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

G5400B rotor maintenance
by Gopal Madhavan 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

Adding to Alan's suggestions, may I suggest that when the screws holding the two halves are replaced, you use Allen head bolts as they are much easier to remove later. Hex bolts sometimes are difficult to get a spanner on. I have done that for my rotors A source for repairs is RotorNorm, who has spares for all types of rotors and undertakes complete rebuilding if need be, but servicing these are quite simple Gopal VU2GMN -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 08:13 To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 461 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. Re: G5400B rotor maintenance (Alan VE4YZ) 2. Re: Volunteered (W4ART Arthur Feller) 3. Re: Volunteered (Bill Ress) 4. How can I serve AMSAT today? (John P. Toscano) 5. Re: Volunteered (Rocky Jones) 6. Re: Volunteered (Joseph Armbruster) 7. handheld whip (w7lrd(a)comcast.net) 8. Re: handheld whip (Dave Webb KB1PVH) 9. Re: handheld whip (George Henry) 10. Re: Volunteered (Rocky Jones) 11. Re: handheld whip (Tim - N3TL) 12. Re: GS232A & GS232B (codrut buda) 13. Re: Volunteered (Bill Ress) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:10:55 -0500 From: "Alan VE4YZ" <ve4yz(a)mts.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: G5400B rotor maintenance To: <w6zkh(a)comcast.net>, "'amsat-bb'" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <3B107D8E16B54EABA9433DE100A3DCF2@Athlon> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" First determine whether it is just a dirty or worn winding in the POT that is causing needle flicker. Run the rotator on the bench with an ohm meter across A2 and A1, then A2 and A3 ( same numbering on the EL - see schematic ) while running full rotation. Don't connect the 1,2, 3 terminals to the controller. If it is smooth and uniform 0-500 ohms there is nothing wrong in the rotators except your noise problem. I've found the AZ always noisier than the EL. Storing the AZ upside down ( or in fact mounting it up side down as I once did in error ) is big trouble as water will run into the ball race and probably rust a few of the ball bearings and compromise the grease. They can be replaced easily and new grease installed. That was probably your stuck rotator. It is probably all you need to do to get the noise problem resolved. It should at least be inspected to see what damage was done by storing upside down exposed to the elements as dirt will have been cared in with the rain. It is not too difficult to get inside and snoop around. You can start my just removing the inspection plate to see the condition of the internal POT. My experience is that the EL rarely needs to be opened up as it doesn't do much travelling - at most 180 degrees but I bet most folks don't flip their EL and so all it does is go up and down 90 degrees most of its life with far fewer jogs than the AZ. Below is a link to a rebuild where I replaced many of the metric screws and did a re-grease for our -40/+40C WX in EN19. The ball bearing were not replaced as they were pristine. Make sure you have a place for metric machine screws before you start to open up. The Home Depots in Canada had all the metric screws I needed. For Canadians contemplating a rebuild, I found Canadian Tire had the largest selection of metric screws followed by Roma and then Home Depot. Auto suppliers will also have them for the "foreign" cars made in NA. http://picasaweb.google.com/ve4yz.alan/RotatorRebuild2009# Good luck... Alan -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of w6zkh(a)comcast.net Sent: September 11, 2009 12:47 PM To: amsat-bb Subject: [amsat-bb] G5400B rotor maintenance I recently picked up a G5400B AZ-EL rotor unit, which had been down on ground for sometime. I recall it had been stored upside down outdoors. When I got it home and hooked it up in the shop, the Azmiuth rotor was stuck, but some manual help, broke whatever was stuck loose and it started to operate, even abit noisy. The Elevation rotor is nice and quiet and works fine. I notice now, after being used for afew weeks, that the noise is getting more pronounced and also the meter indicator flickers, so I suspect water probably got into the unit. Who does repair work on these rotors? I dont dare try it myself, as I know I would end up with extra parts at the end of the day, even working in a tub. So, would appreciate any help in finding a business that repairs these Yaesu rotors.. John W6ZKH _______________________________________________ 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: 2 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:26:14 -0400 From: W4ART Arthur Feller <afeller(a)ieee.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered To: Rocky Jones <orbitjet(a)hotmail.com> Cc: rswart1(a)twcny.rr.com, Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <87D0E56D-304C-4310-BA7B-4ABE915585D6(a)ieee.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed; delsp=yes Robert, Hurling questions and accusations is easy, but, doesn't seem to help. Keeping up with what's going on (the information IS available) and PARTICIPATING in the work will provide a solid platform from which to speak. Dive in! And, let's try to keep the discussion constructive. 