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

LVB Tracker USB serial port driver for Windows 7 x64?
by Bill Bordy, NJ1H 22 Dec '16

22 Dec '16

Has anyone located a driver for the LVB Tracker internal USB to serial port adapter on Windows 7 x64? If not, has anyone reverted to the serial port connection on LVB Tracker and used an external USB to serial port adapter successfully with SatPC32 on Windows 7 x64? I have an Edgeport multiple USB to serial port that has drivers for Windows 7 x64 that I will use if I have to. I would prefer using the LVB Tracker with its USB to serial adapter if someone has another solution. 73, Bill NJ1H

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Call for Papers--2007 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 26th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held September 28-30, 2007 in Hartford, Connecticut. These papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings (you do NOT need to attend the conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings). The submission deadline is July 31, 2007. Please send papers to: Maty Weinberg ARRL 225 Main St Newington, CT 06111 or you can make your submission via e-mail to: maty(a)arrl.org Papers will be published exactly as submitted and authors will retain all rights. 73 . . . Steve, WB8IMY ARRL

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Re: EggBeater
by Bill Dzurilla 30 May '12

30 May '12

Steve, I have both a commercial and a homebrew Eggbeater and am disappointed with both, especially in light of its rather high price. Connected to my IC-7000 via an ARR mast-mounted preamp, performance is far less than with an HT and an Arrow. Guess an omni can't cut it, at least not from my QTH. Maybe if I could get it up higher, clear of all roofs, it would do better. I can make contacts at relatively high sat elevations, but can do just as well with a $10 dual band ground plane. My friend has an Eggbeater and the same preamp at a clearer QTH, and he hears substantially better, down to 10 degrees elevation in some directions. Good luck and 73, Bill NZ5N > > Hi Steve, > > > > It is surprising to read that you are not hearing > anything. I have > > repeatedly used a 2m and 70cm Eggbeater for the sats > and have had no > > problem hearing things. No pre-amp. > > > > I was using a short cable (e.g. less than 10 meters). > The rigs I > > used were a FT-736r (deaf) and a FT-847 (so-so). > > > > 73, > > > > Dave

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FW: Re: The Moon is our Future
by Dave 15 Mar '11

15 Mar '11

We have met the enemy and they are us. WE need to do something. Yes, $15m is outta reach, but isn't there a cash prize for the first on-commercial moon landing? Dave DM78qd // KA0SWT If it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners.-- Johnny Carson +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeff Davis Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:35 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The Moon is our Future On Thu, Jul 02, 2009 at 06:48:51AM -0600, Jack K. wrote: > communications anyway) and move forward... We can put up all the leos > we want, but until someone makes something like B. Bruninga's cell > concept work, we are only going to have more of the same, We don't > need more of the same! I couldn't agree more - we don't need more of the same. If I want to sit back and have a two hour rag-chew with someone on the other side of the planet I will use Skype or my cell phone! Dreaming about what *might* be in space is a fun exercise. Actually doing something about it requires sending things to LEO because reality has dictated that's as far as we can afford to go. How's about we use some of that frustrated *imagineering* to come up with interesting new concepts at LEO? We don't need any more FM repeaters buzzing overhead, but what about more cameras downloading HD images, scientific payloads that monitor the ongoing climate change, payloads to study the Earth's magnetic field, etc. etc. Our own 'Twitter' messaging network from space...? The Apollo 13 creed of "failure is not an option" has completely infected the brains at AMSAT and this list. You want something at HEO or on the moon, cut a check for $15 million dollars and let's get on with it. Been waiting since 1996 for another AO-13 and I am getting too old to keep waiting. AMSAT is becoming completely irrelevant as it strives without success for the impossible mission and exhibits a shocking amount of leadership malfesance as it stubbornly refuses to recognize and adapt to realities in the launch business. I know, I know maybe NEXT year someone rich will die and leave us a boatload of cash. Or the bankrupt US government will suddenly cough up a billion dollars for some orbiting emergency communication system. In the meantime we have to stifle the truth because it might blow yet another *secret* deal that's in the works and *almost* a done deal, so let's not complain publicly and ruin it. Heard the stories, heard the lies, got all the t-shirts and ball caps. Whatever. -- Jeff, KE9V AMSAT-NA member since 1994, Skeptic that we will ever go back to HEO since 2002 _______________________________________________ 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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Nanosatellite Launch Service 6 on PSLV-C15
by Daniel Kekez 12 Jul '10

