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Radioskaf, not radioskaf?
by Gordon JC Pearce 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

I was listening out for ARISSat on the 8am GMT (-ish) pass this morning, and heard nothing from it. On 145.919 I heard the following tones though: http://www.gjcp.net/~gordonjcp/notradioskaf.ogg At first I thought it was a beacon on ARISSat, but they didn't get any stronger during the pass. Now with the satellite somewhere over the Indian Ocean, I can still hear the tones. Does anyone recognise them? They sound too "deliberate" to be RFI from something. They are, as you can hear from the recording, just barely discernable with the preamp on, using an omnidirectional antenna, from my QTH in IO75vv. I guess I'll have to go and climb a hill with the yagi... -- Gordon JC Pearce MM0YEQ <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net>

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Thanks for second Arissat-1 certificate
by andy thomas 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

Many thanks for the certificate from tlm report! 73 de andy G0SFJ

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ANS-268 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-268 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: * Invitation to Participate in the ARISSat-1/KEDR Operations Survey * Frank Bauer, KA3HDO Retires From NASA After 36 Years * AO-51 to support 54th Jamboree On The Air October 15-16, 2011 * Symposium Reminders! * Portable Satellite Operations Qualify for Reverse-VUCC Award * Mobile Satellite Operation From Island of Skye On-The-Air Now * AMSAT Member N8MS in Newspaper Feature With Students * Special Event NW2C 911 Portable Satellite Station Video Posted * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.01 Invitation to Participate in the ARISSat-1/KEDR Operations Survey AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.01 Steven Bible, N7HPR says that the ARISSat-1 Team has put together a survey on ARISSat-1 operations. Please take a few minutes to answer the questions at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/arissat1-operation. The survey results will be posted to the Official ARISSat-1 website: http://www.arissat1.org. Meanwhile, Alan Biddle says the ARISSat-1/KEDR Team is still looking for entries in the Chicken Little Contest. This involves your prognos- tications/calculations/guesses/darts-in-the-calendar submissions for when ARRISSat-1/KEDR makes its final orbit. We have a fair number of submissions from all over the world from adults, but very few from students. If you know of one who might be interested, encourage them to enter. The details are here: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ARISSat/ARISSatContest While it is not going to receive the coverage of UARS, the closest submissions in each category will be recognized. Right now, the deadline is the 15th of October, though since ARISSat-1 is "floating like a butterfly" that MIGHT get extended. /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.02 Frank Bauer, KA3HDO Retires From NASA After 36 Years AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.02 After an illustrious 36 year career with NASA, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, has retired from the agency. In his farewell note to his colleagues, Bauer said that for someone who dreamed about space exploration as a very young child and start- ed at NASA when the Apollo program was in its twilight, it has been truly a pleasure to spend over 3 decades developing and operating systems as part of the NASA team. Bauer said that he has had what he called a phenomenal time contributing to countless Human and Robotic spacflight missions, flight tests, technology experiments, pioneering systems, studies, formulations and on-orbit operations activities as well as numerous agency-level, U.S. Government and international strategies and initiatives. In addition to his job with NASA, KA3HDO, had a parallel volunteer career as one of the leaders of the manned Amateur Radio in Space program. Among his many achievements was taking manned ham radio operations on-orbit from the now retired space shuttles under the SAREX operation over to the International Space Station and into the ARISS program. Bauer, who stepped down from ARISS and AMSAT duties in March of 2009, had served as ARISS Program Leader and ARISS International Working Group Chair. Since 1991, he had also held the title of AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs. In May of 2009 Bauer was presented with the ARRL President's Award for his many contributions to ham radio's part of mans exploration of space. [ANS thanks the Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1780 - September 23 2011 for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.03 AO-51 to support 54th Jamboree On The Air October 15-16, 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.03 The AO-51 Command Team is happy to announce support of the Scouting Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) during the weekend Oct. 15-16, 2011. The AO-51 satellite will remain in its current configuration, with an understanding that contacts involving Scouts will be given first priority during this period. The current operating mode of AO-51 is as follows: Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM (No PL tone) Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM The World Scouting Organization in Switzerland posted JOTA informa- tion on their web: http://tinyurl.com/3rfp2cn (www.scout.org) and http://scout.org/information_events/events/jota/the_54th_jota_2011 Also, visit the World Scouting Radio Library at: http://tinyurl.com/5sz7tf5 (www.scout.org) The Boy Scouts of America has several resources on-line for amateur radio stations participating in JOTA: http://tinyurl.com/6d93qb7 (Boy Scouts of America www.scouting.org) [ANS thanks the Scouting Movement and AO-51 Command Team for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.04 Symposium Reminders! AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.04 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches ----------------------------------------------------- Your papers for the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium are due by October 1 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Yes, that's just a couple of weeks from now! Papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at: n8fgv(a)amsat.org. Symposium Registration is Now Open ---------------------------------- The 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA. Our annual gathering will feature: + Space Symposium with Amateur Satellite Presentations + Operating Techniques, News, & Plans from the Amateur Satellite World + Board of Directors Meeting open to AMSAT members (Nov. 3-4) + Meet Board Members and Officers + Annual General Membership Meeting + Annual Banquet-Keynote Speaker and Door Prizes The 2011 Symposium hotel and registration web pages are now available on the AMSAT web site. You may register for the Symposium and Annual Banquet at the AMSAT Store: http://www.amsat-na.com/store/SymposiumReg.php Visit the Symposium and Annual General Meeting web page for details and the latest information: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/index.php Symposium Registration including a copy of the Proceedings is: + $50 per person starting September 20, 2011 + $55 per person at the door The Saturday evening banquet is $45 per person. The Sunday morning Area Coordinator's Breakfast is $15 per person. Hotel information for the Wyndham San Jose is posted at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/Hotel.php Martha at the AMSAT Office (Phone: 301-589-6062) is available to be of assistance with any hotel questions or problems with your registration. [ANS thanks the 2011 Symposium Committee for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.05 Portable Satellite Operations Qualify for Reverse-VUCC Award AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.05 The Central States VHF Society has updated their website to reflect applications for VUCC-r, Reverse VUCC. This award is given to those who have operated via satellites in more than 100 grids away from their home grid. The rules require that applicants submit proof of contacts made from these away from home grids. So if you work someone signing "portable" (meaning they are operating away from home), please remember to in- clude your grid as well as the grid they were operating from on your QSL. You can read all the details on-line at: http://www.csvhfs.org/vuccdesc.html There are now four operators who have achieved VUCC-r distinction: N7SFI-200 grids, N5AFV-109 grids, ND9M-325 grids, and KD4ZGW-100 grids. [ANS thanks John, K8YSE and CSVHFS for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.06 Mobile Satellite Operation From Island of Skye On-The-Air Now AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.06 Paul, 2E1EUB will be active on satellites as 2M1EUB, depending on the weather, from the Island of Skye in western Scotland beginning on Sept- ember 24 for one week. This will be from grid IO67vj. During Paul's second week of mobile satellite operations he plans to operate from the eastern side of Scotland. Paul advises that mobile/portable internet coverage is spotty in these locations but he will attempt access occasionally. He has posted more informaion on his 2M1EUB information at http://www.qrz.com [ANS thanks Paul, 2E1EUB for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.07 AMSAT Member N8MS in Newspaper Feature With Students AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.07 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.07 Matt Severin, N8MS, principal of Dowagiac Middle School in Michigan, took some of his students outside to track and listen to the satel- lite ARISSat-1 on Tuesday, September 13. Two years earlier, Severin, then principal of Sister Lakes Elemen- tary School, had a picture taken of the students and submitted it to be flown on ARISSat. On Tuesday, the students were able to track the satellite, listen to greetings in several languages and receive telemetry as well as SSTV (Slow Scan Television) images with a goal to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The Daily News posted a story on this activity: http://tinyurl.com/3z39yst (www.dowagiacnews.com) Matt is also an instructor in the ARRL Teacher Institute and has helped several other educators bring STEM education, based on ama- teur radio and satellites, into their classroom. Student submissions for ARISSat were stored on a memory chip that was attached to ARISSat-1 and are flying along with the craft as it orbits the Earth. The student projects and photos can all be viewed ARISS Europe web site at: http://www.ariss-eu.org/arissat-1.htm [ANS thanks the ARISS Status Report and Carol, KB3LKI for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.08 Special Event NW2C 911 Portable Satellite Station Video Posted AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.08 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.08 Pete, WB2OQQ operated a portable satellite station on September 11 using the call NW2C, at Historic Fort Totten, located in Bayside New York, only a few miles from ground zero. Fort Totten was one of many placed used in recovery and healing during 911. Pete operated all available FM satellite passes that day. For those that made a confirmed satellite contact and wish to receive a Certifi- cate of Confirmation, visit: http://www.nw2c.org/911.html. A video tribute is posted at: http://vimeo.com/29077529 [ANS thanks Pete, WB2OQQ for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.09 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.09 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 25, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-268.09 + Videos and slides from the Summer CubeSat Developers' Workshop, held August 6-7 at the 25th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, are now available for download: http://tinyurl.com/3sgnrn3 (AMSAT-UK) + The well publicized re-entry of the UARS satellite may have al- ready occurred at press time. An interesting video simulation of the re-entry can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5laK2JopaVE&feature=player_embedded + An interesting article about three recently declassified American spy satellites can be read at: http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1109/19nrodeclassified/ + The NASA Education Express Message for September 22, 2011 reports that registration is open for the Team America Rocketry Challenge 2012. This a national model rocket competition for U.S. students in grades 7-12. Teams of three to 10 students are challenged to design, build and fly a model rocket that will climb to 800 feet with a payload of two raw eggs and stay aloft for 43 to 47 seconds. The payload must then return to earth unbroken. Cash prizes are awarded to the top finishers. NASA invites top teams to participate in their Student Launch Initiative, an advanced rocketry program. Participation is limited to the first 1,000 teams who register by November 30, 2011. For more information, visit: http://www.rocketcontest.org/ + The dates for the next Hudson Valley Satcom nets are September 29, October 13, and October 27 at 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (UTC - 4). You can tune in via the 146.970 MHz Mt. Beacon repeater, PL 100.0 or via EchoLink on the N2EYH-L node. More info is available at: http://www.hvsatcom.org (Stu, WA2BSS) + A new video from NASA's Dawn spacecraft takes you on a flyover jour- ney above the surface of the giant asteroid Vesta. The data obtained by Dawn's framing camera, used to produce the visualizations, will help scientists determine the processes that formed Vesta's striking features. It will also help Dawn mission fans all over the world vis- ualize this mysterious world, which is the second most massive object in the main asteroid belt. The video and article is posted at: http://tinyurl.com/3tn932m (science.nasa.gov) + NASA has made historic and interesting sounds and sound bites from space missions available for download as ringtones or on your computer for events, errors, alarms and notifications. These are available in both MP3 and M4R (iPhone) files. To listen to and download the sounds, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/sounds The NASA App for Android allows users to easily preview and set the sounds as ringtones can be found at: https://market.android.com/details?id=gov.nasa + Radio-Electronics.com provides concise guides, information, tutor- ials and data about radio frequency, RF, technology and RF design on their Radio Frequency, RF, Technology and Design pages at: http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/rf-technology-design [ANS thanks everyone 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. And with that, please keep in mind the ham who discovered that a positive attitude may not solve all his problems, but it certainly annoyed enough people to make it worth his effort. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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DM84, DM85, DM86, DM96 activations = SUCCESS
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 25 Sep '11

