- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

AMSAT-UK Photo Gallery
by Rob Styles 18 Jul '11

18 Jul '11

If you have any AMSAT-UK related photo's, you can upload them to the new AMSAT-UK photo Gallery here: http://www.uk.amsat.org/Gallery3/index.php/ 73 Rob M0TFO

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Grid Activiation: EN63, Michigan
by Doug Papay 18 Jul '11

18 Jul '11

All, During the coming week (July 16th - 23rd) I will be available to operate from EN63 via FM satellite for those who still need to confirm this grid. While not considered rare, EN63 is has not been commonly active. I have operated from this grid several times over the past years and there are a few locals that operate from this grid from time to time. I do not plan to be active other than by request, so please email me if you would like to make the attempt to work a station in EN63. I will not likely be available for all pass opportunities, but we should be able to work something out if you email me within the next couple of days. 73, Doug KD8CAO Ps. There is no need to QSL or send SASE for our contact when I'm operating portable. If you email me for a sked and/or with a QSL request, I will gladly send a QSL card to confirm our contact in return.

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ARISSat-1 & AMSAT-UK Colloquium July 30-31
by Trevor . 18 Jul '11

18 Jul '11

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/ 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 18 Jul '11

18 Jul '11

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

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Subject: Weather Satellites reply
by Buckley, Jack 18 Jul '11

18 Jul '11

Message: 10 Date: Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:01:11 -0400 From: "Mike" <mikef1234(a)buckeye-express.com<mailto:[email protected]>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Weather Satellites To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org<mailto:[email protected]>> Message-ID: <CC423033A6FC473BA2BAE2BB40357E51@dimension4400> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" 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 http://www.wxtoimg.com/ Great site for one stop shopping ! free and not so free, much info, links, freq lists, etc... The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly dispose of the e-mail.

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DM34 yesterday
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 17 Jul '11

17 Jul '11

Hi! I tried to post a message saying I was at grid DM34we yesterday afternoon, but it was held up by the mailing list for 12 hours. I received my copy from the list early Sunday morning. In any event, thanks to those who made QSOs with me when I was at that spot, a freeway rest area about 50 miles/80km north of Phoenix. I worked 5 different passes (AO-7 mode B, FO-29, AO-51, and two AO-27 passes). QSOs are already uploaded to LOTW. If you'd like a paper QSL card, please e-mail me with the QSO details. If you're in the log, I'll drop a card in the mail. DM34 is one of the 6 grids I regularly visit and work from. I use a city park in Phoenix that sits on the DM33/DM43 boundary as my "home QTH", and also work from the DM32/DM42 and DM34/DM44 grid boundaries - both are an hour or so from Phoenix. I didn't go all the way to the DM34/DM44 boundary yesterday due to time constraints, and I had operated from DM44 last month when I was at a hamfest in eastern Arizona. If you'd like to make a QSO from any of these grids, please e-mail me so we can set a plan to do that. I also travel to other Arizona grids, and ND9M is currently on the road working from some of the rarely-heard grids in this state. :-) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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ND9M/P - APRS Tracking
by claryco＠aol.com 17 Jul '11

17 Jul '11

Sorry for the second posting so quickly. Cori's and my QTH can be tracked during this trip via APRS (ND9M-7, vice -9). Hopefully this will help you work around our skeds when interruptions occur like they did today! Tks to WD9EWK for the reminder about APRS tracking. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Ajo, AZ / DM32

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ND9M/P - DM31 / DM32 and DM22 / DM23
by claryco＠aol.com 17 Jul '11

17 Jul '11

Cori and I spent a chunk of this afternoon visiting with Leo, W7JPI and his XYL in DM41. The visit was very enjoyable but prevented us from getting to DM31 as we'd planned. We're overnighting in DM32 which I'll operate from tonight on VO52 when it comes up locally at 18/0340Z. Then tomorrow morning, we'll head back down the road and expect to hit the DM31 / DM32 grid line on VO52 at 18/1532Z. I should be somewhere around 145.910 on both passes. After that, we'll head up to do the DM22 / DM23 line on AO27 when it rises locally at 18/2042Z. 73 for now, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Ajo, AZ / DM32

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help with WAS by SAT
by Mervyn Hecht 17 Jul '11

17 Jul '11

Please help me to collect the following states for WAS: Utah ARK GA KY New Mexico S. Dakota I can be on any of the sats on a sked. Merv KO6E <mervynhecht(a)yahoo.com> 310 454 1338

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SO67 Schedule
by Hans 17 Jul '11

17 Jul '11

Hi all The schedules for Australasia and Eastern Asia for 18 - 31 July are now on www.amsatsa.org.za <http://www.amsatsa.org.za/> . The next schedule starts on August 1 with the Americas. 73 Hans ZS6AKV

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radio
by ld.lucas＠frontier.com 17 Jul '11

17 Jul '11

I have seen several options for radios to use for satellite work. I am using a Yeasu VX7 handheld and am hearing the satellite but not reaching them. I would like to work all of the satellites. I am saving money and looking for a radio. Once more what is the best radio to work the satellites and why do you think this. THANKS for the information in advance

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Dawn Now Orbiting Vesta
by B J 17 Jul '11

