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Re: Oscar-10
by K5OE 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

I feel like such a youngster! Thanks Dave and Dom for my first contacts with you almost two decades later... WB6LLO 28.07.1999 0130 FO-20 M-J SSB DM12 SD CA USA Dave I8CVS 16.01.2000 0226 AO-10 M-B SSB JN70 Naples ITALY Dom I salute you both for inspiration and mentorship to the satellite community--and I look forward to working you both on P3-E... 73, Jerry, K5OE

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ISS Message Board
by Kevin Deane 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Good morning Jeremy, saw your message but she fell out of veiw...Thanks KG6NUG for the cool flag that came up on my end anyway!! Glad to see active people and not BEACONS using the ISS Digi. Dont get me wrong, they serve their purpose... Kevin KF7MYK

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Oscar-10
by Thomas Doyle 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

I sent this some time ago but I never saw it show up so - sorry if it is a re-post. If you have not been on satellites for a really long time (> 20 years) you may find this interesting. It explains why us old geezers say the old days were amazing. If you were on decades ago it may bring back memories. I have been getting back into hamming after a long hiatus and have been listening to the satellites for a month or two while working on a controller project and decided it was time to try and make a contact. Thanks to K4MOA and W5MPC, today I made my first sat contacts in a very long time. A little later I almost made a cw contact (used my trusty old J-38 key) on another sat but lost him. I told you this was interesting and really exciting. Thought I had better log the contacts and started looking for a logbook. Found a old slightly yellowed logbook with Oscar-10 written on the cover. As a group we hams (including me) are pretty cheap so I had saved this logbook because there were empty pages still left in it. I entered my new contacts on a fresh page (decided to splurge) and then looked back and found it was my first sat contact since 1983. I know you are still waiting for the exciting part. Here is a typical page from the log. I am in Wisconsin and believe it or not I had pile ups of europeans wanting to work Wisconsin of all things. It was a real thrill. Times change and I now have two grid squares - not sure what they are for but I have two and feel the need for more. There are 29 empty pages left in the logbook so I am good to go. Hope to work you. http://www.tomdoyle.org/satellite/Amsat-1983.jpg 73 tom... W9KE

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Fw: Big Sunspot Notice
by George and Cheryl Abbott 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Lee:FYI:It is my understanding that a big solar flare preceded the massive 9.1 level earthquake in Japan on 3/11/11.We live in interesting times. 73 George,W1GMA(The Voice of Hopkinton). -----Original Message----- From: SpaceWeather.com Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 3:59 PM To: SpaceWeather.com Subject: Big Sunspot Notice Space Weather News for July 27, 2011 http://spaceweather.com BIG SUNSPOTS: After more than a week of quiet, solar activity is picking up with the emergence of two large sunspot groups on the sun's northeastern limb. The active regions are crackling with C- and M-class solar flares. So far none of the eruptions has been squarely Earth directed, but that could change in the days ahead as solar rotation turns the sunspots to face our planet. Visit http://spaceweather.com for images and more information. SUNSPOT TELESCOPE: Explore Scientific's White Light Solar Observing System is perfect for monitoring large sunspots (and small ones too) and it is now available in the Space Weather Store: http://www.shopspaceweather.com/explore-scientific-white-light-solar-observ… You are subscribed to the Space Weather mailing list, a free service of Spaceweather.com. New subscribers may sign up for free space weather alerts at http://spaceweather.com/services/ . To unsubscribe click here: http://www.spaceweather2.com/u?id=602373K&n=T&l=spaceweather or send a blank email to leave-spaceweather-602373K(a)www.spaceweather2.com

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Good 70cm all mode radios for satellites
by John Geiger 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

What are some of the best 70cm all mode radios to use on the satellites? I am looking for a monoband radio, not one of the HF/VHF/UHF radios as I have the other bands covered already. I would like one that is plenty sensitive on FM as well to receive the FM satellites. 73s John AA5JG

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simplex/duplex terminology
by W4ART Arthur Feller 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

No need to guess or try to write new definitions. Here are definitions accepted by all administrations around the world and included in the radio regulations: RR 1.125 simplex operation: Operating method in which transmission is made possible alternately in each direction of a telecommunication channel, for example, by means of manual control2. RR 1.126 duplex operation: Operating method in which transmission is possible simultaneously in both directions of a telecommunication channel2. RR 1.127 semi-duplex operation: A method which is simplex operation at one end of the circuit and duplex operation at the other.2 2 1.125.1, 1.126.1 and 1.127.1 In general, duplex operation and semi-duplex operation require two frequencies in radiocommunication; simplex operation may use either one or two. I hope this helps. 73, art….. W4ART Arlington VA http://afeller.us

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Full Duplex?
by Mike 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

I'm having a difficult time of understanding the concept of Full Duplex. Can anyone explain it to me? I have the ARRL satellite book, read about it in there and Wikipedia. I still didn't understand how it works with a transceiver setup like we use. Mike N8GBU

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Re: Full Duplex?
by Lowell White 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Hi Mike, Consider these: -Full Duplex is receiving and transmitting at the same time, typically on different frequencies (bands). -When working satellites in this mode, you are doing the same thing as their transponder is :-) -When you hear your / another signal in the receiver, presuming it and the transmitter are tuned to the right frequencies, it represents what you or other stations are transmitting to the satellite. Does that help? 73, Lowell K9LDW ------ Original Message ------ Received: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:29:45 AM CDT From: "Mike" <mikef1234(a)buckeye-express.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Full Duplex? > I'm having a difficult time of understanding the concept of Full Duplex. Can > anyone explain it to me? I have the ARRL satellite book, read about it in > there and Wikipedia. I still didn't understand how it works with a > transceiver setup like we use. > > > > Mike N8GBU > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Virus or not in ARISSAT software
by James Luhn 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

When I download the setup file at http://www.arissattlm.org/download/ARISSatTLM_050_Setup.exe my Norton complains that a WS.Reputation.1 virus is present and it deletes the file. Do I have an incorrect link or is this merely the heuristic detection in Norton falsely identifying a virus? The link to the file is on the AMSAT web page so my assumption is that the file is OK. Thanks, James W5AOO

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OK I could not let this one go
by Kevin Deane 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Hello All Today 12/02/2009 at 14:40 to 14:50 UTC I have broken by previous record of posting 9 messages in one pass to ISS BBS by posting 12 messages to international space station BBS , I have sent 12 messages to 11 hams they had a post on ISS Wow, you guys thought I was Bad? Selfish I think the word was... Kevin KF7MYK

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ARISSat Article in EE Times
by Bill Acito W1PA 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-blogs/chips-in-space/4218140/The-Buildin…

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Re: ARISSatTLM
by Roland Zurmely 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Hi Jerry, The test file for ARISSat telemetry is here: https://svn.sarpeidon.net/viewvc/suitsat2/ground_station_software/ARISSatTL… 73 de Roland PY4ZBZ.

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Repair of SSB Preamp/Downconverter
by Sion Chow Q. C. (9W2QC) 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Dear All, I remember asking on this list before about sources to repair a fault SSB SP-7000 70CM Masthead Preamp and SSB UEK-3000 2.4 GHz - 144 MHz downconverter a while back (should be about 2 years ago if my memory serves me right) and got a reply from someone in Japan who does provide this service. Would be glad if that person could kindly e-mail to me off the list as I have some inquiries to make about the repair service. Unfortunately I lost his email address and could not trace back that e-mail. Thank you, and please accept my apologies for the bandwidth. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9M2CQC, 9V1QC, WQ2C /HL1, ex: 9W2QC, AB3IO

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SatPC32 and IC-821H
by Paul Delaney - K6HR 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Hello! Is anyone using SatPC32 with an ICOM 821H? Does bandswitching work, or do you have to switch bands manually? Paul Delaney - K6HR paul.hamradio(a)verizon.net http://k6hr.dyndns.org:8080

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CQ PE1RAH
by Joe Leikhim 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

I am trying to reach William Leijenaar PE1RAH (LeijenaarElectronics(a)yahoo.com) about his U/V 30 KHz linear transponder model LE005-R2. I get no response to his e-mails. Is there a better e-mail for him? -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT 407-982-0446

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Re: Full Duplex?
by Jeffrey Koehler 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

And knowing whether or not you're hitting the bird at all... 73 Jeff WB2SYK FN13xc Syracuse Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

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Re: Full Duplex
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

To me, operating full duplex is like talking on the telephone. I don't hesitate to interrupt while the other person is talking to ask a question or just add something to the subject. Four persons in a full duplex round table can chat like sitting at a real wood round table. It's fun. Mike, K9QHO

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FUNcube Vibration Testing Videos
by Trevor . 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Two videos showing vibration testing of the AMSAT-UK FUNcube satellite. This video shows the general layout of the RAL vibration testing facility, and includes interviews with Graham and David at the conclusion of our testing. http://vimeo.com/26951186 This is a short video showing what happens during a 'high sine' test. The test is being performed in the Z axis. Hold your breath!! http://vimeo.com/26954073 The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium is to be held July 30-31 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England. The event is open to all. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. For futher information see http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ The Colloquium schedule, times in BST (GMT+1), is at http://tinyurl.com/2011ColloquiumSchedule There will be a live webstream at http://www.batc.tv/ch_live.php?ch=3 Join the FUNcube Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FUNcube/ The Spring issue of the AMSAT-UK newsletter OSCAR News can be downloaded free at http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA

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AO-7 Mode A vs. Mode B Performance
by John Papay 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

There is a huge difference in signal quality between Mode A and Mode B on AO-7. I've been working Europe on Mode A days and have found that the audio quality is excellent. I've experimented with higher power levels to see how the transponder performs and have found that it can handle the highest power levels on the uplink without fm'ing, distorting or creating images across the passband. Of course it is harder to hear with severe fading on a horizontal beam antenna, but it is very usable. This morning there were three French stations on in Mode A. F6FLE was pounding away on CW and loud. But there was no apparent degradation of the other voice stations using the transponder at the same time. Strong CW on Mode B just kills voice readability and strength on other stations. No images were heard, the passband was quiet except for other ham radio transmissions. I have several antennas for 10m. The one I use for Europe is a 5 element beam at 120'. It can see the horizon in all directions and can hear AO-7 when it is below the horizon. For higher elevations I use a single element at about 15 feet. The Mode B transponder never sounds very good. And it seems to be in a power limited situation even when there are no ham radio transmissions in the passband. What you do hear is all kinds of noise and I suspect this noise is the culprit in robbing all of the available power to run the transmitter. The noise moves and is probably being received from ground sources, hence the apparent doppler. User stations sound choppy even when running minimal power. When you run more power, signals FM and images are heard within the passband. The question is what is the source of all the crud that AO-7 is hearing in Mode B? After all, 432 is supposed to be used for weak signal operation and should be very quiet. Are there issues within the satellite that contribute to this? If you were a user of AO-7 back in the 70's, what was Mode B like back then? Of course it had a better power source when the batteries were still functional, but was the signal/audio quality much better? Did it FM and was the audio choppy? We are very fortunate to have AO-7 regardless of the performance issues. It is challenging to work at low elevations but the payoff is worth it. What we would really appreciate here in North America is more activity from Europe on the passes that reach the across the Atlantic. Last week I had a qso with IK8YSS in Mode B, 7554KM. I have seen his callsign in the AO-7 logbook for a long time and finally we had a mutual window with good conditions. LA4FPA/p was on yesterday as promised from JP22. AO-7 might not be the HEO that many wish we had, but it is the highest bird we have right now. Let's use it while we still have it. 73, John K8YSE