25 Sep '11

It was a pleasure working some of you this week from the grids mentioned in the subject line. I also operated from DM83, EM14, and EM15. It is very apparent that DM83 is much more rare than any other grids I have activated in the region. Several hams had asked that I make a trip specifically to put DM83 on the air. It is not very far out of my business route so activating it was no trouble. I will be doing it again and possibly before the end of this year. If you need any of the following grids confirmed, we can setup a schedule: EM02-07 EM11-14 EM21-26 DM82-85 DM92-96 EL28-29 It may take a few months before I travel to your desired grid but rest assured I will go there and we can attempt contact. Some grids I visit fairly regularly. I've already started to input contacts into my electronic log and upload them to Logbook of the World. If you sent me a QSL card and SASE I will respond early this week. If you did not send me a card but would like me to send you one, please email me the details of our contact. If you do not see our contact confirmed in LotW by the end of this upcoming week, please contact me. For those whom I worked on the DM85/DM95 grid line, I will have a special card related to the nearby attraction on Interstate 40 (7/10 mile east of the grid line.) No SASE req'd. I will be sending them out in a week or two. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 9:57 AM, Clayton Coleman W5PFG <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Over the next few days I will *attempt* to activate grids DM84, DM85, > and possibly DM86/DM96 in the Texas Panhandle region using AO-27, > AO-51, and potentially SO-50. I've scouted a few places where I can > operate these grids in relative proximity to where I will be working. > > 73 > Clayton > W5PFG >

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Re: Two Questions
by K5OE 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

K5TRI Wrote: > Next project will be to build a 2nd IOio and phase them together 90 deg off to > see if that will help with the fading issue (mostly on FO-29) vs buying or building a > complex RHCP/LHCP switchable setup. Good plan on building a second linear antenna. This is not as complex as it sounds and only requires one coaxial relay and one section of delay line (coax). Your choice on how you want to match the impedances, but the simplest for two 50 Ohm feedpoints is to use 50 Ohms for the delay line and at the output of the relay use a 37.5 Ohm matching section (pair of 75 Ohm cables in parallel). You can various schemes in the literature, including the ARRL Satellite Handbook. > My IOio beats your Arrow or Elk in terms of price by leaps :). But then again > it doesn't look as nice. Wow, I finally met a humble ham! 73, Jerry, K5OE

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ARISSAT-1
by BobHerrell 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Today I was able to make my first contact on ARISSAT-1. It was at 2038z with Sebastian, W4AS. It took a while for us to make it, but we finally succeeded. Was Sebastian's second contact. Glad I was able to make at least one contact before we loose the bird.

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Re: ARISSat daylightpower recovery time
by andy thomas 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

I agree with this observation here at IO92NL. Arissat-1 does not switch on immediately when in sunlight, I have missed several passes this morning and in the last few days. I am just waiting for what the MET is announced (voice tlm) as at 1032 utc AOS (coming up) and will backtrack to how long she has been in sunlight. The difference ought to tell us the latency. 73 de andy G0SFJ

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ARRISat-1 SSB QSO w/ WB0KFC
by John Papay 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

ARRISat-1 was in pretty good shape when it finally turned on after being in eclipse this morning around 1510z or so. I had a good qso with WB0KFC and heard someone else (maybe N8MH?) at the end of the pass. The bird went off the air around 1516z before my LOS. The next pass at 1643z should be good for western and the southeastern USA. Give it a try. It's 15 degrees for me but I'll be calling. Run as much power on the uplink as you have. It doesn't hear very well with a stubby antenna. Hope to work you. 73, John K8YSE

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UARS is gone, but you can still enter the ARISSat-1 Chicken Little Contest!
by Alan P. Biddle 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

All, Now that everybody has climbed out from under their beds, it might be a good time to think about entering the ARISSat-1 Chicken Little Contest. We are still looking for calculations/guesses/darts-in-the-calendar submissions for when ARRISSat-1 makes its final orbit. We have a fair number of submissions from all over the world from adults, but very few from students. If you know of one who might be interested, encourage them to enter. The details are here: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ARISSat/ARISSatContest While it is not going to receive the coverage of UARS, the closest submissions in each category will be recognized. Right now, the deadline is the 15th of October, though since ARISSat-1 is "floating like a butterfly" that MIGHT get extended. TBD. We want to give people enough time to enter. However, if we wait too long, the window narrows significantly, putting those who submitted early at a disadvantage. Alan WA4SCA

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NASA Says ...
by Clint Bradford 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

We can now confirm that #UARS is down! Debris fell to Earth between 11:23 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 23, and 1:09 a.m. EDT Sept. 24. -NASA Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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UARS
by Peter Portanova 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

NASA UPDATE UARS Updatesa.. Update #15 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 03:46:42 AM EDT NASA's decommissioned Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite fell back to Earth between 11:23 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 23 and 1:09 a.m. EDT Sept. 24. The Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California said the satellite penetrated the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. The precise re-entry time and location are not yet known with certainty. 73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com

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ARISSat daylightpower recovery time
by Richard Ferryman 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Although I have severely limited satellite visibility I have been copying telemetry from ARISSat1 for some weeks. I live in a valley surrounded by chalk hills and cliffs over 100 metres higher than me so my visible horizon is +12 degrees to +18 degrees at best. Also my 3+3 element short crossed yagi and rotator are in the attic! This worked beautifully when the satellite batteries held up and now when ARISSat is powered up. However I notice it can take 10 minutes or more from the time the satellite enters sunlight until the system bursts into life. At present this means loss of telemetry at this location when ARISSat is over the Atlantic, and even on overhead passes if it has been in sunlight for less than 10 minutes. Question is why it takes ARISSat so long after entering sunlight before it starts transmitting? Surely if the batteries have failed high resistance the voltage should be up within seconds of entering sunlight. Dick G4BBH

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SatPC-32 vs HRD
by Kevin Deane 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Check out the new comic on my QRZ page. I made it 0 -- 0 so far even though I use HRD. Kevin KF7MYK

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No NORAD Data Coming
by Clint Bradford 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

NORAD stopped updating UARS sat data ... Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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UARS Down?
by Clint Bradford 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

NASA says it continues to wait for final confirmation of re-entry. "If debris fell on land (and that's still a BIG if), Canada is most likely area," the space agency just said. Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Re: Falling Sat
by Clint Bradford 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

>> ... Are we going to be able to see it or what? Where's Clint when you need him? NASA just Twitted ... Re-entry is expected between 11:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 12:45 a.m., Sept. 24, Eastern Daylight Time (3:45 a.m. to 4:45 a.m. GMT). The satellite should be passing over Canada and Africa, as well as vast areas of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. NASA will be updating this shortly ... Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Falling Sat
by Kevin Deane 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Are we going to be able to see it or what? Where's Clint when you need him? Kevin KF7MYK

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Help
by George and Cheryl Abbott 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Can anyone provide me with the AMSAT or NASA designation for the UARS satellite that is falling?73 George,W1GMA

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Oky-Doky
by Kevin Deane 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

I got stamps burnin a hole in my folder for anyone left for DN00,20,21 feel free to E-mail the Qsl info and I will send a card/cards your way. Got a bunch in the mail today goin out tomarrow. Looks like we are in luck, Jim is letting me take the good antenna to Cali so I can hear all you satellite people better. DM 4,5,6,7,8,13,14,15,16 CM 96,97,98 are in my path, wont be able to get them all of course. Takin I-5 one way 395 the other. Giving grids away was more fun than I thought!!! Plus I like doin the cards as well. Talk to ya on the air! Kevin KF7MYK HRD Rules!

