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grid squares and trip update
by Lizeth Norman 30 Jul '12

30 Jul '12

Hi all! Will be driving down to Nazca starting tomorrow. Potential grid activations include fh25 and fh16. The good news is that we should have wheels for the rest of the trip. This means fo-29 and ao7(I'll give it a shot both mode a and b!) morning and evening passes from the Morrow Solar (fh17lt). 73 es be good! Norm n3ykf

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AO-7 Mode A Performance
by John Papay 29 Jul '12

29 Jul '12

Mode A seems to be more tolerant of lower power coming from the solar panels than Mode B. Still you can tell that the satellite is suffering. A 5 watt CW signal will cause the bird to FM but it is not driving the bird to its maximum power capability. I heard N4ASF much louder on it in CW on the 2030utc pass today also with fm'ing. This has been my observation of Mode A in the past. Prior to the eclipse periods it was possible to hit Mode A with a lot of power and it would not complain very much. The 10m transmitter must use a lot less power than the 2 meter transmitter. Therefore it is more tolerant of the lower solar panel power. AL7RS reported that he heard AO-7 with a clean CW signal coming back down in AP65. This could be an indication that sun angle in certain parts of the orbit is the major cause of the problems that I'm seeing here. Hopefully the solar panels will start producing more power soon. 73, John K8YSE

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25' tripod 4 sale
by Bob- W7LRD 29 Jul '12

29 Jul '12

In the process of rebuilding all my antennas I have an extra tripod. 25'X5.5' at the base, about 300Lbs. Obviously it will be a "fairly" local sale. Used for HF antennas for several years. 73 Bob W7LRD

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Re: 2O12W on FO-29
by K5OE 29 Jul '12

29 Jul '12

John, et al, For those able to reach the UK on FM LEOs, I will be in UK in mid-August (family holiday), and able to operate the FM sats from the IO81/82 grid boundary. I may also be able to make a trek over to IO71/72 (less common, I bellieve) one day. I'll be using call M0GOE. I'll post closer to the time when I know my schedule. 73, Jerry, K5OE >Station 2 Oscar 12 Whiskey was heard and worked on FO-29 this >morning. QSL info is on qrz.com. This is a special event >station celebrating the London 2012 Olympic Games. They are >operating from IO81IJ. They should be active for several weeks. >73, >John K8YSE

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MiR - Yubileiny 2 - RS-40 - launched yesterday
by Trevor . 29 Jul '12

29 Jul '12

MiR also known as Yubileiny 2 or RS-40 was built by students and research staff of the Siberian State Aerospace University. PE0SAT reports the downlink is 435.365 MHz http://www.pe0sat.vgnet.nl/tag/yubileiny-2/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

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DOKA-B/ Yubileiny
by andy thomas 29 Jul '12

29 Jul '12

Everything I now about Doka-b is at: https://sites.google.com/site/andythomasorg/amateur-satellites/rs-30-yubile… I have seen it in action, it is a combined hard wired modem interface and az/el controller at the ground station end. It is only available to Russian (diaspora?) universities and is a protected commercial secret. Each setup is unique to the particular university research project and multiple projects at different Russian universities have their own groundstations. I think you have to consider the satellite part as one half of a whole network with the ground station which performs the connection being the other half of the circuit. To that extent, consider the satellite as having its own tcp/ip address, and its transceiver operating in a psk variant using radio to link instead of a cable. A lot of handshaking etc. I don't think there is a broadcast mode in Doka-b, just the circuit, although it is understood to be possible for the transmitter to beacon images and other data. 73 de andy g0sfj

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gridsquare vacation this summer
by Newsradio 29 Jul '12

29 Jul '12

Well I havnt been active much these past few months due to big projects working on the local repeaters however this August the family vacation will take us to Prince Edward County near Kingston Ontario and I'll be active on AO27 and SO50 from grid squares FN13 and FN14 if anyone's interested...2nd week of August. 73s John VA3BL

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2012w station
by paul robinson 29 Jul '12

29 Jul '12

Ken,thanks for the station ill look out for you,i know what you are up against...re my scotland trips....and add to it moving about ,snow,wind and rain and mountains ...and i think we all agree its not easy opp /p.... all the best Paul 2M1EUB/2E1EUB

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Re: 2O12W on FO-29
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 28 Jul '12

28 Jul '12

Hi all, Many thanks to all - Very pleased to have make the contact over the pond despite the comments. Please be patient - I am the only operator available to work the satellites and quite often the only operator on site also working HF bands. Unlike the London location for the Olympic Flagship station whom have a very large team and an antenna farm for HF. Here in Wales we have limited resources and are working hard to keep everyone happy under some difficult times of propagation on HF. For satellite operation I am using just my "Elk" antenna which I have mounted on a rotator on the portable cabin, the TX/RX is a Kenwood TS2000. Satellite was not the prime objective of operation for the event but one that I have personally made the effort to activate and also make the public aware of in as part of our hobby. Our location which you will observe on 2O12W.com is on a promenade with quite a number of amusements in the Fairground - QRM and noises on the VHF/UHF bands etc are not making easy hear some stations. I thank you kindly for your efforts for a contact on satellites and also sorry if I am not active on all of the passes which might have a good footprint. (AO-7 does not appear to have been active on mode "B" ) This is our first week and it has been exhausting leaving home very early morning, driving 25 miles to the location and then not getting back home again until very late at night with a very dry throat after operating pile ups on HF bands - Nearly 4,000 QSO's and a long way to go yet" Our group is activating this Olympic Flagship call until September when the Para -Olympics close. I hope therefore that we do get a chance for a satellite contact with everyone at some point in this timescale subject to my availability. Many thanks,good luck and best regards. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Also QSL Manager for the Barry Amateur Radio Society - 2O12W Olympic event

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new location!
by Lizeth Norman 28 Jul '12

28 Jul '12

http://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/7664016762/in/photostream Worked pv8dx and co6cbf this morning. Due to the location and constraints of transportation, I'll post the passes that I'll work. We will get a car on Monday to alleviate some of the problems. Driving here is CRAZY. THERE IS ONE OBSERVABLE RULE! KINETIC ENERGY WINS! Will keep everyone in the loop. 73 de Norm n3ykf/oa4

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2O12W on FO-29
by John Papay 28 Jul '12

28 Jul '12

Station 2 Oscar 12 Whiskey was heard and worked on FO-29 this morning. QSL info is on qrz.com. This is a special event station celebrating the London 2012 Olympic Games. They are operating from IO81IJ. They should be active for several weeks. 73, John K8YSE

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TubeSat aims to test Ion Engine
by Trevor . 28 Jul '12

28 Jul '12

Hope it works, could be a cheap way to raise the orbit. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9268 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Guildford Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Maker Faire Detroit 2012 on the Satellites
by Mike N8MR 27 Jul '12

27 Jul '12

Maker Faire Detroit will be held at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan (EN82) on July 28 - 29, 2012. Amateur Radio will play a major part in this year's event, as it has for the past three years. Using the special event callsign, N8M, the Ford Amateur Radio League and a conglomeration of other local Detroit area clubs will host a large setup displaying various amateur radio modes and equipment, including: - HF SSB and digital station - HF CW station, including various homebrew QRP equipment - Satellite stations - stationary - Yaesu FT-726 and homebrew yagis on a 12-foot mast - hand-held portable - two HTs and an Arrow antenna - Fast-Scan ATV and video - VHF voice/cw/digital - HSMM-Mesh - ARRL and misc information table - RACES/SKYWARN The satellite stations will be on as many passes of AO-27, SO-50, FO-29 and VO-52 as possible within the hours of operation, 1330 - 2200 UTC both days. QSL via Ford Amateur Radio League, PO Box 2711, Dearborn, MI 48123 73, Mike, N8MR

