AMSAT-BB May 2019

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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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SatPC32 Antenna Swapping with SDR
by Lists_01＠kk9t.net 01 Jun '19

01 Jun '19

In reading the SatPC32 manual, section 3.C.bb, I see that SatPC32 provides an automated way to switch the antenna feeds by outputting a high or low on the DTR pin of the radio 2 com port through a transistor to switch a coaxial transfer switch. Is there any other way to do this if you are not using a traditional serial port but USB ports or virtual ports? My setup has a Yaesu radio for TX and an SDRplay for receive. When switching from V/u to U/v, it is necessary to swap the antennas and I would like to do this automatically with a coaxial transfer switch. As above, SatPC32 can do this in automated fashion. However, I am not using a DB9 com port for either radio (USB or internal ports only) and am trying to figure out how to get access to this DTR signal to use it for the automated switching. Has anyone used an SDR for the downlink and set up automatic antenna swapping and if so, how was it accomplished? Thanks, Tim KK9T

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Moriah Central School - Pt. Henry, NY
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 31 May '19

31 May '19

NOTE: There has been a reschedule for the Moriah Central School - Pt. Henry, NY ARISS contact. This is a corrected reissue of the original press release for the school. The contact is now scheduled for June 6: An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Moriah Central School, Port Henry, NY on 06 Jun. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 16:54 UTC. It is recommended that you start listening approximately 10 minutes before this time.The duration of the contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be a telebridge between OR4ISS and VK6MJ. The contact should be audible over Australia 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. Moriah Central School is located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. It is a K-12 public school with nearly 800 students and 50 teachers. Located near the beautiful Lake Champlain, Moriah Central School is home of the Vikings! With many successful academic and athletic programs such as football, basketball, cheerleading, drama club, band, chorus and many student clubs, many opportunities are available for all students. In addition to a new educational technology center, the district is proud of our distance learning lab, amateur radio station, computer programming classes, and other programs designed specifically in helping the surrounding communities in Essex County. Moriah Central School District proclaims its mission to be the provision of a safe, supportive, and academically challenging environment for all students in our community. We are dedicated to the goals of educational excellence, preparation for college and careers, and the development of a high level of citizenship. Participants will ask as many of the following questions as time allows: 1. What is the purpose of the International Space Station and why is it a value to all of humanity? 2. What is the most amazing thing you have seen from the space station? 3. What do you get to do in your free time when you are not working? 4. What types of computer programming languages were used to write the software on board the International Space Station? 5. What is your favorite piece of hardware to use on the space station and what does it do? 6. What types of computers are you using on board, and what operating systems do they run? 7. Do you get to listen to music in space, and if so what do you all like to listen to? 8. What is the most difficult and dangerous thing about living in space? 9. How many people can fit on board the space station safely? 10. What is your favorite science experiment on board? 11. What do you think the importance of future space stations will be? 12. What is the importance of Amateur Radio on the Space Station? 13. What is the status of CIMON (Simon) the Artificially Intelligent robot that was sent to the ISS? 14. How did you become an Astronaut? Does your training for space start right away or do you have to move up in ranking? 15. What is your favorite food in space? 16. Are there any manmade objects on earth you can see from the space station? 17. Do you keep a journal of everything you do on board to remember in the future? 18. What can scientists do on Earth to help you on the Space Station? 19. What is the best part of working with people from different countries every day? 20. What have you learned the most from living and working 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): 1. Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Aleksey Ovchinin Contact is a go for Wed 2019-06-05 07:50 UTC 2. Dum detí a mládeze Olomouc (House of Children and Youth Olomouc), Olomouc, Czech Republic, direct via OK2KWX The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Nick Hague KG5TMV Contact is go for: Sat 2019-06-08 13:05:59 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 ISS National Lab 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 public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.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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FO-98 OrigamiSat-1 5.84 GHz downlink
by Mike Seguin 31 May '19

