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

XE1AY SO-50 grid expedition (18-26 July 2015)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 17 Jul '15

17 Jul '15

Hi! I received an e-mail from Omar XE1AO about an upcoming grid expedition by traveling Mexican ham Ismael XE1AY. Ismael plans to work SO-50 from the following grids in northerm Mexico over the next few days: July 18-19 from DL63 July 19 from DL55 July 20-22 from DL67 July 23 from DL68 July 24-26 from DL78 Not sure: DL56 Ismael's mailing address is OK on QRZ.com. Thanks Omar for the heads-up about Ismael's upcoming trip. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK

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SO-50
by Lee Ernstrom 17 Jul '15

17 Jul '15

On the 0330-0341 pass of SO-50 this evening, Wednesday, I couldn't get it to come to life. Was it just me? Did I lose my pre-amp or was there something wrong with the sat? Lee (Doc) Ernstrom Syracuse, Utah DN-31 Sent from my iPad

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Re: [amsat-bb] SO-50
by Rick Tejera 17 Jul '15

17 Jul '15

Regardless of the pass, when it gets yo about 5 degrees, I send the on tone, even if I hear other stations (during a break) this way I know I have at least 10 minutes before it turns off. Rick Tejera K7TEJSaguaroAstro(a)cox.net623-203-4121 -------- Original message -------- From: Neil Smith <n5eil(a)me.com> Date: 07/16/2015 16:25 (GMT-07:00) To: Bryan Green <bryan(a)kl7cn.net> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SO-50 So is it good practice on a west to east approach when the bird breaks horizon and nothing is heard for the first 10 or so degrees in the pass to go ahead and attempt to turn it on? -Neil > On Jul 16, 2015, at 3:00 PM, Bryan Green <bryan(a)kl7cn.net> wrote: > > I've turned it on plenty of times from a western approach. Usually it takes a good 5 second burst of carrier at 74.4 Hz. The only way to tell is to switch back to 67 Hz and send a carrier. If you hear quieting, it's on. > > Bryan KL7CN/W6 > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Jul 16, 2015, at 14:50, Neil Smith <n5eil(a)me.com> wrote: >> >> Was anyone able to work the 1902 UTC west coast pass? It was coming in from the southeast over the pacific, so I figured it might not be turned on, but I expected to hear some traffic on it by the end of the pass. When it’s off and needs the 74.4hz 2 second tone to reset the timer does so-50 give any feedback to indicate that’s it’s now on? >> >> -Neil N5EIL >> >> >>> On Jul 16, 2015, at 6:40 AM, Bill Dillon <bill.g.dillon(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> I had no trouble on the following 05:15-05:30 UT pass. >>> >>> 73, >>> >>> --Bill, KG5FQX >>> >>> On Wed, Jul 15, 2015 at 10:45 PM, Lee Ernstrom <lee.ernstrom(a)rcwilley.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> On the 0330-0341 pass of SO-50 this evening, Wednesday, I couldn't get it >>>> to come to life. Was it just me? Did I lose my pre-amp or was there >>>> something wrong with the sat? >>>> >>>> Lee (Doc) Ernstrom >>>> Syracuse, Utah DN-31 >>>> >>>> Sent from my iPad >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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ao7b cw beacon
by KERRY LA*DUKE 17 Jul '15

17 Jul '15

I received good cw beacon from ao7 in mode b at around 22:20Z July 16. The beacon shut off during the pass and the satellite appeared to shut off also. HI HI 180 180 180 180 252 252 252 252 324 324 324 324 496 496 496 496 568 568 568 568 696 696 696 696 The beacon repeated several times before shutting off.

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Re: [amsat-bb] PSAT PSK31 experimental software (Op ideas)
by Robert Bruninga 16 Jul '15

