January 2015 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: [amsat-bb] 2m or 70cm masthead preamp first?
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 26 Jan '15

26 Jan '15

Hello Dominic, It really depends upon what you intend doing so please note the following: If you want to work the satellites with a transponder - Then the only main satellites with a 70cm downlink are FO-29 (analog,ssb,cw ) and SO-50 (Fm ) and if it is operating AO-27. AO-7, AO-73 (Funcube -1 ) ,Funcube-2, have 2 metre downlinks and of course with reasonable coax the loss is far less in this band. . Future launch of Fox-1A will be also be 2 metre (FM ) downlink. For data AO-73,UKcube -1 + Funcube-2, UO-11, DO-64, ISS, EO-79,EO-80,NO-44 etc operate with a downlink on 2 metres. Many of the cube sats. built by Universities and experimental have a downlink 435 and 437 MHz regions and of course numerous modes and baud rates. Trusting that my information will assist you. Ken Eaton GW1FKY

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Need 435mhz down converter
by Richard Lawn 26 Jan '15

26 Jan '15

You guys were very helpful in tracking down an excellent older 2m down converter. Now I'm looking for either a converter or transverter for 435mhz. I have a nice FT-8900 to trade for the right transverter. Let me know if you have anything in excess of your needs. 73 Rick W2JAZ

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60 Grid Squares for APRStt satellite?
by Robert Bruninga 24 Jan '15

24 Jan '15

The next APRS satellite will have a DTMF uplink for people to get into the global APRS system with any old HT, not just the expensive APRS integrated radios. THey will hear a voice QSL in return. I want to indicate all grid squares as 4 decimal digits for this application to keep it short. Instead of FN19 for my grid, it can be nn19 where nn translates on the spacecraft to "FN". I just counted and all of the countries and locations that have any nominal ham radio population appear to fit in under 60 major grids. We just need a mapping on the satellite to map these 60 in to the two digit nn number. It would be nice if there was an easy encoding method so that an entire 60 deep table is not needed, but simply an algorithm. If any such system exists let me know. As it is, I see exactlyl TEN major country areas, and so the first digit could simply indicate the area. And each of those areas have 0 or less smaller populous grids. So it should work out well. Of course no one is excluded. Its just the 99.99% of hams that live in these 60 grid squares can encode their grid in 4 digits. Those anywhere else in the world will take 6 DTMF digits for their posi (2 each to spell the two letters).. For info about APRStt (Touchtone) see http://aprs.org/aprstt.html So, do I have to create and figure out a cute encoding method for this top 60 (to 99) list, or does something like this already exist? Bob, Wb4APR

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For Sale 2m - 10m transverter
by Mike Sprenger 24 Jan '15

24 Jan '15

For Sale: (Too much stuff laying around, this transverter works fine) Ten-Tec 1210A 2 Meter transverter for sale - $100 (plus shipping) Details: http://www.tentecwiki.org/webarchive/1210/ Allows you to get on 2 Meters (all mode, transmit and receive) from a 10 meter rig (even the HF Flex DSP radios). With a Flex it allows you to "see" the activity output from 2m passband of a satellite. Also worked great with the Icom IC-703+ for 2m capability. Full 10 watts RF output. ALC-controlled 10M input handles power range of 4 to 20 watts. Solid-state T-R switching. Engineered for optimized l0M-2M conversion performance. 1.5"H x 5 "W x 8"D. This is a Factory Built transverter (not the kit version) Contact Mike W4UOO if interested. *Model 1210 Specifications:* - *Frequency Coverage: 144-148 MHz band, typically 144-145.7 MHz, based on 28-29.7 MHz tuning range of most 10 meter transceivers. 116 MHz local oscillator.* - *Power requirement: 12-14VDC, 100 mA. receive, 600 mA in transmit with no drive, 2.0A on transmit at 10 watts output.* - *Construction: Black texture painted clamshell-type steel top and bottom, aluminum panel chassis and heatsink. One 5.5 "X 3.75" double-sided circuit board.* - *Semiconductors: 2 IC's, 13 transistors, 25 diodes. RF final. BLW81.* *TRANSMIT:* - *RF Output: 10 watts maximum an CW and FM, 10 watts PEP on SSB.* - *T/R Switching: solid state, RF sensing.* - *Output Power Adjustment Range: 2 to 10 watts.* - *Spurs and Harmonics: Greater than -56 dBc at 10 watts out.* - *Standard TX Hang Time: Approximately 1 second.* - *Input Drive: Less than 0.5 watts input to key TX mode. 4 watts input for 10 watts output. Input drive level is ALC controlled between 4 and 20 watts. Input SWR less than 1.5:1.* *RECEIVE:* - *Noise figure: less than 7 dB.* - *Conversion Gain: Approximately 17 dB.* - *Image Rejection: Greater than 60 dB.* - *Input Intercept: -6.5 dBm typical.*

