January 2024 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by Nick 09 Jan '24

09 Jan '24

After researching around alot more and looking further at the schematic, the KR5600 controller would require me to add a starting cap to the azimuth side of the controller in order to use my KR400 azimuth rotator with it (as the KR600X has limit switches and therefore does not have the starting caps in the controller). I however have just ordered a used G5400B and will be putting a 100v 100uf cap on the elevation side and it will work fine as N8DEU has stated. Thank you for the help guys on this confusing issue. Nick KE8AKW

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Re: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by Nick 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Tim N8DEU, That is great info to know that I can use a G5400 box by simply just adding a 100uf cap to the elevation side for my KR 5400 rotator system, I will keep that in mind! However my question I would still like to know (for our electrical engineers out there) is will a KR-5600 rotator box will work with my KR 5400 system. Attached is the manual for both showing the schematics of both boxes. It seems to me they are both basically the same (according to my very basic schematic knowledge). Nick KE8AKW

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ARISS News Release No. 24-01
by David Jordan 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

ARISS News Release No. 24-01 DaveJordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn(a)amsat.org FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE Message to US Educators Amateur Radio on theInternational Space Station Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals New Proposal Window is January 8, 2024 – February 29, 2024 January 8, 2024--- The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program isseeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations,individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crewmember on board the ISS. ARISS anticipatesthat the contact would be held between July 1, 2024 and December 31,2024. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contactdates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking fororganizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate thecontact into a well-developed education plan. The deadlineto submit a proposal is February 29, 2024. Proposal information and moredetails such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can befound at www.ariss.org.An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on January 17 at 7 PMET. The Zoom link to sign up is: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrc-qsrD0pGNLBvhR_2p5O9uTeRzO0u4… The Opportunity Crew membersaboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled AmateurRadio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length andallow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answersession. An ARISScontact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio betweenastronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms andcommunities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learnfirsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and tolearn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have anopportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, andradio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity ofscheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrateflexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radioorganizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies inRussia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with thisopportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide theequipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on theISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio. Please directany questions to education(a)ariss-usa.org . About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) isa cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the spaceagencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States,sponsors are the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Amateur Radio DigitalCommunications (ARDC), Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), NASA’sSpace Communications and Navigation program (SCaN) and the ISS NationalLab—Space Station Explorers. The primary goal of ARISS is to promoteexploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematicstopics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radiobetween crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radiocontacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-onlearning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. Formore information, see http://www.ariss.org . Media Contact: Dave Jordan,AA4KN ARISS PR Find us onsocial media at: Twitter:ARISS_Intl Facebook:facebook.com/ARISSIntl Instagram:ariss_intl Mastodon: ariss_intl(a)mastodon.hams.social Check out ARISSon Youtube.com.

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Re: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by mikflathead＠aol.com 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

I have had success in the past with dc caps wired + to +. Mike On Monday, January 8, 2024 at 10:23:19 AM EST, Joseph B. Fitzgerald via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: Appropriate capacitors are often marketed as "motor start capacitors" or "motor run capacitors" and your local supplier of building air conditioner parts likely stocks them. Here is an Australian stocking distributor that has one for about 14 Aussie dollars: https://www.motiondynamics.com.au/100-125f-250v-motor-start-capacitor.html de KM1P Joe ----------------------------------------------------------- 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/amsat-bb@amsat.org 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: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by Joseph B. Fitzgerald 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Appropriate capacitors are often marketed as "motor start capacitors" or "motor run capacitors" and your local supplier of building air conditioner parts likely stocks them. Here is an Australian stocking distributor that has one for about 14 Aussie dollars: https://www.motiondynamics.com.au/100-125f-250v-motor-start-capacitor.html de KM1P Joe

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Re: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by Chris Hodgeman 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

