November 2016 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

AO-73/FUNcube-1
by Jim Heck 25 Nov '16

25 Nov '16

Hi Folks, Just say that I have just switched AO-73/FUNcube-1 to full time amateur (transponder ON) mode. Plan as usual is to switch back to auto mode on Sunday pm UTC. Enjoy and have a gr8 weekend. 73s Jim G3WGM

1 0

BY70-1 145/436 Transponder CubeSat launch Dec 26
by M5AKA 25 Nov '16

25 Nov '16

BY70-1 is a 2U CubeSat with 145.935 to 436.200 MHz transponder planned launch December 26 2016 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/formal_detail.php?serialnum=531 Radio ham awarded space achievement honour https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/25/radio-ham-awarded-space-achievement-honour/ Lunar Amateur Radio Satellites DSLWP-A1/A2 https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/18/lunar-amateur-radio-satellites-dslwp-a1a2/ FUNcube-1 / AO73 celebrates 3 years in space https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/21/funcube-1-ao73-celebrates-3-years-in-space/ EO79 FUNcube-3 transponder commences regular operation https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/10/eo79-funcube-3-transponder-commences-regula… The book Getting Started with Amateur Satellites 2016 is now in stock at the AMSAT-UK shop https://amsat-uk.org/2016/06/27/getting-started-with-amateur-satellites-201… 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

1 0

AO-7 eclipses return
by Andrew Glasbrenner 25 Nov '16

25 Nov '16

The AMSAT satellite status page at http://www.amsat.org/status/ indicates that as of the morning of 11/25/2016, AO-7 is once again entering eclipse each orbit. This means that the 24 Hour mode change timer is interrupted each orbit, and the satellite will be found primarily in Mode U/v (aka Mode B). As the satellite is powered solely by the now 42 year-old solar panels, it is very sensitive to strong uplink signals, particularly CW. Users should closely monitor their downlink for excessive chirp, warbling or "FM'ing" and reduce power as necessary. More information including frequencies can be found at http://ww2.amsat.org/?page_id=1031 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations

1 0

AMSAT Symposium
by Clint Bradford 25 Nov '16

25 Nov '16

STEVE>> … Will the Symposium in 2017 be a cruise again? Probably not, but the 2016 Symposium was a success by most measures … Which brings us to survival - I am anxious to hear from AMSAT-NA a “game plan” for survival. Several points were made at the Symposium. I want to hear from our AMSAT-NA how they want mere individuals to promote and assist - that was my last sentence in a post earlier this week - Who has some “promotional” ideas that individuals can immediately embrace? There has to be some grant money out there … Clint K6LCS

1 0

Great White North Grid Expedition Update
by k.alexander 25 Nov '16

25 Nov '16

A collision closed the highway to FN07 yesterday and I was forced to overnight in FN06. I did make it to FN07 a short time ago and my next hotel reservation for tonight is in Val-d'Or QC (FN18). Not only am I behind schedule, but there don't appear to be enough good passes to make it worth staying in FN07 this afternoon. I'm going to drive straight to Val-d'Or after lunch and check in early. This gives me time to work out a schedule for Saturday and post it this evening. I will be on the following passes from FN18 this evening: 2207 XW-2C2304 XW-2A2342 XW-2A The plan for today was to activate EN97, FN07, EN98 and FN08. I will take an extra day and cover as many as of these as I can on Sunday. 73, KenVE3HLS Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

1 0

Keep Amateur Radio in Space
by Jeff Davis 25 Nov '16

25 Nov '16

Congratulations to AMSAT on it’s recent successful Symposium! While looking through the slide presentation, I noticed the comment about the AMSAT Journal being a “major membership benefit”. I agree that the value of the publication is high, but it's much more than simply a member benefit. The AMSAT Journal should be available to anyone who wants it, with or without membership — as a digital download subscription for $20-$25 a year. The opportunity to find 5000 space enthusiasts willing to invest that amount in a highly specialized publication seems considerably better than finding 3400 new full paying members - at least over the next 12 months. Publishing the Journal electronically would save ALL of the current printing and distribution costs and potentially add enough subscribers who aren't members today to shore up the expected shortfall in 2017. And those who subscribe become prime candidates to eventually become full-freight members. Besides, there must be some who have been members in the past who, for whatever reason, can no longer afford to renew their membership. What good does it do us to cut them off from all contact with the organization? Why make it all or none? If they can’t afford full-membership or don’t see the value at full-price — why not at least keep them engaged for half price — by sending them bits instead of atoms? New membership should always include the excellent ‘Getting Started With Amateur Satellites’ book since it provides the basic framework for good amateur practice on the satellites. It’s value is also high and could become the ‘major membership benefit’ — in addition to a digital subscription to the Journal. “Keeping Amateur Radio in Space” is a BIG mission that will require new members, new income streams, and new ideas to figure out how to accomplish it, and it occurs to me that while this won’t be at all “easy”, at least this part of the adventure isn’t rocket science. :-) 73, Jeff KE9V AMSAT #28350

1 0

AMSAT Symposium
by Clint Bradford 24 Nov '16

24 Nov '16

Good point, Pedro! But I believe an entity suffering from financial problems would want the largest-possible attendance at what has traditionally been an exchange of important and pertinent information. Clint Sent from an iOS device.

2 2

Ft 817 Low power mystery solved !
by jeffory broughton 24 Nov '16

24 Nov '16

There are two ribbon cables on the main unit. A 50 pin at the front from the front panel and a much smaller one at the rear feeding the P.A. I unplugged and then reseated them ,problem fixed. Vhf high = 4.2 watts and UHF = 4.8 watts Out on INTERNAL battery ! Jeff WB8RJY jeff broughton

2 1

YAESU FT-817 TX POWER
by jeffory broughton 24 Nov '16

24 Nov '16

Has anyone ever taken time to actually measure the tx power on vhf and uhf of the FT -817 ? After receiving a new one this week ,I took mine to the work where we have all the eqpt to spec it out and was disappointed with what I saw. Thanks to all who reply. Jeff WB8RJY jeff broughton

5 4

Help with 9100 & external sound card
by Richard Lawn 24 Nov '16

24 Nov '16

. I am able to connect to my computer and manage CAT functions and various digital software programs without problems. But I was unable to get sufficient audio stream via 9100 USB to my computer. After several online conversations I bought a rigblaster advantage to handle such things and am still having problems with setup. I now get good audio from the radio to the computer and software, and PTT is handled just fine but I have no audio RF out from the radio either from fldigi or wsjt. I have no idea what's wrong. I think it may have to do with driver conflict as I initially tried a Signalink so it installed drivers and of course the rigblaster did the same, installing new sound drivers. It's interesting that if I choose the USB codec in the software setup for sound in and out, which I believe is actually what was installed by the signalink, the software radio connection works but if I use the sound in and out labeled rigblaster advantage it doesn't. I should add that none of the level controls on the RBA work either even when I choose the USB audio codec as sound sources. Clearly I'm doing something wrong but I can't sort it out. I never had so much trouble getting digital mode software to work on a radio. Frustrated, Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile

2 1