January 2011 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: Elevation System
by Mike Ryan 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

I agree on TV rotors. Its an excellent inexpensive way to get elevation. The U100/110 is what I use as well and its well suited because you can put the boom right through the rotor. There are some nice pictures of setups using these rotors on this sites: http://www.rotorservice.com/press3-alliance.htm <- my setup imitates this one ... http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th/ http://users.wbsnet.org/n0yk/cushcraft.htm And there’s a QST article on this in the Dec 1998 issue You can even build a controller for computer control but I’m currently rotating elevation and azimuth manually. Mike WB1AAT ---- Message: 7 Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:52:35 -0800 From: "Greg D." <ko6th_greg(a)hotmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Elevation System To: <iz5iow(a)gmail.com>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <BLU133-W194864A5AAEEF3C66FB766A9F70(a)phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi Marco, If you are looking to lash something together (instead of going with a purpose-built Elevation rotor), I and others have had success with Television-type rotors that have a through-hole for the mast. Mounted on their side, they seem to perform very well. Just keep things balanced, and protected from the weather and they should be happy. See: http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th/ I used an Alliance U-110. It has performed flawlessly for about 10 years now. Good luck, Greg KO6TH > Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:59:23 +0100 > From: iz5iow(a)gmail.com > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Elevation System > > Hello, > > I'm Marco, IZ5IOW. I'm searching a good and cheap solution to build an * > elevation* system to set up an home satellite station. More specifically I'm > looking suggestions for the mechanical part... The loading of the antenna is > the follow: 15El UHF Yagi and 9 El VHF Yagi. The mechanical part should not > bear too much weight! > > Can anyone help me? > > Thank you all. Best 73s. > > Marco > _______________________________________________ > 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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HO-68 Transponder Test
by Alan Kung 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Hello All, HO-68 linear transponder(CW/SSB mode) will be turned on from 010UTC to 0300UTC on 20th January. If you hear any signal, whether beacon or downlink of the transponder, please let me know. 73! Alan Kung, BA1DU

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Delfi-C3 website/forum
by PE0SAT 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Any members from the Delfi-C3 team that can give me/us an update regarding the website and forum. There are no updates and the forum isn't available. 73 Jan PE0SAT

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Re: Hot solar panels
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Hi folks, Delfi - C3 uses partial deployed solar panels and whilst having other on board problems is still sending data which I monitor on a regular basis. Remember also that it does not use batteries and is therefore only functional when in sunlight. Temperatures must be quite high on such a small area - Just a thought. Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat - UK Amsat NA

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HO-68's transponder will be off all week.
by John Hackett 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Group, HO-68's transponder won't be switched on this week. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> From: alankung(a)public3.bta.net.cn To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: HO-68 Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 01:47:23 +0800 Hi John, Thank you very much for your report! This week HO-68 transponder will not be turn on, we will see if beacon can work steadily. we are going to test transponder at this weekend. 73! Alan, BA1DU

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Re: -Elevation System AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 32
by Nitin Muttin [VU3TYG] 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Marco, I have included some images of a Az/El rotator system including the controller in the AMSAT India january Newsletter. I will have more information in the next news letter on who has built this and other information. http://amsatindia.org/Newsletter/AMSATINDIA-News-January2011.pdf -- Regards Nitin [VU3TYG] Secretary, AMSAT India vu3tyg(a)amsatindia.org www.amsatindia.org --------- Original Message -------- From: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 32 Date: 17/01/11 22:36 > 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. Re: Elevation System (Mike Ryan) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:35:41 -0500 > From: "Mike Ryan" <mryan301(a)comcast.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Elevation System > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: <53A84E533FAE41F0816662CCD2CCCB83@MikeClone> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I agree on TV rotors. Its an excellent inexpensive way to get elevation. The U100/110 is what I use as well and its well suited because you can put the boom right through the rotor. > > There are some nice pictures of setups using these rotors on this sites: > http://www.rotorservice.com/press3-alliance.htm <- my setup imitates this one ... > http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th/ > http://users.wbsnet.org/n0yk/cushcraft.htm > And there?s a QST article on this in the Dec 1998 issue > You can even build a controller for computer control but I?m currently rotating elevation and azimuth manually. > > Mike WB1AAT > ---- > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:52:35 -0800 > From: "Greg D." <ko6th_greg(a)hotmail.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Elevation System > To: <iz5iow(a)gmail.com>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: <BLU133-W194864A5AAEEF3C66FB766A9F70(a)phx.gbl> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > Hi Marco, > > If you are looking to lash something together (instead of going with a purpose-built Elevation rotor), I and others have had success with Television-type rotors that have a through-hole for the mast. Mounted on their side, they seem to perform very well. Just keep things balanced, and protected from the weather and they should be happy. > > See: http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th/ > > I used an Alliance U-110. It has performed flawlessly for about 10 years now. > > Good luck, > > Greg KO6TH > > > > Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 12:59:23 +0100 > > From: iz5iow(a)gmail.com > > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Elevation System > > > > Hello, > > > > I'm Marco, IZ5IOW. I'm searching a good and cheap solution to build an * > > elevation* system to set up an home satellite station. More specifically I'm > > looking suggestions for the mechanical part... The loading of the antenna is > > the follow: 15El UHF Yagi and 9 El VHF Yagi. The mechanical part should not > > bear too much weight! > > > > Can anyone help me? > > > > Thank you all. Best 73s. > > > > Marco > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 32 > *************************************** > > ________________________________________________

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[Launch Alert] Delta IV Heavy Launch
by Rick Tejera 19 Jan '11

