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

GO-32 telemetry
by Mike Rupprecht 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

05:26 UTC got some complete telemetry buffer 1 from GO-32 this morning [20.03.2009 05:35:09] [BEACON] TechRam1V9.87 000060100000000000000000000400000000003B0E0300[20.03.2009 05:35:39] [BEACON] TechRam1V9.87 000060100000000000000000000400000000004C0E0300[20.03.2009 05:36:09] [BEACON] TechRam1V9.87 00006010000000000000000000040000000000380E0300[20.03.2009 04:56:58] [TLM][#169] [1] Ch 2007: REG_BUS_5V: 5.02 V[20.03.2009 04:56:59] [TLM][#170] [1] Ch 2008: PCU_UNIT: 3[20.03.2009 04:57:02] [TLM][#171] [1] Ch 2020: ENG_I_5V_PS1: 0.49 A[20.03.2009 04:57:02] [TLM][#171] [1] Ch 2021: ENG_I_5V_PS2: -0.13 A[20.03.2009 04:57:08] [TLM][#172] [1] Ch 2046: I_UNREG_12V_1: 0.53 A[20.03.2009 04:57:43] [TLM][#173] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.42 A[20.03.2009 04:57:43] [TLM][#173] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.06 A[20.03.2009 04:57:43] [TLM][#173] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 04:57:43] [TLM][#173] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 04:58:00] [TLM][#174] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.62 V[20.03.2009 04:58:22] [TLM][#175] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26317[20.03.2009 05:00:44] [TLM][#176] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.45 A[20.03.2009 05:00:44] [TLM][#176] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.06 A[20.03.2009 05:00:44] [TLM][#176] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:00:44] [TLM][#176] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:00:53] [TLM][#177] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26316[20.03.2009 05:01:00] [TLM][#178] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.64 V[20.03.2009 05:01:49] [TLM][#179] [1] Ch 66 : ATT_STATE_CNT: 22426[20.03.2009 05:01:50] [TLM][#180] [1] Ch 2200: ENG_PDU_STT: 127[20.03.2009 05:01:50] [TLM][#180] [1] Ch 2201: ENG_PWR_STAT: 0[20.03.2009 05:01:50] [TLM][#180] [1] Ch 2152: ENG_MAX_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:01:50] [TLM][#180] [1] Ch 1200: SCC_GLOBAL_STAT: (68 bytes)[20.03.2009 05:01:58] [TLM][#181] [1] Ch 2007: REG_BUS_5V: 5.02 V[20.03.2009 05:02:02] [TLM][#182] [1] Ch 2020: ENG_I_5V_PS1: 0.44 A[20.03.2009 05:02:02] [TLM][#182] [1] Ch 2021: ENG_I_5V_PS2: -0.13 A[20.03.2009 05:02:08] [TLM][#183] [1] Ch 2046: I_UNREG_12V_1: 0.57 A[20.03.2009 05:02:17] [TLM][#184] [1] Ch 2500: DD_OVER_SEC_CNT: 34[20.03.2009 05:03:24] [TLM][#185] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26320[20.03.2009 05:03:45] [TLM][#186] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.06 A[20.03.2009 05:03:45] [TLM][#186] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.05 A[20.03.2009 05:03:45] [TLM][#186] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:03:45] [TLM][#186] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:04:00] [TLM][#187] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.64 V[20.03.2009 05:05:55] [TLM][#188] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26318[20.03.2009 05:06:47] [TLM][#191] [1] Ch 2129: TMP_TRANS: 8.71 C[20.03.2009 05:06:47] [TLM][#191] [1] Ch 2125: TMP_BAT: 4.68 C[20.03.2009 05:06:49] [TLM][#192] [1] Ch 56 : ATT_CURR_STATE: 4[20.03.2009 05:06:49] [TLM][#192] [1] Ch 66 : ATT_STATE_CNT: 22726[20.03.2009 05:06:50] [TLM][#193] [1] Ch 2200: