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

2 1

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' ->

2 1

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' ->

1 0

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' ->

2 1

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

1 0

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/

1 0

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

5 5

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

8 12

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

11 16

ISS and Shuttle visible over Europe today
by Simone T 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Hi everybody, we had a nice visible pass of Space Shuttle Discovery pursuiting ISS over south France (Antibes, JN33) at 8pm local time on March 17th. 73 de IW1FYV - Simone

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Defective W32A 4 Sale
by Sebastian 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

This is a long story, I'll try not to get into too much detail, and please any responses send them directly to me. I have an Icom W32A (dual band full-duplex HT) package for sale. It includes a wall charger; an off brand Master Charger 1a (drop in charger); BP-173 9.6v 650mAh battery; 9.6v 1100 mAh W&W battery; Icom antenna and original manual. I bought this recently at the Orlando hamfest, and it seemed to be working fine. It was a package deal, so I sold this to another ham who found the radio had problems when it was received. The other ham opened up the radio, and found a ribbon cable which goes from one part of the radio to the other, was loose, and missing a small plastic connector which holds it in place. When the ribbon cable was moved to the right place, the radio worked perfectly. The other ham broke the cable, and then tried to 'fix it' and the radio no longer turns on. I don't want to deal with this anymore, and would prefer to sell it as- is NOT WORKING. I'll sell the entire package only for $110 shipped. This is good for parts, or perhaps you can repair it. Again, please respond off the list. 73 de W4AS Sebastian

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The Goce Satellite Ion Engine
by Bill Ress 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Following up on David's (G0MRF) post about the ion engine, the ESA Goce satellite mission, due to launch next week, uses a nifty ion engine which you can see at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7935621.stm I believe these engines will soon become "practical" for use in satellite orbital modification. David presented a fine paper at the 2008 AMSAT Symposium in Atlanta showing how it would be possible to launch (relatively inexpensively) to LEO and then over time, using small thrust engines, modify the orbit to MEO. He also shows how the MEO orbit could provide a significant portion of a HEO's orbit visibility time. Possibly a reduced cost way to achieve extended satellite visibility at a price tag much less than the $8 to $10 million dollar GTO launch cost. If any of our members/readers have leads/contacts with folks doing ion engine development work that might be looking for a satellite test vehicle, please contact me off list. Regards...Bill - N6GHz`

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grid squares
by Michael Heim 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

I'm not sure how active FN01 is regarding satellite work, but I will be spending a week in that grid next week for work. If anyone needs FN01, I can be very easily convinced to take an HT and antenna with me. I do not believe I have the grid worked myself, so it might be rare on the birds. Let me know if you need it, and I'll do something to get on from Oil City, PA. Michael Heim ARS KD0AR

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Re: old satellites
by Wayne Estes 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

There is no reason to stabilize a satellite after it is boosted to the graveyard orbit. The satellite might have power and be easy to track, but the antennas won't point towards earth very often. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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Re: old satellites
by G0MRF＠aol.com 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

In a message dated 17/03/2009 17:29:47 GMT Standard Time, kg4zlb(a)googlemail.com writes: >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? Hi. ESA will use the usual 2G / 2.2G ish space communications band for GOCE. The modulation format and data rate will be very different from anything that we are familiar with. The uplink will send commands to the spacecraft and the downlink will send back science data but It's highly unlikely that signals can pass through or that the TX and RX can be moved to 2.4 GHz. >And thinking further, for these satellites could amateur radio gear be >carried so that it could be activated once the main mission is complete? >Doing this over a number of years would provide a ready made supply of >new birds over a period of time. This however is a very practical idea. Right now AMSAT members are building / designing a communications system that will be launched on the ESA educational satellite ESEO. When the science mission is over it will switch to amateur use and hopefully provide a good service for many years (touching wood for good luck as I write this) ESEO is planned to be 75kg going to LEO. 73 David

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 129
by Louis McFadin 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

There is no DCI filter in line with the ISS amateur radio system. On Mar 17, 2009, at 11:51 AM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > Lou McFadin W5DID ARISS US Hardware manager

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iss packet invalid callsign nnnnnn
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

hi folks, just looking at the iss mheard callsign list I see one called nnnnnnn. Does anyone know what or who this is? maybe just a silly error, or maybe someone is using the iss without a call. we hams police our own if I'm not mistaken. anyway why its here to observe and go over hows about some explaining to us why there are serveral calls for the iss. I see in the list, ISS, ISS-10,ISS-5, RSOISS-4, -4 I Think is the heard digi, but always wondering what the other iss calls are. If anyone knows please post, thank you much, kc8gkf-5 UISS User. attached is the isscallsign heard list

