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

Question about radios
by Alvaro Gaviria 03 May '11

03 May '11

Hello all, Can someone tell what is better for satellite work, the Kenwood TS-2000X or the Icom IC- 9100 ?? Best regards Andrew HK4MKE _________________________ http://astroretiro.260mb.com/ algaviri1(a)une.net.co

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SO-67
by Kevin Deane 03 May '11

03 May '11

Another souless pass.... Very dissapointing. :( Kevin KF7MYK

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Marianas Opportunity via FO-29 and VO-52
by JoAnne Maenpaa 03 May '11

03 May '11

Hello Everyone, Here is some information for those of you within LEO range of the Marianas Islands. This appeared in the DXNL 1726 - May 4, 2011 DX Newsletter ... a free and weekly service of DARC Committee "DX and HF contesting" (http://www.darcdxhf.de). If I waited for this week's ANS news cycle the DX opportunity would be over ... here it is in case you can use it ... KH0 - NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, OC-086 Yoshi,JJ8DEN, appeared on the bands as KH0PR and will stay in the Coconut Village Hotel on Rota Island (OC-086) until May 8. He works in CW, RTTY and PSK on 160m-6m and via the satellites FO-29 and VO-52. QSLs via bureau or direct to JJ8DEN. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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Re: Question about radios
by K5OE 03 May '11

03 May '11

I can tell already this is an old thread that will go on for a while… Money is almost never “not an issue,” so fitting the radio to the user is always a matter of preferences and priorities. If you want HF + satellite in one rig, the TS-2000 and the FT-847 work, but not the IC-910. If you want 23 cm in the rig, the TS-2000 and the IC-910 work, but not the FT-847. If you want to power your preamp(s) without any external wiring, the FT-847 and IC-910 work, but not the TS-2000. If you want a built-in antenna tuner (HF), or a built-in TNC, or built-in voice recorder, then only the TS-2000 works. If you want lots of 3rd party software, then the FT-847 is your best bet. I agree with Ed, the IC-9100 seems priced outrageously for what it is—reminiscent of the IC-970H. Maybe I’ve just lost a sense for the market—look at the price of new cars! For a strictly satellite rig, an IC-821H is still a very good radio selling for half the price of a used IC-910 (and just a bit more than a FT-736—the FT-847 of a previous generation). A decade ago I bought a TS-2000 for a number of reasons, including the ability to work the HF satellites (RS-12/13 and AO-7) in one rig. I sold an FT-990 and an IC-820 and had money left over. I still consider it really good value. While I have never liked the controls as well as my Yaesu HF rig(s), I came to really appreciate the DSP functions and the CW features and had great fun with the TNC on the ISS, pacsats (especially UO-22, RIP), and APRS. I added 1.2 GHz when AO-40 was launched. I scored higher in HF contests with it than I ever had with the non-DSP Yaesu rig. I wasn’t bothered (too much) by the infamous birdie because I could tune around it with the combination of a high-gain UHF antenna and a preamp, but do consider it a fatal flaw to anyone considering the radio for use on AO-27 or SO-50 with a low-gain antenna system. I’ll end with an echo of Dee’s comment below: spend your time and money on the antennas, as almost any radio will work with a good signal. 73, Jerry, K5OE --- original message --- Having the FT-847 since early 1998 and observing the IC-910 I would recommend both over the TS-2000 or new IC-9100 on basis of bucks spent. I realize both the 847 and 910 are out of production but good used units are available for <$900. The TS-2000 "birdie" issue is unforgivable for the money spent (Unless you are not interested in satellites which the FT-857/897 would then be my choice). The IC-9100 is outrageously expensive and would only be a choice if you have no HF equipment. It is still too new for a complete opinion (for what you spend you could have top notch transverters and a new K3*, or buy two FT-817 with amps for a lot less). *Note: the K3 is not able to do duplex at this time, but I have an idea how it could by using the dual receiver IF. My K3 with DEMI transverter is much superior to the FT-847 on 2m, but that is only for very weak-signal applications (satellites are on the strong side of weak-signal if you get my drift), and use on HF (which is not the question that was asked). 73, Ed - KL7UW At 06:46 AM 5/3/2011, Dee wrote: >Andrew, >Being in this end of the hobby for "many" years, I have learned that >sometimes the choice comes down to what you can afford. While the TS2000 is >a nice radio, with the birdie problem, it leaves a question. Ihave had 2 >Icom 910's for many years and even have one of them adapted with the 1.2ghz >module. Both have worked flawless and have been more than adequate. The >new ICOM 9100 (which you ask about) is a bit pricey for the bands provided. >I have been following the production of the 9100 and it has become out of an >average hams price range. While the specs are very good, you can achieve >the same effect with a TS2000 - Icom 910- Yaesu 847 and even the older icom >820 (?) - >Once again, I have always advised sat ops to spend the money on the antennas >and coax as this is where you'll find the most advantage for your operation. >Good luck and go to the AMSAT website to obtain a truck load of info >pertaining to satellite station construction and operating advice. >73, >Dee, NB2F >NJ AMSAT Coordinator > >-----Original Message----- >From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On >Behalf Of Alvaro Gaviria >Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 4:51 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Question about radios > >Hello all, > > > >Can someone tell what is better for satellite work, the Kenwood TS-2000X or >the Icom IC- 9100 ?? > > > >Best regards > > > >Andrew >HK4MKE

