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Re: maximum AO-7 distance - with link to image
by Thomas Doyle 01 Oct '12

01 Oct '12

Bob, Since the height above ground varies due to the elliptical nature of orbits the max range also varies. Where the two stations are located relative to the apogee of the orbit can also come into play. If you are on the wrong side of the earth when the satellite is at its apogee that could be a problem. Here is my best shot at the range of max distances for AO-07 - compare them to numbers you get from other folks and let me know what you find. My numbers could be and are probably wrong. http://www.tomdoyle.org/ao-07.png 73 W9KE tom... -- Sent from my computer. tom ...

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ISS CubeSat deployment Oct 4
by Trevor . 01 Oct '12

01 Oct '12

It is reported that the ISS CubeSats will be deployed on October 4 at 1435 UT See http://www.amsat-uk.org/?p=10119 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ ----

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WD9EWK @ Tucson Hamfest and Fly-In, Saturday (6 October)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 30 Sep '12

30 Sep '12

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the new Tucson Hamfest and Fly-In, hosted by the Oro Valley Amateur Radio Club. The hamfest will be next Saturday, 6 October 2012, between 0700 and 1300 local time (1400-2000 UTC). This hamfest will be at a new location northwest of Tucson, at the Marana Regional Airport along Avra Valley Road west of I-10 exit 242. More information is available at: http://www.tucsonhamfest.com/ I will have on-air demonstrations throughout the hamfest, starting with an SO-50 pass just before the official 1400 UTC start of the event. I will work passes on that satellite, as well as VO-52 and FO-29, until an AO-27 pass just before the 2000 UTC end of the hamfest. For the SSB satellites, I will try to start out around 10 kHz +/- above the center of the transponder. If you hear WD9EWK on those passes, please call and be a part of the demonstrations. The hamfest site is in grid DM42jj. If you work WD9EWK next Saturday and would like to receive a QSL card, please e-mail me with the QSO details. QSOs will also be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: F1 Telemetry Decoder
by Mark L. Hammond 30 Sep '12

30 Sep '12

Hi Keith, It's apparently setup to use hardware modems. This shack loves hardware TNCs :) You might be able to get AWGPE working if you can send KISS data out to a virtual com port...check out http://www.soundcardpacket.org/ "In addition, Tim Pearson KB9VQF has written a <http://www.pearsoncomputing.net/freeware.php>AGWPE Serial Loopback utility that creates virtual serial ports that will let you link AGWPE to any packet program that can link to a KISS-enabled TNC (AGWPE's sound card mode simulates a KISS TNC). " 73, Mark N8MH At 09:04 AM 9/30/2012 -0700, Keith O'Brien wrote: >The F1 Telemetry Decoder Manual in Section 5.2.3 Decode Data OBC2 >*You should connect this program with your transceiver first. > >Not sure what they are looking for here. I would like to use AGW Packet Engine >as my packet TNC. Anyone offer any guidance in how to configure APWPE to the >F1 decoder program ? I also have MixW if that would work... > >Keith N4ZQ > > >_______________________________________________ >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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AO-7 record distance
by Bob- W7LRD 30 Sep '12

30 Sep '12

Anyone who would like to try to establish a new distance record on AO-7 mode B, get hold of me. I believe the current record is 7766km. The potential distance is 7907km. I have worked out to 7692km thankyou OH5LK. New satellite tower/antennas complete. I am located near Seattle Wa...CN87wk and enjoy trying to stretch the footprint. The difficult we do immediately the impossible takes a little longer. 73 Bob W7LRD CN87wk

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Re: F1 Telemetry Decoder
by Mark L. Hammond 30 Sep '12

30 Sep '12

Yes, that'll work. You'll make your head hurt getting it all set up tho :) Quick outline of approach: 1) get AWGPE installed and working. 2) install a virtual serial port pair using something like com0com; use baud emulation. 3) install AGWPE KISS-Mode Loopback interface. Configure to use one of the virtual ports; use 9600 baud. 4) Now launch/configure F-1 Telemetry decoder. Pick "the other" virtual com port, use 9600 baud, and then start it. Use local APRS packet traffic to test...you should be printing it (raw data.... It takes a bit of monkey-ing around, but it works! 73, Mark N8MH At 12:29 PM 9/30/2012 -0400, Mark L. Hammond wrote: >Hi Keith, > >It's apparently setup to use hardware modems. This shack loves hardware TNCs :) > >You might be able to get AWGPE working if you can send KISS data out to a virtual com port...check out http://www.soundcardpacket.org/ > >"In addition, Tim Pearson KB9VQF has written a <http://www.pearsoncomputing.net/freeware.php>AGWPE Serial Loopback utility that creates virtual serial ports that will let you link AGWPE to any packet program that can link to a KISS-enabled TNC (AGWPE's sound card mode simulates a KISS TNC). " > > > >73, > >Mark N8MH > >At 09:04 AM 9/30/2012 -0700, Keith O'Brien wrote: >>The F1 Telemetry Decoder Manual in Section 5.2.3 Decode Data OBC2 >>*You should connect this program with your transceiver first. >> >>Not sure what they are looking for here. I would like to use AGW Packet Engine >>as my packet TNC. Anyone offer any guidance in how to configure APWPE to the >>F1 decoder program ? I also have MixW if that would work... >> >>Keith N4ZQ >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >>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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F1 Telemetry Decoder
by Keith O'Brien 30 Sep '12

30 Sep '12

The F1 Telemetry Decoder Manual in Section 5.2.3 Decode Data OBC2 *You should connect this program with your transceiver first. Not sure what they are looking for here. I would like to use AGW Packet Engine as my packet TNC. Anyone offer any guidance in how to configure APWPE to the F1 decoder program ? I also have MixW if that would work... Keith N4ZQ

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W5KUB Live WebCast on October 4, 5, 6
by JoAnne Maenpaa 30 Sep '12

30 Sep '12

Hello Everyone, Here is a news item that would be too late if we waited for the next ANS bulletins. I'm posting this as a favor for Tom W5KUB since many hams enjoy his live amateur radio webcasts. AMSAT is not sponsoring any part of this event nor endorses any of the products or commercial content. Lots of hams have a good time during Tom's shows so tune in if you can. You might win one of his on-line prize drawings too. He randomly picks a participant in the webchat. When live webcasts are not going on he loops recordings of his previous shows. His amateur radio webchat is available from his web page also. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service Associate Editor, AMSAT Journal It's time for the Live Broadcast of MFJ 40th Anniversary Celebration! The Amateur Radio webcasts live, on-line at http://w5kub.com will cover MFJ Enterprises as they celebrate their 40th anniversary Oct- ober 5th and 6th (Friday and Saturday) in Starkville, Mississippi! For those that can attend in person, there will be door prizes (must be present to win), free factory tours (MFJ, Ameritron, Cushcraft, Hy-Gain, Mirage, Vectronics, and MFJ Metal Shop), free lunch, free tailgating, free forums/discussions, and FCC license exams. Special guests will include: + Martin F Jue, K5FLU, president and founder of MFJ Enterprises Inc + Malcolm Keown, W5XX, ARRL Mississippi Section Manager + Harold Kramer, WJ1B, CEO American Radio Relay League + Chip Margelli, K7JA, CQ Advertising Manager and famous DXer + Janet Margelli, KL7MF, Ham Radio Outlet Anaheim Manager + Ray Novak, N9JA, ICOM America Amateur Radio Sales Manager + Ted Randall, WB8PUM, QSO Shortwave Radio Host + Dick Ross, K2MGA, CQ Magazine Publisher + George Thomas, W5JDX, Ham Nation, AmateurLogic.com For additional information regarding the MFJ 40th Anniversary Cele- bration go to http://www.mfjenterprises.com/dayinpark.php. If you cannot attend in person, please join the live, online broad- cast of MFJ 40th Anniversary Celebration events at http://W5KUB.com where the fun begins! MFJ 40th Anniversary Celebration broadcast hours: + Thursday, October 4: 2000 UTC (3:00 PM CT) drive from Memphis, Tennessee to Starkville, Mississippi (approx. 3 1/4 hour drive) + Friday, October 5: 1300 - 21:30 UTC (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM CT) + Saturday, October 6: 1300 UTC - 1900 UTC (8:00 AM - 2:00 PM CT) + Saturday, October 6: 2000 UTC (3:00 PM CT) drive from Starkville, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee (approx. 3 1/4 hour drive) You could be the winner of an online MFJ prize (not to be confused with the MFJ door prizes) which will be awarded during the W5KUB broadcast. Of course, no purchase is necessary to win a prize. W5KUB is not affiliated with any products or companies and does not sell any products or services. During the live broadcast, you will also have the opportunity to meet and chat with other amateur radio operators from all over the world. The 2012 Dayton Hamvention broadcast had 47,400 viewers! Please join our group on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/w5kub/ to keep up with us year-round. Also, please help spread the word by posting this announcement in Facebook and forwarding this message to your ham radio friends that may not have received this message! We'll 'see' you at MFJ! 73 Tom Medlin, W5KUB http://w5kub.com

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Yaesu G5400B
by Howard Kowall 30 Sep '12

30 Sep '12

Hello all on the board I am selling off my ground station I did post my FT847 already Here is some more items Yaesu G5400B rotor and control box c/w fiber glass boom, FoxDelta FDST3 interface ,enclosure,lcd dispaly and led's(all ready built) I will also include a Fodtrack interface.I was using the Fodtrack then upgraded to the FoxDelta ST3. I have the original box,packing and manual for all the items The G5400B is in great shape and works perfect as with the interfaces If anyone is interested please email me off the board I can supply pictures for those who show interest hkowall(a)shaw.ca Thanks Howard Kowall VE4ISP

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FT847/FC20
by Howard Kowall 29 Sep '12

29 Sep '12

Hello all on the board I am going to sell my Yaesu FT847 ser#01410090 and matching FC20 Tuner c/w data cable have the original microphone,printed pdf copy of manual and original power cable The FT847 and FC20 tuner are in excellent condition cosmetically and working.I would give it 9.5 out of 10 each Picks are available on request. If anyone is interested send me an email hkowall(a)shaw.ca Thanks to all who read and respond to this post Howard Kowall VE4ISP

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1962-09-29: Alouette 1 Launched
by B J 29 Sep '12

29 Sep '12

On that day, Canada became the third country to have a satellite in space. An interview with one of the people who worked on it can be found at: http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/quirksaio_20120929_11777.mp3 It starts after 36:40. More about Alouette 1 is at: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/alouette.asp http://www.crc.gc.ca/en/html/crc/home/alouette/alouette http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1962-049A http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alouette_1 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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satellite spectrum
by Howie DeFelice 28 Sep '12

28 Sep '12

The conclusion of the recent WRC conference left open issues concerning the allocation of spectrum for pico and nano satellites. The requirement was identified as serious and will be an agenda item at the next WRC. In my opinion, this will put pressure on ham allocations from 5.8 GHz and down. I read about this in the current issue of ViaSatellite magazine, a publication geared to the commercial satellite industry. You can read the article in their online version of the magazine at: http://accessintelligence.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vvs12/i10/p1 - Howie AB2S

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by R Oler 28 Sep '12

28 Sep '12

Drew. If AMSAT becomes or has become "just another customer" of launchers then you are probably correct and even more so the future for "realsats" ie ones that actually do communications is bleak. I am sort of surprised that this is the "thought" ...if here in Houston we had to "pay rent" for our tower space (and we have a couple of them) then the group that I am a part of which has a pretty nice repeater/packet system would simply be out of luck. What we were able to do is convince the folks who usually take the large dollars to view us as a public service and we get the tower space (and the everything else space including Electricity) for 10 dollars a year. My boss routinely sends his Gulfstream fleet out to do things for which people "pay" nothing or little because he gives to good causes. While AMSAT and other groups might or not compete with paying payloads have we lost the ability to go out and convince people that AMSAT is a worthy cause? Specific question. Has AMSAT approached SpaceX for a "good cause" launch? RGO WB5MZO Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2012 07:47:28 -0400 From: glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com To: orbitjet(a)hotmail.com Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312) CC: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org I'll just leave this here, to prove the reality of the situation: http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1913/1 "Doud said that SpaceX recently completed an internal study on the feasibility of flying secondary payloads. That effort also developed prices for flying those secondary payloads, which he disclosed in his presentation. A P-POD would cost between $200,000 and $325,000 for missions to LEO, or $350,000 to $575,000 for missions to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). An ESPA-class satellite weighing up to 180 kilograms would cost $4–5 million for LEO missions and $7–9 million for GTO missions, he said." 73, Drew KO4MA - Drew..No it is not a false premise. .if SpaceX is flying with "not used" mass we should at least approach them to be able to see if we could put payloads on the vehicle..or take something to ISS...there is mass and space, the launch on Oct 7 will only carry 1000 lbs. Also we might be able to find some space on the Falcon heavy launch. Robert WB5MZO

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AO-27
by Allen F. Mattis 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

I did not hear AO-27 on the 2030 utc 27-Sept-2012 pass over North America. Can anyone else confirm AO-27 is not working or did I have an "operator error?" Allen N5AFV

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BorIP - FUNcube - Ezcap - Pleasant Surprise
by Thomas Doyle 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

While trying to get my FUNcube and Ezcap dongles to work with BorIP I ran across something that surprised me. After getting BorIP to work with both dongles I went back and took another look at the introductory video for BorIP. I have always assumed that that people in general were not interested in any thing complex like satellite communications because they were too busy tweeting, playing Angry Birds or standing in line waiting to buy a new iPhone. Much to my surprise I found that there were over 58,000 views of the video. That was about 57,990 more than I expected. I believe there are a lot more tech savvy people out there than I ever imagined which offers the possibility of a brighter future for our hobby. BTW - BorIP works like a champ with both the FUNcube and Ezcap modules. Very nice system. BorIP is no where near as difficult to set up as you might expect after watching the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0hEquzLsWU http://wiki.spench.net/wiki/BorIP 73 W9KE Tom Doyle