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Re: Two Questions
by Jeffrey Koehler 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

I use a FT-726R. An Alliance az rotor. A yaesu elevation rotor. And computer control of none of them. And using them for both says and EME. Doppler is not a big deal on EME. But, I'm as dumb as a stump. Trial and error is the norm in my shack. If I can do it, any one can. Just keep doing it until you hear yourself on the downlink. 73. Jeff WB2SYK FN13xc

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SSB, SatPC32 and Doppler (was Two Questions)
by Carl Rimmer W8KRF 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Steve N9IP did a very good job of explaining how to set up for VO-52 and other transponder type sats. I have the TS-2000 and use SatPC32 with it with great success on the FM birds especially ARISSat-1. There is one clarification I would like to make to Steve's SOP. The "C+" and "C-" should be "CW+" and "CW-". We don't want confusion between that and turning CAT control on and off. I used HRD Sat Track for years and always had problems with the Doppler correction. This has not been the case with SatPC32. I love it and will continue to use it for all my sat work. I am hoping to get more active since I will be installing two mast mounted pre-amps tomorrow. The anticipation is driving me nuts. I hope I am not let down. 73, -- *Carl W8KRF*

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AG-25 Icom Preamp
by Dee 24 Sep '11

24 Sep '11

Anyone have a schematic??? I have the manual but that gives no useful info on replacing the GASFET. Certainly not in the ICOM site. Thanks in advance... 73, Dee Interdonato 118 Westervelt Place Lodi, NJ 07644 morsesat(a)optonline.net

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Sea Launch this evening
by Trevor . 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

It looks like Sea Launch is back in business with a launch planned for this evening GMT. BBC News Report at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15021658 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Two Questions
by Thomas Doyle 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

I have two questions that I have wondered about for quite a while. There was a gap in my satellite activity of 20 years or so. AO-10 was the last satellite I used a lot. Not sure what sparked my interest again but I have been having a great time on the satellites. Right from the beginning I noticed that things have changed a lot. I have made about 70 contacts on CW, SSB and FM. Most of the contacts have been on FM. Question 1 relates to activity levels. I have 270 something countries on HF so I have been in my share of DX pileups. What I find really strange is how there will be the usual horrific pile up on AO-51 and then when an FO-29 pass comes a short time later there will usually be no one on. I realize the emphasis is all on "keeping it simple" but wonder how this change occurred. Did it happen all at once - did it happen when the last HEO satellite died. Are the linear sats too complicated. Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore. Question 2 relates to the rest of the world. I notice that FO-29, which seems to be the best linear satellite, came from Japan. What is activity like in Japan/Europe and the rest of the world outside the US. Is it mostly just FM on V/U sats. I believe the current US effort is an FM only Fox with a linear sat in the "2015 time frame". Since the FO-29 activity is almost zero it would see strange to put up another US linear sat at any time. As old as I am the "2015 time frame" might be beyond my chicken little date so I wonder if there are there any LEO linear sats in the works in other parts of the world. I am not complaining I just wonder what happened and what the future holds. Feel free to reply directly. 73 W9KE tom ... AMSAT LM 0875

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SSB, SatPC32 and Doppler (was Two Questions)
by Stephen E. Belter 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

This e-mail is my feeble attempt to provide a helpful response to how to set-up SatPC32 for Doppler correction when operating SSB. I'm not an expert, but I just went through this process because I'm migrating from Nova to SatPC32. Since I'm out-of-town, I don't have access to my satellite station, so I'm doing this from memory. I also deleted your original post, as I was hopeful that an expert would step forward to help you. Your station is fine, with the Kenwood TS-2000 (?) and SatPC32. Your success operating the FM satellites is a good proving ground. Here is the approach I took: (1) Install SatPC32, update the Keplarian elements, and synchronize the PC clock to a national standard like WWV/NIST. (2) Get your radio and SatPC32 communicating, and verify the operation (including Doppler correction) using the FM satellites (AO-27, SO-50, and AO-51). (3) Wait for a good pass of VO-52, for example 60+ degrees maximum elevation. I suggest VO-52 because it is the newest (compared to AO-7 and FO-29), it is more tolerant of using too much transmit power, and it has the smallest transponder correction. (4) Open the "CAT" window. You can move the Window so that it doesn't block access to the main SatPC32 window. Tune the radio above the center of the satellite passband to reduce the QRM to other users. Make sure you are in SSB mode on the radio ("C-" on SatPC32). (5) Using your call and "Test 1-2-3", listen for yourself while you are transmitting. You probably won't hear yourself at all, at least I didn't. Using the +100 and -100 buttons in the Transmit Correction part of the CAT window, try to find yourself. For VO-52, you should hear yourself within +/- 1500 hertz. (I think I was about +800, but that is from memory.) (6) Once you hear yourself using the +/-100 buttons, fine tune using the +/-10 buttons. (7) You can improve the tuning of your uplink/downlink using CW mode ("C+" on SatPC32). Zero-beat the Kenwood's CW sidetone with your received signal. (8) *Save* the result by using the "Save" button in the CAT window. When given the choice, save the transmitter correction. (9) Verify that things are working by working a few VO-52 QSOs. (10) Repeat using FO-29 and AO-7, in that order. You may need to search over a wider frequency range (+/-3000 hertz). (11) One other important change when moving from FM to SSB. Your power output is important! Learn how to reduce your power and use the minimum power needed to hear yourself on the satellite. If you use too much power, you'll trash other conversations on the satellite and your transmissions will be badly distorted! Good luck! 73, Steve N9IP --

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Re: Two Questions
by Buckley, Jack 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

I love it :) Controversy that is! Real men use Linux/UNIX anyway (sorry couldn't resists and a bit of controversy is always fun ;) ). 73 Mike K5TRI Mike, I thought real men could use anything or rather make anything work including computer operating systems (OSes)? :O ;) :) Boy does a discussion regarding OSes open a can of worms or what? Around here it can get downright bloody FYI: W1AKN uses all the OSes (not by choice) Love the AMSATBB - great source of knowledge. Just had to chuckle and throw my nickel in the pot :( It is always nice to see someone chime in with a bit of humor. Thank you for the grin and laugh this morning Mike - --... ...-- Jack Buckley Callsign: W1AKN Locator: FN41mv - Cape Cod <;))))>< E-Mail: w1akn(a)arrl.net<blocked::mailto:[email protected]> The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly dispose of the e-mail.

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Re: Two Questions
by Ted 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

A statement/opinion like that is worthless without some solid data. You can't just malign the guy. Simon says he used David Taylor's open source satellite-tracking library to get started and wrote his own library, shipped as a dll with HRD and based on NORAD SGP4/SDP4 implementations by Michael F. Henry. I don't have a clue what all that means but it sounds like Simon's program was not just cobbled together. SATPC32 looks to me like an 80's dos program. Very unattractive. It is not logical to state that 'Everybody' in the entire sat community has problems with HRD's Doppler. I want more proof K7TRK _____ From: kq6ea(a)verizon.net [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 4:23 PM To: k7trkradio(a)charter.net; tomdoyle1948(a)gmail.com; AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Two Questions try SatPC32. *Everybody* I know who uses HRD has problems with the Doppler correction. Jim KQ6EA On 09/22/11, Ted<k7trkradio(a)charter.net> wrote: "Are the linear sats too complicated? Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore." Tom, speaking only for me, I have tried several times to work a linear. I have a TS 2000 with the sat function and HRD sat program which allegedly adjust the Doppler, 2m/440 SSB and a Elk on a rotor w/fixed el.. Try as I might, I cannot get the tx and rx to match so I can duplex. There just does not seem to be single primer that one can follow on how to accomplish the process. There are multiple opinions from individuals, but not much of a consensus on a good standard process. Admittedly, I have problem not given a fair amount of time on my technique as I was concentrating on VUCC. Now that that will go to the card checker tomorrow, I need to spend some time on the linear. I just wish there was a 'manual' 73, Ted K7TRK -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thomas Doyle Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 12:02 PM To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Two Questions I have two questions that I have wondered about for quite a while. There was a gap in my satellite activity of 20 years or so. AO-10 was the last satellite I used a lot. Not sure what sparked my interest again but I have been having a great time on the satellites. Right from the beginning I noticed that things have changed a lot. I have made about 70 contacts on CW, SSB and FM. Most of the contacts have been on FM. Question 1 relates to activity levels. I have 270 something countries on HF so I have been in my share of DX pileups. What I find really strange is how there will be the usual horrific pile up on AO-51 and then when an FO-29 pass comes a short time later there will usually be no one on. I realize the emphasis is all on "keeping it simple" but wonder how this change occurred. Did it happen all at once - did it happen when the last HEO satellite died. Are the linear sats too complicated. Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore. Question 2 relates to the rest of the world. I notice that FO-29, which seems to be the best linear satellite, came from Japan. What is activity like in Japan/Europe and the rest of the world outside the US. Is it mostly just FM on V/U sats. I believe the current US effort is an FM only Fox with a linear sat in the "2015 time frame". Since the FO-29 activity is almost zero it would see strange to put up another US linear sat at any time. As old as I am the "2015 time frame" might be beyond my chicken little date so I wonder if there are there any LEO linear sats in the works in other parts of the world. I am not complaining I just wonder what happened and what the future holds. Feel free to reply directly. 73 W9KE tom ... AMSAT LM 0875 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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How about DM 6,7,8
by Kevin Deane 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

These maybe? DM 6, 7, 8 Kevin KF7MYK

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Cali Grids
by Kevin Deane 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

Would anyone be interested in Grids From Placerville Ca to Temecula Ca? I did not do that good (3 out of 5) on the last trip but practice makes more better. MOON that spells GRIDS. CM 96,97,98 DM 13,14 Kevin KF7MYK

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Reverse VUCC Award Standings Updated for Satellites
by John Papay 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

The Central States VHF Society has just updated their website to reflect applications for VUCC-r, Reverse VUCC, filed some time ago. http://www.csvhfs.org This award is given to those who have operated via satellites in more than 100 grids away from their home grid. There are now four operators who have achieved this distinction. They are N7SFI-200 grids, N5AFV-109 grids, ND9M-325 grids, and KD4ZGW-100 grids. The rules require that applicants submit proof of contacts made from these away from home grids. So if you work someone signing "portable" (meaning they are operating away from home), please remember to include your grid as well as the grid they were operating from on your qsl. This will provide the proof of contact required by the Central States VHF Society. Congratulations to all of these operators and especially to the newest additions to the list, Jim ND9M and Rob KD4ZGW. Well done! 73, John K8YSE

