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

FS Complete satellite station.
by Dave Aitch 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

I will be un-subscribing from this list on the 4th April. Any further replies regarding the items I have for sale should got to daveocn(a)googlemail.com please. Cheers, Dave. G1OCN. AMSAT UK 5766

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Re: Arrow and EME?
by Oscar Diez 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

Hi folks, I think it should be possible to work at least the three big guns out there: W5UN, KB8RQ and RN6BN. With their huge antenna arrays they can hear very low power EME stations. 100-150W into the arrow should work theoretically with those three stations if moon condx are favourable. The best thing is to hang around in the JT65 EME chat under this address: http://www.chris.org/cgi-bin/jt65emeA Usually you only need to wait there till the big guns announce a CQ call there with their used frequency. You can then also take the advantage of realtime communication via this website to arrange a sked in realtime with them and they will keep their ears open for you, hi The "QRPp EME record" so far for RN6BN by the way was working LZ1BB using a 4el. DK7ZB yagi with only 40W into antenna....thus Arrow should work also when power over 100W is used. I can occasionally work down to 8 yagi stations in JT65B mode using a 6el. DK7ZB Yagi and about 130W into Antenna (160W Brick-AMP minus cable loss) For example I worked EA6VQ on Mallorca Island with his 8x17el. M2 array with my relatively small antenna. I can sometimes decode down to 2 yagi high power stations on JT65B RX mode if moon condx are good...but 2-way QSO is not possible with those small counterparts. Here some links from other EME QRPers: http://www.ok2kkw.com/00000104/eme.htm (used 4el. yagi And 100W) http://www.dj7al.de/12906.html (used 4el. F9FT yagi and 200W) http://www.dj7al.de/11026.html (same station testing only HB9CV 2el. and 200W) And here is a nice tutorial to get started in JT65B mode EME operations: http://www.vhfdx.net/jt65bintro.html Best 73 de Oscar DJ0MY

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XE2BSS @ DM30 update - 2 April
by Patrick STODDARD 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

Hi! After some equipment issues, Alex XE2BSS was able to get on a weatern AO27 pass yesterday afternoon and work a few stations. He plans to try AO27 and SO50 today and possibly Saturday, before returning home to California. Alex also mentioned his location is grid DM30wr. His station is a full-duplex-capable IC-Z1 and an Elk log periodic. Good luck and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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New APRS Rocket Antenna concept needed
by Robert Bruninga 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

I need someone interested in adding quadrature 2 meter antennas to the outside of a 10" diameter sounding rocket by middle May... This launch is going to space (100 miles up) from White Sands on a sounding rocket to then come back down by parachute. Antennas cannot stick out far (maybe an inch?) but can be bent back along the surface. Temperatures will approach 800F during the 10 minute flight. G' forces will be huge. The payload will be (what else) an APRS trackign system and 2-way APRS communications transponder. So, if anyone wants to take on this antenna, lemme know. All I need is the detail design and analysis. The machining is paid-for. Oh, it also needs quadrature GPS antennas, but that can just be a pair of 1.5" monopoles... Bob, WB4APR

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FM on VO-52
by Håkan H 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

Hello! It is the firsth of April but i was very surprised to hear a russian station on VO52 with downlink in FM?? is this something new or have i missed something? It was a callsign and clearly a call via satellite. downlink on 145.925mhz. 73 Hakan SM7WSJ

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Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net Tonight 8PM EST ON N2EYH-L
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Sorry for the late notice again. It was posted earlier in the week. Please join us for the net. 73Gary WA2AQH

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Real-time satellite QSO maps
by Gabriel - EA6VQ 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Just a quick note to let you know that DX-Sherlock now provides satellite-specific real-time maps and QSO lists. Have a look at http://www.vhfdx.info/spots/map.php?Frec=SAT <http://www.vhfdx.info/spots/map.php?Frec=SAT&Map=W2L> &Map=W2L I hope you like it. 73. Gabriel - EA6VQ

