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

New Satellite Concept for Earth-Mars Comms
by Jeff Davis 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

"Direct communication between Earth and Mars can be strongly disturbed and even blocked by the Sun for weeks at a time, cutting off any future human mission to the Red Planet. An ESA engineer working with engineers in the UK may have found a solution using a new type of orbit combined with continuous-thrust ion propulsion." Read the story at PhysOrg.com: http://www.physorg.com/news174907594.html -- Jeff, KE9V

1 0

Re: satpc32 problems
by Erich Eichmann 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Bob, my answer to your mail from Oct. 16 has twice been returned by comcast.net. The same happened with previous of my mails to you. In the returned message they say: "A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its recipients. This is a permanent error. The following address(es) failed: w7lrd(a)comcast.net SMTP error from remote mailer after initial connection: host mx2.comcast.net [76.96.30.116]: 554 IMTA07.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net comcast 194.25.134.18 Comcast block for spam. Please see http://help.comcast.net/content/faq/BL000000 ". Under the link they say: "Our filters have determined that email from your mail server has been sent in patterns which are characteristic of spam.". Do you still have another e-mail address? To be sure that you get this mail I send it also via AMSAT-BB. 73s, Erich, DK1TB ----- Original Message ----- From: Bob- W7LRD To: dk1tb(a)amsat.org Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 5:43 PM Subject: Fwd: satpc32 problems ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "Bob- W7LRD" <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> To: dk1tb(a)amsat.net Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 7:03:06 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: satpc32 problems Hello Eric I hate to be a complainer but I am having ongoing issues with the program. When tracking a satellite and driving the LVB tracker. More often than not the LVB will stop tracking, while satpc continues. The only way I can get everything back running (short of manual control) is to shut off the LVB, turn it back on, restart satpc32 and then select the desired satellite. Lately with AO51 being in mode L/U close accurate tracking is necessary due to high gain antenna for 1.2ghz. I have been told there is no "hand shaking" between the computer and LVB, so the LVB just receives the data. I have reinstalled satpc32 and no change. I also get a note on the computer "program not responding", then asked if I want to send a message to MS. Could it be a windows issue?? Any advice is appreciated. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle, Wa.

2 1

W7LRD to 2M1EUB/P via AO7 10/18
by Bob- W7LRD 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

That subject may be a bit optimistic. Bob and Paul will be trying to stretch the footprint. At the applicable passes between Scotland and Seattle. So when Seattle comes into the footpint a little bit of room would be appreciated. Remember, "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it!". 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle, Wa.

2 1

IC910/KJ6KO amp project
by Bob- W7LRD 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Hello I have reactivated this project. I have finished a sequencer by W6PQL. With a handfull of various relays I will be connecting everything together. Before the last "smoke test" I would like to hear from anyone who has done this project before (910's aren't cheap). I would like to know how you connected everything PTT for 910, amp, relay timing etc. Anything else you can think of. On satellite uplink at 1268.7Mhz we don't care about receiving. However around W. Wa. there is some 1296 activity which is fun to play with. Antennas are either a 16 turn helix or two stacked 24 element loop yagis. 73 Bob W7LRD CN87

1 0

Re: AO-51 @ 23:20 UTC
by k0vty＠juno.com 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Hi Tim Your post reminded me of a time long ago. I understand FM and Discriminator capture versus side band. It was on AO-13 with a group chatting when all of a sudden there was a very strong signal that done the same thing to a linear transponder as a strong CW on freq would do to FM. As soon as the strong signal cease we attempted to get to the bottom of the issue. It took 15 minutes or so when we found we had a Russian EME station on our hands trying satellite for the first time. After much attenuation we all had a nice chat. I never heard that lad after that so I do not know what his summation of his efforts were. 73's Joe K0VTY =================== On Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:37:07 -0700 (PDT) Tim - N3TL <n3tl(a)bellsouth.net> writes: > Hey everyone, > > For those of you who didn't hear the pass, the ability to reach > AO-51 vaporized about 2/3 through this last orbit up North America > from the south, thanks to a carrier or some kind of interference > stronger than I have ever heard. Whatever captured the satellite's > uplink wiped out every signal trying to reach the satellite, based > on what I heard from EM84. > > I would direct this message to the control team and not post it to > the BB if I believed for one second that what resulted in complete > jamming of the satellite was not intentional and malicious. > > I believe that it was. > > Tim - N3TL > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > ____________________________________________________________ Best Weight Loss Program - Click Here! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTFoYe97Lr6atFPx4DukBrl5vh…

