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Recording of AMSAT-UK 80m Net + KJ6TVO Careers Night
by Trevor . 11 Mar '12

11 Mar '12

The AMSAT-UK 80m Net takes place on Sundays at 10am UK local time (currently GMT). A recording of todays net can be heard via http://www.uk.amsat.org/5626 Newcomers are most welcome to call-in to the net. Also on the AMSAT-UK site is a video of Ali KJ6TVO at a Careers Night http://www.uk.amsat.org/5621 73 Trevor M5AKA

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WAS
by Kevin Deane 11 Mar '12

11 Mar '12

Looks like I need SC, WV, and ME. I am not in any kind of rush by any means, I am sure if anyone else needs these we can work together. Kevin KF7MYK

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Satchat
by Vince Waelti 11 Mar '12

11 Mar '12

Hi all, just letting everyone know they are welcome to participate in the weekly SatChat held on the *AMSAT* server on EcoLink. -L AND -R links allowed as well. Everyone is welcome. I will be net control. (this gives you a chance to talk with the people you hear on the birds) As usual, I will call up at 7PM CENTRAL TIME & close down at 8:30PM CENTRAL TIME. That's 8-9:30pm eastern, 5-6:30 pacific. Thanks! Vince Waelti, K9TSU *Net Controller for the Sat-Chat *Green County ARES/SKYWARN *Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN * Web -> www.k9tsu.tk <-Web *608-312-0138

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need WV, Del, NC, NH for WAS
by Mervyn Hecht 11 Mar '12

11 Mar '12

I need four more states, WV, Del, NC, and NH for WAS by SAT. If anyone from one of these states can email me to set up a schedule I would appreciate it. Merv, KO6E please email to <mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com>

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WAS via Sat
by Kevin Deane 10 Mar '12

10 Mar '12

So I looked a little closer at my grid map and it seems that Idaho was not the last one after all... :( Kevin KF7MYK

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RAX-2 Success – Anomaly Detected
by Trevor . 10 Mar '12

10 Mar '12

Congratulations to all those involved in the RAX-2 project. http://www.uk.amsat.org/5586 73 Trevor M5AKA

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ISS packet BBS gripe
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 10 Mar '12

10 Mar '12

It would be nice if people would refrain from connecting to the ISS packet mailbox when others are engaged in unproto-mode conversations (making contact between 2 or more live people.) It's especially annoying on weekends during the day. It's apparent that the people who connect to the RS0ISS-11 during a busy pass do not realize how #1 they clog up the channel with retries and #2 they clog up the channel with retries or how they clog up the channel with retries. Obviously if you are on a pass in the middle of the night and can't find a live person through the endless unattended beacons, connecting to the packet BBS isn't as big a deal. OK, I'm done griping. I sure love making contacts via ISS! It's a fun and underrated resource we are truly blessed to have at our disposal. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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UT1FG/MM Power Supply Failure
by John Papay 10 Mar '12

10 Mar '12

Many of us have been following UT1FG/MM as he sails from port to port, operating on the birds and 6 meters. When Yuri left port in Nicaragua a few days ago, he emailed the bad news that his 12v power supply that runs his IC706 had failed and could not be fixed. This prompted an effort to find a way to replace that power supply and insure continued operating as he sails up to Montreal Canada. The solution was eventually found and thanks to the efforts of Captain Manolis Joannou, HP1CQ, Yuri continues to operate. An abbreviated version of the story of International good will and extreme determination to succeed is now posted on my website. This hobby is more than just operating and making contacts. For the rest of the story, please visit this webpage: http://www.papays.com/sat then click on the ut1fg/mm panama link. 73, John K8YSE

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Re: UT1FG/MM Power Supply Failure
by K5OE 10 Mar '12

10 Mar '12

Thanks, John, for your part in this "recovery" and nice chronicling of the event. Yuri sounds as good as always with the new power supply. FWIW, my last VO-52 contact, on what we will likely refer to as "the old transponder," was with Yuri: 28.02.2012 0035 UT1FG/MM VO-52 M-B SSB EJ78 Yuri off coast of Costa Rica 73, Jerry, K5OE

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Eham
by Vince Waelti 09 Mar '12

09 Mar '12

I got an article published on the front page of www.eham.net . Go to the site and you will see it. This was a VERY poor one that I wrote, but I have a better one that I submitted to QST. Vince Waelti, K9TSU *Net Controller for the AMSAT Sat-Chat *Green County ARES/SKYWARN *Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN * Web -> www.k9tsu.tk <-Web *608-312-0138

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ARRL 3400 MHz Bandplan Consultation
by Trevor . 09 Mar '12

09 Mar '12

ARRL have produced a draft bandplan for the 3400 MHz band http://www.arrl.org/files/media/News/9_cm_Band_Plan-Draft.pdf They've got weak signal terrestrial in the lower 300 kHz of 3400 which looks good since it's to our benefit to have the terrestrial weak signal working segment within the satellite allocation. Regions 2 & 3 are fortunate in having a Amateur Satellite allocation at 3400-3410 MHz, I think only Denmark and Norway have that in Region 1. Hopefully IARU/ARRL will be able to acheive a global allocation at a future ITU WRC. ARRL Seeks Comments on Proposed 9 cm Band Plan http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-seeks-comments-on-proposed-9-cm-band-plan 73 Trevor M5AKA

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ISS Symposium 2012, Berlin
by andy thomas 09 Mar '12

09 Mar '12

I'm pleased to confirm I'll be an invited member of the public "with a proven interest in the ISS" at the ISS Berlin Symposium, 2 -4 May 2012. See http://www.isssymposium2012.com/ . Any amsat-ers joining the Symposium please make contact via email - <callsign> - at - <amsat dot org> and we'll enjoy a good beer there together! 73 de andy g0sfj

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New Horizons Stamp Petition + The Hindu article
by Trevor . 09 Mar '12

09 Mar '12

More signatures are needed for the New Horizons stamp petition http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/news_center/news/20120307.php An article on VU2KGB appeared in The Hindu http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/money-and-careers/article2974047.ece 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Connecting Students to Space - European Space Agency (ESA)
by Trevor . 08 Mar '12

08 Mar '12

The GENSO project features in an article in the February 2012 edition of the free magazine ESA Bulletin. A team from AMSAT-UK supported this ESA project by developing a standard ground station specification together with a full set of software drivers for the different hardware items. The amateur radio stations of Graham Shirville G3VZV, Dave Johnson G4DPZ and David Mynatt KA0SWT get a brief mention on page 43. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/5518 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Astronauts Flashing Success
by Trevor . 08 Mar '12

08 Mar '12

Don Pettit KD5MDT describes how he succeeded in receiving signals on a frequency of 650 THz sent by the San Antonio Astronomical Association, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/5499 73 Trevor M5AKA

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AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2012 First Call for Speakers
by Trevor . 08 Mar '12

08 Mar '12

AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2012 First Call for Speakers This is the first call for speakers for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium 2012 which, due to the Olympic & Paralympic Games, will be held the weekend of September 15-16, 2012 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, United Kingdom. This Colloquium will take place 2 weeks before the planned launch of AMSAT-UK's FUNcube-1 satellite carrying a 435/145 MHz linear transponder for SSB/CW communications. http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve AMSAT-UK invites speakers, to cover topics about micro-satellites, CubeSats, nano-sats, space and associated activities, for this event. They are also invited to submit papers for subsequent publishing on the AMSAT-UK web site. We normally prefer authors to present talks themselves rather than having someone else give them in the authors’ absence. We also welcome “unpresented” papers for the web site. We appreciate that it is not always possible to give a firm indication of attendance at this stage but expressions of interest would be appreciated. Submissions should be sent *ONLY* to G4DPZ, via the following routes: e-mail: david dot johnson at blackpepper dot co dot uk Postal address at http://www.qrz.com/db/G4DPZ AMSAT-UK also invite anyone with requests for Program Topics to submit them as soon as possible to G4DPZ. Invitations for any papers on specific subjects will be included in the future call. Likewise if anyone knows of a good speaker, please send contact and other information to G4DPZ. AMSAT-UK http://www.uk.amsat.org/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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FO29 Contact
by K4FEG 08 Mar '12

08 Mar '12

Is anyone in Europe interested in trying to try make a contact on FO29 into the USA? I am in EM55aj, Tennessee. I would like to try and make some contacts into Europe if possible. I have a common footprint into parts of Europe starting around 17:07UTC, anyone interested, please contact me at, _k4feg(a)k4feg.com_. I would be glad to try and make a schedule. Thanks to all the satellite operators in Europe! 73's Frank K4FEG Em55aj

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VO-52 Trxp Switching 'ON' Postponed
by Mani VU2WMY 08 Mar '12

08 Mar '12

Dear Friends, Thanks for the encouraging and supportive expressions! Unfortunately, we are sorry to inform that the 'Expert Committee' overseeing the VO-52 (HAMSAT) performance has advised to extend the 'Observation Period' by an other week. Hence, the decision to switch on the transponder # 2 is now put 'ON HOLD' till further notice. In-convenience caused to the users is regretted. This latest decision is just only a postponement and nothing to worry about the health of the spacecraft. We re-assure you all that VO-52 is very strong and in a 'Perfect Health' condition. We do hope that the technically competent user community would understand the situations involved with any Space related activities. 73 de Mani VU2WMY The following is the latest announcement received from Operations Director-HAMSAT VO-52 at 07:04 Hrs. Dear Sir, Switching ON of HAMSAT Transponder-2 (Dutch) is re-scheduled for the next week. Mr. Subramani VU2WMY, ISAC is requested to convey this message to HAM community. With Best Regards, T PARIMALARANGAN ISTRAC/ISRO Ph: 080 - 2202 9011 (O) 080 - 2535 0132 (R) 0 - 9480333563 (M) 080 - 2202 9062 (F) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Re: [VUHams] VO-52 PE1RAH Trxp Switching 'ON'
by Nitin Muttin 08 Mar '12