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(no subject)
by Dave Ryan 27 Jul '12

27 Jul '12

http://karoakuedukasi.com/wp-admin/anaoler.html?ova=zqkolc

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not for lack of trying..
by Lizeth Norman 27 Jul '12

27 Jul '12

Hi all, The rf noise here in Lima is horrific. Good news is that I brought a vhf filter. Bad news is I left the uhf filter at home. Did hear myself on AO-7 mode b. fo29's beacon is buried in the noise. Preamp or not. Will switch locations tomorrow to try and alleviate the problem. New location is fh17LT. The 1650z pass tomorrow for fo-29 is my next try. Will stick around for the next so50 pass at 1900z if everything works. Norm

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BBC TV News Story on OSSI CubeSat
by Trevor . 27 Jul '12

27 Jul '12

The BBC has broadcast a TV news report on the OSSI CubeSat due for launch in December. You can see the video at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19007475 Trevor M5AKA

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Amateur Radio Lunar Rover
by Trevor . 27 Jul '12

27 Jul '12

See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9175 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Guildford Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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AeroAstro bites the dust
by Daniel Schultz 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

Many Amsat members remember Rick Fleeter's company AeroAstro and many have read his book "The Logic of Microspace". There is some discussion in the online bulletin boards to the effect that ITAR made the company too dependent on US Government contracts, since it was so difficult for them to sell satellite components on the open market. Dan Schultz N8FGV -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.spacenews.com/military/120716-comtech-shutting-down-small-satell… WASHINGTON — Comtech Telecommunications Corp. is closing down its AeroAstro small-satellite manufacturing business following the loss of a contract with the U.S. Navy to build a star-mapping satellite, according an industry source. Ashburn, Va.-based Comtech AeroAstro had struggled of late due to cutbacks in U.S. government spending, and the cancellation of the Navy’s Joint Milli-Arcsecond Pathfinder Survey, or JMAPS, mission was the last straw, the source said. Comtech AeroAstro was building the JMAPS satellite platform under a pair of contracts valued at $43.5 million, with a launch tentatively scheduled for 2015. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory here warned last October that JMAPS was facing cancellation, and officials with Comtech in March acknowledged that funding for the program had slowed dramatically. Rick Fleeter, who founded AeroAstro in his basement in 1988 and sold it in 2007, said the company had become more vulnerable in recent years due in part to a shift in focus from satellites weighing 50 to 100 kilograms and costing under $5 million to satellites weighing up to a few hundred kilograms costing tens of millions of dollars. In addition, Comtech absorbed AeroAstro’s communications business into other units of the parent company, leaving AeroAstro almost solely reliant on satellite manufacturing. The result, Fleeter said in a July 17 email, was a less-diversified AeroAstro. “So the loss of JMAPS which was huge and the lack of collateral projects that might be countercyclical was the problem,” he said. Fleeter said AeroAstro has weathered down cycles before — the company at one point shrunk to 13 employees — and probably could have survived its most recent challenges had the desire been there. “But Comtech has its own quarterly reporting pressures and carrying a loss forward for several quarters probably is even more difficult,” he said. Comtech, a major supplier of satellite telecommunications electronics hardware, has been hurt in the last two years by the loss of a pair of contracts with the U.S. Army to provide troop tracking gear. Comtech considered a number of options for AeroAstro, including additional layoffs and taking the company private, before deciding to shut the operation down, the industry source said. The company will close out or transfer its remaining contracts and expects to shut down the small-satellite manufacturing facility in Ashburn by Aug. 31, the source said. Work on some of those contracts will be completed at the company’s Littleton, Colo., engineering and component manufacturing facility, but that operation also will be closed eventually, the source said. AeroAstro currently has about 50 employees, down from about 85 a year ago. The last day for employees deemed nonessential for the closeout operations will be July 31, this source said. Reached by telephone July 16, Paul Lithgow, president of Comtech AeroAstro, declined to comment. Michael D. Porcelain, senior vice president and chief financial officer of Melville, N.Y.-based Comtech Telecommunications, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Over the years, AeroAstro built small, one-of-a-kind satellites primarily for U.S. government customers including NASA and the departments of Defense and Energy. Fleeter sold the company in 2007 to Phoenix-based Radyne, a satellite equipment manufacturer that was looking to tap what at the time appeared to be a promising small-satellite market, particularly at the Pentagon. Comtech acquired Radyne in 2008. When Fleeter cashed out, the Defense Department was investing in Operationally Responsive Space, a collection of programs intended to prove the utility of low-cost space capabilities that could be developed and deployed rapidly in response to emerging needs from forces in the field. But as budgets began to tighten, the initiative lost steam. The Pentagon proposed closing the Operationally Responsive Space office along with its long-running Space Test Program — which served as a means of launching small, experimental satellites — in its 2013 budget request, unveiled in February. Fleeter said that contrary to what he believed when he sold AeroAstro, the long-anticipated revolution in small satellites has yet to take hold. “I work with many space organizations around the world, and there is widespread lack of understanding of what small space is and what small missions can do,” Fleeter said. “The world is still quite frozen in concepts of the past in terms of what we can do in space and how we can do it.” He did say, however, that there remains a place for small-satellite makers and that the niche is being filled by companies like Sierra Nevada Corp. of the United States and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. of Britain.

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ISS Columbus Ericsson 2m Radio Update
by Trevor . 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9240 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Just heard ISS in QSO with school
by Raydel Abreu Espinet (CM2ESP) 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

I have just heard today 26/07/2012 at 14:15 UTC, aprox. the ISS in a QSO with a school!!!! Such great experience!!!! Really really a joy. It took me by surprise as I was not aware of an ARISS contact scheduled because i didn't read the last ARISS report. Just amazing!!! 73, Raydel, CM2ESP Este mensaje ha sido enviado mediante el servicio de correo electronico que ofrece la Federacion de Radioaficionados de Cuba a sus miembros para respaldar el cumplimiento de los objetivos de la organizacion y su politica informativa. La persona que envia este correo asume el compromiso de usar el servicio a tales fines y cumplir con las regulaciones establecidas.