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Icom 703+ for Sale
by Mike Sprenger 24 Jan '15

24 Jan '15

For Sale: (Reason: I've got too many Rigs, this radio works great) ICOM IC-703 Plus - HF+6M Radio with microphone ICOM LC-156 Backpack (Matching for this radio). These are rare to find I believe. OPC-581 Separation Cable Original Box for Radio and Separation Cable (Pack came in a bag) Asking $600 No trades Please. Selling as a package., US sale only please, I'd rather not ship overseas. I've got the original box for the Radio and the Faceplate Separation kit. Backpack info: http://www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/hf/703/LC-156.aspx CI-V Supported on IC-703+ , allowing connection to computer. Works with SATPC32 The Icom IC-703 Plus all-mode transceiver delivers efficient QRP operation on HF (160-10 meters) and 6 meters. Output can be set for 10, 5, 2.5, 1 or 0.5 watts. Energy conservation is realized by lowering the power source voltage and this rig draws only 300 ma in Standby mode, not 2 amps like some other radios. Many features, usually extra charge, are built-in including: automatic antenna tuner, AF DSP, memory keyer and TCXO (± 0.5 ppm). A large high contrast, backlit LCD keeps you informed. An easy-to-use menu system allows you to tailor many aspects of the radio's operation to your preferences. Other features include IF shift, AF speech compressor, spectrum scope, and SWR analyzer. Four types of scanning are supported. Includes: OPC-1229 DC power cable, spare fuses, key plugs, acc cable and HM-103 hand mic. CI-V Supported, allowing connection to computer.

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Fox-1C FundRazr matching donation offer
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Jan '15

24 Jan '15

Just posted on the AMSAT Facebook and Twitter feed: Saturday afternoon challenge! Next 10 $100 donations to Fox-1C at https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/6pz92/ab/561Zd will be matched 100%! We had two donors in the first 2 minutes, but there is still time to double the money! 73, Drew KO4MA

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LVBTracker push button digi-key part #
by kb2m＠arrl.net 24 Jan '15

24 Jan '15

Does anyone have the Digi-Key part number for the correct front panel push buttons for the LVBTracker ? 73 Jeff kb2m

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Re: [amsat-bb] tracking interfaces
by Pedro Converso 23 Jan '15

23 Jan '15

Hello Jim, Besides Nova that is an excellent program give a try to Satrack, it is free. You can find, run or download from http://amsat.org.ar/Satrack.htm , it handles some rigs and RC2800PX rotor thru a 4800 baud Com either legacy or USB. It includes tracking Amsat Oscar-0 A web only application (no com ports) can be seen at http://amsat.org.ar/sat.htm that also runs on tablets or smart phones besides PCs. The comport application (Satrack.exe) doesn't need any driver or external program. Good luck with your new setup. 73, lu7abf, Pedro Converso

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Handheld for LEO satellites?
by Juan Antonio Fernandez 23 Jan '15

23 Jan '15

Hello Steve, If you have the intention to build your own antenna. I will advice you the IOio antenna to work by handheld. It is easy to build and it works great V/U and U/V. The SO-50 is easy with it. You can find further info: http://www.ea4cax.com EA4CYQ Juan Antonio

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Testing SatPC32
by Jake Tennant 23 Jan '15

23 Jan '15

As I am new to satellite operations I am testing out SatPC32 for radio control/tuning. I am running SatPC32 in the DEMO mode currently and cannot get the radio CAT control to function at all. I have a Yaesu FT-857D connected to my computer via a RT Systems USB-62 cable that functions properly with FTBasicMMO software as well as on my Mac computer where I am also testing MacDoppler. Does the CAT radio control only operate when there is a viable satellite? or should it adjust the radio all of the time.

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