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

EG8ISS Special Event Station
by Ted 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

FYI. EG8, CANARY ISLANDS (Special Event). Look for special event station EG8ISS to be on the air between February 12th and March 11th, from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (AF-004, DIE S-005, WLOTA L 0969). Activity is to celebrate/ publicize the first ARISS (International Space Station) contact with one of the "Institute for Technological Development and Innovation in Communi- cations" (IDeTIC) facilities on campus. The special event station will be on the HF bands, 40-10 meters, using CW, SSB, RTTY,*PSK31* and SSTV. Also, activities are planned for VHF (2m FM local and R7 repeater) and the satellites (AO-27, SO-50, AO-51 and VO-52). There is a special QSL card designed for this event that will be automatically mailed to your QRZ.com address. Please, keep in mind that they aren't highly skilled radio operators, so be patient if there are any pileups. More info is available on the QRZ.com under EG8ISS. A Twitter page is also available at: http://twitter.com/eg8iss

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 96
by Louis McFadin 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

ARISSat in it's flight configuration does not have a provision for external power. During ground testing we have a special cable for external power that connects where the battery goes but that cable was not planned to be used on the ISS. There is the capability to remove the battery and recharge it while onboard the ISS. That should happen only once. On Feb 13, 2011, at 3:00 PM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > 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: FW: Wanted: ARISSat-1 BPSK1000 recordings (Mark L. Hammond) > 2. Re: ARISSat-1 test (Edward R. Cole) > 3. April 12 Reference (Clint Bradford) > 4. Some Question's? (Stuart Balanger) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:05:52 -0500 > From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FW: Wanted: ARISSat-1 BPSK1000 recordings > To: "Alan Cresswell" <alancresswell(a)xtra.co.nz>, amsat-bb > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: <7T5t1g00756cfur05T64nE(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Hi Alan, > > Thank you for sharing your experiences. > > Perhaps your observation "c" can be explained by the version of Excel you are using. I'm using MS Office 2010 and it sees all of the columns fine. An earlier report from a tester suggest that some older versions of Excel cannot handle all of the columns produced by the telemetry and the program. > > "c When running the test file Excel complains that data has been lost from > the CSV file because the number of columns exceeded the 256 column limit. > (Excel opens OK and all 256 columns contain data)" > > I suspect a newer version of Excel is required; maybe OpenOffice can handle it? > > 73, > > Mark N8MH > > > At 04:35 AM 2/13/2011 +0000, you wrote: >> >> >> Hi Douglas, >> >> >> >> I have some recordings but I am not sure they will be of much use. >> >> However I thought it might be useful to share my experiences with the >> telemetry. >> >> >> >> I monitored the audio downlink on the first two passes and the data downlink >> on three passes. I used the ARISSATtlm-0.47 software for decoding on the >> data passes. >> >> On the first pass I could not clearly see the CW signal on the tuning >> indicator so no decode of the CW or data. The next two pass I had good CW >> decode and could line up the CW signal OK but no decode. After the passes >> (naturally) I re-read the article in the AMSAT journal and realized the >> importance of the 48k, 16 bit sample rate. The article claims that the >> ARISSATtlm configures the sound card to these values but when I checked the >> sound card was still at my normal 44.1k sample rate. Perhaps the software >> sets it to 48k and then sets it back to its previous value but I suspect >> not. >> >> I re-sampled my recording at 48k but still no decode. I noticed also that >> the CW decode from the recording was not as good as the original so perhaps >> the recording was at fault. >> >> To test this re-sampling method I re-sampled the test wave file at 44.1k and >> confirmed that it would not decode. I then re-sampled this file at 48k and >> once again it would decode. >> >> (i.e. the re-sampling worked OK.) This again perhaps pointed to a problem >> with the quality of my recording. >> >> >> >> Some observations. >> >> a Make sure the sound card output is