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

Re: [amsat-bb] Introduction
by Clint Bradford 16 Apr '16

16 Apr '16

Welcome to this wonderful aspect of our hobby! The Elk is a great antenna. There is a site with “better” usr manuals for you for some Beofeng and Wouxun models - http://www.miklor.com HandiHams also likes the Kenwood TH-F6a with its audio prompts for many functions. Dual receive, but not true full-duplex. STILL a great HT! Clint Bradford K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com (909) 999-7287

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Contest - Catch the signal of e-st@r-II CubeSat
by CubeSat Team 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

Dear all, we are the CubeSat Team of Politecnico di Torino, and we are writing to inform you about the contest we have announced today. The CubeSat Team is a student team of Politecnico di Torino involved in the design and development of small platforms for scientific missions and for testing new technologies. We are guys enthralled by space activities. Undergraduate and graduate students work together with researchers and professors to create a real hands-on experience. “SPACE IN A CUBE: MISSIONS OF THE FUTURE” is our motto! We believe that small satellites can contribute to a broad set of science goals and space based services. Our CubeSat missions aim at conceiving new scenarios and technologies to serve the scientific community while educating students in the challenging field of aerospace engineering. Our first CubeSat, e-st@r-I, was launched into orbit on February 2012, and the second satellite, e-st@r-II, will be launched next week: the Soyuz launch ST-A VS14 is scheduled on April 22, 2016, at exactly 09:02:13 p.m UTC, from the European spaceport in French Guiana (http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-vs14/ <http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-vs14/>). It is just one week to launch… it’s time for us to prepare for operations. To celebrate this date, we invite the radio-ham community to support the e-st@r-II mission: participate in the contest to listen out for our CubeSat from orbit! We have prizes for the first to receive the e-st@r-II signal and for the one who will provide us with the higher number of packets received in the first month in orbit! All details of the competition can be found at our official webpage: http://www.cubesatteam-polito.com/operations/radio-amateurs/ <http://www.cubesatteam-polito.com/operations/radio-amateurs/> Follow the daily updates on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CubeSatTeam <https://www.facebook.com/CubeSatTeam>). Thank you in advance for your help in collecting TLM packets….. and break a leg! CubeSat Team ---------- CubeSat Team Website: http://areeweb.polito.it/cubesat-team/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CubeSatTeam Twitter: https://twitter.com/CubeSatTeam

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Another view of one of the UK ARISS contacts
by Daniel Cussen 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

This video was produced from footage taken at the City of Norwich ARISS contact here in the UK on Friday 26th February 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSsnBPl3dR8 It shows more behind the scenes. Thanks to Ciaran for sharing it

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Mounting Arrow Antennas
by Dale Kubichek 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

See my article & method for a very simple cheap portable ARROW mount with a novel EL quasi-rotor - using arm-strong retaining simplicity, cheap and easy but still keeping it portable. At: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/HAM-SATs/files/Antenna%20-%20SAT%20only/ FILE: N6JSX-ArrowPoorEL.pdf Best regards, Dale Kubichek, MS-EET, N6JSX/8 Sidney, OH 45365 EN70vh http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HAM-SATs http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RDF-USA Message: 1 Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2016 15:26:04 -0400 From: John Brier <johnbrier(a)gmail.com> To: Norm n3ykf <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com> Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Mounting Arrow Antennas The reason most people moUnt on the end of an arrow antenna is probably because there is a threaded screw hole at the end made for camera tripods. There isn't one in the middle. Fwiw, some people don't use mounts like me. On the AMSAT NA Facebook group someone said neither armstrong or mount is better than the other, it depends on what suits the user. I thought that was well said and agree. 73, John KG4AKV

