June 2012 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

IC-910H options ?
by chuck allen 14 Jun '12

14 Jun '12

Hello folks. I'm totally new to sat operation and VHF/UHF operating (kind of bored with HF). Since I already had a very nice HF and 6 meter rig, after a bit of research on the candidate rigs in my price range (the IC-9100 would have been nice except for the $$) I recently purchased an ICOM IC-910H. The used market for the IC-910H rigs is not exactly cheap at that. The Unit is a very late model in new condition which is why I made a quick decision and hit 'buy'. It is a 'stock' unit with no optional modules; no DSP, no narrow cw filters, no 1.2 GHz module. There doesn't look to be much satellite activity at 1.2 GHz but I'm questioning my purchase now due to the lack of options and my lack of experience. So is the stock unit going to be a problem in working the sats (i'm interested in working FM, SSB, and CW ... perhaps later digital)? Thanks for any advice? chuck AF4XK

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Terrestrial interference
by Lee Maisel 14 Jun '12

14 Jun '12

Who or what exactly uses the same downlink frequencies (or very close to them)? I always hear people talking (FM) when listening for sat beacons... Also, although totally unrelated, someone here may know, on 40m, down around 40.013 I hear what sounds like encrypted/scrambled speech. Who could that be? Thanks 73 W5LMM

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Re: Herringbone Log Periodic
by Clint Bradford 13 Jun '12

13 Jun '12

>> ... Has anyone built Kent's new herring bonehand held antenna? As written up in the Spring, 2012 issue of CQ VHF magazine, the 144mHZ gain was 5.3dBd / 7.4 dVi and 435 mHz gain was 7.6 dBd / 9.7 dBi - so working the FM LEOs would be a breeze with them! Clint Bradford K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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Working the birds Heard the bird (AO-27)
by Jimmy KC9PXZ 13 Jun '12

13 Jun '12

Hi, Well today AT 1900 something UTC, AO-27 made a pass. (I don't know if sending a attachment of the recording will work, or if it's allowed) I heard the bird, for the first time. I did not try a contact as the goal was to hear and track the bird, get a idea of how to tune for Doppler effect. I found it's a lot easier to just wave the antenna around and not use a tri pod. The antenna I used was my home brew yagi's (based on the AM SAT easy yagi's) with one tweak. I mounted them 90 degrees to each other one antenna and two radio's (for full duplex) the receive radio was the new UV5R. I will use my HTX 202 to transmit. You have to un .rar the recording. That's the only way I knew to make it small. I will try again tomorrow and maybe try to make a contact. It's a lot to do at once listen for as well as track the bird with your antenna & record the pass (my phone only records like a minute at a time). I will have to get something better. It's on now! 73 KC9PXZ (EN43qt) Jimmy

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Perfect Ground Track Contest
by Thomas Doyle 13 Jun '12

13 Jun '12

Here is my nominee for the 'Perfect Ground Track Contest' in the 'Lower 48 States Sub-Category'. As required by the strictly enforced contest rules it is a real functional satellite not some made up thing. Yes the SatPC32 'Display Ground Track' box is set to G+ (continuously on). Try to resist the urge to be a spoiler and give the new guys a chance to think about it. http://www.tomdoyle.org/perfectgroundtrack.png Need a hint: (common fiberglass pc board material) + 1 Good Luck 73 W9KE Tom Doyle

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NuSTAR Now In Orbit
by B J 13 Jun '12

13 Jun '12

It was successfully launched using a Pegasus booster earlier this morning. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Re: Last chance to send name to space onboard F-1 CubeSat
by Robert Coppock 13 Jun '12

13 Jun '12

from their recent posts listhttp://www.uk.amsat.org/8172 Watch Jay Leno – SAREX Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment 1992 funny video, thanks, 73 de k f zero g

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UO-11
by Gary Mayfield 13 Jun '12

13 Jun '12

Was in the car with the radio on scan. Heard UO-11 Sunday morning local time in southern Oklahoma while driving back from Hamcom. Strong signal it opened and held open the squelch on my mobile rig. I had no way to record or decode. It sounded like UO-11 always sounds. Only heard during one pass. Had radio on scan most of the day. 73,Joe kk0sd P.S Has anyone built Kent's new herring bone hand held antenna?

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MA 13 Colonies satellite station
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 13 Jun '12

13 Jun '12

My G5500 rotor is having problems with the azimuth portion of it, and I won't have the time to get it repaired before the start, so I won't be participating in the 13 Colonies event this year as the MA station. If there is anyone in MA that can fill in, just email me. Dave - KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID X

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Re: NO-44 status?
by Robert Coppock 13 Jun '12

13 Jun '12

http://pcsat.aprs.org for those who dont know its a bit hard with a D7A and arrow sometimes, but i still like to see mycall on the map. i think it only works in sunlight.seventhree k f zero g robert cn81

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