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

AO-51 from IO67 square
by Gordon JC Pearce 15 Apr '09

15 Apr '09

Just heard M3IOP calling, practically from horizon to horizon with AO-51 reaching a maximum elevation of 12 degrees! Sadly I don't have any 23cm equipment to shout back. No other stations heard, either. It's so nice and quiet up here away from all the SCADA clatter. Gordon

5 8

Need parts for G5400 elevation rotator
by w4upd 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Seeing the discussions on this thread about the Yaesu rotators, I'd thought I'd take a stab at it to see if someone out there can help. I have a Yaesu G5400 elevation/azimuth rotator combination. I recently disassembled the elevation due to it not functioning. In the process over a pint of water came out of the unit. In the disassembly process I managed to mess up the end of the motor armature which holds the drive gear. Apparently there are two version of this motor. The 'older' version cost about $85.00 and as I found out does not even come close to fitting the unit I have. Apparently I have a newer unit with limit switched which does not match the drawing in the manual (by the way it costs $207.00!!!!). To cut to the chase I only need the armature so if anyone has a unit in which the motor is even defective, please let me know. The unit I have mounts with 4 screws not three. The nylon gear is actually a slipping gear on the shaft and engages with a brake cam held by a set screw. It also contains a spring as part of a brake assembly. If anyone thinks they have this unit and again the motor can be bad as I only need the armature, please let me know, If you need a picture let me know and I'll send you a picture of the motor off-list. Due to the various differences of the motors and how they mount it's not even adaptable. I'll have to send it back (I hope) and try to fix this armature on my unit or find someone with a unit they are no longer using or need. Without this, the arrays will continue to remain on the ground where they have been since the storms of '04'. Being unemployed for 18 months doesn't help and therefore purchase of another G5400 or equivalent is out of the question. Hope someone can help, thanks. Regards, Reid, W4UPD Amsat #17002

1 0

Re: [Mw] Slightly OT: Mobile Installations
by Pughkeithd＠cs.com 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

In a message dated 4/14/2009 11:37:27 AM Central Daylight Time, AJ9N(a)aol.com writes: > Subj: [amsat-bb] Re: [Mw] Slightly OT: Mobile Installations > Date:4/14/2009 11:37:27 AM Central Daylight Time > From:AJ9N@aol.com > To:kl7uw@acsalaska.net, wb4gcs(a)amsat.org, microwave(a)echo.valinet.com, > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Received from Internet: > > > > I own a 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and a 2008 Toyota Prius. Love both > > hybrids. So far I have not installed a radio in either car but I have > used > an HT using the 12V socket with no apparent problem. Here are some web > sites that might help. > > _http://wa8lmf.net/mobile/prius/index.htm_ > (http://wa8lmf.net/mobile/prius/index.htm) > > _http://www.k0bg.com/hybrid.html_ (http://www.k0bg.com/hybrid.html) the > > main page is listed below. > > _http://www.k0bg.com/_ (http://www.k0bg.com/) really cool home page for > > a bunch of mobile stuff. > > I am leaning towards just installing a VHF/UHF dual bander in my hybrids > so > I might not have much of a noise issue. But HF is another story. > > I also went into the Toyota web site to look at their manuals. You can > buy a 1 day subscription and download as much as you want. They were not > the > most helpful for installing radios but there are some interesting things > to know. Toyota has something called TIS (Technical Information System). > > Go to: > _https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true& > _pag > eLabel=ti_home_page&SMENC=ISO-8859-1&SMLOCALE=US-EN&SMAUTHREASON=0& > SMAGENTNA > ME=%24SM%24mT%252bGLraBu9CwUVnZg4mEDzB2kysT90hgbwsWgdZzNOc%253d& > TARGET=%24SM > %24https%3A%2F%2Ftechinfo.toyota.com%2F_ > (https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_nfpb=true& > _pageLabel=ti_home_page&SMENC=ISO-8859- > 1&SMLOCALE=US-EN&SMAUTHREASON=0& > SMAGENTNAME=$SM$mT%2bGLraBu9CwUVnZg4mEDzB2ky > sT90hgbwsWgdZzNOc%3d&TARGET=$SM$https://techinfo.toyota.com/) > > I too am interested in what others are finding. > > 73, > Charlie Sufana AJ9N > > > In a message dated 4/14/2009 1:34:31 A.M. Central Daylight Time, > kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net writes: > > At 05:22 PM 4/13/2009, Jim Sanford wrote: > >All: > >The other day, somebody decided he needed to get thru an intersection > >ahead of me . . . . so, in search of a replacement chariot to support > >the mobile equipment. Considering: > > > > Toyota Highlander hybrid > > Saturn VUE Hybrid > > > >Have read the Consumer Reports rap on all. > > > >QUESTION: Does anybody have any experience or guidance regarding: > > -- problems installing HF/VHF/UHF radios in either vehicle > > -- problems with noise FROM the hybrid equipment > > > >I remember that some years ago, all the Japanese manufacturers would > >void your warranty if you installed two-way radio equipment. That > >appears to be no longer true, as long as "properly installed" (defined > >as adequately fused). > > > >All experiences welcome. > > > >Thanks for bandwidth. > > > >73, > >Jim > >wb4gcs(a)amsat.org > > Jim, > > Excellent question, considering the number of hybrid cars (and > all-electric cars soon to be offered in 2010). I wonder if the > electric motors have brushes and if they are RFI bypassed? I do not > have any info to provide, but certainly interested in what you find > out. I am watching the Chrystler Electric Town &Country van to be > offered in 2010 with 40-mpg performance. It runs with electric > motors 100% and has gasoline generator for extended distance driving. > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > **************Access 350+ FREE radio stations anytime from anywhere on the > > web. Get the Radio Toolbar! > (http://toolbar.aol.com/aolradio/download.html?ncid=emlcntusdown00000002) > _______________________________________________ > 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 > One more departure from the topic. I have no noise problems with the exception of occasional tire static on certain types of pavement. I have an IC-7000 and a TH-D7 both installed. I operate 75 meters through 70 cm all modes. The vehicle is a 2006 VW New Beetle Diesel. I considered a hybrid at the time of purchase but opted for the Diesel. 73 - Keith, W5IU