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AO-7 Mode B Follow-up
by B J 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

I tried the pass that started here around 1600 UTC. I could hear the downlink but the quality of the signal was like what I noted during the previous pass: faint and crackling. By comparison, I called CQ on VO-52 which came a few minutes after I was finished. The downlink was strong and clear so it doesn't appear that the problem with AO-7 was with my station hardware. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Re: Radio Setup
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

> >But operationally is there a huge difference? > Not really. Both work. I have a 910 and 847 at home, and use an 857 and 817 mobile. >On another subject... > >Are eggbeater antennas a good option for someone just starting out? >Something like M2's setup? > Not really, in my opinion. They might work, but you could have a much better antenna system for less money. M2 short starter series yagies tilted up 15 degrees, a tv rotor, and a UHF preamp would cost less than a pair of eggbeaters and work twice as well. 73, Drew KO4MA

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AO-07 a bit strange
by Ib Christoffersen 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

Hi all, AO-07 seems to be a little strange. It changes between mode-A and mode-B (or perhaps mode-C) Mode C is the same as B but with lower power on the downlink. Looking at http://oscar.dcarr.org/ is also confusing. Perhaps the sun angle is very bad. Any bids ? 73 OZ1MY Ib

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Radio Setup
by kshaddrick＠jetup.net 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

Hi all, A newby question... Is there any advantage or disadvantage to using a single radio setup (IC-810H or similar) versus a two radio setup (something like two IC-706MKIIG's or other combination)? SatPC32 seems to handle both without problem. But operationally is there a huge difference? On another subject... Are eggbeater antennas a good option for someone just starting out? Something like M2's setup? Thanks, Kelley - W0RK

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VE3NKL/p in Newfoundland
by K4FEG 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

*Nikolai has asked me to post here on the BB for him, some information:* *VE3NKL/p* has added some places and grid squares he plans to operate during this family vacation trip. *Please check his QRZ.com web page* for the additional information and locations posted there. He is *currently in GN09*, has been in *GN19*(may go back there before he leaves) and his future travels are listed on the QRZ page He has mentioned that he is moving around a bit up there and he is operating *FM satellites only! *these are some nice grids for us "grid chasers" Good Luck Everyone! He may not work every FM satellite but he is working SO50 & AO27. K4FEG EM55aj

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NHK international TV
by Mineo Wakita 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

24 July 2012 http://www.fit.ac.jp/~tanaka/FITSAT/20120724NHKinternational.WMV http://www.fit.ac.jp/~tanaka/fitsat.shtml http://turing.cs.fit.ac.jp/~fitsat/ JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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OSSI CubeSat to launch in December
by Trevor . 26 Jul '12

26 Jul '12

OSSI was planning to launch on a Soyuz from Kazakhstan in August, according to an article in Antara News the launch will now take place in December. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9220 -- The British Interplanetary Society is seeking nominations for the Sir Arthur Clarke Awards (the Arthur's). See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9212 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Guildford Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Rochester ISS TV News Report
by Trevor . 25 Jul '12

25 Jul '12

The YNN (channel 9) TV news report on the Rochester ISS contact can be seen at http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9200 73 Trevor M5AKA

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New website
by LOGERSATGROUP SAT 25 Jul '12

25 Jul '12

Hi, everybody there is a new website where everybody ciuld post all reports from sats in use. Use it ¡ and we hope you like. cheers satlog

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Looking for Maspro relays
by PE0SAT | Amateur Radio 25 Jul '12

25 Jul '12

Hi, thanks for reading. I have to replace the relay for RHCP/LHCP switching of the VHF model because it is no longer switching. Is there anybody out there who knows where I can get these? 73 Jan PE0SAT

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One questiong for ant hombrewers...
by Pável Milanés Costa co7wt 25 Jul '12

25 Jul '12

Hi to all. I'm Pavel Milanes, CO7WT, from Cuba, member of the GROS. I have a question in my head and I have not enough arguments to decide, I have to BUILD my own antennas, so having this into account: What is the most cost effective (cost / gain / difficult in building / omni pattern) that can I build? I have in plans to build a LNA from a servian pdf using the BF998 MOSFET, that will be at the antenna point, Andrew Heliax LDF-4 50 ohms for the download to the shack and of course this is a FIXED antenna, with NO rotors. I have heard of and modeled all this ones and all have his pros and cons... - QFH - Turnstile dipoles - Turnstile moxons (100 ohms) - Eggbeater I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that the best election will be the QFH, because his really omni pattern, beside the fact that I will have to build two of them (rhcp and lhcp switched properly with a relay) and the lower gain will be 'compensated' with the LNA... Please, I don't want to start a flag war, only heard about some experiences to decide my self. Last tip, TRX on 70 cm will be a Kenwood channelized TK-382N for FM (5W) and TRX on 2m will be a Alinco DR-130. 73 Este mensaje ha sido enviado mediante el servicio de correo electronico que ofrece la Federacion de Radioaficionados de Cuba a sus miembros para respaldar el cumplimiento de los objetivos de la organizacion y su politica informativa. La persona que envia este correo asume el compromiso de usar el servicio a tales fines y cumplir con las regulaciones establecidas.

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satpc32 sqf adjustment
by Lizeth Norman 24 Jul '12

24 Jul '12

Hi all! What is the offset in satpc32 for AO-7? Will be up for the 9z ish pass. 73 es see you on the birds n3ykf/oa4

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One of our EM55 satellite operators
by Rick - WA4NVM 24 Jul '12

24 Jul '12

The Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award Joe Lowenthal, WA4OVO, of Memphis, Tennessee, was named the recipient of the 2012 Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award. The Board noted that Lowenthal "has a demonstrated record as an outstanding instructor for Amateur Radio classes, with hundreds of students benefitting from his expertise in the classroom and generous mentoring." Herb S. Brier, W9AD, long-time CQ Novice Editor, represented the spirit of effective, caring Amateur Radio instruction. The ARRL, in conjunction with the Lake County (Indiana) Amateur Radio Club, sponsors this award in his memory to recognize the very best in volunteer Amateur Radio instruction and recruitment. You may have worked Joe from Maine this year. That's his second home, lately. 73 all, Rick WA4NVM

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Using less mobile bandwidth in replies.
by Tom Gentry 24 Jul '12

24 Jul '12

This BBS is a joy to read and in general has great deportment (that's what teachers call behaviour) and very few flame incidents. However I have a suggestion to reduce congestion, at least on my mobile devices. Before you click on reply to answer someones email, highlight the text you are actually replying to and not the entire message with footers warnings etc. Then when you click reply, only the pertinent part shows up in your reply. Type your reply and then hit send. It is a really fast way to cut down on the number of characters that need to be processed. 73, Tom K5VOU

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AMSAT Journal correction
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Jul '12

24 Jul '12

Hi All, I must make a correction to the Symposium news article in the latest AMSAT Journal. On page 27, I am credited for the donation of a FunCube Dongle as a prize. This is not the case. The Dongle was generously provided by Howard Long, G6LVB. As I recall I merely did the asking, and all credit for the prize should rest with Howard. I just wanted to make sure ample credit was applied where amply due. My apologies for the confusion. 73, Drew KO4MA PS If you don't have a FunCube Dongle, go get one now!

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435-438 MHz Quadrifilar Helix for sale
by Stefan Wagener 23 Jul '12

23 Jul '12

If interested, I have an UC-UHF Amateur Satellite Antenna for sale. This is a professional, totally encapsulated Quadrifilar Helix for 70cm. It is the 50W TX version! See: http://www.antennas.us/store/p/229-UC-4364-328-UHF-Amateur-Satellite-Antenn… Will sell for $75 including shipping to US. Stefan, VE4NSA On Mon, Jul 23, 2012 at 2:12 PM, <tokens(a)myranch.com> wrote: > Anyone have one they are willing to sell? > > Many thanks! > > 73 Al W8KHP > _______________________________________________ > 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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Sally Ride
by Clint Bradford 23 Jul '12

