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

2m1eub/p island of skye
by paul robinson 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Hi group just found some 3g coverage..thanks for your msgs....ive a small window state side ...and have already worked k3szh mode a and k8yse a & b mode so look out for me ...im in a valley with high mountains so its not easy and only some passes workable...de paul /p on the island of skye nw scotland. 2M1EUB/P

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Nothing from ARISSat-1?
by Gordon JC Pearce 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Over the past couple of days I've heard ARISSat once. Even on the really high passes (up to 27° on the highest ones) there's just been not a cheep out of it. It must be in full daylight, too. Has anyone else heard it? I notice my tweetly noise is still there on 145.919MHz, still no idea what that is. It seems weaker today, but maybe that's a weather thing. -- Gordon JC Pearce MM0YEQ <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net>

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JUGNU and SRMSAT - Ootober 12 ?
by Trevor . 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

JUGNU is listed on Gunters Space page with a possible launch date of October 12. It's beacon frequency is given as 435.68 MHz JUGNU Frequency http://www.iitk.ac.in/me/jugnu/freq_coord.htm SRMSAT is listed as being on the same launch and is understood to have a 2m control uplink and 70cm downlink. SRM University Ham Exam http://chennaihams.blogspot.com/2010/03/asol-exam-conducted-at-srm-universi… 73 Trevor M5AKA

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5 in EM 55 AWARD
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

If you are new to satellites, look up WA4HFN on qrz.com for the details on the 5 in EM55 award

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Re: A Modest Proposal
by Daniel Schultz 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Here is a useful Google trick that not everybody knows about: In your Google search you can restrict your search results to a specific site by using the "site:" specitication. To search amsat-bb use "site:www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb" and then the string you are looking for. For example, to search the amsat-bb archives for references to SatPC32 type in the Google search box: site:www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb SatPC32 To search for references to the G5500 rotor use: site:www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb G5500 Dan Schultz N8FGV

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ARISSat in sunlight
by John Heath 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Interesting thread regarding MET and ARISSat-1 switch on. Someone made the very good point that the transition in or out of sunlight (eclipse) is not an on/off event. I remember many MIR visuals, and as she passed from sunlight in the west to darkness in the east there was a significant time, perhaps a minute or more when she changed colour from bright and silver white to orange then disappeared into blackness. I always interpreted that as passing through the penumbra, or semi shadow area. ARRISat-1 is at at around 370km, does anyone know how to find the width of the penumbra at that altitude? Working out the transit time through that region might be informative. 73 John G7HIA

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2M1EUB/P Satellite Activation - Isle of Skye
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Hi all, As notified in this weeks news I can confirm that Paul -2M1EUB/P is active on the satellites from the Isle of Skye - Scotland. Once again had the pleasure of making contacts on FM and SSB with Paul from my QTH in Wales today. Very good signal and very well managed by Paul even on AO-51 with the European traffic, however he would still appreciate DX contacts this week from the Island followed by activation from his usual vacation in the North of Scotland. Thanks once again Paul for your dedication and time for these trips. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

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Radioskaf, not radioskaf?
by Gordon JC Pearce 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

I was listening out for ARISSat on the 8am GMT (-ish) pass this morning, and heard nothing from it. On 145.919 I heard the following tones though: http://www.gjcp.net/~gordonjcp/notradioskaf.ogg At first I thought it was a beacon on ARISSat, but they didn't get any stronger during the pass. Now with the satellite somewhere over the Indian Ocean, I can still hear the tones. Does anyone recognise them? They sound too "deliberate" to be RFI from something. They are, as you can hear from the recording, just barely discernable with the preamp on, using an omnidirectional antenna, from my QTH in IO75vv. I guess I'll have to go and climb a hill with the yagi... -- Gordon JC Pearce MM0YEQ <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net>

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Thanks for second Arissat-1 certificate
by andy thomas 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Many thanks for the certificate from tlm report! 73 de andy G0SFJ