08 Mar '12

Thanks Mani for the update and for your follow up / co -ordination with the project team on behalf of AMSAT INDIA. Wishing this activity and PE1RAH all the best. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG] Secretary, AMSAT INDIA ________________________________ From: Mani VU2WMY <wmy(a)isac.gov.in> To: "BB, AMSAT" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; AMSAT-INDIA <amsatindia(a)yahoogroups.com>; VUHAMS <vuhams(a)yahoogroups.com> Cc: PE1RAH <pe1rah(a)yahoo.com>; VU3TYG <vu3tyg(a)yahoo.co.in> Sent: Thursday, 8 March 2012 11:24 AM Subject: [VUHams] VO-52 PE1RAH Trxp Switching 'ON' Dear VO-52 (HAMSAT) users, On behalf of HAMSAT VO-52 Mission Director, Operations Director and the entire HAMSAT Team, I take pleasure to inform the user community that; After the 'In-Orbit Maintenance Operations' the decision to turn 'ON' the payload transponder was taken and accordingly; The Transponder No 2 i.e. The Dutch Transponder made by William Leijenaar PE1RAH would be switched 'ON' at 13:51 UT on 08.03.2012 during orbit # 37006 over India. A 'Critical Comparative Signal Report' between the Indian and Dutch transponder would be of great help for further evaluations and necessary actions for the maintenance the transponder in good and healthy condition for better services and also, the inputs would be very valuable to the respective transponder designers. We all hope, Williams PE1RAH would be very happy with our decision and behalf of every one here in India involved with project, wish Williams and his transponder all the very best and good luck. Thanks to AMSAT-India (Nitin VU3TYG) for the all the help and co-ordination provided. 73 de Mani, VU2WMY Secretary & Station-In-Charge Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC ISRO Satellite Centre HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. Phone:(O)91-80-25082054/2598/2192 Mobile: 91-80-98803 41456 E-mail ID: wmy(a)isac.gov.in vu2wmy_mani(a)yahoo.com isrohams(a)yahoo.com Note: Below pasted is the 'Official Announcement' received from Mr.Parimalarangan, Operations Director VO-52 (HAMSAT). ---------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING SWITCHING ON OF THE PAYLOAD TRANSPONDER-2 (Dutch) ONBOARD HAMSAT I HAMSAT was launched on 5 May 2005. Since then, the Indian Payload transponder is in operation, but for a brief period, wherein, Dutch Transponder was kept ON II Now, it is planned to switch ON the Payload Transponder-2 (Dutch) on 8 March 2012 / 13:57 Hrs. UT III Details of the Second Payload Transponder: Uplink frequency : 435.250 MHz Downlink frequency : 145.900 MHz Beacon : CW at 145.859330 MHz (145.86 MHz) Output level of Beacon Carrier : 18 dBm IV Please send your feedback to tprangan(a)istrac.org (Mobile: 0-9480 333 563) T.PARIMALARANGAN Operations Director (NP), HAMSAT ISTRAC/ISRO 8 March 2012 04:35 Hrs. UT ---------------------------------------------------------- Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ---------------------------------------------------------- __._,_.___ Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: * New Members 2 * New Photos 22 Visit Your Group One World, One Language, Amateur Radio... <p> To Unsubscribe, send a mail to vuhams-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use . __,_._,___

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VO-52 PE1RAH Trxp Switching 'ON'
by Mani VU2WMY 08 Mar '12

08 Mar '12

Dear VO-52 (HAMSAT) users, On behalf of HAMSAT VO-52 Mission Director, Operations Director and the entire HAMSAT Team, I take pleasure to inform the user community that; After the 'In-Orbit Maintenance Operations' the decision to turn 'ON' the payload transponder was taken and accordingly; The Transponder No 2 i.e. The Dutch Transponder made by William Leijenaar PE1RAH would be switched 'ON' at 13:51 UT on 08.03.2012 during orbit # 37006 over India. A 'Critical Comparative Signal Report' between the Indian and Dutch transponder would be of great help for further evaluations and necessary actions for the maintenance the transponder in good and healthy condition for better services and also, the inputs would be very valuable to the respective transponder designers. We all hope, Williams PE1RAH would be very happy with our decision and behalf of every one here in India involved with project, wish Williams and his transponder all the very best and good luck. Thanks to AMSAT-India (Nitin VU3TYG) for the all the help and co-ordination provided. 73 de Mani, VU2WMY Secretary & Station-In-Charge Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC ISRO Satellite Centre HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. Phone:(O)91-80-25082054/2598/2192 Mobile: 91-80-98803 41456 E-mail ID: wmy(a)isac.gov.in vu2wmy_mani(a)yahoo.com isrohams(a)yahoo.com Note: Below pasted is the 'Official Announcement' received from Mr.Parimalarangan, Operations Director VO-52 (HAMSAT). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING SWITCHING ON OF THE PAYLOAD TRANSPONDER-2 (Dutch) ONBOARD HAMSAT I HAMSAT was launched on 5 May 2005. Since then, the Indian Payload transponder is in operation, but for a brief period, wherein, Dutch Transponder was kept ON II Now, it is planned to switch ON the Payload Transponder-2 (Dutch) on 8 March 2012 / 13:57 Hrs. UT III Details of the Second Payload Transponder: Uplink frequency : 435.250 MHz Downlink frequency : 145.900 MHz Beacon : CW at 145.859330 MHz (145.86 MHz) Output level of Beacon Carrier : 18 dBm IV Please send your feedback to tprangan(a)istrac.org (Mobile: 0-9480 333 563) T.PARIMALARANGAN Operations Director (NP), HAMSAT ISTRAC/ISRO 8 March 2012 04:35 Hrs. UT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Satellite Group in Cuba
by Hector Luis Martinez Sis 08 Mar '12

08 Mar '12

We are pleased to inform that: The Cuban Amateur Radio Federation (FRC) has created its first officially Satellite Group in the history. Raydel CM2ESP, CO7WT Pavel and I were working on the statutes and made the request to the FRC headquarters. The request was approved on March 3rd and its official name is Grupo de Radioaficionados para Operaciones Satelitales (GROS). Its principal mission is: promote the Amateur radio by Satellites in our country and motivate the Hams to operate on Satellites. Now, we are planning our first Meeting in Havana city. 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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DELAWARE
by Mervyn Hecht 07 Mar '12

07 Mar '12

Can anyone give me a lead to any station in Delaware on any satellite? Is anyone even alive in Delaware? Please reply to <mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com>. Merv KO6E

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WB2SIH OPERATION
by waf3153＠aol.com 07 Mar '12

07 Mar '12

I will be leaving New York early thursday ( 3/08) >on a trip to EL99. I will be traveling on interstate route 95. I >will do my best to be on the SO50 and AO27 passes. The higher passes >i will most likely operate mobile from and the lower passes i will >try to stop and use the arrow. All of the operating plans >are? tentative, but I will do my best to be active whenever possible >during the trip.? ?73, Buff WB2SIH

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Amateur Radio Spacecraft LightSail-1
by Trevor . 07 Mar '12

07 Mar '12

This is one way to increase the orbit of a satellite use a solar sail. Some information on the LightSail program at http://www.uk.amsat.org/5430 73 Trevor M5AKA

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DQ0STRATEX VHF & UHF Balloon Mission March 10
by Rob Styles 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

Hope this helps. http://www.uk.amsat.org/5418 also via Twitter @amsat_uk Rob M0TFO

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DQ0STRATEX VHF & UHF Balloon Mission March 10
by JoAnne Maenpaa 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

Hello everyone, Here a news item which would be too late if we waited for the weekend AMSAT News Service ANS bulletin cycle: Perhaps our friends in range of Europe would be interested in ... DL, GERMANY DQ0STRATEX is a special event call on the occasion of the stratospheric balloon project (StratexB) planned for March 2012 by the local DARC clubs Duelmen (N28) and Luedinghausen (N29). They plan to send an amateur radio load, consisting of an APRS and a speech beacon, to the stratosphere with this balloon project. Another payload will be added by the HAMs of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Bremen (I04) with an experimental ADS-B receiver. The special event station DQ0STRATEX is active in all modes on all bands between Jan 13,2012, and Jan 31, 2013, handing out the special DOK STRATEXB. They have two balloon missions planned, on Mar 10 around 0930 UTC and on Mar 24 around 1600 UTC, both starting on the airport at Borkenberge near Luedinghausen. The APRS beacon is transmitting on 144.800 MHz and the speech beacon in FM on 430.375 MHz. SWL reports are highly appreciated (also online). QSL cards via DK4REX. See also: http://www.darc.de/distrikte/n/29 [ANS thanks the DXNL 1770 - Mar 7, 2012 DX Newsletter for the above information] -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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Re: VO-52 Not Heard
by Nitin Muttin 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

All, We are aware of the current situation. Myself and Mani, VU2WMY tried listening to the beacon and work thru the satellite during the 04:05 UTC pass over India ( 6 degree elevation) on Feb 29th but nothing was heard. I will post further updates when I hear from ISRO on the current status and next steps. Please submit your reports at www.oscar.dcarr.org or drop me a email. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG] Secretary, AMSAT INDIA Hi John, K8YSE Transponder and Beacon of VO-52 where also not heard over Europe at 17:55 UTC orbit Nr 36876 28 Feb 2012 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Papay" <john(a)papays.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 3:03 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] VO-52 Not Heard > VO-52 was not heard over the US at 1330z, 28Feb2012. > Reports on oscar.dcarr.org at 1100z also say that it > was not heard over Europe. > > Please listen for VO-52 and submit reports to > the oscar.dcarr.org website. > > 73, > John K8YSE

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Masat-1 (MO-72)
by Carl Rimmer W8KRF 06 Mar '12

06 Mar '12

Masat-1, also named MO-72 by AMSAT, is Object E. 73, -- *Carl W8KRF*

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Masat-1
by David Hopkins 05 Mar '12

05 Mar '12

Gentlemen, Can anyone please tell me what is the correct International designator is for the Masat-1 satellite. Several satellites were ejected at the same time and numbered 38079 to 38085 Which is Masat-1 Thanks David David G. Hopkins (VK4ZF CAPALABA QLD AUSTRALIA 27.32.38S 153.12.03E QG62OL Skype :- davhop

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need WV, DEL and GA for WAS
by Mervyn Hecht 05 Mar '12

