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

FM Sat Exhuberance
by alex weimer 09 May '18

09 May '18

I happened to be listening on AO-91 at 1939UTC and was appalled at the lack of etiquette on some stations working the satellite. One station in particular was adamantly calling everyone on the satellite without letup !! Nobody left any space in between calls to enable anyone else to make a contact ! One station tried to make a call to an XE2 station but everyone just jumped on top without let up !! I don't know what the answer is but it sure is one reason that I do not work the FM birds very often. COME ON GUYS ... Courtesy is the name of the game .. If you have worked that station before, don't call him/her again on the very next pass.. Sorry to be running off at the mouth but this is definitely getting to be a problem !! JACK KC7MG

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Tips for prompt message posting
by Alan 09 May '18

09 May '18

Recently, there have been several posts, including some time sensitive roving information, which have been held for moderator release because they were sent by list members from accounts other than the one used to register with the list. While the moderators are happy to release these messages, it can result in significant delay. Since there are many new members here, attached is a guide which was published two years ago. 73, Alan WA4SCA Tips for prompt message posting. People sometimes post time-sensitive messages to AMSAT-BB. Examples are last minute grid activities, unexpected satellite mode changes, requests for critically important telemetry, etc. These normally go through promptly, but occasionally get held for two basic reasons: While AMSAT-BB is an open list, that means it is open for membership, not posting. In order to post to the list, it normally must be from the same account you originally registered. For instance, if you registered from your home account, and post from your office account, it will normally be held for release by a moderator. Likewise, some people have all their email forwarded to a single account from which they reply. We can create a filter to pass the second address, but that is not automatically done on the first instance, and does require moderator action. AMSAT-BB receives many pieces of spam for each legitimate message. As part of the filtering process, emails larger than 50 kB are blocked. This usually happens to legitimate email when someone attempts to attach a large file, or does not trim an extended series of exchanges. Also, there is a limit to the number of addresses before an email is held as potential spam. I have seen legitimate email sent to 30+ addresses. We have a team of volunteer moderators, but they are not available 24/7. The result is that a message sent in the evening or on a holiday, US time, may well be held for several hours before being released. So, if it absolutely, positively needs to be distributed promptly: 1. Post from the same account you registered, or one which from past experience you know has been flagged as acceptable. 2. Do not use attachments. (Pictures and other files should be included by a link.) They will be blocked to the list, and if the total size of the message plus attachments exceeds 50 kB, the mail will be held. 3. Send it to AMSAT-BB and a few other addresses at most. If you must send to a large distribution list, send to them, and another copy to AMSAT-BB. (A trick which seems to work well is to place most of the addresses in the BCC rather than CC line.) 4. Consider also posting to the AMSAT Twitter and Facebook accounts. There is overlap in membership, though at present it is far from 100%. 5. Do not send large commercial press releases, or things which look like them. They will be caught by heuristic spam filters. A simple posting of an event or activity will normally go through. Note that there are existing exemptions for official channels such as ANS, ARISS, other AMSAT organizations, etc. 6. All new accounts are automatically flagged for moderation. This flag will normally be cleared on the first or second posting, but do allow for and expect an initial delay if you establish a dedicated account for your satellite organization. 7. Remember that this is a text-only list. Posting using HTML formatting will have unpredictable results, and may trigger the 50 kB hold for what appears to be a short message.

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Re: [amsat-bb] SatPC32 packet and ts-2000 AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 13, Issue 156
by Mr B r a d 08 May '18

08 May '18

-=-=-=- I also found i could not rig control the ts2000 and use the internal TNC at the same time.as ariss digi is 2 meters only maybe we dont need satpc32 to control it for the passand we can switch from rig control to tnc mode ??? but I use the rig control more... I also have a signalink USB on the ACC jack but have not had enough play timeto get it working on the one 10 minute pass before work.from what I have read direwolf is the better for the sound card modemsbut im stuck now trying to get it to switch up to usb codex(2) for this radio...?? anyone ??? I also have uz7ho(sp?) modem kinda working , it decodes good but my transmit audio tones don't stay locked ???? can some one list a good working config of stuff to work the psat ? it might be nice to run that psat mode and gate the traffic into aprs network , but that is one more can of worms I have totally got out of control nowwith it displaying all of the aprs traffic on earth and i only want to see local RF.ko6kL *****************************************

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cell tracking
by Bob- W7LRD 08 May '18

08 May '18

Hi All- I am looking for a tracking program for a motorola moto g5 plus-any suggesdtions? 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Re: [amsat-bb] NASA Helical Antenna Question
by MICHAEL WILLIAMS 08 May '18

08 May '18

I've been using a similar (home brew) helix (including ring reflector) on 70 cm since AO-40 days. It works very well (see my QRZ page). The one being discussed has an extra ring reflector.

