- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Fwd: time for a bit of humor
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "Richard Smith" <mbrs2020(a)att.net> To: "AJ4AT" <AJ4AT(a)comcast.net>, "Damon Runion" <wa4hfn(a)comcast.net>, "Pat Lane" <w4oqg(a)bellsouth.net>, "Dorothy Corcelius" <dc62844(a)verizon.net>, "Shawn Carter" <cartershawn59(a)hotmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 2:11:15 PM The difference between the North and South. Funny but true... by Kathryn Baxter on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 3:53pm The difference between the North and the South - clearly explained...at last The North has Bloomingdale's , the South has Dollar General. The North has coffee houses, the South has Waffle Houses. The North has dating services, the South has family reunions. The North has switchblade knives, the South has .45's. The North has double last names, the South has double first names. The North has Indy car races, the South has stock car races. North has Cream of Wheat, the South has grits. The North has green salads, the South has collard greens. The North has lobsters, the South has crawfish. The North has the rust belt, the South has the Bible Belt. FOR NORTHERNERS MOVING SOUTH… If you run your car into a ditch, don't panic. Four men in a four-wheel drive pickup truck with a tow chain will be along shortly. Don't try to help them, just stay out of their way. This is what they live for. Don't be surprised to find movie rentals and bait in the same store. Do NOT buy food at this store. Remember, 'Y'all' is singular, 'all y'all' is plural, and 'all y'all's' is plural possessive Get used to hearing 'You ain't from round here, are ya?' Save all manner of bacon grease. You will be instructed later on how to use it. Don't be worried at not understanding what people are saying. They can't understand you either. The first Southern statement to creep into a transplanted Northerner's vocabulary is the adjective 'big'ol,' truck or 'big'ol' boy. Most Northerners begin their Southern-influenced dialect this way. All of them are in denial about it. The proper pronunciation you learned in school is no longer proper. Be advised that 'He needed killin.' is a valid defense here. If you hear a Southerner exclaim, 'Hey, y'all watch this,' you should stay out of the way. These are likely to be the last words he'll ever say. If there is the prediction of the slightest chance of even the smallest accumulation of snow, your presence is required at the local grocery store. It doesn't matter whether you need anything or not. You just have to go there. Do not be surprised to find that 10-year olds own their own shotguns, they are proficient marksmen, and their mammas taught them how to aim. In the South, we have found that the best way to grow a lush green lawn is to pour gravel on it and call it a driveway. AND REMEMBER: If you do settle in the South and bear children, don't think we will accept them as Southerners. After all, if the cat had kittens in the oven, we ain't gonna call 'em biscuits. Send this to four people that ain't related to you, and I reckon your life will turn into a country music song 'fore you know it. Your kin would get a kick out of it too!

2 1

bias tee +10mhz
by Andy Brian 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Hi, anyone have a circuit for bias tee, where I can supply the converter with 12V and in the same cable I can feed the converter with 10MHz reference clock. Something like that: Output frequency of converter is from 900-1100Mhz http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/products/bias-tees/ku-bt-3000-dip.html Thanks for help, regards AB

1 0

ARI Amateur Radio Satellite Meeting Report
by Trevor . 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

The 8th Italian Amateur Radio Association (ARI) satellite meeting was held at the Joseph Hotel in Marina di Pietrasanta (Lu) on September 18, 2011. An English language PDF report of the meeting along with pictures of the event can be downloaded from: http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/10/05/ari-amateur-radio-satellite-meeting-repo… 73 Trevor M5AKA

3 2

46th Annual Melbourne, FL Hamfest
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Attention all, This coming weekend, the Platinum Coast Amateur Radio Club Society (PCARS) will hold the 46th Annual Melbourne Hamfest in Melbourne, Florida. For details, I invite you to visit www.pcars.org. This, in my opinion, is one of the best hamfests held in the southeast. AMSAT will be well represented and plans to be present both days of the hamfest, Saturday Oct.8th and Sunday Oct. 9th. Doors open at 9:00am Saturday. Tailgate opens at 6:00am. We look forward to seeing everyone there. Dave, AA4KN area coordinator in Central Florida aa4kn(a)amsat.org

1 0

Re: EL18 on Sunday & Monday
by K5OE 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

I logged a total of 34 contacts (some dupes and can't read my writing on one K3, but I'll check John's recording later) from EL18. If you need a QSL card for this grid, please just send me an email and I'll drop you one in the mail: k5oe at amsat dot org 73, Jerry, K5OE ------------------- original message ---------------------- Subject: [amsat-bb] EL18 on Sunday & Monday From: K5OE <k5oe@xxxxxxx> Date: Sat, 1 Oct 2011 13:43:38 -0400 (EDT) I will be fishing down near Rockport, TX, Sunday & Monday and will try to make the late afternoon passes of AO-51. Sorry, but AO-27 and SO-50 are too early in the day and I don't want to take the HT either on the boat or wading :-) Equipment will be just an FT-51R and Pryme whip antenna. 73, Jerry, K5OE

1 0

Oscar 16 How to use
by mm0kjg 05 Oct '11

05 Oct '11

Hello all. Can some please expalin how to use Oscar 16 Pacsat. Is it still working. my uplink is 145.900 Fm and 437.051 Usb downlink. I read somewhere that its double sideband?. If so can i receive Dsb on my Ic910 . Thanks Kev De Mm0kjg

2 1

AubieSat-1 launch rescheduled to 27 October, 2011
by Dominic Hildebrandt 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Due to unforseen mechanical issues involving the launch vehicle hydraulic system and exhaust ducts, the launch date of AubieSat-1 has been postponed until 27 October, 2011. More specific details about the problem can be found here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/NPP/launch/index.html We will keep you informed if any additional changes are made to the launch. Sorry for the inconvenience.

1 0

Recognizing Boy Scout Activity
by Kevin Deane 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

WB5BSA on the ISS Digi... Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

CubeSat deployable solar panel prototype test
by Trevor . 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

ClydeSpace - This short video shows one of the first tests of our doubel deployed solar panel prototype. The system has an integrated thermal knife and driver and is designed to be CubeSat structure independant (i.e. the hinges and operation do not require structure modifications). The system has also passed tests at +80C and -40C. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JVPh4g_Wi4 Also Former NASA engineer W5DID interviewed on ham radio space experiments http://www.dxcoffee.com/eng/2011/10/03/amateur-radio-nasa/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

Re: JUGNU and SRMSAT - October 12
by Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Hi Bill, The ground station paper was written before the frequencies were coordinated by IARU. As mentioned by Mr. Mani the downlink frequency is 437.425 Mhz. Apparently the srmsat website is down for the past couple of months. The web-team is trying to get the website operational. 73 AB3OE, Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti ------------------------------------------------------------- Erasmus Mundus Space Master (2012), Department of Space Science Luleå University of Technology Rymdcampus 1 SE-981 92, Kiruna, Sweden. Ph : +46738016907 Hi Bill and Dinesh, I was a part of the ISRO team that conducted the Thermal Vacuum, vibration and other environmental tests for both Jugnu and SRMSat. I was able to receive the signals from both the satellites, while they were here in my cetre during the above mentioned test. I even used Funcube Dongle to receive and decode the telemetry CW data. Frequencies: SRMSat: Payload down link and CW Beacon on the same frequency - 437.425 (10dbm) Jugnu: CW Beacon - 437.275 (17dbm) Pay load - 437.505 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 at isac.gov.in <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> vu2wmy_mani at yahoo.com <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> isrohams at yahoo.com <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> Quoting Bill Ress <bill at hsmicrowave.com <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>>: >* Hi Dinesh,*>**>* Perhaps some clarifications are in order.*>**>* The IARU has frequency coordinated SRMSAT at 437.425MHz for the down *>* link with no mention of coordination of the uplink. The link you *>* provided says the downlink is 434.5 MHz which puts it outside the *>* 435-438 MHz satellite band. Additionally, it mentions an uplink at *>* 145.8 MHz. right at the lower edge of the 145.8 to 146 MHz satellite *>* band.*>**>* The referenced web site, www.srmsat.in, is not functional, so recent *>* information is not available there. Do you have any other reference *>* links?*>**>* Regards...Bill - N6GHz*>**>**>**>* On 10/3/2011 7:54 AM, Dinesh Cyanam wrote:*>>* Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti, AB3OE, confirmed that SRMSAT has passed all the*>>* required tests and is now at ISRO's spaceport, Sriharikota, ready for the*>>* Oct 12th launch.*>>* The downlink and ground station details for SRMSAT can be found on AB3OE's*>>* page here:*>>* http://srmuniv.academia.edu/SSN/Papers/149827/Ground_Station_Design_for_a_N…>>**>>* At the moment, I have no information about JUGNU. Will keep you all posted*>>* as and when I get more details.*>>**>>* 73*>>* Dinesh Cyanam*>>* KC2YQJ<dinesh at cyanam.net <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>>*>>**>>**>>**>>**>>>* Message: 7*>>>* Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:44:36 +0100 (BST)*>>>* From: "Trevor ."<m5aka at yahoo.co.uk <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>>*>>>* To: amsat-bb at amsat.org <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>*>>>* Subject: [amsat-bb] JUGNU and SRMSAT - Ootober 12 ?*>>>* Message-ID:*>>>* <1316997876.96255.YahooMailClassic at web27204.mail.ukl.yahoo.com <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>>*>>>* Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8*>>>**>>>* JUGNU is listed on Gunters Space page with a possible launch date of*>>>* October 12. It's beacon frequency is given as 435.68 MHz*>>>**>>>* JUGNU Frequency*>>>* http://www.iitk.ac.in/me/jugnu/freq_coord.htm*>>>**>>>* SRMSAT is listed as being on the same launch and is understood to have a 2m*>>>* control uplink and 70cm downlink.*>>>**>>>* SRM University Ham Exam*>>>**>>>* http://chennaihams.blogspot.com/2010/03/asol-exam-conducted-at-srm-universi…>>>**>>>* 73 Trevor M5AKA* * *

3 2

Sat Magazine - Interorbital
by Trevor . 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Article on Interorobitals Neptune launcher in the latest issue of Sat Magazine, see http://www.satmagazine.com/2011/SM_Oct_2011.pdf 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

Re: Ham Sats Dead?
by Clint Bradford 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

