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

TurkSat and CubeBug heard
by Wouter Weggelaar 26 Apr '13

26 Apr '13

Hi All, Just received The TurkSat CW beacon and some TX that looks like 9k6 from CubeBug-1.My TNC was set to 1200bd, and I did not have recording on the second RX. I did record TurkSat and will be posting the MP3 soon. CW Message as decoded by Wouter Jan PE4WJ: TURKSAT 3U SAT HAAAAAA YM2RTU 0 0 (the last zeroes are ??) Wouter PA3WEG

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Chinese LM-2D TLE
by Wouter Weggelaar 26 Apr '13

26 Apr '13

Hi All, I have used the following TLEs provided by ISL, the launch broker for the cubes. LM-2D 1 12345U 12345A 13116.18500615 .00000000 00000-0 10000-4 0 6 2 12345 98.0463 191.7751 0017453 249.8818 280.9944 14.76362581 07 These are for the upper stage. The ISIPODS were all successfully deployed. http://www.pa3weg.nl/?id=news 73, Wouter PA3WEG

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CubeSats Successfully Launched from Jiuquan Space Center
by M5AKA 26 Apr '13

26 Apr '13

TURKSAT-3USAT has a Mode J (145/435 MHz) linear transponder for SSB/CW communications and CubeBug-1 a packet radio digipeater, see http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/26/ham-radio-cubesats-successfully-launched/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

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1st Pass Turksat Beacon
by Nader Omer 26 Apr '13

26 Apr '13

At the 1st pass I detect the beacon too at the I&Q audio record file ! RTL-SDR confused me with it low resolution . again congratulation Nader Omer

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Turksat cw beacob
by Nader Omer 26 Apr '13

26 Apr '13

a week turksat ! beacon copied - low pass elevation Xponder not heard - !!! Cubebug-1 beacon not heard !!! congratulation for all cubesats team for the successful launch .

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TURKSAT-3USAT article + CubeBug-1 April 26 launch
by M5AKA 26 Apr '13

26 Apr '13

TURKSAT-3USAT should launch Friday 0413 UT, an article has been published by the Turkish TAMSAT / AMSAT-TR group http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/25/article-on-turksat-3usat-cubesat/ CubeBug-1 with Digipeater also launching Friday http://amsat-uk.org/satellites/cubebug-1/ NEE-01 Pegasus is a CubeSat on the same launch in operates on 910 MHz either HD TV or a FM SSTV/CW/Voice beacon. The 1U CubeSat has an impressive fold-out solar array http://amsat-uk.org/2013/03/14/ecuadorian-tv-cubesats-pass-qualification-te… 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Re: PhoneSat Request From NPR
by Daniel Schultz 26 Apr '13

26 Apr '13

------------ Original Message ------------ >I'm a reporter with NPR who's working on a little story about some cell-phone >satellites that were recently launched into space (Curmudgeon mode on!) 1. I tried to get NPR interested in doing a story about the launch of AMSAT-Phase 3D back in 2000. They did not think that a 600 kilogram satellite with a hypergolic propulsion system, built by volunteer labor from a dozen different countries, financed by a multimillion dollar budget contributed in $50 or $100 increments from hams around the world, was worth doing a story about, but let someone put a cell phone in a cubesat and they think that is a big deal. 2. Cell phones are consumer devices, exquisitely engineered for mass production with reasonably high reliability at minimum per unit cost. Consumer electronics is a highly specialized area of engineering, but so is space flight hardware. Using consumer electronic devices in a space flight environment is a misapplication of engineering principles and is destined to be a technological dead-end. The excuse that the satellite is only intended to last for a short time is rather lame, as is the waste of valuable launch vehicle capacity that could be better used by more serious missions. AMSAT has a dedicated team of highly competent engineers who can supply inexpensive computers and radios that are specifically engineered for space flight, yet we still have cubesat groups buying off the shelf HT's and removing them from the plastic case for installation on their cubesat because they just don't know any better. Apparently neither does NASA. 3. AMSAT-UK had two news items in the last bulletin: "PhoneSat CubeSats with Ham Radio Payloads Launched" and "CubeSats with Ham Radio Payloads Deployed" referring to the BeeSat and SOMP CubeSats. None of these satellites carry a ham radio transponder. None of them support ham radio communications. The mere fact that a satellite transmits telemetry on ham radio frequencies does not make it a "Ham Radio satellite". That term should be reserved for satellites that support the purpose of amateur radio, which is two-way communications between radio amateurs. NASA's own PhoneSat press release says that "These satellites were built by NASA civil servants and contractor employees from USRA and SGT." They weren't built by hams, and they don't serve ham radio. The 435 MHz band does belong to the government as the primary user, and we hams will have access to the band only as long as the government remains as the primary user. If Congress orders the band to be auctioned to commercial interests we will lose the use of it for sure. If NASA needs to use it for telemetry downlink because of the ease of licensing, availability of low cost equipment from the ham radio market, and worldwide availability of hams who may be interested in receiving and forwarding their telemetry, then go ahead and use the amateur satellite band. Just don't call it a "Ham Radio satellite". (/Curmudgeon mode off) Dan Schultz, N8FGV

