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

FW: Moonship Photographed by Backyard Astronomers
by Dave 10 Jul '09

10 Jul '09

I just can't believe that the US is crashing a craft into the moon and we're arguing about a ride. Dave DM78qd // KA0SWT If it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners.-- Johnny Carson +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ _____ From: NASA Science News [mailto:snglist@lyris.msfc.nasa.gov] Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2009 2:14 PM To: NASA Science News Subject: Moonship Photographed by Backyard Astronomers NASA Science News for July 9, 2009 Amateur astronomers have photographed NASA's LCROSS spacecraft en route to an October crash landing on the Moon. Observers say the spacecraft is surprisingly easy to photograph, and NASA hopes more amateurs will give it a try. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/09jul_lcross1.htm?list1299902 You are currently subscribed to snglist as: dave(a)mynatt.biz. This is a free service. To unsubscribe click here: http://lyris.msfc.nasa.gov/u?id=1299902V&n=T&l=snglist or send a blank email to leave-snglist-1299902V(a)lyris.msfc.nasa.gov

2 1

Richard Garriot QSL card
by Luc Leblanc 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

I just added it and the letter on my web page: www.qsl.net/ve2dwe "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

2 1

Re: Cleaning oxidation from antenna
by B.P. 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

Use an anti-oxidant compound like Noalox when putting the different sized sections together; it reduces seizing so it’ll come apart easier in the future. You can find it in the electrical section of your local home improvement store. Bruce KD8DQ --- On Thu, 7/9/09, w6zkh(a)comcast.net <w6zkh(a)comcast.net> wrote: From: w6zkh(a)comcast.net <w6zkh(a)comcast.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cleaning oxidation from antenna To: "amsat-bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Date: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 3:16 PM Thanks for all for their suggestions. Tried Scotchbrite and 409, and it doesnt seem to do very well. Sofar the best I have found is an SOS pad, as it cleans and shines, plus takes out the little bumps of oxidation. The yagi's are KLM's which of course are abit dated. Not living in a coastal enviroment, I've never had to worry about oxidation like this before. This is not a "hurry up" project, so have time to do a good job, I hope. I'll keep working at it and also your suggestions. John W6ZKH DM06 _______________________________________________ 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

1 0

Re: Cleaning oxidation from antenna
by Jim Jerzycke 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

If they're *terribly* bad, you can always use wet-or-dry sandpaper to clean them. My radio club is located right on the main channel in the Los Angeles Harbor, and that's what we had to do 4 or 5 years ago when we took our big Mosley HF antenna down to refurb it. Used the sandpaper on the worst parts of it, and followed up with lots of steel wool, ScotchBrite, and elbow grease. We paid special attention to all the joints on the boom and elements, and added extra screws to hold them together. When we had it all back together we applied several coats of marine varnish to it, although there are other paints that will work as well. One of the club members is a "boat guy", and he had plenty of the varnish, so that's what we used. And don't forget to use some anti-oxidant compound when you put it back together. Jim KQ6EA --- On Thu, 7/9/09, w6zkh(a)comcast.net <w6zkh(a)comcast.net> wrote: From: w6zkh(a)comcast.net <w6zkh(a)comcast.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cleaning oxidation from antenna To: "amsat-bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Date: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 12:16 PM Thanks for all for their suggestions. Tried Scotchbrite and 409, and it doesnt seem to do very well. Sofar the best I have found is an SOS pad, as it cleans and shines, plus takes out the little bumps of oxidation. The yagi's are KLM's which of course are abit dated. Not living in a coastal enviroment, I've never had to worry about oxidation like this before. This is not a "hurry up" project, so have time to do a good job, I hope. I'll keep working at it and also your suggestions. John W6ZKH DM06 _______________________________________________ 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

1 0

Re: Cleaning oxidation from antenna
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

Thanks for all for their suggestions. Tried Scotchbrite and 409, and it doesnt seem to do very well. Sofar the best I have found is an SOS pad, as it cleans and shines, plus takes out the little bumps of oxidation. The yagi's are KLM's which of course are abit dated. Not living in a coastal enviroment, I've never had to worry about oxidation like this before. This is not a "hurry up" project, so have time to do a good job, I hope. I'll keep working at it and also your suggestions. John W6ZKH DM06

1 0

Re: Cleaning oxidation from antenna
by Jim Jerzycke 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

