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

Re: Engineers Week Satellite Demonstration
by Clary, James T, Civilian 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Dale, Pse translate Alaska Standard Time to GMT, and I'll try to be QRV on whatever satellite is available at that time. 73, Jim, ND9M/MM / VQ9JC Grid BM35 > Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:38:19 -0900 > From: Dale Hershberger <daleh(a)alaska.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Engineers Week Satellite Demonstration > To: amsat-bbs <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Monday afternoon Feb. 28th KL4E will be doing a satellite Demonstration > at the Mears Middle School Chugiak, Alaska. Craig Bledsoe, KL4E will > be working afternoon passes that are available on the satellites. > Anyone is welcome to help in this Engineers Week Satellite > Demonstration.. > > Hopefully we will have two stations operating at the school to get as > many students as possible the opportunity to participate. This will be > a presentation during the 2PM to 2:45PM class Alaska Standard Time. > > Dale Hershberger > KL7XJ > AMSAT Area Coordinator Alaska

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Re: PVC
by Edward R. Cole 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

First off, The originator asks a very open-ended question. His only use of PVC was for a vertical antenna. So what is his intended use for a PVC mast? Except for very small wind-area antenna, it will not likely hold up. Why would one use inferior materials in place of easily obtained steel (best) or aluminum (satisfactory)? Does he need an insulated mast? Does he plan an antenna that has to be isolated from nearby metal because...? (it would affect the pattern?) Thick-wall fiberglass is considerably stronger than PVC and has all the characteristics. But neither will have the strength of steel. Adding wood inserted inside helps (somewhat). I made a 18-turn 432 helical beam with 1-1/4-inch wooden closet pole and it lasted two winters before snow-load broke it. I was too cheap for metal or fiberglass. Wood must be carefully selected for antenna material and probably not match using metal for strength/weight ratio. Some antennas have used PVC tubing for part of the structure. Perhaps a better answer would come with more details of what is to be supported by the PVC mast. And re: negative nancy - she may have extensive experience to speak from. ;-) I thought that was what the query was about - experiences by others using PVC. Not everyone will have positive experiences with PVC. 73, Ed - KL7UW At 10:31 AM 2/24/2011, Dave Webb KB1PVH wrote: >It would be great if all the Negative Nancys would offer a positive solution >instead of just shooting it down that way we can all benefit. > >Dave - KB1PVH > >Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID X >On Feb 24, 2011 2:22 PM, "Matt Patterson" <mattpatt(a)1starnet.com> wrote: > > I can't even believe that some people recommend doing this! > > > > > > Matt > > W5LL > > > > > > On 2/24/2011 11:21 AM, Ng, Peter wrote: > >> I'm looking to put up a mast and am curious, why PVC? Is it better than >steel? > >> > >> 73's Peter VE7NGP > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On >Behalf Of Bruce Semple > >> Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2011 6:41 AM > >> To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org > >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: PVC > >> > >> > >> And I forgot to mention -- > >> I spray paint it all a flat black --- to help it blend in a little >better! > >> > >> At 09:34 AM 2/24/2011, Bruce Semple wrote: > >> > >>> Hello Mike - > >>> I use schedule 40 PVC with an OAK closet pole down the center for > >>> added stiffness > >>> for a horizontal boom. > >>> For vertical mast I use two PVC schedule 40 - one inside the other - > >>> along with a wood pole. > >>> I use PVC end caps on the ends to keep water/ moisture out. > >>> > >>> 73, > >>> Bruce > >>> WA3SWJ > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> At 07:59 AM 2/24/2011, Mike1234 wrote: > >>> > >>>> Has anyone ever experimented with PVC pipe to use for a mast in place >of > >>>> steel ? I have used it for vertical antennas and stands up excellent to >the > >>>> winds and weather here in Toledo, Ohio . > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> Mike N8GBU > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> _______________________________________________ > >>>> 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 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 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 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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UT1FG/MM Active Again
by Zachary Beougher 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Hi All, Maybe this is old news, but I just worked Yuri (UT1FG) in GL69 on AO51 at 1937z. I thought he had gone back home a few weeks ago, but I guess he is still out in the Atlantic. Does anyone have any details on where he is going next? Keep your ears open for him on the eastern passes, especially if you live in New England! If he is on his way home, we probably won’t have long to work him before he reaches Europe. 73! Zack KD8KSN