16 Jul '15

Full DUX PSK31 Operating ideas: Can I assume the TX uplink software has the usual BRAG text and CQ features, since the expectation is that users will continuously transmit throughtout the entire pass and the operator has plenty to do other than type continuously at the keyboard. So I envision some continuously running brag text including CQ's the call, the HF antenna, the power, the grid, the location in DDN/DDDW whole degrees maybe (for APRS purposes), the downlink antenna, and so forth. And then maybe the looping uplink will stop at the next item separator and allow the operator to inject keyboard text. In other words, the loop just runs. But if the operator begins typing (maybe he sees a buddy in the dowonlink) he just starts typing and the LOOP stops at the next break in loop elements and inserts the typed text. Im thinking that elements in the brag string would be separated by " - " but then when ever the operator types text, then it is inserted in the stream beginning with [ then text goes here and ends with a ] when he hits the enter key? By having a common system of continuous brag items and interjected live text, then we all have consistent expectations as to what the PC is doing versus the operator? Bob, WB4aPR -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of KO6TZ Bob Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2015 12:31 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] PSAT PSK31 experimental software The software worked great !!! Produced a straight line on the waterfall for the down link. As expected, I was alone on the pass, so no opportunity for a contact. I was using digi-pan for the RX, my signal was at around 2200Hz.. Probably an indication the oscillator in my radio is off a bit. I think I will lower the frequency from 2000 to about 1600. That will put my signal lower in the VF pass band. I like the program. Had good copy. THANKS..... BOB KO6TZ _______________________________________________ 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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Can't digipeat APRS thru satellites
by Mark Johns 16 Jul '15

16 Jul '15

My packet setup gets digipeated instantly on terrestrial APRS networks, and works fine with ARISS, but even with overhead passes on NO-44 and NO-84, when I copy the birds well, I can't manage to get an APRS packet digipeated. Even if I crank the power up to 50 watts, using the M2 LEOpack antennas, those birds simply are deaf to me. I'm sending to CQ via ARISS, as my reading of the online docs seems to indicate that is appropriate. I've also tried CQ via PCSAT-1 and CQ via PSAT (for NO-84) but still no joy. I've also played with TX delay. Nothing works. What am I doing wrong? -- Mark D. Johns, KØMDJDecorah, Iowa USA EN43----------------------------------------------- "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain

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Re: [amsat-bb] Live video feed of ARISS contact with Pima County 4H/Vail Vaqu...
by AJ9N＠aol.com 15 Jul '15

15 Jul '15

Hi all, Here is the scheduled time for this contact that I have posted several times to the SAREX BB. Pima County 4H/Vail Vaquero's 4H Club, Tucson, AZ, direct via W7LB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS/OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Mikhail Korniyenko RN3BF Contact is a go for: Wed 2015-07-15 18:01:42 UTC 67 deg 73, Charlie AJ9N One of the ARISS Mentors In a message dated 7/15/2015 8:32:22 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net writes: John, A slight correction... 10am in Arizona is 1700 UTC. Arizona, except for the portion of the Navajo Nation reservation in the northeastern part of the state, does not change its clocks for daylight time in the summer. It's UTC -7 hours for local time, all the time. We really don't need the extra hour of daylight, when it is so hot in the deserts during the summer. Looking forward to this video presentation, and to hear the ISS as it passes over. W7LB is the ground station for this contact, and Larry Brown is a long-time AMSAT member and supporter. He has had a hand in other scheduled ISS contacts in Arizona, and his experience should help make this a success. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK On Wed, Jul 15, 2015 at 4:57 AM, John Brier <johnbrier(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Apologies if this was mentioned already, but I hadn't seen it. > > Join the Vail Vaquero's 4-H Ham Radio Project at Empire High School > for an out of this world experience as they make contact with a > Russian Cosmonaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on > Wednesday > > July 15 at 10:00 am [MST/Arizona, 16:00 UTC, I believe] > > Bring your family and friends! > > The contact will be at Empire High School in Vail. The address is > 10701 E Mary Ann Cleveland in the theater. > > If you are unable to make it, there will be a live video feed of the event here: > > The presentation starts at 10am and the pass will begin at 11:03am > (Arizona Time) > > http://vailaz.com/index.php/news/view-categories/technology/116-vail-studen… _______________________________________________ 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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Live video feed of ARISS contact with Pima County 4H/Vail Vaquero's 4H Club Tucson, AZ
by John Brier 15 Jul '15