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Re: Arrow and EME?
by Idle-Tyme 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

the best was neither vert or horizontal, and continously changing, well slowly changing faraday rotation. plus why would you want to aste n extra 3 db if you have it to be used? Joe WB9SBD The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 4/1/2010 2:27 PM, Mark Lunday wrote: > Would this also be accomplished in "poor man's design" by simply having one > yagi vertical and one horizontal? > > > Mark Lunday > WD4ELG > Greensboro, NC - FM06be > wd4elg(a)arrl.net > http://wd4elg.net > http://wd4elg.blogspot.com > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On > Behalf Of Idle-Tyme > Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 1:53 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arrow and EME? > > Another very important thing is polarity. > the ability to change polarity can easily me a completed QSO or one > where not a peep was heard. > > In the late 80's early 90's I had a small station of 4 eight element 2 > meter yagis. I think they were a W1JR design? > > anyway I mounted them in a way that i could rotate them in polarity also. > > It was amazing I never thought i could do moonbounce with them but just > for kicks was listening down at the bottom of the band one day and heard > someone CQing and wortking someone off he moon. of course it was W5UN. > but a random call when he finished and we had a complete QSO in the log > with no repeats solid exchange both ways! > > what make this amazing was I was using a kenwood TS700 rig into a old > KLM (remember KLM amps?) a 70 watt one that was tired and only putting > out about 35 watts, into a run of rg 213 50 feet to the antenna, no pre > amps at all. and on CW by ear! no filters either just the standard 2.XX > whatever wide filter. > But the polarity made all the difference! In horizontal mode i heard > NOTHING. but somewhere inbetween H and V he wa solid copy and he had no > problem hearing me too. > > I eventually went on to work about 30 other stations as small as other 4 > yagi stations. The ability to make polarity changes is a GIANT advantage! > > Joe WB9SBD > > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > Idle Tyme > Idle-Tyme.com > http://www.idle-tyme.com > > On 4/1/2010 12:11 PM, Mark Lunday wrote: > >> I have been doing some reading on this also. Although I have not yet made >> any EME contacts, I have been uncovered the following: >> >> 1. Moonrise/moonset will enhance signals because of ground reflections, >> something like 6 dB. Many folks intentionally use moonrise and moonset >> attempts for this reason. >> >> 2. Mast mounted pre-amp is essential >> >> 3. Higher frequencies need more gain (so I have been told). But the 440 >> > MHz > >> part of the arrow antenna should have a LOT more gain than the 2 meter >> > part. > >> 4. Low loss coax is very important, esp at VHF. Keep the runs short and >> > use > >> something equiv to LMR 400 (50 foot of the good stuff is probably under >> $100, and worth it. >> >> 5. Definitely try to set up a sked with W5UN. If you can hear him, then >> > you > >> are halfway there! >> >> 6. Monitor websites like http://www.chris.org/cgi-bin/jt65emeA >> >> 7. 2010 appears to be a promising year for EME, here is a good calendar: >> http://www.vhfdx.net/w5luu.html >> >> >> Mark Lunday >> WD4ELG >> Greensboro, NC - FM06be >> wd4elg(a)arrl.net >> http://wd4elg.net >> http://wd4elg.blogspot.com >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On >> Behalf Of MM >> Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 8:37 AM >> To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Arrow and EME? >> >> Arrow Antenna and EME: >> >> It is possible to work Earth Moon Earth with an Arrow Antenna. >> >> Of course, it is. You just need to make a schedule with someone on the >> other side of the link with enough Antenna Gain. You also need to be >> running the new digital text messaging mode called JT65B >> >> Link for JT65 >> http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/ >> >> Definitions: >> In this document I will refer to all antenna gain values based on the >> > number > >> of elements. >> >> Example: A Single half-wave Dipole = 0 dBd >> Elements 2 = 3 dBd >> Elements 4 = 6 dBd >> Elements 8 = 9 dBd >> Elements 16 = 12 dBd >> >> The Arrow antenna (Model 146/436-10) has 3 elements on the 2-meter band, >> > so > >> its maximum theoretical "Element Gain" is 4.5 dBd. >> >> With the invention of the JT65 protocols, thousands of Amateur Radio >> stations running a Single Yagi 2-meter antennas, now have access to the >> > Moon > >> and EME contacts. >> >> To make a contact on Moon bounce, the "Total Antenna Gain" from both >> stations is added up and will need to be in the approximate range of >> > 25-30 > >> dBd. With this gain and the average transmitter