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HV Satcom Group Net Tonight Sept 27 @ 8 PM
by cotejaune2＠aol.com 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

It is time again for the Husson valley Satcom Group Net tonight Sept 27 @ 8 PM on Echolink N2EYH-L and on the Mt Beacon Repeater 146.970 pl 100.Please join the net and share your satellite knowledge with us. Hope to hear you there. 73 Gary wa2aqh. And Tom kc2dtq

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Elections- Hudson Division
by Peter Portanova 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

My Apologies in advance, this is off topic, however this is an important election, Mike was part of our team that spoke with Rep. Pete King on HR 607, thank you. WB2OQQ AMSAT- HUDSON DIVISION ARRL MEMBERS I am supporting Mike Lisenco N2YBB for the position of Hudson Division Director. Mike has a long history of service to the Amateur Radio community. He is currently the Section Manager for the New York City/Long Island Section. Mike has demonstrated that he understands both the hobby and the service aspects of Amateur Radio. He is an active ham who participates in Emergency Communications. He was an ARES District and Section Emergency Coordinator and a RACES Radio Officer. He also enjoys operating in contests, chasing DX, and just plain ragchewing. His extensive field experience gives him the knowledge base to understand the policies that need to be instituted by the ARRL. I believe he will bring new ideas and a fresh approach to the League. He listens to the opinions of the membership and incorporates their ideas into his plans There are 15 Directors in the ARRL. Their purpose is to develop policy that affects all hams for years to come. Leadership from the Hudson Division Director is crucial to the future success of Amateur Radio. . I know that Mike is strong enough to represent the interests of the Hudson Division in Newington. He has the time and the ability to best represent all of us. In my opinion, he is the right choice for the job. It is important that you vote. Starting October 1 balloting will be open for ARRL Hudson Division Director for those who have an email address on file with ARRL. You will receive instructions on how to vote electronically. Paper ballots will be mailed for those ARRL members who don't have an email on file. Join me in voting for Mike N2YBB when balloting begins next week. If you would like more info about Mike, go to his website www.hudsonhams.com 73, Pete WB2OQQ

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Tutorial on using the Flex 5000 VU5K with SATPC32
by Alan P. Biddle 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

Flex has posted a nice guide to using SATPC32 with the Flex 5000 VU5K. http://support.flex-radio.com/Downloads.aspx?id=404 Along with the SATPC32-specific details, there is information of use to satellite operators in general. 73s, Alan WA4SCA

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FITSAT-1
by tanaka＠fit.ac.jp 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

JAXA plans to deploy five cubesats from ISS at the early morning on 28th September. The first two satellites (RAIKO, WE WISH) are deployed around 00:10 - 00:20 JST by manually. The second three satellites (FITSAT-1, NanoRacks,and TechEdSat) are deployed around 01:30 - 01:40 JST by remote. JST(Japan Standard Time) advances 9 hours from GMT. JAXA will broadcast the deployment: http://iss.jaxa.jp/iss/jaxa_exp/hoshide/library/live/ FITSAT starts to send the beacon 30 min after deployment. Please send the signal report and your postal address to fitsat1(a)hotmail.co.jp and also cc to tanaka(a)fit.ac.jp. You will receive the verification card shown in: http://www.fit.ac.jp/~tanaka/fitsat.shtml The orbit is almost the same as ISS. FITSAT delays 200m from ISS for one cycle around the world. As it goes around 16 times a day, it delays 3.2km per day. If 10 days passed, FITSAT passes the same point of ISS after 4 sec (32km/8km=4). The beacon frequency 437.250MHz of FITSAT-1 conflicts with the satellite PRISM of Tokyo Univ. Please confirm that the CW starts "HI DE NIWAKA JAPAN ..." 73 JA6AVG Takushi Tanaka

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IC-910 with Clifton Labs IF buffer and SDR-IQ
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

I just put this all together today, using the instructions VK2DAG has up at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5513613/IC-910%20SDR%20Mod.pdf, and all I can say is WOW! I should have done this a long time ago, instead of messing around with the VR-5000 and such. Now, has anyone figured away to let SatPC32 do Doppler control, but still have click and QSY capability from Spectravue? 73, Drew KO4MA

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ISS_KIBO CubeSats deployment postponed
by Mineo Wakita 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

JAXA says, The deployment of CubeSats were planned on September 27. But it was postponed under the influence of the separation postponement of ATV-3. We are examining it now about the release enforcement day after the postponement. http://iss.jaxa.jp/kibo/about/jssod/ JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Daniel Schultz 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

> ...if here in Houston we had to "pay rent" for our tower space (and we have a > couple of them) then the group that I am a part of which has a pretty nice > repeater/packet system would simply be out of luck. What we were able to do > is convince the folks who usually take the large dollars to view us as a > public service and we get the tower space (and the everything else space > including Electricity) for 10 dollars a year. > > While AMSAT and other groups might or not compete with paying payloads > have we lost the ability to go out and convince people that AMSAT is a > worthy cause? Amsat has tried to sell the emergency and disaster communications aspect of amateur radio but so far nobody has bitten on that bait. Getting space on a tower is a few thousand dollars per year, getting a free satellite launch represents a thousand times more money. A local ham club working with local public safety officials can show them directly how valuable hams can be, on the national level we are trying to appeal to a big bureaucracy with little practical experience. Most of the rest of the world regards ham radio as an outmoded hobby practiced by elderly white males. It has been said before in this forum that nobody is going to donate money so that hams can talk to Japan through an amateur satellite. Amsat is not the only worthy non-profit in space these days. We compete with many other amateur space groups, including the Google Lunar X prize teams. Education is what brings in the big bucks today. The grant makers have fully swallowed the phony notion that there is a "critical shortage" of engineers and scientists, and they donate to causes that support STEM education. Our ability to access space in the future depends on how well we work with the education community. We need to stress that a real engineering design course must include designing for reliability and a long lived communications mission. Amsat has a long and proud history of (mostly) successful satellites, which gives us credibility in the field, if we don't allow others to rewrite history and claim credit for things that we did first. There is always an exception to every rule however, and if we ever find a launch provider who thinks that amateur radio in space is a worthy cause, we will be prepared to jump on it. It all depends on building personal relationships with persons who are in a position to say yes, and as you know, hams come from all walks of life, including corporate executives, military officers and scientists. Dan Schultz N8FGV

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UT1FG/MM
by Omar Alvarez 27 Sep '12

27 Sep '12

Anyone have information about where is Yuri UT1FG/MM. He was spoted in 6 mts for KH7Y and CX2TQ Regards Omar XE1AO DK89df ******************************** M.C. Omar Alvarez Cárdenas Facultad de Telematica, U de C 316 1075 xe1aom(a)ucol.mx omar_ac(a)hotmail.com ********************************

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Recent N8RO/P Western Trip
by Ronald Oldham 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Many thanks to all of you for the contacts during my recent western trip through NM, AZ, CA, NV, UT, CO and TX. I have uploaded all contacts to LOTW. If you need a paper card please contact me by e-mail with the contact details and I will send one to you. Again many thanks for the QSOs. 73, Ron - N8RO

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Steve May 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

I don't know why everyone thinks it is so expensive to send something to space. Here is a video of a couple of guys that sent some Natural Light beer "into space" with a weather balloon. Why can't we just get together with these guys and send up a satellite? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_00eZtsuJ9M Note: Before I get my inbox filled up with "Yer an idiot! There's more to it than that!!!" please understand that I know fully well that there is just a bit more to it to get a satellite into orbit than what the guys do in this video. It is still a well-produced video of about the last thing I'd think of to send up on a balloon. Steve, W5IEM *This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying the communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the email along with any and all attachments from your system*

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beep box help
by Bob- W7LRD 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Where can I find a good tutorial on "how to" monitor/decode the many and ever increasing beep boxes up there. Then, what do you do with data? Also is there a place where the keps for these little gizzmos can be easily accessed and downloaded into Satpc-32 work them till they drop 73 Bob W7LRD

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LVB tracker es laptop prob.
by Tom 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

I had a very similar issue with an Acer lt and LVB Tracker. Never solved it but replaced lt with mini tower and all is well. It seems to be an issue of Win7 or perhaps voltage levels on the USB. Try a tower to prove it is the lt. 73, Tom

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Forgot a CubeSat!
by Mark L. Hammond 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

I missed this one... ISS,437465.0,145980.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,TechEdSat 1k2 AFSK packet 73, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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SatPC32 and ISS CubeSats to be deployed
by Mark L. Hammond 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Hi All, I've been preparing for the CubeSat release from ISS scheduled for tomorrow. Hope it happens!! For my simple brain, I've figured an easy way to get the frequency tracking/Dopper, etc entered into SatPC32. First, we can use the ISS Keps for tracking--at least for a few days probably, until Keps are released by Celestrak, etc. I already have that working (don't you?). So, no need to do ANYTHING with Keps--just make sure they are "fresh." Second, there is the matter of frequencies! So, I entered the following into my Doppler.SQF file: ISS,145980.0,437485.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,F1 1k2 AFSK packet ISS,437485.0,145980.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,F1 CW telem over FM ISS,437250.0,145980.0,CW,FM,Nor,0,0,FITSat1 CW telem ISS,437445.0,145980.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,FITSat1 1k2 AFSK packet ISS,437505.0,145980.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,WE WISH 1k2 AFSK packet Now, all I have to do is track ISS (in normal SatPC32--don't use SatPC32ISS!), and using the "CAT" menu select the frequency of the CubeSat I want to listen to. If you look at the text line at the bottom of the box, you'll see why I put the CubeSat name at the end of each line above... Easy to do, no need to worry about "launch Keps", etc. We have them already :) Remember, the "upper most" line is one that loads by default. For me, that's going to be the F1 1k2 AFSK FM packet signal. Also, after we DO get real Keps--all you have to do is edit the appropriate ISS with the name of the bird; make sure it's the same name used in the Keps (or get fancy and use the AmsatNames.SQF file). Hope that helps some of you... 73, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Sid May ET3SID / AB3OZ / G4CTQ Silent Key
by Trevor . 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Sid had recently contacted AMSAT-UK about an amateur radio CubeSat project he wished to start in Ethiopia. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10512 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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Re: beep box help
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Let me add an additional recommendation. Learn to love the soundcard. Go into the back ACC socket on your radio, find the fixed level AF signal, and send it over to the line in on your PC soundcard. Now you can copy most of the digital modes with software like MixW or the programs provided by the owner of the satellite. SatPC32 set up to Doppler track, and tweaked for time and freq offsets, is invaluable. When you can decode a CW or AFSK beacon from AOS to LOS and not touch the VFO, now you've really done something! 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Stefan Wagener <wageners(a)gmail.com> >Sent: Sep 26, 2012 6:40 AM >To: Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> >Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: beep box help > >Hi Bob, > >I don't think we have any "beep boxes" out there. If that is what you call >cubesats, nano and picosats, I would highly discourage you to even look at >them. Now having said that, let's assume you want to receive data from >these satellites, there is NO one tutorial. On the other hand you could >write one :-) > >It is all about you doing your own homework, compiling information, >learning along the way and using resources like Mike Rupprecht's beautiful >website: http://www.dk3wn.info/satellites.shtml >for more information. > >What you do with the data is totally up to you. Many of us help these teams >and forward telemetry information to them. Some teams have developed >special software to decode the data and allow us to actively monitor the >status of the satellite and any experiments.That's the beauty of this hobby >that we can do some technical stuff, learning about the satellite etc. and >are not reduced to mindless rag chewing with someone who could care less >what my cats name is. Actually I only have a dog > >Regarding the keps, maybe you should look up all the great stuff that comes >out of Celestrack and look at: >http://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/cubesat.txt >and that is just one source (Google here I come....) > >Hope that helps, > >Stefan VE4NSA > > > > > > >On Wed, Sep 26, 2012 at 2:48 AM, Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> wrote: > >> Where can I find a good tutorial on "how to" monitor/decode the many and >> ever increasing beep boxes up there. Then, what do you do with data? Also >> is there a place where the keps for these little gizzmos can be easily >> accessed and downloaded into Satpc-32 >> work them till they drop >> 73 Bob W7LRD >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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UKube-1 Cubesat books a ride on Soyuz-2 rocket
by Trevor . 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

The UK Space Agency has announced that UKube-1, which carries an AMSAT-UK 435/145 MHz linear transponder, has booked a flight on a Soyuz-2 rocket. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10497 73 Trevor M5AKA Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK ----

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Daniel Schultz 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

We don't need anything so fancy as springs or rubber bands. Electric propulsion is a mature, safe technology, with many universities and organizations developing experimental thrusters that need to be tested in space. Some of them even use solid propellant so no need to do safety qualification on a high pressure gas cylinder. Nothing at all to explode. That is how we will get our next HEO satellite. Dan Schultz N8FGV ------ Original Message ------ > > And of someone wanted to try out a new propulsion system on a live > > satellite, I'm sure AMSAT would be more than happy to help with the > > comms side of things. > > One can understand the reluctance to allow an explosive kick-motor on a > launch vehicle. But is that the only way? > > What about a trebuchet? Springs? Rubber bands? Cylinders of > compressed gas? Gas produced when needed by mixing two stable chemicals > together? A motor that spins up an arm to 'throw' the payload? A > magnetic railgun that fires a slug down out of orbit, resulting in > recoil pushing the satellite up? Or the payload up, while deorbiting > the railgun? > > Surely someone smarter than I can come up with a scheme that might > actually work? And someone with a smoother tongue than I can persuade a > university that this is valuable research to be pursued by their space > science department? > > -- > 73, de Gus 8P6SM > The Easternmost Isle

