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

SSB 70cm Pre AMp
by Peter Wilson 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

Hi Everyone, Just set up my station and started to receive all the main satellites, using a Gulf satellite antenna (2M + 70cm) + SSB 70cm Preamp and FT736R When I transmit on 2M, especially FM, it's as if the preamp is squelching - the receive signal reduces significantly. If I turn the preamp off I don't get the problem, I can continue to hear the received signal. Any ideas? Peter Wilson G8KEK AMSAT UK 6897

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Re: AO-51 power up, PL test tomorrow
by Andre' v Deventer 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

Hi Drew, On our clear pass south to north into ZS, at 16h07 utc, the bird was off and switched on with tone. Stayed on for 120 secs after PPT recycled. Goes off even though a tone station is busy. Works just fine ! Nice to have the higher power output from the bird. I presume this mode will save some power in swithing TX off ? 73 andre zs2bk

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Nab convention
by newsradio6＠gmail.com 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

If any other sat users happen to be here in las vegas this week attending the national association of broadcasters convention and want to meet up to talk satelites, drop me an email "newsradio6(a)gmail.com" John VA3BL Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network. Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

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HO-68 Schedule - 11-18 Apr 2010
by Alan Kung 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

11 Apr. 2010 ================================ 16:05...Turn On--FM India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 16:50...Turn Off 17:55...Turn On--FM Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA 18:40...Turn Off 12 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:45...Turn On--FM South America,NA,North Asia 01:30...Turn Off 01:41...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:56...Turn Off 02:35...Turn On--FM South America,NA,North Asia 03:20...Turn Off 19:05...Turn On--FM Africa,Europe,NA 19:50...Turn Off 13 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:30...Turn On--Packet South America,NA,North Asia 01:15...Turn Off 02:15...Turn On--FM South America,NA,North Asia 03:00...Turn Off 03:11...Turn On--FM North Asia, East Asia, South Asia 03:24...Turn Off 11:00...Turn On--FM South America,Oceania,Asia 11:40...Turn Off 17:20...Turn On--Packet India,Middle East,Europe,NA 18:05...Turn Off 19:00...Turn On--FM Africa,Europe,NA 19:45...Turn Off 14 Apr. 2010 ================================= 01:12...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:24...Turn Off 09:20...Turn On--FM Oceania,East Asia,North Asia,Europe 10:05...Turn Off 12:25...Turn On--FM South America,Oceania 13:10...Turn Off 18:50...Turn On--FM Africa,Europe,NA 19:35...Turn Off 22:55...Turn On--Packet NA,North Asia,East Asia,Oceania 23:40...Turn Off 15 Apr. 2010 ================================= 02:37...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:52...Turn Off 06:10...Turn On--Packet NA,North Asia,Middle East, Europe,Africa 06:55...Turn Off 10:50...Turn On--FM Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 11:35...Turn Off 16:45...Turn On--FM Africa,India,Middle East,Europe,NA 17:30...Turn Off 18:35...Turn On--FM/SSTV Africa,Europe,NA 19:20...Turn Off 16 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:10...Turn On--Packet South America,NA,North Asia 00:55...Turn Off 02:25...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:41...Turn Off 10:35...Turn On--FM Oceania,Asia,Europe 11:20...Turn Off 18:15...Turn On--Packet India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:00...Turn Off 22:20...Turn On--FM NA,North Asia,Oceania 23:05...Turn Off 17 Apr. 2010 ================================ 01:10...Turn On--FM South America,NA,North Asia 01:55...Turn Off 02:09...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:24...Turn Off 10:15...Turn On--FM Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 11:00...Turn Off 18:00...Turn On--FM/SSTV Africa,Europe,NA 18:45...Turn Off 18 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:50...Turn On--Packet South America,NA,North Asia 01:35...Turn Off 03:36...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:50...Turn Off 07:10...Turn On--FM/SSTV North Asia,Europe,Africa 07:55...Turn Off 10:00...Turn On--Packet Oceania,Asia,Europe 10:45...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Remarks
by ps8rf Piraja 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

