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Re: 10' Dish available
by Jason White 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

My first AO-40 downlink antenna (or attempt at one) was a 16' foot TVRO dish I found on the side of the road in rural FL (couldn't beat the price, they were happy to see it go). Making a mount for it was no small accomplishment.With a small helix feed, an AIDC downconverter, and my TS-700A, I could hear the images from the IF in the sat! Well, for about 10 seconds, then I had to repoint the dish.. I had intended to mount the down converter at the feed point but it eventually occured to me that I had enough gain that my converter's LO might make a great transmitter, so fortunately I avoided that problem ahead of time. I eventually concluded the dish was much better for watching C-Band satellite TV and used a 90cm Primestar dish for AO-40 after that :) I used to have a picture of myself napping in the dish like it was a hammock on qrz.com.. It did lend a sort of "Green Bank" atmosphere to my yard as well. 73, Jason N1XBP P.S. - Gunther, you might consider that you've got 4 antenna's available as Bob suggested in an earlier post.. smaller, lighter, and easier to ship. John Champa wrote: > Wow, Gunther! That is a lot of antenna. How are you going point that > monster? Auto-tracking will be required, and when you do that, it had > better be right on the money, and update about every minute or so. > Well, whatever floats your boat. Enjoy! > > Remember, once you can hear the noise floor of the transponder, then > additional gain is, well, not needed very much, let's say (HI). > > I, on the other hand, plan to use the smallest antenna pair I can get > away with. I thought that was the advantage of satellite operating: > 140 foot towers with a stack of monobanders not needed? (HI). > > 73, > John - K8OCL > > > >> From: "Gunther Meisse" <gogm(a)wmfd.com> >> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >> Subject: [amsat-bb] 10' Dish available >> Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:02:24 -0400 >> >> With the coming of the next group of HEO satellites I am checking if >> there >> is any interest in a 10' Weingard mesh dish. It has been taken out of >> service by a local manufacturing company here in central Ohio and has >> been >> taken apart and will be created, ready to be shipped. If you have an >> interest, please contact me at gmouse(a)neo.rr.com >> >> Regards, >> >> Gunther Meisse >> >> W8GSM >> >> >> >> >> >> Gunther (Gog) Meisse >> >> WVNO / WRGM / WMFD >> >> 2900 Park Avenue West >> >> Mansfield, OH 44906 >> >> Ph: 419-529-5900 >> >> Cell: 419-544-8622 >> >> Fax: 419-529-2319 >> >> www.NorthcentralOhio.com >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >> program! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > >

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test,
by Mr Jeffrey L.Ross 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

test

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Matt Ettus
by Robert McGwier 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/oct06/4654 -- AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair "You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat." - Einstein

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Matt Ettus N2MJI, IEEE Spectrum
by Robert McGwier 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

In the October issue of the IEEE Spectrum is a review of GnuRadio and the USRP and in the contents is a picture of Matt with his USRP and some attachments. The article by Stephen Cass is in the "Tools and Toys" section. It is quite favorable and points out what we all know. The software needs to be easier to install and maintain and as always, there needs to be better documentation. The one software module they mention as working is the FM Stereo demodulator I wrote so I am awfully glad we did it. He mentions that he got the TV demodulator going but that its rasterization was as yet, incomplete. We in the process of getting the digital subcarrier demodulated and decoded (RDS) at this moment. This is being done by someone else. This was a thoroughly written, and very positive review for Matt and GnuRadio, both important contributors to Eagle. Matt is the designer of the Advanced Communications Package and, with me, the co-proposer of the current Eagle mechanical concept. Congratulations to Matt of USRP and Eric Blossom of GnuRadio and part of the growing cadre of truly exceptional people working on our spacecraft. Bob N4HY -- AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair "You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat." - Einstein

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2MCP22
by Steve kb9ups 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

Hello All, I have two used 2MCP22 beams and have found that the element lenghts on one are 1" shorter than on the other..Does anyone know if this is a problem or not? Some difference in boom but the same length over all. The elements do not look like they have been cut off..anyone have any clues to the difference? Steve/kb9ups AMSAT area coordinator, Toledo, OH. AMSAT area coordinator, Streator, IL. www.qsl.net/kb9ups _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!

