- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

lotw
by w6gmt＠bak.rr.com 18 Sep '14

18 Sep '14

I worked K8YSE on FO-29 last night (Thanks John) Posted the contacts to LoTW only to have one of them rejected as a dup. How do others work around this ? usually I only need one of the grids but in this case need both. they would be # 206 and 207. I would ask the LoTW staff but the E-mail site for ARRL.org is still down. 73 Brock W6GMT BROCK THOMSEN PO BOX 222 MARCELL MN 56657 EN37EN

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SpaceX to launch Spinsat to ISS Saturday
by M5AKA 18 Sep '14

18 Sep '14

SpaceX plan to launch SpinSat (AX.25 packet) on Saturday at 0616 UT http://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/18/spacex-to-launch-spinsat/ Postage stamp features amateur radio satellites http://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/17/postage-stamp-features-amateur-radio-satelli… Essex school contact with International Space Station http://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/17/essex-school-contact-with-international-spac… UK astronaut Tim Peake KG5BVI plans to fly to the ISS in November 2015. He says "Will be great to chat with schools next year from space using this ham radio on board the ISS". Picture of Tim learning controls of ISS Ericsson transceiver at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.764436533599398.1073741831.208113… ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK Website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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5 in em55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 18 Sep '14

18 Sep '14

Just in KD8CAO has 5 in em55 award # 55 Good job Doug WA4HFN em55 Damon www.starcommgroup.org Please accept my log submission for the 5 in EM55 award. WA4NVM 6/4/2011 2103z FM AO-7 U/V WB4LHD 6/28/2011 2208z FM AO-51 V/U KD4NOQ 7/5/2011 0132z SSB VO-52 U/V K4FEG 8/10/2011 2158z FM AO-51 V/U W1AW/4 9/3/2014 2323z SSB FO-29 V/U ARS KD8CAO

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5 in em55 award
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 18 Sep '14

18 Sep '14

congrats to Omar XE1OA 5 in em55 award # 54 Good job Omar WA4HFN em55 Damon www.starcommgroup.org

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Lindenblads
by Robin Midgett 17 Sep '14

17 Sep '14

Hello to the group, I'd like to hear from any users of the Lindenblad antennas regarding switching polarity & circularity. Based on the article on the AMSAT web page by W6SHP at http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles/w6shp/lindy.html, I'm led to believe that the maximum effect comes from having one Lindy for each of RHCP & LHCP per band in addition to being able to invert the polarity of each. I'd like to hear from users concerning how often switching between RH & LH circularity yields benefits as compared to switching polarity on a single Lindy. I've long had an interest in satellite operation. Due to being involved with a recent ARISS event, the interest level has been elevated..it's time for me to get on the birds. I welcome your input regarding the Lindenblad antennas.

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New AMSAT-NA BOD
by Clint Bradford 17 Sep '14

17 Sep '14

Congratulations to the newly elected AMSAT-NA board members. Clint K6LCS

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Results of 2014 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Election
by Alan 17 Sep '14

17 Sep '14

Board of Directors Election - 2014 As a result of the 2014 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Election the following members were elected to serve for two years: Tom Clark, K3IO; JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM; and Lou McFadin, W5DID. Jerry Buxton, N0JY will serve the remaining year of SK Tony Monteiro, AA2TX's term. The First Alternate is Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, and the Second Alternate is Frank Griffin, K4FEG. The results of the voting with 635 ballots cast are as follows: Tom Clark, K3IO........................457 JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM..........439 Lou McFadin, W5DID.................421 Jerry Buxton, N0JY.....................268 Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA........261 Frank Griffin, K4FEG...................232 Steve Coy, K8UD........................178 Bryan Klofas, KF6ZEO.................132 Submitted by Martha Saragovitz Manager ----------------------------------------------

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CN-73 update
by Lee Ernstrom 16 Sep '14

16 Sep '14

Having never worked through FO-29 until the 15th of this month I am pleased to say that it was pretty easy to access and make contacts. On the 01:21 UTC pass on the 15th my first QSO was with W5PFG, and then W1AW/5, KG6NUB, and AC0RA. This morning on the 13:22 UTC pass I worked NM3B, K4FEG, N8RO, N5JF, WA4NVM, N5UXT, XE2BHL, and XE1AO. My rig is the FT-897D and the antenna is a tripod mounted Arrow. This is the set up I will use while in CN-73 next week. Early Saturday morning we will drive to Portland, Oregon where we will spend the night with my XYL's sister, and sometime on Sunday we will head down the coast where we will end up in Bandon By The Sea that evening. I don't know if I will have time to make any attempts on the satellite Sunday evening, but my plans are to be ready for the Monday morning passes. At the suggestion do Wyatt, AC0RA, I will be transmitting on 145.935 and listening somewhat higher than 435.850 so as to not interfere with stations operating in the middle of the band. Remember that I am extremely green at this, operating through a linear transponder, so don't be surprised if I goof up from time to time. Please email me if you have any suggestions and/or advice. See ya on the bird! Lee (Doc) Ernstrom, WA7HQD Sent from my iPad

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Glitch
by Martha 16 Sep '14

16 Sep '14

The glitch at the Double Tree has been fixed. There are rooms available so don't hesitate and call now! -- 73- Martha

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G0SFJ Telemetry equipment and project
by andy thomas 16 Sep '14

16 Sep '14

Hi Jerry -You asked about stations receiving telemetry so I thought I'd respond. Maybe the wider community will be interested so I have decided to copy this to the -bb - hope you don't mind. Current Motivation Currently in my retirement I'm a PhD student interested in the popular cultural discourse or practice of space exploration, and see qsl cards as records of this cultural discourse from an identified cohort who have access to space exploration. (You might like to see my recent abstract at www.cosmographies.co.uk) . The approach is based on Foucault/Derrida etc but I won't go on about that here. As well as this PhD work, I keep an archive or collection of cards and certificates about amateur satellites (broad definition) and obviously these cards are my own interactions. Mostly at the moment they are from the owners of telemetry-emitting cubesats, although my own mini-dx expeditions on the Fm birds are also recorded. Therefore, what motivates me is to record the interaction - therefore I am biassed at the moment towards receiving and donating telemetry data that will result in some sort of record. My archive goes back to the 1990s. In the future I have at the back of my mind an idea to reflect on this archive, but haven't decided how yet. Current equipment My equipment is simple in that I do not have an az-el rotator. I think that is an expensive hiding to nothing as I've seen many reports about failure of this piece of kit. For my work it's not necessary. I receive data according to the method I have outlined within the BIS "Kicksat" project - see: http://kicksat.wordpress.com/support/kicksat-ground-station/ if it's still there. I do have an ICOM IC-910 and I have recorded most of my transactions with it at my personal website http://www.andythomas.eu . This website (andythomasorg) as hosted by google is indexed in the Britsh Library catalogue under "popular science". New direction I have moved into using a Fun Cube Dongle Pro+ and sdr# to give a visual account of the telemetry - see for example my Polyitan-1 page on my website. I now calibrate the FCD Pro+ using an 80MHz TTL Oscillator on the desk, so the images will be precise as to time and rf frequency. I suppose that in this regard I am conscious of initiatives such as ARTSAT. Sign-off I hope that's given you some insight into the tremendous cultural potential of amateur satellites, and will encourage designers on the -bb to contnue to offer some acknowldgement certificate or card or something interactive, so that the significance of our efforts can be widely understood and appreciated. 73 de andy G0SFJ

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IARU Region 1 conference + OSCAR News published
by M5AKA 16 Sep '14

16 Sep '14

The key IARU Region 1 conference takes place in Albena, Bulgaria September 21-27. Important issues being discussed will include an amateur satellite allocation at 144.0-144.025 MHz as well as the 23 cm band and WRC-2018 http://amsat-uk.org/2014/08/13/23-cm-band-and-wrc-2018/ The AMSAT-UK publication OSCAR News issue 207 was released last week http://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/16/oscar-news-issue-207/ ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK Website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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ESTCube-1 experiment: first steps
by Tõnis Eenmäe 16 Sep '14

16 Sep '14

Hello all, I'm glad to announce that after more than a year of preparations, tomorrow, 16.09.2014, we are starting to deploy the electric solar sail tether on-board ESTCube-1. The process of burning the tether end-mass and spool locks and reeling out the first few centimeters of tether will start during the 09.06 - 09.19Z pass over Estonia. This is a high pass and should be visible over most of the Europe. The next good passes listed below (all in UTC) will be used to download images the telemetry logs and the images: 10.43 - 10.56 18.39 - 18.51 20.15 - 20.28 During the locks release process and after reeling the tether out some centimeters, images will be taken. The other shorter passes during the day will be used to download the experiment data as quickly as possible (in Estonia, all daily passes are visible, but lowest ones are just couple of degrees above the northern horizon). If everything is OK with the tether, additional unreeling will take place in coming days. If you are interested in receiving ESTCube-1 during those exciting passes, the UZ7HO 9600 bps packet softmodem and an Online Telemetry Decoder by Mike Rupprecht (http://www.dk3wn.info/files/estcube_online.zip) can be used. But basically any 9600 bps G3RUH TNC or decoder can be used to receive ESTCube-1. We are looking forward to receiving your reports on the address es5e AT estcube DOT eu, and we would really appreciate if you would also send received data in live, using Mike's decoder. With best wishes, Tõnis Eenmäe de ES5TF

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Down to the Wire
by Martha 15 Sep '14

15 Sep '14

If you have not reserved your room at the Doubletree BWI, you need to do so by *SEPTEMBER 17th! * The phone number is 410-859-8400. There is new information about the Space Symposium on the website (amsat.org ) -- 73- Martha

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sat pc32 help
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 15 Sep '14

15 Sep '14

The below listed TLE for kicksat causes an error invalid floating point opera any suggestions as what the problem is KICKSAT 1 39685U 14022F 14133.79926973 .10230793 12532-4 76634-3 0 839 2 39685 051.6478 260.9431 0011364 321.6786 038.9487 16.39478651 3997 Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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Telemetry Stations - Information Requested
by Jerry Buxton 15 Sep '14

15 Sep '14

Hi All, I am interested in hearing about the types of equipment in the various stations of those of you who capture telemetry from the amateur radio satellites. My general purpose is to have an understanding of the "typical station". The information will be useful in our design of ground telemetry formats for AMSAT satellites. If you are an active telemetry gatherer could please respond with a short description of the equipment you use to receive the various satellite telemetry to include Antenna - type, polarization, if yagi number of elements Preamp - yes or no Rig - Make, model Output from rig i.e. packet port, auxiliary audio, discriminator tap, etc. PC Capture device - build in sound card, if add in or external sound card then make and model Thank you for your help! -- Jerry Buxton, NØJY

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Re: [amsat-bb] Lindenblads
by Doug - k4gkj 15 Sep '14

15 Sep '14

RE read his question. He was asking the benifit of having a RH & LH versus just one that did have a switch....... I too wonder what the benefit and reasons for having such.... Doug Bennight K4GKJ 850-528-5772 850-926-2052 -------- Original message -------- From: Jim Jerzycke <kq6ea(a)verizon.net> Date: To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Lindenblads You can't switch polarity on a single Lindenblad. The polarity is determined by the mechanical "slant" of the elements, hence the need for one each of RHCP and LHCP. You'd then switch feedlines to the radio for the polarity desired. 73, Jim KQ6EA On 09/15/2014 01:38 AM, Robin Midgett wrote: > Hello to the group, > I'd like to hear from any users of the Lindenblad antennas regarding > switching polarity & circularity. > Based on the article on the AMSAT web page by W6SHP at > http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles/w6shp/lindy.html, I'm led to believe > that the maximum effect comes from having one Lindy for each of RHCP & LHCP > per band in addition to being able to invert the polarity of each. > I'd like to hear from users concerning how often switching between RH & LH > circularity yields benefits as compared to switching polarity on a single > Lindy. > > I've long had an interest in satellite operation. Due to being involved > with a recent ARISS event, the interest level has been elevated..it's time > for me to get on the birds. I welcome your input regarding the Lindenblad > antennas. > _______________________________________________ > 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. > 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. 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. 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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5 in em55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 14 Sep '14

14 Sep '14

Congrats to N5AFV for award #53 5 in em55 good job Allen WA4HFN em55 Damon www.starcommgroup.org

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POLYITAN-1
by andy thomas 14 Sep '14

14 Sep '14

Heard again on 85 degree pass, tx in energy saving mode, weak here. CW beacon followed by three data bursts. CW looks a bit ragged to me. see: https://sites.google.com/site/andythomasorg/funcube/polyitan-1 I can't upload more pictures due to "server error". 73 de andy G0SFJ

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Test message
by Robin Midgett 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

Two posts I've made haven't shown up..wondering why.

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CN73 will be activated
by Lee Ernstrom 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

I will be on SO-50 about sep 21 - 24 as WA7HQD /P. Hope to work you all. Doc Sent from my iPad

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K2BSA/5 Success
by Clint Bradford 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

GREAT WORK, Tom N5HYP and your Scouts this morning on SO-50! Clint K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com PS If the attached .mp4 will not play, it will be posted at http://work-sat.com/Welcome.html in a few minutes.

