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

Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig
by Bob- W7LRD 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

Hello This "ideal" rig might be good for all people (ham shack in a box). However-not all of us use or want all things. When we do, we improvise and "make" whatever we want to work. That has been a ham tradition since the beginning. I would wager as soon as the "HR-956 pro" came on the market as described there would be some complaining, "well why the heck didn't they do blank blank". We will never satisfy the entire ham population, which is why I thoroughly enjoy making what I have, do what I want it to do. Not always easy, but very rewarding. Besides it would probably cost a gazillion dollars. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "MM" <ka1rrw(a)yahoo.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Monday, March 1, 2010 10:44:00 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [amsat-bb] Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig My Ideal Competition Grade VHF/UHF Radio Wish list. It seems we are long over do for a Competition grade high performance VHF/UHF transceiver, which can also be used for Satellite operations. There are several competition grade HF transceivers on the market, however there are no high end competition grade VHF/UHF/Satellite systems on the marker. Most of the rigs I have seen which support VHF/UHF are either HF rigs that have had VHF/UHF slapped on, or low end VHF/UHF rigs, with HF slapped on. If we want the Amateur Radio manufactures to build us a "GREAT" VHF/UHF/Satellite system, then we need to tell them what we need. Here are some suggestions. Constructive comments welcome. This radio does not exist. If the manufactures are interested in providing a new state of the art VHF/UHF radio to the Amateur Radio community, here is one opinion of what should be in next Competition Grade VHF/UHF Transceiver and what should not be in the radio. I am going to give this fictional radio a name HR-956-Pro. What do we need: • We need a competition grade VHF/UHF transceiver that will support Terrestrial-DX, Satellite and EME operations (Voice, CW and Digital-JT65). • The HR-956-Pro, needs to be able to interface with modern computers (HTML Browser, USB and or CAT-5). • The HR-956-Pro, needs to able to interface with modern Externally mounted Pre-amplifier (both power feeds and transmitter sequencing). • The HR-956-Pro, need to be able to interface with modern Solid State Amplifiers and Tube based amplifiers. The RF output per band needs to be standardized with the Amplifier manufactures to prevent transceiver and amplifier failures due to sequencing problems and RF mismatching. • TX/RX Sequencer built-in, to control external Preamps, Amplifies and other accessories (programmable). Receiver: Of course we need a "Great" receiver, not another mediocre receiver. Each receiver for each band needs to be a "Great" performer. No Birdies: On a HF rig, a few Birdies do not usually cause serious issues, since the HF users are often listening to signals "Above" the noise floor. On a Satellite Radio, we are often listening to signals 10-30 dB, "Below" the Noise floor. Internally generated birdies are a serious problem for weak signal VHF/UHF operations. Filters: Each mode will need its own selection of DSP filters. The filters would also affect one of the Line-level outputs to the external PC. There are times when want to send Filtered or unfiltered audio to your external PC for Digital signal processing. One of the line-level outputs should be taped before the HR-956-Pro Filters, the other line-level output should be taped after the HR-956-Pro filters. The TX and RX filters should be independently selectable. The Filters need to be tested to verify they will support Satellite Mode-J (TX on 2-meters while listening on 435-438) Example: FM-5k, Filters 15k, 10k and 8k filters. AM Filters 10k, 6k, 3k, etc. SSB Filters 4.0k, 3.0k, 2.5k, 2.0k, etc. Other Modes: CW, FM-2.5k, Data Audio Quality: Life is too short for QRP or Poor Audio. It's not the number of contacts that’s important, it’s the quality of the contact. On the audio side, the HR-956-Pro needs to be able to support a wider range of audio through most of the stages. Of course the radio needs to meet FCC and other requirements, however we can still design the radio to deliver a wider bandwidth of good sounding audio. Let's shoot for 100-4000 Hz, on both TX and RX audio circuits. This will also mean, that a better stock microphone design will be required. VHF / UHF Bands built-in, with competition grade TX/RX: 6-meters 50-54 2-meters 144-148 70-cm 420 - 450 23-cm 1280 - 1300 (All frequencies localized for each country) Transmitter outputs: A high power transceiver is less desirable than a low power transceiver. Let me explain: For serious Terrestrial DX and EME you need to run more than 100 watts. A VHF/UHF transceiver designed for high power ( 100 watt range) transmitting, would not be compatible with third-party amplifiers or pre-amplifiers. Most VHF/UHF amps are designed for 25 or 50 watts maximum input. The manufactures of Transceivers and Amplifies need to agree upon a set of standard power level so the third-party amplifier manufactures can design properly matched Amplifiers and pre-amplifiers. This