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

Re: FM satellites
by Bill Acito W1PA 07 Jul '11

07 Jul '11

Mother Nature has provided some pretty "biblical" disasters in recent months... Joplin, Haiti, Japan... we had our own bout of tornado’s here in central MA last month (in fact, I live in the the path of the ‘53 F5 Worcester tornado, which until Joplin, had the dubious honor of having the most fatalities.... yes, in Massachusetts). I think it would be pretty straight forward to review each, as an organization, or on your own, and make an honest assessment of what role Amateur Radio played in the aftermath of each, in duration, response, scope, ability to get back up and running, and impact, especially against the “other” media... cell, internet messaging, other radio services, and social media. Then judge 6-12 minute access to a moving, single-channel repeater five or six times a day (assuming you have the means during a disaster to know when the passes are) against the rest. Also, keep in mind how many will or could have access to ham radio, and how many have access to the rest. I would love nothing better to serve my community during a natural disaster, via VHF, HF, or even satellite. But how bad does it have to get before “all else” really does fail, or not come back up quickly? Bill W1PA

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AO-51 Status
by Clint Bradford 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

If what I just worked now on AO-51 is "deteriorated performance" with one dead battery cell and another failing ... Then we have the most magnificent control ops team in the biz. '51 sounded as great as ever here in DM13-land. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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SO67 back from 7 July
by Hans 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

Hi all SO67 SumbandilaSat is back from 7 July with operations over the US. The first day cover competition closing date has been extended till 31 July Schedule is now on www.amsatsa.org.za <http://www.amsatsa.org.za/> . Thanks to the ground station team and engineers at SunSpace for sorting out the problems. 73 Hans ZS6AKV

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People
by Kevin Deane 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

Hmm, if I did not like workin the sats I certainly would not be clogging up this BB with bull$#%* seriously. Kevin KF7MYK

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

Here is a list of awards issued in the last month or so. The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. Robert Sheskin, N3PPH The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award. Claudio Ferrari, IK1YRC #537 Berufliches Schulzentrum Elektrotechnik Dresden, DL0IKT (club station) #538 Mark Korroch, WB8TGY #539 The following have earned the AMSAT Sexagesimal Award. Mark Korroch, WB8TGY #161 The following have earned the South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement award Berufliches Schulzentrum Elektrotechnik Dresden, DL0IKT (club station) #US167 Mark Korroch, WB8TGY #US168 The following earned upgrades to their basic Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award Gail McDaniel, KB0RZD 2K, 3K, 4K The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI 5000 Award. Gail McDaniel, KB0RZD #28 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes

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Kamtronics Question & Suggestion
by Stuart Balanger 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

*Question? I have a Kamtronics Packet Commtroler (3Plus" & on the back, there are 2 computer jacks, 1 has about 15 holes, 8 on top, & 7 on bottom, & a 9 hole jack, 5 on top & 4 on bottom, & was & was wondering where the 2 resptive cables go tp? Also, was wondering if Kamtronics has a home page? (Suggestion) For mext yr's Symposium location be in Huntsville,Al.! (Which I discovered is Bet. Birmingham, & Mobile,Al.) 73,.Stu (WA2BSS) *

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Trio TR 9300
by Perry Yantis 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

Does anyone on the bb have an english version of the operators manual for a Trio TR9300 6m radio that could make me a pdf file??? Maybe there is one on line but I have't found it yet?? Perry WB8OTH Perry py41(a)att.net sent from my Apple IMac

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Re: I'm Missing Somethin'
by Clint Bradford 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

You wrote on the AMSAT-BB message server ... "Other then very very easy to use what is the BIG deal about the FM sats? I must be missing something since having a very bad out come when I did (once) to use one. I have got to be missing something." I am not sure what you are "expecting" from the existing FM satellites. I am in my mid-50s as far as age goes, and still get excited at the wonderful technology that the FM birds exhibit. And although I have given my presentation entitled, "How to Work the FM Ham Satellites With Your HT" presentation more than 60 times to various clubs and audiences the past couple of years, I continue to find appreciative audiences for this aspect of this wonderful hobby. SO ... I do not completely understand "where you're coming from" as you tell us that thius might not be a "big deal" in the ham radio world. Yes, you and I know that workin' the FM sats is TRULY an example of the "line of sight" theory that we all read about while studying for our ham radio licenses. But as I make my presentations to clubs all over North America, I continue to find appreciative audiences, as others seem to not realize that with a "mere" Technician" amateur radio so much more than just working stations across the valley or hitting those hilltop repeaters. SO ... What's the "big deal?" It's something that "mere Technicians" can do in this magnificent hobby - in addition to "normal" voice privileges - and a privilege that is, IMHO, a truly remarkable and exciting aspect of "Amateur Radio." Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Active FM Sats
by iamsavedbygrace＠q.com 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

I have been out of commission for about a year. What FM SATS are in operation now? Anyone? WA7HQD Lee Ernstrom Syracuse, Utah DN31xb

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L.A. TIMES Covers Shuttle's Influence in Region
by Clint Bradford 06 Jul '11

06 Jul '11

When the nation’s last space shuttle blasts off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Friday, it will mark the beginning of the end of a four-decade-long program steeped in American ingenuity. In an article in Tuesday’s Times, we take a look at the shuttle program's high technology and its lasting imprint on Southern California’s economy. Work on the shuttle program began in 1972 as the Apollo moon landings were coming to an end. The shuttle program marked a new era in human spaceflight and called for a quantum leap in space technology, as the article says: Before the shuttle, astronauts reached space by squeezing into a small capsule launched atop a massive rocket. By the time the shuttle was in design, the space program was looking for ways to keep as many as seven astronauts in orbit for weeks at a time in relative comfort. To do this, scientists and engineers had to rethink nearly every aspect of the endeavor, notably flight controls, rocket engines and protection from searing heat generated by reentry. Along with the story, there’s an interactive graphic that showcases some of the California companies that built parts of the shuttle. There’s also a photo gallery with historic pictures of the shuttles and three panoramas of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne’s rocket engine assembly plant. The countdown has begun for the last space shuttle, Atlantis, which is slated for launch Friday at 8:21 a.m. Pacific time. If you’re interested, you can watch the shuttle launch on NASA’s website. LA Times article and comments: http://tinyurl.com/shuttle-CA Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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