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

AO-40 Replacement
by Armando Mercado 06 Sep '12

06 Sep '12

>Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 11:15:35 -0500 >From: "Kevin Muenzler" <kevin(a)eaglecreekobservatory.org> >To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!! >Message-ID: <003101cd8b81$ae8e3610$0baaa230$@org> >I can understand that! >What I meant was that it could be launched as so many have been launched -- from the shuttle cargo bay. But, no more >shuttles...Mr. Obama gave them all away. :( ------------------- Hello, Nothing like an AO-40 discussion to liven up the mail list. Not to get into politics, but the above statement is incorrect. Jan. 14, 2004, President Bush gave a speech on America's new vision for space exploration, In part he said... "...The Shuttle's chief purpose over the next several years will be to help finish assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the Space Shuttle -- after nearly 30 years of duty -- will be retired from service..." The shuttle last flight was July 8,2011, after the current administration approved the flight of STS-135, using the last flight ready SRB's and external tank. Transcript of the speech can be found at: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/54868main_bush_trans.pdf 73 Armando, N8IGJ

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FUNcube + SatPC32 + SDR-Radio
by Thomas Doyle 06 Sep '12

06 Sep '12

The FUNcube and SDR-Radio work great together. Transmit control for satellite use in SDR-Radio is very limited (non-existent from what I have been able to find). I would like the FUNcube / SDR-Radio combination to act like a simple receiver under cat control from SatPC32 or similar program. I would like to talk with anyone who has actual experience with this. tnx & 73 W9KE

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Homemade Satellites in Bloomberg Businessweek
by Trevor . 06 Sep '12

06 Sep '12

About Sandy Antunes. (He used Kickstarter to raise the funds for an amateur radio ground station to receive his Interorbital Systems TubeSat). Why Yes, It Is Time for Homemade Satellites http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-09-05/why-yes-it-is-time-for-home… 73 Trevor M5AKA

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TechEdSat - Iridium and Orbcomm?
by Trevor . 06 Sep '12

06 Sep '12

There's just been a comment posted on the AMSAT-UK website from Henry which says: "Iridium and Orbcomm have been dropped from TechEdSat (wires cut) for regulatory reasons." I must admit I had wondered about the satellite transmitting from space on frequencies allocated to ground stations. Does anyone have any further information ? 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: AO40 replacement !!!
by Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich 06 Sep '12

06 Sep '12

Just read a posting about a possible replacement for the ill fated super sophisticated over-engineered ultra complex AO40 satellite. My perception is that any attempt to create a New Generation Molnya Orbit Satellite must undergo a very serious and comprehensive engineering research , in order to keep it within an area of simplicity that will make possible a much higher degree of reliability. No, it is not a call for an ultra simple parrot satellite, or a medium level of sophistication... what I am proposing is to achieve a consensus on how to keep the new satellite within engineering performance parameters that will help to keep costs down, increase the MTBF ( Mean Time Between Failures ) of its equipment, and also to achieve a high degree of operational control so that it can be kept working for a long time. In the meantime, until an AO40 Molnya satellite may be designed and funds can be found to build it and then obtain a piggy back ride on a launch... it would be nice to try to assemble one or more satellites that could follow the very effective and practical designs of the RS10, RS12 and RS 15... If such satellites are built they will certainly be most welcome at a worldwide scale, especially now that heliophysicists ( i.e. solar scientists ) are almost sure that the present solar cycle and the one following are going to bring monthly sunspot averages not seen in more than a century !!! Maybe this posting could start a very productive thread on the AMSAT.BB amigos !!! It would be nice to hear opinions and points of view from all around the world on this topic 73 and DX Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich ( AKA Arnie Coro ) Emergency Coordinator IARU Region II Area C Host of Dxers Unlimited radio hobby program Radio Havana Cuba

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Thursday 9/6 from BL02 - late addition
by Tom Deeble - KA6SIP 06 Sep '12

06 Sep '12

Aloha, Due to a change in schedule I will be able to operate on two passes on Thursday. Sorry for the late notice. Thursday 9/6/12 FO-29 2215-2220Z 12:15-12:20 HAST AO-27 2225-2232Z 12:25-12:32 HAST 73's - Tom Tom Deeble - KA6SIP Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club Membership Chairman ka6sip(a)aol.com PACIFICON - ARRL National Convention Oct 12-14