19 Jan '11

Hose of you on the west coast may be interested. Clear Skies Rick Tejera Editor SACnews, Public Outreach Coordinator Saguaro Astronomy Club Phoenix, Arizona www.saguaroastro.org saguaroastro(a)cox.net K7TEJ, AMSAT 38452 -----Original Message----- From: launch-alert-bounces(a)mailman.qth.net [mailto:launch-alert-bounces@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Launch Alert Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 21:21 To: Launch Alert Subject: [Launch Alert] Delta IV Heavy Launch LAUNCH ALERT Brian Webb Ventura County, California launch-alert-editor(a)earthlink.net http://www.spacearchive.info 2011 January 18 (Tuesday) 20:09 PST ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DELTA IV HEAVY LAUNCH SCHEDULED Vandenberg AFB News Release 2011 January 18 VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The first West Coast Delta IV Heavy Launch Vehicle is scheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex-6 here Jan. 20 at 1:08 p.m. PST. This will be the largest rocket ever to launch from the West Coast of the United States. "This launch marks a significant milestone in our nation's space capability" said Lt. Col. Brady Hauboldt, launch director. "We've really restored a national capability for heavy lift on the Western Range, something we have not had since the last of the Titan IV-Bs flew out of Vandenberg. This extends our ability to cost effectively deliver payloads of all sizes and compliments." The launch follows three years of preparations and $100 million in base infrastructure upgrades at SLC-6. It makes Vandenberg unique in providing the full spectrum of space lift capability delivering payloads of all sizes to orbit aboard the Minotaur through Delta II, Atlas V and now the Delta IV, said Hauboldt. While this is the first Delta IV HLV from Vandenberg, it will be the fifth in the program's history. The first launch occurred in January 2004 from the East Coast. The rocket will carry a national security payload for the NRO. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LAUNCH VISIBILITY AND VIEWING The Delta IV Heavy slated to lift-off from Vandenberg AFB on Thursday is a rocket enormous size and power. For observers in close proximity to the launch pad at south base, the launch should be impressive. However, for observers further away, the display will be more subdued because of the propellants the rocket uses and the time of day. The Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle consists of three liquid oxygen and hydrogen fueled Delta IV rockets that are joined together. The vehicle does not use any solid fuel rocket motors. Unlike solid fuel rockets or liquid fuel rockets that use solid fuel strap-on motors for extra thrust, vehicles that rely entirely on liquid propellants produce very little to no smoke trail. Such vehicles may create a contrail when they pass through an area of the atmosphere called the contrail zone, but this only lasts several seconds. Burning solid rocket fuel produces a tremendous amount of light. Burning liquid rocket propellants, on the other hand, also produce light, but the amount is much less and the flame is semi-transparent or clear. The fact that the launch is scheduled for the early afternoon will further impact launch viewing. The Sun will be high above the horizon and the launch will occur against a bright sky background. This will greatly reduce the maximum launch viewing distance. Taking the above factors into account, persons without prior knowledge of the launch may accidentally see it with the naked eye as far away as 25 miles. People who are specifically looking for the launch may be able to see it without optical assistance as far away as 50 miles. Observers using binoculars or a telescope could possibly see the launch as far away as 100 miles provided they look at the right area of the sky at the right time. People within 50 miles of the launch site or the Delta IV Heavy's flight path should be able to hear the launch. In outlying areas, the sound will probably arrive a few minutes after liftoff and consist of a low frequency rumble. The best place to view the launch will probably be near the south end of the base. The idea is to get as close to the launch site as possible while avoiding trespassing on government or private property and staying clear of any low clouds or fog. Regarding viewing areas, Vandenberg AFB Public Affairs recommends the public go to Surf Beach to view the launch. But to hear the countdown net they need to go to the Corral Road viewing location. Maps are located on the Vandenberg AFB Public Affairs Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing The launch should be visible to the naked eye provided you are close enough. For better view, use binoculars (tripod mounted binoculars are even better). Perhaps the best instrument for viewing the launch is an astronomical telescope. Astronomical telescopes are especially well suited for launch viewing and may provide an impressive view of the Delta IV Heavy in flight. Regardless of where you go to view the launch, park safely, be aware of traffic or any other hazards, and obey the instructions of military and public safety personnel. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LAUNCH AND COUNTDOWN STATUS For launch and countdown status for the Delta IV Heavy/NRO launch, consult the following sources: Web Sites with Countdown Status: www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d352/status.html Webcasts: www.ulalaunch.com/index_webcast.html Satellite Feeds: Begin Transmission (bars and tone) - 12:15 P.M. Broadcast Start: 12:43 P.M. Launch Time: 1:08 P.M. Satellite: AMC 1 Transponder: C9 Band: C-band analog Orbital Position: 103 degrees W. Carrier: SES AMERICOM Bandwidth: 36 MHz Uplink Freq: 6105 MHz (Vertical) Downlink Freq: 3880 MHz (Horizontal) Twitter Updates: None announced ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LAUNCH ALERT WEB PAGE For information about this newsletter, including how to: - Subscribe, unsubscribe, or change addresses - Make a donation Point your browser to www.spacearchive.info/newsletter.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2011, Brian Webb. All rights reserved. This newsletter may be distributed in its entirety without restriction. Excerpts may not be reprinted or posted elsewhere without prior permission. __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5798 (20110118) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ______________________________________________________________ Launch-Alert mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/launch-alert Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Launch-Alert@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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TS-2000 ordered!
by Stuart Balanger 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

*To all, I have ordered the Kenwood TS-2000 (No 1.2 GHz. Band!) Today(1/18) & it should be here by end of this week! I already have installed in my PC (windows XP Pro!), .& will mainly use it on Satillites & 2Meter SSB Net, that I run here in the Mid.Hudson Vly! 73,.Stu (WA2BSS) *

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SATCONTROL_FCD v.0.9.1
by Mike Rupprecht 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

All, Finally, I uploaded a new version of SATCONTROL_FCD (V. 0.9.1). The software is using Mike's newest ExtIO_FCD_M0MJW.dll (must be in the same directory). I made also some changes in the ini file. Please use this new version. It's all in the ZIP file. I got some questions regarding the MSWINSCK.OCX. That winsck.ocx is a windows library file for the Windows TCP/IP stack and I use it for connecting a timeserver. To register it, go to start->run and type in "regsvr32.exe C:\Windows\System\mswinsck.ocx" (without quotes) and hit enter. That should register it. If you don't have it or it's corrupted get one here: http://www.ocxdump.com/cgi-bin/testwrap/downloadcounts.cgi?rt=count <http://www.ocxdump.com/cgi-bin/testwrap/downloadcounts.cgi?rt=count&path=oc xfiles/M/MSWINSCK.OCX> &path=ocxfiles/M/MSWINSCK.OCX (or google .) If you delete or comment out ("#") this line TIMESERVER in your sat.ini the software will not try to connect the timeserver. Otherwise the software connect this timeserver and will update your system clock. Download zip file here: http://www.dk3wn.info/files/SatControl_FCD.zip 73, Mike DK3WN

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AO-16
by ryan woods 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

What is the status of ao-16 are we still playing it by ear (its on when ever a command station turns it on) Thanks for the help and 73 Kd8atf Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

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Fw: Decoding AO-51 Telemetry
by shalesh kumar saini 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "mkingery(a)centurytel.net" <mkingery(a)centurytel.net> To: shalesh kumar saini <shaleshanu399(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Mon, 17 January, 2011 10:21:14 PM Subject: Re: Decoding AO-51 Telemetry Hello, I am sorry. I am not active with the project anymore. I would try the command team (ao51-modes(a)amsat.org) or the amsat-bb mailing list (amsat-bb(a)amsat.org) for up-to-date information. Good Luck, Mike Quoting shalesh kumar saini : dear sir > >my self shalesh kumar and myfriend jarek jaroslaw are the students from ISAE >toulouse and want to receive the telemetry from AO51 amsat satellite. we have >downloaded the TLMECHOv1.05 ,TLMECHOv 1.04,TLMECHO user file, TLMECHO latest >coff. file and follow the procedure given in the readmefile. > >we could sucessfully install the software using the SET UP file but we >are getting an "Type error 13" on windows machine with OS XP professional when >we runthe tlmecho exe file . However we r not getting any error on window vista >mahine. we want to know the reason why it is happening like this on machine >with XP professional OS and what is the solution. > >we have to work on XP professional OS machine . > > >waiting for your reply > >thanks > >shalesh

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virtual com ports on wisp client.
by alan bethel 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

hi, after a few years of being off line i am rebuilding my station and i am useing wisp client, and i am trying to use prolific usb to serial adapters and i am haveing issues as it will not talk to my radio. it will if i use the com port on the motherboard. is there a fix for this? i would like to use the adapters as i only have one actual com port. can you help? ke6qis(a)yahoo.com

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sat tracking programs on iphone
by Bruce 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

i have an iphone 4 and use both pxsat and satellite tracker. i like satellite tracker because it is almist identical to the app that came out years ago for the palm. nice thing about it is the use the gyro built into phone to show you on the screen when the phone is pointing to the satellite elevation. great during demos to correlate 30 degrees elevation to an actual visual... point there. 73...bruce Sent from my iPhone