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LVB Tracker & SAT32PC Help making them play nicely needed
by James Luhn 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

I think Bob, W7LRD, and I have a common block to some of our computer applications. I am in the process of getting my G-5500 rotor, LVB Tracker, and IC-910H to all play nicely with one another using SAT32PC software (v12.8). I am using a Panasonic Toughbook Computer with the serial port (com4) connected to the ICOM CT-17 level converter for frequency control of the IC-910. A USB port (com1) is used to talk with the LVB Tracker. Frequency control works terrific. I cannot make the rotor control work however. The LVB Tracker manually controls the rotor just fine. I can also control the rotor position by opening a terminal window and giving commands(which indicates to me commands are going down the USB pipe). When I give a park command via SAT32PC, nothing happens nor does the rotor respond to other movement commands from the SAT32PC software. I know I must be overlooking something very simple and perhaps a good nights sleep might help me to resolve my problem. Can someone share the "secret" of rotor control with me? Hopefully no secret handshakes or needed. Any help will be sincerely appreciated. 73, -james W5AOO soon to be an ex "one armed paper hanger" in the satellite arena

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Andrew Glasbrenner 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

>Specific question. Has AMSAT approached SpaceX for a "good cause" launch? RGO WB5MZO Yes. We went to them, and they came to us to talk about DragonLab. Keep in mind both ARISSat and now Fox have had "good cause" launches provided, but strictly due to the educational component. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Out of Office
by Martha 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

I will be out of the office tomorrow. -- 73- Martha

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modified metaphor
by K4FEG 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

we have all heard the old expression: "there's no such thing as a free lunch!" the AMSAT version is: "There's no such thing as a free launch!" I always wondered why they had that digital burst at the end of the the AO27 timer? to help "soothe" us! What will they think of next? The wonders never cease! In the words of the famous philosopher Ted Turner: " Lead, Follow or get out of my way!" 73 all feg

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AO-7 OH5LK??
by Bob- W7LRD 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

I heard OH5LK cqing on AO7 could not find myself quick enough to pounce. He's not in qrz, anyone know? work them till they drop '73 Bob W7LRD

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Bill W1PA 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

Based on the economics, those of us with aspirations of having a HEO in the near future might be better off upgrading our set-ups for the high-reliability _passive_ HEO that is available (aka EME). With absolutely no intent at sarcasm, any pointers to articles on how to take a HEO-class station up to EME-capable? Are "small station-small station" QSO's possible on EME, or does at least one station have to look like W5UN or Arecibo? (ok, maybe a little sarcasm) Bill W1PA (sitting on some collapsible C-band dishes)

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winaos
by Bob- W7LRD 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

disregard my last email for help with winaos...nothing like reading all the directions..73 Bob

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satpc32 winaos
by Bob- W7LRD 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

the aos in winaos program is about 12 min. before the actual aos. Being slightly digitally challenged I am having a problem figuring it out. working them till they drop 73 Bob W7LRD

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The future of ham satellites
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

excuses excuses, sounds like obama blaming Bush .Lets face guys It looks like the future of the ham satellite is almost over due to cost of a launch.We can all type fancy excuses all day long about this subject and still get no where . It is up to the people that the 22% have voted into the Amsat positions to lead us into the future of ham satellites and up to us as the users to support Amsat the best we can with money and ideas that can be productive to our cause. I do not support the school beeper birds , but if they would add a repeater to their bird that would change the entire problem. That being said I am asking Amsat to work with each schools that plans a beeper bird to also add a repeater to there project We all win WA4HFN

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battery recomendation for cube
by Nick Pugh 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

The battery for cube sat satellite team at the University of Louisiana has failed the vacuum test and we are asking for recommendations of what battery we should fly on our next mission? 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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Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Barry Baines 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 7, Issue 312 From: Mark Spencer <mspencer12345@xxxxxxxx> Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2012 13:26:45 -0700 (PDT) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=yahoo.ca; s=s1024;t=1348432005; bh=80uPIe5CmB8SGZ5MZxoULRcCEHpTMj/CnSBzOEshbmE=;h=X-YMail-OSG:Received:X-Mailer:Message-ID:Date:From:Subject:To:In-Reply-To:MIME-Version:Content-Type:Content-Transfer-Encoding;b=2XqW1uQOnVUxJ6VdnkvH2vSdsHvVxS0N6ibnK0WcxjQsYwAy1kZl9/g9BcIjf18lHjHTX602nnlh9yI2ATubVWyTeGJoAUbCF6x87XHC6fUzr34EXU814LLgA1hzHDyF7qMfKuTO8AgCf0eM7sUyGNkaG3XbGRGOyeQvIJ+okeE= Just out of curiosity what would a reasonable estimate of the launch costs be for a P3E class satellite ? Regards Mark Spencer VE7AFZ (long lapsed former AMSAT member (: ) Mark: Back in 2008 when we last seriously looked at this, the cost of launching a satellite into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) of the size/weight of Eagle or P3-E was $8 million. Today that figure is more like $10 million, though Peter, DB2OS (President of AMSAT-DL) probably has a more accurate figure than this. Even so, the cost to launch is what makes things prohibitively expensive. Raising that kind of money (plus the cost of the spacecraft itself) is not viewed as viable given the results of our past fund raising efforts. The last HEO launch was for P3-D/AO-40. Please keep in mind that the money that was passed through AMSAT-NA totaled over $2 Million for P3-D/AO-40, from 1993-2000 (seven years) with considerable help from individual donors, ARRL matching donor program, AMSAT-UK, etc. Other organizations, such as AMSAT-DL and JAMSAT also had their own fundraising efforts as well in support of those aspects of the program that they were handling. AMSAT also developed the SBS (Specific Bearing Structure) as part of P3-D program that became the "frame" that housed P3-D on the launch vehicle. At that time, we believe we had pretty much "maxed out" what might be raised from within the amateur radio community in North America. Unfortunately, that considerable fundraising effort wouldn't get us 20% of the current launch costs. Clearly, we must expand beyond the amateur radio community to raise funds of this magnitude, but to do so requires both a non-amateur radio "vision" to what a HEO satellite would provide (e.g. excite non-amateurs) as well as a "Case for Support" that would attract major donors, such as foundations. To date, we have not been able to put together a plan that would meet these expectations. Needless-to-say, given today's costs, the launch economics is the major inhibitor, and not necessarily the cost of building the satellite itself (though that also costs "real money" depending upon size and features and whether major systems, such as propulsion are donated as was the case with P3-D). So, let's look deeper into the launch cost environment to determine what AMSAT might be able to "afford" under current circumstances: The cost to launch a "microsat" (e.g. a 9" x 9" x 9" structure such as AO-51) was estimated in 2008 to be around $350,000.00. That is why we opted for a 1u cubesat (4" x 4" x 4") back in 2008 as replacement satellite for AO-51-- we couldn't afford the launch of a microsat given our finances at the time and the concern about being able to raise the funds to pay for a launch that would likely increase in cost of time. To put this further in perspective, as I recall, back in 2008 the cost to launch a 1u cubesat was around $60-80K to place a cubesat in LEO. The current cost is about $120K for 1 Kg of mass to LEO (a cubesat is 1.1 Kg). The doubling of launch cost is due in part to the significant interest in cubesats by the US Government, aerospace firms (Boeing, for example), and others who have "real money" to place cubesat payloads in LEO. Clearly, as Tony, AA2TX (AMSAT's VP-Engineering) pointed out to me, the cubesat has evolved from a university "novelty" to a standard spacecraft specification. This cost increase is the reason why AMSAT applied for an ELaNA grant in 2011 (we were selected in 2012) and where we will continue to apply for ELaNA grants in order to be able to "afford" launches. Clearly, it make much more sense to focus on dollars donated to AMSAT for spacecraft development rather than launches if we can get "others" to support our launch costs. BTW, "Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine" had a series of articles in the 30 JUL 12 issue ("Small Satellites: Doing More with Less") which highlights this evolution, including cubesats, such as TechEdSat that will be the first US cubesat to be deployed from the ISS using the same deployment scheme (JEM-SSOD or Small Satellite Orbital Deployer) as the Vietnamese student F-1 cubesat that will be deployed this week. Information about TechEdSat may be found here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/TechEdSat.ht… Coupled with the launch costs is the "justification" for launches. NASA and others (such as the National Science Foundation) will support launch opportunities if the proposal meets THEIR strategic goals. Consequently, the most effective way to "hitch a ride" is to put something in an amateur radio space frame that meets their expectations, such as a scientific/educational payload and/or provide "educational outreach." For example: 1. ARISSat-1/Kedr deployed by RSC/Energia from the ISS in August 2011 with a student scientific payload developed by Kursk State University. AMSAT developed ground based software to capture telemetry from both the satellite and the payload, with amateurs forwarding captured data to a central server. ARISSat-1/Kedr was considered to be a "prototype" for deploying student payloads. Education outreach was also part of our efforts with ARISSat-1, where, for example, telemetry data is available for student analysis. Whether there are future opportunities for more ARISSat deployments remains to be seen. 2. AMSAT-UK developed FunCube (funcube.org.uk) under the model where educational outreach is the justification (to be launched in 2013). The satellite has received financial support from the Radio Communications Foundation and is being developed in collaboration with ISIS-Innovative Solutions in Space BV (a Dutch small satellite company that is a spin-off from Delft University of Technology). AMSAT-UK is developing ground-based software with an easy-to-use receiver (FunCube Dongle developed by Howard Long, G6LVB) to encourage use of the satellite in the classroom. 3. FOX-1 will have a student scientific payload (MEMS Gyro originally developed by Penn State-Erie students) as justification for NASA to pay for our launch under the ELaNA grant. Ground-based software for capture of satellite telemetry and payload data is also being developed using a central server for data to be forwarded. AMSAT is also focused on creating education outreach materials focused on Fox-1 that will be appropriate for future missions as well. 4. The appointment of Mark Hammond, N8MH as AMSAT's VP-Educational Relations and the subsequent work that he is doing to develop relationships with outside organizations (including ARRL and NASA Education), develop an "educational outreach" capability in support of AMSAT's scientific and education mission, and work to foster support of "STEM" (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) as part of more traditional engineering work on space craft is in recognition of the fact that we are dependent upon the support of other organizations to be able to afford to fly. "Education outreach" is the new "cost" (one that AMSAT can hopefully "afford") that we must bear to keep amateur radio in space. Clearly, it is launch costs that is driving much of what AMSAT can afford to accomplish. In addition, we must recognize that those that pay for the launch will only do so if the satellite provides a benefit that meets their goals/expectations. Clearly, future opportunities for placing amateur radio transponders in HEO will be dependent upon finding partners who have a need to place THEIR payload(s) in those orbits AND have the major funding to support the launch. In essence, that is what AMSAT-DL attempted to do by persuading the German government to fund P3-E as part of a larger mission to Mars. Unfortunately, their attempts did not pan out. BTW, we'd be happy to accept your $44.00 to renew your AMSAT membership; you can renew online at www.amsat.org... ;-) Regards, Barry Baines, WD4ASW President-AMSAT

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Trevor . 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

--- On Tue, 25/9/12, Gus 8P6SM <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> wrote: > > If we look at the Kickstarter site we can see satellite projects > > that between them have raised almost $300,000 yet the online > > Fundraising by the projects took just 30 days. > > Pity we can't obtain funding by the same means. It isn't as if we > wouldn't be able to include most of the functionality provided by > these satellites as part of asecondary payload. Hi Gus, Yes, I think by reaching out to people we can raise significant extra funds. As you imply it's just a matter of designing a CubeSat that has an amateur radio communications transponder, which we all want, and also has room for other functionality that people outside the amateur community would be prepared to sponsor. In fact I thought the AMSAT Fox project will do exactly that. In an earlier post you wrote: > Would it be OK for NASA to use ham frequencies for their Mars Rover > project, Yes, that is exactly what has happened, "ham frequencies" are being used on Mars. See 437 MHz - Curiosity - Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Frequencies http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2012/mars_reconnaissance_orbiter_fre… There are no global Primary Amateur or Amateur-satellite Service allocations above 146 MHz until you get to 24 GHz. Sadly we don't own the 435 MHz band. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Daniel Schultz 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

According to Google there are 33 teams ( http://www.googlelunarxprize.org/teams ) vying for the Google Lunar X Prize. Where are these groups getting the money for their launch to the moon? Are any of them "for real"? Many amateur space groups are just blowing hot air, they have a lot of enthusiasm but little understanding of just how hard space flight really is. The cheap launches to HEO are gone. If we want another HEO satellite we must think outside the box. Collaborations with other organizations will be our ticket to space in the 21st century. What if we offer to provide the communications system for one of these lunar missions. Provide one transponder/telemetry/command system for the lunar vehicle and build another one to drop off in HEO on the way to the moon. Our 50 year history of space communications gives us more credibility than anyone else in that field. Our experience and expertise might be welcomed by one or more of these teams. Assuming, of course, that they are for real and have funding for a launch.... Dan Schultz N8FGV

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path to HEO
by Nick Pugh 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

