AMSAT-BB December 2022

63 participants
74 discussions

Falconsat-3 TX ON
by Mark L. Hammond 15 Jan '23

15 Jan '23

Falconsat-3 TX ON for over 24 hours beginning 1132utc 17 Dec 2022. 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] AMSAT Director and Command Station

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ANS-001 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by kd4iz＠frawg.org 31 Dec '22

31 Dec '22

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-001 In this edition: * W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1st * HAARP was used to ping Asteroid 2010 XC15 * Space junk bill passes Senate unanimously * TJREVERB was deployed from the ISS on December 29, 2022 * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Jan 1, 2023 * OSCAR number assigned for CAS-10 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at] amsat.org You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/ ANS-001 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins To: All RADIO AMATEURS From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653 Washington, DC 20002 DATE 2023 Jan 01 - Wishing All a Happy and Prosperous New Year W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day to be Held January 1st In March 2022, the AMSAT community lost one of our pioneers when Ray Soifer, W2RS, became a silent key. In addition to his numerous contributions to AMSAT and the worldwide amateur satellite community, Ray was also the long time organizer of AMSAT's CW Activity Day - previously AMSAT Straight Key Night - held in conjunction with the ARRL's event on New Year's Day. In recognition of Ray's long time service to AMSAT and his keen interest in CW operating via satellite, AMSAT is pleased to announce that AMSAT's CW Activity Day will now be known as the W2RS Memorial AMSAT CW Activity Day in Ray's honor. The rules are simple - operate CW through any amateur satellite between 0000 UTC and 2359 UTC on January 1, 2023. Straight keys and bugs are encouraged, but not required. Logs are not required, but operators are encouraged to submit a report of their activity to the AMSAT-BB. Photos and video clips of activity are also encouraged - post them on Twitter and tag @AMSAT. Remember to use the minimum power required for communication as constant carrier modes, including CW, can disrupt transponder operation for other users. [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Last Day for 2022 AMSAT President's Club Membership When Theyre GoneTheyre Gone! Join the 2022 AMSAT President's Club today and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/ (2022 membership closes 1/3/2022) +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ HAARP was used to ping Asteroid 2010 XC15 Researchers at the HAARP array in Alaska attempted the lowest-frequency asteroid radar experiment ever. On Tuesday, Dec. 27th, they pinged a passing space rock with shortwave radio waves at 9.6 MHz. This could allow them to see *inside* the asteroid. A number of amateur radio operators around the world were able to copy the signal. The signal appeared in a sequence of frequency sweep pings centered aroun the the 9.6MHz frequency in a "Ping" Wait 2 seconds. "Ping" Wait 2 seconds "Ping" pattern. That's what most ham radio operators heard last Tuesday when they received HAARP's radar transmission to asteroid 2010 XC15. Scott Tilley of Roberts Creek, British Columbia, provided a recording of what he saw. It may be viewed at: https://bit.ly/3C2YshF along with a vidoe that includes sound. The pulse was lopsided with a fast rise and a slow decay," notes Tilley. "I believe this is due to multipath propagation from HAARP in Alaska to my receiver in British Columbia." Everyone who picked up the pulse did so because Earth's ionosphere reflected some of HAARP's radio energy back to Earth. Only a fraction escaped into space and reached the asteroid. Tilley's high-time-resolution recording of the pulse shows that multiple reflections (probably with a dash of ducting and refraction) were involved. The complexity of the ionosphere, and how it modifies shortwave signals, is a key challenge for researchers who will be processing radar returns from asteroid 2010 XC15. Good luck to the radar team as we await their results! [ANS thanks spaceweather.