12 Jul '10

Hi All, The Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) would like to announce the delivery of Nanosatellite Launch Service 6 (NLS-6) cluster payload to Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR), Andhra Pradesh, India, for launch on board PSLV-C15. PSLV-C15 will be launching from the First Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR into 637 km sun-synchronous orbit with 10:30 Local-Time of Descending Node. NLS-6 shares this launch with Cartosat-2B primary, Alsat-2A co-primary, and STUDSAT auxiliary payload. NLS-6 is the 6th launch by SFL. The NLS-6 cluster comprises of two nanosatellite: AISSat-1 and TIsat-1. NLS-6 launch updates are being posted to http://www.utias-sfl.net/NLS-6/ About AISSat-1 ------------------------------ AISSat-1 is built by SFL for the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). It is intended to demonstrate a new maritime AIS receiver that has been developed by FFI. The AIS receiver will be used to monitor ship traffic in Norwegian waters. The design of AISSat-1 is based on SFL Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB). The spacecraft has a main structure measuring 20 cm by 20 cm by 20 cm and it is stabilized in three-axes using reaction wheels. It has a fixed 46 cm long VHF payload monopole antenna for the AIS receiver and four UHF uplink monopole antennas for the command receiver. The downlink in the S-Band. AISSat-1 has an overall dimension of 80 cm by 45 cm by 37 cm and an overall mass of 6.5 kg. AISSat-1 will be secured to the launch vehicle using the XPOD GNB separation system. AISSat-1 is not an amateur satellite and, as such, has coordinated appropriate frequencies. Its ground segment is located at Svalbard and its control centre is at FFI, near Oslo, Norway. More information on the spacecraft can be found at http://www.utias-sfl.net/nanosatellites/AISSat-1/ and http://www.spacecentre.no/?module=Articles;action=Article.publicShow;ID=513… About TIsat-1 ------------------------------ TIsat-1 is a 1 kg CubeSat of 10 cm by 10 cm by 10 cm and is built by students and staff at University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). The primary mission objective is to involve students in systems engineering, development and test with a very challenging project and to provide students and staff at SUPSI with space mission knowledge. TIsat-1 will monitor the durability of material probes exposed to space environment, will test a micro electromechanical device and will validate the redundant, fault tolerant hardware and firmware design of the bus. Two monopole antennas (VHF and UHF) will be deployed after separation. Housekeeping and payload data will be communicated to the ground as orbital data profiles. TIsat-1 will be secured to the launch vehicle using the XPOD Single separation system. TIsat-1 communicates over amateur radio frequencies, as coordinated through the IARU, and they have been working with radio amateurs in Switzerland during the spacecraft's development. They have a Morse Code and data beacons. More information can be found at http://www.spacelab.dti.supsi.ch/tiSat1.html Future Launches by SFL ------------------------------ SFL has signed its 7th launch contract with ANTRIX for NLS-7 in late 2010/early 2011. NLS-7 will launch the twin-satellite CanX-4 and CanX-5 formation flying mission. SFL will be signing its 8th launch contract for NLS-8 momentarily, for the launch of two astronomy nanosatellites: BRITE-Austria (CanX-3A) and UniBRITE (CanX-3B). NLS-8 will also launch one partner spacecraft. In addition, SFL is under discussion for NLS-9, NLS-10, and NLS-11 launches in 2011/2012 time frame, and would like to extend an invitation to spacecraft developers world-wide to join our launches. For further information, please contact: Freddy M. Pranajaya Manager, Advanced Systems Group UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory 4925 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M3H 5T6 +1-416-667-7890 Voice +1-416-667-7799 Fax freddyp(a)utias-sfl.net http://www.utias-sfl.net/ 73, -Daniel, VA3KKZ

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AO-7 is not OK
by ps8rf Piraja 28 May '10

28 May '10

Some days we are seeing very strange behavior in the AO-7. In some orbits can only hear the feedback on the downlink when the satellite is approaching my station at about 30 degrees elevation, before is impossible to hear any signal via AO-7. Using two pre-amplifier, one in the TS 2000x and the other with 0.6 noise with 20 dB gain. During the orbits we transmiting power with of 30 watts. The satellite does not respond. Tried with 15 watts It was then that we hear at certain points on the downlink audio too low. Its best performance is when the satellite is almost 90 degrees from my station. Yet it seems that the satellite is asking for help. This seems the batteries are not getting enough loads. Or maybe it's excessive use of power by the users of the satellite. Maybe it's time for the users of AO-7 rethink the best ways to keep QSO through it, such as the use of LOW POWER so that over time the satellite is stabilized. "Long live the AO-7" 73' Piraja, PS8RF The Amateur Radio is supportive and helpful in any circumstance. _________________________________________________________________ Você sabia que seu navegador te ajuda a ficar longe de vírus? Leia mais sobre isso. http://www.microsoft.com/brasil/windows/internet-explorer/?WT.mc_id=1500

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Hitting a southbound Moon
by Greg D. 13 May '10

13 May '10

Hi folks, Now that the Arecibo event is behind us, there is still one puzzle that I'd like someone to explain to me. How do I aim at the Moon? I'm on the US West Coast. Early in the pass on Saturday, both Predict and Orbitron told me that the Moon's azimuth from here should be slightly north of east. It was in the 80-ish degree range, with east, of course, being 90. But looking at Orbitron's map display, the Moon was clearly south of my latitude. As the pass progressed, the Moon moved westward on the map, making a sharper angle to the south of east from here. Both Predict and Orbitron's Az calculation increased too (eventually crossing 90 degrees), but always seemed to be north of where the Moon was. Why would I aim north to hit a southbound Moon? Greg KO6TH _________________________________________________________________ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID28…

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3 passes from DM52/DM53 this afternoon...
by Patrick STODDARD 30 Apr '10

30 Apr '10

Hi! I am at DM52/DM53, waiting for AO27 in a few minutes. It looks like I may have a couple of minutes on the AO51 pass at 2214 UTC that I can work. Around 2217 to 2220 should be the highest part of the pass from here, and I will stick around here for that pass - after the next two AO27 passes. For the east, the 2003 UTC AO27 pass will be the better option, if you have a choice between that and the AO51 pass. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - near Fort Thomas AZ http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Out of the Office
by Martha 30 Apr '10