15 Jul '15

Apologies if this was mentioned already, but I hadn't seen it. Join the Vail Vaquero's 4-H Ham Radio Project at Empire High School for an out of this world experience as they make contact with a Russian Cosmonaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday July 15 at 10:00 am [MST/Arizona, 16:00 UTC, I believe] Bring your family and friends! The contact will be at Empire High School in Vail. The address is 10701 E Mary Ann Cleveland in the theater. If you are unable to make it, there will be a live video feed of the event here: The presentation starts at 10am and the pass will begin at 11:03am (Arizona Time) http://vailaz.com/index.php/news/view-categories/technology/116-vail-studen… John, KG4AKV

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Tips for posting time-sensitive messages
by Alan 15 Jul '15

15 Jul '15

Hi, People sometimes post time-sensitive messages to AMSAT-BB and SAREX. Examples are last minute grid activations, unexpected satellite mode commands, requests for critical telemetry after a launch, etc. These normally go through promptly, but occasionally get held for two primary reasons: While AMSAT-BB and SAREX are both open lists, that means they are open for membership. In order to post to the list, it normally must be from the same account you originally registered. For instance, if you registered from your home account, and post from your office account, it will normally be held for release by a moderator. Likewise, some people have all their email forwarded to a single account from which they reply. We can easily create a filter to pass the second address, but that is not automatically done on the first posting, and does require moderator action. Both mailing lists receive literally dozens of pieces of spam for each legitimate message. As part of the filtering process, emails larger than 40-50kB are blocked. This usually happens to legitimate email when someone attempts to attach a large file, or replies to a long message without trimming. These also require moderator intervention, and are normally not approved but bounced back to the originator for adjustment. Also, there is a limit to the number of addresses before an email is held as potential spam. I have seen legitimate email sent to 20+ addresses. We have a team of volunteer moderators, but they are not available 24/7. The result is that a message sent in the evening or on a holiday, US time, may well be held for 10-12 hours before being released. So, if it absolutely, positively needs to be distributed promptly: 1. Post from the same account you registered for, or one which from past experience you know has been flagged as acceptable. 2. Post a message less than 40 kB, with no attachments which will always be stopped. (Pictures should be included by a link.) 3. Send it to AMSAT-BB, SAREX, and a few other addresses a most. If you must send to a large distribution list, send to them, and another copy to the AMSAT lists. 4. Consider also posting to the AMSAT Twitter and Facebook accounts. There is overlap in membership, though at present it is far from 100%. 73s, Alan WA4SCA

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APRS Satgate Omni Antennas
by Robert Bruninga 15 Jul '15

