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

FT-726 automatic Doppler control?
by Ryan Caron 25 Mar '10

25 Mar '10

Anybody ever rig up automatic doppler tuning to a FT-726? Without a CI-V interface (or equivalent) the best idea I can think of is splicing a microcontroller in to push the up, down, and maybe the fast buttons on the microphone during a pass. Then I'd just have to dial in the initial frequency before the pass starts. 73, Ryan KB1LKI AMSAT #37207

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Neptune 30 CubeSat Launch
by Trevor . 25 Mar '10

25 Mar '10

The 2U CubeSat MiniRomit1 is slated to launch on Neptune 30 in December. http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2010/miniromit_1.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio Email/RSS News: 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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ICOM AG-25, 2M Mast Mounted Preamplifier
by Stan, W1LE 24 Mar '10

24 Mar '10

Hello The Net: I recently got in Bob's (W7LRD) preamp for testing, with the following results: 144 MHz G = 27 dB NF = 1.3 dB 145 G = 27 dB NF = 1.1 dB 146 G = 27 dB NF = 0.9 dB 147 G = 26 dB NF = 0.8 dB 148 G = 25 dB NF = 0.9 dB Performance is better than I expected, but lotsa gain. DC voltage applied was 14 Vdc and lowered to 8 Vdc with no change in NF, but a 1 dB reduction in gain. DC current was ~200 milliamperes at 14 V and 117 milliamperes at 8.0 volts applied. Below 8 Vdc, the gain decreases rapidly and the NF increases. I like the wide operating voltage range. The RF connectors are UHF type. There is a larger screw with a plastic washer underneath, but upon removal there is NO adjustment underneath for neither pass band tuning or gain reduction. Reportedly there is a variable capacitor inside to allow tuning, but nothing externally accessible. Has anyone found a adjustment for gain ? Only choice I can think of is to reduce the RF gain on the transceiver when the preamp is menu enabled. If an attenuator is put in line, the TX power would also be attenuated. We do not want to just throw away RF power in an attenuator Stan, W1LE Cape Cod FN41sr Cape Cod ZZZZz

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Tucson (AZ) hamfest and post-hamfest activity on Saturday, 27 March
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 24 Mar '10

24 Mar '10

Hi! I will be at the Radio Society of Tucson's second annual spring hamfest on Saturday, 27 March 2010, at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson with an AMSAT table. The Kino Sports Complex is on Ajo Way, east of the I-10 freeway and Tucson Electric Park baseball stadium. The hamfest will run from 7am to 11am (1400-1800 UTC). During the hamfest, I will be on various satellites as WD9EWK for on-air demonstrations. Although the hamfest officially starts at 1400 UTC, I plan on being on the air for passes starting around 1300 UTC give or take. FM satellites, along with a few non-FM birds (VO-52 and AO-7), will be used. Although there will be FO-29 passes in the morning, communications systems on figher aircraft at a nearby air base normally wipes out reception of the FO-29 downlink and makes that satellite unusuable from the hamfest site. I may try it on Saturday morning, to see if the situation has changed since the last time I tried FO-29 down there. After the hamfest, I have not decided which route I will take back home to Phoenix. Last fall, I drove to the Arizona/New Mexico state line in grid DM52 after a hamfest. I could make another visit to the DM51/DM52 boundary and/or possibly the DM52/DM53 boundary east of Tucson. If I go west, I could visit other grids like DM32 and/or DM31. Since I have not set any firm plans for my afternoon/evening return, any feedback on grids that you might want to hear on the Saturday afternoon/evening passes (FM birds, and possibly AO-7 or FO-29) would be appreciated. Anyone working WD9EWK either at the hamfest or on the post-hamfest drive back to Phoenix on Saturday who wants a QSL card only needs to e-mail me the QSO details. If you are in the log, I will send the QSL card (or cards). Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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New audio stream for Houston AMSAT Net
by Bruce 24 Mar '10

24 Mar '10

The Houston AMSAT Net now has a new Icecast streaming server, thanks to Mike, N0VZC. During our net, Tuesday 8PM Central Time (Wednesday 0100 UTC), our audio can be heard by pasting the following into your URL, Winamp, iPhone, iTunes or almost any other player. radio.arert.net:8000/amsat.m3u We hope that you continue enjoying the Houston AMSAT Net. You can also listen on Echolink in the *AMSAT* conference as well as after the net completes as a Podcast from the iTunes store or your favorite Podcast player. 73...bruce -- 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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FT726 value
by John Geiger 24 Mar '10

24 Mar '10

What is the current market value for a Yaesu FT726 with the 2m and 432 modules, and the satellite board installed? It is in good condition, with the hand mic and power cord, but no tone board installed. Or is anyone on the reflector looking for one? 73s John AA5JG

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Trip North
by w6gmt＠bak.rr.com 24 Mar '10

24 Mar '10

Hi all I will Start my annual trip north to the summer QTH on Wed April 7th. I will go through the States of OK KS NB IA and MN. I will activate Grids using my FT-817 and an Elk Log. I am Looking for Grid requests FM Birds only QSL to the MN Address. Send Requests to me off Line AT w6gmt(a)bak.rr.com 73 Brock

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AMSAT Journal
by Ed Long 24 Mar '10

24 Mar '10

Everyone, Once again I am late with the Journal due to content issues. However, I just uploaded the next issue to the printer and you should have it in the near future. As always, I am continually looking for new articles. If you have a topic to write about please send it in to the Journal e-mail address as found printed on page 3 of every issue. Thanks once again for your patience. I think you'll enjoy this issue. 73, Ed Long WA4SWJ Editor, The AMSAT Journal ----

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Looking for sat skeds with Europe (from south Florida)
by Bill Dzurilla 24 Mar '10

24 Mar '10

Hi, After some upgrades to my sat station, I am able to work western Europe on AO-7 Mode B. There is usually at least one 2-minute window to Europe/Africa on each Mode B day. So far, my best DX is 7438 km with Eric PA1TNO. Please email me if you would like to make a sked, or listen for me if you see the footprint over south Florida. 73, Bill NZ5N Plantation, FL EL96uc

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OT: Power Supply Crowbar Question
by Joel Black 23 Mar '10

23 Mar '10

I have a question about the crowbar circuit in my RS-35A I'm trying to repair after my lightning strike. Please contact me off list and I will pose my question. Thanks, Joel, W4JBB

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