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

Re: [amsat-bb] Tropo and FO-29
by Andrew Glasbrenner 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Yes! I live 1/2 mile or so from the open Gulf, and it's a clear shot from the tower in some azimuths. I have heard many satellites below the horizon by several degrees. With the right conditions, I've worked Cuba, Mexico, Texas, and Puerto Rico on 2m SSB via tropo with the same antennas. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> >Sent: Jun 15, 2015 4:20 PM >To: Jim White <jim(a)coloradosatellite.com> >Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tropo and FO-29 > >I was hearing you guys saying "5,4,3,2,1" until SatPC32 showed FK86 at >-2 degrees elevation. I didn't have your six digit locator entered so >there is a margin of error. > >73 >Clayton >W5PFG > >On Mon, Jun 15, 2015 at 3:17 PM, Jim White <jim(a)coloradosatellite.com> wrote: >> Apparently some folks were hearing us after our nominal LOS, I was still >> taking so Ken could zero in the antenna on the horizon. We had stopped >> hearing the downlink at that point. In that direction we are about 500' >> above the ocean with nothing but a steep slope down then water all the way >> to Spain. I'm wondering if there was some tropo on VHF that kept us in it >> for another minute or so, but the UHF fell off when it went over the water >> horizon. >> >> Anyone ever experience anything like that? >> >> We have certainly seen 6 meter tropo around the islands here this week - all >> the way up to Puerto Rico and Haiti. >> >> Jim >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via 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://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >_______________________________________________ >Sent via 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://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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73 on 73 Award #20 - IW0HLG
by Paul Stoetzer 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Good afternoon, Congratulations to Davide D'Aliesio, IW0HLG, for working 73 different stations on AO-73 since September 1, 2014 and becoming the 20th recipient of the 73 on 73 Award. For more information on the award see http://amsat-uk.org/funcube/73-on-73-award/ 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM

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Tropo and FO-29
by Jim White 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Apparently some folks were hearing us after our nominal LOS, I was still taking so Ken could zero in the antenna on the horizon. We had stopped hearing the downlink at that point. In that direction we are about 500' above the ocean with nothing but a steep slope down then water all the way to Spain. I'm wondering if there was some tropo on VHF that kept us in it for another minute or so, but the UHF fell off when it went over the water horizon. Anyone ever experience anything like that? We have certainly seen 6 meter tropo around the islands here this week - all the way up to Puerto Rico and Haiti. Jim

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Antenna Mounted Preamps
by Nicholas Mahr 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Hi All, I need two antenna mounted pre-amps, one for 70CM and one for 2M... We had outside preamps but they got hit my lightning long ago, all we have are preamps in the house. With that being said where you do you recemmend buying a very good antenna mounted preamp? I cannot really find anything anywhere that sells preamps anymore. 73 KE8AKW

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VP2MKV 1921 Z pass
by Jim White 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Good pass. Thanks for everyone's patience. Max 71 degree EL here made for strong signals. Ken the human rotator is getting the hang of it. Following worked: N4UFO K3SV KE8AEW KE8AKW KC9ELU WL9I W5PFG AC2RA W5CBF NC0RA NJ1H W3KXR WI9I WN9Q WA5KBH Thanks also to everyone for clear enunciation of their phonetics. Wish I could say the same on HF (4,582 contacts so far). We are going to try the 2111Z pass here. It only gets 1.7 degrees high at 262 AZ at 2114Z but we are about 500' above the ocean and nothing in the way that direction. Not sure who or what will be in the footprint then. . . If we can just keep the papers, headsets, chair and antenna from blowing off the roof deck . . . again..... Jim

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Satellite FCC Frequency and spacecraft licensing process?
by Robert Bruninga 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Satellite Builders, Is this how Frequency coordination and Satellite Licensing is supposed to work (for a 100% amateur payload)? 1) We obtained IARU coordination letters for our spacecraft 2) We filled out the ODAR report 3) We filled out the SPACECAP nightmare 4) We submitted to the FCC We never got any response. (Never have as far as I can remember going back 5 satellites back to 2001)… But then we have not done one since 2006 until this last one, and with the more formal steps 1,2,3 above, assumed it was more formal now. So, as we prepare to build our Next satellite, IS THIS THE PROCESS? IE, The last step is simply a “notification” and if there is *no* response, then we assume we are legal? I know better than to just knock on FCC doors and **ask** anyone that responds, “is this OK”. Because the bureaucratic response is always NO until you can prove otherwise. We did what we were supposed to do. So is that it? How do I prove it to the Launch Provider? All we have is the IARU coordination letter (plus what we submitted)… Just curious if this is the normal process. Bob, WB4APR

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Re: [amsat-bb] Domenico I8CVS SK
by andy thomas 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Like many others I saddened by the loss of Domenico, who was a source of inspiration, and who now is encountering his own cosmic journey. andy G0SFJ

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Re: [amsat-bb] I8CVS SK
by Grant Zehr 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

When I was first getting my AO-40 receiver working I remember having my dish propped up on a lawn chair in the driveway, holding the feed and down-converter in place and at the same time trying to tune my FT-847. It was looking like another evening of failure when suddenly, very clearly, I heard Domenico signing I8CVS. Later I had the chance to visit with him on AO-40 and thank him for being on the satellite. Domenico was a true gentleman and a great help to many others, including myself. His comments on any topic were always worth reading and considering. He will be missed by the entire amateur satellite community. My sincerest condolences to his Family. Grant Zehr AA9LC

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I8CVS
by Thomas Doyle 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Very sad to hear of his passing. I always read all of his postings on the board. He was a great source of information and inspiration. He will be missed. W9KE Tom Doyle

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Re: [amsat-bb] VP2MKV passes
by Jim White 15 Jun '15

15 Jun '15

Yes, sorry. 1521 local, 1921Z. Jim On 6/15/2015 2:07 PM, Clayton Coleman wrote: > Jim, > > Do you mean 1521 local time? I'll be looking for you. 6 degree pass > here in Texas. > > Thanks, > Clayton > W5PFG > > On Mon, Jun 15, 2015 at 12:58 PM, Jim White<jim(a)coloradosatellite.com> wrote: >> Great signals from the roof for the 1339 pass. 20MPH winds with higher >> gusts. Radio working great, strong return signal, strong beacon. No one >> heard but ourselves. >> >> We will be on the 1521Z pass here which gets up to 71 degrees. >> >> Jim >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via 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://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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