Hello Friends, I have two observations: The first - the team control of the AO-51 correctly employed the use of PL tone to activate the bird. Here in South America constantly listen to interference from phones and others strangers broadcasts through its downlink. I hope the use of PL tone is adopted and so permanent. The second observation is related to EME - our friend Roland, PY4ZBZ managed to received the signals from the Arecibo Radio Observatory on 22/03/2010 at 21:30 UTC in 432.045 MHz with only a small UHF antenna for 6 elements and a simple FT1000d transceiver. Roland with his equipment received signals in CW and SSB. Congratulations to our dear friend Roland, who with his feat, he broke the paradigm that is not possible with a simple antenna on hand to listen to a broadcast EME. Taking into consideration the power and the antenna used by KP4AO. The Antena: http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/antenas/owa.htm#9 CW audio: http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/satelite/KP4AO_EME_CW.wav SSB Audio: http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/satelite/kp4ao_eme.wav Entire informations and graphics: http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/satelite.htm#rl 73, Piraja, PS8RF The Amateur Radio is supportive and helpful in any circumstance _________________________________________________________________ O Internet Explorer 8 te dá dicas de como navegar mais seguro. Clique para ler todas. http://www.microsoft.com/brasil/windows/internet-explorer/?WT.mc_id=1500

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satpc32/moon
by Bob- W7LRD 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

Can we get satpc32 to track the moon? 73 Bob W7LRD

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BeeSat at 4800 GMSK
by Nathaniel S. Parsons 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

Hi all, I didn't get a response the last time I asked, so I'll try again, slightly differently. What TNC or TNC-like equipment do I need to listen to BeeSat at 4800 bps? I have a TS-2000, yagi antenna, rotator, and KAM-XL, but the KAM-XL can only do GMSK at 9600 bps. Thanks in advance for your time, Nate KC2SVI

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AO-51 power up, PL test tomorrow
by Andrew Glasbrenner 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

This evening I shut the 435.150 transmitter off and raised 435.300 to near 2 watts output. Tomorrow morning I plan to turn on the new PL routine. This improved routine will turn the downlink on with an unsquelched uplink when it hears a 67 hz tone. I plan on leaving a tail of several minutes, so the transmitter will stay on without hearing a tone for an interval of several minutes. What does this mean for the user? It would be helpful to program in a 67 hz PL tone again, but not absolutely required as long as someone else in the footprint does. It also means if you are the first person in the footprint (not very likely in North America, Europe, or Japan) you might not hear the satellite until after it hears 67hz for a few seconds. If all goes well, we'll continue this mode through the mode change Sunday night. Reports from when the downlink turns on or off would be appreciated. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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Placentia (CA) Sat Demo / Presentation
by Clint Bradford 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will be presenting his 'Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT' multimedia session at the April 13, 2010 meeting of the Placentia RACES organization. All are welcome to attend. "Tentatively, we'll have a workable pass of AO-51 at 6:05PM that evening," Clint reports. If you would like to show up early, Clint will be working the satellite from the parking lot. Tuesday, April 13, 2010 Placentia RACES meeting starts at 7PM City of Placentia Police Department / City Hall Conference Room 401 East Chapman Avenue Placentia CA 92870 Attendees should download Clint's four-page tutorial and radio programming matrix before the meeting from ... http://www.work-sat.com And Clint welcomes pre-presentation questions - call him at 909-241-7666, or send email to clint(a)clintbradford.com ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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ANS-101 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 11 Apr '10

