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

quick run to DM32 on Saturday (23 October) morning
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 22 Oct '10

22 Oct '10

Hi! At the request of a few satellite grid hunters, I will make a quick run down to the northeast end of grid DM32 south of Phoenix for a couple of passes on Saturday (23 October) morning: VO-52 at 1551-1604 UTC HO-68 at 1725-1740 UTC If possible, and if the weather cooperates, I will park on the DM32/DM42 boundary. I doubt I can drag myself down there earlier in the morning, and can't stay down there all day. These two passes will cover most (or, for HO-68, all) of the continental USA in both SSB and FM. For VO-52, I will probably be up around 145.910 MHz +/- on the downlink, where I usually hang out on this satellite. I'll be happy to send QSL cards for these QSOs with an e-mail request. If I have not worked you before, I will send my QSL with SASE. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: muTek Limited FT-736 boards
by G. Beat 22 Oct '10

22 Oct '10

Bob - Sadly, this is another example of an individual getting over his head in acquiring (or starting) a business product or enterprise for the amateur radio industry/hobby. A loss for the weak-signal, EME, microwave, and satellite segment of the hobby. The specific product you are asking about is the RPCB 736ub http://www.mutekrf.com/rpcb736ub.htm Chas Mackinnon, GM8LMA has not updated his web site since February 2004 (moved muTek inventory and records to Scotland) http://www.mutekrf.com/index.html • The physical move took much longer to complete than we thought. Loading and unloading the 7 tonne lorry was quite straightforward but resulted in 5 man months just to classify, catalog, index, sort and identify all the stores. • The development facilities have been finished, together with test and maintenance areas, leaving just production to be completed over the next few weeks. • Our admin area still looks a little "green field" - and the computer room does not exist but is scheduled to be completed over the next three months. • Production evaluation of the RPCB144ub and the SLNA290 is currently in progress. These two products were selected to be done first from the very high number of enquiries. I am not aware of a replacement board set, liek that offered by muTek Limited (UK). At this point in technology, many would advocate to forget about upgrades to this classic VHF/UHF platform due to its age (~20 years). The automotive industry went through an identical "attitude period" -- but ironically the classic automotive segment supports a number of after-market firms. Yes, Software Defined Radios (SDR) are the current state-of-the-art .. but they have issues .. as with any emerging technology. A "new" design using currently available components, micro-processing/controller capabilities, and surface mount production could significantly upgrade the capabilities of this platform. Jim, W6PQL shows you what is possible (and the talent in the hoby) -- using an FT-736R (and other radios) as an IF platform for microwaves http://www.w6pql.com/ http://www.w6pql.com/parts_i_can_provide.htm WA7TZY adapted the W6PQL relay seqeuncer to the FT-736R http://web.mac.com/sdt49/WA7TZY/Other_Components.html http://web.mac.com/sdt49/WA7TZY/Other_Components_files/sequencer_1.jpg Greg w9gb ----- Original Message ----- Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:43:51 -0500 From: "Bob Schmidt" <bschmidt(a)ecdentalspecialists.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] muTek 736 boards To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Does anyone have a source for the Mutek RPCB 736 boards. I don't think they are being made anymore. If not, are there other options that are similar to these boards? TNX Bob, WA9JDR ------------------------------

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Satellite WAS #321
by Bob Herrell 22 Oct '10

22 Oct '10

Hi all, Received my ARRL Satellite WAS #321 in the mail today. A big thanks to all the stations that made this possible. Look forward to working you again on the "birds". 73, Bob Herrell AJ5C EM36 Arkansas

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k8yse qsl cards
by mlolmsted＠fuse.net 22 Oct '10

22 Oct '10

John, Got your cards today. Thanks they are really appreciated. Merle, AA4QE

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K8YSE QSL cards
by w4upd 22 Oct '10

22 Oct '10

John, Received your cards in the mail today. Thanks a lot. They look great and I suspect you had a good time. I assume you didn't try doing the entire drive around with the antennas in their present position in the back!!!! Reid, W4UPD

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Ebay item sold
by John Price 22 Oct '10

