May 2017 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Work the AMSAT Hamvention Demo Station!
by Paul Stoetzer 16 May '17

16 May '17

As previously announced, AMSAT will have it's traditional presence at Hamvention this year, including a satellite demo station. This year, the demo station will operate under the AMSAT club callsign W3ZM/8. We intend to be on all passes of voice satellites between 12:00 UTC and 21:00 UTC on Friday, May 19th and Saturday, May 20th and between 12:00 UTC and 16:00 UTC on Sunday, May 21st. We may also try the NO-84 and ISS packet digipeaters using a Kenwood TH-D7A(G) HT. The callsign for packet will be just W3ZM. Please call us using APRS messages on packet. Hamvention is located in the six digit gridsquare is EM89aq. As a reward for working the AMSAT demo station during the first Hamvention at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio, individuals working us will receive a digital certificate upon request. Please email n8hm(a)amsat.org with your QSO details to receive a certificate. 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Secretary Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT-NA)

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TAPR / AMSAT Banquet at the Dayton Hamvention
by Mark Thompson 14 May '17

14 May '17

2017 Dayton Hamvention TAPR/AMSAT Banquet Friday, May 19, 2017 Presentation Topic: “The World of Low Cost Software Defined Radio” Speaker: Carl Laufer, Creator and author of RTL-SDR Blog, “The Hobbyist Guide to RTL-SDR” book and supplier of the RTL-SDR dongle. Schedule: 6:30 pm Doors Open with cash bar 7:00 pm Buffet Dinner Served Location: Kohler Presidential Banquet Center 4572 Presidential Way Kettering, OH 45429 Tickets: $35 each & may be purchased from on-line AMSAT store. Ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 16th. Tickets must be purchased in advance & will not be sold at AMSAT booth. There will be no tickets to pick up at the AMSAT booth. Tickets purchased on-line will on check-in list at the door. More Information about the TAPR / ASMAT Banquet & Registration at: http://ww2.amsat.org/?page_id=190

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TAPR Digital Forum Agenda at Dayton Hamvention
by Mark Thompson 14 May '17

14 May '17

2017 Dayton Hamvention TAPR Digital Forum Agenda Friday, May 19, 2017 9:15 - 10:45 am Forum Room #1 Moderator: Scotty Cowling, WA2DFI 9:15 – 9:20AM Introduction by Steve Bible, N7HPR, TAPR President 9:20 – 9:25AM Write for QST/QEX by Kai Siwiak KE4PT, QEX Editor 9:25 – 9:50AM “Low Cost, Open Source Spectrum Monitoring” by Michael Ossmann, AD0NR and Dominic Spill 9:50 – 10:20AM "Advanced SDR Algorithms for Noise Blanking and Noise Reduction" by Warren Pratt, NR0V 10:20 – 10:45AM “Introduction to RTL-SDR: Ultra cheap software defined radio" by Carl Laufer More Information about TAPR Events at the Hamvention at: http://www.tapr.org/dayton

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Re: [amsat-bb] KA6UCM
by HUGH EMPEY 14 May '17

14 May '17

Thanks, Mike. I think you are correct. These old aircraft carrier ears just don't hear too good any more even with the hearing aid. . 73'.Ed WA7ETH

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KA6UCM
by wa7eth＠frontier.com 14 May '17

14 May '17

Has anyone worked this station? I worked him on XW-2A this evening at 0246Z. I cannot find any information on this call sign in either QRZ or the FCC database. His name is Peter and he is in CM97. Perhaps I copied the call sign incorrectly, but I do not think so. Thanks..73'.... Ed WA7ETH

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ANS-134 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 14 May '17