11 Apr '10

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-101 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org ******************************************************************** * The AMSAT team is preparing for the 2010 Dayton Hamvention AMSAT * * Booth and activities. For the latest information go to: * * http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2010/Dayton.php * ******************************************************************** In this edition: * AO-51 New PL Operation Being Tested * Deadline Approaching To Reserve Rooms in AMSAT Block At Dayton * USSTRATCOM Approves Continued AMSAT TLE Distribution * Ten Hams in Orbit Now * Estonian University Plans Amateur Radio CubeSat * Arecibo on 432 MHz Moon Bounce * ARISS Status - 5 April 2010 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-101.01 AO-51 New PL Operation Being Tested AMSAT News Service Bulletin 101.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 11, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-101.01 Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, reports that AO-51's 435.150 transmitter has been turned off and the 435.300 transmitter raised to near 2 watts output. On Saturday, 10 April, the new PL routine was turned on. This improved routine will turn the downlink on with an unsquelched uplink when it hears a 67 hz tone. The plan is to leave a tail of several minutes, so the transmitter will stay on without hearing a tone for an interval of several minutes. What does this mean for the user? It would be helpful to program in a 67 hz PL tone again, but not absolutely required as long as someone else in the footprint does. It also means if you are the first person in the footprint (not very likely in North America, Europe, or Japan) you might not hear the satellite until after it hears 67hz for a few seconds. Reports from when the downlink turns on or off would be appreciated. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-101.02 Deadline Approaching To Reserve Rooms in AMSAT Block At Dayton AMSAT News Service Bulletin 101.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 11, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-101.02 Again a friendly reminder that the cutoff date for the AMSAT block of rooms in Dayton is April 13th. If you are planning to stay with us, please call me at 301-589-6062 to make your reservation. I will need a credit card number to hold the room. [ANS thanks Martha for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-101.03 USSTRATCOM Approves Continued AMSAT TLE Distribution AMSAT News Service Bulletin 101.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 11, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-101.03 AMSAT-NA Orbital Data Manager Ray Hoad, WA5QGD said this week, "I am pleased to announce that AMSAT NA has received approval to continue re-distribution of Keplerian elements from the USSTRATCOM data source (Space Track website) for the period April 1, 2010 to April 1, 2011. Thanks to the USSTRATCOM team and especially to Mr. Mark Riddle for their help in this process." This means that the AMSAT Keplerian Elements in verbose format and the 2-line format can be freely distributed by those who recieve them from AMSAT. AMSAT's two formats are each considered an AMSAT product and therefore can be freely distributed. AMSAT asks that AMSAT-NA be given credit as the source for your redistribution. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-101.04 Ten Hams in Orbit Now AMSAT News Service Bulletin 101.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 11, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-101.04 Six of the seven astronauts on the shuttle Discovery are licensed radio amateurs and will join four radio hams already on the Inter- national Space Station (ISS). The shuttle Discovery (STS131) crew consists of: Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, KE5DAT Stephanie Wilson, KD5DZE Naoko Yamazaki, KE5DAS James P. Dutton, Jr., KE5HOE, Rick Mastracchio, KC5ZTE, Clayton Anderson, KD5PLA Alan Poindexter Already onboard the ISS are radio hams: Tracy Caldwell Dyson, KF5DBF Timothy J. Creamer, KC5WKI Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP Mikhail Kornienko, RN3BF along with Oleg Kotov and Alexander Skvortsov. [ANS thanks SouthGate ARC and ISS Fan Club for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-101.05 Estonian University Plans Amateur Radio CubeSat AMSAT News Service Bulletin 101.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 11, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-101.05 IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination reports the University of Tartu, Estonia, has submitted a frequency coordination application to the IARU for an Amateur Radio CubeSat called ESTCube-1. The proposal is for a 1U CubeSat in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with UHF downlinks and a VHF telecommand uplink. It is hoped to launch in 2012 although no launch opportunity has yet been confirmed. ESTCube-1 will carry a camera to acquire images of Estonia for out reach purposes and will deploy a 10 meter conductive Hoytether as a part of the development work of an electric solar wind sail. ESTCube http://tinyurl.com/yk66s2o [ANS thanks IARU for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-101.06 Arecibo on 432 MHz Moon Bounce AMSAT News Service Bulletin 101.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 11, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-101.06 The Arecibo Observatory Amateur Radio Club will be putting the 1000-foot radio telescope on the air for 432 MHz EME from April 16-18. It can be heard with a small hand-held yagi pointed at the moon The scheduled times of operation are: April 16: 1645 - 1930 UTC April 17: 1740 - 2020 UTC April 18: 1840 - 2125 UTC Callsign: KP4AO Tx Frequency: 432.045 MHz Rx Frequency: 432.050 to 432.060+ Tx power: 400 W Antenna gain: 60 dBi System noise temp: 120 K (cold sky) System noise temp: 330 K (when pointed at moon) KP4AO can be heard with a small hand-held yagi pointed at the moon and a good receiver. A 15 dBi antenna and 100 W will be enough to work us on CW. Operators at KP4AO will do their best to work as many stations as possible. Each session will start with a brief announcement and CQ in SSB. SSB QSOs may continue for 30 minutes to an hour, if the QSO rate remains high. The mode will be shifted to CW as soon as it is judged that higher QSO rates would result. We will listen for calls at frequencies 5-15 kHz higher than our own, and even higher if QRM warrants. Callers who s-p-r-e-a-d o-u-t are more likely to be copied. If you've already worked us in any mode, please do not call again -- give others a chance. If we call "CQ QRP", we will listen for stations running 100 W or less to a single yagi. Please do not answer such a CQ if you are running more power or have a larger antenna. On April 18, if we reach a condition where most calling stations have been worked, and we judge that operating in the digital mode JT65B would produce a higher QSO rate, we will switch to JT65B. Note that any of these planned operating strategies may be changed as circumstances dictate. We are extremely fortunate to have been granted access to the world's largest radio telescope for this amateur radio good-will event. We look forward to working as many stations as possible in the alloted time! [ANS thanks John, KB1MGI, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-101.07 ARISS Status - 5 April 2010 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 101.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 11, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-101.07 1. Astronaut Soichi Noguchi Chats with Texas Students via ARISS Contact On Monday, March 29, Walnut Creek Elementary School students in Azle, Texas took part in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP. All 23 questions were answered with time for a two way "Goodbye." ARISS was integrated into the science curriculum as students researched space objects and gave presentations to their class. The youth also attended satellite communications demonstrations given by retired Lockheed employees and members of local radio clubs. On the day of the contact, a proclamation was read by an Azle City representative declaring it to be Space Day in Azle. Four television stations and one local newspaper covered the event and the audio was available on EchoLink. 2. HAMEX 2010 ARISS Exhibit HAMEX 2010, the largest RadioFest in Canada, was held on Saturday, March 27 in Toronto. AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) and ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) members attended the event and manned an exhibition booth which displayed two mini satellite communications stations as well as information boards with pictures of astronauts involved in the ARISS program. A large AMSAT banner was posted, along with two 7 foot posters on loan from the Canada Space Agency (CSA). CSA also provided handouts, stickers and various magnetic logos, which along with pamphlets describing AMSAT and the ARISS program, were distributed to the many visitors the exhibit attracted. The event was a success in generating interest in the ARISS program and the team was invited back next year. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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Re: satpc32/moon
by Mark Hammond N8MH 10 Apr '10