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Re: G5400 elevation issue
by i8cvs 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

----- Original Message ----- From: Dave Webb KB1PVH To: i8cvs Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 3:36 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] G5400 elevation issue Domenico, The highest voltage that I can get at full 180° flip is 2.78 volts with voltage adjustment pot on rear of controller box. Dave - KB1PVH Hi Dave, KB1PVH Make the following troubleshooting : Measure please the DC voltage across E2 and E1 with the antennas at full 180° flip.Since the display on the control box reads correct elevation you must read about 5 volt DC. By the way since as measured between pin 1 and 8 of the external control DIN connector and with the voltage adjustment of pot VR4 you can get only 2.78 volt at full 180° flip it means that there is someting damaged across the operational amplifier Q4 4558 1/2 Since the pot VR4 is 10 k and there is a 4.7 k fixed resistor in series of it if you measure the voltage across VR4 you should get about 3.3 volt DC By the way measuring the voltage between the wiper of VR4 and the ground you should get a voltage change between 5 volt to 3.3 volt while rotating VR4 fully 270° back and forth If this is the case than the operational amplifier Q4 4558 1/2 do not correctly amplify the DC input signal applied to Q4 input pin 3 from the wiper of VR4 Measure the DC voltage between output pin 1 an ground of Q4 and rotating VR4 by 270° back and forth you should get and amplified voltage greater than 5 volt DC and if not check diodes D22-D23-D24-D25 and all components connected around Q4 If all components diodes-resistors and capacitors are nominal than it is possible that Q4 has lost amplification. In this case change the 47 k feedback resistor R39 with a 100 k resistor and the amplification will increase at a point that flipping the antenna at full 180° the voltage across pin 1 and 8 of the DIN external connector will rise up to 5 volt DC or more. Have fun 73" de i8CVS Domenico On Feb 7, 2011 7:46 PM, "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Dave Webb KB1PVH" <kb1pvh(a)gmail.com> > To: "AMSAT -BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 5:16 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] G5400 elevation issue > > > The display on the control box reads correct elevation, but on my digital > display on the Easy Rotor Controller shows erratic elevation position. I > have recalibrated it several times with no success. It won't read any > elevation until it is around 20° give or take. It also seems to have become > worse since our really cold temps set in. My best guess is the pot in the > rotor, but not sure where to start in the process. > > Thanks in advance > > Dave - KB1PVH

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Re: ISS Message Board,
by Nader Omer 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

Hi It was so interesting to work ISS BBS over Africa :) ( Only You ) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200901/msg00853.html More interest than ISS was AO-51 9k6 Pacsat mode . I really miss it. http://www.st2nh.com/photos 73's Nader

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FAST2
by Fred VE3FAL 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

I copied a data line tonight at 03:55 EST while at work. The data was from FAST2 (EMMA) on 145.825, first time copying this data. Fred CIW649/VE3FAL CFARS Member SATERN Member SATERN Amateur Radio Liaison Officer DEC Amethyst District ARES SKCC QRP Awards Manager SKCC#50 http://www.skccgroup.com RU QRP Club # 285

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ARISSat-1 Battery Charging
by Clint Bradford 27 Jul '11

27 Jul '11

At the top of today's schedule for the Russians aboard the ISS ... "Operations and experiments on the International Space Station July 27, 2011 - On July 27 the Russian segment of International Space Station, astronauts plan to continue their work to prepare for spacewalk (leak check suits, ping, and medical settings via spacesuits and equipment in the docking compartment, "Pierce" and the transitional compartment service module "Zvezda", charging unit supply for micro "Cedar"), control mikroekosfery habitat connectivity DPO ship "Progress M-11M" to the management and maintenance of the ISS coolant ... " Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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Solar Flare prediction
by Lee Maisel 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

This is kind of related to satellites generally, and may have been discussed here before, but I was flabbergasted, and had to share. Very interesting. And to be able to predict solar flares a day and a half before they erupt can prove very useful!! http://news.stanford.edu/news/2010/august/sun-082310.html Lee W5LMM

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ISS BBS/Message Board
by Kevin Deane 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

So the general opinion on here and from some people across the world is that using the BBS ruins the pass for basicly everyone in the footprint. Well after my friend in Reno could not get a message on while I was on the BBS and myself while he was on it, I can see the truth of the matter is clear. I am new to radio and Packet/APRS, learning and having fun. I will just have fun blastin away at the message board and hope to catch someone at there keyboard. I do sympathize with anyone who was not able to get on while I was getting messages from actual people that helped me get started with Packet in France and the Czech Republic. I will stay off the BBS, unless in the future if I find someone who wishes to have a Digi Qsl via ISS BBS who is outside my footprint, then at least I will KNOW I am being selfish and will enjoy hogging the ISS only just a little bit less now. Kevin KF7MYK

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Special Event Station N8M Active on Satellites This Weekend
by JoAnne Maenpaa 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

Hello Everyone, Here is an interesting item. If we waited for the weekend ANS news cycle this special event activity would be already be over ... Ford Amateur Radio League, along with other local radio clubs, will be active during the weekend of July 30th & 31st with the special event call of N8M located at the Detroit Maker Faire at the Henry Ford Museum of Dearborn Michigan. Operating modes will be HF/VHF/SAT/EME CW/VOICE/DIGI conditions permitting. We hope to work as many Satellites as possible with the special call. For more info, go to http://www.thehenryford.org/events/makerFaire.aspx (or) http://www.k8utt.org/index.htm For more info, contact N8NWA(a)Yahoo.com -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service

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ARISSatTLM Morse Code Decoder Works on HF Also
by JoAnne Maenpaa 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

Hello Everyone, Did you know that the Morse Code Decoder window in ARISSatTLM will also decode Morse on the HF bands? I was tuning around the low end of 20M and decided to give it a try. I'm already setup for PSK31 and JT65 on my FT857D so the audio path between the rig and computer soundcard is setup over here. Here is what I did ... 1. Start ARISSatTLM 2. Click the start button in the lower left of the Tuning Indicator window. 3. Tune your HF receiver to put the CW signal in the display where it says "Put CW Signal Here" 4. Nice steady CW like the ARRL bulletins decodes nicely. I let it run for a minute and the buffer scrolled nicely through the display. Reading the CW bulletin was like reading the mail :-) Short bursty 50 WPM QRZ 5NN contest type operation missed a few characters. Perhaps it was just a weaker signal since I was looking for ST0R. You can get the ARISSatTLM software from http://www.arissattlm.org/. There is a link on the http://www.amsat.org front page to get a copy of the software Quick Start Guide. Have fun! -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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Cubesat NANOSATC-BR
by ps8rf Piraja 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

Brazil is preparing to launch the NANOSATC-BR. The design of the BR-NANOSATC is being developed by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and students of Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) of state Rio Grande do Sul here in Brazil. "The BR-NANOSATC will have two scientific instruments, a magnetometer and also a particle detector of precipitation for monitoring real-time geospatial, and the precipitation of particles in the magnetosphere disturbances on the Brazilian territory to determine its effects on regions such as the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA, the English acronym) and the Brazilian sector of the equatorial electrojet. This anomaly [SAMA] is a "failure" of the Earth's magnetic field in this region, which is about Brazil, "said Jose Manuel Octavio Coordinator of the National Institute for Space Research of Brazil. As a consequence of this anomaly, there is a greater risk of the presence of particles high-energy region, which can affect communications, signals from global positioning satellites (like GPS), or even cause failure of electronic equipment such as onboard computers. The INPE has been studying this anomaly for decades, including several researchers international reputation, which even took part in defining the mission and its payload. " According to Otavio Durão, Technical Coordinator NanosatC-Br and INPE, the situation referred to is its launch in November 2012. The uplink frequency (UHF) and downlink (VHF) have been allocated by the IARU. The telemetry will be at 145.865 MHz 9k6 BPSK. The project is receiving support from the Amateur Radio Association Santamariense - ASRA and call sign of the control station will be PY3EB. Durão told me it will be very interesting and welcome the participation of the Amateur Radio satellite tracking. We are waiting for soon the website with all the information the CubeSat NANOSTC-BR. The project is in full swing. IARU Informations: http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=209 73' Pirajá, PS8RF The Amateur Radio is supportive and helpful in any circumstance.

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Re: ISS Message Board
by John Becker 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

At 12:21 PM 7/26/2011, you wrote: >>>...he is just using the available resources. >I too thought the amateur digital radio equipment on ISS are resources we all can use. I'm sure all of us would not knowingly hog it up for our own benifit... Me too but I'm a bit confused for what. Some seem to use it to post that APRS location Others (who seem to be limited to VHF & UHF) are trying way way to hard to work DX. I may be wrong but they are the reason I have given up completely on it. John, W0JAB John, W0JAB

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Liberty Bell 7
by B J 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

With the attention on the end of the final space shuttle mission, the 50th anniversary of the flight of MR-4/Liberty Bell 7 was overlooked. It was the second mission of the Mercury program with Gus Grissom as pilot. http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/history/mercury/mr-4/mr-4.htm 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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LA4FPA JP22
by John Papay 26 Jul '11

26 Jul '11

Erling, LA4FPA, will likely be on the AO-7 pass today around 1952utc. You can track him on aprs.fi using LA4FPA-9. He has been operating from JP32 but is planning for JP22 today. Good luck. 73, John K8YSE

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Doppler Correction?
by John Papay 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

The purpose of full doppler correction is to keep your signal in the exact same spot on the receiver in the satellite. It has a finite passband and if you don't correct your uplink, you move within that finite passband. Theoretically a single linear transponder can support many conversations but it will not support the maximum unless everyone stays put at the satellite receiver. Those who don't doppler correct slide within the passband and run into those who are staying put. Of course if you adjust your uplink so you stay put at the satellite, you have to adjust your receiver to hear yourself because of the doppler shift in the other direction. Both uplink and downlink require doppler correction in this case. If you don't have a rig that can be computer controlled or if you are operating portable and can't readily incorporate a laptop into your setup for whatever reason, then by all means manually adjust the highest frequency since that is the one that changes three times faster than the lower frequency in a v/u satellite. You simply do the best you can. However, if you have a home rig that can be computer controlled, then by all means use a computer to adjust your doppler. Stay in one spot in the satellite's passband. You can make faster contacts since you only have to pick up the mic to talk or use the key to send cw. If you are working dx and the window is short, being on frequency and staying put will help put that distant grid in the log. The program does all the work but you must be sure that your keps are current AND your computer clock is accurate to the second. On a high pass when the satellite is overhead, the doppler changes very fast and even a few seconds of clock inaccuracy will have you not hearing yourself in a normal voice. At lower elevations the doppler is not as severe so a few seconds won't make much difference. Use the HO-68 beacon to test your doppler correction. Set your radio for CW with a 500 Hz or better bandwidth. Pick a high pass where the bird will get up over 45 degrees. Tune the beacon in at your AOS and then don't touch the dial. If the CW note stays constant over the entire pass, your system is operating perfectly. Make sure your program settings are such that there are frequent frequency updates. I have mine set at 1 second no matter what. Some older radios will not accept frequency changes while you are transmitting. In that case, make sure you only key down for short periods of time so the radio frequency can be updated. Of course you must adjust your uplink calibration on SatPC32 so that you hear yourself on the downlink. Hearing yourself in a normal voice will be an indication that you have your calibration set properly. Most of the birds stay on frequency, but I've noticed that AO-7 Mode B will be off by 1700Hz when it changes from Mode A to Mode B. Normally we would not observe this phenomenon but since lately we have had this mode change while over North America we are able to experience it. Within a few minutes, the satellite is down to a 1200 Hz offset. I'm not sure what happens on the next pass because it is out of my footprint. The next morning, however, the bird is back to my normal setting. This means the frequency drifts about 1700 Hz back down to it's steady state value. The other birds may have some slight drifting, probably due to spacecraft temperature but it is minimal, less than a few hundred Hz. So when you are trying to make a contact on the first AO-7 pass in Mode B, be prepared to readjust your uplink calibration so you can hear yourself. It may be as much as 1700Hz at the start. In my opinion, everyone that can control their radio for doppler should do so. Doppler correction gives us the maximum usage out of our linear transponders. Why go through the agony of fiddling with your radio when your computer can make your life so much easier. You will never have to apologize for not being on frequency. If I wasn't able to have doppler control on my radio, I wouldn't spend much time on the linear birds, unless of course there was a rare grid to be worked. <grin> 73, John K8YSE

