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

Kenwood TH-D72a, TH-D74a, and CAT
by Devin L. Ganger 23 Feb '18

23 Feb '18

All, Trying to find the answer online and failing. Do either the TH-D72a or TH-D74a permit CAT? Working out my budget for radios and trying to figure out which feature set I will need more. I read that the D74a has a built-in audio recorder. I would need to be using that as the receiver in order for that feature to be useful, correct? I also read one post from someone who uses an Elk log periodic (the same antenna I have) with a duplexer to allow both his HTs to function in his setup. Is that practical to maintain the "always hear the satellite downlink" as you're transmitting? -- Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG) email: devin(a)thecabal.org<mailto:devin@thecabal.org> web: Devin on Earth<http://www.devinonearth.com/> cell: +1 425.239.2575

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DM92 Saturday
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 23 Feb '18

23 Feb '18

Looks like the weather will be favorable for a run to DM92 on Saturday, 24 February. I plan to work the following passes: AO-85 at 1723Z AO-92 at 1745Z AO-91 at 1821Z AO-85 at 1903Z All QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW. Hard copy QSLs available upon email request. 73 Glenn AA5PK

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Rotator options
by Joe N3XLS 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Hi all,I have an arrow antenna mounted to two rotators that are manually controlled. However, as much as i though this would work well, it has not. Im wondering what options are out there for rotators that can be controlled via a tracking program? It seems the most common is the yeasu az el. However Iwas wondering if there is any less expensive options, that could be modified etc. Ive looked at the WRAPS etc im looking for a good all weather setup. JoeN3XLS

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Re: [amsat-bb] satpc ver D ?
by Wayne Estes 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Jim Ki7WJ wrote: Upgraded to the new ver D SAT32 and working ok. I haave the Observer stored and is correct for my QTH(Reno), however the map does not center on the qth or the U.S.? unless I engage a satellite specifically. Am I missing something in the set up? ThanksJim KI6WJ Wayne W9AE replies: Go into the Setup -> Options menu and make sure that "center map on observer" is enabled. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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Detecting Es'hail-2 from North America after launch but before parking at 25.5 degrees
by Douglas Quagliana 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Friends, I know that Es'hail-2 will be positioned at 25.5 degrees, which means that once it is parked there it will not be visible from North America. But, it is launching from Cape Canaveral and I would imagine that it has to make at least a couple of orbits, while still in the geosynchronous transfer orbit, before the burn(s) to position it at 25.5 degrees. And, that's a couple of orbits that might take it over some part of North America (exactly where and who might be in the footprint for those few passes depends on where the GTO perigee is, I think). What I would like to know is if there will be any transmissions or any telemetry beacons from Es'hail-2 (probably on a NON-amateur frequency from NON-amateur equipment) that might be heard from North America during those few GTO orbits before the final burn. Perhaps, is there an engineering beacon that might be heard during one of those passes over North America? Anybody know? Bonus points awarded if you know when, where, and how many burns are taking place. Someone with a telescope (or someone with access to a remotely operated telescope) might be able to detect something. 73, Douglas KA2UPW/5 Just trying to earn the absurd but true "I heard Es'hail-2 from North America" T-shirt :-)

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AO73/FC1 operations
by Graham Shirville 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

Hi all, Just to advise that AO73/FUNcube-1 is now in amateur mode, with the transponder on, until Monday morning UTC. As a reminder there is also the transponder on EO88/ Nayif-1 which continues to operate when in eclipse and the transponder on UKube-1 which is also available 24/7. 73 Graham

