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

Rideshare missions to GTO, only $14 million for Eagle, $800K for 3U Cubesat
by Daniel Schultz 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Spaceflight Services Announces Lunar and GTO Mission Pricing Prague, CZ - September 30, 2010: Spaceflight Services (Spaceflight) announced today pricing for small payloads to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and Low Lunar Orbit (LLO). Spaceflight, as part of the Rocket City Space Pioneer Google Lunar X-Prize Team, is responsible for mission integration and providing space transportation services to Low Lunar Orbit. Spaceflight is providing flight opportunities for ESPA class spacecraft (spacecraft weighing less than 180 kg) interested in launch services to GTO and Low Lunar Orbit. The proposed mission, which is slated for Q4 2013 or Q1 2014, will deploy three ESPA payloads into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit and two additional payloads in a Low Lunar Orbit. The mission is also open to smaller spacecraft looking for a low cost ride to either of these destinations. Mission pricing for small payloads to GTO begins at $795,000 for a 3U CubeSat and up to $13,950,000 for a full ESPA spacecraft. ------------------------------------------------------------ This is considered a "Low Cost Ride" in the commercial world. This is the free market value of the launch that we are hoping to get for significantly less. Wish us luck... http://www.spaceflightservices.com/MHome.php http://www.spaceflightservices.com/NewsFSFlunarPR.php Dan Schultz N8FGV

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Re: Recorder battery died - anyone have a recording?2/5/2011
by Zachary Beougher 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Hi, >Neither Nigel or I said that. Sorry I didn't clarify - I was referring to your opinion on the use of recorders in general. What has me a little confused right now is why some DO NOT think it is okay to use someone else's recording. In the case of a recorder failing because of dead batteries, you can't blame that on the op - his recorder died. There is nothing wrong with WHAT recording he uses. Why does K8YSE post all those recordings to his website? I understand what everyone says about not using someone else's recording because your receiving was bad, you went behind the tree or house, or something else that is dependent upon the operators station, and I agree. But a recorder going dead is no one's fault - its dead. Find another recording if possible and log it. I wouldn't consider using someone else's recording as they are logging it for you. I respect all of the opinions here - different opinions and ideas help develop the hobby. We need to keep in mind this is a HOBBY - hobbies are supposed to be enjoyable. There are definitely rules and regs that must be followed, but I don’t think it's worthwhile to get caught up in WHOSE recording you use, what antenna you use, how you say your call sign, etc., etc. Let's just enjoy the hobby! With that I am going to sign with you all on this discussion..... 73! Zack KD8KSN -----Original Message----- From: Edward R. Cole Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 7:06 PM To: Zachary Beougher ; Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF ; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Recorder battery died - anyone have a recording?2/5/2011 Zack, Neither Nigel or I said that. Burden of proof of contact lies with the stations making the contact. Use of a recorder is OK (what I said), but relying on others to log your contact is not. The farthest one can stretch that is if the other station in the QSO confirms that you and they completed a contact. And that is not kosher under eme rules (as I have pointed out). But then is "ordinary" ham radio where the rules are more lenient. But for these contacts to "count" toward awards such as WAS or DXCC, or in a contest, you must enter your log. Asking others what they heard would be considered cheating. If you operate satellites for personal pleasure with no regard to awards, standings, etc. then it matters only to your own personal standard of operation. But be aware that others may not agree :-\ 73, Ed At 01:51 PM 2/6/2011, Zachary Beougher wrote: >Hi Ed and Nigel, > >I agree this is reasonable as well. I donâ€™t see an issue with using >someone else's recordings because your batteries died, as long as you heard >the QSO, repeated the other station's call back, etc., as I said in my >original email. If you aren't for sure if the station came back to your >call or if he confirmed he heard you because you lost the bird or went >behind a tree, then that's a different story. > >I also think it's good to have a little grace - we can't expect a >first-timer to the sats to jump on and copy and repeat all call signs 100%. >When I first started, all I said was a "QSL," or "copy that." I imagine I >frustrated a few ops who were wondering who I was QSLing. ;-) > >73, > >Zack >KD8KSN > >-----Original Message----- From: Edward R. Cole >Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 5:24 PM >To: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF ; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Recorder battery died - anyone have a >recording?2/5/2011 > >At 01:14 PM 2/6/2011, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote: >>I don't think the issue is whether or not you use a recorder, >>packet/psk31/rtty ops are not penalised because they have >>a computer record of the contact by virtue of the technology used >>for that mode. If a voice recorder is part of your >>shack, that's fine. >> >>The issue is having to ask others if they heard your QSO and can >>tell you the details. >>If you chose technology to help you, fine. If your technology fails, >>so does the QSO. It's not acceptable to expect the >>rest of the world to be your log keeper. > >I agree with this! > > > > >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 >_______________________________________________ >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