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Glory Launch SUSPENDED
by Clint Bradford 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Feb. 24, 2011 Steve Cole Headquarters, Washington 202-358-0918 stephen.e.cole(a)nasa.gov MEDIA ADVISORY: M11-056 NASA ASSESSING NEW LAUNCH DATES FOR THE GLORY MISSION WASHINGTON -- Preparations for the launch of NASA's Glory mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California have been suspended temporarily. Engineers continue to troubleshoot a malfunction in ground support equipment associated with the Taurus XL rocket. On Feb. 23, a false indication was received about the rocket's status after commands were sent approximately 15 minutes before launch to activate the Taurus. "We had an indication that a 'hold-fire' command was sent when indeed it had not," said Omar Baez, NASA launch director. The commands originated from the Vehicle Interface Control Console in the mobile launch support van stationed a few miles from the launch pad. The problem has not yet been isolated, and troubleshooting continues. Managers are evaluating possible Glory launch opportunities in early to mid-March. "The Glory spacecraft is doing fine," reported Bryan Fafaul, Glory project manager from NASA's Goddard Space Flight in Greenbelt, Md. "We are continuing to slow charge the battery until we have a new launch date." The Glory satellite will be launched aboard a Taurus on a mission to improve our understanding of how the sun and tiny atmospheric particles called aerosols affect Earth's climate. Glory launch management is provided by NASA's Launch Service Program at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Orbital Sciences Corp. is providing the Taurus XL launch vehicle and is responsible for spacecraft operations. For status updates on the Glory launch, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/glory -end-

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save 440 band
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Contact your Rep. about the possible loss of the 440 band http://www.arrl.org/sample-letters WA4HFN Damon

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Engineers Week Satellite Demonstration
by Dale Hershberger 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Monday afternoon Feb. 28th KL4E will be doing a satellite Demonstration at the Mears Middle School Chugiak, Alaska. Craig Bledsoe, KL4E will be working afternoon passes that are available on the satellites. Anyone is welcome to help in this Engineers Week Satellite Demonstration.. Hopefully we will have two stations operating at the school to get as many students as possible the opportunity to participate. This will be a presentation during the 2PM to 2:45PM class Alaska Standard Time. Dale Hershberger KL7XJ AMSAT Area Coordinator Alaska

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satpc32 question
by ANTHONY JAPHA 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Hi, Anyone using a netbook running Windows 7 Starter with SatPC32? Have you used the Radio Shack USB/Serial adaptors with it? I use 2 of them on my desktop without trouble, but will they work with the netbook? What model netbook would you suggest? Any other suggestions? Tricks? Hints and Kinks? Thanks and 73, Tony, N2UN LM 183

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Re: PVC-ED...
by Clint Bradford 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

>> ... are always naturally curved, limp and bent ... Thought you guys were making fun of me at my advancing age ... Then I read the rest of the thread. Clint, K6LCS

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FS: Kenwood TM-V7A dualband radio
by John Geiger 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

I have for sale a Kenwood TM-7A 2m/70cm dualband, dual receive FM transceiver. I bought this to use on the FM satellites and it has been working great on them so far. The dual receive capability makes it work very nicely for FM satellite use. I am only selling it because I replaced it with a HF/VHF/UHF radio so I can get on the SSB satellites as well. It also has a built in duplexer so you can run a dualband antenna with it into the single SO239 on the rear. It does 45 watts on 2m and 35 watts on 70cm, has PL tones built in, alphanumeric lables for the memory channels, and has 4 hypermemories for returning to a specific configuration at the push of a button. It comes with the mic, power cord, mobile bracket, and original box. It does not have the manual with it but you can find those on line. The display works fine on it. There is one line that appears from time to time on the display but it doesn't interfere with anything. I am asking $175 shipped and can take paypal/check/MO. 73s John AA5JG

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AO-27 vs. TS-2000
by Ted 24 Feb '11

24 Feb '11

Looking for some advice, please Tried real hard to work AO27 on an 80 degree + pass this afternoon, using the TS 2000 in Sat Mode. No good results because of the 'birdies' inherent in the radio. (tried the narrow FM deal - no luck). As I look at Page 103 of the TS2000 manual I see that while using the main VFO at 436.799 that there is no rx possible. Since AO27's down link is at 436.795, it seems that the 'birdie issue' is on the 440 side of the TS-2000. So, what I thought I would try on those 80+degree passes over me, is to use a 2m/440 mobile rig on RX (with a dual band vertical realizing that the vertical is not optimum)l) and use the TS-2000 for Doppler TX. I can program the mobile like the Clint HT step Doppler deal. This is all temporary but I'm so sick of AO51, I would like to try for some new grids. Need about 30 for VUCC. Any TS2000 wizards out there would be appreciated 73, Ted K7TRK

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