14 May '17

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-134 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * Top 10 Reasons to Come to Dayton * Canadian Grid Expedition Announcement * Asia Islands on the Air Satellite Activation * South Korea Air Force Academy Proposes FM Repeater K2Sat to IARU * Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships * Vector Space Completes First Test Flight SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-134.01 ANS-134 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 134.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE May 14, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-134.01 Top 10 Reasons to Come to Dayton 10. Rub shoulders with 25,000 of your best friends at the largest hamfest in the United States, including most of the AMSAT Directors and senior officers. See the latest equipment from Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, Flex, Alinco, M2, Arrow, and many other manufacturers of amateur radio equipment and accessories. Take advantage of discounted pricing you won't find anywhere else. 9. Find out how to organize a contact with the astronauts on the International Space Station for your local school or youth group from our Education and ARISS experts. 8. Pickup the latest AMSAT golf shirts, T-shirts, and hats. Get your copy of the updated "Amateur Satellite Frequency Guide" (laminated frequency chart) and Gould Smith's just revised "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" (book printed in color). We'll also have assembled wide-band preamps and antennas that are great for portable operation. 7. See demonstrations of SatPC32 and MacDoppler satellite tracking software, and get your operational questions answered. Meet Don Agro, author of MacDoppler (Friday & Saturday, 2-3 p.m.). See a demonstration of the LVB Tracker, a computer interface to the Yaesu azimuth-elevation rotors. Talk with Mike Young, who has built more LVB Trackers than anyone else. Assembled LVB Trackers will be available. 6. Hear Carl Laufer talk about “The World of Low Cost Software Defined Radio” at the AMSAT Banquet on Friday evening. Carl is the creator and author of the extremely popular RTL-SDR Blog, author of the book, “The Hobbyist Guide to RTL-SDR,” and supplier of the RTL-SDR dongle. 5. Hear the latest on the *five* Fox satellites, Phase 5, the International Space Station, other current and future satellites, education news, and an AMSAT update at the AMSAT Forum Saturday, from 10:45 to 12:15. 4. Get one-on-one guidance on setting up your satellite station and making contacts at our "Beginner's Corner". Witness live demonstrations of contacts through satellites AO-7, AO-73, AO-85, FO-29, SO-50, XW-2A, XW-2B, XW-2C, XW-2D and XW-2F using handheld antennas. 3. Meet and interact with some of the Engineering Team members working on the Fox-1 satellites and our new Five and Dime AMSAT ground terminal. 2. Get satellite station and operating tips from some of the best satellite operators in the country, including John Papay K8YSE (1,591 grids confirmed), Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA (1,510 grids), Doug Papay KD8CAO (1,200 grids), and Paul Stoetzer (904 grids). 1. Receive an updated "Amateur Satellite Frequency Guide" (laminated frequency chart) when you join or renew your AMSAT membership at Dayton, and take advantage of special pricing on the SatPC32 satellite tracking software. [ANS thanks Steve, N9IP, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Canadian Grid Expedition Announcement Ken, VE3HLS reports he plans for the activation of four never-activated on satellites grids (as far as he can tell) grids are coming together. The expedition takes place next weekend, May 20th and 21st 2017; a long weekend up here in Canada. He will be driving up from his home QTH in FN03 and will arrive in Chibougamau QC on the afternoon of Saturday May 20th. There are several favorable passes on Saturday evening and hw hopes to spend a few hours handing out FN29 to get warmed up. Sunday the 21st looks like a bonanza of great passes! The trouble will be deciding when to break so he can move to a different location. The plan at this time is to set up on the FN29/39 boundary in the morning and operate there for a few hours. Then he will move to FO20/30 and then FO20/FN29. More information about operating schedules will be posted on amsat-bb as he gets closer to departure date. He will also post information on his QRZ page at https://qrz.com/db/VE3HLS [ANS thanks Ken, VE3HLS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Asia Islands on the Air Satellite Activation Operators Makoto/JI5RPT and Toru/JI5USJ will be active as homecall/1 from Shikine Island (North Izu Island) between 0000z, May 20th and 0000z, May 21st. Activity will be on 160/80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters using CW, RTTY and PSK31. There will also be satellite operations. Please note: In case of heavy rain or other conditions, the operation schedule may vary. For QSL info, please check QRZ.com for details. [ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1314 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- South Korea Air Force Academy Proposes FM Repeater K2Sat to IARU The Republic of Korea Air Force Academy has submitted a coordination request to the IARU for the K2Sat satellite, a 3U CubeSat Mission. The K2Sat's primary mission is to demonstrate satellite imaging and transfer, to also test voice repeating capability. The followings are the payloads: 1. On-board camera 2. On-board voice repeater proposing a V/U FM voice transceiver 3. 9k6 BSPK AX25 downlink for data and telemetry and planning a 2 Mbit QPSK downlink on S Band. The launch is planned for a 500/600km SSO orbit in 2018. [ANS thanks the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships The Space Studies Board is seeking applicants for the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships for autumn 2017. The goal of the program is to provide promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the nation's capital. Established in 1958, the Space Studies Board is the principal advisory group providing independent scientific and programmatic advice to NASA and other government agencies on all aspects of civil space research and associated ground-based activities. Interns typically undertake one or more short-term research projects designed to assist with or to enhance ongoing study projects. Applicants must be registered students (undergraduate or graduate) at a U.S. university or college who have completed their junior year. Applicants should have long-term career goals in space science research, applications or policy. Applications are due June 2, 2017. For more information and a full list of eligibility requirements, visit http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/SSB_052239. Please direct questions about this internship to Dr. David H. Smith at dhsmith(a)nas.edu. [ANS thanks NASA Education Express for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Vector Space Completes First Test Flight Vector Space has conducted a crucial test of their Vector-R rocket that the company hopes will expand the small satellite launch market via small-scale launchers. As SpaceX has disrupted the large scale market, so does Vector Space hope their new rocket system can disrupt the small scale market by eliminating the need for ride-share requirements small satellites currently face while significantly lowering the cost to small satellite customers. The first test flight, conducted on 3 May from the Mojave Desert in California, used a single-engine scaled-down model of the three-engine Vector-R rocket and allowed the company to test aspects of launch operations – including its infrastructure-lite launch architecture approach – for their rocket as well as portions of its 3D-printed components and pressure-fed engine design. The suborbital test flight launched from the Friends of Amateur Rocketry site in California’s Mojave Desert at 12:00 PDT (19:00 GMT) on 3 May and reached a maximum altitude of 1,370 m (4,500 ft). The second test flight, expected in July, will radically shift launch operations to a never-before-used location – the U.S. state of Georgia – and will highlight what Vector Space says is an innovative solution to various launch market needs with an ability to launch from locations outside the standard U.S. Ranges. This Georgia test will occur from Camden County – the state’s southern-most county, which borders Florida’s north-eastern most boundary. Following completion of the Vector-R test flight series, Vector Space plans to introduce the Vector-R rocket for commercial launch operations in 2018. From there, the company currently has 12 commercial launches for the Vector-R planned in 2019, with an eventual eye toward ramping up operations to 100 launches of the Vector-R later in its operational life. [ANS thanks NASASpaceFlight.com for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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QB50 CubeSats deploy from ISS next week
by M5AKA 14 May '17

