January 2014 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

How I generate custom TLE sets
by Clayton Coleman 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

It has been asked here a time or two recently what methods can be utilized to generate custom TLE sets. Some focused on how to manipulate files while I offer a suggestion for downloading a custom set tailored to the satellites you seek to observe. The method I utilize is via the website Space-Track.org. There you can define favorites lists containing the satellites you desire to track. From the Favorites list you can then retrieve a custom set of TLE based on the list you create. You can create multiple Favorites lists containing satellites that suit your fancy. I have two lists created; one for inactive satellites I occasionally monitor and one for active transponder satellites. Visit https://www.space-track.org and follow directions. The site is fairly straightforward to utilize and works fine in Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox.. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Pegasus 915 MHz signal reported
by M5AKA 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

Press reports indicate that audio from the 915 MHz Pegasus CubeSat has been detected, see http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=1323163133 The story primarily covers it's successor HDTV CubeSat Krysaor. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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ISS Packet RTL SDR / USRP
by Andrew Rich 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

Hello Is anyone using 1. RTL SDR with doppler correction 2. USRP SDR with doppler correction to recieve ISS ? AX25 packet Andrew VK4TEC

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Re: info
by Lizeth Norman 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

This is a personal issue best discussed with a professional. If you choose anger I suggest a sledgehammer and a used automobile. Have a great day! On Mon, Jan 27, 2014 at 8:28 AM, Mauri Lucca <iz5ovp(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I'm not interested activations DX > I prefer to do nothing but break my balls! > > http://www.qrz.com/db/iz5ovp > ATTENTION PLEASE! > Someone disturbing with my call IZ5OVP > > -15 meter today at 0815 utc. > You make QRM on FT5ZM frequency. > Please LISTEN!- > e.mail from: Rolf Arne Klepaker rolklepa(a)online.no > > Il giorno 27/gen/2014 14:27, "Joseph Armbruster" < > josepharmbruster(a)gmail.com> ha scritto: > > Norm, > > How would you like the "custom set" of TLEs filtered? Give me a detailed > description. > > Joseph Armbruster > > > On Mon, Jan 27, 2014 at 4:14 AM, Lizeth Norman <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com > >wrote: > > > > Hi all! > > What tools are available to work with TLE files? I'm looking for a tool > > that takes mu... > >

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Orbitron Question
by Andrew Rich 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

Hello Orbitron Can you make a custom list of sats to track ? WX and HAM are spread across two groups Can get them to who up together - Andrew VK4TEC -

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Going out for a drive/cheap gps receivers
by Lizeth Norman 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

Hi all! At my favorite electronics store there are NMEA gps with enclosed antenna units for sale. Garmin 17N. Check out the web for specs but the lowdown is they need 12Vdc and report TTL rs232 over a pair of wires. Cost $6 plus shipping. Email me by noon Eastern if you want one. Shipping should be 6-7$$ Norm n3ykf

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Ancient History
by Jim Sanford 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

All: Back in the early days of PACSATs, I ran SatLink, and somehow acquired the source code -- which is printed in a stack of paper several inches high. I would like to electronically archive, and before spending hours at the scanner, wonder if anyone knows where it may be published? Google searches lead me to commercial programs, and I've not found at the amsat web site either. Thanks & 73, Jim wb4gcs(a)amsat.org --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com

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ITAR Fun
by Bryce Salmi 27 Jan '14

27 Jan '14

In light of the bi-monthly HEO discussions that pop up here I figured I'd share some info that many non-US aerospace industry people may not realize. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a set of laws that those of us in the United States must adhere to, even as volunteers for AMSAT. I just finished up yet another refresher course from my employer so this is fresh on the mind. This email is my own and I don't claim to be 100% to the book accurate, this is my understanding of it. Some notes on what it means: - *Negligence is NOT a waiver for a violation* - just because you didn't realize you violated it, doesn't mean you won't/can't be prosecuted - *Simply inquiring about ITAR related subjects can be a violation* - If I called a company in Germany about their product I'd like to use on Fox-1 but need a small modification to the design and suggest the modification to their product so it works with my design... I could have violated ITAR. *Individual Criminal Violation* - Up to $1,000,000 fine *per violation*, 10 years in prison, or both. *Individual Civil Violation* - Up to $500,000 fine *per violation* Those are the big hitters so-to-speak. They are also some of the main reasons we cannot team up with other AMSAT groups to work on projects together. Plain and simple. Heck, if I was conversing with some of the Funcube volunteers and helped them with one of their designs via email, even simple schematic review to help them I could be violating ITAR. So those of us here volunteering for Fox-1 do our best to operate with these rules in place and watch the other groups do their own thing. *Non- ITAR....Launches* I work in the launch industry and have quickly realized that the commercial rocket industry is filled with companies who's satellites cost upwards of $0.5 to $1 billion each.* To them, a $100 million launch is pocket money as long as its reliability is high*. Until we see reusable rockets this will be the playing field in which every AMSAT group in the world has to abide by. Therefore, cubesats are the ticket into orbit*. On the notion of demo launches for new rockets such as ones obtained my AMSAT for AO-40... Launch integrators no longer have trouble finding payloads for them*. There are more than enough university small sats and cubesats willing to dish out $100,000+ if not a few million for a ride. Why would an integrator pass up the opportunity to reclaim a few million $ on the test launch with people throwing money at them?! Again all thoughts are my own and would like to state that just because some people express opinions on this list doesn't mean they are the opinions/direction of AMSAT. Several posts on here lately have generalized one or two peoples responses as the direction of AMSAT-NA which is very much not the case.

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Suggestions for "I want a HEO"
by Clayton Coleman 26 Jan '14

26 Jan '14

I'd like to propose some alternatives to the whiney "I want a HEO" BB emails: - Write up your vision for how a HEO linear transponder might be constructed and launched. AMSAT-NA is always looking for articles. - Share with us your plan for obtaining the funds necessary to launch a HEO linear transponder - Publish a paper with your technical design for a next generation HEO - Designate part of your estate towards the launch funds of a HEO - Participate in the various AMSAT-related in-person forums worldwide discussing this issue - Contribute your engineering expertise to current goals so that future technologies can be discovered through one of the many ongoing satellite projects throughout the world The best part about the above suggestions is all but one require no money, perfect for most hams who want to complain but never open a wallet when there is a need. It's also worth noting that you don't have to be a member of an organization to contribute, though it is often beneficial in my humble opinion. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Re: G5400B calibration problems
by Joe Leikhim 26 Jan '14

26 Jan '14

Tim; I believe there are two pots each for the azimuth and elevation meter adjustments. One pair are for the internal meters, the other pair for 0-5V to be used by the TrakBox (or similar) ADC. Make sure you turned the correct pair. However first I would make sure the internal 7806 voltage regulator is producing 6 volts and does not oscillate or have noise on it. Dig out a DVM and scope to make sure. Those regulators, if not properly bypassed with a capacitor may oscillate. -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446 WWW.LEIKHIM.COM

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