ENG_PDU_STT: 127[20.03.2009 05:06:50] [TLM][#193] [1] Ch 2201: ENG_PWR_STAT: 0[20.03.2009 05:06:50] [TLM][#193] [1] Ch 2152: ENG_MAX_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:06:50] [TLM][#193] [1] Ch 1200: SCC_GLOBAL_STAT: (68 bytes)[20.03.2009 05:06:58] [TLM][#194] [1] Ch 2007: REG_BUS_5V: 5.02 V[20.03.2009 05:06:59] [TLM][#195] [1] Ch 2008: PCU_UNIT: 3[20.03.2009 05:07:00] [TLM][#196] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.63 V[20.03.2009 05:07:02] [TLM][#197] [1] Ch 2020: ENG_I_5V_PS1: 0.55 A[20.03.2009 05:07:02] [TLM][#197] [1] Ch 2021: ENG_I_5V_PS2: -0.13 A[20.03.2009 05:07:08] [TLM][#198] [1] Ch 2046: I_UNREG_12V_1: 0.57 A[20.03.2009 05:07:18] [TLM][#199] [1] Ch 2501: EDC_SINGLE: 14[20.03.2009 05:07:19] [TLM][#200] [1] Ch 2502: EDC_DOUBLE: 1[20.03.2009 05:08:26] [TLM][#201] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26316[20.03.2009 05:09:47] [TLM][#202] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.20 A[20.03.2009 05:09:47] [TLM][#202] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.05 A[20.03.2009 05:09:47] [TLM][#202] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:09:47] [TLM][#202] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:10:00] [TLM][#203] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.64 V[20.03.2009 05:10:57] [TLM][#204] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26316[20.03.2009 05:11:49] [TLM][#205] [1] Ch 66 : ATT_STATE_CNT: 23026[20.03.2009 05:11:50] [TLM][#206] [1] Ch 2200: ENG_PDU_STT: 127[20.03.2009 05:11:50] [TLM][#206] [1] Ch 2201: ENG_PWR_STAT: 0[20.03.2009 05:11:50] [TLM][#206] [1] Ch 2152: ENG_MAX_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:11:50] [TLM][#206] [1] Ch 1200: SCC_GLOBAL_STAT: (68 bytes)[20.03.2009 05:11:58] [TLM][#207] [1] Ch 2007: REG_BUS_5V: 5.02 V[20.03.2009 05:12:02] [TLM][#208] [1] Ch 2020: ENG_I_5V_PS1: 0.49 A[20.03.2009 05:12:02] [TLM][#208] [1] Ch 2021: ENG_I_5V_PS2: -0.13 A[20.03.2009 05:12:08] [TLM][#209] [1] Ch 2046: I_UNREG_12V_1: 0.57 A[20.03.2009 05:12:48] [TLM][#210] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.17 A[20.03.2009 05:12:48] [TLM][#210] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.05 A[20.03.2009 05:12:48] [TLM][#210] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:12:48] [TLM][#210] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:13:00] [TLM][#211] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.64 V[20.03.2009 05:13:28] [TLM][#212] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26318[20.03.2009 05:15:49] [TLM][#213] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.14 A[20.03.2009 05:15:49] [TLM][#213] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.05 A[20.03.2009 05:15:49] [TLM][#213] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:15:49] [TLM][#213] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:15:59] [TLM][#214] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26318[20.03.2009 05:16:00] [TLM][#215] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.58 V[20.03.2009 05:16:46] [TLM][#217] [1] Ch 2112: TMP_ANTpan_C: -2.15 C[20.03.2009 05:16:46] [TLM][#217] [1] Ch 2117: TMP_COLDpan_C: -14.24 C[20.03.2009 05:16:47] [TLM][#218] [1] Ch 2129: TMP_TRANS: 6.88 C[20.03.2009 05:16:47] [TLM][#218] [1] Ch 2125: TMP_BAT: 4.44 C[20.03.2009 05:36:39] [BEACON] TechRam1V9.87 00006010000000000000000000040000000000350E0300PS: See here for more - http://www.dk3wn.info/p/73, Mike