will also help reduce the number of transceiver and amplifier failures caused by mismatched RF settings. Suggested standards for VHF/UHF bases stations: 6 Meters 50 watts 2 Meters 25 watts 70 cm 25 watts 900 mc 10 watts 1.2 gig 10 watts The duty cycle of the competition grade system, will also need to be greater than a 70% duty cycle. A typical EME link running JT65 requires a 50% for 10-30 minutes at a time. The transistors and cooling system needs to be designed accordingly to meet the competition grade requirements. HR-956-Pro Must have list: Spectrum display screen: I can't imagine building a new competition grade system without this feature. It would be nice to see the band pass, before and after the filter stages. Full computer remote control: Memory read/Read and save. All memory channels options must be exportable to a CSV or similar file, including TX and RX frequencies, settings, including Repeater or split frequency settings. All protocols must be Public protocols, no propriety software or licenses. Doppler Control (Manual): LEO SSB satellites are some of the hardest satellites two work because of the amount of Doppler frequency change per second. Satellite Mode-B is very hard (70 cm Uplink and 2-meter Downlink). While you are talking through a SSB Mod-B satellite, you need to be simultaneously adjusting your transmitter with every other word, in order to keep your downlink signal centered inside the transponder. The Yasue FT-736R Satellite control knob, seems to work very well with dual VFO's and provides you the ability to quickly change either TX or RX to compensate for Doppler (among other features). The Knob style is much easier to use than "Buttons". I found the Doppler VFO correction on some newer radios to be very frustrating. The new HR-956-Pro must have the Yasue FT-736R control Knob and it must be functional for both VFO's and Memory Channels. DSP Noise tools: The usual stuff. FM Center Tuning Meter: Many of the new satellites are LEO's (Low Earth Orbit), and many of these satellites are running FM-5k. The reason for FM is because the Doppler causes the 70cm band to drift over 20, kHz during a 10-20 minute pass. The LEO SSB satellites using Mode J or Mode B are difficult to use because of the large Doppler change. The FM mode, helps reduce the impact caused by the higher Doppler. The FM Center Tuning Meter feature is a "must have" for a Satellite radio. When the FM satellite comes in range, just look at the FM meter and tune the receiver until the needle is centered and you now know the exact downlink for that Satellite. If the needle is left, turn the RX knob slowly Right, If the needle is Right, turn the RX knob slowly left, very simple. The Yaesu FT-736R has a FM Center Tuning Meter and it makes working FM satellites much easier. The IC-910 has a blinking light to tell you your FM satellite receiver frequency has drifted. Unfortunately, the blinking light is useless in telling you if your frequency is high or low. HR-956-Pro, Nice to have list: General coverage receiver (50 - 1000 megacycles): The addition of a general coverage receiver would help with the sales of the HR-956-Pro. However, it is very important that the general coverage receiver, NOT degrade the performance of the satellite receivers. We are not trying to build a super police scanner. One possible suggestion would-be to make the general coverage receiver a separate circuit board, which would be connected to a separate antenna port and thus would not degraded from the performance of the satellite receivers. VHF / UHF Optional bands or Transverter: The Amateur radio community is constantly experimenting with new bands. It would be nice to have a Transverter module or expansion module for future bands. In the USA these bands are becoming popular, 220mc, 900 mc, etc (All frequencies localized for each country) Size is important: To hold the hardware, band scope, filters and make the buttons easily accessible, a box about the size of the IC-756 product seems to be the right size. What should not be in the HR-956-Pro. No HF: No access to frequencies below 50 megacycles. The addition of HF to a satellite radio would only degrade the performance of the weak signal satellite receivers. HF would also add to the cost of the transceiver and reduce its sales potential. A competition grade VHF/UHF transceiver has no use for HF. HF would result in the radio being just another mediocre transceiver. No obsolete Serial ports: No RS-232 or TTL. These devices are so last century. DSTAR: The DSTAR mode is fun, I use it often and I have even been pushing ARISS to install it on the International Space Station. As much as I like this mode, it is not a requirement for a competition grade satellite system. I would much rather have the money put into making the VHF/UHF receivers the best possible. How much are we willing to pay for the HR-956-Pro: That depends on the performance, suggest price $2000 - $3000 USD Closing: If anyone knows of such a radio I would be interested to know who makes it. Sincerely WF1F Miles www.marexmg.org _______________________________________________ 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! 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Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig
by Edward Cole 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