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ANS-268 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-268 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * Invitation to Participate in the ARISSat-1/KEDR Operations Survey * Frank Bauer, KA3HDO Retires From NASA After 36 Years * AO-51 to support 54th Jamboree On The Air October 15-16, 2011 * Symposium Reminders! * Portable Satellite Operations Qualify for Reverse-VUCC Award * Mobile Satellite Operation From Island of Skye On-The-Air Now * AMSAT Member N8MS in Newspaper Feature With Students * Special Event NW2C 911 Portable Satellite Station Video Posted * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.01 Invitation to Participate in the ARISSat-1/KEDR Operations Survey AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.01 Steven Bible, N7HPR says that the ARISSat-1 Team has put together a survey on ARISSat-1 operations. Please take a few minutes to answer the questions at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/arissat1-operation. The survey results will be posted to the Official ARISSat-1 website: http://www.arissat1.org. Meanwhile, Alan Biddle says the ARISSat-1/KEDR Team is still looking for entries in the Chicken Little Contest. This involves your prognos- tications/calculations/guesses/darts-in-the-calendar submissions for when ARRISSat-1/KEDR makes its final orbit. We have a fair number of submissions from all over the world from adults, but very few from students. If you know of one who might be interested, encourage them to enter. The details are here: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ARISSat/ARISSatContest While it is not going to receive the coverage of UARS, the closest submissions in each category will be recognized. Right now, the deadline is the 15th of October, though since ARISSat-1 is "floating like a butterfly" that MIGHT get extended. /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.02 Frank Bauer, KA3HDO Retires From NASA After 36 Years AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.02 After an illustrious 36 year career with NASA, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, has retired from the agency. In his farewell note to his colleagues, Bauer said that for someone who dreamed about space exploration as a very young child and start- ed at NASA when the Apollo program was in its twilight, it has been truly a pleasure to spend over 3 decades developing and operating systems as part of the NASA team. Bauer said that he has had what he called a phenomenal time contributing to countless Human and Robotic spacflight missions, flight tests, technology experiments, pioneering systems, studies, formulations and on-orbit operations activities as well as numerous agency-level, U.S. Government and international strategies and initiatives. In addition to his job with NASA, KA3HDO, had a parallel volunteer career as one of the leaders of the manned Amateur Radio in Space program. Among his many achievements was taking manned ham radio operations on-orbit from the now retired space shuttles under the SAREX operation over to the International Space Station and into the ARISS program. Bauer, who stepped down from ARISS and AMSAT duties in March of 2009, had served as ARISS Program Leader and ARISS International Working Group Chair. Since 1991, he had also held the title of AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs. In May of 2009 Bauer was presented with the ARRL President's Award for his many contributions to ham radio's part of mans exploration of space. [ANS thanks the Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1780 - September 23 2011 for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.03 AO-51 to support 54th Jamboree On The Air October 15-16, 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.03 The AO-51 Command Team is happy to announce support of the Scouting Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) during the weekend Oct. 15-16, 2011. The AO-51 satellite will remain in its current configuration, with an understanding that contacts involving Scouts will be given first priority during this period. The current operating mode of AO-51 is as follows: Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM (No PL tone) Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM The World Scouting Organization in Switzerland posted JOTA informa- tion on their web: http://tinyurl.com/3rfp2cn (www.scout.org) and http://scout.org/information_events/events/jota/the_54th_jota_2011 Also, visit the World Scouting Radio Library at: http://tinyurl.com/5sz7tf5 (www.scout.org) The Boy Scouts of America has several resources on-line for amateur radio stations participating in JOTA: http://tinyurl.com/6d93qb7 (Boy Scouts of America www.scouting.org) [ANS thanks the Scouting Movement and AO-51 Command Team for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.04 Symposium Reminders! AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.04 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches ----------------------------------------------------- Your papers for the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium are due by October 1 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Yes, that's just a couple of weeks from now! Papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at: n8fgv(a)amsat.org. Symposium Registration is Now Open ---------------------------------- The 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA. Our annual gathering will feature: + Space Symposium with Amateur Satellite Presentations + Operating Techniques, News, & Plans from the Amateur Satellite World + Board of Directors Meeting open to AMSAT members (Nov. 3-4) + Meet Board Members and Officers + Annual General Membership Meeting + Annual Banquet-Keynote Speaker and Door Prizes The 2011 Symposium hotel and registration web pages are now available on the AMSAT web site. You may register for the Symposium and Annual Banquet at the AMSAT Store: http://www.amsat-na.com/store/SymposiumReg.php Visit the Symposium and Annual General Meeting web page for details and the latest information: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/index.php Symposium Registration including a copy of the Proceedings is: + $50 per person starting September 20, 2011 + $55 per person at the door The Saturday evening banquet is $45 per person. The Sunday morning Area Coordinator's Breakfast is $15 per person. Hotel information for the Wyndham San Jose is posted at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/Hotel.php Martha at the AMSAT Office (Phone: 301-589-6062) is available to be of assistance with any hotel questions or problems with your registration. [ANS thanks the 2011 Symposium Committee for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.05 Portable Satellite Operations Qualify for Reverse-VUCC Award AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.05 The Central States VHF Society has updated their website to reflect applications for VUCC-r, Reverse VUCC. This award is given to those who have operated via satellites in more than 100 grids away from their home grid. The rules require that applicants submit proof of contacts made from these away from home grids. So if you work someone signing "portable" (meaning they are operating away from home), please remember to in- clude your grid as well as the grid they were operating from on your QSL. You can read all the details on-line at: http://www.csvhfs.org/vuccdesc.html There are now four operators who have achieved VUCC-r distinction: N7SFI-200 grids, N5AFV-109 grids, ND9M-325 grids, and KD4ZGW-100 grids. [ANS thanks John, K8YSE and CSVHFS for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.06 Mobile Satellite Operation From Island of Skye On-The-Air Now AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.06 Paul, 2E1EUB will be active on satellites as 2M1EUB, depending on the weather, from the Island of Skye in western Scotland beginning on Sept- ember 24 for one week. This will be from grid IO67vj. During Paul's second week of mobile satellite operations he plans to operate from the eastern side of Scotland. Paul advises that mobile/portable internet coverage is spotty in these locations but he will attempt access occasionally. He has posted more informaion on his 2M1EUB information at http://www.qrz.com [ANS thanks Paul, 2E1EUB for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.07 AMSAT Member N8MS in Newspaper Feature With Students AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.07 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.07 Matt Severin, N8MS, principal of Dowagiac Middle School in Michigan, took some of his students outside to track and listen to the satel- lite ARISSat-1 on Tuesday, September 13. Two years earlier, Severin, then principal of Sister Lakes Elemen- tary School, had a picture taken of the students and submitted it to be flown on ARISSat. On Tuesday, the students were able to track the satellite, listen to greetings in several languages and receive telemetry as well as SSTV (Slow Scan Television) images with a goal to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The Daily News posted a story on this activity: http://tinyurl.com/3z39yst (www.dowagiacnews.com) Matt is also an instructor in the ARRL Teacher Institute and has helped several other educators bring STEM education, based on ama- teur radio and satellites, into their classroom. Student submissions for ARISSat were stored on a memory chip that was attached to ARISSat-1 and are flying along with the craft as it orbits the Earth. The student projects and photos can all be viewed ARISS Europe web site at: http://www.ariss-eu.org/arissat-1.htm [ANS thanks the ARISS Status Report and Carol, KB3LKI for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.08 Special Event NW2C 911 Portable Satellite Station Video Posted AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.08 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.08 Pete, WB2OQQ operated a portable satellite station on September 11 using the call NW2C, at Historic Fort Totten, located in Bayside New York, only a few miles from ground zero. Fort Totten was one of many placed used in recovery and healing during 911. Pete operated all available FM satellite passes that day. For those that made a confirmed satellite contact and wish to receive a Certifi- cate of Confirmation, visit: http://www.nw2c.org/911.html. A video tribute is posted at: http://vimeo.com/29077529 [ANS thanks Pete, WB2OQQ for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.09 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.09 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.09 + Videos and slides from the Summer CubeSat Developers' Workshop, held August 6-7 at the 25th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, are now available for download: http://tinyurl.com/3sgnrn3 (AMSAT-UK) + The well publicized re-entry of the UARS satellite may have al- ready occurred at press time. An interesting video simulation of the re-entry can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5laK2JopaVE&feature=player_embedded + An interesting article about three recently declassified American spy satellites can be read at: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1109/19nrodeclassified/ + The NASA Education Express Message for September 22, 2011 reports that registration is open for the Team America Rocketry Challenge 2012. This a national model rocket competition for U.S. students in grades 7-12. Teams of three to 10 students are challenged to design, build and fly a model rocket that will climb to 800 feet with a payload of two raw eggs and stay aloft for 43 to 47 seconds. The payload must then return to earth unbroken. Cash prizes are awarded to the top finishers. NASA invites top teams to participate in their Student Launch Initiative, an advanced rocketry program. Participation is limited to the first 1,000 teams who register by November 30, 2011. For more information, visit: http://www.rocketcontest.org/ + The dates for the next Hudson Valley Satcom nets are September 29, October 13, and October 27 at 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (UTC - 4). You can tune in via the 146.970 MHz Mt. Beacon repeater, PL 100.0 or via EchoLink on the N2EYH-L node. More info is available at: http://www.hvsatcom.org (Stu, WA2BSS) + A new video from NASA's Dawn spacecraft takes you on a flyover jour- ney above the surface of the giant asteroid Vesta. The data obtained by Dawn's framing camera, used to produce the visualizations, will help scientists determine the processes that formed Vesta's striking features. It will also help Dawn mission fans all over the world vis- ualize this mysterious world, which is the second most massive object in the main asteroid belt. The video and article is posted at: http://tinyurl.com/3tn932m (science.nasa.gov) + NASA has made historic and interesting sounds and sound bites from space missions available for download as ringtones or on your computer for events, errors, alarms and notifications. These are available in both MP3 and M4R (iPhone) files. To listen to and download the sounds, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/sounds The NASA App for Android allows users to easily preview and set the sounds as ringtones can be found at: https://market.android.com/details?id=gov.nasa + Radio-Electronics.com provides concise guides, information, tutor- ials and data about radio frequency, RF, technology and RF design on their Radio Frequency, RF, Technology and Design pages at: http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/rf-technology-design [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. And with that, please keep in mind the ham who discovered that a positive attitude may not solve all his problems, but it certainly annoyed enough people to make it worth his effort. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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DM84, DM85, DM86, DM96 activations = SUCCESS
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

