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

Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 355
by gregory.beat＠comcast.net 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

Andy - You are missing key pieces ... Like TTL to RS232 conversion. McGrawHill has publications on RS232 prog in "C" lang. I have these in home library. Start there. W9gb Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:05 To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 355 Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org You can reach the person managing the list at amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." Today's Topics: 1. W1AW Jul 28 AO-27 (Mark Spencer) 2. Hamsat article on the Make blog (Ollie Eisman) 3. Rare Grids and Gridpeditions (John Papay) 4. Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions (Andrew Glasbrenner) 5. OT Job Opportunity, DOD Technical Skill Sets Needed (RFI-EMI-GUY) 6. Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair (William Leijenaar) 7. Re: Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair (Roger Kolakowski) 8. Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions (Rodney Waln) 9. Public Thanks (Clint Bradford) 10. G3RUH patch wanted (w7lrd(a)comcast.net) 11. FX614 (Andy Brian) 12. AMSAT-UK Keynote Speaker (David Johnson) 13. Re: Ballot (Martha) 14. K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event (n3tl(a)bellsouth.net) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:02:02 -0700 From: "Mark Spencer" <mspencer(a)hughes.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] W1AW Jul 28 AO-27 To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <20090723190216.9BE324FD63D9(a)smtprelay05.b.hostedemail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I will be putting W1AW on AO27 for a demonstration (HT and ARROW) during the teachers institute on July 28 (Tuesday) probably during the 1216(L) pass. Your assistance with the demonstration would be appreciated. If you would like a QSL of the contact, please send yours to WA8SME, and I'll take care of it. No SASEs required. 73, Mark Mark Spencer, WA8SME ARRL-The national association for Amateur Radio Education and Technology Program Coordinator mspencer(a)arrl.org http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ 530-495-9150 ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:09:12 -0600 From: Ollie Eisman <ollie(a)ollietech.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Hamsat article on the Make blog To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <7978F0AE-E7E5-407A-9235-8D523FECD397(a)ollietech.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed FYI http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/07/catching_satellites_on_ham_radio.h… ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:01:44 -0400 From: John Papay <john(a)papays.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Rare Grids and Gridpeditions To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <200907232002.n6NK2DUM025315(a)mx02.mailboxcop.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed It's great to see the renewed interest in activating "rare" grids on the birds. If you don't have a particular grid worked and confirmed, it is a "rare" grid. It is important for all of us to recognize those who are operating "portable" in a grid away from their home. They are only there for a short period of time so giving them the frequency is the thing to do. If you hear a callsign that you have not worked before, call that person rather than someone you just talked with on the last pass. We need to encourage the new people as they are the future of the amateur space program. Use the portable designation if you are operating away from home so others will know that this might be a new grid. We have enjoyed a long stretch of AO51 being in the V/U mode on 435.300. After the end of the month, the bird will be in sunlight continuously and that will allow higher power and other modes to be used. If AO51 is in a non-V/U voice mode, as it was for a 2 week period not long ago, grid dxpeditions are not going to be worthwhile. If you plan a vacation ahead of time, you might find later that the bird will not be in a v/u voice mode during your trip. The Operations Team sets the schedule and they do it based upon requests from the membership for alternate modes. Personally I think that there should always be a 435.300/145.92 mode available. Everyone who is interested in chasing grids or activating grids away from their home should email KO4MA and request that V/U voice remain on. You cannot plan anything if you don't know if AO51 will be in V/U voice during your trip. The schedule is based upon input from the membership and if we don't make our requests, those that want the bird in other modes (both transponders) will most likely be served. The second transponder is fine for other modes but there are probably some modes that cannot be activated if V/U voice is to remain on. Maybe Drew can clarify this for us. There are some that would say that there are other satellites that can be used for FM voice. Very true, however, if you are out there trying to activate grids, not having AO51 available is a handicap. You spend a lot of money to do it and then have 1/3 of your potential air time, on the best FM satellite up there, not available to you. It makes no sense. I'm on L band now and will have S band RX running soon. I enjoy setting up for different modes. But after you work a few stations in those modes, and fine tune your equipment, there's not much left. Chasing grids never ends. There's always one more to work. If you are interested in working or activating new grids, please email KO4MA and request that AO51 always have one V/U voice transponder available. There is no guarantee that this will always work, but if there are no emails, it is likely that there will be more periods of non V/U voice on AO51. John K8YSE ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:43:03 -0400 From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, "John Papay" <john(a)papays.com> Message-ID: <58370780F3A14122A8BB648728DFAD90@Andrewlaptop> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original John, I certainly understand where you are coming from, although I disagree with some of your positions. AO-51 is currently our only satellite with multiple modes (other than ISS), our only S band satellite, our only BBS, our only L band satellite, etc. Unfortunately our power budget doesn't allow us to run every mode we want to at the same time. This problem will only get worse as the batteries age. We are already at the point where after this extended period of mostly full