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Re: "Mobile" Operation
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

So . . . As I really only have a hand-held radio when I'm in the car, that might be considered porta-mobile. But since I often have to stop and hang the antenna out the window, would that be considered psuedo-mobile ? Which raises another age-old question - "If I forget to key the mic while talking, but my wife isn't around, - am I still wrong ?" (Your mileage may vary) /;^) -- <- 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: Did ISS perform maneuver burn?
by Greg Beat 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Jeff - When I was listening to the Shuttle STS-119 audio feed last night - March 16 (just before Midnight - Chicago time). The Shuttle performed a burn to "catch up" with the ISS. The shuttle appeared to be about 20 minutes behind the ISS on the visible pass here last night -- before the burn. w9gb ==== Message: 11 Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:34:07 -0700 From: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs(a)cox.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Did ISS perform maneuver burn? To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <D48CA16E64E44DD186DE36455EFF8ECE@QUECREEK> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Hi all! Did the ISS perform a maneuver burn to avoid a possible collision with space junk? The reason I ask is during the 0841z to 0850z pass I started to receive the downlink about 08:39:30. About 1.5 minutes before the AOS was to occur. I'm using 1 week old keps and the previous night pass was right on schedule. 73, Jeff WB3JFS DM26

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Re: "Mobile" Operation
by Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

If you're not operating from your station address, and your entire station is not capable of being fully operated whilst moving, then you are portable. If your station is completely operable whilst you move your "shack" at the vehicle's (or your feet if walking) normal speed, you are probably mobile. John Heaton wrote: > On Tue, 2009-03-17 at 16:20 +0000, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote: >> Sitting still isn't mobile if you're parked. > > I understood that if you aren't operating from your station address then > you are 'mobile'.. > > John > -- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Nigel A. Gunn. G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF) 1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA 937 825 5032 e-mail nigel(a)ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net Member of ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548, Flying Pig #385, Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691, AMSAT-UK, MKARS, ALC <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

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N3TL/portable South Carolina
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hey everyone, What a hoot that was! If any of you are thinking about making a drive to activate a not-so-active grid or a not-so-active state ... go for it! You will have a blast. I did. >From here in northeast Georgia, South Carolina is closer than Ham Radio Outlet's Atlanta store. Last night, I drove up U.S. 441 to I-85 and headed north to the state line. I found a couple of really good locations very close to the border and just off the interstate. I chose the South Carolina Welcome Center at I-85 mile marker 1 last night because (1) the pass would be after dark and the center is very well lit, and (2) it was rainy and foggy. I figured the light and security of the center would be nice to have. They were. My home grid, to six characters, is EM84ha. On this pass, I operated from EM84ll. This was a busy pass of AO-51, and there were multiple Mexican stations operating portable from different grids. In spite of that, I made a personal high of 11 contacts on the pass, with: AA5PK K8YSE - EL98 N5AFV K8YSE - EN91 KB0RZD WA5KBH N1RCN N9AMW WA2S K5KNT K8NWD Thanks to everyone on the pass. It was great hearing all of you and working so many of you. This location is a good one for working passes to the west, and I'll be using it again to activate South Carolina. QSL cards will be on the way in the next day or two. No return card is necessary. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL EM84ha

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Did ISS perform maneuver burn?
by Jeff Yanko 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hi all! Did the ISS perform a maneuver burn to avoid a possible collision with space junk? The reason I ask is during the 0841z to 0850z pass I started to receive the downlink about 08:39:30. About 1.5 minutes before the AOS was to occur. I'm using 1 week old keps and the previous night pass was right on schedule. 73, Jeff WB3JFS DM26

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How much Precision for QTH?
by Kent Frazier 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hi all, I was wondering how much precision is needed when indicating my QTH on a QSL card. Since my station is currently my mobile rig, mounted in my car, I sometimes operate from different locations. Mostly I operate from the driveway of my home, but I have also operated from my daughter's elementary school and my work parking lots. Both of these locations are within a 2 mile radius of my home. I know if I were in a different grid square I would need to indicate that, but when operating within the same grid and even the same subgrid how precise do I need to be? 73, Kent K5KNT AMSAT #36765 ARRL

