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FW: Re: AMSAT needs volunteers ???
by R Oler 09 Jun '13

09 Jun '13

From: orbitjet(a)hotmail.com To: apbiddle(a)mailaps.org Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT needs volunteers ??? Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2013 21:34:27 -0500 Hello Alan " No, but placing volunteers successfully is very similar when we are talking about technical rather than non-specialized social service," but not dissimilar to specialized non technical task. But it doesnt matter...volunteer organizations usually become exactly what the "volunteer" BOD wants them to be and Amsat NA will remain how it is as long as the current BOD remains...and that will only change when the membership demands it. Amsat NA has morphed into a "NASA" sort of organization. Sorry for the autofill on non sequitur I should have checked in more detail...was trying to finish a report on the 767 I am ferrying a week from now to S2 land. I am going to get to see another AMSAT close up and it will be interesting to observe the differences. 73's RGO rom: wa4sca(a)gmail.com > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2013 12:27:08 -0500 > CC: APBIDDLE(a)UNITED.NET > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT needs volunteers ??? > > Robert, > > >>Volunteering for AMSAT ... > > No, but placing volunteers successfully is very similar when we are talking about technical rather > than non-specialized social service, which is the point I was addressing. An important distinction, > not a "non inquisitor" sentence. :) > > 73s, > > Alan > WA4SCA > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: R Oler [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Saturday, June 08, 2013 11:51 AM > To: APBIDDLE(a)MAILAPS.ORG; 'Tom Lubbers K8TL'; Amsat BB > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT needs volunteers ??? > > This in many ways mirrors > corporate and educational hiring." > > A non inquisitor sentence > > Volunteering for AMSAT (or the Boy Scouts or insert volunteer group here) > is not "hiring" and it certainly is not corporate or educational > hiring. > > Robert WB5MZO > > > > From: wa4sca(a)gmail.com > > To: k8tl(a)earthlink.net; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > Date: Sat, 8 Jun 2013 07:47:45 -0500 > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT needs volunteers ??? > > > > Tom, > > > > It IS true that AMSAT is always looking for volunteers. And we have an amazing number working on > > projects ranging from Fox to the day to day operations. However messily, the recruiting process > > works. However, in most cases it comes from someone with a specific skill, contacting a specific > > individual, about a specific project. In other cases, the person needing help contacts someone who > > they know who is a good fit, or based on a trusted recommendation. This in many ways mirrors > > corporate and educational hiring. > > > > What you are talking about are the generic "I want to work for AMSAT, what can I do?" volunteers. As > > has been said, those reading the applications are also volunteers who pass them on to other > volunteers > > who may or may not respond. There have been times when the press of other projects, or personal > > health matters, have caused the applications to fall through the cracks. Also, as Gould has > remarked, > > the idea of working for AMSAT is often more appealing than actually working for AMSAT. This is no > > reflection on your son or anyone else, but it does tend to encourage the use of people with proven > > skills and record over "walk ins." > > > > As another respondent has said, ITAR is a complete roadblock for non-US citizens for most areas. As > a > > result of the NDAA changes, the first draft regulations are appearing. We have volunteers plowing > > through the extensive documents, most of which seem to be written in a foreign language. However, we > > have expectations that the current ban will be lifted in the foreseeable future, or at least made > more > > reasonable. The primary benefit will be working with our colleagues in other national AMSATs, but it > > will also open up our own ability to accept foreign volunteers. > > > > All that having been said, I am working on getting the AMSAT generic recruitment running a bit more > > effectively. This will include a more targeted approach for those expressing interest, and at least > > some sort of reply. Of course, I am also just a volunteer. :) > > > > 73s, > > > > Alan > > WA4SCA > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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AMSAT needs volunteers ???
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Over the past half century I responded several times to AMSAT’s call for volunteers and never heard back from them. I was happy to hear from my son when he volunteered his software talents to AMSAT and told me that they had asked when would be a good time to contact him. His job title is Software Engineer with over 30 years experience, a number of published articles and winner of a number of design contests. He is also comfortable with hardware and firmware. If I mention a piece of hardware or software that I wish was a available in my ham shack it is usually available the next time he visits. Oh by the way I see AMSAT is still looking for a software guy, they never followed up on their request of when they could contact him. They sure blew an opportunity there. Tom K8TL

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Volunteering
by k4feg 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

AMSAT VOLUNTEERS? my understanding of a volunteer is someone who "willingly" gives their spare time to promote a subject or issue that they are passionate about. It is obvious that there are issues with how does one "get's involved" in the hobby we all care about. I understand that people have their lives to live and they cannot always give 100% to their volunteer work, but guess what, there are people out here that are retired for what ever reason who have tried to reach out and get involved, but alas; *there is not one clear place to go to find out what projects/jobs/issues are out there and **how to get involved in any of them, that I am aware of!* I propose that AMSAT_NA create a position of a: /*Volunteer Coordinator*///*Director*/, who's sole job would be to identify needs for any and all projects or issues that AMSAT_NA deems of importance to our hobby and they would need to communicate these needs in a timely manner to the AMSAT_NA membership. This position would not be for a person who has limited time but someone who could give the position the time such an important position requires. For all I know such a position may already exist but the task has been given to someone who already has "more than they can do". People wishing to volunteer are out there, but at some point there has to be a leader to help coordinate and direct people into areas where they can best help. It is a shame that someone with Tom's, K8TL, years of experience, is left on the "side-lines" because no one knew where to direct him so he could help. I talk to Tom on the satellites on a regular basis and I know he is passionate about our hobby. I say we need to /"Use them, not lose them!"/, these volunteers with years of experience and a love for our hobby. Just from Tom's post about volunteering, I have learned of projects that I did not even know existed, communications of what is happening within our segment of our hobby is imperative if we hope to grow and maintain our part of this extraordinary hobby. Tom, hang in there, maybe we can put you and your son's talents to use yet! /Any one have any suggestions please feel free to contact me directly on or off the BB, on my BB, on my Skype account (k4feg_em55) or if you want to talk I will forward you my cell # in a private email//. / *I WANT TO SEE OUR HOBBY GROW AND PROSPER!* */"we will work the satellites until the antennas burn off during re-entry!"/**/ /* 73 FRM Frank E. Griffin K4FEG EM55aj84ta

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Video of Fox-1 Dayton Presentation
by M5AKA 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Video of the great Dayton presentation by Tony AA2TX about Fox-1. http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/08/fox-1-status-update-video/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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help regarding RCI-SE
by Aayush Yadav 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Hey all, We were using RCISE board from EA4TX as rotor controller interface for our rotor but recently the interface has stopped to respond to any input. It would be grateful if any of you could provide me with the electrical schematic of the borad or any other information. Regards, Aayush Yadav , Pratham - Student Satellite Project, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.

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Re: Interest
by Angelo Glorioso 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

Due to lack of interest, no Sat ops from EL59. > > A fellow ham and myself will be activating a farely rare grid of EL59 this > weekend for the VHF Contact on 6 meters. I was wondering if there is any > interest in activating this grid for satellite? I would not mind bringing > the gear out if there is an interest for the grid. If I get enough > replies, I will bring the > sat stuff with me. > > > Angelo > >

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 8, Issue 191
by Burns Fisher 08 Jun '13

08 Jun '13

----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Lubbers K8TL" <k8tl(a)earthlink.net> To: "AMSAT BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Friday, June 07, 2013 15:55 UTC Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT needs volunteers ??? > Over the past half century I responded several times to AMSAT?s call for > volunteers and never heard back from them. I was happy to hear from my > son when he volunteered his software talents to AMSAT and told me that > they had asked when would be a good time to contact him. His job title is > Software Engineer with over 30 years experience, a number of published > articles and winner of a number of design contests. He is also > comfortable with hardware and firmware. If I mention a piece of hardware > or software that I wish was a available in my ham shack it is usually > available the next time he visits. > > Oh by the way I see AMSAT is still looking for a software guy, they never > followed up on their request of when they could contact him. They sure > blew an opportunity there. > > Tom K8TL > > That is obviously very frustrating both for you and your son. Do remember that "they" are also volunteers, and for each area (engineering, finance, communications, etc) "they" are likely to be only a single person having a hard time keeping up with volumes of email in his or her spare time, and who has to prioritize what s/he can pay attention to. And as Jaime's experience shows, every volunteer first has to be screened due to ITAR requirements. A pain in the neck but sadly true for the time being. As a volunteer organization with many members who have 'real jobs', AMSAT, as with most such groups, has to deal with the common case of volunteers who do a lot of AMSAT work and suddenly have to drop out for a while to spend more time with job, family, etc. So the need for new people is always there, but the priorities of the moment vary widely. And we do differ from some organizations by often having very hard launch dates. Not that you can predict, but I'm sure it depends on the time within a project cycle too and exactly what you are volunteering for. I suspect that at the moment analog circuit designer volunteers might get a greater mindshare than software people. Please understand and don't give up. It should not work this way, but personal contact is also good. Hamvention (just passed), AMSAT Space Symposium (Houston in early November), etc. Burns, W2BFJ (Not a volunteer screener, but an AMSAT member and volunteer who happened to send email at the right moment)

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Re: Missing helpful feature request
by David Johnson 07 Jun '13

07 Jun '13

Hi Greg, Yes that is on the wish list for HamSatDroid already. Unfortunately, there is no centralised repository for this information that is available as a web service which could be polled to get updates.. Mike Rupprecht DK3WN and a number of AMSAT sites have a rich set of info as web pages but it is not in a suitable form for off-line use. I was approached last year at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium to see if I would be interested in extending the IARU satellite co-ordinantion database to support such a function. Unfortunately FUNcube work has precluded this. If there is a general interest in this I should be happy to implement it, but it would need management by a team. 73 - Dave On Thu, Jun 6, 2013 at 4:42 AM, ka8gkt(a)yahoo.com <ka8gkt(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > Hi, and thank you for the app ! > > Being in the field, its not practical for me to know the modes nor > associated access frequencies and other details. > > Is there any way this can be built into the app? > > Thanks, > > Gregg. > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4GLTE smartphone > >

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5.8 GHz CubeSat Politech.1
by M5AKA 07 Jun '13

07 Jun '13

A 3U CubeSat with downlink on 5800 MHz aiming for a Vega launch http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/07/5-8-ghz-cubesat-politech-1/ Also on the AMSAT-UK site: 50 years of Women in Space http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/06/50-years-of-women-in-space/ AMSAT Online Ham Radio Satellite Pass Predictions Now Available http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/07/amsat-satellite-pass-predictions/ SO-50 on Baofeng UV5R http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/07/so-50-on-baofeng-uv5r/ Kickstarter project aims to put a TARDIS into Low-Earth-Orbit In just a few days the crowdfunded project has already raised over $22,000 towards their $33,000 goal. http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/05/kickstarter-project-tardis-into-orbit/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Digipeating Through the ISS
by Les Rayburn 07 Jun '13

07 Jun '13

After several frustrating hours of trying to get the software set up properly, I finally managed to get Packet Engine Pro and UISS working in time for a good pass of the ISS over the Southeastern US. It was really something to see the software display stations and plot them on a map as the ISS passed overhead. Even more so to see my own callsign digipeated through the software. Next up is to attempt a full fledged QSO through the ISS in real-time. My special thanks to Joanne Maenpaa, K9JKM whose paper on working through the ISS using software was most helpful. I used my Icom IC-910H with a Signalink interface instead of a hardware TNC. Having a blast on the birds, and this just adds a whole other element of fun to the process. -- 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

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Best Antennas for Attic (Short Booms)
by Les Rayburn 07 Jun '13

07 Jun '13

I'm in the process of upgrading my satellite array. Hope to add an AZ/EL rotor system, and build a complete stand-alone satellite antenna system. Right now, I'm sharing my weak signal Yagis for satellite duty. I'll be limited in boom length to about six feet maximum due to construction of the attic itself. Anything longer, and I start bumping into things. I'd like maximum performance from the space, so I'm wondering if any short length circular polarization antennas are made commercially? Everything I can find (at least in the States) are long-boom affairs. Feedline will be 3/4" hardline for the 432 antenna, and an SSB Electronics pre-amp. 2 Meters will get 1/2" hardline for feedline, and an SSB Electronics pre-amp. Runs are about 50 feet. -- -- 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

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Satellite pass predictions back up on www.amsat.org
by Joe Fitzgerald 06 Jun '13

06 Jun '13

Thanks to some advice from Emileigh N1DID, detective work by Bryce KB1LQC and Brent KB1LQD and a quick update to the site by Rick W2GPS, pass predictions are working again. Please visit: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/index.php -Joe KM1P

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Best Antennas for Attic (Short Booms)
by Burns Fisher 06 Jun '13

06 Jun '13

> I'm in the process of upgrading my satellite array. Hope to add an AZ/EL > rotor system, and build a complete stand-alone satellite antenna system. > Right now, I'm sharing my weak signal Yagis for satellite duty. > > I'll be limited in boom length to about six feet maximum due to > construction of the attic itself. Anything longer, and I start bumping > into things. I'd like maximum performance from the space, so I'm > wondering if any short length circular polarization antennas are made > commercially? Everything I can find (at least in the States) are > long-boom affairs. > > Feedline will be 3/4" hardline for the 432 antenna, and an SSB > Electronics pre-amp. 2 Meters will get 1/2" hardline for feedline, and > an SSB Electronics pre-amp. Runs are about 50 feet. > Hi, Just be sure to test in your attic with some simple-but-known-working setup before you spend a lot of effort/money. For reasons that I don't understand at all, I could not pick up ARISSat-1 from the attic, but it came booming in on my HT standing outside. I have just regular asphalt shingles as far as I know, and wooden beams. But SOMETHING was blocking 2M! 73, Burns W2BFJ

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WA4OVO/p fn42/43
by wyattdirks 06 Jun '13

06 Jun '13

Joe reported to me that he would be on the 1743utc pass of so50 today from fn42/43 gridline. He asked me to report to amsat bb so here it is. 73 Wyatt AC0RA

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Call for Papers: 2013 Digital Communications Conference
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 06 Jun '13

06 Jun '13

Amateurs are invited to submit papers for publication in the conference proceedings of the ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference that is taking place September 20-22 in Seattle, WA. You do not have to attend the conference to submit a paper for consideration. Send papers by July 31 to: Maty Weinberg ARRL 225 Main St Newington, CT 06111 . . . or by e-mail to maty(a)arrl.org Submissions will not be edited and authors will retain all rights. 73 . . . Steve Ford, WB8IMY QST Editor in Chief and Publications Manager ARRL -- the National Association for Amateur Radio tel 860-594-0287 sford(a)arrl.org

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My S2 and VU adventure begins either next
by R Oler 06 Jun '13

06 Jun '13

Monday or Tuesday depending on what day Universal sets up for the airplane ferry. I have authorization from the relevant authorities to bring amateur radio gear into S2 (Bangladesh) onboard the Boeing I am ferrying to the country. It is a sovereign airplane so I expect no issues. I should have a call sign at least in S2 within a month. I am bringing both HF and satellite gear. I have unlimited baggage (the Boeing is ferrying empty...) I should set up some residency in Bangalore a month or so after that. I have visa's for both countries. Robert WB5MZO

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AMSAT at HamCom in Plano, TX, 7-8 June 2013
by Keith Pugh 05 Jun '13

05 Jun '13

AMSAT will have its usual presence at HamCom in Plano, TX, this weekend. There will be an AMSAT Booth, Demos, and an "Introduction to Amateur Radio Satellites" talk by Douglas Quagliana, KA2UPW/5. Come by and visit with us and take home some of the "goodies" introduced at Dayton this year. We will attempt to operate on as many of the passes below as possible - remember, it's hot in Texas this time of the year and we may not stay outside in the Blazing Sun very long. It looks like AO-07 will probably be in Mode B all weekend and we have included HO-68 as a "listen only" demo on several passes. More information about HamCom is available at the following URL: http://www.hamcom.org/ 73 - Keith, W5IU ----------------------------------------- Ham-Com 2013 Demos Grid EM13pb Min El = 10 deg Time Zone = UTC WinAos QTH: -96.7/33.1 T#: 12941 Sat.: 6 [Standard] ---------------------------------------------------------- Day Object AOS (U) LOS Period maxEl AZ ---------------------------------------------------------- 07.06.2013 AO-07 13:04 13:17 13 26 351 - 245 07.06.2013 VO-52 13:27 13:35 08 72 012 - 192 07.06.2013 FO-29 14:47 14:51 04 12 068 - 114 07.06.2013 HO-68 15:38 15:52 14 56 024 - 182 07.06.2013 FO-29 16:29 16:40 11 60 005 - 206 07.06.2013 HO-68 17:27 17:37 10 23 345 - 245 07.06.2013 SO-50 18:13 18:17 04 13 024 - 085 07.06.2013 SO-50 19:51 19:59 08 58 322 - 165 08.06.2013 VO-52 13:43 13:51 08 57 002 - 204 08.06.2013 AO-07 14:01 14:04 03 11 321 - 294 08.06.2013 HO-68 15:21 15:34 13 42 031 - 170 08.06.2013 FO-29 15:35 15:44 09 38 030 - 167 08.06.2013 HO-68 17:09 17:21 12 31 353 - 234 08.06.2013 FO-29 17:21 17:28 07 21 340 - 243 08.06.2013 SO-50 18:39 18:46 07 33 352 - 124 08.06.2013 SO-50 20:20 20:26 06 19 291 - 203 08.06.2013 AO-07 21:07 21:19 12 24 106 - 008