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Upcoming ARISS contact with St Richards Catholic College, Bexhill on Sea, UK
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at St Richards Catholic College, Bexhill on Sea, UK on 18 Apr. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 14:56 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between GB1SS and GB4SRC. The contact should be audible over the UK and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. St Richard's Catholic College is a Science Specialist school tucked between the South Downs and the English Channel. We have 1000 pupils on roll between Years 7-11. We provide an inclusive education for Catholic and Christian pupils covering an extended catchment area covering approximately a 30 mile radius. St Richard's was awarded Teaching School status late in 2014 and we are the lead school in the Thrive Alliance, an association of primary schools, secondary schools and a sixth form college as well as lead in the Sussex Science Subject Hub. We are also a strategic partner in the Sussex Maths Hub. St Richards' Science department enjoys a very strong relationship with the University of Sussex (particularly Astronomy & Physics); University of Greenwich (Outreach)and we sit on the STEM Focus Group hosted by the University of Brighton's STEMSussex. We are a keen supporter of STEM events in our region, with particular success at the Annual STEMFest event where we have won prizes at the National Science and Engineering Competition for the last four years, twice through to national competition. STEMSussex have used St Richard's STEM Clubs' provision as an exemplar due to its success in engaging pupils of all abilities across all year groups. The department has also enjoyed high quality Continuous Professional Development engagement in the STEM agenda with involvement in 'Space as a context for teaching science' courses and a future STEM project with the University of Reykjavik in Iceland. We enjoy Space Camp UK, a residential trip with all things "spacy" at the National Space Centre and Duxford. The coordinating teacher, Dr Joolz Durkin, is the curriculum enhancement for science and is also an enthusiastic "Space Ambasador" and has worked with the Tim Peake Primary Project at Parklands Infants Eastbourne, Dallington School in Dallington, Pebsham Primary in Bexhill on Sea and Vinehall School in Heathfield as part of this link up. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. You have mentioned in an earlier call that you have been sleeping very well on the Space Station. Is that still the case or have you found any cumulative effects after four months in space ? 2. As the ISS hosts astronauts from many different nationalities, what public holidays do the crew observe, if any, and how are they chosen? 3. St Richards and two of our Primary Project Partner school, Dallington and Vinehall are taking part in the RHS 'Rocket Science' Experiment from the Principia Mission. How will the results from this experiment influence future planning for growing similar samples in another planet's gravity? 4. We have seen the preparation with Heston Blumental of an exciting astronaut menu for the mission - does the food taste the same in space as it did on Earth? 5. In a sealed spacecraft like the International Space Station, how is the air quality monitored and controlled? 6. We see the wonderful time lapse images of the ISS orbiting the Earth, but what I like looking at are the stars and making out the constellations. Do you do any astronomical research on the ISS? 7. During the mission you yourself are part of experiments using the British designed MMS Cerebral and Cochlear Fluid Pressure Analyser to collect data for the NASA Fluid Shifts investigation. Which aspect of the self-experimentation has been the most interesting or challenging? 8. Are there any experiments that rely on naked flames on the ISS? If so, how are they carried out and what low gravity precautions are employed? 9. If I oversleep my parents will wake me up - have you overslept on the ISS and had to be woken up by someone?" 10. The distance between Bexhill and Brighton is 31 miles with a journey time by car of nearly 50 minutes. How much time would it take for the ISS to do this trip? 11. What are the greatest challenges of living in space and in retaining a permanent crew on board the ISS? 12. You have tweeted some amazing and beautiful images of the aurora. Have you been able to monitor solar flare or CME activity and correlate to the brightness of the aurora? 13. How does it feel to be able to see all humanity? 14. Is the ISS affected by the Earth's magnetic field? 15. On Sunday you will be joining thousands of others in taking part in the London Marathon. What special routines have you trained for this in space? 16. In the London marathon, runners will have natural cooling as the run - how do you regulate your body temperature in a sealed environment such as the ISS?. 17. We understand you are taking part in the Skin B research on the ISS? Can you share any interesting findings? 18. You have tweeted that having a bacon sandwich and cup of tea on arrival at the ISS was the best welcome possible. What food are you looking forward to on landing? 19. What is special about space suits that help you breathe in space when on an EVA? 20. How smooth was the launch in December? PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES: Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS). To receive our Twitter updates, follow @ARISS_status Next planned event(s): 1. STEM Trajectory Initiative with Albuquerque Public Schools, Albuquerque, New Mexico, direct via NM5HD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jeff Williams KD5TVQ Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-04-22 17:32:37 UTC 2. Wellesley House School, Broadstairs, Kent, UK, direct via GB1WHS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be GB1SS The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI Contact is a go for: Sat 2016-04-23 12:10:50 UTC ABOUT ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org. Thank you & 73, David - AA4KN --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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SATPC32 ROTOR CONTROL QUESTION
by jeffory broughton 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

Setting up satpc32 at my summer home. In ROTOR SET UP, I accidentally clicked SEARCH.Ever since then, when satpc32 is starting,a box pops up stating,SERVER PROGRAM SATPC32/KEPPLER/AMATEUR not found.And I have been able to control my rotors.I just can't figure it out.i quit.help !thanks to all who reply !jeff WB8RJY jeff broughton

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MAI SSTV On
by andy thomas 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