1 0

predict -s starts then immediately crashes
by Eric Fort 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

predict -s (pedict invoked as a server) immediately crashes (terminates) after startup. anyone have an idea why it would do this? (works fine when not invoked as a server) Thanks, Eric AF6EP

4 5

Slightly OT: Mobile Installations
by Jim Sanford 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

All: The other day, somebody decided he needed to get thru an intersection ahead of me . . . . so, in search of a replacement chariot to support the mobile equipment. Considering: Toyota Highlander hybrid Saturn VUE Hybrid Have read the Consumer Reports rap on all. QUESTION: Does anybody have any experience or guidance regarding: -- problems installing HF/VHF/UHF radios in either vehicle -- problems with noise FROM the hybrid equipment I remember that some years ago, all the Japanese manufacturers would void your warranty if you installed two-way radio equipment. That appears to be no longer true, as long as "properly installed" (defined as adequately fused). All experiences welcome. Thanks for bandwidth. 73, Jim wb4gcs(a)amsat.org

2 1

Sat Tracking and SatPC32 w/ICOM rig - CT-17 hardware mod needed
by Bill Dzurilla 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

This may be old news to many but perhaps will save a few hours of frustration for newcomers. In my prior post about HRD Sat Tracking slowness with my Windows Vista computer, I reported there that ST was working very slowly with my Lenovo desktop running Windows Vista, but that it ran at normal speed with a laptop running Windows XP. However, the frequencies were not tracking properly -- the transmit frequency would "stick" as the receive frequency on my IC-7000. It seems there is a hardware cause for this issue. After I gave up trying to get HRD Sat Tracking to work with the laptop, I downloaded SatPC32, another program that automatically sets transmit and receive frequency to account for doppler. The same "sticking" problem occurred with that program. The ReadMe(Icom) in SatPC32 provides what appears to be an explanation for this issue: ************************** With ICOM half duplex transceivers (IC-706MKIIG, IC-7000) hardware handshaking must be installed to suspend computer control while the radio is transmitting. Frequency changes are theoretically possible while the radio is transmitting, but frequency errors will occur, i.e., the frequencies of VFO A and VFO B will be exchanged. Unfortunately there is no way to check the PTT state of the radio via the CAT software. Therefore hardware handshaking is needed to prevent writing to the radio while it is transmitting. On the radio side pin 7 of the ACC socket can be used for this purpose. The voltage at this pin is approximately + 8.0 V while the radio is in RX mode. In TX mode the voltage at pin 7 drops to 0. Pin 7 of the ACC socket must be connected with the CTS pin of the serial port on the PC side (pin 8 of the 9-pin, pin 5 of the 25-pin RS232 cable connector). I have connected these pins via a diode and a 5K resistor, see Acc_Com.jpg in this sub folder. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT EVERYONE INSTALLS THIS LINE AT HIS OWN RISK! When the radio pulls down the voltage at pin 7 to 0, it signals the PC not to send data. As soon as the radio is back in RX mode the frequencies are updated by the program. ATTENTION! There must be NO bridge between pins 7 and 8 of the 9-pin (5 and 4 of the 25-pin) cable connector at the PC side! Otherwise the voltage at Pin 8 (rsp.Pin 5) and therefore also at Pin 7 of the ACC socket will be pulled down and the radio will be switched into transmit mode. The sketches in the Icom sub folder provide this bridge. If it is built in, please, remove it. The 25-pin Connector at the ICOM CT-17 also provides a bridge between pins 4 and 5 and other pins. The CTS pin of the cable connector at the PC side must be connected only to Pin 7 of the ACC socket. ************************* Thus, as I appreciate this, a standard ICOM CT-17 CAT cable will not work properly with SatPC32, and presumably not with HRD Sat Tracking either. Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone sell modified CT-17 cables that will do the job? 73, Bill NZ5N

2 5

1.2Ghz Helix ebay
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Hello I have a day left on this antenna on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/1-2Ghz-Ham-Radio-Helical-Antenna_W0QQitemZ110374480298Q… Works well on AO-51 L/U 73 Bob W7LRD

1 0

Hamsat Birthday Workhop Advance info
by Prathap Kumar 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Subject: Hamsat Birthday Workhop Advance info Hi All Hamsat 4th Birthday is coming up next month, 5 May 2009 and Hamsat has been the most popular Amateur Sat for beginners and veterans all over the world. Hamsat is very healthy and should serve the ham community for many more years. Amsat India is pleased to announce that we are conducting a Workshop to coincide with the 4 th anniversary celebrations of the Hamsat. ( Note this is an advance infomation, complete programme schedule is frozen and will be announced shortly) Date 10 May 2009 Starts at 8 AM with registration and breakfast Morning sessions include various topics Lunch Afternoon session Tea & close by 4 pm Venue : Little Lilly English School, Vidyaranyapura, Bamgalore Delegate fee Rs 100/- Detailed programme schedule etc will be announced shortly on these email groups, local nets etc. You may also check our web page www.amsatindia.org email : info(a)amsatindia.org We request all hams and wouldbe hams interested in Amateur Satellite activity to kindly participate and make the event a grand success. Looking forward to your participation. Best 73 Pop VU2POP Secy Amsat India

1 0

Improved Ultra Small Linear Transponder video
by William Leijenaar 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Hi AMSATs, I put some new video on youtube about my thiny linear transponder. Its a slighty improved version, with better distortion behaviour and some extra features, like a low voltage switch off circuit. Some general details: Its a Mode-UV transponder with 23dBm PEP output on 2m. It runs on 3.7Vdc, power switches off when voltage drops below 3.5Vdc. Bandwidth is 30kHz, and total weight is around 22 grams. It has an onboard beacon that is fully programmable (message, frequency and power). The RX and TX frequencies of the transponder are user programmable, and all oscillators are locked to an onboard TCXO. This improved version has also the option for an external reference oscillator input, and has a tap at 70cm input and a tap on its 1st IF. The taps are very usefull to interconnect to other transponders or connection to external telemetry modems. The video can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j60SJroodg I am presenter and filmer at the same time. Please forgive me about the shivering image hihi... More information will follow... 73 de PE1RAH William Leijenaar --- _________________________________________________________________ See all the ways you can stay connected to friends and family http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/default.aspx

4 3

AO-51 L/U
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 14 Apr '09

14 Apr '09

Solid QSO with KC9ELU and heard KL7XJ but lost at LOS. 73 Bob W7LRD

1 0