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

[amsat-bb} Tripod for Arrow
by Bob Liddy (K8BL) 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

Chris, I use a TRIKON Tripod and it has worked very well for me for 6 years of roving in 3 Countries and 119 Grids. You can see it on my QRZ Page. https://www.qrz.com/db/K8BL Notice that I installed a counterweight to balance the Arrow. I built a "foot" for the Arrow that simulates a camera and quickly attaches to the tripod. The tripod gives me the capability to swivel the antenna 360 degress and elevate 0-90 degrees and change polarity 0-90 degrees. The tripod has collapsible legs and is very lightweight. Everything easily comes apart and fits in a normal suitcase. Since I operate from the tail end of my vehicle, the tripod allows me to aim the antenna at AOS and sit and wait for the action. Some folks like a handheld arrangement and some folks like a tripod and each have their good reasons. My reasons are that my old arms get tired too quickly waving the antenna around. And, it's too cumbersome to tune the radio and hold the mic and fiddle with the recorder and deal with the antenna and watch the pass info on the cellphone simultaneously. Besides, the SAT doesn't change so quickly that the antenna needs to be adjusted constantly. GL/73, Bob K8BL (AMSAT #6593) -------------------------------------------- On Wed, 4/24/19, Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: Subject: [amsat-bb] Tripod for Arrow To: "AMSAT BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 9:26 AM Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and do a 90 degree turn. Chris KC1E -- Chris Pohlad-Thomas

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Re: [amsat-bb] Tripod for Arrow
by John Kludt 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

Chris, I just use a standard Walmart camera tripod. There is a drilled and tapped hole under the rubber handle for the camera mounting screw on a camera tripod. John Sent from my Verizon Motorola Smartphone On Apr 24, 2019 06:26, Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow > II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and do > a 90 degree turn. > > Chris > KC1E > > -- > Chris Pohlad-Thomas > _______________________________________________ > 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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DM48 QSOs
by Bob Keating 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

To everyone who contacted me while I was roving in Capital Reef NP last Thursday, 4/18... I seem to have fouled up my upload to LoTW, all the entries are listed in grid DM58 instead of DM48. I tried to correct and upload to LoTW again, but it seems that most of our contacts have already been confirmed on LoTW. I will be happy to send any and all of you a QSL card confirming our contact, unless someone can tell me how to correct my mistake so you all can get a QSL out of LoTW. Bob N6REK

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DM48 QSOs
by Kevin M 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

Bob, what did you correct? If you upload the EXACT SAME LOG, just sign it with a different location set within TQSL, then it should correct the details of all those already confirmed contacts. I remember making a 'location error' on a grid trip once (might have been county, not grid) and fixed it just as described. The only QSLs that might require some other type of 'fix' beyond that is if the person has already turned in the QSL for VUCC credit (as the incorrect grid) on an application. If you correct things quickly, the likelihood of that is low. To everyone who contacted me while I was roving in Capital Reef NP last Thursday, 4/18... I seem to have fouled up my upload to LoTW, all the entries are listed in grid DM58 instead of DM48. I tried to correct and upload to LoTW again, but it seems that most of our contacts have already been confirmed on LoTW. I will be happy to send any and all of you a QSL card confirming our contact, unless someone can tell me how to correct my mistake so you all can get a QSL out of LoTW. Bob N6REK

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Upcoming Satellite Passes--Best Tool Question
by Les Rayburn 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

I need some advice, and I promise to be grateful. Trying to work a sked tonight with Jeff W4EB on EO-88 and yours truly made a series of newbie mistakes. Since becoming involved in satellites, I’ve always relied on the “Countdown” program within SatPC32 to let me know what passes were coming up at my location. Tonight I learned that I’ve been missing God knows how many passes per day! The Countdown software will only display one (1) upcoming pass for a given satellite at your location until that satellite has disappeared from view. In the case of EO-88, I actually had two passes overhead about an hour apart, but only knew about the first one. Strictly Windows 10 PC in the shack. What’s the best tool to use to help me visualize ALL the upcoming passes for the next twelve hours or so at my location. I love the Countdown format, just want to be able to see multiple passes from the same birds. P.S. The other newbie mistake was forgetting to switch my antenna back to the IC-910H after doing an APRS pass earlier on the D-710. DUH! I really need to invest in an IC-9700. Thanks Jeff for your patience. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF Maylene, AL EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member

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EM61
by Jeff Johns 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

I have had many people contact me needing EM61. If the weather agrees, myself and my daughter, W4AQT, will make the 20-30 drive and activate it this weekend. As we get closer to the weekend, I’ll start looking at passes. Most likely, it will be done on one of the linear birds since it will be the weekend and I try to avoid the FM drama on weekends. I’ll send out another post later this week with details. 73! Jeff WE4B Marissa W4AQT

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sat android
by 73 Bob W7LRD 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

The "best" sat tracker for android phone is---- 73 Bob W7LRD

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EN01 operation
by Randy Shirbroun 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

On Thursday, 25 April, I plan to operate from EN01 on the mid-day passes of AO-92 and AO-91 (AOS 1721 Z and 1733 Z respectively). This is just a quick detour on a business trip, but hopefully I can help out a few folks that need the grid. Note: I will not use a portable designator while operating or uploading to LotW – just ND0C. 73, Randy, ND0C

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5 Band VUCC Award
by Les Rayburn 24 Apr '19

24 Apr '19

Lady & Gentlemen, Not certain if my earlier message was received. No reply from anyone on the distribution list. Here it is again, in case the first one was lost in cyberspace. In an effort to stimulate activity on VHF/UHF bands beyond 70 CM, I’d like to suggest the creation of a Five Band VUCC (5B VUCC) award that would closely mirror the 5 Band DXCC Award. Successful applicants would need to achieve VUCC status on five or more of the VHF/UHF bands to be eligible for the larger award. A special certificate and pin could be created to honor recipients. My feeling is that this award would encourage greater activity on the VHF/UHF bands, especially on bands that have less use like 222, 1296, and higher microwave bands. This increased activity encourages the sale of more gear, helps protect our spectrum from commercial interests, and advances the state of the radio art. Please let me know if you think this idea has any merit, or what I could do to help support the creation of the new award. As always, grateful for your service to the hobby. 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member

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Re: [amsat-bb] Upcoming Satellite Passes--Best Tool Question
by Roy Dean 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

http://www.amsat.org.ar/pass Enter your 6 digit grid, and then select "FM Voice Sats" or "SSB + FM" sats. Just click on the pass you want to target and it will pop up a infographic in the top right, with countdown to AOS. It will run on any system, in a browser window. I zoom into the top right and place my phone at my feet during a pass, and it will show you the direction and elevation of the pass, as well as estimated doppler adjustments. But I'm biased, I was born in Argentina.... No connection to the website other than that, though. :) --Roy K3RLD

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