73, art..... W4ART/3 Washington DC LM 113 On 11-Sep-2009, at 2:30 PM, Rocky Jones wrote: > > Bob > > What has been remarkable about this thread, is that it has shown how > dysfunctional AMSAT NA is. > > Forget satelllite construction etc...people point out problems with > the web site and next thing you have is someone explaining who can > and cannot comment on the state of the organization (to paraphrase > "we dont need weak volunteers who are discouraged by no real method > of being able to volunteer one has to earn the right to be > critical...") > > Forget the ability to answer serious questions like (and I know its > annoying) "how was the suitsat 2 program allowed to not meet the > ability to use the "suits". > > And from what I can tell no one has a clue why Suitsat 1 failed (I > know it was a glorious success by just deploying) much less how to > avoid a repeat of that with a much more complicated followon which > is now functionally a new satellite. > > And of course the whole concept of board meetings which really are > not is entertaining. > > The answers are "you cannot criticize "us" we are working 16 to 18 > hour days doing things that no one else will do"... > > and then one wonders why donations are at an all time low. > > Robert WB5MZO Amsat NA life member > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. > http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON :WL:en-US:SI_SB_online:082009 > _______________________________________________ > 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 What we can do is to live out our lives as best we can with purpose, and with love, and with joy. We can use each day to show those who are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can strive at all costs to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance to look back on our time here, we know that we spent it well; that we made a difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of others. - Barak Obama, 29 Aug 2009 ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:38:32 -0700 From: Bill Ress <bill(a)hsmicrowave.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered To: Rocky Jones <orbitjet(a)hotmail.com> Cc: rswart1(a)twcny.rr.com, Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <4AAAA738.7070403(a)hsmicrowave.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Rocky Jones wrote: > Bob > > What has been remarkable about this thread, is that it has shown how dysfunctional AMSAT NA is. > > Forget satelllite It's satellite - by the way! construction etc...people point out problems with the web site and next thing you have is someone explaining who can and cannot comment on the state of the organization (to paraphrase "we dont need weak volunteers who are discouraged by no real method of being able to volunteer one has to earn the right to be critical...") > > Forget the ability to answer serious questions like (and I know its annoying) As a team memb"how was the suitsat 2 program allowed to not meet the ability to use the "suits". As a SuitSat team member, I gave you a brief answer offline and offered to get more detail if you so desired. You didn't respond. It's obvious to me that you really don't want an answer, You just want to be a boring, broken record. So I'll repeat the simple answer, here, why we missed the suit launch. Listen up. The SuitSat team is made up entirely of volunteers who have real jobs, families, and other responsibilities. Hey, we're just pursuing our Amateur radio HOBBY - not a professional job. Some of you folks talk like we're a Loral or Lockheed. Did you critics forget that Amateur radio satellites are a hobby - not a business? Well, by golly, along the way technical challenges delayed progress. Jobs and families got in the way. Son of a gun - we missed schedules. I'm not offering excuses, just offering the reality of having folks on the team that aren't getting paid for their fantastic efforts. Sure, it's not nice to have technical issues show up or to miss schedules but in the scheme of things, what have we lost - except maybe creditability in YOUR eyes. We now have a new satellite structure more suited for what we are trying to do technically - called ARRISat. The way you've been carrying on, I am so very glad we don't have you volunteering - even to stuff envelopes. You'd probably say that we were doing that wrong too. Personally, I thought that refunding your AMSAT life membership would make me feel better, but on further reflection, AMSAT should just keep your money since it is helping fund efforts to serve it's members who appreciate what volunteers are trying to do for them and their hobby. And if you think any of your comments have caused the ARRISat team to miss a beat on the way to our 2010 launch, then think again. This team has tackled and solved technical challenges more significant for the future of AMSAT and its members, than ANY of the issues you raise. Regards...Bill - N6GHz > > And from what I can tell no one has a clue why Suitsat 1 failed (I know it was a glorious success by just deploying) much less how to avoid a repeat of that with a much more complicated followon which is now functionally a new satellite. > > And of course the whole concept of board meetings which really are not is entertaining. > > The answers are "you cannot criticize "us" we are working 16 to 18 hour days doing things that no one else will do"... > > and then one wonders why donations are at an all time low. > > Robert WB5MZO Amsat NA life member > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. > http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON :WL:en-US:SI_SB_online:082009 > _______________________________________________ > 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: 4 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:49:00 -0500 From: "John P. Toscano" <tosca005(a)tc.umn.edu> Subject: [amsat-bb] How can I serve AMSAT today? To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <4AAAA9AC.1050301(a)tc.umn.edu> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Rather than tacking on more replies to the depressing multitude of arguments back and forth that have degenerated to the level of name-calling, let's try something that is actually POSITIVE for a change. The AMSAT web pages have tons of information on them. One of the big problems of having such a vast store of information is the impossibility of one or a small number of volunteers keeping it all current and up to date. Please trust me on this. I am the lone webmaster for another radio organization, and I KNOW from personal experience how hard it is to keep the thing going properly. I have admitted publicly on several occasions that I appreciate feedback, and will do my best to make repairs when errors or omissions or outdated information is detected. Unlike the experience with the AMSAT volunteers, however, I have actually received honest-to-goodness POSITIVE feedback from folks, and it has helped me enormously to fix at least the worst shortcomings of the site I have volunteered to maintain. I've even had a few people say "Thank You!" to me, and it sure feels good to know that my efforts are appreciated, even if they don't match up to my own standards of what I wish I could do. So, here's the challenge to EVERY BLEEPING ONE OF YOU who are now reading this message: 1) Find something on the AMSAT web site that needs fixing. According to all the flak that's been flying about, that should be no hard task, right? 