Hi Amsaters The AMSAT leadership has it right. Placing the Fox design in the public domain is a fantastic idea. You can't catch a fish without putting a baited line in the water. The next step HEO one path is find an aero student who will prefect a new propulsion system. The educational types are getting large grants. The good news for us is their expertise lies on the mechanical side not radio side. These facts make us a natural partner. We need to be on the lookout for a propulsion inventors who is tied into the grant process IE an educator. I believe NASA will soon let us fly with active low risk propulsion system but NASA is not the only countries in the launch business the Indian, Chinese and the Europeans are there to. Our outreach need to be international and educational institutions have a little more leeway with ITAR. About 2/3 of technical grad students are not US citizens. What's needed 1. A clearly stated goal---HEO 2. Dogged determination 3. Organized search Thanks nick ars k5qxj EM30xa 30.1 n 90.1 w cell 337 2582527 office 337 593 8700

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Re: Launch Costs
by Barry Baines 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

e: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7,Issue 312) Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7,Issue 312) From: Gus 8P6SM <8p6sm@xxxxxxxx> Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:36:44 -0400 Barry, I truly welcome the launch of 1.) ARISSat-1, 2.) FunCube and also 3.) FOX-1. Can you give me an idea when 4.) Mark Hammond, N8MH will be launched, and what amateur capability he will host while in orbit? :-) Jokes aside, I am happy to see ham satellites carry educational packages. But I want to see amateur packages as well (as per 1, 2 and 3 above). Satellites that carry ONLY educational packages and NO ham packages are of no particular interest to me, since I am a ham and not a student. What concerns me is this: As more satellites carry education-only packages, the harder it becomes to 'sell' the idea that an amateur package should be included. How will you answer when someone says "The last ten satellites carried no amateur package. Why should we?" -- 73, de Gus 8P6SM The Easternmost Isle Gus: Mark, N8MH is "launching" our education outreach initiatives; I must say the significant work that he has done to date has been both rewarding and refreshing... ;-) However, he will be the first to tell you that there is much work to be done and he needs help from those who are interested in developing our education outreach capabilities. One of the reasons why AMSAT-NA is building Fox-1 is to create a reliable RF package capable of both amateur radio repeater capability as well as provide a telemetry downlink for spacecraft and payload data. The design provides both a sub-audible, low data rate telemetry package that can be used at the same time as the FM repeater is in operation as well as a 9600-baud telemetry dowmlink that could only be used when the FM repeater is not in service. The Fox-1 student payload will do fine with the low data rate telemetry, so we can operate both the FM repeater and the provide data at the same time. At some point, however, we will activate the 9600-baud telemetry package as a "proof of concept" to show what it can do. Indeed, under the Fox-1 program, we're building four spacecraft (flight unit, flight backup and two spares that will not have solar panels). Under this approach, AMSAT will be able to respond to future flight opportunities by having "off the shelf" hardware readily available (e.g. just add the scientific payload and solar panels). Our intention is that once the Fox-1 design successfully demonstrates its capabilities, to make the design "public domain." That is, we will publish in the AMSAT JOURNAL and/or the "AMSAT Symposium Proceedings" the specifics on the design so that anyone can use it. Under ITAR, AMSAT may publish such technical materials (e.g. physically print to qualify as "publication"; placement in an electronic format such as a website is NOT considered by the US Government to be placement in the public domain). What kills us with ITAR is that we cannot share technical information with foreign nationals until AFTER the material is placed in the public domain. Consequently, we cannot collaborate in the development of new technology with other AMSAT organizations, for example, but we can share the fruits of our labor once placed in the public domain. Now, why would AMSAT-NA do this? We are well aware that university professors who are interested in flying their experiments/payloads are not "RF Engineers." The success rate of university cubesat satellite programs once in orbit has been disappointing, in part because their cubesats have not been well designed/built from an RF perspective. So, if AMSAT were to offer a space-proven RF design that will support their payloads, our presumption is that universities and others would hopefully adopt our design either by partnering with AMSAT or by adopting our design and building the satellite themselves. Now, given that the RF design already incorporates an amateur radio receiver/transmitter, our expectation is that once their payload/experiment is concluded and the university is no longer interested in their payload, that cubesat becomes an amateur radio satellite. Consequently, over time it is not just AMSAT that would construct an amateur radio satellite, but anyone using our design to fulfill their scientific mission. Along with adopting a more reliable RF design, an additional advantage (at least from a US perspective) is that extending the life of a satellite also helps in dealing with an issue of "debris mitigation." A US-based satellite with a transmitter must be approved by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and one of the questions being asked these days in the application for operating from space is how the satellite developer will deal with debris mitigation for that particular payload once the "useful life" of that satellite is met. If the satellite's useful life can be significantly extended by converting it to a full time amateur radio satellite, then clearly that helps to mitigate the issue of "debris mitigation." This is a significant advantage to those who are scratching their heads trying to justify placement of a satellite in an orbit with a 25 year life (due to the need of the payload) and a one year science mission. In essence we have the potential of fulfilling two significant achievements: 1. Enhancing the design of cubesats so that these satellite don't immediately become 'space junk' by providing a robust, space-proven RF package that will meet the legitimate needs of payload developers; and 2. Expanding the field of amateur radio satellite construction by incorporating into the basic RF design an amateur radio capability that would be placed in operation at some point after launch--either while the payload is in service (using the low data rate scheme) or after the payload is expended and the subsequent cubesat realignment as an amateur radio satellite (Perhaps one year after launch). Time will tell as to how this approach may translate into future amateur radio satellites, though we believe this is a "win-win" approach. The key here is that AMSAT is actively pursuing ways to place amateur radio assets in orbit through a cooperative arrangement built on what we do best (building small satellites with good RF capabilities) and partnering with others who have a need to fly their "widget" (scientific payload). This could include a direct partnership or by having the "others" take advantage of the development work performed by AMSAT and incorporating our design into the 'their' spacecraft. This "out-of-the-box" thinking is one example of how we're trying to find ways to keep amateur radio in space. Regards, Barry WD4ASW

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Re: Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

>As it turns out there IS no launch fund for any HEO satellite for me to >contribute to. Incorrect. http://www.amsat-dl.org/index.php/spendendonations-topmenu-125 I've given to AMSAT-NA, -DL, and -UK, and am members of -NA and -UK. I'd be a member of -DL, but my wife gets tired of me asking what this and that means in Deutsch. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Trevor . 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

> Clearly, we must expand beyond the amateur radio community > to raise funds of this magnitude, but to do so requires > both a non-amateur radio "vision" to what a HEO satellite > would provide (e.g. excite non-amateurs) as well as a > "Case for Support" that would attract major donors, > such as foundations. Very well put Barry. If we look at the Kickstarter site we can see satellite projects that between them have raised almost $300,000 yet the online Fundraising by the projects took just 30 days. ArduSat - $106,330 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575960623/ardusat-your-arduino-experime… KickSat - $74,587 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zacinaction/kicksat-your-personal-space… SkyCube - $116,890 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/880837561/skycube-the-first-satellite-l… None of the individuals involved in those projects has any previous track record in building and launching satellites, yet lots of people were happy to back them with hard cash. How is it people with no proven track record can so easily raise such sums of money ? It's down to communications, they actively sought to engage with people and involve them in what they were doing. I think there's something we can learn here. Across the world millions of people are keen on space and would love to be involved in a space project, even if it's just donating $25 to it - We need to reach out to them. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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I have the answer!
by K4FEG 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

AMSAT needs to form a union, overpay it's employees, then the leadership can tell the US government that if we don't get a massive infusion of taxpayer dollars that AMSAT will have to file for bankruptcy, therefore putting all of those high paid union employees out of a job, and as a side bar we can tell them that we are doing solar panel research as well. Hell with the way this president likes to throw money away, I figure we'll have over $500,000,000.00 by election day(isn't that what they gave that solar cell company a few months ago?) You boy's at HQ gotta think outside the box! we could put transponder on the moon with that kinda cash! I think I'll go listen to some telemetry to soothe my jangled nerves! See how easy that was to solve!

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Re: Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

>someone points out that it is in fact, no longer our band? > 70cm is a shared band, and is where the bulk of the cubes go. Amateur radio is a secondary user. Were the satellites (at least from the US) to apply for a part 5 experimental license, they could and would use the exact same frequencies. In fact, it's happened already. It's a moot point about "our band" vs. "their band". We need to adapt or perish, as plain as that. >More seriously: I see the FOX PayPal applet saying a little under $7.5k >at the present. How long has it taken to raise that amount? That portion of the funding dates from about when ARISSat reentered in January, and we switched widgets to the current Fox one. More was raised from direct mailings to members. >How much >do we actually need? Or to get to the crux of the matter, at the >current rate, when will we hit the required target, in comparison to >when we need to pay for the launch? "We" have a subsidized launch already courtesy of NASA's ELANA program, because of the educational aspect. Current estimate is late 2013, details to be determined. Other flight opportunities for additional spacecraft are pending. The funds being raised now go towards construction and other costs. See http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fox/ for more info. All of this is regularly updated in letters and the Journal that go to current paid members, as well as ANS and on the website. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Re: Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

More space junk JUNK as far as we hams care. How many of these things do you need. Send up a good repeater and we will all be happy Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Damon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Vu Trong Thu" <thuvt(a)fpt.edu.vn> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Monday, September 24, 2012 6:29:18 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat Dear everyone, According to latest news from JAXA, deployment of the 5 CubeSats to space by the robotic arm of Kibo module on the ISS will be carried out on Thursday, September 27. Here is the plan: - First, 15h10 to 15h20: WE WISH and RAIKO from POD #1 - Second,16h30 to 16h40: TechEdSat, F-1 và FITSAT-1 from POD#2 All time in UTC. The event is planned to be broadcasted live on the following websites: http://iss.jaxa.jp/iss/jaxa_exp/hoshide/library/live/ http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv 30 minutes after deployment from the station, F-1 will begin transmitting beacon alternatively on its main and backup channels. Telemetry and beacon data from F-1 contain critical information about the satellite’s health (battery & solar cell voltages, temperature readings) and they are very important to us, especially in the first week of operation. Thus, we would like to ask the amateur radio community to help in tracking and receiving data from F-1 CubeSat. Here’s a quick summary of F-1’ frequencies: - 145.980 MHz: main channel, 1.0W RF output, FM, AFSK 1200bps, one telemetry packet every 30 seconds, operates in the dark by default (but can be commanded later to operate in sunlight as well) - 437.485 MHz: backup channel, 0.2W RF output, FM, PWM CW beacon, each beacon transmission lasts about 20 seconds then 60 seconds delay, only operates in sunlight More information and guide to download F-1 telemetry decoder can be found at http://fspace.edu.vn/?page_id=27. Decoded data can be submitted to us via the telemetry decoder or by sending to me directly (thuvt(a)fpt.edu.vn), audio records are highly appreciated. Please feel free to send me a message if there is any question. We would really appreciate your kind support! 73, Thu XV9AA F-1 CubeSat Project Manager _______________________________________________ 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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UT1FG QSLs
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

For those interested, My grid confirmations just arrived in the mail today from Yuri's QSL manager, so I'm sure those of you who are waiting may see them soon also. Dave-KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid RAZR

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Re: Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat
by Mike Rupprecht 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

Dear Thu, ... good luck for an successful mission! As you already know - my station is up and running to support you and your student group. Looking forward to receiving F-1 telemetry. Best wishes, 73 Mike DK3WN -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Im Auftrag von Vu Trong Thu Gesendet: Montag, 24. September 2012 13:29 An: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Betreff: [amsat-bb] Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat Dear everyone, According to latest news from JAXA, deployment of the 5 CubeSats to space by the robotic arm of Kibo module on the ISS will be carried out on Thursday, September 27. Here is the plan: - First, 15h10 to 15h20: WE WISH and RAIKO from POD #1 - Second,16h30 to 16h40: TechEdSat, F-1 và FITSAT-1 from POD#2 All time in UTC. The event is planned to be broadcasted live on the following websites: http://iss.jaxa.jp/iss/jaxa_exp/hoshide/library/live/ http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv 30 minutes after deployment from the station, F-1 will begin transmitting beacon alternatively on its main and backup channels. Telemetry and beacon data from F-1 contain critical information about the satellite’s health (battery & solar cell voltages, temperature readings) and they are very important to us, especially in the first week of operation. Thus, we would like to ask the amateur radio community to help in tracking and receiving data from F-1 CubeSat. Here’s a quick summary of F-1’ frequencies: - 145.980 MHz: main channel, 1.0W RF output, FM, AFSK 1200bps, one telemetry packet every 30 seconds, operates in the dark by default (but can be commanded later to operate in sunlight as well) - 437.485 MHz: backup channel, 0.2W RF output, FM, PWM CW beacon, each beacon transmission lasts about 20 seconds then 60 seconds delay, only operates in sunlight More information and guide to download F-1 telemetry decoder can be found at http://fspace.edu.vn/?page_id=27. Decoded data can be submitted to us via the telemetry decoder or by sending to me directly (thuvt(a)fpt.edu.vn), audio records are highly appreciated. Please feel free to send me a message if there is any question. We would really appreciate your kind support! 73, Thu XV9AA F-1 CubeSat Project Manager _______________________________________________ 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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ARRL - Michael Owen VK3KI (SK)
by Trevor . 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

ARRL note the contribution of Michael Owen VK3KI (SK) to the Amateur-satellite Service: “Among the assignments that Michael drew at WARC-79 was to draft a resolution to exempt the Amateur-Satellite Service from coordination procedures that otherwise would have bogged us down in endless paperwork and great expense. As an attorney it was just the sort of thing he was good at. His work has stood the test of time, and it remains in effect to this day. No good deed goes unpunished, so in 2003, he was brought back to Geneva as a member of the IARU team to handle the rewrite of Article 25, the rules that apply specifically to the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite Services." See http://www.arrl.org/news/iaru-region-3-chairman-michael-owen-vk3ki-sk 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat
by Trevor . 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