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Elevation System
by Marco Cardelli 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

Hello, I'm Marco, IZ5IOW. I'm searching a good and cheap solution to build an * elevation* system to set up an home satellite station. More specifically I'm looking suggestions for the mechanical part... The loading of the antenna is the follow: 15El UHF Yagi and 9 El VHF Yagi. The mechanical part should not bear too much weight! Can anyone help me? Thank you all. Best 73s. Marco

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New SATCONTROL_FCD
by n1jez＠burlingtontelecom.net 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

I just tried out the new SATCONTROL_FCD for the FunCube with 1 Hz steps on FO-29. Worked well! No need to run Howard's control program now. Easy SSB copy on KI6CQ, WB4LHD, WA6DIR and K8RO. I actually heard several AO-51 FM uplinks on the FO-29 downlink as well - K8YSE and KI6CQ. I posted a screen of a station looking for his downlink. You'll see the dits all over the screen. http://www.burlingtontelecom.net/~n1jez@burlingtontelecom.net/whereismydown… 73, Mike, N1JEZ AMSAT 29649 "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

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Re: Funcube dongle results Jan 16th
by PA3GUO 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

Dear Howard, >From my initial (out-of-the-box) experiments it is clear that with proper input filtering results are very (very) good. Using my beams I have such filtering in the pre-amps, as you correctly assumed. Also, when using the vertical in my 'tower' I use indeed a triplexer, you are right again, works fine. In such situation I have similar results as with a Kenwood TS2000 (!) Sensitivity of the FCD is indeed outstanding (especially for such a wide frequency range). I can hear satellites until 0.0 degrees elevation. >From Nico PA0DLO I understand that he also experiences on VHF influence by nearby signals. We compared our FCDs here at my station, they are similar. Still Nico has more issues receiving the same stations compared to me, even though we are a few miles apart. This can be local pagers etc (his assumption). But it can indeed also be filtering: we tested the same local beacon at 126 MHz in my station with a triplexer, and as far as I know he uses directly a wide-band discone antenna. Which confirms your assumptions as well. Back to the ISS test. I expected the Kenwood would have received those signals. Even though no filtering from a triplexer or pre-amp. But: a Kenwood (or ICOM 910 or so) has also filtering at the antenna input stage. Which the FCD does not. Which would confirm that prefiltering is important. Indeed I do notice that sometimed the spectrum has changes in noise floor levels. You see that when suddenly the whole spectrum becomes lighter/darker. Unfortunately it will take me until next weekend to do more tests. On the other hand, my reports were ment to encourage others, no scientific measurements. Would be better (more factual) if this would be done with a few signal generators. Then again, I expect the FCD to be sensitive enough. We are now taking it to the extremes and see go low (small) we can go :-) Great stuff - extremely motivation (IMHO the FCD is the most exciting "creation" of the past 10 years) Henk ps: I did use the latest firmware ---- Howard Long <howard(a)howardlong.com> schreef: > Hi Henk > > Particularly regarding your attempt to receive the ISS, do you see a > significant increase in noise floor when you connect the antenna at VHF, > potentially 20dB or more? > > If so, it may be being overloaded from the sum of VHF signals coming into > the radio. When you use a preamp it almost certainly has a bandpass filter > in it. The filtering on the FCD at VHF is rather wide bandpass with 3dB > cutoffs between about 60MHz and 270MHz. Thus if there's significant pager, > band II FM, or Band III DAB etc traffic the front end gets a bit swamped, > and your noise floor rises. > > We're already looking into simple recommended methods of alleviating this. > The first thing is to make sure you're using the 18c firmware as this > implements tighter filtering. I also found that simply using the VHF port of > a V/U di/duplexer worked well in some situations. The best results I found > were with the middle port of a CFX-514 triplexer. If you have close in pager > interference then you'll need something rather tighter. In the UK for > example, we often have pagers at 138 and 153MHz. > > At UHF and above, the FCD uses tighter programmable bandpass filters so we > don't tend to experience this at these frequencies. > > The front end of the FCD is pretty sensitive, with all units measured and > targeted for 0.15uV for 12dB SINAD on NBFM. But if there are fairly strong > out of band signals, this will inevitably raise the noise floor. > > 73, Howard G6LVB > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On > Behalf Of PA3GUO > Sent: 16 January 2011 21:10 > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Funcube dongle results Jan 16th > > Some more FUNCube dongle results: > > (not much new information, just want to share my few hours > time today to spend on the FCD which I really enjoyed) > > Using 2x6 elements 145 MHz: > - VO52 USB downlink great, with and without preamp > > Using 1x12 elements 435 MHz > - AO51 FM downlink great with preamp, without noisier > - HO68 CW beacon great with preamp, good without > > OK. So with the normal antennas the FCD works great. > Time to try thew absolute minumum: Outside in the garden, laptop > plus a simple vertical for 145 MHz; ISS packet: nothing heared/seen. > Was a surprise to me, as ISS is normally extremely strong. > Also tried AO51 FM with just a dipole outside: nothing heared/seen. > Both passes were >80 degrees elevation. > So for now I guess you need either a beam or a preamp. > > Then again, the unit is the size of a USB memory stick and > has a range 60MHz -1.7 GHz - no complaints ! > > Overal I am still very impressed. The dongle connected to my > normal antenna system (beams + pre-amps) gives great results. > > Just listened twice to a VO52 pass, and listening in USB was very > comfortable, audio sounds very nice until 0 degrees elevation > (using WRplus). > > Amazing to be able to watch the entire downlink spectrum, and > see a few QSOs in parallel, seeing multiple stations tuning (their > signals going from left ro right and back until they hear themselves). > > Of course everyone else had SDR for satellites already :-) For me > this is just amazing. Great work by the FUNCube Dongle team. > > We often see discussions on how to get SSB for a few $'s and start > to compare various conventional transceivers. Well, the FCD is surely > an option to reduce cost on the downlink: all mode / all bands. > > Henk, PA3GUO > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFZGlqKPPQo > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > -- Henk, PA3GUO

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Looks like another opportunity for the famous AMSAT-DL dish repair team!
by Graham Shirville 18 Jan '11

18 Jan '11

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/news/goonhilly-to-rejoin-deep-space-communicat… Also note the comment about EME possibilities from the CEO of the company:) 73 Graham G3VZV

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Yaesu FT-736R
by Clint Bradford 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

Any FT-736R gurus out there? If so, would you please directly contact Lee ... LeeR <kb3qhb(a)yahoo.com> >From an email sent to me ... "Had satellite knob set to receive bird flew in zone but no recieve. What is the key to understanding the mode and fuction buttons?" Clint

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SATCONTROL_FCD
by Mike Rupprecht 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

All, I uploaded a new version of SATCONTROL_FCD (V. 0.8.1). The software is using Mike's ExtIO_FCD.dll (must be in the same directory). You can now correct the doppler frequency in Hz steps - so you can also track satellite CW beacons :-) download zip file here: http://www.dk3wn.info/files/SatControl_FCD.zip 73, Mike DK3WN

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Funcube dongle results Jan 16th
by PA3GUO 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