2) Write up a SOLUTION to the problem. Broken link? Find a new link. Misspelling? Write down the correction. Poor grammar? Re-write the sentence or paragraph to improve it. Outdated info? Find the newer info. Etc., etc. I think you get the idea. 3) Go to the "bad" web page in question, and at the bottom, click on the link to report "bugs" in the web page. I realize (as I am also a programmer among my multiple self-taught skills) that the above mentioned things are not "bugs" in the programming sense, but on the other hand, most of the AMSAT pages don't actually compute something that a bug would cause to be mis-computed, so I submit that the original intent of the author was to use this link to report ANY flaw(s) in the page, not only programming errors. If the original author wants to contest that point of view, she is welcome to come forward and say so in this public forum. 4) Fill out the form that will pop up, including your description of the problem AND the solution that you found or created. Hit the SEND button. 5) Wait a very short time, and if you did your part well, I am willing to bet money that you will find that the web page gets fixed. There were several things on the Satellite Status pages that annoyed me. Having had enough of the troll-feeding, I decided to follow steps 1 through 5, and, lo and behold, those annoying problems are now history. I seriously doubt that the prompt action by Drew to my "website bug reports" had anything to do with the esteem in which the organization holds me, as I am usually lurking around quietly, and saying/doing nothing to make my existence even known to AMSAT. I am about as close to an unknown member as you can get, yet still be the author of an article that was published in an issue of the AMSAT Journal once upon a time. I therefore submit that if it worked for me, it will likely also work for you. Don't believe it? Go ahead, try to prove me wrong. I dare you. And have a nice day while you try. 73 de W?JT AMSAT-NA LM #2292 P.S., don't think that the "Life Member" status got me any special attention, either. It just means that if they spent my one-time life membership fee on cheap whiskey and expensive women, they will have only the memories of that experience to enjoy, they don't get to send me a bill every year to renew my membership so they can do it all over again! >grin< P.P.S., a hearty THANK YOU to all the people who make this hobby possible, especially those who are currently getting flamed recently. /* jpt */ ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:50:10 -0500 From: Rocky Jones <orbitjet(a)hotmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered To: <bill(a)hsmicrowave.com> Cc: rswart1(a)twcny.rr.com, Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <COL106-W4544921D21EC2B90994CADD6E70(a)phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Bill. I think I owe you the favor of an apology, if you sent me something off line and I didnt reply to it. Sorry. I will check back and make sure that 1) it didnt by accident go into junk mail and 2) I just didnt miss it in the regular folders. We had quite a crush of email over the last few weeks...my wife and I had shotgunned out a "we are pregnant" email...and I might have just missed it. I'll look for it tonight... Robert WB5MZO > Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:38:32 -0700 > From: bill(a)hsmicrowave.com > To: orbitjet(a)hotmail.com > CC: rwmcgwier(a)gmail.com; rswart1(a)twcny.rr.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered > > > > Rocky Jones wrote: > > Bob > > > > What has been remarkable about this thread, is that it has shown how dysfunctional AMSAT NA is. > > > > Forget satelllite > It's satellite - by the way! > construction etc...people point out problems with the web site and next > thing you have is someone explaining who can and cannot comment on the > state of the organization (to paraphrase "we dont need weak volunteers > who are discouraged by no real method of being able to volunteer one > has to earn the right to be critical...") > > > > Forget the ability to answer serious questions like (and I know its annoying) As a team memb"how was the suitsat 2 program allowed to not meet the ability to use the "suits". > > As a SuitSat team member, I gave you a brief answer offline and offered > to get more detail if you so desired. You didn't respond. It's obvious > to me that you really don't want an answer, You just want to be a > boring, broken record. > > So I'll repeat the simple answer, here, why we missed the suit launch. > Listen up. > > The SuitSat team is made up entirely of volunteers who have real jobs, > families, and other responsibilities. Hey, we're just pursuing our > Amateur radio HOBBY - not a professional job. Some of you folks talk > like we're a Loral or Lockheed. Did you critics forget that Amateur > radio satellites are a hobby - not a business? > > Well, by golly, along the way technical challenges delayed progress. > Jobs and families got in the way. Son of a gun - we missed schedules. > I'm not offering excuses, just offering the reality of having folks on > the team that aren't getting paid for their fantastic efforts. > > Sure, it's not nice to have technical issues