05 Mar '12

Can anyone give me a lead to any stations on FO-29 or other sat in West VA, DEL or GA? Please reply direct to me at <mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com>

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Cincinnati Hams send Photo via satellite
by Trevor . 05 Mar '12

05 Mar '12

Nice story in the press: http://www.uk.amsat.org/5394 73 Trevor M5AKA

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BP Solar Panel Liquadation
by Bob Bruninga 05 Mar '12

05 Mar '12

If you live in San Bernadino, Calif and need some solar power for your shack (house) I have heard that BP solar is liquidating over 210,000 panels and an unknown number of string inverters, sunnboy, fronius, etc BUT all of them are out near SanBernadio, Ca (except for a few in europe and Australia). I have not investigated at all, since I am too far away. Heard about it on the SolarDIY(a)yahoogroups.com which is a group of mostly hams interested in Solar and renewables. Bob, Wb4APR

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Net
by Vince Waelti 05 Mar '12

05 Mar '12

Thanks all who checked into the *AMSAT* server on Echolink on Saturdays at 7Pm central time to 8:30pm Central time. THANKS AGAIN! This will be a weekly thing! Connect your -L and -R nodes if you can! Vince Waelti, K9TSU *Net Controller for the Sat-Chat *Green County ARES/SKYWARN *Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN * Web -> www.k9tsu.tk <-Web *608-312-0138

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Re: Motor for Yaesu G5500 Azimuth Rotator?
by David Palmer KB5WIA 05 Mar '12

05 Mar '12

Hi Clive, I haven't heard of failures of the controller or software directly, but this could happen. A more common problem might be mis-calibration, in that if your elevation rotor reads only 175 degrees and your software and controller is trying to send it to 180 degrees, the thing will keep going until it shuts off at the limit switches in the rotor itself (G5500). I've seen this before, no problem since the limit switches are fairly robust, but something to keep an eye on. I plan to use the thermal cut-outs for the extra protection as soon as I get a repaired / replacement motor to work with. Yesterday I built a jig for bench testing the rotor. Cables and connectors are still on the mast, so I needed a way to connect the 7-pin connector to the controller manually, also to a scope to verify alignment of the 500-ohm pot sensor. Made jig from 6 individual connectors through clear plexiglass, broken out to six terminals on side. That will help with alignment during reassembly. Also spent some time figuring out how the brake goes together - seems I didn't manage to get photos of it as I took it off of the motor before shipping it out, and just yesterday noticed the spring in there and puzzled over how the heck it works. Think I have it figured out, though. Dave KB5WIA On Feb 26, 2012 4:24 AM, "Clive Wallis" <list1(a)g3cwv.co.uk> wrote:

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Re: G5500 az rotor repair
by David Palmer KB5WIA 04 Mar '12

04 Mar '12

Hi Ken, Yes, that green to black value of 2.5 sounds suspicious - the two winding halves should have pretty similar resistances. If the brake is okay, likely the motor is shorted, unfortunately. Dave On Mar 4, 2012 3:52 PM, "Ken Swaggart" <k.swaggart(a)charter.net> wrote: > > Dave, > Thanks for the info! I still need to check that brake. Suspect I put it back together wrong. > > My resistance readings are: > Red to black = 3.7 Ohms > Green to black = 2.5 Ohms > Total series = 6 Ohms > > Guess those values are “close enough”? Worried about that green to black value. > > Tnx, > Ken

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RAMPART CubeSat to use propulsion + Articles Needed
by Trevor . 04 Mar '12

04 Mar '12

Students at Morehead State University are building a 2U Cubesat with a propulsion system that will raise the apogee of its orbit from 500 km to 1200 km. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/5364 We invite you to write an article for the AMSAT-UK publication OSCAR NEWS http://www.uk.amsat.org/5362 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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Round the world APRS balloon
by Bob Bruninga 04 Mar '12

04 Mar '12

An around the world balloon attempt will be made sometime next week. The payload is about the size of two 9v batteries (50 grams) and will be carried by 10 underinflated party balloons above 40,000 feet in the Jet Stream. The balloon will only have CW battery, Inside and Outside temp data. All tracking will be done by DFing on 28.223 MHz. Ideallly, everyone with APRS will enter DF reports using the built-in DF functions in most clients so that the track can be plotted. Those without APRS can email DF headings to the indicated address. The web page is in work but will simply be APRS.ORG to keep the CW short. We are busy finishing it. Anything new will be posted on the web page when we know it. Bob, WB4APR

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AMSAT-BB from K9TSU
by Vince Waelti 04 Mar '12

04 Mar '12

Hello fellow ham-ers, I am proud to say that I will start a Saturday Night Sat-Chat on the *AMSAT* Echolink server. This will be Saturday Nights, every Saturday Night, from 7PM central time to 8:30pm central time. That's 0100 Sunday (UTC) to 0230 Sunday (UTC). I will be 'net manager,' but this is an open net. Every satellite operator is welcome to jump in. This will basically be a large round-table, and after every rotation people are welcome to jump in. I will not be "net control." There won't be a "net control." Just a place/time for an open net of satellite operators or hams wanting to be satellite operators to ask questions or talk about that rare satellite DX. Feel free to connect your -L or -R nodes, or just yourself. Please keep the participants to hams that are interested in becoming satellite ops or are already satellite ops, or ones that are curious what this is about. Thanks, K9TSU, Vince, en52, Wisconsin. Vince R. Waelti, K9TSU Green County ARES/RACES Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN www.k9tsu.tk 608.312.0138

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2MIEUB/P N.E SCOTLAND 24/3/12 QRV SATS
by paul robinson 04 Mar '12

04 Mar '12

Hi group 2m1eub operations start this year 24/3/12 for 7 days from scotland east coast.opperating from the van. Ill post more info via the bb . main opp will be AO7 B/A mode other sats poss. qrz.com/2m1eub for more info. paul 2E1EUB/2M1EUB

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Echolink Net
by Vince Waelti 03 Mar '12

03 Mar '12

Hello all, I will run the new "open" net called the "Sat-Chat" on the *AMSAT* server on EchoLink. Feel free to connect your -L or -R (or your self [user]) to that server at 7PM Central time tonight until 8:30PM Central time tonight. (As well as every Saturday) If you plan on having your -L or -R connected to the server for the net, please email me back at k9tsu(at)hotmail(dot)com . This will be a great oppertunity for all to meet the others in the satellite world you may have exchanged with! THANKS! Vince Waelti, K9TSU *Green County ARES/SKYWARN *Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN * Web -> www.k9tsu.tk <-Web *608-312-0138

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COMPASS-1 - End of mission
by Mike Rupprecht 03 Mar '12

03 Mar '12

Dear supporters and friends of our COMPASS-1 mission, first, let me thank you very much for your support in trying to save the life of our COMPASS-1 satellite during the last days, but also during the last years of "routine" operations. It seems that our mission now comes to an end. The projected lifetime of COMPASS-1 was half a year. The tiny guy has outperformed this value by a factor of more than seven. April 28th would have been it's 4th birthday and if it was a human, it would now be about 500 years old (Cubesat-years are short). So, if you have more important things to do (and I guess so), we can not expect you to continue your efforts in saving its live. With your support, you have made things possible that we would never have been able to achieve with our own resources and I appreciate your support very much. So, COMPASS-1, rest in peace. (Nevertheless, if you still want to try to awake it from the dead, feel free to do so.) I hope that we will soon be able to build and launch COMPASS-2 and that you will be still available, all over the world, as a ground station to command and fly our new bird. We will keep you informed. Cheers and thanks for all, Bernd _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Prof. Dr. Bernd Dachwald Faculty of Aerospace Engineering FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences

2 1

Sat Jinks and 67 update
by mm0kjg 03 Mar '12

03 Mar '12

Hello guy's and gals Is there any news on Hamsat 52 and 67 yet. Am starting to think am a Jinks since I bought my ic-910 Last year there seems to be less and less operable satellites . For some reason I cant seem to work so50 or ao27 never seem to hear anything in Edinburgh Scotland using my arrow antenna or my rooftop vertical. Apart for all the doom hope everyone is well. Cheers 73's Kev De MM0KJG

2 1

OT: NASA TV on DISH Network
by Perry Yantis 03 Mar '12

03 Mar '12

Yes Direct TV still has the NASA on channel 289 Perry WB8OTH py41(a)att.net sent from my Apple IMac

1 0

Fw: Re: VO-52 Not Heard
by i8cvs 03 Mar '12

03 Mar '12

Hi Nitin, VU3TYG What news from ISRO about VO-52 ? TNX 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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OT: NASA TV on DISH Network
by Armando Mercado 03 Mar '12

03 Mar '12

Hello, Sorry for the off topic post. Does anyone out there with DIRECT TV service know if DIRECT still carries the NASA TV Public feed? DISH TV has stop airing the of the Public feed and instead airs the Educational feed. I'm getting no where with DISH's customer service and looking to make a change. Thanks, Armando N8IGJ

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LA4FPA Norway
by Wyatt Dirks 03 Mar '12

03 Mar '12

LA4FPA will be qrv on the birds AO7 and FO29 looking to work stations in the US this weekend. I don't have specific details but if you see he is in the footprint listen around and see if you can't work him. 73 Wyatt AC0RA

2 1

Fun Balloon
by Kevin Deane 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

Our club was thinking of doing a balloon, does anyone remeber the last couple clubs that did that? I am finding the most important part will be the parachute thinga ma jig...Not that we care about the package, just dont want to kill anybody... :) Kevin KF7MYK

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MURSAT1 - An Austrian TubeSat
by Trevor . 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

A presentation from two of team behind Austria's first TubeSat, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/5317 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

Jarrah White - SpaceX Dragon Video
by Trevor . 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2t2iPUSx1c 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re Cushcraft A430-11S
by MIKE HOOLES 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

Hi guys, I'm looking at putting an unused Cushcraft A430-11s antenna into service. The clained gain is 13.2dBd and a front to back ratio of 20dB. This seems good for a 4.7 ft long 11 element antenna. Has anybody any knowledge of how good it really is? Regards Mike G3LGR