Some more FUNCube dongle results: (not much new information, just want to share my few hours time today to spend on the FCD which I really enjoyed) Using 2x6 elements 145 MHz: - VO52 USB downlink great, with and without preamp Using 1x12 elements 435 MHz - AO51 FM downlink great with preamp, without noisier - HO68 CW beacon great with preamp, good without OK. So with the normal antennas the FCD works great. Time to try thew absolute minumum: Outside in the garden, laptop plus a simple vertical for 145 MHz; ISS packet: nothing heared/seen. Was a surprise to me, as ISS is normally extremely strong. Also tried AO51 FM with just a dipole outside: nothing heared/seen. Both passes were >80 degrees elevation. So for now I guess you need either a beam or a preamp. Then again, the unit is the size of a USB memory stick and has a range 60MHz -1.7 GHz - no complaints ! Overal I am still very impressed. The dongle connected to my normal antenna system (beams + pre-amps) gives great results. Just listened twice to a VO52 pass, and listening in USB was very comfortable, audio sounds very nice until 0 degrees elevation (using WRplus). Amazing to be able to watch the entire downlink spectrum, and see a few QSOs in parallel, seeing multiple stations tuning (their signals going from left ro right and back until they hear themselves). Of course everyone else had SDR for satellites already :-) For me this is just amazing. Great work by the FUNCube Dongle team. We often see discussions on how to get SSB for a few $'s and start to compare various conventional transceivers. Well, the FCD is surely an option to reduce cost on the downlink: all mode / all bands. Henk, PA3GUO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFZGlqKPPQo

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WD9EWK and LOTW - coming soon
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

Hi! With the news last week that ARRL's Logbook of the World now supports the VUCC award, I have started the work to get my satellite QSOs uploaded to LOTW. As I previously mentioned, the ability to associate up to 4 grids with a station location will make my work so much easier. Grid-boundary QSOs won't require any extra work to upload. QSOs from other boundaries will still require a little extra work to properly represent them in LOTW, but that is a small number I can manage. I just renewed the LOTW certificates for all of my calls, and they dropped into my e-mail in-box this morning. Once I load the renewed certificates into the TQSLCert program, I will take my spreadsheet log and start making ADIF files for all of my calls and locations I have worked from. I have received QSL cards over the years where my callsigns have /P after them, and a couple where the XE2 comes after my US call and not before it as is it listed on my Mexican ham permits for QSOs when I was in Mexico. Since I operate portable almost all the time, I do not identify on the air as "portable" or "/P". If you have logged QSOs with WD9EWK (or my other calls) with a "/P" in LOTW, you will need to correct those entries in order to have QSLs in LOTW with me. Based on e-mail exchanges with ARRL when I set up my LOTW account in 2008, there are 5 key elements that have to match in any two LOTW QSO records to make a QSL. The call sign is one of those key elements. The others are date, time, band, and mode. I will soon upload satellite QSOs to LOTW for these calls: WD9EWK (two QSOs from 2000, one from 2003, and a bunch since 2005) VA7EWK (used on my July 2010 trip to Canada) CJ7EWK (used on my November 2008 trip to Vancouver - CJ was a one of the special prefixes available at that time to Canadian hams) XE2/WD9EWK (for my 3 trips to Mexico since February 2009) I have also operated with other call signs in January 2007 (W7W) and May 2008 (K7RDG). Since I do not hold those calls, I am not able to upload anything to LOTW for those satellite QSOs. QSOs made from other boundary lines - county, state/province, or national - will require uploading two QSO records to LOTW by *both* stations to confirm the contact from both sides of that line. Each of my QSO records for these contacts will be from a station location on each side of the boundary line. I have worked satellites from these non-grid boundary lines: Apache/Navajo county line in Arizona (August 2009) Indiana/Ohio state line (several times since 2006) Arizona/New Mexico state line (October 2009) Illinois/Wisconsin state line (October 2010) Canada/USA international border (July 2010) Since the QSO records for the county-line and state-line QSOs would have the same 5 key elements matching, I will vary the QSO time for QSOs from one side of the county or state line by one minute (i.e., QSO at 2300 UTC from Indiana and 2301 UTC from Ohio). Otherwise, the second QSO record with the same 5 key elements will overwrite the first QSO record in LOTW with those elements. The Canada/USA border QSOs won't have that problem, since the calls in the two QSO records won't match (VA7EWK for one QSO record from Canada, and WD9EWK for the other QSO record from the USA). I still need to make my initial satellite VUCC application, but want to get my satellite activity into LOTW so others may be able to use QSOs with me toward future award applications. I've waited for VUCC to be supported in LOTW since I first set up my LOTW account almost 3 years ago, and it is great that it has finally happened. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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small grid trip
by Rodney Waln 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

i would like to thank those that worked me on Friday and Saturday from DN 70-80, i was down there for a ham fest and trying out a new transceiver (ts-2000) Mobile, only had it sense Thursday,it seemed to work very well. AO-51 was doing very well, those wanting a qsl,can email details of contact or send cards, i have not had time to redo lotw for satellite contacts yet. best regards kc0zhf

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FunCube Dongle test
by n1jez＠burlingtontelecom.net 17 Jan '11

17 Jan '11

I've ran several passes today on AO-27 and AO-51 with the FunCube Dongle (FCD) as my receiver. I'm also using Mike, DK3WN's Funcube Dongle Doppler correction program. Below are two links to a couple of screen shots. The first is WRPlus, the software I use with the FCD (there are others). You can see the AO-51 downlink clearly. This was a 15 degree pass from here in Vermont, FN34im. http://www.burlingtontelecom.net/~n1jez@burlingtontelecom.net/WRPlus.JPG The second screen shot is the software running behind WRPlus. Top left is the FCD Tuning Program. It's partially covered by SATPC32 in the upper right. In the lower right is the FCD Doppler correction program sending frequency correction to the FCD tuning program. http://www.burlingtontelecom.net/~n1jez@burlingtontelecom.net/FCD_Test.JPG I need more screens and a better video card. Thanks for those who contacted me. If I sound a bit distracted at first it was becasue the first time I keyed up, I forgot that when I heard my downlink it would be delayed significantly due to the DSP processing of the FCD. The delay reminded me of working HEO! 73, Mike, N1JEZ AMSAT 29649 "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

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Re: Hot solar panels
by G0MRF＠aol.com 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

In a message dated 16/01/2011 18:50:42 GMT Standard Time, bruninga(a)usna.edu writes: For what it is worth, we have just completed our in-depth thermal analysis of the 4 deployable solar panels on our cubesat (Psat) and were shocked to learn how hot they will get. Probably 90C or nearly boiling. If it's sun pointing....just use thermocouple junctions and a radiator on the back..... Or maybe a few thermo electric coolers will output a volt or two at several amps ?? David G0MRF