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Space junk bill passes Senate unanimously U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper applauded Senate passage of his Orbital Sustainability (ORBITS) Act, a bipartisan bill to establish a first-of-its-kind demonstration program to reduce the amount of space junk in orbit. The bill passed the Senate unanimously. "From satellite communications to rockets carrying humans into deep space, space debris is a massive threat to space operations," said Hickenlooper, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Space and Science. "I'm over the moon that our ORBITS Act passed and we can start cleaning up this space junk." Space junk, or orbital debris, currently threatens human space exploration, scientific research missions, and emerging commercial space services. There are approximately 8,000 metric tons of debris currently in orbit, including at least 900,000 individual pieces of debris that are potentially lethal to satellites. Because of the magnitude of the current debris, simply preventing more debris in the future is not enough. The ORBITS Act will jumpstart a program focused on research, development, and the demonstration of technologies capable of safely carrying out successful Active Debris Remediation (ADR) missions to create a new market for these services. Additional information may be found at https://bit.ly/3WwsCCa [ANS thanks spacedaily.com for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ TJREVERB was deployed from the ISS on December 29, 2022 TJREVERB, an APRS digipeater 2U cubesat on 145.825 MHz, built by students at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology was deployed on December 29, 2022 by NanoRacks from the International Space Station. TJREVERB was launched on November 22 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida as part of the SpaceX-26 Commercial Resupply Service Mission en route to the International Space Station. The launch is the culmination of seven years of hard work for TJ Space. Led by Robotics lab director Kristen Kucko, many students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology have had a hand in this historic launch. A statement and description of the mission by Michael Roth and Kristen Kucko of Thomas Jefferson High School states: TJ REVERB is significant because the CubeSat was designed, built, coded and integrated entirely by high school students, said Kucko. The students did not use a satellite kit, nor did they have an industry or university partnership to assist them. Building satellites is not an easy task. According to Col. Nick Hague, Astronaut, (some)countries have not been able to build CubeSats. The students in TJ Space should be proud of their accomplishments. Additional information about the project may be found at: https://tjhsst.fcps.edu/features/launch-tjreverb-culmination-seven-year-proj ect-tj-space Kirsten Kucko, the teacher sponsoring the TJ Space team wrote, "TJ Space received crowdsourced reports that there is an APRS unit digipeating within the vicinity of the ISS. The spacecraft has the orbital characteristics of one of the satellites launched during the NRCSD 24 mission. " Since TJREVEB is the only CubeSat using APRS in that vicinity, TJREVERB could very well be that spacecraft. It is TJ Spaces assertion that something went critically wrong with TJREVERBs implementation of the Iridium radio and Iridium did not receive power to turn on. The APRS radio powered on as the backup radio and started digipeating. TJ Space continues to search for confirmation that this spacecraft is indeed TJREVERB. Any help from the community would be greatly appreciated. [ANS thanks Michael Roth and Kristen Kucko or Thomas Jefferson High School and JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition? Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store! 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for Jan 1, 2023 Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated Thursday evenings around 2300 UTC, or more frequently if new high interest satellites are launched. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/ The following satellite has been removed from this week's AMSAT-NA TLE distribution: MYSat 1 NORAD Cat ID 44045 (Decayed from orbit 12/16/2022 per SpaceTrack). [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- OSCAR number assigned for CAS-10 On November 12, 2022, the XW-4 (CAS-10) satellite was launched to the Chinese Space Station aboard the Tianzhou-5 spacecraft, by the Long March-7 Y6 launch vehicle from the Wenchang Launch Center in Hainan, China. On December 18, the XW-4 (CAS-10) satellite was separated from the station. The Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT) built and operates the satellite, in cooperation with a Chinese government space contractor and Macau University of Science and Technology, to serve radio amateurs around the world and educate students in space and radio communication science and technology. This satellite is also known as Macao Student Science Popularization Satellite No. 1, and is the first satellite from the Macao Special Administrative Region. The satellite carries a V/u linear transponder, and CW and GMSK telemetry beacons for amateur radio use. At the request of CAMSAT and the XW-4 (CAS-10) team, AMSAT hereby designates the satellite as Hope-OSCAR 119 (HO-119). We congratulate all the involved teams, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS NEWS Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide. No School Contacts are currently scheduled. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an Amateur Radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit. Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations Chris VE3FU / VO2AC / VO1FUA / VE2FUA: The weekend of January 27-29 @Dave_VE3KG and Chris, VE3FU will be competing in the CQ160 CW Contest as VO2AC from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador (Zone 2). They will also be on the other HF bands starting January 24 as VO2AC and VO2AAA. They also plan on operating the linear and FM satellites from grid GO11 as VO2AC and VO2AAA from January 24-27. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. MSAT Ambassador Clint Bradford K6ALCS has a few satellite presentations scheduled: -Greenville, North Carolina (1/10/23) -Ontario, Canada (1/16/23) -Thames Valley, England (5/11/23) Ham Radio University will be held 1/7/2023. Registration is now open for this virtual event at https://hamradiouniversity.org/. Peter Portanova, W2JV will be hosting a Satellite Forum on the History of Amateur Satellites. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, and Peter Portanova, W2JV for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + SpaceX launches first mission for Starlink Gen2 constellation using a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Wednesday with 54 more Starlink internet satellites, a mission to begin populating a new orbital shell authorized by federal regulators earlier this month for the companys Starlink Gen2 network. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on SpaceXs Starlink 5-1 mission occurred at 4:34 a.m. EST (0934 GMT) Wednesday, about six minutes earlier than previously announced. The mission was SpaceXs 60th launch of the year, with one more Falcon 9 flight set to blast off later this week from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, with an Israeli Earth-imaging satellite. he 54 satellites launching Wednesday were the first spacecraft deployed into a new segment of the Starlink constellation. The Falcon 9 rocket released the 54 satellites at an orbital altitude and inclination set aside for use by SpaceXs second-generation Starlink network, which the company eventually intends to launch on the new Starship mega-rocket. More at https://bit.ly/3IcrO0P. [ANS thanks spaceflightnow.com for the above information] + An Israeli reconnaissance satellite was carried into orbit during the final SpaceX launch of the year. The EROS-3 Earth-imaging satellite was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 11:38 p.m. Thursday. The first stage detached successfully and landed on a SpaceX pad eight minutes after launch. The rocket was launched in retrograde, against the direction of the Earth's rotation, and carried the EROS-3 into low Earth orbit. More information is available at: https://bit.ly/3G8FXJI [ANS thanks Patrick Hilsman, UPI and Spacedaily.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/ In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to: * Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization). * Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. * Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. * Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms. Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information. 73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space! This week's ANS Editor, Jack Spitznagel kd4iz at frawg dot org