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Decoding picture packets from PhoneSAT
by Dave WØDHB 26 Apr '13

26 Apr '13

Has anyone been able to view the .webp files created when decoding PhoneSAT picture packets ? The webp viewer and decoder program both report the file to be corrupted. I must be missing something !? Thanks Dave W0DHB

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phonesat status
by John Papay 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

I only heard KJ6KRW-1 on this morning's pass 25April over Ohio. Nothing heard from KJ6KRW and KJ6KRW-2. 73, John K8YSE

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APRS/Packet on IC-910H
by Les Rayburn 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

I'd also like to add digital capabilities to the IC-910H to allow some digital contacts through ISS, or just to download telemetry on other birds. Never worked packet before, and have only limited experience with APRS. The IC-910H is equipped with a Signa-Link interface for soundcard modes, and I've worked quite a bit of WSJT FSK and JT65A. I know that there is a software "solution" for APRS using AGWPE but I haven't tried it. What would be the recommendations of the group for equipping my station for digital operation on the satellites? AGWPE and the soundcard interface or a TNC? If so, what TNC would be recommended? Did I say "Thanks" yet? Also appreciate the bandwidth on this reflector--I know newbie questions can be annoying. -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

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aprs data stamped with date and time
by Abdeslam Salah 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

Hi All, In the page 15 of the book “KENWOOD Listen to the future – TH-D72A/E”. It is written: Step 1: Built in Clock APRS data will be stamped with date and time. Therefore, the built-in clock must be set. Since the time acquired via the GPS receiver is UTC, Time Zone must be configured. Can anybody tell me how the APRS data is stamped with date and time in the TH-D72 APRS Packet? Is there a new APRS Mic-Encoder Format that’s include time and date. If not how can I add time and date of the position measurement in the APRS packet? This is very important for me because I try to save the positions of a mobile periodically, and send them when the satellite is in visibility. The simple way is to use the field packet path. Since the communication is via satellite and we don’t need relay or wide… Have you any advise or elegant way to do this? I think it would be a good thing if the APRS Mic-Encoder Format take care of the date and time of position measurement. 73's CN8XS

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AO7 Mode A
by K4FEG 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

Hello Linear Satellite lovers! do any of the die-hard satellite operators want to work Mode A on AO7? If you want and un-congested satellite pass that will give you good distance and plenty of time on the "Bird", then Mode A is the mode/bird to try. Almost any type of an antenna will work, I am personally using a 3 element HyGain 10m monobander for my receive, it is not perfect but it will do the trick, I have managed a contact into the UK with Paul, 2E1EUB on AO7-a and I have also worked a few South American stations as well, Cuba which as frequency restrictions on 432Mhz cannot use AO7-b but they can work Mode A. If anyone is up for a try, I am willing to make a schedule or two. 73 Frank; K4FEG; EM55aj

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ISS pass in minutes...
by Ing. Pavel Milanes Costa 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

Anyone want to make a APRS packet? CO7WT will be QRV in 8 minutes on the ISS... 73

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PhoneSat Request From NPR
by JoAnne Maenpaa 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