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TEST
by Lee Ernstrom 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

This is a test Sent from my iPad

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test equipment for an amsat ground station
by Samudra Haque 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

Cross posted to Tacos / Amrad and also Amsat-BB as it may interest homebrewers. I made a ugly bug (well, The PCB was very nice when I started, and really convoluted when I finished .. ) frequency marker box (from junk parts). I will donate this to K3GWU amateur radio club and research station for general use. I used (what I had) 3.68 MHz, 40 MHz, 50 MHz, 60MHz sealed crystal oscillator. I used a voltage regulator and bypass caps to feed power into the units via individual switches, so I can turn on any combination manually of the oscillators, or all or some at the same time. I then combined the inputs into a common point and from that point used a 10 pF capacitor to get an output to an SMA bulkhead connector through a brass box. Of course, I then needed a 3.3V regulated output for a microprocessor so I put in an additional 3.3V LDO as well inside the bus and all components are happy now. I even put an LED just to satisfy my curiosity and then sealed all in a box. I do see on a simple analog scope all wave forms and my frequency counter shows the fundamental frequencies produced. A spectrum analyzer (thank you K0BRA) shows different products of the frequencies.Obviously the frequencies I saw were just whatever the crystal oscillators I had on hand, so they can be replaced, or added to. In this line, what improvements could I do to make it an useful general purpose box for testing in the radio shack, and for AMSAT birds, is there anything of interest that might be useful to qualify a station ? One could use a microprocessor to switch in circuits, that much I can do, but which type can be used to generate accurate frequency standards ? If only a clock pulse generator (square wave) source was available, what type of circuit would allow multiple frequencies be slaved to a crystal standard ? Any old schematics reference would be appreciated. I even saw how easy it is to use a audio transformer to modulate the power leads and transmit QRP AM on the 0.5m length RF cable. I can now use this to verify operation of the RF splitters and combiners. 73 de N3RDX @ K3GWU if you are in Foggy Bottom area of DC and have an interest in ham radio, I'm at GWU.

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Re: [amsat-bb] Hand helds for FM birds
by Bill ACITO, W1PA 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

I love my Yaesu FT-530's (yes, I have a couple) for handheld; they don't de-sense. Bill W1PA

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Will you be my first...
by Steve May 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

...contact on AO-73? I think I have my station working, so I am going to try to work the pass around 3:27 UTC tonight. If anyone is on that would be great This will be my first attempt on anything other than SO-50, so it could be a little rocky. Steve, W5IEM

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Antenna suggestions
by Keith McDonnell 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

I am about to upgrade my antenna system which now is only a pair of Eggbeaters. I would like to get a 2 meter C.P. and a 70 cm C.p. Yagi. I alread have a g5400b az/el rotor. I have looked into the Hygain oscar link system, M2's offerings as well as Gulf Alpha antennas. If anyone has any experience with these, or others, i would appreciate your comments. You may email me directly. Thank you and good health to all. 73, keith Kg2ix(a)optonline.net

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Re: [amsat-bb] Hand helds for FM birds
by Rick Tejera 13 Sep '14

13 Sep '14

If you can find the D72A's predecessor, the TH-D7A, on the used market, that will do fine as well. Got my VUCC Sat using one.. Rick Tejera Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Amateur radio Club (K7TEJ) www.w7tbc.org -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Paul Stoetzer Sent: Friday, September 12, 2014 06:50 To: Rolf Krogstad Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Hand helds for FM birds Yeah, I screwed up the model number! On Fri, Sep 12, 2014 at 9:48 AM, Rolf Krogstad <rolf.krogstad(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Is that the same as the Kenwood TH-72A? > http://www.aesham.com/multi-band/kenwood-th-d72a/ > > Rolf NR0T > Amsat #38889 > Amsat-UK e-Member > > > On Fri, Sep 12, 2014 at 7:18 AM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> wrote: > >> The only current production model that works for Mode J full duplex >> is the Kenwood TH-D7A2. There are few other full duplex handhelds on >> the market, but they all suffer from desense on 70cm when transmitting on 2m. >> >> The other handhelds may be adequate for the Mode B FM transponders on >> EO-80 >> and the Fox-1 series, but they will not work for full duplex on SO-50. >> >> 73, >> >> Paul, N8HM >> >> On Fri, Sep 12, 2014 at 8:12 AM, Rich/wa4bue >> <richard.siff(a)verizon.net> >> wrote: >> >> > I lost some information once published on the BB. >> > >> > What FM hand helds work duplex 70 cm and 2 meter for OSCARS? >> > >> > Does anyone have a preference??? >> > >> > Rich W4BUE >> > _______________________________________________ >> > 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. >> > 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. 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. >> 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. 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. 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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REMINDER -- SPECIAL EVENT -- ROSELAND RADIO -- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th
by Robert Kovacs 12 Sep '14

12 Sep '14

In celebration of its 69th anniversary, the Roseland (NJ) Radio Club (K2GQ), will be operating as special event station K2R from Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, New Jersey (grid FN20), from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT. We're hoping to work the SO-50 pass at 12 Noon EDT (1405 Z). The Club's other activities will be Two Meter simplex (146.55) and QRP HF on 20 m. Hope to hear from you all then! 73, Roseland Radio Club -- K2GQ Bob Kovacs KC2WYH AMSAT Member 38504 .

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Hand helds for FM birds
by Kevin M 12 Sep '14

12 Sep '14

At this point a pair of $40 Baofengs would be the best, most economical solution for full duplex. 73, Drew KO4MA --------------------- I second that suggestion. I went through two IC-W32As trying to find one that would not desense on SO-50... no luck. (information out there about the serial numbers is not correct!) With batteries and accessories, it cost me MUCH more than $80 and is now sitting in a 'go bag' for taking mobile. Other advantages of two Baofengs: - You don't need a diplexer on the antenna... uses two separate coaxial feedlines - May be lighter... I have a UV-3R+ and a UV-5R and together they are quite a bit lighter than my IC-W32a - You don't need a headset or a speaker mic with a headphone jack. You can plug an earphone or cheap headphones into one and hold the other HT to talk into; it's not much bigger, if at all (depending on model), than a mobile hand mic. - Sure, you can plug headphones into a duplex HT and hold it to talk into, but it is likely heavier and difficult to use the push-to-talk AND adjust receive frequency with one hand on the SAME unit. The trick with using two HTs is holding the antenna with one hand and the TX HT in the other, WHILE occasionally tweaking the frequency on the RX HT. AC0RA has operated "two HT" mode many times and his suggestion is to clip the RX HT on your person (belt, maybe shirt pocket) and then hold the TX HT in a way that you can free two fingers to adjust the RX HT. It works. No different than holding a speaker mic so that you can adjust receive when using a duplex HT. If you are using a tripod mounted the antenna, then no worries! One hand for TX HT and the other to adjust the RX. I recommend the UV-3R+ over the regular UV-3R as the plugs and accessories are the same as later models and easier to find. (The UV-3R uses an 'annoying' 4 conductor phone plug. Makes it difficult to rig up a 'Y' cable to split to a digital recorder.) The UV-3R+ is two watts whereas the UV-5R is four watts. Otherwise they are similar radios. Frankly I would recommend a pair of UV-3R+... the smaller size is more advantage than the two watts. If someone is hogging the uplink, three dB isn't going to matter THAT much. As always, your mileage may vary... =^) 73 es GL! Kevin n4UFO

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FO-29 and being a good transponder op
by Andrew Glasbrenner 12 Sep '14

12 Sep '14

Lots of activity has been happening on FO-29 in the evenings lately. The pass times are favorable, and there are rovers out and about. This evening, there were at least three mobile, portable, or omni antenna stations all piled up in the very center of the passband calling CQ on top of each other. None were hearing the others it seems, or willing to move. It was an ugly, embarrassing mess, completely unnecessary. Folks, FO-29 has a passband that is 100 kHz wide. There is no reason to all pile up in the dead center and QRM each other. Spread out a little bit, ESPECIALLY if your operational plan is to call CQ with omni antennas or half-duplex and tune around for replies. You'll make more contacts and have less QRM in the long run. The long standing convention on linear transponder satellites has been lower third CW, middle mixed CW and SSB, and upper third SSB. Let's try to use this resource in a more responsible and cooperative manner. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Two out of three ain't bad
by Rick Tejera 12 Sep '14

12 Sep '14

Thanks to all who offered advice & hints. It was the missing dash. I appreciate the answers and learned a few things I didn't know about what is, for me at least,. A little used feature. Next on to Cat control. But for now, bed time Rick Tejera Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Amateur radio Club (K7TEJ) www.w7tbc.org

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Office Closed
by Martha 11 Sep '14

11 Sep '14

The AMSAT Office will be closed on Friday, September 12th. We will reopen on Monday morning at 10:00 AM -- 73- Martha

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Send your name / callsign "from the Moon"
by M5AKA 11 Sep '14

11 Sep '14

4M is expected to launch on its Lunar flyby sometime after 1800 UT on October 23, 2014 http://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/11/send-your-message-from-the-moon/ ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK Website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Re: [amsat-bb] Antenna suggestions
by Dino Papas 11 Sep '14

11 Sep '14

Hmmmm, not my experience at all with M2. My 2MCP14 and 436CP30, along with their accessory polarization switches, and 2m and 432 egg beater antennas all met the dimensional specs and apparent operational characteristics. Robert KR7O in sales and Matt on the technical side were always very helpful and responsive to my calls and e-mails. Sometimes you’ll find that suppliers will have antennas in stock (got all my stuff from DXEngineering, another great experience BTW) where they actually may be out of stock and simply in new production at the factory. Guess we’ve nailed down the ends of the bell curve on experience with M2; I’ll buy from them again when I build my weak-signal arrays and probably their HF LPA as well. Of course YMMV. 73 - Dino KL0S On Sep102014, at 2352 PM, Lizeth Norman <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com> wrote: > If you're buying anything from M2 expect poor customer service and a > bad build. I have more to do tonight than list the screwups those > people have done. They actually charged my credit card and THEN 2.5 > months later (after finishing another manufacturing cycle) shipped the > product (upgrade kit for a KLM kt-34a)!!! Not to mention having to use > a dremel on the "CNC" hardware. The UHF antennas use a cheap white > plastic insulator that cracks, allowing water ingress. Remember the > $200 circularity switch that you need to buy? Junk after 7 years. > See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/11312549334/ > Considering what these people charge, I'd expect teflon. > > Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I purchased another antenna from > this bunch of rejects (These bozos actually had the balls to cancel > two credit card orders for parts!). It was cheaper than ordering one > from Europe. I guess at $800, lasting 7 years, it's just over $100 a > year to use this, then throw it away. > > The antenna has 21 pair of elements. 14 pair (!!!!!!) were miscut. 13 > by 1/16 and one by an 1/8. (I took pictures because I care!!!) That's > a real problem where the elements of the antenna are 1/16 th of an > inch different (most). Took me almost two hours to verify what they'd > done and decide that regardless of what screwups they'd made, it was > going together. > Seems to work. I've no way to test it other than swr and on air usage. > > Take care to read the Gulf Alpha page. Last I looked, the satellite > antennas were out of production and he was reserving parts/service for > original owners, only. > > > On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 4:23 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVH <kb1pvh(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> Keith, >> >> I'm not sure if Gulf Alpha is still making the satellite antennas. He had >> something on his website saying that he wasn't going to build them and even >> if he was to build them, you will wait a minimum of 4 months regardless of >> what timeframe he tells you. >> >> Dave-KB1PVH >> >> Sent from my Samsung S4

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W1AW/4 TN em55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 11 Sep '14

11 Sep '14

Star comm group would like to thank the 138 hams we logged while operating the W1AW/4 TN. on the satellites( WA4NVM and myself WA4HFN) were the operators for this event. Now if you are working towards the 5 in EM55 award, you can use that call as a em55 contact for the award goto www.starcommgroup.org click awards then click 5 in em55 Thanks WA4HFN EM55 Damon www.starcommgroup.org

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two out of three ain;t bad.
by Rick Tejera 11 Sep '14

11 Sep '14

All, A little help with SAT pc 32. I just started to play around with decode the NOAA weather sats. I want to get the frequencies into the dopper.sqf file so I can see the Doppler correction. I've edited the file and only two of the three sats show the frequency. The format is the same for all three: NOAA 15,137620.0,,FM,,,, NOAA 18,137910.0,,FM,,,, NOAA 19,137100.0,,FM,,,, NOAA 15 is the culprit that won't show. I've looked with a fine tooth comb for any differences and don't see any. I also looked in the KEp file for the Weather & NOAA sats and the sat name is correct. Anyone see what I'm missing. Rick Tejera Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Amateur radio Club (K7TEJ) www.w7tbc.org

5 5

W1AW/5 SO50 frm TX
by Tom schuessler 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

I tried a 0550Z SO 50 pass this morning 9/10 as W1AW / five but there was nobody on but me. I tried a1605Z pass this morning and only made two Qs. Bad Desense due to lots of other RF in the area making it hard for my radio to hear. I am willing to be on For a 0615 Z pass this coming morning if I knew some other people would be awake and willing as well. Please let me know via this BB. Tom. N5HYP

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Re: [amsat-bb] W1AW/5 - Texas
by Clint Bradford 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

>> ... Starting at 0000Z, 10 September, W1AW/5 will operate the satellites from Texas. And don't forget - Saturday, 09/13/14 at 10:45AM Texas time / 8:43AM PDT - Scout leader extraordinaire Tom N5HYP will have his Scouts working towards Merit Badges as they work SO-50 as K2BSA/5. It will be a 50+-degree pass for them ... Clint K6LCS

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Now Is The Time
by Martha 10 Sep '14

10 Sep '14

People - It is time to make your plans to attend the 2014 AMSAT Space Symposium and celebrate our 45th Anniversary. The event takes place October 10- 12th at the DoubleTree located at the BWI Airport *(Baltimore) .* Right now SouthWest is having a sale. For more information, go to the AMSAT website (amsat.org). Hope to see you there! -- 73- Martha

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W1AW/5 - Texas
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

Starting at 0000Z, 10 September, W1AW/5 will operate the satellites from Texas. Look for me on the linear birds starting with the upcoming FO-29 pass at 0042Z (my AOS). Ron/W5RKN and Clayton/W5PFG will operate as W1AW/5 on the linear birds after I leave for FN24 on Friday. Also look for Tom/N5HYP on SO-50. 73 Glenn AA5PK