It was a pleasure working some of you this week from the grids mentioned in the subject line. I also operated from DM83, EM14, and EM15. It is very apparent that DM83 is much more rare than any other grids I have activated in the region. Several hams had asked that I make a trip specifically to put DM83 on the air. It is not very far out of my business route so activating it was no trouble. I will be doing it again and possibly before the end of this year. If you need any of the following grids confirmed, we can setup a schedule: EM02-07 EM11-14 EM21-26 DM82-85 DM92-96 EL28-29 It may take a few months before I travel to your desired grid but rest assured I will go there and we can attempt contact. Some grids I visit fairly regularly. I've already started to input contacts into my electronic log and upload them to Logbook of the World. If you sent me a QSL card and SASE I will respond early this week. If you did not send me a card but would like me to send you one, please email me the details of our contact. If you do not see our contact confirmed in LotW by the end of this upcoming week, please contact me. For those whom I worked on the DM85/DM95 grid line, I will have a special card related to the nearby attraction on Interstate 40 (7/10 mile east of the grid line.) No SASE req'd. I will be sending them out in a week or two. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 9:57 AM, Clayton Coleman W5PFG <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Over the next few days I will *attempt* to activate grids DM84, DM85, > and possibly DM86/DM96 in the Texas Panhandle region using AO-27, > AO-51, and potentially SO-50. I've scouted a few places where I can > operate these grids in relative proximity to where I will be working. > > 73 > Clayton > W5PFG >

