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

Message from Shanghai Expo 2010
by William Leijenaar 04 Apr '10

04 Apr '10

Hello AMSATs, I am sending my greetings to all of you from Shanghai, where I participate at the Ham Radio Expo. It was a great experience to get in contact with the Chinese hams and to promote my linear transponder and also explain more about amateur satellites (which is still not very known to most hams here). I have given a presentation on the first and also on the second day. Twice, as there was a great interrest among the hams to get some more information about the satellite topic :o) I am sure there will be some more hams interrested in amateur satellites at this side of the globe... Unfortunatly I didn't see to many foreign hams, but I was lucky to meet Masato Shibayama, JA7JZS of the Japanese Amateur Satellite Association. We had a nice talk about satellites, and exchanged some new ideas. I also met one Dutch HAM, PA0RWH, which was also nice so far away from home :o) For the ICOM fans I also checked for the new IC-9100 but it was not presented at this ham expo. The only thing the ICOM people could tell me is that it might be available at the next year expo, which is quiet some time to go... Many 73 from Shanghai, William Leijenaar, PE1RAH

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Innovation in Amateur Radio + CubeSat Nanorack opportunity
by Trevor . 04 Apr '10

04 Apr '10

Innovation in Amateur Radio - an new exciting project http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/innovation_in_amateur_radio.htm New flight opportunity for CubeSats http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/cubesat_flight_opportunities.htm Columbus Module Update http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2010/ariss_columbus_update.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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Question about WISP/TNC3s/FT-847
by PE0SAT 04 Apr '10

04 Apr '10

Who can help me with the following setup: I trying the combination of FT-847, WISP and TNC3S to work together. For satellite guidance I use SatPC32 (Doppler and Rotor controle) I've connected the TNC3S via the Packet connector to the FT-847 When I try to connect for example HO-68 using WISP. I find that WISP is trying to connect but the TNC3s isn't switching the PTT. The STA led on the TNC3s is activated but no Push to talk is activated on the FT-847. When I use the TNC3s without SatPC32 active on a simplex frequentie every work fine. Somebody any idea? The following version and hardware are in use: - PC P4HT 3.0 GHz and 2G memory - Yaesu FT-847 - microHam USB Interface III - Windows XP Professional SP3 US - SatPC32 12.8a - WISP (GSC V2.03, MsgMaker V2.10a, MsgView 2.00b, MSPE V2.01a, Procmail V2.00g,Updkeps V2.00c View-Dir V2.00e)

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AA5UK/KH6 operation from Hawaii
by Tim - N3TL 04 Apr '10

04 Apr '10

At 0331 UTC on April 3, AA5UK/KH6 and I made a quick CW contact on FO-29 – from his vacation location in BL02ic and my home in EM84ha. According to the Tiny Locator program from ON6MU (http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/tinylocator.htm), our contact covered 7,399 kilometers/4,621 miles. Adrian’s commitment to activate Hawaii – during a vacation trip with his significant other – enabled me to put state No. 50 in the satellite log. He did the same for several others – among them Rick, WA4NVM; George, WA5KBH; Alex, KC7MG; Damon, WA4HFN; Matthew, KC7EQO; and Dave, KN4OK. I believe I speak for all of them when I offer my sincere thanks to Adrian for what I suspect he found was a fun – but, ultimately, Herculean – effort. Thanks, too, to Domenico, I8CVS, for his April 2 post to the AMSAT-BB about FO-29 currently being at or very near apogee during passes from north to south. That prompted me to look into whether we might have a chance on this satellite. During the contact, Adrian had about 2 degrees elevation with the satellite rising at his location; I had 1 degree with the satellite descending here in northeast Georgia. We worked the contact like one in a DX pileup on HF – brief and to the point! We tried unsuccessfully on AO-7 during three different Mode B days. The elevations were roughly the same as what we had on FO-29. However, FO-29’s Mode J configuration enabled each of us to use higher power on the 2 meter uplink than we could on AO-7’s Mode B uplink, on 70 centimeters. I suspect that made the difference. Our stations were identical, and included Yaesu FT-857D radios for transmit; Yaesu FT-817ND radios for receive; and the Elk 2M/440L5 log periodic antenna. All four radios were battery-powered. Thanks again to Adrian for making the significant time and effort to activate Hawaii as much as he has on this trip. Thanks to Dale (KL7XJ), Craig (KL4E) and Joe (AL1F) for activating Alaska so often on FM and linear satellites. Thanks to all of the satellite operators in most of the lower 48 who make their states available so often. And thanks to the rovers who have activated lower-48 states that have proved tough (Delaware immediately comes to mind), and for so many rare grid squares. In particular, many of us owe significant debts of gratitude to Patrick, WD9EWK; John, K8YSE; and Jim, ND9M. Finally, thanks to everyone else who takes the time and makes the effort to activate so many places. 73, Tim – N3TL Athens, Ga. – EM84ha

