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Mode B equipment for eagle (fwd)
by McGrane 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

Greetings- considering the recent discussion regarding Eagle modes, I thought I would repost this question for any answers. Will I be able to use traditional SSB gear for Eagle mode B? I have recently combined an Azimuth rotator and a cheap TV rotator for elevation adjustments using short beams but can upgrade the antennas later. Thanks in advance for any replies, pat n2oeq ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 07:46:45 -0400 (EDT) From: McGrane <tmcgrane(a)suffolk.lib.ny.us> To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Mode B equipment for eagle Greetings In the past couple of years, I have set up a very cheap satellite station for mode B. I had a 2 meter all-mode mobile rig (FT480R) I paid 50 dollars for connected to a cushcraft 4 element Yagi beam. I purchased a 70 centimeter FT790RII for $125 and made a homebrew 8 element Yagi. Antennas are monted on single azimuth rotator mast and angled up about 10 degrees. This setup works extremely well for hamsat (VO-52). Now, going from LEO hamsat to HEO Eagle, I will probably have to make a longer UHF yagi and add an amplifier, Also a longer VHF beam. I already have a mirage 2 meter amp with built in preamp. If the coax is short as it is now, I can use the amp's preamp. I saw a reference in one of the flurry of emails mentioning a 1KW ERP SSB station for eagle. Right now, for UHF, I'm at about 250 watts ERP. Either adding an amp or making a new antenna will bring me up to 1KW ERP or more. Am I on the right path? Will I be able to add to this equipment to work Eagle or will something totally new be required for mode B ? Thanks for ideas, Patrick N2OEQ

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Re: Why do the amsats get more and more complex?
by G0MRF＠aol.com 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

In a message dated 9/20/2006 2:29:17 AM GMT Standard Time, w9ae(a)charter.net writes: 3. Eagle plans to have a backup analog transponder path in case the software-defined transponder fails. Hi Wayne. >From several e-mails in the past week it is clear that Eagle WILL NOT have an analog back up. The best we can hope for is a redundant DSP / SDX which means any inherent weakness will cause both to fail. Regards David

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Problem with Wisp (View-Dir)
by N6FO - Jim Cottle 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

Hi there, I hope that this newbie issue is not too annoying. I have read the AMSAT digital guide, reinstalled WiSP on my Windows XP computer in the C:\ root directory and have successfully read and requested files from GO-32 (with success). Both GSC and MSPE seem to work as they should. Try as I might however, when I use the program View-Dir, I see NOTHING!. I know the files are there, because I can read them individually (like message files and the MSPE header file for the directory). They are also in their proper directory structures (for AO-51 and GO-32) Anyone out there have a clue as to why View-Dir in my installation cannot actually see the PHF (I think that is the extension) info in the directory file? Makes housekeeping impossible. Any clues or anyone else have this sort of issue that they eventually resolved? Thanks in advance. Feel free to email me directly, or respond here (as appropriate for others). I look forward to learning why View-Dir has such a peculiar issue on my installation. thanks again. 73 Jim N6FO Many thanks to Dave G1OCN for help in navigating some annoying difficulties....THANKS ELMO..;).

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Doppler tuning on older radios
by Lars Petersen 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

Hello group, My Kenwood TM-455E (70cm all-mode transceiver) has no RS-232 interface, but it can be controlled in steps of 10 Hz using the microphone's up/down buttons. What software/interface do I need to add automatic doppler tuning? 73, OZ1BXM Lars, Holstebro, Denmark, AMSAT #36222

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OOPS - for N2NHN
by Gene Marks WB2LLP 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

John, You had a good signal into AO-51 at 1100 EDST. Several people tried to call you, but apparently you did not hear them. Good luck with your receive problem. 73 de WB2LLP My apologies to N5AFV for a head/finger problem.

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For N5AFV
by Gene Marks WB2LLP 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

John, You had a good signal into SO-51 this noon and several people tried to call you. Good luck with your receive problem. 73 de WB2LLP

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Re: SO-50 1900 pass
by John Mock KD6PAG 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

> Tried with a handheld with a whip, heard a couple calls but couldn't make > them out. Anyone have success with a like setup? I used to work AO-27 routinely with a long rubber duck, but i cheated a bit. Most often, i'd use a chain link fence (otherwise a large street lamp pole) as a reflector. I'd try to keep the radio about 1/4 of a 2 meter wavelenth from the fence (which 3/4 of a wavelength at 70cm). It made a big difference compared to operating in open space. One time, i worked both Alaska and Hawaii from the parking structure of the Walnut Creek BART station with a long rubber duck and metal fence as a reflector, and i think it was even on low power. This is not a beginner-type thing to do, but with a good path and a good radio, sometimes it can be made to work. Don't do this without a full duplex dual-bander or two radio, as otherwise you are very likely to cause QRM and make sure you can copy callsigns before transmitting!!! ID as QRP, as then folks may also help you out. 73's and good luck. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) P.S. SO-50 have been fairly quiet lately and more usage would be appreciated even on transcontinental passes. [Note: If i'm in your address book, please replace 'qsl.net' with 'amsat.org'.]

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Activity from Hawaii
by John W Lee 20 Sep '06

20 Sep '06

Hello All, Ron, W6ZQ, advises me that he and Rick, WH6FC will be active on SO-50 and AO-51 for the next week or two from Hawaii. They are on the big island now, BK28 and BK29. Ron will be going to Maui next week for a week or two, BL10, BL20, BL21. Good hunting ! Check those westerly passes ! 73, John K6YK

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Re: SO50
by Wayne Estes 19 Sep '06

19 Sep '06

David M0ZLB/KG4ZLB wrote: Bit of a "performance" reconfiguring for the switch on tone and then switching back for the shortish pass! Guess that's why it seems unused over here, no-one can be bothered! Wayne replies: Switching between the two tones can be done with a single mouse click if you control your radio with SatPC32 (version 12.3 or newer). Yes, it can be a nuisance if you have to push a bunch of buttons on your radio to switch tones. But the transponder stays active for 10 minutes, plenty of time to fumble with buttons AND make a few contacts. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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PO-28 SK
by Kyle Yoksh 19 Sep '06

19 Sep '06

Thanks for the link, Pat. I have been asking for quite some time for an update, ANY update on this bird. Here is the post for those who may have missed it: AMSAT-UK -- POSAT Written by G3YJO Monday, 18 September 2006 Following the recent kind agreement of Consórcio SAT, the owners of PoSAT (PO28 or 1993-061D) which was launched on the Ariane V59 from Kourou on the 26th September 1993, work has been progressing at SSTL and the Surrey Space Centre to switch transponder frequencies to the amateur satellite service to serve as a voice FM transponder for use by all radio amateurs worldwide. Unfortunately, recent investigations now indicate that the PoSAT onboard NiCd batteries are showing the effects of 12 years in orbit and the approx 100,000 charge /discharge cycles to which they have subjected and are no longer holding sufficient charge to operate the downlinks. This may mean that, sadly after all, it will not be possible for the satellite to be made available for amateur use. We fully understand the benefits that PO28 would offer radio amateurs and work is continuing at Surrey to see if there is any way to revive this 'old lady'. Watch this space for further updates. Martin Sweeting G3YJO --- Original Message --- Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2006 09:29:29 -0400 (EDT) From: McGrane Subject: [amsat-bb] POSAT, PO-28 To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Greetings To G3YJO, Martin Regarding PO-28 and the NICAD batteries; Could the satellite operate independant of the batteries in sunlight? reference: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ thanks, pat n2oeq

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