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Re: Doppler Tuning IC-821H (Resolved)
by Paul Delaney - K6HR 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Thanks to all who replied! The WiSPDDE solved my problem. In the WiSPDDE setup menu one can select DDE input from SAT32PC. And Voila! Works great! Antennas go up tomorrow! Paul Delaney paul.hamradio(a)verizon.net http://k6hr.dyndns.org:8080 ----- Original Message ----- From: Art McBride To: 'Paul Delaney - K6HR' Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 5:04 PM Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Doppler Tuning IC-821H Paul, I have an 820H and I can not get it to receive or transmit serial data. I have traced the signals to the MPU I can use the same driver into my ID 800H and program it. I tried SAT32PC, different Bauds & addresses on both program and radio ends, but no luck. I would be interested in anything you find on getting yours working. Art, KC6UQH -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Paul Delaney - K6HR Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 10:06 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Doppler Tuning IC-821H I just acquired an ICOM IC-821H as I plan to build a satellite capable station. I cannot get HRD to tune both uplink and downlink. Seems the CAT commands in the ICOM don't exist or are not supported. Am I stuck turning the dial manually on this radio, or is there another program that can tune both the 2m and 70cm on an IC-821H? Paul Delaney - K6HR paul.hamradio(a)verizon.net http://k6hr.dyndns.org:8080 _______________________________________________ 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 __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5851 (20110206) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5851 (20110206) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

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AO-40/AO-10
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Last time I worked AO-10 was Nov/Dec 2001 - QSL cards from OM5CM and F6BEG. Both CW QSOs. Best QSO/QSLs on AO-40. Found TA1D calling CQ(SSB) at 8 degrees with elevation decreasing fast. Called him on CW and he replied on CW. My only Turkey QSL. QSO/QSL with 4Z1WS Multitude of QSO/QSLs from Australia, New Zealand, and many many from Japan. Rare ones that were 3AM sleep interrupters. TZ6RD, 7P8NK On a good day, it was Europe in the AM, North/South American mid day and Japan, Australia etc. in the PM. Boy it was fun. Ran 4X20 turn helixs on 2.4 GHz, 11 turn helix on 435, and FT-847. Mike K9QHO, Indiana

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Re: AO40 contacts
by K5OE 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

You guys are making me all teary-eyed! I loved that bird, especially for all the "challenges" it presented. Mike, I still have the 10 gHz downconverter I built for that never-used mode :-( My first contacts were on 05 May 2001: W1BFN, KB2WQM (now KB2M), W7ID, N1JEZ, WL7BQM (first DX), and WC0Y--all in mode U/S. My last contact was K5VAS on 22 Nov 2003 using mode L/S. Later that weekend I took down my antennas to move to VK8. I took everything I needed to work AO-40 in Australia, including an 18" DSS dish with a dual-band feed, but by the time I moved and got into a penthouse apartment with a big deck looking north (why do you think I had to find a top floor with that view?), AO-40 died. If it hadn't been for the launch of Eagle (AO-51), I would have never been able to use that L/S gear. I used it dozens of times to talk to myself on AO-51 as it orbited over the Indian Ocean :-) I used to do the same thing on ISS packet. From where I was located (Darwin, NT), there were no other population centers within the footprint of the LEOs (not even Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, or Singapore). 73, Jerry, K5OE >Those were fun days Clare! > >My most challenging contacts were made using K band (24 GHz down). First >contact was on 4/20/2002 with Jerry, K5OE. > >http://www.burlingtontelecom.net/~n1jez@burlingtontelecom.net/index.html > >I think the only mode I never got to try was 2.4 GHz up. I have the >transverter sitting here in my shack, but AO-40 went bang before I got to >use it. The plan was S/k. > >73, >Mike, N1JEZ >AMSAT 29649 >"A closed mouth gathers no feet" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Clare Fowler" <clarefowler(a)rogers.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 contacts >I made over 1300 contacts on AO-40 during its 2 3/4 years of operation. > > The first QSO was on 05/05/01 at 08:17 with Mike N1JEZ on U/S > then at 08:39 worked Dom I8CVS, at 08:52 Fred CU8AO, and at 09:03 Frank > DL6DBN. > > I then fired up my FT-736R on 1.2 GHz and at 09:44 worked Steve KB8VAO > with > both > of us making our 1st L/S QSO on AO-40 and then at 09:55 worked Mike N1JEZ > for his first L/S contact. > > On the 25th and 26th of Jan 2003 an AO-40 QSO party was held. > 30 logs were submitted from 14 countries. > I made 107 QSO's with 19 DXCC countries. > > My last contact was on 28/01/04 at 20:39 with DG4DW. > My next log entry was at 29/01/04 at 01:35 with Jerry W0SAT and > my log note is "we talked about AO-40 gone" > > In spite of the fact AO-40 had major problems and never operated near it's > original > design I think it was a very successful amateur satellite. > > Bob (W7LRD); I guess all we can do now is remember the good old days and > cry > on > each others shoulders. SOB SOB > > Clare VE3NPC > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Floyd Rodgers" <kc5qbc(a)swbell.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO40 contacts > > >> Did anyone manage to bag any contacts off A040 before it's sad event?