1 0

DN00-01 Grid-pedition Complete
by Mark Spencer 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Geeeeze, now I know why DN00 and 01 are rare grids! There literally isn't anything out there, certainly no local RFI or traffic. It took 7 hours of driving round trip for 7 minutes of satellite time.hum 60 to 1, guess that ain't bad. Anyway, thanks to all who stuck it out through some QRM and congestion to make contact. Simply confirm the contact via e-mail and your cards will be in the mail, no SASE or QSLs required on this end. 73, Mark Mark Spencer, WA8SME ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioT Education and Technology Program Coordinator mspencer(a)arrl.org http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ 530-495-9150

3 2

Re: DM07
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

John, I dont know what happen, but I didnt hear a thing on the AO-27 pass that was East of me. Checked the pass data on SatPc32 and made sure I was on the right freq's, but didnt hear a thing, so was a complete bust for that Grid. I even had an audience, and sure felt like an idiot after building up the excitement, and then zilch. Oh well.... I guess it happens. Even the SO-50 pass that I talked to Patrick was very noisy, and that is probably due to all the intermod in the area I was in, not only from the commercial stations, but from hams walking around keying up their mikes, talking to no one, just kerchunking the 440 repeaters. Very thick and heavy fog this morning going to Fresno, with visibility down to 100 feet in some spots, and then most of the day overcast, hot and humid, which is rare here. There is an unusual High over us, causing this very early fog season. Felt like I was back in Alabama and Mississippi on my road trip... Unknown when I'll get back up that way......not for a month or more I am sure, but I'll hope for an AO-51 pass instead. Sorry it didnt work out.. John W6ZKH ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Papay" <john(a)papays.com> To: w6zkh(a)comcast.net Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 6:40:11 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: DM07 John, Did you cancel your trip to DM07 today. Didn't hear you on the AO-27 pass that WA8SME was on. Patrick reported hearing you in the morning from DM06 but didn't hear you on any other pass. Hope everything is ok there. The AO-27 pass was a zoo but Doug and I both made a contact with WA8SME. Let me know if you plan to operate from DM07 in the future. Thanks. 73, John K8YSE John Papay john(a)papays.com

