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

Welcome KJ4JIO
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 12 Mar '09

12 Mar '09

KJ4JIO said: > David put out the initial email on my behalf. I soon after registered > for some of the various Amsat mailing lists and followed along. Thank > you all very much for your insight. Welcome to the world of hamsats, and by your callsign - to ham radio ! You can learn a lot here, and a lot more by trying it yourself. It may not be easy, but it won't be all that hard either. You will of course learn more by listening than by talking... Fortunately, you likely have twice as many ears. Enjoy your new habitxxxxx hobby and keep us informed of your progress. Don't be afraid of asking questions here, everyone of us was a noob first before we got to be grumpity ol`curmudgeons.... that'l come with time. 73 for now... /;^) -- <- 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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Thanks for first AO-27 QSOs
by Jeff Yanko 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

Hi all! Thanks for my first QSO's via AO-27 this afternoon! Special thanks to Leo, W7JPI, for the actual first QSO and also letting me know I was making the bird alright. I just didn't hear myself well because I didn't adjust for doppler while busy with other demands with the HT and arrow. :) 73, Jeff WB3JFS

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Re: Shuttle Launch visible 3/11/09
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

Hi all, I have just read an update and It looks as if the launch will be scrubbed due to a fuel leak. Sorry to learn of yet another problem and I hope that it can be resolved. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

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AO-27
by Ulip Željko 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

Great! Excellent! Today I made my first contacts via AO-27. The signals are clear and strong, but only few stations in the air. I worked SW6KRW and SW6KRV and heard RZ6ANF and UA6BAC on 10th March 2009. at 12.24UTC. After the FSK transmission transponder go off. Thanks to all involved in SW repair. Best regards and see you on the AO-27! Zeliko 9A2EY

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Landwehr preamp
by howard dawson 11 Mar '09

11 Mar '09

Hi all. I wonder if there is anyone out there who can help me, I am trying to locate a GASFET for my Landwehr 70 cms preamp model GAAS 435ma. I have been informed that there is no equivalent as these were specially for Landwehr Electronics so it would seem that my only hope is that someone, somewhere may have a preamp that has seen better days, but still has the Gasfet intact. I have emailed Landwehr but to date no reply, Any assistance would be greatfully appreciated. 73. Howard. G0VBT.

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Re: AO-10
by Chris Bloy 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

Hi Peter, I use Predict, which is a DOS/Linux program from http://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/predict.html Its very basic graphical wise, but handles solar Ilimination very well! If you require any help in getting it running, let me know.. Thanks, Chris Bloy - M0DQO -----Original Message----- From: Peter <roi(a)optonline.net> To: Chris Bloy <chris(a)photofuture.co.uk> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-10 Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:08:49 -0500 Chris, Thank you for that information, could you provide me with the web site for Predicts solar illumination. 73, Pete, WB2OQQ -- Thanks, Chris Callsign: M0DQO AMSAT UK & GB3PC/GB3PD Membership Officer http://www.gb3pc.co.uk

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Why RFMD parts have export restrictions ?
by William Leijenaar 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

Hi AMSATs, It has been some time ago that I worked on my mini-transponder again. Most of you might have seen the article about my 30grams linear Mode-UV :o) For my tests I purchase very often parts from Digikey in US, with high quality parts and fast deliveries. However, for some time I experience problems with getting parts from RFMD, which seem to have a "vendors export restriction". The strange thing is that I got the parts delivered around November 2008, but faced problems when I tried to order new parts begin this year. Does anyone know what the reasons might be for these restrictions ? And is there any way to get the parts to Europe without to much hassle. Many thanks, 73 de PE1RAH William Leijenaar ---

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AO-10
by Greg Wycoff 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

one might keep in mind that the offpoint of the satellite is not known, so we in the US might have a poor offpoint and hear nothing, and those on the other side of the world may have a good offpoint and may be able to hear something. The point is, if you think you may have heard a signal keep listening and by all means keep reporting it. the more antennas pointing at it and more reports of what is or is not heard will help to know if the satellite is making a come back or not. Greg N0ZHE

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Re: Limits of G-5500?
by Mark L. Hammond 10 Mar '09

10 Mar '09

Hello all, Thank you for the feedback. The overwhelming consensus is that a 7-8' dish is a BAD IDEA for a G-5500, mostly because of wind load. I got some interesting links and pictures of folks with big dishes. Most "rotators" were a variation of the standard dish setup, and a few folks mentioned the Alph Spid as a viable option for such a dish. I currently have the following on my G-5500: short M2 2M array, short M2 435 array, 8 turn 435 helix, 20 turn 1.2G helix, and a 32" dish. It's a pretty full load :) Guess I'll store the dish for while and dream.... 73, Mark N8MH At 09:25 AM 3/7/2009 -0500, Mark L. Hammond wrote: >Hi All, > >Recently I acquired a 7.5' dish. It's aluminum with a steel ring mount. I estimate the dish weights maybe 50 lbs? > >What is a realistic limit for a Yaesu G-5500 rotator? Would it handle a dish of this size/weight if carefully counterbalanced? Or is it too big and silly to even consider? > >I know wind load is a concern of course, too. But I imagine keeping it close to the ground... > >I've thought about cutting it down in size to reduce weight and wind load, but would rather not go that route... > >73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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French Amateur Radio balloon launch
by m5aka＠yahoo.co.uk 09 Mar '09

09 Mar '09

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2009/french_ar_balloon_launch.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA

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