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LoTW and ISS Digipeater Contacts
by Les Rayburn 05 Jun '13

05 Jun '13

I'm now logging all my satellites contacts and trying to upload them every couple of days to the ARRL Logbook of the World (LoTW). So far, so good with just over 25 grids confirmed via LoTW. Only hitch so far is when I tried to upload my two digital contacts, made using packet through the ISS digipeater. I'm using VOLog and it has a field for satellite data. I logged the ISS as the satellite and V/V as the satellite mode. LoTW rejected those two QSOs, and a quick check with the TQSL editor revealed that ISS was not considered a valid satellite. ARISS is listed, but I wasn't sure if that would be correct either. So--is it possible to upload ISS digital QSOs to LoTW for VUCC credit or not? If so, what is the correct method in terms of the log entry? I tried a Google search on the topic--but that only added to my confusion. Thanks--as always! -- -- 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

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fw: hello
by paul robinson 05 Jun '13

05 Jun '13

http://localonlinetrafficsystem.com/nnwkscoowogsa.php/public_html/nnwkscoow…

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Subject: Was, Is there anyway to get a linear transponder on the ISS?
by K5VOU 05 Jun '13

05 Jun '13

Thanks for all the input regarding the FM 'repeater' on the ISS. Further research into the issues has enlightened me on the machinations of getting things done on the ISS and the complicated processes of working with such varied national interests. It is obviously way above my pay grade and with these comments I sadly end the quest with a feeling of not going anywhere. The Kenwood TM-D700 portion of the Phase 2 Hardware system is apparently overheating. Possibly because of a lack of airflow over the heat sinks. Possibly because when it is made available, the duty cycle rises to near 100% and the unit consumes too much power from the ISS power budget. Since the other parts of the Phase 2 system are fulfilling the needs of the ISS and NASA agenda, there are no resources available to correct the problems with the TM-D700. Indeed, replacing it with a linear transponder of equal bandwidth and much reduced power consumption may be a much better solution but there do not appear to be any benefits to the ARISS program to drive the solution. There was a mention in the paper produced circa 2002-3 of a third phase of the ARISS hardware system to be mounted outside but no mention of such a program since then has been located. Should others want to pursue a program of getting a linear transponder mounted on the outside of the ISS, I wish you luck and refer you to the document; "Amateur Radio on the International Space Station - Phase 2 Hardware System" by Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO, Lou McFadin, W5DID, Bob Bruniga, WB4APR, and Hiroto Watarikawa. Sergej Samburov, RV3DR was also listed but this call sign now returns as belonging to Energia in Russia. The document was found at http://www.ariss-eu.org/phase_2_document.pdf on the internet. Frank is a new Amsat VP in this area, Bob is a participant in this list and Lou is still around too I think. Maybe one or all of them can help. 73, Tom K5VOU

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Solar Impulse: Dallas to St. Louis in flight!
by Robert Bruninga 04 Jun '13

04 Jun '13

Solar Powered flight is underway from Dallas to St. Louis. See the flight. http://live.solarimpulse.com/ We need APRS operators in RF range to help maintain an OBJECT track on the bird so that not just those in front of a PC can see this, but also those hams in their APRS mobiles who will see the location of the bird and maybe be able to see it. Imagine an airplane the wingspan of a Jumbo jet that weighs less than a car. So, help out your fellow ham and do what APRS was designed to do… provide INFO in the field to mobile operators. Please use the object name SOLAR1 so that subsequent updates will replace older positions. Those with APRS radios will see SOLAR1 on their GPS maps and the radio will show distance and bearing so they will know where to look. Bob, WB4aPR

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AAUSAT3 CubeSat – The First 100 Days
by M5AKA 04 Jun '13

04 Jun '13

The AAUSAT team have released a report on the first 100 days which also explains the two crises that occurred: http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/04/aausat3-cubesat-the-first-100-days/ Also on the site UK’s SpaceKate Wins ‘Most Inspiring App’ – International Space Apps Challenge http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/03/uks-spacekate-wins-most-inspiring-app-intern… IARU Coordinates Frequencies for Fox-1A Ham Radio CubeSat http://amsat-uk.org/2013/06/04/iaru-fox-1a-cubesat-frequencies/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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AMSAT Field Day Rules Posted On-line
by JoAnne Maenpaa 03 Jun '13

03 Jun '13

Please see http://ww2.amsat.org/?p=678 for the AMSAT Field Day announcement. This page has the links to the full rules available in docx and pdf formats. Contact AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards Bruce Paige, KK5DO for any Field Day questions you may have (kk5do(a)amsat.org -or- kk5do(a)arrl.net) (AMSAT Web navigation hint: Click on the bold AMSAT-NA at the top of the page for a quick return to the main www.amsat.org page.) -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal

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June 1 Texas Balloon Launch to Carry 70 cm to 10 meter SSB, CW, and FM Transponders
by JoAnne Maenpaa 03 Jun '13

03 Jun '13

Please see http://ww2.amsat.org/?p=655 for news of the June 1 N5BPS balloon launch from Galveston, Texas. This flight includes a 70 cm to 10 meter transponder capable of SSB, CW, and FM modes. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal

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Ham-Com - Plano, TX
by Clayton Coleman 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

If any active satellite operators are attending Ham-Com in Plano, TX June 7 or 8, please email me off-list. Several of us are planning to congregate and swap war stories. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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help with M^2 2MCP22
by Nick Pugh 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

We have high SWR on our M^2 2MCP22 that has been up for several years . Does someone on the list have the wiring digram of the block where the hairpin coax is connected to the driven elements. Thanks nick ARS K5QXJ EM30xa 30.1N 92.1W Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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Tilting Yagi up 15 degrees above horizon
by Rick Walter 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

With all the talk about tilting a Yagi 15 degrees above the horizon and using a rotor in azimuth only, I have a question. Since every Yagi I have includes mounting hardware to mount the antenna at a 90 degree angle to the mast, how do you tilt it 15 degrees? Do you put a bend in the mast pipe? Can you purchase hardware to allow the Yagi to tilt relative to the mast? Maybe everyone knows a simple answer but I will admit I do not. Thanks and 73, Rick - WB3CSY -- Sent from Rick's gmail account

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SO-50 pass from FN54
by Rick - WA4NVM 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

Joe, WA4OVO just called me from FN54if and plans to be on the next pass of SO-50 at 1912z. Good luck if you need the grid, Rick WA4NVM

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Pegaso update via Google translate
by Lizeth Norman 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=U…

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Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by Aayush Yadav 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

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Re: ISS -Bounce on 1296 MHz ( easy calculation using RADAR equation )
by i8cvs 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

----- Original Message ----- From: Jan van Muijlwijk To: i8cvs Sent: Friday, May 31, 2013 9:51 AM Subject: Re: .[amsat-bb] Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz Hi Domenico, Thanks for your interest in the ISS reflections Now about your questions. 1. I started calling Andreas as soon as my dish could see ISS. That was on May 23 at 8 degrees elevation. So the distance would have been close to 2000 km at that time. Andreas reports that he heard me right from the beginning! Own echo's is not possible because the time is too short 2. We heard the strongest signals when ISS was right overhead. In my case that was at about 60 degrees elevation. Distance probably somewhere around 500 km? On the SDR recording from Andreas we can see the signal peaking 20 dB over the noise and sometimes even a bit more. 3. We both used analog CW but we both listened in the SSB passband (approx. 2.5 kHz) to have some margin of error is case our Doppler compensation was not 100% OK. But once I found Andreas I did not touch the RIT of my rig anymore during the QSO. Doppler compensation worked fantastic! We hope to try other modes in future. FSK441 but also JT65 in 30 sec period mode, and when ISS is overhead probably SSB is possible I am also involved in the restoration of the 25 m Dwingeloo dish PI9CAM (see www.camras.nl) And the dish will be on air in a few months from now (I hope) We hope to experiment with passive satellite reflection there. ISS will be the start and with the dish having 48 dB gain it will be possible with QRP But maybe it's possible with other low orbiting satellites too.... To be continued! 73! Jan PA3FXB Hello Jan, PA3FXB It is very interesting that you heard the strongest signals when the ISS was right overhead and that in your case that was at about 60 degrees elevation with distance from the ISS somewhere around 500 km and that in the SDR recording from Andreas you can see the signal peaking +20 dB over the noise and sometimes even a bit more. It is also interesting that both of you were using analog CW and both listened in the SSB passband (approx. 2.5 kHz) As you can see looking at my previous budged calculations the expected S/N ratio on CW was +6.9 dB using a receiving bandwidth of 500 Hz on CW It is possible that my calculations showed a less level in ratio S/N = +6.9 dB in comparison to your received +20 dB because for calculation with the RADAR equation I have used a reflection factor for the ISS of only 10% wich in reality is very low because for the Moon we use a reflection factor of 7% but the Moon is made of stone and not a metallic reflecting object like the ISS. Considering that the ISS is made almost of metallic structural material as well for supporting the solar panels and considering that the efficiency of a metallic parabolic dish is never better than 50% I have uptodate my previous link budged calculation using a reflection factor of 50% for the ISS and as you can read belove the S/N ratio at a distance of 700 km jumped up to +17dB over the noise ! This means that your experimental investigation receiving +20 dB match well with my calculation showing +17 dB and for the future we can consider that a reflection factor for the ISS of 50% is a real figure to be used. Since you live in a quite location the antenna temperature at 1296 MHz when aimed toward the Cold Sky can be only 5 degrees kelvin instead of the previously estimated 50 degrees kelvin so that the overall Noise Floor of your receiving system decreases by 3.29 dB Read please the following revised calculations using a ISS reflection factor of 50% instead of 10% at a range of 700 km and 5 degrees kelvin for the equivalent antenna temperature Ta instead of 50 kelvin The following calculation is easyer than the previous one because uses directly the RADAR equation. LINK BUDGED CALCULATIONS by i8CVS We consider the ISS like a passive reflector with reflectivity factor of 50 % to try a QSO by reflection Earth-ISS-Earth DATA: 1) The solar panels of the ISS plus the central body large like a Boeing 747 have a metallic reflecting surface of about 2000 square meters and we consider the ISS like a circular RADAR target having being a metallic plate an estimated reflectivity factor S of 50 % at SHF 2) The range EARTH-ISS at elevation of 35 degrees is about 700 km 3) Our EME station at 1296 MHz uses a 3 meters dish in diameter with gain of 29 dB and 200 W at the feed 4) The overall noise figure of our receive system is NF = 0.5 dB while the antenna temperature is 5 kelvin when pointed at the Cold Sky and we receive on CW using a filter with a BW large 500 Hz 5) We use only analogic reception without digital software like WSJT or similar tecniques. CALCULATION PROCEDURE : Aiming the dish towards the ISS when distant 700 km and transmitting on CW and using the RADAR equation we calculate the Signal to Noise ratio S/N to see if on CW the echoes reflected by the ISS are above or belove the Noise Floor of receiver. RADAR EQUATION Pt x Gt x Ar x S Pr = ----------------------------- ( 4 x 3.14 x R^2 ) ^2 Where : Pr = power received in watt Pt = power transmitted = 200 watt Gt = isotropic gain of a ground antenna at 1296 MHz = 29 dB or 794.3 time in power Ar = aperture area of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz = 0,0043 square meters S = Sigma or Radar Cross Section i.e. the surface of the ISS in square meters with reflecting coefficient of 0.50 = 50 % R = distance or range EARTH-ISS = 700 km = 700000 meters NOTE: (4 x 3.14 x R^2)^2 calculates the surface of a sphere having a radius R=700000 meters squared 2 to take account of the round trip "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" CALCULATION OF ATTENUATION "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" : S = Sigma of the ISS with reflecting surface of 2000 square meters and reflection coefficient of 50 % = 2000 x 0.50 = 1000 square meters Calculation of the aperture area Ar of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz / 2 2 /\ 0,2314 Ar = ---------- = ----------- = 0,0043 square meters 4 x 3,14 4 x 3,14 Calculation of the received power Pr on the EARTH collected by the antenna with gain of 29 dB or 794.3 time in power at 1296 MHz 200 x 794.3 x 0.0043 x 1000 -20 Pr = ------------------------------------- = 1.80 x 10 watt (4 x 3.14 x 700000^2 )^2 -20 Pr = 10 log 1.80 x 10 = -197.4 dBW 10 CALCULATION OF THE OVERALL NOISE FLOOR FOR THE RECEIVER : Data of the 1296 MHz receiving system : Overall Noise Figure of receiving system NF= 0.5 dB = 35 kelvin Bandwidth BW of receiver on CW = 500 Hz Equivalent Noise Temperature Ta of the antenna when aimed toward the Cold Sky = 5 kelvin Calculation to get the Noise Floor KTB of receiver Where : -23 K = Boltzmann constant = 1,38 x 10 joule/kelvin T = Equivalent noise temperature Ta of the antenna plus the equivalent Noise Temperature Te of receiver i.e. T= (Ta + Te) Computation of the overall Noise Factor F for the receiver F = 10 ^ (NF/10) and so F = 10 ^(0,5 / 10) = 10 ^0,05 = 1,12 in factor The equivalent overall Noise Temperature Te of the receiver is Te = ( F-1) x 290 = (1,12 -1) x 290 = 35 kelvin The overall Noise Floor KTB of the receiving system with the antenna connected is : KTB = K x ( Te + Ta ) x BW and in numbars : -23 Noise Floor KTB = 1,38 x 10 x ( 35 + 5 ) x 500 = -185.5 dBW LINK CALCULATION "round trip" EARTH -ISS-EARTH at 1296 MHz on CW Power Pr received on EARTH over 1296 MHz isotropic antenna ........... - 197.5 dBW Antenna Gain in RX......................... + 29 dB ------------ Power available at receiver input .... - 168.5 dBW RX Noise Floor......................... ........- 185.5 dBW ------------ S/N ratio CW at RX audio output... + 17.0 dB CONCLUSION : At a range of 700 km from the ISS and using a 3 meters dish with 200 W at the feed and a receiving system with a Noise Floor of -185.5 dBW = - 155.5 dBm it is possible to hear your hown echo signals in plain analogic CW with a Signal to Noise ratio S/N of +17.0 dB wich is very strong. If two stations are equipped with the same equipments it is possible to make good QSO for a short time when the ISS is close range around 700 km at elevation of about 35 degrees. Increasing the BW of receiver at 2700 Hz to try receive SSB it is possible since 10 time log (2700/500) = 7.3 dB and +17 dB - (+7.3 dB ) = +9.7 dB and so the signal scattered back by the ISS in SSB will have a S/N ratio of about + 9.7 dB i.e. well over the Noise Floor of your receiver. It is necessary to use a precise traking system particularly fast to move the dish as soon the ISS approach the TCA because the beam wide of a 3 meter dish with gain of 29 dB is large only about 5 degrees at the -3 dB points so that traking the ISS at 1296 MHz with a 3 meter dish or even larger for EME it seems to be the more critical point of the experiment. 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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Re: ISS Bounce on 1296 MHz
by i8cvs 02 Jun '13