1 0

ANS-291 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-291 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 ********************************************************************** * AMSAT thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO and Janet Bauer and the entire * * 2009 Symposium Team for a spectacular and inspiring event! * ********************************************************************** In this edition: * AMSAT Says "We're Going Back to Space" * AMSAT, IBM, SUNY-Binghamton Announce NextGen CubeSat Development * Discussions Continue For New AMSAT Lab Site * Canadian Hams to Share 430-450 MHz With Military System * AO-51 Operations Schedule Posted * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-291.01 AMSAT Says "We're Going Back to Space" AMSAT News Service Bulletin 291.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 18, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-291.01 The Board of Directors has adopted the Engineering Task Force recommendation that low-cost launch options be immediately pursued. The AMSAT engineering team will develop a 1U CubeSat design effective immediately. Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, Vice-President of Engineering said, "We are recommending an approach that gets AMSAT back up in space with new satellites by leveraging the skills and technology we have today." The new AMSAT CubeSat's initial capability is planned to add to the popular low-earth orbit FM transponder fleet allowing hams to continue to use their existing handheld and portable antenna systems. This also allows an accessible entry path for new satellite operators to get started. The existing FM satellites are starting to show their age. The flight version of ARISSat-1 has been developed to fit into the CubeSat model. AMSAT's flexible Software Defined Transponder (SDX), simplified IHU, power control subsystem, external interfaces to ex- perimental payloads and cameras will now allow a modular approach to mission design using proven subsystems and components. The ARISSat-1 mission planned in 2010 will be the initial flight test of AMSAT's modular satellite. Here are some of the highlights ... + AMSAT will develop comparable AO-51 level of performance packaged into a 1U CubeSat. This includes a U-V transponder, V telemetry, U command receiver, IHU, power control. This can be done with our modular design. + This will be a U/V FM Transponder, not done before in a 1U CubeSat, which can be worked with a HT and a simple antenna. CubeSat power limitations are planned to be addressed through research and devel- opment of deployable solar-cells. + AMSAT will make our open-design satellite modules and technology available for other satellite teams to build into their missions. + This new approach will provide a reliable radio link for future CubeSats allowing university teams to concentrate on their scientific objectives. + The modular nature of the AMSAT CubeSat system will allow add-on missions utilizing several different types of modulation and band- width. These can be pursued with future low-cost CubeSat launch opportunities. AMSAT President, Barry Baines, WD4ASW Annual Meeting Powerpoint Presentation has been posted at http://www.amsat.org [ANS thanks the AMSAT Board of Directors for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-291.02 AMSAT, IBM, SUNY-Binghamton Announce NextGen CubeSat Development AMSAT News Service Bulletin 291.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 18, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-291.02 AMSAT will work with a university student engineering team to develop the NextGen Cubesat. NextGen Program Manager, Alex Harvilchuck, N3NP introduced this new program at the AMSAT Symposium. Alex revealed program goals and its initial plans with a paper in the Proceedings and presentations to the AMSAT Board of Directors and to the attendees during Symposium sessions. NextGen consists of AMSAT volunteer mentors working with IBM Global Services Systems Engineering Division, and SUNY-Binghamton (also called University of Binghamton) senior level engineering students participating in their 'capstone' engineering project. Alex summarized the NexGen program goals: + Intial analysis of ARISSat-1, documenting the systems, and analysis of the lessons learned from ARISSat-1 and other prior spacecraft to create a building block architecture for future satellites. + Open, modular, evolutionary, and documented design based on this analysis. + Redesigning the ARISSat-1 Power Systems into a next generation power system using supercapacitors instead of batteries and reducing the footprint of some of the boards. + Analysis and modification to the structure to incorporate deployable solar panels with a scalable design that will work for 1U, 2U and 3U sizes. + Design a Picosat-class bus structure that AMSAT, or any other Univer- sity, can use for 1U, 2U, or 3U CubeSat spacecraft. AMSAT could make the open design available at low-to-no-cost to qualified University groups. + An Engineering Model of the NextGen CubeSat spacecraft bus will be on display at the Dayton Hamvention AMSAT Booth for everyone to study. Alex summarized, "Starting with our initial core team of 34 students, plus advisers, mentors and volunteers at Binghamton University this will be an ongoing effort. It is not a one time event, but the start of a stable, evolutionary design process that will further STEM (Sci- ence, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) with the Next Generation of engineers and amateur radio operators. We are looking for other individuals and University/School teams to participate in all aspects of the spacecraft design - RF Systems - Guidance, Navigation, Control & Experiment Systems - Power & Structure Systems." Volunteer mentors are needed! Even if you only have an hour a week, you can mentor a student over the phone or you can peer review a document that the students are working on. If you have more than an hour a week, you can implement a small design change to an existing subsystem; you could respin the board layout to meet a reduced form factor; you could redesign a module to use different technology. Contact Alex via e-mail at amsat(a)elkmtn.org . AMSAT's Board of Directors has approved the support of the University of Binghamton NextGen Cubesat Proposal and agreed to provide $1,200.00 in immediate funding to the Binghamton Foundation to support student expenses and initially budgeted $10,000.00 to cover material costs associated with hardware development between September 2009 and May 2010. The Board will review progress at the end of the first semester. [ANS thanks Alex, N3NP and AMSAT Board of Directors for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-291.03 Discussions Continue For New AMSAT Lab Site AMSAT News Service Bulletin 291.