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Offtopic - antennas, was Re: Re: VUCC & LoTW
by K5OE 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Thanks, Gordon. You are too kind. You won't believe it but that little 3-element hand-held beam is still in use today (I built it over a dozen years ago). I used it Friday and Saturday while mobile in Texas for two passes of AO-51 (I keep saying I am going to replace the aging RG-8X coax, but just never get around to it). I have an FT-100 in my truck and use an MFJ duplexer to split the signal to the 70 cm beam and a 2 m vertical on the back window. I operate split mode, so it isn't the best setup--but it works (besides V/U, I can also operate V/S and L/S, using hand-held antennas out the window... and even U/V with whatever I can hear on the vertical). I was mobile and inadvertantly stated I was in EM10, when actually I was in EM20 (too much coffee), so to the following stations, I apologize: 14.01.2011 2148 WA5KBH AO-51 M-J FM EM30 LA USA George 14.01.2011 2154 WC0X AO-51 M-J FM EM07 KS USA Larry portable 14.01.2011 2155 KD8KSN AO-51 M-J FM EN80 OH USA Zachary 15.01.2011 2354 W7VEW AO-51 M-J FM DM37 UT USA Steve 15.01.2011 2355 WA6ARA AO-51 M-J FM DM15 CA USA Michael 15.01.2011 2356 N5UXT AO-51 L/S FM EM40 LA USA Angelo For anyone looking for an easy to build and use (did I mention cheap?) hand-held antenna for portable work, try this mirror link: http://web.archive.org/web/20071105220834rn_1/members.aol.com/k5oe/ and click on the "70 cm Handi-Tenna" link on the left frame. BTW, the young girl in the picture graduates from St. Thomas Univ this year (I told you it was old!). 73, Jerry, K5OE (also M0GOE, btw) On Sun, 2011-01-16 at 14:42 -0500, K5OE wrote: > > 73, > Jerry, K5OE Hi Jerry, I built a couple of your Handi-tenna three-element yagis for 70cm, one for myself when I was getting into satellites first and a couple for other people. They work great and it's a nice repeatable design, guaranteed to work if you build it right. I've had QSOs through AO-51, SO-50 and the ISS with mine, as well as a lot of terrestrial low-power work. Thanks for such a simple but significant contribution to amateur satellites ;-) Gordon MM0YEQ

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G6LVB FCD and G0MRF Signal Generator--great combo!
by Mark L. Hammond 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Folks, If you have one of these: G6LVB FCD http://www.funcubedongle.com/ You really ought to consider getting one of these: G0MRF Signal Generator http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/article_6/2.4-GHz-Signal-Source-Kits-by-G0MRF… (with some more details here: http://g0mrf.com/source2.htm ) I have a signal source board from back in the AO-40 era with a crystal at 96.019 MHz. It has proven very helpful as a continuos test signal source for a wide range of frequencies for the FCD. Beats ker-chunking local repeaters :) You can adjust various FCD parameters and see the impact, etc. The current crystal (96.013 MHz) is just a bit different than mine (96.019), but it would do the same thing... Harmonically, it works out like this: *note--if you have an antenna connected, keep in mind that fundamental frequency is probably right near a STRONG local FM radio station ;) so the noise floor might be quite high at 96.019 MHz! That one took me a while to figure out... Xtal Multiplier Output in MHz 96.019 0.667 64.013 96.019 1.000 96.019 96.019 2.000 192.038 96.019 3.000 288.057 96.019 4.000 384.076 96.019 5.000 480.095 96.019 6.000 576.114 96.019 7.000 672.133 96.019 8.000 768.152 96.019 9.000 864.171 96.019 10.000 960.190 96.019 11.000 1056.209 96.019 12.000 1152.228 96.019 13.000 1248.247 96.019 14.000 1344.266 96.019 15.000 1440.285 96.019 16.000 1536.304 96.019 17.000 1632.323 96.019 18.000 1728.342 96.019 19.000 1824.361 96.019 20.000 1920.380 96.019 21.000 2016.399 96.019 22.000 2112.418 96.019 23.000 2208.437 96.019 24.000 2304.456 96.019 25.000 2400.475 96.019 26.000 2496.494 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Re: VUCC & LoTW
by K5OE 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Early last year I finally got around to uploading satellite contacts (also following the guidelines at http://www.arrl.org/files/file/LoTW%20Instructions/N5JB.pdf) and got these results: You have 4,675 QSO records You have 135 QSL records Although I always log the first contact with a station, I do not log many duplicate contacts with the same station in the same grid square... but I was hoping to get a lot more QSLs than that! 3% seems to be the going rate. I think paper QSLs are going to be with us for a long time--besides, I like the records for posterity. Having a few choice QSLs hanging on the wall is a whole lot more engaging to grandchildren than sending them a link with an ap for their Iphone to see your LoTW records :-) 73, Jerry, K5OE

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FO-29 and AO-51 sharing footprint
by Mark L. Hammond 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Hi All, Not sure around the world, but lately in the US FO-29 and AO-51 have been experiencing a mutual footprint from time to time. Since the AO-51 145.920 uplink is within the passband of FO-29's transponder, you can often hear AO-51 uplinks coming through FO-29 as an FM signal on the downlink... Anyhow, it's about to occur in about 30 mins, thought I'd mention it... 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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NASA Calendar
by Clint Bradford 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

NASA’s International Space Station calendar is now available in both large and small file sizes to print at home, or with the help of a professional printer. To print it out on your home printer, download the 6.8 Mb file. To print it out in full resolution, take the link to the 74 Mb file to your preferred printer and specify the paper quality and printing instructions. http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html Clint

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Re: SATCONTROL_FCD
by n1jez＠burlingtontelecom.net 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Hi Mike, Just tracked a pass of AO-27 here with no problem. Now to try some SSB. Tnx for a neat add-on! 73, Mike, N1JEZ AMSAT 29649 "A closed mouth gathers no feet" ----- Original Message ----- From: <n1jez(a)burlingtontelecom.net> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SATCONTROL_FCD > Hi Mike, > > I have it configured here and it's writing frequency changes to my Dongle. > Now to wait for a Sat pass to track. > > 73, > Mike, N1JEZ > AMSAT 29649 > "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

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HO-68 telemetry
by Eric Knaps, ON4HF 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Hello group, Just received the telemetry beacon from Hope-1 (HO-68) Orbit 5229 at 16:45 utc. XW-1 Telemetry Decoder (c) Mike Rupprecht, DK3WN ================================================== PA Output RF Switch Status : PA2 Works (Beacon only) Transponder Working Status : Beacon only Transponder Temperature : 22 C Beacon RF Output Power : 105 mW Beacon Power Supply Volts : 5 V Receiver Power Supply Curr : 0 mA Linear Transponder ACG Volts : 0 V Transponder RF Output Power : 0 mW Transponder PA Curr : 0 mA Linear Transponder Up Conv : 0 mA Linear Transponder Volts : 0 V FM Dig S/F Transponder Curr : 0 mA FM Dig S/F Transponder Volts : 0 V 73, Eric. -- Amateur Radio Station ON4HF Eric Knaps Satellite manager UBA Tel. +32472985876 (mobile) http://www.on4hf.be

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Hot solar panels
by Bob Bruninga 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Tony, I read in the recent AMSAT journal about the new AMSAT Cubesat. It will have deployable solar panels. For what it is worth, we have just completed our in-depth thermal analysis of the 4 deployable solar panels on our cubesat (Psat) and were shocked to learn how hot they will get. Probably 90C or nearly boiling. This probably not a problem for space-rated cells, but we fly tedlar coated cheap terrestrial cells and they have real problems at those temps. Also, the nearly 2 volt drop in output at those elevated temperatures from 8.4v to 6.4 v or so has forced us into a complete re-design of our power system. The reason these temps are such a surprise to us is because in the past, all of our solar cells were body-mounted where they can conduct their heat away. But with "deployed" panels, there is nothing but emissivity off the back side to get rid of heat. They will get very hot, and 45 min later get very cold. This thermal cycling is an order of magnitude worse than with the body mounted cells too, leading to life concerns. So, hope you are taking all this into consideration. Just a thought Bob, Wb4APR