David Have you tried Alibaba? I just had a quick look and saw these. https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/100uf-100v-Aluminum-Electrolytic-Cap… 100uf 100v Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor 100uf/100v Capacitor 10*17 20% - Buy 100uf 100v Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor,100uf/100v Capacitor,Electrolytic Capacitor Product on Alibaba.com alibaba.com Cheers Chris VR2ZSS/VK4AX > On 8 Jan 2024, at 5:28 PM, David Hopkins via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > > Gentlemen, > Our radio club is in the process of designing rotator control boxes. > > We intend to have touch screen LCD's along with other niceties. > Our biggest problem is finding the 100uF AC capacitors to do the job. > All the ones we can find in this part of the world a 415V rating, very large and expensive. > > Does anyone know of a supply of the capacitors that Yaseu use in their rotators? > The working voltage needs to be only about 70V AC and thus much smaller than the normal motor start capacitors. > > Any advice would be appreciated. > > Thanks > David (VK4ZF) > > > > On 2024-01-08 2:38 pm, Tim N8DEU via AMSAT-BB wrote: >> I have used a Yaesu G-5400B controller box with my KenPro KR-400 elevation rotor for years at Field Day. You must add a 100uF capacitor between elevation terminal pins 4 and 5 on the back of the Yaesu G-5400B control unit to control the KenPro elevation rotor. The capacitor can be placed inside or outside of the control box. For convenience of removal, I chose to wire the capacitor externally and tie-wrapped the "FLUX" capacitor to the AC cord (picture attached). If you can see the picture, you may get a chuckle on how I labelled the capacitor. That always makes a great conversation piece at Field Day when explaining how signals get into space... >> >> Yaesu decided to move the capacitor from the Yaesu G-5400B control box to the elevation rotor housing. This is the reason the Yaesu G-5400B control box does not work with the KenPro elevation rotor. The Yaesu G-5400B controller does not contain the 100uF capacitor and the KenPro elevation rotor does not host the capacitor either. Whereas, the Yaesu elevation rotor does have the capacitor installed inside of it. >> >> The KenPro KR-400 is well known to have melted motor windings if the motor is allowed to run to the limit and the motor is not turned off. There are no limit switches to protect the KenPro motor. The limit switches were added to the Yaesu elevation rotor design. Back in the 1990's, I rewound the melted motor coils by hand. I would not recommend this unless you know what you are doing or you like to tinker. >> >> I have repaired the 5V regulator, coils, OpAmps, the transformer, and some lights on the meters over the years. Concerning the transformer, I actually used two separate transformers purchased from Radio Shack to provide the 2 voltage outputs at a fraction of the cost compared to the supplier. Both replacement transformers fit perfectly inside the control box. Radio Shack was such a great source of inexpensive parts to keep my Yaesu and KenPro Az/El rotors working. I really miss Radio Shack for the convenience. >> >> <Flux_Capacitor.jpg> >> >> >> >> 73, >> >> Tim Cunningham - N8DEU >> >> From: Nick via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> <mailto:amsat-bb@amsat.org> >> Sent: Sunday, January 7, 2024 3:53 PM >> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:amsat-bb@amsat.org> <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> <mailto:amsat-bb@amsat.org> >> Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility >> >> Hi all, >> I have a Kenpro KR-5400A Rotator system (KR-400 Azimuth Rotator, and KR-500 Elevation Rotator) and unfortunately the elevation side of the KR-5400A Control box is not working. I have been looking for a replacement KR-5400A control box with no luck yet but have come across a few KR-5600A Control Boxes for sale; my question for anyone that knows, is the KR-5600 Control box compatible with the KR-5400A Rotator system? To my knowledge the only difference between the KR-5400 and KR-5600 rotator systems is that the azimuth rotator on the KR-5600 is a KR-600X which is a slightly stronger rotator and it has limit switches where as the KR-400 rotator does not have limit switches in the rotator. I know that the Yaesu control boxes will not work with the Kenpro rotators without modification due to the starting caps being in the rotators rather then in the control boxes for the kenpros. >> >> Thanks Nick KE8AKW >> >> >> ----------------------------------------------------------- >> >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <http://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/amsat-bb@amsat.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org <http://amsat.org/> >> Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org <https://mailman.amsat.org/> > -- > Definitely not sent from an I-Phone > > David G Hopkins (VK4ZF) > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <http://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/amsat-bb@amsat.org > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org <http://amsat.org/> > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org <https://mailman.amsat.org/>