2 1

March-3 manned glider, March-17 Balloon
by Amsat Argentina 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

We are pleased to inform next Saturday March-3 2012 (if weather permits) from 12hs (GMT-3), Amsat-LU and friends will be flying from Zarate (Route 193, km 19 from Buenos Aires) an UV repeater including APRS + SSTV + CW + DTMF thru several flights aboard manned glider, as test for LUSEX (LU Satellite Experiment), being developed by Amsat Argentina. Afterwards on Saturday March-17 from 12hs-LU on (GMT-3), a free Balloon will fly same payload from the city of Junin (Club of Gliders, Lagoon of Gomez), 250Km west of Buenos Aires City. Payload will operate as an UHF to VHF crossband repeater, with CW tlm, APRS location and SSTV emissions in local and space frequencies. According estimates Balloon could reach 100,000 feet height, traveling from 50 to 100 miles towards east. Thus allowing contacts between stations located in provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Entre Rios, Cordoba, La Pampa, San Luis and Uruguay. See coverage map on http://www.amsat.org.ar/junincubr.jpg and possible trajectory in http://www.amsat.org.ar/junin120215.jpg . For these experiences, Amsat-LU works with and it is thankful to hams of Radio Clubs of Junin, QRM Belgrano, APRS Group, Don Bosco Ramos Mejia School, gliders Clubs of Zarate, Junin and Cañuelas, and the twelve Amsat-LU members development team as well as those who have actively participated and sent their reports in previous experiences. More information at http://www.amsat.org.ar/lu4aao/experimento_globo_y_parapente.htm. Several flown experiments have been successfully operated during 2011 in manned-gliders, airplanes, captive and free Balloons allowing operational & practice for hams contributing to platform validaton of LUSEX satellite (LU Satellite EXperiment) on development by Amsat Argentina. More on http://lusex.org.ar In order to monitor the payload (if you are within 400 miles of launch area) you need just an FM receiver either handy or base, in 145.950 for repeater and/or 144.930 for APRS. The repeater, that is activated via 123 Hertz subtone, operates receiving voice FM in 435.950 Khz (-112dbm, 0,56 uV) and emits with 2W the received audio live on 145.950 Khz. Simultaneously APRS data will be sent in Packet at 1200 bauds in 144.930, and also in 145.950. The DTI APRS symbol would change from a Balloon (/O) during the ascent to a glider (/g) during parachute descent. Payload would operate as voice repeater activated by 123 Hz subtone during 1 minute, a warning bip at 40 seconds will indicate telemetry is coming, which is emitted if the repeater is not in use, if in 20 seconds more voice repeater still in use a two bips will be heard signaling that short APRS packages will begin in the different frequencies, also every 5 minutes CW (telegraphy with tones of audio) with CQ + callsign (LU7AA), sequence#, ext. and int. centigrade temperatures and voltage of batteries, after which the cycle will repeat. Experiment for the first time in these flights will emit SSTV pictures in ROBOT-36 (36 seconds) in real time, showing what glider/Balloon sees. Every 5 minutes during ascent/descent and more spaced at high altitudes. (It can be received among others with MIXW, MMSTV & RX-SSTV ). Payload would also carry on board two TV cameras (one towards earth and another towards horizon) recording video and sound during the flight. These captured videos could be recovered when payload is recovered. APRS trajectory could be seen every minute, including speed, height, external and internal temperatures and 7.2v battery voltage using UI-View (download from the UI-View official site on http://www.ui-view.org/) and/or to see/follow from Internet connecting to http://aprs.fi/?call=lu7aa-11 or locally via Packet at specified frequencies. There are georeferenced Maps for UI-View in http://www.amsat.org.ar/junin.jpg, http://www.amsat.org.ar/junin.txt, http://www.amsat.org.ar/zarate.jpg, http://www.amsat.org.ar/zarate.txt, http://www.amsat.org.ar/lachoza.jpg and http://www.amsat.org.ar/lachoza.txt . Download and place them in directory Program Files/Peak Systems/UI-View32/MAPS and rename files .txt to .inf. The experiment in 435.950 KHz besides voice, receives and accepts DTMF sequences commands on demand, I.E. sending B* (DTMF with handy keyboard on UHF) will return S5 ... ..... in 145,950 VHF CW, reporting in CW signal strength received from your station, if S9+10 will returns P10. There are also DTMF commands qualifying emission of CW tlm or APRS beacon or SSTV emission, commands that allows remote release of payload, mode changes, timers control, energy, power, etc. Frequencies for previous coordination, announcements and flights will be 7090 Khz LSB +/-10 Khz and local repeaters. During the flights will remain active wide coverage AMSAT-LU APRS Igate LU7AA-10 on 144.930 and 430.930 KHz, operating from the Constituyentes Investigation Center transferring whatever is received towards Internet. For being an experiment oriented to a next satellite, the contacts made between stations via this payload will be considered valid for the recently announced permanent, gratuitous and applicable Satellite Certificate that AMSAT-LU and RClub QRM Belgrano grants, more info on http://www.amsat.org.ar/certsat.html. During the Balloon flight, amateur groups will chase the payload, aiming to locate and recover. Trapping ventures holds on this activity, as in the case of the Pampero 15 Balloon sent from San Miguel del Monte which landed in the middle of the Magdalena's state prison ... See http://www.lu5egy.com/Proyecto_pampero/vuelo_15/n_1esk.htm All reports welcome. If you wish or can organize or want be part of control, or like to pursuit and recovery, or like operating and capturing data as an independent station, and/or wishes to join us personally in this adventure from the launching places email us to parapente at amsat.org.ar. We appreciate reading of this information and thankful if distribution possible. 73, LU7AA, Amsat-LU, aiming at the future by making the present funny. www.amsat.org.ar info at amsat.org.ar

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Re: G5500 Connector
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

Several years ago, due to corroded pins, I contacted Yaesu for a replacement (the male side). I decided while at it I would get a spare female. The price they quoted before shipping was $100 Plus!!!! I hard wired it!! Used same fix for the on off switch on the control box! K8TL

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CubeSats and TubeSats in March SatMagazine
by Trevor . 02 Mar '12

02 Mar '12

See http://www.uk.amsat.org/5260 73 Trevor M5AKA

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HUDSON VALLEY SATCOM GROUP NET 8PMEASTERN ON N2EYH-L MARCH 01 ECHOLINK
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

Hello all. it is time again for the HVSGN tonight @ 8 PM Eastern.Both Tom and I may be late if we make it for the net tonight. Stew WA2BSS will hold an informal net for us tonight Please check in and say hello. If you have any news for the net please share it with the net..73 Gary wa2aqh/Tomkc2dtq

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attn: any KH6 station!
by K4FEG 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

Any one in Hawaii wanna try Mode B at about 0110UTC on AO7? we have a footprint into EM55 from the Hawaiian Islands for approximately 10 minutes. If anyone is willing to "try" or "listen" to see if they can hear something, please send me a private email and we will set up a schedule and frequency to give it a try. I keep hearing that there are folks on the linear birds in Hawaii but I can never get anyone to try when we have a "footprint" into the central US. If anyone over there wants to try, send me an email and I'll send you my telephone # and we can try and make a schedule! Thanks & help get a "ham" get his 50th state for Satellite WAS! Frank K4FEG

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Lightsquared Analogy
by Bob Bruninga 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

I finally figured out a good analogy about the LightSquared and GPS fiasco. --------------- There is a "music room" where people can go and, with headphones, listen to their own music. No one disturbs anyone else. Everyone is happy. A LightSquared rock band comes into the room and begins to play at max volume, and then insists there should be no problem because the headphones work just fine in providing the isolation between what each person is listening to. Therefore the interference to everyone in the room is not their fault, but the fault of the Headphone Manufacturers! Bob, WB4APR

5 7

Rather frustrating AO-27 pass
by Bryan Herbert 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

I usually have no problems working AO-27 but a few minutes ago during the 2100 UTC pass over DM04 the pass started out with telemetry, some odd beeping and what sounded like packet. The pass was from south to north so like usual Spanish comms were heard but as AO-27 approached max elevation instead of getting a loud signal the bird went quiet and a few seconds later I found it jumped 10 kHz. I tried calling CQ and stations directly but apparently no one heard me. For those of you on at that time was I getting into the bird at all? -- Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP Newhall, CA. DM04RJ USA http://bryanherbert.com http://twitter.com/ke6zgp

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HamRadioNow – AMSAT Edition
by Trevor . 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

In this HamRadioNow video Lou McFadin W5DID describes the ARISSat-1 satellite, using the operational model at the AMSAT booth at the Orlando HamCation. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/5244 73 Trevor M5AKA

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AH0/AE6YW on Satellites from Saipan Feb. 29 - Mar 6
by JoAnne Maenpaa 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

Hello Everyone, Maybe someone will get a good satellite contact! Here is one more news item that would be almost too late if we waited for the weekend ANS news cycle: Just spotted in the DXNL 1769 - Feb 29, 2012 DX Newsletter ... KH0, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, OC-086 Masayoshi,AE6YW/JI1DSO, plans to hit the airwaves as AH0/AE6YW from Saipan (OC-086, USi NI002S, WLOTA 1333, Loc QK25uf) working on 80m-6m and via satellite between Feb 29 and Mar 6. QSL via JA6GMC. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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Fwd: HAMSAT Recovery operatrions - REG.
by Mani VU2WMY 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