set to 48k/16bit. >> >> b I noticed that the live telemetry sounded quite different from the test >> wave file. The data signal was much more obvious. >> >> c When running the test file Excel complains that data has been lost from >> the CSV file because the number of columns exceeded the 256 column limit. >> (Excel opens OK and all 256 columns contain data) >> >> d I notice that when I use the 0.7 software to decode the test file, the >> software remains active until I close it. When I attempt to decode my >> recordings the software always closes itself when the file ends. >> >> >> >> 73 >> >> Alan >> >> ZL2BX >> >> >> >> _____ >> >> From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On >> Behalf Of Douglas Quagliana >> Sent: Saturday, 12 February 2011 23:59 >> To: amsat >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Wanted: ARISSat-1 BPSK1000 recordings >> >> >> >> If anyone made a recording of ARISSat-1's BPSK1000 signal (either an SDR >> recording or just a regular recording), then I'd like to get a copy. >> Please email me if you made a recording of the BPSK1000 signal. >> 73, >> Douglas KA2UPW/5 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> _____ >> >> No virus found in this message. >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com >> Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3439 - Release Date: 02/12/11 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:22:40 -0900 > From: "Edward R. Cole" <kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ARISSat-1 test > To: G0MRF(a)aol.com, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID: <201102131724.p1DHOvRs096756(a)ingra.acsalaska.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed > > There was a posting that alluded activation on April 12 but I find > nothing on the Russian site about ARISSat-1. I suppose they could > connect it to the test antenna on the ISS like they just did. > > A lot of questions about the battery condition waiting for a launch > in July. I would suppose there was a external power jack provided > for testing. Could that power ARRISSat-1 from the ISS power systems > for recharging/test transmissions? This is a question and not based > on any knowledge I have about what it has. > > July launch gives me time to restore my tracking antenna systems > after being damaged by wind in Dec. I will probably get the antennas > remounted sooner, but I still have to T/S and repair the B5400 controller. > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > > At 05:38 AM 2/13/2011, G0MRF(a)aol.com wrote: >> >> I wonder if it will sit until July? >> >> After all the Russians KEDR name reflects the upcoming anniversary of Yuri >> Gagarin's flight into space. That was 50yrs ago on 12th April. >> >> So many questions.... >> >> David >> >> >> >> In a message dated 13/02/2011 08:28:12 GMT Daylight Time, >> orbitjet(a)hotmail.com writes: >> >> Interesting comments: >> >> "During the test, RSC-Energia decided to keep the transmitter on >> until Friday morning. " >> >> Hmmm curious about a few things but... what impact this "test" has had on >> battery life, considering the vehicle now "sits" until at least July... >> >> Robert G. Oler WB5MZO life member AMSAT/ARRL soon to be NAARS and >> 5Nsomething >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > 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 > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 10:36:30 -0800 > From: Clint Bradford <clintbradford(a)mac.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] April 12 Reference > To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: <08E846DF-20AF-4966-9B83-E49F5154F98A(a)mac.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; CHARSET=US-ASCII > > Here is the "April 12" deployment reference on the Russian Federal Space Agency's Web site ... > > http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11353 > > Clint > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 14:49:02 -0500 > From: Stuart Balanger <wa2bss(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Some Question's? > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID: > <AANLkTinqEaS9JkRA6i3JyeQmhmBsAGA7=45XvcY4NJyd(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > *Hi all, > 2 auestions > 1) was wondering what "LoWT" stands for? > 2) Also, was wondering the Date & Place for this yr's"aMSAT weekend > Symposium"? Thanks,.(73,.Stu (WA2BSS) > * > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > 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 96 > ***************************************