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RTL-SDR type preamp on the birds?
by James Hickox 29 Dec '22

29 Dec '22

Hello. After many years away, I am beginning to get a shack ready to start using the satellites again. This time, I cannot go with the best hardware and will.need to do some compromises. I played with the SDR dongles awhile back and used one of the $20 wideband preamps. My question: if I were to set the preamp up with a diplexer as an input filter and 50 ohm terminations for protection along with the proper relays, could this preamp be useful if mounted near the antenna feed point? I cannot seem to find out any comparisons or testing against other homebrew or commercial units. Thanks and 73, James, AA5AO

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Leave
by Sundeep Shah 29 Dec '22

29 Dec '22

Leave On Thu, Dec 29, 2022, 2:22 AM Thomas Schuessler via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > As I stated in a previous email, I use a diplexer as a filter in front of > the preamp to black out if band influence. For the 70 cm preamp I have a > duplexer that is only passing the 70 cm band from the 70 cm antenna into > the preamp. There is a similar duplexer feeding 2 meters only to the 2 m > antenna, and that after the 2 m preamp. > > I will probably try one of the SSB preamps, which have a higher power > rating than the ARR that I have in hopes that the increased margin of error > will cause things to hold up better. > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Dec 28, 2022, at 12:28, Paul Andrews <w2hro.fn20(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > The 70cm band is hamonically related to the 2m band. > > 2m into 70cm 3rd harmonic interference is more likely than 70cm into 2m. > > Happy New Year. > > 73 - Paul - W2HRO > > On Wed, Dec 28, 2022, 10:00 tjschuessler--- via AMSAT-BB < > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > >> I do not believe it is RF from the 2 Meter transmit that is leaking into >> the antenna side, as I run a duplexer in front of the preamp input. 70 CM >> portion of arrow through a duplexer with only the 70 cm signal passing >> through that duplexer. I do the same on the 2 Meter side. This >> arrangement almost totally eliminates any de-sense of the RX on 70 CM from >> 2 M transmit. >> >> >> >> *From:* Paul Andrews <w2hro.fn20(a)gmail.com> >> *Sent:* Tuesday, December 27, 2022 9:02 AM >> *To:* tjschuessler(a)verizon.net >> *Cc:* AMSAT-BB <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> >> *Subject:* Re: [AMSAT-BB] UHF preamps >> >> >> >> Tom, >> >> >> >> Are you relying on the transmit RF sensing feature of this 432 MHz >> preamp? RF sensing can be unreliable. You might use the FT-847's RF amp >> enable output to trigger the external preamps. >> >> >> >> Another thought. It is possible that your 2m transmit signal is leaking >> into the input of the 70cm preamp. It's likely that significant coupling >> is occurring at the arrow antenna. >> >> >> >> You might consider using separate preamps and isolating relays. >> >> >> >> 73 - Paul - W2HRO >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Mon, Dec 26, 2022 at 11:32 PM tjschuessler--- via AMSAT-BB < >> amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: >> >> For my portable/temporary satellite antenna rig, I have need of using a >> UHF preamp, which I have strapped to the tripod that holds and aims my >> Arrow antenna. I find that my FT847 is just not as sensitive on 70 CM as >> it is on 2M. I have been using an ARR (Advanced Receiver Research ) >> SP432VDG which is supposed to have a maximum power pass through imitation >> of 25watts. I try to be pretty careful as to how much output I run through >> the thing, maybe limiting to 15 watts or so. Unfortunately, I have blown >> the preamp out several times, even with being conscious of the RF level. I >> sent the pre to them, they repaired and sent back. I recently discovered >> that I had blown my unit again. Symptom is that it adds noise to the >> output, but does not amplify any signals coming into it from the antenna. >> I have sent the unit in to ARR in the past for repair. This time I am >> contemplating replacing this one with a more robust device that might be >> able to handle more RF running through it (RF sensing means you will still >> hit the device with an instantaneous burst of RF before the internal relays >> kick in. >> >> >> >> A friend has confided that he has the higher power version of the ARR >> Preamps, but has had similar problems with killing the things. Thus I am >> in the market for maybe another option. While I oft times, will stroll >> over to the antenna tripod, and barrel off the cables going to and from the >> preamp to bypass completely from the transmit chain, this is kind of a >> pain, even in a portable situation. >> >> >> >> I looked at M2s web site and can find a 2 Meter amp, but no 70CM (Might >> be missing something. I have heard a lot of good things on the SSB >> preamps, but the only pace I can see them being sold, is Dolstra in >> Europe. Don’t see a US vendor. >> >> >> >> Looking for suggestions. I would be interested in buying pre-owned, if >> someone had a Preamp that would like a new home. >> >> >> >> I do have a question for Yaesu FT847 users. With that radio, you can >> power a Preamp via the built in Bia- T power inserter, And assume that when >> this mode is turned on, it cuts the inserted DC to the preamp as the >> tranciever goes into transmit. Does this work fast enough to protect, even >> RF switched preamps? That might be a good safety measure as I have >> traditionally used external DC to power my preamps. >> >> >> >> Wisdom from the cloud here would be much appreciated. >> >> . >> >> Tom Schuessler, N5HYP >> >> >> ----------------------------------------------------------- >> >> 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. >> Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at >> https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ >> >> View archives of this mailing list at >> https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org >> Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at >> https://mailman.amsat.org >> >> >> ----------------------------------------------------------- >> >> 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. >> Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at >> https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ >> >> View archives of this mailing list at >> https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org >> Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at >> https://mailman.amsat.org > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > 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. > Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org

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Re: UHF preamps
by Paul Andrews 28 Dec '22

