October 2010 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Sept Financials
by Martha 25 Oct '10

25 Oct '10

Attached are the Sept 2010 Financial Reports -- 73- Martha

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HO-68 Schedule 24-31 Oct 2010
by Alan Kung 25 Oct '10

25 Oct '10

UTC: 24 Oct 2010 ================================ 16:40...Turn On--CW/SSB India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 17:25...Turn Off 18:30...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA 19:15...Turn Off 19:55...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA 20:40...Turn Off 22:35...Turn On--CW/SSB South America,NA,North Asia 23:20...Turn Off 25 Oct 2010 ================================ 02:11...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:26...Turn Off 13:10...Turn On--CW/SSB NA,South America 13:55...Turn Off 16:25...Turn On--CW/SSB India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 17:10...Turn Off 18:15...Turn On--CW/SSB NA,East Asia,Oceania 19:00...Turn Off 26 Oct 2010 ================================ 00:05...Turn On--CW/SSB NA,North Asia,East Asia, Oceania 00:50...Turn Off 02:04...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia, East Asia,South Asia 02:19...Turn Off 10:15...Turn On--CW/SSB Oceania,Asia,Europe 11:00...Turn Off 12:55...Turn On--CW/SSB NA, South America 13:40...Turn Off 16:05...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Middle East,Europe,NA 16:50...Turn Off 18:40...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Middle East,Europe,NA 19:25...Turn Off 19:35...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 20:15...Turn Off 27 Octp 2010 ================================= 23:45...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 00:30...Turn Off 03:31...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:45...Turn Off 14:25...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe,NA,South America 15:10...Turn Off 17:40...Turn On--CW/SSB India, Africa,Europe,NA South America 18:25...Turn Off 19:25...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 20:10...Turn Off 20:55...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 21:40...Turn Off 28 Oct 2010 ================================= 23:30...Turn On--CW/SSB NA,North Asia,East Asia,Oceania 00:15...Turn Off 03:15...Turn On--CW/SSB Asia,Oceania 03:27...Turn Off 14:10...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe,NA,South America 14:55...Turn Off 17:20...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,India,Middle East Europe,NA 18:05...Turn Off 19:10...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 19:55...Turn Off 20:35...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 21:20...Turn Off 29 Oct 2010 ================================ 23:15...Turn On--CW/SSB Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 00:00...Turn Off 02:59...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:13...Turn Off 13:50...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe, NA,South America 14:35...Turn Off 17:05...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Africa,Europe,NA 17:50...Turn Off 18:55...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:40...Turn Off 20:20...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 21:05...Turn Off 22:55...Turn On--CW/SSB South America,NA,North Asia 23:40...Turn Off 30 Oct 2010 ================================ 02:44...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:00...Turn Off 13:35...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe, NA,South America 14:20...Turn Off 16:45...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 17:30...Turn Off 18:35...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:20...Turn Off 20:00...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 20:45...Turn Off 22:40...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 23:25...Turn Off 31 Oct 2010 ================================ 02:26...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 02:42...Turn Off 13:15...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe,NA,South America 14:00...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Re: can RF change the orientation of a satellite?
by Daniel Schultz 25 Oct '10

25 Oct '10

It makes sense. Satellites are subject to solar radiation pressure from absorption of sunlight, they are also subject to radiation pressure from emission of RF radiation. The wavelength of the radiation does not enter into this calculation so the pressure from radio frequency radiation is the same as that of visible light radiation. Radiation pressure is the electromagnetic power flux density divided by the speed of light. If a 100 watt transponder emits RF in a narrow beam from a 1 square meter antenna, the radiation pressure on the satellite will be 100 watts / (1 square meter * 3E8 meters/sec) = 0.33 micropascals. The force on a 1 square meter antenna will thus be 0.33 micronewtons. This is not the same as ion propulsion because no physical mass is expelled from the satellite. For amateur satellites with omnidirectional antennas, the RF is emitted in all directions and the force cancels out. Intelsat birds emit RF in tightly focused beams so there will be a net force on the satellite, and if the antenna is off axis from the satellite's center of gravity this force will exert a torque which could cause the momentum wheels to spin up. The uplink RF is minuscule (microwatts per square meter or less) but the lack of uplink signals causes the linear transponders to have zero RF output (other than noise), thus causing reduced off axis pressure on the satellite. Dan Schultz N8FGV >I couldn't help but notice that on this website >http://www.intelsat.com/resources/galaxy-15/faqs.asp about "zombiesat" >Galaxy 15, Intelsat figures that the lack of RF on thr transponder package >since their loss of control earlier this year, will actually make it take >longer to saturate it's momentum-wheel orientation stablizer system. This, >compared to the manufacturer's original estimate of achieving the saturation >condition beuing several months sooner having assumed normal full-load of RF >on the transponders. >My question is: How is this possible? Does the RF put acceleration-forces >on the transmitting antenna of the satellite similar to ion propulsion, or >does the uplink RF push on the receiving antenna? Is there some other >mechanism that can electronically alter the forces acting on the body of the >satellite based on the amount of RF power?

