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

AO-51 update-running 2.05 Watts
by Mark L. Hammond 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

Hi all, AO-51 is now running 435.300 at high power, currently defined as 2.05 Watts (as of 2305utc 2March10). The digital transmitter (435.150) has been turned OFF. Enjoy the big signal! 73 on behalf of the AO-51 Command Team, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Raising the apogee of a LEO from 450km to 1500km
by Trevor . 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

>From the IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination pages at http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/formal_detail.asp?serial=168 POPACS-RR a 2U cubesat will use self-contained, warm gas, propulsion system to adjust satellite’s initial circular orbit of 450 km to eccentric orbit with apogee of 1500 km and perigee of 450 km. Demonstrate use of 3D printing (a.k.a. rapid prototyping) for manufacturing small satellites. Measure flux of energetic particles in lower Van Allen Belt. Test radiation-hardened electronic components and high performance solar cells in high radiation environment over a period of five years. Test radiation hardened components for a Plug and Play satellite. Proposing a UHF downlink of 9k6 GMSK AX25 packet and also an S Band downlink of BPSK at 9k6 or 38k4. Planning a launch on the first flight of SpaceX Falcon 1E not earlier than May 2011 with a 45 deg inclination. Will apply for a FCC part 5 Experimental licence for this project. IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination pages http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/ 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio News (Email/RSS): http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email Your News To: editor at southgatearc.org Or Upload Using Form At: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news_1.htm ----

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New TH-D7 with GPS
by SALAH 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

I was told that kenwood will release a new version of TH-D7 radio in the first quarter of 2010. This model will include a GPS. Do you have any information about that. 73s SALAH CN8XS

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ND9M Road Trip Update #18
by claryco＠aol.com 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

I'll be on tomorrow after all as the family get together was delayed by a day. Thursday's now the off day. I'll be on from the EM02 / EM12 line during the SO50 pass at 03/1746Z as well as the first and probably both AO27 passes at 03/1910Z and 03/2049Z. After that will be EM13 possibly on the AO51 pass at 03/2222Z but definitely at 03/2359Z. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Cisco, TX / EM02

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Ah, yes, the ohnosecond
by Aa4mi＠aol.com 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Thanks, Clint; much appreciated. As "they" say: been there, done that. Also the earth's axis has been shifted. We'll have to re-align the laser beam we shoot at the moon every Thursday eve.....Always something to do. 73, Carl Zelich, AA4MI aa4mi(a)arrl.net

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Re: Adjust all Clocks ...
by Clint Bradford 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

>> ... Have corrected all clocks. So we're now ready to go! Thanks. You are most welcome, Carl. There's actually a smaller unit of time that was recently measured by JPL: the ohnosecond. It is defined as the amount of time between when a man's hand lets loose of the closing locked car door - and when he realizes he's left the keys in the ignition. Pronounced, "OH NO! second." Clint, K6LCS

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Again Pacsat with software succeded!!
by Nader Omer 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Gentlemen good day/night Tonight I succeeded to worked HO-68 BBS with a new combination of software WISP+MLTIPSK+VSPE and without hardware TNC. link for photo and info http://st2nh-blogger.blogspot.com/2010/03/pacsat-ho-68-via-software-wispmul… 73 de st2nh

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Adjust all clocks...done
by Aa4mi＠aol.com 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Have corrected all clocks. So we're now ready to go! Thanks. 73, Carl Zelich, AA4MI aa4mi(a)arrl.net

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How to correctly log multiple grids?
by John Papay 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Mike, As others have said, just log it twice, once for each grid. The portable and handheld designations are commonly used on satellites. Portable can have many meanings. Some use it to say they are using an HT or operating on batteries. Originally, the portable designator was used to indicate you were not at your home QTH. In the 60's and earlier, the FCC was much more controlling of amateur radio than they are now. If you were not at home, you were obliged to sign /mobile or /portable on voice or on CW, /8 if you were in the 8th call area etc. If you moved out of your call area, you had to get a new callsign with the proper number for your new location. If you were to be away from your home QTH for more than 72 hours, you had to tell the FCC Engineer in Charge of your district where you were going to be operating from. If on a trip, you had to supply an itinerary telling them where you would be on a certain day. The FCC wanted to know where the transmitters were and who was operating them. Another requirement was to log every contact. If the FCC came calling, you had better have your logbook available. There was a requirement that you operate so many hours in a certain period of time in order to renew your license. In the early days, the FCC was feared. There were lots of rules to follow. A mistake could cost you your license. Today things are much different and the rules are very friendly. But signing portable still has meaning when it indicates you are not at home and possibly operating in another grid. When you hear "portable," it gives a hint that you might want to check your grid list to see if it's a new one. It also might influence you to give priority to the "portable" station since it may be operating under less than desirable circumstances, out in the open, on the side of a road, out in the rain etc., for the primary purpose of handing out a new grid for those who are paying attention in their comfortable hamshack. Of course, many use "portable" when they are at home with an HT. If you hear me signing portable, you'll know I'm not at home. Time to check your grid list. 73, John K8YSE

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AO-51 Publication
by Bruce 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

The AO-51 Publication Development, Operation and Specifications by G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM, is once again in stock at the AMSAT online store and ready for immediate shipment. Originally published in 2004, this publication was updated in 2005. It is 73 pages and is in color. Order yours today for only $20.00 plus shipping where applicable. 73...bruce AMSAT Online Store Manager -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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