10 Apr '10

Can you use the SuM program that comes with it instead? Check your menu... 73, Mark N8MH ------Original Message------ From: Bob- W7LRD Sender: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] satpc32/moon Sent: Apr 10, 2010 4:54 PM Can we get satpc32 to track the moon? 73 Bob W7LRD _______________________________________________ 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 BlackBerry from T-Mobile

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N. Europe AO-7
by Bob- W7LRD 10 Apr '10

10 Apr '10

Real soon at 2040Z I will have a good footprint into N. Europe, maybe even Eric in PA1, around 145952+/- CW 73 Bob W7LRD CN87wk Seattle

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FT-847 CAT Question
by Joel Black 10 Apr '10

10 Apr '10

I just got my FT-847 back from Yaesu for repairs due to a lightning strike. The radio powers up and what little I've checked seems to work except for the CAT port. 1. I have tried both SatPC32 and HRD to talk to the radio, but nothing happens. I don't even get the "CAT" indicator on the radio which, if memory serves, would show up even if I had erroneous settings you just couldn't do anything with the radio / software. 2. I have changed to slower baud rates in the programs and correspondingly, the baud rate in the FT-847. 3. I have changed baud rates in device manager for this COM port. 4. I have changed that COM port flow control from none to Xon/Xoff to hardware with no change. 5. I have changed HRD to use DTR, DTR and RTS, and just RTS. 6. I just tried a reset of all settings on the FT-847 and that still does not solve the issue. 7. I have checked the null-modem cable with an RS-232 tester and it appears good. 8. I just hooked that tester up to the cable with the other end of the cable connected to the radio and pins 2, 3, and 5 lit up. (Strange, I cannot duplicate that test now - nothing lights up on the RS-232 tester.) At this point, I'm pretty sure my CAT port got taken out too (there was no way for me to test this before sending back to Yaesu as the radio would not power up) after the "event." However, I'm open to the possibility that I have missed something. I am leaning heavily toward just using it as is. There was a time when I was using an IC-821, that I didn't have CAT control, but I do miss my HRD. :( I would like to add that I am using a Prolific USB-to-serial converter that works flawlessly with my FT-857. Thanks for any help or advice. 73, Joel, W4JBB AMSAT #32589

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Swiss TIsat-1 and Estonian ESTCube-1
by Trevor . 10 Apr '10

10 Apr '10

Swiss TIsat-1 ready for launch http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/tisat_1.htm Estonian Amateur Radio CubeSat ESTCube-1 http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/estonian_cubesat.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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Estonia Gets 3400 MHz Allocation
by Trevor . 10 Apr '10

10 Apr '10

Estonian Radio Amateurs now have an allocation at 3400-3401 MHz. They can run 20dBW at antenna elevations below 10 degrees and 30dBW at elevations above 10 degrees. This is the same as for their 13cm allocation. This is welcome news and must increase the chances of getting a 3400 MHz Amateur Satellite Service allocation in ITU Region 1. It would be helpful if Amateurs/Societies in Region 1 countries without an existing allocation could press their regulator for access to 3400 MHz. A map of CEPT countries with a 3400 MHz Amateur Radio Service allocation can be seen at: http://www.microwavers.org/3400mhz.htm The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) in its response to the WRC-12 consultation requested the UK communications regulator Ofcom to consider an allocation of 3400-3410 MHz for the Amateur Satellite Service in ITU Region 1, see http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2010/rsgb_wrc12_response.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 5, Issue 156
by PA3GUO 10 Apr '10