30 Apr '10

I will be out of the office today starting at 3:00 PM. -- 73- Martha

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Re: usb to serial adapter woes
by Larry Gerhardstein 30 Apr '10

30 Apr '10

Jim, et. al., Thanks for the advice. However, after installing the USA-49WG and driver install for Windows 7 with help from Tripp Lite technical support, my system still does the same thing. I plug the serial cables to both rotor and transceiver digital interfaces and then to the 49WG and the same thing happens. Azimuth meter drops to zero and there is no control. Further it is now working worse than before, as I have neither control of rotor or transceiver. If measure the voltage between metal shields of the two cables, there is about 2 volts there. It sure looks like a ground loop, but where and how. I have no idea at this point. In 56 years a ham operator, I've never run into anything like this. Maybe RS232 isolators would fix this??? Seems like overkill. Larry W7IN On 4/10/2010 6:01 PM, kq6ea(a)verizon.net wrote: > I bought one of the Keyspan 4-port boxes some years ago, and it's > never missed a beat. > I mostly use it on Field Day with my laptop so I can have SatPC32 > control my Ft-847, btu now that I've built both the Las Vegas Tracker > *and* the Fox Delta unit, I'll be using it to control the radio and my > Uaesu Az/El rotor. > They've not inexpensive, but then you always get what you pay for! > 73, Jim KQ6EA > > On Apr 10, 2010, *Larry Gerhardstein* <gerhardstein(a)montana.com> wrote: > > I hope someone can shed light. I'm using SatPC32, but that does not > affect this problem. > > Awhile back I was forced to recycle both of my older computers > that had > one built in 9-pin serial port. Then, I connected the built-in > port to > the GS-232B rotor interface. I also purchased some HL USB-RS232 > USB-to-Serial adapters, a cable with USB on one end and a 9 pin > RS232 on > the other end. I used this gadget to control my transceiver (which > is a > IC910H). > > Now I have a new computer which has no (zero) built in serial ports. > I'm trying to use two of the USB-to-Serial gadgets and have run into > trouble. If I disconnect all grounding back through the power, I can > get one of the two to work, either the rotor or the rig-control, > but not > both at the same time. Without disconnecting grounding, neither work. > It does not matter whether I'm plugging the USB ends directly into > the > computer, using a passive USB hub, or a powered hub--same result. > > All I have to do to get this to fail...is... Even if the USB ends are > not plugged into the computer and the rig control box is powered > off and > unplugged from power, if I just touch the metal shield on the USB > cable > going to the rig control onto the shield connection in the > computer or > hub, that causes the rotor control to fail. When it fails, The > azimuth > reading on the G-5500 drops all the way to zero. The elevation > meter is > unaffected. > > It acts like a ground loop somewhere, but where and how? I've tried > disconnecting the coaxes from the transceiver but no change. > > I'm thinking about scrapping these USB-to-Serial things and going > to a > 4-Port Keyspan box. > > HELP!! > > 73, Larry W7IN - DN27 in Plains, Montana > > _______________________________________________ > 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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KPC-9612+ with TS-2000
by Nathaniel S. Parsons 30 Apr '10

30 Apr '10

Hi everyone, Thanks for the help with our 4800 bps issue. We haven't found a solution yet, but we're working on it, and I'll let you know when we have something figured out. Just now, I found a Kantronics KPC-9612+ lying around the lab, and would like to fire it up with our TS-2000 to see if it's still in working order. Can someone check to see if I've figured out the pinout correctly? I'll put the KPC pins on the left, and the TS-2000 pins on the right. 1 (Audio out) - 11 (Mic in) 2 (Carrier detect) - 5,7 (Main/sub squelch) 3 (PTT) - 9 (PTT) 4 (CTRLB) - Not connected 5 (RXA) - 1,3 (Main/sub out) 6 (GND) - Any of 4,8,12 (GND) 7 (Ext-In) - Not connected 8 (CTRLA) - Not connected 9 (GND) - Any of 4,8,12 (GND) TS-2000 pins not connected: 2,6,10,13 Thanks, Nate KC2SVI

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Re: Space Debris:
by Stephen Melachrinos 29 Apr '10

29 Apr '10

Greg - I didn't see anyone else reply, so I'll try. No, it's not coincidence. After the Iridium collision last year, the US Air Force decided it was in everyone's best interest for them to run conjunction analyses against many more space objects than they had previously analyzed, and report their predictions to system owners. Previously, their concern was primarily the US government's spacecraft, so we (in the amateur community) and many commercial operators never knew what was happening to our birds unless we did (or paid for) the work ourselves. But the collision (as well as the Chinese ASAT demonstration) showed that the resulting debris fields were a major hazard to everyone, themselves included. So they must have allocated more resources to the problem, as this is a massive undertaking. (Note that some reports say that the US has about 20,000 objects that are tracked and cataloged. In theory, this means propagating the ephemeris of all of these for some number of days and comparing all possible combinations across the time period of the analysis.) Unfortunately, many (if not most) of the objects no longer have maneuvering capability. If a vehicle can maneuver, these warnings give them time to try and increase the separation prior to the predicted close approach. (You might have heard of some times when a space shuttle does one of these maneuvers.) But if you can't maneuver (as is the case with AO-51), all we can do is watch and wait. Steve W3HF Apr 13, 2010 01:45:32 AM, ko6th_greg(a)hotmail.com wrote: > Is it just a coincidence that these warnings seem to be coming pretty often recently, or did NORAD change their reporting procedures, or is > all the junk up there getting to critical mass where nothing is safe? It seems like we're heading into a situation like nuclear fission, where > you get enough stuff interacting, and it sets up a chain reaction of collisions. > > Greg KO6TH