Dear HAMSAT VO-52 users, With regrets, we confirm the non-availability of the transponder on HAMSAT VO-52 since 28th February 2012. This is the first ever interruption in the services of HAMSAT since 5th May 2005. The timely feed backs from John K8YSE, Domenico I8CVS, Eugenio IZ8JHD, Jan PE0SAT and Nitin VU3TYG were highly appreciated and acknowledged by the ISRO's HAMSAT Mission Management Board. I,m herewith enclosing the mail received from Mr. T.Parimalarangan, Operations Director-HAMSAT VO-52 regarding the 'Temporary Non-availability' of VO-52 transponder and beacon. ----- Forwarded message from tprangan(a)istrac.org ----- Date: Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:32:43 +0000 From: T PARIMALA RANGAN <tprangan(a)istrac.org> Subject: HAMSAT Recovery operations - REG. To: ""wmy(a)isac.gov.in" <wmy(a)isac.gov.in>, Mr. Subramani VU2WMY: Thanks for obtaining the user feedback. You may please post the following message in the Users website. If possible, try to find out who has last operated HAMSAT payload transponder on 28th and at what time "HAMSAT Transponder services not available temporarily due to operational reasons. Inconvenience regretted" With Best Regards, T PARIMALARANGAN OD, HAMSAT (NP) ISTRAC/ISRO Ph: 080 - 2202 9011 (O) 080 - 2535 0132 (R) 0 - 9480333563 (M) 080 - 2202 9062 ________________________________________ ________________________________ Disclaimer: This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies and the original message. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email or any action taken in reliance on this e-mail is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. The recipient acknowledges that any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and no binding nature of the message shall be implied or assumed unless the sender does so expressly with due authority of ISTRAC Management. Before opening any attachments please check them for viruses and defects as all liability for viruses is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. ________________________________ ----- End forwarded message ----- Mani, VU2WMY Secretary & Station-In-Charge Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC ISRO Satellite Centre HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. Phone:(O)91-80-25082054/2598/2192 Mobile: 91-80-98803 41456 E-mail ID: wmy(a)isac.gov.in vu2wmy_mani(a)yahoo.com isrohams(a)yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 3

cable connectors for the Yaseu G-5500 rotor
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 01 Mar '12

01 Mar '12

I'm looking for a source for the male cable connectors that mount on the housing of Yaseu G-5500 Az-El rotor. Anyone have any suggestions where I can find these? Dave, AA4KN

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Re: AH0/AE6YW on Satellites from Saipan Feb. 29 - Mar 6
by k6yk 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

It might be possible on AO-7 ? I know I was able work JA and UA0 on RS5 or 7 I can't remember which one. 73, John, K6YK On Thu, 1 Mar 2012 01:44:23 +0000 (UTC) Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> writes: > > > sure do miss AO-40 (sobsob) > > Bob-W7LRD > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "JoAnne Maenpaa" <k9jkm(a)comcast.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 1:51:56 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] AH0/AE6YW on Satellites from Saipan Feb. 29 - > Mar 6 > > Hello Everyone, > > Maybe someone will get a good satellite contact! Here is one more > news item > that would be almost too late if we waited for the weekend ANS news > cycle: > > Just spotted in the DXNL 1769 - Feb 29, 2012 DX Newsletter ... > > KH0, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS, OC-086 > Masayoshi,AE6YW/JI1DSO, plans to hit the airwaves as > AH0/AE6YW from > Saipan (OC-086, USi NI002S, WLOTA 1333, Loc QK25uf) working > on 80m-6m > and via satellite between Feb 29 and Mar 6. QSL via JA6GMC. > > -- > 73 de JoAnne K9JKM > k9jkm(a)amsat.org > Editor, AMSAT News Service > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > ____________________________________________________________ Woman is 57 But Looks 24 Mom releases simple facelift secret that angered doctors... http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4f4eef21ead841750390st03vuc

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Compass-1 in Emergency Mode
by Mike Rupprecht 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

Better news … Alan, ZL2BX could command COMPASS at 19:25 UTC - all thresholds commands were accepted. COMPASS went into eclipse at 19:45 and into sunlight at 20:17 UTC I sent the thresholds at 20:20 UTC and got an confirmation beep for all commands :-) So COMPASS is now in Emergency Mode and the beacon intervall is 8 minutes. Fingers crossed.... 73 Mike DK3WN

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Lightsquared Analogy
by Howie DeFelice 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

Great analogy Bob, This was another case where the businessmen at Lightsquared and the "politicians" at the FCC agreed on a plan without talking to the engineers. Lightsquared didn't do their homework and the FCC didn't do their job initially. Lightsquared should have never even considered using that spectrum in an unintended manner and the FCC should never have given them initial approval to proceed. The ultimate losers will be the investors who bought in on this based on the good will of Lightsquared and the faith in the Federal Government that this was worthy of consideration. But then again, this is the same FCC that insists BPL isn't a problem. I think the FCC did a much better job before they had computers, and became used spectrum salesmen :) Just my opinion... Howie AB2S

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Another ISS Video
by JoAnne Maenpaa 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

Hello everyone, Here is an interesting video you might enjoy now rather than waiting for the Satellite Shorts From All Over in the weekend ANS news cycle: http://www.universetoday.com/93828/the-best-iss-video-ever-you-decide/ The caption on the page reads, "Is this the best video footage ever of photos taken from the International Space Station? ISS astronaut and Expedition 29 commander Mike Fossum seems to think so." The video is a series of time lapse photos of Earth at night as seen from the ISS. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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VO-52 last Pass
by Ellis Foley 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

Return Mail to wa1rks(a)yahoo.com Just listened for VO52, could not pass signal thru it, nor did I hear beacons/carrier. de Ellis/Wa1rks.

4 3

K4FEG/5 EM54-EM44
by K4FEG 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

For the 9 people I worked from Mississippi on the SO50 pass on 2.29.2012 at 1511utc until 1517UTC, if you want a QSL card I will be happy to send one, NO SASE REQUIRED, JUST EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT A QSL! Vince I was happy to work you and glad t give you Mississippi for your satellite WAS. Your card is on the way! 73's Frank K4FEG

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School Demo a go
by Vince Waelti 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

Looks like my school demo today is probably a go! WX shaping up. 1511utc pass of SO-50. Vince Waelti, K9TSU *Net Controller for the AMSAT Sat-Chat *Green County ARES/SKYWARN *Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN * Web -> www.k9tsu.tk <-Web *608-312-0138

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Compass-1 Reset
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 29 Feb '12

29 Feb '12

Hi Mike and team, Very pleased to see that the reset attempt on COMPASS - 1 was successful late last night (Tuesday 28th February) Good luck and I trust that all continues to go well to inspire future projects. Ken Eaton GW1FKY

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School Demo
by Vince Waelti 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

Hi all, Tomorrow on the 1511 (utc) pass tomorrow the (29th UTC) on SO-50 I will do a school demonstration for Juda High School. Weather permitting ofcourse. If it's raining, I'll cancle. I will be sure to ID as "School demo". K9TSU, EN52eo Vince Waelti, K9TSU *Net Controller for the Sat-Chat *Green County ARES/SKYWARN *Winnebago County ARES/SKYWARN * Web -> www.k9tsu.tk <-Web *608-312-0138

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Re: Memorial pictures
by Dave Guimont 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

>I only took a small set of usable pictures. I really wish I'd brought the >camera. Dick's children took a few hundred photos! Those apples fell >close to the tree. Tnx for the pix, Bob, and for those of you that did not know him, I have him to thank, for part of the little bits I've been able to pass on.. May God have mercy on his soul. 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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April 18 World Amateur Radio Day 2012 - 50 Years in Space
by JoAnne Maenpaa 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

Hi everyone, Every year on April 18 the IARU celebrates World Amateur Radio Day to note its anniversary starting in 1925. This year's theme for the World Amateur Radio Day 2012 is Amateur Radio Satellites: "Celebrating 50 Years in Space" in remembrance the launch of OSCAR 1 on December 12, 1961, and the launch of OSCAR 2 on June 2, 1962. The AMSAT News Service would like to publicize the events your group is planning for April 18, 2012. Just send the information to me and I'll get the news out. Thanks! -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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Re: VO-52 Not Heard
by PE0SAT 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

Nothing heard from VO-52 during the pass of 28-02-2012 21:07 UTC over Europe. Also no signal on the beacon frequenties. 73 Jan PE0SAT -- With regards PE0SAT Internet web-page http://www.pe0sat.vgnet.nl/

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Dayton Rooms
by Martha 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

If you are planning to stay with the AMSAT group while attending the Dayton Hamfest, now is the time to call the office and reserve your room. I will need the room nights and a credit card to secure the room. As we did last year, we are staying at the Country Inns & Suites located at 3971 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Beavercreek OH. -- 73- Martha

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VO-52 Not Heard
by John Papay 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

VO-52 was not heard over the US at 1330z, 28Feb2012. Reports on oscar.dcarr.org at 1100z also say that it was not heard over Europe. Please listen for VO-52 and submit reports to the oscar.dcarr.org website. 73, John K8YSE

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Memorial pictures
by Robert McGwier 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

I only took a small set of usable pictures. I really wish I'd brought the camera. Dick's children took a few hundred photos! Those apples fell close to the tree. http://n4hy.smugmug.com/AMSAT/Dick-Daniels-W4PUJ-Memorial -- Bob McGwier Facebook: N4HYBob ARS: N4HY

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Re: Memorial to Dick Daniels, W4PUJ
by Eric Rosenberg 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

Bob - As illness prevented me from attending Dick's memorial, I can't thank you enough for posting this video. Dick was great guy, wonderful to work with, both professionally (the taught the USTTI session on small satellites for us at his house when I was at VITA) and within AMSAT. He was treasure trove of information and defined corporate knowlege and memory. His collection of Oscar 10 telemetry on those hard sectored disks was legendary around here, but not as much as his pool table, upon which many of the early satellites were put together. Thanks again, Eric ------------- Eric Rosenberg, W3DQ Washington, DC On 2/27/2012 3:00 PM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > Date: Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:22:59 -0500 > From: Robert McGwier<rwmcgwier(a)gmail.com> > To: amsat bb<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Memorial to Dick Daniels, W4PUJ > > Yesterday at Little Falls Church in Arlington, VA Family, friends, and > colleagues had a memorial for Dick Daniels W4PUJ (SK) who died recently > after a very brief fight against lung cancer. Barry, WD4ASW, President of > AMSAT read a tribute written by Jan King W3GEY/VK4GEY. > > http://youtu.be/pGhn1eC52Wo > > I apologize for the audio transients at the beginning, typical problems > from hand holding a smart phone. But the auto stabilization from YouTube is > simply awesome. > > Bob > > -- Bob McGwier Facebook: N4HYBob ARS: N4HY

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Re: COMPASS-1 needs your help
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