10 Apr '10

Hi Armando Thanks for sharing this news with us. I had a 80 degrees elevation pass here 5 min's ago, nothing heared unfortunately. How did you identify the signal to be from Castor, due to its timing compared with a predicted pass, or were you even able to decode a packet ? 73, Henk, PA3GUO > Hello, > Castor was heard at 1024 UTC. > > 73, Armando, N8IGJ

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Problem Solved!!
by Allen Vinegar 09 Apr '10

09 Apr '10

Thanks to all who responded to my plea for help with my CAT interface problem. The solution was the interface itself. Just got a new W1GEE interface between my computer and FT-736R. Started up SATPC32 and everything came to life again. See you on the birds. 73, Al W8KHP

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How cold is it in Thule, Greenland?
by Daniel "Nick" Kucij 09 Apr '10

09 Apr '10

Hi All, I've pasted a recent post from the IceBridge Twitter link at the end of this email. It helps one to appreciate the conditions under which Reid, OX/N0RC is operating when he's standing outdoors with his HT and Arrow looking for QSOs on AO-51 or HO-68 from FQ56. Thanks Reid! 73 Nick KB1RVT IceBridge: How cold is it in Thule, Greenland? Read a Q&A about working in the Arctic at: http://bit.ly/9rt5dN

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Re: Castor ANDE2 is back on
by Armando Mercado 09 Apr '10

09 Apr '10

Correction... Castor heard at 1124 UTC. Sorry. ----- Original Message ----- From: Armando Mercado To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Friday, April 09, 2010 7:27 AM Subject: Castor ANDE2 is back on Hello, Castor was heard at 1024 UTC. 73, Armando, N8IGJ

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Castor ANDE2 is back on
by Armando Mercado 09 Apr '10

09 Apr '10

Hello, Castor was heard at 1024 UTC. 73, Armando, N8IGJ

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FW: Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning
by Robert Bruninga 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

Oops, here is the info on the Colorado Balloon this Saturday: > ... around ~630 AM MDT (1230UTC) this Saturday (April 10th), >... going to be attempting to stream the launch and recovery > live on the internet.... > ... carrying 24 lbs of [student] payloads... > from Windsor, CO at 0700 MDT. The balloon will ascend to > ~102,000 feet, burst, and the payload will then descend > under parachute. The current prediction has the landing > at ~0915 MDT near the Colorado/Nebraska border, > ~90 miles downrange from launch. > > The balloon will be carrying an APRS beacon, > callsign AE0SS-11, on 144.340 MHz , as well as > a CW DF Beacon on 147.555 MHz. At apogee, both > beacons should be copyable throughout Colorado > and well into surrounding states. > > Links: > For live video and links to live tracking, visit > http://www.eoss.tv or more detailed information: > http://www.eoss.org

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FW: Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning
by Robert Bruninga 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

Tracking two APRS balloons! (one on the east coast!) Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 12:14 PM Subject: Re: Amateur Radio High Altitude Ballooning The Vienna Wireless Society (Virginia) is planning our 8th amateur radio balloon flight on May 1st. Info on previous flights can be found at http://www.viennawireless.org/balloon/index.php. WWS-8 is probably a 1200 gram balloon with 2m and 70cm APRS carried by a single 2-3 pound payload. Also: > if anyone is up and around at ~630 AM MDT (1230UTC) > this Saturday (April 10th)... We are going > to be launching EOSS' 150th high altitude balloon > flight, and are going to be attempting to stream the > launch and recovery live on the internet.

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Re: Lithium-Air Batteries
by Clint Bradford 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

>> ... oxygen is freely available ... Sorry ... I just thought it was an interesting "general purpose" post ... for our land-based projects. Clint

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K4T on YouTube
by Mike 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifoDk36CaWA The next version will have the 127 grids worked on it! Hope you enjoy. 73, Mike Forsythe, AC2V

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Out of the office
by Martha 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

A reminder that I will be out of the office on Friday and Monday. Going to the beach with my family. -- 73- Martha

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AO-51 software crash
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

Sometime this afternoon AO-51 had another software crash. Reloading is in progress and we may be back up by tomorrow. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Watch a DNEPR launch on the web this "afternoon"!
by Graham Shirville 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Cryosat/SEMILVZNK7G_0.html CryoSat, ESA's ice mission, is scheduled for launch today at 15:57 CEST (13:57 UTC). Live web streaming starts at 15:35 CEST (13:35 UTC). CryoSat-2 will be placed into orbit 700 km above the Earth by a Russian Dnepr rocket launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch operator is Kosmotras.