illumination, we will most likely only be able to run one transmitter at any time, and possibly not the S band in eclipse at -all-. The good news is that the full illumination lasts for quite a while, and during this period we can support two UHF transmitters at a high power level, or one UHF at modest power and the S band transmitter. If we run separate S and UHF, the UHF downlink will have to be on 435.150, as the 435.300 and S transmitters share an audio path. So...that being said, do not expect us to completely forego L and S just for more grid swapping, as fun as it is (I'm at 550 confirmed). Send your requests in early for whatever mode you'd like, and we will try to honor them. Meanwhile, get your S band downconverters ready for portable ops, your 817s and 706s working with SatPC32 on a laptop, and be ready to occasionally run your grid trips on ALL the satellites. It's a real shame to hear so many ops on V/U FM, and so few on V/U and U/V SSB/CW. Since I try to walk the walk, look for me on the SSB -and- FM birds as G/ and OZ/KO4MA over the next 2.5 weeks. I hope to stretch the footprint to North America on FO-29 and AO-7 with my little 817 and Arrow setup. Mode requests should go to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org, not to me direct. 73, Drew KO4MA > We have enjoyed a long stretch of AO51 being in the V/U mode on > 435.300. After the end of the month, the bird will be in sunlight > continuously and that will allow higher power and other modes to be > used. If AO51 is in a non-V/U voice mode, as it was for a 2 week period > not long ago, grid dxpeditions are not going to be worthwhile. If > you plan a vacation ahead of time, you might find later that the bird > will not be in a v/u voice mode during your trip. > > The Operations Team sets the schedule and they do it based upon > requests from the membership for alternate modes. Personally I think > that there should always be a 435.300/145.92 mode available. Everyone > who is interested in chasing grids or activating grids away from their > home > should email KO4MA and request that V/U voice remain on. You cannot > plan anything if you don't know if AO51 will be in V/U voice during your > trip. The schedule is based upon input from the membership and if we > don't make our requests, those that want the bird in other modes (both > transponders) will most likely be served. The second transponder is fine > for other modes but there are probably some modes that cannot be activated > if V/U voice is to remain on. Maybe Drew can clarify this for us. > > There are some that would say that there are other satellites that can > be used for FM voice. Very true, however, if you are out there trying > to activate grids, not having AO51 available is a handicap. You spend a > lot of money to do it and then have 1/3 of your potential air time, on the > best FM satellite up there, not available to you. It makes no sense. > > I'm on L band now and will have S band RX running soon. I enjoy setting > up for different modes. But after you work a few stations in those modes, > and fine tune your equipment, there's not much left. Chasing grids never > ends. There's always one more to work. > > If you are interested in working or activating new grids, please email > KO4MA > and request that AO51 always have one V/U voice transponder available. > There > is no guarantee that this will always work, but if there are no emails, it > is > likely that there will be more periods of non V/U voice on AO51. > > John K8YSE > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:50:30 -0400 From: RFI-EMI-GUY <Rhyolite(a)NETTALLY.COM> Subject: [amsat-bb] OT Job Opportunity, DOD Technical Skill Sets Needed To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <4A68CD16.5020109(a)NETTALLY.COM> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Please excuse me for posting this, but in this tight job market I felt might be of interest to some AMSAT or ARRL folks. I know of job opportunities for someone in the San Diego area that has either satellite or submarine communications experience in the DOD. If you have either or both, please contact me OFF LINE and feel free to send your resume. Thanks -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"? "Use only Genuine Interocitor Parts" Tom Servo ;-P ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:27:35 +0200 From: William Leijenaar <pe1rah(a)hotmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <BAY116-W54DCC7DEB7896E51C8880D90180(a)phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi AMSATs, Last weeks I have been working on a testboard for the very small linear transponder system that I have designed. I plan to be at the JARL Ham Fair in Tokyo, Japan on 22nd and 23rd August, where I will present my thiny linear transponder to the ham people. I will be in Japan from 15th August till 27th of August. When some University Cubesat group in Japan is interrested in my transponder design I can give demonstration and presentation. Only serious parties please. Please see some older movies about my transponder design on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/pe1rah 73, and maybe see you on Ham Fair Tokyo, William Leijenaar, PE1RAH --- _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:52:10 -0400 From: "Roger Kolakowski" <rogerkola(a)aol.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair To: "William Leijenaar" <pe1rah(a)hotmail.com>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <001a01ca0bf0$98d605a0$0300a8c0@Tanguray> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi William... It is good to see one person accomplish so much for us satellite users! You already have a successful transceiver in orbit and a launch behind you! Keep up the good work! Roger ----- Original Message ----- From: "William Leijenaar" <pe1rah(a)hotmail.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 7:27 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair > > Hi AMSATs, > > Last weeks I have been working on a testboard for the very small linear transponder system that I have designed. > I plan to be at the JARL Ham Fair in Tokyo, Japan on 22nd and 23rd August, where I will present my thiny linear transponder to the ham people. > > I will be in Japan from 15th August till 27th of August. > When some University Cubesat group in Japan is interrested in my transponder design I can give demonstration and presentation. > Only serious parties please. > > Please see some older movies about my transponder design on youtube: > http://www.youtube.com/user/pe1rah > > 73, and maybe see you on Ham Fair Tokyo, > > William Leijenaar, PE1RAH > --- > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! > http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > _______________________________________________ > 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 > ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:09:02 -0700 (PDT) From: Rodney Waln <kc0zhf(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <686164.43154.qm(a)web46103.