14 May '17

QB50 CubeSats deploy from ISS next week https://amsat-uk.org/2017/05/12/qb50-cubesats-iss-deployment/ UBSEDS24 around-the-world Balloon with SSDV successfully launched https://amsat-uk.org/2017/05/05/ubseds24-2nd-attempt/ Amateur Radio Satellite Operation in Algeria https://amsat-uk.org/2017/05/02/algeria-satellite-activation/ AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium Milton Keynes Oct 14-15 – Call for Speakers https://amsat-uk.org/2017/02/03/international-space-colloquium-first-call-f… Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

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amsat.org.ar online
by Pedro Converso 13 May '17

13 May '17

Web http://amsat.org.ar restored and operational again. Pass Predictions at http://amsat.org.ar/pass 73, lu7abf, Pedro

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School, Rockwall, TX
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 13 May '17

13 May '17

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School, Rockwall, TX on 15 May. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 15:28 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time.The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between NA1SS and W6SRJ. The contact should be audible over the west coast of the U.S. Interested parties are invited to listen in on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English. Reinhardt, the third elementary school in Rockwall ISD, was built in 1984 and quickly established a tradition of educational excellence and leadership. Reinhardt consistently achieves the highest state rating for student performance as they educate kindergarten through sixth grade students. The school was named in honor of veteran Rockwall teacher, Virginia Anderson Reinhardt. As in past generations, Reinhardt "Rocket" students strive to become young people that act on quality principles for the betterment of their community. The school currently has 565 students and 50 employees. A few distinction designations include; academic achievement in science, top 25% closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness. The mission statement of Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School is "to ensure that all Reinhardt children have access to a quality education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate in social, economic and educational opportunities now and in the future. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Where do you put on clothes since your space is so tiny? 2. What do you do if you get sick? 3. Have many space explorations have you made outside the ISS and what did you do? 4. Have you ever had an emergency situation in space? 5. What happens when you cry in space? 6. How do your recycling systems work on the ISS? 7. How do you control the ISS? 8. Who is responsible for controlling the ISS? 9. What kinds of research do you conduct aboard the ISS? 10. What is your favorite experiment that you have done? 11. Why did you choose to be an astronaut? 12. What health requirements do you have to meet to be an astronaut? 13. What do you do in your spare time while onboard the ISS? 14. What is the hardest part about being an astronaut? 15. You go through a lot of training for your journey, was there anything you were not prepared for? 16. Do preservatives on food have the same effect in space as they do on Earth? 17. How does zero gravity affect your digestion? 18. How do the language barriers affect your work on the ISS? 19. When you are back on earth, what will you miss about the ISS? 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): TBD 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), the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and 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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LILACSAT
by ingejack＠cox.net 13 May '17