show up or to miss > schedules but in the scheme of things, what have we lost - except maybe > creditability in YOUR eyes. We now have a new satellite structure more > suited for what we are trying to do technically - called ARRISat. > > The way you've been carrying on, I am so very glad we don't have you > volunteering - even to stuff envelopes. You'd probably say that we were > doing that wrong too. Personally, I thought that refunding your AMSAT > life membership would make me feel better, but on further reflection, > AMSAT should just keep your money since it is helping fund efforts to > serve it's members who appreciate what volunteers are trying to do for > them and their hobby. > > And if you think any of your comments have caused the ARRISat team to > miss a beat on the way to our 2010 launch, then think again. This team > has tackled and solved technical challenges more significant for the > future of AMSAT and its members, than ANY of the issues you raise. > > Regards...Bill - N6GHz > > > > > And from what I can tell no one has a clue why Suitsat 1 failed (I know it was a glorious success by just deploying) much less how to avoid a repeat of that with a much more complicated followon which is now functionally a new satellite. > > > > And of course the whole concept of board meetings which really are not is entertaining. > > > > The answers are "you cannot criticize "us" we are working 16 to 18 hour days doing things that no one else will do"... > > > > and then one wonders why donations are at an all time low. > > > > Robert WB5MZO Amsat NA life member > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > > Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. > > http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON :WL:en-US:SI_SB_online:082009 > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > _________________________________________________________________ With Windows Live, you can organize, edit, and share your photos. http://www.windowslive.com/Desktop/PhotoGallery ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:20:44 -0400 From: Joseph Armbruster <josepharmbruster(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered To: orbitjet(a)hotmail.com, wb5eku(a)gmail.com, rwmcgwier(a)gmail.com, rswart1(a)twcny.rr.com, Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <938f42d70909111320v6ba6adfeod68010faf7ce37ed(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 I've been following this thread passively until now, so brace yourself because I have quite a few things to say. I'm 28 and a reasonably new ham, KJ4JIO (you can look me up but it may require a few mouse clicks...). I'm still very new to Amsat and don't know many of you by name or face yet (and that's probably for the better). I've had the opportunity to meet a couple of you here in Orlando, chatting to a few of you through email and talking to some of you over the phone. I first heard about Amsat here in Orlando at a LMARS meeting, where one of your members put on a satellite communications demo. This was quite possible one of the coolest experiences of my life. Before this, I had no idea that there were so many amateur satellites up in the sky available for use. I had no clue that with minimal equipment I could use them. How cool is that, really!?! I didn't know any of this was possible for me to get involved in at any level. Maybe it's just another day at the job for some of you but it's definitely not for me (i'm a bored software guy at work). At the demo, I noticed that the presenter was putting on the presentation: - on his own time - with his own equipment - for well over an hour long - probably after a lengthy drive - had an enthusiastic attitude - didn't complain that the pass was on the horizon and difficult to work If it wasn't for this voluntary effort, I wouldn't be here right now :-) That's my history, now on to my main point. It seems like most of the bitter sentiment on the thread has been targeted at the amsat website, it's production, how things get done, etc... In my experience in software, being pissed off at something opens up an excellent opportunity for corrective action. I get pissed of at code all the time, maybe my code, other peoples code, doesn't matter... I complain about it, make fun of it, laugh at it for a few seconds, and when i'm done doing that I *FIX IT*. Last night, I spoke to Gould about the history of the website and some related things to get a feel for why things are the way they are. I have also been gathering ideas and suggestions from various interested parties on the bb. I put together my own list of complaints* in addition to descriptions of what I would do to improve each of them*. I set up a prototype mediawiki server, although i've retired it and am attempting to see if Joomla would be a little more user friendly on the composition end of things. There are definitely wheels spinning in an effort to improve the situation. The reality of the website situation is what always happens in the software world: - software gets outdated - it becomes to hard to maintain - people move on to other things - the END USER SUFFERS Please note, i'm not criticizing anyones work on the website here. I'm certain they did they best with the resources and time they had available when the work was being done. I'm convinced what we're experiencing here is a standard software development life cycle issue, which should not take much work to improve. If you have website suggestions, i'd encourage you please pass them on. By suggestion, I mean something more helpful than "the website sucks". A good example is this: "Instead of having a Tools, Status and Passes link off the main page, make one button called "Satellite Tracking" and put all these types of things within it. This would help clean up the main page a bit". I'm very interested (and I know others are too) in getting this type of input and feedback. Thank You, Joseph Armbrruster, KJ4JIO On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 2:33 PM, Rocky Jones <orbitjet(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > > Actually no. What happens (in the case of Hubble) is people who asked > annoying questions like "is the mirror ground correctly" were told about the > same thing...ie sit down and shut up. > > Same thing with the Mars proble where they got the "units" off and > reentered the thing. > > People who ask questions which the leadership does not want to hear are > frequently sent out with the same lines Bob uses. Ask the people at NASA > who said "what damage did the foam do when it hit the orbiter." Linda Ham > had just about Bob's answers. > > Robert WB5MZO > > > Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:15:34 -0700 > > From: wb5eku(a)gmail.com > > To: rwmcgwier(a)gmail.com > > CC: RSwart1(a)twcny.rr.