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

Re: SASI Satellite Tracker Software
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 11 Jan '11

11 Jan '11

At 04:48 PM 1/10/2011 -0500, wb2llp(a)optonline.net wrote: >Vince, > >Is there further information, and possibily the code available for SASI? >Now we have to resurrect FODTRACK. > >73 de WB2LLP All I know is IntantTrack worked with the Kansas city Tracker and the TSR for SASI uses that to communicate, but through the parallel port. Someone here must know the KC tracker protocol. Not sure about how the TSR communicates with the SASI hardware, and I've never looked inside it. Probably a couple of memory locations to store the AZ & EL locations from an A to D converter, and some way to send commands to control left right up & down. KB7ADL

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SAT Protocol
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 11 Jan '11

11 Jan '11

WHY NOT TELL THE BAD OPERATOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING WRONG MEMTOR THEM , TEACH THEM HOW TO OPERATE. EVERYONE IS RUNNING AROUND THE PROBLEM. TELLEM HOW TO ........ The 1000 and 5000 contact thing is a big part of the problem. Maybe the AMSAT floks need to address it first ! I have made calls to stations that I needed for a new grid contact only to hear someone jump on and call someone for another THANKS FOR THE CONTACT. That sucks and is a problem. We can work SSB birds and should but the FM birds is where we need to clean up. Its our job to tell the bad op, so lets start telling them PLEASE no more comments on the subject TAKE ACTION send them an email or send them a note in the mail and be nice about it. WA4HFN

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Humor or is it
by Howard Kowall 11 Jan '11

11 Jan '11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7kirdtdI1c Just a little Vid I cam across concerning ham radio is it humor or not Howard VE4ISP

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Mode-S uplinks
by Edward R. Cole 11 Jan '11

11 Jan '11

In the process of re-building my wind-damaged satellite antenna array and got thinking about the mode-S sats. I will be installing a 8dBic (RHCP) patch antenna (bought from L-Com) and have two different Drake downconverters to chose from depending on what the uplink band is. I am guessing that AO-51 is the only S-band sat available, currently. I have 435 and 123 MHz IF's for S-band converters depending on whether the uplink is VHF or UHF, respectively. So the question is whether mode-US or mode-VS is the norm on AO-51. I can install both downconverters with a coax switch and run two IF coax lines, but it would be simpler to have only one. Especially, since installation is at a current +3F temperature. I am installing a downsized array from what I had up: using 2/3 of my 436CP42 which I call my "436CP26", a M2-2m7 yagi, and the patch. I am not re-installing the 33-inch S-band dish or the 1268 loop-yagi this winter. The dish was probably what caused the support mast to bend over (65mph winds get some credit). 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 144-1.4kw*, 432-100w*, 1296-testing*, 3400-winter? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ====================================== *temp not in service

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Sat protocol
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 11 Jan '11

11 Jan '11

Maybe now would be a good time for someone to write an artical for QST on how to work the birds! Perhaps send an email to the new satellite ops explaining to them proper way ( BE A MENTOR ) Something needs to be done thats for sure WA4HFN Damon em55

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FS Kuhne 23Cm 0.7 dB, 35 dB gain preamp
by David A. B. Johnson 11 Jan '11

11 Jan '11

Hi, Never been used. MKU LNA 232 A2 Selective preamplifier, NF typ. 0.7 dB, Gain >35 dB, incl. 23cm notch (1250 MHz notch) N-Type connectors Please contact off-line for details. 73 - Dave, G4DPZ

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GO-32
by jerry 11 Jan '11

11 Jan '11

Thanks Mike ( DK3WN ) Recieved this this afternoon . I think I can safetly say it is GO-32 . Guess I need the software to decode it when it comes over .My station is not much , surprised I get this much . I use UISS set at 9600bps to capture the signal . Thanks again . Jerry WB5LHD GO-32-------01/10/2011 Fm VLK-12 To -11 <I R0 S0 pid=0 [DAMA] [EAX25]>[17:56:59]

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Re: WB2OQQ @ HAM RADIO UNIVERSITY TOMORROW
by Peter Portanova 11 Jan '11

11 Jan '11

Mark, I too am glad we connected today on HRU's W2V special event call, exchanging grids with you could not have been planned any better. I had 65 "satellite students" in my presentation today and 17 braved the 22 degree wind chill for the passes. I then explained to them who N8MH is and just happened to bring with me some of your detailed and educational details, of the last few days, on how you and the other command team members are managing AO-51 during the eclipses, they were thrilled with that information. and now want your autograph! Thank you Mark for helping me make my time at HRU good for AMSAT! 73- Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com http://www.qrz.com/db/WB2OQQ?

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Re: satellite protocol and HO-68
by Tom Schuessler 10 Jan '11

10 Jan '11

Hello all, Been doing the FM satellite passes now for 7 months and have been reading the thread on satellite operating protocol that has been making the rounds the last day with interest. I have a thought worth mulling over I think, especially as we attempt to attract more hams to our niche of the hobby. My comment about satellite protocol has to do with how HO-68 is used when in the FM/PACSAT mode. The power level competition between the FM folks and the packet folks make for a very challenging environment for most operators, especially the handheld guys like me. The packet folks have a right as do the FM folks and I am sure there is as much frustration amongst Packet satellite operators as is experienced by the average FMer. If I had the resources to do SSB/CW I would gladly be using that mode when it comes around on HO-68 but that is not in the financial game plan for now. Don't get me wrong, I am much appreciative of the China AMSAT folks for championing a very serviceable bird for all to use. I just wonder, especially for us in NA, if we could work out some sort of gentlemen's agreement that would help mitigate some of the competition on FM/PACSAT weeks. Maybe since CA AMSAT seems to in general work a week of SSB and then a week of FM, we could work it so that in a given month, the first weeks non SSB passes would be strictly FM voice and then the second non-SSB week would be purely Packet. This would take some definite spreading of the word through this and other media and would also take some level of discipline by the two sides to maintain the lines of demarcation. Such an effort though would probably go a long way to make an "Easysat" much more enjoyable for all. What you all think? Tom Schuessler 2713 Lake Gardens Drive Irving, Texas 75060 972-986-7456 214-403-1464 (Cell) n5hyp(a)arrl.net

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AO-51
by Carl Rimmer 10 Jan '11

10 Jan '11

I have to agree with the others regarding the mis-use of AO-51. I don't get on there every pass but the other day was ridiculous. I thought it was CH19. There is absolutely no respect. Another gripe I have are those who work every pass and contact the same people each pass. That makes it very crowded. I would suggest listening for new calls and grid squares. As the satellites get more and more publicity, new people will be coming on board. Perhaps there operating skills are not as good as yours, but they have a right to make contacts. Check your log books and if you have worked someone, give another person a chance to work them. There were several new calls for me the other day but it was so bad that I just shut it down. Is ham radio joining the ranks of the general populous and losing our civility? It sure seems like it. 73, W8KRF

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