13 May '17

Strange occurrence this morning on Lilacsat,, At 1410 I tuned the satellite and distinctly heard the beacon ,, Then I tuned to the downlink frequency and heard my downlink signal very clear and strong for about 30 seconds after which it completely disappeared and I no longer had contact with the Satellite. Does the Sat shut off after a certain period or was this some fluke of the satellite ?? No other stations were present but my downlink signal was definitely heard !! JACK KC7MG

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ERC-M with Orbitron & WispDDE
by Vincenzo Mone 13 May '17

13 May '17

Hi folks, Is there anybody that uses Orbitron with WispDDE and the ERC -M? I have mounted and set ( Thanks to Rene ) it to use with the Yaesu G-5500 Azimuth/Elevation Rotors. I have interfacedi it with the Orbitron and WispDDE softwares but get a couple of issues: - When the satellites reach the LOS, the rotators remains in the last pointing position and does not move to the parking position as set in the WispDDE rotator settings.. - When i click on another satellite, the rotators moves to the Azimuth position even if the satellite is not visible from my Qth. Please anybody can tell me if I am making something wrong? Thanks for any help that will be really appreciated. 73's de Enzo IK8OZV ************************************ ****** GSM +39 328 7110193 ****** ***** SMS +39 328 7110193 ****** ************************************

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Map Borders for GcmWin
by Martin A Schuette 12 May '17

12 May '17

Dear fellow bird chasers, While digging on the internet, I managed to discover better map border files for use on GcmWin. I initially found them using the Wayback Machine, using the link provided on the GcmWin website. However, I've found a more convenient link on the website for MicroCAM, http://www.csiss.org/map-projections/microcam/ . Select the link mwdbpoly.zip. In this zip file are several different map options you can use - I use PCANPROV, PBORDER, PUSA48, PALASKA, PMEXICO, and PISLAND. You apply these files the same way you select the default map, in by going to Options, then properties, then to the borders tab. You may want to experiment with the line width and alpha settings. Note: these borders are from 1995, and as such, are missing Nunavut, South Sudan, Serbia, Montenegro, and any other border changes since then. 73, Marty Schuette, N9EAT AMSAT #40076

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Polyitan-1
by John Mac 12 May '17

12 May '17

Hi all... Just had a pass of Polyitan-1 and did nor see any transmission, is this Sat operational ?, it has been in recent days. John

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Grid Expedition Update FN29/39 + FO20/30
by Ken Alexander 12 May '17

12 May '17

Plans for the activation of these four never-activated (as far as I can tell) grids are coming together. The expedition takes place next weekend, May 20th and 21st 2017; a long weekend up here in Canada. I will be driving up from my home QTH in FN03 and will arrive in Chibougamau QC on the afternoon of Saturday May 20th. There are several favourable passes on Saturday evening and I hope to spend a few hours handing out FN29 to get warmed up. Sunday the 21st looks like a bonanza of great passes! The trouble will be deciding when to break so I can move to a different location. The plan at this time is to set up on the FN29/39 boundary in the morning and operate there for a few hours. Then I will move to FO20/30 and then FO20/FN29. More information about operating schedules will be posted here as we get closer to departure date. I will also post information on my QRZ page at https://qrz.com/db/VE3HLS Hope to work you on the 21st! 73, Ken VE3HLS

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Outernet Feed APRS at Dayton?
by Robert Bruninga 11 May '17

11 May '17

Does anyone going to Dayton have a Raspberry Pi with the OUTERNET satellite feed on it? Outernet is a satellite downlink receivable anywhere in the world* from 3 GEO sateliltes that carries an APRS and an AMSAT channel on it. I wanted to demo it at Dayton, but I just checked mine and apparently the cover blew off and the electroncs have been sitting in the rain for a few months.. All it is, is a RaspberryPi, an SDR dongle and a patch antenna and that becomes a WiFi hot spot that can serve the live data to anyone in range with any WiFi device. See http://aprs.org/outnet.html I want to talk about it during the APRS Forum on Friday. Need something to demo Bob

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Call for Papers - Digital Communications Conference
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 11 May '17

11 May '17

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 36th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference, to be held September 15-17 in St Louis, Missouri at the Holiday Inn Airport West in Earth City. Papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to attend the conference to have their papers included in the Proceedings. The submission deadline is July 31, 2017. Submit papers to via e-mail to maty(a)arrl.org<mailto:maty@arrl.org>, or via post to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Papers will be published exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights.