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Re: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by David Hopkins 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Gentlemen, Our radio club is in the process of designing rotator control boxes. We intend to have touch screen LCD's along with other niceties. Our biggest problem is finding the 100uF AC capacitors to do the job. All the ones we can find in this part of the world a 415V rating, very large and expensive. Does anyone know of a supply of the capacitors that Yaseu use in their rotators? The working voltage needs to be only about 70V AC and thus much smaller than the normal motor start capacitors. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks David (VK4ZF) On 2024-01-08 2:38 pm, Tim N8DEU via AMSAT-BB wrote: > I have used a Yaesu G-5400B controller box with my KenPro KR-400 > elevation rotor for years at Field Day. You must add a 100uF capacitor > between elevation terminal pins 4 and 5 on the back of the Yaesu > G-5400B control unit to control the KenPro elevation rotor. The > capacitor can be placed inside or outside of the control box. For > convenience of removal, I chose to wire the capacitor externally and > tie-wrapped the "FLUX" capacitor to the AC cord (picture attached). If > you can see the picture, you may get a chuckle on how I labelled the > capacitor. That always makes a great conversation piece at Field Day > when explaining how signals get into space... > > Yaesu decided to move the capacitor from the Yaesu G-5400B control box > to the elevation rotor housing. This is the reason the Yaesu G-5400B > control box does not work with the KenPro elevation rotor. The Yaesu > G-5400B controller does not contain the 100uF capacitor and the KenPro > elevation rotor does not host the capacitor either. Whereas, the Yaesu > elevation rotor does have the capacitor installed inside of it. > > The KenPro KR-400 is well known to have melted motor windings if the > motor is allowed to run to the limit and the motor is not turned off. > There are no limit switches to protect the KenPro motor. The limit > switches were added to the Yaesu elevation rotor design. Back in the > 1990's, I rewound the melted motor coils by hand. I would not > recommend this unless you know what you are doing or you like to tinker. > > I have repaired the 5V regulator, coils, OpAmps, the transformer, and > some lights on the meters over the years. Concerning the transformer, > I actually used two separate transformers purchased from Radio Shack > to provide the 2 voltage outputs at a fraction of the cost compared to > the supplier. Both replacement transformers fit perfectly inside the > control box. Radio Shack was such a great source of inexpensive parts > to keep my Yaesu and KenPro Az/El rotors working. I really miss Radio > Shack for the convenience. > > > > > > 73, > > Tim Cunningham - N8DEU > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > *From:* Nick via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > *Sent:* Sunday, January 7, 2024 3:53 PM > *To:* amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > *Subject:* [AMSAT-BB] Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility > Hi all, > I have a Kenpro KR-5400A Rotator system (KR-400 Azimuth Rotator, and > KR-500 Elevation Rotator) and unfortunately the elevation side of the > KR-5400A Control box is not working. I have been looking for a > replacement KR-5400A control box with no luck yet but have come across > a few KR-5600A Control Boxes for sale; my question for anyone that > knows, is the KR-5600 Control box compatible with the KR-5400A Rotator > system? To my knowledge the only difference between the KR-5400 and > KR-5600 rotator systems is that the azimuth rotator on the KR-5600 is > a KR-600X which is a slightly stronger rotator and it has limit > switches where as the KR-400 rotator does not have limit switches in > the rotator. I know that the Yaesu control boxes will not work with > the Kenpro rotators without modification due to the starting caps > being in the rotators rather then in the control boxes for the kenpros. > > Thanks Nick KE8AKW > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > > 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 athttps://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/ > > View archives of this mailing list at > https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org > To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org > Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences athttps://mailman.amsat.org -- Definitely not sent from an I-Phone David G Hopkins (VK4ZF)

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Re: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by mikflathead＠aol.com 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Have you tried swapping the elevation to the azimuth to see if that works? Could it be in the box? Just a thought. On Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 08:09:15 PM EST, Nick via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: The control box is showing the elevation meter is fully deflected right on the meter (180 degrees) when it's actually 0 degrees and the elevation rotator does not move when Up or Down is pressed. However, I can confirm the control box is putting out about 32v AC to the rotator via pins 4 to 6 and 5 to 6 when Up or Down is depressed. On Sun, Jan 7, 2024, 4:58 PM mikflathead(a)aol.com <mikflathead(a)aol.com> wrote: What is the control box not doing. They are not that complicated. On Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 04:54:07 PM EST, Nick via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: Hi all,I have a Kenpro KR-5400A Rotator system (KR-400 Azimuth Rotator, and KR-500 Elevation Rotator) and unfortunately the elevation side of the KR-5400A Control box is not working. I have been looking for a replacement KR-5400A control box with no luck yet but have come across a few KR-5600A Control Boxes for sale; my question for anyone that knows, is the KR-5600 Control box compatible with the KR-5400A Rotator system? To my knowledge the only difference between the KR-5400 and KR-5600 rotator systems is that the azimuth rotator on the KR-5600 is a KR-600X which is a slightly stronger rotator and it has limit switches where as the KR-400 rotator does not have limit switches in the rotator. I know that the Yaesu control boxes will not work with the Kenpro rotators without modification due to the starting caps being in the rotators rather then in the control boxes for the kenpros. Thanks Nick KE8AKW ----------------------------------------------------------- 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/amsat-bb@amsat.org 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/amsat-bb@amsat.org 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: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by Tim N8DEU 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

