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

Re: DO-64 Successor Delfi-n3xt
by Trevor . 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

Yes DNEPR launch in September is certainly good news. The IARU coodination page says the 145/435 frequencies are the same as DO-64 with the addition of 2401.500 MHz. http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=138 The launch announcement said: On Monday 31st of October, TU Delft has signed a launch contract with Innovative Solutions in Space-ISIS BV for the launch of Delfi-n3Xt. Delfi-n3Xt is now planned for a launch in September 2012 with a the Russian Dnepr launch vehicle. This means that the countdown to launch for Delfi-n3Xt has started. The last two months of 2011 will be dedicated to making a fully functional engineering model of the satellite. In the first quarter of 2012, the hardware and software will be tuned an finalized. In the second quarter of 2012, system level tests will be performed. In the summer of 2012 the preparations for launch and early operations will commence. These are very exciting times for the team, partners and everybody who is and has been involved in the mission! http://www.delfispace.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=… 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: moderated list
by Jeffrey Koehler 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

Yup. This name calling and finger pointing is getting ridiculous. WB2SYK Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

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I STILL have a question!
by K4FEG 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

With all that has been said here since the "expected" death of AO-51 I want to KNOW what I can do to help move towards whichever, next satellite that can be got into space. I don't care about the delivery vehicle , whether or not it is a cube, sphere, pyramid or in the shape of a Volkswagen Beetle. I am interested in a satellite that can be used by amateurs to "communicate" I have my personal preferences as to what type of satellite I would prefer but *_at this point I don't care what type of satellite it is. _* _*I know how to adapt to what ever mode it operates on. *_ _*I just want to know WHAT TO SUPPORT AND HOW TO SUPPORT IT!*_ all I have heard ,"stop the attacks, do this do that" I still don't have a clear picture of what is the closest to being ready and what we need to do to facilitate it's completion.I can't support it if the "powers to be" won't tell us what is needed. Information is power and I don't have any information on what direction we need to head. that's my opinion! *_Lead, follow or get out of the way!_* Frank K4FEG

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cubsats
by Nick Pugh 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

KO4MA writes In the long term view, inclusion and support of cubesats into our community will benefit all the AMSATs more than derision and ridicule has to this point. Several cubes have attempted or will attempt to support amateur two-way packages, i.e. DO-64, CO-65, PWsat, FunCube, UKube, Fox. Let's encourage that, and stop with the self-centered view of the service. Most curse the darkness Some light a candle Go Drew Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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Re: Cubesats
by charlie Cantrill 09 Dec '11

09 Dec '11

I too attended the Hackerspace workshop and was surprised to see the attendees. NASA, Universities, Hams, Students, enthusiasts, and a private satellite company (don't remember which one). Better get on board the Cubesat train or get left behind. Bob's mantra is "better to have something ready to fly that works than wait for the perfect satellite on the perfect mission." I was proud when Bob touted the value of the Ham community and how their resources/guidance can be utilized and when he recognized the value of simple can be better. I teach High School students that are interested in Ham radio and space communications and collaborate with University folks in Kentucky. They want to work with the Ham community and want to learn, but aren't interested in chasing grid squares. They want to find out things such as if their antenna deployment system works in space, if their communication system works, etc, etc. Most are intimidated and driven away by the voice exchanges on the birds, some are interested, but most are tinkerers like ourselves. I would encourage AMSAT members to work with the Universities and K-12 students as they are good folks with good intentions. Make a good impression though because they don't need us to fly their birds, but certainly could use help and guidance. Just keep in mind many are students and are still learning as such, so be patient with them. :-) It may take you some time to gain their trust, but once you do, you may be surprised at how much they will work with you and how you will be revered by them. Charlie KI4RDT

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KD8KSN/P EN75 Friday Possible
by Zachary Beougher 08 Dec '11

08 Dec '11

Hi All, Thanks for the QSOs today during our trip to EN75. We are on a brief family getaway and we are staying at a cabin right on the shores of Lake Huron (or as I said early this morning on SO50, “we are on the lake of shores Huron”). It is very cold, windy, and a little snowy right now, so I am uncertain about what passes I will be on. I got off of SO50 a bit ago around 2200z, and I apologize for those that were calling when I disappeared. I was shooting through trees and I completely lost the downlink all of the sudden. I am planning to work from this grid again tomorrow morning on SO50, and hopefully tomorrow afternoon on AO27 and SO50. If you need EN75 those will be the best times to look for me. Do keep in mind that these are only *possibilities* as I brought the equipment along as a secondary activity. We will be returning home Saturday. I will say that this trip has not provided as many operating opportunities since AO51 is down. Portable operators are really going to miss this bird since AO27 and SO50 are the main players now, but at least we do have those two. As a side note, if KD8BIN is on this reflector, please email me off list. 73! Zack KD8KSN EN75vp Cheboygan MI