power of (100-400 watts) >> you will have a 10-20+ percent chance of completing a 2-way EME JT65B >> > link, > >> with another station. >> Note: There are many other factures used in EME gain calculations. For >> simplicity, we will just focus on the antenna Gain. >> >> The amount of Total Antenna Gain required depends on the mode you wish to >> use. The wider the mode, the more gain that is required. The mode JT65B >> > is > >> a very narrow mode and requires less gain. I am not going to go over all >> > of > >> the details of JT65 in this article, look it up. >> >> Gain required by mode: (All values are approximate) >> >> JT65 28-30 dBd (1-Yagi + 4-Yagi) >> CW 30-40 dBd (4-Yagi + 4-Yagi) >> SSB 40-50 dBd (8-Yagi + 8-Yagi) >> FM 60-70 dBd (16 + 24) Guess >> >> >> The Mode JT65B requires approximately 30 dB of Total Antenna Gain for an >> > EME > >> contact. >> If we assume the average 12-element 2-Meter Yagi has 10.5 dBd (round to 11 >> for easy math) of "Element Gain", then the more Yagi's you stack, the >> > more > >> gain you will have. In EME lingo, 1x12 means, you have One Yagi, with 12 >> elements, 4x12 means you have a stack of 4 yagis with 12 elements each >> > (48 > >> elements total) and an approximate gain of 17 dBd. >> >> 1-Yagi = 11 dBd >> 2-Yagi = 14 dBd >> 4-Yagi = 17 dBd >> 8-Yagi = 20 dBd >> 16-Yagi = 23 dBd >> 32-Yagi = 26 dBd >> 64-Yagi = 29 dBd (W5UN) >> >> >> A Single-Yagi station (11 dBd) calling a 4-Yagi (17 dBd) station will >> > have > >> approximately 28 dBd Total Antenna Gain. The 4xYagi stations are very >> common on JT56B EME. >> >> Let's go back to the Arrow Antenna: >> >> We need 30 dBd of total antenna gain. >> The Arrow antenna has 4.5 dBd. >> The Arrow also has a Maximum power limitation of 150 watts (10 watts if >> > hand > >> held). >> >> If you are running the maximum 150 watts on your Arrow antenna, you >> > should > >> be able to work stations with 32 to 64 Yagi's. There are not very many 64 >> Yagi stations out there, however Dave W5UN has been active on JT65 EME >> recently. >> >> If you want more of a challenge, you can try QRP at 5 watts and your Arrow >> antenna. >> Reducing you power from 150 watts to 5-10 watts, will reduce your >> performance by 12 db. >> To compensate for the reduce power, you will just need to find a station >> with a bigger antenna. >> >> There is another big gun on EME. Two weeks ago, Arecibo was on EME, >> > running > >> CW, working EME stations on the 440 band. The antenna used at Arecibo is >> > a > >> simple 1,000 foot dish. The actual gain for 2-meters is not known, >> > however > >> I will assume it is more than 64-Yagi's. >> >> http://www.naic.edu/ >> >> So here is your chance. Make a schedule with Arecibo and go for QRP, EME, >> with a held Arrow antenna, or if you know of any good contacts at Arecibo, >> send me the data and I'll try to arrange a schedule and try it from my >> station. >> >> Other Hardware: >> A good Receiver Preamp (similar to ARR) >> http://www.advancedreceiver.com/ >> >> A good SSB 2-meter Transceiver (the best ever made Yaesu FT-736R) >> http://www.xs4all.nl/~ketel/ham/ft736.htm >> >> Good Coax (RG-8 coax is 11 Millimeter coax. That is ok for 50' EME runs, >> for longer runs use 12+ Millimeter coax) >> >> 73 >> >> WF1F >> 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! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ > 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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AA5UK/KH6 Update >>> Where is everybody?
by Adrian Engele 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Folks, I know we have had some atmospheric issues that have made recent passes difficult at best. I am still trying to help a few of you on some low angle passes to get KH6 into your logs. Having said that I am seeing very little activity on the SSB satellites. Last night I again worked several satellites and all I heard was my own voice calling CQ during every pass. Today I worked three passes FO29, VU52 and HO28. I only had one CONUS operator and one KH6 contact on HO28. Very disappointing. So either there is little interest in KH6 or there are timing issues. I am not sure why there is so little participation. I will look at the coming passes until April 4th which will most likely be the last day I operate from Kauai. If I don't start hearing more operators I will shut down early and work on enjoying my vacation. Again sorry for another rant session but the lack of activity frankly puzzles after all the emails and sked requests that I have received over the last 6 weeks. Those operators that have worked me will be the few to get a KH6 card once the log is checked and I go to the printers. Remember "If it was easy, we would all be doing it", under the conditions I have been working under: wind, rain and heavy QRN it has been very challenging these past few days. Aloha from AA5UK/KH6