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Re: Galaxis Space Scanner ACU
by Joe Leikhim 29 Apr '10

29 Apr '10

I did find this in archives and the website for Gary (Gary Gonnella W6RYO http://www.w6ryo.com) is no good and Google no help in finding a mirrored site. On 4/28/2010 12:09 AM, kq6ea(a)verizon.net wrote: > Search the archives. > http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200409/msg00443.html > 73, Jim KQ6EA > > > > On Apr 28, 2010, *Joe Leikhim* <rhyolite(a)nettally.com> wrote: > > I have found a number of the model Galaxis Space Scanner ACU > Labeled as > being made by FutureTrak Intl, and having Lockheed-Martin > manufacturer > labels. These were apparently made for tracking DBS satellites from > yachts and RV's. > > I saw a post a while back about a website on using these for Ham > Sats. > Does such information still exist? > > -- > Joe Leikhim > > Leikhim and Associates > Communications Consultants > Oviedo, Florida > > www.Leikhim.com > > JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com > > 407-982-0446 > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446

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AO-51 Telemetry Software - TLmEcho
by Bruce Semple 29 Apr '10

29 Apr '10

Looks like Mike Kingery (KE4AZN) wrote TLmEcho back in July 2004 -- But for those of us getting back into the hobby .. it's new to us! It does a nice job visualizing the various measurements collected in the telemetry stream Great job Mike! http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/tlm_decode.php

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KiwiSat video
by Trevor . 29 Apr '10

29 Apr '10

New KiwiSat video http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/kiwisat_video.htm Violet Amateur Radio satellite http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/violet.htm FUNcube FlatSat Meeting http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/funcube_flatsat_meeting.htm AMSAT-UK International Colloquium July 31 - Aug 1 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/ 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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Re: Rooftop Antenna Labs?
by Edward R Cole 29 Apr '10

29 Apr '10

At 04:49 PM 4/28/2010, Franklin Antonio wrote: >At 05:25 PM 4/28/2010, Robert Bruninga wrote: > >I may have an opportunity to begin planning for a major building > >upgrade at my school and want to propose a modern root-top > >antenna lab. > >Most antenna test labs now use anechoic chambers rather than rooftops. >. >_______________________________________________ >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 In 1966 I started my career as an R&D technician (took a leave from school for a couple years). We built asw weapons (i.e. sonobuoys) in an old brick three story factory with a flat roof. They test dropped the buoys over the side of the building 30-feet into a large vat of water, but the roof was the antenna test range. There I ran tests on VHF antennas. Not a very sophisticated range but definitely "hands on", real RF, real measurements. An engineers calculator was a slide rule, no computers then; fancy computer simulation was unknown. Mostly, I did troubleshooting of the engineering prototypes and finding fixes. Those went back to the engineers to fine tune their design. I quit that and returned to college in summer 1968 and landed a job with Hughes Aircraft in CA. 1971 found me working at Goldstone at the Microwave Test Facility also known as the "antenna range". The rest they say is history. 73, Ed

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Rooftop Antenna Labs?
by Robert Bruninga 29 Apr '10

29 Apr '10

Anyone at a University with an excellent Antenna Lab? When I went through PG school 39 years ago, I was IMPRESSED with the Antenna lab on the roof of Spanagel Hall at NPS in Monterey California and have envied it ever since. I may have an opportunity to begin planning for a major building upgrade at my school and want to propose a modern root-top antenna lab. But my experience is 39 years old, and even then there was a hint (in 1971) that the end of HF was around the corner and so that antenna lab was already in decline... Maybe all antennas labs have atrophed to the internet and have completely abandoned real-live-RF antennas, and so using them as an examples might be a negative example instead of a positive one. But in either case, I need to get some infor for planning a dream antenna lab... Even though Ill probably be 6' under by the time it comes to pass. Hummh... A ham license lasts 10 years... I wonder if one could design a a 10 year micro-beacon for one's headstone that would last exactly 10 years from the time of one's last renewal... Keep the range to 100 feet within the cemetery and not many bodies around you would complain.. Though I guess if there is another ham planted nearby, he would find something to complain about the issue of timely control..Probably best to use a key chain license free XMTR I guess... Bob, WB4APR

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Tracking Unitec-1 (was Japanese Launch May 18)
by G0MRF＠aol.com 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

