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

AO-51 mode L/S over Europe - no joy
by Fer IW1DTU 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

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

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Messageboard Post
by Clint Bradford 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Over on eHam.net today ... Ok, so I go check out the Amsat website. Yawn. I look through their mission statement and history sections. Yawn. Seems that they have not updated their website for awhile. I mean, they still are talking about their "up and coming" phase 3-D satellite! (c.1996) Hmmm, that was what, 13 years ago? And they want me to join, and give them *money*? What a joke. Ok, now that I have picked myself off of the floor from laughing so hard, here is the question. Why should I (or anyone else) give these clowns money if they cannot even update their web site. Comeon, everyone knows that 3-D was a flop, except maybe AMSAT. The originators of the OSCAR program were cutting edge amateurs that were rivaling the commercial telecomunications satellite industry. They were trying to place their 5th bird in a geostationary orbit, but launch vehicle failure prevented that. Now all that Amsat seems to be able to do is (in the words of a certain late USSR dictator, paraphrased) is launch grapfruit sized microsats. So I never like to criticize something without some suggestions for improving the situation. Here is my idea... Why not a group of American amateur radio people get together that have nothing to do with the incompetence of AMSAT, and actually build an OSCAR 5 for geo- synch orbit? If it could be done thirty years ago, it can be done now. No need to have a "global" effort involving millions of dollars and amateurs from thirty countries building a thousand pound bird. Lets do this like the original OSCAR folks did, keep it simple(r), and let the politicos at AMSAT continue to try to justify their existence while some honest to God hams get the bird built and lofted. With today's improved solar cells and hardened electronics, if we could get a bird in a Clark slot, it would last for quite awhile, and actually provide a (non-digital) communication service to the amateur radio community. Best and 73, Joe KB0TXC Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Re: Anyone Feel Like Helping?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

well crud... I finally got the email, and clicked the magic link. So when I try to reply, first it wanted me to send money... Then following the instructions, I hit reload - and it says : "There is a short moratorium before newly registered users may post. The actual time may vary from a few hours to a day or two while the staff reviews them. " Good thing I wasn't needing a gun or anything... - or had something mean that I really needed to get off my chest. I'll just hafta wait around for another satellite pass and enjoy my hobby. Could be worse I guess. /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

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Re: Anyone Feel Like Helping?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

I'd suspect that since he started 'his thread', that he WILL have the last word. Not that your efforts are without merit, just don't expect to win (at least not in 'his thread')... No doubt you don't expect him to behave as rationally and mature as most of the folks on AMSAT-BB. I rarely engage in the discussions on QRZ and eHam for that simple reason. Many just like to spout to see their own words in print. He appears to be holding a minority opinion, as most topics in that satellite forum are more what might be expected. Hams being helpful to other hams with questions... That is apparently not enough for some. I may add a few comments - if the email confirmation from eHam ever gets here. It won't let me reply until I click a magic link. Thanks /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

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Re: Here we go again Was message board post
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

My three cents. AO-7 is as good as it gets as far a time on satellite and distance. It is very under used. I have been in many three way QSO's where we do what we do. We have a fun bunch of "characters" that I enjoy yaking with. I believe in the concept and the idea that eventually we will have a HEO. It depends on efforts and support now, not after launch. I can be found on AO-7 on most passes. 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT 28498 -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Jack K." <kd1pe.1(a)gmail.com> > > I hesitate to toss my two cents in as I am not a member of AMSAT and have > not been one for a long time as AMSAT apparently has moved in directions my > interests do not lie. I still read the bb messages and I still want to get > back on the sats, but 15 second more or less contacts do no interest me > regardless of what the mode is. I have no interest in chasing sates to > listen to their telemetry - My feeling is that if I can not use the stinking > thing, then I am not going to support it. > > So until there are some SSB high level sats going up or there is something > beyond the "lets talk about it" stage my efforts and my wallet won't support > AMSAT or anyone else. Yeah I know I am by using the BB and yes that makes me > a moocher, but on the other hand maybe someone will read it and take a hint > and once more I will have something usefull to me and my efforts and bucks > will once more flow outward instead of just dusting my old Sat equipment > which I should have sold long ago, but kept believing that one day AMSAT > would have a high level Sat again that actually worked when it went up > > DE KD1PE > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Re: Anyone Feel Like Helping?
by Glenn Miller 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

Please don't feed the troll :-) Glenn, AA5PK _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. http://windowslive.com/howitworks?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_t2_allup_howitworks_012…

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Anyone Feel Like Helping?
by Clint Bradford 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

Do I just let this moron rant against AMSAT ... or does anyone else want to participate in the thread??? http://www.eham.net/forums/Satellites Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Recording TX Audio
by Mike Hoblinski 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

I have my Yaesu 897 interfaced to the computer with a Tigertronix Signalink USB box. I use a program to record the receive audio to the computer. I use the standard Yaesu Microphone that came with the radio. My only problem is that I am not able to record my TX audio. Is their another interface that would give me the ability to record both my TX and RX audio. My other thought is to build an interface box between the Mic and the radio and then feed the Mic audio into the computer sound card. Any suggestions or descriptions of how other people record both TX and RX audio. Mike Hoblinski N6IMF

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Here we go again Was message board post
by OZ1MY 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

Hi all, Why not look at the bright side of life :-) Personally I have had lots of fun out of AO-40 (P3D) and all the other satellites over the years. We still have a lot of working satellites up there. Some are AMSATs others Cubesats - there are lots of ways to use them. Just had fun trying to track the new Japanese satellites launched 23rd of January. I too would like to see a HEO satellite in orbit - but I also realise the difficulties (moneys). AMSAT-OZ has just donated 2500 EUROS to P3E. We are a very small organisation with 60 members. This will not pay for a launch. Our filosophy is that any small amount helps. Have a nice Sunday. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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AO7 F2IL
by k3szh＠netzero.net 25 Jan '09

25 Jan '09

Congratulation Jean on your 4000 plus qsos on AO7. It has been a great satellite since it's return in 2002. Thanks for the many qsos we had together over the years. 73 my friend Joe Amsat 3788 since 1976 ____________________________________________________________ Thinking of a life with religion? Click here to find a religious school near you. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/PnY6ryAbvikeVxhribh4ja8HwD9d…

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