Apologies - Correction to the "keps" and spacing - for some reason the cut and paste did not work, I hope that this now posts in the right format for the software to read. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Hi Mike, Noted your request and will monitor but my set up is only an "Elk"antenna I regret. For those needing information on the satellite ( and I trust that I am correct ) listed as Norad 32787. Latest keps as follows: Hi Mike, Noted your request and will monitor but my set up is only an "Elk"antenna I regret. For those needing information on the satellite ( and I trust that I am correct ) listed as Norad 32787. Latest keps as follows: COMPASS-1 1 32787U 08021E 12058.67551252 .00001621 00000-0 20278-3 0 2341 2 32787 97.8131 122.4236 0016338 64.2362 296.0582 14.83546928207429 Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

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Re: COMPASS-1 needs your help
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

Hi Mike, Noted your request and will monitor but my set up is only an "Elk"antenna I regret. For those needing information on the satellite ( and I trust that I am correct ) listed as Norad 32787. Latest keps as follows: COMPASS-1 1 32787U 08021E 12058.67551252 .00001621 00000-0 20278-3 0 2341 2 32787 97.8131 122.4236 0016338 64.2362 296.0582 14.83546928207429 Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

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COMPASS-1 needs your help
by Mike Rupprecht 28 Feb '12

28 Feb '12

Hi all, We got an single beacon last night. COMPASS-1 did an complete restart and the tresholds for heater and battery voltages should be new set. Without changing the tresholds the heater will be on if the temperature inside goes under 10 deg. The batteries are weak and this leads to an crash. 2012-02-28 00:58 UTC FF032802180000210000900000 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Solar Cell Voltage 5.00 V Solar Panel 6 Cur (+Z) 18.82 mA Solar Panel 2 Cur (+Y) 0.00 mA Solar Panel 3 Cur (-X) 150.59 mA Solar Panel 4 Cur (-Y) 12.55 mA Solar Panel 5 Cur (-Z) 250.98 mA EPS Reset Counter 0 Power Level Critical Battery Capacity Heater Active Battery Heater ON Power Safe Counter 0 Emergency Mode Counter 0 Battery Voltage 2.82 V Battery Current 0.00 mA Battery Temperature 0 °C -------------------------------------------------------- Can anyone try to send the following DTMF sequences to COMPASS-1 (if in sunlight), please ? uplink: 145.980 MHz FM - DTMF confirmation beep on 437.275 MHz CW ** 13 # 200 # ** 14 # 200 # ** 15 # 178 # ** 16 # 170 # Any efforts and reports are very apprechiated. Thanks 73 Mike DK3WN

1 0

Euroluna OZ9LUNA CubeSat Launch Update
by Trevor . 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

A video update on the Euroluna project. The 2U CubeSat Romit1 is planned to deploy in a 310 km orbit and will then raise that orbit to 700 km, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/5153 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ----

1 0

Looking for a copy of the 2011 San Jose Proceedings
by Alan P. Biddle 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

Hi, I am looking for a hard copy, gently used, of the Proceedings. If you have one gathering dust which you would be willing to part with, drop me a note off list. 73s, Alan WA4SCA

1 0

Motor for Yaesu G5500 Azimuth Rotator?
by David Palmer KB5WIA 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

Hi Everyone, Well I'll be QRT from the sats for a little while!! After replacing my UHF antenna on the backyard satellite array, I managed to catch the (slightly longer) new antenna on the house roof and jammed the Yaesu G-5500 rotator, ugh! Even though I had replaced the normal 2-amp fuses in the controller with 1-amp fuses, the azimuth motor still managed to overheat and burn out. I disassembled the azimuth rotator, and although the gears, bearings, switches, and capacitor are all OK, the motor has quite a burnt smell. Bench-testing the unit with motor removed from the assembly shows the motor doesn't spin at all in one direction, and spins slowly but draws high current in the other. Coil windings are in series for left/right, should be 3.5 + 3.5 = 7.0 ohms, and the right coil is showing only 1.0 ohms resistance. The azimuth motor is definitely toast. Fortunately, the controller is OK (both the Az and El sides of the controller successfully control the elevation rotator). I just got off the phone with Yaesu parts, and unfortunately the replacement motor has been backordered from Japan since December. No estimate yet of when more might come in. Question to the list: does anyone have a G5500 azimuth rotator with a working motor available for parts? Or any other ideas for replacement? 73! Dave KB5WIA

9 21

GAAS FET Preamp Component Question
by Eugene Crist 27 Feb '12

27 Feb '12

I'm planning to build the GAAS FET Preamp for 430 MHZ that's in the 2008 ARRL Handbook on page 14.37. One of the components on the drain of Q1 looks like a ferrite bead. I've never used these in construction before and the parts list doesn't specify any particular value or rating. Does anyone know what value/rating should be used? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Gene (KB3ONA)

3 2

Memorial to Dick Daniels, W4PUJ
by Robert McGwier 26 Feb '12

26 Feb '12

Yesterday at Little Falls Church in Arlington, VA Family, friends, and colleagues had a memorial for Dick Daniels W4PUJ (SK) who died recently after a very brief fight against lung cancer. Barry, WD4ASW, President of AMSAT read a tribute written by Jan King W3GEY/VK4GEY. http://youtu.be/pGhn1eC52Wo I apologize for the audio transients at the beginning, typical problems from hand holding a smart phone. But the auto stabilization from YouTube is simply awesome. Bob -- Bob McGwier Facebook: N4HYBob ARS: N4HY

1 0

th-d72 using external speaker?
by Scott Smith 26 Feb '12

26 Feb '12

hi folks, starting to get the hang of this new radio. Is there a way to use an external (power) speaker?. i have the smc-34 speaker mic that came with the unit and cannot just plug the mic jack in my itself is there some kind of adaptor like a pigtail to seperate the mic and speaker jacks? any help appreciate. 73 de VE6ITV AScott

2 1

flex ?
by Nick Pugh 26 Feb '12

26 Feb '12

Is anyone on the list using a FLEX radio to decode the 9.k kbs sats and if so what software are you using? Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

3 4

Launch Delay for 3U CubeSat Dove-1
by Trevor . 26 Feb '12

26 Feb '12

Dove-1 (145.825 MHz AX.25 FM) had been planned for a Feb. 28 launch but this seems to have slipped further, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/5061 73 Trevor M5AKA