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Re: [amsat-bb] NASA Helical Antenna Question
by Gregory Beat 08 May '18

08 May '18

I posted the NASA upgrade article on QRZ Satellite Forum, April 28, 2018 https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/nasa-upgrades-space-station-emerge… Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK provided additional information from the frequency chart at the ISS Fan Club web site. VHF1 is 143.625 MHz FM, and VHF2 is 130.167 MHz FM ISS Fan Club web site: https://www.issfanclub.com/ ISS Frequency Chart (includes telemetry downlinks, beacons): https://www.issfanclub.com/frequencies AMSAT members at NASA Goddard should be able to answer additional questions. Greg, w9gb — EOM — === Date: Tue, 8 May 2018 16:30:18 +1200 From: "Wendy and Terry Osborne" To: "John Mac", "Glenn Little WB4UIV" Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] NASA Helical Antenna Question Hi, Yes, it's an 8 turn helix with a Gamma match (50 ohms to 120 ohms). The advantages of ring reflector are in an IEEE Transactions paper somewhere. (about 25 years ago?). Not sure what the VHF 1 and VHF 2 frequencies are but if they are more than a few MHz apart, that would explain the use of a helix rather than a crossed yagi antenna. The other picture (existingvhf.jpg) on the web page shows a 4 crossed yagi array with rotators. 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

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NASA Helical Antenna Question
by Steve Bossert 08 May '18

08 May '18

I am curious about the helical antenna in the article just released late last month: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/nasa-upgrades-space-station-emerg… This one: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/upgradedvhf-anten… While I await a reply from the article author, I wonder if anyone may have some details on this antenna. Looks like a good candidate as a functional lawn ornament that is not another QFH for more garden modern art satellite installation. I would like to author a construction and theory article for the HVDN.org website in the "notebook" section. Thanks, Steve Steve Bossert K2GOG(a)yahoo.com 914-573-1799

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-05-08 06:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 08 May '18

08 May '18

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-05-08 06:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: Mooreland Heights Elementary, Knoxville, TN, direct via WA4SXM/N4CFB The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU Contact was successful: Mon 2018-05-07 13:54:10 UTC 23 deg (***) University of the Philippines Integrated School, Quezon City, Philippines, telebridge via W6SRJ (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Scott Tingle KG5NZA (***) Contact is a go for: Tue 2018-05-15 08:22:45 UTC 24 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. 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: Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 128 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 103 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are additional 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 2018-05-08 06:30 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 1227. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1176. (***) 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: 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 2018-05-08 06:30 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. 54 on orbit Scott Tingle KG5NZA Norishige Kanai Anton Shkaplerov Exp. 55 on orbit Drew Feustel Oleg Artemyev Ricky Arnold KE5DAU **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Notes on RFI from Solar Panels.
by Robert Bruninga 07 May '18

07 May '18

John Pink G8MM commented as follows on my concerns for RFI from Solar that can negatively affect amateur radio operations: *From:* john_pink *Sent:* Monday, May 07, 2018 12:02 PM *Subject:* RE: NEC 2017 codes of practice. Bob, I read with interest your comments on the implications of NEC 2017. You said 'I hope I am not being alarmist' - I don't think you are - however you are tackling the issue on the wrong front. The issue that you need to raise concerns the 'standards' that govern the interfaces between panels and optimisers - and any other ancillary equipment. There are IEC and IEEE standards that state the permissible levels of emission from the ports of these equipment, and the frequencies they use The standards are for the most part derived from standard agreed by CISPR. As a contributor to CISPR through my work at British Standards Institute, and CENELEC in Brussels, I am aware of many licenced radio amateur from the USA who are involved in this work. In fact the lead representative for the USA on the subject of harvesting of solar energy is an active licensee. He is also involved with all aspect of Near Field charging of vehicle - another topic which should cause radio amateurs great concern. I would recommend two things. Firstly that you encourage ARRL to increase its support for this important and valuable work, this may means financial support for the representatives, since the meetings are held around the world. ARRL need to sponsor 'experts' to ensure that the cost of travel is reimbursed. ( RSGB has been very generous in this respect). Secondly, find a way, if this does not already exist, to become involved in NEC affairs - it should be possible to have ARRL representation involved in their work. The objective is to ensure that 'best practice' is used on all and every installation of Solar harvesting schemes. To summarise, the steps should ensure that the items of equipment (apparatus) are compliant with international standards that are designed to protect radio services, and then ensure that the equipment are installed in such a way that they do not negate compliance with the standard. For example, if the equipment is connected with twisted pairs in order the meet the compliance test - the installer must follow the same practice - and so NEC 2017 (or later versions), must make that clear. Since every authorised installer should carry and be checked against the NEC installation practice, things will get better. However, I acknowledge that best practice is followed when safety issues are concerned - but rarely are rarely understood when EMC matters are important, and that it what you have to get across with NEC - and we have to get across here in Europe, where we face exactly the same challenge. All of this is an international effort, because for the most part Solar harvesting equipment is manufacturer around the world. Here in Europe the systems come from China or Germany. Which means that it may be compliant with CENELEC requirements to carry the ubiquitous CE mark. Note that little word 'may', by which I suggest that there are ways around the compliance system - just as there are ways around FCC marking. CISPR - Special International Committee for Radio Interference, affiliated with International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC) CENELEC European Committee for Electrical Standards I hope this helps - do let me know if I can provide any additional background. John - G8MM, F5VKU

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Asking about FM sats frequency
by Carlos Alberto 07 May '18

07 May '18

Hi, I'm programming the channels of a 2m/70cm HT and I need to update the FM frequency of sats both in 2m and 70 cm. I know there are new birds and I don't know the freq. Thank's in advance. Carlos A. Santamaria CO2JC ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. -- Este mensaje le ha llegado mediante el servicio de correo electronico que ofrece Infomed para respaldar el cumplimiento de las misiones del Sistema Nacional de Salud. La persona que envia este correo asume el compromiso de usar el servicio a tales fines y cumplir con las regulaciones establecidas Infomed: http://www.sld.cu/

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