>> ... I don't think much of "education" as a reason for hamsats ... I am a school tech support volunteer for NASA and the ARISS program. I am glad to see that we received more than 100 applications for five slots for ISS contacts the first part of next year. That means there are more than 100 principals and more than 200 teachers who are exposing their thousands of students to this aspect of amateur radio. An upcoming ARISS contact in San Diego alone will have 480 students and 40 educators in the room. And there are many educators "using" and including the FM LEOs and related topics in their lesson plans. >> ... It had some value a few decades ago but much less now with an internet where kids can surf far more interesting information then whatever ham radio has to offer ... I hear this "The Internet is killing amateur radio ... " allegation all over the place. Never any facts or evidence is ever offered ... a great teacher can stimulate a classroom ,,, >> ... I was President of a local school board ... and while educators would take space station contacts because that is what they do...the educational value was rated as low...and I think it is ... Wow ... Why would a similar district have wonderful lesson plans and get excited about this technology for their students - while yours found it boring? >> ... Really there is "nothing" unique about talking to the astronauts on ISS using ham radio either directly or through a telebridge ... We're really on opposite sides here. You cannot tell that to the 600+ audiences of assembled kids that have participated in the ARISS contacts. Pick out ANY YouTube video of an ARISS project - and you will see joy on faces ... that suppressed excited applause when the ISS astronaut first responds ... and wild applause after the last transmission. I find it difficult to believe that a quality educator could make that experience boring and ordinary. >> ... Why is AMSAT floundering? Easy answer...they have no product that interest people with large investments in amateur satellite gear ... I didn't realize AMSAT was "floundering." But put that aside - No, we don't have a new HEO bird on HF for you. As soon as AMSAT can raise about US$550K for one, you can fire up your sat gear again. But there's a value in the LEOs - I have been invited to show 'em off more than 20 times each of the past four years to clubs and hamfests. There IS an interest in working the LEOs. >> ... and what they do they have proven functionally incompetent at ... I am just sitting here and smiling, knowing that AMSAT's "incompetent engineers" have AO-51 up and running at almost 900mW for us - that's with one dead battery cell, and another at about 0.1V ... running past its expected life expectancy. >> ... I should give them a pass on Suitsat2 because they dont have a clue about how to deal with the Russians...well thats more incompetence. >From what I researched on my own (as I am not on the ARISSat-1 team in any manner), I saw broken promises and unannounced/unexpected changes in scheduling/testing/deployment - hardly anything you could blame AMSAT for. But excuse me - I have another "Request for NASA Surveys" from another ARISS school contact that I need to send to NASA this evening ... And so it goes. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

1 0

Happy B-day, Sputnik!
by Clint Bradford 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

It was October 4, 1957, when the Russians successfully launched SPUTNIK. Clint Bradford

1 0

Explorer-1 Prime - how long is the tracking tone?
by Douglas Quagliana 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

According to the Explorer-1 Prime operations web page at http://ssel.montana.edu/e1p/operations/ the satellite will transmit a 2200 Hertz tracking tone before each FSK AX.25 packet is transmitted. What is the duration of the tracking tone? one second? ten seconds? Does anyone have a sample recordings of the tracking tone and beacon? Douglas KA2UPW/5

1 0

ISS Back on
by Kevin Deane 04 Oct '11

04 Oct '11

Looks like its back on AND I got a new cable for my TNC yeaaaa!!! Hope to see some people Not Beacons! Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

...
by Kevin Deane 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

I find myself calling in the pile on HF on occasion (I'm working on helping my HF signal this week). Getting through on satellite is much easier and faster. Back when we had AO-13 and AO-10 we also had AO-21 (FM Bird). The FM bird was pretty much the same in those days. You are correct it is a lot like contesting. I actually enjoy the quick exchange format of the FM birds. I really don't understand why other folks feel the need to complain about it-- if you like it join us -- if it's not your cup of tea, there are many other facets of Ham radio available. 73, Joe kk0sd YEAH! Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

Re: JUGNU and SRMSAT - October 12 ?
by Mani VU2WMY 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Hi Bill and Dinesh, I was a part of the ISRO team that conducted the Thermal Vacuum, vibration and other environmental tests for both Jugnu and SRMSat. I was able to receive the signals from both the satellites, while they were here in my cetre during the above mentioned test. I even used Funcube Dongle to receive and decode the telemetry CW data. Frequencies: SRMSat: Payload down link and CW Beacon on the same frequency - 437.425 (10dbm) Jugnu: CW Beacon - 437.275 (17dbm) Pay load - 437.505 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 Quoting Bill Ress <bill(a)hsmicrowave.com>: > Hi Dinesh, > > Perhaps some clarifications are in order. > > The IARU has frequency coordinated SRMSAT at 437.425MHz for the down > link with no mention of coordination of the uplink. The link you > provided says the downlink is 434.5 MHz which puts it outside the > 435-438 MHz satellite band. Additionally, it mentions an uplink at > 145.8 MHz. right at the lower edge of the 145.8 to 146 MHz satellite > band. > > The referenced web site, www.srmsat.in, is not functional, so recent > information is not available there. Do you have any other reference > links? > > Regards...Bill - N6GHz > > > > On 10/3/2011 7:54 AM, Dinesh Cyanam wrote: >> Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti, AB3OE, confirmed that SRMSAT has passed all the >> required tests and is now at ISRO's spaceport, Sriharikota, ready for the >> Oct 12th launch. >> The downlink and ground station details for SRMSAT can be found on AB3OE's >> page here: >> http://srmuniv.academia.edu/SSN/Papers/149827/Ground_Station_Design_for_a_N… >> >> At the moment, I have no information about JUGNU. Will keep you all posted >> as and when I get more details. >> >> 73 >> Dinesh Cyanam >> KC2YQJ<dinesh(a)cyanam.net> >> >> >> >> >>> Message: 7 >>> Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:44:36 +0100 (BST) >>> From: "Trevor ."<m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> >>> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >>> Subject: [amsat-bb] JUGNU and SRMSAT - Ootober 12 ? >>> Message-ID: >>> <1316997876.96255.YahooMailClassic(a)web27204.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> >>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 >>> >>> JUGNU is listed on Gunters Space page with a possible launch date of >>> October 12. It's beacon frequency is given as 435.68 MHz >>> >>> JUGNU Frequency >>> http://www.iitk.ac.in/me/jugnu/freq_coord.htm >>> >>> SRMSAT is listed as being on the same launch and is understood to have a 2m >>> control uplink and 70cm downlink. >>> >>> SRM University Ham Exam >>> >>> http://chennaihams.blogspot.com/2010/03/asol-exam-conducted-at-srm-universi… >>> >>> 73 Trevor M5AKA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 0

AO-51 pass at 22:06 UTC 2011-10-01
by Omar Alvarez 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

What a shame this pass, just a few QSOs can be finished because all calling others without give a chance the complete the current QSO. What we need to fix that?.... I will wait for a better pass. Have a nice weekend. Omar XE1AO DK89df ******************************** M.C. Omar Alvarez Cárdenas Facultad de Telematica, U de C 316 1075 xe1aom(a)ucol.mx omar_ac(a)hotmail.com ********************************

12 18

Re: JUGNU and SRMSAT - October 12 ?
by Dinesh Cyanam 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Sanjay Srikanth Nekkanti, AB3OE, confirmed that SRMSAT has passed all the required tests and is now at ISRO's spaceport, Sriharikota, ready for the Oct 12th launch. The downlink and ground station details for SRMSAT can be found on AB3OE's page here: http://srmuniv.academia.edu/SSN/Papers/149827/Ground_Station_Design_for_a_N… At the moment, I have no information about JUGNU. Will keep you all posted as and when I get more details. 73 Dinesh Cyanam KC2YQJ <dinesh(a)cyanam.net> > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:44:36 +0100 (BST) > From: "Trevor ." <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] JUGNU and SRMSAT - Ootober 12 ? > Message-ID: > <1316997876.96255.YahooMailClassic(a)web27204.mail.ukl.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > JUGNU is listed on Gunters Space page with a possible launch date of > October 12. It's beacon frequency is given as 435.68 MHz > > JUGNU Frequency > http://www.iitk.ac.in/me/jugnu/freq_coord.htm > > SRMSAT is listed as being on the same launch and is understood to have a 2m > control uplink and 70cm downlink. > > SRM University Ham Exam > > http://chennaihams.blogspot.com/2010/03/asol-exam-conducted-at-srm-universi… > > 73 Trevor M5AKA > >

3 2

using 736 with CAT Control/USB
by Tim Goodrich 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Hi all, I just bought a Yaesu 736 and am interested in doing some work on the satellites with SatPC. Can you tell me what most people use to connect the 736 to a USB port to do CAT control? I know there's an issue with TTL levels and I also know not to use the prolific chip set. Thanks! Tim K6TW

1 0

Students - Name That Spacecraft!
by Clint Bradford 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

NASA INVITES STUDENTS TO NAME MOON-BOUND SPACECRAFT WASHINGTON -- NASA has a class assignment for U.S. students: help the agency give the twin spacecraft headed to orbit around the moon new names. The naming contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade at schools in the United States. Entries must be submitted by teachers using an online entry form. Length of submissions can range from a short paragraph to a 500-word essay. The entry deadline is Nov. 11. NASA's solar-powered Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL)-A and GRAIL-B spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. on Sept. 10 to begin a three-and-a-half-month journey to the moon. GRAIL will create a gravity map of the moon using two spacecraft that orbit at very precise distances. The mission will enable scientists to learn about the moon's internal structure and composition, and give scientists a better understanding of its origin. Accurate knowledge of the moon's gravity also could be used to help choose future landing sites. "A NASA mission to the moon is one of the reasons why I am a scientist today," said GRAIL Principal Investigator Maria Zuber from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge. "My hope is that GRAIL motivates young people today towards careers in science, math and technology. Getting involved with naming our two GRAIL spacecraft could inspire their interest not only in space exploration but in the sciences, and that's a good thing." Zuber and former astronaut Sally Ride of Sally Ride Science in San Diego will chair the final round of judging. Sally Ride Science is the lead for GRAIL's MoonKAM program, which enables students to task cameras aboard the two GRAIL spacecraft to take close-up views of the lunar surface. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., manages the GRAIL mission. GRAIL is part of the Discovery Program managed at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver built the spacecraft. For contest rules and more information, visit: http://grail.nasa.gov/contest The public can email questions to: grailcontest(a)jpl.nasa.gov For more information about GRAIL, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/grail For more information about MoonKAM, visit: https://moonkam.ucsd.edu/ -end- Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

1 0

Fwd: [Moon-net] MY FRIEND AL Lee WA4EWV SK
by Sebastian, W4AS 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Passing along some sad news. Al was very active on satellites at one point, as well as meteor scatter, and EME. RIP my friend. 73 de Sebastian, W4AS Begin forwarded message: > From: serge <ve1kg(a)eastlink.ca> > Subject: [Moon-net] Fw: MY FRIEND AL Lee WA4EWV SK > Date: October 3, 2011 11:02:15 AM EDT > To: moon-net(a)nsla.com, moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: serge szpilfogel > To: Serge Szpilfogel > Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 2:45 PM > Subject: MY FRIEND AL Lee WA4EWV SK > > It is with great sadness that my good friend Al WA4EWV passed away September 30th,2011 at a hospital in Tallahassee Florida, following a brief illness. > Those who knew Al will remember his quick smile, kind nature & truly wonderful sense of humour. I met Al & Bettie while wintering in Florida.Al was very interested in satellite work & EME putting together a very nice station.He loved chasing new countries. > Al was a captain for Delta airline & flew a 767-ER from Atlanta to Frankfurt & back every week.As he flew over Nova Scotia & Newfoundland every week He said to me when I retire I will visit Atlantic Canada instead of flying over it all the time. So he did & that is when I met Al & Bettie. > Al had a brilliant mind when it came to computers & often helped me with problems I could not resolved. > Al was a great friend & a devoted husband to Bettie & an equally devoted Father to his three children. > He was taken far too soon, & too suddenly. I will miss you, we will miss you. > Rest in Peace my dear friend > Serge VE1KG

1 0

ARRL Spectrum Defense Matters newletter
by Trevor . 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