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Trip Report - CN90 Portable Northern California
by David Palmer KB5WIA 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

Hi Everyone, This weekend I was able to sneak in some satellite operating during a camping trip with my XYL. We went up to Eagle Lake in Lassen National Forest, which is in Northern California and grid CN90. I had no idea if satellite operation would even be possible from that location (time-wise or terrain-wise) but it turned out it was pretty good! The lake had low mountains around it, not more than a few degrees above the horizon in all directions. I was able to work quite a few satellite passes there, and it was a lot of fun talking to friends in the sat community from that somewhat remote location! The equipment worked well, and I learned the importance of verifying the computer has updated keps before leaving home! My netbook computer had keps that were several months old, which made computer-aided tuning of the linear birds almost impossible! Ugh, lesson learned, and another opportunity to practice manual tuning. Patrick's suggestion of headset and voice recorder really worked well though! I've put some pictures on the website at: http://kb5wia.blogspot.com/2011/07/camping-and-satellites-grid-cn90.html Anyone who worked me and wants a QSL card, just send me an email. 73 de Dave KB5WIA

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ND9M/P: DM35 / DM36
by claryco＠aol.com 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

Cori and I will be on from DM36 (possibly the grid line with DM35) on AO27 tomorrow (Monday) at 25/2043Z (approx turn on at 2047Z). Later on, we'll head south a bit and be on from DM34 and then green stamper DM33 after that. I don't know what pass(es) that will be however, but I know that Patrick, WD9EWK, has got those two pretty well covered anyway. We're still running all Arizona counties on HF CW and SSB, which really puts a dent in efficient grid ops, but we'll be turning toward the northeast in a couple days. Then we'll head for the much-in-demand DM66 grid in NM shortly after that. Also, now that we're back in AZ, tracking via APRS (ND9M-7) is more reliable again. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Flagstaff, AZ / DM66

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ARISSat-1 Battery
by Clint Bradford 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

OK - Charging of the ARISSat-1's battery is scheduled for July 27. And a test this weekend. Will the battery be charged a second time - before EVA-29 on August 3? What is the expected/anticipated battery "charge state" to be after the July 30 test? Good enough for deployment without another charge? Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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ISS Views STS-135 Re-entry
by Clint Bradford 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

NASA PHOTO - http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/573236main_iss028e018218_full.jpg Station Crew Views Shuttle Landing This unprecedented view of the space shuttle Atlantis, appearing like a bean sprout against clouds and city lights, on its way home, was photographed by the Expedition 28 crew of the International Space Station. Airglow over Earth can be seen in the background. Image Credit: NASA I have run out of monitors for all these incredible "screensaver/wallpaper" NASA photos ... Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Steve Bible blogs about ARISSat-1 on EE Times web site.
by Joe Fitzgerald 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

Our friends at Microchip are stirring up some interest in our project outside the ham radio world. http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-blogs/chips-in-space/4218140/The-Buildin… -Joe KM1P

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Guildford Talk - The Interplanetary Internet by Lloyd Wood
by Trevor . 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

The Amateur Radio satellite OSCAR-36 (UoSAT-12) and the UK-DMC satellite were used for the first tests in space of the "Interplanetary Internet" Lloyd Wood PhD, MSc, MEng, CEng MIET of the University of Surrey Centre for Communication Systems Research (CCSR) will be giving a talk to the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium about this exciting pioneering work in bringing the Interplanetary Internet and terrestrial Internet together. His talk will describe how pioneering tests of computer networking on Surrey Satellite Technology's satellites (UoSAT-12 and UK-DMC) were able to integrate the satellites with the terrestrial Internet, and then conduct the first tests in space of the "Interplanetary Internet" that is designed for NASA's deep space missions. The talk takes palce 16:10 - 16:50 BST on Satuday, July 30, there will be a live webstream at http://www.batc.tv/ch_live.php?ch=3 IPv6 in space http://info.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/L.Wood/dtn/interplanetary-internet Delay-Tolerant Networking work: http://personal.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/L.Wood/dtn/ John Lloyd http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/CCSR/profiles?s_id=5839& The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium to be held July 30-31 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England. The event is open to all. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. For futher information see http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ The Colloquium schedule, times in BST (GMT+1), is at http://tinyurl.com/2011ColloquiumSchedule The Spring issue of the AMSAT-UK newsletter OSCAR News can be downloaded free at http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/ ----

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ARISSat-1 - Another Charging Time Scheduled?
by Clint Bradford 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

OK - Charging of the ARISSat-1's battery is scheduled for July 27. And a test this weekend. Will the battery be charged a second time - before EVA-29 on August 3? What is the expected/anticipated battery "charge state" to be after the July 30 test? Good enough for deployment without another charge? Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Re: Should I abandon full Doppler correction?
by Wayne Estes 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

NY4I wrote: One of the things I like most about MacDoppler is that I can turn the VFO and it will follow me. It does not enforce that I use the program to change frequencies. That allows one to use a simple VFO know interface to change frequencies while still having full Doppler correction. W9AE replies: SatPC32 provides three methods to tune across the passband of a linear transponder while under full Doppler control: 1. With the radio's VFO knob (most peoples' preference) 2. With the mouse, by clicking the on-screen tuning buttons (for example, to go up 5 kHz with a single click) 3. With the keyboard: up/down arrow keys for 100 Hz increments left/right arrow keys for 20 Hz increments +/- keys for 10 Hz increments Methods 2 and 3 only work when SatPC32 is the active program window. They don't work if, for example, your logging program is the active window. SatPC32 doesn't force users to start Doppler tuning in the middle of the passband. That's the default, but it's easy to modify the Doppler.SQF file to start away from center, or on the beacon frequency. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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Russians' EVA29
by Clint Bradford 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

So far Roscosmos has published this regarding the upcoming EVA29 ... Expect more info soon! This one is "old news" - from July 4 ... Russian EVA Planned for August – Alexander Samokutiaev July 4, 2011 Alexander Samokutiaev, flight engineer of the International Space Station’s expedition 28, informed about the planning for the upcoming Russian EVA in his blog in Roscosmos web. According to Russian cosmonaut, the EVA is slated for August, pending the launch of the shuttle scheduled for July 8. Alexander will work outside the ISS with his colleague Sergey Volkov. The cosmonauts are to perform several ISS RS refurbishing tasks, as well as to launch small satellite Kedr. Russian cosmonauts onboard the International Space Station switched on small spacecraft Kedr on April 12, in order to commemorate the jubilee of Yury Gagarin’s mission. Small spacecraft Kedr developed under the RadioSkaf experiment bears the name adopted by Yu.A. Gagarin call sign in his historical flight, namely Kedr. The satellite’s signal will be transmitted at radio amateur frequency of 145.95 MHz. Kedr has radio amateur call sign RS1S. RadioSkaf is implemented in the framework of UNESCO’s student space education program. Kedr will transmit different signals, images, including the talks of famous Russian scientist Kostantin Tsiolkovsky, rocket Chief Designer Sergey Korolev conversation with the first cosmonaut during his 108-min historical mission, and famous Gagarin’s “Go!” (Poekhali!), of course. From Roscosmos today ... ISS Cosmonauts Prepare for EVA July 25, 2011 Russian cosmonauts Sergey Volkov and Alexander Samokutiaev on-board the International Space Station prepare for a space walk slated for August 3. Today the cosmonauts will check EVA panels, prepare tools and replaceable items of the space suits. The objectives of the upcoming EVA include maintenance and scientific tasks, as well as launch of the Kedr microsatellite devoted to the 50th anniversary of Yury Gagarin’s space mission. This will be the first EVA for Samokutiaev, and the third for Volkov. The space walk is to commence at 18.30 MSK and to last about 6 hours. Roscosmos PAO Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Russians' ISS Schedule
by Clint Bradford 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

>From the public info office of the Russian Federal Space Agency ... July 27, Wednesday ... Pre-EVA: space suit leak check, test of the suit’s communication and medical links, test of the equipment located in Pirs and Zvezda transfer compartment, charging battery for Kedr microsatellite ... July 30, Saturday ... Preparation and test initialization of the Kedr microsatellite ... July 31, Sunday ... Kedr switch-off ... Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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Arissat-1: EVA 29 live stream coverage
by Fabio Azzarello 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

Hello, Nasa TV Schedule reports: *August 3, Wednesday 10 a.m. - ISS Expedition 28 Russian Spacewalk Coverage (spacewalk begins 10:30 a.m. EDT.)* it seems that the deployment of ARISSat/KEDR will be one of the first tasks of the EVA, does anybody know where to find the EVA timeline? 73s Fabio Azzarello IW8QKU/5

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FUNcube Videos Released
by Trevor . 25 Jul '11

25 Jul '11

AMSAT-UK have released a number of video showing the Assembly, Integration and Verification (AIV) testing of the FUNcube satellite at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories: Wouter removes the stack from the Thermo Vac chamber after nearly 5 hot/cold cycles over a period of two and a half days in the chamber. The GOOD news is that the stack was still working after these tests! http://vimeo.com/26798894 Graham and Wouter return to the lab with the stack after removal from the Thermo Vac chamber. They both make comments on how the test have gone so far. http://vimeo.com/26799097 Applying 'Space Glue' to the screws holding the side panels in place, ready for Vibration Testing on July 25. http://vimeo.com/26799910 Further FUNcube videos can be seen at http://vimeo.com/user3575668 The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held July 30-31 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England. It is open to all. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. For futher information see http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ The Colloquium schedule, times in BST (GMT+1), is at http://tinyurl.com/2011ColloquiumSchedule The Spring issue of the AMSAT-UK newsletter OSCAR News can be downloaded free at http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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SatPC32 Band Change?
by Paul Delaney - K6HR 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

Hello Erik et al, I'm using SatPC32 with an ICOM 821H. Is it possible to have SatPC32 change the up/down band for each satellite? The way I have it working now, I have to manually swap bands. Paul Delaney paul.hamradio(a)verizon.net http://k6hr.dyndns.org:8080

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Saturday (23 July) on the satellites...
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

