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

New M2 LEO pack antenna system is now available in AMSAT store
by Andrew Glasbrenner 07 Mar '15

07 Mar '15

Since not everyone reads ANS or the Twitter or Facebook feeds, I thought I'd share this here a bit early. 73, Drew KO4MA M2 Antenna Systems, Inc. of Fresno, CA introduced the new satellite antenna LEO-Pack using their 436CP16 and 2MCP8A yagis during the 2015 HamCation in Orlando, FL. The 436CP16 and 2MCP8A are light weight, circularly polarized antennas optimized for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite communications or other applications where a small circular polarized antenna is required. Optimum match and gain designed for the satellite band. Rear mounted for easy coaxial cable routing. A preamp (not included) can be mounted close to the antenna for almost no coax loss before the preamp, maximizing your receive performance. Computer design techniques help keep spurious side lobes down for optimum signal to noise rations. Both the 436CP16 and 2MCP8A feature the same CNC machined, O-ring and silicone-gel sealed, driven element assemblies common to all M2 Yagi Antennas. This insures years of trouble free performance regardless of weather. M2 designed a custom LEO cross boom to pair these two antennas together for a very manageable amateur satellite ground station. AMSAT-NA and M2 Antenna Systems are pleased to announce that the LEO-Pack system is being offered to members only at $499, shipping included (US only). Non-members can join AMSAT-NA at time of purchase to participate in this special purchase. The M2 list price is $545.99. To place your order, visit the AMSAT store at: http://store.amsat.org/catalog/ M2 Antenna System's LEO-Pack page can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/nyhgmcr

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N2IEN in VP2V
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 07 Mar '15

07 Mar '15

Got an email from N2IEN stating he will be in VP2V this coming Thursday through Sunday with Arrow and VX8. His QSL manager is Rex NR6M for those that work him. Dave-KB1PVH Sent from my Samsung S4

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test
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 07 Mar '15

07 Mar '15

Please ignore Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School Disagree I Learn

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UHF Preamp Needed
by Paul - K6HR 06 Mar '15

06 Mar '15

Anyone have an ARR MSP432VDG-160 preamp excess to their needs they want to sell? Paul Delaney - K6HR paul.hamradio(a)verizon.net http://gw.k6hr.ampr.org:8080

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Operate a camera aboard an interplanetary spacecraft
by Clint Bradford 06 Mar '15

06 Mar '15

In May, the ‘webcam’ on board Mars Express will be available for public imaging requests. The European Space Agency is inviting schools, science clubs and youth groups to submit proposals for one of eight opportunities to image another planet. http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Have_you_ever_used_a_camera_on… Clint Bradford K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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Dawn In Orbit Around Ceres
by B J 06 Mar '15

06 Mar '15

http://www.nasa.gov/press/2015/march/nasa-spacecraft-becomes-first-to-orbit… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Re: [amsat-bb] Antenna question
by Jacob Tennant 06 Mar '15