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Re: AO40 contacts
by K5OE 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Mal, This nostalgia is almost too much for us old guys! I remember your call like it was yesterday. I have you in the log for AO-27, FO-20 on CW for SKN, FO-29 SSB, and AO-40 SSB. Thanks for USVI and FK78! 73, Jerry, K5OE >Many, many, > >I particularly loved the qs I had from the Virgin Islands to Japan at the >end of AO40's life. I had a morning window twice a week and ran less than >10 w. up into my 44 el. yagi and downlinked on 2.4ghz. Real pile ups. Many >qsls - all answered. > >Mal, NP2L > >On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 4:04 PM, Floyd Rodgers <kc5qbc(a)swbell.net> wrote: >> >> Did anyone manage to bag any contacts off A040 before it's sad event?

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Recorder battery died - anyone have a recording? 2/5/2011
by Michael Elliott 07 Feb '11

07 Feb '11

Hello to the group - My recorder battery died during a pass of AO-51 yesterday (2/5/2011) I think the pass was approximately 18:53 UTC - it was a mainly east coast pass. I made a contact with WP3T, I believe, which is why I rely so much on my recorder. Many of you know how bad I mess up calls so I may have the suffix of the call incorrect. I just failed to notice the battery was running low. If anyone may be able to help me out I would appreciate it... Thanks in advance and I hope everyone enjoys the 10 hours of Super Bowl Pre-Game... 73's, Michael, K4MOA

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SO-67 and LOTW?
by Helmuth Kump 06 Feb '11

06 Feb '11

Hello all, wonder if any of you have come across this. In the FAQ for LOTW (very last item) there's a list of supported satellites. SO-67 is on the list. However when I want to sign the .adi that contains my SO-67 contacts I get: Error: Invalid SAT_NAME (SO-67) on line 22 My .adi is an export from HRD Log. Anyone have any ideas? 73 Doc KT3L

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ARISSat 1 & Funcube Telemetry Question: DBPSK vs BPSK
by Iain Young, G7III 06 Feb '11

06 Feb '11

Hi All, Just a quick clarification needed by me on the Telemetry format that is going to be used by ARISSat-1 and Funcube (& I guess the Funcube boards onboard UKube-1...) Lots of places are referring to it as BPSK1000, but I have seen references claiming it is DBPSK. Can someone clarify if it is Differential BPSK, or "just" plain old BPSK as used before, but at 1000 BPS, rather than 400 ? Reason for asking is that I have a USRP, and use gnuradio, along with the gnuradio-companion. That has DBPSK blocks built in, but pure BPSK would take a little more work (possibly just routing the output to a loopback soundcard, and then running decoding software) 73s Iain

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ARISSat-1 Soundcard help
by John Heath 06 Feb '11

06 Feb '11

Hi, Getting ready for ARISSat-1 and need a new soundcard. The PC is an old HP dx 6050 2.08Ghz with windows XP pro. Any recomendadations for a low cost soundcard for digi modes. Don't do any gamimg or activities that need high performance card. Just for radio purposes. Any advice appreciated. Off list if you prefer g7hia(a)amsat.org 73 John G7HIA

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