Thanks for the update Thu. I appreciate the work that you and the students from the FPT University have put into this project. I hope the deployment of F-1 and the other CubeSats will be a success and I look forward to receiving the signals. 73 Trevor M5AKA --- On Mon, 24/9/12, Vu Trong Thu <thuvt(a)fpt.edu.vn> wrote: > From: Vu Trong Thu <thuvt(a)fpt.edu.vn> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Need your support to track F-1 CubeSat > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Date: Monday, 24 September, 2012, 12:29 > Dear everyone, > > According to latest news from JAXA, deployment of the 5 > CubeSats to space by > the robotic arm of Kibo module on the ISS will be carried > out on Thursday, > September 27. Here is the plan: > > - First, 15h10 to 15h20: > WE WISH and RAIKO from POD #1 > > - Second,16h30 to 16h40: > TechEdSat, F-1 và FITSAT-1 from POD#2 > > > > All time in UTC. The event is planned to be broadcasted live > on the > following websites: > > http://iss.jaxa.jp/iss/jaxa_exp/hoshide/library/live/ > > http://www.ustream.tv/nasahdtv > > > > 30 minutes after deployment from the station, F-1 will begin > transmitting > beacon alternatively on its main and backup channels. > Telemetry and beacon > data from F-1 contain critical information about the > satellite’s health > (battery & solar cell voltages, temperature readings) > and they are very > important to us, especially in the first week of operation. > Thus, we would > like to ask the amateur radio community to help in tracking > and receiving > data from F-1 CubeSat. > > > > Here’s a quick summary of F-1’ frequencies: > > - 145.980 MHz: main > channel, 1.0W RF output, FM, AFSK 1200bps, one > telemetry packet every 30 seconds, operates in the dark by > default (but can > be commanded later to operate in sunlight as well) > > - 437.485 MHz: backup > channel, 0.2W RF output, FM, PWM CW beacon, > each beacon transmission lasts about 20 seconds then 60 > seconds delay, only > operates in sunlight > > > > More information and guide to download F-1 telemetry decoder > can be found at > http://fspace.edu.vn/?page_id=27. Decoded data can be > submitted to us via > the telemetry decoder or by sending to me directly (thuvt(a)fpt.edu.vn), > audio > records are highly appreciated. > > > > Please feel free to send me a message if there is any > question. We would > really appreciate your kind support! > > > > 73, > > Thu XV9AA > > F-1 CubeSat Project Manager > > _______________________________________________ > 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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my 2 cents
by Bob- W7LRD 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

Now with my system back up and running I can pay closer attention to the "goings" on. We regularly read here about the usual complaining and belly aching about FM vs linear sats, no HEO. Whining that no one is listening to "ME". We appear to coddle the new beginner, and we should provide them the necessary guidance to get going. Now we have to smooze the "educational" aspect of satellite creation. The caveat should be, hang a transponder on it. I read of some of our European friends dismanteling their antennas, others refusing to join AMSAT or any other satellite organization for whatever reason. I don't like to pay taxes but I must, I/we should look at it the same way. Those "things" up there in space just didn't just happen. The days of a cheap/free ride are gone, it's all about money to get there. With the bean counters in charge now. We try to make "easy sats". Personally I don't want easy sats. I want hard sats. I want to be challenged to the point of ripping my hair (what's left) out. I started with satellites in the mid 90's not because it was easy, but because it was hard. It made me work at it. It challenged my limited capabilities, and through that I gained confidence to try even more. Like try to work a LEO with a L/S transponder. Try keeping up with that puppy. My late father told me, "the difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer". By Challenging ourselves we keep the old curmudgeons happy (if that's possible). Back in my corner now. I'll try not to relive the AO-40 days (sobsob) here, I know it gets old for some of you. Though it was a killer satellite! 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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CP Antenna questions
by Greg Dolkas 24 Sep '12

24 Sep '12

Hi folks, I've just obtained a nice, old, but disassembled, KLM 144-150-16C 2m circular antenna. I think I have all the pieces (yea!). That, plus a tree trimmer, and I should be in great shape for an upgrade. The old antenna is a linear (vertical) 8 element beam of unknown pedigree. It's been working fine, but I couldn't pass this one up. Three questions: 1. The antenna does not have a polarity switch. The instructions are for RHCP ("as used by Oscar-7" to give you an idea of it's age!). Given that I don't (yet) have a polarity switcher, is that still the best polarization? 2. I have a 2m preamp that I have mounted some 10' away from my current antenna, on the mast; I'd like to put it closer. Is it ok to mount the preamp on the antenna itself, between the elements? I'm guessing not. How about on the cross-arm, a couple of feet from the antenna boom? 3. The instructions recommend routing the cable out the back of the beam, and looping it over to the support mast. But that won't work well as it's rotated in elevation (it will get caught on the stuff below). My plan is to run the cable forward and then sideways out at the mount point in the middle. Will this have a significant effect on the polarization? The cross-arm is a wood closet pole, not metal, but I'm thinking that the antenna should be mounted in the X orientation instead of +, to lessen the effect of the cable shield on the pattern. Good idea, or not? Thanks, Greg KO6TH

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Satellites
by K4FEG 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

I guess I am fortunate, I just came to satellite radio about 15 months ago, I missed out on the HEO's and all of the great "Good Old Days" of satellite radio, but in those short 15 months that I have been on the satellites I have some how managed to work 669 grid squares, confirm 581 of them (and Yuri still owes me 40), I have worked all 50 states on the satellites, I managed to work all but 1 of the Canadian provinces, worked 11 European countries, 8 or so Central American countries and 5 South American countries. While this may not seem like anything to the people that had the opportunity to make use of the HEO satellites, it has been a hell of a lot of fun for me. In the last week I have had no less than 2 contacts with stations that I was their 1st satellite contact. I may not agree with how things are being handled with AMSAT, I damn sure can't get enough information to suit me but I am not going to quit operating the satellites until there ain't nothing to work up there. And by the way, I worked all of my contacts with 2 M2 terrestrial antennas set at a fixed elevation of about 20 degrees and they are mounted on a Glen Martin 8' Tower on my back deck. One thing for certain if you get off the satellites you have for sure made your last satellite contact, Heck with all the "beeping" & "booping" birds that are going up all that will be needed is a bunch of SWL's to listen to the telemetry! WORK 'EM TIL THEY FALL OUT OF THE SKY! That's my humble opinion! Everyone have a nice day K4FEG

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Fox Delta SP-2
by Matty Cunningham 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

Hi Kyle, I have the Foxdelta ST2 and it works very well, however as others have mentioned – and I wish I had myself – go for the ‘original’ LVB Tracker as profits from this go directly to Amsat. Matty MD0MAN ----- Original Message ----- From: "K&R Yoksh" <yokshs(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2012 3:30:23 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Fox Delta SP-2 Hi, I'm considering buying a Fox Delta SP-2 to control my rotators. Any suggestions / reviews? http://foxdelta.com/products/st2.htm Thanks, 73 Kyle K0KN

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The thrill of it all
by Thomas Doyle 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

Old geezers like me are prone to ramble on so please cut me a little slack. Almost 50 years ago I made my first contact on Ham Radio. While waiting for my novice license to arrive I got my station up and ready to go. The license arrived in the mail and I rushed into my room plugged in my only crystal, tuned up my DX-35 on 40M and made a contact. I let out an uncontrolled cheer when the guy came back to me. My mother rushed into the room afraid that I had hurt myself. I told her that I was ok and had just made my first contact. She asked me where the other station was located and I told her that he was in Milwaukee (about 90 miles to the west of our QTH). She said politely "Oh! Milwaukee". It was thrilling for me. A short while ago. I had a nice CW contact on FO-29 with a Ham in Illinois. Since I live in the Packer state, Illinois is not very far away. It was thrilling for me. 73 W9KE Tom Doyle

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 7, Issue 312
by Mark Spencer 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

Just out of curiosity what would a reasonable estimate of the launch costs be for a P3E class satellite ? Regards Mark Spencer VE7AFZ (long lapsed former AMSAT member (: ) > > Message: 5 > Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 21:16:48 -0700 > From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 22% votes > Message-ID: > <CAN6TEUcLvknCfBbjyyyt=0C5OG3h=W0CF+HjxyduqSMssNZv7Q(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 > > Hi! > > Since this discussion started around the topic of the 700 > ballots AMSAT-NA received for the Board election, let me > add one point to that thought. Thanks to those who > voted > in the election, whether or not you voted for me. > Thanks > for taking the time to consider each person who was on the > ballot, and for selecting the person or persons you voted > for. > > > Amsat is living in a brave new world where launches are > fully commercialized > > and nobody gets a free ride anymore. We will either > adapt to that paradigm > > shift or we will cease to exist. > > This is the point some want to overlook. It is > unfortunate > that we are not able to get the free or extremely cheap > launches that we had in the past. When there are more > satellites to be launched than launches, the launch > providers > set the prices. Other than some opportunities like > AMSAT > has for Fox-1 from NASA, the days of free launches are > pretty much a thing of the past. So we adapt to the new > reality. >

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FW: Re: dismantling satellite antennas
by Art McBride 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

-----Original Message----- From: Art McBride [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 11:31 AM To: 'John Spasojevich'; 'TuZZio' Cc: 'AMSAT-BB' Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: dismantling satellite antennas TO All, This is just another thread documenting Pioneers, (the ones with the arrows in their backs). Isn't this the same as 200 Meters and down that happened almost 100 years ago? The experts at the time decided any communications on frequencies above 1,500 KHz would only carry a hundred miles or so and were useless for most communications. Everything above 1,500 KHz was given to the Radio Amateurs to experiment with. Once the experts were proven wrong, the government took most of the spectrum from the Radio Amateurs, assigning it to commercial and government interests. Amateur Radio Operators pioneered communications by satellite with the OSCAR satellite series. Communications by Satellite has been led by Government and Commercial interests since the 80's of the last century. At least this time they haven't reassigned spectrum, but government support is no longer provided for experimentation or emergency communication via satellites. New innovations now come from groups, not individuals because of the combination of skills needed in engineering to develop a new innovation. It is difficult to assemble a group of Amateur Radio Operators with the needed skill sets to compete with commercial development and the development of IC's to support new technology is economically beyond our reach. The days of Edison and Bell with new inventions are gone. If we all hit the lottery, would we rush out and buy a launch for a HEO? Amateur Radio Operators represent 1/2 of 1 % of the US population, even the politicians have no interest in us. Art, KC6UQH -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John Spasojevich Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 4:46 AM To: TuZZio Cc: AMSAT-BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: dismantling satellite antennas Ok..then I can do this. No HEO so I wont pay my dues. I think AMSAT Italia should start right now building a real satellite. I have been waiting and complaining for years. Why wont they build it. Come on who cares about money just do ir so I can stop writing daily about how schools are stealing our frequencies. When did hams own frequencies? Nevermind. Beep sats and bleep sats and leo sats and easy sats are all suck sats so I will not support any AMSAT So how about I post that again and again day after day, week after week, month after month. You can after all simply delete it when you see the subject line. John, AG9D On Sep 23, 2012 1:36 AM, "TuZZio" <fabio_selva(a)virgilio.it> wrote: > Il 22/09/2012 23.00, John Spasojevich ha scritto: > > Then I guess we won't have to read any more complaining e-mail anymore > > > > John, AG9D > > > Sorry to say but after the first reading, you can suppose the e-mail > content from the subject, so you always have the "Canc" key; let people > expose their free opinions until their are in topic. > > Good DX - 73 - I0NLK > ______________________________**_________________ > 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<http://amsat.org/mailman/listin fo/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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Re: dismantling satellite antennas
by TuZZio 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

Il 22/09/2012 23.00, John Spasojevich ha scritto: > Then I guess we won't have to read any more complaining e-mail anymore > > John, AG9D Sorry to say but after the first reading, you can suppose the e-mail content from the subject, so you always have the "Canc" key; let people expose their free opinions until their are in topic. Good DX - 73 - I0NLK

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Fox Delta SP-2
by K&R Yoksh 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

Hi, I'm considering buying a Fox Delta SP-2 to control my rotators. Any suggestions / reviews? http://foxdelta.com/products/st2.htm Thanks, 73 Kyle K0KN

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FW: [keps] orb12264.2l.amsat
by Tom Schuessler 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

