January 2013 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

G-5500 frozen
by Bob- W7LRD 12 Jan '13

12 Jan '13

For those waiting for the on going rotor drama at the LRD compound. Tipped tower over, removed all antennas, rotor etc. took in shop opened case, one big ice cube inside. The gears can not move through ice! I will clean it up, dry it out, does anyone have any experience with sealing this thing up, making gasket etc ? It is the Yaesu G-5500 elevation rotor. It does rain here a bit (Seattle) hihi 73 Bob W7LRD

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SA AMSAT Accelerating the KLETSkous CubeSat Project
by Trevor . 12 Jan '13

12 Jan '13

SARL news reports that SA AMSAT is in serious need of funding and appeals to radio amateurs to make a financial contribution. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=12162 KLETSkous aims to carry a 435/145 MHz linear transponder http://www.amsatsa.org.za/KLETSkous.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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Re: Ham Radio in UK?
by Joe Leikhim 12 Jan '13

12 Jan '13

Thanks; For some reason, I thought 70CM Repeaters were unavailable in UK, and my W32A might be "contraband". Yes the W32A can work 420-450 MHz, (Mine will :-) ). Yes voice GSM is what we need for the trip. WIFI will have to suffice for data needs. --- On Fri, 11/1/13, Joe Leikhim <rhyolite(a)nettally.com> wrote: > I am planning a trip to UK and was wondering about VHF repeater usage. > > 1) I have an ICOM W32A and it does not generate 1750 Hz tone > as far as I can tell (US Version). Is CTCSS widely used in OK? All 2m repeaters use CTCSS, info on repeaters and coverage maps are at http://www.ukrepeater.net/ > 2) The radio is dual band 2M/70CM but I can disable 70CM > band from front panel. Will Customs hassle me for that > model? Don't know but I've not heard of anyone having problems. BTW can't you open up the 70cm coverage to give 420-450 MHz ? That would enable you to use the UK 70cm repeaters. > 3) Any recommendations for good PMR446, dPMR or similar > radios (low cost) to communicate with my wife should we get > separated? Preferably something readily available and using > AA (not AAA) batteries. > 4) Is GSM still the way to go for basic cell phone service > in UK? We got my son a used blackberry? "world phone" > for his trip last year and it seemed spotty. Maybe he was > getting SIM cards for the wrong provider? If all you want is voice and SMS text messaging then yes GSM is what you are after. For data/internet use you'd need 3G. It's worth checking the coverage provided by each of the Four networks in the areas you'll be visiting before you buy a Sim. Personally I've found Vodafone and O2 give best voice/text coverage as they use the 900 MHz band, other networks EE (Orange/T-Mobile) and 3 are only on the higher bands, 1800 and 2100 MHz with shorter ranges. Coverage Maps: Vod -http://www.vodafone.co.uk/our-network-and-coverage/uk-coverage-map/ O2 -http://www.o2.co.uk/coveragechecker EE -https://explore.ee.co.uk/coverage-checker 3 -http://www.three.co.uk/Support/Coverage 73 Trevor M5AKA -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446 WWW.LEIKHIM.COM

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G-5500 ooops
by Bob- W7LRD 12 Jan '13

12 Jan '13

hello...it has been a bad week at the LRD compound. My 2M preamp went snafu now the G5500el rotor reads zero degrees and will not move. When the up is pressed the lights in the control unit dim ever so slightly just like the az (which works). Tomorrow (1/12) I'll tip the tower over and see what I have. I realize this is premature to put out a specific question. Hopefully it's something simple. 73 Bob W7LRD

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Ot: commercial space ad
by andy thomas 11 Jan '13

11 Jan '13

Sorry guys, but it made me laugh. Hopelessly OT. google "youtube lynx apollo fireman ad" and enjoy! (Bet if he's shown her his HT it would have made a difference, HI) 73 de andy g0sfj

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GB1MIR - 1991 MIR Space Station recording
by Trevor . 11 Jan '13

11 Jan '13

A recording of an amateur radio contact between the UK's first astronaut Helen Sharman GB1MIR and Harrogate Ladies' College GB0JUNO is now available on the AMSAT-UK website. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?page_id=11501 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Ham Radio in UK?
by Joe Leikhim 11 Jan '13

11 Jan '13

I am planning a trip to UK and was wondering about VHF repeater usage. 1) I have an ICOM W32A and it does not generate 1750 Hz tone as far as I can tell (US Version). Is CTCSS widely used in OK? 2) The radio is dual band 2M/70CM but I can disable 70CM band from front panel. Will Customs hassle me for that model? 3) Any recommendations for good PMR446, dPMR or similar radios (low cost) to communicate with my wife should we get separated? Preferably something readily available and using AA (not AAA) batteries. 4) Is GSM still the way to go for basic cell phone service in UK? We got my son a used blackberry "world phone" for his trip last year and it seemed spotty. Maybe he was getting SIM cards for the wrong provider? Thanks in advance -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446 WWW.LEIKHIM.COM

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HAM RADIO IN UK
by paul robinson 11 Jan '13

11 Jan '13

Joe,GSM is best mobile ,vodaphone or o2 will be the best,even in fringe locations,all network coverage is good in towns etc.any network. ctcss or 1750 tone will open all repeaters except dig.ham radio. enjoy Paul 2E1EUB

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WD9EWK @ Thunderbird ARC hamfest in Phoenix AZ, tomorrow
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 11 Jan '13

11 Jan '13

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club's annual hamfest tomorrow (Saturday, 12 January) morning in Phoenix. More information about the event is on the calendar at the AMSAT web site. I plan on working whatever passes are available during the event, including AO-7 - which should change to mode B tomorrow morning. It will be a very cold (for central Arizona) morning, with the temperatures before sunrise probably hovering a few degrees below freezing. If you want a QSL card for a contact with WD9EWK at the hamfest, please e-mail me directly with the QSO details. No need to mail me a card and/or SASE. QSOs will also go into the Logbook of the World. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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BBC show Between the Ears – Space Ham
by Trevor . 11 Jan '13

11 Jan '13

BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting a show (available on the web) celebrating amateur radio and space exploration. Further details at http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=12135 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ Join or Renew your AMSAT-UK membership at http://shop.amsat.org.uk/shop/category_7/Membership-of-AMSAT-UK.html ----

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