There are no Global Primary Amateur and Amateur Satellite Service allocations between 146 MHz and 24 GHz. Access to spectrum suitable for weak signal work in the 146-3500 MHz region is crucial for the Amateur Satellite Service. It is encouraging to read on page 2 of the September issue of the ARRL Spectrum Defense Matters newletter about the formation of the IARU Spectrum Futures Committee. The aim of the Committee is to develop strategies for retaining access to bands above 148 MHz for the amateur and amateur-satellite services globally. In the past it seemed that IARU was only interested in HF and ignored the UHF and Microwave spectrum, so the formation of this committee seems a step in the right direction. Read the ARRL Spectrum Defense Matters newletter http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Development/Spectrum%20Defense%20Newsletter2… 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

operating FM Sats/phonetics
by Ellis Foley 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

Return Mail to wa1rks(a)yahoo.com I agree whole heartily with the use of phonetics any time ! anywhere!. lots of old ears out there, (mine included) but not just that, conditions on any medium is always subject to degradation,Faraday,phaseshift,doppler,you name it-It can happen.especially with the "E" sounding letters,namely T,Z,E,B,C,V to name a few. I can't count the times I called for another ID to get one of them that I missed the first time around. Even under ideal conditions, not everyone's grammar and .diction is understandable. My other pet peeve is the use of improper phonetics, The world has one set, use them only, I don't like hearing "Zebra, Zink,Zorch!!" for Zulu. A few Good operatiing practices makes for an enjoyable Qso, not just a "zip it lip it,get on with it,and wheres the next guy?". My two cents worth.:-)Thanks 73 Gud dx ! Happy Dx Hunting !. de Ellis Wa1rks

1 0

ARISSat-1 Contact Experiment via Trqnsponder
by Farrell Winder 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

In follow up of my previous post request, ARISSAT-1 did not activate for my location in Cincinnati until there was only about 40 seconds left in the pass which started at 13:44Z AOS. However, I did hear my CW signals with slight fading. Due to the eclipse delay and orbit it does not appear favorable at my location for further experiments via ARISSat-1 transponder for several days. . Thanks to anyone who might have tuned for my signal. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF, Cincinnati, Ohio

1 0

ARISSar-1 Transponder Contact Try
by Farrell Winder 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

I am trying to make 2 way contact via the ARISSat-1 transponder. I have fixed my Rx at 145.934.5 to avoid local interference. Will be sending CQ W8ZCF during pass today Monday Oct3 at 13:44Z. Appreciate anyone who might try to contact me. Thanks. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF, Cincinnati, Ohio

1 0

For sale....
by Jeffrey Koehler 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

So I thought I would offer here first before I put it up on eBay/QRZ/QTH Gently used Yaesu FT-726R. Has the Sat module installed and also 2 meter and 70 cm boards installed. Full advertised output power on SSB FM and CW. Rig works like a champ.. Hate to give it up. Was actually used in my old voice-over studio-a non smoking environment. Only thing non functional are the 2 incandescent lamps in the ALC/Power meters on the front. BTW..this is not a computer controlled rig. Asking $450 shipped CONUS. Thanks...sorry for the BW. 73 Jeff WB2SYK. Jeffk13057(a)yahoo.com

1 0

QSL Cards
by Kevin Deane 03 Oct '11

03 Oct '11

I did keep a LITTLE better track this time, there were a few that didnt make it on the K8YSE's Rec page. Anyone wanting cards for these grids/dates please email info and I will send them out. I have AC0RA, K7TRK, KA6SIP already. SEP. 25 DM05/DM13 26 DM23 27,28,29DM13 30 DM06,07 I think thats right Will do DM08 next time I go to Jim's, probly next weekend. I need to redo my coax ends, but after listening to the recordings for some reason my radio/ant still sound like a tin can and the recordings from way back sound the same, except from Jim's house so I dont know kinda bothers me. I hope I dont sound like that on the local repeaters? How would I know... Anyway catch ya on the air! Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

EM53
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

If you worked me in EM53 mobile today on AO51 and need a card, email me your log entry and I will QSL Thanks WA4HFN Damon

2 1

Re: Hearing AO-51
by Clint Bradford 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

>> ... Should I be able to hear AO-51 using an eggbeater with no preamp?. Eggbeaters are great conversation starters. For working the FM sats, I have not been excited with my Eggbeater's performance. And I own one of the best - with horizontal plane kit installed. Just get a little "directionality" to your antenna ... Heck, we're working the FM birds with Tape Measure Beams. And with "better" HT antennas. Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

2 1

Hearing AO-51
by Paul Delaney - K6HR 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

Should I be able to hear AO-51 using an eggbeater with no preamp?. I can hear VO-52 just fine but have not heard AO-51at all, so I have to wonder why. I'm listening on 435.15. Perhaps the sat is not active while over DM03? Or am I kidding myself thinking I should be able to hear it without a preamp? I realize the VO-52 downlink is 2m as opposed to the 70cm AO-51 downlink. I'm having my preamps repaired but until then I could use some advice/opinions. Paul Delaney - K6HR http://k6hr.dyndns.org:8080

3 4

Operating practice on (mostly) FM sats
by Michael Schulz 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

Hi, While we're at it talking about the AO-51 craziness at times (5 am passes are quite pleasant) I'd like to bring up another thing that constantly gets me which is not using phonetics for call signs. Just because it is a FM satellite doesn't mean everybody is clearly understandable and it makes it more difficult to copy calls. Why not just use phonetics to begin with and make it easier for everybody to work stations? Just an idea. Comments welcome. 73 Mike K5TRI

2 1

Re: Ham Sats Dead?
by Clint Bradford 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

>> ... As wonderful as what you write is, I suspect it is not enough to sustain the satellite part of the hobby. First, YOU are to be commended for your support of AMSAT. I hope that all those who "got in" as Lifers back when it was really relatively inexpensive to do so still see to it that a little is donated each year to AMSAT-NA in some manner ... Not to be argumentative (who, ME argumentative?), but please help me understand what you mean when you state, " ... not enough to sustain ... " - I mean, it is obvious that money is what is needed to get these birds built and launched. So you are correct: All the lesson plans and contacts with a Watt or two in front of awe-struick audiences so not bring in the funds necessary to sustain this aspect of the hobby. Unless one of us wins a state lottery, how do we get projects funded? Who among us is into writing grants? My wife has written a few successful ones for the nonprofits we support. But who else has some time to research and identify that type of funding? PayPal widgets on hams' Web sites aren't cutting it. Gotta finish some stuff in the back yard ... THANK YOU for the dialogue. Clint, K6LCS

1 0

Re: Hearing AO-51
by Clint Bradford 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

>> ... ISS was nothing more then a flying mailbox and that getting a qsl card for leaving a message in an orbiting bbs was dumb ... I was wishing that that type of ignorance didn't exist in our hobby ... but I've been called an "optimist" (as well as several other things ... (grin)). I was on the organizing committee for a local hamfest a few years ago, and actually ran into a similar sentiment. The "powers-that-be" desired the 'fest's station to be all-HF. When I pointed out that that was discriminatory, elitist, and not in the best interests of furthering amateur radio to the masses, they relented. But I wasn't asked to be on the committee the next year ... And so it goes. Clint, K6LCS

1 0

Re: Ham Sats Dead?
by Andre 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

Reminds me of a discusion I withnessed here localy. a club had the oppertunety to promote hamradio on a local event with a stall. On the day of the event it turned out that the stall had nothing more then a few HF stations all with CW key and one computer for digital modes. When asked about why there was no attention for ariss or modern technics but only HF the answer was that CW was hot and they had one young man (yes ONE) that came back to see it again and ISS was nothing more then a flying mailbox and that getting a qsl card for leaving a message in an orbiting bbs was dumb. Personaly I think answering 59 please repeat all details is dumb but I don't go around making my personal opinion superior to any other, if they are happy doing it fine, the hobby is big enough to allow all aspects to be valid. 73 Andre PE1RDW Op 2-10-2011 19:29, Clint Bradford schreef: > In another forum, an unenlightened ham made the following allegation. Sorry, folks - > I just cannot let this type of nonsense go unanswered ... (grin) > > ELSEWHERE>> ... I'm sure but the amateur satellite service is on life support right > now ... things like the ARISSAT are just a novelty ... > > I am proud to report that NO, this aspect of the hobby is by no means "dead" nor dying. > > We received more than 100 applications for ARISS school-to-ISS contacts for the first > part of next year. That means there's 100 school principals and 200 teachers who are > interested - and their enthusiasm is transmitted (pun intended) to their students, > numbering in the thousands. SO, there ARE educators and school children receiving > information and whose lesson plans include amateur radio and the ISS. > > This is important. Those who demean projects like ARISSat-1 are not educators. This > project alone has stimulated the minds of hundreds of thousands of school children > around the planet - through the work of teachers. There's PLENTY to be taught and > learned from such a project - and it IS being taught. > > One of the two popular study guides for amateur radio licensing - the "2010-2014 > Technician Class by Gordon West" - has a sidebar with satelllite-related links for > further information. Heck, Gordo ran a Technician class yesterday to a standing- > room-only crowd, and he made his traditional "test call" on a local repeater ... I > happened to be on the air, answered him, and gave those soon-to-be-hams a plug > for working the satellites ... > > Of course we would like another high-altitude bird. It takes money. 99.999% of > those who demean current AMSAT projects don't give a cent to AMSAT. The > wildly-successful-by-ANYone's-standards AO-51 project cost approximately $500K > to build, plus another $110K to launch. As a testament to how well that sat was > engineered, it is continuing to transmit at 800mW+ the past two months - with > one battery cell dead and another at 0.1V. It continues to be included in school > lesson plans, as well as public demonstrations, Field Days, JOTA and Scout activities, > and it's there for just you and me to step outside a few times a week and work with > a Watt or two ... > > My bottom line? Folks who claim that this aspect of the hobby is "dead" or "dying" > might be correct, in that for them in their small circles, they may not be excited > with the current satellite projects. But in reality, the existing LEOs are wonderful > teaching tools - being taught about and studied and appreciated - in classrooms > and presentation rooms and hamfests and conventions and parking lots and public > parks - across the planet. > > Donate to AMSAT. Today. Be a part of the future of the amateur satellite program. > Amend your will, and include AMSAT-NA in your estate - there's a method to donate > that doesn't "hurt" a bit. And volunteer to give a demo at your local middle school > or high school. Be a part of the educational process - see how YOU can bring > excitement to a classroom of future hams. > > OR, just sit back and without knowledge of reality declare "Ham sats are dead," > in public message forums. > > The choice is yours. > > Clint Bradford, K6LCS > NASA / ARISS school technical support volunteer > AMSAT area coordinator > 909-241-7666 > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 >

1 0

Ham Sats Dead?
by Clint Bradford 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