2 1

PCSAT32 -Doppler.SQF
by Rob Styles 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

In the process of reading the manual for PCSAT32 but it would be nice to have up to date Doppler.sqf file until I i get around to changing my own , so If your willing to send me you file,thanks in advance send to m0tfo(a)m0tfo.co.uk Rob

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Sounds of NASA
by Clint Bradford 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

THE SOUNDS OF NASA AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- Historic and interesting sounds and sound bites from NASA space missions are available for download as ringtones or on your computer for events, errors, alarms and notifications. The public now can hear the roar of a space shuttle launch or Neil Armstrong's, "One small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," every time they get a phone call. A new NASA web page now has a collection of more than 35 different sounds, each approximately 20 seconds. Examples include: - Apollo 13's John "Jack" Swigert commenting "Houston, we have a problem" - Crackle of the historic last launch of the space shuttle, STS-135 - Segments from President John F. Kennedy's historic moon speech - Sound wave conversions of the light curve waves created by stars discovered by NASA's Kepler mission and other sounds of planets and stars "NASA has been making historic sounds for over 50 years," said Jerry Colen, NASA App project manager at the agency's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. "Now we're making some of these memorable sounds easy to find and use." The NASA sounds are available in both MP3 and M4R (iPhone) files. NASA will update the collection as new sounds become available. To listen to and download the sounds, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/sounds The NASA App for Android allows users to easily preview and set the sounds as ringtones. To download the most recent version of the NASA App for Android, visit: https://market.android.com/details?id=gov.nasa -end- Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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EM45
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

If work will allow, I will be on from em45 on AO27 today 9/22 WA4HFN

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Re: Amplifier Suggestions?
by Tom Clark 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

James, KF6RFX asked: > We are looking for a UHF amplifier (430-440MHz) for a transceiver to go from > 10 mW to ~ 75W. Most of the amps were are funding require a much stronger > input power than we can do. Note, it's a transceiver, so we want to be able > to receive through the system as well. This is for half duplex satellite > communication using a USRP radio. > > Do you have any suggested amps? You might want to check with some of the "custom" amateur shops like Pure RF (http://www.purepowerrf.com/), Downeast Microwave (DEMI, http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/) or DB6NT (http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/home.html). In particular, DB6NT has 50mw in, ~50w out amplifier (http://www.kuhne-electronic.de/en/products/power-amplifiers/mku-pa-4047-60-…) that is close to what you ask for. You didn't mention price constraints. Any of the "conventional" amateur "bricks" are will probably set you back $500-$750. There are some commercial alternatives you might look at. In particular check out MiniCircuits; at the $2000 level, the LZY1+ (http://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/LZY-1+.pdf) has 39+ db gain and will produce 50 w of RF on either 2M or 70cm. Their older ZHL-50W $1400 brick (http://www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/ZHL-50W-52.pdf) is also a good unit. On the MiniCircuits units, I'd strongly advise that you get it with their BIG heatsink/fan. You say you need fast half-duplex. I presume that the downlink will be on a different band (like 2M). If not, the selection of T/R transfer relays will not be easy, especially if you want to avoid zapping your LNA. Good luck & 73, Tom Clark, K3IO

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Amplifier Suggestions?
by James Cutler 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

Hello, We are looking for a UHF amplifier (430-440MHz) for a transceiver to go from 10 mW to ~ 75W. Most of the amps were are funding require a much stronger input power than we can do. Note, it's a transceiver, so we want to be able to receive through the system as well. This is for half duplex satellite communication using a USRP radio. Do you have any suggested amps? Thanks, --James, KF6RFX

5 4

Arissat-1 Voice telemetry analysis from G0SFJ
by andy thomas 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

I have submitted for a tlm certificate my analysis of the voice telemetry from Arissat-1 on certain orbits in September (when I was present, hi). The dates of the receptions in September are in the analysis spreadsheet. The MET is decreasing, I think this is because the satellite comes out of eclipse and swithches on nearer the observation, as the orbit is precessing I think the analysis shows that as the MET decreases, the IHU temperature decreases, and the battery current increases (this is a lesser negative number). Put that another way, as the MET in sunlight increases, the IHU temperature increases and the circuit current decreases (greater negative number). However I don't know why the circuit reports a negative current, or even if the voice tlm is accurate. I'd be grateful for any comments. 73 de Andy G0SFJ .

2 1

Netbooks again
by ANTHONY JAPHA 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

All, I received many helpful comments about the use of netbooks. Thanks to all. As it turned out, I got an ASUS netbook, which takes more than 5 pounds off the weight of the equipment used for my occasional portable satellite work. The hard part was finding a USB to serial port adapter that works. The job is to run 2 of these adapters to control the frequencies of 2 FT817 transceivers to correct for doppler shift. One FT817 is used for Rx, the other for Tx. The doppler shifts for Rx and Tx differ. What's needed is CAT control by SatPC32 software, which is a terrific program. The computer runs Window 7. After trying 3 adapters that didn't work, the problem was finally solved by using the USB to serial adapter made by Sabrent, Item CB-FTDI. This adapter is sold by Elecraft as the CAT cable for the K3 (Elecraft part KUSB). Now I have full freq. control to use with the CW/SSB satellites, just as I had with the much heavier laptop that the netbook replaces. (It needed only 1 adapter because it had a serial port, and an old Radio Shack adapter worked well.) 73, Tony, N2UN

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FM02 K3NXH/4 AO-51
by Chuck Gress 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

FYI for those who may be in need of FM02 on AO-51.I will work the 20:09 UTC pass on Saturday September 24th. ChuckK3NXH

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Ao51 reports.
by mm0kjg 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

Hello there. Am looking for any reports of my Call being received Stateside during any of the Ao51 passes. I only have a small humble station consisting of Ic-910 in to a dualband vertical on my chimney and am considering buying a pre-amp for 70cm . If am not being heard Stateside on the West passes from my locator Io85iv Ill maybe not spend money on a preamp?. I have had 2xcontact with KB1RVT so we shall see. Please email me or send a message on here. Thanks and 73's Kev MM0KJG

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UARS Keps Enclosed
by Bryan Herbert 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

These are current as of this morning and seem to be accurate when compared to the NASA mission status page. UARS 1 21701U 91063B 11263.18833764 .01299762 11120-4 56017-3 0 6054 2 21701 56.9440 281.4376 0013731 14.2607 345.8929 16.21836581108546 Until last night the altitude of UARS varied between 130-140 miles. As I type this it is at 127 miles and appears to be gradually dropping. If you have Ham Radio Deluxe v.5 add the 'Visual' sats group and you will see UARS listed. -- Bryan Herbert - KE6ZGP Newhall, CA. DM04RJ USA http://bryanherbert.com http://twitter.com/ke6zgp

6 5

TP50CE Special Event Station Satellite Operation
by JoAnne Maenpaa 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

This would be too late if we waited for the weekend AMSAT News Service news cycle: DXNL 1746 DX Newsletter - Sep 21, 2011 included this item: F, FRANCE The "Council of Europe Radio Amateur Club" (CERAC-TP2CE) is going to activate the special event station TP50CE in all modes on all bands (maybe also satellite) on Sep 23/24. Occasion is the 50th anniversary of the European Social Charter. OPs will be Sergiy,F0EQE, Oleg,RV3DH, and Sparky,RW3AH. QSL via F5LGF. See also: http://ewwa.free.fr -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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CubeSat Deployable Boom
by Trevor . 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Drexel University are doing some work on a deployable boom for Cubesats, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/09/20/cubesat-deployable-boom/ 73 Trevor M5AKA Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK Sample newsletter: http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf ----

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Observations of arissat signal at 52.48 degrees North
by andy thomas 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Guys and gals I have a modest setup here observing Arissat-1 with a yagi fixed in azimuth and elevation and automatically reording. The sstv signal is detectable without a one transitor preamp but only reproducable with it. The most important thing about the setup is the orientation of the receive antenna. It is pointing at approximately 210 degrees and is fixed. You might ask why not set it at the aizmuth of the maximum elevation, which is what I always do for telemetry cubesats. First of all my answer is that I get better pictures at this azimuth. Secondly as I said to Colin G1IVG I think I know why. If you go to the front page of my website http://www.andythomas.eu and scroll down you'll see a sequence of photos I took of the ISS as seen in my telescope. I was surprised how the attitude of the spacecraft changed as it approached 51.6 degrees (the orbital inclination and therefore the maximum latitude subsatellite), then went away relatively southbound (and of course eastbound). We are at 52.48 degrees North. My thesis is that Arissat-11, which is on more or less the same orbital inclnation, exhibits the same change in attitude as it reaches 51.6 latitude, relative to us, so the antenna is not shielded and therefore the signal level peaks. As the signal level is marginal I can detect this slight improvement. I've sent a copy of this to theWelland Valley ARS for comments and would appreciate your comments too. 73 de andy g0sfj

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DM84, DM85, DM86, DM96 activations
by Clayton Coleman W5PFG 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Over the next few days I will *attempt* to activate grids DM84, DM85, and possibly DM86/DM96 in the Texas Panhandle region using AO-27, AO-51, and potentially SO-50. I've scouted a few places where I can operate these grids in relative proximity to where I will be working. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Re: FITSAT-1 - 5.840 GHz
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Hi, Further to the email : Try the following web pages. also refers to the alternative name of "NIWAKA" _http://www.fit.ac.jp/~tanaka/fitsat.shtml_ (http://www.fit.ac.jp/~tanaka/fitsat.shtml) Cheers Ken GW1FKY

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FITSAT-1 - 5.840 GHz
by Trevor . 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Glad to see there is a CubeSat proposing to use 5.8 GHz, see http://www.uk.amsat.org/2011/09/19/cubesat-to-use-5-8-ghz-and-optical-comms/ 73 Trevor M5AKA Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK Sample newsletter: http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf ----