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Why We Do What We Do - Part 19
by Clint Bradford 25 Oct '10

25 Oct '10

I just returned to the house after working a non-ham-radio-related event since 6:30 this morning (a nonprofit equine rehab center that my wife and I are board members). But I just HAVE to check email before crashing ... There are some who say that promoting working the FM birds is a futile effort. "Nothing comes of it," I have seen a few write. Well, this email is from a person who worked JOTA last weekend. I was supposed to - but instead was presenting my show at PACIFICON in San Ramon, CA. But I traded notes with this person ... we compared pass times and freq data ... I have been to their club three times the past three years to give me presentation and demo. And we even worked each other: me from the parking lot in San Ramon, and she with her Scouts in Victorville, CA. >From her email just received ... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hi Clint! Hope you and Karen's trip up north went well. Well, you have started something. I have gotten some local hams interested or re-interested in working AMSAT. And I have been doing some more demos locally. I am the low-tech version - with a compass, and recorder hung around my neck and a clipboard with the sat passes info. And since I can't hold the antenna up that long, I have it mounted on a tripod. Don't laugh - it works! And I am even tromping out at 10:00 pm (very bright last night). And Bruce and I have subscribed to AMSAT mag and joined. Thanks again, Clint. 73 - Christy KB6LTY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NO, Christy, I am not "laughing." But there is a broad smile on my face tonight. THANK YOU for joining AMSAT. And thank you for your infectious enthusiasm. Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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WTB G-5500 control box
by Andrew Glasbrenner 25 Oct '10

25 Oct '10

Would anyone happen to have a G-5500 control box by itself that they would like to sell? 73, Drew KO4MA

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Re: AO-51 short experiment
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Oct '10

24 Oct '10

And now back to normal. Lots of folks are running unattended beacons on 145.825, which can cause QRM to HO-68 FM users. I only decoded about half of those heard: 21:59 HP1AVS-4/WIDE2-2>P8SS1X>UI,R,F0 (1199 baud): 'kPUl .-/]DIGIPEATER en Gorgona 22:00 K4MQF/WIDE2-2>RS0ISS-4>UI,R,F0 (1200 baud): =3811.25N/07746.23W`PHG52306/Greeting to all ! from Spotyslvania Va 22:00 AB5JO/RELAY/WIDE>GPSC30>UI,R,F0 (1200 baud): 73 VIA ARISS DE AB5JO MOBILE IN LAREDO,TX, USA EL07 22:00 AB5JO/RELAY/WIDE>GPSC30>UI,R,F0 (1200 baud): $GPRMC,220035,A,2734.3349,N,09930.1045,W,000.0,195.8,231010,,,A*6C 22:01 AB5JO/RELAY/WIDE>GPSC30>UI,R,F0 (1200 baud): 73 VIA ARISS DE AB5JO MOBILE IN LAREDO,TX, USA EL07 22:01 AB5JO/RELAY/WIDE>GPSC30>UI,R,F0 (1200 baud): $GPRMC,220135,A,2734.3349,N,09930.1045,W,000.0,195.8,231010,,,A*6D 22:04 N1NCB1-14/W3ADO-1/ARISS>4S3T6X>UI,?,F0 (1194 baud): `b2Fp4V[/"3y} 22:04 WA1KAT/RS0ISS-4/SGATE/WIDE>BEACON>UI,?,F0 (1199 baud): =4239.70N/07057.02W-Topsfield,MA 5w vertical 22:04 W9QO/ARISS/SGATE/WIDE2-2>STPX2U>UI,R,F0 (1199 baud): 'oIrl!e-/]"6Y} 22:05 K4MQF/WIDE2-2>RS0ISS-4>UI,R,F0 (1200 baud): =3811.25N/07746.23W`PHG52306/Greeting to all ! from Spotyslvania Va 22:05 VE3FFR/W3ADO-1/SGATE/WIDE>APRS>UI,R,F0 (1199 baud): !4416.01N/07629.01W- 22:05 W9QO/ARISS/SGATE/WIDE2-2>STPX2U>UI,R,F0 (1199 baud): 'oIrl!e-/]"6Y} There was a little gap there in the middle where I swapped over to the 435.300 repeater, and gaps at each end. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations -----Original Message----- >From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> >Sent: Oct 23, 2010 4:35 PM >To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Cc: "marklhammond(a)gmail.com" <marklhammond(a)gmail.com> >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 short experiment > >>From 2025UTC this afternoon, for 1-2 orbits, the 435.150 downlink on AO-51 is configured as a repeater and being used to monitor 145.825. Please DO NOT attempt to transmit through this downlink! We are taking a look at congestion and unattended operation that may be impacting the use of HO-68 in FM mode. Reception reports are of course welcome. > >73, Drew KO4MA >AMSAT-VP Operations > > >_______________________________________________ >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