Hi! Thanks for all the QSOs when I was out at the DM32xx/DM42ax grid boundary south of Phoenix yesterday afternoon. Normally the Arizona heat is a dry heat, but there was enough humidity mixed with the 104F/40C heat that I didn't stay out there the whole afternoon. I worked two AO-27 passes, followed by one pass each on FO-29 and AO-51, before heading back to Phoenix. Before and after that quick road trip, I did some operating from my "home QTH", a Phoenix city park on the DM33xp/DM43ap grid boundary. I will send out QSL cards from yesterday's activity tomorrow morning. If there isn't an SASE in the envelope, there's no need to send a card back to me. For a few, I have included an SASE, as I would like to receive your QSL card in that case. I uploaded yesterday's QSOs to LOTW last night, and have seen a few QSLs out of those QSOs already. Before I drove out to DM32xx/DM42ax, I tried AO-7 in mode A from the city park in the morning. I had played around with this during Field Day last month, and I was determined to complete a QSO this time. I had no problems hearing the downlink using an FT-817ND with a Buddipole portable dipole in an "L" configuration on its tripod and 8-foot mast. I heard Leo W7JPI calling CQ. He was very easy to hear, and I proceeded to line up on his frequency. After a couple of minutes, we made a quick QSO. Thanks, Leo, for pulling me out of the noise! I need to work on either more antenna gain than what I have from my FT-817ND and Elk log periodic on the 2m uplink, or more transmitter power, so I can have a better signal on the mode A transponder. Or just confine my attempts to higher passes, as yesterday's pass was only up about 19 degrees from the horizon. During the AO-51 pass just after 2200 UTC yesterday afternoon out at the DM32xx/DM42ax boundary, I worked KO6E for my 10,000th satellite QSO as WD9EWK. Thanks, Merv, for the quick contact - even though I wasn't in Utah, Nebraska, or any of the other places you were looking for on the satellites. With the exception of possibly a dozen or so of the QSOs, all have been completed with portable equipment and not from a home/fixed station. Except for a pair of QSOs on SO-35 in 2000 and one QSO on UO-14 in 2003, all of my satellite QSOs have been made since December 2005, when I first worked AO-51. Lots of hot summer afternoons (like yesterday), some cold days, and some nights - all out trying to make QSOs, and having fun. :-) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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100 Degree Passes
by Clayton W5PFG 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

It's summer time and a lot of us are operating mobile or portable. Due to the heat and drought conditions here in the US I have named this summer the "Summer of 100 Degree Passes," commemorating the triple-digit temperatures. ..and you thought I was referring to maximum elevation / TCA in the subject line, didn't you? 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Member Survey
by Clint Bradford 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

I have spoken to more than 50 clubs the past three or so years. As I prepare my presentations, I always go online and research the clubs. I want to see how they are "marketing" themselves ... Only two clubs in my region (Southern California) that I have encountered have actually prepared and sent to there membership a "customer/client survey" - a document/questionnaire asking for input FROM the membership of what they expect from their club. And to be successful (in ANYone's definition of "successful") - one must know what is expected FROM the club leadership ... as well as what is to be expected from the members. Which brings me to the Radio Society of Great Britain's recent project ... http://www.rsgb.org/survey/ They have well-defined what their membership is, and what they expect from leadership. We ALL can learn from what they have done. It can be as simple as a membership mass-email message of, "What can WE do for YOU?" ... Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Re: Vietnam F-1 CubeSat Video
by Clint Bradford 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

That background track was the third song selection at my wedding in 1989 ... Long live CubeSats! Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Vietnam F-1 CubeSat Video
by Trevor . 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

A great 10 minute video is available about Vietnam's Cubesat F-1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAAWE1PDuAM 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium, takes place July 30-31 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England. http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ Schedule in BST (GMT+1): http://tinyurl.com/2011ColloquiumSchedule

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en31/en32 ac0ra/m
by Wyatt Dirks 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

I am going to go out the the grid line of en32 and en31 today for the ao27 at 1933z and the ao-51 passes at 1950z and 2126z. If you need either of these grids confirmed and we make contact let me know and i will send a card your way. Also I am pretty new to operating away from my home grid but I have enjoyed it so for so i encourage all of you to operate the grids around your home grid. 73 Wyatt Dirks AC0RA

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Rialto and Moreno Valley, CA Presentations
by Clint Bradford 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will be presenting his ‘Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT’ session in Perris, CA on August 4 and in Rialto, CA on August 20. ALL are welcome to attend these club meetings! The Rialto Amateur Radio Club is one of the newer clubs serving Southern California's Inland Empire. For such a new club they have a great Web presence, and are already an ARRL affiliate club. This is a return visit to the Moreno Valley ARA. We had a great time in 2009. Thursday, August 4 - 6:30PM Lake Perris Event Center - Lot 9 17801 Lake Perris Drive, Perris CA 92571 Saturday, August 20, 2011 - 10:00AM Rialto Fire Department - Station 201 131 S Willow Avenue, Rialto CA 92376 Attendees should download Clint’s four-page tutorial and radio programming data from … http://www.work-sat.com … and Clint welcomes pre-presentation questions. Call him at 909-1241-7666, or send email to … clint(a)clintbradford.com Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Schedule for AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium
by Trevor . 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium is being held July 30-31 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England. The schedule can be seen at http://tinyurl.com/2011ColloquiumSchedule The Colloquium is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. For futher information see http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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ANS-205 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-205 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: * EVA for ARISSat-1/KEDR Deployment Planned for August 3 * AMSAT Board of Directors Ballots in the Mail * Satellite Awards * AMSAT-UK Colloquium to Activate Station for ARISSat-1/KEDR Test * 2011 AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting * 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium First Call for Papers * ARRISat-1 PCSAT32 Doppler info * Satellite Shorts From All Over * AMSAT-UK Joins Response to DCMS Spectrum Plan Affecting Satellite Band * ARISS Status - 18 July 2011 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.01 EVA for ARISSat-1/KEDR Deployment Planned for August 3 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.01 Gould summarized, "As of July 22 we are looking at an August 3, 2011 date for EVA 29 and the ARISSat-1/KEDR deployment, subject to change due to ISS schedules. The preliminary Russian EVA-29 timeline shows the ARISSat-1/KEDR deployment is the first task of the EVA, so it will occur fairly soon after the EVA begins. We will let everyone know more as we know more." The ARISSat-1/KEDR battery is scheduled to be charged 24 hours begin- ning 24 July at 09:45 UTC. A test of the satellite inside the ISS is scheduled to run from 1900 UTC on Saturday, July 30 and turned off at 14:30 UTC on July 31. 145.950 MHz FM Downlink ----------------------- FM transmissions will cycle between a voice ID as RS01S, select tele- metry values, 24 international greeting messages in 15 languages and SSTV images. One of the messages will be a conversation between Yuri Gagarin and ground control. 435 MHz - 145 MHz Linear Transponder ------------------------------------ The linear transponder will operate in Mode U/V (70 cm Up, 2m Down). It is an 16 KHz wide inverting passband and the convention will be to TX LSB on the 435 MHz uplink and RX USB on the 145 MHz downlink. This mode is designed to work with low power transmitters and omni antenna. 145.919 MHz/145.939 MHz CW Beacons ---------------------------------- The CW transmissions will be callsign ID RS01S, select telemetry, and callsigns of people actively involved with the ARISS program. 145.920 MHz SSB BPSK-1000 Telemetry ----------------------------------- The BPSK transmissions will feature a new 1kBPSK protocol developed by Phil Karn, KA9Q to be readable in low signal level conditions. The BPSK data will transmit satellite telemetry. When the CW2 beacon on 145.919 MHz is active this indicates that the BPSK-1000 format is be- ing transmitted. If the CW1 beacon on 145.939 MHz is active this the backup of BPSK-400 format is being transmitted. To find the links to the ARISSatTLM software for Windows and Mac, SSTV software for Windows and Mac, and ARISSat-1/KEDR technical data please go to http://www.amsat.org. [ANS thanks ARISSat-1/KEDR Project Manager Gould Smith, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.02 AMSAT Board of Directors Ballots in the Mail AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.02 The AMSAT Office has mailed the 2011 Ballot for the AMSAT Board of Directors. The deadline for the receipt of your ballot in Silver Spring, MD is September 15, 2011. Four director's terms expire this year: Barry Baines, WD4ASW Alan Biddle, WA4SCA Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Tony Monteiro, AA2TX The 2011 AMSAT Official Ballot for the Board of Directors includes these nominees (alphabetically by last name): Barry Baines, WD4ASW Alan Biddle, WA4SCA Steve Coy, K8UD Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Mark Hammond, N8MH Tony Monteiro, AA2TX Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK The four candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be seated as full Board members for two year terms. The two candi- dates receiving the next highest number of votes will be seated as alternate Board members for one year terms. A statement and biographical information from each candidate is included in the ballot mailing for your review. Your vote is important and is one of the privileges of AMSAT membership. [ANS thanks AMSAT Headquarters for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.03 Satellite Awards AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.03 AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO observed this week, "Normally I am able to wait 4-6 weeks before posting a list of AMSAT awards. However, something must have gotten in the water and in the past few days the awards have sky rocketed." Bruce noted the effort of Matt, N8MS, at the ARRL Teacher's Insti- tute 2, where 8 ham teachers worked their first satellite contact. They are included in the list below. Congratulations to all! The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. + Pam Kalafice, KD8MUC + George Wheeler, W7LX + Thomas Maxwell, AE5QB + Jerry Taylor, AC0PF + Stephen McClune, KB3FKO + Larry Brim, KI6FBT + Jackie Smith, KJ4SVQ + Larry Kendall, K6NDL + Samuel Saladino, NW9T + Walter Lemons, AE5IT + Stephen Reinen, N8BP + Lee Olson, N9LO + Thomas Talley, KA9QPG The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award. + George Henry, KA3HSW, #540 + Brandon Rasmussen, K7BBR, #541 The following have earned the South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement award. + George Henry, KA3HSW, #US169 + Brandon Rasmussen, K7BBR, #US170 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org [ANS thanks AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.04 AMSAT-UK Colloquium to Activate Station for ARISSat-1/KEDR Test AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.04 The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England will be taking place during the acti- vation of ARISSat-1/KEDR. Members of AMSAT-UK hope to be active during the ARISSat-1 tests from the GB4FUN communications module situated in the Holiday Inn parking lot. See GB4FUN: http://www.gb4fun.org.uk/ It is intend to use the GB4FUN station equipment to listen to the various ARISSat-1/KEDR signals. In addition they will be experi- menting with the use of FUNcube Dongle software defined radios to receive the ARISSat-1/KEDR signals with a variety of different antennas. The Colloquium is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. For futher information see: http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ BATC and AMSAT volunteers will be streaming video of the event live, enabling it to be seen around the world. Clearly a webcast cannot match actually being there, with the oppor- tunity to chat to satellite builders and inspect space hardware, but if you can't get to Guilford then the webcast provides the next best thing. The webcast will be at http://www.batc.tv [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.05 2011 AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.05 AMSAT announces the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA. This 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 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. Additional information about the 2011 AMSAT Symposium will be posted on the AMSAT web site as it becomes available. [ANS thanks the 2011 Symposium Committee for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.06 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium First Call for Papers AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.06 This is the first call for papers for the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium to be held Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th at the Wyndham San Jose Hotel, San Jose, California. Proposals for papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 1, 2011 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Abstracts and 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-205.07 ARRISat-1 PCSAT32 Doppler info AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.07 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.07 The deployment of ARRISat-1 is approaching. Here is a collection of data on the various modes for use in configuring SATPC32. Note that you will need to tweak the sideband frequencies slightly to account for rig calibration and other issues, as usual, but these should be close. You can paste these in the DOPPLER.SQF file, but before you do, please read on! ARISSat-1,145918.5,0,USB,,,0,0,BPSK/CW-2 ARISSat-1,145950.0,0,FM,,,0,0,VOICE/SSTV ARISSat-1,145930.0,435750.0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,XPDR ARISSat-1,145938.5,0,USB,,,0,0,CW-1 Since ARISSat-1 will be deployed by a gentle push from the ISS by Cosmonauts, the ISS Keps will be good until separate Keps are re- leased by Space Track. One way to handle the transition is to change the Doppler information slightly: ISS,145918.5,0,USB,,,0,0,BPSK/CW-2 ISS,145950.0,0,FM,,,0,0,VOICE/SSTV ISS,145930.0,435750.0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,XPDR ISS,145938.5,0,USB,,,0,0,CW-1 Paste the ARISSat-1 data as desired, and also paste the ISS version of the data into the DOPPLER.SQF file after the regular ISS data. For the final test aboard the ISS, and initially after deployment, select ISS tracking, and then select the desired ARRISat-1 frequency data at the end of the list in the CAT window. After the ISS and ARISSat-1 are far enough apart that independent Keps are available, you can begin using ARISSat-1 as a separate object by adding it to the objects you track in the Satellites menu window. The satellite may be identified as ARISSat-1, but may well have some other designation which will be reported. If it is not ARRISat-1, then change the name in the first group above to that used in the Keps. They must agree exactly for SATPC32 to match the Doppler data with the satellite. (You can also use the AmsatNames.txt file, which is covered in the SATPC32 documentation.) You can then delete the extra ISS data if you wish. They won't hurt anything, but it will clean up the ISS CAT window. [ANS thanks Alan, WA4SCA, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.08 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.08 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.08 + Congratulations to Ron, N8RO for attaining Satellite VUCC # 219! + Look for Makoto, JI5RPT to be active as JD1BLY from Chichijima Island (IOTA AS-031) Ogasawara. Operation is planned for 40m to 6m and Satellite CW/SSB/DIGI between August 1-7. QSL via JI5RPT. Web based log will be found at: http://www.ji5rpt.com/jd1/ and you are also invited to monitor Twitter: http://twitter.com/jd1bly (ji5rpt(a)jarl.com) + TP50, FRANCE. The "Council of Europe Radio Amateur Club" (CERAC - TP2CE) will be active as TP50CE during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 30-31). Activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Euro- pean Social Charter. Operations are usually on all HF bands and modes, possibly the satellites. QSL via F5LGF. An online log search will be available at: http://ewwa.free.fr (Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1019) + The Amateur Radio functions of the Tokyo university PRISM satellite have been tested and it is hoped it will be generally available soon. It carries a beacon on 437.250 MHz and a data downlink on 437.425 MHz with a downlink power up to 3 watts. PRISM Web: http://www.space.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/prism/en/main.html Snapshot of decoding screen captured by Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/10716pri.png + A 47 minute video of Space Shuttle Atlantis undocking from the International Space Station can be viewed at UniverseToday.com http://tinyurl.com/448ra22 Additional video can be viewed at: http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/status.html + NASA released the videos taken from the cameras mounted on the solid rocket boosters for Atlantis' launch for the STS-135 mission: http://tinyurl.com/6z3gohl (UniverseToday.com) + The schedules for Australasia and Eastern Asia for 18 - 31 July are now on http://www.amsatsa.org.za. The next schedule starts on August 1 with the Americas. + The AO-7 footprint continues to be long according to Luis, LU6QI. He reports a successful AO-7 Mode B contact with Drew, KO4MA for a distance of 7062 KM. Luis invites more North American stations to attempt a contact via AO-7 Mode A or B, and FO-29. Contact Luis by e-mail to set up a schedule: lu6quintas(a)gmail.com + Bill OM3BD/NZ5N operating from Grid JN88mf reported good conditions on AO-7. He worked 10 stations, including KD8CAO, WB8TGY, and K8YSE. [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.09 AMSAT-UK Joins Response to DCMS Spectrum Plan Affecting Satellite Band AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.09 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.09 The UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), a government agency, consultation sought opinion on the release of 500MHz of public sector spectrum by 2020. The full UK Government document may be viewed on-line at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Spectrum_Release.pdf A joint response from the RSGB, UK Microwave Group, AMSAT-UK and BATC is among the 31 responses to the DCMS consultation on releas- ing public sector spectrum. The response notes that the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite ser- vices successfully share spectrum with the current public services under consideration for reallocation. In regards to the proposed spectrum under consideration for reallocation the joint Amateur Radio response states that the 435-438 MHz sub-section is the largest active band for international amateur satellites. RSGB, UK Microwave Group, AMSAT-UK and BATC invite further consulation with the DCMS, "We would caution that any precipitous decision and un- coordinated release would impair a raft of innovative activity that is aligned with many DCMS and other national goals. We therefore look for- ward to further discussions with DCMS." The joint RSGB, UK Microwave Group, AMSAT-UK and BATC response can be read at: http://tinyurl.com/3stw6wn (culture.gov.uk) All of the responses can be read at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/consultations/8297.aspx [ANS thanks the Southgate ARC News Site for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.10 ARISS Status - 18 July 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.10 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.10 1. Ottawa Contact Successful On Thursday, July 14, the City of Ottawa Sports Recreation Camp in Ontario, Canada took part in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Telebridge station W6SRJ in Califor- nia provided the connection. One hundred twenty-five students, twelve counselors and many parents were present for the event and watched as the youth asked 16 questions of ISS crew member Ron Garan, KF5GPO. Global National (Canadian network) aired the story nationally and Your Ottawa Region posted an article on its site: http://tinyurl.com/427tv88 2. ARISS-U.S. Receives Proposals for Contacts The NASA Teaching From Space Office received over 100 inquiries about the U.S. proposal process for ARISS contacts that will be scheduled during the January - July 2012 time frame. Twenty-five schools met the July 15 deadline and submitted proposals. The sel- ection process will begin shortly. Another window of opportunity for U.S. schools and organizations to submit proposals will open later in the year. 3. ARRL QST Posts ARISS News The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) included an ARISS item in its August QST about ARRL at Hamvention, and highlighted Astronaut Doug Wheelock's participation, particularly with the youth activities. 4. AMSAT Provides ARISSat-1 Status The AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service July 17 bulletin (ANS-198) included a status on ARISSat-1. The battery will be charged July 27 or 28 and a test will be conducted on the ISS over the weekend of July 30-31. Deployment is scheduled for August 3. "ARISSat-1/KEDR Activation Planned; Deployment Update" may be viewed here: http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2011/000532.html 5. Amateur Radio Newsline on ARISSat-1 Deployment On July 15, the Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1770 included a status on the deployment date of ARISSat-1. The story may be found under the heading "Ham Radio in Space." See: ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt [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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ND9M/P: DM36, DM37, DM46, DM47 / Utah for Sat WAS
by claryco＠aol.com 24 Jul '11

