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

I thought that you would be interested in this
by g7hia＠amsat.org 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

Hello, John Heath sent you this page from the L-com website. To view, simply follow this link or copy and paste the URL into the address field in your browser. USB Extender - W01-EXT-USB-50 http://www.l-com.com/item.aspx?id=10560 Hi, FUNcube dongle mounted remotley. A possible solution from L-Com. 160 feet+ 73 John G7HIA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ L-com Global Connectivity 45 Beechwood Drive North Andover, MA 01845 www.L-com.com E-mail: sales(a)L-com.com Phone: 1-800-341-5266 Fax: 1-978-689-9484

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HO-68 comments.
by John Hackett 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

Once again, I note the whinging about HO-68's orbit not being suitable for a particular station ... or two. I'd like to remind the gentlemen concerned that HO-68's on time is NOT designed to favour one particular area. Please remember, it's a Chinese satellite and we should abide by and respect their decision of when to activate the transponder. For my own use,the HO-68 late afternoon GMT 'on' times are optimum. Conversly, I 'could' complain about the ISS orbit - (but I don't) -only 'seeing it at max 6 degrees for 90 seconds every 2 days - (read: unworkable from my QTH), dirro SO-50, AO-27 and VO-52. What may be poor for one operator could be optimum for another. Please remember, the world consists of more than The United States Of America and Southern Europe. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Mix W
by jerry 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

Trevor M5AKA I use MixW to recieve packet from Fastrac .1200bps. Often , I hear the signal , but it doesn't print . Tonight I had a 57 Degree pass and copied very well. Jerry WB5LHD

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Need Advice for SDR choice
by Andrew Rich 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

Hello I need some advice. I would like to purchase a Software Defined Radio I would like to be able to do 1. Around 50 MHz to 2.400 GHz 2. USB LSB CW FM WFM / RAW ? 3. I would like to be able to decode AX25 packet (ISS) I also have another project of decoding Mode S aircraft signals. I have Windows XP / MAC OS X / Linux OpenSUSE. What are my decoding options for the SDR ? I can build packages etc in LINUX - Andrew VK4TEC -

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Keeping Track of HO-68 et. al.
by John Papay 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

I thought this might be helpful to those trying to determine when HO-68 is workable from your qth. Every week on Sunday I use the program WinAOS in the Programs Menu of SatPC32 to generate a list of visible passes for all satellites that I operate. I set the date for each day, starting at 0000 UTC. I set the duration for just one day. The printer font is set so one day fits on one page. I repeat this for each day of the week. When I'm done I have a piece of paper for each day of the week showing the satellites and the times/elevation/azimuth for LOS/AOS. Then I go through the list and underline certain passes I want to be on. If there's an expedition, I mark the passes that seem optimum. When the HO-68 schedule comes out, it is a simple matter to run down through the times and match them up with the passes on my visible list printout. I mark if it is linear or FM and make any notes as to what might be on a particular pass. The pass times are fairly consistent so you know right away which ones will be on for your area. There is usually one morning pass and two afternoon passes for EN91. WinAOS is just one of the many nice features of SatPC32. WinListen will allow you to determine if there is a mutual window between two locations. This is the way you get a contact with that distant station. Determine the mutual windows and send them an email to hopefully arrange a schedule. SatPC32 is sold by AMSAT and helps support the organization. DK1TB is the author and donated the program to AMSAT. He provides updates and excellent technical support. The program can run for weeks unattended and never crash. This and the other programs like WinAOS and WinListen are great reasons to be using it at your station. 73, John K8YSE

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Receiving Packet using MixW?
by Trevor . 05 Jan '11

05 Jan '11

Hi, I'm trying to receive 1200bps FM packet using the MixW program but am unable to get it to decode anything. If anyone has had success with this program or can point me to an idiots guide to setting it up please contact me off-list. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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An explanation of the word whinging - from an Englishman's perspective.
by john hackett 04 Jan '11

04 Jan '11

Sir, Herewith, an explanation of the term whinging ... Some dictionaries give the definition of whinging as complaining while others derine it as complaining in a continual whining manner ... the keyword being 'continual'. The colloquial 'Manchester' definition of whinging is a repetitive comment - as has been noted several times on various reflectors --- (ergo - 'continual'). One particular station stated he resented being referred to as a whinger ... No offence was intended on my part but if offence was inadvertantly taken, I sincerely apologise. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> NB. Despite the LA callsign, I am! a Limey from Manchester so perhaps I should have chosen my words a little more carefully, again ... no offence was intended.

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Re: first 1000 QSOs
by Loren 04 Jan '11

04 Jan '11

just a test of Reply function

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Satellite Presentation at Murray State University, KY
by Clint Bradford 04 Jan '11

04 Jan '11

AMSAT area coordinator Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will be presenting his "Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT" session at the February 1, 2011 meeting of the Murray State University Amateur Radio Club. ALL are welcome to attend. "MSUARC has been serving their region for fifty years," writes Clint. "I am really looking forward to meeting the group!" (Wait a sec - isn't Clint in California? What is he doing in Kentucky? Too many frequent flier miles?) Clint's out in Southern California - but has prepared a custom slideshow for MSUARC, which will be displayed as Skype handles the session's audio. "I'd much rather be there in person - but this arrangement has worked quite successfully in the past. We'll have a great time!" Attendees should visit Clint's Web site ahead of time at ... http://www.work-sat.com ... and download the four-page .pdf tutorial. And he welcomes pre- presentation questions - call him at 909-241-7666 (cell) or send email to clint(a)clintbradford.com . /end/

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K5VGUs Portable EM67 Results
by K5VGU Duane Vigue 04 Jan '11

04 Jan '11

Just a small note to say a BIG thanks for all the contacts while I was on vacation (working portable) in Kentucky for Christmas. I had a good time and the bad weather held off until Christmas - we had a white Christmas on top of it all. I was able to work 5 passes on AO-27 and SO-50 combined ( four on 12/23 and 1 on 12/25 ) and successfully made 27 contacts. The pass on 12/25 was straight TH-F6A HT and its Diamond SRH77CA antenna. The others were worked via my "replica" arrow and mobile rigs in my truck. Thanks to all operators that QSOd with me...I had a blast, as usual! I have started sending out QSL cards for these contacts, so, IF you need EM67, please email me the details of our QSO so that I can be sure not to leave you out. Already have N8RO, AA5CK, and KE4KOL on my list. Finally, I did NOT make it to EM68 this trip, but will be in EM67 several times throughout the year, so I anticipate getting to EM68 at some point. I will provide details when the time comes. THANKS AGAIN TO ALL. See you on the birds. 73 de K5VGU ____________________________________________________________ Globe Life Insurance $1* Buys $50,000 Life Insurance. Adults or Children. No Medical Exam. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3231/4d235e27c69a2a27720st01duc

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