In a message dated 28/04/2010 23:13:34 GMT Daylight Time, ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp writes: UNITEC-1, Negai*", WASEDA-SAT2, KSAT information http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/unitec-1.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita Hi all. / Mineo. Very good to hear Unitec -1 is on schedule. I have built a downconverter for 5840 MHz to 1284 or 145MHz and would like to track the satellite on the early part of it voyage to Venus. - Probably only the very early part of the trip with a 1m dish. However, having read the available information there are still a list of problems that need to be resolved. I wonder if the Unitec team, or the group may have an opinion on the following. 1) What polarisation is transmitted from the patches. Linear? Circular? etc. I need to select a dish feed. 2) How long will Unitec -1 spend commissioning in LEO ? 3) Is there a tracking utility that can show doppler or even direction for a specific geographic location. Doppler is 'interesting' given that you have the probe travelling away from Earth, the Earth orbiting the sun and you also have the movement due to the rotation of the Earth? 4) Given the transmissions on 5840 are 30 mins in a 2 hour period, will there be an on-line counter predicting when the spacecraft should be in transmission mode. (Or a reference time so we can count ourselves?) 5) At what point in the mission will the transmitter be changed from 145 to 5840MHz. 6) Is there a method of sending telemetry to the team at Tokyo? I like a challenge..... Many thanks David G0MRF

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Re: Japanese Launch May 18
by Mineo Wakita 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

UNITEC-1, Negai*", WASEDA-SAT2, KSAT information http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/unitec-1.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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For sale - Icom W32A
by na2x＠yahoo.com 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

I know the Icom W32A HT is popular for working the FM LEO satellites, so I thought I'd give people on the AMSAT BB first shot to buy this radio. I have for sale an Icom W32A 2 mtr/440 handheld. Very good working condition, The HT comes with the Icom BP-173 battery the Icom B110A battery charger , original antenna, original manual. original box Price is $215 shipped to CONUS. USPS MO preferred but will accept PayPal plus 3%.. If this radio sells here on the BB, $25 will be donated toward "Getting AMSAT Back into Space" and the Dayton $5000 Challenge Contact me off list via E-mail at [MYCALL] at yahoo.com. E-mails will be answered in order received. Thanks - Bob NA2X AMSAT LM #51

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EMCOMM West
by Mark Spencer 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

There will be a special event station set up and operating in Reno, NV this weekend for EMCOMM West. The station W7ECW will be on the air for as many satellites as can be accessed. If you need DM09 or just want to say HI to the audience of the demonstration, please give us a shout. Mark Spencer, WA8SME Education and Technology Program Coordinator ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioT mspencer(a)arrl.org www.arrl.org/education-technology-program www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-on-wireless-technology 530-495-9150

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Japanese Launch May 18
by Trevor . 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

Story about Ikaros which launches May 18 along with the Amateur Radio satellites UNITEC-1, Negai and WASEDA-SAT2 http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Japan_to_launch_space_yacht_propelled_b… 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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[Fwd: 2nd Birthday of COMPASS-1]
by Compass1Cubesat 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

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Galaxis Space Scanner ACU
by Joe Leikhim 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

I have found a number of the model Galaxis Space Scanner ACU Labeled as being made by FutureTrak Intl, and having Lockheed-Martin manufacturer labels. These were apparently made for tracking DBS satellites from yachts and RV's. I saw a post a while back about a website on using these for Ham Sats. Does such information still exist? -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446

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AO-51 mode L/U
by Luc Leblanc 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

Since the new L/U schedule very few operators has been heard on this mode. The first day N8MH give his call sign and about 4 or 5 users are operating when i have the sat in view. It seems the uplink is much more critical than the past L band uplink sessions. it look like the receiver bandwidth was reduce making frequency adjustment more critical. I know the audio level is reduce to save energy but it could explain why many seems to find it is harder to get on the right uplink frequency? "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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AO-51 L band requirements
by Bob- W7LRD 27 Apr '10

27 Apr '10

Reading the AO-51 book by Gould where he discuses the L band requirements. For occasional contact 150 W EIRP is needed. For superior performance 1 Kw EIRP needed. Assuming I start out with 10W to a 16 turn helix 40 feet away. Guesstimating- 5-8 W at the antenna, helix gain 8-12db. Guestimated EIRP about 40W (worst case). Am I figuring this correct? If so then AO-51 is performing better than what the book says. I am trying to "fine tune" what I have. Thanks 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Small Satellites Symposium
by Trevor . 27 Apr '10

27 Apr '10

The Small Satellites Systems and Services (4S) Symposium takes place in Madeira from May 31 to June 4, 2010 and this year features a CubeSat Workshop. See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/small_satellite_symposium.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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Request for AMSAT Booth volunteers during Dayton
by Gould Smith 27 Apr '10

27 Apr '10

Greetings, I am looking for volunteers to help out in the AMSAT booth during the 2010 Dayton Hamvention. I have a number of volunteers from the Area Coordinator pool, but could use some additonal help in manning the 6 booth spaces. Please let me know by Wed evening 28 April if you can help out. It makes scheduling easier if you will volunteer for two hour segments. Let me know what days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and what times (in multi-hour blocks) that you can volunteer and how many hours you wish to work each day. i.e. Friday between 1-5 for two hours and Saturday 9-3 for two, 2 hour blocks with at least an hour between the blocks. Looking forward to visiting with you at Dayton. 73, Gould, WA4SXM

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ISS APRS
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 27 Apr '10

27 Apr '10

I heard ISS APRS (145.825 MHz) during the 01:21 UTC pass and now again on the 03:00 UTC pass. Dave, AA4KN

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AO-51 L mode observations
by Bob- W7LRD 27 Apr '10