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AMSAT INDIA March-09 Newsletter
by Nitin Muttin 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

All, AMSAT India March 2009 Newsletter is uploaded and available at http://www.amsatindia.org/Newsletter/AmsatIndia-News-March.pdf www.amsatindia.org/Newsletter 73's Nitin [VU3TYG] AMSAT India www.amsatindia.org ________________________________________________

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Re: N3TL/portable tonight
by Glenn AA5PK 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

A million thanks to Tim/N3TL for the SC contact this evening on AO-51. That makes all 50 states. 73 Glenn AA5PK AMSAT #6694

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N3TL/portable tonight
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hey everyone, I plan to operate AO-51 this evening (March 16 local time, March 17 UTC) from South Carolina. I should be in the footprint from around 00:15 UTC to 00:23 UTC (8:15 p.m. - 8:23 p.m., EDT) on 145.920 up/435.150 down. If we work and you need a QSL card to confirm South Carolina, please email me. I'll get a card on the way to you. No return card to me is necessary. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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S band downlink - AO-51
by Michael Heim 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Worked VE3NPC on AO-51 V/s just now. We had the transponder totally to ourselves, and had a nice little chat. I was on this morning around 7:30, by myself. We have V/s all week. This is my favorite configuration, the signals are a LOT stronger on 2401.2 then on 70cm. What is the TPO and antenna on S band on AO-51? Such good conditions, I hope to hear you on!! Michael Heim ARS KD0AR

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AO-10 Report On Sat Status
by Chris Bloy 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hi All, I see that IK2MKE has reported hearing AO-10, any idea if this is possible? -- Thanks, Chris Callsign: M0DQO AMSAT UK & GB3PC/GB3PD Membership Officer http://www.gb3pc.co.uk

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SwissCube Slide Show
by m5aka＠yahoo.co.uk 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

SwissCube is scheduled for launch at the end of April and pictures from a recent presentation on the satellite are now available on the web, see http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2009/swisscube_slideshow.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Get Daily Amateur Radio News by Email http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2783644&loc=en_US ----

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Re: ISS Webcam Streaming Video
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Trevor M5AKA said : > Does anyone know if the camera is connected via cable > or do they make use of a WiFi connection ? We'll assume you are speaking of the connections on ISS, as it is most certainly wireless back to earth. TDRSS tho, not LinkSys. They have several new HD video cameras mounted outside, in addition to several indoor cameras. The Ku band downlink carries 4 simultaneous video channels, as selected by ground control or crew. I'm not sure why this is considered new, as it seems like the same thing they have been doing during crew sleep - showing lots of outside camera views on NASA-TV as streaming video. I think maybe there is a new URL, it's just that during Joint Ops they are showing Mission Coverage, same as on the main public channel. AhHa - looks like http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/isslivestream.asx by itself will kick open a Media Player window. Maybe after this shuttle mission this new URL will not go back to the regular public channel content. I love watching the earth ball rolling underneath ISS, and hope that this new URL will give us more of that, and less 'NASA Edge' . . . 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 Webcam Streaming Video
by Trevor 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

The ISS streaming video camera seems to be a great idea http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2009/iss_webcam.htm Does anyone know if the camera is connected via cable or do they make use of a WiFi connection ? 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: Orbiting Debris - Again
by m5aka＠yahoo.co.uk 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

--- On Mon, 16/3/09, Rich Dailey <richdailey(a)windstream.net> wrote: > I try hard to maintain optimism, but I see this problem > only getting much worse in the future. Solutions? One solution may be to put the ISS in a 1200 km orbit and thus above most of the debris that originates from decaying sats and debris in 500-1000 km orbits. The big drawback is that it would cost more per kilo to get payload up there but once construction is completed there shouldn't be the need to ship up so much stuff. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: ISS Packet off/on?
by Nader Omer 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

HI Jeffrey kc8gkf I think you mean you lost your position Icon at http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi The server will not hold the info for good !!! Only the fresh APRS data shows up. Bob WB4APR can tell us more about this. 73 Nader.st2nh

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ISS Packet off/on?
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Hi folks, wow was nice to get mycall on the ariss map, but I lost it. Not sure if its because they turned off the iss packet for the shuttle or if its still on, any one know? I see other calls still on the web page. 73 kc8gkf using uiss 5.2.3c jpole @10 feet 5 watts/low ft-8100 kpc3+ 1200 baud 145.825 mhz

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