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

Okay, frequency typo for TXA 38k4 ops :)
by Mark L. Hammond 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

The frequency for the 38k4 operation is 435.150, not the 437.150 that I typoed. :) Sorry for creating confusion. "AO-51 is scheduled for a four day period of high speed packet operations at 38k4 bps. If memory serves me correctly, it's been about 2 years since the satellite was configured in this mode. The satellite will be in high power mode (only TXA 435.150 transmitter ON) during this period." -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Looking ahead: AO-51 38k4 packet Nov 16-19, 2009
by Mark L. Hammond 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Okay 38k4 packet operators, get ready to start your engines!! AO-51 is scheduled for a four day period of high speed packet operations at 38k4 bps. If memory serves me correctly, it's been about 2 years since the satellite was configured in this mode. The satellite will be in high power mode (only TXA 437.150 transmitter ON) during this period. The posted schedule is as follows: November 16 - November 19 38k4 BBS, L/U Uplink: 1268.700 MHz 9k6 FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz 38k4 FM Usually this means the mode will run from around 22:00-23:00UTC November 15 (Sunday evening Eastern US) until around 22:00-23:00UTC November 19 (Thursday evening Eastern US). Users of the PacketBBS are encouraged to send me feedback/reports on your experiences during this period. Please note that 38k4 packet operations require a receiver with sufficient bandwidth and that your normal 9600 radio receive connection will not work. Users also need a TNC that is capable of running packet at 38k4. A special "wide" filter like the ones available through Symek (www.symek.com) need to be installed in the radio to "tap" a wide band signal. A few commercially available TNCs, like the KPC-9612+ and the Paccomm Spirit-2 (with satellite option) can be used. You can use a PCR-1000 or PCR-1500/2500 as a wide band receiver, without modification. Use the packet jack and set the receiver to FM (not FM-W) with a 50 kHz filter width. If you have one of these receivers, but not the right TNC, you might try Doug Qualigiana's KA2UPW sound card software here: http://www.quagliana.com/willow/ It will decode at 9600 and 38k4. There was a an article about his software in the AMSAT Journal just a few months ago. Hope to see you active on AO-51 at 38k4! -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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SatPC32 12.8a and IC-910
by Allan Saul 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hi Erich, Thanks for the great upgrade. I see you incorporated the CW-N mode and the display of the DOPPLER.sqf line in the CAT menu I suggested :) You are correct, one of the issues with fast changes in Doppler on a CW-N signal is that it jumps in pitch a lot. I enabled the x5 and x10 mode and I can see SatPC32 is now polling the IC-910 much quicker (the SUB light on the LCD flashes an instruction is sent to the rig via C-IV). But what I cant figure out is that even if I set the CW/SSB interval to 10Hz, the rig only changes every 100Hz. When I make small changes to the VFO by rocking the dial back and forth on the rig the full update to the goes back to the frequency display in SatPC32 right down to the last Hertz but as soon as I let go of the VFO knob the IC-910 jumps to the nearest 100 Hz increment up or down when the next C-IV instruction is received from SatPC32. So it seems the full frequency command is going from the IC-910 to SatPC32 but its not accepting it from SatPC32 ? Or am I missing something ? Maybe someone else can test and confirm this. 73's and Best Regards, Allan ZS1LS

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2-way Milliwatt Contact
by Tim - N3TL 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hey everyone, During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. today (11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld stations that were each transmitting 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the published, nominal transmitted power of AO-27 (500mW), our "power budget" for the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt. I'm thrilled to post this item to the BB. We didn't use a specially scheduled QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact using milliwatt power. I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power of the satellite itself! 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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From CO8LY
by Eduardo Somoano C 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hello dears freinds : I write to you to ask for a big favor. I own an old YAESU FT-747 which final RF power transistors 2SC2290 or 2SC3240 were damaged. I have not been able to find them, allthough I have searched ansiously. A friend of my city gives myself two trasistores of low power and alone I can to transmit with 45 watt in these moments I need you to help me, for that Radio is my unique HF Station. If you could help me find the two transistors I would be profoundly thankfull. Best regards for you and your family. 73.- Eduardo CO8LY