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Re: [amsat-bb] icom rs-ba1 solved problem
by Bruce 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

sure, i have a logging program (pda logic 8) that uses either the ci-v or usb interface. i had it running. with satellite, i use the ci-v for satpc32 and the usb for the logging program and it works just fine. i have used other programs that will access the radio with usb at the same time as the logging program. but for the remote control, it was no good. when i stopped the logging program, which also monitors the dx cluster and transmits my cw, then the remote software worked just fine. it will not be a problem not having the logging software running when i use the remote software as i am planning on not being at home when i use the radio. then after i got it working. i sat back down at the radio and heard 4x6tt loud as could be in the evening here on 20m. which is rare. worked him and it turned out he was in the united states operating his radio at home remotely. he said it after my qso with him and i never had a chance to ask him what software/hardware he was using. he sounded great. i have not connected the mic from the radio to the computer yet, i only have the audio from the radio going to the remote computer. i will do that when i have time to build a cable. i have not decided if i want to go from the acc plug or the mic plug. as i have the heil pro-set plus, it has a little 3.5mm female for the adapter already plugged into the the mic on the front of the radio. it will be easier to go 3.5mm mono to the 3.5mm stereo on the sound card than mess with the acc connector. i also will not be using the headset when i am away from home making it an easy hookup when needed. 73...bruce On 9/9/2014 2:17 AM, Fabiano Moser wrote: > Hello, > > Should you tell us what was wrong? > Then we can learn too. > > I also want to configure that on my IC-7700. > > Thank you > 73 > CT7ABD > > Fabiano Moser. > Enviado do meu iPhone > >> On 09/09/2014, at 04:51, Bruce <kk5do(a)arrl.net> wrote: >> >> i finally figured out how to get it to work on the remote computer. all is good. next is to install on the laptop. that should be a slam dunk. >> >> 73...bruce >> >> -- >> >> Bruce Paige, KK5DO >> AMSAT Director Contests and Awards >> ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE >> Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* >> Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com >> Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes >> Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News >> http://www.arrl.org >> >> AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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SDR & Satellites
by Simon Brown 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

Just FWIW, The HackRF is half-Duplex, the bladeRF and Ettus B200 are full-Duplex. I am interested in talking with anyone who is looking at the TX amplification stages required to deliver ~25W or so to the antenna using one of these devices. I haven't thought through the logistics required to switch antennas / pre-amps / PA stages etc., that'll come later. I have a nice set of SSB Electronics pre-amps, decent antennas which will be extended as necessary and a location with minimal obstructions unlike my previous QTH in the Swiss mountains. Simon Brown G4ELI http://v2.sdr-radio.com

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SDR Play [ NEW SDR RECEIVER. 2 GHz, 8MHz bandwidth under $300 USD ]
by Les Rayburn 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

A few months ago, I sold my Perseus SDR and traded up to the Elad FDM-S2, which covers up to 160 MHz, and has a bandwidth of about 6 MHz. Haven't even had time to take it out of the box yet, but in the meantime, a new SDR receiver has hit the market. This SDR boasts 8 MHz of bandwidth, and covers from 100 GHz to 2 GHz. This would allow the user to monitor things like the NOAA Weather Radio band, amateur radio bands including 6 Meters, 2 Meters, 222, 432, 902, and 1296, etc. So far, I haven't seen any reviews from hams or dedicated DX'ers. But it's also half the cost of the Elad at only $300 USD. More information is available at: http://www.sdrplay.com/ Can't wait to read a review on this one, and find the time to get my Elad installed. Curious if any VHF operators have tried this one yet? -- -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light -- -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

6 7

icom rs-ba1 solved problem
by Bruce 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

i finally figured out how to get it to work on the remote computer. all is good. next is to install on the laptop. that should be a slam dunk. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

2 1

help with icom rs-ba1 remote software
by Bruce 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

i am trying to get the remote software to work in my house (first). after that i will try on a laptop and outside the house. i can not get it to do anything. it says connecting which according to the instructions it is connected. on the utility, i can connect in the radio tab and it shows full volume for the rx. when i try to run the remote control, nada. then loaded on another computer that would be the remote. with the remote utility running on the main computer, i cannot connect to it from the remote computer. it shows the radio and the correct ports but nothing again. i am missing something and need a bit of help from someone that has got it running on an ic-9100. please contact me off the list if you have a few moments to spare. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73
by Doug - k4gkj 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Has anyone had success in having a Icom 706mk2g working in SatPC32? What is the secret if so? Sorry.... Can't afford anything better as of yet. Doug Bennight K4GKJ 850-528-5772 850-926-2052 -------- Original message -------- From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> Date: To: "D. Craig Fox" <DFox(a)rwglaw.com> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 If running SatPC32 and you keep your trigger finger on the +/- buttons on your keyboard, you can manually tweak the correction with decent performance, thus allowing you to leave computer control enabled. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 1:12 PM, D. Craig Fox <DFox(a)rwglaw.com> wrote: > For what its worth, I do not disable CAT control on satpc but I do increase the speed from x1 to x5 (or is it x10?). A0-73 does require constant adjustment but for me anyway it would be a lot tougher without satpc keeping me close. On almost every pass I hear many operators taking so much time just trying to find their downlink (and inadvertently QRM'g QSO's in progress). > > Craig > N6RSX > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 9:13 AM > To: Andrew Glasbrenner > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; Fraser Bonnett > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 > > I disable the computer control for frequency control and do it the old fashion way. I does take a bit of "work" almost constantly tweeking knobs, but it does work, and after a few efforts it is really quite easy and simple. > 73 Bob W7LRD > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > To: "Fraser Bonnett" <FraserBonnett(a)verizon.net>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Sent: Monday, September 8, 2014 7:20:51 AM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 > > >> >> >>If I don't use SAT mode, I'd be constantly switching between VFO's, >>pressing buttons and re-tuning constantly? >> >> >> >>So I guess, I need to find someone who is successfully working AO-73 >>with an IC-9100? >>suggestions would be appreciated. >> > > Forget SatPC32 for this one. When you switch to AO-73, let it initially set the frequency, then click the C button and shut SatPC32 tracking off. > > Find a clear freq or a station you want to call. One of the buttons ( I think main or sub, it's a bit different on my 910 or 821) will let you tune the uplink while leaving the downlink static. Do that, tune while transmitting until you hear yourself. Have QSO or call CQ, and every transmission tune the uplink the first 0.5 second to keep on your receive. If the station you are working moves on the downlink, lock the vfos back together, tune him in, then go back to just tuning the uplink. > > It sounds worse than it is, but this is the procedure for when you don't have computer control (or it doesn't work, like with AO-73). Give it a try, it's not hard. > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > PS This works for all the mode B birds. On Mode J, tune the downlink (the higher frequency). > _______________________________________________ > 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. > 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. 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. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > Click https://www.mailcontrol.com/sr/gzTZX2NwoAjGX2PQPOmvUqW!RI4xIDLr1HaaVWAe44s6… to report this email as spam. > > > NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you. > _______________________________________________ > 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. > 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. 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. 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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Re: [amsat-bb] SO-50 & frequency stability as of late
by Dave Swanson 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Twice during the 1655Z pass just now I actually had to shift UP in frequency to hold the downlink. Right at AOS I picked up the signal at .795, made a contact, and about 30 seconds later I heard a very noticeable 'shift' in the noise where it was basically unreadable. I shifted down, it got worse, so I went up and picked it back up at .800 clear as a bell. About 6 minutes later, near my apex, I had followed the doppler down normally to about .780, and it jumped back up again by about another 5 or so. Each time it did this, it was in the middle of someone else's transmission and there was an abrupt 'shift' that didn't sound anything like the gradual worsening that I normally hear with doppler. Just my observations from a sat-noob. Also first post on amsat-bb... o/ 73, Dave, KG5CCI On 9/8/2014 11:30 AM, Alan wrote: > Clayton, > > I have been watching it shift 5-10 KHz or so on some passes, though > 3-5 KHz is more common. Watching > it with a DSP rig allows you to compensate. > > The more interesting question is what, if anything, the uplink is > doing? I got up for a 0200 L pass > to experiment, and there was nobody else on. I thought I had it > figured out, and suddenly the > downlink shifted. Then, my uplink data seemed wrong, as if it also > shifted. ;( Will try again the > next time I have some insomnia. > > 73s, > > Alan > > WA4SCA > > > <-----Original Message----- > <From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] > On Behalf Of Clayton Coleman > <Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 10:54 AM > <To: AMSAT-BB > <Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-50 & frequency stability as of late > < > <I have been noticing some irregular shifts in SO-50's downlink > <frequency the past several days. I noticed it in the past but it's > <been a while since this occurred. Several others are reporting it as > <well. > < > <At my AOS today (15:12 UTC, orbit # 62976), SatPC32 had predicted the > <downlink to be near 436.801 MHz, when in fact I was receiving the bird > <at 436.793. It proceeded to jump up to 436.795 at my TCA before > <making it's way down to 436.780 near my LOS. > < > <This seems to be posing some issues for people using full computer > <control and also those who stick to pre-programmed memory channels to > <make frequency adjustments during a pass. > < > <Considering this recent frequency instability, I would recommend you > <manually tune for the strongest downlink frequency. This would help > <eliminate some issues with stepping on stations engaged in existing > <QSO's. An alternative would be to try using RIT if you insist on > <computer control. > < > <The old rule applies -- if you can't hear, don't transmit. > < > <73 > <Clayton > <W5PFG > <_______________________________________________ > <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. > <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. 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. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

2 1

Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73
by Clayton Coleman 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

If running SatPC32 and you keep your trigger finger on the +/- buttons on your keyboard, you can manually tweak the correction with decent performance, thus allowing you to leave computer control enabled. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 1:12 PM, D. Craig Fox <DFox(a)rwglaw.com> wrote: > For what its worth, I do not disable CAT control on satpc but I do increase the speed from x1 to x5 (or is it x10?). A0-73 does require constant adjustment but for me anyway it would be a lot tougher without satpc keeping me close. On almost every pass I hear many operators taking so much time just trying to find their downlink (and inadvertently QRM'g QSO's in progress). > > Craig > N6RSX > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 9:13 AM > To: Andrew Glasbrenner > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; Fraser Bonnett > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 > > I disable the computer control for frequency control and do it the old fashion way. I does take a bit of "work" almost constantly tweeking knobs, but it does work, and after a few efforts it is really quite easy and simple. > 73 Bob W7LRD > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > To: "Fraser Bonnett" <FraserBonnett(a)verizon.net>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Sent: Monday, September 8, 2014 7:20:51 AM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 > > >> >> >>If I don't use SAT mode, I'd be constantly switching between VFO's, >>pressing buttons and re-tuning constantly? >> >> >> >>So I guess, I need to find someone who is successfully working AO-73 >>with an IC-9100? >>suggestions would be appreciated. >> > > Forget SatPC32 for this one. When you switch to AO-73, let it initially set the frequency, then click the C button and shut SatPC32 tracking off. > > Find a clear freq or a station you want to call. One of the buttons ( I think main or sub, it's a bit different on my 910 or 821) will let you tune the uplink while leaving the downlink static. Do that, tune while transmitting until you hear yourself. Have QSO or call CQ, and every transmission tune the uplink the first 0.5 second to keep on your receive. If the station you are working moves on the downlink, lock the vfos back together, tune him in, then go back to just tuning the uplink. > > It sounds worse than it is, but this is the procedure for when you don't have computer control (or it doesn't work, like with AO-73). Give it a try, it's not hard. > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > PS This works for all the mode B birds. On Mode J, tune the downlink (the higher frequency). > _______________________________________________ > 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. > 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. 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. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > Click https://www.mailcontrol.com/sr/gzTZX2NwoAjGX2PQPOmvUqW!RI4xIDLr1HaaVWAe44s6… to report this email as spam. > > > NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you. > _______________________________________________ > 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. > 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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SPECIAL EVENT -- ROSELAND RADIO -- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th
by Robert Kovacs 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

This coming Saturday, September 13, 2014, in celebration of its 69th anniversary, the Roseland (NJ) Radio Club (K2GQ) will be operating as special event station K2R from Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, New Jersey (grid FN20), from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT. Although the Club's primary activities will be Two Meter simplex and possibly some QRP HF (20 m), we do hope to work the SO-50 pass at 12 Noon EDT (1405 UTC).. Hope to hear from you all then! 73, Roseland Radio Club -- K2GQ Bob Kovacs KC2WYH AMSAT Member 38504 .

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SO-50 & frequency stability as of late
by Clayton Coleman 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

I have been noticing some irregular shifts in SO-50's downlink frequency the past several days. I noticed it in the past but it's been a while since this occurred. Several others are reporting it as well. At my AOS today (15:12 UTC, orbit # 62976), SatPC32 had predicted the downlink to be near 436.801 MHz, when in fact I was receiving the bird at 436.793. It proceeded to jump up to 436.795 at my TCA before making it's way down to 436.780 near my LOS. This seems to be posing some issues for people using full computer control and also those who stick to pre-programmed memory channels to make frequency adjustments during a pass. Considering this recent frequency instability, I would recommend you manually tune for the strongest downlink frequency. This would help eliminate some issues with stepping on stations engaged in existing QSO's. An alternative would be to try using RIT if you insist on computer control. The old rule applies -- if you can't hear, don't transmit. 73 Clayton W5PFG

3 2

Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

> > >If I don't use SAT mode, I'd be constantly switching between VFO's, pressing >buttons and re-tuning constantly? > > > >So I guess, I need to find someone who is successfully working AO-73 with an >IC-9100? >suggestions would be appreciated. > Forget SatPC32 for this one. When you switch to AO-73, let it initially set the frequency, then click the C button and shut SatPC32 tracking off. Find a clear freq or a station you want to call. One of the buttons ( I think main or sub, it's a bit different on my 910 or 821) will let you tune the uplink while leaving the downlink static. Do that, tune while transmitting until you hear yourself. Have QSO or call CQ, and every transmission tune the uplink the first 0.5 second to keep on your receive. If the station you are working moves on the downlink, lock the vfos back together, tune him in, then go back to just tuning the uplink. It sounds worse than it is, but this is the procedure for when you don't have computer control (or it doesn't work, like with AO-73). Give it a try, it's not hard. 73, Drew KO4MA PS This works for all the mode B birds. On Mode J, tune the downlink (the higher frequency).