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Thanks! RARSFest quick wrap-up
by Mark L. Hammond 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

Hello Alan WA4SCA and John K8YSE, Thank you both for the SO-50 contacts at the Raleigh Hamfest (RARSFest)! I appreciate your sharp ears and return calls. It made the demo successful. The location wasn't great (tall metal buildings!) but the biggest problem was a setting on my radio that I FINALLY figured out. Somehow, some way at Dry Tortugas the 2M uplink on my FT-817 had been changed from the rear SO-239 (which I use with the Elk) to the front BNC connector...it explains why I had no success on the boat ride from the island to Key West and why I couldn't work anybody during my first pass attempt on AO-27 today. Glad to figure that bugger out! I had the 435 band going to the right connector, but since the 2M band was "hidden" because of split memory channels it took me a while to figure it out. I was transmitting into a BNC connector without any antenna--hi hi. The hamfest was well attended with many out of town hams in the area because of the Easter weekend. The weather was great (warm), and the RARS club is always a great host. They donate the booth (with power) and take good care of us. Thanks go to Chuck K4HF and RARS! 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 5, Issue 148
by Roy 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

Be sure your TNC-3S is setup for full Duplex, otherwise as long as WiSP hears a data carrier from the satellite it will not assert PTT. Also, in the Satellite Setup, TNC Settings Tab, be sure that "Test for Smack TNC" is not checked. There is a bug in this test and it was never implemented. What switch settings do you have set on the rear of your TNC-3S? Roy -- W0SL On 4/3/2010 7:00 PM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Question about WISP/TNC3s/FT-847 (PE0SAT) > 2. Re: Question about WISP/TNC3s/FT-847 (Nader Omer) > 3. Request for a sked via FO-29 (i8cvs) > 4. HO-68 pass recording? (Andrew Glasbrenner) > 5. *Possible* activity today (April 3) from Raleigh, NC Hamfest > (RARSFest) (Mark L. Hammond) > 6. Re: *Possible* activity today (April 3) from Raleigh, NC > Hamfest (RARSFest) (Mark L. Hammond) > 7. Fwd: *Possible* activity today (April 3) from Raleigh, NC > Hamfest (RARSFest) (Mark L. Hammond) > 8. Question using Kenwood Tm's-255& 731 (Stuart Balanger) > 9. HO-68 Schedule - 04-11 Apr 2010 (Alan Kung) > 10. Help!! (Allen Vinegar) > 11. AA5UK/KH6 BL02ic QRV on HO-68 at 18:55utc (Adrian Engele) > 12. Re: Help!! (Erich Eichmann) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 22:12:58 +0200 > From: "PE0SAT"<pe0sat(a)vgnet.nl> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Question about WISP/TNC3s/FT-847 > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID:<20100402201258.955CB230B2(a)ns.vgnet.nl> > Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 > > > Who can help me with the following setup: > > I trying the combination of FT-847, WISP and TNC3S to work together. > > For satellite guidance I use SatPC32 (Doppler and Rotor controle) > > I've connected the TNC3S via the Packet connector to the FT-847 > > When I try to connect for example HO-68 using WISP. I find that WISP is > trying to connect but the TNC3s isn't switching the PTT. The STA led on > the TNC3s is activated but no Push to talk is activated on the FT-847. > > When I use the TNC3s without SatPC32 active on a simplex frequentie every > work fine. > > Somebody any idea? > > > The following version and hardware are in use: > > - PC P4HT 3.0 GHz and 2G memory > - Yaesu FT-847 > - microHam USB Interface III > - Windows XP Professional SP3 US > - SatPC32 12.8a > - WISP (GSC V2.03, MsgMaker V2.10a, MsgView 2.00b, MSPE V2.01a, Procmail > V2.00g,Updkeps V2.00c View-Dir V2.00e) > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 14:07:16 -0700 (PDT) > From: Nader Omer<st2nh(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Question about WISP/TNC3s/FT-847 > To: amsat bb bb<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID:<783644.43965.qm(a)web51405.mail.re2.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > Hello Jan?