I have asked the question before and never really got an answer so I am asking it again. Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, keeper of the AMSAT Keps distribution, works pretty hard to aggregate the keps for the different satellites, some pure Ham, some University Cubesats, a few weather sats and even the Hubble telescope. Well even though these orbital elements come out on a weekly basis, the "Passes" page of the AMSAT.org web site does not include any of the new satellites beyond HO-68. My request is that our web master please update the dropdown script to match the current keps distribution so that users of the site can easily find pass times for all the newer satellites out there. Thanks and 73 Tom, N5HYP -----Original Message----- From: keps-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ray Hoad Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 9:57 PM To: KEPS Subject: [keps] orb12264.2l.amsat SB KEPS @ AMSAT $ORB12264.N 2Line Orbital Elements 12264.AMSAT HR AMSAT ORBITAL ELEMENTS FOR AMATEUR SATELLITES IN NASA FORMAT FROM WA5QGD FORT WORTH,TX September 20, 2012 BID: ORB12264.N DECODE 2-LINE ELSETS WITH THE FOLLOWING KEY: 1 AAAAAU 00 0 0 BBBBB.BBBBBBBB .CCCCCCCC 00000-0 00000-0 0 DDDZ 2 AAAAA EEE.EEEE FFF.FFFF GGGGGGG HHH.HHHH III.IIII JJ.JJJJJJJJKKKKKZ KEY: A-CATALOGNUM B-EPOCHTIME C-DECAY D-ELSETNUM E-INCLINATION F-RAAN G-ECCENTRICITY H-ARGPERIGEE I-MNANOM J-MNMOTION K-ORBITNUM Z-CHECKSUM TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT AO-07 1 07530U 74089B 12264.59272424 -.00000027 00000-0 10000-3 0 4857 2 07530 101.4097 258.1445 0012099 094.8200 265.4259 12.53591471732005 FO-29 1 24278U 96046B 12264.58114096 .00000116 00000-0 15128-3 0 9366 2 24278 098.5882 352.7670 0351012 142.3073 220.3302 13.52989333794858 SO-33 1 25509U 98061B 12263.87287313 .00000106 00000-0 81545-5 0 03256 2 25509 031.4347 157.8292 0352674 311.8232 045.2742 14.28811648726200 RS-22 1 27939U 03042A 12264.54099526 .00000383 00000-0 81336-4 0 7407 2 27939 097.8046 100.4444 0013014 327.9227 032.1183 14.64131813479835 VO-52 1 28650U 05017B 12263.64630463 .00001026 00000-0 13108-3 0 02134 2 28650 097.5902 289.9610 0027609 090.2054 270.2328 14.83178198398974 HO-68 1 36122U 09072B 12264.75666891 -.00000044 00000-0 00000 0 0 8464 2 36122 100.3513 322.1326 0007098 250.3514 109.6843 13.16297997132968 UO-11 1 14781U 84021B 12263.74041042 .00000528 00000-0 75711-4 0 09868 2 14781 097.9450 322.3862 0010185 085.7684 274.4692 14.80560597533927 AO-16 1 20439U 90005D 12264.80803619 .00000081 00000-0 46168-4 0 5626 2 20439 098.4372 205.5376 0009956 235.9119 124.1121 14.32084400183684 LO-19 1 20442U 90005G 12264.60701360 .00000023 00000-0 24225-4 0 4937 2 20442 098.4049 208.0188 0011159 225.6503 134.3767 14.32300374183847 AO-27 1 22825U 93061C 12264.79002903 .00000140 00000-0 71837-4 0 2014 2 22825 098.5822 206.1492 0008656 005.1445 354.9831 14.29486675990130 IO-26 1 22826U 93061D 12264.77253663 .00000058 00000-0 39616-4 0 9524 2 22826 098.5767 206.4787 0009170 358.9383 001.1778 14.29762389990265 GO-32 1 25397U 98043D 12263.67001765 .00000124 00000-0 72872-4 0 08802 2 25397 098.3732 237.7814 0001924 040.4249 319.7079 14.23293203737463 NO-44 1 26931U 01043C 12263.54333749 -.00000319 00000-0 -91604-4 0 01420 2 26931 067.0496 237.1461 0006418 254.6123 105.4269 14.29828629572733 SO-50 1 27607U 02058C 12264.72993511 .00000640 00000-0 11751-3 0 8693 2 27607 064.5601 004.2342 0076880 229.4768 129.9620 14.72515572524030 CO-55 1 27844U 03031E 12263.55300088 .00000172 00000-0 99442-4 0 04677 2 27844 098.7064 270.5702 0009313 316.5936 043.4506 14.21072719478299 CO-57 1 27848U 03031J 12263.57333859 .00000138 00000-0 83962-4 0 4161 2 27848 098.7124 269.9649 0009272 321.7165 038.3347 14.20818012478231 AO-51 1 28375U 04025K 12263.86344721 .00000172 00000-0 63782-4 0 03708 2 28375 098.1587 224.7930 0084113 113.6187 247.3853 14.40987442432404 CP3 1 31129U 07012N 12264.58727455 .00000615 00000-0 14908-3 0 2680 2 31129 097.8835 266.7678 0100658 185.5638 174.4446 14.53208556287833 CO-65 1 32785U 08021C 12263.83483213 .00000562 00000-0 75096-4 0 4193 2 32785 097.7892 322.6070 0015916 111.1234 249.1660 14.83189325237794 PRISM 1 33493U 09002B 12264.72952567 .00001767 00000-0 21688-3 0 889 2 33493 098.1840 047.6705 0018632 350.8744 009.2140 14.84331568197921 SOHLA-1 1 33496U 09002E 12263.92287743 .00000113 00000-0 27069-4 0 08646 2 33496 098.1127 015.0758 0007722 098.4721 261.7360 14.70042847196165 SO-67 1 35870U 09049F 12264.77292378 .00002971 00000-0 12354-3 0 3446 2 35870 097.2245 297.1592 0002249 146.2661 324.6715 15.24532243167173 TISAT-1 1 36799U 10035E 12264.73630149 .00001173 00000-0 15372-3 0 3639 2 36799 098.0568 341.7541 0013890 219.3068 140.7156 14.82248082118640 STUDSAT 1 36801U 10035G 12263.82809909 .00003353 00000-0 39795-3 0 04823 2 36801 098.0630 342.0089 0011655 209.6174 150.4376 14.85131728118566 FO-69 1 37227U 0 12264.18928652 .00000351 00000-0 57406-4 0 02872 2 37227 071.9681 102.3098 0016478 148.6454 211.5694 14.77169783050125 FO-70 1 37380U 0 12264.21088706 .00000292 00000-0 49307-4 0 02924 2 37380 071.9712 102.9407 0016856 145.1543 215.0726 14.76919445050011 ALMASAT-1 1 38078U 12006B 12264.70048037 .00022181 00000-0 61808-3 0 5816 2 38078 069.4762 100.4424 0743532 129.0715 237.9195 14.12368769 31025 XATCOBEO 1 38082U 12006F 12264.66083395 .00058001 00000-0 14097-2 0 5639 2 38082 069.4783 095.6446 0702473 126.4542 240.3952 14.23797052 31145 NOAA-10 1 16969U 86073A 12264.69176688 -.00000008 00000-0 14558-4 0 695 2 16969 098.5772 292.0188 0011719 319.2145 040.8157 14.27577169353493 NOAA-11 1 19531U 88089A 12264.32339215 -.00000227 00000-0 -94735-4 0 610 2 19531 098.7296 347.4658 0010820 317.4446 042.5878 14.14979982237964 NOAA-12 1 21263U 91032A 12264.64622166 .00000048 00000-0 39298-4 0 5473 2 21263 098.7245 285.8447 0013025 286.0182 073.9558 14.25518415110158 MET-3/5 1 21655U 91056A 12264.48875413 -.00000289 00000-0 -78336-3 0 5082 2 21655 082.5524 084.8580 0014453 086.0039 274.2736 13.17043225 14434 MET-2/21 1 22782U 93055A 12264.75193025 .00000048 00000-0 30074-4 0 5323 2 22782 082.5486 316.6943 0021016 243.4588 116.4423 13.83688631962388 OKEAN-4 1 23317U 94066A 12263.97700204 .00000531 00000-0 60654-4 0 00056 2 23317 082.5401 302.5809 0023016 043.0031 317.2979 14.83948400968864 NOAA-14 1 23455U 94089A 12264.65287679 -.00000011 00000-0 17362-4 0 272 2 23455 098.8240 346.9320 0010322 046.7470 313.4566 14.13870487914280 NOAA-15 1 25338U 98030A 12264.19158237 .00000149 00000-0 82154-4 0 4074 2 25338 098.7005 250.2503 0010456 187.3498 172.7516 14.25119434746386 RESURS 1 25394U 98043A 12263.95883827 .00000013 00000-0 23413-4 0 02175 2 25394 098.3292 247.2500 0001506 006.6629 353.4569 14.24296357737891 FENGYUN1 1 25730U 99025A 12263.89829852 .00000122 00000-0 94286-4 0 07139 2 25730 098.8525 221.2707 0020350 087.7185 272.6296 14.09745082687952 OKEAN-0 1 25860U 99039A 12263.94184177 .00000345 00000-0 59560-4 0 07625 2 25860 097.9474 224.7093 0000888 042.5837 317.5438 14.74300927708534 NOAA-16 1 26536U 00055A 12264.22252652 -.00000037 00000-0 48415-5 0 8967 2 26536 099.0843 307.7708 0010659 172.3830 187.7496 14.12781288618452 NOAA-17 1 27453U 02032A 12264.27069534 -.00000032 00000-0 36692-5 0 8412 2 27453 098.3302 286.4825 0010853 235.2997 124.7158 14.24482219532293 NOAA-18 1 28654U 05018A 12264.32401044 -.00000047 00000-0 -59576-6 0 3234 2 28654 099.0574 223.2551 0013443 246.7041 113.2736 14.11699173377989 NOAA-19 1 33591U 09005A 12264.35334929 -.00000120 00000-0 -42275-4 0 5128 2 33591 098.8703 202.9893 0014877 109.9323 250.3459 14.11385264186430 HUBBLE 1 20580U 90037B 12263.23787721 .00001168 00000-0 72793-4 0 736 2 20580 028.4694 247.9511 0002992 341.4422 018.6077 15.02787815 28891 ISS 1 25544U 98067A 12264.85068697 .00012477 00000-0 22512-3 0 3376 2 25544 051.6501 005.8241 0018299 083.4530 012.3090 15.49986975792884 CO-58 1 28895U 05043F 12263.61520876 .00000482 00000-0 10771-3 0 02810 2 28895 097.9006 125.6737 0016729 211.7931 148.2277 14.60745436367440 FALCON 1 30776U 07006E 12264.80038212 .00003022 00000-0 19397-3 0 4416 2 30776 035.4321 052.5540 0001251 094.2947 265.7915 15.08211491304697 MAST 1 31126U 07012K 12264.58877668 .00000196 00000-0 53828-4 0 5625 2 31126 097.8758 270.1207 0093599 172.6549 187.6046 14.54253593288132 CAPE1 1 31130U 07012P 12264.49701181 .00000275 00000-0 72560-4 0 5729 2 31130 097.8856 266.3713 0101125 186.8348 173.1481 14.53065437287616 COMPASS 1 32787U 08021E 12263.65806792 .00001166 00000-0 14490-3 0 04153 2 32787 097.7921 322.8746 0016148 109.2989 250.9980 14.84335641237828 AAUSAT2 1 32788U 08021F 12263.67376070 .00001686 00000-0 20502-3 0 04076 2 32788 097.7948 323.3276 0015819 109.4936 250.7983 14.84687954237851 DO-64 1 32789U 08021G 12264.76367937 .00002720 00000-0 31358-3 0 4228 2 32789 097.8042 326.7945 0015607 103.2497 257.0453 14.86419870238076 CO-66 1 32791U 08021J 12263.82155529 .00001069 00000-0 13540-3 0 04058 2 32791 097.7887 322.6950 0017077 110.5884 249.7091 14.83694205237776 RS-30 1 32953U 08025A 12264.90973255 .00000010 00000-0 00000 0 0 1589 2 32953 082.5001 235.6047 0020276 097.0623 263.2760 12.43027804196453 PHARMSAT 1 35002U 09028B 12226.86484473 .07728342 73476-5 57159-3 0 789 2 35002 040.4341 050.6671 0012079 300.9773 059.0492 16.39309245183554 METEOR-M 1 35865U 09049A 12264.78187189 -.00000019 00000-0 11141-4 0 7950 2 35865 098.6444 317.2645 0002957 121.0654 239.0812 14.21869220156185 RS-38 1 35869U 09049E 12264.71829117 .00000030 00000-0 33282-4 0 7829 2 35869 098.6396 317.1813 0005069 126.5897 233.5747 14.22087424156193 JUGNU 1 37839U 11058B 12263.08463629 .00000620 00000-0 19019-3 0 02306 2 37839 019.9591 149.3875 0019439 176.4778 183.5649 14.12082165048535 SRMSAT 1 37841U 11058D 12263.90389899 .00000264 00000-0 00000-0 0 02341 2 37841 019.9697 151.1619 0012085 151.9329 208.1728 14.10162034048581 RAX-2 1 37853U 11061D 12263.81064625 .00004066 00000-0 32468-3 0 02974 2 37853 101.7082 347.0971 0244275 081.0342 281.8420 14.80791168048406 AUBIESAT 1 37854U 11061E 12263.80656351 .00004177 00000-0 32753-3 0 02933 2 37854 101.7129 347.4709 0245291 080.2923 282.5886 14.81244898048393 HRBE 1 37855U 11061F 12264.84388356 .00004292 00000-0 33751-3 0 2876 2 37855 101.7109 348.9029 0245580 077.4359 285.4194 14.81070037 48548 RS-39 1 38051U 11062C 12264.75216435 .00007605 00000-0 30590-3 0 7193 2 38051 051.6350 063.9490 0012697 021.9004 172.4553 15.25802038 36551 E-STAR 1 38079U 12006C 12264.69805543 .00047145 00000-0 11573-2 0 5188 2 38079 069.4784 096.4579 0714419 126.8899 239.9906 14.21079701 31123 GOLIAT 1 38085U 12006J 12264.68893897 .00044637 00000-0 10965-2 0 4864 2 38085 069.4848 097.0943 0719741 127.4545 239.4886 14.19940247 31100 HORYU-2 1 38340U 12025D 12264.32131936 .00000883 00000-0 15494-3 0 1550 2 38340 098.1820 204.3011 0013572 033.3053 326.9021 14.70175830 18451 RS-40 1 38736U 12041D 12264.71441186 .00000010 00000-0 00000 0 0 577 2 38736 082.4812 323.1480 0018548 192.1221 167.9424 12.42646496 6776 PROITERES 1 38756U 12047B 12264.76510160 .00000302 00000-0 54180-4 0 475 2 38756 098.2853 330.4851 0011542 242.2842 117.7196 14.73874215 1709 AENEAS 1 38760U 0 12263.51384741 .00001219 00000-0 12621-3 0 00125 2 38760 064.6718 023.4550 0219105 287.6245 175.2963 14.79106966000810 CSSWE 1 38761U 0 12261.82383910 .00001382 00000-0 14187-3 0 00103 2 38761 064.6714 028.6390 0218654 288.2530 172.9518 14.78858418000565 CP5 1 38763U 00000 12258.03722222 0.00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 0008 2 38763 66.2600 30.4300 0202000 308.7900 155.8234 14.79897280000003 /EX _______________________________________________ Via the Keps mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/keps

