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

Re: Elk antenna on tower
by Rodney Waln 07 Aug '09

07 Aug '09

if you have any question or need any help with anything, i am only 150 miles from you, or email me or get a hold of me on the SD link system, no joke, Rodney kc0zhf

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HRD software question
by Randy 07 Aug '09

07 Aug '09

I just downloaded HRD and am having trouble figuring out How to look at more than one satelite at a time in the Satellite part of the program. TIA 73, Randy N2CUA

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DJ-G7T experiences
by Alan P. Biddle 07 Aug '09

07 Aug '09

After a nearly 2 month wait, my rig came in recently. The good news is that they are coming through with the current firmware and manual. The manual is "OK" but lacks an index making things hard to find, and does not include all the menu items. Fortunately, after you get comfortable with the logic, it is easy to figure them out. The computer programming software is available so far only in Japanese, but they claim the English version will be available Real Soon Now. For normal operations, the RX and TX audio are excellent, and the wideband receive is useful, or at least fun. As with most HTs, the stock antenna could stand to be replaced, and has been. Packet works well, and the VOX simplifies interfacing. On the downside, the receivers are both less sensitive than they should be. In comparison with an ancient Icom HT with exactly the same specs, using the same antenna and location, marginal repeaters which are close to full quieting on the Icom are noisy and largely unreadable on the Alinco. More importantly for satellite use, the sub band which you must use for RX is significantly noisier. I use an ARR preamp. With it on, pointing to clear sky with an Elk antenna, I get 2-3 S-units of noise on the main RX. Using the sub RX, it is full scale, and actual readability is poor in comparison with the main RX. This is independent of whether the wideband RX function is on or off. Attenuators off of course. ;) I have had the impression that some of the old AMSAT hands at portable operation have been less than impressed, and so far that has been my experience. It will be interesting so see if there are any helpful firmware updates. While a disappointment so far for satellite use, I do expect to use this as my main HT for normal operations once the English programming software becomes available. Anybody have an experiences to share, hopefully positive? Alan WA4SCA

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Fantastic photo of ISS+Endeavor in front of the sun!
by Tom Clark, K3IO 07 Aug '09

07 Aug '09

/Thierry Legault/ is a French amateur astronomy who is well-known for his incredible astronomical photos. Hr has posted a great photo of the ISS in front of the sun during the recent Endeavor visit: http://legault.club.fr/iss_endeavour_transit.html He also grabbed an image of Atlantis + HST in front of the sun: http://legault.club.fr/atlantis_hst_transit.html. In this posting, he also describes his technique with photos he made during a recent Florida visit along with answers to some FAQ. Enjoy! -- 73, Tom

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Re: Elk on tower
by Rodney Waln 06 Aug '09

06 Aug '09

hi, i would say about about 6" to one foot should be good, from the longest element horizontal or 6" vertical mounting, all jokeing aside, Rodney kc0zhf

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Re: Elk on tower
by Reicher, James 06 Aug '09

06 Aug '09

You may do it on the tower, but here in Missouri, we usually mount our Elk over the fireplace. :) 73 de W0HV, Jim in Raymore, MO Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. -----Original Message----- Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 11:23:11 -0600 From: Jerry Felts <nr5ajerry(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Elk on tower To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <21baf9ff0908061023o343d3c3ax8c71451893599770(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 How far away from the mast on my tower should I mount my Elk?? The mast is 2" steal anf the lk will be mounted horiz at a 15 deg angle. -- Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota http://nr5abikeblog.blogspot.com/ http://nr5abeaconblog.blogspot.com/

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Re: Fwd: Launch your own satellite for only 8k
by G0MRF＠aol.com 06 Aug '09

06 Aug '09

In a message dated 06/08/2009 08:44:08 GMT Standard Time, Richard(a)g3rwl.demon.co.uk writes: I'm surprised no-one else has done the math on this. The website says they'll launch 30 tubesats on a flight. 30 x eight grand comes out just under a quarter million US dollars - and they say this will cover *all* associated services as well as the launch. I find it rather hard to believe that even the launch vehicle would only cost US$240K per flight. -- 73 Richard W L Limebear G3RWL g3rwl(a)amsat.org FOC # 1188 30 x 0.75 kg is almost no payload. Presumably the rest of the cost is covered by a primary payload or lager better more expensive TubeSats. If their idea for frequency allocation is typical of the rest of their planning, I suspect this is just vopourware which will never fly. David

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HRD software question
by Randy 06 Aug '09

06 Aug '09

I just downloaded HRD and am having trouble figuring out How to look at more than one satelite at a time in the Satellite part of the program. TIA 73, Randy N2CUA

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Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net Tonight August 06 8 PM On N2EYH-L
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 06 Aug '09

06 Aug '09

Hello everyone. It's time once again for the Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net on Echolink node N2EYH-L or on the Mt. Beacon repeater overlooking Beacon New York on 146.970 PL 100. My apologies to anyone who tried to connect by Echolink during our last net. Due to technical difficulties we were not able to connect with Echolink. I have been assured we will be connected tonight. Please join us and share your satellite communications knowledge with the group. Hope to hear you there. 73 Gary WA2AQH

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Where to post telemetry data
by Randy 06 Aug '09

06 Aug '09

Hi guys .. I managed to get a few packets of telemetry data from Pollux yesterday. Not to mention a whole lot of ISS packet activity .. Where do I submit this data ?? On the website? or FTP it somewhere? Still new to all this, but eager to learn. Randy - N2CUA PS anyone have time to spend on the phone with me to answer a gazillion questions?

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