17 Jul '11

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/jul/HQ_11-231_dawn.html http://www.nasa.gov/dawn http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/ 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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ANS-198 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-198 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: * ARISSat-1/KEDR Activation Planned; Deployment Update * DARA Fund Challenge Reminder * Special Event Station: Celebrating the Flight of Liberty Bell 7 * Terrestrial APRS Golden Packet Test 24 July 2011 * 2011 AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting * Free Sample Edition of OSCAR News * Satellite Shorts From All Over * ARISS Status - 11 July 2011 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-198.01 ARISSat-1/KEDR Activation Planned; Deployment Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 198.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 17, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-198.01 ARISSat-1/KEDR Project Manager Gould Smith, WA4SXM said this week the latest status, discussed during the International ARISS teleconference Sergey Samburov, RV3DR announced the ARISSat battery will be charged late July and a test of the system will be conducted on the ISS from 1915 UTC 30 July to about 1200-1400 UTC 31 July. During the test ARISSat-1 will be in LOW power mode, this means that it will transmit about 40 seconds and then shut down for 2 minutes and then transmit for 40 seconds, etc. The standard ARISSat-1/KEDR 2m downlink band plan should be transmitted. Additionally, the FM signal also downlinked on 437.55 MHz. As to the date of deployment, Gould summarized, "The deployment date for ARISSat is still subject to change. As of July 14 we are looking at a 3 Aug 2011 date for EVA 29 and the ARISSat-1/KEDR deployment. 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." 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. See the next news item for pointers to get your station ready to receive the SSTV images. 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 Beacon: ---------------------------------- 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. The ARISSat-1/KEDR BPSK-1000 downlink is transmitted in SSB mode on 145.920 MHz. 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 indicates the backup of BPSK-400 format is being transmitted. Transmitting at 100 mW, both BPSK rates include Forward Error Correction (FEC) and it is expected that modest quarter-wave antennas with low-loss coaxial cable will provide sufficient signal strength for decoding and display by the ARISSatTLM software. Download the Windows ARISSatTLM free ground station soundcard demodulator and display software: http://www.arissattlm.org/download/ARISSatTLM_050_Setup.exe Download the Mac ARISSatTLM software: http://www.arissattlm.org/download/ARISSATTLM.zip The ARISSatTLM software user guide is available: http://tinyurl.com/42uhtyf (amsat.org) Get your color ARISSat-1/KEDR Frequency Guide: http://tinyurl.com/4t497t2 (amsat.org) ARISSat-1/KEDR Presentation Slides (~1MB) http://tinyurl.com/4n4pzkm (amsat.org) ARISSat-1/KEDR Dayton Presentation Slides http://tinyurl.com/6zrfmzv (amsat.org) Follow ARISSat-1/RadioSkaf-V on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/arissat1 In USA you can also text 'follow Arissat1' to 40404 with your cell phone. (leave off the quotes). [ANS thanks ARISSat-1/KEDR Project Manager Gould Smith, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-198.02 DARA Fund Challenge Reminder AMSAT News Service Bulletin 198.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 17, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-198.02 The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) fund raising challenge for AMSAT continues whereby they will match on a 1:3 basis up to $5,000.00 for donations made in 2011. That is, for every $3.00 that AMSAT raises, DARA will provide $1.00 up to a maximum of $5,000 donated by DARA. AMSAT kicked off the fundraising campaign at the Hamvention, where donations began count against this goal. Please consider making a donation to AMSAT at Hamvention or anytime this Spring as we strive to meet this goal. We appreciate DARA's support for AMSAT and see this as an opportunity for donors to increase the impact of their donations by taking advan- tage of this matching program. [ANS thanks AMSAT Headquarters for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-198.03 Special Event Station: Celebrating the Flight of Liberty Bell 7 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 198.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 17, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-198.03 The 50th Anniversary of the Flight of the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft by astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom will be celebrated by the Hoosier Hills Ham Club. This, by activating special event station W9GUS on Saturday, 23 July 2011. The station will be located in Spring Mill State Park at the Grissom Memorial near Mitchell Indiana. Operation will be 10 am to 4 pm Central U-S Daylight Savings Time with stations on 40, 20 and possibly 6 meters. Gus Grissom was one of the original NASA Project Mercury astronauts and a United States Air Force pilot. He was the second American to fly in space and the first astronaut to fly in space twice. Grissom along with fellow astronauts Ed White and Roger Chaffee died during a pre-launch test for the Apollo 1 mission at Cape Canaveral on 27 January 1967 when a spontaneous fire broke out in their command module. [ANS thanks Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1770 - July 15 2011 for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-198.04 Terrestrial APRS Golden Packet Test 24 July 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 198.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 17, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-198.04 Bob Bruninga, WB4APR invites you to join in the terrestrial annual APRS Golden Packet attempt on Sunday 24 July Noon to 1600 local time. During this test Bob needs you and your D700 to drive/hike to the top of some of the highest mountains in the USA and set up as a portable APRS digipeater to see if we can link a Golden Packet across thousands of miles. There is an attempt along the Appalachian Trail from Alabama to Maine and along the Pacific Crest trail from San Diego to Seattle. Good portable stations are needed on many mountain tops! See these web pages for the details: EAST COAST: http://www.aprs.org/at-golden-packet.html WEST COAST: http://aprs.org/pct-golden-packet.html [ANS thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-198.05 2011 AMSAT Symposium and Annual Meeting AMSAT News Service Bulletin 198.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 17, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-198.05 The 2011 Symposium hotel and registration web pages are now available on the AMSAT web site. The Symposium will be held in San Jose, CA November 4-6. The hotel selected is the Wyndham San Jose, close to the airport. Additional information about the 2011 AMSAT Symposium will be posted on the web site as it becomes available. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-198.06 Free Sample Edition of OSCAR News AMSAT News Service Bulletin 198.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 17, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-198.06 AMSAT-UK have made available a free PDF of the Spring 2011 edition of their newletter OSCAR News. It contains reports on four UK CubeSat projects currently being devel- oped. News of new South African CubeSats and details of the telemetry on ARISsat-1/KEDR currently scheduled to be deployed from the Inter- national Space Station in August. A printed copy of OSCAR News is posted to members each quarter. Membership of AMSAT-UK is open to anyone who has an interest in Amateur Radio satellites/space activities, including the ISS. You do not have to have an amateur radio licence to join, many of our members are inter- ested in listening to satellites and decoding the telemetry. Read the OSCAR News PDF at http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/ AMSAT-UK Colloquium July 30-31 Guildford http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-198.07 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 198.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 17, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-198.07 + SO-67 has returned to operation after recovery from a cosmic ray upset. Operation over Australia, New Zealand, Japan is planned for July 18-31. The latest details are posted at: http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ + Listen for Eric W4OTN, Amanda KI4IWS, Robin WA4WPD, Bill KG4CXY on July 29 to August 1 as they activate N4I from Core Banks Barrier Island (IOTA NA-067, USi NC033S, WLOTA 0596), Pamlico County, North Carolina. They will participate in the RSGB IOTA Contest. Outside of the contest they plan to be active 80-10m CW and SSB. Operation on 6m and satellites is being planned as well. QSL W4OTN via the bureau or direct at the address on QRZ.com. (rsgbiota.org) + The next date for the July Hudson Valley Satcom net is July 21 at 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (UTC - 4). You can tune in via the 146.970 MHz Mt. Beacon repeater, PL 100.0 or via EchoLink on the N2EYH-L node. More info is available at: www.hvsatcom.org (Stu, WA2BSS) + Heads up this August 5-7: Be sure to look for W1AW/5 operating on all available satellites from Taos, New Mexico during the 2011 ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention. http://www.2011convention.org. More information can also be found on Ollie's AB1JO QRZ page: http://www.qrz.com/db/aj1o/ + A new free sample edition of RadCom is now available to read on-line or download from the RSGB website. The sample RadCom is available in digital magazine format for reading on-line (Flash plug-in required). For those who would like to save the magazine to their computer, a 24MB PDF version is available: http://www.rsgb.org/sampleRadCom/ + Dave, KB5WIA plans a grid-expedition to the rare grid squares in California's Lost Coast. If all goes well, he plans to be active from the grid intersection of CM79, CM89, CN70, and CN80 on Sunday August 7th and Monday August 8th. His plans include operating via as many linear and FM bird passes as available. Dave will post more information in his blog at: http://tinyurl.com/6z5xpjx [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-198.08 ARISS Status - 11 July 2011 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 198.08 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 17, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-198.08 1. Japanese Contact Successful On Friday, July 8, students from the Matsumoto School for the Visually Impaired, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with on-orbit astronaut Satoshi Furukawa KE5DAW. An audience of approximately 40 people listened as eight students got in one question each before the ISS went over the horizon. Media coverage included 5 newspapers. The school, founded in 1912, currently has an enrollment of 29 students of all ages, that all have one or more disabilities. By participating in this NASA educational program, students have become more interested in space and international communication. 2. Status of ARISS U.S. Proposal Process ARISS has received 100 inquiries about the U.S. proposal process for contacts that will be scheduled during the January July 2012 time frame. Proposals have started to come in and may be submitted until the deadline of July 15, 2011. Another window of opportunity for U.S. schools and organizations to submit proposals will open later in the year. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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QSO with NA on AO7 and Invitation for attempting other QSOs
by Luis Quintas 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