02 Jun '13

Hi Domenico, Thanks for your interest in the ISS reflections Now about your questions. 1. I started calling Andreas as soon as my dish could see ISS. That was on May 23 at 8 degrees elevation. So the distance would have been close to 2000 km at that time. Andreas reports that he heard me right from the beginning! Own echo's is not possible because the time is too short 2. We heard the strongest signals when ISS was right overhead. In my case that was at about 60 degrees elevation. Distance probably somewhere around 500 km? On the SDR recording from Andreas we can see the signal peaking 20 dB over the noise and sometimes even a bit more. 3. We both used analog CW but we both listened in the SSB passband (approx. 2.5 kHz) to have some margin of error is case our Doppler compensation was not 100% OK. But once I found Andreas I did not touch the RIT of my rig anymore during the QSO. Doppler compensation worked fantastic! We hope to try other modes in future. FSK441 but also JT65 in 30 sec period mode, and when ISS is overhead probably SSB is possible I am also involved in the restoration of the 25 m Dwingeloo dish PI9CAM (see www.camras.nl) And the dish will be on air in a few months from now (I hope) We hope to experiment with passive satellite reflection there. ISS will be the start and with the dish having 48 dB gain it will be possible with QRP But maybe it's possible with other low orbiting satellites too.... To be continued! 73! Jan PA3FXB Hello Jan, PA3FXB It is very interesting that you heard the strongest signals when the ISS was right overhead and that in your case that was at about 60 degrees elevation with distance from the ISS somewhere around 500 km and that in the SDR recording from Andreas you can see the signal peaking +20 dB over the noise and sometimes even a bit more. It is also interesting that both of you were using analog CW and both listened in the SSB passband (approx. 2.5 kHz) As you can see looking at my previous budged calculations the expected S/N ratio on CW was +6.9 dB using a receiving bandwidth of 500 Hz on CW It is possible that my calculations showed a less level in ratio S/N = +6.9 dB in comparison to your received +20 dB because for calculation with the RADAR equation I have used a reflection factor for the ISS of only 10% wich in reality is very low because for the Moon we use a reflection factor of 7% but the Moon is made of stone and not a metallic reflecting object like the ISS. Considering that the ISS is made almost of metallic structural material as well for supporting the solar panels and considering that the efficiency of a metallic parabolic dish is never better than 50% I have uptodate my previous link budged calculation using a reflection factor of 50% for the ISS and as you can read belove the S/N ratio at a distance of 700 km jumped up to +17dB over the noise ! This means that your experimental investigation receiving +20 dB match well with my calculation showing +17 dB and for the future we can consider that a reflection factor for the ISS of 50% is a real figure to be used. Since you live in a quite location the antenna temperature at 1296 MHz when aimed toward the Cold Sky can be only 5 degrees kelvin instead of the previously estimated 50 degrees kelvin so that the overall Noise Floor of your receiving system decreases by 3.29 dB Read please the following revised calculations using a ISS reflection factor of 50% instead of 10% at a range of 700 km and 5 degrees kelvin for the equivalent antenna temperature Ta instead of 50 kelvin LINK BUDGED CALCULATIONS by i8CVS We consider the ISS like a passive reflector with reflectivity factor of 50 % to try a QSO by reflection Earth-ISS-Earth DATA: 1) The solar panels of the ISS plus the central body large like a Boeing 747 have a metallic reflecting surface of about 2000 square meters and we consider the ISS like a circular RADAR target having being a metallic plate an estimated reflectivity factor S of 50 % at SHF 2) The range EARTH-ISS at elevation of 35 degrees is about 700 km 3) Our EME station at 1296 MHz uses a 3 meters dish in diameter with gain of 29 dB and 200 W at the feed 4) The overall noise figure of our receive system is NF = 0.5 dB while the antenna temperature is 5 kelvin when pointed at the Cold Sky and we receive on CW using a filter with a BW large 500 Hz 5) We use only analogic reception without digital software like WSJT or similar tecniques. CALCULATION PROCEDURE : Aiming the dish towards the ISS when distant 700 km and transmitting on CW and using the RADAR equation we calculate the Signal to Noise ratio S/N to see if on CW the echoes reflected by the ISS are above or belove the Noise Floor of receiver. First of all using the RADAR equation we calculate the round trip attenuation in dB between EARTH-ISS-EARTH when approaching to TCA the average range is 700 km RADAR EQUATION Pt x Gt x Ar x S Pr = ----------------------------- ( 4 x 3.14 x R^2 ) ^2 Where : Pr = power received in watt Pt = power transmitted = 1 watt Gt = isotropic gain of a ground antenna at 1296 MHz = 1 time in power or 0 dB Ar = aperture area of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz = 0,0043 square meters S = Sigma or Radar Cross Section i.e. the surface of the ISS in square meters with reflecting coefficient of 0.50 = 50 % R = distance or range EARTH-ISS = 700 km = 700000 meters NOTE: (4 x 3.14 x R^2)^2 calculates the surface of a sphere having a radius R=700000 meters squared 2 to take account of the round trip "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" CALCULATION OF ATTENUATION "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" : S = Sigma of the ISS with reflecting surface of 2000 square meters and reflection coefficient of 50 % = 2000 x 0.50 = 1000 square meters Calculation of the aperture area Ar of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz / 2 2 /\ 0,2314 Ar = ---------- = ----------- = 0,0043 square meters 4 x 3,14 4 x 3,14 Calculation of the received power Pr on the EARTH collected by the isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz 1 x 1 x 0.0043 x 1000 -25 Pr = --------------------------------- = 1.13 x 10 watt (4 x 3.14 x 700000^2 )^2 Calculation of the attenuation Att for the Round-Trip EARTH-ISS-EARTH Pt (1watt) 24 Att = --------------------- = 8.81 x 10 time in power -25 1.13 x 10 watt 24 and in dB the Att = 10 log 8.81 x 10 = 249.5 dB 10 CALCULATION OF THE OVERALL NOISE FLOOR FOR THE RECEIVER : Data of the 1296 MHz receiving system : Overall Noise Figure of receiving system NF= 0.5 dB = 35 kelvin Bandwidth BW of receiver on CW = 500 Hz Equivalent Noise Temperature Ta of the antenna when aimed toward the Cold Sky = 5 kelvin Calculation to get the Noise Floor KTB of receiver Where : -23 K = Boltzmann constant = 1,38 x 10 joule/kelvin T = Equivalent noise temperature Ta of the antenna plus the equivalent Noise Temperature Te of receiver i.e. T= (Ta + Te) Computation of the overall Noise Factor F for the receiver F = 10 ^ (NF/10) and so F = 10 ^(0,5 / 10) = 10 ^0,05 = 1,12 in factor The equivalent overall Noise Temperature Te of the receiver is Te = ( F-1) x 290 = (1,12 -1) x 290 = 35 kelvin The overall Noise Floor KTB of the receiving system with the antenna connected is : KTB = K x ( Te + Ta ) x BW and in numbars : -23 Noise Floor KTB = 1,38 x 10 x ( 35 + 5 ) x 500 = -185.5 dBW LINK CALCULATION "round trip" EARTH -ISS-EARTH at 1296 MHz on CW TX power at feed.................................+23 dBW = 200 watt Antenna Gain in TX................. ...........+29 dBi ------------ EIRP transmitted to the ISS. ..............+52 dBW = 158.5 kW Attenuation EARTH-ISS-EARTH... - 249.5 dB ------------- Power Pr received on EARTH over isotropic antenna ............................ - 197.5 dBW Antenna Gain in RX......................... + 29 dB ------------ Power incident at receiver input ...... - 168.5 dBW RX Noise Floor......................... ........- 185.5 dBW ------------ S/N ratio CW at RX audio output... + 17.0 dB CONCLUSION : At a range of 700 km from the ISS and using a 3 meters dish with 200 W at the feed and a receiving system with a Noise Floor of -185.5 dBW = - 155.5 dBm it is possible to hear your hown echo signals in plain analogic CW with a Signal to Noise ratio S/N of +17.0 dB wich is very strong. If two stations are equipped with the same equipments it is possible to make good QSO for a short time when the ISS is close range around 700 km at elevation of about 35 degrees. Increasing the BW of receiver at 2700 Hz to try receive SSB it is possible since 10 time log (2700/500) = 7.3 dB and +17 dB - (+7.3 dB ) = +9.7 dB and so the signal scattered back by the ISS in SSB will have a S/N ratio of about + 9.7 dB i.e. well over the Noise Floor of your receiver. It is necessary to use a precise traking system particularly fast to move the dish as soon the ISS approach the TCA because the beam wide of a 3 meter dish with gain of 29 dB is large only about 5 degrees at the -3 dB points so that traking the ISS at 1296 MHz with a 3 meter dish or even larger for EME it seems to be the more critical point of the experiment. 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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To Hector CO6CBF
by i8cvs 01 Jun '13

01 Jun '13

Hello Hector, CO6CBF I can't answere to your last email because my server do not accept your email address and says hmartinez(a)ucf.edu.cu has non existant domain. Can I send my email to you at the address co6cbf(a)amsat.org or alternatevely you have another email address ? Thanks for replay 73" de i8CVS Domenico

2 1

Help regarding rotor controller box
by Aayush Yadav 01 Jun '13

01 Jun '13

Hi, We are using yaesu G-5500 rotor to move the antenna and it was working perfectly fine some time back. But all of a sudden it's azimuthal key to turn left has stopped working. The rotor is not moving in that direction. Please help in debugging where the problem is. Thank you. Aayush Yadav, Pratham- Student Satellite Project, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay,

2 1

Need help in controlling tranceiver
by Aayush Yadav 01 Jun '13

01 Jun '13

Hello, We are using Kenwood TS2k tranciever to receive signal from the satellite, but are not able to set up the apparatus settings accordingly. Please help to set up the apparatus to recieve atleast the beacon of the satellite. Thank you. Aayush Yadav, Pratham- Student Satellite Project, Indian Institute of Technology.

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Re International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz (simpler calculation using RADAR equation )
by i8cvs 01 Jun '13

01 Jun '13

Hi Domenico, Thanks for your interest in the ISS reflections Now about your questions. 1. I started calling Andreas as soon as my dish could see ISS. That was on May 23 at 8 degrees elevation. So the distance would have been close to 2000 km at that time. Andreas reports that he heard me right from the beginning! Own echo's is not possible because the time is too short 2. We heard the strongest signals when ISS was right overhead. In my case that was at about 60 degrees elevation. Distance probably somewhere around 500 km? On the SDR recording from Andreas we can see the signal peaking 20 dB over the noise and sometimes even a bit more. 3. We both used analog CW but we both listened in the SSB passband (approx. 2.5 kHz) to have some margin of error is case our Doppler compensation was not 100% OK. But once I found Andreas I did not touch the RIT of my rig anymore during the QSO. Doppler compensation worked fantastic! We hope to try other modes in future. FSK441 but also JT65 in 30 sec period mode, and when ISS is overhead probably SSB is possible I am also involved in the restoration of the 25 m Dwingeloo dish PI9CAM (see www.camras.nl) And the dish will be on air in a few months from now (I hope) We hope to experiment with passive satellite reflection there. ISS will be the start and with the dish having 48 dB gain it will be possible with QRP But maybe it's possible with other low orbiting satellites too.... To be continued! 73! Jan PA3FXB Hello Jan, PA3FXB It is very interesting that you heard the strongest signals when the ISS was right overhead and that in your case that was at about 60 degrees elevation with distance from the ISS somewhere around 500 km and that in the SDR recording from Andreas you can see the signal peaking +20 dB over the noise and sometimes even a bit more. It is also interesting that both of you were using analog CW and both listened in the SSB passband (approx. 2.5 kHz) As you can see looking at my previous budged calculations the expected S/N ratio on CW was +6.9 dB using a receiving bandwidth of 500 Hz on CW It is possible that my calculations showed a less level in ratio S/N = +6.9 dB in comparison to your received +20 dB because for calculation with the RADAR equation I have used a reflection factor for the ISS of only 10% wich in reality is very low because for the Moon we use a reflection factor of 7% but the Moon is made of stone and not a metallic reflecting object like the ISS. Considering that the ISS is made almost of metallic structural material as well for supporting the solar panels and considering that the efficiency of a metallic parabolic dish is never better than 50% I have uptodate my previous link budged calculation using a reflection factor of 50% for the ISS and as you can read belove the S/N ratio at a distance of 700 km jumped up to +17dB over the noise ! This means that your experimental investigation receiving +20 dB match well with my calculation showing +17 dB and for the future we can consider that a reflection factor for the ISS of 50% is a real figure to be used. Since you live in a quite location the antenna temperature at 1296 MHz when aimed toward the Cold Sky can be only 5 degrees kelvin instead of the previously estimated 50 degrees kelvin so that the overall Noise Floor of your receiving system decreases by 3.29 dB Read please the following revised calculations using a ISS reflection factor of 50% instead of 10% at a range of 700 km and 5 degrees kelvin for the equivalent antenna temperature Ta instead of 50 kelvin The following calculation is easer than the previous one because uses directly the RADAR equation. LINK BUDGED CALCULATIONS by i8CVS We consider the ISS like a passive reflector with reflectivity factor of 50 % to try a QSO by reflection Earth-ISS-Earth DATA: 1) The solar panels of the ISS plus the central body large like a Boeing 747 have a metallic reflecting surface of about 2000 square meters and we consider the ISS like a circular RADAR target having being a metallic plate an estimated reflectivity factor S of 50 % at SHF 2) The range EARTH-ISS at elevation of 35 degrees is about 700 km 3) Our EME station at 1296 MHz uses a 3 meters dish in diameter with gain of 29 dB and 200 W at the feed 4) The overall noise figure of our receive system is NF = 0.5 dB while the antenna temperature is 5 kelvin when pointed at the Cold Sky and we receive on CW using a filter with a BW large 500 Hz 5) We use only analogic reception without digital software like WSJT or similar tecniques. CALCULATION PROCEDURE : Aiming the dish towards the ISS when distant 700 km and transmitting on CW and using the RADAR equation we calculate the Signal to Noise ratio S/N to see if on CW the echoes reflected by the ISS are above or belove the Noise Floor of receiver. RADAR EQUATION Pt x Gt x Ar x S Pr = ----------------------------- ( 4 x 3.14 x R^2 ) ^2 Where : Pr = power received in watt Pt = power transmitted = 200 watt Gt = isotropic gain of a ground antenna at 1296 MHz = 29 dB or 794.3 time in power Ar = aperture area of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz = 0,0043 square meters S = Sigma or Radar Cross Section i.e. the surface of the ISS in square meters with reflecting coefficient of 0.50 = 50 % R = distance or range EARTH-ISS = 700 km = 700000 meters NOTE: (4 x 3.14 x R^2)^2 calculates the surface of a sphere having a radius R=700000 meters squared 2 to take account of the round trip "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" CALCULATION OF ATTENUATION "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" : S = Sigma of the ISS with reflecting surface of 2000 square meters and reflection coefficient of 50 % = 2000 x 0.50 = 1000 square meters Calculation of the aperture area Ar of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz / 2 2 /\ 0,2314 Ar = ---------- = ----------- = 0,0043 square meters 4 x 3,14 4 x 3,14 Calculation of the received power Pr on the EARTH collected by the antenna with gain of 29 dB or 794.3 time in power at 1296 MHz 200 x 794.3 x 0.0043 x 1000 -20 Pr = ------------------------------------- = 1.80 x 10 watt (4 x 3.14 x 700000^2 )^2 -20 Pr = 10 log 1.80 x 10 = -197.4 dBW 10 CALCULATION OF THE OVERALL NOISE FLOOR FOR THE RECEIVER : Data of the 1296 MHz receiving system : Overall Noise Figure of receiving system NF= 0.5 dB = 35 kelvin Bandwidth BW of receiver on CW = 500 Hz Equivalent Noise Temperature Ta of the antenna when aimed toward the Cold Sky = 5 kelvin Calculation to get the Noise Floor KTB of receiver Where : -23 K = Boltzmann constant = 1,38 x 10 joule/kelvin T = Equivalent noise temperature Ta of the antenna plus the equivalent Noise Temperature Te of receiver i.e. T= (Ta + Te) Computation of the overall Noise Factor F for the receiver F = 10 ^ (NF/10) and so F = 10 ^(0,5 / 10) = 10 ^0,05 = 1,12 in factor The equivalent overall Noise Temperature Te of the receiver is Te = ( F-1) x 290 = (1,12 -1) x 290 = 35 kelvin The overall Noise Floor KTB of the receiving system with the antenna connected is : KTB = K x ( Te + Ta ) x BW and in numbars : -23 Noise Floor KTB = 1,38 x 10 x ( 35 + 5 ) x 500 = -185.5 dBW LINK CALCULATION "round trip" EARTH -ISS-EARTH at 1296 MHz on CW Power Pr received on EARTH over 1296 MHz isotropic antenna ........... - 197.5 dBW Antenna Gain in RX......................... + 29 dB ------------ Power available at receiver input .... - 168.5 dBW RX Noise Floor......................... ........- 185.5 dBW ------------ S/N ratio CW at RX audio output... + 17.0 dB CONCLUSION : At a range of 700 km from the ISS and using a 3 meters dish with 200 W at the feed and a receiving system with a Noise Floor of -185.5 dBW = - 155.5 dBm it is possible to hear your hown echo signals in plain analogic CW with a Signal to Noise ratio S/N of +17.0 dB wich is very strong. If two stations are equipped with the same equipments it is possible to make good QSO for a short time when the ISS is close range around 700 km at elevation of about 35 degrees. Increasing the BW of receiver at 2700 Hz to try receive SSB it is possible since 10 time log (2700/500) = 7.3 dB and +17 dB - (+7.3 dB ) = +9.7 dB and so the signal scattered back by the ISS in SSB will have a S/N ratio of about + 9.7 dB i.e. well over the Noise Floor of your receiver. It is necessary to use a precise traking system particularly fast to move the dish as soon the ISS approach the TCA because the beam wide of a 3 meter dish with gain of 29 dB is large only about 5 degrees at the -3 dB points so that traking the ISS at 1296 MHz with a 3 meter dish or even larger for EME it seems to be the more critical point of the experiment. 73" de i8CVS Domenico