22 Oct '10

The IC-1200 Icom 1.2 ghz rig is sold on eBay. Thanks -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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IC-1200 1.2 ghz rig on eBay
by John Price 22 Oct '10

22 Oct '10

If interested please view this link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270652661518 thanks << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Mutek 736 boards
by Bob Schmidt 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

Does anyone have a source for the Mutek RPCB 736 boards. I don't think they are being made anymore. If not, are there other options that are similar to these boards? TNX Bob, WA9JDR

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HO68 live monitor on
by PA3GUO 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

http://www.pa3guo.com/webtv.html live audio PLUS now also video streaming of HRD (freq) pass in 5 minutes -- Henk, PA3GUO

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HO-68 pass recording needed.
by Tom Schuessler 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

Hello all, Did anyone manage to get a pass recording of the 16 October 2010 1740 something pass over North America this past Saturday. I was doing demos as K2BSA/5 at the National Scouting Museum in Irving, TX and with all the explaining I was doing for onlookers, did not start my recorder. Want to QSL those we worked. Thanks much. Tom Schuessler 2713 Lake Gardens Irving, TX 75060 <mailto:N5HYP@arrl.net> N5HYP(a)arrl.net <mailto:tjschuessler@verizon.net> tjschuessler(a)verizon.net <mailto:tschuessler@nbfirving.net> tschuessler(a)nbfirving.net

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AMSAT Table/Demo @ Great Lakeshore Super Swap - Oct 16th
by Doug Papay 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

All, There will be an AMSAT table at Holland Amateur Radio Club's Great Lakeshore Super Swap in Holland, MI tomorrow, Saturday Oct 16th. My father (John K8YSE) and I (Doug KD8CAO) will be available to discuss AMSAT and demonstrate satellite operation. We will be active on all satellites FM & SSB during the hamfest which runs from 1200z to 1600z (8AM to 12PM local time). In addition to the V/U and U/V satellites, we will be on AO-7 in Mode A. We would appreciate your call, especially if you have the ability to work us on Mode A. For those in West Michigan that would like more information about the swap, see URL: http://www.hollandarc.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/2010-Swap-Flyer.pdf. **Don't forget to check the AMSAT Area Coordinator Calendar of Events page at URL: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fieldops/events.php for a calendar of additional events staffed by AMSAT area coordinators. 73, Doug KD8CAO

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vacation/grid trip
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

Again thanks to all who made contact with me, I am home and if you need a card for any of the grids, please email your contact info to wa4hfn(a)comcast.net WA4HFN Damon

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Polarization Issues
by Clint Bradford 21 Oct '10

21 Oct '10

>From my in box ... I will forward all replies to him! Thank you. -Clint A note on my activity and my station. I started working SAT the same way I did CW: 3QSOs, 2SATs in a month, a couple of months in a year... Then the wind suggested to me to reduce (2x2x11VHF, 4x2x20UHF) the antenna system and I am actually putting up: - VHF, 2x11 at 45/135deg, lambda spaced, hybrid ring power divider, 0.25lambda delay section (for CP) added on one of the two identical length cables; - UHF (will be mounted "next week"), 2x20 at 45/135deg, 2xlambda spaced, 2x0.25lambda air dielectric (vf=1) power divider, delay section (for CP) not yet determined; - SHF, 20" dish, offset, 4 turns helical feeder, rirectly connected to low noise (German) converter; only rx and I am looking to sell it; The tower atop the roof is 3m high, 1' triangular, with rotor mast offsetted aside for easy mounting: that is the reason my spacing on 435MHz is so wide, I need the antennas to be far from the tower as the tower is wide. Single h/mast on el rotor to support 1xV 1xU each side, dish at center. Power is 10W (Microwave modules xverter). My sat are SSB ones, maybe FM too. Here comes the question. Circular polarization is hard to achieve; you have to put a delay line exactly (exactly???) 0.25*Vf, that is 13" on 2M and 4.5" on 435Mhz, in-line with one coax line of one of the antennas (after the splitter); if you use a couple of coax connectors 1" error seems easy to achieve. Circular polarization switching is worst, as 1. if you have an asymmetrical - as depicted above - inline delay line (on one side only), how long is to be computed the switching system? and 2. if you choose a symmetrical - either included in the divider or inline on both antenna cables - solution, how can you compute correctly the lenghts / difference of lenghts of the needed (coax, connector, T, relay) items? So the question is: how have you done your polarization switch (I have seen SM and PA hams solutions, but no one consider the problem I oulined here)? And the second part of the question is: do we really need a switching or do we have a recognized standard - LHCP I think - for our sats? Thank you for suggestions, If not clear enough I'll clarify on demand, 73s from Marco, I4MFA - W4MFA