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Fwd: Next "HV Satcom" Net
by Stuart Balanger 24 Oct '10

24 Oct '10

*By the way, for those who checked in via Echolink 2 weeks ago 10/07), sorry abt. the Interferance, & hope we can have a hassle=free net this Thur. (Bob), FYI; the next Nt. Beacon "In Person "meeting is Nov. 9, Po'k gallaria Mall (7PM;Community room!) 73,.Stu (WA2BSS; Director) * ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stuart Balanger <wa2bss(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 7:00 PM Subject: Next "HV Satcom" Net To: ans-editor(a)amsat.org *Hi all, The next "HV Satcom" net is Thur. Oct. 28 2 8PM (EDT) (or 2400 UTC) on the 146.970 Mt. Beacon ARC 2 meter Repeater, w/ a Echolink node of N2EYH-L More info: www.hvsatcom.org or E-Mail; wa2aqh(a)amsat.org 73,.Stu (WA2BSS: Director) PS Hope this isn't too late, & happy "Halloween"! *

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FW: [ans] ANS-297 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 24 Oct '10

24 Oct '10

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-297 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * LightSail Backup Being Built * ARISS Status - 18 October 2010 * FO-29 Eclipses * Minutes of BOD meeting * Call for Papers SE VHF Society SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-297.01 LightSail-1 Backup Being Built AMSAT News Service Bulletin 297.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 24, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-297.01 Louis Friedman, program director for LightSail-1, has announced that a back-up craft to LightSail-1 will be built, instead of an investment in insurance for an estimated cost of $ 200,000. As previously announced in July 2010 by AMSAT News Service (SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-206.08) LightSail-1 is planned to be launched in early 2011. LightSail-1 is a three Cubesat spacecraft (size of shoebox and proposed AMSAT Fox). It will use UHF frequencies for tracking and command control stations. California Polytechnic University is supplying the Cubesat bus, avionics and launch vehicle P-POD interface;. Georgia Tech University is leading the mission operations, Dave Spencer serving as mission manager; Stellar Exploration, Inc. led by Tomas Svitek is building LightSail-1; Jim Cantrell of Strategic Space Systems is project manager; and Louis D. Friedman is the LightSail-1 program director. The LightSail-1 program will be featured this weekend in Washington D.C. The USA Science & Engineering Festival National Mall in Washington, D.C. October 23 & 24, 1010 10am to 5:50pm http://www.planetary.org/programs/projects/space_information/usa_science_fes tival_2010.html For further information on this Planetary Society program: http://www.planetary.org/programs/projects/innovative_technologies/solar_sai ling/ [ANS thanks Greg, W9GB, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-297.02 ARISS Status - 18 October 2010 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 297.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 24, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-297.02 1. School Contact in Australia An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact for Carine Primary School in Perth, Western Australia, Australia was held on Tuesday, October 19 at 07:06 UTC via telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii. The school has incorporated the contact into its science curriculum. Guest speakers present included representatives from an amateur radio club and the science center, Scitech. Students from Kindergarten through grade 7 have been involved in research and other activities in preparation for this event, using IT and online resources, including the NASA Web site. 2. George Observatory Contact Successful On Saturday, October 16, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held with scouts and astronomy club members attending the Astronomy Day event at George Observatory in Needville, Texas. This was a telebridge contact via station WH6PN in Hawaii. Approximately 150 people attended and listened as Doug Wheelock, KF5BOC answered 12 questions about life in space posed to him by the youth. As part of the event, scout troops set up an amateur radio station near the observatory to conduct their all-day Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) radio contacts and also worked on Radio Merit Badges. The Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club was on hand to assist with JOTA activities and prepared for afternoon satellite contacts with an Arrow hand-held antenna. 