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

Satellite Demo MSU-TI Dec 20
by Mark Spencer 11 Dec '11

11 Dec '11

I will be conducting an ARRL Teachers Institute at Mississippi State University from December 19-22. The afternoon of Dec 20 (with the 21st as a backup) I will be covering using space-borne systems in the classroom. A major part of that unit is demonstrating ham satellite contacts, and I could use your help. If you could give a listen for us on the AO27 pass that (I think.I'll confirm once I am at the location and test things out) will go over EM42 on Dec 20th at around 1435 EST and give a shout-out to the teachers. I will be using the call W1AW/5 for the pass. If you'd like a QSL for the contact, send an e-mail to me and I'll make sure you get one. If you would like to see what else is covered during the Teachers Institute, check it out at: http://www.arrl.org/teachers-institute-on-wireless-technology. The satellite demonstrations are always an eye-opening experience for the teachers, and the TI demonstrations would not be possible without your support and patience. TNX and 73, Mark Mark Spencer, WA8SME Education and Technology Program Director ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioTM 43 Pinelock Dr. Gales Ferry, CT 06335 860-381-5335 860-460-1139 (cell) mspencer(a)arrl.org

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FAST1 Status?
by Carl Rimmer W8KRF 11 Dec '11

11 Dec '11

Has there been a change to FAST1 since Thursday? During two passes on Thursday, I was able to digipeat through it using AGWPE (set to 1k2), UISS, and SatPC. I have included a portion of my log below. Both yesterday (12/10) and this morning (12/11) I was not able to digi through it although I was receiving the beacon. ---------------------------------------------------------------- [UISS Auto-Log date - Mode: Only Digipeated Packets - 12/8/2011] ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1:Fm K8TL To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=18 >[01:09:06] CQ V FAST1,EM89CV 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=53 >[01:09:14] :K8TL :Hi UR 59 from Carl in Cleveland OH EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[01:09:51] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=57 >[01:09:55] =4127.04N/08148.18W`Carl in Cleveland, OH EN91ck {UISS52} 1:Fm K8TL To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=18 >[01:10:06] CQ V FAST1,EM89CV 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[01:11:28] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=59 >[01:11:57] 73 All until another pass from Carl in Cleveland, OH EN91ck ---------------------------------------------------- [UISS Auto-Log date - Mode: All Packets - 12/8/2011] ---------------------------------------------------- 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1 <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[02:43:31] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[02:43:33] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1 <UI pid=F0 Len=57 >[02:43:42] =4127.04N/08148.18W`Carl in Cleveland, OH EN91ck {UISS52} 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=57 >[02:43:44] =4127.04N/08148.18W`Carl in Cleveland, OH EN91ck {UISS52} 1:Fm FAST1 To BEACON <UI pid=F0 Len=123 >[02:44:00] F11G0GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG212006289 026 019 018 020 027 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1 <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[02:44:04] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[02:44:06] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm KO6TZ To W8KRF-6 Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=26 >[02:44:17] DM13rw via FO-69 Sara Lily 1:Fm KO6TZ To W8KRF-6 Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=26 >[02:44:21] DM13rw via FO-69 Sara Lily 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1 <UI pid=F0 Len=53 >[02:44:28] :KO6TZ :Hi UR 59 from Carl in Cleveland OH EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=53 >[02:44:30] :KO6TZ :Hi UR 59 from Carl in Cleveland OH EN91ck 1:Fm WB5LHD To WB5LHD Via FAST1* <DISC P>[02:44:42] 1:Fm FAST1 To BEACON <UI pid=F0 Len=123 >[02:45:00] F11G0GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG211006286 026 019 018 020 027 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To KO6TZ Via FAST1 <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[02:45:11] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To KO6TZ Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[02:45:13] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm FAST1 To BEACON <UI pid=F0 Len=123 >[02:46:00] F11G0GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG210105286 026 019 018 020 027 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1 <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[02:46:13] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck 1:Fm W8KRF-6 To BEACON Via FAST1* <UI pid=F0 Len=51 >[02:46:15] Hello to All from Carl in Cleveland, OH USA EN91ck In the above log, FAST1* indicates I was digipeated. I also did receive digipeated beacons from other stations (KO6TZ, WB5LHD, K8TL). What are others experiencing? -- *Carl W8KRF*

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NASA Images of Sun
by Clint Bradford 11 Dec '11

11 Dec '11

Incredible ... NASA's latest stunning images of sun - http://cnet.co/vUWiwS Clint Bradford

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AO-27 scheduler data file error
by George Henry 10 Dec '11

10 Dec '11

There was a typo in the Topr.txt file as received from the AO-27 control team: the second line of the file, which defines the transponder "on" period, should read 420, not 240. You can edit the file yourself with your favorite text editor, or download a corrected version of the file from the scheduler website, http://sites.google.com/site/ao27satellitescheduler. Still no word on when the official AO-27 website will be back up. George, KA3HSW

