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

AO-7 Minimalist
by Bill Acito W1PA 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Those of you working AO-7, what is a good minimalistic set-up? Should I be able to work it with an Arrow antenna, a RX pre-amp, and a Ten Tec Mode B box? Bill W1PA

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Re: Working the FM Satellites
by Bill Acito W1PA 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

>Desiring a "solution" is indicative of there being a "problem." It has not >been >demonstrated to my satisfaction that there is a massive problem that >required >re-thinking of what FM sats are all about. Lots of users and limited resources is always ugly... whether it be traffic, water, groceries, black-friday sales, or working a new grid on a FM bird. Rare grids or Field Day on a FM-bird may not be a "problem", but certainly does not hold us in the best light. I thought the purpose of satellite on Field Day was to encourage new users to the mode... would you introduce someone to ham radio by letting them listen to a rare dx pile-up? An aside: is the use of QRZ? on the rare-grid side frowned upon? or would it make things worse? I think a lot of the errant calling is folks trying to separate from capture effect, or guessing when the rare one is listening. I hear this a lot on the ISS voice passes as well, where you can't hear the uplink of others. Bill W1PA

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FW: delfi c3 (do-64) tlm software FOUND
by larry 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Thanks for the assistance in locating the software. I just took another look on dk3wn's site and unless I'm doing something wrong, I don't see it in the "software" page anywhere. Yet it is on the other page. Guess that's what I get for not fully checking out Mike's page - which I sure will do now! 73's... Larry N1MIW

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Lehman HS ISS Contact
by Clint Bradford 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Monitoring the ISS ... Great, informative answers from the astronaut. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Working the FM Satellites
by Clint Bradford 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

>> ... Back to the point, please let me know if you think I need any correcting, I would rather help not hinder. Personally, I think you have an excellent attitude, Kevin. It is darned near the same philosophy/mantra that I communicate during my satellite presentations. >> ... I really enjoy this HOBBY, but I don't know if there is a solution ... Desiring a "solution" is indicative of there being a "problem." It has not been demonstrated to my satisfaction that there is a massive problem that required re-thinking of what FM sats are al about. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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ND9M/MM Op Sked: FL08 Update
by Clary, James T, Civilian 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

My ship kicked into high gear overnight and is much farther along than our voyage plan called for. We're crossing into FL08 in a few minutes instead of later this afternoon. I'll try to be on SO67 at 29/1311Z and whatever pass(es) occur while we're in the grid. We won't be in the grid all that long, so hopefully I won't get called out for an assignment at pass time. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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Delfi-n3Xt Telemetry Equations & Format
by Clive Wallis 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Hi,, I note that in another thread Wouter PE3WJ mentions the the next Delfi satellite n3Xt currently being constructed. Can we be assured that full details of the telemetry equations and decoding format for defli-n3Xt will be published, preferably before launch. With the considerable interest shown in the Funcube Dongle I'm sure that many satellite enthusiasts will want to write their own decoding software. In the case of delfi-C3 I received a large number of packets using my G3RUH hardware decoder, but was unable to decode them, due to not having the telemetry details. I had hoped to publish details of my experiments. After repeated requests for the information I was eventually told that it was commercially confidential and could not be published. IIRC this information has to be made available to the IARU satellite coordinator before launch, and updated when there any changes, following launch. AFAIK it is against amateur radio license regulations to transmit coded information in the amateur bands, unless the decoding information is freely available. The only exception being access codes to control the satellite, for obvious reasons. I trust that delfi-C3 won't set a precedent for future projects and this problem will not arise again. We want to encourage radio amateurs and students to experiment and avoid the 'black box' culture as much as possible. I will be interested in any comments. 73 Clive G3CWV Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK

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Re: AO-51 Uplinmk
by Clint Bradford 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

>> ... Well ok, then what is the answer? I live in the most populous region of the US' most populous state. I mention that because if any region on the planet has the potential for on-the-air abuse and mis-use, then this is it. I can count on one hand the number of times I have NOT been able to make a contact on a pass of AO-51 the past few few years. In front of audience after audience - over fifty demos the past couple of years - plus personal contacts. Are there examples of "poor" ops? Absolutely. But I see those as opportunities to educate. Many an email has been sent to a newbie I have heard on the air. But NEVER to degrade or chide - but to educate. I only casually listened to the pass that caused this thread and change of uplink frequency. I guess I will re-listen, without office distractions, and see if I am as "struck" as others were with gross mis-use of the service. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com 909-241-7666

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Re: AO-51 Uplink Changhe
by Jim Adams 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

>>>*I cannot think of a worse idea.* ** Well ok, then what is the answer? AO-51 used to be fun to work, but with the high power stations, jammers, and everyone talking over everyone else, it's no longer fun. With the frequency change this evenings pass was very enjoyable. Jim Adams - K0BAM Ridgway, Colorado ** * *

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ND9M/MM Op Sked: FL04 Update
by Clary, James T, Civilian 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

The Gulf Stream is pushing us a bit faster now. We'll be crossing into FL04 sooner than expected, around 28/2250Z. The upcoming AO7 pass that starts locally at 28/2248Z looks to be the only available window for this grid before we exit into FL05 about an hour later. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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