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AO-7 V/A Transponder (Mode A)
by Rsoifer＠aol.com 08 Dec '11

08 Dec '11

Operational linear transponder satellites have dwindled to only two: VO-52 and AO-7. The latter, now 37 years old, spends approximately half its operating time on the V/A transponder, or what we used to call Mode A: 145.85-145.95 MHz uplink, 29.4-29.5 MHz downlink. Unfortunately, activiity on the V/A transponder is quite low compared with what it was in the 1970s. Today, as then, much of this problem can be attributed to the V/A transponder's relatively weak downlink signal. In the 1970s, however, many users were able to solve this problem and work DX through this transponder out to nearly 8,000 km. How did they do it? As one of those 1970s users, I'll tell you: low-noise preamplifiers and good 10-meter antennas. In 2011, most modern radios have enough sensitivity that an external 29 MHz preamplifier should not be required. That leaves the antenna. Most satellite users wouldn't think of operating Mode U/V without good antennas. The 29 MHz band is no different. As any successful 1970s Mode A user can attest, a good 10-meter beam is by far the best choice. For best results, it should be pointed at the horizon, not elevated. Why? For most users at temperate zone latitudes, AO-7's elevation angle will be 10 degrees or less about half the time it is in range, and 30 degrees or more only about 10% of the time. During that 10%, the inverse-square law of distance will keep signals strong despite AO-7 being outside the beam's major lobe.. As in HF operation, the beam should be mounted as high above ground as possible. My friend Ben, W2BXA (now SK), with his beam at 20 meters, was able[ to work stations up to 300 km farther away than I could with mine at only 10 meters. That is a large part of the reason why Ben held Satellite DXCC No. 1 while mine is No. 13. If you cannot put up a beam, a rotary dipole is perhaps the next best choice, again mounted as high as possible. If you cannot do that either, try a ground plane antenna, mounted so as to be clear of all obstructions. No matter what your specific circumstances, put up the best 10-meter antenna you can. Let's use and enjoy BOTH transponders of AO-7! 73 Ray W2RS

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cube sats and turn signals
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 08 Dec '11

08 Dec '11

Cube sats are about as worthless to the ham op as turn signals are on our cars, who uses them. How much can be learned from them that hasnt already been done. Why cant the schools all get together and use the info from all the ones in the past or did they really learn anything. beep beep beep

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HudsonValleySatcomGroupNet12/08@8pmeastern
by cotejaune2＠aol.com 08 Dec '11

08 Dec '11

We are back tonight at 8pm eastern on Echolink N2EYH-L and MtBeacon repeater 146.970pl100.Please join us for the net

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Cubesats
by Howie DeFelice 08 Dec '11

08 Dec '11

I recently attended the HackerSPACE conference in Kentucky hosted by Prof. Bob Twiggs. I too was a Cubesat non-believer but after attending the conference I came away with a new perspective. Universities are not given "gift certificates" for free launches, they must compete for them with their sponsor (a.k.a. the guy that is paying for the launch) in the same manner that AMSAT has recently submitted a proposal. These proposals are evaluated and the ones that the sponsor deems best qualified are given an opportunity for launch. Since the sponsors are promoting STEM education, that's what the proposals are evaluated on. The more educational content the better the chances to fly. The good news for us is that from what I observed at the conference, universities would be very happy to have assistance in the design of their communications package. Not only do we bring years of communications experience and a world wide monitoring network but we also offer actual hardware and technical support for free. Adding state of the art communications capability to a scientific/education payload increases the chances for a launch. Everybody wins in this scenario. The problem as I see it is not technical at this point but one of marketing. We need to turn the discussion educating the educators on the benefits of working with AMSAT. Almost half of the attendees at the HackerSPACE conference had no idea who AMSAT was or what they did. We were very lucky to have Prof. Twiggs there and the folks at Kentucky Space to include amateur radio as part of the conference. If we are unhappy about what universities are flying then it's up to us to fix it by making our presence known. The AMSAT engineering team has already proved they can build either FM or linear transponders into the right size package now we need to sell the product. We all need to become sales people and try to find the leads that could be our next launch opportunity. Of course this is just my opinion, you may have a different one :) ._ . _ . Howie, AB2S

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