I Tnx Drew KO4MA for vy nice QSO on SSB (both reports 59) on AO7 Mode B, (Orbit 67807 covering 7062 km) I would like to invite other stations from North America willing to attempt a QSO on AO7(either on Mode B or A) and FO29, SSB or CW. My grid locator is FF66TQ. My mail is lu6quintas(a)gmail.com Tnx agn, Best 73 de --luis LU6QI

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WD9EWK @ DM34 now
by Patrick STODDARD 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

Hi! Before going back into the office, I made a quick drive to grid DM34we, about 50 miles/80km north of Phoenix. I will be on AO27 just after 2000 UTC, and other passes this afternoon. I have to return to Phoenix no later than 0000 UTC, so I could be up here for the next 2-3 hours or so. My QTH is visible on http://aprs.fi/wd9ewk-9 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: First Contact
by Clint Bradford 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

I just completed a survey ... took me weeks to compile all the data ... THE RESULTS: 97.3 per cent of AMSAT friends and supporters are totally cool. Clint, K6LCS On Jul 15, 2011, at 12:12 PM, Daron Wilson wrote: >> ... you can’t ask for better support than that!

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Recent Amsat Keps Posting
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

Hi all, Did anyone have any problem with the recent kep's posted out this week on the mailing list. The format that appeared on my computer was totally different with spaces and a specific message of the use and distribution. My Sat PC software failed to read them , I also checked out the current pages of Amsat and the Kep's that were available for download were still dated for the 7th July 2011. I have also run "Orbitron" and it worked OK when I stripped out the headers/ tails and spaces that were contained in this weeks kep's posting. Many thanks for your time. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat- UK Amsat NA

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First Call for Papers for 2011 Symposium
by Daniel Schultz 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

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.

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2 AZ rotators with LVB tracker
by Stefano Simonetti 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

I built with success an LVB tracker control to remote control an AZ rotator. I would like to control with the same circuit also another AZ rotator, not simultaneously with the actual I use. Any one experienced this? I think it could work with just switching the two rotators lines (turn right,turn left, azimuth voltage), if they would be same models or at least would be of the same type (North or south) and same azimuth voltage return. But I think that this last thing (voltage return) could be the real problem to have correct indication of direction between the rotators. Probably it is time to make another LVB tracker PCB... Ideas? 73 de Iw1rdz - Steve

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OM3BD recording of Saturday AO-7 pass
by Bill Dzurilla 16 Jul '11

16 Jul '11

Good conditions this morning on AO-7. Worked 10 stations, including KD8CAO, WB8TGY, and K8YSE. Recording of the North America pass at: www.qsl.net/HRD 2011-07-16 052111.mp3 73, Bill OM3BD/NZ5N JN88mf

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ND9M/P: DM51
by claryco＠aol.com 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

Cori and I will try to be on from DM51 tomorrow (Sat) for some ops that missed us there the last couple times. I'm not sure what pass(es) it be on however since we're still doing the tourist thing, although operation from that grid will likely be in the afternoon. After that, we'll be on from DM31 on Sunday as we head out towards the Yuma area and then up along the AZ/CA border for the grids in that area. For Mervyn Hecht (sorry, I don't have your call or e-mail address), we'll be on from Utah (DM37) in a few days and then New Mexico (several grids including the high demand DM66) several days later. You can keep an eye out for W1AW/5 from NM before that though. I'll keep the BB posted on the schedule. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Tucson AZ / DM42

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PRISM HAM service test
by Mineo Wakita 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

The test of HAM service of PRISM was worked today, 16 Jul 2011, 05:16-05:29UTC over Japan. The frequency was 437.425MHz AFSK. The HAM service of PRISM will open soon. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/10716pri.png http://www.space.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/prism/en/main.html JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Tracking software for BlackBerry telephones?
by Clint Bradford 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

SatMe works on several Blackberry models ... http://web.me.com/clintbradford/Work-Sat/Tracking.html Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Re: Tracking software for BlackBerry telephones?
by Clint Bradford 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

SatMe is one that works on many Blackberry units ... http://web.me.com/clintbradford/Work-Sat/Tracking.html Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Tracking software for BlackBerry telephones?
by Clayton W5PFG 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

Hello all, I have a BlackBerry Bold cellular telephone and am in search of a tracking application for it. I normally use a combination of the AMSAT Pass Predictions or Heavens-Above web pages to get what I need from the mobile web but I'd like to have some kind of local application that doesn't require a cellular signal. I realize there are iPhone applications, but that doesn't help me as a BlackBerry user. Any suggestions? Thank you and 73, Clayton W5PFG

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First Contact.
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

Lee, One of those was me K8TL 73 Tom

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Westpark Radiops Meeting Demo tonight 7/15
by John Papay 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

I'll be attempting to work a few satellite passes from the Cleveland Metroparks at the Westpark Radiops Club Meeting/Picnic tonight. It is very likely that there will be no line of sight from this location but I'll try no matter what. The Westpark Radiops is a very old club, one that I went to meetings with my cousin xW8BUS(sk) when I wasn't even 10 years old. Those were the days of cigar smoke, good conversation, bragging, auctions, and the highlight, coffee and doughnuts. Some things don't change. I'll be on the FO-29 at 2204z, AO-51 2227z and VO-52 at 2354z. Hope I can work someone. Please give me a call if you hear me. 73, John K8YSE

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weather sats
by jerry 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

basic software is FreeWare .Frequency range is 137 MHZ http://www.wxtoimg.com/

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Re: First Sat Contacts!
by Bill Acito W1PA 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

For Lee.... http://www.papays.com/sat/AO-27_15Jul2011_171058z.mp3 Good thing he didn't try on the next pass... Bill W1PA

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First Sat Contacts!
by Clint Bradford 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

>From Lee, N9LO in EN44 ... I had my first 3 contacts on AO-27 this afternoon shortly after noon central time with a Baofeng UV-3R (2 watts) with an antenna based on a design by Kent Britain -- WA5VJB I built. In a rush to get away from my apartment complex I forgot to bring my digital audio recorder and I cannot remember their call signs. One had XX in it and one had K8 in it. Did any hear us and can help me out? Wow, this was a lot of fun. Thanks. Lee - N9LO EN44 Handheld Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Western EU: 1530Z AO-27 pass today?
by Bill Acito W1PA 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

I am still experimenting with the RX pre-amp on my Arrow. I have a 3 degree pass from Massachusetts today at 1530Z if anyone from extreme Western EU is available. Bill W1PA

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EM18/19 on AO-27 Jul 15 @ 1849
by Gail A Mcdaniel 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