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 ok so what about this question, say you are going to go on vacation or moble /expadition, and you know that they?are changeing?AO-51 to say L/S mode for next week, ? would a HT that has L band FM transmit (DJ-G7T) 1 watt be ok or would you a 10watt amp with the proper antenna,? to kick the bird :-) i have the S band covered almost.? thanks Rodney kc0zhf ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:28:30 -0700 From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Public Thanks To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <97454C59-EAA1-4DC1-9595-2D658EB96131(a)earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes Andrew and Lee have jumped in and are working with the UCLA satellite lead - MANY thanks, gentlemen! And Martha, too, for finding the "right folks." Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666 ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:07:03 +0000 (UTC) From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net Subject: [amsat-bb] G3RUH patch wanted To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <275230980.4737721248412023260.JavaMail.root(a)sz0126a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Does anyone have a G3RUH S band patch antenna "laying" around they don't need? email direct. 73 Bob W7LRD ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:50:35 +0200 From: Andy Brian <briaandy(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] FX614 To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <e87ea45b0907240450r6fb0c37j5cdfb142058a491d(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 HI, I'm looking for any simple source code in C-language for FX-614 (ax.25 decoder) for undestanding simple ax.25 protocol. I found only few asm code for PIC16, but c-lanugage is easily to adopt to other microcontrollers. I tried to connect FX614 IC like in HITSAT http://www.hit.ac.jp/~satori/hitsat/img/decord.bmp and read at RX PC port with rs232 terminal programme, but I didn't receive any useful frame with b011111110 start (like describet in ). After this I found that all modem using pin CTS on RS232 port, I don't know how to handle this with PC to read directy with rs232 RXD port like HEX or binary values to see raw values of packet frames? It is possible to read values from FX614 (through max232 ) with PC to see raw format? So I'm looking for any simple source code in C to find how to decode signal from fx614 to microcontrollers port and then to PC Thanks for your help all the best Andy ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:18:18 +0100 From: David Johnson <david.johnson(a)blackpepper.co.uk> Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-UK Keynote Speaker To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <4A69A68A.1030106(a)blackpepper.co.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hi, We are pleased to announce that Dr Andreas Mogensen, currently at SSC and recently selected as one of the new the ESA Astronaut corps, has agreed to give a talk in the 1015-1100 hrs slot on Saturday 25th, covering briefly the history of the ESA astronaut corps and then about the steps that he went through in the year-long selection process. He may also touch on the work he is doing at SSC on their lunar mission planning. 73 Dave Johnson G4DPZ AMSAT-UK 1267 AMSAT-NA LM-1260 ------------------------------ Message: 13 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:27:40 -0400 From: Martha <martha(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Ballot To: Donald Anderson <w2dba(a)hotmail.com> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <956751cf0907240727t694acd9i5170e9b518509f6a(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Don - You will be receiving a "corrected ballot" in the mail shortly. It will be in an envelope that says "corrected ballot". That is the ballot you need to use. We will only count the corrected ballot. On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Donald Anderson <w2dba(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > Hi Martha > > My Ballot 2009 says to vote for 3 of the 4 listed but there are 5 listed > and the letter says there are 4 positions up for election . Should I vote > for 3 or 4 positions ? > > Thanks > Don > W2DBA LM-189 > w2dba(a)hotmail.com > > > ------------------------------ > NEW mobile Hotmail. Optimized for YOUR phone. Click here.<http://windowslive.com/Mobile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_CS_MB_new_hotmail_072009> > -- 73- Martha ------------------------------ Message: 14 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:51:21 +0000 From: n3tl(a)bellsouth.net Subject: [amsat-bb] K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <072420091751.2810.4A69F498000C8A2200000AFA22218683269B0A02D2089B9A019C04040A0DBF049BCC02(a)att.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Hey everyone, K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event - has concluded. My thanks to everyone for making this a fun and memorable special even on the satellites. Here's a brief summary: The K5E log contains 338 contacts representing 182 different operators. Contacts took place on all of the FM satellites (AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50), all of the CW/SSB satellites (AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52; both CW and SSB contacts are in the log), and via the International Space Station. The ISS contact was a two-way direct-packet contact between K5E and KB1GVR, in Maine. I will post a more detailed summary in the near future. Thanks to AA5PK, K8YSE and WA4NVM who assisted by operating portions of the special event as (their calls)/K5E. Their assistance proved valuable in expanding coverage throughout North, Central and northern South America. QSL Cards are in transit from the printer! Thanks again to Glade Schroeter, WA3MVQ, and GGGraphicsstore.com for donating the cards. My goal is to have all on-hand QSL requests filled and back in the mail by no later than July 31. If you worked K5E and have not requested a QSL card, please do so with an SASE. Direct all QSL requests to N3TL at the address on QRZ,com/N3TL. Thanks again to all, and 73, Tim - N3TL K5E ? The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 355 ****************************************

