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

Re: [amsat-bb] [amsatindia] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
by R Oler 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

What a wonderful asset the satellite has been ....built by good people it accomplished the goal we should all be part of, of "extending the hobby to others". I'll keep listening on occassions...you never know eventually it might do an Oscar 7 Congrats to all who built her. Robert G. Oler WB5MZO Sent from my iPad > On Jul 21, 2014, at 10:05, "'Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]' wmy(a)isac.gov.in [amsatindia]" <amsatindia(a)yahoogroups.com> wrote: > > Dear Friends, > > With heavy heart, I sadly convey, that our little angel ‘HAMSAT VO-52’ would no more be able to offer her services to the ‘Amateur Radio Fraternity. HAMSAT VO-52 succumbed in Space on 11th July 2014, while she was on her 49,675th orbit, due to the failure of on-board lithium ion batteries that have met their end of life. > > Although her desires were to be at work with other systems and sub-systems working normal as per the latest telemetry received, the on-board computer recurring to ‘Reset’ mode due to the failure of batteries is preventing her to do so. Hence, it is decided not to expect any more meaningful and reliable services from HAMSAT VO-52. > > Since 11th July, every best possible effort has been put in by the spacecraft controllers here in ISTRAC Bangalore to revive her back to life and to help her with work load, so she won’t be swamped when she returns, but with no luck. Though it is hard, the HAMSAT VO-52 designers and controllers insist that the time has come to let the little angel free in space to go drifting on her own from their care and custody. > > Thus, today 21st July 2014, ISRO have decommissioned 'HAMSAT-VO52' officially. > > We all here in ISRO do definitely hope that ‘HAMSAT VO-52’ worked tirelessly and was a good friend to the ‘Amateur Radio Fraternity’ around the World. We are sure that HAMSAT was loved by all who worked through her. Though, we are deeply saddened by the loss of HAMSAT VO-52, but she will never be forgotten and far from our hearts, minds and memories. > > HAMSAT VO-52 will always be remembered by all of us here in ISRO as one of the greatest satellites of ours. > > Dear ‘HAMSAT’, looking at the sky, we all say ‘Good Bye’ to you. You’ll be greatly missed. Rest in Peace. > > Nevertheless, at this point of time, on behalf of the World Amateur Radio Fraternity, we thank each and everyone who contributed to the great success of ‘HAMSAT’. > > Particularly, our sincere thanks to the Chairman ISRO, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, past chairmen Dr. Kasthurirangan, Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, Director-ISAC Dr. S.K.Shiva Kumar, past ISAC Directors Dr. P.S. Goel, Dr. Shankara, Dr. T.K. Alex, Director-ISTRAC Shri. B.S. Chandrasekhar, scientific secretary Dr. Koteshwar Rao, Project Director-Shri. J.P. Gupta, Deputy project Directors, Mission Director-Shri. R.Suresh, Operations Director-Shri. Parimalarangan and each and every person directly or in-directly contributed. > > At this point of time, we also thank AMSAT-India and in particular, late Shri. Nagesh Upadhyaya-VU2NUD, Shri. B.S. Gajendra Kumar-VU2BGS, Shri. Prathap Kumar-VU2POP, Air Commodore. Subramanian-VU2UV, Shri. V.P. Sandlas-VU2VP, Dr.R. Ramesh-VU2RMS, Shri. Nitin-VU3TYG, Mr. Williams Leijenaar PE1RAH and each and every member. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Pasted below is the message from Mr. R. Suresh, Mission Director: > > > HAMSAT, the first small satellite by ISRO has been Decommissioned after nearly a decade of service to the World Ham community. > > > A true masterpiece among small satellites, designed for one year mission life, but exceeded all expectations by serving for almost 10 years. A truly autonomous satellite, with “Zero maintenance“ in terms of Mission operations, it provided a springboard to test many new concepts such as BMU. LI-ion based power system, automatic Spin rate control and Auto SAOC for maintaining the Satellite attitude without any ground commanding. > > HAMSAT known as “OSCAR-52” among the Amateur HAM operators has been very popular because of its high sensitivity receiver and strong transmitter. Indian Radio Amateurs on many occasions conveyed to us that they have been greatly honored to share the adulations showered on ISRO and INDIA by the International Radio Amateur for gifting this wonderful satellite "HAMSAT". > > > I take this opportunity to applaud the HAMSAT teams at ISAC, ISTRAC and other centre for their efforts and support, which has made ISRO proud among the HAM users across the globe. > > > R,SURESH > MISSION DIRECTOR > HAMSAT > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > > > > Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS] > Secretary & Station-In-Charge > Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC > ISRO Satellite Centre > HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. > Phone:(Office)91-80-25082598/25082054/25082192 > Mobile: 91-9880 341 456 > E-mail ID: wmy(a)isac.gov.in > vu2wmy_mani(a)yahoo.com > isrohams(a)yahoo.com > > > Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. > > > > __._,_.___ > Posted by: "Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]" <wmy(a)isac.gov.in> > Reply via web post • Reply to sender • Reply to group • Start a New Topic • Messages in this topic (1) > New Polling Options - Get Out the Vote! > You can now add a new option in an existing poll and vote directly from email > > > Yahoo Groups > Control your view and sort preferences per Yahoo Group > You can now control your default Sort & View Preferences for Conversations, Photos and Files in the membership settings page. > VISIT YOUR GROUP > • Privacy • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use > . > > > __,_._,___