This arrived via the ANS-Editor mailbox. Perhaps members on amsat-bb can be of assistance to NPR in regards to the Phonesats. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal From: ans-editor-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of gormil(a)aol.com Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 17:02 To: ans-editor(a)amsat.org Subject: [ans-editor] Fwd: Listening for phonesat Hi, Can someone in AMSAT help Goeff? See below. 73, Gordon, NQ4K -----Original Message----- From: Geoffrey Brumfiel <GBrumfiel(a)npr.org> To: nq4k <nq4k(a)arrl.net> Sent: Tue, Apr 23, 2013 1:04 pm Subject: Listening for phonesat Hi Gordon, I’m a reporter with NPR who’s working on a little story about some cell-phone satellites that were recently launched into space (Bud, one of the engineers here, sent me your way). Apparently, they’re transmitting to Ham radio operators around the world (see http://phonesat.org/). I’m trying to track down some people who’ve detected the satellites and received some data from them. Ideally, I’d like to talk to them on the phone or even by shortwave radio, if that could be arranged. There are callsigns on the phonesat.org website. Any idea how I’d find some of these people? Or are members of the sterling park amateur radio club involved? Any help appreciated, Geoff Geoff Brumfiel | Science Correspondent, National Public Radio | gbrumfiel(a)npr.org | desk: (202) 513-2446 | cell: (202) 495-8614

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Live Video Now from Spring CubeSat Workshop
by M5AKA 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

Live video of the Spring CubeSat Workshop taking place April 24-26 is available at http://mediasite01.ceng.calpoly.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/pages/catalog.aspx?ca… Details of the 10th Annual Spring CubeSat Workshop are at http://www.cubesat.org/ 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ ----

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Fwd: [CubeSat] 10th Annual CubeSat Developers' Workshop Live Streaming and Useful Links
by Samudra Haque 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

FYI, might be of interest to some in the satellite / amateur satellite communities. //Samudra N3RDX ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Cal Poly CubeSat <cubesat.workshop(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 2:06 AM Subject: [CubeSat] 10th Annual CubeSat Developers' Workshop Live Streaming and Useful Links To: "CubeSat @ CubeSat.org" <cubesat(a)cubesat.org> Hi All, Similar to past years, we will have live streaming of the workshop available for viewing. You may access the stream using the link below. *Live Stream:* http://mediasite01.ceng.calpoly.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/pages/catalog.aspx?ca… Below are also a few more useful links for your convenience: *Directions, Parking, and Registration Location:* http://cubesat.org/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops/2013-spring-works… *Directions to Madonna Inn Expo Center:* Link<https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=California+Polytechnic+State+University,…> *Note:* Expo Center is located past Madonna Inn Hotel. Drive past hotels and go through gates. Please visit the CubeSat Workshop webpage for any further information at: http://www.cubesat.org/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops/2013-spring-w… We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning! Regards, Derek Nelson -- CubeSat Program Workshop Coordinator Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo cubesat.workshop(a)gmail.com Lab: (805) 756-5087 _______________________________________________ CubeSat mailing list CubeSat(a)cubesat.org http://lists.cubesat.org/mailman/listinfo/cubesat

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SATPC32 and IC-910H
by Les Rayburn 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

I'm very new to satellite operation but have been having a blast for the past couple of weeks. Using an IC-910H with attic antennas that include a 7 element 432 Arrow antenna with an SSB Electronics pre-amp mounted at the antenna. 1/2" hardline makes the 70' run from the attic to the shack in the garage. 2 Meters shows a 6 element K1FO Yagi with an SSB Electronics pre-amp and 1/2" hardline. Rig is controlled by SATPC32 via the CI-V interface at 9600 baud. On SO-50, I have no problems with doppler correction as you would suspect. With the other birds, doppler is sometimes an issue. Sometimes I hear stations strongly but when I call them, I don't hear my own uplink and the other station obviously doesn't hear me either. On other passes, the difference is not so great, and I'll hear my own uplink, though usually slightly off frequency. I know its possible to adjust the uplink frequency in the software, and I've tried it during passes without much success. The translated help file from German isn't much assistance to me so far. Can someone on the list point me towards a better explanation on the web, or offer suggestions on how to correct the situation? Any help is greatly appreciated! -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

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Field Day Question
by Les Rayburn 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

Please tolerate another newbie question. I know that during the upcoming Field Day, participants are being encouraged to limit themselves to one contact on SO-50 or to use the linear birds when possible. I'm chasing grid squares towards Satellite VUCC and other awards. Is it acceptable and good operating practice for my station to make multiple contacts during FD on the linear birds? Seems like a great chance to pick up grids that would otherwise not be active on the birds, but I don't want to be a LID. What would be the best practice for an operator like myself during FD? I won't otherwise be participating in the contest. Again, my thanks for the advice and counsel of more experienced operators. Everyone on the birds has been great and helpful so far, especially K4FEG! -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

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Re: APRS/Packet on IC-910H
by Andrew Glasbrenner 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