2 1

Help with AO-73
by Fraser Bonnett 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Guys, I need a hand working AO-73, I thinks there's something I just don't understand (I only started working the birds this year so I'm a newbie). I'm using an IC-9100 and did manage once this weekend to hear my signal, however, I used SATPC32 to tune my downlink until I found it. By the time I got that done the bird was too low for a QSO. Also, I am aware that the prevailing opinion is NOT to use PC control. So . questions: If I use the rig in SAT mode after I found my signal, I can tool around the band looking for a QSO. However, I'm aware that AO-73's frequency shifts quite a bit, but since I'm in SAT mode on the rig it changes the downlink frequency automatically. So if AO-73 has shifted its frequency and doesn't match what the SAT mode's offset is, I'm out of sync again. If I don't use SAT mode, I'd be constantly switching between VFO's, pressing buttons and re-tuning constantly? So I guess, I need to find someone who is successfully working AO-73 with an IC-9100? Any suggestions would be appreciated. 73, W3UTD Fraser --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com

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POLYITAN-1 heard
by andy thomas 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Weak signal from EM0UKPI , POLYITAN-1 heard 0959 UTC today as predicted on 437.675. CW beacon followed by data burst - but very weak on the SDR display of my FCD Pro+. I have sent a qsl card by Royal Mail 73 de andy g0sfj

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HL0BTW
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

I've been organizing my logs, QSLs and the like and was wondering if anyone had a QSL address for HL0BTW? He does not seem to be listed in the usual places. I worked him on AO-13 a couple years back (anyway it seems like a couple). 73, Joe kk0sd

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AIS On The ISS
by Dave Marthouse 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

In this week's Amsat News there was a story on the AIS experiment on the ISS. What's it's downlink frequency and what form of modulation is used? -- Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmarthouse(a)gmail.com

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AA5PK/VE3 in FN24
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

Beginning Saturday, September 13, I'll be in FN24bk and will remain through Friday, September 19. In addition to FN24, I should have a few opportunities to operate also from FN14 or the FN24/FN14 grid line. My operations will be handheld on SO-50 only. I'll be happy to QSL anyone who needs those grids confirmed. 73 Glenn AA5PK DM91

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Fwd: Webcast from Hollywood
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "W5KUB, Tom" <wa5kub(a)gmail.com> To: "WA4NVM, Rick" <wa4nvm(a)comcast.net>, "wa4hfn" <wa4hfn(a)comcast.net> Sent: Saturday, September 6, 2014 9:19:47 PM Subject: Webcast from Hollywood Ok we are confirmed to do the webcast of Special events station K6H from the set of ABC's hit TV show Last Man Standing Kathy and I will be flying out there Sept 27 and will stay one week. We will be taking as much webcast equipment that we can but the studio will provide everything else that we will need and can not carry. We originally were going to bring in this event remotely but yesterday we were asked to come out there and do it on set. The offer was too good to refuse. The W5KUB.COM webcast will be in two parts. part 1 Saturday Sept 27 we will webcast from 9:00 AM until Noon PST or later from the Hollywood set. John Amodeo, NN6JA will join me and we will give tours, talk about the set of Last Man Standing, watch the PAPA system group set up their operating positions for the show the next day. There will be 6 operating positions set up working HF, vhf, uhf, d-star, echolink, and IRLP. You will meet various people and hear interesting interviews. Part 2 Sunday Sept 28 We will be live on set with the K6H Special Events station as they make contacts. We will move around to various operating positions. Also on this day we are planning on a lot of great interviews with Big name hams from the West Coast. Dont be surprise to see some famous people. We dont have that detail yet as this thing just started snowballing out of control yesterday. It will be non-stop planning for the next two week up to the event. I will even say that we will have spur of the moment interviews with people that dont make it into the list. More to come. You may distribute this if you like. We will be putting up announcements in email and facebook soon. Tom W5KUB -- Please check out our ham radio video broadcast page at http://w5kub.com and please join our W5KUB video broadcast group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/279273778772594/ Senior Member of the I.E.E.E

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ISS SSTV - UK 06.50 - Not Active
by David Barber 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

UK Pass @ 06.50utc SSTV not active. (Packet is active) David Barber G8OQW ********

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Antenna Burn Resistor data
by Robert Bruninga 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

While testing a Burn resistor to release an antenna on our cubesat, we are AMAZED at the result. We have been running the common 0.25 Watt small resistor at 3.5 Watts ALL DAY and it still wont burn out! We use it as a “burn resistor” to release a fishing line antenna release mechanism. It does that in 2 seconds. But now 10 hours later it is still going and wont burn out! (We had hoped it would eventually open so that we could use the same control line for something else after the resistor opened up. But it wont. This is amazing to me. We know that an old composition resistor will burn smoke and crack in only a few seconds at these power levels, but not the carbon film at 14 times overload! Here is the scenario: 7.5v across a 15 ohm 0.25W carbon film resistor. • It burns the fishing line in 2 seconds • It begins to smoke at 5 • It smokes for a minute or so • Then, is black, but no further visible changes or smoke • After an hour it has changed resistance to 20 ohms • After 5 hours it is up to 29 ohms • After 10 hours it is up to 35 ohms • Of course the V^2/R power is going down, but it wont burn out! Just thought you might find this data point useful! We had known that they were quite resusable numerous times when used for 5 seconds or so at a time. But never expected 10 hours and still going! Bob, WB4APR