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Re: [amsat-bb] [VUHams] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
by Nitin Muttin 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

Thanks Mani for posting the latest update about VO52. It is sad to hear that the satellite cannot be reviewed due to the issues with the batteries, it has served the amateur radio fraternity very well and the reports I have received from our friends shows how popular this satellite was. I wish to thank all at ISRO for providing us with this wonderful satellite and all the efforts they made to restore the satellite. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG] Secretary, AMSAT INDIA >________________________________ > From: "'Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]' wmy(a)isac.gov.in [vuhams]" <vuhams(a)yahoogroups.com> >To: "BB, AMSAT" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; AMSAT-INDIA <amsatindia(a)yahoogroups.com>; VUHAMS <vuhams(a)yahoogroups.com> >Cc: "HAMS, ISRO" <isrohams(a)yahoogroups.com> >Sent: Monday, 21 July 2014 8:33 PM >Subject: [VUHams] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace > > > > >Dear Friends, > >With heavy heart, I sadly convey, that our little angel ‘HAMSAT VO-52’ would no more be able to offer her services to the ‘Amateur Radio Fraternity. HAMSAT VO-52 succumbed in Space on 11th July 2014, while she was on her 49,675th orbit, due to the failure of on-board lithium ion batteries that have met their end of life. > >Although her desires were to be at work with other systems and sub-systems working normal as per the latest telemetry received, the on-board computer recurring to ‘Reset’ mode due to the failure of batteries is preventing her to do so. Hence, it is decided not to expect any more meaningful and reliable services from HAMSAT VO-52. > >Since 11th July, every best possible effort has been put in by the spacecraft controllers here in ISTRAC Bangalore to revive her back to life and to help her with work load, so she won’t be swamped when she returns, but with no luck. Though it is hard, the HAMSAT VO-52 designers and controllers insist that the time has come to let the little angel free in space to go drifting on her own from their care and custody. > >Thus, today 21st July 2014, ISRO have decommissioned 'HAMSAT-VO52' officially. > >We all here in ISRO do definitely hope that ‘HAMSAT VO-52’ worked tirelessly and was a good friend to the ‘Amateur Radio Fraternity’ around the World. We are sure that HAMSAT was loved by all who worked through her. Though, we are deeply saddened by the loss of HAMSAT VO-52, but she will never be forgotten and far from our hearts, minds and memories. > >HAMSAT VO-52 will always be remembered by all of us here in ISRO as one of the greatest satellites of ours. > >Dear ‘HAMSAT’, looking at the sky, we all say ‘Good Bye’ to you. You’ll be greatly missed. Rest in Peace. > >Nevertheless, at this point of time, on behalf of the World Amateur Radio Fraternity, we thank each and everyone who contributed to the great success of ‘HAMSAT’. > >Particularly, our sincere thanks to the Chairman ISRO, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, past chairmen Dr. Kasthurirangan, Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, Director-ISAC Dr. S.K.Shiva Kumar, past ISAC Directors Dr. P.S. Goel, Dr. Shankara, Dr. T.K. Alex, Director-ISTRAC Shri. B.S. Chandrasekhar, scientific secretary Dr. Koteshwar Rao, Project Director-Shri. J.P. Gupta, Deputy project Directors, Mission Director-Shri. R.Suresh, Operations Director-Shri. Parimalarangan and each and every person directly or in-directly contributed. > >At this point of time, we also thank AMSAT-India and in particular, late Shri. Nagesh Upadhyaya-VU2NUD, Shri. B.S. Gajendra Kumar-VU2BGS, Shri. Prathap Kumar-VU2POP, Air Commodore. Subramanian-VU2UV, Shri. V.P. Sandlas-VU2VP, Dr.R. Ramesh-VU2RMS, Shri. Nitin-VU3TYG, Mr. Williams Leijenaar PE1RAH and each and every member. > >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >Pasted below is the message from Mr. R. Suresh, Mission Director: > > >HAMSAT, the first small satellite by ISRO has been Decommissioned after nearly a decade of service to the World Ham community. > > >A true masterpiece among small satellites, designed for one year mission life, but exceeded all expectations by serving for almost 10 years. A truly autonomous satellite, with “Zero maintenance“ in terms of Mission operations, it provided a springboard to test many new concepts such as BMU. LI-ion based power system, automatic Spin rate control and Auto SAOC for maintaining the Satellite attitude without any ground commanding. > > HAMSAT known as “OSCAR-52” among the Amateur HAM operators has been very popular because of its high sensitivity receiver and strong transmitter. Indian Radio Amateurs on many occasions conveyed to us that they have been greatly honored to share the adulations showered on ISRO and INDIA by the International Radio Amateur for gifting this wonderful satellite "HAMSAT". > > >I take this opportunity to applaud the HAMSAT teams at ISAC, ISTRAC and other centre for their efforts and support, which has made ISRO proud among the HAM users across the globe. > > >R,SURESH >MISSION DIRECTOR >HAMSAT > >------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > > > > > >Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS] >Secretary & Station-In-Charge >Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC >ISRO Satellite Centre >HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. >Phone:(Office)91-80-25082598/25082054/25082192 >Mobile: 91-9880 341 456 >E-mail ID: wmy(a)isac.gov.in > vu2wmy_mani(a)yahoo.com > isrohams(a)yahoo.com > > >________________________________ > >Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. > >________________________________ > > >__._,_.___ > >________________________________ > Posted by: "Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]" <wmy(a)isac.gov.in> >________________________________ > >Reply via web post • Reply to sender • Reply to group • Start a New Topic • Messages in this topic (1) > >________________________________ > >New Polling Options - Get Out the Vote! >You can now add a new option in an existing poll and vote directly from email >________________________________ > > >Yahoo Groups >Control your view and sort preferences per Yahoo Group >You can now control your default Sort & View Preferences for Conversations, Photos and Files in the membership settings page. >________________________________ > >One World, One Language, Amateur Radio... ><p> >To Unsubscribe, send a mail to vuhams-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com >Visit Your Group * New Members 1 > >• Privacy • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use > > > > >. > >__,_._,___ > >