At 10:47 AM 3/1/2010, Ken Ernandes wrote: >I'm not normally one to throw cold water on creative ideas, but I >will put myself in the position of the potential manufacturer. What >any manufacturer would need to even contemplate this project is good >answers to a few basic questions: 1. Can I come up with a design to >these specifications that I can sell in the realistic price range of >the typical amateur operator? 2. Is there a large enough market out >there that I can make a profit on this exercise? My guess is the >manufacturers wouldn't touch this one with 3.048-meter pole without >at least one functioning high altitude satellite on orbit. I >realize these are frustrating times, but I think you'll need to come >up with more than just a wish list. Perhaps a group could get >together and prototype portions to make a plausible case that this >can be built economically. Can it be done? Probably... But those >who really want it will probably need to invest a lot of sweat >equity to prove it. 73, Ken N2WWD Ken echoes what I thought when I saw this thread. Note: the FT-847 has not been replaced by Yaesu/Vertex. I really think this should be reset to be a SDR radio. Then most of those "niceties" would be handled by software. 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

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March 2010 AO-51 Schedule
by Angelo Glorioso 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

March 2010 AO-51 Schedule March 1 - March 10 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM March 11 - March 16 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM FM Repeater, V/U to support K4T EL84 DXpedition Uplink: 145.880 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM March 17 - March 21 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM March 22 - 28 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM FM Repeater, L/U (Subject to interruption for telemetry collection) Uplink: 1268.700 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM March 29 - April 4 FM Repeater, V/S Uplink: 145.880 Mhz FM Downlink: 2401.200 Mhz FM

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ISS Assembly
by Jim Wright 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

This is very interesting, a bit fast to read, but click on the names on the right for more info.

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Transporting HT and Arrow Antenna on commercial flight
by Reid Crowe 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

Has anyone had luck with transporting an HT on a commercial flight in their carry on luggage recently? I doubt I'd have much luck with transporting an arrow antenna in my carry on. Any thoughts? 73 Reid N0RC

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AO-51 close miss
by Andrew Glasbrenner 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

Looks like we are fine. A second warning email this morning from the AF called it even closer, but everything was working at LOS this pass. The repeater is on at 450mw, and we'll move that up to 2 watts and shut the digital transmitter off in a few days as soon as we've caught up on telemetry. 73, Drew KO4MA

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ND9M Road Trip Update #16
by claryco＠aol.com 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

My thanks go to the AO51 Ops and Command Teams for making AO51 available for tonight's 01/0018Z pass. It turned out to be a very busy one. Also, thanks go to Rick, WA4NVM, for giving me the heads up phone call while we were on the road that the bird would be in V/U mode for that pass after all. As for tomorrow's ops, we should be on the EM10 / EM11 line for the early SO50 pass which rises locally at 01/1828Z and AO27 that goes VOX at about 01/2012Z. From there, we'll head west with the EM00 / EM01 line as our target for the AO51 pass that comes up at 01/2339Z. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Buda, TX / EM10

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Re: RE March 2010 AO-51 Schedule
by Angelo Glorioso 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

I find your remarks unwanted and unneeded. I HOPE THAT IS A CUP FOR TWO. YOU MIGHT JUST NEED A CUP TOO! Angelo N5UXT > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Gordon JC Pearce" <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 6:39 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: RE March 2010 AO-51 Schedule > > >> On Sun, 2010-02-28 at 13:55 -0600, Angelo Glorioso wrote: >>> >>> Drew, >>> >>> >>> No problem but I feel you are way overreacting to all of this. It was >>> just a message about >>> a schedule. Nothing more, nothing less. YOU AND AMSAT WANT CREDIT??? >> >> <snip> >> >> Once again (typically about three times a week) I find myself wondering >> why I even bother with the AMSAT-BB list. >> >> How about you sit down and have a nice hot cup of Grow The Hell Up? >> >> Gordon MM0YEQ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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SK: Dave Toth, VE3GYQ
by Tom Clark, K3IO 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