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AO-51 pass 10/20/2010 1640z-1649z should be 2040-2049z
by Jay Kendall 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

And of course, the technical joys just keep coming... I meant 2040-2049z. Maybe I should take up stamp collecting. 73, Jay Kendall N2JK -- > I had a recorder failure on this pass, and got nothing. (OK, I forgot to push the button.) > If anybody has a recording from this time period, please let me know...I'd really appreciate it!

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AO-51 pass 10/20/2010 1640z-1649z
by Jay Kendall 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

I had a recorder failure on this pass, and got nothing. (OK, I forgot to push the button.) If anybody has a recording from this time period, please let me know...I'd really appreciate it! 73, Jay Kendall, N2JK jaykendall(a)comcast.net

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AO-27 Operation Behavior Question
by Bruce Semple 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

Is there some sort of IDLE / switch over / recovery time after AO-27 does it's telemetry dump before you can get back into the FM repeater? I have strong signals S9+30+ going into the telemetry dump -- and then it appears to be dead after it finishes. 73, Bruce WA3SWJ

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SVHFS 2011 Conference Call For Papers
by Robin Midgett 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

Call for Papers: 15th Annual Southeastern VHF Society Conference, Huntsville, Alabama The Southeastern VHF Society is calling for the submission of papers and presentations for the upcoming 15th annual Southeastern VHF Society Conference to be held in Huntsville, Alabama on April 29th and 30th, 2011. Papers and presentations are solicited on both the technical and operational aspects of VHF, UHF and Microwave weak signal amateur radio. Some suggested areas of interest are: Transmitters Receivers Transverters RF Power Amplifiers RF Low Noise Pre Amplifiers Antennas Construction Projects Test Equipment And Station Accessories Station Design And Construction Contesting Roving DXpeditions EME Propagation (Sporadic E, Meteor Scatter, Troposphere Ducting, etc.) Digital Modes (WSJT, etc.) Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Software Defined Radio (SDR) Amateur Satellites Amateur Television In general papers and presentations on non weak signal related topics such as FM repeaters and packet will not be accepted but exceptions may be made if the topic is related to weak signal. For example, a paper or presentation on the use of APRS to track rovers during contests would be considered. The deadline for the submission of papers and presentations is March 11, 2011. All submissions for the proceedings should be in Microsoft Word (.doc). Submissions for presentation at the conference should be in PowerPoint (.ppt) format, and delivered on either a USB memory stick or CDROM or posted for download on a web site of your choice. Pages are 8 and 1/2 by 11 inches with a 1 inch margin on the bottom and ¾ inch margin on the other three sides. All text, drawings, photos, etc. should be black and white only (no color). Please indicate when you submit your paper or presentation if you plan to attend the conference and present your paper in person, or if you are submitting solely for publication. The techncal program is being handled jointly by Robin Midgett K4IDC and Steve Kostro, N2CEI. Send all questions & comments to Robin Midgett K4IDC via K4IDC AT comcast dot net. Send all presentations to Steve Kostro N2CEI via SVHFS2011 AT downeastmicrowave DOT com. For further information about the conference please go to <http://www.svhfs.org>www.svhfs.org Thank you, Robin Midgett K4IDC 2011 Conference Program Co-Chair, SVHFS

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iss packet program
by Carlos Poinho 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

hello again i like to thank's to everone that send a good information about this subject best 73's

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ND9M Road Trip Update #12
by claryco＠aol.com 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

We're forced to detour a bit. I should be in EN06 and EN16 today. I'll be in the northern grids over the next few days. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Bismarck ND / Burleigh Co. / DN86

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2M1EUB/P UPDATE
by paul robinson 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

Great to work some stations yesterday on a07.very difficult as mountains are every where and so high....and bad wx ..opperating hand held as well! qth was io67vj north part of the island of skye west scotland...ill try again thrusday afternoon make it quick its not easy! 73 2m1eub/p in the snow w.scotland....via mobile 3g where i find it !!!

