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TLE data at celestrak.com
by Alexandru Csete 20 Oct '06

20 Oct '06

Greetings, I noticed today that in the TLE data at http://celestrak.com some sort of code has been added to the satellite names, for example: AO-5 [-] 1 04321U 70008B 06291.55431397 -.00000031 00000-0 10000-3 0 7492 2 04321 102.0681 269.7355 0027833 21.2403 338.9816 12.52147306679025 The codes I have seen are [+],[-],[P] and [B]. Moreover, ISS has been renamed to ARISS [+]. The TLE files at http://space-track.org does not have these codes, and ISS is still ISS. Does anybody have an idea of what is going on at celestrak? Can it be something indicating the operational status of the satellite? 73 Alex OZ9AEC

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Gifts to AMSAT via your local United Way
by Gunther Meisse 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

Often, AMSAT members have ask if they can make a contribution to AMSAT via their local United Way drive. I have spoken with Leslie J. Talley, Director, Community and Public Sector Workplace Campaigns at the National U-W office and was informed that there are NO national agencies within U-W. Every agency that wishes to be eligible to receive donations must go through that local U-W campaign office and seek approval. With that in mind, I would encourage anyone who wishes to make such a gift to call their local U-W director and ask if they will allow such a gift. AMSAT does not have the staff to canvas the country and establish these hundreds of relationships. One alternative is to just reduce your U-W gift and write a check to AMSAT. Both are tax deductible as charitable donations. (Check with you individual tax advisor to review your specific circumstances and deductibility). We do continue to be certified by the Combined Federal Campaign so Federal Employees can continue to make annual donations by listing AMSAT CFC #2944 on their pledge form. Regards, Gunther Meisse AMSAT Treasurer W8GSM

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Third Party questionnaire
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

I could use a little help. I'm trying to get an idea of which countries permit third party traffic (communications by an unlicensed person while under the control of a licensed operator). It would appear that the full gambit exists. Some countries do not permit third party with any unlicensed individual. Some countries permit just a select list of countries that they have agreements with and others permit third party traffic with anyone (as long as the other party's country does not prohibit). So, could a few kind souls answer these questions to with accurate information about various countries regulations? 1. Does your country permit third party traffic between stations within your country? 2. Does your country permit third party traffic between your station and a station outside your country? 2a. If so, which ones? 3. Does your country have a link to the regulation regarding third party traffic (please provide)? For example, the answers for the USA would be: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Yes 2. Yes (just specific countries) 2a. Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom (special event stations with call sign prefix GB followed by a number other than 3), Uruguay, and Venezuela. The United Nations also has arrangements with the United States to permit an amateur station regulated by the FCC to exchange messages for a third party with amateur stations 4U1ITU in Geneva, Switzerland, and 4U1VIC in Vienna, Austria 3. http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=about_2&id=amateur#Third% 20Party%20Communications ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Of particular interest are countries that do not prohibit third party at all (like Canada and New Zealand). I'd like to compile a list of these countries in addition to identifying countries that do permit third party traffic with agreements and possibly try to add more countries to their list. This could be very helpful when supporting education events where unlicensed kids might participate. Kenneth - N5VHO

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OY8FT probably a pirate
by OZ1MY 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

Hi all, I have tried to find information about OY8FT, who was working portable from the Faroe Islands. Nobody seem to know him. Not the Faroe Islands "FCC" either. Also I have doubts about TF8A/M. I heard his call sometimes as FT8A/M - but I can not find him in the lists. By the way he spoke Danish. If anybody knows something please send an e-mail. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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OSCAR-11 Heard
by Clive Wallis 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

OSCAR-11 is back! It was first heard by Peter ZL3TC, at 06:23 UTC on October 18, and later by Paul KB5MU. It had been silent since August 26. Many thanks for those reports. Very strong signals today, 19 October, 07:28 UTC pass. If the watchdog cycle continues to operate normally, the 145.826 MHz. beacon should transmit until around 28 October. My website now has the latest telemetry captured 19 October the URL is - www.users.zetnet.co.uk\clivew\ I will now delay my usual monthly report until the end of the month. 73 Clive G3CWV Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK.