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Satellite Tracking Apps for IPhone
by Bill Ress 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Hello all, I'm sure this has been hashed over before, but I'm revisiting the question of IPhone "app" recommendations for a satellite tracking program. I've tried "Satellite Tracker" but it doesn't correlate with my trusted desktop software. It's not even close. I've see a few others at the App Store, but wanted to get input before trying them. Thanks in advance...Bill - N6GHz

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Re: HO68 1706z Pass???
by PA3GUO 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Hi Joe May not be of much help, but here is a video summarizing HO-68 modes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6oDgUTHCwg Using an 8 elements antenna + pre-amp I can hear the beacon from 0.1 degrees elevation already At 5 degrees it's rock-solid. Without pre-amp you hear it from 10 degrees or so, depending on your radio. We have heared the FM repeater on a portable radio with a simple vertical. Be aware of the doppler shift at 70cm, which is a few kHz (tune around !). Let us know how it works out for you, I find it really a nice & easy satellite to use. Dont panic if you do not hear the beacon/transponder. As mentioned already, there are some problems and both maybe be off (I had yesterday a pass where the beacon was on but also one pass where it was off) Success ! Henk, PA3GUO > I have a pass in about one hour now from near Seattle. > Since, I've never used HO-68, is the beacon: Downlink 435.7900 MHz CW ?? > Btw, how does the typical beacon signal compare to the typical transponder > signal folks have? Is it louder or same? > Thanks, Joe, AD7D. -- Henk, PA3GUO

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FW: ANS-016 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-016 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 In this edition: * Satellite Protocol * ARISSat-1 Update * SKN Reminder * SA Request for Assistance * ARISS Report * Satellite Shorts * AMSAT China Report on HO-68 Health SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-016.01 Satellite Protocol AMSAT News Service Bulletin 016.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. January 16, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-016.01 Recently, there has been comments on activity on the LEO satellites. With newcomers added to the mixture everyday, it is a good idea to re-read a Guideline from many years ago. http://www.innismir.net/article/26 Enjoy and use as a reminder of our resposibilities. [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-016.02 ARISSat-1 Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 016.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. January 16, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-016.02 ARISSat-1 Update The ARISSat-1 satellite/amateur radio experiment is in Baikonur. RSC Energia has information and photographs about the satellite on their news site http://www.energia.ru/en/news/news-2010/news_12-31.html . The NASA Phase 3 Safety Review for ARISSat is scheduled for Thursday 20 January 2011. The Progress 41P launch carrying ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-V is scheduled for late January and the release of the satellite is scheduled for the end of February 2011. Energia is also calling the satellite KEDR, after Yuri Gagarin's callsign in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first manned space flight 12 April 1961. Sergey Samburov, RV3DR is shown in the photos with the satellite on the RSC Energia site. Gould [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-016.03 SKN reminder AMSAT News Service Bulletin 016.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. January 16, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-016.03 Ray, W2RS thanks all who participated in AMSAT's Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2011 and reminds us to please nominate someone you worked for 'Best Fist.' Your nominee need not have the best fist of those you heard, just of those you worked. Nominations should be sent to w2rs(a)amsat.org. A list of those nominated will be published in ANS in early February, and in a forthcoming issue of The AMSAT Journal. [ANS thanks Ray, W2RS, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-016.04 SA Request for Assistance AMSAT News Service Bulletin 016.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. January 16, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-016.04 SA AMSAT Cubesat project needs programmers The development team for the planned South African CubeSat project is taking shape nicely. Radio amateurs with diverse specialist skills are offering their expertise from all over. "However, we still need a person with experience in programming PIC or 8051 microprocessors," Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, told SARL News. "This person will be a critical member of the team and will be responsible for the development of the onboard controller soft- ware. Other amateurs who are interested in the development of the satellite and would like to join the development team are still welcome to send their Amateur Radio CVs to: saamsat(a)intekom.co.za," Hannes said. The team will meet for its first formal teleconference on Wed- nesday evening 26 January 2011 at 20:00. Team members will re- ceive a formal notification. [ANS thanks SARL, SA AMSAT, and SouthGateARC site for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-016.05 ARISS Report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 016.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. January 16, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-016.05 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report January 10, 2011 1. Upcoming School Contacts An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact scheduled for Tsutsujigaoka Minami Elementary School in Akishima, Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday, January 12 was completed. Students participating in the contact are learning about space science and the global cooperation required to operate the ISS. An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has scheduled for Istituto Comprensivo Marco Polo-Viani Scuola Secondaria 1° Grado, Viareggio, Lucca, Italy on Wednesday, January 12 Has been completed. Through this contact, the school hoped to increase students' interest in science, technology, space research and other space-related subject matter. Istituto Comprensivo Via Toscana 2 in Civitavecchia, Italy has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, January 15 has also been successful. The school, with an enrollment of 750 children, ages 3-14, had prepared questions about life in space and the research performed on the ISS. 2. Italian Students Chat with Astronaut through ARISS Contact On Saturday, January 8, University of Bari "Cittadella Mediterranea della Scienza" in Bari, Italy participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with ESA astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ0JPA. Prior to the contact, ARISS mentor Francesco De Paolis, IK0WGF introduced the event via phone line. Nespoli made the radio link with the students, answering 14 of their questions. A second contact was established on the following ISS pass to finish up the questions and exchange greetings. Approximately 100 students, teachers, visitors and media attended. Regional television, local media and newspapers covered the event and video was streamed over the internet, receiving more than 100 connections. Cittadella Mediterranea della Scienza promotes technology and scientific knowledge in schools of all grades using projects that encourage academic research. 3. Astronaut Training Status Astronaut Chris Cassidy was given an introductory session on ARISS this past week. He will train for his amateur radio license and plans to participate in the ARISS program. He is currently scheduled to fly in the spring of 2013. 4. ARRISat Featured in February QST The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted a story in its January 6 ARRL Letter about the February issue of QST which features ARISSat-1 on its front cover. The ARRL monthly journal has a circulation of 156,000. See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2011-01-06 5. AMSAT Posts ARISSat-1 Update to Web Site The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) posted an update on its Web page covering the current status of ARISSat-1. "ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-V Integration and Testing Underway in Moscow," may be viewed here: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php 6. AMSAT Articles on ARISS News On January 9, the AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service bulletin (ANS-009) included two ARISS-related news items. "ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-V Update" and "ARISS School Contacts Resume for 2011" may be found at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/48hour/msg83129.html [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-016.06 Satellite Shorts AMSAT News Service Bulletin 016.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. January 16, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-016.06 NASA Redoubling Efforts to Contact Spirit Rover on Mars A news item carried on UniverseToday.com (http://tinyurl.com/2ccsnku) reports that NASA is stepping up operational efforts to contact the Martian Spirit rover with more communications commands; more listening time; more frequencies. Spirit last communicated with mission control- lers back on Earth on March 22, 2010. The rover entered hibernation mode, some nine months ago, as the available sunlight to power the life giving solar panels was diminishing. NASA hopes to reawaken Spirit from a long slumber and reignite her breakthrough campaign of explora- tion and discovery from a scientific goldmine on the surface of the red planet. At Spirit's location in the southern hemisphere of Mars, Southern Summer has not yet arrived. Right now it's mid Southern Spring and daylight hours are increasing. And Summer doesn't even start until mid-March 2011. The question is whether Spirit's unheated electronics components have endured the extremely harsh and frigidly cold condi- tions of her 4th winter on Mars - her coldest ever. At about -100 C. Spirit entered a low-power fault mode in March 2010 with minimal activ- ity except charging and heating the batteries and keeping its clock run- ning. With most heaters shut off, Spirit's internal temperatures dipped lower than ever before on Mars. That stress could have caused damage, s uch as impaired electrical connections, that would prevent reawakening or, even if Spirit returns to operation, would reduce its capabilities. "Components within the rover electronic module (REM) inside the rover's warm electronic box (WEB) are experiencing record low temperatures," said Doug McCuistion, the director of Mars Exploration at NASA Head- quarters in Washington, DC, in an interview about Spirit's predicament. "The expectation is for the REM hardware to reach -55C at the coldest part of the winter. We have tested the REM down to -55C". NASA's Deep Space Network of antennas in California, Spain and Australia has been listening for Spirit daily in coordination with the spacecraft orbiting Mars; Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. In X-band, the DSN listens for Spirit during one pass each day. The rover team has also been sending commands to elicit a response from the rover even if the rover has lost track of time. Now, the monitoring is being increased. Additional listening periods in- clude times when Spirit might mistake a signal from NASA's Mars Recon- naissance Orbiter as a signal from Earth and respond to such a signal. Commands for a beep from Spirit will be sent at additional times to cover a wider range of times-of-day on Mars when Spirit might awaken. "DSN does an average of 4 "sweep & beep" commands in each day's pass," according to JPL spokesman Guy Webster. Also, NASA is listening on a wider range of frequencies to cover more possibilities of temperature effects on Spirit's radio systems. [ANS thanks UniverseToday.com for the above information] Hello Everyone, This is to let you know that AMSAT has updated the Main/Top news item at http://www.amsat.org to: ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-V Integration and Testing Underway in Moscow [ANS thanks Joanne, K9JKM, for the above information] Hi all (Happpy 2011!) The next "HV Satcom" Net is Thursday January 20 at 8PM (UTC -5); (Host) Mt. Beacon ARC) on the 146.970MHz. Repeater (-600;Pl;100) with an Echolink Node of "N2EYH-L" ("HV Satcom"net): www.hvsatcom.org/ E-Mail: wa2aqh(a)amsat.org ("HV Satcom"Net) [ANS thanks Stu, WA2BSS, For above information.] January SatMagazine Covers CubeSats Amateur Radio satellites NanoSail-D and O/OREOS get a mention in the January edition of SatMagazine, now available for free download. NanoSail-D and O/OREOS feature on pages 61/62. Pages 14-18 have a article by Surrey Satellite Technologies Ltd. (SSTL) project lead Shaun Kenyon on the recent increase in interest in NanoSats and pages 20-22 cover "The Power Of Picosatellites". The US military are making use of NanoSats and the recently launched US Army satellite SMDC-ONE, a 3U CubeSat, is covered on page 60. Download a copy of the January SatMagazine from http://www.satmagazine.com/2011/SM_January_2011.pdf Free subscription to SatMagazine and SatNews http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/regester.cgi SatMagazine http://www.satmagazine.com/ [ANS thanks the SouthGateARC Site for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-016.07 AMSAT China Report on HO-68 Health AMSAT News Service Bulletin 016.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. January 16, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-016.07 AMSAT China Report on HO-68 Health HO-68 (XW-1) Project Manager, Alan Kung, BA1DU sent an update on the satellite's operational status. Alan wrote, "This week I received many reports from all over the world about faults of HO-68's tele- metry beacon." Alan continues, "After we analyzed the situation of the satellite, we think that the software in the payload management MPU was not running properly. Software crashes stopped communication between the payload management MPU and the satellite management unit. This caused the prob- lem with the beacon and caused an abnormal switch of the transponder mode." On January 14 AMSAT China controllers switched the satellite into safe mode at 0300Z. They turned off most of the onboard units, and then at 0440Z re-powered up. The satellite returned to normal operating mode and so far the beacon has continued to operate normally. AMSAT China said they will not upload commands to the satellite to change the transponder operating schedule for the next week. The com- mand team will continually monitor HO-68 operational status this week. Please send Alan a report if you observe any abnormal operation of HO-68. Alan can be reached at: alankung(a)public3.bta.net.cn AMSAT China web page: http://www.camsat.cn [ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU 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 Dee Interdonato, NB2F Nb2f at amsat dot org