23 Jul '12

July 23, 2012 David Weaver Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 david.s.weaver(a)nasa.gov RELEASE: 12-252 NASA OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF PIONEERING ASTRONAUT SALLY RIDE WASHINGTON -- In a space agency filled with trailblazers, Sally K. Ride was a pioneer of a different sort. The soft-spoken California physicist broke the gender barrier 29 years ago when she rode to orbit aboard space shuttle Challenger to become America's first woman in space. "Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism -- and literally changed the face of America's space program," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "The nation has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers and explorers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally's family and the many she inspired. She will be missed, but her star will always shine brightly." "Sally was a personal and professional role model to me and thousands of women around the world," said NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver. "Her spirit and determination will continue to be an inspiration for women everywhere." Ride's contribution to America's space program continued right up until her death at age 61 this week. After two trips to orbit aboard the shuttle, she went on to an award-winning academic career at the University of California, San Diego, where her expertise and wisdom were widely sought on matters related to space. She holds the distinction of being the only person to serve as a member of both investigation boards following NASA's two space shuttle accidents. She also served as a member of the Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee in 2009 which informed many of the decisions about NASA's current human spaceflight programs. However, Ride's place in history was assured on June 18, 1983 when she rocketed into space on Challenger's STS-7 mission with four male crewmates. "The fact that I was going to be the first American woman to go into space carried huge expectations along with it," Ride recalled in an interview for the 25th anniversary of her flight in 2008. "That was made pretty clear the day that I was told I was selected as a crew. I was taken up to Chris Kraft's office. He wanted to have a chat with me and make sure I knew what I was getting into before I went on the crew. I was so dazzled to be on the crew and go into space I remembered very little of what he said." "On launch day, there was so much excitement and so much happening around us in crew quarters, even on the way to the launch pad," Ride said. "I didn't really think about it that much at the time -- but I came to appreciate what an honor it was to be selected to be the first to get a chance to go into space." Ride joined NASA as part of the 1978 astronaut class, the first to include women. She and five other women, along with 29 men, were selected out of 8,000 applicants. The class became known as the "Thirty-Five New Guys" and reported to the Johnson Space Center the next summer to begin training. Ride trained for five years before she and three of her classmates were assigned to STS-7. The six-day mission deployed two communications satellites and performed a number of science experiments. Following that historic flight, Ride returned to space on another shuttle mission, STS-41G in 1984. The 8-day mission deployed the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, conducted scientific observations of Earth, and demonstrated potential satellite refueling techniques. She was assigned to a third flight, but transitioned to a role on the Rogers Commission that investigated the Challenger accident after that shuttle was lost in January 1986. When the investigation was completed, she accepted a job as a special assistant to the NASA administrator for long range and strategic planning. Ride left NASA in 1989 to join the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, as a professor of physics and director of the University of California's California Space Institute. In 2001, she founded her own company, Sally Ride Science, to pursue her long-time passion of motivating girls and young women to pursue careers in science, math and technology. A native of Los Angeles, Ride graduated from high school there in 1968 and enrolled at Stanford University. At Stanford, she earned four degrees, including a doctorate in physics in 1978. She also was an accomplished athlete who played varsity tennis at Stanford after being nationally ranked as a youth. Ride received numerous honors and awards during the course of her career. Most notably, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the Astronaut Hall of Fame, and received the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the von Braun Award, the Lindbergh Eagle, and the NCAA's Theodore Roosevelt Award. -end-

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137MHz Quadrifilar Helix
by tokens＠myranch.com 23 Jul '12

23 Jul '12

Anyone have one they are willing to sell? Many thanks! 73 Al W8KHP

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Electrodynamic Tether Propulsion
by Trevor . 23 Jul '12

23 Jul '12

The CubeSat Tethersat, planned to launch July 2013, aims to test electrodynamic tether propulsion. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9165 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Guildford Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Successful Test Of Inflatable Aeroshell
by B J 23 Jul '12

23 Jul '12

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/jul/HQ_12-250_IRVE-3_Launch.html http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oct/game_changing_technology/game_changing_deve… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Olympic Flagship Amateur Satellite Operation
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 23 Jul '12

23 Jul '12

Hi all, With reference to my posting to the Amsat news bulletin quoting a restriction zone imposed effecting the the amateur VHF/UHF bands for the London Olympics. I appears that I need to clarify my statement regarding operation via the amateur satellites. The following was posted to me: "There is no problem with 2O12L using 435 MHz, it's 432 MHz that they cannot use". Thus meaning that AO -7 cannot be used for mode "B" operation within the imposed zone of course. Operation on other amateur satellites should therefore be possible. Apologies. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amasat NA

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SatPC32 Question
by Kelley 22 Jul '12

22 Jul '12

Satellite newby here, trying to setup a station... For all you SatPC32 users, a question. I'm using the software with 2 radios. One is an Icom IC-706MKIIG, the other is a Icom IC-746. While the 706 covers vhf and uhf, the 746 only covers vhf. The way my version of SatPC32 is set, it tries (depending on the satellite) to set the 746 to uhf. I suspect there is a way to tell the software that a radio can only do vhf, but can't seem to find where to do that. Anyone know? Thanks, -- Kelley - WØRK

3 3

Want to buy m2 70 cm eggbeater
by Lawn, Richard 22 Jul '12

22 Jul '12

Let me know if anyone had a m2 70cm eggbeater they want to sell. I'm tired of working with these home brewed antennas! The weather gets to them too easily and my 2meter m2 eggbeater works great! Rick W2JAZ Sent from my iPad http://RickLawn.com

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Re: FO-29
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 22 Jul '12

22 Jul '12

Rick, FO-29 has a strong CW beacon at 435.795 +/- Doppler. It's down there by itself and easy to find. Also most downlink signals are concentrated and very strong around 435.850 +/- 10 midway in the pass band. Are you working or hearing any other sats? GL Mike K9QHO

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Re: TH-D7 power modules repair project
by PA3GUO 22 Jul '12

22 Jul '12

Hi Ivo, Excellent documentation and pictures. Well done - will surely come im one day as very useful (hope not though :-)) Henk, PA3GUO

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New York chapter
by Vikas N Kumar 22 Jul '12

22 Jul '12

Hi All Is there an AMSAT New York group ? I am a new AMSAT member and also a member of the NYCSat meetup group. We at NYCSat are looking at possible collaboration with AMSAT. Is the New England group functioning ? What is the process for starting an AMSAT-NY group if any ? Hoping for a response. Thanks & Regards Vikas Kumar

2 1

TH-D7 power modules repair project
by Ivo Klinkert, PA1IVO 22 Jul '12

22 Jul '12

Hi, I just finished repairing the RF power modules of my Kenwood TH-D7. The M67798LRA and M67799MA were replaced by the RA08H1317M and RA07H4047M. As this handheld radio is used for portable LEO satellite communications because of its full-duplex capabilities, this repair project might be helpful to others. So, for those who are interested, I have some information about this at http://ivok.home.xs4all.nl/pa1ivo/TH-D7.html 73, Ivo PA1IVO.