I use MixW and a rigblaster for 1200 baud AFSK and BPSK, and a hardware TNC for 9600 baud. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Les Rayburn <les(a)highnoonfilm.com> >Sent: Apr 23, 2013 3:53 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] APRS/Packet on IC-910H > >I'd also like to add digital capabilities to the IC-910H to allow some >digital contacts through ISS, or just to download telemetry on other >birds. Never worked packet before, and have only limited experience with >APRS. > >The IC-910H is equipped with a Signa-Link interface for soundcard modes, >and I've worked quite a bit of WSJT FSK and JT65A. I know that there is >a software >"solution" for APRS using AGWPE but I haven't tried it. > >What would be the recommendations of the group for equipping my station >for digital operation on the satellites? AGWPE and the soundcard >interface or a TNC? If so, >what TNC would be recommended? > >Did I say "Thanks" yet? Also appreciate the bandwidth on this >reflector--I know newbie questions can be annoying. >-- >73, > >Les Rayburn, N1LF >121 Mayfair Park >Maylene, AL 35114 >EM63nf > >6M VUCC #1712 >AMSAT #38965 >Grid Bandits #222 >Southeastern VHF Society >Central States VHF Society Life Member >Six Club #2484 > >Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light > >_______________________________________________ >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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Re: Field Day Question
by Andrew Glasbrenner 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

>I'm chasing grid squares towards Satellite VUCC and other awards. Is it >acceptable and good operating practice for my station to make multiple >contacts during >FD on the linear birds? Make all you want on the linear birds! You'll no doubt hear stations and grids you normally won't, but I'll warn you, FD is chaos on the sats. FD stations can also be very difficult to get a QSL out of as well. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Re: SATPC32 and IC-910H
by Andrew Glasbrenner 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

Sometimes the offset in the transponder changes slightly. This is especially true with VO-52 and AO-7. On these sats, I use the RIT to touch up and make sure I can hear my self plainly at the beginning of a pass. This is a little easier than the offset feature in the software. I hope that makes sense. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Les Rayburn <les(a)highnoonfilm.com> >Sent: Apr 23, 2013 3:40 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] SATPC32 and IC-910H > >I'm very new to satellite operation but have been having a blast for the >past couple of weeks. Using an IC-910H with attic antennas that include >a 7 element 432 Arrow >antenna with an SSB Electronics pre-amp mounted at the antenna. 1/2" >hardline makes the 70' run from the attic to the shack in the garage. 2 >Meters shows a 6 element K1FO Yagi with an SSB Electronics pre-amp and >1/2" hardline. > >Rig is controlled by SATPC32 via the CI-V interface at 9600 baud. > >On SO-50, I have no problems with doppler correction as you would >suspect. With the other birds, doppler is sometimes an issue. Sometimes >I hear stations strongly but when I call them, I don't hear my own >uplink and the other station obviously doesn't hear me either. > >On other passes, the difference is not so great, and I'll hear my own >uplink, though usually slightly off frequency. > >I know its possible to adjust the uplink frequency in the software, and >I've tried it during passes without much success. The translated help >file from German isn't much >assistance to me so far. > >Can someone on the list point me towards a better explanation on the >web, or offer suggestions on how to correct the situation? Any help is >greatly >appreciated! > > >-- >73, > >Les Rayburn, N1LF >121 Mayfair Park >Maylene, AL 35114 >EM63nf > >6M VUCC #1712 >AMSAT #38965 >Grid Bandits #222 >Southeastern VHF Society >Central States VHF Society Life Member >Six Club #2484 > >Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light > >_______________________________________________ >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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Yaesu G-5500 for sale
by John / NS1Z 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

Very nice condition. See pix on eHam or QTH (search for my call NS1Z). Working perfectly G-5500 Az/El rotor for satellite tracking using SatPC32 or compatible software. All cables etc. This will be heavy package. If you can pickup from 34488 Great otherwise you pay shipping on it. Specs can be found on the web. Questions? Call me 352-843-4547

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KickSat Sprites - Educational Outreach
by M5AKA 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

Great to see young people getting involved with the KickSat project Sprite satellites. 16 year-old UK student to work on KickSat Sprite http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/23/uk-student-to-work-on-kicksat/ Also on the AMSAT-UK site: Warwick University Satellite Team (WUSAT) Radio Interview http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/23/warwick-university-satellite-team-wusat-radi… TURKSAT-3SAT on Facebook http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/23/turksat-3sat-on-facebook/ Dead CubeSat Comes Alive http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/23/dead-cubesat-comes-alive/ RAX-2 CubeSat Transmissions Cease http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/22/rax-2-cubesat-transmissions-cease/ Vega’s three-satellite payload is integrated and ready for launch http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/22/vega-payload-ready-for-launch/ 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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CO7WT QRV via APRS in ISS
by Ing. Pavel Milanes Costa 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