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DN Trip over
by Kevin Deane 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Sorry Jim got called back to work and we had to jam home. Sorry for the upset for those I intended to give out 21,10,11. However we will be returning the property turned out to be pretty decent. I did take note of the DN10,11 boundry for the next trip. I do have pictures of the grids 00,20 and 21 for those who got them I can send copies with any cards needed please send a card with your info, no SASE needed. Kevin KF7MYK

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ROAD TRIP AGAIN
by Jim Adams 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

I will mail QSL cards to all my contacts on my portable operations the first week of October. I also uploaded today's DM56 San Juan County New Mexico contacts into LoTW showing the correct grid and location for me. I'll go back and see if I can change my previous LoTW entries to reflect the actual grid I was in. I'll try to be in as many different grids this month as I can until it starts snowing (which it already has in the high country). Jim Adams - K0BAM

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Re: SO-67 as appears on the AMSAT.org Satellite status page.
by Andrew Glasbrenner 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

It's been updated. Please, someone remind me when it comes back to change the status back. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Tom Schuessler <tjschuessler(a)verizon.net> >Sent: Sep 19, 2011 9:14 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-67 as appears on the AMSAT.org Satellite status page. > >AMSAT South Africa shows that all Amateur activations are suspended on SO-67 >yet the Satellite status page on amsat.org still show green arrows for V and >U on this satellite. Please I would suggest changing this status >information to reflect the state of things as they currently are not what we >would want them to be. I know the link on the right does ultimately point >the reader to the authoritative information, but yet the status grid seems >to give the impression to the not so familiar viewer and satellite that they >might have success with this bird. > >Hoping the best for the new projects that the SA AMSAT folks have on the >development track. > >73, Tom, N5HYP > > > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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SO-67 as appears on the AMSAT.org Satellite status page.
by Tom Schuessler 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

AMSAT South Africa shows that all Amateur activations are suspended on SO-67 yet the Satellite status page on amsat.org still show green arrows for V and U on this satellite. Please I would suggest changing this status information to reflect the state of things as they currently are not what we would want them to be. I know the link on the right does ultimately point the reader to the authoritative information, but yet the status grid seems to give the impression to the not so familiar viewer and satellite that they might have success with this bird. Hoping the best for the new projects that the SA AMSAT folks have on the development track. 73, Tom, N5HYP

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Friday Re-Entry
by Joe 20 Sep '11

20 Sep '11

Update #5 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 03:20:32 PM CDT As of Sept. 19, 2011, the orbit of UARS was 130 mi by 143 mi (210 km by 230 km). Re-entry is expected Sept. 23, plus or minus a day. Does anyone have any other better way to try to keep track of this thing? Joe WB9SBD -- The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

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911 Special Event
by Peter Portanova 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Hello, I wanted to thank everyone who took the time to contact the 911 special event station, NW2C, at Ft. Totten NY. One of their members put together a video tribute from his experience's on that tragic day as well as video from the special event, thank you. http://vimeo.com/29077529 73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com

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Contact
by Ian MacFarquhar 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Does anyone have contact information for Bruce, VE9QRP ? I've seen his postings on the BB before but have lost the file. Thanks, Ian VE9IM

1 0

DN21 Today
by Kevin Deane 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

SO-50 was pretty hard I am used to having the stand that got totally smashed... Going to try these passes: AO-27 1:45 SO-50 1:58 AO-51 2:52 & 4:30 That's my time so whatever. Loved all the QRM yesterday bring it on I got killer solar panels you freaks! Kevin KF7MYK

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2M1EUB/P QRV ISLAND OF SKYE AND EASTEN SCOTLAND 14 DAYS
by paul robinson 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Ill be qrv for 14 days wx permiting! from island of skye western scotland,then for the second part of the 2weeks ill be on the eastern side of scotland from my normal location,hills will play a big part in the first part of this opperation especially the first week on the island,so no west coast but you never no.....BOB! internet skeds will be slow as there is no 3g or gprs etc so ill pick up as and when.please be quick and let every one have a chance as the window on the island will be short ,io67vj is the locator there.more info 2m1eub/qrz.com look out for me any time after SAT/24/sept/11 de PAUL 2E1EUB///////2M1EUB

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need resources to set up new az/el rotor
by Tim Goodrich 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Hi All, I'm very excited as I just picked up a Yaesu G5400B controller and Kenpro az/el rotator this morning at an estate sale for $80 total. Took it home, hooked it up, and it works great. As this is my first time using any kind of rotator, a couple of questions: 1) What is the best computer interface to get? I intend to use this for automatic control with HRD or SatPC32 2) I don't think I can post a picture to this listserve, but can someone who knows their rotators email me so I can send you a pic? I'd like to find out what model rotator I have. All I see are the numbers 7501-004. 3) Can someone send a link for good instructions on how to set this thing up in regard to synchronizing the controller and rotator (so the degrees on the controller match in real life)? Thanks for the help. Tim K6TW

2 1

Sorry slept in
by Kevin Deane 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Will be on the 27 and 51 today, will be in DN21 today DN10,11 will be tomarrow on the way home. I narrowed down 10,11 to 20 ft we'll see how it looks when we drive back that way, we passed the spot on the way up and didnt know it, I guess thats just a sliver on I-80, looks easy enough, any tips welcome, this is all new to me. Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

5 in 55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Congrats to Steve N9IP for award #32 for 5 in EM55 WA4HFN em55

1 0

Epic Failure at DN20
by Kevin Deane 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

So just for gossip sake....Long story short the 6 Meter beam with the G5RV Jr. came crashing down on top of the satellite array of all places. So that takes out my chances for any Magic Band contacts this trip, the 2-Meter beam is functional, so I might try and fix the stand for that and try some SSB Birds. The 70cm beam came out unscathed so I still have ears, I have been goin in with a magmount so thats all good. The more than one grid thing seems like a real pain so I am just pullin over off the road like I did this morning. Honestly in my opinion you can only be in one place at time anyway! Looks like we'll be here for a couple more days at Jim's property, DN21 is right up the road and we'll hit the others on the way back. Anyway most everyone should get some grids if they need'em! No matter where you go there you are! :) Kevin KF7MYK

2 1

Re: No Docking For Dragon During Next Flight
by B J 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

<snip> Don't get to excited about this the Russian report is likely wrong. Robert > Oler WB5MZO > > On another web site, I read that NASA says "Maybe." I guess we'll have to wait and see. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

1 0

AubieSat-1 on 25 October 11
by John Klingelhoeffer 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Hi Trevor; Yes, at this point, AubieSat-1 is scheduled to launch on 25 October 11 as a secondary payload with the NASA NPP launch out of Vandenberg AFB, CA. It is current as of today, 18 September. I have requested the students to prepare a message to be posted to AMSAT-BB to advise the particulars of the satellite. I would expect that it would be posted sometime this week. The group at the Auburn University Student Space Program (AUSSP) would certainly appreciate the amateur space community's support to track and receive telemetry from the satellite. Watch for a message to be posted later this week with details. AUSSP has some initial Keplerian element sets furnished by NASA that will be used for initial orbit predictions. 73 John... WB4LNM Technical Advisor, AUSSP Message: 8 Subject: [amsat-bb] Aubiesat Launch in October ? Gunter's space page currently lists Aubiesat and other CubeSats being lauched October 25, on a Delta. Clearly launch dates are always prone to slippage, does anyone know if that date is still current ? Aubiesat X on IARU pages http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=148 73 Trevor M5AKA

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QSL's Wait till after Tues to send
by Kevin Deane 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

I will return all qsl cards no SASE needed but of course feel free. If you want any cards/eqsl's send them my way I will not be sending any out. I will also change the info on Eqsl to match any incoming there. Monday DN21 Tuesday DN21 morning AO-51, 11, 10 Later. Kevin KF7MYK

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No Docking For Dragon During Next Flight
by B J 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Private_US_capsule_not_to_dock_with_ISS… 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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PCSat32 and ASCOM az-el interface
by Dave Straube 19 Sep '11

19 Sep '11

Please contact me direct if you have adapted PCSat32 to ASCOM for az-el control, for example, to control an iOptron mount. Thanks, Dave Straube N7LKL

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5 in em55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

Congrats to David KD4NOQ for award #031 5 in EM55 WA4HFN Damon em55

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Re: need resources to set up new az/el rotor
by Edwin M. "EMike" McCardel, KC8YLD 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

Tim, Nice find. I would guess that G5400B is the model number. here is a link to the manual. http://www.foxdelta.com/products/satellite/G5400_G5600.pdf You may need another interface to control it automatically from the computer. I use a SatPC32 as my software and interface it through the LVB Tracker. It can be run manually through a terminal program by typing in Alt / Az commands. EMike E. Michael McCardel, KC8YLD Ohio Section Affiliated Club Coordinator, ARRL NO CODE REQUIRED When All Else Fails... There's Amateur Radio Learn more via www.ARRL.org

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ARISSat-1
by Farrell Winder 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

I have made 2 different successful short duration CW transmissions through the ARISSat-1/RADIOSCAF-B transponder over the last 2 days. Called CQ with no replies. My receiver fixed to receive on 145.934.5. Transmissions made near 435.950 and varied to receive. I received back my signal very weak but clearly readable. Will be trying again with above freqs on Monday Sept 19, 2011 on passes over Cincinnati, Ohio beginning 13:50Z. Be listening for anyone trying to connect. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF

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SORRY that was DN20 on AO-27
by Kevin Deane 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

Hope that dosent screw everyone up DN 20 NOT DN00 Sorry Kevin KF7MYK

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Aubiesat Launch in October ?
by Trevor . 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

Gunter's space page currently lists Aubiesat and other CubeSats being lauched October 25, on a Delta. Clearly launch dates are always prone to slippage, does anyone know if that date is still current ? Aubiesat X on IARU pages http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=148 73 Trevor M5AKA