31 May '19

I apologize for the short notice..... The OrigamiSat-1 Team will remotely activate the 5.84 GHz downlink on FO-98 for four upcoming passes over the Northeastern US. The times listed are based on my QTH here in Vermont at FN34jm. 5.84GHz transmission from OrigamiSat-1 (FO-98) ---------------------------------------------------------- Day Objects AOS (U) LOS Period maxEl AZ ---------------------------------------------------------- 31.05.2019 FO-98 01:29 01:39 10 59 157 - 351 31.05.2019 FO-98 14:30 14:40 10 59 015 - 188 01.06.2019 FO-98 01:10 01:19 09 35 144 - 357 01.06.2019 FO-98 14:11 14:20 09 37 022 - 176 The latest kep data is here: FO-98 1 43933U 19003B 19150.08119722 .00000607 00000-0 29789-4 0 9993 2 43933 97.2825 208.2757 0018888 149.0302 270.2283 15.21599516 20077 I manually updated my nasa.all file in SatPC32 to use these. 5.8GHz specifications: http://www.origami.titech.ac.jp/archives/722 http://www.origami.titech.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/OP-S1-0117_5R… If you have 5.8 GHz receive capability and are in the Eastern US, please consider trying to detect the downlink. The equipment I am using is the same that I used to successfully detect NIWAKA in 2012 on 5.84 GHz. DEMI 5.760 GHz transverter with a 2' dish and Directive Systems linear feed (Horizontal). I also have a DEMI preamp inline. The IF I'll be using is a Funcube Dongle Pro+ set for 224 MHz. This equipment is my terrestrial 5.760 GHz system which works quite well out of band at 5.84 GHz. Please report any success here and you can also use the reception report on their website. The OrigamiSat-1 team is also on Twitter. @OrigamiSat1 -- 73, Mike, N1JEZ "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

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G5500 Interface
by Michael Brodeur 31 May '19

31 May '19

Hello all, I acquiring a Yaesu G5500 rotator and would like your opinions on the various rotator controller computer interface. What are the strengths and weakness of the various products? I am planning on using SatPC32 or HRD. Does anyone have experience with the Chinese made unit on Ebay. Thanks for your help. 73,

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AMSAT: Remoting of Radios
by Robert Bruninga 30 May '19

30 May '19

Subject: Remoting of Radios I saw a clever box at Dayton for remoting Radios and Controls over dozens of feet. The interconnecting cable was just standard VGA cables. The "VGA" boxes at the radio end had the correct pigtails to plug into the radio and the "VGA" box at the control location had jacks for the Mic, Control Head, data, and Speaker, etc. The cleverness was in using the 3 or 4 internally&seaparately shielded conductors in standard VGA cables to carry the signals while shielded. And with the phase out of VGA, there are usually tons of VGA cables appearing in junk boxes everywhere from ten feet to 100 feet. So save those VGA chassis mount connectors to take advantage of these easy to find multiconductor multipurpose "VGA" cables. Bob, WB4APR

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CNPOTA activation by CJ7EWK/3 on 12 May, from Point Pelee Nat'l Park
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 30 May '19

30 May '19

Hi! On Sunday, 12 May 2019, I operated as CJ7EWK/3 from Point Pelee National Park of Canada, southeast of Detroit and Windsor in grid EN81rx. I logged a total of 60 satellite QSOs from this location, and those QSOs were uploaded to Logbook of the World on that date. Thanks for the QSLs I have received via LOTW. Today, I just uploaded those 60 QSOs to the Canadian National Parks on the Air (CNPOTA) web site http://cnpota.ca/ to be a part of that year-long activity. As of now, I don't see any matches with my log in the CNPOTA web site. As CNPOTA is not integrated with Logbook of the World like the ARRL National Parks on the Air event was in 2016, chasers and activators are required to upload their logs to the CNPOTA web site to participate in CNPOTA. In this case, the upload may be a single QSO record in an ADIF file, a QSO with CJ7EWK/3 in EN81 on 12 May, as a chaser. A minimum of five confirmed QSOs are required for a CNPOTA activation, according to the rules at https://cnpota.ca/rules/ (section 7). It would be nice to have another activation of a CNPOTA site via satellite, as has already been done by W8LID (as VE6LID) and AD0DX earlier in 2019. Before the CNPOTA web site accepts a file upload, it is necessary to first register with the CNPOTA web site. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK

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AMSAT-BB May 2019