Today night (23-April) around 22:40 pm local or 0240 UTC I will be calling CQ QST in the ISS digipiter. This will be a 24 degrees for me, totally workable, an northbound from continental NA. I had a lot of work in the back months; now on I will have a liitle more time to spend on the HF/Sats... Grid here is FL11ai, and soon I will be reactivating my SO-50 station.. so stay tuned... For the moment only ISS/SO-50, if you no don't have FL11 grid drop me an email and will contact you to sched a QSO. 73 de CO7WT.

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Fwd: PhoneSats are already in space
by Samudra Haque 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

IF any hams have picked up the beacons, please update the amsat-bb list when you can. 73 de N3RDX ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Tintore Gazulla, Oriol (ARC-TH)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)] <oriol.tintoregazulla(a)nasa.gov> Date: Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 5:29 PM Subject: PhoneSats are already in space To: Dear PhoneSat trackers,**** ** ** Our 3 satellites are already in space! Please visit our website to get the TLEs and track the satellites.**** Thanks a lot for all your help, **** ** ** The PhoneSat team**** ** **

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PhoneSats heard in EL92sd
by Hector, CO6CBF 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

Hello to all, During the 22 April 2228z pass, telemetry from the PhoneSats was received in EL92sd. Great signal from the Sats! Congratulations to the PhoneSats team!!! 73! Hector, CO6CBF EL92sd

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Has anyone demodulated the GMSK signals from BeeSat-2 or BeeSat-3?
by Douglas Quagliana 22 Apr '13

22 Apr '13

Has anyone demodulated the GMSK signals from BeeSat-2 or BeeSat-3? Does demodulating the data require a CMX909 chip or is there an all software solution? 73, Douglas KA2UPW/5

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OSSI-1 Deployed Friday
by M5AKA 22 Apr '13

22 Apr '13

OSSI-1 deployed yesterday evening. Anyone seen any keeps yet ? Trevor M5AKA

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PhoneSat TLEs
by Wouter Weggelaar 22 Apr '13

22 Apr '13

Hi All, The PhoneSats have successfully separated from their ISIPOD! For those looking for TLEs: the phonesat website has some prelim TLEs on http://phonesat.org/phonesat.txt Now let see when they appear in TLE-NEW Wouter PA3WEG

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Phonesats heard over Brazil in the second orbit
by Roland Zurmely 22 Apr '13

22 Apr '13

At 22:52 UTC april 21, in the second orbit ! Please see here: http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/phs.htm 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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Third Time Lucky For Antares
by B J 22 Apr '13

22 Apr '13

The launch was smooth and the payload is now in orbit. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Icom IC-910 For Sale
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 21 Apr '13

21 Apr '13

I'm selling my IC-910 with one UT-106 DSP unit and UX-910 1296 MHz. $1475 shipped USA only. Contact me direct. Dave-KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid RAZR

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ppod sep Antares!
by Lizeth Norman 21 Apr '13

21 Apr '13

Let the fun begin!

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'Bring Your Own Board’ CubeSat Workshop July 19
by M5AKA 21 Apr '13

21 Apr '13

Surrey Space Centre (SSC) and AMSAT-UK invite anyone with CubeSat equipment to a ‘Bring Your Own Board’ (BYOB) workshop being held at the Surrey Space Centre, Guildford, UK on Friday, July 19. Admittance to the Workshop is free, see http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/21/bring-your-own-board-cubesat-workshop/ The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Saturday/Sunday July 20/21 at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford, further details at http://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2013/ 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Re: Mount an Arrow on rotator with 2m vertical orhorizontal
by i8cvs 21 Apr '13