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered > > > > Bob,When they stand in front of the mirror, it will break > > > > WB5EKU > > > > On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 5:50 AM, <rwmcgwier(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > Only if people end this nearly useless thread. This ground is so > beaten > > > down it is not funny. Member dues and most of their donations do not > buy a > > > single component. But to live to fight another day and to keep "those > who > > > can" thinking about things to do for those "those who use" and even > "those > > > who mostly whine and do nothing at all except whine" these member > donations > > > are vital to the organization's health. > > > > > > The amsat organization is undergoing some reorg. Lots of different > faces on > > > the board and different faces in engineering even with our inability to > get > > > a significant launch speaks well for the potential of the organization. > > > > > > I think personally that those who complain should go stand in front of > the > > > mirror and ask themselves > > > > > > 1) what have I personally done for the organization lately? > > > 2) follow that with "Am I part of the problem or the solution?" > > > > > > Bob > > > LM N4HY > > > > > > ------Original Message------ > > > From: Randy > > > Sender: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org > > > To: amsat bb > > > ReplyTo: RSwart1(a)twcny.rr.com > > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered > > > Sent: Sep 10, 2009 10:46 PM > > > > > > Bruce filled me in on where a lot of the "donations" go.. > > > > > > Couple others beat me up .. LOL > > > > > > So is there a win-win on this topic ? > > > > > > Randy > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > 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 from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > 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 > > _________________________________________________________________ > Windows Live: Make it easier for your friends to see what you?re up to on > Facebook. > > http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON :WL:en-US:SI_SB_facebook:082009 > _______________________________________________ > 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: 7 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:01:51 +0000 (UTC) From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net Subject: [amsat-bb] handheld whip To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <341120789.277981252710111614.JavaMail.root(a)sz0126a.emeryville.ca.mail.comca st.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 What is the 2/440 whip antenna that we can use on a handheld for AO-51, I can't remember/find it. 73 Bob W7LRD ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:09:49 +0000 From: "Dave Webb KB1PVH" <kb1pvh(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: handheld whip To: w7lrd(a)comcast.net, amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org, "AMSAT BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <1147052700-1252710589-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-1221195430-@ bda400.bisx.prod.on.blackberry> Content-Type: text/plain Bob, It is a Pryme AL-800 telescoping whip. About $35 at HRO. Dave KB1PVH ------Original Message------ From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net Sender: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org To: AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] handheld whip Sent: Sep 11, 2009 7:01 PM What is the 2/440 whip antenna that we can use on a handheld for AO-51, I can't remember/find it. 73 Bob W7LRD _______________________________________________ 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 from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:19:12 -0500 From: "George Henry" <ka3hsw(a)att.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: handheld whip To: "amsat bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <AAD0DB9C6AC84D0DAB0D7047F39C7F71@parents> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Pryme AL-800? ----- Original Message ----- From: <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] handheld whip > > > What is the 2/440 whip antenna that we can use on a handheld for AO-51, I > can't remember/find it. > > 73 Bob W7LRD > > > _______________________________________________ > 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: 10 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:13:00 -0500 From: Rocky Jones <orbitjet(a)hotmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered To: <bill(a)hsmicrowave.com> Cc: rswart1(a)twcny.rr.com, Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <COL106-W3705E8C1DB4C9A8E23F2CDD6E60(a)phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Bill. As I noted earlier I do owe you the favor of an apology. You did send me an email and regretfully it got routed where I did not see it.... I read your piece(s). What to say. You folks bit off more then you could chew and missed a deadline. That is a foundation of project management no matter if it is paid or unpaid. Try and explain it all one wants it means someone (or group) is not capable of good project management. I assume that you and the team are confident you can make the next deployment dates...? Robert WB5MZO _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail? is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=PID23391::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:W M_HYGN_faster:082009 ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:28:42 -0700 (PDT) From: Tim - N3TL <n3tl(a)bellsouth.