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uars satellite
by jerry keeton 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

Anyone tracking the failed satellite re entry ? Any keps ? Jerry WB5LHD

1 0

5 in em55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

Congrats to Howard W4hLR for award #30 5 in EM55 WA4HFN Damon em55

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Re-Entry
by Joe 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

An re-Entry event is coming up soon, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/uars/index.html Joe WB9SBD -- The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com

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DN00
by Kevin Deane 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

Got that one out of the way, dosent look like there will be a pass for DN 10,11 when we are passing though winnemucca so I will stop there on the way back mon or tues. Sprint wireless card works great!!! I am freezing so catch ya on the birds later in DN 20,21. Kevin KF7MYK

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FW: [ans] ANS-261 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 18 Sep '11

18 Sep '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-261 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: * BOD Election Results * 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches * Get Ready for Scouting's JOTA on October 15-16 * Amateur Satellite Presentations Scheduled for Alaska and California * Registration Open for 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium 4-6 November 2011 * NASA STEM Education Via Massively Multiplayer Online Game * Satellite Shorts From All Over * ARISS Status - 12 September 2011 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.01 BOD Election Results AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.01 The 2011 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors election has been completed with the following results: Barry Baines, WD4ASW- 576 Tony Monteiro, AA2TX - 560 Alan Biddle, WA4SCA - 516 Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA - 418 Mark Hammond, N8MH - 319 First Alternate Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK - 275 Second Alternate Steve Coy, K8UD - 229 ***** A total of 751 ballots were received ***** In accordance with the Bylaws of AMSAT-NA those receiving the four highest number of votes are elected as regular members of the Board of Directors for the next 2 years. The alternates will serve for one year until the next election. [ANS thanks AMSAT HQ Office the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.02 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.02 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches Your papers for the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium are due by October 1 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Yes, that's just a couple of weeks from now! Papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. The Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA. Papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at: n8fgv(a)amsat.org. [ANS thanks Dan Schultz, N8FGV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.03 Get Ready for Scouting's JOTA on October 15-16 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.03 Get Ready for Scouting's JOTA on October 15-16 Scouting's Jamboree on the Air event is coming up on October 15-16. During this annual event Scouts and Guides all over the world speak to each other over amateur radio contacts. Scouting experiences are exchanged and ideas are shared, via the radio waves. The event starts at 00.00 hours local time on the Saturday and con- cludes 48 hours later at 24.00 hours local time on the Sunday. Each station can choose its own operating hours within this period. Each year during JOTA about half-a-million Scouts and Guides "get together" over the airwaves. Modern communication technology offers Scouts the exciting opportunity to make friends in other countries. Most Scouts take advantage of the local volunteer efforts of amateur radio operators in their area. This is where you can volunteer your station for scouting participation. You may also help by answering calls on the air from scouts. AMSAT encourages our members to take advantage of JOTA to provide amateur satellite demonstrations. The World Scouting Organization in Switzerland posted JOTA information on their web: http://tinyurl.com/3rfp2cn (www.scout.org) Also, visit the World Scouting Radio Library at: http://tinyurl.com/5sz7tf5 (www.scout.org) The Boy Scouts of America has several resources on-line for amateur radio stations participating in JOTA: http://tinyurl.com/6d93qb7 (Boy Scouts of America www.scouting.org) [ANS thanks the Scouting Movement for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.04 Amateur Satellite Presentations Scheduled for Alaska and California AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.04 This weekend AMSAT area coordinator Clint Bradford, K6LCS, is present- ing his 'Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT' session at the An- chorage Amateur Radio Club annual hamfest. After this look for Clint back on warmer turf in California where he is scheduled for TWO 'Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT' sessions at PACIFICON 2011 in Santa Clara on Saturday, October 15. Clint wrote, "We had a great time last year - with a full confer- ence room and several passes that we worked. I'll be making my pre- sentation from 11AM-noon and 1-2PM. We have tentative passes of AO-27, AO-51, and ARISSat-1 (hopefully!) - Watch for posters near the check- in area for exact times." Download Clint's tutorial and programming charts from: http://www.work-sat.com . Clint always encourages pre-presentation inquiries. Send email to Clint at clintbradford.com- or call him at 909-241-7666. See you in Santa Clara! PACIFICON's Web site is http://www.pacificon.org . [ANS thanks Clint Bradford, K6LCS for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.05 Registration Open for 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium 4-6 November 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.05 AMSAT announces the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA. Our annual gathering will feature: + Space Symposium with Amateur Satellite Presentations + Operating Techniques, News, & Plans from the Amateur Satellite World + Board of Directors Meeting open to AMSAT members (Nov. 3-4) + Meet Board Members and Officers + Annual General Membership Meeting + Annual Banquet-Keynote Speaker and Door Prizes The 2011 Symposium hotel and registration web pages are now available on the AMSAT web site. You may register for the Symposium and Annual Banquet at the AMSAT Store: http://www.amsat-na.com/store/SymposiumReg.php Visit the Symposium and Annual General Meeting web page for details and the latest information: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/index.php Symposium Registration including a copy of the Proceedings is: + $45 per person until September 19, 2011 + $50 per person starting September 20, 2011 + $55 per person at the door The Saturday evening banquet is $45 per person. The Sunday morning Area Coordinator's Breakfast is $15 per person. The hotel selected is the Wyndham San Jose, close to the airport. The AMSAT discount rate is $79.00+taxes per night. The reservation block code when calling the hotel directly is "AMSAT". The hotel telephone number is 408-453-6200. If you are making reservations on-line use 1031FSJAM for the group code. The direct link to the hotel web page is: http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/SJCAP/main.wnt If you are planning to book a room on dates other than November 2, 3, 4, 5, you will have to call the hotel directly and ask for *in- house reservations*. You can get the $79 rate 3 days before and 3 days after the above dates but you cannot book the room on their website. Any problems, give Martha a call at the AMSAT Office: 301-589-6062. [ANS thanks the 2011 Symposium Committee for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.06 NASA STEM Education Via Massively Multiplayer Online Game AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.06 The NASA Learning Technologies (LT) project supports the develop- ment of projects that deliver NASA content through innovative appli- cations of technologies to enhance education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Research and develop- ment are at the core of the LT mission. LT seeks to enhance formal and informal education in STEM fields with the goal of increasing the number of students in those fields of study and is currently investigating the development of a NASA-based massively multiplayer online educational game (MMO). Quoting the Learning Technologies Project, "There is increasing recog- nition that these synthetic environments can serve as powerful "hands- on" tools for teaching a range of complex subjects. Virtual worlds with scientifically accurate simulations could permit learners to tinker with chemical reactions in living cells, practice operating and repair- ing expensive equipment, and experience microgravity, making it easier to grasp complex concepts and transfer this understanding quickly to practical problems. MMOs help players develop and exercise a skill set closely matching the thinking, planning, learning, and technical skills increasingly in demand by employers. These skills include strategic thinking, interpretative analysis, problem solving, plan formulation and execution, team-building and cooperation, and adaptation to rapid change." The first learning game environment, Moonbase Alpha, a game scenario with both single-player and multiplayer options is set on a hypothe- tical lunar outpost in a 3-D immersive setting. Players step into the role of an exploration crewmember and deal with realistic mission challenges and choices. Timelines in the much anticipated Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond MMO will be set even farther in the exciting future (2035+), but you can already explore our own near-future moon missions thanks to the NASA Learning Technologies and Innovative Partnerships Programs. NASA's Learning Technologies web site can be accessed at: http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov/mmo/ You will find the link to the already released Moonbase Alpha game at this site, along with information about the development of the new Astronaut: Moon, Mars and Beyond massively multiplayer online educational game. [ANS thanks Space.com for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.07 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.07 + Although the astronauts now use digital cameras the Hasselblad camera was the film camera standard for much of the space pro- gram's history. An astronaut's photography manual provided by Hasselblad for NASA astronauts can be downloaded at: http://tinyurl.com/4dupx8s (www.hasselblad.com). This is a 40 page color PDF file really solid photography guide, with great information on lenses, exposure settings, and camera technique. Any photographer could get some use out of it. But if you happen to be up in space, you'll have everything you need to get that perfect shot. (UniverseToday.com) + Congratulations to Tom Schuessler N5HYP for a successful Radio Merit Badge class and amateur radio satellite demo at the National Scouting Museum. The Boy Scout station K2BSA/5 had contacts with K8YSE, KX9X, WA4HFN, NE5BO, ND9M, K4FEG, KT3L, N9AMW, AA0SV, K5OE, N8MS, N2VYT and VE2RCN via AO-51. K2BSA/5 will again be active on October 15th for JOTA. + NASA Grail mission to the moon should downlink on 2280.6 MHz and 2279.511 MHz. X-Band Doppler ranging beacons are on 8451.5995 MHz and 8451.7995 MHz. + George Carr, WA5KBH has received the logs and cards from Hector, CO6CBF and is ready to perform his QSL manager duties. Please send your cards to his callbook address and include a SASE. Contacts from CO6CBF home grid of EL92 and his recent trip to EL91/FL01 are being processed. Hector has his 100th QSL in LoTW and is expectedto become the first atellite VUCC from Cuba. (WA5KBH) + Congratulations to AMSAT member, Zack Beougher, KD8KSN (EN80) for being honored as ARRL Great Lakes' Division, Young Radio Amateur of the Year. This is great honor for Zack, and it speaks well for the future of AMSAT, having such a fine young man in our midst! (E. Michael McCardel, KC8YLD Ohio Section Affiliated Club Coordin- ator, ARRL) + Jens, DL7VTX, is apparently operating portable in EA8. He was work- ed on AO-51 this week. No info on how long he might be there, but if you are on the East Coast and need EA8, listen for him. (John, K8YSE) + Bob, W7LRD, reported good DX via AO-7 on September 14 from Seattle, Washington (grid CN87wk). Bob worked OH5LK in KP30on for a distance of 7692km. [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-261.08 ARISS Status - 12 September 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 261.08 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 18, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-261.08 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report September 12, 2011 1. Kobe Science Museum Contact Successful An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held between youth visiting the Kobe Science Museum in Kobe-city, Japan and ISS Astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, KE5DAW on Monday, September 5. Children were interested in how astronauts prepare for their missions and how life in space differs from that on Earth. Approximately 90 people were present for the event and media coverage included at least two newspapers and one television station. The contact highlighted lessons covering the ISS, space and regional and global environments. 2. Pine Tree Middle School Students Radio Mike Fossum On Friday, September 9, Pine Tree Middle School in Longview, Texas participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Mike Fossum, KF5AQG answered over 20 questions posed to him by the students about what it is like to live in space and the experiments currently being conducted on the ISS. The contact was incorporated into a science curriculum which covered space, ecosystems and the contributions of scientists to society. 3. U.S. Schools Selected for ARISS Contacts The ARISS-U.S. proposal selection committee met at the end of August and chose ARISS proposals for contacts to be held in the January - June 2012 timeframe. Five primary schools as well as several alternate schools were selected. The schools were notified of their status and ARISS mentors are currently being assigned to assist the schools in preparing for their contacts. 4. ARISS Member Gives ARISSat Interview On September 6, Steve Bible, N7HPR appeared on Ham Nation to talk about ARISSat-1 and AMSAT. The interview, episode 16, may be viewed on TWiT.TV. See: http://twit.tv/show/ham-nation/16 5. Amateur Radio Newsline on ISS Crew On September 9, the Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1778 included two ARISS items under "Ham Radio in Space." The first story gives a short status on ARISSat-1and the second item talks about how the ISS crew may be affected by the failed launch of Progress 44 in August. To view "ARISSat-1 Celebrates its First Month Onorbit" and "ISS Could be Vacated if Russian Launch Vehicle Problem not Resolved Quickly," see: ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt 6. Astronaut Training Status Four simulated ARISS contacts are scheduled for September 21 between the following schools and astronauts: Euro Space Center, Belgium at 13:20 UTC - Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG Manhattan Challenger Learning Center (CLC) at 14:05 UTC - Kevin Ford, KF5GPP CLC of Indianapolis at 14:30 UTC - Tom Marshburn, KE5HOC CLC of Alaska at 15:50 UTC- Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR These training sessions are terrestrial-based amateur radio contacts using ARISS equivalent equipment. The sessions will prepare the astronauts for participation in ARISS contacts during their upcoming missions on the ISS. 7. ARRL Article on ISS Astronauts The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran a story in its September 8 ARRL Letter about NASA's need to hire more astronauts. The story went on to talk about the possibility of abandoning the ISS if the Russians do not resolve the issues associated with the Progress 44 launch. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/report-calls-on-nasa-to-hire-more-astronaut s [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, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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Re: Gating Satellite Passes to local APRS RF
by Sion Chow Q. C. 17 Sep '11