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SATPC32 compatibility with the Icon IC-275H
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 11 May '17

11 May '17

I have a school that I'm mentoring that needs to know if SATPC32 can be used to control an Icom IC-275H. Has anyone had experience with doing this and can confirm it will work? Thanks, Dave, AA4KN ARISS mentor --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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SatPC32 on Win7
by KC2TN 11 May '17

11 May '17

I'm trying to get Satpc32 working on Win7. I have ver 12.8c loaded and it works fine for tracking but so far I have not been able to get the rotor interface working. I have an LVB Tracker and it's on Com 5. I can manually move the antennas with the SDX server window but NOT from witing the program. I found and old (from 2010) message from W7IN detailing the exact same problem I'm having and a response from Erich. My problem as defined by Larry: >> I have a Windows 7 Inspiron desktop. I just installed the SatPC32 for >> GS-232. When I start SatPC32, it does not automatically also start SDX >> as on my other computer. I can start SDX manually and can use the >> "manual input" thing on SDX to speak with the GS232, reading current >> position etc. But when I click up R+ SatPC32 has no contol over SDX and >> the rotors do not move when I tell them to--like selecting "park." What >> to do? Other features in SatPC32 seem to be working. >> >> Larry W7IN >From Erich: >From the list in menu "Rotor Setup" choose the item "Yaesu GS-232". >> Save the change with the upper "Save" button and restart SatPC32. > > The program stores path and filename of ServerSDX.Exe in the aux. file > "RotorServer.SQF" in the SatPC32 data folder. The path of the data > folder is > shown in a foot line of menu "Satellites". RotorServer.SQF can be opened > with Notepad. > > It should now contain the following line: > > C:\Program Files\SatPC32\SDX\ServerSDX > > Does the program now start ServerSDX? > > If not, try whether it works better when you start SatPC32 with the > option > "Run as Administrator" (Right click on the file name and choose that > option). > > 73s, Erich, DK1TB I've tried ALL the suggestions, even as Administrator but still no joy. Perhaps over the last 7 years the program has changed the location and format of some of the config/ SQF files??? It seems when I update the Rotor Setup settings the RotorServer.SQF file in the SatPC32 folder is NOT being updated. C:\Users\KC2TN\AppData\Roaming\SatPC32 is the location of the RotorServer.SQF file Any ideas? Anyone? Tnx, Joe - KC2TN

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Packet software
by Bob Cutter 10 May '17

10 May '17

Several years ago I was working packet on ISS but I cannot recall the software I used. Any help? 73, Bob KI0G

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Solar RFI?
by Robert Bruninga 09 May '17

09 May '17

RFI from Solar? With solar now cheaper than coal, solar is exploding in to neighborhoods with favorable progressive policies. But, they can produce lots of RFI with significant impact on Hams operating HF. With 16 kW of solar on my roof, I feel in a good position to be proactive in documenting the overall impact of solar on HF operations. We’ve seen QST articles on the very high RFI levels from solar systems that use microinverters and optimizers located at every single panel on the roof which are a nightmare to filter, while string inverters are easy to filter at the one location on the ground. My thoughts are to come up with a standard test that Hams near solar installations can do to document any RFI. Although none of us will have standard calibrated antennas or receivers, we can at least make comparative measurements to background noise levels. Either with the array on and off or between day and night at a fixed distance from the array. I believe the part 15 limits for unintentional radiators is for 100 uV/m at a distance of 30 meters (100 feet). On a 1 meter portable antenna I calculate that is equivalent to 36uV or within a dB of S9. That’s a lot of noise (if I did that right)… And if it was a full size dipole say on 20m, then the allowable noise would be 20 over S9 (again, if I did that right) Wow. If anyone wants to submit measurements Ill collect them. My suggestion is to take a portable HF rig (FT-817 or TH-F6 or TH-D74) and an approximate 1m whip antenna and report at 100 feet from the array, the S readings with the array on and with it off (or day vs night). I welcome more expertise in this area. Although this is not an AMSAT issue, this is the only email group I’m on that might have people with those easy portable HF radios. Bob, WB4APR

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share a room Dayton
by Nick Pugh 09 May '17

09 May '17

Hello Amsat-ers I got the last reservation for 2 queen beds at the Fairborn motel and would like to split the room expenses. Please reply if you are interested Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-05-09 07:00 UTC
by AJ9N＠aol.com 09 May '17