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Presentation/demonstration tonight - report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Hi! Thanks to all the stations I heard and worked on the 0133 UTC AO-51 pass this evening. I was standing outside the meeting room on the Thunderbird School of Global Management campus in Glendale AZ (grid DM33vo), and the demonstration took place just before the start of the ThunderBird Amateur Radio Club's monthly general meeting. I also gave a satellite/AMSAT presentation during the meeting. For the AO-51 pass, I worked 13 stations from central Mexico up to Alaska, and as far east as Winnipeg and Memphis. Thanks to all for the QSOs, and my apologies to N5JDT and VE6RVT/W7 - I heard you during the pass, heard you again when playing back my recording to make my log entries, but did not work you in there. I also heard from a couple of others who heard the pass, but could not get through themselves. I appreciated the crowd that showed up for the pass, and the variety of locations for a predominately western North America pass. I gave a presentation for this club in March 2007, followed by an on-air exercise for some of the club members who assembled their own dual-band Yagis using the WA5VJB "Cheap Yagi" design complete with diplexer in July 2007. I've been invited to their hamfests for 3 consecutive years now, in January of each year, and appreciate the hospitality of the club and its membership to have me be a part of their meetings and hamfests over the past couple of years. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: iss/shuttle view over AL tonight
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

KC8GKF said : > hi folks, had a nice clear sky for the passover of the shuttle and iss I was plesantly surprised in Alabammy, expecting only about 2 minutes, barely 11 degrees above the horizon... and it just about still wasn't dark yet. What's up with that ??? But, there she was - right on time. Got the full 2 minutes to watch. And 11 degrees looks higher than I was expecting. The crew got the S6 truss installed ok, and they expect to get the new solar panels deployed tomorrow.!. I'm sure they'll have the radio back on soon. Thanks /;^) -- <- 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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iss/shuttle view over mi tonight
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

hi folks, had a nice clear sky for the passover of the shuttle and iss togeather tonight, pretty neat, looked like a single star moving. Just wish they would turn back on the packet/hamrig, hi kc8gkf west mi

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2400 MHz
by Michael Heim 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Fixed my converter! I'll be back on the next pass. A lil water got in there, condensation or leakage. I put vaseline around the rubber O ring on the cover to keep that from happening again. Michael Heim Chief Engineer, Forever Broadcasting New Castle PA WKST WJST WWGY 814-671-0666 ARS KD0AR

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Re: AO-51
by David - KG4ZLB 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Did I miss a mode change? I thought SSTV started on the 23rd! On this last pass of AO-51 on v/u, (145.920/435.150) we were treated to sporadic SSTV and someone saying "test, 1,2" repeatedly! On the basis that he was ignoring the QSO's that were trying to go on around him, its save to assume that he couldn't hear his own downlink! What goin' on? -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com

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Yeasu 5400 rotator help.
by boprie＠aol.com 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Hello We have two Yeasu 5400 AZ EL rotators with the associated controllers and the same problem. Both are about 15 years old and generally work. There is a procedure to set it up that calls for the operator to drive the AZ and EL to the 360 and 180 to set the full scale deflections. We can do this and see the required 4.5VDC on the two appropriated pins in the back. When we drive the AZ and EL back to zero, it is typically short about 10 degrees. We have attempted this adjustment several times to find the happy medium between the few adjustments but we can never get the full span. Does anyone know if there is something inside the control box we can change(or modify our set-up procedure) to get a fuller span on the AZ EL meters? In looking at the schematic, and also on the inside, we didn’t find another hidden pot to do this. If anyone can help, they also email me directly if they wish at boprie(a)aol.com and also Boprie(a)umich.edu. Tnx and 73dB de WS8P G'day

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Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net on Echolink Tonight
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Hello all from the Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net. We are located about 70 miles north of NYC. We have our net every other Thursday at 8PM EST. Tonight we are going to have Echolink available for the first time. Bear with us if there are any connection problems that may come up. The node is n2eyh-l. Please join us and bring your Satellite wisdom to the net. I'm Gary(WA2AQH) and Tom(KC2DTQ) will be the net control stations for the net. Hope to hear you there. 73 Gary **************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)

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Re^2: SOHLA-1 operation start
by Mineo Wakita 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