28 Dec '22

The 70cm band is hamonically related to the 2m band. 2m into 70cm 3rd harmonic interference is more likely than 70cm into 2m. Happy New Year. 73 - Paul - W2HRO On Wed, Dec 28, 2022, 10:00 tjschuessler--- via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > I do not believe it is RF from the 2 Meter transmit that is leaking into > the antenna side, as I run a duplexer in front of the preamp input. 70 CM > portion of arrow through a duplexer with only the 70 cm signal passing > through that duplexer. I do the same on the 2 Meter side. This > arrangement almost totally eliminates any de-sense of the RX on 70 CM from > 2 M transmit. > > > > *From:* Paul Andrews <w2hro.fn20(a)gmail.com> > *Sent:* Tuesday, December 27, 2022 9:02 AM > *To:* tjschuessler(a)verizon.net > *Cc:* AMSAT-BB <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> > *Subject:* Re: [AMSAT-BB] UHF preamps > > > > Tom, > > > > Are you relying on the transmit RF sensing feature of this 432 MHz > preamp? RF sensing can be unreliable. You might use the FT-847's RF amp > enable output to trigger the external preamps. > > > > Another thought. It is possible that your 2m transmit signal is leaking > into the input of the 70cm preamp. It's likely that significant coupling > is occurring at the arrow antenna. > > > > You might consider using separate preamps and isolating relays. > > > > 73 - Paul - W2HRO > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, Dec 26, 2022 at 11:32 PM tjschuessler--- via AMSAT-BB < > amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > For my portable/temporary satellite antenna rig, I have need of using a > UHF preamp, which I have strapped to the tripod that holds and aims my > Arrow antenna. I find that my FT847 is just not as sensitive on 70 CM as > it is on 2M. I have been using an ARR (Advanced Receiver Research ) > SP432VDG which is supposed to have a maximum power pass through imitation > of 25watts. I try to be pretty careful as to how much output I run through > the thing, maybe limiting to 15 watts or so. Unfortunately, I have blown > the preamp out several times, even with being conscious of the RF level. I > sent the pre to them, they repaired and sent back. I recently discovered > that I had blown my unit again. Symptom is that it adds noise to the > output, but does not amplify any signals coming into it from the antenna. > I have sent the unit in to ARR in the past for repair. This time I am > contemplating replacing this one with a more robust device that might be > able to handle more RF running through it (RF sensing means you will still > hit the device with an instantaneous burst of RF before the internal relays > kick in. > > > > A friend has confided that he has the higher power version of the ARR > Preamps, but has had similar problems with killing the things. Thus I am > in the market for maybe another option. While I oft times, will stroll > over to the antenna tripod, and barrel off the cables going to and from the > preamp to bypass completely from the transmit chain, this is kind of a > pain, even in a portable situation. > > > > I looked at M2s web site and can find a 2 Meter amp, but no 70CM (Might be > missing something. I have heard a lot of good things on the SSB preamps, > but the only pace I can see them being sold, is Dolstra in Europe. Don’t > see a US vendor. > > > > Looking for suggestions. I would be interested in buying pre-owned, if > someone had a Preamp that would like a new home. > > > > I do have a question for Yaesu FT847 users. With that radio, you can > power a Preamp via the built in Bia- T power inserter, And assume that when > this mode is turned on, it cuts the inserted DC to the preamp as the > tranciever goes into transmit. Does this work fast enough to protect, even > RF switched preamps? That might be a good safety measure as I have > traditionally used external DC to power my preamps. > > > > Wisdom from the cloud here would be much appreciated. > > . > > Tom Schuessler, N5HYP > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > 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. > Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org > > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > 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. > Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org

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FT-818ND and FTM-400XDR will be discontinued
by Alan 28 Dec '22

28 Dec '22

From John Kruk, national sales manager, so it is official and not a rumor: ANNOUNCEMENT - Dec.28th, 2022 Please be informed that the production of the FT-818ND and FTM-400XDR will be discontinued. We are forced to make this unfortunate decision due to difficulty we are having with the availability of some components. We appreciate your long-term patronage of the FT-818ND and FTM-400XDR. There seem to be some of both available, or in the pipeline. 73, Alan WA4SCA ----------------------------------- The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present - and is gravely to be regarded. President Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Re: UHF preamps
by Paul Andrews 28 Dec '22