3. ARRL Article on ARISS Contacts The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran a story on recent ARISS contacts including those with Windsor Central School District, Utah Scouts and IRSEA, as well Doug Wheelock's many general contacts. The article, written by Rick Lindquist, WW3DE may be found at: http://www.arrl.org/news/iss-astronaut-creating-ham-radio-buzz-taking-scienc e-to-students 4. Amateur Radio Newsline Covers ARISS On October 15, the Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1731 included two ARISS related stories. "Ham Radio in Space: ARISSat-1 Enroute to Russia" announces ARISSat's arrival at JSC and its planned shipment to Russia. "Challenger Learning Center Inaugurates Ham Station" is about the station set up at the CLC in Oregon, Ohio to get students interested in STEM studies. Both stories may be found at: ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt 5. ARISSat-1 Safety Review Held The Johnson Space Center Payload Safety Review Panel performed a Phase 2 flight safety review of ARISSat-1 on Wednesday and Thursday, October 13 and 14 in Houston. ARISSat passed the review with modifications to the hazard reports. As soon as the updates requested are incorporated, the hazard reports will be approved and then passed on for the next phase of the review process. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-297.03 FO-29 Eclipses AMSAT News Service Bulletin 297.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 24, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-297.03 FO-29 Operating Schedule Affected by Eclipses Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL reported that JARL has been making necessary adjustments to the FO-29 satellite operating schedule as the sat- ellite enters a period of eclipses. The eclipses have reduced the power budget requiring frequent analysis of available power aboard the satellite. FO-29 will be enable when the power budget allows. JARL requests that satellite operators access FO-29 with as little power as nec- essary to maintain communication. Mineo has posted calculations of the FO-29 eclipses at: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/fo29ilum.htm [ANS thanks Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-297.04 BOD Minutes of 5 January 2010 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 297.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 24, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-297.04 AMSAT BoD Telecon Meeting, 5 January 2010 Called to order by President Barry Baines, WD4ASW at 2005 EST. Attending: Directors Barry Baines, WD4ASW Tom Clark, K3IO Gould Smith, WA4SXM Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Lou McFadin, W5DID Bill Ress, N6GHZ Alan Biddle, WA4SCA Tony Monteiro, AA2TX (Alternate) Others: Martha Saragovitz, Officer Manager Keith Baker, KB1SF, Treasurer Elect Due to the resignation of AMSAT Treasurer Gunther Meisse, W8GSM, President Baines appointed Keith Baker, KB1SF/ VA3KSF to fill this position on an interim basis, pending formal approval by the BoD. Keith spoke briefly, stating that the transition had gone smoothly, and that he would be continuing with past practices. He did bring up the status of the AMSAT logo registration status. Martha reported that it had recently been renewed. Barry moved, and Tom seconded, that Keith be approved. This was passed unanimously. The final version of the AMSAT Bulletin Board Acceptable Use Policy (AUP, attached) was brought up for discussion. Bill expressed concern that the dissemination was not adequately addressed, particularly with respect to the Bulletin Board itself. Both Tom and Gould mentioned that the implementation was separate from the AUP, and Lou emphasized that it should be in any case readily accessible. Gould assured the BoD that it would be widely disseminated, including the Bulletin Board itself. With this clarification, it was moved by Barry and seconded by Alan and Tom that the AUP be accepted. This was passed unanimously. The current working revision of the AMSAT budget was not approved at the annual BoD meeting due to some information not being available. This information is now reflected in version #8, though Lou emphasized that the ARISSat-1 budgeting was still incomplete. It was moved by Barry and seconded by Drew that this version be approved. This was passed unanimously. It was moved by Barry and seconded by Drew that the 3 November 2009 BoD telecon meeting be approved as circulated and published in the Journal. This was passed unanimously. There being no additional formal business, it was moved by Barry and seconded by Alan that the meeting be adjourned. This was passed unanimously. The Official Board meeting closed at 2027 EST. [ANS thanks Alan Biddle, WA4SCA for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-297.05 Call for Papers SE VHF Society AMSAT News Service Bulletin 297.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 24, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-297.05 Call for Papers: 15th Annual Southeastern VHF Society Conference If you are looking for something to do during the long, cold winter nights you may consider writing a paper in response to the Southeast- ern VHF Society's call for papers and presentations for their 15th annual conference to be held in Huntsville, Alabama on April 29th and 30th, 2011. Papers and presentations are solicited on both the technical and oper- ational aspects of VHF, UHF and Microwave weak signal amateur radio. Full details of the Conference, requested paper and presentation topics and submission details can be found on-line at: http://www.svhfs.org [ANS thanks Robin Midgett, K4IDC for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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FO-29 Status now
by Yutaka Murata 24 Oct '10