In another forum, an unenlightened ham made the following allegation. Sorry, folks - I just cannot let this type of nonsense go unanswered ... (grin) ELSEWHERE >> ... I'm sure but the amateur satellite service is on life support right now ... things like the ARISSAT are just a novelty ... I am proud to report that NO, this aspect of the hobby is by no means "dead" nor dying. We received more than 100 applications for ARISS school-to-ISS contacts for the first part of next year. That means there's 100 school principals and 200 teachers who are interested - and their enthusiasm is transmitted (pun intended) to their students, numbering in the thousands. SO, there ARE educators and school children receiving information and whose lesson plans include amateur radio and the ISS. This is important. Those who demean projects like ARISSat-1 are not educators. This project alone has stimulated the minds of hundreds of thousands of school children around the planet - through the work of teachers. There's PLENTY to be taught and learned from such a project - and it IS being taught. One of the two popular study guides for amateur radio licensing - the "2010-2014 Technician Class by Gordon West" - has a sidebar with satelllite-related links for further information. Heck, Gordo ran a Technician class yesterday to a standing- room-only crowd, and he made his traditional "test call" on a local repeater ... I happened to be on the air, answered him, and gave those soon-to-be-hams a plug for working the satellites ... Of course we would like another high-altitude bird. It takes money. 99.999% of those who demean current AMSAT projects don't give a cent to AMSAT. The wildly-successful-by-ANYone's-standards AO-51 project cost approximately $500K to build, plus another $110K to launch. As a testament to how well that sat was engineered, it is continuing to transmit at 800mW+ the past two months - with one battery cell dead and another at 0.1V. It continues to be included in school lesson plans, as well as public demonstrations, Field Days, JOTA and Scout activities, and it's there for just you and me to step outside a few times a week and work with a Watt or two ... My bottom line? Folks who claim that this aspect of the hobby is "dead" or "dying" might be correct, in that for them in their small circles, they may not be excited with the current satellite projects. But in reality, the existing LEOs are wonderful teaching tools - being taught about and studied and appreciated - in classrooms and presentation rooms and hamfests and conventions and parking lots and public parks - across the planet. Donate to AMSAT. Today. Be a part of the future of the amateur satellite program. Amend your will, and include AMSAT-NA in your estate - there's a method to donate that doesn't "hurt" a bit. And volunteer to give a demo at your local middle school or high school. Be a part of the educational process - see how YOU can bring excitement to a classroom of future hams. OR, just sit back and without knowledge of reality declare "Ham sats are dead," in public message forums. The choice is yours. Clint Bradford, K6LCS NASA / ARISS school technical support volunteer AMSAT area coordinator 909-241-7666

1 0

Re: AO-51 pass at 22:06 UTC 2011-10-01
by K5OE 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

Mike, K5TRI, writes: > p.s.: For the ironically challenged, this was irony. I don't run 1KW up > to any satellite as everybody knows it's not enough. Apparently, not even for FO-29 any more. That's a shame to, because I always had a nice signal on FO-29 when I ran the 1 KW amp. 73, Jerry, K5OE

2 1

VY1RM VO-52, 1000th grid worked
by John Papay 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

It is difficult for me to believe that there have been 1000 grids active in the last 5 years. When I first started in satellites I thought two or three hundred grids would be about it, but many things happened to move that estimate up. Last night I worked VY1RM in the Yukon for grid number 1000 with VO-52 at 2-3 degrees. This total would not have been possible had it not been for the many who have gone to grids away from their home comfort zone and operated on the birds, sometimes under very difficult conditions. I thought it might be interesting to create a listing of those who have given me more than one NEW grid. Many have also operated in multiple grids that I already had. This list does not reflect the many who have given others NEW grids over the past five years. UT1FG/MM 175 2M1EUB/P 4 XE1AO 3 ND9M 113 G7MAR/MM 4 AJ9K 2 WD9EWK 31 KB5WIA 4 K0BAM 2 WC7V 21 KB9BIT 4 K7CWQ 2 KD4ZGW 16 KI6YAA 4 K7DRA 2 K5OE 10 KK0SD 4 K7TRK 2 KB0RZD 10 VE6AB 4 KA0RID 2 KD8CAO 9 W5ACM 4 KC2LRC 2 AA5CK 8 WA8SME 4 KE7DOV 2 N5AFV 8 XE2AT 4 KG6NUB 2 XE3DX 8 XE2JA 4 KL1WE 2 KC0YBM 7 AA5PK 3 KL7AC 2 N5ZNL 7 CO6CBF 3 N0RC 2 VE8EV 7 DL7VTX 3 N3TL 2 W6GMT 7 G7KES/MM 3 VA3BL 2 N0JE 6 KC0ZHF 3 VE3NKL 2 N2SPI 6 LA4FPA 3 VE7JMN 2 VO1ONE 6 N9AMW 3 WA5KBH 2 WA4NVM 5 W6ZKH 3 XE1BRX 2 XE1AY 5 WA6ARA 3 XE2JTS 2 WA7HQD 3 UT1FG/MM tops the list from operations onboard cargo ships in 2009-2010-2011. Yuri is the ship's Master and has sailed across the Atlantic, around South America, through the Panama Canal, into the Caribbean and up the Atlantic coast to the St. Lawrence Seaway. Pictures of his most recent voyage on the Mottler are on my website. They were taken by Walt WP4T, Carmen WP3PJ, and Walner, WP4NYS. Wes KP4WES was also on board the Mottler. You may recall hearing his voice on one of the ARRISat-1 broadcasts. http://papays.com/sat/mottlerweb/page_01.htm Next on the list is ND9M who recently operated /MM on a voyage from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, across the Pacific, through the Panama Canal to Jacksonville FL and then on to Charleston SC. He got up in the middle of the night to work the birds. Jim has also operated from hundreds of grids in the US. He holds reverse-VUCC at 325 grids! Patrick, WD9EWK is an experienced satellite rover and has made trips to Canada to put on the rare ones. He is always active traveling to Arizona grids and setting up AMSAT tables at hamfests in the West. Next up is Kerry, WC7V. He has traveled to many of the DN grids by car and sometimes by flying there in his personal airplane. He continues to be active on all the birds. Rob, KD4ZGW, is an over-the-road truck driver who has traveled all over the United States. He was very active from his big rig in many rare grids. He holds reverse-VUCC at 100 grids! Many have had the chance to meet him when he has traveled through their home town. Jerry, K5OE, was a very active satellite operator years ago and has recently become active again. His cruise ship vacation netted quite a few water grids for me and for many others. Gail, KB0RZD, is a very active satellite operator and has traveled to many rare grids around his QTH. His photo qsl cards give an idea of where he actually operated from. He continues to be an active, away from home, grid expeditioner. My son Doug, KD8CAO, has traveled to many grids that I needed. He got me started in satellites and we have enjoyed the hobby together. He is on the AMSAT Operations Team and very active on the birds. He has designed both hardware and software that is used in my home station. The list is huge and there are stories associated with each operator. They all have made life on the birds more interesting. Interest in satellites is higher now than at any time since I started 5 years ago. In the DX world, dxpeditions create challenges and activity. It's no different in satellites. It can get very crowded at times but it would be very boring if there was nothing new to work. Most everyone lives close to another grid and sometimes those grids can be very rare. If there is no regular operator active in a particular grid, there will be many that need it. So if you are up for a challenge you will find the experience very satisfying. Thanks again to everyone that made this milestone possible. 73, John K8YSE

2 1

Re: AO-51 pass at 22:06 UTC 2011-10-01
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

Jeff, Instead of complaining here on the BB, why don't you email the stations that are doing it and offer some suggestions to improve their operating practices and maybe point them to John K8YSE's website. You might be surprised at the response you get (in a good way) Dave - KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID X

2 1

2M1EUB/P NOW QRV NE.SCOTLAND
by paul robinson 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

Now qrv from my holiday cottage re qrz.com ...io87mc 1 WEEK de paul 2M1EUB/P

1 0

Anyone up for late night fun??
by normn3ykf＠stny.rr.com 02 Oct '11

02 Oct '11

Will be out for so-50 and will try ao-27 again. 530 and 630z respectively. Anyone want to play?? Norm n3ykf fn11rx

1 0

100 Year Star Ship Symposium
by Joe Leikhim 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

I have attended the 100 year SSS the past two days. The real eye opener was a presentation by Claudio Maccone about using the Sun's gravitational field as a lens for optical and RF path enhancement. The effect works with any orbital mass (moon perhaps?), but the proposal was to establish fixed interstellar comm links with little path loss. I present this here because it might be food for discussion about placement of relay satellites in orbits around masses other than Earth, may have an apparent and usable gain. There are a bunch of links, you can start here. Perhaps some might want to take the math and work out how we could use our sun or moon for a gain lens for the next OSCAR, and perhaps with a wideband RX experiment. Secondly, I think SETI can benefit! The topic of "ET" knowing this trick was suggested. http://www.centauri-dreams.org/?p=785 -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446