ScotchBrite pads also work very well, and don't leave lots of little conductive strands floating around. Jim KQ6EA --- On Thu, 7/9/09, Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> wrote: From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cleaning oxidation from antenna To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Thursday, July 9, 2009, 9:42 AM >> ... Nothing seems to be pitted or deteriorated, just "ugly". Fine steel wool. Then spray Marine Spar Varnish on it (after connecting cable and properly sealing that connection). Clint Bradford http:/www.k6lcs.com ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com _______________________________________________ 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

2 1

Cleaning oxidation from antenna
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

Recently picked up 2 yagi's that were near coastal locations, and the boom and elements are oxidized. What is the best method to clean this? Just 'good ole elbow grease and Scotchbrite pad' or something else. Nothing seems to be pitted or deteriorated, just "ugly". John W6ZKH

2 1

Re: OT: Universal Text Messaging and Pagers (WAS Re: Re:dream)
by Bob Bruninga 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

> Ben, I agree we need a ruling on this > I think part 97 is vauge and vauge for a reason THIS IS INSANITY!!!! The FCC is nothing but a bunch of bureaucrats trying to sell off spectrum to the highest bidder! There are no real engineers left there, and no one there with OUR interest in mind. It is ABSURD to go running to to the FCC to ask for a ruling!!! > What we need is to setup a conferance call or > something so we can get a well written letter > together and get it off to someone who can > make a ruleing at the FCC ABSOLUTELY NOT. That is lunacy. Instead of laying out such kind of completely open ended paperdrill and wasted effort, spend our time developing a system using pagers in our network. Geeze. We are licensed amateurs, we KNOW the rules, we KNOW what amateur radio can do, and WE KNOW what kind of benefits we can produce. We ALSO know what is not legal when we hear it. And using Pagers as part of the amateur radio text messaging system IS NOT ILLEGAL! > Define a system and descuss the possablities of > doing call sign routing, sending the pages up > to a satellite ect ect. But before "we" put a > lot of time and effort and money into this > I think we need a ruling NO!!! HARDLY ANY TECHNOLOGY in amateur radio has ever been successfully developed that way. All that develops is a lot of HOT AIR and useless paper. Progress has RARELY IF EVER BEEN developed by committee. Progress in Amateur Radio is made by inspired individuals who see a need, and go off and develop something using their own money, time and effort. The best way to KILL any good idea is to form a committee that squashes any initiative and progress by overbearing hot air and "geeze wouldnt it be nice if we did this.... where "WE" is some other guy who can actually DO something. > I know for a fact that our local repeater is > cabable of doing 2 tone paging - and was in > use back when I was very young and not a ham > - the elders of the local club say it was > able to send alerts for weather, pages for > people to get on the radio, ect. It was all > done with tones at the time - "our" pagers > are far more advanced and can display the > text of whatever Using PAGING devices to communicate on amateur radio has always been legal. If you want to make things illegal, then look at the application and how they are used. If they are used for the benefit of all the intents and benefits of legal amateur communications, then they are legal. If they are used for paging to violate the intents and meaning of amateur radio, then such an application is illegal. It is the APPLICATION AND USE that is legal or illegal, it is NOT THE DEVICE! > No one in the club can tell me why they > stopped using pagers - Probably because some nit-picking obstructionist spent all his time trying to find a way to convince others that it was illegal... And everyone else gave up in disgust. > But at around the same time they stopped paging, > kantronics also stopped modify pagers for 2 > meters, <SNIP> > We need to setup something and get as many > people as we can write up a well written > paper and get a ruling. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE NO. > I think as we see here agurements can be > made on both sides. Which you can get on any topic on any subjct whenever you have more than one person in a room! > Which is why we need a ruling. No, which is exactly why we get a license and read the rules and take good ideas for amateur radio and move out, and do not waste time laying paper at the feet of a bunch of bureaucrats who could care less. The motivation of most bureaucrats is simply how is the best way to get this paper off my desk, and the answer is to simply say NO rather than say YES, which could only expand to other issues... > When rules are written this vague, some one > needs to decide and stand by the decision HUh? They make it vague so that we can move forward without being nit-picked by aremchair hams turning over rocks trying to find ways to kill progress by playing bureaucrat. VAGUE IS GOOD! It means PROCEED!!! >------Original Message------ >Subject: Re: OT: Universal Text Messaging and Pagers > > We'll agree to disagree regarding your take > of the rules as almost everyone else did > on APRSSIG. ;) > >> There is no reason to nit pick rules. When >> one is broadcasting (one >> way) to the general >> public or using amateur radio inappropriately, I >> think everyone can tell when something is >> blatanly illegal. I just don't see the FCC >> cares one nit about some of these debates when >> any one can see that hams are taking initiative >> to better their use of the radio art. > > Considering that they've recently ruled on > whether contesters should give blanket > "5-by-9" signals, I'd think they'd be glad > to rule on something interesting and relevant. THEY WILL RULE ON ANYTHING! And that is the LAST thing we want or need. There is just no reason to be running to bureaucrats with stupid questions, or you get stupid answers! >>> You just have to ignore the curmudgeons who >>> have nothing better to do than nit-pick >>> ways to prevent other hams from developing >>> useful applications of technology. A pager >>> is simply the text-to-user device integrated >>> into the normal local 2-way amateur radio >>> communications system. >> The issue is that, according to Part 97, >> it can't be used beyond QSTs, telemetry, >> or "necessary" emergency communications. WHAT IS THE "IT" here? The "IT" is "ONE WAY BROADCASTS". and that has nothing to do with the hardware. STOP READING "IT" AS PAGERS. They are separate entities. ONE WAY BROADCASTS beyond the scope of amateur radio are clearly illegal. Making the stretch to declare all pagers to be ONE WAY BROADCASTS is just as silly (in an amateur radio communications network) as declaring that ALL TRANSMITTERS are illegal because they are also ONE WAY!!! >>> Could I get away with setting up such a >>> system? Likely. Do I foot to stand >>> on when my local OO comes knocking? >>> Not so much. >> >> Some OO's are part of the problem, >> not the solution... > > Then the solution has presented itself. > Get a ruling from the FCC regarding the > use of transmissions to receive-only > devices such as pagers. Oh, this is absurd. EVERY receiver is a receive-only device!!! and every TRANSMITTER is a transmit only device. It is NOT THE DEVICE that determines legality, it is the APPLICATION. > Then we can finally put this issue to rest > and if anyone comes knocking regarding the > legality of these transmissions, we can have > something concrete to cite. Yes, and what you will site is some bureaucratic off the wall decision made in the vacuum of engineering that exists at the FCC made in the best interest of the FCC which is to decalare most anything brought before it as illegal simply to clear their desk of these stupid "requests for opinions". > Again, I'd love to set up something like this, > but I'd be hard pressed to spend a chunk of > money on a system that could be taken down if > someone files a complaint to the FCC. Pagers are being sold for scrap metal. If someone cannot afford maybe $10 for a crystal to put in a practically free pager to get it on the air, then amateur radio is probably not a good hobby for him. > Let's take any further discussion about this offline. LETS STOP DISCUSSING IT AND SPEND OUR TIME DOING IT! Again, nothing technical in amateur radio gets done by nit-picking rules, and forming committees, and running off to the FCC, it is individuals that see an opportunity and have the ability to move out and accomplish it. THe worst part of amateur radio is all the nit-pickers and ankle biters that hold back progress. Sometimes they win and the guy in the lead just gives up. SOmetimes these guys with an idea get far enough ahead of the nit-pickers and ankle biters, that the great silent majority of amateurs begin to think outside of their boxes and start to slowly get on board. Of course the nit-pickers and ankle biters will always be there to the end, but hopefully they are in the minority and the majority will continue to move forward. Bob, WB4APR