24 Oct '10

Hi FO-29 users JARL FO-29 command team announced that FO-29 has turned off the transponder because it doesn't obtain enough durations of sunshine now. The FO-29 analog transmitter was not able to be turned on by the analog transmitter ON commands which were sent from command team on 10/17 08:53(UTC) 10/23 18:42(UTC) 10/23 20:23(UTC) 10/24 07:40(UTC). This announcement is written by Japanese and I did translate into English. Hope she will return back to us. JA1COU

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FO-29 status now
by Mineo Wakita 24 Oct '10

24 Oct '10

The strenuous repair work continues every day by a control station to return in FO-29 transponder. JARL grand station says that the command was not able to transmit even a pass of 18:46 UTC, 23 Oct, so we will try again the transmission of the command with the pass at 20:32 UTC, 23 Oct, and 07:45 UTC, 24 Oct. JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Helix Antenna's Twist
by Spectrum International, Inc 24 Oct '10

24 Oct '10

23rd October 2010 N8MH de S.I., Mark, Your recent message to Tom, K0TW, in respect to the polarization of a helical antennae is not 100% correct. You state, quote: "How do you determine the resulting polarity of the [helical] antenna? My response: when standing at the rear, does the cork-screw go clockwise or counter-clockwise as it spirals away from you? That is the visible difference, if building a helix. " unquote: Implicit in your answer (but not defined) is that a Right-hand helix, when viewed from behind, spirals away from you in a clockwise direction, the same as a standard screw thread. That statement is true for the classical helical antenna, /á la Kraus/. However it is not true for the Quadrifilar Helix design, which twists in the opposite direction to the classical helix. Maybe people who do not know the difference, and unwittingly build one with the twist in the wrong direction, get such very bad performance when attempting to use it and complain bitterly that "the Quad Helix does not work". 73s, de John G3BVU/W1, Spectrum International, Inc.

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AO-51 short experiment
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Oct '10

24 Oct '10

>From 2025UTC this afternoon, for 1-2 orbits, the 435.150 downlink on AO-51 is configured as a repeater and being used to monitor 145.825. Please DO NOT attempt to transmit through this downlink! We are taking a look at congestion and unattended operation that may be impacting the use of HO-68 in FM mode. Reception reports are of course welcome. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-VP Operations

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Send Your Name to Mars!
by Clint Bradford 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

NASA microchip project - http://tinyurl.com/yhaphmg Clint, K6LCS

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Sumbandila (SO-67) schedule until 2010-11-01
by Johann Lochner 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