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA on 26 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 17:59 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and W3YA. The contact should be audible over the state of Pennsylvania 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. The Bellefonte Area Middle School is a rural public school of about 660 students in a district of approximately 2600 students. The middle school is scheduled for an ARISS school contact in late February or early March of 2018 and excitement is building across the district for the event. The school has teamed up with the Nittany Amateur Radio Club for the event. Ellwood Brem (K3YV) and Jon Guizar (K3JEG) are setting up equipment and coordinating the event with help from other club members. Students have been excited to help in fabricating some of the equipment needed. Many teachers and students have been an essential part of the preparation. The student's excitement for the event started with the eighth-grade art class where students participated in a T-shirt design contest. Students have also been learning about the ISS and its crew-members as they entered into the question competition for a chance to speak to an astronaut. Bellefonte has invited many districts across the state to participate as well and 3 of the questions chosen are from other school districts. The live event will be attended by 700+ in the middle school auditorium, another 2200+ in other district buildings, hundreds to thousands more via live streaming to 3 other school districts, and an unknown number via 2-meter simulcast, live radio station coverage, and live streaming from our local TV station. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. Is there a specific task that astronauts have to re-learn how to do because the normal way isn?t possible with zero gravity? 2. How many more years will the International Space Station be active to help astronauts find out about space? 3. What is the average age astronauts begin training for space travel? 4. What was the scariest machine malfunction that has happened to you and how did you fix it? 5. What is the most stressful thing you had to deal with while being in space? 6. Which common misconceptions about space bother you the most when people speak of space? 7. Do you notice any significant changes to your mood and stress level? If so, what are some coping mechanisms you utilize? 8. Does the lack of gravity take a toll on your body? 9. What are your thoughts on space tourism? 10. What type of equipment do you have on the ISS to study different stars and galaxies, or do you only study the Earth? 11. What part of the ACME program conducted on the ISS is the most beneficial, the microgravity combustion engines or the fire proofing technology? 12. Did you have a role model when you were younger? If so, who was it? 13. I know that space travel has to put a lot of stress on the human body. What type of medical preparation do you go through before you can leave for space? 14. What is it like being away from your family for months to years on end? 15. We teach about the importance of eating healthy and exercise in our Health classes. How do you obtain adequate nutrition and fitness while in space? 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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Upcoming ARISS contact with Museum of Science & Technology - Danforth Middle School, Syracuse, NY
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Museum of Science & Technology - Danforth Middle School, Syracuse, NY on 23 Feb. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 14:08 UTC. The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be direct between NA1SS and K2MST. The contact should be audible over the state of New York 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. Central Village Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse is an after-school program for children ages five to 12 years old. Each night, Boys & Girls Club members have access to academic tutors, college mentors, as well as a hot meal for dinner. From sports and recreation to the arts, Central Village offers a variety of opportunities for children of all backgrounds to creatively flourish. With one goal in mind, staff works to challenge each member to personally grow every day, and leave the program with the skills to be a productive citizen in their neighborhoods. The MOST and Central Village Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse students are prepared for contact with astronauts aboard the ISS. Students experienced a series of training sessions on communication, practiced with a mock ISS contact exercise, and viewed A Beautiful Planet in the MOST's domed IMAX theater, which offers insightful perspective of Earth from astronauts aboard the ISS. Students generated questions based on previous knowledge and experiences during training and while watching A Beautiful Planet. Peter Plumley, MOST Chief Program Officer, Chris Perrine, MOST Senior Director of Facilities & Exhibits, and Jeffrey Eysaman, Unit Director at Central Village Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse, have worked diligently to provide students with background information and facilitate training for contact with astronauts aboard the ISS. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. How long can you stay outside the station? 2. What is the biggest challenge facing space exploration right now? 3. What inspired you to become an astronaut? 4. Do you think we'll live on the moon? 5. What's the scariest thing about space travel? 6. What is the most fun part about your job? 7. Have you built anything on the space station? 8. What kind of food do you eat in outer space? 9. What food do you miss the most? 10. What are your missions in space, right now? 11. How long will you stay in space? 12. How many years can you stay in the capsule without running out of supplies? 13. What experiments are you working on? 14. What is your favorite part of being on the space station? 15. Do you think we'll live on the moon? 16. What should I do if I want to become an astronaut? 17. How do you go to the bathroom? 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. School in Kursk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is TBD Contact is a go for Sat 2018-02-24 08:45 UTC Watch for possible time update 2. Bellefonte Area Middle School, Bellefonte, PA, direct via W3YA The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA Contact is a go for: Mon 2018-02-26 17:59 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), 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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EM87
by WX4TV - James Lea 21 Feb '18

21 Feb '18

As long as they keep the gate to the overlook open long enough, I will be QRV from EM87 in Pikeville, KY on AO-92 tonight at 02:11Z if anyone needs the grid. If you already have the grid confirmed, please make way for those who don’t. Will be portable (not /mobile) with an Elk antenna and logging as WX4TV. If they close the gate, I won’t be there. Sent from my iPhone

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3 Axis air bearing Satellite Attitude Simulator
by Robert Bruninga 21 Feb '18

21 Feb '18

We have to excess two large 3 axis airbearing simulators. One is about 5' tall and supports a dumbbell shaped satellite simulator that is about 4 feet across. The other is a 4' diameter disk that has all the same attitude control stuff. It is shown here: http://aprs.org/labsats/PLATSAT-210xx.jpg The Dumbell one is similar to this one I found on line, except ours does not have the two rectangular plates on the end. Just the air bearing and the arm and two disks. It is complete since the disks contain large reaction wheels in all three axis and a set of 6 cold gas thrusters from a compressed air tank. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christopher_Hall13/publication/254875 116/figure/fig8/AS:393203330109448@1470758387741/University-of-Michigans-T riaxial-Air-Bearing-Testbed-51-payloads-with-soft-well-damped.jpg The dumbbell one cleary has a larger 3D range of motion since the bulk of the attitude control stuff is away from the bearing and will not run into the support bearing as soon. Consider these have NO working processor on board. We got them surpluss with the idea of using an Arduino controller instead of the huge PC it originally had 2 decades ago. They must go by May 1 by donation to a legitimate academic institution willing to do the paperwork and come get it in the ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND area. They are big and bulky, but are precision instruments. Just a thought. Bob Bruninga US Naval Academy 410-293-6417

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