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Re: Two Questions
by K5OE 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

K5TRI Wrote: > Next project will be to build a 2nd IOio and phase them together 90 deg off to > see if that will help with the fading issue (mostly on FO-29) vs buying or building a > complex RHCP/LHCP switchable setup. Good plan on building a second linear antenna. This is not as complex as it sounds and only requires one coaxial relay and one section of delay line (coax). Your choice on how you want to match the impedances, but the simplest for two 50 Ohm feedpoints is to use 50 Ohms for the delay line and at the output of the relay use a 37.5 Ohm matching section (pair of 75 Ohm cables in parallel). You can various schemes in the literature, including the ARRL Satellite Handbook. > My IOio beats your Arrow or Elk in terms of price by leaps :). But then again > it doesn't look as nice. Wow, I finally met a humble ham! 73, Jerry, K5OE

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ARISSAT-1
by BobHerrell 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Today I was able to make my first contact on ARISSAT-1. It was at 2038z with Sebastian, W4AS. It took a while for us to make it, but we finally succeeded. Was Sebastian's second contact. Glad I was able to make at least one contact before we loose the bird.

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Re: ARISSat daylightpower recovery time
by andy thomas 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

I agree with this observation here at IO92NL. Arissat-1 does not switch on immediately when in sunlight, I have missed several passes this morning and in the last few days. I am just waiting for what the MET is announced (voice tlm) as at 1032 utc AOS (coming up) and will backtrack to how long she has been in sunlight. The difference ought to tell us the latency. 73 de andy G0SFJ

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ARRISat-1 SSB QSO w/ WB0KFC
by John Papay 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

ARRISat-1 was in pretty good shape when it finally turned on after being in eclipse this morning around 1510z or so. I had a good qso with WB0KFC and heard someone else (maybe N8MH?) at the end of the pass. The bird went off the air around 1516z before my LOS. The next pass at 1643z should be good for western and the southeastern USA. Give it a try. It's 15 degrees for me but I'll be calling. Run as much power on the uplink as you have. It doesn't hear very well with a stubby antenna. Hope to work you. 73, John K8YSE

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UARS is gone, but you can still enter the ARISSat-1 Chicken Little Contest!
by Alan P. Biddle 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

All, Now that everybody has climbed out from under their beds, it might be a good time to think about entering the ARISSat-1 Chicken Little Contest. We are still looking for calculations/guesses/darts-in-the-calendar submissions for when ARRISSat-1 makes its final orbit. We have a fair number of submissions from all over the world from adults, but very few from students. If you know of one who might be interested, encourage them to enter. The details are here: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ARISSat/ARISSatContest While it is not going to receive the coverage of UARS, the closest submissions in each category will be recognized. Right now, the deadline is the 15th of October, though since ARISSat-1 is "floating like a butterfly" that MIGHT get extended. TBD. We want to give people enough time to enter. However, if we wait too long, the window narrows significantly, putting those who submitted early at a disadvantage. Alan WA4SCA

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NASA Says ...
by Clint Bradford 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

We can now confirm that #UARS is down! Debris fell to Earth between 11:23 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 23, and 1:09 a.m. EDT Sept. 24. -NASA Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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UARS
by Peter Portanova 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

NASA UPDATE UARS Updatesa.. Update #15 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 03:46:42 AM EDT NASA's decommissioned Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite fell back to Earth between 11:23 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 23 and 1:09 a.m. EDT Sept. 24. The Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California said the satellite penetrated the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. The precise re-entry time and location are not yet known with certainty. 73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com

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ARISSat daylightpower recovery time
by Richard Ferryman 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Although I have severely limited satellite visibility I have been copying telemetry from ARISSat1 for some weeks. I live in a valley surrounded by chalk hills and cliffs over 100 metres higher than me so my visible horizon is +12 degrees to +18 degrees at best. Also my 3+3 element short crossed yagi and rotator are in the attic! This worked beautifully when the satellite batteries held up and now when ARISSat is powered up. However I notice it can take 10 minutes or more from the time the satellite enters sunlight until the system bursts into life. At present this means loss of telemetry at this location when ARISSat is over the Atlantic, and even on overhead passes if it has been in sunlight for less than 10 minutes. Question is why it takes ARISSat so long after entering sunlight before it starts transmitting? Surely if the batteries have failed high resistance the voltage should be up within seconds of entering sunlight. Dick G4BBH

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SatPC-32 vs HRD
by Kevin Deane 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Check out the new comic on my QRZ page. I made it 0 -- 0 so far even though I use HRD. Kevin KF7MYK

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No NORAD Data Coming
by Clint Bradford 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

NORAD stopped updating UARS sat data ... Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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UARS Down?
by Clint Bradford 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

NASA says it continues to wait for final confirmation of re-entry. "If debris fell on land (and that's still a BIG if), Canada is most likely area," the space agency just said. Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Re: Falling Sat
by Clint Bradford 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

