? I know there are some issues with the TS790 (so I have been told). Any tips? Do you shut off the computer control after it comes into view? Is there a decent Linux program that will control what I have?? Any tips or help would be great!! TNX Will WC2L

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HEO vs. LEO cost comparison
by Eric Fort 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

I've been thinking about the LEO vs. HEO debate recently and have come to a question, What is the cost comparison between launching 1 HEO sat vs. a constellation of LEO sats similar to what iridium has flying? Has this cost analysis been done? It seems many people just want a communications resource that is generally available from where they are and allows multiple simultanious (voice bandwith or wider) users. We seem to spend way too much time arguing over HEO vs. LEO when the real discussion seems that it should be how to most effectively provide a communications resource that best serves the amateur radio community in serving it's purpose as specified in 47CFR97.1 (apologies to the non-US hams on the BB but is not the outline similar most everywhere for our service) which reads: Section 97.1 The rules and regulations in this Part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles: (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. (b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communications and technical phases of the art. (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill. How can we best provide or at least contribute to this goal. What is the most cost effective option and how can we get there? Eric AF6EP

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Re: Cant get keps for new sats on satpc32
by ryan woods 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

ok well ive done that but i dont see where it says tle-new. Ive updated the nasa.all and amateur.txt but nothing. de kd8atf fm09

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AO-51 mode L/S over Europe - nice signal
by Fer IW1DTU 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Hi Gould, thanks for your mail and efforts in switching the satellite in mode L/S. Now AO-51 is in mode L/S and I just had a nice QSO with OZ1MY and IK1SOW. Thanks 73, Fer IW1DTU --- On Mon, 1/26/09, Gould Smith <gouldsmi(a)bellsouth.net> wrote: From: Gould Smith <gouldsmi(a)bellsouth.net> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-51 mode L/S over Europe - no joy To: heliox694-iw1dtu(a)yahoo.com Date: Monday, January 26, 2009, 4:49 PM Fer, I sent the command to switch the input to TX B again on my last pass (12 degrees). Please give L/S a try. Due to the mode configuration, I can't get any feedback on the command reception. 73, Gould, WA4SXM AO-51 command station ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fer IW1DTU" <heliox694-iw1dtu(a)yahoo.com> To: "AMSAT" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 1:23 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 mode L/S over Europe - no joy Probably I am wrong and still sleeping but this early morning A0-51 at 05:30 UTC was not in mode L/S according to the published schedule. Signal in S band was loud and clear as usually but I didn't succeed. According to some particular QRM it could be in mode V/S - Sorry but at present my V/U antenna are inoperative due to servicing so I couldn't check. Any other reports ? 73, Fer IW1DTU _______________________________________________ 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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ISS SSTV active.
by Cor 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Hello All, ISS SSTV system is active on 145.800Mhz. I received 3 sky images at 26 Jan. 2009 14:35UTC pass. 73's Cor PD0RKC http://iss.ontwikkel.nl

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AO-7, 4000 +
by TERRY BROMLEY 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Congratulation's Jean on reaching 4000+ qso on this very good old bird. Great to have been a part of the 4000. Great bird, many friends. 73s Terry G1WPR.

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Cant get keps for new sats on satpc32
by ryan woods 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Hello everyone I cant get the keps for the new sats on satpc32 can anyone help me I would like to listen to them. congrads to the sat team members 73 de kd8atf fm09

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Endevour Auto Tracker and the IMac computer
by Perry Yantis 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

I have purchased Endevour Auto Tracker and installed it on my IMac computer. I am having some difficulity in getting things working. I wonder if anyone out there in Amsat BB neighborhood has experience with this setup that can give me some clues to what I am doing wrong?? I am using the IMac computer, keyspan usb-serial adaptor, Mac Doppler software, and the Kenwood TS2000x. Perry WB8OTH

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Mutual window east NA and europe
by Luc Leblanc 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Hi I will be QRV on FO-29 on the January 26 0143Z pass most of northern Europe and Scandinavia will be in the same footprint. I know it will be early in the night but just in case some can be awake at that time it will be a good DX pass (new grids?). See you there. P.S. Many LEO'S are empty at those hours. "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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