The current amateur mode is only the broadcast of AFSK signal. 437.505MHz, AFSK 1200bps, AX.25 Please see the following URL about the examination use schedule and Mission of SOHLA-1 etc. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/sohlacwe.htm#operation JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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AO-51 mode S
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Mode S down link sounds great. I almost had the bird to myself I caught a station with NUK then nothing. Rather tricky tracking the fast moving 51 with a 3 foot dish and chasing doppler all by hand. Nice to know my old AO-40 (sobsob) S band stuff still works! Get out that "old" S band gear! 73 Bob 7LRD Seattle

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Re: STS+ISS viewing
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

N4QWF said : > The 00:03 pass of ISS/Shuttle over FM07 was just grand. > My wife and myself had a great view from our back deck. I'm sure glad yall got to see it. Couldn't see it from Huntsville - for some reason it wasn't dark enough. I think someone has been messin with the clocks... It is still March, isn't it? /;^) -- <- 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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Re: STS+ISS viewing (Wednesday) - Oops ...
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

S`what I get, trying to use my memory for more than a few seconds at a time. ** Should have stated ** Here in N.Alabama starting just after 7pm, out of the WestSouthWest, up to 30 degrees in the NW, and then down towards the North ... I'm sure everyone already figured that one out... Thanks /;^) -- <- 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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STS+ISS viewing tonite
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Should be great STS+ISS viewing tonite for SouthEastern US at least... Check http://www.heavens-above.com or http://nasa.gov for more detail: Here is N.Alabama starting just after 7pm out of the WNW, up to 30 degrees in the NW, and then down towards the North ... Should be really bright !!! Enjoy /;^) -- <- 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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moonraker crossed yagi
by Peter Gibson 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Go for wimo yagi Look on internet

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Re: SOHLA-1 oparation start
by Mineo Wakita 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Prediction(UTC) Correction 19 Mar 04:25 20 Mar 15:53 21 Mar 03:49, 14:46 22 Mar 15:16 23 Mar 03:13, 04:50 24 Mar 03:43, 05:22 JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Moonraker Crossed Yagi
by Chris Bloy 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Hi All, Ok, any comments on any Moonraker antennas? http://www.moonrakerukltd.com/Amateur-Radio/Beam-Antennas/Crossed-Yagi I am looking at getting the 70CMS and a 2Metre versions, but cannot find any reviews, other then they are a "CB Antenna" maker type comments? What antenna's have you guys got for a crossed yagi? -- Thanks, Chris Callsign: M0DQO AMSAT UK & GB3PC/GB3PD Membership Officer http://www.gb3pc.co.uk

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SOHLA-1 operation start
by Mineo Wakita 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

SOHLA-1 examination use started on 17 March 2009. The reception report was as a powerful signal in 18 March. The normal operation will start from 25 Mar. The examination use schedule of then as follows. Information 437.505MHz AFSK 1200bps AX.25 OBJECT E 1 33496U 09002E 09077.41247038 .00000497 00000-0 92137-4 0 1659 2 33496 098.0280 188.1849 0006449 198.4659 161.6367 14.69427465 7946 Prediction(UTC) 19 Mar 04:25, 15:53 21 Mar 03:49, 14:46, 15:16 23 Mar 03:13, 04:50 24 Mar 03:43, 05:22 http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/sohlacwe.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

The beginning of 2009 has been the busiest for AMSAT Awards since I took over processing awards in 2001. We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Jack Barbera, WA1ZDV Marilyn Tillman, N4GMT Mount Nebo VHF Contest Club, NE5BO Rick Tillman, WA4NVM Chris Meyers, KC0YBM Richard Allen, N0CFL The following have earned the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award. Mount Nebo VHF Contest Club, NE5BO #483 Rick Tillman, WA4NVM #484 David Webb, KB1PVH #485 The following have earned the AMSAT South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement Award. Douglas Anoman, KC9MLN #US130 Rick Tillman, WA4NVM #US131 David Webb, KB1PVH #US132 The following have upgraded their AMSAT Sexagesimal Satellite Communication Achievement Award Rick Tillman, WA4NVM #147 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on SkyScanner Satellite Radio Network on Galaxy-25 @97° West, Transponder 23 (12115 Vert), Symbol Rate: 22425, APID: 1794 (DVB Free To Air) Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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Re: AO-51
by Michael Heim 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