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Re: 10' dish radio astronomy?
by Tom Clark, K3IO 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

You might be interested in the SRT (Student Radio Telescope) activity initiated by the Haystack Observatory. Take a look at http://www.haystack.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/index.html. It is based on a 7' (or larger) TVRO dish and the web site contains technical details and suggested projects. About 100 high schools and colleges and a few intrepid amateurs have made SRTs. All the hardware and software for the SRT is open source. Also note the SRT bulletin board at http://www.haystack.mit.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/forum/. For folks who want to purchase SRT hardware, check out http://www.cassicorp.com/; however I note that the last time I checked with Cassi, their delivery times were ~6 months. CASSI makes a nice az-el antenna mount and Haystack has also used the Polish Alfa-Spid rotor (VE6JY and http://www.alfaradio.ca/alfaspid.html). Both use DC motors which provides for high torque at a slow, steady drive speed. You might be interested in the az-el positioning controller for ~24VDC motors -- just click on "Upgraded Ground Controller" at http://www.haystack.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/receiver/Downloadable_Resources.h…. While there, also pick up the Functional Block Diagram to get an idea of the scope of the project. By way of "truth in advertising", I have had a strong professional tie with Haystack and their projects for 35+ years -- especially in VLBI and Geodesy areas (see http://www.haystack.edu/), and I now serve on their Board of Trustees, so don't expect me say anything bad! 73. Tom

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Florida AMSAT Net
by David J 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

The Florida AMSAT Net will meet this Thursday evening at the usual time of 19:30 ET, 23:30 UTC on the West Florida Group Ni4CE repeater system, the Orlando N4HHA repeater at 443.1 MHz, 103.5Hz tone, the N4LEM Cocoa repeater, 147.36 MHz +107.2 PL or connect by echolink to KG4YZY-R. The net's purpose is to provide a platform for hams with amateur satellite interest to meet and discuss topics of interest. All amateurs are invited to join in. Dave, AA4KN

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Re: AO-51 QRP channel
by DOBarrows＠aol.com 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

You had better luck than I did, Pat. Tried again 19 Oct 0140 pass and heard K3BSB but don't think he was hearing the downlink. I put out my call for most of the pass and finally worked VE3IGJ toward the end. For those of you on the list new to handheld operation, I would recommend putting a 70cm preamp in the receive side if you can. I used an Icom IC-R10 last week for receive and put in a SSB electronics SP-7000 preamp powered by two lantern batteries and it made a tremendous difference. I could hear AO51 and SO50 on high passes for a solid 7 or 8 minutes with the arrow antenna indoors in an upstairs room. This preamp is physically bigger than the R10 and the VX5R (uplink radio) put together. Tonight I toted up a FT-726R to receive on (doesn't do pl tones) and the VX5R to transmit with. Again heard a good 7 minutes or more solid with indoor setup. 73, Dave W8IJ In a message dated 10/18/2006 12:21:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, pagreen(a)gmail.com writes: heard 3 stations besides myself on the pass 2 hours ago and managed to use up the whole pass 'chatting' because of the lack of stations. I didn't hear many transmitters without ears on the pass either. I'll be more of the passes this week due to the lack of activity to "tune up" more JOTA stations. Hope to hear you on. 73 de Pat --- KA9SCF. Amsat 35741

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ECC Report 100 - 3.4 GHz Broadband Wireless Access
by Trevor 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

The draft European Radiocommunications Office (ERO) Report 100 on the use of 3.4 GHz for Broadband Wireless Access is now available from the ERO website. The report contains this paragraph: "The band 3400-3475 MHz is also allocated on a secondary basis to the Radio Amateur service in two CEPT countries through RR No. 5.431. Due to the limited use and the status of the allocation to the amateur service, no compatibility study was felt necessary." At the last count there were far more than two CEPT countries with this allocation. Replies to this Consultation must be sent to medeisis(a)ero.dk by the closing date of December 15th, 2006. ERO Consultations: http://www.ero.dk/consultation?frames=0 ERO Draft Report on 3400-3800 MHz http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2006/ero_draft_report.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm --------------- ___________________________________________________________ All new Yahoo! Mail "The new Interface is stunning in its simplicity and ease of use." - PC Magazine http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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big dish
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

Hello I have this 12 foot dish waiting for "something". I want a dual L/S dish system. Given the beamwidth of a 12 footer would be small. What would happen if the feed were placed at a spot other than the focal point? I realize I would be not using the dish to it's full potential. Would that broaden the beam width? I also have a four footer which would be more applicable. I am planning for the next HEO and retirement in six months. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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