24 Jul '11

Allowing for terrain (vice "train" in yesterday's post!), I'll be on the DM36 / DM37 line on the Arizona side of the AZ/UT state line on VO52 this morning at 24/1543Z. If I can't get on the line with an easterly view, I'll back track and do the pass from DM37 in Utah and then come back to operate the next VO52 pass at 24/1719Z from DM36. Similarly, we'll be in DM47 in Utah for the AO27 pass that rises locally at 24/1933Z (approx turn on time 1937Z). After that, we'll head back into Arizona and operate from DM46 on the next AO27 pass at 24/2112Z (T/O about 2116Z). 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Kanab, UT / DM47

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FW: [ans] ANS-205 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-205 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: * EVA for ARISSat-1/KEDR Deployment Planned for August 3 * 2011 BOD Ballots are Mailed * Satellite Awards * AMSAT-UK Colloquium Activity * 2011 AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting * 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium First Call for Papers * Satellite Shorts From All Over * ARRISat-1 PCSAT32 Doppler info * AMSAT-UK Joins Response to DCMS Spectrum Plan Affecting Satellite Band * ARISS Status - 18 July 2011 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.01 EVA for ARISSat-1/KEDR Deployment Planned for August 3 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.01 EVA for ARISSat-1/KEDR Deployment Planned for August 3 Gould summarized, "As of July 22 we are looking at an August 3, 2011 date for EVA 29 and the ARISSat-1/KEDR deployment, subject to change due to ISS schedules. The preliminary Russian EVA-29 timeline shows the ARISSat/KEDR deployment is the first task of the EVA, so it will occur fairly soon after the EVA begins. We will let everyone know more as we know more." The ARISSat-1/KEDR battery is scheduled to be charged 24 hours beginning 24 July at 09:45 UTC. A test of the satellite inside the ISS is scheduled to run from 1900 UTC on Saturday, July 30 and turned off at 14:30 UTC on July 31. 145.950 MHz FM Downlink FM transmissions will cycle between a voice ID as RS01S, select telemetry values, 24 international greeting messages in 15 languages and SSTV images. One of the messages will be a conversation between Yuri Gagarin and ground control. 435 MHz - 145 MHz Linear Transponder The linear transponder will operate in Mode U/V (70 cm Up, 2m Down). It is an 16 KHz wide inverting passband and the convention will be to TX LSB on the 435 MHz uplink and RX USB on the 145 MHz downlink. This mode is designed to work with low power transmitters and omni antenna. 145.919 MHz/145.939 MHz CW Beacons The CW transmissions will be callsign ID RS01S, select telemetry, and callsigns of people actively involved with the ARISS program. 145.920 MHz SSB BPSK-1000 Telemetry The BPSK transmissions will feature a new 1kBPSK protocol developed by Phil Karn, KA9Q to be readable in low signal level conditions. The BPSK data will transmit satellite telemetry. When the CW2 beacon on 145.919 MHz is active this indicates that the BPSK-1000 format is being transmitted. If the CW1 beacon on 145.939 MHz is active this the backup of BPSK-400 format is being transmitted. To find the links to the ARISSatTLM software for Windows and Mac, SSTV software for Windows and Mac, and ARISSat-1/KEDR technical data please go to http://www.amsat.org. [ANS thanks ARISSat-1/KEDR Project Manager Gould Smith, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.02 2011 BOD Ballots are Mailed AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.02 AMSAT Board of Directors Ballots in the Mail The AMSAT Office has mailed the 2011 Ballot for the AMSAT Board of Directors. The deadline for the receipt of your ballot in Silver Spring, MD is September 15, 2011. Four director's terms expire this year: Barry Baines, WD4ASW Alan Biddle, WA4SCA Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Tony Monteiro, AA2TX The 2011 AMSAT Official Ballot for the Board of Directors includes these nominees (alphabetically by last name): Barry Baines, WD4ASW Alan Biddle, WA4SCA Steve Coy, K8UD Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Mark Hammond, N8MH Tony Monteiro, AA2TX Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK The four candidates receiving the highest number of votes will be seated as full Board members for two year terms. The two candidates receiving the next highest number of votes will be seated as alternate Board members for one year terms. A statement and biographical information from each candidate is included in the ballot mailing for your review. Your vote is important and is one of the privileges of AMSAT membership. [ANS Thanks Headquarters for this information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.03 Satellite Awards AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.03 Normally I am able to wait 4-6 weeks before posting a list of AMSAT awards. However, something must have gotten in the water and in the past few days the awards have sky rocketed. Due to the effort of Matt, N8MS, at the ARRL Teacher's Institute 2, there were 8 hams that worked their first satellite contact. They are included in the list below. The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. Pam Kalafice, KD8MUC George Wheeler, W7LX Thomas Maxwell, AE5QB Jerry Taylor, AC0PF Stephen McClune, KB3FKO Larry Brim, KI6FBT Jackie Smith, KJ4SVQ Larry Kendall, K6NDL Samuel Saladino, NW9T Walter Lemons, AE5IT Stephen Reinen, N8BP Lee Olson, N9LO Thomas Talley, KA9QPG The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award. George Henry, KA3HSW, #540 Brandon Rasmussen, K7BBR, #541 The following have earned the South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement award George Henry, KA3HSW, #US169 Brandon Rasmussen, K7BBR, #US170 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards [ANS Bruce, KK5DO, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.04 AMSAT-UK Colloquium Activity AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.04 The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England will be taking place during the activation of ARISSat-1. Members of AMSAT-UK hope to be active during the ARISSat-1 tests from the GB4FUN communications module situated in the Holiday Inn parking lot. GB4FUN: http://www.gb4fun.org.uk/ It is intend to use the GB4FUN station equipment to listen to the various ARISSat-1 signals and, hopefully make a few contacts through the linear transponder. In addition they will be experimenting with the use of FUNcube Dongle software defined radios to receive the ARISSat-1 signals with a variety of different antennas. The Colloquium is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. For futher information see http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ BATC and AMSAT volunteers will be streaming video of the event live, enabling it to be seen around the world. Clearly a webcast cannot match actually being there, with the oppor- tunity to chat to satellite builders and inspect space hardware, but if you can't get to Guilford then the webcast provides the next best thing. The webcast will be at http://www.batc.tv [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.05 2011 AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.05 2011 AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting AMSAT announces the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA. This 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 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 Additional information about the 2011 AMSAT Symposium will be posted on the AMSAT web site as it becomes available. 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-205.06 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium First Call for Papers AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.06 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium First Call for Papers First call for papers. Proposals for papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy submitted by October 1, 2011 for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Abstracts and 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-205.07 ARRISat-1 PCSAT32 Doppler info AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.07 The deployment of ARRISat-1 is approaching. Here is a collection of data on the various modes for use in configuring SATPC32. Note that you will need to tweak the sideband frequencies slightly to account for rig calibration and other issues, as usual, but these should be close. You can paste these in the DOPPLER.SQF file, but before you do, please read on! ARISSat-1,145918.5,0,USB,,,0,0,BPSK/CW-2 ARISSat-1,145950.0,0,FM,,,0,0,VOICE/SSTV ARISSat-1,145930.0,435750.0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,XPDR ARISSat-1,145938.5,0,USB,,,0,0,CW-1 Since ARISSat-1 will be deployed by a gentle push from the ISS by Cosmonauts, the ISS Keps will be good until separate Keps are released by Space Track. One way to handle the transition is to change the Doppler information slightly: ISS,145918.5,0,USB,,,0,0,BPSK/CW-2 ISS,145950.0,0,FM,,,0,0,VOICE/SSTV ISS,145930.0,435750.0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,XPDR ISS,145938.5,0,USB,,,0,0,CW-1 Paste the ARISSat-1 data as desired, and also paste the ISS version of the data into the DOPPLER.SQF file after the regular ISS data. For the final test aboard the ISS, and initially after deployment, select ISS tracking, and then select the desired ARRISat-1 frequency data at the end of the list in the CAT window. After the ISS and ARISSat-1 are far enough apart that independent Keps are available, you can begin using ARISSat-1 as a separate object by adding it to the objects you track in the Satellites menu window. The satellite may be identified as ARISSat-1, but may well have some other designation which will be reported. If it is not ARRISat-1, then change the name in the first group above to that used in the Keps. They must agree exactly for SATPC32 to match the Doppler data with the satellite. (You can also use the AmsatNames.txt file, which is covered in the SATPC32 documentation.) You can then delete the extra ISS data if you wish. They won't hurt anything, but it will clean up the ISS CAT window. [ANS thanks Alan, WA4SCA, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.08 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.08 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.08 Satellite Shorts From All Over + Congratulations to Ron, N8RO for attaining Satellite VUCC # 219! + Look for Makoto, JI5RPT to be active as JD1BLY from Chichijima Island (IOTA AS-031) Ogasawara. Operation is planned for 40m to 6m and Satellite CW/SSB/DIGI between August 1-7. QSL via JI5RPT. Web based log will be found at: http://www.ji5rpt.com/jd1/ and you are also invited to monitor Twitter: http://twitter.com/jd1bly (ji5rpt(a)jarl.com) + TP50, FRANCE. The "Council of Europe Radio Amateur Club" (CERAC - TP2CE) will be active as TP50CE during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 30-31). Activity is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Euro- pean Social Charter. Operations are usually on all HF bands and modes, possibly the satellites. QSL via F5LGF. An online log search will be available at: http://ewwa.free.fr (Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1019) + The Amateur Radio functions of the Tokyo university PRISM satellite have been tested and it is hoped it will be generally available soon. It carries a beacon on 437.250 MHz and a data downlink on 437.425 MHz with a downlink power up to 3 watts. PRISM Web: http://www.space.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/prism/en/main.html Snapshot of decoding screen captured by Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/10716pri.png + A 47 minute video of Space Shuttle Atlantis undocking from the International Space Station can be viewed at UniverseToday.com http://tinyurl.com/448ra22 Additional video can be viewed at: http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts135/status.html + NASA released the videos taken from the cameras mounted on the solid rocket boosters for Atlantis' launch for the STS-135 mission: http://tinyurl.com/6z3gohl (UniverseToday.com) + The schedules for Australasia and Eastern Asia for 18 - 31 July are now on http://www.amsatsa.org.za. The next schedule starts on August 1 with the Americas. + The AO-7 footprint continues to be long according to Luis, LU6QI. He reports a successful AO-7 Mode B contact with Drew, KO4MA for a distance of 7062 KM. Luis invites more North American stations to attempt a contact via AO-7 Mode A or B, and FO-29. Contact Luis by e-mail to set up a schedule: lu6quintas(a)gmail.com + Bill OM3BD/NZ5N operating from Grid JN88mf reported good conditions on AO-7. He worked 10 stations, including KD8CAO, WB8TGY, and K8YSE. [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.09 AMSAT-UK Joins Response to DCMS Spectrum Plan Affecting Satellite Band AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.09 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.09 AMSAT-UK Joins Response to DCMS Spectrum Plan Affecting Satellite Band The UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), a government agency, issued a consultation seeking opinion on the release of 500MHz of public sector spectrum by 2020. The full UK Government document may be viewed on-line at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Spectrum_Release.pdf A joint response from the RSGB, UK Microwave Group, AMSAT-UK and BATC is among the 31 responses to the DCMS consultation on releas- ing public sector spectrum. The response notes that the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite ser- vices successfully share spectrum with the current public services under consideration for reallocation. In regards to the proposed spectrum under consideration for reallocation the joint Amateur Radio response states that the 435-438 MHz sub-section is the largest active band for international amateur satellites. RSGB, UK Microwave Group, AMSAT-UK and BATC invite further consultation with the DCMS, "We would caution that any precipitous decision and un- coordinated release would impair a raft of innovative activity that is aligned with many DCMS and other national goals. We therefore look for- ward to further discussions with DCMS." The joint RSGB, UK Microwave Group, AMSAT-UK and BATC response can be read at: http://tinyurl.com/3stw6wn (culture.gov.uk) All of the responses can be read at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/consultations/8297.aspx [ANS thanks the Southgate ARC News Site for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-205.10 ARISS Status - 18 July 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 205.10 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 24, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-205.10 1. Ottawa Contact Successful On Thursday, July 14, the City of Ottawa Sports Recreation Camp in Ontario, Canada took part in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. Telebridge station W6SRJ in California provided the connection. One hundred twenty-five students, twelve counselors and many parents were present for the event and watched as the youth asked 16 questions of ISS crew member Ron Garan, KF5GPO. Global National (Canadian network) aired the story nationally and Your Ottawa Region posted an article on its site. http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/local/article/1043569--ground-con trol-to-major-tom 2. ARISS-U.S. Receives Proposals for Contacts The NASA Teaching From Space Office received over 100 inquiries about the U.S. proposal process for ARISS contacts that will be scheduled during the January - July 2012 time frame. Twenty-five schools met the July 15 deadline and submitted proposals. The selection process will begin shortly. Another window of opportunity for U.S. schools and organizations to submit proposals will open later in the year. 3. ARRL QST Posts ARISS News The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) included an ARISS item in its August QST about ARRL at Hamvention, and highlighted Astronaut Doug Wheelock's participation, particularly with the youth activities. 4. AMSAT Provides ARISSat-1 Status The AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation) News Service July 17 bulletin (ANS-198) included a status on ARISSat-1. The battery will be charged July 27 or 28 and a test will be conducted on the ISS over the weekend of July 30-31. Deployment is scheduled for August 3. "ARISSat-1/KEDR Activation Planned; Deployment Update" may be viewed here: http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/2011/000532.html 5. Amateur Radio Newsline on ARISSat-1 Deployment On July 15, the Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1770 included a status on the deployment date of ARISSat-1. The story may be found under the heading "Ham Radio in Space." See: ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt [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 ligible 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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Wisp Terminal Window?
by Tony 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

All, Does Wisp have a terminal window? I'd like to confirm packet reception using a local 2 meter digipeater. Thanks, Tony

1 0

ARISSat-1 test wave files?
by Burns Fisher 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

I'm trying to get ready for the ARISSat-1 test next weekend and its release a few days later. I've downloaded the telemetry decoder. While I see a few references o some .wav files to test the installation of the telemetry decoder, I have not seen the wave files themselves. Anyone have links to some? Thanks and 73, Burns, W2BFJ

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ND9M/P: DM36 l DM37
by claryco＠aol.com 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

We took our time getting out of town (again) and missed most of the day's passes, but we're finally on the road and will overnight very close to the DM36 / DM37 line. If train allows, I should be to be on from the grid line on VO52 later tonight and again tomorrow morning. And if I get up easily enough tomorrow, I might AO51 in the 24/1100Z time frame. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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I need UTAH and NEBRASKA
by Mervyn Hecht 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

Can anyone from UTAH, NEBRASKA, or eastern seaboard please look for me today on AO-51 2200 UTC? Merv KO6E

1 0

Digital Recorder For Sale
by Peter Sils 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

Sony Digital Recorder Model ICD-BX700 Used two times and put away. Like new! Works great! Not needed any longer. $25 shipped U.S. Pse email: KD0AA at Yahoo.com TNX for reading! 73 Peter

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Portable from Kauai - BL02 Saturday & Sunday
by Tom Deeble 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

Greetings from the Garden Isle where the temperature has been between 72 and 86 F. The sat passes here don't seem to be working out too well, but Sunday looks better. Here's the schedule I'll try for, as long as we don't get showered upon: Saturday 7/23: AO-51 0123 7/24 UTC 6:23 PM PDT 3:23 PM HST Sunday 7/24: AO-27 2252 UTC 3:52 PM PDT 12:52PM HST FO-29 0031 7/25 UTC 5:31 PM PDT 2:31PM HST AO-51 0047 7/25 UTC 5:47 PM PDT 2:47 PM HST 73's, Tom - KA6SIP

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WD9EWK @ DM32/DM42, 2000 UTC today (23 July)
by Patrick STODDARD 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

Hi! I will drive out to the DM32xx/DM42ax grid boundary for a few passes this afternoon, starting with the AO27 pass just after 2000 UTC. Weather permitting, I hope to be out there for 2 to 3 hours before returning to Phoenix. If anyone who works WD9EWK at DM32/DM42 wants a QSL card, please e-mail me with the QSO details. If you're in my log, I will mail out a card. QSOs will also be uploaded to LOTW this weekend. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Maricopa, Arizona http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: AO51 22/2106z
by Zachary Beougher 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