1 0

Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz
by i8cvs 01 Jun '13

01 Jun '13

Hi Domenico, Thanks for your interest in the ISS reflections Now about your questions. 1. I started calling Andreas as soon as my dish could see ISS. That was on May 23 at 8 degrees elevation. So the distance would have been close to 2000 km at that time. Andreas reports that he heard me right from the beginning! Own echo's is not possible because the time is too short 2. We heard the strongest signals when ISS was right overhead. In my case that was at about 60 degrees elevation. Distance probably somewhere around 500 km? On the SDR recording from Andreas we can see the signal peaking 20 dB over the noise and sometimes even a bit more. 3. We both used analog CW but we both listened in the SSB passband (approx. 2.5 kHz) to have some margin of error is case our Doppler compensation was not 100% OK. But once I found Andreas I did not touch the RIT of my rig anymore during the QSO. Doppler compensation worked fantastic! We hope to try other modes in future. FSK441 but also JT65 in 30 sec period mode, and when ISS is overhead probably SSB is possible I am also involved in the restoration of the 25 m Dwingeloo dish PI9CAM (see www.camras.nl) And the dish will be on air in a few months from now (I hope) We hope to experiment with passive satellite reflection there. ISS will be the start and with the dish having 48 dB gain it will be possible with QRP But maybe it's possible with other low orbiting satellites too.... To be continued! 73! Jan PA3FXB Hello Jan, PA3FXB It is very interesting that you heard the strongest signals when the ISS was right overhead and that in your case that was at about 60 degrees elevation with distance from the ISS somewhere around 500 km and that in the SDR recording from Andreas you can see the signal peaking +20 dB over the noise and sometimes even a bit more. It is also interesting that both of you were using analog CW and both listened in the SSB passband (approx. 2.5 kHz) As you can see looking at my previous budged calculations the expected S/N ratio on CW was +6.9 dB using a receiving bandwidth of 500 Hz on CW It is possible that my calculations showed a less level in ratio S/N = +6.9 dB in comparison to your received +20 dB because for calculation with the RADAR equation I have used a reflection factor for the ISS of only 10% wich in reality is very low because for the Moon we use a reflection factor of 7% but the Moon is made of stone and not a metallic reflecting object like the ISS. Considering that the ISS is made almost of metallic structural material as well for supporting the solar panels and considering that the efficiency of a metallic parabolic dish is never better than 50% I have uptodate my previous link budged calculation using a reflection factor of 50% for the ISS and as you can read belove the S/N ratio at a distance of 700 km jumped up to +17dB over the noise ! This means that your experimental investigation receiving +20 dB match well with my calculation showing +17 dB and for the future we can consider that a reflection factor for the ISS of 50% is a real figure to be used. Since you live in a quite location the antenna temperature at 1296 MHz when aimed toward the Cold Sky can be only 5 degrees kelvin instead of the previously estimated 50 degrees kelvin so that the overall Noise Floor of your receiving system decreases by 3.29 dB Read please the following revised calculations using a ISS reflection factor of 50% instead of 10% at a range of 700 km and 5 degrees kelvin for the equivalent antenna temperature Ta instead of 50 kelvin LINK BUDGED CALCULATIONS by i8CVS We consider the ISS like a passive reflector with reflectivity factor of 50 % to try a QSO by reflection Earth-ISS-Earth DATA: 1) The solar panels of the ISS plus the central body large like a Boeing 747 have a metallic reflecting surface of about 2000 square meters and we consider the ISS like a circular RADAR target having being a metallic plate an estimated reflectivity factor S of 50 % at SHF 2) The range EARTH-ISS at elevation of 35 degrees is about 700 km 3) Our EME station at 1296 MHz uses a 3 meters dish in diameter with gain of 29 dB and 200 W at the feed 4) The overall noise figure of our receive system is NF = 0.5 dB while the antenna temperature is 5 kelvin when pointed at the Cold Sky and we receive on CW using a filter with a BW large 500 Hz 5) We use only analogic reception without digital software like WSJT or similar tecniques. CALCULATION PROCEDURE : Aiming the dish towards the ISS when distant 700 km and transmitting on CW and using the RADAR equation we calculate the Signal to Noise ratio S/N to see if on CW the echoes reflected by the ISS are above or belove the Noise Floor of receiver. First of all using the RADAR equation we calculate the round trip attenuation in dB between EARTH-ISS-EARTH when approaching to TCA the average range is 700 km RADAR EQUATION Pt x Gt x Ar x S Pr = ----------------------------- ( 4 x 3.14 x R^2 ) ^2 Where : Pr = power received in watt Pt = power transmitted = 1 watt Gt = isotropic gain of a ground antenna at 1296 MHz = 1 time in power or 0 dB Ar = aperture area of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz = 0,0043 square meters S = Sigma or Radar Cross Section i.e. the surface of the ISS in square meters with reflecting coefficient of 0.50 = 50 % R = distance or range EARTH-ISS = 700 km = 700000 meters NOTE: (4 x 3.14 x R^2)^2 calculates the surface of a sphere having a radius R=700000 meters squared 2 to take account of the round trip "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" CALCULATION OF ATTENUATION "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" : S = Sigma of the ISS with reflecting surface of 2000 square meters and reflection coefficient of 50 % = 2000 x 0.50 = 1000 square meters Calculation of the aperture area Ar of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz / 2 2 /\ 0,2314 Ar = ---------- = ----------- = 0,0043 square meters 4 x 3,14 4 x 3,14 Calculation of the received power Pr on the EARTH collected by the isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz 1 x 1 x 0.0043 x 1000 -25 Pr = --------------------------------- = 1.13 x 10 watt (4 x 3.14 x 700000^2 )^2 Calculation of the attenuation Att for the Round-Trip EARTH-ISS-EARTH Pt (1watt) 24 Att = --------------------- = 8.81 x 10 time in power -25 1.13 x 10 watt 24 and in dB the Att = 10 log 8.81 x 10 = 249.5 dB 10 CALCULATION OF THE OVERALL NOISE FLOOR FOR THE RECEIVER : Data of the 1296 MHz receiving system : Overall Noise Figure of receiving system NF= 0.5 dB = 35 kelvin Bandwidth BW of receiver on CW = 500 Hz Equivalent Noise Temperature Ta of the antenna when aimed toward the Cold Sky = 5 kelvin Calculation to get the Noise Floor KTB of receiver Where : -23 K = Boltzmann constant = 1,38 x 10 joule/kelvin T = Equivalent noise temperature Ta of the antenna plus the equivalent Noise Temperature Te of receiver i.e. T= (Ta + Te) Computation of the overall Noise Factor F for the receiver F = 10 ^ (NF/10) and so F = 10 ^(0,5 / 10) = 10 ^0,05 = 1,12 in factor The equivalent overall Noise Temperature Te of the receiver is Te = ( F-1) x 290 = (1,12 -1) x 290 = 35 kelvin The overall Noise Floor KTB of the receiving system with the antenna connected is : KTB = K x ( Te + Ta ) x BW and in numbars : -23 Noise Floor KTB = 1,38 x 10 x ( 35 + 5 ) x 500 = -185.5 dBW LINK CALCULATION "round trip" EARTH -ISS-EARTH at 1296 MHz on CW TX power at feed.................................+23 dBW = 200 watt Antenna Gain in TX................. ...........+29 dBi ------------ EIRP transmitted to the ISS. ..............+52 dBW = 158.5 kW Attenuation EARTH-ISS-EARTH... - 249.5 dB ------------- Power Pr received on EARTH over isotropic antenna ............................ - 197.5 dBW Antenna Gain in RX......................... + 29 dB ------------ Power incident at receiver input ...... - 168.5 dBW RX Noise Floor......................... ........- 185.5 dBW ------------ S/N ratio CW at RX audio output... + 17.0 dB CONCLUSION : At a range of 700 km from the ISS and using a 3 meters dish with 200 W at the feed and a receiving system with a Noise Floor of -185.5 dBW = - 155.5 dBm it is possible to hear your hown echo signals in plain analogic CW with a Signal to Noise ratio S/N of +17.0 dB wich is very strong. If two stations are equipped with the same equipments it is possible to make good QSO for a short time when the ISS is close range around 700 km at elevation of about 35 degrees. Increasing the BW of receiver at 2700 Hz to try receive SSB it is possible since 10 time log (2700/500) = 7.3 dB and +17 dB - (+7.3 dB ) = +9.7 dB and so the signal scattered back by the ISS in SSB will have a S/N ratio of about + 9.7 dB i.e. well over the Noise Floor of your receiver. It is necessary to use a precise traking system particularly fast to move the dish as soon the ISS approach the TCA because the beam wide of a 3 meter dish with gain of 29 dB is large only about 5 degrees at the -3 dB points so that traking the ISS at 1296 MHz with a 3 meter dish or even larger for EME it seems to be the more critical point of the experiment. 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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Maine grids this weekend
by Rick - WA4NVM 01 Jun '13

01 Jun '13

Joe, WA4OVO contacted me and asked that I post he plans to work SO-50 on the following passes this weekend. Sat. from FN54 at 1704z and 1844z Sun. from one of the following FN54, FN53 or FN43 at 1731z and 1912z Mon. from FN43 at 1754z We hope some of you can log a new grid from Joe this weekend. 73, Rick WA4NVM

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Circular Polarization with Two Yagis (Spacing)
by Mike Sprenger 31 May '13

31 May '13

Hi, I'm sure this has been covered, I just can't find some detail. I'd like to consider taking a pair of say 3, 5, or even 11 element 2M yagi's (off the shelf) and put them on a boom on either side of a rotor, with nonconductive cross support boom, rotating the boom's to offset the elements 90 degrees. Question I have, what would the spacing be between the two yagi's ? Jerry has done this with success on 2 meters: http://www.n0jy.org/images/IMG_20120623_215906.jpg It would be great to refine his good work with the spacing for the 2 booms. (Then I may compare with putting all the elements on one boom) I like the collaborative nature of the discussion here. -- Thanks, Mike

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Is there anyway to get a linear transponder on the ISS?
by K5VOU 31 May '13

31 May '13

Just thinkin' Tom K5VOU

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wanted: to borrow or buy a Yaesu G-5500 AZ-EL controller and rotor
by David Bern W2LNX 31 May '13

31 May '13

Friends: I am working on a summer project with students at Montgomery College, Rockville. The project is to design and build a device that controls a pair of inexpensive satellite TV rotors. And the device would emulate a popular AZ-EL rotor such as a Yaesu G-5500 AZ-EL controller so it can be used by a satellite tracking program such as SatPC32. Tom, K3IO suggested this project at the last AMSAT-DC workshop and is guiding us with this project. I would like to borrow a Yaesu G-5500 AZ-EL controller and rotor for about three months or buy a used one so we can study and understand its command protocol. I will pick up or pay for shipping. Please contact David, W2LNX directly at W2LNX(a)amsat.org Thank you, David, W2LNX

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Amateur Radio Newsline Interview With Barry Baines, WD4ASW
by JoAnne Maenpaa 31 May '13

31 May '13

Please see http://ww2.amsat.org/?p=661 for the transcript of the Amateur Radio Newsline interview with AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW at Dayton. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal

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Subject: Is there anyway to get the transponder on the ISS working again ?
by K5VOU 31 May '13

31 May '13

Let me summarize what I think was said in answer to my question; "Is there any way to get a linear transponder on the ISS?" 1.) There is already a transponder on the ISS albeit an FM U/V one. 2.) It is not in use because it is either: a.) a 'power hog' or b.) it is not functioning properly or c.) NASA does not want it functioning as an open repeater. Amsat has the resources to fix a.) and b.) but perhaps not c.) ( although we do have a liaison to NASA for such things I believe.) So the next question is; "Who at Amsat can talk to NASA about a solution?" Tom K5VOU

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Re: Is there anyway to get a linear transponder on the ISS? (PSK31)
by Robert Bruninga 31 May '13

31 May '13

> The nicest configuration... would be a 2m FM uplink with CTCSS to avoid interference and a SSB 10m downlink. The problem with that is the same as all our other FM satellites. Only a single user at a time. Congestion, conflict and little practical value. The better use of SSB is to use the same single channel FM bandwidth for a wideband transponder allowing up to 30 or more simultaneous users. This is equally trivial to do. Just connect the output of a 10m SSB receiver tuned to 28.120 MHz to an FM downlink and use PSK-31 on the uplink. The FM downlink gives everyone in the footprint the identical PSK waterfall spectrum where they can tune all 30 QSO's simultaneously. Then each person sets their PSK-31 uplink to an unused 100 Hz wide area in the spectrum Not only can 30 stations participate at once, the fact that they are transmitting on 10m PSK31 and receiving on 2m or UHF FM at the same time means they are also operating full duplex during the entire pass. Everyone can talk to everyone without conflict or congestion. And no special hardware is required for users. A PC with a sound card can do it all. Bob, WB4APR

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Grid trip to DN64, WY
by Rodney Waln 31 May '13

31 May '13

hi amsaters, i will be going to the Wyoming State ham fest in buffalo in the northern part of the state, dates will be june 6 and 7th, 2013 grid DN64 and could go down and over to other grids if requested, i would like to setup sceds on any of the operational satellites, those stations needing the grids will be called, and any one else that needs these grids is welcome also to give a shout, other travelers have given me these grids in the past and i am returning the faver, you know who you are thank you. Rodney kc0zhf DN71

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. Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz
by i8cvs 31 May '13