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AMSAT-UK Front cover
by Andrew Glasbrenner 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

That's one of the best satellite related pictures I've seen in a long time! I'm proud to be a member. 73, Drew KO4MA Sent from my iPhone

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SATCONTROL_FCD
by Mike Rupprecht 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

All, Those who want to use their FUNcube Dongle to track satellites may like to try my tool SATCONTROL_FCD (first beta release). You can download a zip file here: http://www.dk3wn.info/files/SatControl_FCD.zip The sat.ini can be configured as needed (own locator, path to your TLE file / Doppler.sql (SatPC32). The front end FCHid.exe needs to be running first. If you enable the checkbox in the frequency frame SATCONTROL_FCD will write the calculated frequency directly into the FCD controller software. 73, Mike DK3WN

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FUNcube Dongle serial #200 on eBay, and your name in space
by Howard Long 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Folks A few minutes after Friday's sale, I had a purchaser change their mind, so rather than add the spare unit to the next sale, I'm making it generally available with all proceeds from the sale going towards AMSAT-UK launches. Although every FUNcube Dongle sold adds to the AMSAT-UK coffers, this special unit, serial number 200, is sold with the added bonus that your name or callsign will be etched into the FUNcube spacecraft when it's launched in the next few months. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130475888400 73, Howard G6LVB

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HO68 CW beacon on (rx'ed using FUNcubeDongle)
by PA3GUO 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

HO68 beacon 435.790 MHz CW Decoded 09:45, until 0.5 degrees elevation - 12 elements vertical polarization - SSB preamplifier (both on/off worked OK) - FunCube Dongle (SDR) Henk, PA3GUO

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Re: SATCONTROL_FCD
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Hi Mike, (DK3WN) Many thanks to you once again for a very useful and valuable satellite software tool .Your time and efforts in producing all of your software is very much appreciated. I have not yet been able to obtain the "FUNcube -Dongle" but downloaded and tried your software even though I already SAT PC32 doing a great job. I wanted to see if I could use it for a demonstrations at Radio clubs and rallies in this part of the world. Editing out an correcting my QTH locator and of course updating the keps it worked fine with its many features and information and live graph of the satellite and also the important factor of "doppler shift". It would prove very useful to the many ( including recently ) are asking about tracking the satellites and do not seem to appreciate the need to use a corrected frequency. I will also give it a mention on the Amsat-UK 80 metre net which we hold every Sunday morning at 10.00 hrs local time - We operate +/- 3.780 Mhz. Thanks again and good luck to you and your projects. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat-UK Amsat NA