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Sat Presentations for May 2011
by Clint Bradford 03 May '11

03 May '11

Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will be presenting his "How to Work the FM Amateur Satellites With Your HT" session at the following clubs in the month of May, 2011. ALL are welcome to attend. Attendees will be shown everything needed to work the FM ham satellites - with a re-occurring theme of, "Most hams already have most of the necessary equipment ... " Attendees should download the four-page tutorial beforehand at ... http://www.work-sat.com ... and Clint welcomes pre-presentation questions. Call him at 909-241-7666, or send email to clint(a)clintbradford.com . Chattanooga Tennessee ARC, 7PM local time Thursday, May 5, 2011 American Red Cross chapter 3801 McCallie Avenue Chattanooga TN 37403 Iredell County ARS, 7PM local time May 12, 2011 Julia's Talley House Restaurant Highway 21 North Troutman NC 28166 Palos Verdes ARC, 7:30PM PDT Wednesday, May 18, 2011 Hesse Park Community Room 23901 Hawthorne Boulevard Rancho Palos Verdes CA 90275 West Coast ARC, 7PM PDT Thursday, May 19, 2011 Huntington Beach Senior Outreach Center 1718 Orange Avenue Huntington Beach CA 92648-2478 Barrow ARC, 7PM local time Tuesday, May 24, 2011 Barrow Regional Medical Center - 3rd floor conference room 316 North Broad Street Winder Georgia 30680 /end/

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KB5WIA/P Death Valley Trip Report
by David Palmer 03 May '11

03 May '11

Hi Everyone, The trip to Death Valley went well! We travelled from home (grid CM88 west of Sacramento) east by Lake Tahoe and then south down the east side of the Sierras. First day camping was at Eureka Dunes in northern Death Valley National Park, where I was able to make a number of satellite contacts (grid DM17). Next day we took 4-wheel-drive roads from the Eureka Valley over Steele Pass to Saline Valley, and then up the Lippincott road to Racetrack Valley. We camped out near the moving rocks of the Racetrack, and I was able to make a few more satellite contacts from there (DM16). Especially nice was a morning round-table QSO on Oscar 7 while out in the desert, we had five stations on the bird and a nice conversation! The equipment worked well -- I brought my usual satellite portable station, consisting of the pair of Yaesu FT-817ND radios, an Elk antenna, and a 7-Ah SLA battery for power. Something new that I've been doing is running the radios entirely off solar power -- I have a set of PowerFilm solar panels (20 watts total) that I use exclusively for recharging the SLA battery. I set up the solar array whenever it's convenient to top off the battery, it provides more than enough power for my intermittent satellite operation. A map of the route along with some photos of the scenery and radio equipment is at: http://kb5wia.blogspot.com 73 de Dave KB5WIA

