January 2018 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Axial Polarization Question
by Brian 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

I have an old 2 meter and 440 twist antenna that I would like to re-purpose for satellite operations. Any thoughts on using Axial polarization for the ease of use ? Thank you Brian, KG8CO

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FUNcube-1 / AO73 Operations
by GRAHAM SHIRVILLE 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

Hi All, As planned, AO73 is now back in autonomous mode until Friday evening when the usual "weekend of transponder" mode will be restarted. In other news, please be aware that AO73 will start to experience much shorter eclipse periods during this month and will be in full sun for some weeks starting around 6th February until 13th March. The operating modes for this period will be announced nearer the time! 73GrahamG3VZV

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Falling Arrow
by John, 9H5G 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

I’ve become aware that my Arrow may be failing. I’m less and less able to hear the birds towards LOS and sometimes it’s taking the 1st 1/4 of an FM pass to hear anything typically more than 30 degrees elevation. I know there are many of you working at much lower elevations so I’m beginning to think I have a problem. It’s a salty environment here in C6 and there a little corrosion here and there. Sadly, I have no antenna analyser with me for UHF or VHF. I’ve already stripped it down once and cleaned everything so any advice on the following gratefully received: What elevations is it reasonable to hear each FM sat using a THD-72 (listening VFO A). What other places might I look for reduced performance? Thx and 73 de John, C6ATS

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Re: [amsat-bb] 3 Element Yagi Design
by Bob Freeman 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

Hello, Just wanted to mention a couple of items. Terry Osborne, ZL2BAC, noted the desire to use elements made from measuring tape to reduce weight. I have used a novel approach to using tape that allows the antenna to be quickly broken down for transport as the 2m antennas can be a little bulky to say the least! If interested, look for the title, "Tape Yagi-Uda Antennas for 2 meter and 70 cm Satellite Operation," at the bottom of this page of my site: http://ki4sbl.dodropin.org/Antennas/Antennas.html . The NEC design files and a report of antenna measurement results from the SVHFS Conference in Charlotte last year are are available, as well. Please let me know of results (and especially any improvements) should you decide to build these antennas. On a somewhat related topic, there are only three (3) CNCTRK AZ/EL rotator/positioner kits remaining in my eBay listing. The tape Yagi-Udas work well with the positioner. Have fun! Bob KI4SBL

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QIKCOM-1 possibility?
by Robert Bruninga 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

There was a possible report that the HOST spacecraft for QIKCOM-1 may have been heard from. If so, there is a chance that QIKCOM-1 may get powered up. I checked the PCSAT.FINDU.COM and SATWATCH web pages and see no hits... But since those websites have never seen a QIKCOM-1 packet either, then we don't know for certain if they will capture it if there ever is one... Possible QIKCOM-1 callsigns are QIKCOM-1, QIKCOM-11 and QIKCOM-3.. Very small chance, but something to notice if you see it. On 145.825 (and possibly 144.39 over the USA)... Don't waste your time, but just be aware it is still up there, and if the host ever powers up, then we come up too. Bob, WB4APR

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Monthly VUCC Awards/Endorsements
by Ronald G. Parsons 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

I offered to take over the Monthly VUCC Awards/Endorsements list that John, K8YSE, has been posting on this list. If anyone has comments or suggestions for changes to the list, please let me know. Otherwise I’ll be following a similar format that John has been using. Happy New Year. Ron W5RKN

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WD9EWK @ DM34/DM44, Wednesday (3 January 2018)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

Hi! It's a new year, and I still have a couple of free days this week. I am going to make another quick run to the DM34/DM44 grid boundary in northern Arizona on Wednesday, 3 January 2018. If all goes well, I may be able to sneak in on the western FO-29 pass starting just before 1700 UTC. Otherwise, I will start with the SO-50 pass coming by just after 1700 UTC. Along with these two satellites, along with some others - AO-91, FalconSat-3, even AO-7 if it stays in mode B for a pass around 2026 UTC. I will use APRS for the drive up to the DM34/DM44 line and back on Wednesday, squawking as WD9EWK-9. This should appear on sites like http://aprs.fi/WD9EWK-9 among others. Updates will be posted on my @WD9EWK Twitter account while I am up there. QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the quick road trip. If a QSL card is needed to confirm a contact, please send me an e-mail with the QSO details. If you are in the log, I will send you a QSL card. No need to first send me a card or SASE. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK

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WisP Help File converted for use on Windows 10
by Chris Thompson 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

If you are using WISP and can not open the help file, then I decompiled and compiled an HTML version. Unfortunately it does not link directly from the help menus in the program, but you can read it and search for topics. If anyone has a better solution then let me know. It is here for anyone that wants it: http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/test/wisp.chm 73 Chris -- Chris E. Thompson chrisethompson(a)gmail.com g0kla(a)arrl.net

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VUCC Awards/Endorsements for December 2017
by John Papay 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period December 1, 2017 through January 1, 2018. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL 1Nov17 1Dec17 N8HM 1000 1005 N6UK 475 551 K5ND 391 439 WN9Q 251 416 K7TAB 186 274 NS3L 225 251 KE9AJ 106 228 FG8OJ 130 200 W7JSD 150 189 VA3NNA 176 179 KE4AL 175 177 K9EI 118 139 NA2AA 127 (NEW VUCC) PT9BM 100 126 (missing on 1Dec2017 report) XE2RV 118 120 AI6GS 290 119 (possible problem with W8LID ranking) K5IX 100 (NEW VUCC) This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for December 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work! This report was the 12th in a series covering 2017. It is time for someone else to take it over if there is any interest. Simply download the .pdf file from the ARRL website on the first of every month and do a comparison with the last month. Keep in mind that these reports are not archived so if you don't download it on the 1st, that report is gone on the 2nd of the month. The January 1, 2018 report can be downloaded at papays.com/vucc01012018.pdf (It will stay there until mid February.) Happy New Year. 73, John K8YSE --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Grid Master award
by DAMON RUNION 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

Congrats to NP4JV Grid Master award #7 Good job http://www.squirtthebirds.com Happy New Year WA4HFN

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