>> ... Are we going to be able to see it or what? Where's Clint when you need him? NASA just Twitted ... Re-entry is expected between 11:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 12:45 a.m., Sept. 24, Eastern Daylight Time (3:45 a.m. to 4:45 a.m. GMT). The satellite should be passing over Canada and Africa, as well as vast areas of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. NASA will be updating this shortly ... Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Falling Sat
by Kevin Deane 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Are we going to be able to see it or what? Where's Clint when you need him? Kevin KF7MYK

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Help
by George and Cheryl Abbott 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Can anyone provide me with the AMSAT or NASA designation for the UARS satellite that is falling?73 George,W1GMA

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Oky-Doky
by Kevin Deane 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

I got stamps burnin a hole in my folder for anyone left for DN00,20,21 feel free to E-mail the Qsl info and I will send a card/cards your way. Got a bunch in the mail today goin out tomarrow. Looks like we are in luck, Jim is letting me take the good antenna to Cali so I can hear all you satellite people better. DM 4,5,6,7,8,13,14,15,16 CM 96,97,98 are in my path, wont be able to get them all of course. Takin I-5 one way 395 the other. Giving grids away was more fun than I thought!!! Plus I like doin the cards as well. Talk to ya on the air! Kevin KF7MYK HRD Rules!

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Re: Two Questions
by Jeffrey Koehler 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

I use a FT-726R. An Alliance az rotor. A yaesu elevation rotor. And computer control of none of them. And using them for both says and EME. Doppler is not a big deal on EME. But, I'm as dumb as a stump. Trial and error is the norm in my shack. If I can do it, any one can. Just keep doing it until you hear yourself on the downlink. 73. Jeff WB2SYK FN13xc

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SSB, SatPC32 and Doppler (was Two Questions)
by Carl Rimmer W8KRF 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Steve N9IP did a very good job of explaining how to set up for VO-52 and other transponder type sats. I have the TS-2000 and use SatPC32 with it with great success on the FM birds especially ARISSat-1. There is one clarification I would like to make to Steve's SOP. The "C+" and "C-" should be "CW+" and "CW-". We don't want confusion between that and turning CAT control on and off. I used HRD Sat Track for years and always had problems with the Doppler correction. This has not been the case with SatPC32. I love it and will continue to use it for all my sat work. I am hoping to get more active since I will be installing two mast mounted pre-amps tomorrow. The anticipation is driving me nuts. I hope I am not let down. 73, -- *Carl W8KRF*

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AG-25 Icom Preamp
by Dee 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

Anyone have a schematic??? I have the manual but that gives no useful info on replacing the GASFET. Certainly not in the ICOM site. Thanks in advance... 73, Dee Interdonato 118 Westervelt Place Lodi, NJ 07644 morsesat(a)optonline.net

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Sea Launch this evening
by Trevor . 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

It looks like Sea Launch is back in business with a launch planned for this evening GMT. BBC News Report at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15021658 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Two Questions
by Thomas Doyle 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

I have two questions that I have wondered about for quite a while. There was a gap in my satellite activity of 20 years or so. AO-10 was the last satellite I used a lot. Not sure what sparked my interest again but I have been having a great time on the satellites. Right from the beginning I noticed that things have changed a lot. I have made about 70 contacts on CW, SSB and FM. Most of the contacts have been on FM. Question 1 relates to activity levels. I have 270 something countries on HF so I have been in my share of DX pileups. What I find really strange is how there will be the usual horrific pile up on AO-51 and then when an FO-29 pass comes a short time later there will usually be no one on. I realize the emphasis is all on "keeping it simple" but wonder how this change occurred. Did it happen all at once - did it happen when the last HEO satellite died. Are the linear sats too complicated. Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore. Question 2 relates to the rest of the world. I notice that FO-29, which seems to be the best linear satellite, came from Japan. What is activity like in Japan/Europe and the rest of the world outside the US. Is it mostly just FM on V/U sats. I believe the current US effort is an FM only Fox with a linear sat in the "2015 time frame". Since the FO-29 activity is almost zero it would see strange to put up another US linear sat at any time. As old as I am the "2015 time frame" might be beyond my chicken little date so I wonder if there are there any LEO linear sats in the works in other parts of the world. I am not complaining I just wonder what happened and what the future holds. Feel free to reply directly. 73 W9KE tom ... AMSAT LM 0875

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SSB, SatPC32 and Doppler (was Two Questions)
by Stephen E. Belter 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