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K4AMG FD AMSAT 2014 report
by Rich/wa4bue 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

K4AMG Memorial Amateur Radio Club, Inc operated as the GOTA station for the Chesapeake Amateur Radio Service (W4CAR). As to be expected we had our share of problems but had a great time. These are the SATCOM Qs from K4AMG: DATE TIME CALL SAT CLASS SECTION 28 June 2014 2249 W9CCU VO 52 4A IL 28 June 2014 2317 K0FBX FO 29 2A IA 28 June 2014 2319 N8HM FO 29 1B MDC 28 June 2014 2321 KB4FBT FO 29 4A AL 28 June 2014 2324 W3T FO 29 3A EPA 28 June 2014 2324 W8DXA FO 29 2A OH 28 June 2014 2325 K4ZTT FO 29 5A GA 29 June 2014 1033 N1RAK FO 29 1D RI 29 June 2014 1038 WB2JSM FO 29 3A NLI 29 June 2014 1040 W1NY FO 29 5A WMA 29 June 2014 1216 K2AA FO 29 6A SNJ 29 June 2014 1218 AA5PK FO 29 1D WTX 29 June 2014 1222 N5ZNL FO 29 ID MS June 29 2014 1223 W6YX FO29 10F SCV 73 R W4BUE

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The root of all the problems
by Thomas Doyle 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

- Amateur Radio has many diverse interests. CW, Rag Chew, RTTY, SSTV, Contests, DX, Repeaters, D-Star, EME, Phil's latest digimode ... - These diverse interests can coexist. There are occasional gripes about things that conflict but for the most part it is live and let live. - Amateur Radio satellites are different. Unlike other aspects of Amateur Radio it requires a group to make it happen. - What the majority wants is more important than any individual want. How do you determine what the majority wants. - Voting People will vote one way or another. If people are not given the opportunity to vote they will vote with their feet and walk away if they are not happy. In the absence of voting a small group or individual will get what they want. That may or may not be the best thing for the group. I used to think that voting in AMSAT was necessary. Working a linear satellite pass with very little activity followed by an FM satellite that is packed is perhaps the best indicator of what the group wants. - 'Better than Dead' I am not a fan of LEO FM satellites but it does seem to be what people want and it is something we can do. I saw a crippled old guy wearing a cap that had 'Better than Dead' embroidered on it. When I feel disappointment in what is happening I think of that guy. Is an LEO FM satellite better than no satellite at all - for me it is certainly at least a little bit better than dead. For the group it seems like the only logical choice. 73 W9KE Tom Doyle -- Sent from my computer. tom ...