4 3

Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net Tonight On Echolink n2eyh-L At 8 PM EST
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

It's time again for the Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net. Join us On Echolink n2eyh-L at 8 PM EST. If you are in the Hudson Valley area we will be on the Mt.Beacon repeater 146970 pl 100. We usually have one or two Amsat are coordinators on the net to answer any questions you may have. Join us and share any info on your recent satellite contacts or your station. All are welcome. Hope to hear you there. 73 Gary **************Looking for love this summer? Find it now on AOL Personals. (http://personals.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntuslove00000003)

1 0

Re: controller and Rotator help
by Bill Howell 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

Myles, My friend is using a Yaesu 5400 rotor (the currently available model is the 5500). I do not believe that he has had any problem with it, nor have I. He uses a controller created by Mark Spencer, WA8SME. Here is a link to the original QST page that describes it: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ariss-kits/ Note that the kit is no longer available through Mark or the ARRL. The boards are available through Far Circuits... http://www.farcircuits.net/control1.htm It is described as "SATELITE TRACKER INTERFACE FOR G-5500, G-5400, NOVA, SatPC32 BY WA8SME INCLUDES PROGRAMMED PIC AND BOARD". What you are buying is a circuit board and programmed PIC chip. You will have to buy miscellaneous parts to finish out the project. When used with MacDoppler, the "EasyCom" protocol is selected . I hope all the above is not too confusing. You mention a concern about not having access to the roof, once the rotor is installed. Keep in mind that at some point in the future, you may end up having to get up there and troubleshoot the unit or perhaps attend to a coax connector that is letting in the rain, etc. Bill Howell N5AB On Jul 5, 2009, at 5:44 AM, myles landstein wrote: > hi > > thank you very much for all the info and willingness to ask a > friend about his setup > could you in particular ask what his experience was w/the > rotator was it 'trouble free' for him > > > my biggest concern is getting a bad brand of rotator > because it will be very difficult for me t get the building > to give me access to the roof and to hire people to have to > climb up and replace a rotator so naturally i want to make sure > to get the right brand, the alpha spid seems to be double in > price not chump change so while i don't mind getting one, > i don't want to waste money if the yaesu is 'ok' and so far i > don't know anyone who said they had the spid perhaps it's > problematic or just too $$ > > excuse my babble and again thanks for all > > myles > > > On Jul 4, 2009, at 11:02 PM, Bill Howell wrote: > >> Myles, >> >> My antennas/rotor are disassembled right now, as we are trying to >> sell the house. >> When it was all together, I used an older version of MacDoppler Pro, >> a Mac G4 tower with a serial card, >> and an Endeavour Auto Tracker ( http://endeavour-usa.com/ >> autotracker.htm ) driving a Yaesu 5400 rotor. >> The system worked FB. >> >> Had I to do it over, I might not choose the Endeavour interface unit. >> It requires a serial port >> on the Mac, and I'm not sure if a serial-to USB converter would work >> right with it >> (an Imac, for instance, has no provision for a serial card). >> >> MacDoppler is an excellent program with great support. >> The 5400 was purchased used and has been up on my roof for a number >> of years with no problems. >> >> A friend of mine (who may not subscribe to this list) is using a Mac, >> MacDoppler and a Yaesu 5400. >> I will email him and see what he is using for an interface unit (I >> think his Mac is USB-only), and let you know. >> >> Bill Howell N5AB >> >> >> On Jul 4, 2009, at 8:12 PM, myles landstein wrote: >> >>> Since no one has replied thought I might give it another try, >>> while perhaps not many are familiar with MacDoppler software, I >>> hope some would be with the hardware and wouldn't mind offering >>> some help? >>> >>> >>> thanks >>> >>> happy 4th >>> >>> >>> On Jul 3, 2009, at 4:47 PM, myles landstein wrote: >>> >>>> Hoping to get some real world advice from those that are using >>>> MacDoppler and a compatible Rotor /Controller set up as this will >>>> be my first time getting a rotator and controller. >>>> >>>> I wanted to solicit some advice on two fronts, the rotor >>>> controller basically for ease of use with MacDoppler and >>>> rotor reliability. >>>> >>>> >>>> My first thoughts were towards a Yaesu 5500 and maybe the >>>> PrimeTec controller or maybe the LVB tracker as it's less costly. >>>> >>>> I read a few reviews but not much was out there in general but >>>> especially on the PrimeTec... >>> >>> Anyone using the PrimeTec? >>>> >>>> What are you using as a controller? would appreciate any >>>> comparisons pro's cons tips tricks you might have >>>> >>>> >>>> My biggest concern really is the Rotator. I am in a situation such >>>> that after installation, getting back to the roof for repairs >>>> would be rather difficult. So i am trying to identify the 'best' >>>> small/moderate sized rotator (az/el) as possible /practical. >>>> >>>> Will be turning a small M2 2m and 440 circular pol beam >>>> >>>> >>>> Not really sure how reliable the 5500 is for long term use. so >>>> if there was a 'better' more reliable and or longer lasting rotor >>>> out there i'd strongly consider it >>>> >>>> The only thing I thought of as a alternative was the AlphaSpid but >>>> comparing reviews I seem to come out about the same between it and >>>> the 5500 -hoping some real world responses might help me break >>>> the >>>> 'tie' >>>> >>>> >>>> Since this is all new stuff and I am not finding the usual >>>> quality 'google' results /reviews (PrimeTec) I would greatly >>>> appreciate any >>>> help or experience /advice on this from someone that went down >>>> this road already and willing to share some first hand info on what >>>> they use. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> thanks very much grateful for any advice. >>>> >>>> >>>> Going to Dayton '10 It will get better with >>>> more support! >>>> >>>> Myles D Landstein >>>> N2EHG >>>> myles.landstein(a)gmail.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> Myles Landstein >>> myles.landstein(a)gmail.com >>> please note my new email address >>> dti will soon be eliminated , gmail is my new home update your dir >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > Myles Landstein > myles.landstein(a)gmail.com > please note my new email address > dti will soon be eliminated , gmail is my new home update your dir >

3 2