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

Updated AMSAT LVB Tracker to be Shown at Dayton (Revised)
by Alan 10 May '13

10 May '13

Due to a hurried edit, an important contributor was inadvertently left off the credits list. My apologies to Mike, WD8CXO! Alan WA4SCA Updated AMSAT LVB Tracker to be Shown at Dayton AMSAT has sold the popular G6LVB Tracker for several years. This year we will have a new version which replaces the amber LCD display with an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display. The new display offers a high visibility contrast with a wide angle of view. It will be available in blue, green and amber. LVB Trackers will be available with the recommended serial (RS-232) I/O. The recommended minimum donation will remain $200. An FTDI USB/Serial module is available as an option for an additional $25. A picture showing the old and new displays may be found on amsat.org. Current LVB Tracker owners may update their own units. The OLED displays used are manufactured by Newhaven, NHD-0216KZW series, and are available from Mouser and other online parts suppliers. The OLED displays have less depth so the PEM fasteners need to be shortened for correct fit and viewing thru the front of the case. The LVB Tracker firmware will also require updating. Current owners may send their LVB Tracker to WB8CXO for retrofit if they don't wish to do the modifications themselves. Upgrading existing trackers will be $50 + shipping. Contact WB8CXO(a)AMSAT.ORG for details. AMSAT would like to acknowledge the many contributors to this effort. Mike Young, WB8CXO who has supported the Tracker and whose initiative was essential to this development. John Drago, W8FAA modified the LVB Tracker firmware to support the OLED display. Ken Baker from Ridge Machine manufactured the PEM fastener cutting jig. Steve Belter, N9IP, Mark Hammond, N8MH and John Papay, K8YSE did beta testing. And finally Gould Smith, WA4SXM, LVB Tracker project manager for his continuous guidance and support.

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AO-07 changes or what
by Ib Christoffersen 10 May '13

10 May '13

Hi all, This morning a little before 1040 UTC I found AO-07 in mode-B to my big surprise. I can also see another report at 1046 UTC to the effect that it was in mode-B Now at 1240 UTC it is not in mode-B as far as I can hear. I do not have the possibility to monitor mode-A. Can someone please do that ? 73 OZ1MY Ib

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AO7 MODE
by K4FEG 10 May '13

10 May '13

To all AO7 Users: AO7 is in Mode A this morning, the normal switch should have occurred around 10:50UTC, I believe that it was about this time last year when AO7 was "stuck" in Mode B for about 3 weeks or more. If the satellite is going into a brief eclipse periods, there is no telling when the satellite will change modes, I was able to use SatPC32 in the preview mode last year, to actually see the eclipse on AO7 and predict when they would end, I will run some simulations and see if brief eclipses are occurring. Please feel free to post any findings on AO7 on /*Starcom-bb(a)Star-com.net*/, that is my BB that I run for satellite users. Be sure and check both modes when the satellite is over your location! /*You can always give Mode A a try!! it's quiet over there!*/ 73 All; K4FEG, Em55aj84ta (look these coordinates up on /*APRS.FI _satellite mode_*/_,_ and it will zoom in on my antennas on my back deck!)

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Updated AMSAT LVB Tracker to be Shown at Dayton
by Alan 10 May '13

10 May '13

Updated AMSAT LVB Tracker to be Shown at Dayton AMSAT has sold the popular G6LVB Tracker for several years. This year we will have a new version which replaces the amber LCD display with an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display. The new display offers a high visibility contrast with a wide angle of view. It will be available in blue, green and amber. LVB Trackers will be available with the recommended serial (RS-232) I/O. The recommended minimum donation will remain $200. An FTDI USB/Serial module is available as an option for an additional $25. A picture showing the old and new displays may be found on amsat.org. Current LVB Tracker owners may update their own units. The OLED displays used are manufactured by Newhaven, NHD-0216KZW series, and are available from Mouser and other online parts suppliers. The OLED displays have less depth so the PEM fasteners need to be shortened for correct fit and viewing thru the front of the case. The LVB Tracker firmware will also require updating. Current owners may send their LVB Tracker to WB8CXO for retrofit if they don't wish to do the modifications themselves. Upgrading existing trackers will be $50 + shipping. Contact WB8CXO(a)AMSAT.ORG for details. AMSAT would like to acknowledge the many contributors to this effort. John Drago, W8FAA modified the LVB Tracker firmware to support the OLED display. Ken Baker from Ridge Machine manufactured the PEM fastener cutting jig. Steve Belter, N9IP, Mark Hammond, N8MH and John Papay, K8YSE did beta testing. And finally Gould Smith, WA4SXM, LVB Tracker project manager for his continuous guidance and support.

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F1 and Bell decayed
by Nico Janssen 10 May '13

10 May '13

Cubesat F1 (38855, 1998-067CR) decayed on Thursday May 9, around 19:58 UTC. PhoneSat Bell (39145, 2013-016D) now finally also decayed on Friday May 10, around 00:58 UTC. Cubesat FITSAT 1 may be expected to decay by the middle of June. 73, Nico PA0DLO

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WiMo X-Quad Antennas with phasing cables
by Les Rayburn 10 May '13

10 May '13

I'd really like to upgrade my attic mounted antennas for satellite work. (Completely hooked on the birds at this point!) I have a tripod rotor system that I can dedicate to nothing but a 2 Meter and 432 antenna, preamps, and AZ/EL rotor. Among the antennas that I've been looking at are the Wimo X-Quad antennas with phasing harnesses. www.wimo.com Just wondering if other satellite operators have used these antennas, and what your experience has been like? Is there another antenna system that I should consider instead? Outside mounting is impossible due to HOA, and antenna length is a factor too. -- -- 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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Ofcom 2400 MHz Consultation
by M5AKA 09 May '13

09 May '13

The UK communications regulator Ofcom has published a call for inputs relating to spectrum use by licence exempt devices in the 2.4 GHz band. http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/09/ofcom-2400-mhz-consultation/ Also on the AMSAT-UK site: OSCAR-11 still transmitting after 29 years in orbit http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/08/oscar-11-still-transmitting-after-29-years/ ICSEDS 434 MHz High Altitude Balloon and Rocket Launch http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/07/icseds-high-altitude-balloon-and-rocket-laun… 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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satpc32 doppler ??
by Bob- W7LRD 08 May '13

08 May '13

While using Satpc32 for doppler correction (IC-910H) often I have to "tweek" the calibration using the CAT function. The amount of "tweeking" can vary between satellites and orbits. At times I will simply turn off the auto function and just go manual. Is there a method I can depend more on the computer or am I just getting lazy? 73 Bob W7LRD

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Re: ESTCube-1 Frequencies
by Clint Bradford 08 May '13

08 May '13

ESTCube-1 437.250 MHz CW beacon, callsign ES5E/S 437.505 MHz 9600 bps AX.25 telemetry, callsign ES5E-11 Clint

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Re: ESTCube-1 Heard in Wales -UK
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 08 May '13

08 May '13

Hi again, I must apologise and correct my report on ESTcube-1. ( No one made any comment ) The date is correct ( 7th ) - but the day should be "Tuesday" - my brain wasn't functioning . We had a public holiday on Monday here in the UK making it a long weekend - it did not register from my normal routine. Sincere apologies - pleased to learn of the success of others in hearing the satellite. Ken Eaton GW1FKY

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