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

Re: AO40 contacts
by Bob- W7LRD 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

according to my log the last qso's were 1/24/04 W3STW 1/23/04 W7TYN 1/19/04 VA7MM and to make us all dream again in Oct/Nov of 03 F/HB9RM, DL8IL,OK1DX, DL8YS, ON6AA (rip),DC3ZB, DK1KQ, LY3BH, VK5AKJ there's gotta be a way folks, there's gotta be a way!! 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Floyd Rodgers" <kc5qbc(a)swbell.net> Cc: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Thursday, February 3, 2011 12:04:06 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO40 contacts Did anyone manage to bag any contacts off A040 before it's sad event? _______________________________________________ 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

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SO-67 Schedule
by John Papay 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

The SO-67 for North America has been updated to show passes through 6Feb2011 at 1655z on their website: http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ 73, John K8YSE

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Re: Kenwood TH-F6a
by Clint Bradford 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

>> ... I got a surprise gift of a Kenwood TH-F6A ... Put that person on your Christmas card list - what a great gift! >> ... any tips to share ... Just program it for TX on Band A and RX on Band B. Use the A/B switch to go to Band B to accommodate Doppler, then switch back to Band A to transmit. >> ... I've read through the eham reviews ... I always take eHam reviews with a grain of salt. MANY of the "negative" point made are from folks who cannot read an instruction manual. But the TH-F6a is a great HT. >> ... speaker/mics and headsets ... Some will recommend the Wouxun models. Their heavy-duty mic (probably made by JDI in China) is decent. The "standard" accessories are, well, you get what you pay for in the world of audio accessories. Of Kenwood's offerings, I always thought the SMC-32 was over-priced for what it was. And some love the SMC-34 with its built-in volume control. That, to me, is just a "feature" waiting to fail (dust or debris). But I have heard very few actual problems with the SMC-34. When working for Pryme, we had the SPM-901 - a good, beefy handheld mic. If you can find one of those discontinued models for $35 or so, it's a good speaker-mic. Pryme has replaced it with their SPM-2101 - for about $60. Both of these have a 3.5mm jack for an earpiece. >> ... quality of after-market programming cables ... I shy away from Chinese "bargains" on eBay. The PG-4Y from Kenwood is less than $40. Software is FREE from Kenwood's Web site. If it makes you feel any better, the last software and cable I bought from Motorola was over $250. So, to me, forty bucks for a programming cable is a steal. IN THE MEANTIME, I digested the 64-page manual to ONE PAGE for you - find the Cheat Sheet on the DOCS page of my Web site - http://www.k6lcs.com >> ... and want to record passes while listening or operating ... Think of keeping it simple: a little pocket recorder in your shirt pocket, or most smartphones have an audio recording app. You do not necessarily have to "hard-wire" your audio input to get good results. When running off its battery, the output power levels are 5.0W, 0.5W, and 0.05W. But if you run it off of a 12VDC source, you have 5W, 2.0W, and 0.5W. With an improved antenna, you can certainly turn it down to the 2W setting - IF running off of 12VDC. Enjoy that little radio! Clint, K6LCS

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SSB
by Kevin Deane 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

ARRISat Its too bad this is a SSB sat. I suppose it will be great for those who have SSB capability, less traffic and all. I guess I have to spend more money..... Sigh Kevin KF7MYK

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Re: Rideshare missions to GTO, only $14 million for Eagle, $800K for 3U Cubesat
by Bob- W7LRD 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

An interesting read http://spaceflightservices.com/DocFiles/SpaceFlight_Services_Secondary_PL_P… Maybe we could all pool our Visa cards. 73 Bob W7LRD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Daniel Schultz" <n8fgv(a)usa.net> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, February 1, 2011 10:33:35 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Rideshare missions to GTO, only $14 million for Eagle, $800K for 3U Cubesat 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 _______________________________________________ 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

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Re: SSB
by Bob- W7LRD 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Hi Kevin et al I hear this alot. Yes it will require an investment, however it doesn't have to be excessive. Ebay and flea markets are full of reasonable older Icoms, Kenwoods etc that are fully capable of providing good ssb/cw operation on our linear satellites. Granted they may not be computer controllable, you will actually have to use that big knob. I suppose this is the point where one actually gets "serious" about amateur satellites and the whole process of engineering, funding, promoting, and yes the politics of the aforementioned. We must remember this is rocket science and that ain't cheap. Once you have the necessary equipment you will start thinking of, dare I say a HEO. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Deane" <summit496(a)live.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, February 2, 2011 7:53:38 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] SSB ARRISat Its too bad this is a SSB sat. I suppose it will be great for those who have SSB capability, less traffic and all. I guess I have to spend more money..... Sigh Kevin KF7MYK _______________________________________________ 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

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Re: FM Birds
by Clint Bradford 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

>> ... I agree FM birds are out of control and something needs to be done to make it a ham band again ... One might think - after reading these "anti-FM-bird-operators" posts - that there would be massive problems with sat ops in, say, in the most populous region of the most populous state in the U.S. - Southern California. I am proud to state that there are NO such widespread problems emanating from this region. We have more hams - and more people - and consequently more potential for problems. But those "problems" have been very few and far between. This might be a "perception" problem, too. I mean, one person's anger at a "pile-up" is another person's excitement at the "challenge" of working the birds. And so it goes ... Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.k6lcs.com

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Re: CH-19 11 Meters
by Joe Krepps 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Roger Kolakowski <Rogerkola(a)aol.com> wrote: > No...constructive criticism would have been more appropriate...that > isn't what you received...grab the grid and move on...time is too short, > enjoy the hobby! Why reward Ted's harsh sarcasm with what he wants?!?! Let him get Kevin's grid from someone else who prefers sarcasm broadcast to everyone in the bird's footprint! That was really poorly handled. I have yet to make my first satellite contact and I will NOT have the benefit of full duplex, like Kevin. Ted couldn't you have been an Elmer or is your "sense of humor" more important? Just checking before I give it a shot. Back to HF, Joe WB3CFN <-Grateful for actual Elmers, like Clint, Drew and several others

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Re: FM birds
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

Yep I agree FM birds are out of control and something needs to be done to make it a ham band again. There are some very bad operators on AO51. I try to make a call and as soon as I let go of the mic some one is calling another station. There needs to be some changes made . If that means sending out OO reports then so beit. after all the satellites are still ham bands and should be governed as such. There is no excuse for the mess that we have to put up with now on AO51. I one can not hear his signal them stop transmitting, get a preamp or a full duplex radio .But operate in a proper manner. It is up to us to govern the ham bands and if that means someone gets his or her feelings hurt then look at the rules again for being a ham operator and try to find some rules for the CBer's. Good operating practice is a must for the birds WA4HFN Damon EM55 ----- Original Message ----- From: "jerry" <jkboxk(a)wildblue.net> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, February 2, 2011 12:13:00 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] FM birds I gave up a long time ago trying to make a contact on FM . I heard My downlink several times , and maybe got one reply . Can't get a word in edgeways with the regular bunch on there on every pass . Not worth the effort to Me . _______________________________________________ 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

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HV SATCOM NET FEB 3 AT 8pm EST ON N2EYH-l
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

Join us for the net tomorrow on N2EYH-L Echolnk. Hope to hear you there.73 Gary

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