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light bulb g5400
by Bob- W7LRD 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

What is PERMANENT bulb replacement for the g5400 control unit? Tired of constant replacing, what are you using? 73 Bob W7LRD

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HO-68 Schedule 18-24 Oct 2010
by Alan Kung 20 Oct '10

20 Oct '10

UTC: 18 Oct 2010 ================================ 16:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 17:20...Turn Off 18:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,East Asia,Oceania 19:10...Turn Off 22:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,North Asia,East Asia, Oceania 23:10...Turn Off 19 Oct 2010 ================================ 02:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia, East Asia,South Asia 02:20...Turn Off 10:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Oceania,Asia,Europe 11:10...Turn Off 13:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA, South America 13:50...Turn Off 16:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Middle East,Europe,NA 17:00...Turn Off 18:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Middle East,Europe,NA 18:55...Turn Off 19:30...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 20:15...Turn Off 20 Oct 2010 ================================= 00:40...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 01:25...Turn Off 01:53...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:08...Turn Off 12:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 13:30...Turn Off 16:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India, Africa,Europe,NA South America 16:45...Turn Off 17:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 18:35...Turn Off 19:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 20:00...Turn Off 21 Oct 2010 ================================= 23:40...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,North Asia,East Asia,Oceania 00:25...Turn Off 01:36...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Asia,Oceania 01:52...Turn Off 14:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 15:05...Turn Off 17:30...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,India,Middle East Europe,NA 18:15...Turn Off 17:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 18:40...Turn Off 19:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 20:05...Turn Off 20:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:30...Turn Off 22 Oct 2010 ================================ 23:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 00:10...Turn Off 03:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:25...Turn Off 12:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe, NA,South America 13:00...Turn Off 17:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 18:00...Turn Off 19:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:50...Turn Off 20:30...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:15...Turn Off 23:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,North Asia, Oceania 23:50...Turn Off 23 Oct 2010 ================================ 02:53...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:09...Turn Off 13:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe, NA,South America 14:30...Turn Off 16:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 17:40...Turn Off 18:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:30...Turn Off 20:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:00...Turn Off 22:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 23:35...Turn Off 24 Oct 2010 ================================ 02:33...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 02:49...Turn Off 13:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 14:10...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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PREDICT for 64-bit Winderz?
by Mark L. Hammond 19 Oct '10

19 Oct '10

Hi All, Yesterday I tried without success to run the DOS version of PREDICT under 64-bit Windows. I must admit while I'm not surprised, I was greatly disappointed, since the program is so useful. Does anybody have a fix or maybe a recompiled .exe ? (And telling me to run it under Linux isn't a "fix" ;) ) Thanks, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Re: PREDICT for 64-bit Winderz?
by Fabio Azzarello 19 Oct '10

19 Oct '10

Hello, I would suggest to use DOSBOX, it works fine on many OS. Don't know if it works properly also on 64bit WIN, but it is worth a try at least. RGs Fabio Azzarello IW8QKU

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WA4HFN EM85/EM86 AO51 today
by John Papay 19 Oct '10

19 Oct '10

(Info from WA4NVN) Damon, WA4HFN, will be on the Grid Line EM85/EM86 on the afternoon AO-51 passes today, October 19th. Damon has had a difficult time gettng through on the birds during his trip because of the congestion on the channels. Those that make the effort to operate from grids away from home are making a sacrifice so that we can pick up needed grids. Please give them some airtime to work as many stations as possible. When you travel, consider taking your satellite equipment along and operating as much as you can. You will get an appreciation of what is involved and you will also be giving out grids to those working on their VUCC and other awards. Being on the other end can be both exciting and rewarding. 73, John k8YSE

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