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

SSTV Clarification
by Frank H. Bauer 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

All, I wanted to clarify some statements made by Miles, based on where ARISS was when I stepped down. In his e-mail he states: ----------------------- SSTV Status: We have two SSTV systems on ISS. One is the Kenwood VCH1 sstv microphone. This is the system which th4 crew has been using the most. The system only runs on AA batteries at this time due to flight safety limitations. The second system is the Marex Software system called SpaceCam1. This system will run manually for fully automatic. The software system has not been used much because of a problem with the VOX cable that goes to the D700 transceiver. When the Vox cable is used the radio sticks in the Transmitting mode until 3-minute watchdog timer expires. ARISS has tried two different cables with the same results. The Vox gets its power from the D700 and it appears the dc power has too much RF and is causing Vox circuit to keep the radio stuck transmitting. Marex is proposing a completely different VOC using that has been tested extensively. ---------------------- The ARISS-provided VC-H1 currently does run on AA batteries. The use of AA batteries was not due to flight safety limitations at all. Given the tight schedule that we had for Richard Garriott's flight and the need to fly a hardware-based SSTV system, we concentrated on certifying the VC-H1 with the understanding that there was a surplus of AA batteries on ISS. On ISS, batteries for critical functions are taken out of service and replaced before they are fully used up. These partially-used batteries can easily be used for non-critical devices like the VC-H1. The ARISS team is working on a battery eliminator (power supply) for the VC-H1 that will be flown at a later date. There are 3 SSTV systems on board, one hardware system (VC-H1) and two software-based systems, MMSSTV and SpaceCam. The primary rationale for making the VC-H1 prime is that the ARISS team gets very limited use (read as: almost no use) of an on-board computer. So the SSTV operations over the past few years was nearly zero. Only when the VC-H1 was introduced in October 2008 did SSTV on ISS really take off. Some self-interference issues have been observed on the software-based system that were not observed on the ground prior to flight. As of right now, it is unclear what is causing this issue. The ARISS team has not had an opportunity to fully debug this issue on-orbit. (It is very hard to get a computer and the crew time at the same time) So I would not speculate what the issue is. Also, there are some subtle differences in the radio system on-board ISS as compared to the ground-based equivalents. Any proposals for new amateur radio hardware and software systems need to be approved by the ARISS project selection and use committee. They then need to be presented to the space agencies. The space agencies then determine if there is volume/power/mass available on-board for the system and give the ARISS team a yes/no answer as to whether they are willing to fly the equipment. The proposal then needs to get a final concurence from the ARISS international delegates to move forward as an official project. Miles' proposal (above) has not gone through that process yet. I hope this clarifies. 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO

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Dayton Rooms
by Martha 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

The AMSAT block for rooms at Dayton is now filled. Don't forget to register for the AMSAT-TAPR dinner Friday night. All the information is on the AMSAT website. Look on the left-hand side and click the box that says Dayton 2009. -- 73- Martha

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Last call for Satellite contacts from ZF2AE/ZF8 Little Cayman
by Adrian Engele 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

Fellow AMSAT operators, I will wrapping up my stay in Little Cayman. I am heading back tomorrow to Grand Cayman EK99kh until April 8th. I hope to be on following last passes today and tomorrow morning before flying out. If there is any interest in FO-29 and VU-52. Please let me know via email I can try to get on before 10PM CDT tonight. There have been only a handful of operators on those birds and it takes considerable time to set up all the gear and laptop. All times are UTC for my location in ZF: Thursday: SO-504/2/2009 20:09:36 20:22:46 SO-504/2/2009 21:51:02 22:02:10 AO-514/2/2009 22:52:49 23:06:14 AO-514/3/2009 00:32:45 00:43:56 Friday: AO-514/3/2009 11:11:13 11:25:57 Hope to see some western USA operators on this afternoon on the SO-50 pass. See you on the birds! Adrian AA5UK ZF2AE/ZF8

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QSLs for my recent demonstrations and trips...
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