31 May '13

Von: i8cvs [mailto:[email protected]] Gesendet: Donnerstag, 30. Mai 2013 01:13 An: Andreas Imse Betreff: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz Wichtigkeit: Hoch Hi Andreas, DJ5AR Using the RADAR equation I would like to perform a link calculation of your QSO with Jan PA3FXB through the International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz I already know that the gain of your 3 meter dish is 29 dB and your power at the feed point is 200 W but I need the additional estimated following informations: 1) The range and the elevation from the ISS and your QTH as soon you started receiving your own ECHO'es signals. 2) The maximum range and the elevation from the ISS and your QTH when your received signals were the strongest possible. 3) Were you receiving in analogic CW using 500 Hz filter and headphone or were you using digital WSJT software such as FSK441 or others software (commonly used for rapidly moving meteor scatter QSO's). ? When the ISS is at the AOS with elevation of 2 degrees the range is about 2000 km and when the elevation is about 35 degrees the range is about 700 km so that I plan to calculate the budged link for a range 700 km and see what the results are in Signal to Noise ratio using only a analogic CW receiver and than calculate the advantages using a digital system. Thanks for your answere. 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: Andreas Imse To: domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 9:23 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz Hi Domenico, I saw your posting and will give you a short reply. We are both using 3 m dishes, 200 W here and 375 W on Jan´s side. That was far enough for our tests. As our QTHs are quite close (only 367 km), it is possible that QSOs over a larger distances might be possible with less power like in aircraft scatter. If you are equipped for 1296 MHz and able to track the ISS with your antenna, we should have a try. Doppler compensation can be done completely on my side. vy 73, Andreas DJ5AR / EI8HH dj5ar(a)darc.de www.dj5ar.de ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andreas Imse" <andreas(a)imse.de> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2013 10:20 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz Hi Domenico and all others, interested in this subj I am not looking for completing QSOs only and would like to test with receiving stations too. if you have an antenna for 1296 MHz and are able to do ISS tracking, we can try. I can perform the complete doppler compensation as well for uplink as for downlink here. So the receiving station may stay and listen on a fixed frequency ( e.g. 1296,300 MHz). vy 73, Andreas DJ5AR / EI8HH mailto:[email protected]> dj5ar(a)darc.de -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello Andreas, DJ5AR / EI8HH Using the data of your station and that of Jan PA3FXB I was able to compute the Link Budged calculations for the international Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz LINK BUDGED CALCULATIONS by i8CVS We consider the ISS like a passive reflector with reflectivity factor of 10 % to try a QSO by reflection Earth-ISS-Earth DATA: 1) The solar panels of the ISS plus the central body large like a Boeing 747 have a metallic reflecting surface of about 2000 square meters and we consider the ISS like a circular RADAR target having being a metallic plate an estimated reflectivity factor S of 10 % at SHF 2) The range EARTH-ISS at elevation of 35 degrees is about 700 km 3) Our EME station at 1296 MHz uses a 3 meters dish in diameter with gain of 29 dB and 200 W at the feed 4) The overall noise figure of our receive system is NF = 0.5 dB while the antenna temperature is 50 kelvin when pointed at the Cold Sky and we receive on CW using a filter with a BW large 500 Hz 5) We use only analogic reception without digital software like WSJT or similar tecniques. CALCULATION PROCEDURE : Aiming the dish towards the ISS when distant 700 km and transmitting on CW and using the RADAR equation we calculate the Signal to Noise ratio S/N to see if on CW the echoes reflected by the ISS are above or belove the Noise Floor of receiver. First of all using the RADAR equation we calculate the round trip attenuation in dB between EARTH-ISS-EARTH when approaching to TCA the average range is 700 km RADAR EQUATION Pt x Gt x Ar x S Pr = ----------------------------- ( 4 x 3.14 x R^2 ) ^2 Where : Pr = power received in watt Pt = power transmitted = 1 watt Gt = isotropic gain of a ground antenna at 1296 MHz = 1 time in power or 0 dB Ar = aperture area of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz = 0,0043 square meters S = Sigma or Radar Cross Section i.e. the surface of the ISS in square meters with reflecting coefficient of 0.10 = 10 % R = distance or range EARTH-ISS = 700 km = 700000 meters NOTE: (4 x 3.14 x R^2)^2 calculates the surface of a sphere having a radius R=700000 meters elevated time 2 to take account of the round trip "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" CALCULATION OF ATTENUATION "EARTH-ISS-EARTH" : S = Sigma of the ISS with reflecting surface of 2000 square meters and reflection coefficient of 10 % = 2000 x 0.10 = 200 square meters Calculation of the aperture area Ar of isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz / 2 2 /\ 0,2314 Ar = ---------- = ----------- = 0,0043 square meters 4 x 3,14 4 x 3,14 Calculation of the received power Pr on the EARTH collected by the isotropic antenna at 1296 MHz 1 x 1 x 0.0043 x 200 -26 Pr = --------------------------------- = 2.27 x 10 watt (4 x 3.14 x 700000^2 )^2 Calculation of the attenuation Att for the Round-Trip EARTH-ISS-EARTH Pt (1watt) 25 Att = --------------------- = 4.41 x 10 time in power -26 2.27 x 10 watt 25 and in dB the Att = 10 log 4.41 x 10 = 256.4 dB 10 CALCULATION OF THE OVERALL NOISE FLOOR FOR THE RECEIVER : Data of the 1296 MHz receiving system : Overall Noise Figure of receiving system NF= 0.5 dB = 35 kelvin Bandwidth BW of receiver on CW = 500 Hz Equivalent Noise Temperature Ta of the antenna when aimed toward the Cold Sky = 50 kelvin Calculation to get the Noise Floor KTB of receiver Where : -23 K = Boltzmann constant = 1,38 x 10 joule/kelvin T = Equivalent noise temperature Ta of the antenna plus the equivalent Noise Temperature Te of receiver i.e. T= (Ta + Te) Computation of the overall Noise Factor F for the receiver F = 10 ^ (NF/10) and so F = 10 ^(0,5 / 10) = 10 ^0,05 = 1,12 in factor The equivalent overall Noise Temperature Te of the receiver is Te = ( F-1) x 290 = (1,12 -1) x 290 = 35 kelvin The overall Noise Floor KTB of the receiving system with the antenna connected is : KTB = K x ( Te + Ta ) x BW and in numbars : -23 Noise Floor KTB = 1,38 x 10 x ( 35 + 50 ) x 500 = -182.3 dBW LINK CALCULATION "round trip" EARTH -ISS-EARTH at 1296 MHz on CW TX power at feed.................................+23 dBW = 200 watt Antenna Gain in TX................. ...........+29 dBi ------------ EIRP transmitted to the ISS. ..............+52 dBW = 158.5 kW Attenuation EARTH-ISS-EARTH... - 256.4 dB ------------- Power Pr received on EARTH over isotropic antenna ............................ - 204.4 dBW Antenna Gain in RX......................... + 29 dB ------------ Power incident at receiver input ...... - 175.4 dBW RX Noise Floor......................... ........- 182.3 dBW ------------ S/N ratio CW at RX audio output... + 6.9 dB CONCLUSION : At a range of 700 km from the ISS and using a 3 meters dish with 200 W at the feed and a receiving system with a Noise Floor of -183.3 dBW = - 153.3 dBm it is possible to hear your hown echo signals in plain analogic CW with a Signal to Noise ratio S/N of +6.9 dB wich is very strong. If two stations are equipped with the same equipments it is possible to make good QSO for a short time when the ISS is close range around 700 km at elevation of about 35 degrees. Increasing the BW of receiver at 2700 Hz to try receive SSB it is very difficult since the signal reflected back by the ISS will be very noisy with a S/N ratio of about - 0.5 dB and so belove the Noise Floor of your receiver. It is necessary to use a precise traking system particularly fast to move the dish as soon the ISS approach the TCA because the beam wide of a 3 meter dish with gain of 29 dB is large only about 5 degrees at the -3 dB points so that traking the ISS at 1296 MHz with a 3 meter dish or even larger for EME it seems to be the more critical point. 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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ANTELSAT a SSTV CubeSat from Uruguay
by M5AKA 30 May '13

30 May '13

Another CubeSat planning a Yasny Dnepr launch this year. ANTELSAT has an AX.25 packet radio digipeater and a 70cm SSTV downlink. See http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/30/antelsat-sstv-cubesat/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Québec provincial Hamfest
by lucleblanc6＠videotron.ca 30 May '13

30 May '13

The Quebec provinvial hamfest will be held sunday june 2 2013 in Sorel-Tracy. Sponsored by the Sorel-Tracy VE2CBS ARC who will present the first EME class PORTABLE station. For more info visit http://www.hamfest.qc.ca/Hamfest/Accueil.html http://www.ve2cbs.qc.ca/VE2CBS/Nos_albums/Pages/Projet_%22Objectif_Lune%22.… Luc Leblanc VBE2DWE

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CubeBug-2 hopes for Nov. 2013 Yasny Dnepr launch
by M5AKA 30 May '13

30 May '13

CubeBug-2 will carry an AX.25 packet radio digipeater for amateur radio use, See http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/30/cubebug-2-november-dnepr/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz
by Andreas Imse 30 May '13

30 May '13

Hi Domenico and all others, interested in this subject. I am not looking for completing QSOs only and would like to test with receiving stations too. if you have an antenna for 1296 MHz and are able to do ISS tracking, we can try. I can perform the complete doppler compensation as well for uplink as for downlink here. So the receiving station may stay and listen on a fixed frequency ( e.g. 1296,300 MHz). vy 73, Andreas Andreas Imse DJ5AR / EI8HH Hinter der Kirche 31 55129 Mainz Germany +49 6136 959025 <mailto:[email protected]> dj5ar(a)darc.de <http://www.dj5ar.de> www.dj5ar.de

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Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz
by Andreas Imse 30 May '13

30 May '13

Hi Domenico, your plan is really interesting, but I cannot support you with exact data at present. Maybe the wav file recorded by my SDR can give you an impression of the QSO: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8ak4za2va9ZVld5ZXZaREE5bXc/edit?usp=sharing I did not receive own echoes off the ISS, just the ones of PA3FXB, who was using a 3 m dish as well and 375 W at feed. We used plain CW and I heard Jan on my speaker with 2700 Hz Bandwidth. As it was the very first shot, just to complete a QSO, no semi scientific records were made, hi. There were too many other things to mention about. But it is a good idea to record all data as current elevation, azimuth, slant range, relative speed and doppler to a file. Since I do the complete station control including CW transmission by a homebrew program, it is just a small piece of work to do, to realize that. These data could easily be synchronized with a wav file, like the one linked above, by using the switching between RX and TX. Jan and I plan further tests, when ISS will appear again at more moderate times ;-) We are thinking about FSK441 tests too, but not at present. vy 73, Andreas Andreas Imse DJ5AR / EI8HH Hinter der Kirche 31 55129 Mainz Germany +49 6136 959025 dj5ar(a)darc.de www.dj5ar.de Von: i8cvs [mailto:[email protected]] Gesendet: Donnerstag, 30. Mai 2013 01:13 An: Andreas Imse Betreff: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz Wichtigkeit: Hoch Hi Andreas, DJ5AR Using the RADAR equation I would like to perform a link calculation of your QSO with Jan PA3FXB through the International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz I already know that the gain of your 3 meter dish is 29 dB and your power at the feed point is 200 W but I need the additional estimated following informations: 1) The range and the elevation from the ISS and your QTH as soon you started receiving your own ECHO'es signals. 2) The maximum range and the elevation from the ISS and your QTH when your received signals were the strongest possible. 3) Were you receiving in analogic CW using 500 Hz filter and headphone or were you using digital WSJT software such as FSK441 or others software (commonly used for rapidly moving meteor scatter QSO's). ? When the ISS is at the AOS with elevation of 2 degrees the range is about 2000 km and when the elevation is about 35 degrees the range is about 700 km so that I plan to calculate the budged link for both distances 2000 km and 700 km and see what the results are in Signal to Noise ratio using only a analogic CW receiver and than calculate the advantages using a digital system. Thanks for your answere. 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: Andreas Imse <mailto:[email protected]> To: domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 9:23 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz Hi Domenico, I saw your posting and will give you a short reply. We are both using 3 m dishes, 200 W here and 375 W on Jan´s side. That was far enough for our tests. As our QTHs are quite close (only 367 km), it is possible that QSOs over a larger distances might be possible with less power like in aircraft scatter. If you are equipped for 1296 MHz and able to track the ISS with your antenna, we should have a try. Doppler compensation can be done completely on my side. By the way: I have been visiting Naples and Stromboli 3 years ago and remember passing Torre del Greco with the Circum Vesuviana. vy 73, Andreas Andreas Imse DJ5AR / EI8HH Hinter der Kirche 31 55129 Mainz Germany +49 6136 959025 dj5ar(a)darc.de www.dj5ar.de

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Problems with SATPC32 CAT
by Les Rayburn 29 May '13

29 May '13

I've continued to try to troubleshoot the problem with no success. I checked and the DopplerSQF file appears to be entact. Read the manual and searched the FAQ but can't find any reason why I'd be "missing" the data in the CAT field. If I select an alternative configuration, the program seems to work fine, but that causes me to lose my settings and have to begin all over again. Any ideas? -- -- 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

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International Space Station-Bounce on 1296 MHz
by Les Rayburn 29 May '13

29 May '13

Many of you may have read about the successful QSO between DJ5AR and Jan, PA3FXB using the ISS as a passive reflector, similar to airplane scatter or EME. Using EME protocols and periods of 30 seconds, they completed the QSO using CW. This involved modifying satellite tracking software, and compensating for the Doppler shift. You can read details and hear audio files on DJ5AR's blog here: http://www.dj5ar.de/?p=878 This is quite an accomplishment, but I instantly began to wonder if it couldn't also be pulled off with much simpler equipment using WSJT software such as FSK441 (commonly used for rapidly moving meteor scatter QSO's). Doppler shift would not be a problem, even with the quick moving ISS, since the software is already optimized for short transmission periods. It might be necessary to modify the standard messaging to allow for a complete QSO exchange to happen faster, or to shorten the periods to 15 seconds. 432 MHz has already proven to be very productive for airplane scatter, so I also wondered if 432 might be a good band for this type of experimentation. Lots of satellite operators are already equipped to operate on 432 and to track the ISS in real time with their antennas. I'd love to hear some discussion about the possibility of this. It could open up a lot of potential grid squares on 432 and 1296 simply using FSK441. Another problem to be solved is classifying the propagation mode in LoTW and other logging software. Would this be considered "airplane scatter" or would we have to invent a whole new name for this? Congratulations to both hams for this accomplishment! -- -- 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

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AO7 in Eclipse
by k4feg 29 May '13

29 May '13

Hello BB's I have a question for any of the fine satellite operators of New Zealand and Australia. Does any one in those areas monitor AO7 as it enters into the Eclipse as it nears the coast of Antarctica? The pass that is flying over right now has an eclipse period duration of 9:40. I was curious as to how the satellite was reacting in the "twilight" period as the satellite approached the full eclipse and unfortunately the satellite doesn't appear to be near any populated areas when it comes out of this eclipse. this is one of the longer eclipse's that occurs during this period of the Eclipse Cycle. Any information would be of interest to me. thanks for the help from those who have emailed! 73 Frank K4FEG EM55aj84ta

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Field ISS contacts, any interest?
by Adrian Engele 29 May '13

29 May '13

Greetings, I am making preparations for the K9MOT Motorola Solutions Amateur Radio Club Field Day setup. I plan to operate the satellite station once again and give demos as I have done in the past few years. Hopefully, I can get the gremlins out that have popped up during the past few FD's. I am interested in demoing packet through the ISS, assuming it will be in packet mode this year. I know all stations are limited to one ISS contact. I am curious how many other FD stations are planning to make a packet contact and would it be worth the trouble? See you on the birds at Field Day! Please give K9MOT a shout should you hear us. Have fun! 73, Adrian AA5UK

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CUSAT Pulse Plasma Thruster Satellites
by M5AKA 29 May '13

29 May '13

CUSAT-1/2 are planning a SpaceX launch currently slated for July 9, 2013, along with Cassiope and Dande, from Vandenberg into a 1500 by 325 km 80 degree inclination orbit. The satellite has a 2 watt packet radio transmitter and carries Pulse Plasma Thrusters (PPT) which can raise or lower the orbit. See http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/29/cusat-ppt-satellites/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Satellite ship "Cosmonaut Viktor Patsaev"
by andy thomas 29 May '13

29 May '13

I am just back from Kaliningrad (Russia) where I was able to visit the Russian satellite communication ship, "Cosmonaut Viktor Patsaev". They opened up the ship for me although I wasn't allowed into the laboratory because although the ship is moored in a museum it is still in use. However I was allowed onto the decks to photograph the antennae and they knew I was a radio ham. So I photographed the antennae and measured what I could. My report is on my website http://www.andythomas.eu - it's downloadable from the bottom of the first page. All errors are my own. I hope you find it interesting. 73 de andy g0sfj

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IARU position on nanosatellites and picosatellites Resolution 757
by M5AKA 29 May '13

29 May '13

In preparation for WRC-15 the IARU has announced its position on Resolution 757 (WRC-12) and other agenda items relating to the Amateur Satellite Service, see http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/29/iaru-nanosats-and-cubesats-resolution-757/ Also on the website: UK Amateur Radio Consultations (2300-2400 MHz, 3400 to 3410 MHz) http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/29/uk-amateur-radio-consultations/ The American University in Cairo AUC CubeSat http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/26/the-american-university-in-cairo-auc-cubesat ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Help regarding Kenwood Ts200 setup
by Aayush Yadav 29 May '13

29 May '13

HI all, I am using Kenwood ts2000 for data reciecving purposes from the satellite. 'But i am not able to set it up accordingly kindly help. Regards, Aayush Yadav, Pratham- Student Satellite, Indian institute of Technology Bombay.