Hi All, Thanks for all the responses and links. I thought the voc file was specific to RCA, but I guess not. I am working on converting it right now. Thanks for the help! Zack KD8KSN From: Zachary Beougher Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 9:45 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AO51 22/2106z Does anyone by chance have that recording? I recorded the pass, but when I went to view the file, instead of saving it as a .wav it saved it as a .voc, which I cannot open (the recorder is a RCA VR5220). I cannot listen to it on the recorder now either since I pulled it off. Just one of those sporadic issues I guess. 73! Zack KD8KSN

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AO51 22/2106z
by Zachary Beougher 23 Jul '11

23 Jul '11

Does anyone by chance have that recording? I recorded the pass, but when I went to view the file, instead of saving it as a .wav it saved it as a .voc, which I cannot open (the recorder is a RCA VR5220). I cannot listen to it on the recorder now either since I pulled it off. Just one of those sporadic issues I guess. 73! Zack KD8KSN

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Summer gridsquare vacation
by newsradio6＠gmail.com 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

Hi all, not going to be as rare as last summers trip to Manitoulin Island, but this summer I will be on the trent severn waterway in grid FN04 + FN14 in ontario august 1-7 with the arrow and the ht. Will try to be on ao51, so50 and any other FM sats we can find. John. VA3BL Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network. Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

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SatPC32 (Question?
by Stuart Balanger 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

*Question? I have "Setup" the Kenwood TS-2000X & completed that 1st. step, & the "readme.txt says "Choose the COM Port # for CAT control" & can't find the box where the words "COM port" is? Can someone help me? 73,.Stu (WA2BSS) Ps It is definetly a "3H" day (Near 100 degrees in Poughkeepsie,NY!!) *

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FS: Yaesu FT-736R with CTCSS board, 50/1296MHz modules
by Joe Veldhuis 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

I've decided to put my trusty 736 up for sale. It has the tone squelch board, 50MHz and 1296MHz modules installed. I'm including my homebrew CAT and TNC cables. Make me an offer, or bid on fleabay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280713621932 -Joe, N8FQ

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ISS BBS Mess/Qsl
by Kevin Deane 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

Now that I can actually send and receive messages off the ISS is there anyone around here doing it? I think that alot of the calls that show up here http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi are Beacon People so I really dont want to clog up the BBS with messages that will never be retrieved...There are alot of people saying hello but only KF1BUZ has actually said hello back on the same pass... RS0ISS-11 BBS 0 not o. PACKET LIVES and if more people would get on 145.050 in CA there could be a Golden Packet EVERY DAY!!! Specifically Merced to Bakersfield.... Kevin KF7MYK

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planetemily.com
by Charles Suprin 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

Folks, It looks like the front page of planetemily.com has been hacked. Has anyone else noticed anything strange? Charles

2 2

5500 rotor problem
by Jeff KB2M 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

Thanks for all the replies on my 5500 rotor problem! I had some time tonite to work on it and here's what I got. On both a1 a3, and e1 e3 pairs I'm reading only 1.0 volts. Between a2 a3 , and e2 e3 pairs I see only .5 volts at half range, IE an elevation of 90 degrees = a reading of .5 volts. I'm going to order a new Q2 UA7806C and this should do it. Only question I have is why Q2 failed to only output 1 volt, don't they usually fail and output 0 volts? I'm thinking it might be something else in the circuit feeding power to Q2. If so I will work this further when I actually take the rotor box apart with the new Q2 in hand. One other thing, I wish I can find all my components' I boxed up when I moved. I bet I have 10 of these in stock :) Thanks again for all the help guys, the electronic copy of the manual was a big help as I can't find my copy.... 73 Jeff kb2m > I'm having a problem with my 5500 after a thunderstorm. What is > happening is that the rotor works manually, but doesn't display az and > el information > on the control box. Also when I try to use computer control it goes > all the > way to stop in both azimuth and elevation. I'm thinking this might be > in the > control box, as both az and el are doing the same thing, the control > box being the single point of failure. Did anyone ever have this > problem? How can I diagnosis what chip might be at fault without a > schematic. I vaguely remember having this same problem after a close > lightning strike with my prior az el Yaesu box about 14 years ago but > don't remember what chip I swapped out, or how I determined which one > was at fault. This getting old thing really sucks. Any help would be appreciated. > > 73 Jeff kb2m

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Weather Satellites
by Mike 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

I was wondering if anyone has information about receiving weather Satellites. I have the A.R.R.L. Weather Satellite Handbook but its dated 1994 and is rather limited. I would like to know what freq.'s to find them on etc. Thanks in advance! 73's Mike N8GBU

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Arrow yagis
by George Henry 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

Anybody have any experience with the solid-element single-band yagis from Arrow? I can't put up my big Gulf Alphas at home (deed restrictions) and I'm tired of struggling with stealth omnis... I might be able to get away with putting up a pair of the Arrow yagis on a rotor on the back side of the roof & trying to pass them off as TV antennas. A lot less expensive than any of the dual-band cross-polarized yagis out there. Just wondering if anyone has used them & can vouch for their durability. George, KA3HSW

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Re: Arrow yagis
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

I use NOOX-X on all my aluminum connections. It is an oxide inhibitor that you can get it at any electrical supply house. I think Home Depot and Lowes carry similar products in the electrical dept. Dave - KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID X On Jul 22, 2011 2:43 PM, "Dee" <morsesat(a)optonline.net> wrote:

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Re: : Arrow yagis
by David Palmer KB5WIA 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

Hi George, Arrows are great antennas -- when I first put up my az/el system in the backyard I used an Arrow 4-element 2-meter yagi for the uplink, and it worked just fine. One thing I noticed was that after a month in the elements / rain, the studs connecting the aluminum elements together had corroded pretty severely -- I think the aluminum didn't like all the rain, and I could barely get the elements apart. I've seen some reports of other hams using arrows fixed on rotors in dry environments (Arizona), but if you're going to leave them outside in the rain, you might need to take precautions to prevent corrosion of the element connectors. 73 de Dave KB5WIA http://kb5wia.blogspot.com

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Re: Arrow yagis
by John Papay 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

My satellite truck is currently using the 4el VHF Yagi from Arrow Antennas. They are very well built and can be ordered with a Type N connector for a small extra charge (well worth it). The 7x7 Arrow II is what I use for UHF on the truck with a coax relay to switch between horizontal and vertical polarization. I am using a Mirage UHF preamp powered through the coax for that setup and it does work well. The 7x7 UHF Arrow went 5000 miles at speeds over 70mph at times and the elements never shook loose. Dollar for dollar, it is hard to beat an Arrow antenna. With over 2000 contacts in 32 different grids over a 5 week period, it's hard to say they don't work well. Arrow Antennas is now under new ownership. Tim Chapman, KB7MDF, bought the company and is in full production. Tim is really excited about the business and has the drive it takes to ramp up production and introduce new products. Suggestions have been made and he is looking at them. I loaned my Arrow II (v/u) to a friend and when it was returned, one of the inserts that allows the threaded rod to screw into the arrow shaft was missing. Tim shipped a replacement element, a few inserts and some threaded rod, no charge. It is a mystery as to how that insert was pulled out. Once the new one was hammered in, it was in there solid. Customer service is great. 73, John K8YSE

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Puerto Rico CubeSat Project on TV
by Trevor . 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

TV News report on YouTube (in Spanish) --- Eight students from the School of Engineering and Geomatic Sciences at the Polytechnic working with Honeywell Aerospace Company of Puerto Rico in designing a CubeSat nanosatellite in Puerto Rico. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN5rM5Dxs-k --- CubeSat at UPRM http://cubesatuprm.wordpress.com/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Curiosity
by Peter Portanova 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

Hello, And the winner is "Gale Crater", up up and away.. 73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com

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EM10
by K5OE 22 Jul '11

22 Jul '11

I plan to be on Lake Travis this weekend (Fri/Sat) and may also venture Houseboat Portable over to not-rare EM00, If you need this grid, look for me on late afternoon & evening passes of AO-51, AO-27, and SO-50. 73, Jerry, K5OE

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ND9M/P: DM27, DM28, DM29
by claryco＠aol.com 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

Cori and I will stay in southern Nevada for one more day tomorrow (Friday). While she kicks back, I'm going to head north with the plan to operate from DM27, DM28, and DM29 while northbound and possibly DM19, DM18, and DM17 on the return run. Which grid(s) on what passes? Dunno; this will be an on-the-fly run into the desert. I'll have APRS running (ND9M-7), but I have no idea what the coverage is in that part of the state. I'll also be running counties on HF CW (14.056.5 kc) and SSB (14336 kc) as well; hopefully I'll be spotted on the ch.w6rk.com website. We're planning to start our trip back to Florida (and its cooler temps only in the 90s!) on Saturday morning by way of DM37 and DM47 in southern Utah before re-entering Arizona. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Las Vegas, NV / DM26

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Shuttle Discovery 360 cockpit simulator
by Bruce 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

take a look at this 360 degree view of the shuttle discovery taken back in june, 2011. http://360vr.com/2011/06/22-discovery-flight-deck-opf_6236/index.html pretty darn neat 73...bruce

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Shutttle landing
by Kevin Deane 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html for others that missed it :( Kevin KF7MYK

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AC0RA/m
by Wyatt Dirks 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

Yesterday i operated from two different grid lines on two different ao27 passes. First i was on en41/42 and then on en31/41. This is the first time i operated from grid lines and i had fun doing so. the worst part is it seems every spot i picked to operate was down in a valley. I made 8 contacts on the first pass and 15 on the second. Anyway if anyone need these grid confirmed just drop me an email and i can get a card out no return card needed. I plan on going to the grid of en32 at some point this next month as well. If anyone one else needs these grids just drop me an email and we can work something out. Also I am still looking for anyone in Alaska or Hawaii to contact for WAS. If you are from either state please contact me. Wyatt Dirks AC0RA

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SAEBRTrack - anyone using it
by Thomas Doyle 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

Anyone out there using the SAEBRTrack program. I am looking for someone to try out some modifications I have made to it. It appears to work but a fresh pair of eyes is always a good idea. If so drop me an email. http://sites.google.com/site/marklhammond/saebrtrack tnx tom W9KE

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FM Satellite Contacts Log Blunder
by Giacobbe Lauser 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

Hey, Gang. I have fallen victim to the old QRZ.com logbook call sign change Houdini problem. I changed my call from K3UAZ to KK6L in February/March-ish after moving to California, and I had my entire satellite logbook online at QRZ.com with no consolidated paper log. Of course, the whole thing went *POOF* when my new call arrived, and I had no paper copies. I do have cards for some of those QSO's, but if any of you could search through your logs and look for either K3UAZ or KK6L and drop me an e-mail with the QSO information, it would be a great help in rebuilding my log. I worked exclusively on the FM Sats from about Thanksgiving through now from FN10 and CM88. Thanks! - Jake, KK6L

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2011 Space Symposium
by Martha 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

If you are planning to attend the 2011 Space Symposium, please make note of the following hotel information: 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 me a call at 301-589-6062 -- 73- Martha

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Comments!
by Stuart Balanger 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