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: handheld whip To: George Henry <ka3hsw(a)att.net>, amsat bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <798934.8675.qm(a)web180206.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii The Pryme RD-98 also works well, and it about the same price. My favorite of all, however, based on my testing (and I've used the AL-800, RD-98 and several others) is the Diamond RH-789 (BNC connector; SRH-789 with an SMA connector) telescoping whip. It's a bit less expensive than the AL-800, but is extremely wide band. In addition to performing well on the FM satellites, it really surprised me at how it performed on the shortwave broadcast bands on a variety of radios. To Bob - I suspect the AL-800 is the one you're thinking of. It's probably the most popular and well-known, but there are others out there that also perform quite well. The Smiley dual-band telescoping whip is another. Patrick, WD9EWK, sent me one to try out - and I wore out AO-27 on the first pass I used it ... hihi. Had seven contacts, which is good for an HT and a whip given the short window for 27. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ________________________________ From: George Henry <ka3hsw(a)att.net> To: amsat bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 7:19:12 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: handheld whip Pryme AL-800? ----- Original Message ----- From: <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] handheld whip > > > What is the 2/440 whip antenna that we can use on a handheld for AO-51, I > can't remember/find it. > > 73 Bob W7LRD > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:55:56 -0700 (PDT) From: codrut buda <yo3dmu(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GS232A & GS232B To: Graham Shirville <g.shirville(a)btinternet.com>, PE0SAT <pe0sat(a)vgnet.nl> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <767362.15969.qm(a)web52408.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 The same commands to controllers for bot GS232A & GS232B protocols, but diferent answers from controllers for position request: GS-232A - answer?to C2 command is +0aaa+0eee GS-232B - answer?to C2 command is AZ=aaa EL=eee GS-232A - answer?to C command is +0aaa GS-232B - answer?to C command is AZ=aaa GS-232A - answer?to B?command is +0eee GS-232B - answer?to?B command is EL=eee Maybe you can find other differences, but only these were interesting for me when I wrote my software for rotators control - http://www.qsl.net/yo3dmu/index_Page346.htm? ? 73, Codrut - YO3DMU --- On Fri, 9/11/09, PE0SAT <pe0sat(a)vgnet.nl> wrote: From: PE0SAT <pe0sat(a)vgnet.nl> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GS232A & GS232B To: "Graham Shirville" <g.shirville(a)btinternet.com> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Friday, September 11, 2009, 8:45 AM On Fri, September 11, 2009 15:08, Graham Shirville wrote: Hi Graham, > Hi, > > Would someone please be so kind as to explain the precise difference > between the two protocols GS232A and GS232B? > > I am missing something obvious I expect but.. If you get an answer direct, would you please send it me also? > > thanks > > Graham > G3VZV 73's Jan - PE0SAT _______________________________________________ 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: 13 Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:43:00 -0700 From: Bill Ress <bill(a)hsmicrowave.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Volunteered To: Rocky Jones <orbitjet(a)hotmail.com> Cc: rswart1(a)twcny.rr.com, Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <4AAB0AB4.9070905(a)hsmicrowave.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Hello Rocky, Apology accepted. Well, you are indeed fully entitled to your opinion, but I would submit that until you walk in the shoes of the ARRISat team members who are busting their pick to try and do the right thing for the members, maybe, just maybe, you should temper your judgment about their abilities and short comings given that without their very best intentioned efforts you'd have nothing to complain about and Amateurs wouldn't have a new satellite to look forward to. If our best efforts are not considered to be good enough by a few, we are encouraged by the many out there, who still cheer us on. And since those cheering far out number our detractors, then Robert, the ARRISat team is moving full speed ahead without you on our side. Yes, you have assumed correctly, that it is our plan to proceed to the deployment date with confidence. Regards...Bill - N6GHz Rocky Jones wrote: > Bill. As I noted earlier I do owe you the favor of an apology. You did > send me an email and regretfully it got routed where I did not see it.... > > I read your piece(s). > > What to say. You folks bit off more then you could chew and missed a > deadline. That is a foundation of project management no matter if it is > paid or unpaid. Try and explain it all one wants it means someone (or > group) is not capable of good project management. > > I assume that you and the team are confident you can make the next > deployment dates...? > > Robert WB5MZO > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Hotmail? is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. Try it > now. > <http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=PID23391::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US: WM_HYGN_faster:082009> ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ 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 461 ****************************************