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HO-68 orbits
by ANTHONY JAPHA 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

I've been away from the birds for a while, and when I checked the HO-68 schedule for this week, there appeared to be no times available with East Coast/Europe openings. If that's correct, is that the usual case or a fluke? I'm sure someone has asked the control ops abt. it. Tnx and 73, Tony, N2UN

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Lithium-Air Batteries Promising
by Clint Bradford 08 Apr '10

08 Apr '10

Lithium-air battery technology looks to have a big future. With the potential of providing energy densities up to three times that of the conventional lithium-ion batteries found in just about every portable consumer electronics device going around (not to mention the incoming wave of electric vehicles), many companies, including IBM and General Motors are pursuing work on lithium-air batteries. Now researchers at MIT have made a breakthrough that could help make the commercial development of lightweight rechargeable batteries a reality. Entire article: http://tinyurl.com/li-air Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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AO-51 down?
by Rick - WA4NVM 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Hi All, Nobody heard the bird in the Memphis area on either pair for the 2226 utc pass. Software crash? Good luck control team, Rick WA4NVM

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Subject: Re: AO-7 Mode C? (Or other reason for varying signal strength?)
by Peter Jordahl 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

It seems to me (presumptuous since my only satellite activity is reading the group!) that most of the responses suggest causes that would not be so sharply defined as Bill's observations. He says Either 0.7 degrees OR 4-5 degrees not a continuum of values. I would have to ask if there is any correlation with day of week, local weather conditions (also a continuum of values) or AO-7 mode immediately prior to the mode it is in when the observations are made (IIRC the mode can switch at random). Can a correlation be made between the elevation at AOS and the signal level at nearest approach? 73 Pete K5GM AMSAT LM. Pete Jordahl, K5GM k5gm(a)amsat.org

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KC0YBM - Chris please contact me
by Michael Wolthuis 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Chris (KC0YBM), If you read the BB please contact me at ³kb8zgl at kb8zgl.net² as your email is not listed on your QRZ page and I haven¹t found it through any other ham websites or searches on Google. Thanks, sorry for the bandwidth all, Mike kb8zgl

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Dayton Rooms
by Martha 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Again a friendly reminder that the cutoff date for the AMSAT block of rooms in Dayton is April 13th. If you are planning to stay with us, please call me at 301-589-6062 to make your reservation. I will need a credit card number to hold the room. -- 73- Martha

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Dayton SDR forum speakers sought
by Robert McGwier 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

On Friday, May 14, I am the moderator (and speaker) at the SDR forum at the 2:30 PM - 5 PM session. I have two speakers (Scotty on openhpsdr, and I speak on general SDR topics). I need to fill out this time and this leaves at least 1.5 hours to fill. I would like to get this settled as soon as possible. Let me know if you are interested in making a presentation. Also, FYI, I will be the AMSAT/TAPR banquet speaker on Friday night. In addition to my forum, SDR, paper delivery with Joel Harrison, work in Flex booth, etc. this will be one of the busiest Dayton's for me in years. I look forward to seeing many of you. Bob McGwier N4HY

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Heil Headset Thank's
by David 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

I would like to thank all that contacted me, from all the good advice I have now ordered the proper adapters, they should be hereby the end of his week. Again thanks to all. Dave VA7DG

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SO-50 demo planned for Thursday
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Hello all, I will be holding a presentation and SO-50 demo tomorrow Thursday, April 8th for a gifted class at Sleepy Hill Elementary School in Lakeland, FL. I understand that out of 52 students, 12 hold their technician licenses and about 12 more will take their test shortly. I would like to invite anyone who can, to join us for the 15:26 UTC (11:26 ET) pass as max. elevation will only be 9 deg. and this is my only opportunity for a pass due to class times. See you on the bird, Dave, AA4KN an AMSAT area coordinator for Central Florida ARISS Team member LMARS member

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seeking examples of frequency bands used in amateur spacecraft
by Samudra Haque 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Hello with reference to the US FCC Part 97 and in particular section 97.207 "Space Station" available http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/c.html#207 Have all of the frequency bands listed below been used in service through the last four decades? The following frequency bands and segments are authorized to space stations: (1) The 17 m, 15 m, 12 m and 10 m bands, 6 mm, 4 mm, 2 mm and 1 mm bands; and (2) The 7.0-7.1 MHz, 14.00-14.25 MHz, 144-146 MHz, 435-438 MHz, 1260-1270 MHz and 2400-2450 MHz, 3.40-3.41 GHz, 5.83-5.85 GHz, 10.45-10.50 GHz and 24.00-24.05 GHz segments. What power limitations are stipulated for these bands? Samudra, N3RDX & S21X Alexandria, VA

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Re: AO-7 Mode C? (Or other reason for varying signal strength?)
by Bob- W7LRD 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