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Joe Acaba Speaks from ISS with WISH Students using HAM Radio
by Nitin Muttin 22 Jul '12

22 Jul '12

Joe Acaba Speaks with WISH Students Expedition 32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba speaks with high school students participating in a summer program called Women in STEM High School Aerospace Scholars, or WISH, using the station’s ham radio. Visit http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=148223221 73 Nitin [VU3TYG]

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Trakbox Host Mode
by Joe Leikhim 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

I have a Trakbox that I am pressing into service. I recently installed Don, AI6RE's turbo kit (speedup processor, 22 MHz crystal, 350D ROM etc) and it is working fantastic. I am also using LOGSAT (with Y2K and last updates). One thing I had not tried prior to upgrade was the TRAKBOX host mode operation with Logsat. In fact I had not given this interface much thought, planning to use standalone mode. Host mode works from the hyperterminal, but Logsat does not seem to be making itself understood to Trakbox. I am using Portmon and can see Logsat delivering AZ_EL commands in the proper format, and can sometimes see the AOS lamp blinking slightly, however TRAKBOX ignores the commands. It seems I have to use Hyperterminal to command the TRAKBOX into host mode, disconnect terminal then start LOGSAT. LOGSAT does not start host mode on its own, though I see a lot of "messages". Can someone enlighten me on how this is all supposed to work? I have read the TRAKBOX documentation, but no "aha moment". Thanks, even comments from others using TB host mode with other software is welcomed. -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446

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Request for help with ECHO 70 rig
by Gregory Beat 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

ECHO 70 KLM transceiver manual http://6mt.com/432_tech_list. AMSAT-BB Archives - 1999. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/199902/msg00267.html There was a Belcom list (reflector) on Yahoo! Groups. Belcom made quite a few monobad rigs for 20m, 15m, 10m, 6m, 2m, and 70cm, some of which were sold in the U.S. and Canada under the Santec, KLM, and SBE names as well. Many of their radios were QRP rigs. Majority made in 1970s, early 1980s. If you're interested please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/belcom KLM Electronics SBE wasn't interested in marketing a prototype transceiver they had developed, KLM approached its maker, Belcom, and changed the name from Liner 2 to the ECHO II. This, and the ECHO 70, became KLM's entry point into the VHF/UHF transceiver marketplace.

2 3

First-Move CubeSat Integration Video
by Trevor . 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

First-Move will soon be transported to the Netherlands in preparation for its launch later this year. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9109 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Guildford Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Re: HTV-3 CubeSats Launched
by Mineo Wakita 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/htv3cube.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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May have forgotten to add my call sign to a previous message
by Thomas Doyle 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

I may have left my call sign off my previous message about the sat list. I got into trouble with Alan for this once before and have been trying to avoid violating the rule again. 73 W9KE Tom Doyle

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CUSTER SPECIAL EVENT
by Peter Portanova 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

The Grid for CUSTER OBSERVATORY IN Southold, LI is FN31, thank you. 73 WB2OQQ

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**SPECIAL EVENT** CUSTER OBSERVATORY
by Peter Portanova 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

Hello, I will be operating today from Custer Observatory, www.custer.org, as W2GSB. A special QSL card is available, visit www.gsbarc.org for information, I will be on the FM satellites, thank you. 73 WB2OQQ

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FW: Re: Request for help with satellite capable old rig ECHO 70 by KLM
by Kevin Deane 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

I am fowarding this I did not catch Hector's friend's email... :) Kevin KF7MYK From: wk4r(a)charter.net To: summit496(a)live.com CC: coro(a)enet.cu Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Request for help with satellite capable old rig ECHO 70 by KLM Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 23:52:19 -0400 Try to forward this to him: http://6mt.com/echo70.zip Not sure again if it has the schematic but there is something there. From: Kevin Deane [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 2:58 PM To: wk4r(a)charter.net Subject: FW: [amsat-bb] Re: Request for help with satellite capable old rig ECHO 70 by KLM I was trying to get him the schematics/manual maybe you can help. Kevin KF7MYK > Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2012 10:14:16 -0400 > From: coro(a)enet.cu > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Request for help with satellite capable old rig ECHO 70 by KLM > > Dear amigos : > I am new to this list. My very good friend CO6CBF Hector asked me to make > a comeback into the ham satellites world. > I found an ECHO 70 KLM transceiver that was in bad shape, but that could > be repaired. Now it is receiving , but on transmit the power is only 1 > Watt. > The receive sensitivity is not great, but enough for Hector to make a two > way contact with it... Hector has a very good 70 cms band antenna system > that really helped. > The 70 cms signal level at the input of the first of two output filters is > 10 Watts, measured with professional test instruments, but after the > filters there is only 1 Watt. > I suggested to Hector that he blew hot air over the ceramic trimmers > of the two filters in order to remove humidity ... > It worked on one of the filters... now there is good power output > on the 435 megaHertz segment , but 432 megaHertz is still at the > low power output level. > FYI, we are not authorized to operate on the 432 megaHertz segment > used by the Oscar 7 AO7 ancient satellite... but do have permission > to operate on the 435 megaHertz segment that other satellites use. > Any information about the ECHO 70 KLM transceiver that can be found > will be most useful, as once the rig is in good working conditions it > will be used frequently from my EL83td grid square location in downtown > Havana, and possibly by mini dx satellite expeditions to other nearby > grid squares too. > If the files that contain the information about the ECHO 70 KLM rig > are large, please send them to: > arnaldo.coro at gmail dot com > > Thanks in advance for your help and hope to make many new friends > in my return to the amateur satellites world after many years > of absence * I am from the days of Oscar 7, RS 10 and RS 12 and > RS 15 * !!!! > > 73 and DX > Arnie Coro > CO2KK > _______________________________________________ > 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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Work Moon Day - 2012 on the Amateur Radio Satellites
by Keith Pugh 21 Jul '12

21 Jul '12

Tom, N5HYP; Doug, W5BL; and Keith, W5IU, will be operating on the satellites from Moon Day - 2012 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum on Love Field, Dallas, TX, on Saturday, 21 July 2012. We should be available on at least the passes shown below. The ISS and HO-68 passes will be listen only. If you have 70 cm APRS capability (437.550), beacon on the ISS pass shown and we should be able to display at least your call to the crowd. Work us on the other passes. Times shown are CDT. WinAos QTH: -96.9/32.9 T#: 12620 Sat.: 7 [Standard] ---------------------------------------------------------- Day Object AOS (L) LOS Period maxEl AZ ---------------------------------------------------------- 21.07.2012 HO-68 11:06 11:26 20 79 016 - 194 21.07.2012 ISS 11:51 12:01 10 72 316 - 132 21.07.2012 FO-29 12:51 13:10 19 41 021 - 174 21.07.2012 FO-29 14:36 14:55 19 36 001 - 221 21.07.2012 AO-27 14:48 15:03 15 76 169 - 346 Frontiers of Flight Museum Love Field, Dallas, TX N32.842360 deg W96.835223 deg El = 150 m Grid = EM12nu See you on the "Birds!" 73 - Keith, W5IU

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HTV-3 CubeSats Launched
by Trevor . 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9070 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Request for help with ECHO 70 rig that could put me back on ham satellites
by JoAnne Maenpaa 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

This arrived on the ANS-Editor list and is probably better handled on the amsat-bb so here it is ... Subject: [ans-editor] Re: Request for help with ECHO 70 rig that could put me back on ham satellites Dear amigos : I am new to this list. My very good friend CO6CBF Hector asked me to make a comeback into the ham satellites world. I found an ECHO 70 KLM transceiver that was in bad shape, but that could be repaired. Now it is receiving , but on transmit the power is only 1 Watt. The receive sensitivity is not great, but enough for Hector to make a two way contact with it... Hector has a very good 70 cms band antenna system that really helped. The 70 cms signal level at the input of the first of two output filters is 10 Watts, measured with professional test instruments, but after the filters there is only 1 Watt. I suggested to Hector that he blew hot air over the ceramic trimmers of the two filters in order to remove humidity ... It worked on one of the filters... now there is good power output on the 435 megaHertz segment , but 432 megaHertz is still at the low power output level. FYI, we are not authorized to operate on the 432 megaHertz segment used by the Oscar 7 AO7 ancient satellite... but do have permission to operate on the 435 megaHertz segment that other satellites use. We are looking forward to a rules changes that will allow us to use the 432 mHz segment soon. Any information about the ECHO 70 KLM transceiver that can be found will be most useful, as once the rig is in good working conditions it will be used frequently from my EL83td grid square location in downtown Havana, and possibly by mini dx satellite expeditions to other nearby grid squares too. If the files that contain the information about the ECHO 70 KLM rig are large, please send them to: arnaldo.coro at gmail dot com Thanks in advance for your help and hope to make many new friends in my return to the amateur satellites world after many years of absence * I am from the days of Oscar 7, RS 10 and RS 12 and RS 15 * !!!! 73 and DX Arnie Coro CO2KK:

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Re: Want to buy m2 70 cm eggbeater
by Andrew Glasbrenner 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

For the money an eggbeater costs, you could put a small UHF beam on a old tv rotor with a bit of uptilt and have much more signal to work with. Just a thought. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: "Lawn, Richard" <RLawn(a)uarts.edu> >Sent: Jul 20, 2012 4:09 PM >To: "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: [amsat-bb] Want to buy m2 70 cm eggbeater > >Let me know if anyone had a m2 70cm eggbeater they want to sell. I'm tired of working with these home brewed antennas! The weather gets to them too easily and my 2meter m2 eggbeater works great! >Rick >W2JAZ > > >Sent from my iPad >http://RickLawn.com > > > >_______________________________________________ >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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List of QSO´s from EL60 and EL61
by Omar Alvarez 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

Sorry for the delay, I have the recorded QSO´s done from EL60 and EL61, all will upload to LotW with with call XE1AO Let me know if some of you need the printed QSL card or if someone was missing, I can check again the audios. Thank you. AO-27 14 jul 2012 EL61 ISLA MUJERES IOTA NA-045 K4FEG 18:14 UTC WA4NVM 18:14 UTC CO6CBF 18:14 UTC NX9B 18:15 UTC KB1RVT 18:15 UTC AC0RA 18:16 UTC N8MS 18:16 UTC XE3ISS 18:16 UTC WA5KBH 18:17 UTC N5UXT 18:17 UTC AO-27 14 JUL EL61 ISLA MUJERES XE1HG 19:48 UTC SO-50 EL61 15 JUL 2012 CO6CBF 00:26 UTC XE1YMY 00:27 UTC K5OE 00:29 UTC NX9B 00:32 UTC N9AMV 00:33 UTC AO-27 EL60 XCARET 15 JUL 2012 XE1HG 19:26 UTC CO6CBF 19:27 UTC AC0RA 19:27 K4TB 19:27 UTC SO-50 16 JUL 2012 EL61 CO6CBF 23:42 UTC K4FEG 23:44 UTC N8RO 23:44 UTC K4MOA 23:45 UTC W5PFG 23:45 UTC KD4EQA 23:46 UTC 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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[amsat-bb] KJ6TVO “Pursuing My Childhood Dream”
by Trevor . 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

Ali Guarneros Luna KJ6TVO was one of the team who worked on TechEdSat that launches with four other CubeSats to the ISS in a few hours time. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9058 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Guildford Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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Re: Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Anniversary
by andy thomas 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

...is being remembered as we speak by IQ1TW (I have just worked them on HF). I remember my dad waking me up and saying "you must see this, son" - GW1MLA, SK 73 de andy g0sfj

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http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasabare.txt
by Thomas Doyle 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

Anyone else notice that a few sats (AO-27, FO-29) seem to be missing from the list http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasabare.txt It could just be a problem on my end. -- Sent from my computer. tom ...

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Fo-29
by Lawn, Richard 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

I just tried fo-29 from fn21 at about 1pm today. There should have been a good pass in terms of elevation even with my stationary antennas. Nothing hear here not even my cw downlink. I tried a few days ago and had the same results. Isn't me or is the bird not operational? Rick W2JAZ Sent from my iPad http://RickLawn.com

2 1

Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Anniversary
by B J 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

Landing film with added views based on Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter photos: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11_video.html Lunar EVA video restoration: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11_hd-video.html 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Re: Request for help with satellite capable old rig ECHO 70 by KLM
by Prof. Arnaldo Coro Antich 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

Dear amigos : I am new to this list. My very good friend CO6CBF Hector asked me to make a comeback into the ham satellites world. I found an ECHO 70 KLM transceiver that was in bad shape, but that could be repaired. Now it is receiving , but on transmit the power is only 1 Watt. The receive sensitivity is not great, but enough for Hector to make a two way contact with it... Hector has a very good 70 cms band antenna system that really helped. The 70 cms signal level at the input of the first of two output filters is 10 Watts, measured with professional test instruments, but after the filters there is only 1 Watt. I suggested to Hector that he blew hot air over the ceramic trimmers of the two filters in order to remove humidity ... It worked on one of the filters... now there is good power output on the 435 megaHertz segment , but 432 megaHertz is still at the low power output level. FYI, we are not authorized to operate on the 432 megaHertz segment used by the Oscar 7 AO7 ancient satellite... but do have permission to operate on the 435 megaHertz segment that other satellites use. Any information about the ECHO 70 KLM transceiver that can be found will be most useful, as once the rig is in good working conditions it will be used frequently from my EL83td grid square location in downtown Havana, and possibly by mini dx satellite expeditions to other nearby grid squares too. If the files that contain the information about the ECHO 70 KLM rig are large, please send them to: arnaldo.coro at gmail dot com Thanks in advance for your help and hope to make many new friends in my return to the amateur satellites world after many years of absence * I am from the days of Oscar 7, RS 10 and RS 12 and RS 15 * !!!! 73 and DX Arnie Coro CO2KK

2 1

CQ European western coast & South America
by Hector Luis Martinez Sis 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

Hello there! This weekend EL92sd will be into the FO-29 footprint with the European western coast. If any station wants to try a contact, please drop me an email directly. There are some opportunities to try long contacts with South America also. If you are into any footprint and want to try, please drop me an email. The Cubans cannot operate on AO-07 mode B, So FO-29 is our only opportunity for long contacts. 73! Hector, CO6CBF EL92sd *************************************** Genius is one per cent inspiration, and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. -- Thomas A. Edison *************************************** --- Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana http://www.ecured.cu/

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Re: ARISS Video
by Nitin Muttin 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

Michael, Look at the video where Dough Wheelock shopws off HAM Radio contacts from ISS. http://youtu.be/h73EYcyszf8 73 Nitin [VU3TYG]

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KCT Tracker Tuner
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 20 Jul '12

20 Jul '12

I have a Kansas City tracker tuner. Cleaning off the "Stuff not in use shelf". If you have an old computer with an ISA slot or just collecting Satellite relics make a reasonable offer. Original box, manual and the like.