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Re: SATCONTROL_FCD
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Hi Mike, Many thanks to you once again for a very useful and valuable satellite software tool .Your time and efforts in producing all of your software is very much appreciated. I have not yet been able to obtain the "FUNcube -Dongle" but downloaded and tried your software even though I already SAT PC32 doing a great job. I wanted to see if I could use it for a demonstrations at Radio clubs and rallies in this part of the world. Editing out an correcting my QTH locator and of course updating the keps it worked fine with its many features and information and live graph of the satellite and also the important factor of "doppler shift". It would prove very useful to the many ( including recently ) are asking about tracking the satellites and do not seem to appreciate the need to use a corrected frequency. I will also give it a mention on the Amsat-UK 80 metre net which we hold every Sunday morning at 10.00 hrs local time - We operate +/- 3.780 Mhz. Thanks again and good luck to you and your projects. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat-UK Amsat NA

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Looking for activity where there is little.
by Tom Schuessler 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

Hello all, With all the rumblings about excessive, rude and uncivil activity, especially on AO-51, there are passes from both SSB and FM satellites that go completely unused. For the last few nights, I have drug out in the late evening to attempt to make a few QSO's on SO-50. On both nights, last evening was a 05:51 AOS 1-15-2011, I could hear the satellite via an occasional retransmitted carrier, but there was no one else on. Tonight in North Texas I have a great 70 degree pass at 04:38 AOS and would encourage others to give it a shot, especially if you are newer to the FM birds. SO-50 is available 24/7 but pass times vary due to the nature of it's orbit. It can be a bit challenging in different ways compared to other sats. First it is relatively low power, 250mw. Second, it does require a PL and I even forgot that it requires a different PL to activate than to just use so I will have to try that tonight. (Perhaps that was the issue for me last night, I will check my memories). Also it does seem to me that it does downlink about 5Kc below published frequencies. SO-50 does seem to need a bit more switching of the polarization, (For me and my arrow, that means quit a bit of spinning), to hear and get in. Additionally, it is not a bent pipe, retransmitting noise even if it hears nothing like AO-51 does so manual aiming is trickey if you do not hear anything coming down. All in all though SO-50 is a good bird to work and it would be nice to see some activity on it during the odd hour passes. I will hopefully see some of you on for the 04:3x Z pass Jan 16. 73 de N5HYP Tom Schuessler 2713 Lake Gardens Drive Irving, Texas 75060 972-986-7456 214-403-1464 (Cell) n5hyp(a)arrl.net

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FS: Kenwood TM-V7A 2m/70cm transceiver
by John Geiger 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

I have for sale a Kenwood TM-7A 2m/70cm dualband, dual receive FM transceiver. The dual receive capability makes it work very nicely for FM satellite use. It also has a built in duplexer so you can run a dualband antenna with it into the single SO239 on the rear. It does 45 watts on 2m and 35 watts on 70cm, has PL tones built in, alphanumeric lables for the memory channels, and has 4 hypermemories for returning to a specific configuration at the push of a button. It comes with the mic, power cord, mobile bracket, and original box. It does not have the manual with it but you can find those on line. The display works fine on it. There is one line that appears from time to time on the display but it doesn't interfere with anything. I am asking $225 plus any shipping that is necessary for this rig. I can take paypal/check/MO and am always willing to entertain trades of other ham equipment. 73s John AA5JG

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VUCC & LoTW
by Ted 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

FYI.from LoTW site: "Jan 13, 2011: VUCC award support is now live -- Under the Awards tab you will find a VUCC button. The VUCC <http://www.arrl.org/vucc> is ARRL's award recognizing VHF, UHF, and SHF work and counts Maidenhead grid squares." Is this a good thing or ??? do we need to set up anything different in an HRD Logbook to make this work ?? questions, questions.. 73, Ted K7TRK

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Re: HO68 1706z Pass???
by K5VGU Duane Vigue 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

0152Z - Beacon heard in EM62wm...but in LSB mode, not CW mode. I was tuning on my TH-F6A and could not hear it on the published frequency, but when I went into LSB mode, I had to chase it. Being new to satellites, I am wondering...does mode matter in this regard??? 73. Duane, K5VGU ____________________________________________________________ Globe Life Insurance $1* Buys $50,000 Life Insurance. Adults or Children. No Medical Exam. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3231/4d32511e9d2f5b302b9st04duc

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Re: HO68 1706z Pass???
by Joseph Holman 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

I have a pass in about one hour now from near Seattle. Since, I've never used HO-68, is the beacon: Downlink 435.7900 MHz CW ?? Btw, how does the typical beacon signal compare to the typical transponder signal folks have? Is it louder or same? Thanks, Joe, AD7D. -----Original Message----- From: Mark L. Hammond [mailto:marklhammond@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 4:55 PM To: Joseph Holman; Zachary Beougher; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: HO68 1706z Pass??? Allan's post the other day effectively said, 'beacon only until further notice--if you don't hear it please report it!' I think we saw some reports that the beacon was NOT heard... "We weren't expecting the transponder, but we didn't hear the beacon either. Glenn AA5PK " I suspect they will appreciate reports to the Oscar Status page, too!! It is really helpful to command stations... 73! Mark N8MH At 12:47 AM 1/16/2011 +0000, Joseph Holman wrote: >So, is only the beacon on current on HO68? > >Joe, AD7D. > >-----Original Message----- >From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Zachary Beougher >Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 10:51 AM >To: Mark L. Hammond; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HO68 1706z Pass??? > >No, I was listening to the repeater. I misunderstood Alan's email >yesterday. I thought the repeater was back on. > >Zack >KD8KSN > >-----Original Message----- >From: Mark L. Hammond >Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 12:33 PM >To: Zachary Beougher >Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HO68 1706z Pass??? > >I think CW beacon only---is that what you listened for?? > > >At 12:14 PM 1/15/2011 -0500, you wrote: >>I did not hear HO68 a few minutes ago when I went out for the 1706z pass Â >>can anyone confirm that? I have had some station issues lately, so maybe >>the issue is on my end. From what I understood in AlanÃ¢€™s email >>yesterday, HO68 w8 was back in operation. Zack KD8KSN >>_______________________________________________ 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 > > >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

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Re: HO68 1706z Pass???
by Zachary Beougher 16 Jan '11

16 Jan '11

No, I was listening to the repeater. I misunderstood Alan's email yesterday. I thought the repeater was back on. Zack KD8KSN -----Original Message----- From: Mark L. Hammond Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 12:33 PM To: Zachary Beougher Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HO68 1706z Pass??? I think CW beacon only---is that what you listened for?? At 12:14 PM 1/15/2011 -0500, you wrote: >I did not hear HO68 a few minutes ago when I went out for the 1706z pass >can anyone confirm that? I have had some station issues lately, so maybe >the issue is on my end. From what I understood in Alanâ€™s email >yesterday, HO68 was back in operation. Zack KD8KSN >_______________________________________________ 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 Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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SO67 Schedule for Europe
by Hans 15 Jan '11

15 Jan '11

Hi all The SO67 Schedule for Europe is available on www.amsatsa.org.za <http://www.amsatsa.org.za/> 73 Hans

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HO68 1706z Pass???
by Zachary Beougher 15 Jan '11

15 Jan '11

I did not hear HO68 a few minutes ago when I went out for the 1706z pass – can anyone confirm that? I have had some station issues lately, so maybe the issue is on my end. From what I understood in Alan’s email yesterday, HO68 was back in operation. Zack KD8KSN

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Cause Of Galaxy 15 Satellite Malfunction Identified
by B J 15 Jan '11

15 Jan '11

http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1101/14galaxy15/ http://satellite.tmcnet.com/topics/satellite/articles/134564-intelsat-galax… http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/01/14/intelsat-galaxy-15-returns-to-ser… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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