21 Apr '13

Hi Douglas, Using two identical 50 ohm coax lenght you can't transform each 50 ohm antenna impedance into 100 ohm but if you connect both 50 ohm coax cables to a T connector than the resulting impedance at the common output of the T connector will be 25 ohm i.e. two 50 ohm impedances in parallel and your radio will see a VSWR of 50/25 = 2 and this is the reason it will not work ! BTW if you connect the above 25 ohm impedance to the input of a 1/4 electrical wavelenght long coax cable of 36 ohm impedance than at the output of it you will get an impedance of 36^2 / 25 = 52 ohm toward the main feed line with a good VSWR of about 1 in TX and RX To build a 1/4 electrical wavelengt long of a transmission line of 36 ohm impedance you can connect in parallel two 1/4 electrical wavelenght of 75 ohm coax cable like RG-59 or RG-11 i.e. 34,13 centimeters or 13,38 inches long for 145 MHz BTW in this situation if both antennas are mounted in parallel one Vertical and the other one Horizontal and if the elements are mounted on the same plain with respect to the space than the resulting polarization of the radiated field can be at 45 degrees like \ or at 135 degrees like / depending at wich side of the dipoles the inner conductors of the 50 ohm feed lines are connected. 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "Douglas Phelps" <dphelps1(a)ameritech.net> To: "R.T.Liddy" <k8bl(a)ameritech.net>; <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 8:31 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Mount an Arrow on rotator with 2m vertical orhorizontal > Any reason why, using identical coax lengths, you could not transform the > impedance to 100 ohms and then use a T connector to sum both antenna > signals and achieve 50 ohms to the radio? I know Transmit power will be > 3 dB down at either antenna but is there any reason it will not work? > Any antenna gurus out there? >

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Antares Launch Attempt Scrubbed
by B J 20 Apr '13

20 Apr '13

http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/04/orbital-antares-debut-launch-attempt/ http://spaceflightnow.com/antares/demo/status.html Next attempt will apparently be tomorrow. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Bringing the F-1 engine back to life
by W4ART Arthur Feller 20 Apr '13

20 Apr '13

http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/04/how-nasa-brought-the-monstrous-f-1-m…

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G-5500 and ST-3 interface for sale
by John / NS1Z 20 Apr '13

20 Apr '13

Just a quick note: My G-5500 Yaesu rotor and ST-3 interface are for sale. Very good condition and working perfectly. If you live close to 34488 (Ocala/Silver Springs FL) I have the fiberglas cross boom I will include at no charge. Asking $650 for all.

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Soyuz CubeSat Launch April 19
by M5AKA 19 Apr '13

19 Apr '13

I believe the launch date for the Soyuz is still April 19 at 1000 UT. As with all launches things can change at the last minute. Info on the satellites and predicted TLE for BEESAT-2: http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/17/soyuz-cubesat-launch/ ---- 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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OSSI-1 and other CubeSats launched
by M5AKA 19 Apr '13

19 Apr '13

See http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/19/ossi-1-amateur-radio-cubesat-launched/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Next Antares Launch Attempt Rescheduled
by B J 18 Apr '13

18 Apr '13

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/04/18/orbital-resets-antares-launch-for-fr… http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/04/orbital-antares-debut-launch-attempt/ http://spaceflightnow.com/antares/demo/status.html Orbital doesn't appear to have updated its website to show Saturday as the next possible launch day. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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SatPC Rotor issue
by Craig Gagner 18 Apr '13

18 Apr '13

I just noticed that my SatPC32 Rotor control is no longer working. I upgraded to Windows 8 a couple of weeks ago and haven't used it since then. The rotor controller works just fine in the HRD Satellite program but my SatPC no longer will operate the rotor. Any ideas ?? 73 Craig

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Next Launch Attempt For Antares
by B J 18 Apr '13

18 Apr '13

http://spaceflightnow.com/antares/demo/status.html http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/Antares_Test_Flight/ Weather permitting, it'll be Friday at 2100 UTC. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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PhoneSat-1 Launch Scrubbed Today
by Peter Portanova 17 Apr '13

17 Apr '13

Hello: SCRUBBED. The Orbital launch team is securing today's countdown after this unexpected technical problem arose. Officials are assessing the plan ahead to reattach the umbilical and determine when the next launch attempt can be made 73 Pete WB2OQQ

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AMSAT/TAPR Joint Hamvention Banquet Menu Announced
by Alan 17 Apr '13