27 Apr '10

This last pass up the west coast. Very good strong downlink, running a 910 @ 10W to a 16 turn RHCP helix through 40 feet of LMR400. Even good copy running 2 watts! Rx 40 el cp yagi. Early in the pass RHCP was better for rx, later and near LOS LHCP was better. Why? Only station heard was VE7CNA and he was very weak, aside from that I could only talk to myself. I know we have some L banders on the "left" coast and up there in KL7. It's lonely. 73 Bob W7LRD

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Re: Fwd: [eu-amsat] HO-68 versus AO-51
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

At 01:43 PM 4/26/2010 -0400, "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond(a)gmail.com> wrote: >My family enjoys the zoo and the circus. You guys act like those are >bad things :) > >73, > >Mark N8MH I don't much care for Zoo's. My dad took me to the zoo once and they thanked him for bringing me back. ;) KB7ADL

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Fwd: [eu-amsat] HO-68 versus AO-51
by n5uxt＠email.com 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

Found this interesting from another mailing list. -----Original Message----- From: John Hackett <archie.hackett(a)hotmail.com> To: eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Sun, Apr 25, 2010 3:50 pm Subject: [eu-amsat] HO-68 versus AO-51 HO-68 v AO-51 ??. HO-68 versus AO-51 - and the university downlink only satellites - (aka the FM menagerie). In my honest opinion it's a 'no contest' scenario - with HO-68 winning hands down. The two main reasons for me making this claim are ... 1) HO-68's superior orbit. 2) It's multi-mode transponders. On a typical European pass an HO-68 orbit has a footprint the covers from Spain in the west to India in the east, Norway in the north to Sudan in the south ... and all points in between. Whereas AO-51 is FM only ... HO-68 has transponders for CW, SSB as well as FM. HO-68 is (IMHO) easier to operate due to it needing less power to get into the transponders, albeit, to really take advantage of that, a knowledge of CW is required, which *STILL* shows it's great advantage as weak signal mode. When all else fails ... switch to CW. Igor, RW3XL has been operating cross-satellite with HO-68 to VO-52 and HO-68 to AO-7 ... keying the up down buttons for CW since his keyer is on the blink. For those wanting to learn, the 200mW beacon sends *SLOW* morse and it's copyable on a piece of wet string wrapped round a rusty six inch nail. I've proved this over and over on HO-68 at the beginning of passes when the elevation is under 20 degrees and a SSB just can't make it - switch to CW - Q5 copy - (Domenico, I8CVS will endorse that). I believe that HO-68 is becoming the experienced 'operator's' satellite while AO-51 will remain the platform for the potential newcomer ... where they can QRM eachother to their heart's content ... more power Egon ... MORE POWER !!! ... (with due apologies to the Hollywood film 'Frankenstein'). For me at least, HO-68 has brought the fun back into amateur satellite operating, particularly on CW ... akin to RS-10, the most popular satellite ever - (judged by the amount of users) - after the veritable old AO-7. While everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, operating FM on a satellite is about as much fun for me as watching paint dry and is, in my opinion, the worst possible way to introduce a potential newcomer to amateur satellites. My EU-Amsat co-founder, SV1BSX (SK) first used the word 'zoo' to describe the AO-51 standard of operating. There ought to be a sign on the microphone ... PLEASE DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use . __,_._,___

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Re: BOD and Vince's short memory
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

-----Original Message----- >From: "Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" <vlfiscus(a)mcn.net> >Sent: Apr 26, 2010 7:55 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: BOD and Vince's short memory > >Yes, It was a momentary lapse of memory on my part, cheerleading for linear >satellites & HEO's. Fine, I have no issue with that. Stop maligning the BOD though. Try something productive if you want to help AMSAT, HEOs, or linear transponders. 73, Drew KO4MA Evil BOD member

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SOLD- for sale-ARR SP144VDG rf switched 2 m preamp
by D. Craig Fox 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

The preamp is sold. Thanks Craig N6RSX NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you.

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Re: [Moon-net] WX sealed box for Coax Relay
by Dee 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

I copied the AMSAT-BB with this as sometimes a hint or kink is passed on to all. You can use an old seaman's type of drain hole hint. If the hole is about 1/4" or so, get a piece of string and put a large knot on one end, pass it through the hole and add another large knot with about an inch or so protruding. As the wind blows, it knocks the string around and assists the draining. I used it in many a situation with tuners and couplers and even in satcom domes. The string acts as a deterrent to things going in and clears the hole when the wind blows. Hope this helps... 73, Dee, NB2F -----Original Message----- From: moon-net-bounces(a)list-serv.davidv.net [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of WB2LLP Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 3:29 PM To: guenter.koellner(a)mixed-mode.de; JAY Cc: moon-net(a)list-serv.davidv.net Subject: Re: [Moon-net] WX sealed box for Coax Relay Some way must be found to plug the drain holes in such a way that lets the moisture in and out, and keeps the insects out. You really do not want to open the box and find a Wasp nest. 73 de Gene WB2LLP _______________________________________________ Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html

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Dayton Banquet
by Martha 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

The AMSAT-TAPR banquet is only 2 1/2 weeks away. If you do not have your tickets, they can be ordered at the AMSAT store. We will NOT be selling tickets at the booth nor am I taking orders over the phone. -- 73- Martha

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KP4AO EME
by PY2ZX 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

Hello, Some informations of my reception in Brazil: http://archangelo.net/misc/eme/arecibo/view.htm Flavio PY2ZX

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for sale-ARR SP144VDG rf switched 2 m preamp
by D. Craig Fox 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

Before I put this on eham and the others, I wanted to offer it up here first. This is an ARR 2 mtr GaAsFET preamp. It can handle up to 25 wts. Specs: http://www.advancedreceiver.com/page7.html It is brand new in sealed bag. I received it as part of another deal, but already have a 2 mtr preamp. These sell for $120 new. It's yours for $85.00 shipped. I take paypal or a postal money order. Email me if interested. Thanks much. 73s Craig N6RSX dcfox(a)rwglaw.com NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you.

