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

Possible FM13 grid square activation July 22nd or 23rd
by John Brier 19 Jul '17

19 Jul '17

I'm heading to my parent's house in FM14 for my Dad's Bday this weekend and I'm considering activating nearby FM13 while I'm there. This grid only has a tiny bit of land in it, so it's relatively rare. If I end up doing it I'll announce on Twitter @johnbrier [1] for sure. It will be one of the FM satellites, either SO-50 or AO-85. 73, John Brier KG4AKV 1) https://twitter.com/johnbrier P.S. Good luck receiving ISS SSTV everyone!

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SO-50 from EM93
by Ruth Willet 19 Jul '17

19 Jul '17

I am hoping to be on the 21:36Z SO-50 pass from EM93 this afternoon (July 19, 2017). See you on the air! 73, Ruth KM4LAO Sent from my iPhone

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Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 12, Issue 178
by Roy Dean 19 Jul '17

19 Jul '17

Andrew, I have a rather large thread going in the the QRZ satellite forum about my raspi/rtl-sdr sat gate. I am currently using a 3/4w vertical with 4 ground plane radials in my attic, and WITH a cheap VHF tv amp I was averaging about 12 packets a day over the last 18 days (mostly from the ISS, as NO-84 has been inactive for the most part). Last night I disconnected the amp to see if it was actually doing anything, and will be updating the thread as I get more information. I will say that prior to the 3/4 wave antenna, I was using a 1/4 wave with good results, as well (maybe 75% as good as the 3/4 wave). Also, what I have realized is that while not 100% of my captured packets make it to ariss.net or pcsat.aprs.org (mostly due to being duplicate packets), I DO have evidence of capturing packets that never make it to either of those websites, or even aprs.fi. Can't figure out if it's a problem with the aprs-is system or direwolf..... --Roy K3RLD > Message: 6 >> Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:50:13 -0400 >> From: Andrew Northam <andrewbnortham(a)gmail.com> >> To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org >> Subject: [amsat-bb] SatGate Antenna >> Message-ID: >> <CAOeHS4e16nBVJ8c=zUACPhuMVzMg0cWYuiNZis4Xk1-LGY4UpQ@mail. >> gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" >> I would like to setup an SatGate, I have been running an iGate for a >> little >> while, and already have the Pi, TNC, Radio, LMR400...I have read the page >> ( >> http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html) about antennas, and >> they all recommend a large ground plane, however I have a ranch style >> house, and would like to put the antenna on the peak of my roof on a small >> mast. >> What kind of antenna would be best for on the peak of a roof? Would a 3/4 >> wave monopole work? Or should I look for something with radiators? >> I have a great view to the North, East and South, but trees to the west >> from Michigan (EN72ef) >> Thanks for your help! >> Andrew/KE8FZT > > > >

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SatGate Antenna
by Andrew Northam 19 Jul '17

19 Jul '17

I would like to setup an SatGate, I have been running an iGate for a little while, and already have the Pi, TNC, Radio, LMR400...I have read the page ( http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html) about antennas, and they all recommend a large ground plane, however I have a ranch style house, and would like to put the antenna on the peak of my roof on a small mast. What kind of antenna would be best for on the peak of a roof? Would a 3/4 wave monopole work? Or should I look for something with radiators? I have a great view to the North, East and South, but trees to the west from Michigan (EN72ef) Thanks for your help! Andrew/KE8FZT

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Using KX3-2M and PX3 as a Mode B receiver
by Ryan Noguchi 19 Jul '17

19 Jul '17

I'm thinking about getting the KX3-2M transverter module to allow a KX3 to serve as a more sensitive receiver for working the Mode B linear satellites than the TH-F6A I'm currently using. I'm hoping to use the PX3 panadapter to provide situational awareness of activity across the entire transponder. Does anyone have any experience using the PX3 with the KX3-2M, particularly for satellite operation? An SDR and tablet/laptop solution is much less desirable since I prefer to operate entirely pedestrian-mobile. Thanks and 73, Ryan AI6DO

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Request for Respondents - Emergency Responder Applications of Geosynchronous Amateur Radio Satellites
by David Swanson 19 Jul '17

19 Jul '17

Satellite Friends and Colleagues, The vast majority of you know me as Dave, KG5CCI, a guy that climbs mountains with his Arrow to make long distance contacts on the birds. Many of you don’t know me though as Dave Swanson, Graduate Student, in the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (DPEM) program at Arkansas State University. Today, the student version of myself is coming to you with a request for assistance. With the promise of one or more Phase IV geosynchronous satellite launches in the coming years, and the obvious applications of such missions to the DPEM community, I am conducting research to determine how many ground operators have the required skills, equipment, and experience to utilize such satellites. I am also working to answer several questions surrounding the use of these satellites in the different environments that might be experienced by amateurs serving in an emergency communications role, and how such operations might work in conjunction with similar governmental, non-government, and commercial missions. I would appreciate anyone on this list, who has an interest in the Phase IV launches, an interest in emergency communications, or just an interest in helping a fellow ham finish his Master’s degree to click on the link below and spend a few minutes answering some questions. If you also happen to be part of the emergency management community, as well as an AMSAT ham, I would ask that you forward this link to any of your colleagues outside of AMSAT-BB who might be interested as well. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me or my adviser, via our contact information on the first page of the survey. Go to this link to take the Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z3RBGGH Thanks, and 73. Dave Swanson, KG5CCI Arkansas State University