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ANS-250 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-250 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org. In this edition: * ISS Antenna Constructed by AMSAT Key Factor in Sea Rescue * SSTV Active on ISS * BOD Ballots Must be Recieved by September 15 * Deadlines Approaching for the 2014 AMSAT-NA Symposium * AMSAT AWARDS Update * Submit Messages for Asteroid Mission Time Capsule * AMSAT Symposium Auction * Western States Satellite DXpedition on the Road Now * ARTSAT1: INVADER (CO-77) Decays * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-250.01 ANS-250 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 250.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE September 7, 2014 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-250.01 ISS Antenna Constructed by AMSAT Key Factor in Sea Rescue Since 2010, the International Space Station has been equipped with a space-based Vessel ID System receiver that allows it to track ships at sea by way of a ship's Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal. Since then, the system aboard the ISS has been receiving as many as 400,000 ship position reports from more than 22,000 different ships every single day. According to Horst Koenig, retired Head of ESA's ISS System Engineering Section, "We had very close cooperation with NASA and the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). The AIS antenna was provided to ESA by AMSAT, along with an additional antenna for the Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS) group." This is the story of how this experimental system was used in 2012 to rescue the sole surviving crewmember of a fishing vessel after it overturned in the North Atlantic during a storm. http://tinyurl.com/ANS250-gCaptian More on NASA's Vessel ID System experiment can be found http://tinyurl.com/ANS250-VesselID More on the AIS on ISS and Assembling the Experiment can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ANS250-AISonISS Congratulations to the ARISS hardware team that was responsible for the development of the ISS AIS antenna system! [ANS Thanks gCaptain.com and the European Space Agency for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- SSTV Active on ISS The SSTV downlink from the Russian ARISS radio was active for several orbits Friday through Saturday. Reports from around the world were being exchanged on social media as well as on the AMSAT-BB. Signals were received on the 145.80 FM downlink frequency in PD 180 mode. Signal reports were strong. There is no word on how long the SSTV will be active. The APRS digipeater in the Columbus module continued to be in operation during the SSTV downlinks. Many pictures have been posted to http://spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php [ANS Thanks AMSAT-BB and Twitter and Facebook for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- BOD Ballots Must be Recieved by September 15 There is still time to vote but remember that Board of Directors ballots must be recieved at the AMSAT Office by 15 SEP 2014 in order to be counted. Your returned ballot should be sent promptly, and those from outside North American preferably by air mail or other expedited means. Normally there would be 3 full Board seats open this year, plus 2 alternates. However, with the passing of Tony Monteiro, AA2TX (SK), there will be an additional full Board seat open to fill the remainder of his term. This means that the top three recipients of votes will have two-year terms, the fourth most vote recipient serving as full member for one year. The fifth and sixth highest vote recipients will serve as first and second Alternate, respectively. You may vote for up to 4 individuals. Election of board members is both an obligation as well as an opportunity by our membership to help shape the future direction of AMSAT-NA. Please take the time to review the candidate statements that accompany the ballot and determine who you wish to see on the Board. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Deadlines Approaching for the 2014 AMSAT-NA Symposium It is only five weeks from the kickoff of this year's AMSAT-NA Space Symposium, planned for October 10-12 in Baltimore, Maryland, so please sign up soon!! AMSAT is holding a block of rooms at a special $99 rate until September 17th. After that date, rooms may be available, but at a significantly higher regular rate. Details on the Symposium and room registration may be found at www.amsat.org. The submission deadline for papers to be included in the conference proceedings is September 15th. Details for submission may be found at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=1568. The deadline for orders for the popular 2014 AMSAT Symposium commemorative shirts to be received is September 10th. These shirts must be ordered directly, and will not be available on the AMSAT Store or at the meeting. Details and a downloadable order form may be found at http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=2928. We are getting some fantastic items for the auction to be held during the symposium. A sampling of items include: A John Glenn limited edition commemorative, donated by Marilyn Mix and Dave Taylor, a Yaesu 757, from the estate of Astronaut Ronald Parise, 2 unbuilt models of the Energia-Buran and Space Station Mir in their original packaging, donated by Eric Rosenberg, and some Russian cultural and items and books. If you have items to donate, please contact Frank Bauer, KA3HDO at ka3hdo(a)verizon.net. And don't forget to bring your checkbooks as all proceeds are tax deductible and go to a great cause! [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT AWARDS Update AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO announce recent AMSAT AWARD Recipients. The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. Kelly Davis, KC3CGT David Coutts, VE3KLX Michael Parrott, N4MEP Michael Jones, W6GYC Richard Weil, KW0U The following have earned their AMSAT Sexagesimal Award. Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, #166 The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award. Hector Martinez, CO6CBF, #81 (Basic 1,000 plus endorsements through 4,000) Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, #82 The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI 5,000 Award. Hector Martinez, CO6CBF, #31 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com/awards.html [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Submit Messages for Asteroid Mission Time Capsule NASA is inviting the worldwide public to submit short messages and images on social media that could be placed in a time capsule aboard a spacecraft launching to an asteroid in 2016. Called the Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification- Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx), the spacecraft will rendezvous with the asteroid Bennu in 2019, collect a sample and return the cache in a capsule to Earth in 2023 for detailed study. The robotic mission will spend more than two years at the 1,760-foot (500-meter)-wide asteroid and return a minimum of 2 ounces (60 grams) of its surface material. Topics for submissions by the public should be about solar system exploration in 2014 and predictions for space exploration activities in 2023. The mission team will choose 50 tweets and 50 images to be placed in the capsule. Messages can be submitted Sept. 2 - 30. The time capsule website will give you the instructions on how to particpate. See: http://www.asteroidmission.org/timecapsule When the sample return capsule returns to Earth in 2023 with the asteroid material, the mission team will open the time capsule to view the messages and images, at which time the selected submissions will be posted online. [ANS thanks NASA and SpaceDaily.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Symposium Auction At this year's AMSAT Space Symposium, we are trying a few new things and we hope you will enjoy them. One exciting facet we are adding this year is an auction. All proceeds from the auction will support AMSAT's two major initiatives--the development and launch of the FOX satellite series and the ARISS program. As we prepare for the auction, we are asking for your help in donating specialty items for auction (minimum value $100) that will attract symposium attendee's attention and get them bidding up the item price. If you have any items that are ham related (no boat anchors please), items of historical value, space related and/or autographed items, or even sports tickets or time shares, we would love to get your donations. Think out of the box on this--what exciting things would you like to see in this auction? If you have something to donate to the Symposium auction, please send an e-mail to Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, who will work with you on getting your item or items into the auction. Frank's e-mail address is ka3hdo at verizon dot net This auction, while adding a fun experience to the AMSAT Space Symposium experience, will also serve to keep amateur radio's spirit thriving in space through its donations to FOX and ARISS. On behalf of AMSAT, I thank you for your donations in advance. And I encourage each of you to attend and participate in this year's AMSAT Space Symposium to be held in Baltimore Maryland Oct 10-12. For more information, see: http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=1555 [ANS thanks Frank KA3DHO and Janet Bauer, Symposium Committee Co- Chairs, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Western States Satellite DXpedition on the Road Now John, K8YSE, has started on a grid expedition to some Western States. The grids that he will definitely operate from are: CN93, CN96, DN03, DN05, DN07, DN14, DN15, DN20, DN21, DN22, DN23, DN48, DN54, DN68, DN76, DN78, DM38, DM48 and DM49. John states, "There will be many other grids on the route, but I'll only operate from them if the situation permits. This is a tent camping trip, and the weather will play a role in when and if I can operate. The first grid will be DN54 although there may be one or two before that depending on the timing." John will be using an Icom 910H and an Arrow or Elk antenna rather than the setup in my truck that was used on the Lake Superior Expedition. Setup time and weather will be a factor. I don't anticipate operating in darkness although it may be possible at campsites. I will be using computer control on the linear birds. We don't have many satellites now and since AO-7 is now switching between Mode A and B, it will only be available every other day. The primary birds will be FO-29 and SO-50. There may be some AO-73, but not likely. If AO-7 is weak, he may operate on CW on that bird only. John will be track-able on APRS as K8YSE-9 (cellphone 3g/4g) and/or K8YSE-12, or -12 on RF. He also adds, "Sometime in October I will plan a short trip over to DM63/64 if anyone needs those grids. And on January 1st, 2015, I will operate at least one pass from FM13 in the afternoon." John doesn't anticipate doing LoTW for this expedition. Cards should be sent direct to him. If you have many contacts to confirm, a log excerpt can be sent that he can sign and return to you. Please make sure you indicate which grid he was in for each QSO. He also plans to record all passes and log on paper as well. QSOs will be confirmed sometime in December. To read John's complete press release, go to: http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2014-August/050548.html [ANS thanks John Papays, K8YSE for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTSAT1: INVADER (CO-77) Decays ARTSAT1: INVADER (CO-77) decayed earlier this week . It was only 186 days since launch. However, we are so glad that many hams listen and report it. ARTSAT team is now concentrating the next project, ARTSAT2: DESPATCH as announced by JI1IZR last night. We are continuously going to develop our concept and philosophy through the creation of artworks using the data from INVADER and launch of next deep-space amateur spacecrafts, DESPATCH. We would be grateful for your continued cooperation. [ANS thanks Akihiro Kubota, ARTSAT Project for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + A Successful contact was made between About Gagarin From Space, The Center Of Supplementary Education For Children Of Ruzayev District Mordovia Republic Russia and Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev using callsign RSØISS. The contact began 2014-08-30 10:00 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was direct via R4UAB. ARISS Mentor was RV3DR. The Russian web site http://r4uab.ru/?page_id=6368 includes pictures, video, and descriptions of the contact and student activities. + A Successful contact was made between Gymnasium Siegburg Alleestraße Siegburg, Germany and Astronaut Alexander Gerst KF5ONO using callsign DPØISS. The contact began 2014-09-01 13:12 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was direct via DN6KW. ARISS Mentor was IN3GHZ. 600 were present in the audience, including students, parents, VIP's, members of the DLR team, University of Bonn and the German National Amateur Radio Society. The German nationwide TV stations ARD, WDR, RPR and some regional newspapers covered the event. + A Successful contact was made between Evansville Day School Evansville, Indiana USA and Astronaut Gregory Wiseman KF5LKT using callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2014-09-03 14:31 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was direct via W9OG. ARISS Mentor was K5YFL. All 15 prepared questions plus two others were answered during the contact. For all their STEM efforts leading up to the ARISS contact, the mayor of Evansville declared Sept 3 as "Evansville Day School Science Day." Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule St. Joan of Arc School, Lisle, IL, direct via K9LEZ Contact is a go for: Mon 2014-09-08 18:34:45 UTC St. Joan of Arc Catholic School is located in Lisle, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. We are a pre-K to 8th grade school with about 600 students. St. Joan provides an educational environment which grants each student access to the highest quality and richest variety of integrated educational experiences within our means. We are committed to preparing our students to think critically and become confident, sensitive, Christian leaders capable of adapting and contributing to their community. Our school was awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence in 2011. Our school was named an IMSA (Illinios Math and Science Academy) Fusion School in 2012. Our school participated in NASA's microgravity program through the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas in 2013. The teachers directly involves in this contact completed the American Radio Relay League's (ARRL) summer teacher institute program and are working with local radio amateurs to successfully complete this contact and to provide additional opportunities to our classrooms. Students First Names & Questions: 1. Caitlin: Was it hard to sit so long in the Soyuz capsule on the way to the ISS? 2. Ben: Do you have any type of church services or a chance to receive communion on the ISS? 3. Marlo: What is your favorite thing you have seen on Earth from the space station? 4. Mary: What type of research are you doing on the ISS? 5. Olivia: What made you want to become an astronaut? 6. Nicholas: What is your favorite thing to eat in space? 7. Merrick: How do you talk to your family and friends? 8. Charlotte: What happens if you get sick? 9. Amelia: Is it hard to sleep in space? 10. Taylor: What do you miss most about home? 11. Ava: What do you like to do in your free time? 12. Brady: What is the scariest thing you have experienced as an astronaut? 13. Nathan: What type of exercises do you do while in space? 14. Jake: What was your favorite subject while in school? 15. Kristine: What was the hardest part of astronaut training? 16. Phil: What is the most interesting object in the universe that you have seen from the ISS? 17. Miss Friedman: What advice would you give to a student who would like to someday become an astronaut? 18. Mrs. Anderson: What do you miss most about gravity? 19. Mrs. Anderson: What is the greatest challenge of living with people from other countries? 20. Miss Friedman: What do you enjoy most about being weightless? Lanier Middle School and Lanier Cluster Schools, Sugar Hill, GA, direct via W4GR Contact is a go for: Tue 2014-09-09 11:16:25 UTC Lanier Cluster is the home of the Longhorns! They are a group of schools with a common goal: Learn, Lead, Succeed. They are comprised of one special needs preschool (The Buice School), three elementary schools (Sugar Hill Elementary, Sycamore Elementary, White Oak Elementary), one middle school (Lanier Middle), and one high school (Lanier High). Their schools are located in the greater Atlanta metro area in the largest school district in Georgia. Their schools and cluster are named after nearby Lake Lanier, which part of the Chattahoochee River system. Lanier Cluster schools strive to create authentic learning environments for our students. Towards that end, our elementary schools, Lanier Middle, and Lanier High have project based learning programs for students. At Lanier High, students choose to be a part of a school within a school (academy model) as they guide students towards career and college readiness. Lanier High was also recently certified as a Georgia STEM high school, the only all-inclusive, traditional high school in Georgia that has received this STEM certification. Lanier Cluster students are excited about science and space exploration. They have participated in regional and state science fairs, designed an experiment flown in microgravity, and chatted with a NASA Earth scientist live on NASA TV. They have presented at conferences, participated in robotics and app challenge events, and even won an Emmy for work on a 3D computer animation for a PBS documentary. The students of Lanier Cluster are excited to be a part of this ARISS contact! Students First Names & Questions: 1. Marcus (12th grade) What was your motivation to becoming an astronaut? 2. Joseph (5th grade) If you were repairing the space station outside and the tether snapped, what would you do? 3. James (11th grade) Your whole life led up to this moment. You've gotten great grades through school and endured all the training that allowed you to go into space. Do you think it is all worth doing? Does it all payoff in this moment? 4. Bianca (5th grade) Do you do cool experiments? 5. Wyatt (3rd grade) What do you like best about space? 6. Red Lady Bug Class (PreK 4) Can you dance in space? 7. Reyes (4th grade) In our school we have an Inquiry Program, which is a collaborative program. As you work with other countries in space what challenges do you have as you collaborate with them. 8. America (3rd grade) How much do you weight when you wear your spacesuit on Earth? 9. Mason (5th grade) Does it get really hot when you re-enter Earth's atmosphere? 10. Zae-kwon (10th grade) Thinking of how long it took humans to go to the moon and how humans have not stepped foot on some of the other planets, how long do you think it will take to reach the nearest star system? 11. Green Frog Class (PreK 4) Will the spaceship crash into meteors? 12. Jahzay (5th grade) What exactly is your job at the space station? 13. Ormand (12th grade) What's the most annoying thing about zero gravity? 14. Charlie (5th grade) Have you come across any challenges yet? 15. Lily (5th grade) How do you sleep in space without floating around? 16. Brown Bear Class (PreK 4) How long is space training? 17. Savannah (4th grade) Once you have landed back on Earth, how do you make adjustments to being back on Earth and no longer in space (gravity, sleeping, eating, etc.) 18. Sherlyn (3rd grade) How many astronauts are there in space? 19. Kasandra (5th grade) Is (are) there food or restrooms in space? 20. Blue Butterfly Class (PreK 4) How do you eat food without it floating away? The ARISS team mourns the loss of Astronaut Steve Nagel, callsign N5RAW, who passed away on August 21. Steve supported amateur radio school contacts on two of his Shuttle flights as part of the SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment) program, the forerunner to ARISS. Article from last week's ARISS Contact at Dorothy Grant Elementary in Fontana, CA: http://TinyURL.com/ANS250-DorothyGrant Here is the video that was put together by the Peoria Unified School District for the Zuni Hills Contact. Enjoy! http://youtu.be/cQpAlsBE2IE [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N, David AA4KN, Frank KA3DHO and Keith W5IU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over The CubeSat Chasqui-1 features on page 44 of the September issue of the free publication Sat Magazine http://www.satmagazine.com/download.php# Abyss-2 - from the Japanese language article it looks like it's carrying an amateur radio payload and will launch this December. Does anyone have any further information ? http://tinyurl.com/ANS250-Asteroid Also there appears to be a Japanese Lunar Orbiter under development which will carry an amateur radio transponder http://kit-okuyama-lab.com/en/sinen2/sinen2-outline/ [ANS thanks Trevor M5AKA for the above information] You Can Run But You Can't Hide Tom Doyle W9KE reports on the AMSAT-BB about a serendipitous CW contact earlier this week. On an early morning FO-29 pass I was doing some SDR desense tests. I was looking for an open spot to do the tests so as to not interfere with anyone. I send a bunch of dots or dashes to check the downlink signal on the SDR and identify myself with the call sign. There were some ssb contacts going on and some CW so I had to move from time to time. It seemed as if I was often in danger of interfering with a cw contact so I would have to move frequently. The sdr latency is an issue when trying to monitor your cw downlink. I heard my callsign on the downlink and thought that a two second latency delay was a bit much. I finally figured out that someone was calling me - it was the person that I had been trying to not interfere with by moving away from his frequency. It was K9CIS. He deserves an award for working someone who was not even trying to make a contact. He is a very skilled operator who had no trouble with the fact that I was operating without any Doppler correction and I had been jumping (not swooping) around trying to stay off his frequency for some time. Well done. [ANS thanks Tom W9KE for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information. 73, This week's ANS Editor, EMike McCardel, KC8YLD kc8yld at amsat dot org

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Web API to get the information necessary for tracking DESPATCH
by Akihiro Kubota 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

Dear AMSAT members, The ARTSAT Project is going to launch a deep-space sculpture/spacecraft “DESPATCH” this December. One of the main mission of DESPATCH is the trial reception of very weak signals from deep space, gathering fragmented data received by ham operators around the world. Further details are introduced in this document: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1336163/despatch_abstract_en_ver1.0.1.p… Subsequently to this documentation, we developed a Web API to get the information necessary for tracking DESPATCH (e.g. elevation, azimuth angles, reception frequency, etc.). http://api.artsat.jp/web/despatch The below URL provides this trajectory data in a formatted text file (CSV or JSON format). CSV format: http://api.artsat.jp/despatch/track_range.csv?begin=1417436200&end=14174372… JSON format: http://api.artsat.jp/despatch/track_range.json?begin=1417436200&end=1417437… The 6 parameters after “?” in the URLs are variables which are given to our data server. The location of your radio station is set by “lat”, “lon”, and “alt,” and our server provides the trajectory data in the period between “begin” and “end” at intervals of “interval” value. The example URLs above are set to our radio station (latitude: N 35.610603 [deg.] longitude: E 139.351124 [deg.] altitude: 148 [meter]), to the period between 13:16:40 UTC and 13:33:22 UTC, 1 December 2014, and to the intervals of 100 seconds. The time system of “begin” and “end” are Unix-time, which is the number of seconds that have elapsed since 00:00:00 UTC, 1 January 1970 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_time). To convert UTC to Unix-time, these web sites will be helpful: http://www.epochconverter.com/, http://www.onlineconversion.com/unix_time.htm. Since the ordinal TLE set is not available for DESPATCH in an earth escape orbit, we are asking for your helps in developing software to read this data file and to control the hardware, including the antenna-rotators and receivers in your radio station. If you have any comments or suggestions about this trajectory data or any other else, please contact us freely. Thank you in advance. Note: The launch date of DESATCH is not fixed. The current trajectory data is calculated assuming that the launch day is 1 December 2014. At present, you can get the data int the period from the launch day to the day after a week. All the best, ARTSAT Project Team info(a)artsat.jp http://artsat.jp

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Re: [amsat-bb] ISS SSTV pictures received September 6
by Doug - k4gkj 07 Sep '14

07 Sep '14

Anyone hear anything this last N American pass @ 18:00 Zulu? I didn't, but was on the fringe (far eastern US)...... Doug Bennight K4GKJ 850-528-5772 850-926-2052 -------- Original message -------- From: Joshua Abraham <jarvideo(a)gmail.com> Date: To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS SSTV pictures received September 6 Just finished uploading a copy from the most recent pass over North America. Had excellent reception on my handheld in Morehead City, NC. Here's a link to what I got. http://i.imgur.com/tPNGFEE.png I just missed the fist part of the transmission but I managed to get the rest just fine. - 73 kj4vyr, Josh On Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 2:42 PM, Lizeth Norman <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com> wrote: > SSTV still being transmitted 1840z > > On Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 1:14 PM, Kenneth Ransom <n5vho.ken(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > Some more images have been posted to the Gallery at > > http://spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php > > > > > > > > On Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 11:36 AM, Dave Webb KB1PVH <kb1pvh(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > >> Here is a link to the SSTV pics so far. > >> > >> http://t.co/oV16Bs9b5E > >> > >> Dave-KB1PVH > >> > >> > >> On Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 12:21 PM, Nitin Muttin <vu3tyg(a)yahoo.co.in> > wrote: > >> > >> > Great clarity in the picture Fabiano. > >> > > >> > 73 > >> > Nitin (vu3tyg) > >> > > >> > Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android > >> > > >> > _______________________________________________ > >> > 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. > >> > 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. 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. > >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > Kenneth - N5VHO > > _______________________________________________ > > 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. > > 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. 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. > 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. 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. 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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ISS SSTV over Brazil
by Roland Zurmely 06 Sep '14

