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

AO-51
by Tim - N3TL 04 Oct '09

04 Oct '09

In case anyone at all is interested - which doesn't appear to be the case - the QRP pair on AO-51 remains active at 145.880 up and 435.150 (+/- Doppler) down. From here, it's a shame to hear the chaos on the other V/U frequency pair, but not have a single station respond to calls on the QRP pair during a 54-degree pass up the east coast of North America. This has proven to be the case on multiple passes this week. Maybe someone will show up later tonight or in the morning. Or ... I'll keep talking to myself .... hihi. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

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Re: Demo in Long Beach - With a Difference
by David Maciel 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

Clint, was a pleasure to communicate with you, thanks for DM03 yesterday, I was in EK36, was a good experience to participate at the show, thanks also to the whole group. desire to hear soon. XE3DX David Maciel xe3dx(a)amsat.org www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ Amateur Ham Radio > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Clint Bradford" <clintbradford(a)mac.com> > To: "AMSAT BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 1:27 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Demo in Long Beach - With a Difference > > > Everything was proceeding marvelously last night at the Associated > Radio Amateurs of Long Beach (CA) meeting. A few folks showed up early > as we worked the 0053 GMT pass of AO-51 from outside the meeting room. > We then moved inside for my presentation. > > Since my wife is in finishing a month-long trip to Tibet, I left my > phone "on" in buzz mode in case she called or sent text messages. In > the middle of my show, my phone buzzes. I calmly sneak a look at the > phone, and was pleasantly surprised to see a QSL from XE3DX David > Maciel - one of the contacts we made earlier! > > Oh, the audience was properly impressed! > > THANK YOU, David! And thanks to the others that made that demo a > success. > > Clint Bradford, K6LCS > http://www.work-sat.com > > P.S. - Upcoming AMSAT presentations in Southern California ... > > October 5 - WARA (Fullerton) meeting* > October 8 - EchoLink “SCARS” Node 96140 5:30PM PDT > October 15 - West Coast ARC (Huntington Beach)* > October 17 - Victor Valley ARC’s JOTA > November 5 - Crest REACT (Corona) > November 8 - QWCA Chapter 7 (Norwalk) > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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FW: OFF grid solar system
by Thomas McGrane 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

Hi again, Nigel Gunn did a mercilous, malicious, propoganda hatchet job on my solar energy posting of this morning so I thought I would repost it to restore the original meaning if anyone wanted to know. When I write, I try to write carefully to convey my meaning. Unfortunately, creative trimming of my words changed the meaning so here it is again. If someone replies, please include the original in its original form and entirety so as not to confuse those I am trying to help. To you nigel, apparently, there are still tories and patriots here in America. We could use you in Afghanistan and if you go, please send home a young man who is still friendly. pat original message follows...... >------- Original Message ------- >From : Thomas McGrane[mailto:[email protected]] >Sent : 10/2/2009 10:39:56 PM >To : amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Cc : >Subject : FW: OFF grid solar system > >The grid is vulnerable as a system. We have to stop always thinking about being connected to or relying on the utility grid. Think in terms of building an independant 12 volt DC system (low voltage) for the average dwelling to operate independant of the grid by charging batteries from solar or wind and utilizing the energy real time or later from the batteries. It seems everyone has visions of large expensive rooftop systems but starting small and building up over time will reduce the utility bill by substitution. We need to be energy independant on a small scale as well as looking at the big picture. Small systems can easily run lights, TV’s, radios, even a small refridgerator for essentials. You would still need the grid power for large loads like heat, large refridgerators, etc but you can have a seperate system to rely on if you suffer some calamity. With the advent of the “smart” grid, you dont want to be connected to the grid. Remember, the wires are antennas as well as conducting electricity. We owe our reliance on a large electrical system to Nickolai Tesla who developed high voltage alternating current power systems that won out over Thomas Edisons Direct Current system around the turn of the last century. The idea was to minmize power loss over long distances. Therefore we should all promote local or household Low voltage DC solar or wind systems to reduce the use of grid power and for much better reliability. Through the years I have built a very economical system comprised of several solar panels with a capacity of about 130 watts that automatically charge 6 large deep cycle and regular batteries from which I operate some radios , lights and in the event of loss of utility power, a small refridgerator. I also have a couple of cheap store bought DC to AC inverters if I need to operate an AC device, Solar panels have come down in price dramatically and production capabity is expanding, so start now. Think independant and start small instead of suffering mega system price hesitance. A world of 12 volt dc devices are available from hardware, marine, automotive and internet sources. You just have to start. Be the first on your block to confuse the lineman who show up during a power failure. I did. I posted the above text on the new york times "Green Inc" energy blog back on september 23, 2009 as a comment to an article regarding solar power in africa. The internal discharge in a deep cycle battery is only about 50 milliamps which I consider insignificant. I dont want to be connected to the grid which I consider "STUPID" and you dont either. Dont follow, think for yourselves. Think about this..... brain waves operate up to about 20 cycles per second, imagine what 60 cycles is doing to you and the world. Pat

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Latest Keps - Newest Birds
by Randy 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

Can someone email them to me? Thanks.. Randy - N2CUA

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PDA tracking software
by Howie 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