This e-mail is my feeble attempt to provide a helpful response to how to set-up SatPC32 for Doppler correction when operating SSB. I'm not an expert, but I just went through this process because I'm migrating from Nova to SatPC32. Since I'm out-of-town, I don't have access to my satellite station, so I'm doing this from memory. I also deleted your original post, as I was hopeful that an expert would step forward to help you. Your station is fine, with the Kenwood TS-2000 (?) and SatPC32. Your success operating the FM satellites is a good proving ground. Here is the approach I took: (1) Install SatPC32, update the Keplarian elements, and synchronize the PC clock to a national standard like WWV/NIST. (2) Get your radio and SatPC32 communicating, and verify the operation (including Doppler correction) using the FM satellites (AO-27, SO-50, and AO-51). (3) Wait for a good pass of VO-52, for example 60+ degrees maximum elevation. I suggest VO-52 because it is the newest (compared to AO-7 and FO-29), it is more tolerant of using too much transmit power, and it has the smallest transponder correction. (4) Open the "CAT" window. You can move the Window so that it doesn't block access to the main SatPC32 window. Tune the radio above the center of the satellite passband to reduce the QRM to other users. Make sure you are in SSB mode on the radio ("C-" on SatPC32). (5) Using your call and "Test 1-2-3", listen for yourself while you are transmitting. You probably won't hear yourself at all, at least I didn't. Using the +100 and -100 buttons in the Transmit Correction part of the CAT window, try to find yourself. For VO-52, you should hear yourself within +/- 1500 hertz. (I think I was about +800, but that is from memory.) (6) Once you hear yourself using the +/-100 buttons, fine tune using the +/-10 buttons. (7) You can improve the tuning of your uplink/downlink using CW mode ("C+" on SatPC32). Zero-beat the Kenwood's CW sidetone with your received signal. (8) *Save* the result by using the "Save" button in the CAT window. When given the choice, save the transmitter correction. (9) Verify that things are working by working a few VO-52 QSOs. (10) Repeat using FO-29 and AO-7, in that order. You may need to search over a wider frequency range (+/-3000 hertz). (11) One other important change when moving from FM to SSB. Your power output is important! Learn how to reduce your power and use the minimum power needed to hear yourself on the satellite. If you use too much power, you'll trash other conversations on the satellite and your transmissions will be badly distorted! Good luck! 73, Steve N9IP --

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Re: Two Questions
by Buckley, Jack 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

I love it :) Controversy that is! Real men use Linux/UNIX anyway (sorry couldn't resists and a bit of controversy is always fun ;) ). 73 Mike K5TRI Mike, I thought real men could use anything or rather make anything work including computer operating systems (OSes)? :O ;) :) Boy does a discussion regarding OSes open a can of worms or what? Around here it can get downright bloody FYI: W1AKN uses all the OSes (not by choice) Love the AMSATBB - great source of knowledge. Just had to chuckle and throw my nickel in the pot :( It is always nice to see someone chime in with a bit of humor. Thank you for the grin and laugh this morning Mike - --... ...-- Jack Buckley Callsign: W1AKN Locator: FN41mv - Cape Cod <;))))>< E-Mail: w1akn(a)arrl.net<blocked::mailto:[email protected]> The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly dispose of the e-mail.

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Re: Two Questions
by Ted 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

A statement/opinion like that is worthless without some solid data. You can't just malign the guy. Simon says he used David Taylor's open source satellite-tracking library to get started and wrote his own library, shipped as a dll with HRD and based on NORAD SGP4/SDP4 implementations by Michael F. Henry. I don't have a clue what all that means but it sounds like Simon's program was not just cobbled together. SATPC32 looks to me like an 80's dos program. Very unattractive. It is not logical to state that 'Everybody' in the entire sat community has problems with HRD's Doppler. I want more proof K7TRK _____ From: kq6ea(a)verizon.net [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 4:23 PM To: k7trkradio(a)charter.net; tomdoyle1948(a)gmail.com; AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Two Questions try SatPC32. *Everybody* I know who uses HRD has problems with the Doppler correction. Jim KQ6EA On 09/22/11, Ted<k7trkradio(a)charter.net> wrote: "Are the linear sats too complicated? Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore." Tom, speaking only for me, I have tried several times to work a linear. I have a TS 2000 with the sat function and HRD sat program which allegedly adjust the Doppler, 2m/440 SSB and a Elk on a rotor w/fixed el.. Try as I might, I cannot get the tx and rx to match so I can duplex. There just does not seem to be single primer that one can follow on how to accomplish the process. There are multiple opinions from individuals, but not much of a consensus on a good standard process. Admittedly, I have problem not given a fair amount of time on my technique as I was concentrating on VUCC. Now that that will go to the card checker tomorrow, I need to spend some time on the linear. I just wish there was a 'manual' 73, Ted K7TRK -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thomas Doyle Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 12:02 PM To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Two Questions I have two questions that I have wondered about for quite a while. There was a gap in my satellite activity of 20 years or so. AO-10 was the last satellite I used a lot. Not sure what sparked my interest again but I have been having a great time on the satellites. Right from the beginning I noticed that things have changed a lot. I have made about 70 contacts on CW, SSB and FM. Most of the contacts have been on FM. Question 1 relates to activity levels. I have 270 something countries on HF so I have been in my share of DX pileups. What I find really strange is how there will be the usual horrific pile up on AO-51 and then when an FO-29 pass comes a short time later there will usually be no one on. I realize the emphasis is all on "keeping it simple" but wonder how this change occurred. Did it happen all at once - did it happen when the last HEO satellite died. Are the linear sats too complicated. Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore. Question 2 relates to the rest of the world. I notice that FO-29, which seems to be the best linear satellite, came from Japan. What is activity like in Japan/Europe and the rest of the world outside the US. Is it mostly just FM on V/U sats. I believe the current US effort is an FM only Fox with a linear sat in the "2015 time frame". Since the FO-29 activity is almost zero it would see strange to put up another US linear sat at any time. As old as I am the "2015 time frame" might be beyond my chicken little date so I wonder if there are there any LEO linear sats in the works in other parts of the world. I am not complaining I just wonder what happened and what the future holds. Feel free to reply directly. 73 W9KE tom ... AMSAT LM 0875 _______________________________________________ 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