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Re: 22% votes
by Daniel Schultz 23 Sep '12

23 Sep '12

Amsat is living in a brave new world where launches are fully commercialized and nobody gets a free ride anymore. We will either adapt to that paradigm shift or we will cease to exist. Things were a lot different in the 1960's and 70's. In 1961 an Air Force general had enough authority to allow Oscar 1 to be bolted to the side of his launch vehicle. It is like this in the early days of all new technological ventures. The internet in the early 1990's was a lot more free-wheeling before the "suits" took notice of it and started to regulate it. In today's world the bean counters are fully in charge, and nobody rides for free. When you have commercial companies offering $10 million to place 100 kg in orbit, that becomes the market price, and the only way to lower that price is to expand the supply of launches. This development is especially ironic because Amsat created the entire small satellite industry. There was a time when industry and government experts laughed at us and our little toy satellites. We proved that small satellites are valuable and now everybody wants to launch them. A little company called Surrey Satellite Technology grew out of Amsat endeavors. AO-40 was a once in a lifetime opportunity. ESA offered us a 600 kilogram ride on one of the first Ariane 5 vehicles and we voted to go for it. The reasons for AO-40's failure have been covered before, and further analysis will not add to the discussion. It is not a mistake to throw deep sometimes. If AO-40 had worked as designed, it would have revolutionized amateur radio. We gambled and lost and we will most likely never see another 600 kg launch opportunity. The Eagle project was started about a decade ago in hope of launching a more modest HEO replacement for AO-40, and to be able to do so on a regular basis so that a single satellite failure would not ground the entire program. This effort was overtaken by the tidal wave of cubesats. With every single university on Earth launching a cubesat all of the available launch opportunities are filled with pea-pod launchers and there is no room for Eagle, unless someone writes a check for $10 million. Since cubesats are the only available launches, Amsat has started the Fox program to participate in the cubesat trend. Amsat can help its case by making Fox the best engineered cubesat ever built, which should not be too hard compared to some of the other cubesat designs that I have seen. The university cubesats use amateur radio frequencies as inexpensive data downlinks, but they do not otherwise contribute to the basis and purpose of amateur radio as defined in part 97. Education is mentioned in part 97 but many of these cubesat programs just barely touch on the communications aspects of space flight. I also don't think that most of the student built cubesats are teaching proper engineering techniques, I wonder how many of them have gone through thermal vacuum or radiation testing. Some cubesat groups are still purchasing off the shelf ham HTs and simply removing the plastic case before mounting it in the satellite, because they "don't know how to design an RF system". I doubt that the students are learning the engineering and career skills that they will need to survive in the real world when they get entry level jobs at Boeing or Lockheed Martin after graduation. Nevertheless there is substantial financial support for student built satellites which are perceived to be training and inspiring the next generation of engineers, while ham radio has a public image of being the last century's technology, a hobby of elderly men using Morse code and vacuum tube radios, and nobody with money to donate cares if hams can use a satellite to work rare DX countries. Our link to education is likely to be one of our only ways to secure low cost launches in the future, so we had better find ways to work with and direct the student groups toward building well engineered, long lived satellites with a real communications mission in mind. We can also look around and take notice of what other groups are doing in space. Many different forms of electric propulsion are in development or are now flying, and this technology has the possibility to enable some of the HEO missions that we desire. What if we had been able to propel ARRISSat into a higher orbit instead of helplessly watch it reenter a mere six months after deployment from the ISS? What if we had been able to nudge AO-13 away from its destructive resonance and prevent it from reentering far too early? Another area where Amsat has failed has been in the news media. When Amsat does not receive credit for its accomplishments, others are free to rewrite history and claim that they were the first to accomplish every new thing, sometimes claiming credit for things that Amsat first did three decades ago. The universities have professional public relations staff who know how to plant favorable news stories in the media. When Amsat launched AO-40 some of us tried to get the mainstream news media interested in the story, but not having professional contacts in the media, our efforts fell flat on the floor. The funding follows the publicity, and when Amsat misses out on the publicity, the money goes elsewhere. How is it that we launched AO-40 with barely a mention in the popular press or in space industry publications? Those of you who are lapsed Amsat members and will not rejoin until a HEO is launched really should reconsider. The membership dues are not that high, and we still need your active participation if any of this is to come to fruition. Giving up on Amsat by lapsing your membership pretty well insures that we will never again have a HEO satellite. 73 Dan Schultz N8FGV

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Re: dismantling satellite antennas
by Joe Leikhim 22 Sep '12

22 Sep '12

I could not agree with you more John. But, I think I am seeing same folks griping from at least 7 years ago. Maybe it is time for an AMSAT members only BB. Message: 2 Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:00:57 -0500 From: John Spasojevich<johnag9d(a)gmail.com> To: i8cvs<domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Cc: AMSAT-BB<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: dismantling satellite antennas Message-ID: <CA+qbou757jRYz64H-w_bRm6N+0F+__VM_KT_-03STLCzKO8=OQ(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Then I guess we won't have to read any more complaining e-mail anymore John, AG9D -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT

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Rotor Remoter with SatPC32
by Thomas Doyle 22 Sep '12

22 Sep '12

Possibly interesting. WEB PAGE http://www.tomdoyle.org/rotorremoter/RotorRemoter.html VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGxNOx5FuGs best viewed HD full screen 73 de W9KE Tom Doyle

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Re: dismantling satellite antennas
by i8cvs 22 Sep '12

22 Sep '12

----- Original Message ----- From: "Luc Leblanc" <lucleblanc6(a)videotron.ca> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Cc: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it>; <eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 7:53 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Information on Ballots > > Hi Domenico > > I discuss the dismantling of my and 5 other VE satellite amateur station > in the past 3 weeks (Incluging Clare VE3NPC that i meet last week > in Ottawa). > > They all come the the same conclusion NO HEO no more AMSAT NA > members, and no more sustainable amateur satellite mass operators. > > 73 and take care. > > "-" > Luc Leblanc VE2DWE > Skype VE2DWE > HTTP://www.qsl.net/ve2dwe > DSTAR urcall VE2DWE > WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE > Hi Luc, VE2DWE Here in Italy many satellite users have alrady dismantled their satellite antennas after AO40 died and leaved off to pay their AMSAT membership. Because of the long waiting my AO40 antenna that you can see in QRZ.com is becoming rusty and I am considering to replace it with a 5 meter dish for 1296 MHz EME I come the the same conclusion NO HEO no more AMSAT-NA members, and no more sustainable amateur satellite mass operators. BTW I pull for P3-E or a GTO satellite from AMSAT-DL as you can read in the official following document: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/september2012/amsat_dl_statement.htm 73" and take care i8CVS Domenico

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Re: J Beam for Saatellite Work
by Andrew Glasbrenner 22 Sep '12

22 Sep '12

I had one for a while, but never needed to tune it. It put a huge signal into AO-40, albeit with some polarity/spin fades. Worked real well terrestrially as well. Robert, KI4HXT always called it my picklefork beam. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Farrell Winder <fwinder(a)fuse.net> >Sent: Sep 22, 2012 11:56 AM >To: AMSAT <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> >Subject: [amsat-bb] J Beam for Saatellite Work > >I again wish to inquire if there are any current or past satellite station users with experience using the J Beam, Model MBM88/70cm. It was manufactured by Jaybeam Ltd, Northampton England. Specifically, what SWR figures were noted and are there any procedures for optimizing SWR? Any information appreciated, please reply off line. Thanks. >Farrell Winder, W8ZCF >Cincinnati, Ohio, USA > >_______________________________________________ >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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J Beam for Saatellite Work
by Farrell Winder 22 Sep '12

22 Sep '12

I again wish to inquire if there are any current or past satellite station users with experience using the J Beam, Model MBM88/70cm. It was manufactured by Jaybeam Ltd, Northampton England. Specifically, what SWR figures were noted and are there any procedures for optimizing SWR? Any information appreciated, please reply off line. Thanks. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

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Yaesu G500a elevation rotator for sale
by K&R Yoksh 22 Sep '12

22 Sep '12

Hello all, I have a Yaesu G500a elevation rotator for sale, complete with control box and original shipping carton. This rotator has been fully rebuilt, the entire unit was cleaned, painted, regreased, all bearings were replaced, and phillips head case screws replaced with hex-head screws. All mounting hardware is included. The original plastic cover for the wiring terminals was lost, but a homebrew cover is included. The control box was modified to allow computer control (requires additional hardware). This rotator is the same as the Kenpro KR-500. You can download the manual here: http://www.comunicacio.net/eb3tc/esquemes/2009/kr-500_user_manual.pdf $250 shipped CONUS Paypal preferred Thanks. 73 Kyle Yoksh K0KN Olathe, KS

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Re: 22% votes
by i8cvs 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

----- Original Message ----- From: "Gus 8P6SM" <8p6sm(a)anjo.com> To: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 7:40 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: 22% votes > On 09/19/2012 11:58 PM, i8cvs wrote: > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Gus 8P6SM"<8p6sm(a)anjo.com> > > To:<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > > Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 5:30 AM > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 22% votes > > > >> Judging by these satellites, the phrase "carries > >> an amateur radio payload" really means "usurps amateur radio > >> frequencies for non-amateur use for telemetry and telecommand > >> on non-amateur satellites". > > > >> 73, de Gus 8P6SM > >> The Easternmost Isle > > > > Hi Gus, 8P6SM > > > > Well said ! I agree completely with you > > > > 73" de > > > > i8CVS Domenico > > > > Hi, Dom! > > Worked you twice via AO-13, back in '93/'94. > > Those were the days! > > -- > 73, de Gus 8P6SM > The Easternmost Isle Hi Gus, 8P6SM Yes Gus, those were magic days but it was nice until it lasted. Unfortunately actually AMSAT is like a bomber without bombs or a bull without horns ! 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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3U KickSat CubeSat to deploy 200 Sprite satellites
by Trevor . 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

The KickSat development team are currently investigating uses for the KickSat bus after the Sprite deployment and are seeking collaborators who could make use of its capabilities as part of an extended mission. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10424 73 Trevor M5AKA Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK ----

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Congratulations Bill Tynan!
by Robert McGwier 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

http://bit.ly/SJ3kbA

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Re: The chicken and the egg.syndrome.
by Andrew Glasbrenner 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

Hi Tom, Your position and thoughts are well considered and well put. Please let me offer some additional insight. >6) There is no government funding available to AMSAT. There is, with restraints. The launch of Fox-1 will be provided by NASA, since it includes an educational component, and submitted to and was approved by the ELANA program. ARISSat was also supported by NASA and the Russian space agency. >Opinion; > >The AMSAT paradigm needs to change to allow the creators to get more >radios into space for the communicators. Well funded organizations are >building satellites with radios for telemetry and perhaps communication. >One possible solution to the observations is to get out of the launch >business completely and for the creators to build radios for other >organizations creating satellites. These radios would include the >capabilities desired by the organization and also include the desired >functionality for the communicators in order to get a ride to space. In >essence trade radios for rides. This would allow AMSAT to use their >knowledge and resources for building space based radios. What you have proposed here is -exactly- what the Fox program is doing. AMSAT is working with multiple groups to provide the Fox avionics in support of their experiments, which when completed (and sometimes before) will be also open to general amateur use. An astute observer will notice almost all of the recent real amateur communications satellites have had a partnership or shared arrangement with educational or scientific missions. SO-67 was a payload on a host educational spacecraft, as was HO-68. DO-64 has a transponder as part of an educational cubesat. ARISSat had a transponder and camera system as part of an educational mission. And on and on as of late. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Bill Tynsn, W3XO, Wins 2012 Barry Goldwater Award
by Rsoifer＠aol.com 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

The Radio Club of America announced this week that William A. Tynan, W3XO, is the recipient of its 2012 Barry Goldwater Amateur Radio Award. The award recognizes Bill's lifelong service to the public through amateur radio. It will be presented at the club's annual awards banquet in New York on November 16th. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, like Bill a club Fellow, will be the keynote speaker. Bill, one of AMSAT's charter members, is a past President and Chairman of the Board. For many years, he conducted QST's monthly column, "The World Above 50 MHz." He is also a past President of the Central States VHF Society. Bill played a key role in the origination of amateur radio from the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. The Radio Club of America, founded in 1909, is the world''s oldest radio comunications association. For more information, see www.radioclubofamerica.org. Congratulations, Bill! 73 Ray W2RS (Fellow, RCA)

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The chicken and the egg.syndrome.
by Tom Gentry 21 Sep '12

21 Sep '12

My name is Tom and my call is K5VOU. I am a life-member of AMSAT and the ARRL as well as an Extra Class license holder. I have observed both organizations at work from the inside both as a volunteer and a vendor. My satellite ground station is an old Yaesu FT-726 and the antennas are circularly polarized versions of Kent Britain's 'controlled impedance' VHF and UHF on a back yard tripod with the original KR-5400 prototype AZ-El rotor and the AMSAT tracker box connected to an X machine. I am adding an SDR receiver/panadpter asap. BTW: The opinions expressed in this email are mine alone and you are not required to agree with them or condemn them. They are just my opinions and observations. Here are a few observations in brief; 1) AMSAT is a meaningful organization filled with talented and well intentioned people interested in building, operating and communicating through space based radio systems via amateur radio. 2) AMSAT is composed of two special interest groups, the creators of the radio/satellites and the communicators using the satellites. 3) The creators depend on funding from the communicators. 4) The communicators depend on the creators for space based radios through which to communicate. 5) There is 'no free ride' to HEO and the communicators can not raise enough money to purchase a launch at market price. 6) There is no government funding available to AMSAT. 7) The regulatory climate is hostile to amateur radio satellites (ITAR). Opinion; The AMSAT paradigm needs to change to allow the creators to get more radios into space for the communicators. Well funded organizations are building satellites with radios for telemetry and perhaps communication. One possible solution to the observations is to get out of the launch business completely and for the creators to build radios for other organizations creating satellites. These radios would include the capabilities desired by the organization and also include the desired functionality for the communicators in order to get a ride to space. In essence trade radios for rides. This would allow AMSAT to use their knowledge and resources for building space based radios.