28 Dec '22

Tom, Are you relying on the transmit RF sensing feature of this 432 MHz preamp? RF sensing can be unreliable. You might use the FT-847's RF amp enable output to trigger the external preamps. Another thought. It is possible that your 2m transmit signal is leaking into the input of the 70cm preamp. It's likely that significant coupling is occurring at the arrow antenna. You might consider using separate preamps and isolating relays. 73 - Paul - W2HRO On Mon, Dec 26, 2022 at 11:32 PM tjschuessler--- via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > For my portable/temporary satellite antenna rig, I have need of using a > UHF preamp, which I have strapped to the tripod that holds and aims my > Arrow antenna. I find that my FT847 is just not as sensitive on 70 CM as > it is on 2M. I have been using an ARR (Advanced Receiver Research ) > SP432VDG which is supposed to have a maximum power pass through imitation > of 25watts. I try to be pretty careful as to how much output I run through > the thing, maybe limiting to 15 watts or so. Unfortunately, I have blown > the preamp out several times, even with being conscious of the RF level. I > sent the pre to them, they repaired and sent back. I recently discovered > that I had blown my unit again. Symptom is that it adds noise to the > output, but does not amplify any signals coming into it from the antenna. > I have sent the unit in to ARR in the past for repair. This time I am > contemplating replacing this one with a more robust device that might be > able to handle more RF running through it (RF sensing means you will still > hit the device with an instantaneous burst of RF before the internal relays > kick in. > > > > A friend has confided that he has the higher power version of the ARR > Preamps, but has had similar problems with killing the things. Thus I am > in the market for maybe another option. While I oft times, will stroll > over to the antenna tripod, and barrel off the cables going to and from the > preamp to bypass completely from the transmit chain, this is kind of a > pain, even in a portable situation. > > > > I looked at M2s web site and can find a 2 Meter amp, but no 70CM (Might be > missing something. I have heard a lot of good things on the SSB preamps, > but the only pace I can see them being sold, is Dolstra in Europe. Don’t > see a US vendor. > > > > Looking for suggestions. I would be interested in buying pre-owned, if > someone had a Preamp that would like a new home. > > > > I do have a question for Yaesu FT847 users. With that radio, you can > power a Preamp via the built in Bia- T power inserter, And assume that when > this mode is turned on, it cuts the inserted DC to the preamp as the > tranciever goes into transmit. Does this work fast enough to protect, even > RF switched preamps? That might be a good safety measure as I have > traditionally used external DC to power my preamps. > > > > Wisdom from the cloud here would be much appreciated. > > . > > Tom Schuessler, N5HYP > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > 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. > Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at > https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at > https://mailman.amsat.org >

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Re: Leo Pack issue
by Jim_WØNBC 27 Dec '22

27 Dec '22

A friend had an issue also and he said the phasing cable were marked wrong. Not sure if that is your issue. Jim, W0NBC. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 10:59 AM, markemorris via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: Hello All, I recently assembled and mounted M2 LEO-Pack antenna system. Problem: The 2 meter SWR was impacted significantly "after" the antenna was mounted to the boom and phasing lines, coax, and peripheral wiring was secured. (The 70 centimeter side was not impacted.) I'm confident that adjustments to the shorting bars will bring the antenna back into resonance. Question: What's the best way to make the adjustments and perform the tests? Obviously I have both horizontal and vertical entities to adjust. Is there a sequence that I should follow? Any input is greatly appreciated. Warm wishes for a safe and healthy holiday season. Kind Regards best 73sMark Morris N3NJ ----------------------------------------------------------- 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. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org

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Leo Pack issue
by markemorris 27 Dec '22