1 0

ANS-275 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-275 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: * Lance Ginner, K6GSJ 2011 AMSAT Symposium Banquet Speaker * OSCAR 1 Prototype Will Be Operating at the 2011 Symposium * Auburn University AubieSat-1 Scheduled for Launch from Vandenberg * K6LCS Satellite Presentation at the Anchorage Hamfest * ARISS Status - 26 September 2011 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-275.01 Lance Ginner, K6GSJ 2011 AMSAT Symposium Banquet Speaker AMSAT News Service Bulletin 275.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 2, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-275.01 AMSAT is privileged to have Lance Ginner, K6GSJ as our banquet speaker. As AMSAT and the amateur radio community celebrate the 50th anniversary of the launch of OSCAR 1 (placed in orbit on 12 DEC 61), we look forward to Lance's remarks about how OSCAR 1 was developed and the impact of amateur radio satellites on his professional career. We will hear about the personal, technical, political, and security issues regarding the early OSCARs. First licensed in 1954 at the age of 16, Lance started his amateur career as a novice (KN6GSJ) and quickly upgraded to become K6GSJ, the same general class license he holds today. Following his grad- uation from college in 1959, he joined Lockheed Missiles and Space Division in Sunnyvale, CA. While at Lockheed, Lance became involved with Chuck Towns, K6LFH and others in Project Oscar and helped build OSCAR 1 (Launched on 12 DEC 61) and OSCAR 2 (Launched on 2 JUN 62) and test and integrate those spacecraft to the Discoverer host vehicle. OSCAR 1 became one of the first free flying 'secondary payloads' to be flown into space. Lance's involvement with amateur radio spacecraft continued with his work with OSCAR 3, OSCAR 4, OSCAR 5 (the first for the newly formed Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation in 1970), OSCAR 6, OSCAR 7, and OSCAR 8. Lance's involvement with the early OSCAR satellites continued with AMSAT, working with Jan King, W3GEY (AMSAT VP-Engineering), Perry Klein, W3PK (AMSAT's first President), and Dick Daniels, W4PUJ (AMSAT Propulsion). You are invited to read more of Lance's career as one of Amateur Radio in Space pioneers on the 2011 Symposium web page: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/BanquetSpeaker.php [ANS thanks the 2011 Symposium Committee for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-275.02 OSCAR 1 Prototype Will Be Operating at the 2011 Symposium AMSAT News Service Bulletin 275.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 2, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-275.02 The AMSAT 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th at the Windham Hotel in San Jose, California. This year's Symposium coincides the cele- bration of the 50th anniversary of OSCAR 1. Symposium Banquet Speaker and OSCAR 1 developer Lance Ginner, K6GSJ provided Bob Allison, WB1GCM of ARRL's Technical Lab and his team with technical advice to help getting the satellite operational again. Bob will also be at the Symposium and will give a brief talk on the refurbishment process. The refurbished OSCAR-1 was on display at the ARRL exhibit area at the 2011 Dayton Hamvention. We look forward to having the OSCAR 1 prototype on display during the AMSAT Symposium as well as hear the CW transmissions (now managed by a PIC controller) in the 145 MHz band. Additionally, the AMSAT News Service will re-run the weekly Project OSCAR Newsletters to commemorate the 50th anniversary of OSCAR 1. During the November/December 2011 time frame you will be able to share the excitement of the launch campaign that started it all 50 years ago. Watch for the re-publication of the Project OSCAR Newsletters in the AMSAT Journal. The Newsletters were hand-typed back in 1961. Thanks to Don Ferguson, KD6IRE for scanning the original documents announ- cing OSCAR 1. [ANS thanks the 2011 Symposium Committee for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-275.03 Auburn University AubieSat-1 Scheduled for Launch from Vandenberg AMSAT News Service Bulletin 275.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 2, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-275.03 JM Wersinger, PhD, KI4YAU, Professor Emeritus and Director of Auburn University Student Space Program in Alabama wrote this week, "We fer- vently request your assistance in receiving transmissions from an up- coming satellite, AubieSat-1, immediately after its launch from Van- denberg AFB, California, 25 October 2011 at 9:52 UTC. AubieSat-1 (AS-1) is an undergraduate - built CubeSat satellite developed by Auburn Uni- versity. AS-1 is designed to transmit with a power of about 800 milliwatts on a frequency of 437.475 MHz, plus or minus Doppler correction. The beacon signal, along with telemetry, will be sent using A1A continuous wave Morse code at 20 words per minute. Additional telemetry from the on board science experiment will use CW transmissions up to 60 WPM. Based on the pre-launch orbital data provided by NASA, AS-1 will acti- vate after deployment at 12:21 UTC, 25 October 2011. At that time, the sub-satellite point will be at 34.52 S latitude and 1.52 W longi- tude over the South Atlantic Ocean. Our predictions are that the first flights over the contiguous United States will begin as shown in the following table: Orbit AOS Elevation LOS General Locale ----- --------- ---------- -------- ------------ 3 15:54 UTC >50 deg 16:01 UTC New York 4 17:28 UTC >26 deg 17:35 UTC Texas 5 19:07 UTC >48 deg 19:14 UTC California This information will be updated should there be launch scrubs or per- formance changes in the launch, and additional information will be available upon request for specific locations. Reception reports with data contents are welcomed to the following email addresses: wersijp at auburn dot edu and tam0013 at auburn dot edu An internet Echolink conference group is also planned to begin one-half hour prior to launch and continue until about 30 minutes after confir- mation of the first receipt of signals from the satellite. Information on the conference groups title will be distributed nearer to the launch for interested stations. Please email wersijp at auburn dot edu if you require additional infor- mation and can assist in the reception and tracking of AubieSat-1. Long-time AMSAT Member John Klingelhoeffer, WB4LNM serves as the Tech- nical Advisor in Auburn University's Student Space Program. [ANS thanks Professor Wersinger, KI4YAU at Auburn University for the above information]. /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-275.04 K6LCS Satellite Presentation at the Anchorage Hamfest AMSAT News Service Bulletin 275.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 2, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-275.04 Craig Bledsoe, KL4E of the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club (AARC) noted their September 17 Hamfest featured a first ever remotely-delivered keynote presentation by Clint Bradford, K6LCS. In order to facilitate this full-duplex two-way video Skype conference between Clint's studio in Riverside, California and the Anchorage Ham- fest a team of hams assembled the technology to make this happen. Led by Rich Gillin, AL4S, and Eric Thompson, N6SPP, the team installed an AT&T active remote phased-array WiMax antenna at the hamfest and aimed it towards the AT&T Alascom headquarters on Government Hill many miles away. The resultant broadband signal enabled Clint to present over a hundred PowerPoint slides through a laptop computer and projec- tion system while his audio was delivered via a Skype connection. Two way internet video streaming allowed the audience to see Clint and he was able to see the crowd at the Hamfest. Clint delivered a fascinating look across the spectrum of amateur sat- ellite operations. From the earliest days of the first OSCAR satellites first launched over a half-century ago to the organization of AMSAT and today's comprehensive international efforts to get the latest amateur technologies into outer space, his presentation covered it all. Clint also taught the basics, showing step-by-step how a beginning ham can use a simple handheld radio and antenna to work the satellites with great success. In addition to all of the on-line satellite discussions, the AARC also conducted real-life satellite QSOs from the hamfest before and after Clint's presentation. Using AO-27, SO-50, and AO51 the host operators N6SPP and KL4E worked over a dozen amateur satellite stations in three countries. Then a number of guest operators who were attending the Hamfest got on board as well. Several visiting hams made their first satellite QSOs that day - and they were thrilled! All-in-all everyone had a great time at the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, and many visitors said that they thoroughly enjoyed Clint's presentation. Clint's satellite pages can be found at: http://www.work-sat.com [ANS thanks Craig Bledsoe, KL4E of the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-275.05 ARISS Status - 26 September 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 275.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. October 2, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-275.05 1. First ARISS Contact for Louisiana On Thursday, September 22, the first Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact to be held in Louisiana took place between students attending Kiroli Elementary School in West Monroe and Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW on the ISS. Approximately 500 students were on hand for the event. Representatives from the school board, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the media were also present. The contact was a featured activity held in conjunction with a well developed education plan covering space and communications. The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) will open its observatory in an upcoming month to Kiroli Elementary to allow students to view various celestial bodies and events, as well as the planets and stars within our solar system. Contact information and links to articles, video and audio may be found on this Web site: http://www.cs.ulm.edu/~pdw/KiroliARISS/ 2. ARISS International Team Teleconference Held The ARISS monthly teleconference was held on Tuesday, September 20. Among the agenda items discussed were the upcoming Houston face-to-face meeting and the HamTV project that ESA plans to support through a contract with Kayser-Italia. The Project Selection and Use committee will discuss HamTV and a second Kenwood radio for the Columbus module once the proposals are submitted. Minutes have been posted. See: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/arisstel2011-09-20.htm 3. Astronaut Training Status Three simulated ARISS contacts were held on Wednesday, September 21. Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG spoke with youth at the Euro Space Camp in Belgium. Kevin Ford, KF5GPP contacted the Manhattan Challenger Learning Center (CLC) and Tom Marshburn, KE5HOC answered questions from students at the CLC of Indianapolis. The training sessions were terrestrial-based amateur radio contacts using ARISS equivalent equipment that will prepare the astronauts for participation in ARISS contacts during their upcoming missions on the ISS. Ford is slated to launch with Expedition 33 in September 2012 and Hadfield and Marshburn are scheduled to fly with Expedition 34 in November 2012. 4. EE Times - ARISSat Blog On September 17, a new entry was made to the EE (Electronic Engineering) Times "Chips in Space" blog about amateur radio satellite ARISSat-1. This week the blog covers the project's lessons learned. See: http://eetimes.com/electronics-blogs/other/4227392/Chips-in-Space--Lessons- learned--Part-1 5. World Radio Magazine Covers ARISSat-1 The World Radio Magazine October 2011 issue featured an article about ARISSat-1. To view the story, "Amateur Satellites: A Bumpy Ride for ARISSat-1 on its Way to Space," see: http://www.worldradiomagazine.com/ [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

PACIFICON October 14-16
by Clint Bradford 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

Any AMSAT members (or satellite enthusiasts) attending PACIFICON October 14-16 in Santa Clara this month??? YOU can help AMSAT! I have a table in the main hallway reserved JUST FOR US! How 'bout manning the table for an hour or two Saturday? TENTATIVE satellite passes for the show ... FRIDAY 10/14/11 4:31PM PDT - AO-51 SATURDAY 10/15/11 2:43 PM PDT - AO-27 3:52 PM PDT - AO-51 7:51 PM PDT - ARISSat-1 10:16 PM PDT - SO-50 ... so I'll be outside working those at those times. And giving my presentation at 11AM and 1PM Saturday. SO ... Bring your rig and show it off at the Sat Comms table! Bring some QSL cards, too ... or biz cards from your own club ... If it is satellite-related, bring it and get it in front of a few hundred fellow hams! Call me at 909-241-7666 (or my Skypename is clintbradford). Or send email to clint(a)clintbradford.com if you are able to help out! Clint Bradford, K6LCS

1 0

XE2RCE in DM11 qsl manager KI6YAA
by Larry Teran 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

I will be the QSL Manager for this date at the Ensenada Baja Mexico Radio Club Annual meeting, please be advice that the QRZ.COM info is wrong, please request QSL to KI6YAA email or Direct is ok Thanks you all for your patiente and attention! There will be some cub members operating also.... 73" Larry KI6YAA

1 0

EM53 on AO-51
by Rick - WA4NVM 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

Damon, WA4HFN just called and asked I post he will be in EM53 mobile on the next AO-51 pass at 2032z. Good luck to those that need the grid, Rick WA4NVM

1 0

VY1RM is QRV Satellite from Whitehorse, YT CP20
by Doug Papay 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

Hello All, After many months of station design, assembly and testing, Ron VY1RM in Whitehorse, YT Canada CP20, is now QRV satellite. Ron, having been active on satellite many years ago, was already equipped with the necessary antennas and radios, but had required a rotor upgrade to get his antennas pointing automatically. This past summer, he and a team of local hams reinstalled his antennas on a G-5500 rotor at his QTH. He is now running SatPC32 to control both the rotor (with LVBTracker) and his radios. Ron's accomplishment puts a permanent satellite station in the Yukon Territory (likely the only one.) Please be listening for Ron VY1RM on both FM and linear birds in the weeks to come; give him a call if you happen to hear his callsign and welcome him back to satellite! In addition to the fact that Ron will put the rare CP20 grid within reach, the Yukon territory is also a valid entity for those who are working on the AMSAT sexagesimal or century awards. And for those up for a real challenge--the CANADAward is available from the RAC for those who complete a 2-way QSO with each of Canada's 13 provinces/territories via satellite. (not easy!) 73, Doug KD8CAO

4 3

EL18 on Sunday & Monday
by K5OE 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

I will be fishing down near Rockport, TX, Sunday & Monday and will try to make the late afternoon passes of AO-51. Sorry, but AO-27 and SO-50 are too early in the day and I don't want to take the HT either on the boat or wading :-) Equipment will be just an FT-51R and Pryme whip antenna. 73, Jerry, K5OE

1 0

tiungsat-1 mo-46
by Daniel Lind 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

If this has been posted already sorry.... There any freqs for the bird of china? Thanks Dan Thank you for your time KF1BUZ k1gem KF7LJV and the birds Fred N (RIP) oli. and Kilo

2 1

New ITU Service for CubeSats and Nanosats ?
by Trevor . 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

The latest issue of the AMSAT-UK publication OSCAR News highlights the US NTIA proposal to create a new ITU satellite service for CubeSats and NanoSats. The proposal seeks one or more frequency bands, totalling up to 10 MHz of spectrum, to support command, control, and data relay for nanosatellites and picosatellites performing a variety of functions. It proposes that a study be undertaken after WRC 2012 so that the item be placed on the preliminary agenda for WRC 2019. It is unclear where the UHF spectrum for a new ITU service would come from. Read the NTIA proposal 'Studies for identifying up to 10 MHz of spectrum for space research service in the 400-2025 MHz range for the operation of nanosatellites and picosatellites'. <a href="http://www.ntia.doc.gov/WRC_2012/Documents/NTIA_Proposal/NTIA_Proposal_2011…" target="_blank">http://www.ntia.doc.gov/WRC_2012/Documents/NTIA_Proposal/NTIA_Proposal_2011…</a>(Nanosat).doc Other NTIA WRC documents can be downloaded from <a href="http://www.ntia.doc.gov/page/documents-and-proposals" target="_blank">http://www.ntia.doc.gov/page/documents-and-proposals</a> OSCAR News is published quarterly by AMSAT-UK and posted to members. To get your copy join AMSAT-UK online at <a href="http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/</a> If you've never seen OSCAR News before you can get an idea of what it's like by downloading a sample issue from <a href="http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf</a> AMSAT-UK <a href="http://www.uk.amsat.org/" target="_blank">http://www.uk.amsat.org/</a> ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