I also have noticed similar events with AO-7. I try to work into Northern Europe when the opportunity is there. As you mentioned, polarization, obstructions, local noise. I might add just being a bit temperamental at being up there for 35 years! I find it remarkable that we are privileged to have access to such a marvelous bucket of bolts. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" <billdz.geo(a)yahoo.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 8:07:38 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 Mode C? (Or other reason for varying signal strength?) So, folks, does anyone have any thoughts or comments about this issue? 73, Bill NZ5N --- On Sun, 4/4/10, Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo(a)yahoo.com> wrote: From: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo(a)yahoo.com> Subject: AO-7 Mode C? (Or other reason for varying signal strength?) To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Sunday, April 4, 2010, 10:52 PM Hi folks, Since starting my effort to work Europe on AO-7, I've found that the very low elevation sigs vary significantly on different passes. Some mornings I can easily hear my downlink and start working Europe at 0.7 degrees elevation, while other days I can't hear myself until 5 degrees elevation, after the window to Europe has closed. Not sure if this is due to band conditions, satellite polarization, obstructions at certain positions, operator error, local noise, or what. Today I spoke with another experienced AO-7 op and he had an interesting theory: on the bad days (when I don't hear my downlink until 5 degress), the sat is in Mode C (lower power). This seems to make sense, because there does not seem to be any middle ground -- I start hearing my downlink at either 0.7 degrees or 5 degrees, never at 2-4 degrees. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Are we able to predict when the sat will be in one mode or another? Or any other explanation for the signal strength variations? 73, Bill NZ5N _______________________________________________ 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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Re: seeking examples of frequency bands used in amateur spacecraft
by Samudra Haque 07 Apr '10

07 Apr '10

Thank you for the information - I am getting now interested in this area to research what type of modes were used to communicate and the observed/reported characteristics of operation in those bands. Might come in handy when choosing subsystems to fly on future nano-satellites/pico-satellites. Thank you also: Arthur and John for your detailed replies. 73 -samudra On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 8:10 PM, David Giles <vk5dg(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Hello Samudra, > Here's some examples of OSCARS and RS-series that have used the bands (or > at least flown transmitters/receivers to do so) > 40m - UO-09 > 20m - UO-09 > 15m - UO-09, RS-12/13 > 10m - plenty including AO-7,AO-51 > 3.4GHz - none to my knowledge > 5.8GHz - AO-40 receive, P3-E transmit (proposed) > 10GHz - AO-40 (didn't work) > 24GHz - AO-40 (heard this one in operation) > > Hope this helps. > > 73 de David VK5DG > >

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Re: seeking examples of frequency bands used in amateur spacecraft
by Arthur Feller 06 Apr '10

06 Apr '10

Hi, Samudra! The last major change in frequency allocations to the amateur-satellite service came from the 1979 General World Administrative Radio Conference. Domestically, the changes became "official" upon the consent of the US Senate. Suggest reading the paper on "Amateur Satellites" on the IARU web site and looking at the Annex with the frequency allocations. AO-40 attempted to use most of the UHF and SHF bands. No power limit is specified in the RR's. At the same time, the principle of using the minimum power necessary still applies. I hope this helps. 73, art..... W4ART Arlington VA afeller(a)ieee.org Apr 6, 2010 03:21:25 PM, samudra.haque(a)gmail.com wrote: =========================================== Hello with reference to the US FCC Part 97 and in particular section 97.207 "Space Station" available http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/c.html#207 Have all of the frequency bands listed below been used in service through the last four decades? The following frequency bands and segments are authorized to space stations: (1) The 17 m, 15 m, 12 m and 10 m bands, 6 mm, 4 mm, 2 mm and 1 mm bands; and (2) The 7.0-7.1 MHz, 14.00-14.25 MHz, 144-146 MHz, 435-438 MHz, 1260-1270 MHz and 2400-2450 MHz, 3.40-3.41 GHz, 5.83-5.85 GHz, 10.45-10.50 GHz and 24.00-24.05 GHz segments. What power limitations are stipulated for these bands? Samudra, N3RDX & S21X Alexandria, VA _______________________________________________ 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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Re: BeeSat at 4800 GMSK
by PA3GUO 06 Apr '10