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SO-67
by Kevin Deane 03 May '11

03 May '11

Just went over and was working beautiful as usual, the always strong signal was dying for voices of humans that were no were to be found....Ho humm, you would think with the 51 down people would be all over the 67... Well I look forward to working people new and old, have not heard N8RO lately...Also hoping the 51 is ok. Do we still have Hope for the 68? Thanks to all who make it happen, US and other countries! Kevin KF7MYK

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AMSAT-TAPR Dayton Dinner
by Martha 03 May '11

03 May '11

Just a reminder that the cutoff date for the AMSAT-TAPR dinner at Dayton is May 16th. You can register at the AMSAT website. We will NOT be selling tickets at the booth. See you soon - 73, Martha

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SO-67
by Andrew Glasbrenner 03 May '11

03 May '11

Thanks to the hard work of the folks at Sunspace and AMSAT-SA, it looks like SO-67 will be back on this week. I have sent them the following schedule for North and South America, although sometimes not all the passes are possible. Take advantage of this satellite while we reload AO-51! 73, Drew KO4MA 3MAY2011 0000 0115 0305 0440 1010 1145 1305 1440 1610 1745 1915 2325 4MAY2010 0110 0245 0425 1125 1300 1420 1555 1725 2305 5MAY2010 0055 0230 0405 0545 1105 1235 1400 1535 1710 1840 2245 6MAY2010 0020 0205 0345 0520 1050 1225 1345 1515 1650 1825 2230 7MAY2011 0000 0150 0325 0500 0640 1030 1200 1325 1455 1630 1805 1940 2215 2345 8MAY2011 0125 0310 0445 0620 1010 1145 1305 1440 1610 1745 1925 2325

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Re: Help Desperately with Rotator YAESU g-5400b
by John Kopala 03 May '11

03 May '11

One correction to the information on the G5400B. The schematic locates the capacitors in the rotor for elevation and in the control box for azimuth. This unit uses relays to perform the actual switching. So check the following: 1. Disconnect wires 4, 5, and 6 to the elevation rotor. If you don't disconnect the wires, you will get a reading on both pins 4 and 5 measured from pin 6 due to the run capacitor. 2. Use a voltmeter to check for AC voltage between pin 6 and Pin 5 when you press the UP button. 3. Check for AC voltage between pin 6 and pin 4 when you press the down button. 4. I don't know the exact voltage but would guess something around 25 to 30 volts AC. 5. If these work correctly, the problem could be the limit switch, the run capacitor, or the motor, all located in the rotor housing. 6. If either voltage is not present the problem is in the control box and could be either the relay or the relay driver transistor. That should help pin things down quickly. I'll send the schematic directly. John Kopala N7JK Hi Folks, hope in an help to solve my problem with my Rotator Yaesu G-5400B. Today i was tracking the ISS, ad while i was tracking it I got The AO-51 in AOS. As I am using the Trackbox, and i did not have under my eyes the control box, I heard the Trackbox passing from ISS to AO-51. I gave an eye to the control box and saw it was stuck at 35 degrees and it did not go down to the 0 degrees to start the AOS. I have pulled out the connector which connects the control box to the Track box and tried manually To bring down the antennas. I've tried to press the "DOWN" switch, but they did not move from that position. I've tried to press the "UP" switch and noticed that the antennas moves going up. Then i have tried also with the "RIGHT" and "LEFT" switches of the Azimuth and noticed also that the antennas moves in both sides. At the end i can say that the antenna moves in all the positions except for down. Please anybody can tell me what is happened? As the antennas are now stuck at 45 degrees i am afraid that the wind can cause problems. I Hope in an help. Any help will be really appreciated. Thanks in Advance 73 de Enzo IK8OZV

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