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handheld whip
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

What is the 2/440 whip antenna that we can use on a handheld for AO-51, I can't remember/find it. 73 Bob W7LRD

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Re: handheld whip
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 12 Sep '09

12 Sep '09

Bob, It is a Pryme AL-800 telescoping whip. About $35 at HRO. Dave KB1PVH ------Original Message------ From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net Sender: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org To: AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] handheld whip Sent: Sep 11, 2009 7:01 PM What is the 2/440 whip antenna that we can use on a handheld for AO-51, I can't remember/find it. 73 Bob W7LRD _______________________________________________ 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 from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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How can I serve AMSAT today?
by John P. Toscano 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Rather than tacking on more replies to the depressing multitude of arguments back and forth that have degenerated to the level of name-calling, let's try something that is actually POSITIVE for a change. The AMSAT web pages have tons of information on them. One of the big problems of having such a vast store of information is the impossibility of one or a small number of volunteers keeping it all current and up to date. Please trust me on this. I am the lone webmaster for another radio organization, and I KNOW from personal experience how hard it is to keep the thing going properly. I have admitted publicly on several occasions that I appreciate feedback, and will do my best to make repairs when errors or omissions or outdated information is detected. Unlike the experience with the AMSAT volunteers, however, I have actually received honest-to-goodness POSITIVE feedback from folks, and it has helped me enormously to fix at least the worst shortcomings of the site I have volunteered to maintain. I've even had a few people say "Thank You!" to me, and it sure feels good to know that my efforts are appreciated, even if they don't match up to my own standards of what I wish I could do. So, here's the challenge to EVERY BLEEPING ONE OF YOU who are now reading this message: 1) Find something on the AMSAT web site that needs fixing. According to all the flak that's been flying about, that should be no hard task, right? 2) Write up a SOLUTION to the problem. Broken link? Find a new link. Misspelling? Write down the correction. Poor grammar? Re-write the sentence or paragraph to improve it. Outdated info? Find the newer info. Etc., etc. I think you get the idea. 3) Go to the "bad" web page in question, and at the bottom, click on the link to report "bugs" in the web page. I realize (as I am also a programmer among my multiple self-taught skills) that the above mentioned things are not "bugs" in the programming sense, but on the other hand, most of the AMSAT pages don't actually compute something that a bug would cause to be mis-computed, so I submit that the original intent of the author was to use this link to report ANY flaw(s) in the page, not only programming errors. If the original author wants to contest that point of view, she is welcome to come forward and say so in this public forum. 4) Fill out the form that will pop up, including your description of the problem AND the solution that you found or created. Hit the SEND button. 5) Wait a very short time, and if you did your part well, I am willing to bet money that you will find that the web page gets fixed. There were several things on the Satellite Status pages that annoyed me. Having had enough of the troll-feeding, I decided to follow steps 1 through 5, and, lo and behold, those annoying problems are now history. I seriously doubt that the prompt action by Drew to my "website bug reports" had anything to do with the esteem in which the organization holds me, as I am usually lurking around quietly, and saying/doing nothing to make my existence even known to AMSAT. I am about as close to an unknown member as you can get, yet still be the author of an article that was published in an issue of the AMSAT Journal once upon a time. I therefore submit that if it worked for me, it will likely also work for you. Don't believe it? Go ahead, try to prove me wrong. I dare you. And have a nice day while you try. 73 de WØJT AMSAT-NA LM #2292 P.S., don't think that the "Life Member" status got me any special attention, either. It just means that if they spent my one-time life membership fee on cheap whiskey and expensive women, they will have only the memories of that experience to enjoy, they don't get to send me a bill every year to renew my membership so they can do it all over again! >grin< P.P.S., a hearty THANK YOU to all the people who make this hobby possible, especially those who are currently getting flamed recently. /* jpt */

