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Re: Accuracy?
by Reicher, James 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

Enough accuracy to work the satellite. After all, this IS rocket science! :) 73 de N8AU, Jim in Raymore, MO -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Stargate Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 4:30 PM To: Amsat-Bb Subject: [amsat-bb] Accuracy? I guess my question should be....How much accuracy is required for satellite communications? Thanks, RoD KD0XX _______________________________________________ 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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Orbitron vs http://www.n2yo.com/
by Stargate 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

How much of a discrepancy should I see between Orbitron and the online tracker at http://www.n2yo.com/ ?? I notice the Lon/Lat of the ISS's location is a few minutes different between the two. Thanks, RoD KD0XX

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Just got a visual on the ISS!!!!
by Stargate 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

CoooooooL!!! I must have Orbitron set up correctly. I just watched the space station go overhead!!! One SMALL step for me:-) RoD KD0XX

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Important Information about Hotel Reservations
by Emily Clarke 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

It seems like we are running into a similar problem with the Intercontinental Reservation system as we did in Washington and Lafayette. When this happens, people making reservations are told that there are no rooms available. After speaking with the hotel we know what is happening and why, and it is really a bug in the reservation software that affects both the online system and the system the customer service representatives use. It is important to understand how the discounted rate system works in order to reserve your rooms successfully. We have a block of rooms set aside from the 4th through the 10th of October, and the discounted rate code only applies during that period. If you book a room outside that range the reservation software will tell you (or a customer service representative) that there are no rooms available. Here are some additional steps that will guide you to a successful reservation: 1) Make a reservation for within the dates of the 4th through the 10th using the AMS discount code. 2) Make a second (or third if necessary) for dates before and after that range. If you have difficulties call the hotel directly at (650) 570-5700 or call at 1-877-2-CROWNE. Be sure to give them the AMS discount code and explain the reservations you need as described above. You must make your reservations prior to September 13 to qualify for the discounted rate! Please Note: The symposium rate is for a standard room - you can upgrade to an executive room or suite at a discounted rate. 73, Emily --------------------------------- N1DID formerly W0EEC - CM87tm Donate to AMSAT at http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php Support Project OSCAR - http://www.projectoscar.net Personal Website - http://www.PlanetEmily.com

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Re: Drake 2880
by John Mock 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

Scott, i saved a link to this message just in case this happened to me. But that's the output transistor, not the front-end FET, so that this might not help. 73's -- KD6PAG http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200306/msg00159.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: [amsat-bb] Fried Drake Downconverter Fixed!! From: "Ken Swaggart" <k.swaggart@xxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2003 09:27:16 -0700 Thanks to those who provided the needed information, my fried Drake downconverter has been repaired. I replaced the final IF transistor pair, NEC 2SC3357, Mouser part# 551-85634 which are a 1.20 each plus shipping. (I ordered a few spares in case this happens again! The unit is working fine and is currently copying AO-40 telemetry. Now need to order one of those Protector or Safety Bias Tee devices... Interestingly, when I removed the old transistors the center pins on both of them (collector)had physically separated from the case, apparently occurring when I transmitted into it. Guess this protected the other devices upstream. 73, Ken, W7KKE ===============================================================================

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Helical antennae for VHF, UHF & Microwave
by Félim Doyle M3HIM 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

I'm considering constructing helical antennae for the VHF, UHF & Microwave satellite bands and would appreciate any advice on their suitability, design, construction and use. 73 de Félim M3HIM IO91ot Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK

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simple satellite tracking
by McGrane 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

Hi guys and gals thanks to brian, amir paul, and drew for the advice on a simple tracking program. Instanttrack looked pretty good but I chose not to use it as there is no demo version. I didnt want to buy without knowing if it worked on the handheld PC first. I found a little calculator program called Real95 in the archives that works very nicely on the Handheld PC. It only shows a tabular readout of elevation, azimuth, and range but thats fine. Thats all I need for portable operation. All the advice is greatly appreciated! 73, patrick N2OEQ

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CW to ringtones (was Re: Re: Noise problem)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 23 Aug '06

23 Aug '06

> There are websites that will convert your CW to ringtones FOR FREE....one > guy went as far as assigning all his "friends and family" individual > ringtones of their names in CW... There are programs that do the same thing. Some are $$$ but I have used one free Windows program called Morse Midi by VE3NEA: http://www.netvampire.com/ham/#MorseMidi I've used this for a couple of years, and have had no problems with the MIDI files generated by the program. It's a good way to know if my phone is the one ringing, if I hear the CW coming from it. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Phoenix, Arizona USA http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: Just got a visual on the ISS!!!!
by G. Beat 23 Aug '06

23 Aug '06

RoD - Wait until the second truss and set of solar arrays is installed on next shuttle flight (Atlantis, STS-115) next week !! That should improve the magnitude a bit more :-) w9gb Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:36:00 -0400 From: "Stargate" <stargatesg1(a)verizon.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Just got a visual on the ISS!!!! The thing that surprised me the most was how BIG it appears to be in the sky. What I could see with the naked eye looked like 2 large squares, connected at the points. VERY inspiring!! I wish I had taken my binoculars out with me. I will be watching for other passes. Strange thing is, I didn't hear any activity on 145.800. I figured I would hear some kind of activity. RoD KD0XX

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Re: Noise problem
by George Henry 23 Aug '06

23 Aug '06

Other cell phones also send "SMS" in CW when you receive a text message........ George, KA3HSW -----Original Message----- >From: Nate Duehr <nate(a)natetech.com> >Sent: Aug 23, 2006 12:17 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Noise problem > > >On Aug 23, 2006, at 9:18 AM, Bruce Bostwick wrote: > >> My neighbor at work drives me up the wall playing with his >> cellphone. I have to listen closely to it to be able to tell that >> it's not 5 WPM CW. ;-) (And it's just the right pitch to sound sort >> of like a navaid beacon on the aviation bands too .. which gets my >> brain really confused.) > >Many Nokia cell phones' "Loud and Long" ring tone setting sends >"Connecting People" in 5 WPM CW. > >Always wondered the history behind that... hams at Nokia? :-) > >-- >Nate Duehr - WY0X >nate(a)natetech.com

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