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Re: 9 cubesats on board Vega
by Andy Kellner 10 Dec '11

10 Dec '11

Well my point exactly. Somebody a while back jokingly put the concept out to tape 2 woxoun ht's together, mount 2 antennas on some solar panels and throw the thing out the window ... I mean just think about it for a second: : take a 2 U cubesat frame, put the guts of 2 HT's in there, together with a battery and some charging electronics, mount antennas and of you go ? Do we really _need_ remote command capability ? Or telemetry and all the software ? Onboard scheduling ? Or would a simple homebrew-repeater-in-space do ? I think the only intelligence you really need is in the battery charger. Ok, it might become unpredictable if and when the thing is switched on, based on low battery levels .. so what ? If its there I work it, otherwise I wait for the next pass. Just make sure it is smart enough to bridge batteries with a short. I mean the concepts of Fox & friends and great. But I think we are at the 'less is more' point. I think many of us would prefer a simple-and-dirty fm repeating sat which is actually flying, rather then all the great plans and concepts which take years and many many dollars to complete. ARISSAT was great, that the antenna was missing not our fault. Cant we put another ARISSAT in cubesat format together rather quickly, instead of re-inventing the wheel over and over again ? Its a bit like letting a kid starve to death because you don't have the resources to cook a gourmet meal. Guess what, a simple ham-and-cheese sandwich will do. Andreas - VK4HHH ________________________________ From: Thomas Doyle <tomdoyle1948(a)gmail.com> To: Andy Kellner <hawat1(a)yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, 9 December 2011 1:25 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] 9 cubesats on board Vega How many cubesats does the Amateur Radio community have ready for launch - not talking, planning or thinking about about building but actually ready to go ? 73 W9KE tom ... On Thu, Dec 8, 2011 at 8:28 AM, Andy Kellner <hawat1(a)yahoo.com> wrote: I'll be darned. 9 (nine!) cubesats on board of this launch vehicle and the whole world wide amateur radio community has major problems finding somebody to launch 1 every 5 years ? >Whats wrong with this picture ? I would like to find out why ESA for example has no problems launching the cubesats by the dozend (for free i bet you), >but refuse to carry just one for us. Does somebody has ESA's email address ? :) Is it really all about the educational aspect of things ? We can use that sales pitch, too. > > >Andreas - VK4HHH > > > >________________________________ > From: Trevor . <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Sent: Thursday, 8 December 2011 9:56 PM >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LARES To Test Einstein's Theory > >--- On Thu, 8/12/11, Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> wrote: >> can't we squeeze a little bird in there? > >They'll be some CubeSat's on the launch I believe going into a 1500 by 300 km orbit see > >http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Education/SEM3N03MDAF_0.html > >73 Trevor M5AKA > > >_______________________________________________ >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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > -- Sent from my computer. tom ...

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FAST1
by Kevin Deane 10 Dec '11

10 Dec '11

Sorry I meant the Stations Heard via ISS I know about logging in to the Maildrop. Did not get in on the pass I mentioned before, but I did hear some packets. Did not come through on my screen anyway. Can we get another clarifacation on the path? FAST1 or FAST-1? I saw KO6TH was trying and K8TL did get into the Maildrop and said also that he saw some unproto go through. I think it is almost as fun as voice when it is working good. Kevin KF7MYK

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FAST1
by Kevin Deane 10 Dec '11

10 Dec '11

"the team has decided to open up FASTRAC-1 to the amateur radio community with the hope as more people use it to digipeat through the satellite, the battery levels will diminish and cause a hard reset of the microcontrollers on board." So the only reason we get to use it is to wear down the batteries in hopes of a hard reset. Then what they turn the digipeater back off? Well at least we get to have some fun, I heard it last pass and will try this next one if I can get the split in my radio in time. I dont suppose there will be a message board like the ISS? Kevin KF7MYK

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Re: SatPS32 off screen window
by andrew abken 10 Dec '11

10 Dec '11

>Has anyone had a SatPC32 problem where the program opens in a window off >screen. I'm stuck here and none of the standard window fixes to bring the >window back onscreen I goggled up work. I need to know where SatPC32 stores >it's startup window information, somehow it must of got clobbered. I'm >running XP... I have the same question ;) Andy

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Orbitron Help thanks
by John Heath 10 Dec '11

10 Dec '11

Orbitron Help Thanks to those who replied. Now that I know how to pause the Orbitron simulation I can get on with the orbital decay project I am working on. I just love it when members of this bb are so helpful. Its what its all about. 73 John G7HIA

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Fast1
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 10 Dec '11

10 Dec '11

Has anyone had any positive results?? I have beaconed with 1200 and 9600, nothing. After the 0330Z pass did copy RS0ISS on the same frequency pair, boy was my element set off!! Happy Holidays Tom K8TL

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