I have a meeting today in Topeka and will slip over to the EM18/19 grid boundary for the AO-27 pass @ 1849. I would like to work more passes... but I need to get back to the office. 73, Gail (KB0RZD)

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EM18/19 on AO-27 @ 1849
by Gail A Mcdaniel 15 Jul '11

15 Jul '11

I have a meeting today in Topeka and will slip over to the EM18/19 grid boundary for the AO-27 pass @ 1849. I would like to work more passes... but I need to get back to the office. 73, Gail (KB0RZD)

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updated list of items for sale by Ray W1OTH
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Hi! Ray W1OTH sent me an updated list of items he would like to sell. Some of the items are from the original list I posted for him, and other items were found as Ray has done more cleaning since he sent me his first list. For all items on here, please contact Ray directly via e-mail at: fobes(a)commspeed.net The updated list: Item Condition Cost New Asking Yaesu FT-736R with options Excellent $800.00 $850.00 6-Meter Option Excellent $375.00 CTCSS Option by Zlix Excellent $ 85.00 Yaesu MD-1 Desk Microphone Very Good $125.00 $ 40.00 Interface Box, tower mounted Very Good $ 50.00 $ 25.00 Diamond X-50A V/UHF Vertical Very Good $ 90.00 $ 25.00 Astron RS-20M Power Supply Excellent $130.00 $ 75.00 Tigertronics SignaLink USB New $100.00 $ 90.00 Belkin 4-Port KVM Switch Excellent $130.00 $ 50.00 Larsen NMO-TLM Trunk Lid Mount New $ 22.00 $ 15.00 MFJ MFJ-418 Pocket Morse Tutor Excellent $ 90.00 $ 30.00 Microwave Devices 711N Power Meter Used $150.00 $125.00 Kantronics KPC-3+ 128K v9.1 New $180.00 $ 90.00 Zenith TransOceanic G-500 ?? Used $200.00 Best Offer MFJ MFJ-1702C 2-port RF switch (6 ea) Very Good $ 40.00 $ 20.00 MFJ MFJ-1728B 2m/6m mobile antenna w/NMO Mag mount New $ 27.00 $ 15.00 Lakeview Model 9120 20-meter mobile whip New $ 31.00 $ 25.00 PolyPhaser IS-50UX-CO Very Good $ 61.00 $ 40.00 IS-B50LU-CO Very Good $ 65.00 $ 40.00 IS-50NX-C2-MA New $ 60.00 $ 40.00 IS-B50HN-C2-ME Used $ 70.00 $ 40.00 IS-MR50LNZ+15 Used $ 50.00 $ 25.00 ICOM IC-2iA 2m HT Not working Shipping only These items are available for pick-up only (Prescott AZ) KLM 2M-14C Cross Pol 2m Satellite Antenna Like New $150.00 $ 75.00 KLM 435-18C Cross Pol 440 Satellite Antenna Like New $150.00 $ 75.00 Glen Martin 8-Foot self-standing tower (Aluminum) w/thrust bearing Very Good $395.00 $100.00 ****** 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK (on behalf of Ray W1OTH) http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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help with the few states I need for WAS by sat
by Mervyn Hecht 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Can anyone help me set up a sked with someone in UTAH, NEW MEXICO, NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA, ARKANSAS AND ALL OF NEW ENGLAND?

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So close.... almost my full reach....
by Bill Acito W1PA 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

I've been able to fit up a pre-amp to my Arrow. I have a ARR 432 switched pre-amp with it's own battery pack on the 432-side of the arrow to hear better on low (<10 deg) passes. Still using the FT-530 HT with a headset. There were two low Atlantic passes this morning, one each on AO-27 and AO-51. From FN42IO I heard EA1QS on the first (5 deg), and worked a GW0 on the second -- 3050 miles, on a 8 deg pass. Went back out later in the afternoon for a mid-US pass, and low and behold, there's a San Diego station on (2550 miles)... listen to the last 10 secs of this recording for the punch line: http://www.papays.com/sat/AO-27_14Jul2011_191720z.mp3 Almost.... Bill W1PA

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Satellite demos August 5-7, 2011, from Taos, NM
by Ollie Eisman 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Heads up this August 5-7: Be sure to look for W1AW/5 operating on all available satellites from Taos, New Mexico. http://www.2011convention.org I plan to bring my mobile ground station and do demos throughout the duration of the Convention. More information can also be found on my QRZ page: http://www.qrz.com/db/aj1o/ 73, Ollie AJ1O

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Dawn Probe Closes In On Vesta
by B J 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

It's scheduled to go into orbit around the asteroid tomorrow. http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/jul/HQ_11-228_Dawn_Update.html http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dawn/multimedia/dawn-image-070911.html 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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The practicality of the Ten Tec 2510
by Bill Acito W1PA 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

1. I have one, but have never used it. If I am reading the satellite guide correctly, the only current bird I can use one on (mode B, 435MHz -- not 432) is VO-52. Is that correct? Or is the TX-RX completely wrong? (RX+TX=581.005) 2. I have read that the 2510 (newer version) was much easier to use than the 2510 -- any comment from current or former users? 3. The 2510 could accept a second, add-on oscillator board (the 2511) to give you 435.5 as well as 435.0. I am considering building a version of the board re-crystalled to give me 432.0 (understanding that I will have to go through and re-tune the unit, as well as adjusting the RX-TX offset) --- but this seems like a nice "non-destructive" way to try it. Or should I put it on the shelf and hope the next transponder bird uses the same band plan as AO-10/13? :-) Bill W1PA

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Special Bulletin ANS 195
by Dee 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-195.01 ARISSat-1/KEDR Deployment Information AMSAT News Service Bulletin 195.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 14, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-195.01 14 July 2011 During the International ARISS teleconference Sergey Samburov, RV3DR announced that the ARISSat battery will be charged late July and a test of the system will be conducted on the ISS from 1915 UTC 30 July to about 1200-1400 UTC 31 July. The standard ARISSat-1/KEDR 2m downlink band plan should be transmitted as well as the FM signal also downlinked on 437.55 MHz. More information as it becomes available. Today we are looking at a 3 Aug 2011 date for EVA 29 and the ARISSat-1/KEDR deployment. This is all subject to change. (ANS Thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for this latest info) /EX NB2F

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Re: help with the few states I need for WAS by sat
by Bill Acito W1PA 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

I can give you MA and possibly RI or NH with some planning on the FM birds (you didn't say which bird). Since I read via the bb archive, you'll need to send me your call or an email address, 'cause I have no idea where you are. :-) I have been active hand-held (FN42) on AO-27 and AO-51 the past few days, east and west passes. Bill W1PA (my call letters at hotmail) >Can anyone help me set up a sked with someone in UTAH, NEW MEXICO, NORTH >AND >SOUTH DAKOTA, ARKANSAS >AND ALL OF NEW ENGLAND?