ok.. thanks Tim. Looks like I've got something I need to look at. Didnt hear the S band downlink and I spot checked 435.150 with nothing heard. I'll look again tonight. Thanks Michael Heim ARS KD0AR ________________________________ From: "n3tl(a)bellsouth.net" <n3tl(a)bellsouth.net> To: Michael Heim <kd0ar(a)sbcglobal.net> Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8:26:03 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-51 Hey Mike, The 145.920/435.150 pair was up and working fine, albeit with only a few stations in there. I heard N9AMW, NL7VX, WA4NVM and N5ZNL. 73, Tim -------------- Original message from Michael Heim <kd0ar(a)sbcglobal.net>: -------------- > Tuned into AO-51 this morning (around 11:50 UTC) and I couldnt hear either > transponder. Is everything ok up there or am I having problems? > > Michael Heim > ARS KD0AR > > _______________________________________________ > 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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AO-51
by Michael Heim 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Tuned into AO-51 this morning (around 11:50 UTC) and I couldnt hear either transponder. Is everything ok up there or am I having problems? Michael Heim ARS KD0AR

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satellite demo & presentation, Thursday evening (19 March)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Hi! I will be giving a satellite-related presentation for the ThunderBird Amateur Radio Club in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday, 19 March 2009. The meeting is in the Snell Building on the campus of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, room 28. The campus is on the southeast corner of 59th Avenue and Greenway Road - grid DM33vo. The meeting starts at 7.00pm (0200 UTC), and my presentation will be after the first half of the meeting - approximately 8.00pm. Before the meeting, I will have a demonstration on AO-51. The satellite will be in range between 6.33 and 6.47pm (0133-0147 UTC), a high pass to my west. I will be on the 145.920/435.150 MHz repeater, to allow anyone watching my demonstration listen in with a 2m/70cm FM transceiver. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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old satellites
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Hello I believe this subject has been kicked around on this BB before. It did generate some creative thinking. Given all the satellites up there and all the varied uses of them, eventually some of them get compromised for whatever reason. Is there any way any of these old relics can be reprogramed, used or otherwise "adjusted" to suit us? We don't need a real good S/N ratio to make us happy, and we are pretty good at cobbling together whatever we want. We have some very informed and smart people on this BB who know. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Tranzit-B telemetry system on ISS
by andy thomas 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

I've just come across the following interesting references on space ref to what seems to be a VHF telemetry channel (bio/medical monitoring?) "...including VHF/voice & biomedical electrode belt and *telemetry hookups via the BSS (later by the wireless in-suit Tranzit-B radio telemetry system) for vital signs and equipment monitoring". http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=30763 and: " [The suited run requires wireless Tranzit-B suit radio telemetry on both semisets (activated: 2:56am) and temporary deactivation of the Russian VHF channel 1 (Very High Frequency, Russian: UKV1, for ultra-shortwave) to avoid interference from extraneous radio stations to the Orlans while over Russian ground stations (RGS, DO 3/4). All EVA preps were monitored by the ground via audio, the reason for the early morning time of the training run. Tranzit-B TM was turned off at ~3:10am EST.]" http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/iss_reports/reports2008/12-19-2008.htm My questions are: what is the TRANZIT-B TM system, how close is it to the 2m channels, what is the TLM data modulation and breakdown? 73 de andy G0SFJ

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Re: old satellites
by Daniel Schultz 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

David, KG4ZLB asked: >I was reading about the newly launched GOCE satellite and the fact that >its mission will end when its 40kg tank empties - that of course may be >a long time coming but as it has an S band transmitter, could this not >be tweaked for us once the mission is complete? Given the low altitude orbit for this gravity mapping mission, I suspect that the satellite will quickly reenter when the Xenon supply is used up. Dan Schultz N8FGV

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"Mobile" Operation
by Kent Frazier 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

I've heard conflicting things, so I'd like to see what the consensus is here. Since my rig is mounted in my car, I've been told I should say "mobile" when ever I attempt a QSO. Some of the reasoning is that others will understand my "limitations" and try to work me. On occasion, this seems to have been the case. Others have told me that I should only use "mobile" when the vehicle is actually in motion. What say you all? 73, Kent K5KNT AMSAT #36765 ARRL

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