I am very sad to relay the following message from Steve Bible, N7HPR. Dave was a close personal friend of mine for many years. We fought the battle of the early days of trying to build the HF Packet Radio network on 14.103. He was always a friend of AMSAT, giving up personal vacations to help with the integration of AO-40 in Orlando. For many years, he was the glue that held TAPR together. The following information was supplied by Steve Bible, N7HPR: It is with great sadness that we report the passing of friend Dave Toth on February 26, 2010. Dave was President Emeritus of TAPR and also served as its President (2005-2009) and as a member of its Board of Directors (1987-1993 and 2004-2010). VE3GYQ will be best remembered for his dry sense of humor and his efforts to make TAPR's participation in the HPSDR project a resounding success. Dave's Obituary reads: Dr. David Bradley Toth, 55, died at 3:10 p.m. Feb. 26, 2010, at his residence. He was born Aug. 11, 1954, in Windsor, Ontario, to Thomas S. and Magda M. Kachler Toth. His mother survives in Windsor. On June 16, 2009, he married Ronda S. Nartker, who survives in Spencerville. Dr. Toth graduated from the University of Western Ontario Medical School in 1978. He practiced family medicine in London, Ontario. He moved to the U.S. in 1993 and began a career in emergency medicine. He was a partner of Premier Health Care Services, in Dayton, and worked at Lima Memorial Health System and St. Rita’s Medical Center until the time of his illness. He was a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He was board certified in Family Medicine of Canada. He was president of the Regional Physician Advisory Board of EMS and was also the medical director of Ada, Bath and Spencerville EMS. He was a private pilot for 30 years. He loved to go to the Allen County Airport and fly his Twin Comanche as much as possible. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, EAA and the Comanche Flyers. Besides flying, he was an amateur astronomer. Since he was a young boy in school, he enjoyed looking at the night sky and reading about space and the stars. He had his own observatory that was seen opened up on clear nights. He set up the London, Ontario, Astronomy Club and served as its president. He was also a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and belonged to the Lima, Dayton and Columbus Astronomy Clubs. He traveled for NASA to Chile and Australia to fix telescope problems. He worked closely with Software Bisque to make computer programs to operate telescopes. You could catch him planning trips to Starfest and the Winter Star Party yearly. He was also a HAM radio operator since the 1970s. He would talk for hours with his call sign VE3GYQ. He set up the London, Ontario, towers. He was the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio president from 2004 to 2009. In his spare time, he enjoyed a round or two of golf with partners or for fundraisers. He also enjoyed hitting the slopes if possible to ski. Survivors also include two sons, Michael Toth, of Bowling Green, and Christopher Toth, of London, Ontario; a daughter, Caitlin Toth, of Montreal; a stepson, Rusty Nartker, of Spencerville; two brothers, Brian (Susan) Toth, of London, Ontario, and Darryl (Helena) Toth, of Lakeshore, Ontario; two sisters, Stephanie (Frank) Capizzi, of Shelby Township, Mich., and Sondra (Dana) Woltz, of Windsor, Ontario; an aunt, Apollonia “Loni” Noll of Windsor, Ontario; and numerous nephews and nieces. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Catholic Church. Father Stephen Blum will officiate. Burial of the cremated remains will be at a later date. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday and 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Shawnee Chapel of Chiles-Laman Funeral Homes, where a parish wake service will begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

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RE March 2010 AO-51 Schedule
by Angelo Glorioso 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

Drew, No problem but I feel you are way overreacting to all of this. It was just a message about a schedule. Nothing more, nothing less. YOU AND AMSAT WANT CREDIT??? ATTENTION ALL AMSAT !!!! AMSAT SHOULD HAVE FULL CREDIT FOR THE AO-51 SCHEDULE I REPOSTED. PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR OMITTING A LINE IN THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE! :-( IF I OFFENDED ANY NEW UP AND COMING USER OF THE BIRDS, PLEASE FORGIVE ME. :-( I WILL NEVER REPOST A MESSAGE OR BULLETIN AGAIN WITHOUT FULL CREDIT AND I WILL NOT OMIT ANY LINES GOING FORWARD. I GUESS I DON'T HAVE COMMON SENSE LIKE DREW!!! ----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Glasbrenner To: Angelo Glorioso ; Amsat-BB Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 12:54 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] March 2010 AO-51 Schedule Angelo Glorioso wrote: I did not realize a line being omitted referenced new users were not welcomed!!!!!!! DID I MISS SOMETHING????? Yes. I'd prefer you not edit the AO-51 schedule and distribute it to the -bb before the command team, that's all. If you quote someone else's work or news item, quote it in it's original form, and credit the source. Seems pretty common sense to me. 73, Drew KO4MA

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