Hi folks, Please find below a list of planned Sumbandila (SO-67) ham payload activations for week 4 of the cycle (times in UTC; active for 15 minutes). Visit http://www.amsatsa.org.za for operating hints. 73 de ZR1CBC, Johann. ----- Africa (Mostly unfavourable passes for South Africa, in part to allow for University of Stellenbosch comms payload experiments next week, and due to a recently discovered commanding issue during ham payload activations. We are working to resolve this as soon as possible.) 2010-10-25 07:48 2010-10-25 20:45 2010-10-27 20:06 2010-10-28 08:32 2010-10-29 04:54 2010-10-30 20:59 2010-10-31 20:40 Australasia 2010-10-25 09:55 2010-10-25 22:04 2010-10-26 09:35 2010-10-26 21:45 2010-10-26 23:20 2010-10-27 10:50 2010-10-27 21:25 2010-10-28 10:32 2010-10-28 21:08 2010-10-28 22:42 2010-10-29 10:12 2010-10-29 22:23 2010-10-30 09:55 2010-10-30 22:05 2010-10-31 09:35 2010-10-31 11:10 Eastern Asia 2010-10-24 23:40 2010-10-25 11:48 2010-10-25 23:21 2010-10-26 00:55 2010-10-26 11:29 2010-10-27 00:36 2010-10-27 22:44 2010-10-28 00:17 2010-10-28 23:58 2010-10-29 12:07 2010-10-29 23:39 2010-10-30 11:47 2010-10-30 23:20 2010-10-31 00:54 2010-10-31 23:02 2010-11-01 00:36

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2M1EUB/P OPPS eu09 now qrt
by paul robinson 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

HI group im now home after 2weeks break in east and west scotland ,any one working me last few days then i was qrv from eu09 ,io67vj west scotland,great fun but difficult ,with so many mountains,snow,wind and more rain than ive ever seen in a week !qsl is via 2e1eub dirrect or beuro ...73 de paul

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FO-29 Status
by Peter Gayle 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

Hello all. I am going through the steps of getting my satellite station back together after a 2 year hiatus due to a lightning strike. Things are progressing well and I see that we few new birds. I have been listening for the old reliable (FO-29) and am not hearing anything on what should be good passes. The AMSAT web page says that she is operational but I cannot find a schedule. Anyone have any insights into what it is that the old bird is up to? Thanks, Peter, VE3PK

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WD9EWK @ DM32/DM42 from 1436 UTC this morning
by Patrick STODDARD 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

Hi! I woke up early, and am now at the DM32/DM42 boundary. Along with the VO52 and HO68 passes I previously mentioned, I will work the SO50 pass at 1436 UTC and AO7 at 1514 UTC from here. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Experimental Webradio - Update
by Mike Rupprecht 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

All, there are now four of us :-) You can now also listen to the audio stream of Tetsu san JA0CAW. Go to my SatBlog and follow the link Webradio www.dk3wn.info/p or click here http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?page_id=17689. Would be great to listen to the sats from other parts of the world. The setup is very easy. Any takers? Have a great weekend. 73, Mike DK3WN

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Sat Demo Yesterday
by Zachary Beougher 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

Hi all, I just wanted to say thanks for the QSOs on SO50 yesterday morning while as was at the CBF Amateur Radio Club. At the time we only had one member and a Sony video camera, but they both really enjoyed it. I tried the 1805z AO27 pass along with my foxhunt teammate, K8QY (I wanted him to get his first satellite QSO), but do to the large amount of stations on he was not able to be successful. The only station worked on that pass was WA4HFN/p with 20 seconds left on the timer. Videos of the SO50 pass and foxhunt will be on YouTube and my QRZ page in a few weeks. 73! Zack KD8KSN

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New User-New Station-Antennas-ADVICE?
by Dean Maluski 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

Realizing I need to crawl before I can walk but need to have a goal. I've grown a strong interest in working SATS, have a few bucks and am rebuilding my station for SATS from the ground up. Been reading the G Gould Smith "Getting Started..." book I picked up in Boxboro, MA at a fest a couple months ago. I replaced my Kenwood 440 with a TS-2000 without the 1.2 GHz option, thinking I may add 1.2 GHz next spring. Added a 4 inch conduit to my tower with a 7/8 hard line and a run of Jetstream LMR 400+ tagged RG-8U on jacket but specs are better than LMR 400 figure I'll use the Jetstream for 2 meter, or transmit side of things. Took down my 20 meter monoband beam, Purchased and mounted a Yaesu G-5500 (Separated). Ordered a Gulf-Alpha Gen purpose 2 meter H/V 440 V yagi, yes I also want to work land locked stuff too. LINUX!! Linux!! LINUX if possible ONLY-Seem good to go now with GPREDICT 1.1 and 1.2, 1.2 seems to not update rotor correctly but just got it going this morning. Running 1.1 on another machine over LAN and seems to work better. I have a 40 foot 1943 steel tower for what it's worth, it's a thing of beauty!! My vision is to eventually move the Gulf Alpha antenna to the center mast. Here is where my questions come to play....???? What do I want for bird anteena's? My biggest interest is packet and flying mailboxes/HEO/Eventually EME possibly. Thinking my next antenna purchase would be the Gulf Alpha 440 and 2 meter circular polarity antennas and the phasing assy to switch polarity???? I have ample 4 port switches that can be used to switch at tower but of course less is more as I don't want to go switch crazy and add more attenuation to system than absolutely necessary. I see SSB has some nice pre-amps, NEED I suspect eventually.. I'm getting stir crazy waiting for arrival of Yagi, one more day on tower and I should be complete except for arrival of Gulf Alpha Yagi that he is building. Not really sure what my question is. Reading and reading, trying not to buy too ,many unnecessary components while I impatiently wait for antenna to arrive but forward thinking as I finalize tower today, need to re-mount my WX station and security camera. Also adding a camera behind garage to look up at top of tower so I can see what the heck is going on with rotors-COOL! In mounting WX station, need to stay high as possible but of course can't interefere with back end of Yagi's Antenna advice, any advise if someone has the time? Hope to QSO soon with ya'll on the birds. Been listening on a vertical but question the doppler accuracy so have not attempted to transmit yet.