3 2

ANS-057 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 25 Feb '12

25 Feb '12

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-057 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT Theme at Dayton 2012: Running with Fox * ARISS School Events Now Number Over 700 * ESA Reports Vega Cubesat Success * MASAT-1 (MO-72) Team Releases Software and Web Page Updates * Dedicated CubeSat Radio Spectrum Discussed at WRC-12 * Arizona Centennial Event K7UGA Station Reports 122 Satellite QSOs * AA5UK Announces Plans for Hawaii Satellite Operation * Satellite DX: XF1AA on Isabel Island * Volunteers Needed for AMSAT at Timonium, MD on March 31 * ARISS Status Report - 20 February 2012 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-057.01 ANS-057 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 036.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 5, 2012 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-036.01 AMSAT Theme at Dayton 2012: Running with Fox The 2012 Dayton Hamvention will be held this year on 18 - 20 May 2012. As has been the case for the many years Hamvention will be at the Hara Arena Complex on the north side of Dayton. AMSAT will occupy the same booths (444-449) in Ball Arena, right across from the ARRL area and just inside the door from the Satellite Demonstration area. The AMSAT theme for 2012 is "Running with Fox". We will have multipe exhibits of the new AMSAT satellite on display. Visit AMSAT's Dayton Hamvention page for all details on activities: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2012/Dayton.php Some of the activities will include: + Life size Fox models will be on display as well as diagrams of the modules inside the 10cm square satellite. + Operational prototype of ARISSat-1 on display. + AMSAT Thursday Night Get-together at the Tickets Pub & Eatery. + The sixth annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be Friday night May 18 at the Kohler Banquet Center. The price for the Banquet is $30. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Follow the links on AMSAT's Dayton page. + The AMSAT Forum will be on Saturday May 19. AMSAT has a limited block of rooms reserved at the Country Inn & Suites in Fairborn, OH. Please contact Martha at the AMSAT office for room price and availability during Hamvention. Priority for rooms will be given to those volunteering to work in the AMSAT booth for multiple 2 hour shifts during Hamvention. The hotel web page is: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2012/Hotel.php The phone number for the AMSAT office is 301-589-6062. Other hotels in the immediate area of the Country inn & Suites include the Fair- field Inn, Ramada Inn, Hampton Inn, Fairborn Holiday Inn, Red Roof Inn and the Homewood Suites if additional accommodations are needed. Further information on Hamvention 2012, including advance ticket sales and motel accommodations, can be found at http://www.hamvention.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS School Events Now Number Over 700 ARISS Operation Team Mentor Charlie Sufana, AJ9N reports that the total number of ARISS ISS-to-Earth school events is now at 701. ARISS offers an opportunity for students to experience the excite- ment of Amateur Radio by talking directly with crewmembers on-board the International Space Station. Teachers, parents and communities see, first hand, how Amateur Radio and crew members on ISS can energize youngsters' interest in science, technology, and learning. ARISS is an international educational outreach program partnering the participating space agencies, NASA, Russian Space Agency, ESA, CNES, JAXA, and CSA, with the AMSAT and IARU organizations from participa- ting countries. Further information on the ARISS program is available on the website http://www.ariss.org/ (graciously hosted by the Radio Amateurs of Canada). The 700th school event was with The Academy@Shawnee City in Louisville, Kentucky via a telebridge contact with ON4ISS on February 14. ARISS says the special John Glenn event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Perth, City of Lights was successful on February 20. This marked event number 701. Planned school contacts for this coming week include: + ESA-ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, telebridge via IK1SLD. The schools that are involved are: American school of The Hague, International School of Amsterdam, and The British School in the Netherlands on Monday, February 27 at 12:45:29 UTC. + Parkside Elementary, Atlanta, GA, telebridge via K6DUE on Friday, March 3 at 16:42:29 UTC. + 5th Geniko Lykeio Katerinis, Katerini, Greece, direct via SX2ISS on Friday, March 3 at 17:03:52 UTC. Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. A list of all of the ARISS School Events can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ARISS-Events [ANS thanks ARISS Operation Team Mentor Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ESA Reports Vega Cubesat Success The ESA provided a summary of the success of the cubesats launched on the Vega mission on February 13. The web report said, "Shortly after the seven ESA student CubeSats started their adventure in space on board the Vega launcher yesterday, the university teams and radio amateurs all around the world pointed their 'ears' towards space and started to receive the first signs of life from the tiny spacecraft." + The Spanish XaTcobeo CubeSat was heard a couple of hours after launch (13 February 2012, 11:00 CET) during its first pass over the University of Vigo's ground station, and its signal was also tracked by many radio amateurs. The first data received show that the satellite's batteries are properly charged and that telemetry and telecommand systems work well, representing a very promising start for the mission. + The Hungarian team received the first signals from Masat-1 from a radio amateur in Florida less than two hours after launch, and by many others shortly after. A couple of hours later the team's ground station in Budapest gathered the first 'official' satellite data which confirmed that the spacecraft is in perfect shape. + PW-Sat, the Polish student CubeSat, was also heard loud and clear only a few hours after the launch. The signals have been heard both by the team's ground station and by several radio amateurs from the UK, India, Germany and the Netherlands. + The Italian UniCubeSat-GG team heard the first signals from the satellite, although they have not been decoded yet, shortly after launch, first from a Kentucky (US) ground station and then from the dedicated Rome ground station. + Initially weak signals were reported from the Italian e-st@r. On February 15 the e-st@r team reported signals from their CubeSat heard by their control ground station and other ham radio stations. + Weak signals have been received so far from the Romanian Goliat and the French Robusta CubeSats. These teams currently believe that their spacecraft may not have yet achieved a stable orient- ation after separation and sufficient battery charge level in order for their communication systems and antennas to transmit properly to the ground station. The situation will evolve in the course of the next several days, and further attempts to establish good communications links with those satellites will continue. A joint effort from all CubeSat teams and radio amateurs from the AMSAT network has now started, in order to be able to clearly detect the satellites. The full ESA report can be found on-line at: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Education/SEMR2ZYXHYG_0.html [ANS thanks the ESA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- MASAT-1 (MO-72) Team Releases Software and Web Page Updates The MASAT-1 team said this week that updated client software for telemetry reception and decoding is available on their web at: http://cubesat.bme.hu/en/radioamatoroknek/kliens-szoftver/ Some of the upgrades include: + The "Offline" label removed, the status of the automatic packet reporting is displayed. + Battery voltage constant (on the EPS panel) updated. + User selection between 626/1250 bps decoding. + The waterfall display shows tracks for the 0, CW and 1. The decoder has been reported to be most successful if tuning is set upward by 50-100 Hz from the tuning indicators. User experiences are invited to be sent to mezei(a)cubesat.bme.hu. The automated received packet upload from the client software has been updated to accept ham(a)cubesat.bme.hu or a(a)a.a as mail address for those not wishing to send their actual address. Users can change the e-mail address by editing the registration.txt file in the pro- gram folder of the software package. A statistics web page reporting on the numbers of packets forwarded by amateur radio operators has been added: http://cubesat.bme.hu/en/radioamatoroknek/veteli-statisztika/ The site has successfully received over 50000 packets from around the world. The latest updates to the web and client software should address initial concerns that 'no packets' have been received. The MASAT-1 team thanks amateur radio operators for your outstanding support. The MASAT-1 Important News for Radio Amateurs page is at: http://cubesat.bme.hu/en/2012/02/19/fontos-hirek-radioamatoroknek/ The MASAT-1 mission home page is: http://cubesat.bme.hu [ANS thanks the MASAT-1 Team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dedicated CubeSat Radio Spectrum Discussed at WRC-12 AMSAT-UK reports on their web that the recently concluded WRC-12 conference agreed to a resolution by the SmallSat, CubeSat, and NanoSatellite community for dedicated spectrum allocation outside of the 435 to 437 MHz amateur satellite band. Wouter Jan Ubbels, PE4WJ with the Dutch space development company ISIS says he was able to introduce a resolution at WRC-12 sub- mitted by a number of countries, led by the Netherlands to pro- pose an agenda item for WRC-2015 to conduct studies to identify the spectrum needs of nano-and picosatellites, and furthermore to study the associated regulatory constraints. After the discussions at WRC-12, the resolution received partial acceptance to begin study of the regulatory aspects for WRC-2018. Wouter concluded, "This is very good news, and could mean that the ITU notification process for nano-and picosatellites can become greatly simplified in the future. We first of all would like to thank all the supporting administrations for their support and would like to invite the community to, through their administrations, participate in the studies, so that the outcome will be as much as possible line with the needs of the community. We will continue to work on this subject and keep you updated through these lists and at the various small / nano / picosatellite conferences and work- shops." The full news item can be viewed on the AMSAT-UK web at: http://www.uk.amsat.org/4950 [ANS thanks Wouter Jan Ubbels, PE4WJ and AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona Centennial Event K7UGA Station Reports 122 Satellite QSOs Arizona AMSAT Area Coordinator, Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK and Tom Kramer, NQ7R provided the satellite contacts for the K7UGA spec- ial-event station. K7UGA was sponsored by the Central Arizona DX Association in its commemoration of the Arizona statehood centennial. Patrick reported, "Between Tom NQ7R and myself, we made 122 satellite contacts. Tom worked his passes from his home in Casa Grande AZ (grid DM42). For passes I worked at the start of the week through Thursday afternoon, I operated from DM43 in the Phoenix area. For the passes I worked Friday and Saturday, I was at the Yuma Hamfest. On Sunday morn- ing, I parked next to the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park overlooking the Colorado River. Both Yuma sites are in grid DM22." Patrick posted videos of his K7UGA operation: + SO-50 pass on Friday (17 February) morning at 1751 UTC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKaIKgjuSMM + AO-27 pass on Friday afternoon at 2032 UTC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIA_VANTdpQ + AO-27 pass on Saturday (18 February) afternoon at 2004 UTC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiXTjgD5nD8 + VO-52 pass on Sunday (19 February) morning at 1538 UTC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0AAB3A7Xy4 The K7UGA page on QRZ.com states that all QSL card requests be sent with SASE to: K7BHM, 1623 N. Los Altos Ct., Chandler, AZ 85224-8357. [ANS thanks Arizona AMSAT Area Coordinator, Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AA5UK Announces Plans for Hawaii Satellite Operation Adrian Engele, AA5UK says he will be traveling to Hawaii between March 21 and April 4. This is primarily a vacation trip for sight- seeing and scuba diving but satellite operation is also planned. He will try to get on the satellites as often as his schedule permits within vacation activities. His primary focus will be on FO-29, VO-52 and AO-7 Mode B passes. SO-50 and AO-27 may be attempted if conditions permit. + March 21 - Fly from Chicago to Honolulu and Hilo. + March 22-25 - Operation from south of Hilo. + March 26 - April 1 - Kailua-Kona, Big Island in Hawaii. + April 2 - April 4: Oahu, Waikiki beach. Adrian invites you to stay tuned via AMSAT-BB and his Twitter feed @AA5UK for latest schedule information. He will also update his page on QRZ.com in the coming weeks with additional information. [ANS thanks Adrian Engele, AA5UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite DX: XF1AA on Isabel Island The OPDX Bulletin 1050 is reporting that a team of 10 operators, from the Aguas-Calientes Amateur Radio Club will activate Isabel Island, grid DL71, using the callsign XF1AA. The planned dates are March 16th through the 21st. Ismael, XE1AY, is one of the operators and is active on the satel- lites. If you should hear Ismael on the birds, please give him the airtime to work as many as he can. Good luck with the operation! [ANS thanks John Papay, K8YSE for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Volunteers Needed for AMSAT at Timonium, MD on March 31 Pat Kilroy, N8PK says that volunteers are needed to staff the AMSAT display and for satellite operating demonstrations at the Greater Baltimore Hamboree and Computerfest on Saturday, March 31 in Timonium, Maryland. This event is one of the largest Amateur Radio and technology shows on the East Coast. In addition to the AMSAT display and satellite demonstrations Pat is planning to show the FUNcube Dongle and present show'n'tell talks for visitors to the AMSAT booth. Please contact Pat soon by e-mail (pat(a)patkilroy.com) if you can help! For more info about the hamfest visit: http://www.gbhc.org/ [ANS thanks Pat Kilroy, N8PK for the above information --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS Status Report - 20 February 2012 1. Kochi Youth Radio ISS Astronaut Kochi Gakuen Kochi Junior High School in Kochi, Japan experienced a successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Monday, February 13. Students asked Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX, 11 questions about living in space. The contact was integrated into the science curriculum. Media coverage included three television stations and three newspapers. 2. Astronaut Dan Burbank Speaks with Louisville Students On Tuesday, February 14, youth attending The Academy @ Shawnee par- ticipated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with on-orbit astronaut Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX via telebridge station ON4ISS in Belgium. The contact took place at the Challenger Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky with the assistance of the Louisville Astronomical Society. Approximately 40 people were in attendance and listened as Burbank chatted with stu- dents about experiments on board the ISS and the effect space has on the human body, among other topics. The Academy, an inner city high school of 500 students, has been designated as the Aerospace Magnet School for Jefferson County Public Schools. The contact was part of a comprehensive education plan to pique students' interest in Sci- ence, Technology, Engineering and Math. 3. Astronaut Training Status Astronaut Alexander Gerst passed his amateur radio license exam on February 13 and is waiting for his callsign to be assigned. He is scheduled to fly with Expedition 40 in May 2014. An introductory session is planned for Gregory Wiseman, KF5LKT (Expe- dition 40, May 2014) on Monday, February 27 and a preflight session is scheduled for Expedition 32 astronauts Sunita Williams, KD5PLB and Akihiko Hoshide, KE5DNI on Monday, March 5. Williams and Hosh- ide will fly later this year. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

1 0

Vietnam Student CubeSat F-1
by Trevor . 25 Feb '12

25 Feb '12

Gunters Space Page is listing F-1 as being on the HTV-3 flight to the ISS in July. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_chr/lau2012.htm The CubeSat contains two Yaesu VX-3R transceivers, further details at http://www.uk.amsat.org/5025 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ----