17 Apr '13

Join us at the Dayton Hamvention this year for the AMSAT/TAPR Banquet on Friday evening, 17 May. "The Evangelist's Dilemma: Driving New Ideas With Nothing But Words." Bruce Perens, K6BP, presents a humorous history of technology evangelism and the things that inevitably go wrong, drawing from his history with Open Source, No-Code, Software Freedom, Codec2, and Open Hardware, and introducing a few of the new battle grounds. Dinner Menu Roast Prime Rib of Beef Marinated Roasted Garlic Chicken Breast in lemon butter sauce Italian Style Lasagna Petite Double Stuffed Potatoes Fresh Steamed Broccoli Onion and Chive Red Potato Vinaigrette Fresh Garden Toss Salad w/ dressings Fresh Fruit Bowl Rolls and Butter Assorted Pies Coffee, Decaf, Iced Tea, Hot Tea, and Water The dinner will be held at: The Kohler Presidential Banquet Center 4548 Presidential Way Kettering, OH 45429 Doors open at 1830 for a cash bar, with buffet dinner served at 1915. Orders must be placed in advance through the AMSAT Store (via AMSAT.ORG) or through the AMSAT Office. Tickets will not be sold at Dayton, but tickets purchased online may be collected at the AMSAT booth. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, May 14th. $30 per person

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Fwd: Re: Fwd: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz
by Samudra Haque 17 Apr '13

17 Apr '13

Hello AMSAT community some hams have requested information about the upcoming Phonesat mission telemetry format. This is a challenging objective for those who can track and monitor: there are 3 satellites being deployed from the same P-POD and will be released within moments of each other. The systems are timed to not overlap individual station transmissions, so in a single pass, all three should be heard. For any technical questions, please contact the POC, Oriol Tintore of Phonesat. His contact info is below. 73 de N3RDX Oriol Tintore > Aerospace Engineer > PhoneSat Project, NASA Ames Research Center > c: 650-215-0376 > o: 650-604-2710 > oriol.tintoregazulla(a)nasa.gov >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Wolfe, Jasper Lewis. (ARC-RD)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. >> (SGT Inc.)] <jasper.l.wolfe(a)nasa.gov> >> Date: Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 3:05 PM >> Subject: Re: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz >> Cc: "Guillen Salas, Alberto (ARC-SST)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. >> (SGT Inc.)]" <alberto.guillensalas(a)nasa.gov**>, "Tintore Gazulla, Oriol >> (ARC-TH)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)]" < >> oriol.tintoregazulla(a)nasa.gov> >> >> >> Hello CubeSats and Amateur Radio Operators! >> >> The very first PhoneSat’s will be launching aboard the Antares on April >> 17 >> th at 1700 EDT (launch window to April 19th possibly further). We have >> manifested 2x PhoneSat 1.0 and 1x PhoneSat 2.0 Beta.**** >> >> ** ** >> >> >> Our orbit is very low (270km x 300km 51.6deg) and we’ll only be up there >> for 2 weeks! So we’re looking for as many people as possible to help with >> tracking our satellites!**** >> >> ** ** >> >> >> If any of you are interested in tracking the satellite please let myself >> (+the cc’d team) know – your help will be greatly appreciated! **** >> >> ** ** >> >> All three satellites will be transmitting on *437.425MHz* and TLE’s + more >> info can be found at www.phonesat.org – consolidated info sheet >> attached.*** >> * >> >> ** ** >> >> Feel free to tune-in and submit packets to www.phonesat.org **** >> >> ** ** >> >> Cheers!**** >> >> PhoneSat Project**** >> >> NASA ARC**** >> >> ** ** >> >>

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TH-D7 in kiss mode
by Abdeslam Salah 17 Apr '13

17 Apr '13

Hi All, I’m a little bit disappointed. I try to use my kenwood TH-D7 in kiss mode. When I send an APRS packet via [BCON] of my second kenwood TH-D7, I receive this packet with my first kenwood TH-D7 operating in kiss mode but without the flags (0x7E). Here is an example of what I received in Hex Format. C0 20 A6 A6 60 A6 A0 A8 60 82 82 82 60 40 40 E0 A4 8A 98 82 B2 40 60 AE 92 88 8A 40 40 61 3 F0 27 7C 26 22 6C 20 1C 5B 2F 3E D C0 Same thing when I’m transmitting. I send the previous packet via the serial port without the flags, and I received it perfectly with my handheld TH-D7. I’m asking if my kenwood TH-D7 operating in kiss mode removes those flags before sending the packet via the serial interface, and adding them before sending the packet via RF? Or simply replace the flags with FEND? How the kenwood TH-D7 operating in kiss mode deal with FEND character inside the message? Should I replace the FEND with the two byte sequence FESC TFEND or the TH-D7 do it himself? 73's CN8XS

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Fwd: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz
by Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X 17 Apr '13