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Re: HamSatDroid 0.9
by David Johnson 29 May '13

29 May '13

Hi, I just had an email from Google Play support and I can't issue 0.9 as it needs the original authors signing key. I am (with the approval of AMSAT) going to move it to AmsatDroid 1.0 as a fund raising app. 73 - Dave On 29/05/13 00:01, Clayton Coleman wrote: > Dave, > > I appreciate your updates. I'm looking forward to a donation-ware > version incorporating some of the user-suggested features. In the > mean time I will attempt an upgrade to 0.9 tomorrow. > > 73 > Clayton > W5PFG > > > On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 2:40 PM, David A B Johnson <dave(a)g4dpz.me.uk > <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > > Hi, > > FYI, the app has been temporarily removed from the Google Play > Store while I reload it with the > new signing key. > > Should be back tomorrow. > > Will post another message when it's back. > > The info site is still up: > > https://sites.google.com/site/hamsatdroid/ > > 73 > > - Dave, G4DPZ > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>. 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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a cheap LEO tracker for single op
by Bill (W1PA) 29 May '13

29 May '13

Again, thinking to FD... - My FT-847 predates bi-directional CAT i.e. no computer assisted Doppler - I may be the only one at the station i.e. no helper to man the antenna (Arrow), so I may need to do everything. - assume the transponder LEO birds Has anyone tried this?: 1) mount a standard TV antenna horizontal 2) align the horizontal rotor axis 90 deg to the orbit tilt (inclination?) of the intended bird (so if the bird went directly overhead, a beam mounted on the mast would track) 3) but, mount the antenna on the horizontal mast such that it can be set tilted off the mast 0 to 90 degs to the mast axis (from horizon to zenith, and in practice set it to the maximum elevation of the intended pass) 4) operation: set the rotator (in 2) and aim the beam to the AOS point of the pass (in 3), pan the orbit remotely from the operator position. 5) the rotator axis and angle of the beam to mast would have to be set for each pass. Do-able? Bill W1PA

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Lost CAT Data on SATPC32
by Les Rayburn 29 May '13

29 May '13

Taking some advice from the group today, I closed SATPC32 and opened SATPCISS in an attempt to monitor a morning pass. When I reopened SATPC32, I noticed that I had no satellites listed in my group, the countdown program did not launch, etc. Further examination revealed that all frequency data was missing in the CAT window too. I tried restarting the computer, downloading new KEP data, etc. Nothing seemed to work. Any ideas? -- -- 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

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Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op
by Bill Acito 29 May '13

29 May '13

Yeah, mine is a 8Fxxxx unit --- just missed it. I actually have the replacement uProcessor for it (bought years ago), but I won't get it soldered in in time. Anyone know if running the rig from the computer is "non-functional" or just "a bit crippled" if I don't have the bi-directional CAT link? When AO-40 was up, I ran 2002 FD with an 847, a primestar dish sitting on the ground, and a 432 11-element beam on a camera tripod... no computer, not even logging. Took a bit to get a system down, but it worked fine. Obviously, the doppler dynamics from a HEO 8 hour pass is a different animal than the doppler from a 8 minute LEO pass. The rotor control, even just single axis, will give me control in one sitting position -- the rotor control, VFO, RIT/XIT, mic and pen all in front of me; especially since it may be only me. That's all the real automation I need. As someone stated, I have certainly done enough hand-held FM LEO work with the Arrow and a FT530 to know it's a matter of practice and getting a system down. Bob, thank you for reposting. I had saved some of the articles as pdfs for my own reference years ago; good to see them back on line. Bill W1PA Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 18:51:39 -0500 From: kq6ea(a)verizon.net To: hawat1(a)yahoo.com; w1pa(a)hotmail.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op Guys, in his FIRST post he mentioned he had a very early FT-847. The early FT-847's did NOT support two-way CAT communication for frequency and mode. You could command the radio, but it lacked the capability to report the frequency back to the control software. Yaesu modified the radios, but that was a long time agao, and if the radio didn't get modified then, you're out of luck as there are no more parts. The change over point is somewhere in the 8G05xxxx range. 73, Jim KQ6EA

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Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op
by Bill (W1PA) 29 May '13

29 May '13

Let me ask this another way... Assuming minimal setup prior to each pass, can I track a LEO with a single rotor well enough for QSO’s? (single rotor control in one hand, VFO/Doppler on my other)

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Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op
by Andy Kellner 29 May '13

29 May '13

OK, must have missed his first post where he mentions the fact. But why does the report back mechanism has to work in order for doppler correction to work ? SatPC32 just calculates the correct frequencies based on satellite data and current position / relative movement. It then sends the set frequency command to the radio, regardless what it's current frequency is. It does that in adjustable intervals. So IMHO it wouldn't be necessary to read the current frequency back from the FT 847. In fact I am not sure if SatPC32 even does read the frequency from the radio, even if it can. Andreas - VK4TH ________________________________ From: "kq6ea(a)verizon.net" <kq6ea(a)verizon.net> To: hawat1(a)yahoo.com; w1pa(a)hotmail.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, 29 May 2013 9:51 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op Guys, in his FIRST post he mentioned he had a very early FT-847. The early FT-847's did NOT support two-way CAT communication for frequency and mode. You could command the radio, but it lacked the capability to report the frequency back to the control software. Yaesu modified the radios, but that was a long time agao, and if the radio didn't get modified then, you're out of luck as there are no more parts. The change over point is somewhere in the 8G05xxxx range. 73, Jim KQ6EA On 05/28/13, Andy Kellner<hawat1(a)yahoo.com> wrote: FT 847 no computer assisted doppler ? Why ? My FT 847 happily gets its doppler correction from SatPC32 - all you need is a cable. Add a cheap tv rotor and a bit of homebrew software and you are all set ! ( http://evolution2enterprises.com/sat/sat.html ) This system works well for me for about 2 years now. Have since upgraded to higher gain antennas, though. Cheers, Andreas - VK4TH ________________________________ From: Bill (W1PA) <w1pa(a)hotmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, 29 May 2013 12:54 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] a cheap LEO tracker for single op Again, thinking to FD... - My FT-847 predates bi-directional CAT i.e. no computer assisted Doppler - I may be the only one at the station i.e. no helper to man the antenna (Arrow), so I may need to do everything. - assume the transponder LEO birds Has anyone tried this?: 1) mount a standard TV antenna horizontal 2) align the horizontal rotor axis 90 deg to the orbit tilt (inclination?) of the intended bird (so if the bird went directly overhead, a beam mounted on the mast would track) 3) but, mount the antenna on the horizontal mast such that it can be set tilted off the mast 0 to 90 degs to the mast axis (from horizon to zenith, and in practice set it to the maximum elevation of the intended pass) 4) operation: set the rotator (in 2) and aim the beam to the AOS point of the pass (in 3), pan the orbit remotely from the operator position. 5) the rotator axis and angle of the beam to mast would have to be set for each pass. Do-able? Bill W1PA _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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HamSatDroid 0.9
by David A B Johnson 28 May '13

28 May '13

Hi, FYI, the app has been temporarily removed from the Google Play Store while I reload it with the new signing key. Should be back tomorrow. Will post another message when it's back. The info site is still up: https://sites.google.com/site/hamsatdroid/ 73 - Dave, G4DPZ

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AMSAT table @ Show Low AZ hamfest on Saturday (1 June)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 28 May '13

28 May '13

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the annual White Mountain Hamfest in Show Low, Arizona, this Saturday 1 June 2013. The hamfest will be at the Show Low City Hall, and is scheduled to run from 8am until 12 noon (1500-1900 UTC). More information about the hamfest is available at: http://www.kachina-arc.org/Page/Hamfest.html http://www.kachina-arc.org/forms/2013%20hamfest%20revised.pdf WD9EWK will be on the air during the morning, working whatever satellites are available from approximately 1300 UTC until the hamfest wraps up for on-air demonstrations. If you hear WD9EWK on a pass, please feel free to call and be a part of the demonstration. The hamfest site is in grid DM44. All QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest, and QSL cards will be available (just e-mail me QSO details, and I'll send you a card). 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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May/June 2013 AMSAT Journal is Ready
by JoAnne Maenpaa 28 May '13

28 May '13

The May/June 2013 AMSAT Journal is complete and at the print shop. See http://ww2.amsat.org/?p=651 for more details. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal

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(no subject)
by kb2cwn＠yahoo.com 28 May '13

28 May '13

Hello everyone. Just a quick note to anyone operating SO-50. I am extending my apologies in advance for my operating practices. I realize after listening to my videos that sometimes I May be talking over people unintentionally. I am new at this, and hopefully learning from my mistakes. SO-50 is so busy that sometimes I am not sure when a QSO has begun or ended, and working with my HT and Arrow antenna sometimes get confusing at times. Again, my apologies to everyone and hope to catch you on the satellite. Best 73...Frank KB2CWN EL88qL Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE exclusively from Sprint

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New version of HamSatDroid
by David Johnson 28 May '13

28 May '13

Hi, I'm just in the process of release version 0.9 of HSD. You will have to uninstall version 0.8 and re-install 0.9 because it has a new signing certificate. (I have taken over ownership) New features in this version; Support for phones and 4/7/10 inch tablets Landscape map for ground-track IARU (Maidenhead) location input The many other enhancements that people have suggested are coming out in version 1.0. - Dave

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packet and ISS
by jerry keeton 27 May '13

27 May '13

If You use UISS software for packet , You can click on the " help " option in the top menu line and then click on stations heard via IGATE . this will show if and when the packet was last active and also the call sign . Jerry WB5LHD

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Kinetics experiment using HO-68 beacon
by Hector Luis HLMS. Martinez Sis 27 May '13

27 May '13

Hello to all! Tomorrow morning, I will support a Physics class at my University (UCF). We will be using Doppler measurements on the HO-68 beacon to calculate satellite velocity and from that result, we will calculate orbit altitude. We know that there will be a potential source of error as we are not stationary but anyway we hope to get a reasonable approximation of satellite velocity and altitude. We will be running the Fun Cube Dongle with SDR Console V2.0 and ELK antenna. SDR Console allows remote network connection, so I will be tracking the satellite from a tall building but students and teachers will be able to see the experiment and collect data from the laboratory. FO-29 will be in range just after the 1510z HO-68 pass. I will switch frequencies and will try QRPp running just 3W to avoid desense in the Dongle. If you hear me, please give me a shout with your name, city, state etc. Students and teachers will be still listening. I have made some Demos before for them, so they are familiarized with Ham radio and satellites. 73! Hector, CO6CBF --- Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana http://www.ecured.cu/

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Help in Hearing ISS
by Les Rayburn 27 May '13

27 May '13

I ran a Google search this morning, and there is still no known cure for "operator error". So I resort to searching for more medicine on the list until a cure can be found. Please give generously until a cure can be found. :-) Been on satellites for about five weeks now, and have managed to work a few contacts through SO-50, FO-29, AO-7, and VO-52. Have copied CW beacons from other birds including a few of the small Cubesats. The system seems to be working well. Some bugs had to be worked out along the way, including adjusting Doppler correction on SATPC32, fixing an audio distortion problem, and desense in Mode J. But despite my best efforts, I've yet to hear a single peep out of the International Space Station. Not just in voice modes, mind you, but I can't seem to find the digipeater signals, or anything else. I'm clearly doing something wrong. So, here are my questions: 1.) My IC-910H is controlled by SATPC32 in "satellite mode". Simple enough. But when I make the ISS the "active satellite" it stays in V/U mode, and won't easily let me go into simplex mode to work the ISS voice circuits or FM repeater. Is there a fix for this? How do other IC-910H owners deal with this issue? 2.) What frequency should I be looking for the packet signals on? I don't have a TNC, but do have a Rigblaster USB Advantage sound card interface. I know it's possible to use this to monitor (and possibly transmit signals to the ISS) Is there a link to a web site explaining how to configure the software, etc. for beginners? 3.) How often is the ISS in FM repeater mode? Not often, I'm guessing. Anyone know why? 4.) Any other tips on working the ISS? It would be quite a thrill for me! Please pardon the newbie questions. This list is great, and I really appreciate the help. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming for smart, capable operators, already in progress. -- -- 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

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AMSAT-UK Twitter
by Rob styles 27 May '13

27 May '13

Just a reminder if you haven't done so already,you can follow AMSAT-UK on Twitter for all the latest news https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK http://amsat-uk.org/ 73 Rob M0TFO

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Satellite Demonstration Saturday, June 1st
by Dave WØDHB 27 May '13

27 May '13

On June 1st between the hours of 9:00AM and 3:00PM EDT the Chesapeake Center For Science and Technology High School Amateur Radio Club in Chesapeake, VA (FM16) will be holding demonstrations for area advanced science teachers. They will be operating FO-29 passes (13:11, 14:54 and 16:40 UTC) & possibly other satellites during those hours as W4FOS . Please give a listen and a call. Thanks Dave W0DHB

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Looking for Cue Dee antenna information
by PE0SAT | Amateur Radio 27 May '13

27 May '13

Hi, Thanks for reading this message. Can somebody help me with the element measurements for the Que Dee 432 antenna models. When looking at the manual they only speak of colours and not of length. 73 Jan PE0SAT -- With regards PE0SAT Internet web-page http://www.pe0sat.vgnet.nl/

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EM90 and QSLs
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 May '13

27 May '13

Hi all, The long weekend has allowed me to finally catch up on answering QSLs. They all go in the mail in the morning, and I apologize for the delay. I'm headed for EM90 in the morning, and while not rare, it's not real common. I'll be happy to set up any schedules for tomorrow or Wednesday. FO-29 is preferred, but will do the others if need be. Please email me if you need it. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Recent AO-7 AMSAT Journal Papers
by DeYoung James 27 May '13

27 May '13

Greetings, Two recent papers concerning the historical and current behavior and operating aspects of AO-7 were written and published in the AMSAT Journal by the undersigned. I would recommend those who are interested contact the AMSAT office, Martha, and get copies of the two articles to read. "AO-7's Frequency Variability as a Proxy for Spacecraft Temperature', (2007), The AMSAT Journal, May/June 2007, pp. 23 - 26. "AO-7 - 35 Years in Space: Solar Array Power", The AMSAT Journal, January/February 2010, pp. 4 - 15. There is a wealth of information in these two articles and are good jumping off points for further study of AO-7. 73, Jim DeYoung, N8OQ (formerly KG4QWC)

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K4FEG Sharing the Wealth
by Les Rayburn 27 May '13

27 May '13

One of the best signals on the bird, and most prolific operators is also one of the most generous. "Feg" spent time with me on the last two FO-29 passes helping me troubleshoot my audio problems (We finally got that licked) and also flagged two DX stations HK3Z, Aquilino and VE6ITV for me. Thanks to his generosity I was able to log two new grids, and a new country. Every aspect of this hobby has it's share of "good guys" and VHF operation is blessed with more than it's share. But in the past month I've also been introduced to some great ones on the birds. Thanks again, Feg. I owe you! --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

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Fwd: [PNWVHFS] Fw: Garrett here, listing my FT-736R with options on craigslist.
by Bob- W7LRD 26 May '13

26 May '13

fowarding to the amsat list Bob W7LRD ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "James Christiansen" <k7nd(a)att.net> To: pnwvhfs(a)googlegroups.com Sent: Sunday, May 26, 2013 3:01:08 PM Subject: [PNWVHFS] Fw: Garrett here, listing my FT-736R with options on craigslist. Here you go, ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: "garrett(a)windermere.com" <garrett(a)windermere.com> To: James Christiansen <k7nd(a)att.net> Cc: Garrett <garrett(a)windermere.com> Sent: Sun, May 26, 2013 2:51:40 PM Subject: Garrett here, listing my FT-736R with options on craigslist. Hi Jim, Can you look at it and let me know what you think? If you think its priced right I would like you to post it for me on the reflector. http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ele/3830836872.html I really appreciate your assistants. Thanks Jim. KB7IOG, CN87 Lakewood, WA Garrett 253-273-1803 -- ~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group. To post to this group, send email to PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to PNWVHFS-unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pnwvhfs+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

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736r for sale
by Bob- W7LRD 26 May '13

26 May '13

just forwarding for a local guy http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ele/3830836872.html 73 Bob W7LRD

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FN53 portable operations
by Nick Fredrich 26 May '13

26 May '13

Greetings, I plan on working the next US pass starting at 20:57 UTC portable from FN53 (South Portland, ME). 5W Yaesu VX-8GR /w Arrow Will confirm 100% as always, no SASE required to QRZ address. LOTW eQSL are OK too. Nick - KC9WPR

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Italian astronaut KF5KDP in quarantine for ISS launch
by M5AKA 26 May '13

26 May '13

Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano KF5KDP in quarantine prior his launch to the ISS on Tuesday, May 28 at 4:31 EDT, a picture can be seen at http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/26/iss-radio-ham-in-quarantine/ The launch will be broadcast live on NASA TV at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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ANS-146 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by E.Mike McCardel 26 May '13