2 1

Rotor vs problems
by Kevin Deane 25 Feb '12

25 Feb '12

I am looking to upgrade my ant from fixed to rotor, but am wondering if it is really worth it? I see A Lot of posts on here with all kinds of questions and problems. However my back is not handling manually rotating my simple tower with a couple Diamond yagis and a vertical at the top. If I were to spend the money, what would be the best no hassle rotator I Should get? Thanks for any info I love talking with you people on the sats but my manual setup is not so happy... :( Kevin KF7MYK

2 2

Preamps and Arrows
by Tom Schuessler 25 Feb '12

25 Feb '12

Has anyone used a preamplifier in a portable setup based on an Arrow cross yagi? Concern is whether there is enough isolation on 70 cm input from the 2m harmonics. ARR. Told me they would not recommend this setup. What you all think? Thanks, Tom, N5HYP -- Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

10 12

Satellite Communications in K9YA Telegraph Magazine
by Trevor . 25 Feb '12

25 Feb '12

There's an article by Paul Ross W3FIS about Satellite Communications in the March issue of the magazine K9YA Telegraph. The mags website is at http://www.k9ya.org/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

K1ZZ's Reflections on WRC-12 - NanoSat/Picosat
by Trevor . 25 Feb '12

25 Feb '12

K1ZZ's Reflection on WRC-12 touches on the Nanosat/Picosat paper: "Successful handling of a potentially difficult future agenda item concerning pico- and nano-satellites (this topic is too complex to go into detail here, but it is an important one)" Nano and picosatellite resolution at WRC-12 http://www.uk.amsat.org/4950 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- Reflections on WRC-12 I returned home yesterday evening after a most memorable and successful 33 days in Geneva for the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference and the first Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-15. It will be a while before I can put together a comprehensive report and a QST article, but I wanted to express the following thoughts before descending into the accumulation of work back here in Newington. In my tenure as an ARRL staff member involved in the International Amateur Radio Union since 1972, the 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference will always stand out as an extraordinary success. We still sometimes hear 10, 18 and 24 MHz referred to as “the WARC bands” even though 30 years have passed. The 2003 WRC ranks second because we managed something that had never done before:to move HF broadcasting out of 100 kHz of spectrum and thereby greatly improve the usefulness of the 40 meter band. No single WRC-12 achievement may match these, but there were so many highlights of this year’s conference that it is difficult to decide which of them was the greatest: · Joe Taylor, K1JT’s speech to the Plenary at the end of the second week of the conference with an outstanding introduction by ITU Secretary-General Dr. Hamadoun Touré, HB9EHT · The celebration of the 50th anniversary of theInternational Amateur Radio Club, 4U1ITU, in the magnificent Popov Room in the ITU Tower attended by past and present Secretaries General and Radiocommunication Bureau Directors · Our fending off HF oceanographic radars from being in or even adjacent to amateur bands · The new allocation at 472 kHz · An agenda item for WRC-15 to consider a possible secondary allocation to the amateur service in parts of the5250-5450 kHz band · Successful handling of a potentially difficult futureagenda item concerning pico- and nano-satellites (this topic is too complex to go into detail here, but it is an importantone) There were even some Amateur Radio accomplishments during the WRC, including: · The first 1296 MHz EME QSOs from 4U1ITU using K1JT’s software, with K1JT himself at the controls · More than 13,600 QSOs made from 4U1WRC · More than 3,500 QSOs made during the ARRL CW DX Contest from 4U1ITU Amateur Radio is just a small part of the world’s telecommunication community and is commerciallyinsignificant compared to the satellite and mobile broadband interests. Yet, we have achieved a position within the International Telecommunication Union as a respected radio service. This position was not attained overnight or through the efforts of a single individual or small group. It wasachieved through the shared passion and sense of purpose of an extraordinary band of people from many countries and diverse backgrounds, some with IARU titles and many not,nearly all of them volunteers, who have worked through the IARU over the decades to present a highly professional visage and to ensure that the participation on behalf of the amateur and amateur-satellite services is of a quality that is equal to that of any other radio service, and better than some. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am to be a part of this team. 73, David Sumner, K1ZZ Chief Executive Officer, ARRL IARU International Secretariat 23 February 2012

1 0

Keps
by Rob Styles 25 Feb '12

25 Feb '12

73 M0tfo ALMASAT1 1 38078U 12006B 12054.81752532 .00014251 00000-0 41679-3 0 196 2 38078 069.4835 215.4752 0775338 031.3184 333.1754 14.04699930 1464 MO-72 1 38079U 12006C 12054.52375822 .00027779 00000-0 72603-3 0 299 2 38079 069.4926 216.0919 0779154 031.7546 332.8100 14.06086925 1416 OBJECT D 1 38080U 12006D 12054.52519702 .00028219 00000-0 74626-3 0 318 2 38080 069.4913 216.0893 0778939 031.6156 332.9274 14.05889150 1414 OBJECT E 1 38081U 12006E 12054.80988760 .00027398 00000-0 73195-3 0 333 2 38081 069.4855 215.4451 0778010 031.3761 333.1357 14.05883490 1452 XATCOBEO 1 38082U 12006F 12054.73910927 .00032640 00000-0 87928-3 0 319 2 38082 069.4861 215.6069 0777092 031.4418 333.0802 14.05882265 1448 OBJECT G 1 38083U 12006G 12054.73876769 .00031005 00000-0 82567-3 0 313 2 38083 069.4841 215.6050 0778100 031.4731 333.0584 14.05911687 1444 OBJECT H 1 38084U 12006H 12054.73969709 .00025492 00000-0 68574-3 0 260 2 38084 069.4890 215.6111 0778131 031.4453 333.0828 14.05727339 1442 GOLIAT 1 38085U 12006J 12054.73978438 .00025984 00000-0 70136-3 0 252 2 38085 069.4842 215.6079 0777813 031.4415 333.0844 14.05721488 1444

3 3

Re: SO-67 Status
by Clint Bradford 24 Feb '12

24 Feb '12

>> ... any word??? We are all anxiously watching their Web site for updates! http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ Clint Bradford http://www.clintbradford.com

1 0

TechEdSat - 437 MHz + Iridium/Orbcomm
by Trevor . 24 Feb '12

24 Feb '12

As well as 437 MHz this satellite will also use the Iridium and Orbcomm networks, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/5018 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

Oscar 67
by mm0kjg 24 Feb '12

24 Feb '12

Hello all. Any more news on Oscar 67. Kev

1 0

Vega/ESA
by Etienne Swart 24 Feb '12

24 Feb '12

Wonder how many cubes survived the trip into space? Are all the cubes working. Cannot find this data on the net. So trying here? 73's Etienne ZS6Y

3 2

mp3 recordings of SO-35 and UO-14 from September 2000
by John Brier 24 Feb '12

24 Feb '12

I am not subscribed to this list but I will check the archives as they are updated. This is a cross post from my blog, but I doubt anyone that may be interested will find my blog. Check the blog for full links to the mp3s. http://cupcakecarnival.net/2012/02/24/ham-fm-satellite-recordings-2000 Sometime in 2000 I got an Arrow II Satellite antenna. I used two HTs (hand held radios) (one for uplink and one for downlink) plus a tape recorder to record the pass. I would go out at night for a 12-15 minute satellite pass with all this gear and my Mom would laugh at me saying I looked like some sort of spy or something. Then I would endure the mosquitos while contacting stations all over the US, Canada and even a little bit of the Northern part of South America. It was a lot of fun. I ripped the audio from the tapes into mp3 a long time ago and shared it on the web but the site it was on is long gone so here it is again. I have just gone through and listened to the passes and written down as best I could all the callsigns, grid squares, state and names that I could make out. Let me know if you have any corrections or additions in the comments. All of these mp3s are under 2 Megabytes. I am John, KG4AKV and these were recorded from Wilmington, North Carolina, grid square FM-14. SO-35 0022 UTC September 5, 2000.mp3 Call Name GRID State AD4DN FM14 K1LO Larry FN42 N7SFI Randy K5VAS LO VE3EPS FN03 AJ9K EN53 KG4AKV KK5DO EL29 K5OE K1DRW EM79 N2LMD FM29 N5ZNL KF4CJV AA5AO SO-35 0043 UTC September 7, 2000.mp3 Call Name GRID State KB7 91 KK5DO NA3IE Gary EM98 WV K1LO FN42 QFS DN40 K9HF EM48 KG4AKV VE2MJ NA2AA N8EIP EN91 K8KFJ KM5TE VE3GJS KC7QFS KG4AKV KE4AZN ???SWQ N5ZNL EM42 KD5SBA EL29 K8KFJ UO-14 0234 UTC September 5, 2000.mp3 Call GRID State Name KG4AKV FM14 KP3A PR Al KK5DO Bruce WA2HKS FN0 NY KB8BWE EM79 OH K4WZ GA WA3SKQ Rich KD5JMZ EM30 LO Jeff KB3DWQ PN KA3RFI Monty KG4IFJ N2OY FN02 W4HKV KP3A heard me but didn't copy my call right. Didn't make any contacts after that? UO-14 September 8, 2000 0041 UTC part1.mp3 Call GRID State Name KK5DO NA2AA K5VAS EM32 LO VE2DIV FN35 Frank (complete empty pass on 440?) AA1UE FN32 MA portable VA3BJV KC2BYY FN30 NY N5ZNL N9UUR EN63 UO-14 September 8, 2000 0041 UTC part2.mp3 Call GRID State Name KG4AKV KG4ENR EM76 AA1UE AE9UN KB9UMT AA9UK N9TH N9UUR VE2DIV KK5DO EL29 ???PST AB0V NA2AA FN20 One funny thing I noticed about these recordings is I didn't make many contacts in them. On some passes I don't think I made any contacts! Odd. I did notice I was mostly putting out my call as opposed to calling other stations, maybe that is why. Regardless of what is in the recordings I remember making many contacts and having a good time. I think these recordings give you a good idea of what to expect if you haven't done an FM LEO satellite. It's fast so be prepared to make quick contacts.

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