17 Sep '11

Thanks for the reply. Yes I saw Bob's page using a separate PM function of the TM-D700 to do it, but will be great if there are some automatic methods available. 73, Sion, 9M2CQC On 17 Sep 2011, at 01:25 AM, Len Revelle <lenrev(a)gmail.com> wrote: > WB4APR had some info on doing this with the TM-D700 on one of his pages. I have a PM in mine set to do so and try to set it while I am at work. > > On Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 11:03 AM, Sion Chow Q. C. <9w2qc(a)9w2qc.net> wrote: > Dear All, > > I am running an APRS iGate on 2M locally using UI-View32, AGWPE and a KPC-9612+ TNC (callsign 9M4GQC). > > I wonder if it would be possible to add the capability of sending live satellite passes as objects to the local APRS RF (not the Internet) network so as to alert local users when a satellite passes over our area. > > Would be also great if we could add the frequency information so that Kenwood and Yaesu APRS users can directly QSY to the satellite's frequency. > > Tried to look up the net but could not find any articles or software to do do. Any pointers are much welcome and appreciated. > > Thank you. > > 73, > Sion Chow Q. C., > 9M2CQC, > Also: WQ2C /HL1, 9V1QC, JG1XHM, > ex: 9W2QC, AB3IO > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > > -- > Len Revelle N9IJ

2 1

EM38/39 & EN20/30 - Sat 9/17
by Gail A Mcdaniel 17 Sep '11

17 Sep '11

I will be heading to Odessa MO tomorrow morning for the early AO-51 pass @ 1018z to activate EM38ax and EM39aa Then David and I will be attending " The Pony Express Hamfest" in St Joseph Missouri Saturday morning and on our way back we are planning on being on AO-27 @ 1823z working from EN20xa and EN30aa. There is also a SO-50 pass at the same time if we can we might try working both passes Hope to catch you tomorrow.. 73, Gail McDaniel - KB0RZD David McDaniel - KB0RZE

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(no subject)
by Ellis Foley 17 Sep '11

17 Sep '11

Return Mail to wa1rks(a)yahoo.com Helloooo! Yudson!!! Nobarc's flea has been rescheduled for the 25th not this sunday but next. Do you want to go with Carli and I.? We are going over to Pittsfield to pick up Chris and then head out to the VFW on housatonic st in Dalton. for the flea. The Drawing for the prizes is 11am. so if you want to get a ticket and be there for the drawing thats the time!. you can jot down your answer here. just click on reply, then type in your reply.hit send. Ok be talkin to ya. de jr. & Carli

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K8BL/W1 FN55 Saturday Afternoon
by John Papay 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

Bob, K8BL, will be heading back from Nova Scotia Saturday and will stop somewhere in FN55 during the afternoon. He could work an AO-27 or an AO-51 pass. This grid is pretty rare so try not to miss him. 73, John K8YSe

2 1

DN 00,10,11,20,21
by Kevin Deane 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

Ok looks like this Sun, Mon for the DN grids. Like I said before I am not going to try and make a schedual, just know that it IS happening for sure This Sun, Mon. DN00 will be on the early Sun morning passes followed by DN 10,11. I will hit those on the way back so more people get a chance on those. All of Sun Mon will be DN20,21. I bought a duplexer for the 857 and will be trying the SSB birds. If you hear me please talk long enough for me to tune you in, hopefully some of you will have the patience to work with me. I am sure after making a couple contacts I will get the hang of it. Kevin KF7MYK

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Pictures And Video Of Vesta
by B J 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

http://www.dlr.de/dlr/presse/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10172/213_read-15… It's a strange world indeed. For example, what created the linear features running along the equator? 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

1 0

Gating Satellite Passes to local APRS RF
by Sion Chow Q. C. 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

Dear All, I am running an APRS iGate on 2M locally using UI-View32, AGWPE and a KPC-9612+ TNC (callsign 9M4GQC). I wonder if it would be possible to add the capability of sending live satellite passes as objects to the local APRS RF (not the Internet) network so as to alert local users when a satellite passes over our area. Would be also great if we could add the frequency information so that Kenwood and Yaesu APRS users can directly QSY to the satellite's frequency. Tried to look up the net but could not find any articles or software to do do. Any pointers are much welcome and appreciated. Thank you. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9M2CQC, Also: WQ2C /HL1, 9V1QC, JG1XHM, ex: 9W2QC, AB3IO

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AMSAT Election Results
by Clint Bradford 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

THANK YOU to all of you for tossing your hats into this election process. Barry Baines, WD4ASW- 576 Tony Monteiro, AA2TX - 560 Alan Biddle, WA4SCA - 516 Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA - 418 Mark Hammond, N8MH - 319 First Alternate Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK - 275 Second Alternate Steve Coy, K8UD - 229 AMSAT-NA is in good hands. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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ANS259 Special
by Dee 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-259.01 BOD Election Results AMSAT News Service Bulletin 259.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. September 16, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-259.01 The 2011 AMSAT-NA Board of Directors election has been completed with the following results: Barry Baines, WD4ASW- 576 Tony Monteiro, AA2TX - 560 Alan Biddle, WA4SCA - 516 Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA - 418 Mark Hammond, N8MH - 319 First Alternate Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK - 275 Second Alternate Steve Coy, K8UD - 229 A total of 751 ballots were received In accordance with the Bylaws of AMSAT-NA those receiving the four highest number of votes are elected as regular members of the Board of Directors for the next 2 years. The alternates will serve for one year until the next election. Congratulations to those that were elected and willing to serve the AMSAT-NA Group. [Thanks to AMSAT HQ for this information] /EX Dee Interdonato, NB2F This week's ANS Editor Nb2f at amsat dot org

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Re: Which Mobile Mag Mount?
by Clint Bradford 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

First, almost every mag mount will scratch your car - something never printed on the packaging. Second, any "vertical" antenna for the V/U FM sats will have a transmission (and generally receive pattern) that is perpendicular to its mast. So, think about it: A GREAT pass of 90 degrees goes overhead - your vertical is valueless during the middle of that great pass. SO ... Some are "compensating" by purchasing better antennas (i.e., more gain) and pumping out 20 or 50 or 100W. Awful wasteful, IMHO - since we both know we're workin' these birds with a Watt or two. Ideally - in a car - I would think that stopping and parking and getting a vertical perpendicular to the orbit of the satellite would give best results. I have a Larsen KG-2/70-CX-PL whose whip I can adjust about 20 degrees off normal, and hopefully be travelling in the correct direction to work a bird or two. But if you're going to stop and park - then just whip out your homebrew Tape Measure Beam from the trunk, and REALLY make some contacts! BUT - You told me you wanted to keep moving with the familt in the car. So ... Then maybe a Larsen mag mount - which you can purchase an extra whip. And bend - er, I mean, "re-form" that whip right at the base so that it is about 20" bent. Keep extra allen keys in the glove compartment - to loosen and re-position the whip. You might look a little funny driving down the road with a "bent whip." But you'll be more successful with the FM birds! Got kids who are on the 'Net already? Plan your rest stops/meal stops/bathroom breaks around the satellite passes! Give 'em maps ... sat pass times ... have 'em figure out approximately where they'll be at what time ... Sure beats having them play video games or watch TV in the back ... (grin) Suggested items: Larsen NMO-MM-R-BNC - a solid, round mag mount with NMO connector for an antenna. This particular one terminates in a BNC-MALE. They have other models terminating in other connectors. Or get one that terminates in the FME system, and you can then purchase adapters for SMA, BNC, PL - whatever. Larsen NMO-2/70 BLACK - very good dual-band NMO base whip. Larsen W270B - just the replacement whip. HRO carries all this. Snag the Larsen Amateur Products .pdf catalog at ... http://www.larsen-antennas.com/catalogs_main.shtml Clint, K6LCS 909-241-7666