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Re: Any way I can get AOS.EXE to run on Win7 64-bit?
by Bill Acito W1PA 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

So that must be the issue... the standalone “zip” version (AOS205.zip) located here: http://www.amsat-warenvertrieb.de/english.htm does not appear to work, but the SatPC32 version does. I’ll need to play more. Good leads, everyone. Bill W1PA From: kq6ea(a)verizon.net Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 4:52 PM To: ka3hsw(a)att.net ; w1pa(a)hotmail.com ; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Any way I can get AOS.EXE to run on Win7 64-bit? I've also had no trouble getting it to run in Win7/64. I installed it by right-clicking on the executable, and installing it as Administrator. When I run it, I right-click the icon, and chose "Run As Administrator". Works fine that way, but others might consider it a clunky way to do it. Jim KQ6EA

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Any way I can get AOS.EXE to run on Win7 64-bit?
by Bill Acito W1PA 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

I really like the simplicity of this program... it does what I want. I am relatively new to both Win 7 and 64-bit; is there a simple way to get it running in this OS? A compatibility mode, or some sort of emulator/wrapper? Bill W1PA

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Thanks IC7000 help
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

Thanks, for the help. Seems most of my concerns were centered around a typo!!! ICOM IC-910 manual (@2000) says CAT code for FM is 04 when in fact it is 05 as in all the other ICOMS I could research!! All indications are the pair or IC-7000’s will work just fine and a lot less expensive than the 9100. Set it up with the 910 as transmitter and 7000 as receiver and the other way around. Now what to do with the old 910?? Sell as is or repair and sell??? 73 Tom K8TL

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EM99 Friday
by Helmuth Kump 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

I'm hoping to operate satellite portable from EM99rv, Marshall County West Virginia, on the daytime passes from 1200 till about 2200 UTC tomorrow 7/15. As always, weather- and Murphy-permitting. 73 de KT3L

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OM/OE/HU/NZ5N Tuesday on AO-7 from the former Iron Curtain
by Bill Dzurilla 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

I'm going to make a portable AO-7 satellite attempt this Tuesday July 10 from JN88na, at the spot where Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria touch each other. Prior to 1989, this was part of the Iron Curtain, where the Communist regimes in Czechoslovakia and Hungary tried to keep their people from going to Austria. Now, it is just a field with a border marker. My AOS will be at 0933Z and North America will be in the window for several minutes. Hope to work several of you, look for me at the high end of the passband. 73, Bill NZ5N/OM3BD

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Free sample edition of OSCAR News
by Trevor . 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

AMSAT-UK have made available a free PDF of the Spring 2011 edition of their newletter OSCAR News. It contains reports on four UK CubeSat projects currently being developed. News of new South African CubeSats and details of the telemetry on ARISsat-1 currently scheduled to be deployed from the International Space Station in August. A printed copy of OSCAR News is posted to members each quarter. Membership of AMSAT-UK is open to anyone who has an interest in Amateur Radio satellites/space activities, including the ISS. You do not have to have an amateur radio licence to join, many of our members are interested in listening to satellites and decoding the telemetry. Read the Oscar News PDF at http://www.uk.amsat.org/on_193_final.pdf Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK/ AMSAT-UK Colloquium July 30-31 Guildford http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium-2011/ AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Re: heard with fo-29 this am
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 14 Jul '11

14 Jul '11

It doesn't look like he was in the footprint of HO-68 on that pass. I messed around with Orbitron and looks like possibly FO-20 beacon on 435.795? Dave - KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID X On Jul 13, 2011 11:43 AM, "Mika Siira" <oh8mbn(a)suomi24.fi> wrote:

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SpaceX and Vandy
by R Oler 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-vandenberg-launchsite-20110713,0,7980… this is probably the best shot for Phase 3E...rumor is Musk is going to Demo the vehicle by sending a Dragon on a free return around the Moon Robert G. Oler WB5MZO Live member AMSAT ARRL NARS

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Re: Free sample edition of OSCAR News
by Clint Bradford 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

I have TWO recent editions' covers framed and on my home office wall ... Clint, K6LCS Member, AMSAT-NA *and* AMSAT-UK

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OSCAR Report - Error
by Clint Bradford 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

STOP calling me ... STOP emailing me ... NO - I cannot forsee the future and was able to work AO-51 TOMORROW, per my entry on the OSCAR Status Report Web site ... I mis-entered the date ... AO-51 WAS, though, booming(1) here in Southern CA this afternoon! Sheepishly yours, Clint Bradford, K6LCS (1) - "Booming" is a highly-technical concept, way too far advanced to explain right here and now.

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Re: heard with fo-29 this am
by Andrew Glasbrenner 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

> > It doesn't look like he was in the footprint of HO-68 on that pass. I >messed around with Orbitron and looks like possibly FO-20 beacon on 435.795? > > >Dave - KB1PVH > FO-20 was a solid tone only the last few years it was alive as I recall. I'll darn sure listen for it though! FO-20 is a bit higher than FO-29 and was better for DXing from down south here. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Re: 70cm Helicoil Good/Bad expensive?
by Clint Bradford 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

I am looking for an adapter to make this satellite helical work on my handheld radio ... http://tinyurl.com/SAT-HELICAL Clint Bradford, K6LCS

5 5

Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by Ike Lawton via LinkedIn 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

LinkedIn ------------ Ike Lawton requested to add you as a connection on LinkedIn: ------------------------------------------ Robert, I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Ike Accept invitation from Ike Lawton http://www.linkedin.com/e/nue9k3-gq2d0bk3-2l/uZZS51qQ8vtoSwf-G8aUdsIbren2oL… View profile of Ike Lawton http://www.linkedin.com/e/nue9k3-gq2d0bk3-2l/rsn/129740183/fO0d/ ------------------------------------------ -- (c) 2011, LinkedIn Corporation

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ICOM and PCSAT32
by Tom Lubbers K8TL 13 Jul '11

13 Jul '11

IC-9100 + SATPC32. My IC910 is on its last legs, now no speaker output. The 9100 has a big price tag and a lot of features I am not interested in. I have been toying with the idea of adding a second IC7000, one for TX the other for RX. The first glitch I see is the CAT code for FM (04) on the 910 and the IC7000 (05) are different, the 9100 and the IC7000 use the same. Any one have any thoughts?? I Have a IC7000, two are cheaper than a 9100!! 73 Tom K8TL

4 3

Delay in FUNcube Dongle sale tonight
by Howard Long 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Folks I apologise for the delay in the sale this evening of FUNcube Dongles, age is catching up on me and I had my head buried deep in something else. They are now on sale! Many thanks, and 73, Howard G6LVB

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EM01/02 boundary op
by Clayton W5PFG 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

I will be on AO-51 at 21:05 UTC 12 July 2011 from Proctor, TX on the EM01/EM02 boundary. 73 Clayton W5PFG -- Sent from my mobile device

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CALL SIGN
by N. Mahdinejad 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Dear amsat members. I want to have callsign for my ground station. could you please guide what to do?is there any link fro start and what kind of information need? Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Best Regards. N.Mahdinejad