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Date Set For Next SpaceX Launch
by B J 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

http://www.onorbit.com/node/4968 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/09/20/first-spacex-cargo-resupply-flight-t… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Decoding Keps
by David A. Rush 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

I've been working on some code to decode the two-line Keplerian data like the ARRL sends out weekly (with a thank-you to AMSAT-NA). A couple of the values are in a somewhat cryptic format, the "BSTAR" and "second derivative of the mean motion". The strings tend to be either a space or a + sign, five digits, usually a minus sign (but seen at least once as a plus sign) and finally another digit, such as: +00000-0 +11682-3 00000-0 30767-3 00000-0 00000+0 +00000-0 +89689-4 What I have found about this format is that it is "decimal assumed", and examples suggest that +89689-4 = 0.89689 * 10 ^-4 or 0.000089689, if I converted that correctly. I'm guessing that the first character is the sign (+ or -) of the number, where a space is assumed positive. I've only seen one example of the 7th character being a plus (and all the digits were zero), so I assume that + or - are valid values for the exponent. I guess the format is fundamentally limited to an exponent between +9 and -9. Am I interpreting it correctly? Any other insight? David, ky7dr

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Re: AC0RA/m
by wyattdirks 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

wyattdirks <wyattdirks(a)msn.com> wrote: Sorry the second fo29 pass is at 1943 not 1843. 73 WyattWyatt Dirks <wyattdirks(a)msn.com> wrote: Well it appears there are quite a few folks that need en23 and some that need en33 so here is the plan. Saturday September 22nd I will work these satellite passes. AO-27 1806utc 1944utc FO-29 1757utc 1843utc Now these passes overlap a little so I will do my best to work both birds. If you don't hear me right away on either I may switch back and forth. Hope to work as many of you as I can. 73 Wyatt AC0RA > Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:10:37 -0500 > From: wyattdirks(a)msn.com > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] AC0RA/m > > Soon I will be going near the grids of en23 and en33 and was wondering how much interest there is in those grids? > > Drop me an email if you need either of those so I know how much effort I should put into from working those grids. > > Thanks > > Wyatt > AC0RA > _______________________________________________ > 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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Re: AC0RA/m
by wyattdirks 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Sorry the second fo29 pass is at 1943 not 1843. 73 WyattWyatt Dirks <wyattdirks(a)msn.com> wrote: Well it appears there are quite a few folks that need en23 and some that need en33 so here is the plan. Saturday September 22nd I will work these satellite passes. AO-27 1806utc 1944utc FO-29 1757utc 1843utc Now these passes overlap a little so I will do my best to work both birds. If you don't hear me right away on either I may switch back and forth. Hope to work as many of you as I can. 73 Wyatt AC0RA > Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:10:37 -0500 > From: wyattdirks(a)msn.com > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] AC0RA/m > > Soon I will be going near the grids of en23 and en33 and was wondering how much interest there is in those grids? > > Drop me an email if you need either of those so I know how much effort I should put into from working those grids. > > Thanks > > Wyatt > AC0RA > _______________________________________________ > 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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AC0RA/m
by wyattdirks 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Soon I will be going near the grids of en23 and en33 and was wondering how much interest there is in those grids? Drop me an email if you need either of those so I know how much effort I should put into from working those grids. Thanks Wyatt AC0RA

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back on
by Bob- W7LRD 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

to my many sat friends...Bob is finally back on satellites after a ridiculous four months, over the top, make xyl happy, antenna/tower rebuild. The details of which would take too long for this post. Finally got computer controlling antennas/910. Frank (FEG) I just heard you on FO-29. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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ISS_KIBO CubeSats Release Time
by Mineo Wakita 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

The release time of ISS_KIBO CubeSats was set on as follows. The afternoon of 27 Sep 2012, First, 15:10-15:20 UTC: Order of WE-WISH, RAIKO by Astronaut Akihiko Hoshide Second, 16:30-16:40 UTC: Order of TechEdSat, NanoRack/F-1, FITSAT-1 by JAXA GS Satellite Downlink Beacon Mode --------- ---------------- ------- ----- FITSAT-1 437.445, 5.84GHz 437.250 FM,CW WE WISH 437.505 437.505 SSTV,CW RAIKO 2.2GHz, 13GHz 13GHz 38.4 - 500kbps TechEdSat 437.465 437.465 CW F-1 145.980 437.485 1200bps AFSK,FM,CW --------- ---------------- ------- ------------------ http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/htv3cube.htm http://tinyurl.com/7x79o6p http://kibo.jaxa.jp/en/about/kibo/rms/ http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?cat=98 http://www.uk.amsat.org/10119 JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Satellite location prediction weeks away and JOTA
by James Luhn 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

Everyone has been so terrific helping me understand every aspect of Satellite communications. I have another question that may really show my ignorance of this part of the hobby. Hopefully I will not be banned from ever asking another dumb question. I will be working with a Boy Scout troop on October 20 participating with JOTA (Jamboree On The Air). Is there an easy way to predict when the various satellites and ISS will be passing overhead on October 20? It would be nice to know the times and locations for October 20 weeks ahead. I wonder if others will be participating in JOTA by demonstrating the use of satellites. Thanks and 73, -james W5AOO

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Re: 22% votes
by John Becker 20 Sep '12

20 Sep '12

I sent this direct first but was rejected because I'm not on his "approved" list. Ken I really think that there are a large number like myself waiting to see what is going to happen for a replacement for AO40. From people that I have talked to with a license calls above tech and more then a HT could care less about another FM bird. John At 03:47 PM 9/18/2012, you wrote: >I disagree with the principle of prodding apathetic people to vote. If somebody isn't willing to do the research, fill out a card, and mail it back, then why should we go out of our way to get a vote they themselves apparently don't care about. I'm more interested in the opinions of those who are motivated enough to do this relatively simple task. I don't understand the fixation with getting a higher percentage of the membership to vote. > >73, Ken N2WWD

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A little antenna advice needed
by James Luhn 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

I need some antenna advice. I ended up with two Elk and two Arrow beams. I thought about using two of the Elk antennas on a boom stacked horizontally. Would this be worth the effort? I am a little unsure about how far apart they would need to be to perhaps have some added gain. Seems like I remember seeing a photo of someone with a couple of the Elks mounted horizontally. I have a Cushcraft or a M2 coax divider that could be used. Am I just farting in the breeze or would it be worth the time to put the antennas together? BTW, I always put my antenna on a tripod while working the satellites. I am not a very good "one armed paper hanger". Thanks & 73s -james W5AOO

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Re: 22% votes
by John Becker 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

At 04:23 PM 9/19/2012, you wrote: >I'm sorry, but I'm not understanding the connection between the two. not need to try to explain then.

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Re: 22% votes
by Daniel Schultz 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

> Did all of the people who complain about AMSAT and the lack of this or > that satellite or feature or they way they are built or when do we get > another HEO or how someone failed once, did they all vote? The complainers need to do more than vote, they need to run for office themselves. > All of the above. Most care less about the politics. Even fewer actually > would give their time to make a difference. But there never is a shortage > of complainers. The US presidential election will be decided by about half of our eligible voters. The rest of them are too busy watching American Idol to give a damn about who runs the country for the next four years, or else they believe that nothing will change no matter which side wins. >The numbers are low, was there an option to vote on line? That may be >something to look at for next year or something like it. An excellent idea. Why don't you go ahead and make it so? You would need to figure out how to verify that only paid-up members can vote. That is why the paper ballots are mailed out to active members each year. While you are at it, I would also like to have a password protected members-only section of the web site where we could post the symposium materials that I have been collecting and archiving over the past half dozen years. My web coding skills are not up to the task but I would like to share these materials with the paid-up Amsat members. > > Seems to be true of anything anymore, only 10% of our homeowners > > showed up for the annual meeting. 5% of those had complaints that > > they only voice once a year at the annual meeting. I don't know if > > that means I'm doing a great job as a board member, or nobody gives a > hoot either way. Try erecting an 80 foot radio tower in your backyard. That should increase your homeowner's association turnout by a large amount! 73 Dan Schultz N8FGV

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computer help
by Bob- W7LRD 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

If there is anyone who could help me (re) set up my computer (xp) / IC-910H / LVB tracker, I need some assistance. Preferably by phone, send email...I have been chasing this around for over a %$#$*&% day. 73 digitally challanged Bob W7LRD

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Information on Ballots
by Martha 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

This year, 3176 ballots were mailed. -- 73- Martha

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ARRL / IARU - Satellite Spectrum
by Trevor . 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

The IARU E Newsletter September 2012 covered WRC-15 issues relating to the Amateur-satellite Service and the ARRL website has the story at: http://www.arrl.org/news/looking-ahead-to-wrc-15 It covers issues such as the proposed use of the Amateur-satellite Service Primary allocation 77.5-78.0 GHz for automotive applications. Agenda Item 1.18 proposes considering a Primary allocation to the radiolocation service for automotive applications at 77.5-78.0 GHz in accordance with Resolution 654 (WRC-12). Additionally the shortage of Amateur-satellite Service spectrum at VHF/UHF is covered. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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CAMSAT BUAA-SAT Amateur Radio Satellite
by Trevor . 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

CAMSAT BUAA-SAT Amateur Radio Satellite http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10387 also on the AMSAT-UK site: Space is the Place: Student Built Cube Satellites http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10374 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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‘Thor Hammer’ - Idea for Tossing Satellites
by Zilvinas, LY2SS 19 Sep '12

19 Sep '12

http://mashable.com/2012/09/17/nasa-thor-hammer/ 73, Zilvis LY2SS

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

Here are our latest AMSAT Awards recipients. The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. Steven Holland, KC9TTQ Ron Reiter, KD8SEV Dan Kowell, AL7RS Michael Mustachia, KF5PHA Randy Morden, VE6RGU Glyn Dodwell, GM4CFS The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award. Kenneth Holland, KC9TTR, #550 The following have earned the South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement Award. Kenneth Holland, KC9TTR, #US179 The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee, Jr. W4AMI Award Theo Doty, AA5CK, #79 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes

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Re: Information on Ballots
by John Spasojevich 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

We streamed the entire symposium in Chicago, granted it was audio only, but a lot of it depends on the hotels internet, this year BATC even warned that they might not be able to live stream if the hotel connection wasn't good. Last year they tried streaming the General Meeting, I caught the first bits, it was done with an iPad which may not be the best choice, streaming to the AMSAT Echolink reflector requires a couple of "backdoor" things to avoid timeouts and interference form other stations as we do with the ARISS contacts and I don't believe that bit of software is available for iPad. Also the hotel in San Jose may not have had good internet. I like the idea of live stream but I'm probably in the minority. John - AG9D On Tue, Sep 18, 2012 at 12:29 PM, N0JY <n0jy(a)lavabit.com> wrote: > Hopefully many will be able to come to the Symposium in October, and if > they can't make it hopefully there will be some live streaming video so > that we can all participate in AMSAT's program and future! > > > On 9/18/2012 12:18 PM, John Spasojevich wrote: > > All of the above. Most care less about the politics. Even fewer actually > would give their time to make a difference. But there never is a shortage > of complainers. > > John AG9D > On Sep 18, 2012 11:57 AM, "N0JY" <n0jy(a)lavabit.com> wrote: > >> Always makes me wonder, do people really not care, or does the board >> always do such a wonderful job that everyone is so happy no matter who is >> elected to the board? >> >> Did all of the people who complain about AMSAT and the lack of this or >> that satellite or feature or they way they are built or when do we get >> another HEO or how someone failed once, did they all vote? >> >> Seems to be true of anything anymore, only 10% of our homeowners showed >> up for the annual meeting. 5% of those had complaints that they only voice >> once a year at the annual meeting. I don't know if that means I'm doing a >> great job as a board member, or nobody gives a hoot either way. >> >> 73 >> Jerry >> N0JY > > >

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Re: Information on Ballots
by Andrew Squires 18 Sep '12

18 Sep '12

My ballot paper was not received here in Australia ? I always vote , maybe because voting is compulsory in Australia. Perhaps their was problem with the overseas post ? 73 Andy VK3AS LM-1837

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