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1969-07-20
by B J 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

It was the space program that persuaded me to study engineering and also to become involved with satellites. Many thanks to all who made the events of that day possible. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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CQ Hawaii
by Paul Stoetzer 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

Good evening, Thanks to Shane, NV7SW, in Nevada, I have now worked 49 states on the satellites. All that remains is Hawaii, a significant challenge. AO-7 is the only satellite with a footprint that reaches both the DC area and Hawaii; suitable passes generally occur every other day, with maximum elevations of 1-1.5 degrees on both ends. I can arrange to set up a station that can work AO-7 down to the horizon within the allowable distance from my home QTH under WAS rules, but I need to find someone in Hawaii who can also work AO-7 down to the horizon. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Washington, DC (FM18lv)

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Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-199 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin -AMSAT Fox-1C Launch Opportunity Announced
by Tom Schuessler 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

I personally am going to ask my local Amateur Radio Club to throw a donation on the Fox 1C project. I challenge you to present the same request along to your own local clubs. I do numerous Radio Merit Badge presentations for the Boy Scouts and one of the things I love to do is to throw in a satellite contact opportunity. Yes linear passes are fun and very capable, but the concept of showing them that this kind of technology is available and doable with just a simple hand held radio and an antenna that you can hold in your hand is much more in the realm of "I could do this too if I had an Amateur Radio license" feeling. Right now, we only one FM bird up there that can be counted on, SO-50, Fox 1A and 1B are still a year off. (Lituanicasat-1 will be decaying within days, and maybe two if the French FM satellite opens up soon). Thus the opportunities for these basic but, Oh for the Scouts, downright exciting communication events is quite limited. The AO-27 contact we did in one of those Radio Merit Badge workshops (Before it died), sealed the deal for a Scout and his dad who were attending and they both ended up getting their tickets. You can wow them with big ticket equipment and complexity (Smoke and mirrors), but fun and excitement will get them hooked. Often times, simple is better. An additional challenge for the HEO, MEO and Linear or nothing folks out there is, instead of buying the next accessory for your already ample station, give a donation to the FOX project (Or other national AMSAT-esque project, FM, Linear or Digital), and let's get the ball rolling on many new opportunities out there just waiting. You donation may help get another Scout/young person hooked on our aspect of the hobby. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP

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An exciting afternoon on the birds!!!
by Hector, CO6CBF 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

Hello to all! It was an exciting afternoon on the birds! First, I worked Patrick, WD9EWK on SO-50 in a new grid for me (FN56). Patrick, thanks very much for the great QSO and new grid! Then, I had my first contact on satellites with France. Michael, F6GLJ in IN94qs and I completed a great QSO on FO-29. We had a maxim elevation of 0.5 degree at our ends. I believe it is the first contact between Cuba and France on FO-29! It is a 7508 Km contact! Our first attempt was on July 18 but Michael was not able to get a solid copy of my signal. Fortunately, FO-29 offered us another opportunity, we made a schedule again and I decided to use the ELK antenna instead of the ARROW which I used in the first attempt. I was operating portable from a tall building (45m over the ground), I had a great horizon visibility. I was running half - duplex with my FT-817nd, a homebrew 50W power amplifier and a homebrew preamplifier. Everything was supplied by a 12V 7A gel battery. Michael, thanks very much for the great contact, new grid and new country! 73! Hector, CO6CBF / KF5YXV El92sd

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Important information concerning the AMSAT-NA ballot package
by Alan 21 Jul '14

21 Jul '14

AMSAT-NA Members: After the 2014 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors election ballots were mailed, we were notified by our printer that old stock return envelopes were inadvertently included. These have the old Silver Spring, MD address. The ballot postcard and other documents have the correct Kensington, MD address. Mail is being efficiently forwarded to the new AMSAT-NA office address, and will continue to be forwarded for several months. You may use either the envelope included in the packet, or your own envelope or address label to send the ballot to the current address: AMSAT The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 10605 Concord Street Kensington, MD 20895 USA We and our printer regret any inconvenience. Whichever method you chose, please return them promptly to ensure that your ballot is received by 15 September! Alan Biddle WA4SCA AMSAT Corporate Secretary

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Re: [amsat-bb] WD9EWK from FN56 starting @ 1727 UTC today...
by Bill (W1PA) 20 Jul '14

20 Jul '14

Patrick, Thank you for the eye-ball at the ARRL Convention, and the new grid today on SO-50. Congrats to Drew (KO4MA) for his last grid east of the Mississippi (same pass -- at least that's what I heard). Bill W1PA

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