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How about DM 6,7,8
by Kevin Deane 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

These maybe? DM 6, 7, 8 Kevin KF7MYK

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Cali Grids
by Kevin Deane 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

Would anyone be interested in Grids From Placerville Ca to Temecula Ca? I did not do that good (3 out of 5) on the last trip but practice makes more better. MOON that spells GRIDS. CM 96,97,98 DM 13,14 Kevin KF7MYK

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Reverse VUCC Award Standings Updated for Satellites
by John Papay 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

The Central States VHF Society has just updated their website to reflect applications for VUCC-r, Reverse VUCC, filed some time ago. http://www.csvhfs.org This award is given to those who have operated via satellites in more than 100 grids away from their home grid. There are now four operators who have achieved this distinction. They are N7SFI-200 grids, N5AFV-109 grids, ND9M-325 grids, and KD4ZGW-100 grids. The rules require that applicants submit proof of contacts made from these away from home grids. So if you work someone signing "portable" (meaning they are operating away from home), please remember to include your grid as well as the grid they were operating from on your qsl. This will provide the proof of contact required by the Central States VHF Society. Congratulations to all of these operators and especially to the newest additions to the list, Jim ND9M and Rob KD4ZGW. Well done! 73, John K8YSE

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PCSAT32 -Doppler.SQF
by Rob Styles 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

In the process of reading the manual for PCSAT32 but it would be nice to have up to date Doppler.sqf file until I i get around to changing my own , so If your willing to send me you file,thanks in advance send to m0tfo(a)m0tfo.co.uk Rob

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Sounds of NASA
by Clint Bradford 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

THE SOUNDS OF NASA AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- Historic and interesting sounds and sound bites from NASA space missions are available for download as ringtones or on your computer for events, errors, alarms and notifications. The public now can hear the roar of a space shuttle launch or Neil Armstrong's, "One small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," every time they get a phone call. A new NASA web page now has a collection of more than 35 different sounds, each approximately 20 seconds. Examples include: - Apollo 13's John "Jack" Swigert commenting "Houston, we have a problem" - Crackle of the historic last launch of the space shuttle, STS-135 - Segments from President John F. Kennedy's historic moon speech - Sound wave conversions of the light curve waves created by stars discovered by NASA's Kepler mission and other sounds of planets and stars "NASA has been making historic sounds for over 50 years," said Jerry Colen, NASA App project manager at the agency's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. "Now we're making some of these memorable sounds easy to find and use." The NASA sounds are available in both MP3 and M4R (iPhone) files. NASA will update the collection as new sounds become available. To listen to and download the sounds, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/sounds The NASA App for Android allows users to easily preview and set the sounds as ringtones. To download the most recent version of the NASA App for Android, visit: https://market.android.com/details?id=gov.nasa -end- Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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EM45
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

If work will allow, I will be on from em45 on AO27 today 9/22 WA4HFN

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Re: Amplifier Suggestions?
by Tom Clark 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

James, KF6RFX asked: > We are looking for a UHF amplifier (430-440MHz) for a transceiver to go from > 10 mW to ~ 75W. Most of the amps were are funding require a much stronger > input power than we can do. Note, it's a transceiver, so we want to be able > to receive through the system as well. This is for half duplex satellite > communication using a USRP radio. > > Do you have any suggested amps? You might want to check with some of the "custom" amateur shops like Pure RF (http://www.purepowerrf.com/), Downeast Microwave (DEMI, http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/) or DB6NT (http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/home.html). In particular, DB6NT has 50mw in, ~50w out amplifier (http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/products/power-amplifiers/mku-pa-4047-60-…) that is close to what you ask for. You didn't mention price constraints. Any of the "conventional" amateur "bricks" are will probably set you back $500-$750. There are some commercial alternatives you might look at. In particular check out MiniCircuits; at the $2000 level, the LZY1+ (http://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/LZY-1+.pdf) has 39+ db gain and will produce 50 w of RF on either 2M or 70cm. Their older ZHL-50W $1400 brick (http://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/ZHL-50W-52.pdf) is also a good unit. On the MiniCircuits units, I'd strongly advise that you get it with their BIG heatsink/fan. You say you need fast half-duplex. I presume that the downlink will be on a different band (like 2M). If not, the selection of T/R transfer relays will not be easy, especially if you want to avoid zapping your LNA. Good luck & 73, Tom Clark, K3IO

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Amplifier Suggestions?
by James Cutler 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

Hello, We are looking for a UHF amplifier (430-440MHz) for a transceiver to go from 10 mW to ~ 75W. Most of the amps were are funding require a much stronger input power than we can do. Note, it's a transceiver, so we want to be able to receive through the system as well. This is for half duplex satellite communication using a USRP radio. Do you have any suggested amps? Thanks, --James, KF6RFX

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Arissat-1 Voice telemetry analysis from G0SFJ
by andy thomas 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

I have submitted for a tlm certificate my analysis of the voice telemetry from Arissat-1 on certain orbits in September (when I was present, hi). The dates of the receptions in September are in the analysis spreadsheet. The MET is decreasing, I think this is because the satellite comes out of eclipse and swithches on nearer the observation, as the orbit is precessing I think the analysis shows that as the MET decreases, the IHU temperature decreases, and the battery current increases (this is a lesser negative number). Put that another way, as the MET in sunlight increases, the IHU temperature increases and the circuit current decreases (greater negative number). However I don't know why the circuit reports a negative current, or even if the voice tlm is accurate. I'd be grateful for any comments. 73 de Andy G0SFJ .