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Re: Nanosatellite Launch Service 6 on PSLV-C15
by Trevor . 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

According to Gunters Space Page STUDSAT, 437.505MHz, is also slated for the same May 5 launch, see New Indian Amateur Radio Satellite http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2010/studsat.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA --- On Mon, 26/4/10, Trevor . <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > A presentation given by Freddy > Pranajaya on Nanosatellites to the 2009 AMSAT-UK Colloquium > can be seen on the BATC website. > > Go to http://www.batc.tv/ > Click on the 'Film Archive' icon at the top-left. > Select 2009 AMSAT Nanosatellites from the drop-down list > Click on the > icon to start the player and click on the > icon to the left of the volume control to display the > picture full screen. > There is a link just under the player to save the video to > your computer. > > This years AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be held on Sat and Sun > Jul 31 - Aug 1 in Guildford, details at > > http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium > > 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Arecibo on Handy
by David Barber 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

OK, I know nobody is going to believe this but....on my life... I have been outside with an FT-817 connected via a very short piece of coax to a Diamond A430S10R (small 10 element beam modified for handheld use) and headphones and KP4AO was just audible on SSB. Signals were inconsistent but solid enough to copy their callsign and CQ calls around 19.00UTC and the odd information exchange thereafter. Now they've switched to CW copy is a good 80%. No signal strength showing on S-Meter of course but who cares. I would never have believed it had I not heard it with my own ears. Note: NO preamp was used. David G8OQW JO01FR

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WD9EWK @ Sierra Vista AZ hamfest, Saturday (1 May)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

Hi! On Saturday, 1 May 2010, I will have an AMSAT table at the Cochise Amateur Radio Association's Larry Warren Hamfest in Sierra Vista AZ. This is a half-day event, and one I have attended for the past two years. During the hamfest, WD9EWK should be on the air for demonstrations on the following passes: 1340-1353 UTC on AO-51 1406-1426 UTC on FO-29 1642-1655 UTC on VO-52 1807-1825 UTC on HO-68 For AO-51, I will be on the 145.920/435.300 MHz repeater. For FO-29 and VO-52, I will try to start out calling CQ in SSB approximately 10 kHz above the center frequency of these transponders. HO-68 will be in FM until its scheduled shutoff at 1825 UTC, which will be near the predicted LOS time at the hamfest site. If you are able to work these passes and hear me, please feel free to give me a call. The hamfest site is in grid DM41vn. If you work WD9EWK on Saturday, there's no need to send me a QSL card to get my card. Just e-mail me the QSO details, and - if you're in the log - I will gladly send out a QSL card. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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WD9EWK from DM52/DM53, Friday (30 April)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 26 Apr '10

26 Apr '10

Hi! On my way (sort of) to the hamfest in Sierra Vista AZ on Saturday (1 May), I will make a detour to the DM52/DM53 grid boundary in Graham County AZ northwest of Safford on Friday (30 April) afternoon. I stopped in this area twice around this time last year, and I don't think anyone else has been on from DM53 since then. I am planning to stop there for the AO-27 passes around 2003 and 2144 UTC Friday, and - depending on the view of the eastern sky - I might attempt the AO-51 pass at 2214 UTC. The 2214 UTC AO-51 pass has a maximum elevation of 5 degrees at that location, so I may only have a few minutes during that pass if I can hear the satellite at all. After these passes, I will move south and stop somewhere in DM52 for the AO-51 pass at 2348 UTC. Depending on how things go on Friday, I could either return to the DM51/DM52 boundary where I stopped a few weeks ago, or possibly head to the Arizona/New Mexico state line (grid DM52lf) where I worked from last October. Since I will be up and on the air from the hamfest in Sierra Vista early Saturday morning, I do not plan on working anything else after these passes on Friday. As always, if you work me on Friday, there's no need to send me a QSL card. Just e-mail me the QSO details, and - if you're in the log - I will gladly send out a QSL card. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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AO-51 now in dual repeaters, V/U and L/U
by Andrew Glasbrenner 25 Apr '10

25 Apr '10

I just completed the weekly mode change for AO-51 just after 2200Z. We are now running dual repeaters on 145.920/435.300 and 1268.700/435.150. The 67Hz PL access is on for the V/U pair with a 2 minute period. Power output is 410mw for either repeater. AO-51 will be reentering eclipses this week or next, and we will need to frequently interrupt the L/U repeater for telemetry. The modulation will be left low on the repeater to make the switch from data to voice easier. I'll try to do this primarily on the morning passes over the East Coast, but it could happen on any US pass. It's important for us to keep close tabs on the power situation during this period. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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Fwd: Next HV Satcom net
by Stuart Balanger 25 Apr '10