2 1

Successor To Soyuz Delayed
by B J 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2012/07/19/russias-soyuz-replacement-delayed-to… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Yaesu Rotator Repair Services in VK
by Sion Chow Q. C. (9W2QC) 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

Dear All, I have two units of stuck Yaesu rotators (G-5500 azimuth unit and G-2800) that I use for satellite and terrestrial communications and have been finding it difficult to locate repair services around this region. As I will be heading to Sydney, Australia next month, I wonder if there are such repair services available. If anyone has any info, kindly drop me an e-mail off the list. Sorry for the bandwidth and appreciate any help or pointers given. Thank you. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9M2CQC, WQ2C

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South African CubeSat DynaCube
by Trevor . 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9041 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Successful Orion Parachute Test
by B J 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/mpcv/orion_parachute_test.html 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Teachers Institute July 24 at W1AW
by Mark Spencer 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

Hi All, Thanks for your support of the teachers institutes in Sacramento and Dayton last week. Next week is my turn in Newington. For those wanting a contact with W1AW, I will be testing my portable set up for the TI on Sunday July 22 during the 1741Z pass of AO27 in the League parking lot with call W1AW. After the contact, if you would like a card, send me an e-mail to my address below and I'll take care of it. I'd appreciate it if you could give us some demonstration contacts on Tuesday July 24 during the 1824Z pass of AO27. The TI curriculum is packed full of activities, therefore I can only spare that time for the satellite demonstrations. Thanks, Mark Mark Spencer, WA8SME Education and Technology Program Director ARRL, the national association for Amateur RadioTM 43 Pinelock Dr. Gales Ferry, CT 06335 860-381-5335 860-460-1139 (cell) mspencer(a)arrl.org

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HudsonValleySatcomGroupNet Tonight7/19@8PM Eastern
by cotejaune2＠aol.com 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

It is time again for the HVSGNet tonight @ 8PM Eastern on N2EYH-L Echolink and on the MtBeacon repeater 146.970 pl 100. Please join us for the Net. All the cool people will be there. 73 Gary wa2aqh and Tom kc2dtq

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Aeneas CubeSat to deploy 2.4 GHz dish antenna
by Trevor . 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

Aeneas is planned to launch August 2. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9034 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Guildford Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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ARISS Video
by Michael Chen 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

Hi, I am looking for a video clip about ARISS contact (or it's not actually amateur radio but a show of ISS-ground communication), which is taken in live HD video in the ISS of three astronauts as well as on the ground. The astronauts answer the questions asked by the ground like we do in ARISS. I saw this video in the lobby of NASA HQ in Washington, DC. It's something like IMAX Space Station but it's not. Can anybody tell me the name of this video? Michael Chen, BD5RV/4 AMSAT-China: http://www.camsat.cn ----------------------------------- Twitter: http://twitter.com/bd5rv Email: michael.bd5rv(a)gmail.com MSN: bd5rv(a)jsdxc.org Skype: michael-bd5rv

5 6

SO-50 during 0215 UTC pass
by Bryan Herbert 19 Jul '12

19 Jul '12

I was doing a demo for the Santa Clarita Amateur Radio Club during the 0215 UTC pass. I know I made contact with K6YK in CM97 but then another station called, I want to say it was K0OU in EM28, however it was the end of the pass and there's just too much static on the recorder for play back. Does anyone else have a copy of the audio that they can send me? -- Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP Newhall, CA. DM04RJ USA http://bryanherbert.com http://twitter.com/ke6zgp

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Live TV broadcast for launch of HTV-3 CubeSats
by Trevor . 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

FSpace have released an update on HTV-3 launch preparations. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9006 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

ISS
by Kevin Deane 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

Was working on 437.550 better than normal if anyone is interested. Kevin KF7MYK

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2012 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors Elections
by Alan P. Biddle 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

Current members of AMSAT-NA, The AMSAT-NA Board of Directors election ballots and candidate biographies are in the mail, along with the registration for the 2012 AMSAT symposium in Orlando. This year there are 6 candidates for 3 regular directors with 2 year terms, and 2 alternates for 1 year terms. For those who find the minutes of the previous AMSAT-NA Board of Directors meeting helpful, it will be in the current issue of the AMSAT Journal, which is in the mail. The candidates are: Tom Clark, K3IO Steve Coy, K8UD Mark Hammond, N8MH Lou McFadin, W5DID Gould Smith, WA4SXM Patrick E. Stoddard, WD9EWK As usual, to be counted the ballots must be received at AMSAT-NA headquarters by September 15th, 2012. 73s, Alan WA4SCA AMSAT-NA Corporate Secretary

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Fwd: [PNWVHFS] Satellite ANTENNA System for Sale Pluss M2 2M18xxx Antenna FOR SALE
by Bob- W7LRD 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

I am fowarding this for a local ham... 73 Bob W7LRD ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "LARRY CORREA" <cess120(a)msn.com> To: PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 10:26:43 AM Subject: Re: [PNWVHFS] Satellite ANTENNA System for Sale Pluss M2 2M18xxx Antenna FOR SALE Hello Group, I have the following Antenna's for Sale. 1ea M2 2M18xxx Yagi 2 meter's $299 or best offer excellent condition 1ea Amateur Satellite system includes $1500 or best offer a. GM RT-424 Tapered Tower with GM thrust bearing b. 2ea Yaesu G-5400B Az/EL rotators and 2ea 100ft control cables, 2ea controller,s c. 1ea fiber glass cross bar d. 1ea Yaseu GS-232B Computer Controller e. 1ea KLM 2m-4x 2 mtr antenna 4 element beam f. 1ea Diamond 430mhz 15 element Beam g.misc coax We are having a new roof put on so took everything down. I don't plan on doing Amateur Satelite in the future. This system has performed well for me. K7QDH cess120(a)msn.com<mailto:[email protected]> -- ~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group. To post to this group, send email to PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to PNWVHFS-unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS

1 0

For Sale - Diamond SX40C SWR/PWR Meter 144-470 MHz
by Peter Sils 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

Diamond SX40C Cross Needle SWR/PWR Meter 144-470 MHz. New $79.95 – asking $65 shipped cont. U.S. http://www.rfparts.com/diamond/sx40c.html I used this twice and put it away. It is like new. You will think you bought it from a dealer! PSE Email: KD0AA at Yahoo.Com TNX for reading! 73 Peter KD0AA

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PongSats
by Trevor . 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

This seems like a good way to get young people interested in space See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=8999 73 Trevor M5AKA

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CO6CBF/p FL02
by Hector Luis Martinez Sis 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

Hello there! If anyone still needs FL02, I will be in a work trip to Villa Clara province and I will try to operate on the 1939utc AO-27 pass. 73! Hector, CO6CBF *************************************** Genius is one per cent inspiration, and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. -- Thomas A. Edison *************************************** --- Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana http://www.ecured.cu/

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Herringbone Log Periodic Antenna
by Joe Lowenthal 18 Jul '12

18 Jul '12

In June there was an email about the Herringbone Log Periodic's which were used at Dayton. Can someone give me that link? Thanks &73, Joe WA4OVO EM55

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CG3B Special Event on Satellites
by John Papay 17 Jul '12

17 Jul '12

A station in FN03 using the callsign CG3B was worked on the 0020z SO-50 pass on 18 July. It is a special event callsign commemorating 200 years of friendship between Canada and the US (after the War of 1812). The operator was unknown. QRZ.com indicates that the callsign will be used during the entire month of July. The QSL card will be mailed using a special issue 1812 Canadian stamp. QSL to VE3FOI. The sponsor is the Niagara Peninsula ARC. 73, John K8YSE

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XE3DX on EL60 Today
by David Maciel 17 Jul '12

17 Jul '12

EL60 will work from now on AO27 Pass XE for 14:58, 19:58 UTC ... from the Mexican Caribbean. David Maciel

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WTB a "beater" FT-817 for sat rx
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 17 Jul '12

17 Jul '12

I'm looking for an inexpensive FT-817 (don't care it's a "D" or "ND" model.) It doesn't need to be cosmetically pretty. I don't necessarily need any of the accessories. Not interested in "packages" with all the accessories and after market accessories unless it's really, really cheap. Need it for a satellite-related project. Email off-list please. Thanks & 73 Clayton W5PFG