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Re: [amsat-bb] Elevation meter Rotor YAESU G-5500 stopped working
by Norm n3ykf 18 Jul '17

18 Jul '17

If the box is driving the tracker (that's what he says), it's not external. Time to get the screwdriver. On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 8:01 PM, W3AB/GEO <w3ab(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Norm, > > He should make sure it is not an external issue before he dives into the > internal circuitry. > > He should also check that the controller is operating before opening the > controller. > > Albert, take a VOM, set it on AC and the 50V range if it isn't autoranging. > Turn on the controller. Put 1 lead on pin 6 of the terminal strip, the other > lead on pin 4 and operate the up/down switch. Do the same for pin 5. If the > controller is operating correctly you should measure ~30V. If not, you have > an internal failure and follow Norm's advice. > ___ > Sent from my two way wrist watch > 73 de W3AB/GEO > > On Jul 18, 2017, 16:50, at 16:50, Norm n3ykf <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>Albert, >> >>Take EXTREME CARE working on equipment that has power applied. >> >>You'll need a copy of the schematic. Preferably the one that came with >>the controller/rotator. There are at least two different power op-amp >>power supply layouts. One with a pass transistor and zener diodes, the >>other a 75L10 regulator. >> >>Unplug the control box. >> >>Remove the top cover. Remove the front two screws from the bottom >>cover. This will let the face (meters, circuit board and switches) >>free. (still wired to the rest) >> >>Get two books. Turn the front face down on top of the books, switches >>between the books. (to allow the assembly to sit level and not >>press/break the switches) >> >> >>MAKE SURE THE UNIT IS UNPLUGGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >> >> >>Q4 is one half of a 4558 op amp pair(two on one chip, the other runs >>AZ output for the aux jack). >> >>Find Q4. >> >>You're mission is to check the various components making up the drive >>circuit for the EL meter for trouble. >> >>Could be: >> >>Shorted capacitor >> >>Open diode >> >>Short or open via other means. >> >>MAKE SURE THIS IS UNPLUGGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >> >>Use an Ohmmeter to look for capacitors that aren't open (Should look >>close to it, at least the values in the circut. Electrolytics are a >>different story...) Look for open diodes. Meter anything reasonably >>accessable, starting from the wiper on VR2 on the back panel. Some >>things are best looked at with respect to ground, others point to >>point reading the components in between. >> >>DANGER!!! DANGER!!!! DANGER!!! >> >>This part of the test requires making power on voltage measurements. >>Here be dragons, or a trip to your eternal reward!!! >> >> Locate L2 and L4. Those components (each in their seperate circuit) >>form the power supplies (rails) for the EL op amp. See C1 (the voltage >>output) next to L2? C2 likewise next to L4? >> >>Check the pins 8(C1) with respect to ground and 4(C2) of Q4. These are >>the power supply rails (should be +/- 12 volts or so). >> >>Before plugging it in to test, make sure no bare wires are touching >>things they should not be. >> >>Plug it in (you did leave the power switch on, didn't you??). Test >>away. UNPLUG IT AS SOON AS YOU'RE DONE!!!! >> >>Have fun and don't break anything. A fire here is a failure. >> >>Norm n3ykf >> >>On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 5:56 PM, Albert van Deursen <avdeur(a)home.nl> >>wrote: >>> Hi all, >>> >>> >>> >>> All of a sudden the elevation meter stopped working of my Yaesu >>G-5500 rotor >>> controller unit . >>> >>> No issue with the AZ meter. Rotor itself keeps on steering / working >>> without any problem in EL &AZ (via interface EA4TX ARS-USB) so all >>still >>> working fine (fortunately !) for satellite work. >>> >>> Looks like a component failure in the controller unit or the meter >>itself ? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> A physical check (opening the controller unit) didn't show any >>anomaly. >>> Being a not too tech ham was wondering if any of you Yaesu rotor >>users had >>> seen this problem before / around ? >>> >>> >>> >>> Possibly anyone to hint/ indicate at a quick check in the schematic >>wire >>> diagram to where to start looking for this failure ? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Thanks beforehand for yr appreciated advice >>> >>> 73 >>> >>> Albert >>> >>> PD0OXW >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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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Looking for someone to do a live portable sat demo
by Ronald G. Parsons 18 Jul '17

18 Jul '17

... at the Austin Summerfest, Austin, Texas, August 5, 2017. If you can, or know someone who might, contact me off list. Ron W5RKN w5rkn at w5rkn dot com

