July 2020 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Coax repaired
by Russ Kinner 29 Jul '20

29 Jul '20

Well, after getting some connectors and a gas tube arc protector on the antenna, I'm back on air. Thanks to KX9X roaming today to confirm I'm functional. Now, receiving the ballot is still in the future. Looks like the USPS is really slowing the delivery of the mail due to no OT, and other orders from the top. Hope I don't need to ask for a replacement due to their lack of funds. Rusty, WA8ZID

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Amsat.org vs Launch.amsat.org?
by Bill Gaylord 29 Jul '20

29 Jul '20

What's the difference between the two? I am a Amsat member (as of sunday) and only have access to launch.amsat.org's login. I have not found a way to register for amsat.org's login and my launch.amsat.org login does not work on amsat.org. KD9KCK

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Next BoD Cycle - Bruninga (WB4APR) & Bauer (KA3HDO)
by Robert MacHale 29 Jul '20

29 Jul '20

During the next election cycle for Board of Directors I hope these guys will run - they are both senior and vibrant contributors to the community. 1) Bob Bruninga (WB4APR) - APRS on RS0ISS + many satellites 2) Frank Bauer (KA3HDO) - ARISS liaison to AMSAT This is just my personal opinion - I am not sponsored by anyone; no sideways hidden agendas. 73 Robert MacHale . KE6BLR FCC Licensed Radio Operator . http://www.aprsat.com/predict . http://www.spaceCommunicator.club . Supporting Boy Scout Merit Badges in Radio, Robotics, and Space Exploration Silly Joke: What did the little mountain say to the bigger mountain? Hi Cliff! He who dares not offend cannot be honest. -- Thomas Paine

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OSCAR Satellite QSO Party starts August 1
by M5AKA 29 Jul '20

29 Jul '20

The OSCAR Satellite QSO Party starts 0000 GMT on August 1 and runs until 2359 GMT on September 22. Details at https://amsat-uk.org/2020/07/20/oscar-satellite-qso-party/ On Monday, July 27, Dom Smith M0BLF @dnas2 gave an online talk – Getting started on the QO-100 geostationary satellite transponders – as part of the RSGB Tonight @ 8 live webinar series. The video of his talk is now available, see https://amsat-uk.org/2020/07/27/getting-started-on-qo-100/ ISS MAI-75 SSTV activity planned for Aug 4-5 https://amsat-uk.org/2020/07/27/iss-mai-75-sstv-activity-planned-for-aug-4-… UWE-4 News: Successful first demonstration of orbit control on a 1U CubeSat https://amsat-uk.org/2020/07/22/uwe-4-news-successful-first-demonstration-o… Trevor M5AKA---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

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geo sat
by mikflathead＠aol.com 29 Jul '20

29 Jul '20

I have been spending time listening to AO100. Are there any plans for one to be over the USA in the future? Mike

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AO-92 mode L/v at 0241utc for 24 hrs 29 July 2020
by Mark Hammond 28 Jul '20

28 Jul '20

Happy L-band! AO-92 mode L/v at 0241utc for 24 hrs 29 July 2020, if power budget permits. 73, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Sats and SOTA 7/29
by Michael N4DCW 28 Jul '20

28 Jul '20

From W4C/WM-014 (Standing Indian) tomorrow, Wednesday 7/29, I’ll aim for the following passes: 1123Z SO-50 1147Z XW-2F 1220Z AO-27 1304Z SO-50 Happy chasing! 73, Michael -- Michael Whitman(a)n4dcw.com Louisville, KY, USA - EM78

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Re: [amsat-bb] beepbeepbeepboopboopboopbeepbeepbeep
by Roy Dean 28 Jul '20

28 Jul '20

Ok, answered my own question: https://network.satnogs.org/observations/2615366/ Not just me. --Roy K3RLD > Anybody else hear this on the 16:00z pass of AO-92 that is finishing up > right now? Or is it my SDR? (didn't hear it on the AO-91 pass immediate > before this AO-92 pass). > > --Roy > K3RLD > >

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beepbeepbeepboopboopboopbeepbeepbeep
by Roy Dean 28 Jul '20

28 Jul '20

Anybody else hear this on the 16:00z pass of AO-92 that is finishing up right now? Or is it my SDR? (didn't hear it on the AO-91 pass immediate before this AO-92 pass). --Roy K3RLD

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Re: [amsat-bb] Signal to Noise ratio
by Mike Seguin 28 Jul '20

28 Jul '20

And here's a short text from Ian, GM3SEK about adjusting preamp gain. No test equipment needed. Too much gain can be a bad thing... ==== Here's a method that requires no test equipment at all. It comes from G4DGU, who designed all the original muTek transverters and outboard preamps to have adjustable gain. This method uses the sharp threshold effect of FM detectors at low S/N ratios, and it allows you to optimize the preamp/transverter gain for your local band noise conditions. 1. Turn the transverter/preamp gain well up. 2. Find a very weak but steady unmodulated carrier (off-air, not from a signal generator or a local birdie). Rotate the antenna until you can just detect the signal in FM mode. 3. Reduce the preamp/transverter gain until you hear the noise increase. The FM threshold is sensitive to a small fraction of a dB in S/N. 4. Increase the gain just a little,to the point where you can't hear the quieting improve much. 5. Switch back to a real DX mode. Remember that every dB of unnecessary preamp/transverter gain will probably subtract almost 1dB from your system intermod intercept! The penalty of adjusting the gain correctly is that you're living just above the "knee" where S/N will begin to deteriorate rapidly if something changes. It's worthwhile to repeat this test every few months - especially just before a contest. 73 from Ian G3SEK Editor, 'The VHF/UHF DX Book' 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB) On 7/28/2020 9:28 AM, Leffke, Zachary via AMSAT-BB wrote: > An EXCELLENT topic of conversation, and one I keep circling back to over and over and over....... > > -Zach, KJ4QLP -- 73, Mike, N1JEZ "A closed mouth gathers no feet"

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