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Retuning surplus 400 MHz Tubular Bandpass Filters in to 435 MHz
by i8cvs 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

Hi, All I got a surplus K&L MICROWAVE ,INC Tubular Bandpass Filters model 3B340-400/16-N75-SMA50 D.C.-8040 of the type described in the following URL http://www.klmicrowave.com/ecommerce/files/Tubular%20Bandpass.pdf The above filter was originally integrated in to a vertical dipole with a low noise preamplifier at 400 MHz and used for the Maritime Satellite MARISAT system between shore and shipboard terminals and the satellite. Many of this filters are still available in the surplus market Code Description 3 numbar of sections B bandpass filter 340 outside diameter 0.75" - 19.05 mm 400 center frequency (MHz) 16 3 dB bandwidth (16 MHz) N75 input connector (see note) SMA50 output connector D.C.8117 D.C. block Note:The input of the filter is fitted with a 75 ohm N female connector to be screwed directly at the dipole ( 75 ohm impedance) Just for curiosity I decided to unscrew both caps with connectors and pull off the filter from the tube in the hope to understand how a Tubular Filter works and I realized that this 3 sections Chebychev response filter is made by a teflon flexible rod in wich are slipped on in sequence coil-capacitor-coil-capacitor-coil The end coils are 2 turns of enameled nr 18 copper wire while the center coil is 3 turns Each concentric capacitor between coils is made with two brass disc as amature with inside a numbar of disc of low loss teflon foils for dielectric. The above filter is wrapped in to a single layer of low loss teflon foil and than it is pushed inside the aluminum pipe. The function of the teflon foil is not trivial because it represent the dielectric to form many small capacitors between each coil and each series capacitor with respect to ground as required by a bandpass Chebychev filter. The aluminum pipe has 3 longitudinal holes each 5.5 mm in diameter and the holes are drilled just in correspondence to the middle of each coil so that the turns are visible from the outside allowing the spacing adjustement possible during tuning at the factory. Since the difference between the original 400 MHz center frequency and our 435 MHz frequency band is very small i.e. between 1/12 and 2/12 of an octave higher i decided to see if spacing the turns a little bit it would be possible to shift the center frequency 35 MHz higher in frequency keeping as well the flatness of the bandpass as in the original filter. The N75 female connector was then removed and replaced with an SMA female connector and the filter was connected via 6 dB 50 ohm attenuators between a HP8444A Tracking Generator and a HP8555A Spectrum Analyzer A small tool made of insulating epoxy G10 for PCBs was shaped in the form and size of a hard and sharp-pointed toothpick with the copper removed from it and it was found to be OK to fine adjust the spacing of the coils. During retuning step by step it was observed that changing the spacing of the central coil it mainly shift up and down the whole band while adjusting the end coils mainly changes the flatness and the shape of the bandpass. In addition it was observed that introducing or removing the insulated tool in to the holes of the filter while spacing the coils it do not change at all the previously made adjustement. If the adjustement of the spacing in the coils is carefully made it will converge with easy to translate the original 400 MHz bandpass center in to the new 435 MHz center frequency with the same flatness in to the same 16 MHz bandwidth as in the original filter. Here are the results after retuning. Center frequency 435 MHz 3 dB bandwidth 16 MHz from 427 to 443 MHz Response 0.05 dB flat from 430 to 441 MHz Insertion loss center frequency 1.5 dB VSWR center frequency 1.5:1 Measured attenuations: MHz dB 270 -60 340 -50 380 -40 400 -30 415 -20 420 -10 427 -3 435 -1.5 (0.05 dB flat from 427 to 443 MHz) 443 -3 450 -10 460 -25 470 -30 480 -40 500 -50 535 -60 560 -70 580 -75 This low loss bandpass filter is very small can handle 40 watt CW continuously and can find many applications where low loss at 435 MHz and high rejection outside the 70 cm band is required. If you find one of this filter in your junk box do not throw this piece of cake out of the window. 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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FCC Part 97 Report and Order - ISS
by Trevor 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

The recent FCC Report and Order (R&O) has a couple of changes relating to Amateur Radio and the ISS. ---- The FCC has issued a Report and Order (R&O) to amend Part 97 of the Amateur Radio Service rules, see http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-149A1.doc The changes to the Amateur Radio Service rules are: . revise the operating privileges of amateur radio operators to allow more spectrum in four currently-authorized amateur service HF bands to be used for voice communications; . permit auxiliary stations to transmit on additional amateur service bands; . permit amateur stations to transmit spread spectrum communications on the 1.25 meter (m) band; . permit amateur stations to retransmit communications from the International Space Station; . permit amateur service licensees to designate the amateur radio club to receive their call sign in memoriam; . prohibit an applicant from filing more than one application for a specific vanity call sign; . eliminate certain restrictions on equipment manufacturers that are no longer necessary; . permit amateur radio stations operating in Alaska and surrounding waters more flexibility in providing emergency communications; and . remove certain restrictions in the amateur service license examination system that are no longer necessary. ---- 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 --------------- ___________________________________________________________ The all-new Yahoo! Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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Re: 2MCP22
by John Champa 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