06 Apr '10

Hi Nate May I kindly recommend Mike, DK3WN, website ? http://www.dk3wn.info/p/ (daily weblog - IMHO the best there is) http://www.dk3wn.info/satellites.shtml (satellite index) http://www.dk3wn.info/sat/afu/sat_beesat.shtml (beesat) MSK is used for AA-U2 as well. http://www.dk3wn.info/sat/afu/sat_aau.shtml Mike has a few notes on receiving AA-U2 (also MSK) Once I participated in a test myself, the SW works. For this you use a soundcard on the PC, no TNC. Few items are in German, but Google can translate those for you. Although, I can read the German quite easy: Satelliten = satellites Telemetrie = telemetry ... but that's maybe since I watched German kids TV when I was young (those were the days TV here in Holland started only at 4pm or so and I lived 10 km's from the border with Germany....all entirely off-topic ! 73, Henk, PA3GUO -------------------------------- Hi all, I didn't get a response the last time I asked, so I'll try again, slightly differently. What TNC or TNC-like equipment do I need to listen to BeeSat at 4800 bps? I have a TS-2000, yagi antenna, rotator, and KAM-XL, but the KAM-XL can only do GMSK at 9600 bps. Thanks in advance for your time, Nate KC2SVI -- Henk, PA3GUO

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ao7 next pass
by Bob- W7LRD 06 Apr '10

06 Apr '10

Hello Northern Europe-At 1905Z there will be a footprint to CN87 (Seattle). Look for me at mid band about 145.952 +/-. Sorry Eric you ar e not in the footprint this time. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle, Wa.

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Amazing video: The Known Universe
by PA3GUO 06 Apr '10

06 Apr '10

My son Willem just showed me this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jymDn0W6U (set to full screen and 720p HD) Most likely there are more videos like this, but I liked it very much. -- Henk, PA3GUO

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16:08 UTC SO-50 pass
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 06 Apr '10

06 Apr '10

I didn't hear anything from the last SO-50 (16:08 UTC) pass a few minutes ago. Is it my equipment or was it off? Dave, AA4KN

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Re: 16:08 UTC SO-50 pass
by kj4psu＠gmail.com 06 Apr '10

06 Apr '10

Does anyone know when so-67 will be back on? ------Original Message------ From: n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net Sender: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] 16:08 UTC SO-50 pass Sent: Apr 6, 2010 12:26 PM I didn't hear anything from the last SO-50 (16:08 UTC) pass a few minutes ago. Is it my equipment or was it off? Dave, AA4KN _______________________________________________ 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 from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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Re: Heil Headset - IC-736R
by Clint Bradford 06 Apr '10

06 Apr '10

>> ... Heil headset on the FT-736R ... For some reason, the '736 is not specifically mentioned on the Heil products page for headsets. http://heilsound.com/amateur/adapters/headsets.pdf SO ... Stick with the very specific combinations that others here will give you, or call Bob Heil or Chip Margelli at 618-257-3000. Clint Bradford http://www.k6lcs.com

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Heil Headset
by David 06 Apr '10

06 Apr '10

Greetings. Is there anyone that is using a Heil headset on the FT-736R, and if so which one, which mike cartage and what adapter. I would like to replace the hand mike on the 736R, which will free up both my hands. Thanks for any help you can pass on. Dave VA7DG

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Any AMSAT members headed for the Cal Poly cubesat workshop 21-23 April 2010?
by Samudra Haque 05 Apr '10

05 Apr '10

Hi, All - I'm making travel plans to attend the 2010 Spring CubeSat Developer's Workshop ( http://www.cubesat.org/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops). This would be my first time, and I would appreciate pointers on where to stay, how to get around etc. Regards, Samudra Haque, N3RDX, S21X Alexandria, VA

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Discovery STS-131 id = 36507
by JC-Aveni 05 Apr '10

05 Apr '10

Spacetrack (NORAD : Discovery STS-131 id = 36507 UN id = 2010-012A 88-73 TK5GH Jean-Claude

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7.2 earthquake in DM22 at 2240z
by Larry Teran 05 Apr '10

05 Apr '10

I decided to go out from the city on an open field of wheat that is no longer in use, It was me and my son Kevin KJ6DDS, I just worked some stations on AO-27 pass at 2045z, and I let Kevin use the station for the last half of the pass, he was so exited he worked seven different station and a new record for him, after we finish load the station we went back home and picked up the rest of the family and hit food 4 less, we were just across the cash register when a terrible 7.2 earthquake shake DM22 it lasted for about 2 to 3 minutes, it was people running all over the parking lot and cars speeding up, no power and no signals on the streets and when we arrived home all people were outside. after that and by the time I'm writing this message there has been 162 more ranging from 2.7 to 5.1, and they has been more then 200 on the whole day. we got our power back but we think we are not sleeping tonight, I talk to all my friends here over our local EOC freq and everyone is ok, our death toll is only two people and around 100 injured, which is nothing compared with Haiti, we have several material damages but we hope to recover soon. 73 to all and hope to catch you on the sats soon!!!! Larry KI6YAA

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