& All > ? > It looks like a (ports)?com conflict !! > Drive the Rig and the Rotor by any old PC! > and use?a fast PC for? WiSP. > ? > 73's Nader > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2010 23:43:27 +0200 > From: "i8cvs"<domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Request for a sked via FO-29 > To: "AMSAT-BB"<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID:<000001cad2ae$3196f680$0201a8c0(a)tin.it> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" > > Hi All, > > Owing of her excentricity FO-29 is actually at the apogee 1322 km over the > atlantic ocean during the south bound orbits. > > Tomorrow april 3 during revolution 67303 I will be looking for Canada from > 21:05 to 21:08 UTC and for the east coast of USA from 21:08 to 21:15 UTC > > If someone is interested to contact my grid JN70ES (Naples-Italy) please > look for me on CW or SSB at 435.840 MHz +/- Dopppler > > For QSO agreements and more detailed calling procedure please write to me > off line. > > Tanks > > 73" de > > i8CVS Domenico > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Fri, 02 Apr 2010 22:22:03 -0400 > From: Andrew Glasbrenner<glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] HO-68 pass recording? > To: Amsat-BB<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID:<4BB6A64B.6030202(a)mindspring.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Did anyone happen to grab any audio of HO-68 this pass after about 0205 UTC? > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Sat, 03 Apr 2010 05:31:24 -0400 > From: "Mark L. Hammond"<marklhammond(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] *Possible* activity today (April 3) from Raleigh, > NC Hamfest (RARSFest) > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID:<0xX91e0041e3qRF05xXAE4(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi All, > > Today Robert N0QFQ and I will be hosting an AMSAT table at the Raleigh Hamfest--RARSFest. > > There is a possibility that we'll do a demo or two, depending on circumstances. > > If we are active, please listen for "N8MH portable" from FM05 during the following passes (time is UTC): > > 03.04.2010 AO-27 17:47 18:00 13 22 130 - 003 > 03.04.2010 SUNSAT (SO-3519:14 19:29 15 50 003 - 205 > 03.04.2010 AO-27 19:26 19:40 14 38 186 - 338 > > > 73, > > Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2010 08:20:18 -0400 > From: "Mark L. Hammond"<marklhammond(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: *Possible* activity today (April 3) from > Raleigh, NC Hamfest (RARSFest) > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID: > <y2j5d8cecfe1004030520uc773efa8k659f226f5d9e2c1f(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Okay, of course I meant to find passes for SO-50, not SO-35 :) > > There are 2 SO-50 passes that we might be able to work: > > 16:20utc > 18:00utc > > Maybe we can put the hamfest on the air... > > 73, > > Mark N8MH > > On Sat, Apr 3, 2010 at 5:31 AM, Mark L. Hammond<marklhammond(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hi All, >> >> Today Robert N0QFQ and I will be hosting an AMSAT table at the Raleigh Hamfest--RARSFest. >> >> There is a possibility that we'll do a demo or two, depending on circumstances. >> >> If we are active, please listen for "N8MH portable" from FM05 during the following passes (time is UTC): >> >> ?03.04.2010 ?AO-27 ? ? ? ?17:47 18:00 ? ?13 ? 22 ?130 - 003 >> ?03.04.2010 ?SUNSAT (SO-3519:14 19:29 ? ?15 ? 50 ?003 - 205 >> ?03.04.2010 ?AO-27 ? ? ? ?19:26 19:40 ? ?14 ? 38 ?186 - 338 >> >> >> 73, >> >> Mark L. Hammond ?[N8MH] >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> > > > -- Roy

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Help!!
by Allen Vinegar 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

I have been inactive for awhile but am now ready to get back on the birds. In the meantime I changed from an older computer running Windows 2000 to a newer, faster one running Windows XP Pro. I am using SATPC32 with a Yaesu FT-736R and a LVB Tracker with a Yaesu 5500 AZ/EL rotor. Things are set up as far as I can tell the same as they were before. My rotor control works but the cat control doesn't. I am hoping there is some little thing I did before that I am forgetting to do now. PLEASE, any ideas? Al, W8KHP

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AA5UK/KH6 BL02ic QRV on HO-68 at 18:55utc
by Adrian Engele 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