AMSAT-UK - Fall OSCAR News
by Trevor . 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

AMSAT-UK - Fall OSCAR News The Fall edition of the color A4 newsletter OSCAR News is being posted to AMSAT-UK members this week As usual it's packed with Amateur Satellite articles: - Haven't Got A Callsign - regular column by Clive Wallis G3CWV - Memories of working Astronaut Helen Sharman GB1MIR by Chris Lorek G4HCL - Louis Varney Cup Presentation to Paul Robinson 2E1EUB - ARISSat-1 Reception - USA NTIA WRC proposal for an ITU "Educational" Satellite Service - ARISSat Update - FUNcube Testing at RAL - Syncart geostationary transponder - Report on First UK National Space Conference 2011 - FUNcube Project Report - KiwiSAT Current Status - IARU Region 1 Sun City Report - 2011 Colloquium Report - QB50 Latest News To receive this copy of OSCAR News join AMSAT-UK online at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/ If you've never seen OSCAR News before you can get an idea of what it's like by downloading a sample issue from http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf AMSAT-UK http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA

3 3

Width of the Earth's penumbra
by John Heath 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

This bb never fails to amaze me with how helpful folks can be. It was G0SFJ's postings about ARISSAt-1 MET time which set me thinking about the width of the half shadow (Penumbra) experienced by the satellite before and after eclipse. I was pointed to the simulation option in the satellite tracker Orbitron 3.17 which shows the selected satellites Eclipse condition No, Penumbra, Umbra. To activate this option click on the data tab at the bottom of the satellite listing. The simulation mode offers a variety of time steps down to 0.25 seconds. Selecting the ISS and stepping through an eclipsed part of the orbit tonight I estimated that it took the ISS 8.75 seconds to cross the Penumbra. If 7km per second is about right for the ISS then the Penumbra is 59.5 kilometres wide +/- about 1.75km. My workings may well be adrift but you get the idea. What an interesting utility, for us telemetry nuts it will add an extra dimension to solar panel data. Off to try it on some higher flying birds. 73 All G7HIA Happy Weekend

2 2

Old Oscar Sub Band 144.300-144.500
by ka9qjg 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

Hello hope Everyone is doing Well I "am not sure this Post went out or not If Someone has a Answer if You like Just E-Mail Me Direct at KA9QJG(a)WOWWAY.COM THANKS IN Advance 73 De Don KA9QJG Hello From Don KA9QJG , Hope Everyone is doing Well I have Heard and Read and ask a lot of Questions about Hams using the Oscar Sub Band 144.3-144.5 and as You can guess I Got a lot of Opinions From the ARRL, FCC And others, So I thought the Best thing to go was to actually get the Answers from You the users. Yes I know that and as a Responsible Ham I think We all should use the Guidelines , But in this Case From what I have found the Oscar Sats have not been on the Air since in Many Years , and NO Other Sats or ISS Is using the Freqs or set aside for them , So a Lot of Hams in the US are using the Freqs for FM/ SSB CW DIGTAL And Look the Well Established APRS 144.39 And long time and still used 144.34 FM for Conducting ATV And I have seen on the Internet Some States actually adding the 144.300-144.5 As Simplex FM The Problem is I have Heard People Jamming and Arguments about this over the Air , I have even seen on the Internet when doing searches for Info Some States even include this NON Used 144.300 TO 144.500 For FM Simplex Etc.. Because NO Oscar Sats Exist or Nothing else to Interfere with But I agree 100Percent if there Was the Freqs should NOT Be used for anything other then what it was intended for Thanks 73 De Don KA9QJG PS as You know We have a lot of older Hams kind of set in their ways and the New ones Are Listening and looking for ways to Fit in, and We need as Many New Responsible Hams in this Hobby as We can get But How Could We get on these Freqs Some are using and Say Hey We are not allowed here Because of the Oscar Sub Band Something that has been Gone for over 20 Yrs

6 5

Re: FO-29 off
by Mineo Wakita 01 Oct '11

01 Oct '11

FO-29 is now OFF status. I think that FO-29 is OFF when a ratio of the eclipse is less than approximately 11% according to my past experiment. Because the eclipse rate of these past several days is approximately 28%, the other causes are thought about this FO-29 OFF. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/fo29tron.htm (posted 16Nov2010) Date Mins/Day Sun% Thu 29Sep11 1034 71.81% Fri 30Sep11 1049 72.85% Sat 01Oct11 1030 71.53% Sun 02Oct11 1049 72.85% Mon 03Oct11 1020 70.83% Tue 04Oct11 1055 73.26% JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

1 0

calculation of eclipse
by normn3ykf＠stny.rr.com 30 Sep '11

30 Sep '11

Hi all!! How does one calculate the period and time of entry and exit of eclipse? I'm going to be helping a friend do an Arissat presentation for her class. Due to the fact of the battery failing, this gives a 15 minute hold before the power management allows transmission. So, for any chance of receiving the bird, it has to be in sunlight for 15 minutes (or so). I'd prefer a mathematical formula. Echo goes through some of the same trials. Thanks, Norm BTW: I am an engineering student, just throw the math my way.

4 6

FO-29 off
by DeYoung James 30 Sep '11

30 Sep '11

Greetings, I just got back on the air from my new QTH (FM07uv) and monitored the beacon with good signals on Sep. 29 from 20:51 to 21:02 UTC. I heard no transponder activity and no beacon signal on the near zenith pass here on Sep. 30. from 19:51 to 20:05. Jim, N8OQ

2 1

2011 Symposium
by Martha 30 Sep '11

30 Sep '11

People - *Time is running out to make hotel reservations for the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting. * The cut off date is *October 10th* (I am trying to change that). Please don't wait! The hotel is the Wyndham San Jose and the phone number is 408-453-6200. The reservation block is under the name* AMSAT . * -- 73- Martha

1 0

FO-29 problems ?
by Ib Christoffersen 30 Sep '11

30 Sep '11

Hi all, I just tried to listen to FO-29. It was a pass with AOS here in Copenhagen at 1057 UTC. Nothing heard ! Reports on the report page indicate the same. See: http://oscar.dcarr.org/ Any news from Japan ? 73 OZ1MY Ib

1 0

Yet ANOTHER Satellite's Re-entry
by Clint Bradford 30 Sep '11

30 Sep '11

The defunct German Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT) is coming back to planet Earth - sometime in late October or early November. The X-ray space observatory is less than half the weight (2.4-tons) of the fallen UARS, but has an orbit that ranges from latitudes of 53 degrees north and south, putting it in a position where it can threaten a wide region that stretches from Canada to South America. And while much of the spacecraft will disintegrate during it’s rapid descent, German Aerospace Agency officials predict that as many as 30 large chunks of debris — a combined mass of 1.6 tons — is expected to survive re-entry. http://science.nasa.gov/missions/rosat/ Clint Bradford, K6LCS

1 0

AMSAT-UK Member survey.
by Rob Styles 30 Sep '11

30 Sep '11

We invite you as members of AMSAT-UK to our online Survey,We always strive to improve your membership, and we would like your views and comments. Please take a few minutes to complete our online survey at http://amsat-uk.limeask.com/ Rob M0TFO AMSAT-UK

1 0

Re: calculation of eclipse
by normn3ykf＠stny.rr.com 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

Ken, Thanks for the pointers to texts. Meeus's tome has good reviews. I may try to find an older copy of his book that deals with programming calculators. Simpler for me to program. This sounds like a fun project. Seems to me once the heavy lifting is done (algorithm), calculation of eclipse times could be automated. I have a feeling that I'll eat those words. Norm

1 0

Engineering and Philosophy
by Trevor . 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

A promotional video with a Cubesat towards the end Nick Ridley '11: Exploring the Intersection of Engineering and Philosophy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anEHxQrpans 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

Re: HB9DRV
by Gordon JC Pearce 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

On Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:17:53 -0500 "Greg Beat" <gregory.beat(a)comcast.net> wrote: > "The support effort required has become more than I can realistically manage > - with many thousands of users, new radios and other hardware appearing all > the time and unexpected changes to the infrastructure used by HRD such as > QRZ.com I no longer have any time at all for other projects. Why not just open-source it? It's already free-as-in-beer. If it was also free-as-in-speech then there would be a potentially far greater number of eyes on the code, and a broader range of contributors. There's also the chance to use existing work like hamlib in it, and avoid duplication of effort on driving all these different radios. I've never understood why so many in the amateur radio community are so keen to share circuit diagrams, antenna designs and all sorts of other information, but keep their software to themselves. In this case, it's a no-brainer - HRD needs a lot of work, and there is a willing community out there who would do it given the chance. Proprietary software has absolutely no place in amateur radio. -- Gordon JC Pearce MM0YEQ <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net>

11 20

AO-27 Scheduler
by David Wing 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

Has the schedule on AO-27 changed radically? Here in the western US I've been used to being able to work AO-27 twice during the early afternoon but now it seems like the transmitter operation is during the wee hours of the morning. Has something changed in the last few months while I have been off the birds? David K6CDW

2 1

Re: NA1SS Chats with Lompoc, CA
by AJ9N＠aol.com 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

Hi all, I post all upcoming ARISS contacts times to the SAREX BB. You might want to subscribe to that one if you don't already. You can also use the link that is posted on the AMSAT main webpage. Yes, you were hearing Lompoc have a great contact. The ISS crew will ignore any callsign it hears except for the school one. Plus they are not using the public uplink frequencies. We welcome all listeners; that is why the 145.8 MHz frequency is used for all voice contacts (general or school). Perhaps this will get you started getting involved with a school that may want to do an ARISS contact. Thanks for listening! 73, Charlie AJ9N One of the ARISS mentors In a message dated 9/29/2011 11:48:48 A.M. Central Daylight Time, david(a)cdwing.com writes: I was checking out my equipment and had the ISS rising out of the Pacific. I rarely try to work the ISS but thought I would give it a try and manually swung the antennas over to the correct azimuth. I heard some chatter and was initially irritated that someone would be having a QSO on the downlink frequency but then from the conversation I realized that it was someone on the ISS describing seeing hurricanes in the Pacific. I could not believe my luck that NA1SS was actually working contacts! Not being able to hear the uplink, I gingerly threw out my Callsign a couple of times hoping to get into the rotation and then to my great embarrassment, it became apparent that NA1SS (Mike Fossum) was working a school contact in Lompoc, CA. I sure am glad that I just threw out my callsign twice before I clued in on things. At any rate I was able to monitor NA1SS down to about 3 degrees.really clean, strong signal. First time for me hearing the ISS because I rarely check it out and typically don't have SatPC32 even tracking it. Sure glad I decided to use it as a test target! 73 David K6CDW _______________________________________________ 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

