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

LVB Tracker
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

Howard, Let me assure you. Your LVB tracker Version 1.2 is still doing a fine job. The very stripped down version I built with only the PIC16F876, MAX232 and 2N3904s just sits inside a ordinary Radio Shack box (no buttons, no display) and does its job day in a day out. Thank you for a fun home brew project. Mike (K9QHO) AMSAT 33589

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Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?
by Larry 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

I would want to take the "chance" of trying to open those 4 solar panels, even if it was to "see what happens". I don't know the exact layout of the equipment on board, but opening those panels just might trigger something good to happen. At this point, there really isn't anything to lose. Who knows? Opening the panels might expose the batteries to more heat from the sun, which could possibly cause them to "open" quicker, or if the orientation of AO-40 is off, the extra panels might receive enough light to get that IHU working again. Or if there's a short due to the "event", moving the panels may remove the short (or fix an open). Do any of the command stations want to elaborate on why the panels have remained retracted? Has this been discussed? Of course, this is all depending on if the receiver will accept the command in the first place... I would wonder about the sensors picking up light inside the spacecraft too. Doesn't sound possible that telemetry would still be able to report this if there's holes in the craft. I'm only questioning opening the panels because it seems like it's the only possible thing left to try to resurrect the bird, but nobody wants to make the decision - "just in case", which is understandable too. But I'd say go for it since there's nothing else to try & she's been silent for a while now. Just my 2 cents worth. Keeping my fingers crossed that AO-40 comes back!... Larry >Four of the solar panels are retractable but not released. Please see some >old pictures. >As the orientation of AO-40 is not known it is better that the panels are >kept around the satellite. If they still exists... >There is enough power from a single panel to run IHU and some beacon if >the bus wires and electronics are not damaged. Some sensors indicated that >sun is shining into the satellite so there may be big hole(s) in it. >Not sure about that raport though. Have to check out that. >The beacons were loud with the omnis and data was easily received with >rubber duck and hand held radio. Miss that fine telemetry sound. > >I have allways said that the world would be different if AO-40 were alive. > >Jari, OH3UW

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Reminder of historical amsat-na archives available on KA9Q's website
by Samudra Haque N3RDX 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

Hello all AMSAT-NA members, I had some curiosity in learning about early AMSAT-NA projects and the people behind the early AMSAT satellites that were built, launched, failed etc. I contacted Martha, and she quickly pointed me in the direction of KA9Q's vast archive in PDF format: http://www.ka9q.net/newsletters.html; Perhaps some of the archives will be soon offered to collectors / researchers on a CD-ROM to help AMSAT earn revenue from its publication archives ! Of particular historical note: Volume I, Number 1, with a note from the "President's Desk" by Perry Kline, AMSAT-NA's Founder-President, who was a great help to me at the symposium just completed and also the very first Editorial by S.H. Durrani, reprinted through the magic of Adobe PDF OCR below. I think newbie's (like me) exploring Amateur Satellite as a hobby should be guided by their respective "elmer" to read some of these early documents as they come up to speed on the various fun stuff to do, and to gain an understanding of the past work done by individuals they meet at conferences, events in this field ! [Following material (c) June 1969, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, extracted from http://www.ka9q.net/AMSAT-Newsletter-June1969Brev.pdf] - reproduced for education purposes only! FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK The Australis-OSCAR A satellite, which was delivered to AMSAT on April 14, is currently undergoing a series of tests by AMSAT members at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Jan King, K8VTR, who has been designated AMSAT's Australis-OSCAR A Project Manager, has been doing a superb job of coordinating all activities involving the satellite hardware, including the test program. Australis-OSCAR A is an Australian-built satellite containing two and ten-meter beacon transmitters. While the previous four OSCAR satellites were launched by the Air Force, AMSAT has been discussing with NASA the possibility of placing Australis-OSCAR A in the second stage of a two-stage Thor-Delta vehicle along with another satellite. Details on the design and operation of the satellite are described in the July and August 1969 issues of QST. Be listening to W1AW for late bulletins as the launch date approaches, and in the meantime, be sure you have your equipment ready for receiving the satellite's beacons on 144.050 and 29.450 MHz. At least 10 dB of antenna gain is recommended to receive the 2-meter transmissions, but a dipole should be sufficient for 10 meters. Response to the introductory AMSAT article in the June 1969 QST has been very good and AMSAT membership has already passed the one-hundred mark. We are pleased to announce the receipt of a $150 donation from Project OSCAR to assist with the expenses of Australis OSCAR A. We are also pleased to announce the election of Captain Charles Dorian, W3JPT, to the Office of Secretary by the AMSAT Board of Directors on June 19. Chuck will replace Jim Puglise, W3CBJ, who in preparing to leave the Washington area feels he does not have the time to handle the responsibility competently. We wish to thank Jim for his significant contributions to AMSAT from its inception in January. One of AMSAT's more recent members, Reginald Atkins (C/O NASA Tracking Station, Dan Dan, Guam 96910, USA), is interested in seeing a synchronous satellite repeater constructed for the 1296 MHz amateur band and has offered to assist with the project. Anyone interested in undertaking this project, please contact us. Perry Klein K3JTE Editorial INTRODUCING THE NEWSLETTER With this, the first issue of the AMSAT Newsletter, we are embarking on a new project to keep the membership informed of what is going on in AMSAT. Actually, this is not quite the first issue, because an embryonic newsletter was issued in May by Geørge Kinal, our Engineering Vice President, in the form of a one-page progress report. In it he described the current AMSAT efforts to prepare the ham satellite Australis-Oscar A for launch, and AMSAT's decision to participate in Project "Moonray," which aims at placing a ham relay package on the moon. These are exciting activities — Oscar and Moonray and amateur space communications in general — and AMSAT is deeply interested in them. As our membership expands and our involvement in various projects grows, so does the need for a newsletter increase. The main objectives of the Newsletter are to document AMSAT activities and to report the progress on current projects. In addition, the Newsletter will carry special articles deemed to be of interest to the members. In the beginning, these articles will be mainly concerned with Australis-OSCAR, (which is our most important activity at present) or with providing information to new members for their orientation. Later issues will cover a wider field—as wide as the members wish it to be and make it to be. Did you wonder "why a newsletter?" Well, now you know! And if you wondered what AMSAT is all about, and who is responsible for what, we have the answers in this issue. But there must be several other questions that you'd like to discuss. So we'll have a Reader's Column in future issues, which will give you a chance to air your views and propagate them out to fellow members. We'll be happy to hear from you, whether it is a matter of gravity or levity! Please direct your transmissions to Newsletter Editor, AMSAT, Box 27, Washington, D. C. 20044. S. H. Durrani Editor P.S. How about a proper name for the Newsletter? We have considered the BEACON, TRANSMITTER, TRANSCEIVER, TRANSPONDER, UPLINK, and some others. But before settling on one, your Board of Directors decided to ask for suggestions from members. If you have any ideas on the subject, please pass them on to the Editor. (Hint: ask your wife to help us name this baby!)