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SkyCube launches Funding Campaign on Kickstarter
by Trevor . 17 Jul '12

17 Jul '12

The ArduSat CubeSat project recently succeeded in raising donations of $106,330 in just 30 days on Kickstarter. Now another amateur radio CubeSat project SkyCube is using Kickstarter to raise $82,500 See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=8955 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium Guildford takes place Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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antennas for portable use
by Thomas Doyle 17 Jul '12

17 Jul '12

I did a lot of comparisons between my Elk and Arrow II. My results were exactly the same as those of WD9EWK/VA7EWK but I was never sure why the Elk performed better. Comparison tests I have been running between a DIAMOND A430S10R and an Olde Antennas 7CP-70cm have given me an insight as to why the Elk works so much better. The tests between the Diamond and the Olde were the most inconclusive tests I have ever run until suddenly my ancient grey cells managed to figure it out. The Diamond has a longer boom which gives it more gain. The Olde has a very short boom but is circularly polarized. I had them mounted on opposite ends of the cross boom with a switch for quick comparisons. During part of a pass the Diamond would work better. During other parts of the pass the Olde would work better. The chart at the top of the SV1BSX web page holds the answer. http://sv1bsx.50webs.com/antenna-pol/polarization.html When the orientation of the sat antenna lines up with the Diamond it works better and continues to work better until the sat rotates to the point where the cross polarization loss cancels the gain advantage the Diamond has over the Olde at which point the Olde works better... What has this to do with the Elk - Arrow comparison. Since the 2M and 70cm antennas on the Arrow are mounted at right angles to one another we have a problem when working linear polarized sats. If the Arrow is turned to maximize the downlink signal it is automatically turning the uplink antenna to the angle that will maximize the uplink cross polarization loss of up to 30 dB. I do my testing on the linear sats and listen to my own downlink signal. When the Arrow is rotated to maximize the the received signal my best guess is that it is turned off the angle of the sat antenna. This would spread the cross polarization loss between the uplink and downlink antennas. The exact offset angle would depend on transmit power, receive sensitivity and a ton of other things. There is nothing wrong with the Arrow II it just can not work as well as the Elk on linear sats unless you have a quick wrist and rotate the antenna between transmit and receive. Even if you have very quick wrists resulting from a miss spent youth playing foosball there still is a problem. Trying to figure out the angle to turn the antenna during transmit is all but impossible. Since the sat is rotating the angle for transmit is not always 90 degrees from the angle for receive. All antennas work to some degree and all this stuff is only important if you are trying to maximize performance. 73 W9KE Tom Doyle On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 3:28 PM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) <amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net> wrote: > Norm, > > I use an Elk log periodic for AO-7 and all my other satellite work. I am > able to work passes to the predicted LOS time, subject to local > surroundings. > I was only able to work down to 4 or 5 degrees elevation with my Arrow > dual-band Yagi, before I switched to the Elk. You can see this setup > in action working satellites - including AO-7 mode B - in some of > my videos at: http://youtube.com/va7ewk > > For AO-7 in mode A, the Elk is my 2m antenna, and a Buddipole dipole > on its tripod and telescoping mast is used for the 10m downlink. > Since this requires more setup, and the 10m downlink is weaker > than the 2m downlink, I don't work mode A very much. > > 73! > > > > > Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK > http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > > > On Monday, July 16, 2012, Lizeth Norman wrote: > >> Hi all! >> Just wanted some comments as to what ops are using for AO-7 portable. >> More importantly, some info on how they perform near loss of signal. >> Pictures of antenna arrays would be greatly appreciated. >> Norm n3ykf >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <javascript:;>. 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 -- Sent from my computer. tom ...

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Circularity question.
by Tom Gentry 17 Jul '12

17 Jul '12

Do I go RHCP on the downlink and LHCP for the uplink or vice versa for Mode B? I may add RH/LH switching later but for now my new antennas will be fixed. Is there a reference that speaks to this issue? 73, Tom K5VOU

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Possible Delay For Mars Science Laboratory Landing Telemetry
by B J 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av028/120716relay/ 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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ao-7 antennas for portable use
by Lizeth Norman 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

Hi all! Just wanted some comments as to what ops are using for AO-7 portable. More importantly, some info on how they perform near loss of signal. Pictures of antenna arrays would be greatly appreciated. Norm n3ykf

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If you can't get enough Bob Bruninga
by Thomas Doyle 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

Very interesting article by Bob on page 41 of the August 2012 QST. 73 W9KE Tom Doyle

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Max Range Sat Contacts - Question
by Thomas Doyle 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

The recent record contact between OM3BD and AC0RA peaked my interest in the subject. Congratulations and thanks to both of them. Stuff like this gets even old geezers like me excited. This is slightly technical and there is a question. I was testing my pass prediction program and found that my program indicated that a contact between my location and JO41KW was not possible. I use JO41KW since it is sort of on the edge and DK1TB lives there. I checked and found that SatPC32 indicated that a contact was possible using FO-29. I knew that nothing could be wrong with SatPC32 so I dug a little deeper. You may know this but FO-29 is a little different than most of the other LEO satellites. It has a very high eccentricity compared to the rest of the fleet. To try and speed up my calculations I was calculating the diameter of the coverage circle and comparing it to the distance between the two locations. If the distance between the stations was longer than the coverage circle diameter I dumped it. This worked fine for everything but FO-29. With the current LEO sats it is easy to forget about eccentricity. There is a difference between the minimum and maximum coverage circle diameter of 910 miles for FO-29. By comparison AO-27 has only a 67 mile variation. QUESTION: This eccentricity might result in a longer delay between good passes for max range contacts. You need the satellite to be in the right spot and at the max altitude to get a max range contact. The unknown at this point is the effect of inclination. It seems as if a satellite with a very low inclination and stations are located at high latitudes could result in a condition where a contact would not be possible even though the distance between them is within the coverage circle diameter. With the speed of our present computers and the simplicity of the calculations it is easy to just brute force it and check to see if contacts are possible but I wonder if anyone has looked at the effect of inclination and station latitude on max range. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AO-27 Min Elev: 0 Coverage Circle Diameter (Miles): 3756.9 To 3823.1 Location1 Lat: 43.104167 Long: -89.458333 Grid: EN53GC Location2 Lat: 51.937500 Long: 8.875000 Grid: JO41KW Distance between locations (Miles): 4270.3 Contact theoretically not possible using AO-27 Theoretically possible using: AO-07 Coverage Circle Diameter (Miles): 4896.0 To 4932.4 FO-29 Coverage Circle Diameter (Miles): 3814.7 To 4724.8 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 73 W9KE Tom Doyle

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Call for Papers--2007 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 26th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held September 28-30, 2007 in Hartford, Connecticut. These papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings (you do NOT need to attend the conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings). The submission deadline is July 31, 2007. Please send papers to: Maty Weinberg ARRL 225 Main St Newington, CT 06111 or you can make your submission via e-mail to: maty(a)arrl.org Papers will be published exactly as submitted and authors will retain all rights. 73 . . . Steve, WB8IMY ARRL

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SO-50
by Jim Adams 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

Does anyone have a recording of the July 16, 2012 0230z SO-50 pass? I made several contacts but my recorder didn't work. Thanks. Jim - K0BAM

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ZACUBE-1 Mode L/S Transponder
by Trevor . 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

One of the mission objectives of ZACUBE-1 is a 115200 bps L-Band to S-band data transponder. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/8930 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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