4 6

(no subject)
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

Hi AMSATERS The kids at Paul Breaux Middle School in Lafayette, La are forming a school radio club. Their first meeting will be at 10:20 AM CDT Thursday September 15th. If you could tune in on EchoLink node 370324 (the 146.82 W5DDL repeater) at 10:30 for a quick demo it would be helpful. The younger you are the more the kids will identify with you, but old guys like myself it is O.K. If you can meet us on the air pleas reply to this email. Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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iPad App - HamSatHD
by Joel Black 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

The company I work for gave me a 16GB iPad for work and I can pretty much put anything I want on it. There are not as many apps designed for the iPad as there are for the iPhone (iPhone apps will work, but they're "screen space" small). However, I found HamSatHD. There are no reviews on the App Store so I was wondering if anyone here has used or is using it? I just want to track satellites not control anything while out-and-about. Developer webpage is www.vosworx.com. Thanks, Joel - W4JBB

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K0BAM Road Trip
by Jim Adams 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

I'm wandering around various grids to the end of September (before the snow starts), and will mail all contacts QSL cards the first week of October. SASE not necessary. No plan on when and where I'll be so it will be as much a surprise to me as you. Jim Adams - K0BAM

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Sat32PC Flex-5000A Satellite Mode B using 70 cm external transverter and external 2M converter?
by Bill Bordy, NJ1H 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

I have a Flex-5000A with the extra receiver. I have a 70 cm transverter connected to the main RX/TX via the transverter connectors and a 2M converter into RX2. I am attempting to operate mode B satellite operation, 70 cm TX up and 2M RX down using the Sat32PC tracking program TS-2000 rig control. Unfortunately, the program sets the TX frequency on VFOB and the RX frequency on VFOA. I want it the other way around. I tried tricking the program by changing to mode J, 2M up, 70cm down, but the doppler control is reversed then. Has anybody been able to use Sat32PC successfully for full duplex Flex-5000 with external transverters for frequency control? If so, how did you configure it? 73, Bill NJ1H

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Re: Which Mobile Mag Mount
by Clint Bradford 16 Sep '11

16 Sep '11

>> ... can't figure out the best way to hold the radio ... Get perpendicular. Open your squelch up all the way, and get the improved HT's antenna in a perpendicular relationship to the orbit of the satellite. Clint Bradford http://www.work-sat.com

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ARISSAT telemetry - no kursk frames
by Mike Rupprecht 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

Hi all, I had a 1 deg pass this morning and could grab 18 telemetry frames (!). Interesting was that I received no one KURSK frame. Can someone confirm this? 73, Mike DK3WN

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fast 1 and fast2
by jerry keeton 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

With Fast 1 and Fast 2 being so far apart , are they still able to communicate with each other ?

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iPad App - HamSatHD
by E. Michael McCardel 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

I use HamSatHD with mixed results. I don't quite trust the keps used, but lately I have had good luck. I especially like the graphic it displays for the pass. I often set my iPad on the ground or a nearby elevated surface, orient with the pass an just follow it along. One thing that I have noticed is that my iPad isn't always in sync with the actual time so I have to be sure that real time and iPad time are the same. A few minutes make a big difference. Another advantage of the iPad is I have successfully downloaded an ArisSat SSTV image directly to the app, SSTV, for the iPad. There are also recording capable apps that I have used to record passes. Both of these examples are when NOT using the HamSatHD app. One app at a time. If you have Internet access you can also visit Heavens-Above to get pass information or to compare the keps with HamSatHD. EMike, KC8YLD Sent from my iPad On Sep 15, 2011, at 1:01 PM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > iPad App - HamSatHD

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Thanks for certificate Arissat-1
by andy thomas 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

Great to receive this morning the certificate for the Russian secret word! Many thanks! 73 de andy G0SFJ

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Re: ARISSAT telemetry - no kursk frames
by Burns Fisher 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

Don't I recall correctly that the Kursk experiment requires an entire orbit of data? I think I heard this in t context of low-power operation had to keep Kursk running. But in any case, now that the battery is history and we only get power for the non-eclipse part of each orbit, I'd think that would mean that Kursk is not doing much. I don't know what the IHU should do with the Kursk tlm in that case, but 0 is not unreasonable. Burns, W2BFJ > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ARISSAT telemetry - no kursk frames > Message-ID: <Yy4z1h0014ltuWb05y4zTa(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > Mike, > > Had it just come out of eclipse? I have seen no Kursk frames when it just > came on just after eclipse...I think the Kursk Experiment isn't running > quite yet, so no frames to xmit. > > So yes, I saw this yesterday :) > > Also, to confirm W5RKN---I have seem some "all 0" frames too...you can hear > hear it on the audio actually :) > > Mark N8MH > > At 08:23 AM 9/15/2011 +0200, you wrote: > >Hi all, > >I had a 1 deg pass this morning and could grab 18 telemetry frames (!). > Interesting was that I received no one KURSK frame. > >Can someone confirm this? >

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SDR For Satellite Use
by Joel Black 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

I have successfully built and operated my G59 transceiver with GPA10 10W amp (http://www.genesisradio.com.au/) for 40m JT65a contacts to VK2, 75m voice contacts in the States, and everything in between. At some point in the past, some group (TAPR?) had a 2m SDR transceiver. I have no idea where that information might be. Does anyone here use SDR for their satellite operation? Maybe using Flex radios or something else? I don't know that it would matter on the FM birds, but it would be nice to be able to see the spectrum on the linear birds. Thanks, Joel - W4JBB

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Re: Good mobile antennas to use
by Andrew Glasbrenner 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

>The problem is hearing the downlink. That is why the 19.5" whip is so good. It acts like a 3/4 wave antenna for the UHF downlink and it has almost >7dBi gain above 30 degrees up to over 70 degrees. So it beats a quadrifilar easily (only 4 dBi or so overhead). As an example, my last four AO-51 passes were 36, 15, 26, and 27 degrees -max- elevation. Would you prefer gain at low to mid elevations, or above 30 degrees to work this satellite today? A 1/4 wave will work, sometimes, but it is far from ideal for anything but occasional downlink access. As Clayton pointed out, it's easy to spot the guys on crappy antennas, as they are the ones missing calls, or transmitting on top of QSOs, because they mistake a loss of signal as a break in the action. 73, Drew KO4MA PS My satellite grid addiction started in 2000 with a DR-605 Alinco and a 1/4 wave magmount, and a winter in the Dakotas logging production wells. UO-14, AO-27, and SO-35 were my only breaks from the boredom and snow. Since then I've operated mobile from probably 100+ grids on the FM and SSB birds both. It's addictive.

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aa5ck road trip
by ted 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

Thanks to everyone for the Sat QSOs during my trip the past week. I had a great time viewing scenery that I hadn't seen in a while and working the Sats! There were even QSLs waiting for me when I arrived home yesterday evening! If you haven't sent one yet, SASEs and return cards are certainly not necessary. I'll eventually get cards out to everyone, and LOTW updated. Thanks again....ted....aa5ck

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Re: Good mobile antennas to use
by k6yk 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

When I was mobiling a lot I used quarter wave antennas on 2M and 70CM. Preamp on the receiver,and just a dual-band mobile FM rig, and at times just a dual band HT in the car. Receiving was the hard part, but at the time UO-14, AO-27, SO-35 had pretty good downlink signals. And as far as a mag-mount goes, Anything that doesn't blow off the car at 70 MPH will be fine ! 73, John, K6YK with about 4,000 mobile QSO's in the log. ____________________________________________________________ 57-Year-Old Mom Looks 25 Mom Reveals $5 Wrinkle Trick That Has Angered Doctors! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4e722c0b930bd29360dst04vuc

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SatPC32 via USB2Serial not working (Error reading comm device.)
by PE0SAT 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

Hi, Thanks for reading this message. Because I do not have enough serial ports in my computer, I bought a USB to serial converter from StarTech. It is a 4-port version. (ICUSB2324X) I switched my FT-847 from a buildin serial com1 to com3 (the USB to Serial one.) Everything seemed okay, until I wanted to use SatPC32. When I start SatPC32 the CAT option lighstup in my FT-847 display and then I get the error message: "Error reading comm device." I have looked around to see if there is a setup option that can solve this, but I am unable to find one. Is there anybody out there who knows of a way to solve this? Other programs work fine, for example HRD 5. Here some hardware information: - Using a HP Compaq 3GHz P4 HT with 2G memory running Windows XP - EN SP3. - Yaesu FT-847 - SatPC32 V.12.8a (2009) 73 Jan PE0SAT

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HudsonValleySatcomNet Tonight Sept15@8PMEastern
by cotejaune2＠aol.com 15 Sep '11

15 Sep '11

Hello all it is time again for the Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net tonight Sept 15 @8PM on Echolink N2EYH-L. Please join us for the net. We can also be heard on the Mt Beacon 146.970 pl 100 repeater. 73 Gary WA2AQH

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