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K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Hey everyone, K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event - has concluded. My thanks to everyone for making this a fun and memorable special even on the satellites. Here's a brief summary: The K5E log contains 338 contacts representing 182 different operators. Contacts took place on all of the FM satellites (AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50), all of the CW/SSB satellites (AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52; both CW and SSB contacts are in the log), and via the International Space Station. The ISS contact was a two-way direct-packet contact between K5E and KB1GVR, in Maine. I will post a more detailed summary in the near future. Thanks to AA5PK, K8YSE and WA4NVM who assisted by operating portions of the special event as (their calls)/K5E. Their assistance proved valuable in expanding coverage throughout North, Central and northern South America. QSL Cards are in transit from the printer! Thanks again to Glade Schroeter, WA3MVQ, and GGGraphicsstore.com for donating the cards. My goal is to have all on-hand QSL requests filled and back in the mail by no later than July 31. If you worked K5E and have not requested a QSL card, please do so with an SASE. Direct all QSL requests to N3TL at the address on QRZ,com/N3TL. Thanks again to all, and 73, Tim - N3TL K5E – The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event

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Re: Ballot
by Martha 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Don - You will be receiving a "corrected ballot" in the mail shortly. It will be in an envelope that says "corrected ballot". That is the ballot you need to use. We will only count the corrected ballot. On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Donald Anderson <w2dba(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > Hi Martha > > My Ballot 2009 says to vote for 3 of the 4 listed but there are 5 listed > and the letter says there are 4 positions up for election . Should I vote > for 3 or 4 positions ? > > Thanks > Don > W2DBA LM-189 > w2dba(a)hotmail.com > > > ------------------------------ > NEW mobile Hotmail. Optimized for YOUR phone. Click here.<http://windowslive.com/Mobile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_CS_MB_new_hotmail_072009> > -- 73- Martha