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Ts 2000 for parts
by Keith McDonnell 18 Jul '17

18 Jul '17

For anyone who might be interested, I am selling a ts-2000 for parts or repair on eBay. The item # is 302383705297 73, to all, Keith

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Re: [amsat-bb] Russian Thing
by Joe 18 Jul '17

18 Jul '17

Wow! does this guy have any clue at all? A Pass tonight for me, Start Max altitude End Visible passes 19-Jul 01:08 N 8° *01:14* *WNW 298°* *61°* 01:20 SSW 203° - Map and details <http://www.n2yo.com/passes/?s=42830#> Sig It will be almost straight north when coming and reach probably at least 45 degrees at 1 AM in the moning before eclipsing. I think it's as dark as it is gonna be at 1 am Joe WB9SBD The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 7/18/2017 11:31 AM, Paul Andrews wrote: > > Taken from newsarticle: > > Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for > Astrophysics, told IFLScience: "I think at least one of these can be > lived with, but if there were a bunch of them it would make modern > astronomy almost impossible." > > Not all astronomers think it's a bad idea, however. Michael > Wood-Vasey, from the University of Pittsburgh, said Mayak was "quite > unlikely to be a problem for astronomers." > > He added: "Mayak is orbiting just above the day/night terminator line > – it's always sunrise/sunset below where Mayak is orbiting. It will > thus be too low on (or even below) the horizon when it really gets > dark enough for astronomers to observe." > > > > > > > On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 12:26 PM, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net > <mailto:nss@mwt.net>> wrote: > > Why do you think it will be low in the sky? > > Joe WB9SBD > > The Original Rolling Ball Clock > Idle Tyme > Idle-Tyme.com > http://www.idle-tyme.com > On 7/18/2017 11:22 AM, Paul Andrews wrote: >> Will this reflector tumble or be stabilized? >> >> If it's a corner reflector - it could have gain in some direction. >> >> My guess is that this size object would reflect 2M signals and up. >> >> The moon is bigger but only reflects 7% of RF energy and it's >> much farther away. >> >> I'm sure someone will try to bounce an RF signal off this mylar sail. >> >> It should be easy to see from the ground. :) But very low >> in the sky. >> >> 73 - Paul - W2HRO >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Tue, Jul 18, 2017 at 12:16 PM, Joe <nss(a)mwt.net >> <mailto:nss@mwt.net>> wrote: >> >> It says once opened it will >> " >> It will span 16 square meters (170 square feet)" >> >> a Triangle one side of 170 sqft = 18 feet base to peak. But >> if they are saying 170 sqft total, then divided by 3 = 10 >> foot tall base to peak. >> >> Now for a surface to be reflective, how big does it need to >> be in terms of wvelength? >> >> Joe WB9SBD >> >> The Original Rolling Ball Clock >> Idle Tyme >> Idle-Tyme.com >> http://www.idle-tyme.com >> On 7/18/2017 11:02 AM, Paul Andrews wrote: >>> Will this object reflect RF signals? >>> >>> Maybe reflect like meteor scatter? >>> >>> Maybe too small. >>> >>> On Jul 18, 2017 11:58 AM, "Joe" <nss(a)mwt.net >>> <mailto:nss@mwt.net>> wrote: >>> >>> he he eh that's why I asked here for a web page or >>> similar I saw that also, and thought, ummmm I'm >>> interested,, but NOT THAT INTERESTED!! he he he >>> >>> Joe WB9SBD >>> Sig >>> The Original Rolling Ball Clock >>> Idle Tyme >>> Idle-Tyme.com >>> http://www.idle-tyme.com >>> On 7/18/2017 10:29 AM, skristof(a)etczone.com >>> <mailto:skristof@etczone.com> wrote: >>> >>> Am I the only person who is worried about >>> downloading an app from Russia >>> onto my smartphone? >>> >>> Steve AI9IN >>> >>> On 2017-07-18 10:50, JoAnne K9JKM wrote: >>> >>> Hi Joe, >>> >>> Heavens-Above.com now has pass predictions up >>> for the new Russian >>> reflector sat "Mayak," listing it as NORAD ID >>> 2017-042F/42830. >>> http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=42830 >>> <http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=42830> >>> (that's the page but no predictions were >>> actually listed the last time >>> I checked it.) >>> >>> Plus Mayak has its own app, available to those >>> who back the project. >>> See: http://cosmomayak.com/default#mobileapp >>> <http://cosmomayak.com/default#mobileapp> >>> >>> On 7/18/2017 9:42 AM, Joe wrote: >>> >>> While not really a Com bird, it still me be >>> interesting to spot. >>> Does anyone know of a tracking site for this? >>> >>> http://www.iflscience.com/space/russian-scientists-just-launched-a-controve… >>> <http://www.iflscience.com/space/russian-scientists-just-launched-a-controve…> >>> Joe WB9SBD >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org >>> <mailto:AMSAT-BB@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 >>> <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:AMSAT-BB@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 >>> <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> >>> >> >> > >

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