HO-68 will be in FM mode over KH6 BL02ic in a bit. I will be on the satellite and it will be last opportunity to work me on FM on that satellite before my departure. I expect this to be a very busy pass since it is a Easter Weekend and many people will be on the satellite. I will do what I can to pull out calls until 19:05 UTC when the satellite switches off over KH6. I will not be giving out my grid to allow more users to work me, so when I acknowledge your call do not give me your grid. If I have acknowledged you and have I moved on;don't call me again just send me an email confirming your grid. I want to get as many contacts to have an opportunity to work KH6 on this pass. Aloha Adrian AA5UK/KH6 BL02ic email aa5uk at yahoo dot com

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HO-68 Schedule - 04-11 Apr 2010
by Alan Kung 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

04 Apr. 2010 ================================ 16:15...Turn On--SSB/CW India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 17:00...Turn Off 18:05...Turn On--SSB/CW Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA 18:50...Turn Off 05 Apr. 2010 ================================ 01:00...Turn On--SSB/CW South America,NA,North Asia 01:44...Turn Off 01:50...Turn On--SSB/CW North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:05...Turn Off 02:50...Turn On--SSB/CW South America,NA,North Asia 03:35...Turn Off 19:35...Turn On--SSB/CW Africa,Europe,NA 20:20...Turn Off 06 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:45...Turn On--SSB/CW South America,NA,North Asia 01:30...Turn Off 01:39...Turn On--SSB/CW North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:54...Turn Off 02:30...Turn On--SSB/CW NA,South America,North Asia 03:15...Turn Off 11:05...Turn On--SSB/CW South America,Oceania,Asia 11:50...Turn Off 17:30...Turn On--SSB/CW India,Middle East,Europe,NA 18:15...Turn Off 19:00...Turn On--SSB/CW Africa,Europe,NA 19:45...Turn Off 07 Apr. 2010 ================================= 01:20...Turn On--SSB/CW North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:35...Turn Off 11:20...Turn On--SSB/CW Oceania,East Asia,North Asia,Europe 12:05...Turn Off 12:35...Turn On--SSB/CW South America,Oceania 13:20...Turn Off 18:40...Turn On--SSB/CW Africa,Europe,NA 19:25...Turn Off 23:05...Turn On--SSB/CW NA,North Asia,East Asia,Oceania 23:50...Turn Off 08 Apr. 2010 ================================= 02:52...Turn On--SSB/CW North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:07...Turn Off 06:30...Turn On--SSB/CW NA,North Asia,Middle East, Europe,Africa 07:05...Turn Off 11:00...Turn On--SSB/CW Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 11:45...Turn Off 16:55...Turn On--SSB/CW Africa,India,Middle East,Europe,NA 17:40...Turn Off 18:45...Turn On--SSB/CW Africa,Europe,NA 19:30...Turn Off 09 Apr. 2010 ================================ 00:10...Turn On--SSB/CW South America,NA,North Asia 00:55...Turn Off 02:36...Turn On--SSB/CW North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:51...Turn Off 10:45...Turn On--SSB/CW Oceania,Asia,Europe 11:30...Turn Off 18:25...Turn On--SSB/CW Africa,Europe,NA 19:10...Turn Off 22:30...Turn On--SSB/CW NA,Asia,Oceania 23:15...Turn Off 10 Apr. 2010 ================================ 01:20...Turn On--SSB/CW South America,NA,North Asia 02:05...Turn Off 02:14...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:30...Turn Off 10:30...Turn On--SSB/CW Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 11:15...Turn Off 18:10...Turn On--SSB/CW Africa,Europe,NA 18:55...Turn Off 11 Apr. 2010 ================================ 01:00...Turn On--SSB/CW South America,NA,North Asia 01:45...Turn Off 03:46...Turn On--FM North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 04:12...Turn Off 07:15...Turn On--SSB/CW North Asia,Europe,Africa 08:00...Turn Off 10:10...Turn On--SSB/CW Oceania,Asia,Europe 10:55...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Question using Kenwood Tm's-255 & 731
by Stuart Balanger 03 Apr '10

03 Apr '10

*Hi all, & Happy Easter/Passover, Does anyone have info on how to put a Kenwood TM-255A &a TM-731A for use on the Satillites? Also was wondering if someone can make me a CD of "Ham Radio Deluxe"? I can't seem to be able to download the software from their home page, & my s-mail adddress is good in QRZ.com Thanks,.&73,.Stu (WA2BSS) *

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