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Netbooks again
by ANTHONY JAPHA 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

All, I received many helpful comments about the use of netbooks. Thanks to all. As it turned out, I got an ASUS netbook, which takes more than 5 pounds off the weight of the equipment used for my occasional portable satellite work. The hard part was finding a USB to serial port adapter that works. The job is to run 2 of these adapters to control the frequencies of 2 FT817 transceivers to correct for doppler shift. One FT817 is used for Rx, the other for Tx. The doppler shifts for Rx and Tx differ. What's needed is CAT control by SatPC32 software, which is a terrific program. The computer runs Window 7. After trying 3 adapters that didn't work, the problem was finally solved by using the USB to serial adapter made by Sabrent, Item CB-FTDI. This adapter is sold by Elecraft as the CAT cable for the K3 (Elecraft part KUSB). Now I have full freq. control to use with the CW/SSB satellites, just as I had with the much heavier laptop that the netbook replaces. (It needed only 1 adapter because it had a serial port, and an old Radio Shack adapter worked well.) 73, Tony, N2UN

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FM02 K3NXH/4 AO-51
by Chuck Gress 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

FYI for those who may be in need of FM02 on AO-51.I will work the 20:09 UTC pass on Saturday September 24th. ChuckK3NXH

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Ao51 reports.
by mm0kjg 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

Hello there. Am looking for any reports of my Call being received Stateside during any of the Ao51 passes. I only have a small humble station consisting of Ic-910 in to a dualband vertical on my chimney and am considering buying a pre-amp for 70cm . If am not being heard Stateside on the West passes from my locator Io85iv Ill maybe not spend money on a preamp?. I have had 2xcontact with KB1RVT so we shall see. Please email me or send a message on here. Thanks and 73's Kev MM0KJG

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UARS Keps Enclosed
by Bryan Herbert 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

These are current as of this morning and seem to be accurate when compared to the NASA mission status page. UARS 1 21701U 91063B 11263.18833764 .01299762 11120-4 56017-3 0 6054 2 21701 56.9440 281.4376 0013731 14.2607 345.8929 16.21836581108546 Until last night the altitude of UARS varied between 130-140 miles. As I type this it is at 127 miles and appears to be gradually dropping. If you have Ham Radio Deluxe v.5 add the 'Visual' sats group and you will see UARS listed. -- Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP Newhall, CA. DM04RJ USA http://bryanherbert.com http://twitter.com/ke6zgp

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TP50CE Special Event Station Satellite Operation
by JoAnne Maenpaa 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

This would be too late if we waited for the weekend AMSAT News Service news cycle: DXNL 1746 DX Newsletter - Sep 21, 2011 included this item: F, FRANCE The "Council of Europe Radio Amateur Club" (CERAC-TP2CE) is going to activate the special event station TP50CE in all modes on all bands (maybe also satellite) on Sep 23/24. Occasion is the 50th anniversary of the European Social Charter. OPs will be Sergiy,F0EQE, Oleg,RV3DH, and Sparky,RW3AH. QSL via F5LGF. See also: http://ewwa.free.fr -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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CubeSat Deployable Boom
by Trevor . 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Drexel University are doing some work on a deployable boom for Cubesats, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/09/20/cubesat-deployable-boom/ 73 Trevor M5AKA Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK Sample newsletter: http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf ----

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Observations of arissat signal at 52.48 degrees North
by andy thomas 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Guys and gals I have a modest setup here observing Arissat-1 with a yagi fixed in azimuth and elevation and automatically reording. The sstv signal is detectable without a one transitor preamp but only reproducable with it. The most important thing about the setup is the orientation of the receive antenna. It is pointing at approximately 210 degrees and is fixed. You might ask why not set it at the aizmuth of the maximum elevation, which is what I always do for telemetry cubesats. First of all my answer is that I get better pictures at this azimuth. Secondly as I said to Colin G1IVG I think I know why. If you go to the front page of my website http://www.andythomas.eu and scroll down you'll see a sequence of photos I took of the ISS as seen in my telescope. I was surprised how the attitude of the spacecraft changed as it approached 51.6 degrees (the orbital inclination and therefore the maximum latitude subsatellite), then went away relatively southbound (and of course eastbound). We are at 52.48 degrees North. My thesis is that Arissat-11, which is on more or less the same orbital inclnation, exhibits the same change in attitude as it reaches 51.6 latitude, relative to us, so the antenna is not shielded and therefore the signal level peaks. As the signal level is marginal I can detect this slight improvement. I've sent a copy of this to theWelland Valley ARS for comments and would appreciate your comments too. 73 de andy g0sfj

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