26 May '13

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-146 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: * First picture from ESTCube-1 ham radio CubeSat * NEE-01 Pegasus 910 MHz TV Camera in Action * Ecuador Pegasus CubeSat fears over space debris crash * Argentinian CubeSat CubeBug-1 was also hit by space debris. * NASA History Program Office Fall 2013 Internships * Registration for the 5th European CubeSat Symposium (3-5 June 2013) * NASA Seeks Academic Partners for SmallSat Technology Collaboration * Satellite Applications Catapult Hackathon * Amateur Radio Satellites for Emergency Communications * NASA looking for far-out ideas * Update: Museum Ships Weekend Special Event Station KK5W Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-146.01 ANS-146 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 146.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. DATE May 26, 2013 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-146.01 First picture from ESTCube-1 ham radio CubeSat The first picture taken by the amateur radio CubeSat ESTCube-1 in space has been released. ESTCube-1 was launched from Kourou in the Caribbean on May 7 at 0206 UT on an ESA Vega rocket into a 704 km orbit. The hard work of the first two weeks has paid off and the CAM team, leaded by the University of Tartu Computer Technology graduate student Henri Kuuste has this to say: The camera works perfectly and so do all the other subsystems, needed for taking the photo. The first image was captured on May 15 over the Mediterranean Sea, showing the sea, Sahara desert, and Tunisia. On Monday, May 13 the whole ESTCube-1 team was invited to the reception of the rector of University of Tartu to celebrate the success of the satellite. Watch the video (in English) at http://www.uttv.ee/naita?id=17163 ESTCube-1 was built by students at the University of Tartu. The main mission of the satellite is to test electric solar wind sail technology, a novel space propulsion technology that could revolutionize transportation within the solar system. It will deploy a 10 meter conductive electrodynamic tether and the force interacting with the tether will be measured. The technology is based on the electrostatic interaction between the electric field generated by the satellite and the high-speed particles being ejected from the Sun. A spacecraft utilizing this method would first deploy a set of electrically charged wires, which allow to generate an electric field over a large area. This area effectively forms a "sail" that can be pushed by the charged particles by being diverted by it and therefore transferring momentum to the craft. ESTCube-1 uses these frequencies: 437.252 MHz - CW beacon, callsign ES5E/S 437.505 MHz - 9600 bps AX.25 telemetry, callsign ES5E-11 Electric solar wind sail http://www.electric-sailing.fi/ EstCube on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/estcube/ EstCube website http://www.estcube.eu/en/home Wiki EstCube-1 http://tinyurl.com/WikiESTCube-1 [ANS thanks Southgate Amateur Radio News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NEE-01 Pegasus 910 MHz TV Camera in Action NEE-01 Pegasus (Pegaso) the first of two HD TV CubeSats built in Ecuador launched on a CZ-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Space Center on Friday, April 26 at 0413 UT. The 1U CubeSat 10x10x10 cm) was built in Ecuador and carries a 0.9 watt output 720p HD TV transmitter on 910 MHz (an amateur radio band in some countries). EarthCam has teamed up with the Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency to deliver what EarthCam describe as an amazing viewing experience from an orbiting satellite. You can view the NEE-01 Pegasus SpaceCam online at http://www.earthcam.com/world/ecuador/ecsa/ NEE-01 Pegasus (Pegaso) http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/25/nee-01-pegasus-hd-tv-cubesat/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Ecuador Pegasus CubeSat fears over space debris crash BBC News is reporting that at 0538 UT on Thursday, May 23 Ecuador’s new NEE-01 Pegasus 910 MHz CubeSat collided with debris from a S14 Soviet rocket launched in 1985. The satellite was some 1,500 km east of Madagascar at the time of the impact. Pegasus, launched less than a month ago, is the first 1U CubeSat to carry a HD TV transmitter and deployable solar panels. The basic satellite is just 10 by 10 by 10 cm but, when deployed, the solar panels have a span of 70 cm. Ronnie Nader with Elisse Nader and CubeSat Ecuador’s first Astronaut Ronnie Nader is quoted as saying “Pegasus could be damaged or spinning out of control, but because it’s still in orbit, we have hope“. He had said earlier that it could take up to 48 hours to ascertain possible damage using radar. Read the BBC News story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin- america-22635671 May 23, 0700 UT: Ronnie Nader posted “Survived the event, but we are almost sure of side impact with particles, tomorrow [May 23 ECT?] we will see the state of Pegasus, but we are still in the sky, still have Pegasus”. May 23, 1600 UT: Ronnie Nader tweeted “Now we are sure that there [was] particle impact“. The BBC report that the Ecuadorian Government contributed $700,000 towards the launch costs of the 1U CubeSat. It was launched on April 26, 2013 into a 660 km orbit on a CZ-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Space Center. Educational outreach is an important part of the project. The Ecuadorian Space Agency EXA is partnering with schools in Ecuador as part of the ASTERIA Program, in which students will use the satellite in their curricular and extra curricular activities. 902 – 928 MHz is an amateur radio allocation in some countries. NEE-01 Pegasus 910 MHz TV Camera in Action http://tinyurl.com/o94oqbu NEE-01 Pegaus HD TV CubeSat http://amsat-uk.org/2013/04/25/nee-01-pegasus-hd-tv-cubesat/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Argentinian CubeSat CubeBug-1 was also hit by space debris. One of the companions of PEGASUS, the Argentine satellite CubeBug-1 also reported changes in the tilt of its orbit and confirmed at least 1 particle impact. The Argentine team reported a slight change in the inclination of the orbit of the NEE-01 PEGASUS product of this collision, however to the issue of this newsletter we can not confirm this information to make more measurements, if this is confirmed could slightly alter satellite overpass schedules on Ecuadorian territory, the Space Operations Directorate EXA works to adjust the new orbital calculations and check the magnitude of this change. The Space Operations Directorate EXA is analyzing the data collected at each step of the satellite to determine if you can recover the use of the satellite and will have a report ready to expose to the media on Monday May 27 at 10h00 in the ECU911 Samborondon. CubeBug-1, NEE-01 Pegasus and TURKSAT-3USAT (Mode J Linear transponder) were all deployed from the same launch vehicle on April 26. See the EXA report at http://www.exa.ec/bp52/ Google English http://tinyurl.com/q8wdql2 [ANS thanks M5AKA and Agencia Espacial Civil Ecuatoriana for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA History Program Office Fall 2013 Internships The NASA History Program Office is seeking undergraduate and graduate students for fall 2013 internships. The History Program Office maintains archival materials to answer research questions from NASA personnel, journalists, scholars, students at all levels and others from around the world. The division also edits and publishes several books and monographs each year. It maintains a large number of websites on NASA history. Students of all majors are welcome to apply. While detailed prior knowledge of the aeronautics and space fields is not necessary, a keen interest and some basic familiarity with these topics are needed. Strong research, writing and editing skills are essential. Experience with computers, especially hypertext markup language, or HTML, formatting and social media (Twitter and Facebook) is a plus. Intern projects are flexible. Typical projects include handling a variety of information requests, editing historical manuscripts, doing research and writing biographical sketches, updating and creating websites, creating Twitter and Facebook entries, and identifying and captioning photos. Applications for fall 2013 internships are due June 1, 2013. For more information, visit http://history.nasa.gov/interncall.htm If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Bill Barry at bill.barry at nasa.gov. [ANS thanks NASA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Registration for the 5th European CubeSat Symposium (3-5 June 2013) This is a final reminder for you to register at reduced rate for the 5th European CubeSat Symposium to be held on 3-5 June 2013 at Brussels, Belgium. Kindly keep in mind that the registrations that will be received after 27 May will be charged at a higher rate. The preliminary programme and all other details are published at the web site www.CubeSatSymposium.eu [ANS thanks Cem O. Asma, PhD for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Seeks Academic Partners for SmallSat Technology Collaboration NASA is seeking small spacecraft technology project proposals from U.S. colleges and universities that would like to collaborate with agency researchers. Small spacecraft, or smallsats, represent a growing field of space research and operations in which universities often have led the way in technology development. Smallsats, some of which are as small as a four-inch cube, are not expected to replace conventional spacecraft, but sometimes can provide an alternative to larger, more costly spacecraft. Smallsats can serve as platforms for rapid technology testing or specialized scientific research and exploration not otherwise possible. Smallsats also can be developed relatively quickly and inexpensively, and can share a ride to orbit with larger spacecraft. NASA expects to competitively select approximately 10 proposals. Each team will form proposal partnerships with researchers from any of NASA's field centers. Awards for each project will include as much as $100,000 ($150,000 for teams of more than one school). Proposals submitted in response to this NASA cooperative agreement notice are due June 5, 2013. In addition, NASA will fund the time for NASA employees to work with each selected team. Project funding is for one year with the potential to continue for a second year. Proposed projects could include anything from laboratory work to advance a particular spacecraft technology to flight testing of a new smallsat. For example, projects might focus on a technology area such as propulsion, power or communications, or on a smallsat capability, such as formation flight or satellite rendezvous. Details of the opportunity and instructions for submitting proposals are provided in a Cooperative Agreement Notice that is available online at http://tinyurl.com/cb3mqdw. For additional information on the Small Spacecraft Technology Program, visit http://www.nasa.gov/smallsats. The Small Spacecraft Technology Program is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions. For more information about NASA's investment in space technology, visit http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech. Questions about this opportunity should be directed to Rachel Khattab at rachel.khattab(a)nasa.gov. [ANS thanks NASA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Applications Catapult Hackathon The Satellite Applications Catapult is hosting a Satellite Applications Hackathon event on the weekend of 8-9 June 2013. It will take place at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. The two-day ‘technology development’ event is part of a series of activities to help generate innovative ideas and solutions in response to several challenges set by the Catapult or its associated partners. Hackathons offer an innovation platform to enable people to work together to solve challenges using space technologies, and exploit the benefits for both space and other markets sectors, eg. transport, healthcare, natural resources, etc. The Hackathon is open to anyone who would like to participate – software developers, engineers, technologists, scientists, designers, artists, educators, students and entrepreneurs – anyone who has a passion to help change the world. To register for the Hackathon, please go to catapulthackathon.eventbrite.co.uk or email hackathons(a)sa.catapult.org.uk. For more Information visit http://sa.catapult.org.uk/event/catapult-hackathon/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Radio Satellites for Emergency Communications Grupo de Radioaficionados para Operaciones Satelitales (GROS) Coordinator Raydel Espinet CM2ESP comments on the use of amateur radio satellites for emergency communications and describes how an amateur satellite was used in a Civil Defense exercise on May 18-19, 2013 About the topic of satellites and emergencies I think satellites are an option very important to consider when there is no more available. In case of HF propagation blackouts or poor conditions and when local VHF and UHF repeaters fails, satellites can bring help, specially from light weight battery run portable stations. Here in Cuba we do every year an emergency rehearsal exercise named “Meteoro” which is organized by Cuba’s Civil Defense to simulate catastrophes and other actions relevant to the upcoming hurricane season. This weekend (May 18th and 19th) was held the 2013 Exercise, like always Cuban Ham Radio Operators are invited to participate as an important asset during emergencies. But by first time ever on the Civil Defense National Headquarters were is installed amateur station CO9DCN we do a short and simple satellite demonstration to the Civil Defense authorities. The short demo was just a simple “hello” exchanged between CO6CBF (Hector) in Cienfuegos Province and CM2ESP/Portable (Raydel) in the Headquarter’s backyard. Hector had done previous years demos for his province’s civil defense authorities, but this was the first time a demo was done at the National Civil Defense Headquarters. As HF propagation was terribly bad that day due to the recent solar flares the Civil Defense Authorities were very pleased with our short demo proving that satellites can be an alternative when ground and ionospheric propagation are disrupted. The Press publish a short report about the amateur radio importance on emergencies and there is also a short mention in paragraph three of the very first satellite contact. The news report can be found at http://www.ain.cu/2013/mayo/19ya-meteoro_reduccion_desastres.htm It is in Spanish only, but Google translator works fine http://tinyurl.com/navmyoh (Google Translation) On the picture featured on the news report from the Cuban News Agency you can see CO9DCN Club Station (Defensa Civil Nacional – National Civil Defense) being operated by CO2OT in digital modes and CO2JC in voice communications. The satellite demo was done portable on the backyard on Sunday at 14:10 UTC during a SO-50 pass, the press arrived one hour after the satellite pass so unfortunately there is no photo available. [ANS thanks Raydel, CM2ESP for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA looking for far-out ideas NASA is looking for far-out ideas. NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Program is seeking Phase II proposals for continuation of promising studies selected during the first phase of the visionary program. The NIAC program funds cutting-edge concepts with the potential to transform future aerospace missions, enable new capabilities, or significantly alter current approaches to launching, building, and operating aerospace systems. "Creating the technologies needed to keep our explorers -- robotic and human -- alive and well is a terrific challenge, and these transformative concepts have the potential to mature into the solutions that enable our future missions," said Michael Gazarik, NASA's associate administrator for space technology in Washington. "NASA's early investment and partnership with creative scientists, engineers and citizen inventors from across the nation holds the potential to pay huge technological dividends and help maintain America's leadership in the global technology economy." NIAC's Phase II opportunity continues development of the most promising Phase I concepts. These are visionary aerospace architecture, mission, or system concepts with transformative potential, which continue to push into new frontiers, while remaining technically and programmatically credible. NIAC's current portfolio of diverse efforts advances aerospace technology in many areas, including science, aeronautics, robotics and manufacturing. Recent NIAC Phase II studies have included a concept for "printable spacecraft," which could be manufactured using additive manufacturing technology that creates 3-D objects from computer designs. Spacecraft electronic components could be "printed" layer upon layer on flexible materials, advancing the functionality and availability of components needed for space missions. Another study is examining the feasibility of using high temperature superconducting magnets as a potential form of radiation shielding in space. "Phase II proposals are especially exciting because they can provide the opportunity to bring real breakthroughs one step closer to implementation," said Jay Falker, NIAC program executive at NASA Headquarters. NASA will be accepting NIAC Phase II proposals of no more than 20 pages in length until July 9. Selection announcements are expected later this year. This solicitation is open only to current or previously awarded NIAC Phase I concepts. Complete guidelines for proposal submissions are available on the NIAC website at http://www.nasa.gov/niac. NASA expects to initiate approximately five new Phase II studies this year. The number of awards will depend on the strength of proposals, availability of appropriated funds and selected mix of Phase I and Phase II awards. Selected proposers will receive as much as $500,000 over two years to further analyze and develop their innovative concepts. NIAC is part of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions. To view the NASA NIAC Research Announcement for this solicitation and for more information about the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate, visit: http://go.usa.gov/R1N [ANS thanks Southgate Amateur radio News for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Update: Museum Ships Weekend Special Event Station KK5W Satellite Operations The Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club (BVARC) will participate in the Museum Ships Weekend Event on June 1-2, 2013 from Pelican Island (IOTA NA-143) near Galveston, Texas. Currently 90 ships worldwide are registered to participate in the event and it is expected that additional museum ships will register before the event begins. In 2008 the BVARC satellite team was the first museum ship to use OSCAR satellites. Last year at least a half dozen museum ships joined us on the OSCAR satellites. This year the KK5W team will launch a balloon on Saturday morning, June 1, 2013. Previous balloons launched by the South Texas Balloon Launch Team have reached an altitude of over 111,000 feet and have traveled as far east as South Carolina. This balloon will carry a 70cm to 10m linear transponder with center frequencies of 433.500 MHz and 28.600 MHz. The balloon can be tracked on <http://www.aprs.fi>www.aprs.fi by entering the identifier N5BPS-11 (the USS Cavalla's wartime call sign was NBPS). Working the balloon transponder is just like working a satellite but with no Doppler shift. BVARC plans a full 2-day operation on the HF bands. Operation on OSCAR satellites is planned for daytime passes on Saturday, June 1, 2013. The BVARC satellite and balloon team consists of AMSAT members Andy MacAllister, W5ACM, Allen Mattis, N5AFV, Charlie Keng, K5ENG, Carl Hacker, WC5WM, Thomas Krahn, KT5TK, and Mike Scarcella, WA5TWT. We encourage any interested satellite operators to volunteer to operate on the OSCAR satellites if you live near a participating museum ship. Join in and be part of this worldwide event. If you hear KK5W on during MSWE 2013 give us a call. QSL with SASE to KK5W, Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club, PO BOX 2997, Sugar Land, TX 77487-2997. Additional information: http://www.nj2bb.org/museum/index.html [ANS thanks Allen F. Mattis for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + Congratulations to Expedition 34 Commanader Chris Hadfield KC5RNJ/VA3OOG for his successful return to earth. Chris dedicated himself to bringing space science to students around the world. Notable are the 23 ARISS contacts in which he participated. Successful ARISS Contacts + Yellowknife R.C.M.P. Headquarters Yellowknife Northwest Territories Canada 2013-05-12 17:55 UTC A succesful International Space Station school contact was conducted between participants at Yellowknife R.C.M.P. Headquarters, Yellowknife, NWT, Canada and Expedition 34 Commander Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG, on 12 MAY 2013 at approximataely 17:55 UTC. The duration of the contact was approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was be a telebridge between NA1SS and k6DUE. The contact was audible over the Eastern U.S. and adjacent areas. Yellowknife is the capital city of Northwest Territories in Canada's north and has a population around 20,000. Yellowknife is found on the north shore of Great Slave Lake and on the west side of Yellowknife Bay, near the outlet of the Yellowknife River. Yellowknife is known as the "diamond capital of North America" because there are three mines near our city. This event in Yellowknife brought in many areas of their community. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment was the host for this event. Their commanding officer started the event by greeting all who attended. The event was blessed before the contact by one of the respected Elders. Students from ages 6-17 asked the questions. They were from local schools, the Side Street Youth Center, and families of police officers. This was a huge celebration of our community connections. + Participants of the first phase of the qualifying round of the World "Man will fly away, come back a hero" in Podolsk, Russia had a successful 2013-05-15 07:41 UTC The contact was direct via RN3DOM with Expedition 35 Cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov RV3BS using station call RSØISS + Anacapa School Santa Barbara, California USA 2013-05-22 17:43 UTC A successful International Space Station school contact was conducted between participants at Anacapa School, Santa Barbara, CA and Expedition 35 Astronaut Christopher J Cassidy KF5KDR on 22 May. The event began at approximately 17:43 UTC. The duration of the contact was approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact was direct between NA1SS and N6KTH. The contact was audible over portions of the west coast of the U.S. Anacapa School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory day school for junior high and high school students. This year they have a total of 65 students in grades 7-12. Through academic and experiential learning, they encourage students to integrate critical thinking, creativity, integrity, and compassion in order to develop the potential of each individual in our diverse community. The Anacapa Near Space Exploration Club - KK6BBL was founded in 2010 by Anacapa students. The first team designed and built Anacapa Amateur High-Altitude Balloon 1 (AAHAB-1), which launched on May 22, 2011, returning stunning still images from an altitude of 91,122 feet over the California Central Coast. In 2012, a second team consisting of new and returning crew members built off of the success with a second near space probe, AAHAB-2. Team AAHAB-2 set even more ambitious goals including a live Amateur Television video downlink, high-definition recording, radiation sensors and live APRS telemetry. On May 5, 2012, AAHAB-2 returned to Earth after a project record- breaking flight peaking at more than 111,814 feet above the surface! This year a new group of students are busy preparing for the ARISS contact, developing new designs and earning their Amateur Radio licenses. Following the success of the two balloon probes and their acceptance into the ARISS / TFS program last summer, they decided to make space exploration the focus of their annual Synthesis Unit for the 2012- 2013 school year. This means that all of the students at Anacapa have spent many hours over the past few months taking an in-depth look at the space program's past, present and future by doing independent research and hearing from expert speakers like NASA Astronaut Rick Linnehan who visited us in January. Students are presently in the process of finalizing the Synthesis product which is a report of their findings. Other areas schools were asked to join them on the day of the contact so they might share this "million dollar moment." + Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2013-05-25 21:00 UTC ATR International Youth Forum - “Growth points”, Altai Krai Belokuriha, Russia Contact is a go for Tue 2013-06-04 21:15 UTC ARISS is requesting listener reports for the above contact. Due to issues with the Kenwood radio that are not fully understood at present, the Ericsson radio is going to be used for these contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. [ANS thanks ARISS, David AA4KN and Charlie AJ9N for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + SPUTNIX is granted a license for space activity SPUTNIX has been granted has been granted a license by the Russian Federal Space Agency for engaging in space activity, namely: creating and modernizing small automatic space vehicles for scientific and commercial purposes. SPUTNIX_is_granted_a_license_for_space_activity_999.html + The three planets converging in the Western skyy just after sunset May 25-28 are Jupiter, Venus and Mercury. + NASA-Built Nanosatellite Launch Adapter System Ready For Flight Nanosatellites now have their own mass transit to catch rides to space and perform experiments in microgravity. A new NASA-designed and developed satellite deployer, dubbed the Nano Launch Adapter System (NLAS), is scheduled to demonstrate the capability to launch a flock of satellites into space later this year. http://tinyurl.com/povkvfe + First precise MEMS output measurement technique unveiled The commercial application of MEMS, or micro-electro-mechanical systems, will receive a major boost following the presentation of a brand new way to accurately measure the power requirements and outputs of all existing and future devices. The cheap and easy to apply technique will be presented for the first time at the TechConnect World Conference 2013 by a research team from Laboratoire national de metrologie et d'essais (LNE) in France. The researchers believe it will help manufacturers improve product performance, develop new functionalities, reduce energy consumption of mass production, respond to market demands for miniaturization, and increase reliability of MEMS devices around the world. http://tinyurl.com/q9g3phx + Plug-and-Play technology for microsatellites has been experimentally confirmed SPUTNIX specialists within the work on creation of a microsatellite platform TabletSat have assembled and tested the onboard control system equipment based on Space Plug- and-Play Architecture (SPA) specifications. This set of open standards has been developed by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, AIAA, jointly with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL. http://tinyurl.com/p3rzk5u + May Edition of MilsatMagazine is available online http://www.milsatmagazine.com/2013/MSM_May2013.pdf --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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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Re: Hector, CO6CBF Saves the Day!
by Wayne Estes 25 May '13