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Brazilian satellite pirates (was Re: Re: 70cm Helicoil Good/Bad expensive?)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Hi! A couple of years ago, the Brazilian authorities arrested many of these satellite pirates. A Brazilian immigrant in New Jersey was also arrested for illegally using these military satellites. I remember seeing this article around that time: http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2009/04/fleetcom?currentPage=all 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: 70cm Helicoil Good/Bad expensive?
by Joe Leikhim 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Hi Mariano; I stand corrected! I concur that some Americans here in the states were caught accessing the satellites. What is their motivation? What dialect are they speaking? On 7/12/2011 11:14 AM, AMSAT-CT Engineering wrote: > > Esteemed colleague Joe Leikhim, > > The people as you referred as operators (...) A few years back I found > some "pirate" (Portuguese) (...), are not Portuguese, speaking in > Portuguese, but are Americans from Brazil, and are illegally, very > active in the satellite. > > Greetings > > > > Mariano, CT1XI > > www.amrad.pt > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Leikhim" <rhyolite(a)nettally.com> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 3:18 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 70cm Helicoil Good/Bad expensive? > > >> I have an Andrew bifilar helical antenna for the240-320 MHzMILSAT >> band, same antenna pictured in back of their old catalogs. I paid a >> lot of money (mostly in shipping) to acquire it. But far less than >> what this seller wants. It won't do you any good in the ham bands, >> but you might find interesting listening in the MILSAT/Fleetsatcom >> bands. A few years back I found some "pirate" (Portuguese) operators >> quite active on the satellites. I think they have all been caught by >> an interesting mix of technology and trigonometry and have been >> silenced. >> >> On 07/12/2011 04:23 AM, Clint Bradford wrote: >> >>> > I am looking for an adapter to make this satellite helical work >>> on my > handheld radio ... >>> > >>> > http://tinyurl.com/SAT-HELICAL >>> > >>> > >>> > Clint Bradford, K6LCS >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> >> -- >> Joe Leikhim >> >> Leikhim and Associates >> Communications Consultants >> Oviedo, Florida >> >> www.Leikhim.com >> >> JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com >> >> 407-982-0446 >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446

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Re: 70cm Helicoil Good/Bad expensive?
by Joe Leikhim 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

I have an Andrew bifilar helical antenna for the240-320 MHzMILSAT band, same antenna pictured in back of their old catalogs. I paid a lot of money (mostly in shipping) to acquire it. But far less than what this seller wants. It won't do you any good in the ham bands, but you might find interesting listening in the MILSAT/Fleetsatcom bands. A few years back I found some "pirate" (Portuguese) operators quite active on the satellites. I think they have all been caught by an interesting mix of technology and trigonometry and have been silenced. On 07/12/2011 04:23 AM, Clint Bradford wrote: > > I am looking for an adapter to make this satellite helical work on my handheld radio ... > > > > http://tinyurl.com/SAT-HELICAL > > > > > > Clint Bradford, K6LCS > > > > > > > -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446

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Re: 70cm Helicoil Good/Bad expensive?
by Joe Leikhim 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Helical antennas are wonderful things. However with one caveat, they respond in "normal mode" over a wider bandwidth than the desired axial mode. What this means is that your receiver is more susceptible to overload from _out of band_ signals than it might be using a Yagi having a resonant match. Be sure your preamp is a high end model with coincidentally, " a helical" front end filter. -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446

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13 Colonies Award Received
by John Papay 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

I received two 13 Colonies Special Event Certificates today, one for a clean sweep on HF and the other for a clean sweep on satellites. There is a satellite endorsement sticker on one award. The awards manager Ken Villone KU2US is doing a great job processing the requests. The application was mailed on the 5th and the certificate was received on the 11th! Thanks also to Dave, KB1PVH, for organizing the event on satellites. He also sent a card for our K2H contact on SO-50. The event creates lots of activity on both FM and the linear birds each year. 73, John K8YSE

2 1

70cm Helicoil Good/Bad expensive?
by Kevin Deane 12 Jul '11

12 Jul '11

Hello all, whats the take on these antennas? I am sure someone on here has used them and they certainly look cool but how do they perform? Dont you have to switch polerization on a cross polerized yagi? I know there is not a perfect antenna, just wondering about the Helicoil... Kevin KF7MYK

7 7

SatPC32 simplified
by Thomas Doyle 11 Jul '11

11 Jul '11

Thanks for all the feedback on the tracker. A few people commented that it was a bit complex mechanically. This got me thinking about a minimal version where the mechanical section could be built in less than an hour by almost anyone. Several people asked about moving antennas. The motor in the iPoint has torque of only 35 oz-in. This is at least an order of magnitude less than enough to move an even a small antenna. The main project I am working on is an az-el rotor for small antennas. The azimuth rotor is working and I am working on the mount for the mast. I want to make sure the azimuth rotor is rock solid before working on the elevation rotor. The reason the motor driver in the iPoint is so over designed is that it was designed for the actual rotor not the iPoint. The iPoint actually started out as just a test bed for software development. A few people have asked about astronomical applications. I have thought about that myself and have been looking for a simple usb telescope to mount on iPoint. It would be interesting to set up SatPC32 to track the moon and let iPoint run all night and capture shots of the moon from the usb tele. The tele would have to be very small and light weight. Does anyone have Kardashian data for heavenly bodies ? Wonder if anyone caught that. I actually would like to know if it is possible to track the moon with SatPc32 and if so where to get the elements. Here is a short HD video of the minimalist iPoint. While it may be a piece of junk it does work and might give someone some ideas on building something simple but much better than what I did. It did require only a hand drill and a hacksaw and took only about an hour to build. After seeing it you may wonder while it took an entire hour. There is a quarter just to the right of the beast for size reference. There was quite a bit of discussion on auto license plates a while back. I did not want to contribute to the QRM then but I do have something on that topic at the end of the video. It is actually my photo qsl without the address information - you will understand when you see it. Since I do not operate very often and qsl only when I get one this is probably your only chance to see this rare card. If you look carefully at the back left of the video you can see the azimuth rotor partially disassembled. I keep it there to make me feel guilty when I work on something else. here is the simplified tracker - I know it is junky so no need to tell me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGwyUdb_vHs Here is the good tracker in case you missed it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnc4-XcEXEQ 73 tom ...