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DM30 active on Saturday
by Larry Teran 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

Members of the Mexican Radio Club XE2DNN will be activating DM30 from Caborca, SON Mexico this Saturday Oct 23 as they attend the club's annual meeting in Rancho Las Carmelas Sonora. There will be three stations operating XE2VAS Uriel, XE2DAK David and XE2BSS Alex, plans are to be operating all satellite passes of the FM birds. 73 Larry KI6YAA

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ND9M Road Trip Update #13
by claryco＠aol.com 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

The crystal ball says that I'll be QRV from either DN88 or DN98 during Sunday's (23 Oct) HO68 pass that rises locally at 23/1721Z and probably DN88 during the AO27 pass that comes up here at 23/1948Z and in DN98 for AO51 at 23/2201Z and 13/1228Z. I should be on from grids EN08 and EN18 on Sunday (24 Oct). 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Minot ND / Ward Co. / DN98

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Watch NASA build the next Rover
by Clint Bradford 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

NASA is providing a live feed of the Curiosity Mars rover being built in a high-tech clean room. http://feeds.wired.com/~r/wired/index/~3/JCJtn084oV4/ Clint, K6LCS

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FS: Yaesu FT7800 dualband rig
by John Geiger 23 Oct '10

23 Oct '10

If anyone is looking for a 2m and 70cm radio to get on the satellites with, I have a nice Yaesu FT7800 available. It does 50 watts on 2m and 40 watts on 70cm, CTCSS tones, DCS tones, and come with the mic, power cord, and original box. It doesn't have the manual, but you can find that on line. It is perfect for the Mode J satellites-AO27, SO50, AO51, and HO68 It doesn't do dual receive, but you can program it to transmit on one band and receive on the other which makes it fine for satellite use. I am asking $160 for it plus $10 shipping and can take paypal/check/MO. I will even program the satellite frequencies into memory for you. 73s John AA5JG

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LightSail-1 back-up satellite announced
by G. Beat 22 Oct '10

22 Oct '10

Louis Friedman, program director for LightSail-1, has announced that a back-up craft to LightSail-1 will be built, instead of an investment in insurance for an estimated cost of $ 200,000. As previously announced in July 2010 by AMSAT News Service (SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-206.08) LightSail-1 is planned to be launched in early 2011. LightSail-1 is a three Cubesat spacecraft (size of shoebox and proposed AMSAT Fox). It will use UHF frequencies for tracking and command control stations. California Polytechnic University is supplying the Cubesat bus, avionics and launch vehicle P-POD interface;. Georgia Tech University is leading the mission operations, Dave Spencer serving as mission manager; Stellar Exploration, Inc. led by Tomas Svitek is building LightSail-1; Jim Cantrell of Strategic Space Systems is project manager; and Louis D. Friedman is the LightSail-1 program director. The LightSail-1 program will be featured this weekend in Washington D.C. The USA Science & Engineering Festival National Mall in Washington, D.C. October 23 & 24, 1010 10am to 5:50pm http://www.planetary.org/programs/projects/space_information/usa_science_fe… For further information on this Planetary Society program: http://www.planetary.org/programs/projects/innovative_technologies/solar_sa… greg w9gb

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