25 May '13

N1LF wrote: Not only did it rescue my own failed logging recording, but it allowed me to hear my distorted audio first-hand, and hopefully will allow me to troubleshoot the problem before the next pass. W9AE replies: You CAN hear and judge your own downlink audio on FO-29. Use headphones and set the "TX monitor" volume to zero so that when you transmit the only audio in the headphones is the RX audio. With the RX volume control sufficiently high, you can hear your downlink audio over the sound of your own voice in your head. This must be done using headphones. If you use a loudspeaker you will get feedback. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA

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Re: Amateur Satellites and the emergency on tornadoin Oklahoma and Texas
by Bill Acito 25 May '13

25 May '13

Domenico, With all due respect, you base much of your argument on a single sentence on a marketing web page. The "emergency" access ability may have been used as part of the justification for funding or launch vehicle access; it doesn't mean it works for that in any practical situation. When I was a teenager, I told my dad I would be one more person available to pick him up in an emergency if he gave me access to the car keys. Didn't mean it would work or that I ever did. And he saw my argument for what it was. I think W9KE's comments are spot on. Rather than referencing the VU page, I would Google the role of amateur radio in the warning and aftermath of the Joplin tornado for perspective. Bill W1PA (in New England, but I also live on the path of the now 2nd deadliest tornado -- Worcester 1953)

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Worked N3YKF/OA4 in FH1 For Real This Time!
by Les Rayburn 25 May '13

25 May '13

Thankfully, the Space Gods smiled on me, and allowed me to catch Norm on another pass of FO-29 tonight from Lima, Peru. This time without audio distortion on my signal, Norm was able to answer me on the first call. We exchanged grid squares, complete calls, and my grateful thanks for his efforts to work me again. This is DXCC #3 on Satellites, and my 41st grid since starting about a month ago. What thrill--like being a novice all over again. Now gotta get a desense filter for Mode J, and a computer controlled rotor going--small steps to improve the station. Thanks again, Hector, David, Norm and others who helped me troubleshoot the audio problem, and nail down Norm before he had to leave. -- -- 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

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Hector, CO6CBF Saves the Day!
by Hector, CO6CBF 25 May '13

25 May '13

Les, I am more than happy to help you!!! It is more than interchange grids and work new countries; the AMSAT community is like a big family. Satellites are always fascinating! 73! Hector, CO6CBF -----Mensaje original----- De: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] En nombre de Les Rayburn Enviado el: viernes, 24 de mayo de 2013 18:15 Para: AMSAT Mailing List Asunto: [amsat-bb] Hector, CO6CBF Saves the Day! Talk about someone demonstrating the amateur spirit! Hector Martinez, CHARLIE-OSCAR-SIX-CHARLIE-BRAVO-FLORIDA swooped in like Superman this afternoon sending me a complete audio recording of last night's SO-59 pass, including my QSO with Norm, N3YKF/OA4 in FH18. Not only did it rescue my own failed logging recording, but it allowed me to hear my distorted audio first-hand, and hopefully will allow me to troubleshoot the problem before the next pass. Hector--I can't thank you enough for your act of kindness. I know that you're one of the most popular operators on the birds, and I can certainly see why. Please let me know if I can return the favor somehow. Thanks also to Norm for sticking with the QSO through my audio distortion issues. This kind of attitude is why I love operating in the world above 50 MHz..just seem to find a better class of operator. Friendlier too. -- -- 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 _______________________________________________ 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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Hector, CO6CBF Saves the Day!
by Les Rayburn 24 May '13

24 May '13

Talk about someone demonstrating the amateur spirit! Hector Martinez, CHARLIE-OSCAR-SIX-CHARLIE-BRAVO-FLORIDA swooped in like Superman this afternoon sending me a complete audio recording of last night's SO-59 pass, including my QSO with Norm, N3YKF/OA4 in FH18. Not only did it rescue my own failed logging recording, but it allowed me to hear my distorted audio first-hand, and hopefully will allow me to troubleshoot the problem before the next pass. Hector--I can't thank you enough for your act of kindness. I know that you're one of the most popular operators on the birds, and I can certainly see why. Please let me know if I can return the favor somehow. Thanks also to Norm for sticking with the QSO through my audio distortion issues. This kind of attitude is why I love operating in the world above 50 MHz..just seem to find a better class of operator. Friendlier too. -- -- 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

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TURKSAT-3USAT status?
by Mike Herr 24 May '13

24 May '13

So, anyone know the status of TURKSAT-3USAT? -- Mike Herr WA6ARA DM-15dp Home of The QRP Ranch

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Re: Norm on FO-29 and VUCC/DXCC Credit
by Hector, CO6CBF 24 May '13

24 May '13

Hello Les! I worked Norm right before you. I heard and recorded your QSO. Despite your modulation was a little distorted, you completed the contact successfully. I will send the recording in a separate email. Thanks very much to Norm for all the new grids!!! 73! Hector, CO6CBF -----Mensaje original----- De: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] En nombre de Les Rayburn Enviado el: viernes, 24 de mayo de 2013 14:13 Para: AMSAT Mailing List Asunto: [amsat-bb] Norm on FO-29 and VUCC/DXCC Credit I should have spelled out in my earlier e-mail that I'm not even going to think about QSLing Norm, N3YKF/OA4 in FM18 for VUCC or DXCC credit unless I'm fortunate enough to work him again before he leaves Peru. I prefer to earn 'em fair and square or not at all. Just thought it was a funny story that other operators might enjoy. And I wanted to note his callsign in case I heard him on the birds again. It seems a lot of operators use a digital audio recorder for logging, especially those who operate handheld. Lesson learned, check all connections before the pass begins! Ha, Ha. Thanks for helping to solve the mystery and sorry for any confusion. -- -- 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 _______________________________________________ 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

2 1

CubeBug-1 also hit by Soviet space debris
by M5AKA 24 May '13

24 May '13

EXA in Ecuador is reporting that as well as NEE-01 Pegasus the Argentinian CubeSat CubeBug-1 was also hit by space debris. See the EXA report at http://www.exa.ec/bp52/ Google English http://tinyurl.com/q8wdql2 CubeBug-1, NEE-01 Pegasus and TURKSAT-3USAT (Mode J Linear transponder) were all deployed from the same launch vehicle on April 26. BBC: Ecuador Pegasus CubeSat fears over space debris crash http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/23/bbc-ecuador-pegasus-cubesat-fears-over-space… ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Norm on FO-29 and VUCC/DXCC Credit
by Les Rayburn 24 May '13

24 May '13

I should have spelled out in my earlier e-mail that I'm not even going to think about QSLing Norm, N3YKF/OA4 in FM18 for VUCC or DXCC credit unless I'm fortunate enough to work him again before he leaves Peru. I prefer to earn 'em fair and square or not at all. Just thought it was a funny story that other operators might enjoy. And I wanted to note his callsign in case I heard him on the birds again. It seems a lot of operators use a digital audio recorder for logging, especially those who operate handheld. Lesson learned, check all connections before the pass begins! Ha, Ha. Thanks for helping to solve the mystery and sorry for any confusion. -- -- 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

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"Norm" on FO-29
by Les Rayburn 24 May '13

24 May '13

Have you ever had one of those days? We're at T -10 days and counting to the wedding of my only daughter, Samantha, and the stress is starting to get to me. Tonight, I had a delivery at the house, just as the pass for FO-29 started. I could hear the driver honking his horn outside the garage door, just as I heard a station calling CQ on the bird. I went back to the station, "M3Y slash something"...hmm...strange callsign. Didn't quite catch it. But no worries, I always use a small digital recorder to catch all the audio from passes. Haven't quite mastered adjusting the rotor, twisting the RIT knob, keying the mic, and logging all at the same time. Certain that the recorder would capture the details, I proceeded with the contact. "QRZ, QRZ this is N1LF EM63 QRZ". Hey wait, he's coming back to me. What's that he's saying, "Try it again, N1LF". I repeated my call and grid square. The station came right back again, "Try it one more time. Are you on the right sideband?", A wave of panic set in. I glanced at the knobs on the IC-910. Was I on the right sideband? What was that callsign again? Where the heck is that? South America, maybe!!?? I repeated my callsign---he came right back. "OK, now I got you". He sent his grid square too, but the bird rotated, and I missed it. I doubted the recorder had it either--so I asked for repeat. I noticed other stations were quickly calling the DX too. He calmly repeated his grid square and I sent a quick "73". The horn outside honked again--breaking me from my euphoria. I scribbled a quick note of the time; 04:05 UTC. No problem, I'll get the rest from the recorder when I'm done with the delivery. I yanked the headphones, and listened as other stations worked "Norm". They all seemed excited to log a rare grid. I was proud of myself for finding him early in the pass, before the pileup had started. "Maybe this rookie can show these space jockey's a thing or two" I thought, in my self-assured inner voice. I greeted the driver with a big smile and firm handshake. An hour later, I plugged the recorder into my computer's USB port, and opened the file in Sound Forge, ready to play back the pass, and fill in my log. Alas, you can guess the ending to my sad tale of woe. I had neglected to plug in the splitter cable!!! The entire file was completely BLANK! NO!!!! So, I hate to ask, but I decided to swallow my pride and see if the gang could help me solve this mystery. Who did I work, and where the heck was he? Gotta get automatic rotor control working and start writing stuff down. Serves me right for being cocky. Despite the setback, I'm still having fun learning the birds. -- -- 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

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rx Sirius sat beacons with AIDC3733 converter
by f6htj＠aol.com 24 May '13

24 May '13

In addition: Good reception of sat carriers (+/- 2320.190 MHz) with AIDC3733 2400>144 converter (was modified for AO40 rx): receiver set at +/- 64.190 MHz (instead of 144.190) 73 de Michel F6HTJ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello all; for information here in south west Europe we use 2320,100 to 2320,300 cw/ssb portion of 13cm band for tropospheric , AS , RS, traffic. I have been told by Piero I5CTE there is permanent continuous carrier beacon around 2320.190 MHz (+/- doppler) by 1 of the 3 Sirius elliptic NA satellites. It appears reception is very good here with small 20 turn helix antenna (in spite of 12m heliax coax) peaking 539. Apogee (50000km ) around 325deg with 27deg elevation. F5BOF reports same signal with small hand held 25 elements f9ft yagi. So these are for us very interesting beacons. Depending hours we can receive 1 o 2 sats. Real time positions (Sirius-1 / Sirius-2 / Sirius-3) here: http://www.n2yo.com/satellites/?c=33 Any info about beacon sat polarisation and eirp ? 73 de Michel F6HTJ Amsat #7409

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ESTCube-1 + Apps-in-Space Hackathon June 8-9
by M5AKA 24 May '13

24 May '13

First picture taken by ESTCube-1 CubeSat ES5E http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/21/estcube-1-first-picture/ Harwell - Apps-in-Space Hackathon June 8-9 free event http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/23/apps-in-space-hackathon/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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AO7
by k4feg 24 May '13

24 May '13

Hello All AO7 Operators; During the Eclipse Cycle over Antarctica, AO7 continues to come out of eclipse in Mode B. Even better news is that I tracked down Jan A. King the designer of AO7 and he has graciously offered to answer some of my questions about the basic design of the Grand Old Lady of satellites. I will be speaking with him next week after the Memorial Day Weekend and I hope to gather some insight into the operations of AO7. I am very lucky to get access to him for his knowledge of this great satellite. 73 All FRM, Frank E. Griffin K4FEG STARCOM BB EM55aj84ta

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HRD 6.0 and Satellite Tracker
by Les Rayburn 24 May '13

24 May '13

New to the birds, and using SATPC32 to control my Icom IC-910H. Also use Nova to help me better visualize the path that satellites will take. Rotor is still controlled manually, though I may move to change that once the family budget will allow. Haven't noticed much traffic or discussion on the air with anyone using Ham Radio Deluxe's "Satellite Tracker" software. I'm wondering if other operators have used the software, and what your impressions were. -- -- 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

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Question about HamTV
by Raydel Abreu Espinet 24 May '13

24 May '13

Hello, About the future HamTV experiment, is it possible to use a cheap RTL DVB-T dongles used or RTLSDR to receive such signals with proper LNA and downconverter. If the downconversion fits the signal on a proper channel does it device is capable of decode the transmitted format??? Thanks, Raydel ---

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SL2 and VU visa with a DXpedition
by R Oler 24 May '13

24 May '13

I will be starting an assignment with soverign groups in both India and Bangladesh concerning flight operations...this is a commute contract but I will have a substantial presence in both countries...and both countries have granted me an E Visa and my family residency visas and SL2 has informed me that upon arrival in country I will have a amateur radio ticket. It will take me sometime to spool up as the work on both contracts is pretty extensive...but at somepoint I will have a presence on the bands in both countries. Not that it matters with LEO's to hams in the states, but amateur satellite equipment will be included in my operation Robert WB5MZO

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