1 0

ARISSat-1 Silent? (& Request)
by Stuart Balanger 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

*Hi All, I was listening on the 145.95 Voice telemetry Beacon Freq. @ 1310 UTC pass here in ENY & didn't hear a peep from ARISSat-1 , & was wondering if it has gone silent? My Grid Square is FN31! 73,.Stu (WA2BSS) PS (a request) Was wondering if someone has a Duplexer? *IE a Box, on 1 nd is where the Coax gets connected, & on other end is 2 short coax cable lengths; & 1 length goes to 2 meters; & the other length goes to 70 CM1) (I have a Kenwwod TS-2000) *

4 3

NA1SS Chats with Lompoc, CA
by David Wing 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

I was checking out my equipment and had the ISS rising out of the Pacific. I rarely try to work the ISS but thought I would give it a try and manually swung the antennas over to the correct azimuth. I heard some chatter and was initially irritated that someone would be having a QSO on the downlink frequency but then from the conversation I realized that it was someone on the ISS describing seeing hurricanes in the Pacific. I could not believe my luck that NA1SS was actually working contacts! Not being able to hear the uplink, I gingerly threw out my Callsign a couple of times hoping to get into the rotation and then to my great embarrassment, it became apparent that NA1SS (Mike Fossum) was working a school contact in Lompoc, CA. I sure am glad that I just threw out my callsign twice before I clued in on things. At any rate I was able to monitor NA1SS down to about 3 degrees.really clean, strong signal. First time for me hearing the ISS because I rarely check it out and typically don't have SatPC32 even tracking it. Sure glad I decided to use it as a test target! 73 David K6CDW

1 0

My long absence
by David Wing 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

Hello to my friends on the birds. I have been gone for several months and hope to be back soon. I've had some hardware issues and I have to admit I've not been diligent about resolving them as so many other things pop up that take my time. I think I can get things corrected and be back on the satellites this weekend so I'm looking forward to working you all again soon. 73 David K6CDW

1 0

2M1EUB/P ISLE OF SKY LAST FEW DAYS
by paul robinson 29 Sep '11

29 Sep '11

LAST 2 DAYS HERE IO67VJ MOVE EAST SAT MORN ...QRV AO7 MODE A&B 145.947 AND 29.447 ?? AND SOME FO29 DEPENDS ON WINDOW AS IM IN A VALLEY,SO NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO MAKE FULL PASS...DE PAUL 2M1EUB/P

1 0

Nigeria satellite
by R Oler 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

http://onorbit.com/node/3896 I was in Nigeria while this sat was being built and got a great tour of the space facilities in Abuja...the implications for this sort of imagery for world security and peace is a good thing Robert G. Oler WB5MZO life member AMSAT ARRL NARS

1 0

Re: HRD and open source software. AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 540
by Nigel A. Gunn, W8IFF/G8IFF 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

I believe that Simon didn't "open source" the code because it relied heavily on proprietary libraries and resources that he had license to use but no license to publish. On 09/28/2011 07:00 PM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > And what has that to do with Open Source software? Let's assume Simon would've opened the code > and other's would've been able to contribute.

2 1

Re: ARISSat and Elk or Arrow
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

Hi Clayton, During the better day time passes here in the UK, I can confirm that using my "Elk" antenna I made many CQ calls via ARISSat-1 and heard my own down link sometimes quite strong, but also subject to changes and breaks in transmission from the satellite. I made two contacts one being in the UK and the other another European station, both of these have been confirmed. I also heard other users but did not get any response to my call even though I could hear my own down link. My equipment was a Kenwood TS 2000 and the Elk was mounted to track the satellite. Trust that this will help, good luck and trust that you will have some success. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

1 0

Office Closed
by Martha 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

The AMSAT Office will be closed on Thursday, Sept 29th. It will reopen on Friday, Sept 30th at 10:00 AM. -- 73- Martha

1 0

ARISSat and Elk or Arrow
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

I've been wondering if anyone besides me has tried to hear themselves using an Arrow or Elk antenna via ARISSat's linear transponder. If you have tried it and successfully heard yourself, please let me know. I'm curious as to what was your formula for success. The rig I've been using is an FT-847 and for an antenna either my Elk or Arrow mounted to a camera tripod. I've made about six attempts now on passes that I thought were very favorable to success. I've had zero trouble receiving telemetry or SSTV during these passes so I'm sure the bird was actually overhead during my attempts. I'm not ready to give up but time is running out. 73 Clayton W5PFG

1 0

Re: R: Re: HB9DRV
by Simon HB9DRV 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

There's Gpredict http://gpredict.oz9aec.net/download.php As with all code - the best code is written by the user, especially with something like satellite tracking where the theory and UI challenge is quite demanding. There are many who can talk long and loud, but how many have actually written working tracking software? (I'm not getting at Dominic here.) Simon Brown, HB9DRV http://sdr-radio.com -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dominic Hawken Neither of those mentioned so far are Open Source, but I'd love to know too - Mike, which ones are you using?

2 1

GPS position
by Kevin Deane 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

I know this sounds lame but anyone know where I can enter lat and lon and get my location. All my gps does really is give lat&lon which is fine, but all the things I have found you click on the map and it gives everything with grid but I want to do the reverse, so when I am driving around I can punch in my gps cooridnates and get my location /grid on the map. Thanks for any help. :) Kevin KF7MYK

3 2

Tsh!
by Kevin Deane 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

Just enter the cooridinates on Google maps LAMO! Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

HB9DRV
by Dave Marthouse 28 Sep '11

28 Sep '11

Does anyone on this list have a working E-Mail address for HB9DRV the developer of Ham Radio Deluxe? I would like to get in touch with him as I have a few questions regarding the satellite tracking portion of the software. Thanks in advance. Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmarthouse(a)gmail.com

6 6

Partial remains of UARS fall in Canada
by Rick - WA4NVM 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

As you may now know, UARS left a burning ionized trail right over WA and into Canada, where some of it crashed into a car. Here's a video about the incident. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgTyiaDmytw

1 0

Radio Shack Rotator Help
by Keith O'Brien 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

I was given a Radio Shack antenna rotator, model number 15-1245A, that I figured was good enough to turn my small Cushcraft Dual Band 3 element yagi I sometimes use for some satellite work. But the rotator is need of some clearing and lubrication. Has anyone taken one of these apart and can share some insight as to what I might expect to find once I remove the motor and gear assembly from it's housing. I assume the 4 large bolts inside the bottom cover where you would attach the wires are holding the motor assembly in place. Are there any ball bearings that I might expect to come rolling out if I disassemble it? I looked for a You Tube video for some help but came up empty. Figured the next best place to ask would be with other satellite operators. Keith N4ZQ

2 1

Re: HB9DRV
by Greg Beat 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Excerpt from Press Release of September 19, 2011 Tampa FL, St. Paul MN, Pittsburgh PA - September 19, 2011 - Mike Carper (WA9PIE), Randy Gawtry (K0CBH) and Rick Ruhl (W4PC) have acquired the source and rights to the Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) suite of software. All three principals have more than 25 years of experience with radio data communications. Rick Ruhl (W4PC) is the president of W4PC Software, Inc. whose products include the PakRatt, PKTerm and Radio Operations Center software suites. Randy Gawtry (K0CBH) is the president of Timewave Technology Inc. whose products include the PK and DSP families of data controllers and other commercial data products. Mike Carper (WA9PIE) is an experienced Fortune 500 technology executive, educator, and featured speaker in the areas of wireless technologies and IT Service Management. "After many years writing the HRD software it's necessary to take a break and hand the whole project over to another team," said Simon Brown (HB9DRV). "The support effort required has become more than I can realistically manage - with many thousands of users, new radios and other hardware appearing all the time and unexpected changes to the infrastructure used by HRD such as QRZ.com I no longer have any time at all for other projects. As some of you will know I have formed a company SDR-RADIO.com GmbH and am now working in the Software Defined Radio arena with RFspace. This is the technology of the future; a future which I want a part of. In 2012 I plan to return to England and get back on the air, something I haven't done much during the last 25 years." The new owners of HRD are in the process of building a development environment for HRD and plans to begin by addressing some of the bugs in the existing "To Do List" for an upcoming 5.1 release. The 5.1 release will be made available at no charge to registered users when completed. ==== Message: 1 Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:42:14 -0400 From: "Dave Marthouse" <dmarthouse(a)gmail.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] HB9DRV Does anyone on this list have a working E-Mail address for HB9DRV the developer of Ham Radio Deluxe? I would like to get in touch with him as I have a few questions regarding the satellite tracking portion of the software. Thanks in advance. Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmarthouse(a)gmail.com

1 0

AubieSat-1 Launch information for 25 October 2011
by wersinger＠physics.auburn.edu 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Fellow satellite enthusiasts; We fervently request your assistance in receiving transmissions from an upcoming satellite, AubieSat-1, immediately after its launch from Vandenberg AFB, California, USA, 25 October 2011 at 9:52 UTC. AubieSat-1 (AS-1) is an undergraduate - built CubeSat satellite developed by Auburn University. AS-1 is designed to transmit with a power of about 800 milliwatts on a frequency of 437.475 MHz, plus or minus Doppler correction. The beacon signal, along with telemetry, will be sent using A1A continuous wave Morse code at 20 words per minute. Additional telemetry from the onboard science experiment will use CW transmissions up to 60 WPM. Based on the pre-launch orbital data provided by NASA, AS-1 will activate after deployment at 12:21 UTC, 25 October 2011. At that time, the sub-satellite point will be at 34.52 S latitude and 1.52 W longitude over the South Atlantic Ocean. Our predictions are that the first flights over the contiguous United States will begin as shown in the following table: Orbit AOS Apogee LOS General Locale 3 15:54 UTC >50 deg 16:01 UTC New York 4 17:28 UTC >26 deg 17:35 UTC Texas 5 19:07 UTC >48 deg 19:14 UTC California This information will be updated should there be launch scrubs or performance changes in the launch, and additional information will be available upon request for specific locations. Reception reports with data contents are welcomed to the following email addresses: wersijp at auburn dot edu and tam0013 at auburn dot edu An internet Echolink conference group is also planned to begin one-half hour prior to launch and continue until about 30 minutes after confirmation of the first receipt of signals from the satellite. Information on the conference groups title will be distributed nearer to the launch for interested stations. Please email wersijp at auburn dot edu if you require additional information and can assist in the reception and tracking of AS-1. Thank you. -- -------------------------------------------------- J-M Wersinger, PhD KI4YAU Professor Emeritus Director, AU Student Space Program 334-844-4223 Physics Department Auburn University, AL 36849 -------------------------------------------------- "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." Einstein

1 0

IC-910H with SATPC32ISS
by Sion Chow Q. C. (9W2QC) 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Dear All, Previously we have been using the ICOM IC-910H transceiver with SATPC32ISS for doppler control for our ARISS school contacts. Due to ISS has both its TX and RX frequencies in the 2M band, we had to use an extra wire between the IC-910H's ACC jack and the PC's COM port to inhibit frequency changes while the radio is transmitting. Based on the "What's New" document of SATPC32ISS (http://www.dk1tb.de/What's%20New.txt), it is noted that the extra wire between IC-910H's ACC jack and the PC's COM port is no longer needed from version 12.8a onwards. However, when we did a simulation of this, we notice that should the frequency changes (due to doppler shift) while the radio is in transmit mode, the TX and RX frequency swaps (TX frequency becomes RX while RX frequency becomes TX) - as what used to happen during previous version when the ACC wire is not installed. I wonder if there are some configurations that we need to check? Or is there something that we are doing wrong here? The IC-910H is connected via a G4ZLP ICOM CI-V cable to the PC's build in COM port. Any pointers or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9M2CQC, Also: WQ2C /HL1, 9V1QC, JG1XHM, ex: 9W2QC, AB3IO