After a false start the SSTV system on board ISS/MKC switched on when directly overhead UK (doppler 145.800.3) and sent a strong signal in PD180. Download finished 1430 utc. Image #2 celebrates the Moscow Aviation Institute in English and Russian. Of course until I demolish the house next door I lose the signal as the Station flies East! 73 de andy g0sfj

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Re: [amsat-bb] Flex 5000a FM tone issues
by Alan 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

Jeff, Some people have no problems with full duplex FM. However, others have. There are a couple of factors to tweak. First, cut the primary sample rate back to 96k if you are running 192k. Second, make certain that all the voice buffer sizes are the same. This means on the primary audio tab, and also Buffer Size|Phone on the DSP tab. Try 2048, and if that works, 1024. Probably 96k/2048 would be the place to start as it is most likely to solve the problem. This is the result of trial and error by myself and others and not, on my part, a deep understanding of how PowerSDR works. Not everybody finds the same combination works, so at least part of it involves the computer (and OS version??) you are using. However, it is completely reproducible once you find the right combination. Finally, are you using 435.170 Mhz (435.172 MHz has also been recommended) for the uplink computer tuning? If you are off frequency, the satellite AFC will help, but you can still get a rough audio. 73s, Alan WA4SCA <-----Original Message----- <From: Jeff [mailto:[email protected]] <Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 6:46 PM <To: APBIDDLE(a)mailaps.org <Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Flex 5000a FM tone issues < <Yes, I will start F/D then go H/D if there is an issue. I really don't care <about the FM birds anyway, so it's not a real issue. Tell me about the <buffer issue work around? < <73 Jeff kb2m < < <-----Original Message----- <From: Alan <Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 7:37 PM <To: 'Jeff' ; 'Amsat' <Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Flex 5000a FM tone issues < <Jeff, < <While not normally recommended, as a test try working SO-50 in half duplex <rather than full duplex and <see what happens. There is a very peculiar buffer issue which can cause <bad audio in full duplex. If <that is it, there is a work around. < <Question about your comment about building an FM repeater filter. Are you <referring to the Transmit <tab, Transmit Filter? < <73s, < <Alan <WA4SCA < < < <<-----Original Message----- <<From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeff <<Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 5:52 PM <<To: Amsat <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> <<Subject: [amsat-bb] Flex 5000a FM tone issues << <<I?m working my way through setting up my Flex 5000 for satellites. I?m very <happy with the <<performance on the linear bird?s , but having some issues with AO-85, and <SO-50. After getting some <<bad audio reports on SO-50 yesterday I tried to work the problem out with <someone on a local repeater <<who was familiar with my voice. After a few minutes it became very clear <that it was a CTCSS tone <<issue as simplex performance was excellent. I thought about this a minute <and came to the realization <<that there might be a TX filter in play, and discovered, yes it was set to <a default of 150 to 2700. <<Obliviously not FM values. So just before the last pass of AO-85 I quickly <built an FM RPTR filter of <<50 to 4k and saved it. It worked a bit better on the pass but I still had <obvious issues. Anyone have <any <<ideas what the issue might be? I?m thinking a tone level issue, but after <goggling I found issues with <<CTCSS was too HIGH of a level. Any suggestions welcome... << <<73 Jeff kb2m << << <<_______________________________________________ <<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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Mounting Arrow Antennas
by Lance Homer 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

I'm an amateur radio operator who is thinking about getting into communicating via satellites. As I've been looking into the Elk vs the Arrow antennas and trying to decide which to buy....all of the videos and the pictures I see of the Arrow on a a tripod always have it mounted on the far end at the handle. Many use a counterweight but some do not. I was wondering if mounting in the middle of the beam where it is more balanced weight-wise is possible or if there is some reason people do not do this? (As I try to imagine the motion needed it still seems possible to me to have the elements not hit the tripod legs if you can extend the head of the tripod up a bit.) If it can be done I assume it would need to be a non-metal tri-pod?? I'm also thinking of mounting the antenna I choose (Elk or Arrow) to a tall fiberglass mast. If I can't mount the arrow in the middle then I would worry about the leverage that it would create which is one reason the Elk seems appealing....but at the same time I assume the Alaskan has the most gain which interests me for non-satellite uses. Thanks, Lance / K7LQH

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Carrier on 145.8 NORCAL
by Greg Stahlman 15 Apr '16

15 Apr '16

Seems to be a dead carrier on 145.800 in Northern CA. Pointing about240 degrees from my QTH in Placerville. Greg Stahlman KJ6KO kj6ko.com Trustee Northern California 900 Repeater System NC9RS nc9rs.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 13330 (20160413) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

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