17 Apr '13

I am forwarding a request from NASA ARC Phonesat project, relevant to my mail earlier yesterday. This is a 3-for-1 special for amsat community. 73 de N3RDX ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Wolfe, Jasper Lewis. (ARC-RD)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)] <jasper.l.wolfe(a)nasa.gov> Date: Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 3:05 PM Subject: Re: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz Cc: "Guillen Salas, Alberto (ARC-SST)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)]" <alberto.guillensalas(a)nasa.gov>, "Tintore Gazulla, Oriol (ARC-TH)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)]" < oriol.tintoregazulla(a)nasa.gov> Hello CubeSats and Amateur Radio Operators! The very first PhoneSat’s will be launching aboard the Antares on April 17 th at 1700 EDT (launch window to April 19th possibly further). We have manifested 2x PhoneSat 1.0 and 1x PhoneSat 2.0 Beta.**** ** ** Our orbit is very low (270km x 300km 51.6deg) and we’ll only be up there for 2 weeks! So we’re looking for as many people as possible to help with tracking our satellites!**** ** ** If any of you are interested in tracking the satellite please let myself (+the cc’d team) know – your help will be greatly appreciated! **** ** ** All three satellites will be transmitting on *437.425MHz* and TLE’s + more info can be found at www.phonesat.org – consolidated info sheet attached.*** * ** ** Feel free to tune-in and submit packets to www.phonesat.org **** ** ** Cheers!**** PhoneSat Project**** NASA ARC**** ** ** This time attached :D**** _______________________________________________ Earthstation mailing list Earthstation(a)cubesat.org http://lists.cubesat.org/mailman/listinfo/earthstation

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Re: Mount an Arrow on rotator with 2m vertical or horizontal
by N0JY 17 Apr '13

17 Apr '13

I did it at field day last year, a couple of Arrow antennas with the 2 meter side set up for RHCP. Seemed to work real well on the analog birds. Some 75 ohm coax does the matching, see a picture at http://www.n0jy.org/images/IMG_20120623_215906.jpg The picture was taken at night, so look closely and you'll see a 1/4 wave 75 ohm section at the tee to both sides, the right side directly to the antenna and the left side to another 1/4 wave 50 ohm section connected to the antenna. Credit goes to SV1BSX I got the idea from his web site http://sv1bsx.50webs.com/antenna-pol/polarization.html Jerry N0JY On 4/16/2013 1:31 PM, Douglas Phelps wrote: > Any reason why, using identical coax lengths, you could not transform the > impedance to 100 ohms and then use a T connector to sum both antenna signals and > achieve 50 ohms to the radio? I know Transmit power will be 3 dB down at either > antenna but is there any reason it will not work? Any antenna gurus out there? > > > > > ________________________________ > From: R.T.Liddy <k8bl(a)ameritech.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Sent: Tue, April 16, 2013 11:46:35 AM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Mount an Arrow on rotator with 2m vertical or horizontal > > For the Satellites, it completely doesn't matter. At any given moment, > you only have 1 chance in 90 that you will have matching polarization. > > So, if you plan to use the antenna for other than Satellites, set your > polarization > for that purpose (V for FM or H for SSB/CW). > > My plan is to install 2 Elk antennas, one V and one H. Then, have a relay that > I can switch between the two and choose the best downlink signal at any > given moment. This arrangement will also give me optimum flexibility for > terrestrial operation on 2 & 440. > > Now, where can I find a relay to do that function????? > > 73/GL, Bob K8BL > > > --- On Tue, 4/16/13, Lee Maisel <maisel(a)lobo.net> wrote: > > > From: Lee Maisel <maisel(a)lobo.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Mount an Arrow on rotator with 2m vertical or horizontal > To: "Don Hoover (WS4E)" <ws4e(a)arrl.net> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2013, 12:24 AM > > > Hi Don, > > I have mine mounted with 2m elements horizontal, because that's how it > seems I used it most when it was handheld. > > Lee > W5LMM > > > Don Hoover (WS4E) wrote: >> Just wondering, should I mount my arrow with the 2m elements oriented >> vertical or horizontal? >> >> I am planning on putting it at 15deg and just using a az rotator. >> >> Does it even matter which way its oriented since the polarity of the sats >> are always changing? >> >> Maybe I should mount it like this: / instead. >> >> Just curious what some thought was the best way to go. >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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Re: for sale
by Bruce R Brown 16 Apr '13

16 Apr '13

both trackers are sold...tu bruce ke0lx

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