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Thanks for the many positive remarks to FM satellites over Europe
by OZ1MY 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

HI all, I got an overwhelming responce to the e-mail :-) NO negative ones - that is the best thing about it. May be the problem makers do not read amsat-bb :-( That leaves it to us to help them to a good operating practice. An e-mail like that probably must go out at least once a year since we get new operators (good thing) on the satellites. Thanks to all who responded. Greetings from sunny and cold Copenhagen. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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AO-51 L/U
by Andrew Glasbrenner 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

I had to leave the L/U repeater off and the BBS on after getting WOD files this morning. I'll get it switched back first pass this evening. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 533
by Reicher, James 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

Did you use a north-facing owl with it? 73 de W0HV, Jim in Raymore, MO Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. -----Original Message----- Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:54:42 -0700 (PDT) From: Jim Jerzycke <kq6ea(a)pacbell.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: KLM 2M-14C...waterproof the polarity switch? To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org, David Wing <david(a)cdwing.com> Message-ID: <148325.55765.qm(a)web80606.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 I'd put a little plastic or Tupperware box over it. The 70cm version that I have has only been used for Field Day, so it's not been outside much, but it definitely shows signs of having been damp. 73, Jim KQ6EA --- On Tue, 10/13/09, David Wing <david(a)cdwing.com> wrote: From: David Wing <david(a)cdwing.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] KLM 2M-14C...waterproof the polarity switch? To: amsat-bb(a)AMSAT.Org Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 12:37 PM Anyone out there with KLM antennas with the polarity switch care to comment on whether you have put a housing on the switch to protect it from the elements?? It looks like the relay has silicon around the base but it just grates me the wrong way to have a circuit board with a power connection and components exposed to the elements. Maybe it has not been an issue but I'd care to hear of anyone experiences. If anyone has built up a housing and have pictures or directions, please pass them along 73, David K6CDW

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Re: FM satellite operations again again over Europe
by Gary Lockhart 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

Thank you sharing some good operating practices that would make satellite ops in the US more enjoyable and equitable as well. 73, Gary AB3ID ************************************************************************************* Hi all in Europe, It is obviously about time to repeate a few good points about operating via the FM repeater satellites. 1. Do not transmit if you can not hear it 2. When the satellite is busy - limit the number of QSO's to ONE 3. Do not call over an ongoing QSO 4. A valid QSO just needs the call and the report 5. Give way to weak stations like /p and /m 6. Allow DX-peditions to make as many QSO's as there are callers That was the short version :-) I have a long version in English, Italian, Russian, Spanish and French. I can send it to you if you want it. Could use a few other languages like Greek, Polish and others. It would be nice if you can get it in your national journals. And please no flames ! 73 OZ1MY Ib ************************************************************************************** ------------------------------ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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FO-29 schedule update
by Mineo Wakita 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

FO-29's operation became the examination use once in one week for the lack of the electric power. Oct. UTC 17 21:58 25 09:45 31 23:10

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SUMBANDILASAT *update on amateur payload*
by Chris Bloy 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

>From the Amsat SA pages :- STOP PRESS The First test of the amateur payload will be carried out on 14 October during the 21.12 CAT pass. Watch for updates here Update from Ground Control 13 October 2009 Source : http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ Chris - M0DQO

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Re: WTB: EZ-Lindenblad antenna
by Tim Goodrich 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

You may want to consider a Quadrifilar Helix antenna. I think it will accomplish what you're looking for. I just built one using the design in the most recent QST and am very pleased with the results. I'm sure its easier to construct than a lindenblad as well. I did mine in less than 3 hours. I could do it again in half that time now that I know how. Tim KI6VBY -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 12:00 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 532 Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org You can reach the person managing the list at amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.12/2431 - Release Date: 10/13/09 13:25:00

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