06 Sep '14

Picture received: http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/satelite/ISSSSTVG5.jpg View on www.qsl.net Preview by Yahoo 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ

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ISS SSTV pictures received September 6
by Joshua Abraham 06 Sep '14

06 Sep '14

Just finished uploading a copy from the most recent pass over North America. Had excellent reception on my handheld in Morehead City, NC. Here's a link to what I got. http://i.imgur.com/tPNGFEE.png I just missed the fist part of the transmission but I managed to get the rest just fine. - 73 kj4vyr, Josh On Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 2:42 PM, Lizeth Norman <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com> wrote: > SSTV still being transmitted 1840z > > On Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 1:14 PM, Kenneth Ransom <n5vho.ken(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > Some more images have been posted to the Gallery at > > http://spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php > > > > > > > > On Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 11:36 AM, Dave Webb KB1PVH <kb1pvh(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > > > >> Here is a link to the SSTV pics so far. > >> > >> http://t.co/oV16Bs9b5E > >> > >> Dave-KB1PVH > >> > >> > >> On Sat, Sep 6, 2014 at 12:21 PM, Nitin Muttin <vu3tyg(a)yahoo.co.in> > wrote: > >> > >> > Great clarity in the picture Fabiano. > >> > > >> > 73 > >> > Nitin (vu3tyg) > >> > > >> > Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android > >> > > >> > _______________________________________________ > >> > 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. > >> > 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. 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. > >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > Kenneth - N5VHO > > _______________________________________________ > > 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. > > 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. 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. > 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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ISS SSTV pictures received September 6
by M5AKA 06 Sep '14

06 Sep '14

I have posted the two ISS SSTV pictures that Paulo PV8DX received this morning using the SUWS WebSDR located near London on the AMSAT-UK Facebook page. http://facebook.com/amsatuk ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK Website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Re: [amsat-bb] Antenna Burn Resistor data
by Ross Whenmouth 06 Sep '14

06 Sep '14

Bob, does your mass budget allow you to include a fuse in series with the burn resistor? eg Looking at: http://www.matronic.de/pdf/herstellerkataloge/littelfuse_katalog/Chapter10S… Your 15R burn resistor will draw ~ 0.5A from your 7.5V supply? Looking at the fuse curves for the "FLAT-PAK Slo-Blo Fuse 203 Series" on page 23 of that PDF, the 1/4A variant of those fuses should open after about 6 seconds @ 0.5A (might blow a bit quicker in a vacuum though since there is no atmosphere to convect heat away from the fuse?) There will be other suitable fuses - the above is just an example (I do not work for Littelfuse). 73 ZL2WRW Ross Whenmouth

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ISS sstv signal
by Fer 06 Sep '14

06 Sep '14

Hello Trevor M5AKA, all many thanks for your report, I confirm impressive signal from ISS during 12.30 UTC pass over Italy ISS sstv 06sept14 12.30.jpg ISS sstv 06sept14 12.30.jpg Shared with Dropbox View on www.dropbox.com Preview by Yahoo 73 Fer IW1DTU

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Re: [amsat-bb] UIView32 Config for ISS APRS
by Peter Kaminski 05 Sep '14

05 Sep '14

Hello Sil, ZL2CIA Mineo, JE9PEL Trevor, M5AKA Nitin, VU3TYG many thanks for all your info - very helpfull. So now I startet to install UISS and some modules with UZ7HO Sound Card Modem and IC-7000 or with my TH-D7 as TNC. Has anyone use the TH-D7 with UISS? With UIView32 it works perfectly. with a modified .cmd file. 73 Peter DL9DAK -- Peter Kaminski Vogt-Wells-Str. 5 22529 Hamburg Germany Phone: +49 40 41477811 Mobile: +49 172 4053333 Skype: peter.kaminski.hh Web: www.dl9dak.de

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Sarah Brightman to start space flight training in January
by M5AKA 05 Sep '14

05 Sep '14

The UK's Sarah Brightman expects to start space flight training in January. She may fly to the ISS in September 2015. Her mission highlights the rapid escalation of launch charges in recent years. In 2006 the Iranian-American engineer Anousheh Ansari paid $20 million for her mission to the ISS, Sarah will have to pay $52 million. See http://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/04/sarah-brightman-to-start-space-flight-traini… ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK Website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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France (IN94) on AO-07
by Michel F6GLJ 04 Sep '14

04 Sep '14

Hello everybody. I'll be on AO-07B between 18:33 and 18:43 UTC, very god pass for qso between France and South America, Caribbean and North America, and I hope meet you. 73 qro de Michel F6GLJ

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Lap Top for Fun Cube dongal
by w6gmt＠bak.rr.com 04 Sep '14

04 Sep '14

What is a good used Laptop to run the Fun Cube dongle pro ? 73 Brock W6GMT BROCK THOMSEN PO BOX 222 MARCELL MN 56657 EN37EN

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ISS SSTV September 5 for 15 minutes
by M5AKA 04 Sep '14

04 Sep '14

Paulo PV8DX has spotted that the current ISS Work Plan at http://www.mcc.rsa.ru/plan.htm has a 15 minute slot allocated for SSTV operation on Friday, September 5. Perhaps this is just a test of the system, maybe trying some different software settings to see if they can get some tones transmitted ?? If so let's hope it works. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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KPC and IC910
by Jim White 04 Sep '14

04 Sep '14

Following up on the 9612 and IC 910 problems: The diagnosis is the IC 910 had a problem, possibly caused by lightening, which damaged the FET that provides PTT ground from the KPC 9612. I've sent the KPC to Kantronics and the IC 910 to ICOM for repair. The 9612 Plus is a current product and Kantronics will repair them. ICOM service centers still repair the IC 910 but the person at the Washington center indicated they may not for much longer. This is too bad because in my view the 910 is still a great satellite rig. Jim

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K2BSA/5 on Saturday, September 13th
by Tom Schuessler 04 Sep '14

04 Sep '14

Hi all, I wanted to let all of you know that I will be activating K2BSA/5 for a Radio Merit Badge workshop at the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas in EM12 on Saturday, September 13th. Unfortunately the only satellite operation I will be able to do that day will be a 1545Z SO-50 western pass. I would like to make a good show for the Scouts for the workshop that we will have in tow so please keep this activity in mind and give us a shout. I plan to have the Scouts shout back at you. 73 and see you then. Tom Schuessler, N5HYP

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LO 75
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 04 Sep '14

04 Sep '14

Lo 75 is still operational in sun only and about ½ the time is putting carrier only and the rest of the time it is operational. It is close to end of life and you need to update the TLE every week nick Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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SatPC32 - SDR-Console - HDSDR - FUNcube
by Thomas Doyle 04 Sep '14

04 Sep '14

This update may be of interest. http://www.tomdoyle.org/FUNcube-SatPC32 73 W9KE Tom Doyle

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Triton-1 And LO-75
by Dave Marthouse 03 Sep '14

03 Sep '14

Does anyone know the status of the Triton-1 and LO-75 satellites? I was just on the Triton webpage and there were no updates. Any information would be appreciated. -- Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmarthouse(a)gmail.com

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AMSAT Awards Update
by Bruce 03 Sep '14

03 Sep '14

Here is our latest induction into some of the AMSAT awards community. There is a pretty good batch since my last report. The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. Kelly Davis, KC3CGT David Coutts, VE3KLX Michael Parrott, N4MEP Michael Jones, W6GYC Richard Weil, KW0U The following have earned their AMSAT Sexagesimal Award. Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, #166 The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award. Hector Martinez, CO6CBF, #81 (Basic 1,000 plus endorsements through 4,000) Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, #82 The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI 5,000 Award. Hector Martinez, CO6CBF, #31 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com/awards.html Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes _______________________________________________ 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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W1AW/4 TN. satellite em55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 03 Sep '14

03 Sep '14

WA4NVM and WA4HFN will be taking turns operating W1AW/4 on the birds . Anyone needing an extra em55 contact for the 5 in em55 award this contact will be allowed . www.starcommgroup.org click on awards

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You Can Run But You Can't Hide Award - K9CIS
by Thomas Doyle 03 Sep '14

03 Sep '14

On an early morning FO-29 pass I was doing some SDR desense tests. I was looking for an open spot to do the tests so as to not interfere with anyone. I send a bunch of dots or dashes to check the downlink signal on the SDR and identify myself with the call sign. There were some ssb contacts going on and some CW so I had to move from time to time. It seemed as if I was often in danger of interfering with a cw contact so I would have to move frequently. The sdr latency is an issue when trying to monitor your cw downlink. I heard my callsign on the downlink and thought that a two second latency delay was a bit much. I finally figured out that someone was calling me - it was the person that I had been trying to not interfere with by moving away from his frequency. It was K9CIS. He deserves an award for working someone who was not even trying to make a contact. He is a very skilled operator who had no trouble with the fact that I was operating without any Doppler correction and I had been jumping (not swooping) around trying to stay off his frequency for some time. Well done. 73 W9KE Tom Doyle

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ARTSAT1:INVADER (CO-77)
by akihiro kubota 03 Sep '14

03 Sep '14

Dear all, Good morning from Tokyo! ARTSAT1: INVADER (CO-77) decayed yesterday. It was only 186 days since launch. However, we are so glad that many hams listen and report it. ARTSAT team is now concentrating the next project, ARTSAT2: DESPATCH as announced by JI1IZR last night. We are continuously going to develop our concept and philosophy through the creation of artworks using the data from INVADER and launch of next deep-space amateur spacecrafts, DESPATCH. We would be grateful for your continued cooperation. Thanks again and all the best, Akihiro Kubota, ARTSAT Project

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Chasqui-1 in Sat Magazine
by M5AKA 02 Sep '14

02 Sep '14

The CubeSat Chasqui-1 features on page 44 of the September issue of the free publication Sat Magazine http://www.satmagazine.com/download.php# I'm not to sure quite what these words mean "The satellite will have four monitoring sessions per day for a period of six months." but at least the satellite achieved lots of international publicity. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Fw: ARLS006 73 on 73 Award Period Now Underway
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 02 Sep '14

02 Sep '14

-----Original Message----- From: ARRL Web site Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2014 5:17 PM To: aa5pk(a)suddenlink.net Subject: ARLS006 73 on 73 Award Period Now Underway SB SPACE @ ARL $ARLS006 ARLS006 73 on 73 Award Period Now Underway ZCZC AS06 QST de W1AW Space Bulletin 006 ARLS006 >From ARRL Headquarters Newington, CT September 2, 2014 To all radio amateurs SB SPACE ARL ARLS006 ARLS006 73 on 73 Award Period Now Underway Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, is sponsoring a new award for contacts made via the UK Amateur Radio Educational Satellite FUNcube-1 (AO-73) to promote activity on the satellite. It is called the 73 on 73 award. The award period began on September 1. More information on FUNCUBE may be found on the web at, http://funcube.org.uk/ . Requirements are simple: Work 73 different stations on AO-73 (SSB or CW). There are no geographic restrictions on operating location, no QSLs are required, and the award is free. E-mail log extracts containing the call sign of each station worked and the date/time (UTC) of each contact to, n8hm(a)arrl.net. Include your mailing address. The AO-73 inverting transponder uplink is 435.150-435.130 MHz (LSB). The downlink is 145.950-145.970 MHz (USB). Use no more than 5 W to a 7 dBi gain antenna when accessing the AO-73 transponder. NNNN /EX

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Japanese Asteroid Mission To Carry Amateur Radio
by M5AKA 02 Sep '14

02 Sep '14

Abyss-2 - from the Japanese language article it looks like it's carrying an amateur radio payload and will launch this December. Does anyone have any further information ? http://amsat-uk.org/2014/09/01/japanese-asteroid-mission-to-carry-amateur-r… Also there appears to be a Japanese Lunar Orbiter under development which will carry an amateur radio transponder http://kit-okuyama-lab.com/en/sinen2/sinen2-outline/ ---- Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK Website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amsatuk Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Re: [amsat-bb] Japanese Asteroid Mission To Carry Amateur
by Armando Mercado 02 Sep '14

02 Sep '14

>Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2014 02:23:36 +0000 (UTC) >From: Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> >To: M5AKA <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> >Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Japanese Asteroid Mission To Carry Amateur >Radio >Message-ID: ><644788423.10589773.1409624616290.JavaMail.root(a)comcast.net> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 >What "kind" of keps do we use to track this? >73 Bob W7LRD Hi, JPL's Horizons Web Site will likely have these objects in their data base when launched. From there you can get RA/Dec or generate AZ/EL for your QTH. You can enter RA/Dec into NOVA and it will track it like any other celestial target. Not sure if other satellite programs have this feature. http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi 73, Armando N8IGJ

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Re: [amsat-bb] I am doing it wrong, but not sure what...& In-Reply-To
by Kevin M 02 Sep '14

02 Sep '14

Hey Mark, I have no idea why, but the majority of AMSAT guys seem to refuse to mention this website when people are trying to figure out tracking... http://www.n2yo.com/?s=7530|27607|24278|39417 Just put in your location and the link I gave you will bring up the four current workable satellites. It's all I've used the past few years... eventually I will get SATPC32 when I finally get my new antennas up and want to try automatic tracking. Saw a fairly new ham posting on eHam needing help/advice about putting up an antenna in trees. I suggested he look you up, lives just 8-9 miles from you. NC4EF I think the call is. Hope all is well... 73 for now, Kevin N4UFO P.S. pics of progress on my sat antennas on my QRZ page: http://www.qrz.com/db/N4UFO ------------------------------------------------------------------ "Control is the need of the fearful mind. Trust is the need of the courageous heart."

