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

ID of hardware in the SSTV?
by Burns Fisher 11 Aug '11

11 Aug '11

Hi, There appear to be two different TV camera views that have some parts of ARISSat-1 visible in them. I would guess that one is the 2m antenna, but the other one appears to be thin and wide with a crook on the end. Almost like looking out an airplane window at the wing. Can anyone ID that piece? I've been looking at pictures, but can't seem to find anything that looks similar. (Or might this picture have been taken before deployment and have some little element of the ISS?) Thanks, Burns, W2BFJ

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Arkansas
by BobHerrell 11 Aug '11

11 Aug '11

Hi all, I have had a couple requests lately for my state and grid. If anyone needs Arkansas or EM36 for any reason, please email me and we can make a sked. Am happy to help others get their awards. 73, Bob Herrell AJ5C EM36 Boone County, Arkansas Satellite VUCC #203 Satellite WAS #321

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High Performance Low Cost Scratch Built Rotor for Portable or Indoor Use
by Thomas Doyle 11 Aug '11

11 Aug '11

For many months I have been working on the design of a scratch built (no TV rotor conversion) rotor and it is now operational. The goals for the rotor project were - rugged robust construction, very accurate, low cost, relatively easy to construct, fast, no gear train, no brake, strong enough to handle a pair of small beam antennas such as the Elk 2M/440L5 and 440L8 (Arrow antennas would probably work but I do not have any), run off 12V DC, small, light, at least 450 degree rotation, easy to control the heading, and easy to set up and take down for portable or indoor operation. Things that are not included - the ability to handle large antenna arrays and weatherproofing. The rotor meets all the design goals. In the video the antenna turns through 450 degrees in 19 seconds. You can check the accuracy by looking at the alignment of the front element of the 70cm antenna with the left side of the window blinds on the back wall at the start of the video. After rotating 450 degrees left and then 450 degrees right it is right back where it started. It is very cool or at least I think so. One item finally completed on my bucket list. The video is HD and looks great full screen. Perhaps only a ham would think it looks great. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPhavWyShMo The controller is exactly the same as used in the iPoint project. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnc4-XcEXEQ 73 W9KE tom ... P.S. I am not trying to sell anything.

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AMSAT Downloadable Keps
by Clint Bradford 10 Aug '11

10 Aug '11

Do "we" expect that the AMSAT downloadable Keplerian data will include ARISSat-1/Kedr/RADIOSKAF-B when posted later this week? Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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ARISSat-1 low power mode under sunshine
by Masahiro Arai 10 Aug '11

10 Aug '11

ARISSat-1 was low power mode under sunshine at 1857-1907z and 2033-2042z 10th Aug. CW Tlm at 1902z shows CP +44C BAT 32.57V +209MA Is there any problem on ARISSat-1? Masa JN1GKZ

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Re: AMSAT Downloadable Keps
by Bato, Andras 10 Aug '11

10 Aug '11

Let me echo Clint Bradford, K6LC's question: Do "we" expect that the AMSAT downloadable Keplerian data will include ARISSat-1/Kedr/RadioSkaf-V or RADIOSCAF-B (as it is written in amateur.txt) when posted later this week? gl de ha6nn Andras

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Re: SatPC32
by merv 10 Aug '11

10 Aug '11

Question: can you see footprint of more than one sat at a time on this program? ------Original Message------ From: Dave Webb KB1PVH Sender: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org To: Bato, Andras Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Aug 6, 2011 2:28 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: SatPC32 Oops, I didn't read the whole post. Nevermind. Dave - KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID X On Aug 6, 2011 4:24 PM, "Bato, Andras" <bato(a)starjan.hu> wrote: > Hi Eric ON4HF, > > I wonder which version of SatPC32 are you using? > > I have put your lines into DOPPLER.SQF file but it does not do any change! > > Isn't there any mistake in those lines? > > Otherwise nasa.all file does not contain RADIOSCAF-B data! > > It can be found in amateur.txt list only! > > gl de ha6nn > Andras > > _______________________________________________ > 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 from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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EM99 Thurs, FN01 Fri.
by Helmuth Kump 10 Aug '11

10 Aug '11

I'll be returning to these two grids tomorrow and Friday, working most or all of the daytime passes from about 1300 to 2100 UTC. 73 Doc KT3L

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KB5WIA CM79+ Expedition Trip Report
by David Palmer KB5WIA 10 Aug '11

10 Aug '11

Hi Everyone, Well, I'm back from the CM79/CM89/CN70/CN80 grid expedition. It was quite an adventure! Operating ham radio from the CM79 corner certianly is difficult -- but it was really rewarding to actually make contacts from up there. I made a total of four trips up and down the mountain, hiking over 20 miles with almost 5000 feet of climbing. Thanks to everyone who was trying to contact me, and for your patience dealing with my weak signals!! I've put a full writeup with photos and video on my website at: http://kb5wia.blogspot.com And if you want the short version and just want to see the operating conditions, you can watch the video tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef5_cYzwIZo Briefly: I was able to stick fully to the plan -- and operate exclusivley from the actual intersection of the four grids down the hill from the ridge, using the remote antenna for the low eastern passes. The weather on the trip was great -- good temperatures, little wind, and sunny. The actual area of the grid intersection is heavily forested, and that really soaked up the UHF downlink signals from the sats! I didn't see any ticks, rattlesnakes, bears, nor mountain lions -- but did see plenty of mosquitoes so I was glad to have a full can of DEET. Solar power worked well. Operating from the exact grid intersection wasn't easy, at first I thought it might be impossible, but over time I figured out ways to make it work. I was very fortunate not to have any equipment failures or other disasters! Thanks also to everyone who provided advice before the trip, especially Bill Moore at ARRL HQ and Russ KB8U for tips about the area. See my full writeup for all the details and pictures. As usual, no need to send me a QSL card if you've already sent me one before -- just send me an email with the contact details and if you're in the logs I'll send you a card back. 73 de Dave KB5WIA

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RATS article
by Andy Brian 10 Aug '11

10 Aug '11

Hi, anyone have copy of this article about noise measure? RATS Receiver Alignment Test-Set, R. Blackwell GM4PMK, July pp 13-18 August pp40-43 1995. Radio Communications ( RSGB) I'm interesting to read if anyone can help me get that, Thanks, best regards AB

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