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AO-51 Audio 12-13Nov2009 AA5CK/P EM03 W9AE CN83
by John Papay 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

I have uploaded two AO-51 audio files to my webserver. The first is the 12Nov2009 2241Z pass with AA5CK/P operating in EM03. The second is the next pass on 13Nov2009 at 0023Z that includes AA5CK/P in EM03 and another not often heard from grid, CN83, with W9AE operating. The second recording is a little over 9 minutes as this was only a 6 degree pass for me here in Cleveland. Thanks to both Ted and Wayne for activating these grids for all of us collecting them for our satellite VUCC! http://www.papays.com/AO-51_12Nov2009_224145z.mp3 http://www.papays.com/AO-51_13Nov2009_002343z.mp3 73, John K8YSE

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SO-67
by Dave Marthouse 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

I haven't heard any activity on SO-67 since the mode vu repeater was on last weekend. Is the satellite in a different mode? If so what is the downlink frequency of the beacon? Any information would be appreciated. Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmart(a)pure.net

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So is P3E essentially dead at this point?
by Michael Tondee 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

I'm following with interest the post on FM versus linear transponders. Right now I'm in the middle of putting together and FM LEO station that can later be made SSB/CW capable with the addition of a new rig which I think I may be able to once again afford sometime after the first of the year. I've read all about the new direction Amsat NA is taking and I applaud it as I think that's what's best. I still wonder about Amsat DL and P3E though. I don't hear much of anything anymore. Last I heard, the figure Arianne space gave for launch was deemed beyond reach and Amsat DL was going to try and get their government to help. Just wondering what the status is. Is there still a chance we will see it in orbit or is it just a poor dead bird mothballed in storage somewhere now? 73, Michael, W4HIJ

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AMSAT is topic of Friday night's 'Technology Net' November 13
by JoAnne Maenpaa 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Just relaying this from the news on QRZ.com. SouthGate ARC site was mentioned also ... The subject for this week's "Technology Net" is Understanding and working the Amateur Satellites, presented by Ron Nutter, KA4KYI. Being the AMSAT Area Coordinator for Missouri, Ron will introduce you to all the AMSAT Satellites as well as the many Satellites launched by other groups around the world. Having made contacts himself to all states in the Continental U.S. he'll explain every combination of equipment to work the birds from handheld to mobile to fixed location. He'll explain how and what you'll need to get into one of the most exciting forms of Amateur Radio. If you go to our website you will see all the "Technology Net" presentations. If you click on the top listing you will be going to Ron's website with many pages of information to support his presentation. There will be a question and answer period at the end of his presentation for you to ask any questions you have. We'll also be posting a recorded version of his presentation on our website afterwards, for anyone that misses it. http://k0gq.com/technet.htm The Technology Net is on the Raytown Missouri Amateur Radio Club repeater at 8:00 pm Central time U.S. Friday November 13, on 145.170(-) no PL tone. Or you can listen from anywhere on the Internet at these locations: Echolink - K0GQ-R node 403841 Echolink - *MISSOURI* conference server node 452514 Echolink - *NV-GATE* conference server node 152566 IRPL - Western Reflector Ch 8 node 9258 Jerry NF9L Get Southgate Amateur Radio News by Email -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service Copy Editor, AMSAT Journal

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Milliwatt 2-way contact
by Tim - N3TL 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Hey everyone, During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. yesterday (11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld stations. Each of us transmitted 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the published, nominal transmitter power of AO-27 (500mW), our "power budget" for the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt. We didn't use a specially scheduled QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact using milliwatt power. I am grateful to know and work so many truly good operators on the satellites.. They try to give others some space, and it's because of their collective approach that many passes still are good for milliwatt power. I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power of the satellite itself. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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