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AMSAT-UK Keynote Speaker
by David Johnson 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Hi, We are pleased to announce that Dr Andreas Mogensen, currently at SSC and recently selected as one of the new the ESA Astronaut corps, has agreed to give a talk in the 1015-1100 hrs slot on Saturday 25th, covering briefly the history of the ESA astronaut corps and then about the steps that he went through in the year-long selection process. He may also touch on the work he is doing at SSC on their lunar mission planning. 73 Dave Johnson G4DPZ AMSAT-UK 1267 AMSAT-NA LM-1260

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G3RUH patch wanted
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Does anyone have a G3RUH S band patch antenna "laying" around they don't need? email direct. 73 Bob W7LRD

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Public Thanks
by Clint Bradford 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Andrew and Lee have jumped in and are working with the UCLA satellite lead - MANY thanks, gentlemen! And Martha, too, for finding the "right folks." Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions
by Rodney Waln 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

ok so what about this question, say you are going to go on vacation or moble /expadition, and you know that they are changeing AO-51 to say L/S mode for next week, would a HT that has L band FM transmit (DJ-G7T) 1 watt be ok or would you a 10watt amp with the proper antenna, to kick the bird :-) i have the S band covered almost. thanks Rodney kc0zhf

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Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair
by William Leijenaar 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Hi AMSATs, Last weeks I have been working on a testboard for the very small linear transponder system that I have designed. I plan to be at the JARL Ham Fair in Tokyo, Japan on 22nd and 23rd August, where I will present my thiny linear transponder to the ham people. I will be in Japan from 15th August till 27th of August. When some University Cubesat group in Japan is interrested in my transponder design I can give demonstration and presentation. Only serious parties please. Please see some older movies about my transponder design on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/pe1rah 73, and maybe see you on Ham Fair Tokyo, William Leijenaar, PE1RAH --- _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

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OT Job Opportunity, DOD Technical Skill Sets Needed
by RFI-EMI-GUY 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

Please excuse me for posting this, but in this tight job market I felt might be of interest to some AMSAT or ARRL folks. I know of job opportunities for someone in the San Diego area that has either satellite or submarine communications experience in the DOD. If you have either or both, please contact me OFF LINE and feel free to send your resume. Thanks -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Use only Genuine Interocitor Parts" Tom Servo ;-P

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Rare Grids and Gridpeditions
by John Papay 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

It's great to see the renewed interest in activating "rare" grids on the birds. If you don't have a particular grid worked and confirmed, it is a "rare" grid. It is important for all of us to recognize those who are operating "portable" in a grid away from their home. They are only there for a short period of time so giving them the frequency is the thing to do. If you hear a callsign that you have not worked before, call that person rather than someone you just talked with on the last pass. We need to encourage the new people as they are the future of the amateur space program. Use the portable designation if you are operating away from home so others will know that this might be a new grid. We have enjoyed a long stretch of AO51 being in the V/U mode on 435.300. After the end of the month, the bird will be in sunlight continuously and that will allow higher power and other modes to be used. If AO51 is in a non-V/U voice mode, as it was for a 2 week period not long ago, grid dxpeditions are not going to be worthwhile. If you plan a vacation ahead of time, you might find later that the bird will not be in a v/u voice mode during your trip. The Operations Team sets the schedule and they do it based upon requests from the membership for alternate modes. Personally I think that there should always be a 435.300/145.92 mode available. Everyone who is interested in chasing grids or activating grids away from their home should email KO4MA and request that V/U voice remain on. You cannot plan anything if you don't know if AO51 will be in V/U voice during your trip. The schedule is based upon input from the membership and if we don't make our requests, those that want the bird in other modes (both transponders) will most likely be served. The second transponder is fine for other modes but there are probably some modes that cannot be activated if V/U voice is to remain on. Maybe Drew can clarify this for us. There are some that would say that there are other satellites that can be used for FM voice. Very true, however, if you are out there trying to activate grids, not having AO51 available is a handicap. You spend a lot of money to do it and then have 1/3 of your potential air time, on the best FM satellite up there, not available to you. It makes no sense. I'm on L band now and will have S band RX running soon. I enjoy setting up for different modes. But after you work a few stations in those modes, and fine tune your equipment, there's not much left. Chasing grids never ends. There's always one more to work. If you are interested in working or activating new grids, please email KO4MA and request that AO51 always have one V/U voice transponder available. There is no guarantee that this will always work, but if there are no emails, it is likely that there will be more periods of non V/U voice on AO51. John K8YSE

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