15 Jul '15

Finally did some PSAT tests with 1/4 wave on car roof and TH-D72 Kenwood radio. * On a 60 deg pass I heard 25 packets decoded one at 5 bars. * On 21 degree pass heard 5 packets but none above 1 bar. * On 40 degree pass heard 37 packets decoded 5 when they hit 5 bars. Also got in with 5W. * on 40 deg pass (in Annapolis) heard a single 5 bar packet and no decode. NOTICE, the first three were at the beach with no real planning as to building obstructions. But apparently the noise open squelch was S0. But in Annapolis, after hearing nothing (1 packet) I opened the squelch to see a full 3 bars of noise. Remember, the radio ALWAYS shows ZERO S units until the squelch actually opens, so the presence of even S9 broadband noise will show nothing and HEAR nothing unless you open the squelch manually! The Baghigawatt area defense radar on 149 MHz in the DC area was operating at the time. Again, shows the value of having any SATGATE OMNI antnenna on the ground well below horizon (and only able to see sky above 30 deg)... P.S. On this 19" magmount whip, the 435.350 PSK31 came in FINE! Remember this is a 3/4 wave vertical on UHF. So to pick up the needed 3dB more on VHF, the next tests should use a 3/4 wave at VHF or about 58 inches... Much more testing needed. de WB4aPR, Bob ------------------------ original message ---------------------- Some EZNEC models: 1/4 wave with radials: -2 at 30 and -6 at 60 ==> Basically a dipole pattern 3/4 wave with radials: +2 at 30 and -1 at 60 ==> 4 to 5 dB better, 2 dBi max 3/4 wave w 3' gndpln: +3 at 30 and +1 at 60 ==> 5 to 7 dB better, 3.3 dBi max 3/4 wave w 6' gndpln: +2 at 30 and +3 at 70 ==> 4 to 9 dB better, 5.5 dBi max 3/4 wave w 9' gndpln: +3 at 30 and +3 at 65 ==> 5 to 9 dB better,5.3 dBi max 3/4 wave perfect gnd: +3 at 30 and +3 at 68 ==> 5 to 9 dB better, 6.9 dBi max Even the 3/4 with just the four 19" radials gives a huge 4 to 5 dB improvement over a classic ground plane for omni satellite SATgate work. Also, this antenna does not need to be high. Just see sky above 30 deg. In fact, is better to be low to reduce terrestrial QRM. Notice too that the Lilenblatt, eggbeaters, and all other "omni"s that try to keep their gain down on the horizon, are equally as poor as the 1/4 wave vertical at these higher elevations. This is OK for strong satellits like the ISS with 5 to 10 watts, but abisimal when all that gain on the horizon is completely wasted when you cannot hear the satellite anyway because it is 6 to 10 dB farther away! The result is these "omni's" give up the 4 to 9 dB at higher elevations where the satellite is much stronger. See the Omni SATGATE page: http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html Summary: The 3/4 wave vertical should make it so you CAN hear weak LEO satellites 5 to 9 dB better when they are closer and does this by giving up on hearing them when they are so far away you can't hear them anyway! Bob, WB4APR -----Original Message----- From: Robert Bruninga [mailto:bruninga@usna.edu] Subject: RE: [aprssig] APRS Satgate Antenna page > One question,what constitutes a large ground plane? > Is it 12"or 12'? Is it a multiple of the vertical whip? Good question. Most people think that four 1/4 wave radials make a ground plane. But if you model a 1/4 wave vertical over 1/4 wave radials, all you get is the exact pattern of a DIPOLE. The radials are just providing a "groundplane" to complete the electrical part of the antenna and give a good match. They do not affect the pattern at all. I modeled verticals over 6' or larger ground planes and only found that you get the added "reflection" gain when the ground plane starts getting that big or more. I wish I had time to use EZNEC to show the added gain (skyward) versus the size of the ground plane. And how "radials" (above actual ground) have nothing to do with the "pattern". SO, the bigger the better. It should be worth 2 to 3 dB if you could make it very large... This is the page in question: http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html Bob, WB4aPR On 6/19/2015 3:57 PM, Robert Bruninga via aprssig wrote: > Subject: APRS Satgate Antenna page > > Since the ideal APRS Satellite IGate OMNI antenna is exactly the > opposite of the typical terrestrial IGaate antenna, I prepared the > following WEB page: > > http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html > > It shows how a vertical ¼ or ¾ wave VHF omni equals the performance of > a full OSCAR class array (over half the sky) but does it with no > moving parts. > It makes up for the weak-signal horizon part of the sky by there > simply being more omni-IGates. The APRS-IS cloud with all of its > IGates is probably one of the largest spatially distributed satellite > receiver system in the world (?). > > But with people used to the 10W transmitter on the ISS, just a few > IGates can capture just about every packet from the ISS horizon to > horizon on a whip. But with the 14 dB weaker signal from PSAT, we > need more SatGates to make up for their smaller skyprint. For the USA > we need more than a dozen such Omni-SATgates. > > To see the significance of the weaker downlink from PSAT, look at the > successful IGates on the http://pcsat.aprs.org page compared to the IGates > that hear the ISS packets on http://ariss.net Both are listening on > 145.825 and passing along every packet they hear. But only TRACKING > IGates or good vertical gain satgates hear PSAT. And since we want > these running 24/7/365, we do NOT expect people wearing out motors > when an omni will do fine (if we have enough). > > The page also shows how every SATgate with a HIGH and terrestrial type > antenna actually creates a DEADZONE around it, effectively blocking > any nearby user heaerd direct from appearing on any of the APRS-IS > cloud satellite web pages. Hence, Omni-satgate antennas should be low > to everything surrounding it w hile still seeing the sky above 30 degrees. > > If your TH-D7 HT is just sitting there, not in use 99% of the time, > then just hook it to a vertical whip and let it be an IGate. With the > low antenna it will also probably be safe from all weather lightening too. > Put > the UHF side on 435.350 and turn up the speaker. When PSAT PSK31 > comes into view, you can watch the PSK31 activity as a bonus! > > Bob, WB4APR > _______________________________________________ > aprssig mailing list > aprssig(a)tapr.org > http://www.tapr.org/mailman/listinfo/aprssig

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