27 Dec '22

Hello All,I recently assembled and mounted M2 LEO-Pack antenna system. Problem: The 2 meter SWR was impacted significantly "after" the antenna was mounted to the boom and phasing lines, coax, and peripheral wiring was secured. (The 70 centimeter side was not impacted.)I'm confident that adjustments to the shorting bars will bring the antenna back into resonance. Question: What's the best way to make the adjustments and perform the tests? Obviously I have both horizontal and vertical entities to adjust. Is there a sequence that I should follow? Any input is greatly appreciated. Warm wishes for a safe and healthy holiday season. Kind Regards best 73sMark Morris N3NJ

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2022-12-27 16:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 27 Dec '22

27 Dec '22

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2022-12-27 16:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: TBD The crossband repeater continues to be active. If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know. ####################################################################################################################################### Comments on making general contacts I have been seeing a lot of traffic on Facebook and I suspect on other social media sites with people asking why they are not hearing the crew make general contacts. First off the crew is very busy on the ISS and they simply may not have the time to just pick up the microphone and talk. Also, one needs to be aware of their normal daily schedule. I have listed below the constraints that we at ARISS have to follow in order to schedule the school contacts. Hopefully this will help you better schedule your opportunities. Typical daily schedule Wakeup to Workday start= 1.5 hours Workday start to Workday end=12 hours Workday end to Sleep= 2 hours Sleep to wakeup= 8.5 hours The crew's usual waking period is 0730 - 1930 UTC. The most common times to find a crew member making casual periods are about one hour after waking and before sleeping, when they have personal time. They're usually free most of the weekend, as well. SSTV events are not that often. So please check out https://www.ariss.org/ for the latest information or watch for the ARISS announcements. And don’t forget that the packet system is active. As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol. The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html ######################################################################################################################################## A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. **************************************************************************************************************************************** ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements at https://www.ariss.org/ The following schools have now been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19: Postponed: No new schools Cancelled: No new schools **************************************************************************************************************************************** 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 2022-12-27 16:30 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. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2022-12-17 02:00 UTC. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. The main page for Applying to Host a Scheduled Contact may be found at https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (United States) Call for Proposals The proposal window for US schools and educational organizations to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS for contacts to be scheduled for July 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 has closed. Watch for the next opportunity for proposals for the first half of 2024 sometime in the springtime period of 2023. (***) Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. For future proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Webinars, go to www.ariss.org. 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 (STEAM) 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. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ARISS Contact Applications (Europe, Africa and the Middle East) Schools and Youth organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East interested in setting up an ARISS radio contact with an astronaut on board the International Space Station are invited to submit an application from September to October and from February to April. Please refer to details and the application form at www.ariss-eu.org/school-contacts. Applications should be addressed by email to: school.selection.manager(a)ariss-eu.org ARISS Contact Applications (Canada, Central and South America, Asia and Australia and Russia) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Organizations outside the United States can apply for an ARISS contact by filling out an application. Please direct questions to the appropriate regional representative listed below. If your country is not specifically listed, send your questions to the nearest ARISS Region listed. If you are unsure which address to use, please send your question to the ARISS-Canada representative; they will forward your question to the appropriate coordinator. For the application, go to: https://www.ariss.org/ariss-application.html. ARISS-Canada and the Americas, except USA: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD email to: ve3tbd(a)gmail.com ARISS-Japan, Asia, Pacific and Australia: Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ email to: ariss(a)iaru-r3.org, Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) https://www.jarl.org/ ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) https://srr.ru/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* 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 https://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? Please note that the HamTV system has been brought back to earth for troubleshooting. Please monitor ARISS-EU or ARISS-ON for the very latest news on the troubleshooting efforts. 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 The HamTV webpage: https://www.amsat-on.be/hamtv-summary/ **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulates the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Sergey RV3DR with 193 Francesco IKØWGF with 149 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 148 Gaston ON4WF with 124 Peter IN3GHZ with 115 Steve VE3TBD 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. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1596. Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1505. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 48. Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: South Dakota, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: https://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, FXØISS, GB1SS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correcti… Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 68 on orbit Sergey Prokopyev Francisco Rubio Dimitri Petelin SpaceX Crew-5 on orbit Josh Cassada KI5CRH Nicole Mann Anna Kikina Koichi Wakata KI5TMN **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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AMSAT-BB December 2022