09 May '17

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2017-05-09 07:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Ecole College Park School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, telebridge via W6SRJ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Jack Fisher K2FSH Contact was successful: Mon 2017-05-08 18:19:40 UTC 59 deg (***) Virginia Reinhardt Elementary School, Rockwall, TX, telebridge via W6SRJ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG (***) Contact is a go for: Mon 2017-05-15 15:28:09 UTC 71 deg (***) **************************************************************************** ** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. **************************************************************************** *** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ***************************************************** ************************** All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. **************************************************************************** *** Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to http://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Francesco IKØWGF with 119 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additi onal ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2017-05-09 07:00 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1138. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1097. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** The successful school list has been updated as of 2017-05-09 07:00 UTC. (***) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction .rtf Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 50 on orbit Peggy Whitson Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG Oleg Novitskiy Exp. 51 on orbit (***) Jack Fisher K2FSH Fyodor Yurchikhin RN3FI **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Dowkey microwave 62-110
by Nestor Punales 09 May '17

09 May '17

Hello to all, I am thinking on using the Dowkey Microwave 62-110 relay switch on my 2 meter crossed elements yagi to switch polarization, I was wondering if anyone else here have done something similar. Any input would be much appreciated! Nestor K6JTT DM12kr

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Re: [amsat-bb] [amsat-fox] K3IO email problems
by RT 08 May '17

08 May '17

Tom, And FYI to all, Verizon had been sending out notices of their decision to stop email, they are doing it region by region, some may have not seen the change yet. FIOS here has not done it yet. I believe Verizon is the parent of both verizon and AOL, no sense doing verizon email when aol was doing it I did the DSL AOL migration, nothing was lost, all folders transferred, it was quick and no problems encountered. Nothing at all is changed. Also you keep your verzon email address, I even use my legacy bellatlantic. But you need to do it before the cut off. It may be too late Tom, but suggest contact Verizon support, if not done already, they may still have your folders stored somewhere.. 73 ES GL Ron N3AEA -----Original Message----- From: Tom Clark <tom.k3io(a)gmail.com> To: AMSAT BoD <bod(a)amsat.org>; senior-officers <senior-officers(a)amsat.org>; Rick HamblyW2GPS <rick(a)cnssys.com>; Brian Gaffney <beg(a)verizon.net>; Brian Gaffney <beg(a)bellatlantic.net>; Jean Clark <jeanmgclark(a)hotmail.com>; Mollie Palmer <molliegp11(a)gmail.com>; John Glover <jngglover(a)att.net>; 'Ma, Chopo (GSFC-698.0)' (GSFC-698.0)' <chopo.ma-1(a)nasa.gov>; 'Ed Himwich' <Ed.Himwich(a)nasa.gov>; 'Arthut Niell' <aniell(a)haystack.mit.edu>; Alan Whitney <awhitney(a)haystack.mit.edu>; Alan Rogers <aeer(a)haystack.mit.edu>; AMSAT/MSS Mission <phase4(a)amsat.org>; AMSAT ASCENT Program <ascent(a)amsat.org>; amsat-fox <amsat-fox(a)alum.wpi.edu>; Bob McGwier <rwmcgwier(a)gmail.com>; Sharon McGwier <smmcgwier(a)gmail.com>; Martha Saragovitz <martha(a)amsat.org>; Bdale Garbee <bdale(a)gag.com>; amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; gerrie Checkon <gcheckon(a)gmail.com>; Kate Hutton <k6htn(a)arrl.net> Cc: Tom Clark <tom.k3io(a)gmail.com> Sent: Mon, May 8, 2017 4:40 am Subject: [amsat-fox] K3IO email problems Sometime in April, my old "K3IO(a)VERIZON.NET" email address went extinct due to Verizon making a unilateral decision to get out of the email business. They had an ill-conceived (and IMHO quite user hostle) scheme to hand over all their responsibilities to AOL.COM. As a result, all my old Verizon email archives were lost and I am no longer getting any mail thru the Verizon hose. As of immediately, use "TOM.K3IO(a)GMAIL.COM" for any future mail, and also please resend anything of importance to me from April. 73 de Tom, K3IO

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Dinner Tickets For Dayton
by Martha 08 May '17

08 May '17

If you are planning to attend the AMSAT-TAPR dinner in Dayton, you must purchase your tickets online at the AMSAT store (amsat.org) . We will not be selling tickets at Dayton -- 73- Martha

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