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Re: ICOM 9100
by Erich Eichmann 11 Jul '11

11 Jul '11

Hello Glen, I tried 3 times to answer to your mail but all my mails were rebounced by the mail delivery system. I hope you receive this via AMSAT-BB 73s, Erich, DK1TB

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ND9M in DM51/52 on AO-27 2047z 11July
by John Papay 11 Jul '11

11 Jul '11

Jim is about 20 miles away from the DM51/52 line and plans to operate from there on the AO-27 pass coming up at 2047z or so. If he doesn't make that pass, he'll likely be on FO-29 at 2213z or so. You can track him on APRS, ND9M-9. 73, John K8YSE

1 0

KB5WIA California Lost Coast (CM79/CM89/CN70/CN80) August 7-8, 2011
by David Palmer KB5WIA 11 Jul '11

11 Jul '11

Hi Everyone, I'm about a month away from my planned grid-expedition to the rare grid squares in California's Lost Coast. If all goes well, I'll be QRV from the grid intersection of CM79, CM89, CN70, and CN80 on Sunday August 7th and Monday August 8th. As usual, I'll try for as many linear and FM bird passes as I can manage. I'll be using the twin Yaesu FT-817ND radios, along with the Elk antenna on a tripod. Power will come from a lightweight LiFePO4 battery and as much sunlight as my solar panels can harvest. I haven't been to this location before, but based on the terrain, I should have fairly good views towards the horizons, so hopefully anyone in North America who needs these grids can get them! http://kb5wia.blogspot.com/2011/07/california-lost-coast-cm79cm89cn70cn80.h… 73 de Dave KB5WIA

2 2

Share a Meal with STS-135
by Clint Bradford 11 Jul '11

11 Jul '11

NASA - Special American Meal Planned for Final Space Shuttle Crew - http://tinyurl.com/STS135-MEAL Prepare your meal per the NASA recipes, and eat with the STS-135 crew Thursday! Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

1 0

SatPC32 ==> iPoint
by Thomas Doyle 11 Jul '11

11 Jul '11

Hi, I recently completed a project that someone on the board might find interesting. One goal was to make it compact so it could be taken and used outside the shack. It weighs 4 lb 5 oz and connects to your computer through a USB or serial port. Another goal was no knobs, switches or any other controls - there is only a reset button on the circuit board that I have never used. It would be a great thing to take along when making presentations on ham satellites. It would also be fun on field day since it runs off 12V and is portable. It works with SatPC32 by emulating the Yaesu GS-232 controller. It should work with other tracking programs but I have not tried them (SatPC32 works great for me and AMSAT needs the money). You might want to check out the youtube video that gives a little demo. It is full HD and looks very cool in full screen HD. I guarantee there is absolutely no footage of me waving my Arrow II antenna around. FAQ ------ Q: Why no surface mount parts. A: I am too old and clumsy Please read the Entire Description on the youtube page before watching the show. Remember to click on the "show more" button under the first line of the description. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnc4-XcEXEQ 73 W9KE

3 2

EN80/81 Grid Expedition Wrapup
by John Papay 11 Jul '11

11 Jul '11

It was a 90 degree day in Ohio but it was comfortable operating from the truck with the air conditioning running. I arrived near the 4 corner grid square boundary near Burbank Ohio just before a 3 degree AO-7 pass. I set up in EN91 but was only able to hear DG1EA. The horizon was a little higher than 3 degrees! An AO-51 eastern pass followed and 5 stations were worked from the same spot in EN91. The next AO-27 pass around 1934z was worked from the EN80/EN81 grid boundary on Cemetery Road just west of the EN91/90 line. Twelve stations were worked on that pass and another four on the FO-29 pass that followed. I decided to check out another grid boundary line on SR42. It wasn't a great location because 42 is a fast road and I was just barely able to get off the road. Sixteen contacts were quickly made on AO-51 and I went back to the original location. On the way back I stopped at a clear spot in EN81 and worked several stations on FO-29 including KO4MA. The last AO-51 pass was quite busy. Eleven stations were worked including KI6WZU who was attempting his first satellite qso. His card is on the way. Congratulations Jay! All in all it was a good trip. Anyone needing a card can just drop an email to my qrz.com address. I already have sent cards for XE1AO, AC0RA, CO6CBF and KI6WZU. I know others said they wanted the card but that's all I could find notes for. No need to send a card, just an email request will do. 73, John K8YSE

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ND9M on VO-52 tonight - DM61/DM62
by Rick - WA4NVM 10 Jul '11

10 Jul '11

Hi All, I just talked to Jim and he plans to be on VO-52 pass at 0310z tonight from DM62 grid. If all goes as planned, he will actually be on the DM61/DM62 grid line for that pass. Good luck all and 73, Rick WA4NVM

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SO67 Europe schedule
by Hans 10 Jul '11

10 Jul '11

Hi all The Europe schedule for So67 starting Monday 11 July is now on www.amsatsa.org.za <http://www.amsatsa.org.za/> 73 Hans ZS6AKV

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EN80/81 Operation 10July
by John Papay 10 Jul '11

10 Jul '11

I'm planning to operate on the grid line of EN80/EN81 on this afternoon's passes of AO-27, AO-51, and possibly FO-29 and AO-7 from 1930z until 2237z. There are two possible locations close to the 4 corner grid square of EN90/91; EN80/81. Since it is hot here, I will not go to the 4 corner square with an HT but rather will operate from the truck wherever I can find a safe place to stop in EN80/81. You can track my location on aprs.fi using K8YSE-8. These are not rare grids but if you don't have them, here's your chance to work them and get the qsl quickly. Operating from another grid close to where you live is not difficult and you will find it very rewarding. Try it; someone will appreciate you doing it and you will have a lot of fun in the process! 73, John K8YSE John Papay john(a)papays.com

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Re: Scanning question
by Joe Leikhim 10 Jul '11

10 Jul '11

This sounds like ALE (automatic link establishment). Maybe someone could write a program using ICOM CI-V commands and embed a PIC processor to control the radio, provide I/O with the modem and set timing parameters. -- Joe Leikhim Leikhim and Associates Communications Consultants Oviedo, Florida www.Leikhim.com JLeikhim(a)Leikhim.com 407-982-0446

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Re: SatPC32 ==> iPoint
by Rich Dailey 10 Jul '11

10 Jul '11

Nice project. I for one would love to see more about the code & hardware. Another question for the FAQ: What is the release date for "Sump: The Sequel"? Or perhaps it will be a prequel. :-) Rich, N8UX At 05:57 PM 7/9/2011, you wrote: >Hi, > >I recently completed a project that someone on the board might find >interesting.

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I: SatPC32 ==> iPoint
by Francesco Grappi 10 Jul '11