I have used a Yaesu G-5400B controller box with my KenPro KR-400 elevation rotor for years at Field Day. You must add a 100uF capacitor between elevation terminal pins 4 and 5 on the back of the Yaesu G-5400B control unit to control the KenPro elevation rotor. The capacitor can be placed inside or outside of the control box. For convenience of removal, I chose to wire the capacitor externally and tie-wrapped the "FLUX" capacitor to the AC cord (picture attached). If you can see the picture, you may get a chuckle on how I labelled the capacitor. That always makes a great conversation piece at Field Day when explaining how signals get into space... Yaesu decided to move the capacitor from the Yaesu G-5400B control box to the elevation rotor housing. This is the reason the Yaesu G-5400B control box does not work with the KenPro elevation rotor. The Yaesu G-5400B controller does not contain the 100uF capacitor and the KenPro elevation rotor does not host the capacitor either. Whereas, the Yaesu elevation rotor does have the capacitor installed inside of it. The KenPro KR-400 is well known to have melted motor windings if the motor is allowed to run to the limit and the motor is not turned off. There are no limit switches to protect the KenPro motor. The limit switches were added to the Yaesu elevation rotor design. Back in the 1990's, I rewound the melted motor coils by hand. I would not recommend this unless you know what you are doing or you like to tinker. I have repaired the 5V regulator, coils, OpAmps, the transformer, and some lights on the meters over the years. Concerning the transformer, I actually used two separate transformers purchased from Radio Shack to provide the 2 voltage outputs at a fraction of the cost compared to the supplier. Both replacement transformers fit perfectly inside the control box. Radio Shack was such a great source of inexpensive parts to keep my Yaesu and KenPro Az/El rotors working. I really miss Radio Shack for the convenience. [cid:5393682d-f700-43f5-b7db-fb09deaf0500] 73, Tim Cunningham - N8DEU ________________________________ From: Nick via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, January 7, 2024 3:53 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility Hi all, I have a Kenpro KR-5400A Rotator system (KR-400 Azimuth Rotator, and KR-500 Elevation Rotator) and unfortunately the elevation side of the KR-5400A Control box is not working. I have been looking for a replacement KR-5400A control box with no luck yet but have come across a few KR-5600A Control Boxes for sale; my question for anyone that knows, is the KR-5600 Control box compatible with the KR-5400A Rotator system? To my knowledge the only difference between the KR-5400 and KR-5600 rotator systems is that the azimuth rotator on the KR-5600 is a KR-600X which is a slightly stronger rotator and it has limit switches where as the KR-400 rotator does not have limit switches in the rotator. I know that the Yaesu control boxes will not work with the Kenpro rotators without modification due to the starting caps being in the rotators rather then in the control boxes for the kenpros. Thanks Nick KE8AKW

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Re: Kenpro KR-5600 Control Box Compatibility
by mikflathead＠aol.com 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

What is the control box not doing. They are not that complicated. On Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 04:54:07 PM EST, Nick via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: Hi all,I have a Kenpro KR-5400A Rotator system (KR-400 Azimuth Rotator, and KR-500 Elevation Rotator) and unfortunately the elevation side of the KR-5400A Control box is not working. I have been looking for a replacement KR-5400A control box with no luck yet but have come across a few KR-5600A Control Boxes for sale; my question for anyone that knows, is the KR-5600 Control box compatible with the KR-5400A Rotator system? To my knowledge the only difference between the KR-5400 and KR-5600 rotator systems is that the azimuth rotator on the KR-5600 is a KR-600X which is a slightly stronger rotator and it has limit switches where as the KR-400 rotator does not have limit switches in the rotator. I know that the Yaesu control boxes will not work with the Kenpro rotators without modification due to the starting caps being in the rotators rather then in the control boxes for the kenpros. Thanks Nick KE8AKW ----------------------------------------------------------- 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/amsat-bb@amsat.org 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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