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W1AW/7 (Arizona) satellite stats for the past week
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 02 Sep '14

02 Sep '14

Hi! After wrapping up the W1AW/7 satellite activity from Arizona in the last week, I compiled some statistics. First of all, thanks to all of the stations that worked W1AW/7 in the past week. I was the only satellite operator for W1AW/7 this time, and we didn't have VO-52 compared to the other W1AW/7 Arizona week in mid-March, but things worked out well. W1AW/7 logged 105 satellite QSOs in the past week. W1AW/7 worked 58 unique call signs in those 105 QSOs. Those stations were located in 19 US states, 3 Canadian provinces (BC, ON, SK), and 3 Mexican states (Chiapas, Colima, Puebla), in 4 DXCC entities (W, VE, XE, CO). W1AW/7 logged QSOs with 47 different grids. W1AW/7 made QSOs on the following satellites: AO-7 - 5 QSOs AO-73 - 19 QSOs FO-29 - 35 QSOs SO-50 - 46 QSOs W1AW/7 only worked daytime SO-50 passes during the three-day Labor Day holiday weekend (Saturday through Monday), and 2 AO-7 passes on Sunday. FO-29 and AO-73 were worked every evening, at least one pass for each satellite, plus the daytime AO-73 passes over the weekend (thanks AMSAT-UK and the FUNcube project!). The SO-50 passes on Saturday and Monday afternoons were worked from the DM33/DM43 grid boundary at a Phoenix city park (the park I worked many satellite passes from, over several years), and the other passes were worked from my back yard in DM43. If you wish to receive a QSL card for working W1AW/7 in the past week, please send your QSL request to ARRL. Over the next week or two, the log will be uploaded to Logbook of the World, including the grid locator(s) for each QSO. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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KPC and IC910 help
by Jim White 02 Sep '14

02 Sep '14

Looking for a bit of help here. In reassembling my 9600 bps ground station today for an upcoming launch I found two problems. 1) My IC910H goes into transmit on main band when I power it on, even with nothing connected. It worked fine a month ago. Using the 4/5-power on factory reset clears the settings but it still transmits when turned on. I'd appreciate any ideas of what else I can try, or - can I send it to ICOM for repair. 2) A used KPC9612+ I bought from a local guy, which worked fine a few days ago, now has a PTT problem. The PTT on pin 1 of the 15 pin 'high speed' port 2 connector is inverted. It is ground when the TNC is idle and goes off ground (not sure how far) when I send a packet. The PTT light for port two works properly, red when PTTing, but the output pin is inverted. I did note the backup battery appears dead because settings like the PC interface baud rate don't survive a power cycle, but I can't see how that should effect PTT polarity. As above, any ideas about a setting the inverted that, or - where can I send this guy for repair, would be appreciated. These two could be related since the KPC and 910 were connected for a month or so. Perhaps one failure caused the other. Just speculating. Thanks in advance, Jim WD0E jim(a)coloradosatellite.com

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1979-09-01: Pioneer 11 Flies By Saturn
by B J 01 Sep '14

01 Sep '14

http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?MCode=Pioneer_11 It was the first spacecraft to reach Saturn. As I remember, the observations it made indicated more details in the ring structure than could be observed by ground-based telescopes. That was confirmed over a year later by Voyager 1. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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G5400/5500 fiberglass booms for sale
by Bob- W7LRD 01 Sep '14

01 Sep '14

I have two 5 foot fiberglass booms, and a 4 foot stainless steel insert for the booms. The insert alone weighs 20Lbs. Asking $125 (offers) plus shipping to your QTH. Pictures available upon request. Starting here before Ebay. Email direct. 73 Bob W7LRD

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Re: [amsat-bb] WTB Funcube Dongle (not pro plus)
by Jeff Kelly 01 Sep '14

01 Sep '14

Looking for pro - not pro + On Aug 29, 2014 5:49 AM, Jeff Kelly <jkelly(a)verizon.net> wrote: > > Send email to: > > K2SDR at verizon.net > > Jeff > _______________________________________________ > 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. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

2 1

73 on 73 Award Reminder
by Paul Stoetzer 01 Sep '14

01 Sep '14

Just a reminder that the award period for the 73 on 73 Award begins at 0000Z on September 1st, so begin keeping track of the unique callsigns that you work on AO-73. When you reach 73 unique callsigns in your log, email me at n8hm(a)arrl.net with a list of calls, date, and time worked (in UTC) and your mailing address. I hope to have a website up soon with an example of what the award will look like. Some tips for working AO-73: -Keep in mind the frequency drift on the transponder. The offset needed on your transmit frequency is usually from +10 kHz to +16 kHz. This can vary throughout the pass, requiring frequency adjustments if using computer control. Many find manually tuning the uplink to maintain a constant downlink to work better than computer control. -I usually start a pass by trying to find myself come into the top edge of the passband (145.970 MHz). To do this, I usually start transmitting around 435.135 MHz and tuning up slowly until I can hear myself enter the passband. Then I can move around the transponder easily. Remember to tune your uplink to maintain an constant downlink frequency (the opposite of FO-29). -Keep power output down. The transponder has a very sensitive receiver and a very active AGC circuit. Excessive uplink power will not make your signal louder - it will only reduce that available for others on the transponder. With a clear view of the horizon, 5 watts to an Arrow or Elk is plenty for horizon to horizon coverage. Very slightly more might be necessary if you are beaming through trees or other obstructions, but try to keep power to 25-40 watts ERP. Good luck! Who will claim the 73 on 73 Award #1? 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Washington, DC, USA (FM18lv)

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Re: [amsat-bb] has the bbs moved?
by Tom Clark 01 Sep '14

01 Sep '14

Hi Perry -- Let be make a guess -- you were relying on the daily digest of AMSAT-BB messages rather than having all the individual messages come to you as they are entered. I used the daily digest for my convenience and I had that service go away a few months ago. It turns out that minor changes to the mailer were made a few months ago and the daily digest delivery was an unplanned casualty. However, I found a similar service is available on the web by going to http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/ where you will find a monthly digest. What I do is to click on the date sort [ Thread ] <http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2014-September/thread.html>[ Subject ] <http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2014-September/subject.html>[ Author ] <http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2014-September/author.html>[ Date ] <http://amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2014-September/date.html> and I see all the traffic in the order it was posted. Hope this solves the problem --- 73, Tom

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] Fun Cube Dongle
by Steve May 01 Sep '14

01 Sep '14

Patrick and Lizeth, Thank you both very much. I appreciate the suggestions, and I guess I will just plan on buying a FCD Pro+ this Friday. I will say that I am enjoying the RTL-SDR for some other non-satellite projects. It is great for monitoring my local repeaters and listening to the commercial stations in my area, so it is certainly not a complete loss, and even if it was it was only ~$20. I have not been able to get HDSDR to work with the dongle, though, but I was able to add the plugin to SDR# to interface with SATPC32 last night. Perhaps I will have better luck with the FCD Pro+. In the end the FCD Pro+ is probably something I will use with some other radio projects on HF, so I am sure that I will get plenty of use out of it no matter what, but I am excited to find out all of the satellite uses I will have for it. Thank you again for the information. I'll catch you guys on the linear satellites in the near future. -- Steve May, W5IEM Amateur Extra - Georgetown, KY (520) 261-7847 - Cell Skype: USHorseman Steve.W5IEM(a)gmail.com *This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying the communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the email along with any and all attachments from your system* On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 12:17 PM, Patrick STODDARD <patrick(a)wd9ewk.net> wrote: > Hi Steve! > > My answer to your Million Dollar Question would be - YES! The FUNcube > Dongle Pro Plus, at around US$ 200 depending on the exchange rate with > the British pound, is a good value. I also have an RTL-SDR dongle, and > previously had the original FUNcube Dongle Pro. The RTL-SDR dongles are > OK, but lack some of the things I like with the FCD Pro+. The FCD Pro+ > is more sensitive, and has better front-end filtering. Where the RTL-SDR > dongles are intended for digital television reception, needing a much > wider front-end on its receiver, the FCD Pro+ has filtering that helps > it perform very well in the amateur 2m and 70cm bands. It still works > fine in other parts of the RF spectrum it receives. > > The RTL-SDR dongles, as well as the original FUNcube Dongle Pro, were not > usable as my downlink receiver when working AO-73 or any other satellite. > Whenever I would transmit with my FT-817, even at 500mW, the RF from the > 817 would shut down the dongles. The FCD Pro+, on the other hand, works > very well with my FT-817 for working satellites. Between the dongle and > the software you run on a computer, there is a slight lag in hearing the > audio from the downlink, something you don't hear when using a radio to > receive the downlink. If you use software with the FCD Pro+ like HDSDR, > that software can be controlled by SatPC32 just like another radio - one > way to deal with the lag in hearing the downlink signals on the computer. > > For my satellite station, I normally use two FT-817s, connected through > a diplexer to my Elk handheld log periodic. If I had an Arrow Yagi, I > could skip the diplexer and run coax from each radio to the appropriate > feedpoints on the antenna. At 5 watts, and with the diplexer in the > coax feedline out to the antenna, I have taken steps that should protect > the dongle from stray RF. If I had an Arrow Yagi, I would consider using > a diplexer in line to the dongle, with the appropriate band port connected > to the dongle to prevent other RF from coming down the coax line to the > dongle. > > Good luck, and 73! > > > > > Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK > http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > > > > On Tue, Aug 26, 2014 at 8:51 AM, Steve May <steve.w5iem(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> So the Million Dollar Question (actually, I guess it is the "$180-higher >> cost + shipping" question) is whether the Funcube Dongle is significantly >> better than one of the cheap $20 RLT-SDR tuners? I have been experimenting >> with the cheapo version the last couple of days, and so far I have been >> able to pick up my local repeaters fairly well with a mag-mount antenna. I >> tried to pull in AO-73 late last night with an Arrow and a preamp but had >> some issues with SATPC32 that I have since resolved. I am pretty sure I >> heard something but I am still getting used to using SDR#. I need to do >> some more tuning. >> >> I am going to keep on working with this, at least for the next few days, >> but should I just plan on shelling out the money for the Funcube Dongle if >> using the computer to receive the linear satellites is my long-term plan? >> >

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W1AW/7 on passes this evening & Monday afternoon/evening
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 01 Sep '14

01 Sep '14

Hi! W1AW/7 will be on FO-29 for the western pass at 0200 UTC, followed by AO-73 passes at 0400 and 0534 UTC. It looks like Hawaii should be in the footprint for a few minutes, starting around 0204 UTC, if anyone out there is interested in getting on FO-29. I plan on having W1AW/7 on the air Monday afternoon from the DM33/DM43 grid boundary for the 1845 and 2027 UTC passes. The earlier pass around 1705-1713 UTC has maximum elevation of only 4 degrees, not really a workable pass from the Phoenix area with the mountains around the city, so I will focus on the two later passes. After these passes from the grid boundary, W1AW/7 will be on FO-29 and AO-73 passes in the late afternoon and early evening to wrap up the W1AW/7 satellite activity from Arizona as part of the ARRL Centennial QSO Party. As a reminder, QSL cards for all W1AW/x operations will be handled by the ARRL. As ARRL receives logs from the W1AW/x operations, those logs are uploaded to Logbook of the World - including the grid locator(s) for each QSO. QSOs with W1AW/7 on the AO-73 passes tonight and tomorrow night also count for N8HM's new 73 on 73 award, if you are looking to get unique calls in your log. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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ISS-Digipeating (APRS) with the IC-9100 - Tip
by Stefan Wagener 31 Aug '14

31 Aug '14

Two years ago, I wrote a short paper outlining the use of the IC-9100 with an external interface (see file section of the IC-9100 Yahoo group – _iss_ic9100.pdf) to dipgipeat via the International Space Station (ISS). In the meantime, I was always wondering why digipeater operation with some of the software modem programs was not possible with the USB connection alone. Reading the excellent description by Hans DC1RJJ (see file section of the IC-9100 Yahoo group – _IC-9100_PTT-CW_via_USB_modification.pdf), it became clear to me that Icom did not enable the RTS and DTR signals of the two virtual COM ports (required by some programs) and PTT can only be triggered via a CI-V command or external hardware. I wasn’t ready to perform the hardware modification as described by Hans to enable these functions within the IC-9100. However, he pointed to a software program that will use the CI-V commands together with programs that normally don’t have that function. This program is called “Icom Keying” and was written by Bill ND0B (see file section of the IC-9100 Yahoo group). In order to get the IC-9100 to digipeat via the USB com ports and to use a number of programs at the same time, I had to create some virtual serial ports to allow the use of: 1. 1. SatPC32-ISS for Doppler control; 2. 2. Sound modem software by UZ7HO to RX and forward packets for UISS as well as TX the packets from my location; 3. 3. Run the ICOM Keying program (CI-V command); 4. 4. UISS by ON6MU for ISS APRS. Creating the virtual serial ports was done with a software by Eterlogic ( eterlogic.com) called VSPE (Virtual Serial Ports Emulator). I use the 64bit version for my Windows 8.1 OS, however the 32bit works fine. First, I created pair of virtual ports that are linked. Use port numbers that are available on your computer. I used Com9 and Com10. This pair is used by the Icom Keying program (Com9) and the SoundModem software by UZ7HO (Com10, which tries to trigger PTT via RTS signal which is intercepted by the Icom Keying program and translated in CI-V commands). Now, the Icom keying program needs a real Com port (USB Com3 for the IC-9100 in my system) to trigger the radio to go the TX (CI-V Command). However, SatPC32-ISS also wants the same Com port for doppler control. Consequently, I created a splitter with the VSPE for these two programs to share the IC-9100 Com port 3. I linked a new virtual port (Com8) to my real port Com3 and pointed both programs (SatPC32 & Icom Keying) to Com8 the virtual Com port for sharing. Starting everything up requires a little bit of a sequence: 1. 1. VSPE needs to be running 2. 2. Start the Icom Keying program 3. 3. Start SoundModem 4. 4. Start UISS 5. 5. Start SatPC32-ISS This way, I am now able to do APRS digipeating without any additional hardware just using the one and only USB cable between the IC-9100 and the PC. Let me know if you have questions, 73, Stefan, VE4NSA

