January 2019 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

cube sat model
by Bob- W7LRD 07 May '21

07 May '21

Hi All-Is there a cube sat model, mock up etc, available anywhere 73 Bob W7LRD

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AMSAT: RFI from LED bulbs?
by Robert Bruninga 19 Jul '20

19 Jul '20

I am hearing reports of RFI from these LED bulbs. Not just HF, but also VHF. If you can make any quantitative assessments of such RFI, please let me know. And the amazing thing is that at VHF you will never notice it because RFI is noise power and it is noise power that keeps a squelch CLOSED. Manuallly open the squelch and sometimes RFI will show full scale on the S meter yet not open the squelch. And on my radios, when the squelch is closed, the S meter is inactive and shows 0. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR

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TLEdoctor program to check for preliminary TLE data
by Jarda 06 Aug '19

06 Aug '19

The program can easily detect and fix the TLE preliminary data errors for working in satellite programs after launching the satellite in orbit The original version of the program released before launching Fox-1D works in Windows-7 and higher. Version that works in Windows XP is now added. The program name for Win-XP changes to TLEdoctor. Both programs can be downloaded at http://oscar.ok2gz.eu/fox1d.php 73 Jarda ok2gz --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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Fw: AO73 Mode change
by Graham Shirville 11 Jun '19

11 Jun '19

Hi folks, AO73/FUNcube is now in amateur mode for the weekend with the transponder on! Please see below for all FUNcube mission info 73s Graham G3VZV and the FUNcube team. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FUNcube frequencies and other details ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AO-73 FUNcube-1 The transponder is normally operational only when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. During weekends (from pm Fridays UTC to PM Sundays UTC) the transponder is operational 24/7. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. During holidays, eg Christmas, New Year, Easter, etc, the transponder maybe activated for extended periods. Watch AMSAT-BB for announcements which are usually made on Friday evenings (UTC) The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.150 - 435.130 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.950 - 145.970 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.935 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 15kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Lower temperatures give higher freqs!) FUNcube-2 (aka FUNcube on UKube) The FUNcube-2 sub-system continues to operate autonomously and, almost continuously, in amateur mode. The transponder is operational and the telemetry downlink is functioning with about 70mW output. The FUNcube-1 Dashboard does not correctly display the telemetry but it does correctly decode the data and uploads it to the FUNcube Data Warehouse from where it can be examined. Most of the real time data channels are operational and these include battery voltages, temperatures and ADCS data coming via the main On Board Computer (OBC). The transponder is interrupted for a few seconds every 2 minutes when the other transmitter sends its CW beacon and, occasionally, for a few seconds when the main OBC reboots (approx seven times each orbit). The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.080 - 435.060 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.930 - 145.950 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.915 MHz BPSK (The passband may be up to 10kHz higher depending on on-board temps. Low temperatures give higher freqs!) EO79 FUNcube-3 Due to power budget constraints the transponder cannot be operational 24/7 and an orbit specific schedule has been developed. The transponder will commence operation 27 minutes after the spacecraft enters sunlight and will stay on for a period of 25 minutes. This schedule may be modified in future months as a result of experience. The nominal transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.0723-435.0473 MHz LSB (Inverting) Downlink: 145.946-145.971 MHz USB Further detailed info on EO79 transponder frequencies is at: https://amsat-uk.org/2016/11/10/eo79-funcube-3-transponder-commences-regula… EO88/Nayif-1/FUNcube-5 EO88 is presently operating in autonomous mode. The transponder is operational when the satellite is in eclipse, ie the solar panels are NOT being illuminated. When the transponder is switched off, the telemetry beacon is on full power, when the transponder is on the beacon it is on low power. The transponder frequencies are: Uplink: 435.045 – 435.015 MHz LSB (inverting) Downlink: 145.960-145.990 MHz USB Telemetry Tx: 145.940MHz All FUNcube transponders are sponsored by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL. We are very grateful for the assistance given by Innovative Solution In Space Bv, The Netherlands. _______________________________________________ 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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JY1-sat dashboard
by Kevin 15 Apr '19