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FTM-350AR
by Zachary Beougher 13 Feb '11

13 Feb '11

Hi All, Does anyone here know anything about the Yaesu FTM-350AR (or the 350R)? I keep gazing at it (pretty radio ;-P), but I am having a hard time finding reviews, pros/cons, etc. Maybe someone could shed some light on its APRS capabilities? I see that it is supposedly full duplex – does anyone know if it is truly full duplex? It looks like a pretty sweet radio, I just don’t understand while I can’t find anyone that knows anything about it. Any other information pertaining to it would be highly appreciated. 73! Zack KD8KSN

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ChipSats
by Clive G7SVI 13 Feb '11

13 Feb '11

Interesting article but as to whether it will happen... 'Thousands of microchip satellites could one day orbit the Earth and other planets, following an experiment on the upcoming space shuttle mission' http://www.theengineer.co.uk/sectors/aerospace/future-satellites-could-be-mi crochip-size/1007391.article Clive G7SVI

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Some Question's?
by Stuart Balanger 13 Feb '11

13 Feb '11

*Hi all, 2 auestions 1) was wondering what "LoWT" stands for? 2) Also, was wondering the Date & Place for this yr's"aMSAT weekend Symposium"? Thanks,.(73,.Stu (WA2BSS) *

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Re: ARISSat-1 test
by Trevor . 13 Feb '11

13 Feb '11

--- On Sun, 13/2/11, Rocky Jones <orbitjet(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > curious how that works with "battery" life. But there's light in the ISS, if the panels are uncovered it would recharge. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: ARISSat-1 test
by G0MRF＠aol.com 13 Feb '11

13 Feb '11

I wonder if it will sit until July? After all the Russians KEDR name reflects the upcoming anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's flight into space. That was 50yrs ago on 12th April. So many questions.... David In a message dated 13/02/2011 08:28:12 GMT Daylight Time, orbitjet(a)hotmail.com writes: Interesting comments: "During the test, RSC-Energia decided to keep the transmitter on until Friday morning. " Hmmm curious about a few things but... what impact this "test" has had on battery life, considering the vehicle now "sits" until at least July... Robert G. Oler WB5MZO life member AMSAT/ARRL soon to be NAARS and 5Nsomething

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ARISSat-1 Deployment - Russian Site
by Clint Bradford 13 Feb '11

13 Feb '11

That previous reference wasn't a joke - sorry it went to the Russian page. But here's the citation - in English: >From the Russian Federal Space Agency's Web site: FEBRUARY 12 - " ... In addition, the cosmonauts switched on small satellite Kedr to be activated on April 12, so RF-amateur station all over the world could hear the signals from space. "Kedr was developed under the RadioSkaf experiment. The satellite's name was adopted by Yu.A. Gagarin call sign in his historical flight, namely Kedr. The satellite's signal will be transmitted at radio amateur frequency of 145.95 MHz. Kedr has radio amateur call sign RS1S. "RadioSkaf is implemented in the framework of UNESCO's student space education program." Roscosmos PAO -Clint

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April 12 Reference
by Clint Bradford 13 Feb '11

13 Feb '11

Here is the "April 12" deployment reference on the Russian Federal Space Agency's Web site ... http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=11353 Clint

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FW: Wanted: ARISSat-1 BPSK1000 recordings
by Alan Cresswell 13 Feb '11

13 Feb '11

Hi Douglas, I have some recordings but I am not sure they will be of much use. However I thought it might be useful to share my experiences with the telemetry. I monitored the audio downlink on the first two passes and the data downlink on three passes. I used the ARISSATtlm-0.47 software for decoding on the data passes. On the first pass I could not clearly see the CW signal on the tuning indicator so no decode of the CW or data. The next two pass I had good CW decode and could line up the CW signal OK but no decode. After the passes (naturally) I re-read the article in the AMSAT journal and realized the importance of the 48k, 16 bit sample rate. The article claims that the ARISSATtlm configures the sound card to these values but when I checked the sound card was still at my normal 44.1k sample rate. Perhaps the software sets it to 48k and then sets it back to its previous value but I suspect not. I re-sampled my recording at 48k but still no decode. I noticed also that the CW decode from the recording was not as good as the original so perhaps the recording was at fault. To test this re-sampling method I re-sampled the test wave file at 44.1k and confirmed that it would not decode. I then re-sampled this file at 48k and once again it would decode. (i.e. the re-sampling worked OK.) This again perhaps pointed to a problem with the quality of my recording. Some observations. a Make sure the sound card output is set to 48k/16bit. b I noticed that the live telemetry sounded quite different from the test wave file. The data signal was much more obvious. c When running the test file Excel complains that data has been lost from the CSV file because the number of columns exceeded the 256 column limit. (Excel opens OK and all 256 columns contain data) d I notice that when I use the 0.7 software to decode the test file, the software remains active until I close it. When I attempt to decode my recordings the software always closes itself when the file ends. 73 Alan ZL2BX _____ From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Douglas Quagliana Sent: Saturday, 12 February 2011 23:59 To: amsat Subject: [amsat-bb] Wanted: ARISSat-1 BPSK1000 recordings If anyone made a recording of ARISSat-1's BPSK1000 signal (either an SDR recording or just a regular recording), then I'd like to get a copy. Please email me if you made a recording of the BPSK1000 signal. 73, Douglas KA2UPW/5 _______________________________________________ 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 _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1435/3439 - Release Date: 02/12/11

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