*Hi all, Got the "AMSAT env. earlier this week,& didn't see any mention (On the registration form), of "Ground Transportation" (Ie Calrains service), (To From san Fran. & san Jose) Where there is a Train station! (This is in Ref; weekend symposium) More info (Caltrains/amtrak) go to: www.amtrak.com' & www.publictransportation.org & click on the state of calif. & get a listing of extensive Caltrans service thruout the state of Calif.! Also, earlier this week (IE 7/18 or 7/19) on NPR's "Morning edition there was an article on the Huntsville,Al. "space camp! More info: www.npr.org The Children were experamenting w/ model rockets! Hope that someone was extolling the virtues of "Ham" Radio 73,.Stu Ballinger (WA2BSS) Ps Also, go to: www.narprail.org/ *

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ARISSat-1 Keps
by Clint Bradford 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

Who will be generating the most accurate Keplerian data for ARISSat-1 after it is deployed? And where will it be published? Clint Bradford, K6LCS

2 1

Shuttle Landing from Orlando
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

What a great show this morning from Orlando. Was able to record the last sonic boom from the Shuttle and also view the ISS as it pasted over just to the south of the Cape at 5:49am escorting the craft to its historic landing. Dave, AA4KN

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FUNcube Environmental Testing at RAL
by Trevor . 21 Jul '11

21 Jul '11

This week environmental testing of the AMSAT-UK FUNcube Cubesat has been taking place at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories. For a report and pictures see http://www.uk.amsat.org/archives/funcube-enviromental-testing-at-ral FUNcube will carry a 435/145 MHz linear transponder and there will be a presentation on the CubeSat at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium being held from July 30-31 in Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England. The Colloquium is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. For futher information see http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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Re: Yaesu 5500 Rotor Problem
by John Kopala 20 Jul '11

20 Jul '11

Jeff, KB2M, I am sending the schematic for the G-5500 separately. Disconnect Azimuth and Elevation wires 1, 2, and 3 from the Control box. Check the resistance across the 1 and 3 leads. It should be 500 ohms. Check the resistance across the 1 and 2 leads. It should be between 0 and 500 ohms and should change as the rotors are turned. If these tests pass, the problem is in the control box. If not, the problem is the pots in the rotors. If the pots are OK, the problem is somewhat more complicated. Looking at the schematic, there are separate circuits for the meters and for the feedback level to your automatic control. If the IC's failed, the ones involved are Q3 and Q4 which are 4558s. Since these are dual circuit ICs, that would mean 4 failures at the same time. Not likely, but possible. More likely the problem is either in the Q1 power supply circuit which provides the power for Q3 and Q4 or the Q2 regulator, a 7806, which provides the voltage to the pots. A failure in these circuits would kill the meter readouts and the voltage feedback to the automatic control. John Kopala N7JK > Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:54:10 -0400 > From: "Jeff KB2M"<kb2m(a)comcast.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Yaesu 5500 rotor problem > To:<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID:<003b01cc4656$05d2e1e0$1178a5a0$@net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > I'm having a problem with my 5500 after a thunderstorm. What is happening > is that the rotor works manually, but doesn't display az and el information > on the control box. Also when I try to use computer control it goes all the > way to stop in both azimuth and elevation. I'm thinking this might be in the > control box, as both az and el are doing the same thing, the control box > being the single point of failure. Did anyone ever have this problem? How > can I diagnosis what chip might be at fault without a schematic. I vaguely > remember having this same problem after a close lightning strike with my > prior az el Yaesu box about 14 years ago but don't remember what chip I > swapped out, or how I determined which one was at fault. This getting old > thing really sucks. Any help would be appreciated. > > 73 Jeff kb2m

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Re: Yaesu 5500 rotor problem
by G. Beat 20 Jul '11

20 Jul '11

Jeff - Yaesu G-5500 Owner / Operator's Manual -- Schematic Diagram on LAST Page. http://gatorradio.org/Manuals/Yaesu_G-5500_Operating_Rotor_Manual.pdf If you have the paper manual, you have the schematic. LINK to Electronic version provided above. Fairly straight forward, component level troubleshooting with a VOM/DVM (Logic probe useful). greg w9gb == Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:54:10 -0400 From: "Jeff KB2M" Subject: [amsat-bb] Yaesu 5500 rotor problem To: amsat-bb I'm having a problem with my 5500 after a thunderstorm. What is happening is that the rotor works manually, but doesn't display AZ and EL information on the control box. When I try to use computer control it goes all the way to stop in both azimuth and elevation. I'm thinking this might be in the control box, as both AZ and EL are doing the same thing, the control box being the single point of failure. Did anyone ever have this problem? How can I diagnosis what chip might be at fault without a schematic. I vaguely remember having this same problem after a close lightning strike with my prior AZ EL Yaesu box about 14 years ago, but don't remember what chip I swapped out, or how I determined which one was at fault. This getting old thing really sucks. Any help would be appreciated. 73 Jeff kb2m

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HudsonValleySatcomNet 7/21/11Echolink N2EYH-L(429079)@8PMEDT&MTBeacon146970PL100
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 20 Jul '11

20 Jul '11

Hope the Echolink is up and running for the net this week. I am sorry for the problems in the past with the Echolink connection. Please join us for the net.73 Gary wa2aqh

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SO67 for South Africa
by Hans 19 Jul '11

19 Jul '11

Hi all At last some passes over South Africa. Visit www.amsatsa.org.za <http://www.amsatsa.org.za/> Hans Hans van de Groenendaal Features Editor EngineerIT www.eepublishers.co.za 012 991 4662 082 781 4631

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VUCC # 219
by Ronald Oldham 19 Jul '11

19 Jul '11

I'd like to thank each and every Ham that made this possible. Not only for the contacts but each ham's willingness to provide a QSL card. All of the efforts are greatly appreciated. Special thanks goes out to Bruce, KK5DO, for his efforts in checking the large stack of cards. After several e-mails and phone calls the ARRL was able to complete the application and issue the certificate in near record time, slightly less than 3 months! Along with the certificate I received a copy of the grids already worked in a paper format. I'm still trying to get the ARRL to link my LOTW account to the award. I guess I just need to be patient. Again many thanks for all of the efforts. Ron - N8RO one of you that made this possible. I couldn't of done it without you. I especially like to thank the one that made the dxepedition to many grids during their vacation or during work or just for fun. Whether is was a vacation, work or fun, I know you gave up much desired rest and relaxation so I and many other could make those rare contacts. I do really appreciate that.

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Re: AMSAT Awards
by i8cvs 19 Jul '11

19 Jul '11

Hi Bruce, KK5DO I don't agree with your answere to me because YOU as a AMSAT Director Contests and Awards should contact Andy Mac Allister W5ACM and Gould Smith WA4SXM because AMSAT must maintain the full list of the ZRO-Test "Z9" and AMSAT Technical Achievent Award for the K2ZRO Memorial Station Engineering Award This is your job and not my job because I am only a ZRO-Test "Z9" owner ! 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce" <kk5do(a)amsat.org> To: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 7:00 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Awards > i have no information on the zro tests. you will have to contact andy to > see if he still maintains them. also, you will have to get with gould to > see if he wants to add another page to the website for them. > > 73...bruce > > On 7/18/2011 10:58 AM, i8cvs wrote: > > Hi Bruce, KK5DO > > > > I have earned the ZRO-Test "Z9" # 19 on OSCAR-13 Mode-B dated Nov > > 1, 1992 signed by WA5ZIB and also I have earned the AMSAT Technical > > Achievent Award for the K2ZRO Memorial Station Engineering Award > > on OSCAR-13 with Z-8 Mode B endorsements and Z-8 Mode-L endorsements > > signed by Bill Tynan W3XO on May 25 1991 > > > > It would be very interesting to get from http://www.amsat.org or from > > http://www.amsatnet.com the full list of the other partecipants to the > > ZRO-Test "Z9" and the AMSAT Technical Achievent Award for the K2ZRO > > Memorial Station Engineering Award on OSCAR-13 just as a history record. > > > > I have a list of call letters for the Z9 Club Honor Roll uptodated only to > > Nov 1992 with 21 calls for Mode-B and 5 calls for mode L > > > > Do yo have a full list of it ? > > > > If you need more informations please call Endy Mac Allister W5ACM ex > > WA5ZIB > > > > Please let me know. > > > > TNX and 73" de > > > > i8CVS Domenico > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Bruce"<kk5do(a)amsat.org> > > To: "amsat-bb(a)AMSAT.Org"<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > > Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 4:20 PM > > Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Awards > > > >> Normally I am able to wait 4-6 weeks before posting a list of AMSAT > >> awards. However, something must have gotten in the water and in the past > >> few days the awards have sky rocketed. > >> > >> Due to the effort of Matt, N8MS, at the ARRL Teacher's Institute 2, > >> there were 8 hams that worked their first satellite contact. They are > >> included in the list below. > >> > >> The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for > >> making their first satellite QSO. > >> > >> Pam Kalafice, KD8MUC > >> George Wheeler, W7LX > >> Thomas Maxwell, AE5QB > >> Jerry Taylor, AC0PF > >> Stephen McClune, KB3FKO > >> Larry Brim, KI6FBT > >> Jackie Smith, KJ4SVQ > >> Larry Kendall, K6NDL > >> Samuel Saladino, NW9T > >> Walter Lemons, AE5IT > >> Stephen Reinen, N8BP > >> Lee Olson, N9LO > >> Thomas Talley, KA9QPG > >> > >> > >> The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award. > >> George Henry, KA3HSW, #540 > >> Brandon Rasmussen, K7BBR, #541 > >> > >> > >> The following have earned the South Africa Satellite Communications > >> Achievement award > >> George Henry, KA3HSW, #US169 > >> Brandon Rasmussen, K7BBR, #US170 > >> > >> To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or > >> http://www.amsatnet.com > >> > >> > >> Bruce Paige, KK5DO > >> AMSAT Director Contests and Awards > >> > >> > >> ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE > >> Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* > >> Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com > >> Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes > > >

1 0

HO68
by Ellis Foley 19 Jul '11

19 Jul '11

Return Mail to wa1rks(a)yahoo.comCan anyone give me an update as to the statis of HO-68? I used to be able to access the web site,but can't even do that now? I know the Bcn is working but what about the rest of the bird? I seemed to have missed something somewhere? Thanks! Ellis

2 1

AO-51 Activity?
by Richard Lawn 19 Jul '11

19 Jul '11

As some of you may recall, I've been doing my best to make and try various stationary antennas. It's been tough testing them since not many birds seem active, particularly AO-51 which I usually heard well. Can anyone tell me if AO-51 was functioning during the pass at around 16:30 EDT on 7/18. I haven't heard a peep out of it but have heard a few other birds. TNX Rick W2JAZ

5 5

Vesta As Seen By Dawn
by B J 18 Jul '11

18 Jul '11

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/18jul_dawn4/http:… More on Dawn: http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/ 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Golden Packet Event Sunday!
by Bob Bruninga 18 Jul '11

18 Jul '11

Are there any AMSAT folks with a D700, D710 or D72 and the desire to drive to a mountain top on Sunday? We have two major holes in our 2000 mile Golden Packet attempt to get an APRS message from Maine to Georgia. Maybe someone in AMSAT likes to do a drive-up mountain this weekend? The Southern End is missing, and the key link from Mt Washington just had a radio failure. Plus there are some other weaknesses. SO here are the opportunities! Mt Washington, NH High-Point, NJ Lookout Mountain, TN Springer Mountain, GA We operate only from NOON to 4 PM only (Sunday 24 July), less if everyone gets their act together and we are successful with the first 2000 mile packet ever... There is also an attempt along the Pacific Coast as well. They have some opportunitites as well. See: http://aprs.org/at-golden-packet.html - Appalachians http://aprs.org/pct-golden-packet.html - Pacific Bob, WB4APR

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