15 Apr '19

Hi All, Is anyone else noticing any issues with the JY1-sat dashboard? I can start it with the sat present and it will instantly lock and track, next pass it will ignore the signal, kill it and restart it and bam instant lock. 73 Kevin WA7FWF

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FUNcube-1/AO73 Operations
by Graham Shirville 15 Mar '19

15 Mar '19

Hi All,Just to confirm that AO73 is now in continuous education mode with the high power telemetry. Amateur mode may be expected to resume on Thursday morning(UTC)73GrahamG3VZV

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CW timings for amateur radio satellite beacons
by Douglas Quagliana 12 Feb '19

12 Feb '19

Friends, I am looking for exact dit time, dah time, intra-letter timings, inter-letter timings and inter-word timings for CW beacons from amateur radio satellites. For example, AO-999, dit time 52 milliseconds, dah time 156 milliseconds... and so on. Is there a comprehensive list that gives precise timing information for the CW beacons sent by various amateur radio satellites? Thanks and 73, Douglas KA2UPW/5

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XW-2A and Other Roads Less Travelled
by Les Rayburn 02 Feb '19

02 Feb '19

I’m a bit of a nomad, and have always enjoyed taking the roads less travelled. That applies to my hobby as well—those of us who work VHF are a fairly rare bunch. Those who work satellites; not often spotted in the wild. But apparently, rarer still are those who enjoy making contacts on satellites that are not AO-91, A0-92, SO-50, and FO-29. Working from home today, so I got on nearly every satellite pass over the United States. Alternated between calling CQ and searching for others to work. The results of working eight different passes? Four contacts for the day. Two on SO-50, one each on AO-91 and FO-29. Called CQ on XW-2A at dinner time. High elevation pass. Good strong downlink the entire pass from horizon to horizon. Nada… It did net me an SWL report from Mark Gluch, KB3CI who heard me loud and clean in EN82 near Detroit. He doesn’t have the transmit side working yet for the linear birds, but will soon. Ditto on AO-7, a whole pass on FO-29 this morning, and at least three of the XW birds. Last weekend, I listed to the L band activity on AO-91 and there was a ton more activity there than I heard today. (I’m working on getting the 1296 Yagi up so I can join you folks.) We’ve got a sky full of great satellites that perform well. Let’s use them. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf Member WTFDA, IRCA, NRC. Former CPC Chairman for NRC & IRCA. Elad FDM-S2 SDR, AirSpy SDR2, SDRPlay RSP-2 Pro, Sony XDR-F1HD [XDR Guy Modified], Dennon TU-1500RD, Sangean HDT-1X, Ray Dees RDS Decoders, Korner 9.2 Antenna, FM-6 Antenna, Kitz Technologies KT-501 Pre-amps, Quantum Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active Whip. “Nothing but blues and Elvis, and somebody else’s favorite song…”

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SatPC32 and Ham Radio Deluxe
by George Sakai 02 Feb '19

02 Feb '19

Hi All, I have just installed Ham Radio Deluxe in my Windows 10 computer which I use for SatPC32. My radio is IC-9100. The computer has two COM ports. One is used for SatPC32 and I designated the second COM port for the Ham Radio Deluxe. But, the Ham Radio Deluxe does not connect to IC-9100. What am I doing wrong? Appreciate any help. 73, George N3GS, EM28 in Kansas

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They're ALIVE! (AMSATS)
by Robert Bruninga 31 Jan '19

31 Jan '19

Wow, Lots of Sats! During our annual student Lab week where students must go outside and find a bird, I have been AMAZED at the number of birds. Its like a full time job! We are never more than a few minutes from a good TRANSPONDER pass. With the number of birds, I am amazed that we are not so spread out, that there are even enough people on any one bird to make a quorum. Anyone who has not been paying attention (like me), wake up, There are bird transponders everywhere! Bob, WB4APR

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