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Sept. VHF Contest - EM35
by Rick - WA4NVM 05 Sep '12

05 Sep '12

Hi All, Our contest group is heading out to Mt. Nebo, AR (EM35) tomorrow morning to work the Sept. VHF contest, or as we like to call it, "the Mt. Nebo eating contest with a little ham radio." I will be using our contest call NE5BO from Thursday evening until Monday morning. I only plan to work the FM birds, but have taken over one of the TS-2000 radios and the beam antenna's for an SSB contact in the past. If you want to work this grid, you can contact me by email on my cell phone. wa4nvm(a)gmail.com We don't have wifi on the mountain. Also, if we work and you need a card, just email me and I will get it in the mail next week, no card needed from you. Also, we would appreciate any contacts during the contest. 73, Rick WA4NVM

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Re: AO40 replacement !!!
by John Becker 05 Sep '12

05 Sep '12

At 12:37 PM 9/5/2012, you wrote: >I am resigned to the fact we will in all probability never see another AO-40 (sobsob) And the reason your thinking that is?

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AO 40 replacement status
by John Becker 05 Sep '12

05 Sep '12

OK I have got to ask what is the status? Seems to be the best kept secret. John, W0JAB

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Re: AO40 replacement !!!
by Kevin Muenzler 05 Sep '12

05 Sep '12

That would explain an explosion. Those things don't just "burn off." From: R Oler [mailto:orbitjet@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 6:35 PM To: kevin(a)eaglecreekobservatory.org; Amsat BB Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!! Kevin. AO-40 was damaged not by a collision with the launch vehicle...but by the ground crew leaving a "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" tag and plug in the propulstion system and the engine not working well in that config. WB5MZO Robert > From: kevin(a)eaglecreekobservatory.org > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2012 17:40:16 -0500 > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!! > > In my opinion (it's worth every penny you just paid for it) if they are > going to create a new super sophisticated "Phase III Part Deux" it should > perhaps be taken to the ISS in pieces, assembled there and blown into a > long-period orbit. But then that's just my opinion. If I remember > correctly AO-40 was damaged by a collision with the launch vehicle shortly > after separation. Of course a new generation of easy-sats that can be > worked using a J-pole setup would be nice too. > > Kevin Muenzler, WB5RUE > Grid EL09uf > Eagle Creek Observatory > http://www.eaglecreekobservatory.org > I can melt ice with my mind, it just takes a few minutes. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On > Behalf Of Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich > Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 5:21 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!! > > Just read a posting about a possible replacement for the ill fated super > sophisticated over-engineered ultra complex AO40 satellite. > My perception is that any attempt to create a New Generation Molnya Orbit > Satellite must undergo a very serious and comprehensive engineering research > , in order to keep it within an area of simplicity that will make possible a > much higher degree of reliability. > No, it is not a call for an ultra simple parrot satellite, or a medium level > of sophistication... > what I am proposing is to achieve a consensus on how to keep the new > satellite within engineering performance parameters that will help to keep > costs down, increase the MTBF ( Mean Time Between Failures ) of its > equipment, and also to achieve a high degree of operational control so that > it can be kept working for a long time. > In the meantime, until an AO40 Molnya satellite may be designed and funds > can be found to build it and then obtain a piggy back ride on a launch... it > would be nice to try to assemble one or more satellites that could follow > the very effective and practical designs of the RS10, RS12 and RS 15... > If such satellites are built they will certainly be most welcome at a > worldwide scale, especially now that heliophysicists ( i.e. solar scientists > ) are almost sure that the present solar cycle and the one following are > going to bring monthly sunspot averages not seen in more than a century !!! > Maybe this posting could start a very productive thread on the AMSAT.BB > amigos !!! > It would be nice to hear opinions and points of view from all around the > world on this topic > 73 and DX > Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich ( AKA Arnie Coro ) Emergency Coordinator IARU > Region II Area C Host of Dxers Unlimited radio hobby program Radio Havana > Cuba _______________________________________________ > 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

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