Steve, Are the elements mounted differently? That could explain the change in length. If they are mounted in the same mechanical fashion, how about the baluns? Are they different? John - K8OCL >From: "Steve kb9ups" <kb9ups(a)excite.com> >Reply-To: kb9ups(a)excite.com >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] 2MCP22 >Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 11:34:35 -0400 (EDT) > > >Hello All, >I have two used 2MCP22 beams and have found that the element lengths on one >are 1" shorter than on the other..Does anyone know if this is a problem or >not? Some difference in boom but the same length over all. The elements do >not look like they have been cut off..anyone have any clues to the >difference? > > >Steve/kb9ups >AMSAT area coordinator, Toledo, OH. >AMSAT area coordinator, Streator, IL. >www.qsl.net/kb9ups > >_______________________________________________ >Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com >The most personalized portal on the Web! > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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PCSAT-1 (NO-44) Special Event Continues
by Robert Bruninga 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

PCSAT-1 remains fully operational as a digipeater on 145.825 up and down using the aliases of PCSAT-1, ARISS, RELAY, WIDE and WIDEn-N and TRACEn-N. Users are welcome to use it and we are seeing about 80 people a day. PCSAT-1 was resetting to W3ADO-1 a few times (the bad default power negative condition), but as long as the SIDE-B system does not reset at the same time, then PCSAT-1 is recoverable and useable. But as long as people do not use the W3ADO-1 path, but use the other ones above instead, then we should be able to keep PCSAT-1 alive for a few more weeks. Enjoy... http://pcsat.aprs.org And http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/pcsat.html de WB4APR, Bob > -----Original Message----- > From: aprssig-bounces(a)lists.tapr.org > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Bruninga > Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 7:43 AM > To: 'TAPR APRS Mailing List' > Subject: [aprssig] PCSAT-1 (NO-44) Special Event Thursday Morn > > PCSAT-1 Special Event (results) > > Thanks to you guys that participated. You may continue to > transmit unattended VIA PCSAT-1 as long as she stays up. The > students were like "wow"... The posits below were shortened by > cutting out the LAT/LONG but many show the statistics we were > after. > > > We'd like to demo PCSAT-1 to students on this Thursday 28 Sept > > at 0923 EDT and 1112 EDT over the eastern USA.... > > 1) Attended stations set posit rate to 2 minutes > > 2) Unattended stations set APRS posit rate to 5 minutes > > 3) Include ur name, TX power and ANT Gain > > RESULTS SUMMARY: Knowing the TX rate and EIRP, it is clear to > See that even 5W HT's can get in with a J-pole (3dB) > > 2 minute rate stations > 50W EIRP 5 hits > 150W EIRP 8 hits > 120W EIRP 4 hits > 10W EIRP 3 hits > > 5 min rate stations > 120W EIRP 2 hits end of pass > 10W EIRP 3 hits > 20W EIRP 1 hit > > Unknown rates > 50W EIRP 1 hit > 40W EIRP 6 hits > 90W EIRP 4 hits > > Here is the raw data W/O LAT/LONG to fit: > > 1 VE3FFR =281329z- (UIV32N) > 5 KC0RWZ-2 =281330z`Brian,2min,25w,3.7dBi,Hi Navy retired > 2 W3ADO-6 @281330zK000/000/TH-D7/M0/Off duty.. > 8 KB1GVR =281331z-2min 50W 5.5dBi omni. Nice work! > 3 WA4AEJ =281331zyDale in Niceville, FL {UISS50} > 4 W1CGA-1 =281331zK_2min,10W,11dBiYagi CGA says Go MIDS > 1 N9IDH-7 @281331z[000/000/TH-D7/M2/In Service > 15N1XED =281331z-73, FROM RIK, FN44ch {UISS50} > 4 VE2FDA =281332z-Francois, 45W, 3db,Go boys {UIV32N} > 2 KI4LMR-3 @281332z>000/000/TH-D7/M0/Off duty../A=-00089 > 6 WA1KAT =281333z-Topsfield,MA 10W collinear > 3 N1CLV-8 =281335zCWayne, 2 min, 5W, 3dbi omni, Go CG! > 13W3ADO-15 /281335z->FM19sa/- unattended use 5 min rate. > 3 N1CLV-8 =281336zCWayne, 5 min, 5W, 3dbi omni, Go CG! > 2 N3ZLL-5 @281339zK000/000/D-700/C1/Custom 1 > 2 W1CGA-1 =281340zK_5min,10W,11dBiYagi CGA says Go MIDS > 1 KB2M-7 @281518zj000/000/D-700/M2/In Service/A=-00072 > 1 W4HFZ =281519z-Chas,25w,3db Omni,Subs Rule!{UIV32N} > 1 W8AAS /281519z]Dave,5min,10W, J-pole > ? N4ZQ-2 no posit > > > > _______________________________________________ > aprssig mailing list > aprssig(a)lists.tapr.org > https://lists.tapr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aprssig >

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Pseudo Keps for the moon
by Isao SEKI 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

Hello, I am using a satellite tracking software for tracking the moon but my pseudo keps was out of date. I'm looking for pseudo keps for the moon because MOONKEPS.EXE doesn't work well for year 2006. Does anyone have other making program or the pseudo keps for the moon? tia, Isao / JM1WBB

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