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 18, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-291.03 AMSAT President, Barry Baines, WD4ASW discussed an opportunity under serious discussions with the University of Florida, Gainesville to locate AMSAT's satellite laboratory on campus. Among discussions over the past 12 months, AMSAT has had conversa- tions with several universities concerning a potential relationship. This opportunity arose out of an amateur radio talk given at The Villages ARC by Dave, AA4KN and Drew, KO4MA in April. This lead to contact with UF's Dr. Norman Fitz-Coy. A Memorandum of Understanding has been drafted and is currently under review by legal teams. At this time there is no timeframe for bringing about a formal conclusion as the MOU discussions continue and internal UF approval still needed. Relocating the AMSAT Lab from the 'Eastern Shore' to 'The Swamp' offers significant potential: + Location on a major university campus in a state-of-the-art building + Integrated into a facility focused on small satellite development with clean room installation at the host's expense (not AMSAT) + Potential for student projects focused on AMSAT needs + Broadening of AMSAT's presence in the wider university community + Potential research/development opportunities for AMSAT and AMSAT members + Establishing a program that offers significant traction for education outreach [ANS thanks AMSAT President, Barry Baines, WD4ASW for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-291.04 Canadian Hams to Share 430-450 MHz With Military System AMSAT News Service Bulletin 291.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 18, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-291.04 Amateur Radio Newsline #1678 reported that Industry Canada has informed Radio Amateurs of Canada that it has authorized the Department of National Defense to use a digital system called Enhanced Position Location Reporting System or EPLRS in the 430 to 450 MHz shared 70 centimeter band. The EPLRS system consists of mobile, fixed, transportable and airborne stations that use 5 MHz-wide spread spectrum channels to provide strategic telemetry information for military platforms. This authorization is on a no-protection, non-interference basis, which means that no new restrictions will be imposed on Canadian amateur operations in this band as a result. Industry Canada says that there is a slight chance of minor interference to amateur radio systems. Typically in the form of a minor audible clicking noise. If Canadian amateurs encounter such interference, they are requested to report it by e-mail to Radio Amateurs of Canada at regulatory at rac dot ca. The information reported should include the geographical location, date, time, frequency and mode being used by the amateur station, and a description of theinterference. [ANS thanks Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1678 and RAC for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-291.05 AO-51 Operations Schedule Posted AMSAT News Service Bulletin 291.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 18, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-291.05 The AO-51 command team has posted the operating schedule for the remainder of October. For the latest Command Team and Operations Group news about AO-51 refer to: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php October 17 - October 18 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM JOTA Only FM Repeater, V/U Please give way to JOTA stations or QSOs with JOTA stations Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM October 19 - October 25 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM 9k6 BBS, L/U Uplink: 1268.700 MHz 9k6 FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz 9k6 FM October 26 - November 1 FM Repeater, V/US Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM Downlink: 435.300 and 2401.200 MHz FM [ANS thanks AO-51 Command Team Member Mark, N8MH for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-291.06 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 291.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 18, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-291.06 + The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has a feature story on the ARISS antennas that will be launched to the ISS on STS-129 in mid- November and installed on the Columbus module during the mission's second spacewalk. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/10/05/11110/?nc=1 + Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL reports that at present FO-29 is only turned on once a week over Japan for testing of its power system. + Bob, N4HY has uploaded his camera phone pictures from the 2009 Symposium at http://twitpic.com/photos/rwmcgwier + Although EME is a bit off topic, every ham wishes for antennas like these. Here is a video from the Echoes of Apollo event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHGXp4Afr4g&feature=related + Amateur satellite operators in range of the west coast will have an opportunity to work W6FOG as he sails from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta departing on 10/19/09. Neil will be working many of the ocean grids on the way. + Jim, ND9M/VQ9JC is presently deployed on a Navy ship heading for Sumatra on a humanitarian mission with fresh water for the victims of the recent earthquakes there. Jim has been active with his FT897 (TX) and the FT817 (RX) using an Arrow antenna and a UPS battery for power. He operates from the Helicopter Pad on the ship. JIm says, "There isn't much activity in the Indian Ocean but he is working VU's and E21's and handing out rare water grids!" + Hams like science so here are a couple of links to follow. National Geographic has a zoomable map of space exploration http://books.nationalgeographic.com/map/map-day/index After you close the opening text screen you will see the image zoom control in the top right of the page. This page contains an embedded video, "Do the Oceans of Jupiter's Europa Harbor Life?" http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2009/10/europas-ice-sheet-enables-an-ox ygenrich-ocean.html [ANS thanks everyone 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. And with that please keep in mind if you want to travel fast, travel alone. If you want to travel far, travel together. If you want to travel in comfort, fake an ankle sprain and convince the other travelers to carry you. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

1 0

AO-51 @ 23:20 UTC
by Tim - N3TL 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Hey everyone, For those of you who didn't hear the pass, the ability to reach AO-51 vaporized about 2/3 through this last orbit up North America from the south, thanks to a carrier or some kind of interference stronger than I have ever heard. Whatever captured the satellite's uplink wiped out every signal trying to reach the satellite, based on what I heard from EM84. I would direct this message to the control team and not post it to the BB if I believed for one second that what resulted in complete jamming of the satellite was not intentional and malicious. I believe that it was. Tim - N3TL

1 0

WD9EWK from DM52 tonight!
by Tim - N3TL 18 Oct '09

18 Oct '09

Hey everyone, Patrick asked me to post the following, for any of you who need DM52 and/or New Mexico on the satellites. He will work the following passes: AO-27 at 2235 UTC from DM52 on the New Mexico-Arizona border. AO-51 at 2318 UTC from DM52 entirely inside New Mexico. AO51 at 0054 UTC from DM52 on the New Mexico-Arizona border. He'll be in Hidalgo County, New Mexico for all three passes, and on it's border with Cochise County, Arizona, for the two state-line passes. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

1 0