1 0

Re: Nothing from ARISSat-1?
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Hi Gordon, I did not hear even a whisper today -Monday morning - at my QTH in south Wales UK. Thanks for your posting it confirms that I was not alone. Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY

5 4

Ref my ARISSat-1 report 26th Sept.
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Thanks to the feedback from operators in Europe whom advised me that they had in fact heard ARISSat-1 on the morning passes on Monday 26th Sept. It appears that I did not wait long enough for its activation after coming from eclipse, I followed up the pass today (Tuesday ) at approx. 0900 hrs GMT. Sure enough it did activate OK but longer than I had anticipated and perhaps rather like the situation in the earlier days for Europe after it was released. Today ( using tracking ) it came over the horizon - a reasonable clear view - at approx. 0900hrs and reached its max. elevation of only 14 degrees for my QTH at approx. 0904hrs. It had not turned on at this stage and I did not hear the FM transmissions until 0909 hrs at which time it had tracked down to an elevation of only 7 degrees. Not able to work via the SSB link at such a low angle so can't comment except to say that under better operating situations during the month, I have heard my own down link quite strongly and had two confirmed contacts. Many thanks and apologies if my earlier report caused confusion. Ken Eaton GW1FKy

1 0

post that dudnt go
by Kevin Deane 27 Sep '11

27 Sep '11

Hello From Don KA9QJG , Hope Everyone is doing Well I have Heard and Read and ask a lot of Questions about Hams using the Oscar Sub Band 144.3-144.5 and as You can guess I Got a lot of Opinions From the ARRL, FCC And others, So I thought the Best thing to go was to actually get the Answers from You the users. Yes I know that and as a Responsible Ham I think We all should use the Guidelines , But in this Case From what I have found the Oscar Sats have not been on the Air since in Many Years , and NO Other Sats or ISS Is using the Freqs or set aside for them , So a Lot of Hams in the US are using the Freqs for FM/ SSB CW DIGTAL And Look the Well Established APRS And long time and still used 144.34 FM for Conducting ATV And I have seen on the Internet Some States actually adding the 144.300-144.5 As Simplex FM The Problem is I have Heard People Jamming and Arguments about this over the Air , I have even seen on the Internet when doing searches for Info Some States even include this NON Used 144.300 TO 144.500 For FM Simplex Etc.. Because NO Oscar Sats Exist or Nothing else to Interfere with But I agree 100Percent if there Was the Freqs should NOT Be used for anything other then what it was intended for Thanks 73 De Don KA9QJG PS as You know We have a lot of older Hams kind of set in their ways and the New ones Are Listening and looking for ways to Fit in, and We need as Many New Responsible Hams in this Hobby as We can get But How Could We get on these Freqs Some are using and Say Hey We are not allowed here Because of the Oscar Sub Band Something that has been Gone for over 20 Yrs

1 0

SoCal Grids
by Kevin Deane 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Does not look like there is much left, I heard someone in DM04 and I think KI6YAA is in DM22. DM 12 maybe, I think I hear that one too? I will stick to the plan and get DM6,7,8 on the way back. 8 is easy right by my brothers. Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

Fw: Strong Geomagnetic Storm on Sept. 26
by George and Cheryl Abbott 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

FYI George,W1GMA- 73's -----Original Message----- From: SpaceWeather.com Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 4:02 PM To: SpaceWeather.com Subject: Strong Geomagnetic Storm on Sept. 26 Space Weather News for Sept. 26, 2011 http://spaceweather.com GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A strong geomagnetic storm is in progress following the impact of a coronal mass ejection (CME) today, Sept. 26th, at approximately 12:15 UT. Analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab report a "strong compression of Earth's magnetosphere" and the possibility that satellites in geosynchronous orbit have been exposed to solar wind plasma and magnetic fields. Mid- to high-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras after nightfall. Observing tip: The hours around local midnight are usually best for spotting Northern and Southern Lights. Check http://spaceweather.com for images and updates. DON'T MISS THE STORM: Would you like a call when geomagnetic storms are in progress? Storm alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice). You are subscribed to the Space Weather mailing list, a free service of Spaceweather.com. New subscribers may sign up for free space weather alerts at http://spaceweather.com/services/ . To unsubscribe click here: http://www.spaceweather2.com/u?id=602373K&n=T&l=spaceweather or send a blank email to leave-spaceweather-602373K(a)www.spaceweather2.com

1 0

AO-7 observation
by Bob- W7LRD 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

I notice when AO-7 is out there at 4000km I can notice the delay in cw from my monitor to the 8000km round trip to and from AO-7. Kind of shades of AO-40 (sobsob) when the delay was really noticable, and when we listened to ourselves (ssb) we had to turn down the rx volume a little as no to sound like a babbling fool. 73 Bob W7LRD

4 4

A Modest Proposal
by Thomas Doyle 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

The bulletin board system AMSAT is using is well suited for information that is useful for only a relatively short time. If there is a trip to a rare grid location that information is of little use after the event takes place. IMHO what is missing is a way to share information that has relevance beyond a few days. When I became active again on the sats I asked a question on the board. I received an email telling me that "that question has been asked several times before". It was helpful beyond belief. In the last few days someone posted a nice check list of things to do to try and get your SatPC32 station running. A bit later someone posted a correction that added a vital step that was missing in the first posting. Suppose a newbie subscribes to the board today - he has already looked at the articles from 1997-2004 in the new users section on the AMSAT website but needs a little current info. He posts a message on the board asking about getting his SatPC32 station working. Lets hope no one sends him a message telling him that "that question has been asked before". I also hope no one sends him a message suggesting he uses the search funtion. That would be like the 4th grade teacher who responded to my question "How do you spell pneumonia ?" - by telling me to "Look it up in the dictionary" - I spent a lot of time looking for words that started with "N" before asking my folks when I got home. If they did search - what would they look for. What are the chances that they would find the initial post AND the correction post. I realize everything is perfect as it is but perhaps it would be nice to have something similar to the Yahoo Groups where subscribers can post files and pictures of things that would be of interest for more than a day or two. Take a look at the SDR-Radio or Softrock groups on Yahoo. There are files and pictures that have been very helpful to me. There was a recent posting here from someone asking for a current Doppler.SQF file. I sent him mine but it would have been better if there was a place to store it where anyone could access it. Some people have their stations working well but are not all that excited about spending a lot of time documenting it and posting it for a handful of people who might look at it before it disappears into the abyss of the message archive. You may not like what you read but be thankful I fought the urge to include some sort of Jonathan Swift reference.

5 4

WB0KFC ARISSat-1 Signals
by Farrell Winder 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

To WB0KFC : Heard your signals Sept 25, 2011 on the 15:41 U pass at Cincinnati. On 145.934.5 where I have fixed my receive for experiment with another station, heard your CW transmissions, CQ CQ WB0KFC, then voice CQ CQ Kilo Foxtrot Charlie. In your setup what antenna are you using on the uplink. Do you leave your Uplink fixed and tune downlink or vice versa? Appreciate your comments and suggestions for best technique to make contacts on ARISSat-1.. Have received my own transmissions for very very short time with weak cw return. Thanks, 73, Farrell Winder, W8ZCF, Cincinnati, Ohio

1 0

Thanks for third certificate for arissat-1
by andy thomas 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Thanks for the sstv certificate, a commendably fast turnaround from CT-land ! 73 de andy g0SFJ

1 0

Arissat-1 silent over UK: Explanation
by andy thomas 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

As reported over the weekend, Arissat-1 is no longer audible in the UK, because she does not switch on until after about 14 minutes from entering sunlight. I believe the sequence is: enter sunlight: MET starts: timer activated 14 minute wait before tx - other systems live Tx on with data at a MET of 14 minutes Tx sequence We in the UK now have to wait unril the orbit continues to precess to the late evening (about 10 days' time) 73 de andy G0SFJ

2 1

2m1eub/p island of skye
by paul robinson 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Hi group just found some 3g coverage..thanks for your msgs....ive a small window state side ...and have already worked k3szh mode a and k8yse a & b mode so look out for me ...im in a valley with high mountains so its not easy and only some passes workable...de paul /p on the island of skye nw scotland. 2M1EUB/P

1 0

Nothing from ARISSat-1?
by Gordon JC Pearce 26 Sep '11

26 Sep '11

Over the past couple of days I've heard ARISSat once. Even on the really high passes (up to 27° on the highest ones) there's just been not a cheep out of it. It must be in full daylight, too. Has anyone else heard it? I notice my tweetly noise is still there on 145.919MHz, still no idea what that is. It seems weaker today, but maybe that's a weather thing. -- Gordon JC Pearce MM0YEQ <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net>

2 1

JUGNU and SRMSAT - Ootober 12 ?
by Trevor . 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

JUGNU is listed on Gunters Space page with a possible launch date of October 12. It's beacon frequency is given as 435.68 MHz JUGNU Frequency http://www.iitk.ac.in/me/jugnu/freq_coord.htm SRMSAT is listed as being on the same launch and is understood to have a 2m control uplink and 70cm downlink. SRM University Ham Exam http://chennaihams.blogspot.com/2010/03/asol-exam-conducted-at-srm-universi… 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

5 in EM 55 AWARD
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

If you are new to satellites, look up WA4HFN on qrz.com for the details on the 5 in EM55 award

1 0

Re: A Modest Proposal
by Daniel Schultz 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Here is a useful Google trick that not everybody knows about: In your Google search you can restrict your search results to a specific site by using the "site:" specitication. To search amsat-bb use "site:www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb" and then the string you are looking for. For example, to search the amsat-bb archives for references to SatPC32 type in the Google search box: site:www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb SatPC32 To search for references to the G5500 rotor use: site:www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb G5500 Dan Schultz N8FGV

1 0

ARISSat in sunlight
by John Heath 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Interesting thread regarding MET and ARISSat-1 switch on. Someone made the very good point that the transition in or out of sunlight (eclipse) is not an on/off event. I remember many MIR visuals, and as she passed from sunlight in the west to darkness in the east there was a significant time, perhaps a minute or more when she changed colour from bright and silver white to orange then disappeared into blackness. I always interpreted that as passing through the penumbra, or semi shadow area. ARRISat-1 is at at around 370km, does anyone know how to find the width of the penumbra at that altitude? Working out the transit time through that region might be informative. 73 John G7HIA

2 1

2M1EUB/P Satellite Activation - Isle of Skye
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Hi all, As notified in this weeks news I can confirm that Paul -2M1EUB/P is active on the satellites from the Isle of Skye - Scotland. Once again had the pleasure of making contacts on FM and SSB with Paul from my QTH in Wales today. Very good signal and very well managed by Paul even on AO-51 with the European traffic, however he would still appreciate DX contacts this week from the Island followed by activation from his usual vacation in the North of Scotland. Thanks once again Paul for your dedication and time for these trips. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

1 0