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Wanted: cubesat frame for antenna testing
by Douglas Quagliana 31 Aug '14

31 Aug '14

Friends, Kent Britain, WA5VJB (a.k.a. Mr. Cheap Yagi) is looking to borrow a cubesat frame for some antenna testing. If you have a cubesat frame that he could borrow, please email him directly at wa5vjb at flash dot net. 73, Douglas KA2UPW

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Re: [amsat-bb] ARRL Bandplans was local yokels
by Doug - k4gkj 31 Aug '14

31 Aug '14

Very well said. The ARRL is not as organized as they suggest. Doug Bennight K4GKJ 850-528-5772 850-926-2052 -------- Original message -------- From: Glen Zook <gzook(a)yahoo.com> Date: To: M5AKA <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk>,AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ARRL Bandplans was local yokels There are even more problems with the ARRL's "band plan" for 10-meters. The frequency of 29.300 MHz is widely used, especially in Asia, for 10-meter FM operation and, when 10-meters is "open", it is easy to work, from the United States, Japanese stations on 29.300 MHz. Then, 29.510 MHz is within the 29.500 MHz to 29.700 MHz segment in which FM repeater operation is allowed for stations within the jurisdiction of the FCC. Also, many operators are not aware that FM/PM operation is allowed anywhere that phone operation is allowed EXCEPT for the 5-channels in the 60-meter band. The only restriction is that, below 29.000 MHz, the modulation index cannot exceed 1. Modulation index is defined as the absolute number of the deviation divided by the maximum frequency of modulation. This means that, below 29.000 MHz, the deviation is generally limited to +/- 3 kHz. Most "modern" transceivers, that have FM operation available, have a "narrow" FM position which limits the deviation to +/- 2.5 kHz. With the usual +/- 5 kHz deviation, and with the 3000 Hz maximum modulation frequency in most equipment these days, the modulation index is 1.66667 which means that such modulation has to remain above 29.000 MHz. Conversely, a deviation of +/- 2.5 kHz results in a modulation index of 0.83333 which does meet the requirement of the modulation index being less than 1. However, in the 28.300 MHz to 28.500 MHz segment, in which Novice Class and Technician Class phone operation is allowed, those classes can only use SSB for phone operation, as well as CW, as outlined in 47 CFR Part 97. However, higher class licensees, General Class, Advanced Class, and Amateur Extra Class, operators can also use AM, FM, PM, ACSB, as well as SSB in that same segment. Glen, K9STH AMSAT-239/ LM-463 Website: http://k9sth.net On Sunday, August 31, 2014 4:10 AM, M5AKA <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: The ARRL bandplans use inconsistent language to describe the satellite segments, e.g. 10m - Satellite Downlinks 2m - OSCAR subband 70cm - Satellite only (internationally) 13cm - Amateur Satellite Communications There is no explanation of what the acronym OSCAR means, so how are people expected to know ? BTW does anyone know why ARRL thinks 29.3-29.510 is Downlink only ? and I haven't a clue what exactly they mean by using "(internationally)" for 70cm. 73 Trevor M5AKA On Sunday, 31 August 2014, 3:38, Jim Wright <wrightjrjr(a)verizon.net> wrote: We need to be be thankful the birds are not close enough to reach out and touch. Back in the days before the 600khz split on VHF, there were two repeater owners, one on 34-97, the other on 34-94 which became the standard. Someone from the "other group" drilled a hole into a fence post, telephone pole, or some such support easily hiding an oscillator on the input freq. of the other machine. A tuned circuit and diode were all that was needed to key the oscillator. The hole was very close to the repeater site so that once the repeater came up, it keyed the bug until the repeater timed out. This went on until the owners just changed to a different freq. pair altogether. Yes, it was before solar cells were cheap enough, so they used batteries. I am glad we have moving birds and not stationary ones. Somehow someone would repeat this on the birds today if it were easy. The point being, gentlemen and gentlewomen, should coordinate and help each other, not tie up repeaters and ISP time fussing about human nature that is not going to change with out conscious effort. Jim WA4IVM On 8/30/2014 8:53 PM, Doug - k4gkj wrote: > And your comment alone tells the complete, un-edited fact on how messed up hams are at "communicating". (as in I appreciate your comment and your very correct). We should have one plan, that will not be in contradiction or confusing to anyone with a reasonable IQ can study and reference. > > This idea of multiple plans is the reason I stay confused, wondering what I'm doing right, wrong, and not a soul to consult (when it comes to folks I know and trust that have considerable satellite experience - which is *zero*). > > Sadly, I don't see the ARRL and ARISS and other interested organizations to get together and making this common and useful plan. Too many existing repeaters that may be on the freqs, and who knows what else. Depressing in a way. > > > > > Doug Bennight > K4GKJ > > > > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Glen Zook <gzook(a)yahoo.com> > Date: > To: Doug - k4gkj <k4gkj(a)embarqmail.com>,[email protected],[email protected] > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] local yokels > > If you mean by "band plan chart", the colored one that is available from the ARRL website, that is NOT an appropriate place for the information. The ARRL chart reflects what is in the regulations concerning the emissions allowed for each license class. In fact, the chart is NOT a "band plan chart" but is a visual representation of 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.301 and 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.305. > > A "band plan" is no more than a "suggested" use of various frequencies and/or frequency segments that is proposed by a group. In fact, there are a number of different "band plans" that are actually in conflict with other "band plans". Following a "band plan" is strictly voluntary whereas following the regulations is a legal requirement. There is a BIG difference! > > The ARRL does have "band plans" for various amateur radio bands. But, those are strictly the suggestions, by the ARRL, on how to operate on various frequencies. There are also IARU "band plans" which differ among ITU Region I, Region II, and Region III that are, in some cases, in conflict between Region. The are "band plans" by other organizations that differ from those proposed by the ARRL. > > Glen, K9STH > > Website: http://k9sth.net > > > On Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:17 PM, Doug - k4gkj <k4gkj(a)embarqmail.com> wrote: > > > I'm an extra, and grew up learning ham etiquette from my grandfather, although I've only been a ham a relatively short time. I had never been exposed to satellite work, taught very little by other elders, and have found it rather difficult to find a good source that taught the various aspects. I entered this facet of the hobby via request from a local school wanting to make contact with the ISS (scheduled for end of October). I have had a struggle gaining good Intel on getting it done right and inexpensively.... > Until jumping into this facet, I had no idea there were certain freq's I needed to avoid. And it took another few months to realize that I needed to use caution on power output! I was being told I needed a amp of up to 200 watts to talk to the ISS, but never was informed of the damage I could cause to other birds with this amp....(no, have not done so!) . And I honestly am worried about being too strong for the ISS. > My point, these basic concepts are just not taught well enough. Many basic concepts aren't being taught or expected to be learned.... I dont know who is try so hard to make it so easy to be a ham, but it is working, and at the same time causing problems of all kinds for the rest of us... > My apologies for not knowing these frequencies of concern.... I sincerely hope I never walked on another! > It should be protested to have more teaching and test questions on the Tech exam to avoid this. May also help to have these freqs listed on the band plan chart? > I feel like I am learning a whole new hobby, with a very long way to go. > > > > Doug Bennight > K4GKJ > > > > > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Lizeth Norman <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com> > Date: > To: "&lt,amsat-bb(a)amsat.org&gt," <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] local yokels > > Hi all! > Was monitoring the 1645z pass of AO-73. Got blown out of my chair by > direct, in the passband interference on 145.95. Looked like FM. Sure > enough, two of the good old boys have a local simplex channel. > Did send one (the other doesn't have an email on QRZ, go figure!!!) an > email explaining that their conversation could have been retransmitted > all over north America, had FO-29 or AO-7 mode A been overhead. > Is there any regulatory body to report this type of stuff to? > There is enough RF trash being transmitted by xboxes and the like. > Don't need more. > Norm n3ykf > _______________________________________________ > 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. > 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. 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. > 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. 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. > 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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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Re: [amsat-bb] local yokels
by Doug - k4gkj 31 Aug '14

31 Aug '14

And your comment alone tells the complete, un-edited fact on how messed up hams are at "communicating". (as in I appreciate your comment and your very correct). We should have one plan, that will not be in contradiction or confusing to anyone with a reasonable IQ can study and reference. This idea of multiple plans is the reason I stay confused, wondering what I'm doing right, wrong, and not a soul to consult (when it comes to folks I know and trust that have considerable satellite experience - which is *zero*). Sadly, I don't see the ARRL and ARISS and other interested organizations to get together and making this common and useful plan. Too many existing repeaters that may be on the freqs, and who knows what else. Depressing in a way. Doug Bennight K4GKJ -------- Original message -------- From: Glen Zook <gzook(a)yahoo.com> Date: To: Doug - k4gkj <k4gkj(a)embarqmail.com>,[email protected],[email protected] Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] local yokels If you mean by "band plan chart", the colored one that is available from the ARRL website, that is NOT an appropriate place for the information. The ARRL chart reflects what is in the regulations concerning the emissions allowed for each license class. In fact, the chart is NOT a "band plan chart" but is a visual representation of 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.301 and 47 CFR Part 97 Section 97.305. A "band plan" is no more than a "suggested" use of various frequencies and/or frequency segments that is proposed by a group. In fact, there are a number of different "band plans" that are actually in conflict with other "band plans". Following a "band plan" is strictly voluntary whereas following the regulations is a legal requirement. There is a BIG difference! The ARRL does have "band plans" for various amateur radio bands. But, those are strictly the suggestions, by the ARRL, on how to operate on various frequencies. There are also IARU "band plans" which differ among ITU Region I, Region II, and Region III that are, in some cases, in conflict between Region. The are "band plans" by other organizations that differ from those proposed by the ARRL. Glen, K9STH Website: http://k9sth.net On Saturday, August 30, 2014 6:17 PM, Doug - k4gkj <k4gkj(a)embarqmail.com> wrote: I'm an extra, and grew up learning ham etiquette from my grandfather, although I've only been a ham a relatively short time. I had never been exposed to satellite work, taught very little by other elders, and have found it rather difficult to find a good source that taught the various aspects. I entered this facet of the hobby via request from a local school wanting to make contact with the ISS (scheduled for end of October). I have had a struggle gaining good Intel on getting it done right and inexpensively.... Until jumping into this facet, I had no idea there were certain freq's I needed to avoid. And it took another few months to realize that I needed to use caution on power output! I was being told I needed a amp of up to 200 watts to talk to the ISS, but never was informed of the damage I could cause to other birds with this amp....(no, have not done so!) . And I honestly am worried about being too strong for the ISS. My point, these basic concepts are just not taught well enough. Many basic concepts aren't being taught or expected to be learned.... I dont know who is try so hard to make it so easy to be a ham, but it is working, and at the same time causing problems of all kinds for the rest of us... My apologies for not knowing these frequencies of concern.... I sincerely hope I never walked on another! It should be protested to have more teaching and test questions on the Tech exam to avoid this. May also help to have these freqs listed on the band plan chart? I feel like I am learning a whole new hobby, with a very long way to go. Doug Bennight K4GKJ -------- Original message -------- From: Lizeth Norman <normanlizeth(a)gmail.com> Date: To: "&lt,amsat-bb(a)amsat.org&gt," <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] local yokels Hi all! Was monitoring the 1645z pass of AO-73. Got blown out of my chair by direct, in the passband interference on 145.95. Looked like FM. Sure enough, two of the good old boys have a local simplex channel. Did send one (the other doesn't have an email on QRZ, go figure!!!) an email explaining that their conversation could have been retransmitted all over north America, had FO-29 or AO-7 mode A been overhead. Is there any regulatory body to report this type of stuff to? There is enough RF trash being transmitted by xboxes and the like. Don't need more. Norm n3ykf _______________________________________________ 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. 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. 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. 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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I am doing it wrong, but not sure what...
by Mark Lunday 31 Aug '14

31 Aug '14

Back about 7 years ago, I was able to hear and work all the birds using a pair of FT817ND rigs and even my VX6R: FO-29, VO-52, SO-50, AO-7, AO-16, AO-27, AO-51. It was so easy, even a caveman (me) could to it. I now have an IC910H, second owner. The rig does work, I made a couple of EME QSO's back in 2010 on a 2M9 yagi in my back yard. I am now dusting it off and trying to work satellites after keeping it in the closet for a couple of years. I have a pair of Elk log periodic 2M/440 antennas, using one for 144 MHz and one for 432 MHz. The antennas are mounted on a painter's pole in a closet right next to the roof, about 15 feet from my operating position. I am also using a pair of ARR pre-amps. I am using the HRD satellite tracking software from v5 (free). I am attempting to hear CW beacon from any bird, anywhere. The antennas are fixed pointing south. So far, I have not heard a thing this evening (since 0100 UTC). Attempted to hear CW beacon for FO-29, AO-73, LO-19, CO-55, SO-50. Also listened for passband activity on AO-73 and FO-29. Nada. The pre-amps are working, and I can pick up National Weather Service broadcasts very strong (as expected). I can also hear the telemetry on 144.39. I am double-checking my sat predictions with the AMSAT site. Possibilities: 1. The birds shut off when not in sunlight (according to AO-73 web page that should not be the case) 2. Attenuation of the signal from the roof (unlikely, I have been able to work simplex out to several hundred miles on my 2M9 in the attic) 3. Wrong beacon frequency (I triple checked this) 4. Other? Mark Lunday, WD4ELG Greensboro, NC FM06be wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.blogspot.com

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