I have used SatME on my T-Mobile Dash and it works quite well. I like runnung tracking software n my cellphone because you always have very accurate time from the cell network. This program is a Java midlet, so your cellhone or PDA needs to be able to run Java. You can find the program at: http://www.k0sm.com/_mgxroot/page_10732.html Howie AB2S

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Questions regarding WISP and operating satellite BBS
by Shamai "SAM" Opfer 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

Hi all I am trying to download telemetry from GO-32 in KISS mode, and later on, I would also like to operate the AO51 BBS. I tried two ways. In both there is something missing... I hope someone will be able to give me some advise...: Way #1. With SatPC32. SatPC32 provides good tracking capabilities. I get automatic receiving frequency control via CAT, including Doppler compensation, and I get automatic antenas control via the LVBTracker. However, I am missing a software to capture the KISS information in a file, and will also need to work with the PACSAT protocol for the BBS. Way #2. With WISP. I succeeded to get the antennas rotor control working by WISP, but so far I could not learn how to control the transceiver frequencies, and also to automaitcally switch from receive to transmit for sending packets and requests to the satellite. I have an ICOM IC910H and a Kantronic 9612Plus TNC. My PC is a laptop with only USB ports..., no RS232. I am using USB to RS232 converters, but I don't think i can access hardware pins of the DB25 after the converters, for the T/R control. Thanks & 73, Shamai 4Z1WS

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Re: Portable Tracking
by Pughkeithd＠cs.com 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

In a message dated 10/3/2009 3:24:29 PM Central Daylight Time, ko6th_greg(a)hotmail.com writes: > Subj: [amsat-bb] Re: Portable Tracking > Date:10/3/2009 3:24:29 PM Central Daylight Time > From:[email protected] > To:[email protected], amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Received from Internet: > > > > > Ditto this recommendation. PocketSat+ is a very usable, compact, yet full > featured satellite tracking package. And the Palm is something you can > always have with you. > > I recently graduated from my Palm-Vx to a Nokia N810, and found the Garnet > Virtual Machine, which builds a Palm inside my Nokia. So, I'm still a > happy PocketSat+ user (and now it's in color!). > > Greg KO6TH > > > >From: ve4yz(a)mts.net > >To: jbarkley(a)truvista.net; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > >Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 13:37:33 -0500 > >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Portable Tracking > > > >PocketSat freeware or PocketSat+ inexpensive registered and supposed to > >calculate faster > > > >http://www.bigfattail.com/software/pocketsatplus/ > > > >On any old Palm that you can pick up for $5 at a flea market of get for > free > >by asking. Millions of these PDA's are sitting in drawers unused because > >folks have graduated to smart phones, crack berries iphones etc. > > > >I use a Palm IIIxe black and white. Color would be nicer. > > > >You need Palm One Quick Install and a serial or IR port to update KEPS on > >the Palm from a PC. > > > > > > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > >Behalf Of joe barkley > >Sent: October 3, 2009 12:28 PM > >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > >Subject: [amsat-bb] Portable Tracking > > > >Hi All, > >I am looking for opinions and idea on a PDA or device and software or > >application I can take with me to show the satellite pass predictions > when I > >travel. > >Thanks > >Joe > >KI4TZ > >_______________________________________________ > >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 > > > >_______________________________________________ > >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 > > _________________________________________________________________ > Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. > http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222986/direct/01/ > _______________________________________________ > 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 > I have also used PocketSat+ but on a Dell PDA. This was the Windows Mobile version of the program. I am a new user of PocketSat3 for the iPhone and it is great as well. 73 - Keith, W5IU

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Maxim-IC
by Douglas Anoman 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

Hello All I hope everyone is doing great. I need to know where i can get a max2633 chip without buying 2,500 of them? Thanks everyone for the help 73, Thank You Douglas Anoman KC9MLN KC9MLN(a)AMSAT.ORG Amsat #37043

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Demo in Long Beach - With a Difference
by Clint Bradford 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

Everything was proceeding marvelously last night at the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach (CA) meeting. A few folks showed up early as we worked the 0053 GMT pass of AO-51 from outside the meeting room. We then moved inside for my presentation. Since my wife is in finishing a month-long trip to Tibet, I left my phone "on" in buzz mode in case she called or sent text messages. In the middle of my show, my phone buzzes. I calmly sneak a look at the phone, and was pleasantly surprised to see a QSL from XE3DX David Maciel - one of the contacts we made earlier! Oh, the audience was properly impressed! THANK YOU, David! And thanks to the others that made that demo a success. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com P.S. - Upcoming AMSAT presentations in Southern California ... October 5 - WARA (Fullerton) meeting* October 8 - EchoLink “SCARS” Node 96140 5:30PM PDT October 15 - West Coast ARC (Huntington Beach)* October 17 - Victor Valley ARC’s JOTA November 5 - Crest REACT (Corona) November 8 - QWCA Chapter 7 (Norwalk)

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Orbital Decay - Model of the Atmosphere
by John Heath 03 Oct '09

03 Oct '09

Hi Need a model of atmospheric density at varying altitudes, then this site may be of interest. http://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/vitmo/msis_vitmo.html 73 John G7HIA

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