06 Mar '15

So as I understand the general consensus with this antenna a small up tilt is all I need even if my western horizon is almost 45 degrees. Nobody mention anything about my ides of tilting the antenna at 45 degrees, halfway between horizontal and vertical? Any comments on that idea? Or should I just install it horizontal with the UHF side up for better reception of the UHF downlink satellites. Jacob Tennant WF8S On Thursday, March 5, 2015, Rolf Krogstad <rolf.krogstad(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Jacob, > > I have that same antenna which I use for satellite work. > I have it mounted vertical polarization and I modified the mounting > bracket so it is mounted at about a 15 degree elevation. > It seems to work quite well except when the satellites are directly > overhead. And that rarely happens in practice as I am not on that many > passes every month. > > The difference between us is that I have it above my HF yagi at the top of > my 50 foot tower, so I am over the trees and houses and I find I can work > down to the horizon. I think a 45 degree angle for your situation would be > too much. Maybe something more like 25 to 30 degrees. > Most of the time you will be aiming at satellites in lower elevations > where they are farther away, so that should give you the best performance > when they are the furthest. And when they are overhead they are much > closer so it seems to work ok. > > You will have to get a couple of diplexers to act as filters otherwise the > desense of transmitting so close to your receiving antenna will make it > hard to heard yourself on the downlink. > > GL es 73 > > Rolf, NR0T > Grid = EN34it > Amsat #38889 > Amsat-UK > > On Wed, Mar 4, 2015 at 10:09 PM, John Geiger <af5cc(a)fidmail.com > <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','af5cc(a)fidmail.com');>> wrote: > >> Hi Jacob, >> >> I have had a few of those antennas before. Are you only going to use it on >> the satellites, or are you thinking of using it for terresterial use as >> well? As you look at the antennas, one set of elements is on the top of >> the boom and the other set of elements are on the bottom of the boom. >> When >> it is mounted for horizontal polarization, the band that is on the top has >> a rather high angle of elevation. I always mounted it with the UHF >> elements >> on top, so the satellites would have to get up a bit in elevation before I >> could really pick them up well on Mode J. When VO52 was on, being Mode B, >> I >> would work it from horizon to horizon. The band on the bottom side of the >> boom seemed to function as one would expect a yagi to. >> >> If you were only going to use it for the satellites, mounting it for >> vertical polarization might eliminate this problem and give similar >> performance on both bands. I have never tried that, but someone who has >> might answer that question for you (and for me if I ever get another one). >> I am now using separate antennas for 2m and 70cm and the Diamond 15 >> element >> yagi I have for UHF hears SO50 better than the A270-10S usually did. >> >> 73 John AF5CC >> >> P.S. congrats on the 2 x 1 callsign as well! >> >> On Wed, Mar 4, 2015 at 9:52 PM, Jacob Tennant <jakewf8s(a)gmail.com >> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','jakewf8s(a)gmail.com');>> wrote: >> >> > A buddy of mine has given me a Cushcraft A270-10S dual-band antenna. I >> was >> > going to try to use it start my satellite antenna farm and was thinking >> of >> > mounting it on a rotator, angled at 45 degrees up from the horizon and >> > angled at 45 degrees polarization. >> > >> > The main reason for the high up angle is that I live in a bit of a >> valley >> > or as I call it a hole. North and South aren't to bad as I have heard >> > passes at about 20 degrees, to the east my horizon is about 25 to30 >> > degrees. To the west though I have a horizon of 40 degrees. >> > >> > So I was thinking wit the antenna pointed at 45 degrees above the >> horizon >> > would give me the best chance all around. >> > >> > Am I on the right track or lost in the snow? >> > >> > Or would I be better to just mount the antenna horizontal aimed at the >> > horizon and take what I can get? >> > >> > Jacob Tennant WF8S >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org >> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org');>. AMSAT-NA makes >> this open forum available >> > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >> Opinions >> > expressed >> > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of >> > AMSAT-NA. >> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >> program! >> > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> > >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org >> <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org');>. AMSAT-NA makes >> this open forum available >> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. >> Opinions expressed >> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of >> AMSAT-NA. >> 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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Are satellites visible by moon light?
by Graham Shirville 05 Mar '15

05 Mar '15

Last night was cold and clear here in the UK and the moon was full, or nearly full. I could easily see a number of aircraft “con” trails by the moonlight. This got me thinking about whether it would be possible to see space objects by moonlight in good conditions. Maybe it has already done or maybe it would not work but I would love to know! thanks and 73 Graham G3VZV

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Predicting launch times to space stations
by andy thomas 05 Mar '15

05 Mar '15

Hi I remember a few years ago the question arose about the launch window to the ISS. I think there was a program or algorithm that, based on the TLE of the station and lat/long of the launch site, looked at the sub-satellite points of the station orbiting over the launch site, and calculated the launch by allowing a delay so that the launch vehicle orbited behind the station prior to docking. Could anyone guide me towards the method or program, please? The reason for the request is to apply it to a review of the launch of the Shenzhou-10 spacecraft to the Tiangong-1 space station. I am interested in what the options were for the launch window of Shenzhou-10, i.e. when other launches could have taken place, but didn't. I'm sure that there was a couple of days around the actual launch, and a period of time before and after until the window appeared again. But I would like to nail the issue. Any help gratefully received e.g by direct email: andythomasmail AT gmail Dot com or AT yahoo Dot co Dot uk thanks in advance 73 de andy g0sfj

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Lambda-Sat CubeSat – ISS Deployment
by M5AKA 05 Mar '15

05 Mar '15

Lambda-Sat CubeSat – ISS Deployment http://amsat-uk.org/2014/08/23/lambdasat-cubesat-iss-deployment/ Radio hams will be at BBC Solar Eclipse event http://amsat-uk.org/2015/03/02/radio-hams-will-be-at-bbc-solar-eclipse-even… RSGB respond to Ofcom UHF review (70cm band) http://amsat-uk.org/2015/02/26/rsgb-respond-to-uhf-review/ ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK Website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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