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G5400B rotor maintenance
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

I recently picked up a G5400B AZ-EL rotor unit, which had been down on ground for sometime. I recall it had been stored upside down outdoors. When I got it home and hooked it up in the shop, the Azmiuth rotor was stuck, but some manual help, broke whatever was stuck loose and it started to operate, even abit noisy. The Elevation rotor is nice and quiet and works fine. I notice now, after being used for afew weeks, that the noise is getting more pronounced and also the meter indicator flickers, so I suspect water probably got into the unit. Who does repair work on these rotors? I dont dare try it myself, as I know I would end up with extra parts at the end of the day, even working in a tub. So, would appreciate any help in finding a business that repairs these Yaesu rotors.. John W6ZKH

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GS232A & GS232B
by Graham Shirville 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Hi, Would someone please be so kind as to explain the precise difference between the two protocols GS232A and GS232B? I am missing something obvious I expect but.. thanks Graham G3VZV

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Re: 2.4 antenna
by David - KG4ZLB 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Frank, w7lrd(a)comcast.net Hope that helps! David -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com Franklyn A. Ballentine, jr wrote: > Thanks!! > How do I get in touch with Bob? > > Thanks again, > Frank > KB1QZH > > On Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 12:02 PM, David - KG4ZLB <kg4zlb(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > > >

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2.4 antenna
by David - KG4ZLB 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

I will re-post this from August 31st concerning 1.2 and 2.4 ghz antennas! David KG4ZLB -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] 1.2 ghz antenna? Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:28:13 -0400 From: David - KG4ZLB <kg4zlb(a)gmail.com> Reply-To: kg4zlb(a)gmail.com Organization: www.kg4zlb.com To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org References: <4fa78c6b0908311419h9c094dahe2f3018fad240ba9(a)mail.gmail.com> Norman, A shameless plug for Bob, W7LRD's helical antennas (1.2 and 2.4ghz) - great value, work superbly and brilliant after sales help! Quite a few on this list are owners of these antennas. Hope that helps. David KG4ZLB Norman W Osborne wrote: > Hello to all, > After reading some of the postings on the bbs discussing AO-51 1.2 ghz mode, > I am wondering what > antennas are being used, commercial and homebrew. > > 73, > Norman > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com

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2.4 antenna
by Douglas Anoman 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

Hello everyone, i am looking for a 2.4 ghz antenna. I have the down converter and have made a home brewed antenna that works ok. can anyone suggest anything better? Thank You Douglas Anoman KC9MLN KC9MLN(a)AMSAT.ORG Amsat #37043

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Re: volunteered
by Randy 11 Sep '09

11 Sep '09

I do have to say I can relate even though being a new member, I havent done anything to help Other than my piddly donation. I maintain our gun club website for over 4 years .. For nothing .. Volunteered It was hosted on my sons commercial web server as a favor for free .. I don't think I ever recall ONE thank you .. From anyone .. Seemed like a thankless job that I got continually nagged at about Keeping the site up ... Dunno .. Perhaps that's part of the issue ??? The people that volunteer Get crap from the people that don't .. And that's the only thing they hear?? Instead of hearing THANKS @!!! .. Just thoughts .. Sorry about my other "dues" comment .. We all have our moments.. Randy - N2CUA

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