Hi! After some delay, I have printed and started sending out QSL cards for all of my recent demonstrations and presentations: 17-23 February 2009: Yuma AZ hamfest, XE2/WD9EWK from Baja California, and assorted stops in DM22 and DM32 around this time. 14 March 2009: Scottsdale AZ hamfest 20 March 2009: ThunderBird Amateur Radio Club (Glendale AZ) demo 21-22 March 2009: day-trip to DM35/DM45 in northern Arizona I spent a little more time designing QSLs for two of the locations I operated from in Mexicali (Baja California) in February, and needed time to get all the cards printed. Anyone who sent me a QSL for any of these events will have an envelope going to the post office tomorrow, and more cards will go out over the next few days. Again, if anyone worked me during any of these events and wants to receive a QSL card, please send me an e-mail directly with the QSO details. If you're in the log, you'll get a card. For some QSOs, I may include an SASE so I can get your QSL card - I'm starting to work toward a VUCC from Baja California. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Rotator Yaesu G-5400B bracket
by Perry Yantis 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

If you are going to make a new bracket, I suggest you do not make the "L" bracket. I heard that these broke easily and were replaced by a "U" bracket. I have a "U" bracket that came with my Yaesu g 5400 rotor. You can see a picture of this in the Yaesu 5500 rotor manual that you can download from the yaesu website. I have measured mine and have these measurements length =4 3/4 inches width = 4 1/4 inches Vertical ends are 2 3/8 inches high Holes are 1/2 and 3/4 inches in from the ends of the plate. (you will have to mark these with your rotor to be sure). Holes are 3/4 inch in diameter. There is also rubber inserts/spacers in the mounting holes. Slot in the middle of the bracket is 3 inches x 3/4 inches centered in the middle of the plate. It may be easier to just order one from your local amateur radio store from Yaesu. My manuals for the 5400 and 5500 do not give part numbers. Hope this helps Perry WB8OTH

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Re: Rotator Yaesu G-5400B
by jrivett＠drivehq.com 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

Hi Enzo, I could give you measurements for the L-bracket on a Kenpro G-5500A rotator if you like , and if nobody else has better information. I dont know if the A and B versions are the same or not. 73 John M3RRX amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org wrote: > Hi Folks, > sorry for the OT message. > I own the rotator Yaesu G-5400B which are a Azimuth and elevation rotators. > I had enclosed with the pack when I bought it an "L" bracket. > Unfortunately due to maintenance I have lost the Bracket. > Please is there anybody which own one and can pass me all the measures > So I can build a new one? I need the measures of the "L" bracket and the > right > Positions of the holes to fix the two rotators. > Any help will be really appreciated. > Thanks in advance > > 73 de Enzo IK8OZV > EasyLog 5 BetaTester > EasyLog PDA BetaTester > WinBollet BetaTester > D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania > Skype: ik8ozv8520 > > > > > *************************************** > ***** GSM +39 338 9749786 ***** > ***** SMS +39 338 9749786 ***** > ***** FAX +39 328 7244294 ***** > *** 2nd e-mail: vimone(a)tin.it *** > *************************************** > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.557 / Virus Database: 270.11.32 - Release Date: 30/03/2009 00:00 >

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Hudson Valley Satcom group net Tonight on Echolink at 8 PM EST
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

Hello all on the board. Its time for our 66 edition of the Hudson Valley Satcom group Net tonight at 8 PM EST. The Echolink node is n2eyh-l. This is only our second net using Echolink so bear with us until we get the bugs out. Please join us and share your satellite knowledge with us. Hope to hear toy there. 73 Gary WA2AQH **************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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design help
by Nick 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

Hi AMSATERS The CAPE team at UL is designing a 2 watt amplifier and needs little technical help. If you have the skill sets to answer a few emails please respond to me off line Thanks Nick k5qxj

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Power Transistors
by robert sondack 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

Hello to everyone! I am searching for two Motorola MRF 309 power transistors available at decent price.My amplifier built on the EB-67 bulletin (432 mHz)just passed away .I found a source for those transitors but they were selling for the price of a complete used amplifier! Thanks in advance and 73s to all. Robert VE2ASL.

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Fwd: Information Request
by Martha 02 Apr '09

02 Apr '09

I received this email from Tore and can not answer it. He gave me permission to post it on the bulletin board. If someone can help him, please respond to his personal email. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: AMSAT Website <www(a)amsat.org> Date: Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 3:57 PM Subject: Information Request To: martha(a)amsat.org This message originated from the AMSAT website Sender: Tore Jönsson Email: sm0ori(a)swipnet.se Host: h135n1fls33o828.telia.com Subject: Information Request Message: Is Digital Disk with WISP32 Software a WISP that is tested on VISTA? (end of message) Problems with this message? Email to w2gps(a)amsat.org -- 73- Martha

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