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Replies please...
by Dave Aitch 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

A few days ago I put some satellite equipment up for sale. I have replied to all interested parties directly. Having not heard anything back from the various directly who wanted just about every item that was mentioned, I would appreciate a yes, no or an offer, please. Cheers, Dave. G1OCN AMSAT 5766 Portland. Dorset.

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OX/N0RC active from FQ56
by Daniel "Nick" Kucij 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

OX/N0RC, Reid was active on HO-68 from FQ56 this morning. We completed a FM QSO at 1544 UTC, just before HO-68 shut-off. He expects to be active on the next HO-68 FM pass with AOS at his location at 1720 UTC. 73 Nick KB1RVT

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OX/NØRC/P active from Thule on HO-68
by OZ1MY 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Hi all, He was active on HO-68 (XW-1) on the pass with AOS here in Copenhagen at 1527 UTC. The next pass looks good for Europe and NA. HO-68 is scheduled to be in FM (Voice) from 1705 to 1750 UTC. Good luck and have a nice Easter all. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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XE2BSS @ DM30 update
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Hi! Alex XE2BSS called me a few minutes ago, to say he did not make it out to the DM30 area in time for the AO-27 and SO-50 passes yesterday. He is now there, and plans to be on from DM30 starting with the AO-27 pass around 2029 UTC this afternoon. He may get on the SO-50 pass that is also around the same time, but will make an effort to be on AO-27 without the PL tone when it comes on. Good luck, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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AA5UK/KH6 Schedule for 4/01/2010
by Adrian Engele 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Tentative schedule for 4/1/2010: FO-29 @ 17:03 UTC VO-52 @ 18:48 UTC FO-29 @ 18:52 UTC Looking for JA's UA's Alaska HO-68 @ 19:28 UTC SSB FO-29 @ 04:22 UTC VO-52 @ 07:08 UTC FO-29 @ 07:56 UTC tentative Looking for JA's UA's Alaska All passes are subject to weather conditions due to heavy winds expected for next several which is causing QRN on 2m downlinks. Aloha. 73, Adrian AA5UK/KH6

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Thanks to AA5UK/KH6 for the FO-29 QSO tonight!
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Hi! Thanks to Adrian AA5UK/KH6 for the FO-29 QSO this evening! It was nice to work another station from Hawaii. I have worked Hawaii a few times, and I worked the grid Adrian has been working from (BL02) a few times last fall when Ron W6ZQ went out there. This was my first non-FM satellite QSO with Hawaii, and it was fun despite being out in my normal "home QTH" (Phoenix city park on the DM33xp/DM43ap grid boundary) well after local sunset. On that FO-29 pass, I heard a few stations blindly calling for Adrian even though he was somewhere else on the downlink. Even if he is trying to work around a particular spot on the downlink, be ready to tune around to find him. For much of that FO-29 pass, he was about 10 kHz below the center of the downlink. Adrian is the rare DX on these passes, and there is more to a transponder's downlink than just the 5 to 10 kHz around the center of the downlink. Adrian will be out there for a few more days before heading home, so if you have a shot to try working him - go for it! 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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XE2VAS @ DM31, tomorrow through Sunday 4/4
by Patrick STODDARD 01 Apr '10

01 Apr '10

Hi! Uriel XE2VAS will be driving to Puerto Penasco, better known in English as Rocky Point , tomorrow morning. This town is on the north end of the Gulf of California, an hour south of the Arizona border, in grid DM31. Uriel will have FM gear with him, and hopes to work SO50 and AO27 between tomorrow and Sunday. Please use standard international phonetics and digits when calling XE2VAS, as Uriel is not fluent in English. I am the QSL manager for XE2VAS, so please send me the QSL requests with SASE if you would like a QSL card from Uriel. Good luck and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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