25 Apr '10

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stuart Balanger <wa2bss(a)gmail.com> Date: Sun, Apr 25, 2010 at 2:15 PM Subject: Next HV Satcom net To: amsar-bb(a)amsat.org Hi all, The next "HV Satcom" group net is Thursday april 29, 8PM on the 146.97 Mt. Beacon Repeter (or 2400 UTC), & ther is an Echolink node of N2EYH-L node! More info: www.hvsatcom.org 73,.Stu

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Re: AO 27 ?
by Clint Bradford 25 Apr '10

25 Apr '10

Gould quickly contacted me to re-calibrated my slide rule - I was 1/2 correct earlier - it is almost +/-10kHZ on the 440 side of a 45 degree pass of an FM bird. Here's the actual equation to calculate Doppler shift ... http://tinyurl.com/dopplershift Clint, K6LCS

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AO 27 ?
by Ted 25 Apr '10

25 Apr '10

AMSAT shows downlink at 436.795 AO27 site shows downlink at 436.797 What is the correct frequency?

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Re: AO 27 ?
by Clint Bradford 25 Apr '10

25 Apr '10

On the 440 side during a 45-degree pass, there can be almost a 10kHZ deviation - well, plus or minus about 5kHZ from center - that must be accommodated for the Doppler effect. So either of those two (actually BOTH) could/should be programmed on your receive side, along with a few more to accommodate Doppler. Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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G5500 Rotor Problems
by Angelo Glorioso 25 Apr '10

25 Apr '10

With field day coming around the corner, I took the time to work on my spare G5500 rotor setup. I knew from earlier this year, I had to put my spare azimuth rotor to replace the one that stopped working. I took the Azimuth rotor apart and come to find out that it seems the nylon gear that is attached to the motor itself is slipping big time. I can manually move the other gears and they seem to be working fine. I will take the rest of the rotor apart tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone else has come across this problem??? Since I am unable to see without taking the rest of the rotor apart, anyone know how this gear is attached to the shaft of the motor?? Anyone have any ideas where I might get another gear if necessary?? I see why Yaesu will only sell the whole motor attachment know for 200.00 plus dollars. 73 de Angelo

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HO-68 Schedule - 25-02 May 2010
by Alan Kung 25 Apr '10

25 Apr '10

25 Apr. 2010 ================================ 17:30...Turn On--FM India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 16:45...Turn Off 19:00...Turn On--FM Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA 19:45...Turn Off 23:25...Turn On--FM NA,North Asia,East Asia,Oceania 24:10...Turn Off 26 Apr. 2010 ================================ 01:21...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:34...Turn Off 02:10...Turn On--SSTV South America,NA,North Asia 02:55...Turn Off 19:00...Turn On--SSTV Africa,Europe,NA 19:45...Turn Off 27 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:10...Turn On--FM South America,NA,North Asia 00:55...Turn Off 01:55...Turn On--FM South America,NA,North Asia 02:40...Turn Off 02:47...Turn On--FM North Asia, East Asia, South Asia 03:00...Turn Off 09:15...Turn On--FM Oceania,Asia,Europe 10:00...Turn Off 17:00...Turn On--FM India,Middle East,Europe,NA 17:45...Turn Off 18:45...Turn On--FM Africa,Europe,NA 19:30...Turn Off 28 Apr. 2010 ================================= 02:34...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:50...Turn Off 10:45...Turn On--FM Oceania,East Asia,North Asia,Europe 11:30...Turn Off 13:25...Turn On--FM NA,South America,Europe 14:10...Turn Off 18:30...Turn On--Packet Africa,Europe,NA 19:15...Turn Off 22:35...Turn On--Packet NA,North Asia,East Asia,Oceania 23:20...Turn Off 29 Apr. 2010 ================================= 02:16...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:32...Turn Off 05:50...Turn On--FM NA,North Asia,Middle East, Europe,Africa 06:35...Turn Off 10:30...Turn On--FM Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 11:15...Turn Off 16:25...Turn On--Packet Africa,India,Middle East,Europe,NA 17:10...Turn Off 18:15...Turn On--Packet Africa,Europe,NA 19:00...Turn Off 30 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:05...Turn On--Packet South America,NA,North Asia 00:50...Turn Off 02:00...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:16...Turn Off 10:15...Turn On--FM Oceania,Asia,Europe 11:00...Turn Off 17:55...Turn On--SSTV India,Africa,Europe,NA 18:50...Turn Off 22:00...Turn On--FM NA,North Asia,Oceania 22:45...Turn Off 01 May 2010 ================================ 00:50...Turn On--Packet South America,NA,North Asia 01:30...Turn Off 01:39...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:54...Turn Off 10:00...Turn On--FM Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 10:45...Turn Off 17:40...Turn On--FM Africa,Europe,NA 18:25...Turn Off 02 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:30...Turn On--FM South America,NA,North Asia 01:15...Turn Off 03:16...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:28...Turn Off 06:45...Turn On--FM North Asia,Europe,Africa 07:30...Turn Off 09:40...Turn On--FM Oceania,Asia,Europe 10:25...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Re: SO-67
by Tony Langdon 24 Apr '10

24 Apr '10

At 05:44 AM 4/25/2010, Vincenzo Mone wrote: >Hello to all, >right a few seconds ago I had a good pass of SO-67 >but unfortunately I did not hear nothing on >the frequency of 435.345 on FM mode. >Please I would like to know if it is alive or not. >Can I hear something? SO-67 is in commissioning, and is currently not available. 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com

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