10 Jul '11

Hi Thomas, Good job, congratulation ! 73" Frank IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Per conto di Thomas Doyle Inviato: sabato 9 luglio 2011 23.57 A: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Oggetto: [amsat-bb] SatPC32 ==> iPoint Hi, I recently completed a project that someone on the board might find interesting. One goal was to make it compact so it could be taken and used outside the shack. It weighs 4 lb 5 oz and connects to your computer through a USB or serial port. Another goal was no knobs, switches or any other controls - there is only a reset button on the circuit board that I have never used. It would be a great thing to take along when making presentations on ham satellites. It would also be fun on field day since it runs off 12V and is portable. It works with SatPC32 by emulating the Yaesu GS-232 controller. It should work with other tracking programs but I have not tried them (SatPC32 works great for me and AMSAT needs the money). You might want to check out the youtube video that gives a little demo. It is full HD and looks very cool in full screen HD. I guarantee there is absolutely no footage of me waving my Arrow II antenna around. FAQ ------ Q: Why no surface mount parts. A: I am too old and clumsy Please read the Entire Description on the youtube page before watching the show. Remember to click on the "show more" button under the first line of the description. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnc4-XcEXEQ 73 W9KE _______________________________________________ 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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ANS-191 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-191 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: * ARISSat-1/KEDR Deployment Timeline Driven by ISS Schedules * AO-51 Operations Update * AMSAT Awards * Satellite Beginners Workshop Planned For AMSAT-UK 2011 Colloquium * Satellite Shorts From All Over * More University Satellite Missions in Preparation SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-191.01 ARISSat-1/KEDR Deployment Timeline Driven by ISS Schedules AMSAT News Service Bulletin 191.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 10, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-191.01 ARISSat-1/KEDR Project Manager Gould Smith, WA4SXM provided the latest deployment information to the AMSAT News Service. Gould said he and ARISS Hardware Engineer Lou McFadin, W5DID partici- pated in a teleconference call this week with NASA to review the Roscosmos EVA procedures for the release of ARISSat-1/KEDR during Russian EVA 29. Gould says the preparation procedures include the battery being charged and assembled into the satellite. Also discussed were the procedures to remove the protective quilts from the solar cells and turning on the safety switches prior to deployment. As to the date of deployment, Gould summarized, "The deployment date for ARISSat is still soft, a major factor is the shuttle launch. As of July 6 the EVA date is in early August, but the shuttle launch and docking are driving the timeline. During our discussion it was noted that the ARISSat/KEDR deployment is the first task of the EVA, so it will occur fairly soon after the EVA begins. Since we have no firm date or time for the EVA we cannot predict where the satellite will be heard first. We will let everyone know more as we know more." [ANS thanks ARISSat-1/KEDR Project Manager Gould Smith, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-191.02 AO-51 Operations Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 191.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 10, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-191.02 AMSAT Vice-President of Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, pro- vided the latest details in AMSAT's work to keep AO-51 operational for as long as possible. Drew wrote, "Keeping AO-51 operating requires the US command team routinely restarting the satellite, and tweaking the power settings to find a combination of operating parameters to get it through eclipse. Currently one of the 6 battery cells onboard is shorted, and another is in really poor shape." Continuing, Drew explains, "The onboard computer was crashing each orbit because of low voltage when the solar cells were no longer re- ceiving illumination and the satellite relies entirely on its inter- nal battery power. Through experimentation the Command Team seems to have found a balance point where it will sometimes go up to two days before crashing." Each time the computer crashes the Command Team has to restart it using the housekeeping software onboard in ROM. The firmware code has a limited functionality compared to the normal flight software which we would upload from the ground over a few days time. However the eclipses and battery problem were causing a crash before the upload can complete. Drew concludes, "With lots of luck we will be able to continue to limp along. How long is anyone's guess. I'd encourage you to use AO-51 while it's available, and to financially support new satel- lite programs like Kiwisat, Funcube, and Fox when you can." Uplink: 145.880 MHz, no tone. Downlink: 435.150 MHz The repeater is open to all when the satellite is operational. Keep up with the latest AO-51 Control Team News on-line at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA VP Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-191.03 AMSAT Awards AMSAT News Service Bulletin 191.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 10, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-191.03 AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO says that congratulations are in order for these satellite operators for having earned these operating awards: The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO: + Robert Sheskin, N3PPH The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award: + Claudio Ferrari, IK1YRC #537 + Berufliches Schulzentrum Elektrotechnik Dresden, DL0IKT (club station) #538 + Mark Korroch, WB8TGY #539 The following have earned the AMSAT Sexagesimal Award: + Mark Korroch, WB8TGY #161 The following have earned the South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement award: + Berufliches Schulzentrum Elektrotechnik Dresden, DL0IKT (club station) #US167 + Mark Korroch, WB8TGY #US168 The following earned upgrades to their basic Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award: + Gail McDaniel, KB0RZD 2K, 3K, 4K The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI 5000 Award: + Gail McDaniel, KB0RZD #28 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org. Bruce also reminds you that mere hours remain before the dead- line to send in your satellite Field Day results. The Satellite Summary Sheet (on pages 3-4 of the AMSAT Field Rules) should be used for submission of the AMSAT Field Day competition. The Rules and the Satellite Summary Sheet can be downloaded from links at http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com http://tinyurl.com/3eztlaf (amsat.org) http://www.amsatnet.com/2011fd.doc http://www.amsatnet.com/2011fd.pdf Your entry must be received by KK5DO (email or postal mail) by 11:59 P.M. CDT, Monday, July 11, 2011. The preferred method for submitting your log is via e-mail to kk5do(a)amsat.org or kk5do(a)arrl.net. You will receive an email back (within one or two days) from Bruce when he receives your email submission. If you do not receive a con- firmation message, try sending it again or send it to his other email address. Certificates will be awarded to the first-place emergency power/ portable station at the AMSAT General Meeting and Space Symposium in November 2011. Certificates will also be awarded to the second and third place portable/emergency operation in addition to the first-place home station running on emergency power. Stations sub- mitting high, award-winning scores will be requested to send in dupe sheets for analog contacts and message listings for digital downloads. [ANS thanks AMSAT Director of Awards and Contests, Bruce Paige, KK5DO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-191.04 Satellite Beginners Workshop Planned For AMSAT-UK 2011 Colloquium AMSAT News Service Bulletin 191.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 10, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-191.04 AMSAT-UK will be holding a Satellite Beginner's Workshop at 4pm on Friday afternoon, July 29, to teach newcomers how to get started in the fascinating world of Amateur Radio Space communications. With some satellites you can communicate using little more than a standard dual-band FM handheld. Others use SSB or CW and permit intercontinental DX communications using the VHF/UHF bands. The Beginners Workshop will be run by Dave G4DPZ and Carlos G0AKI and takes place at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ. Look for the RSGB GB4FUN vehicle in the car park. The AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Saturday/Sunday, July 30/31, details at: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ Don't forget your camera ... AMSAT-UK has just launched a new look website http://www.uk.amsat.org/ As part of this new look, we have embarked on a new photo gallery, so if you have any photos related to AMSAT-UK, feel free to upload to our new Gallery, which can be found here: http://www.uk.amsat.org/Gallery3/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-191.05 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 191.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 10, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-191.05 + SO-67 has returned to operation after recovery from a cosmic ray upset. Operation over North America has already taken place be- tween July 7-10. Operation over Europe is planned for July 11-17. Operation over Australia, New Zealand, Japan is planned for July 18-31. The latest details are posted at: http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ + You can turn your smartphone into an ISS visible pass predictor with the iPhone and Android aps available at: http://simpleflybys.com . Web based predictions are also available using the Simple Satellite Tracker at http://spaceweather.com/flybys . + UniverseToday has an interesting news item today about United Launch Alliance's launch complex. Take a tour starting at: http://www.universetoday.com/87156/launch-complex-37b-level-by-level/ + Goddard Space Flight Center has released a video (with sound) so you can experience first-hand a ride aboard a sounding rocket. Hold on to your tummy and watch at: http://tinyurl.com/3ptsgrh (UniverseToday) + Giving practical definition to the informal Q-signal "QLF? - Are you you sending with your left foot?" the Giant Morse Key constructed by 2E0DIT will reappear at ASTROFAIR 2011 Sidmouth, Devon on August 6. For more info see: http://projects.exeter.ac.uk/nlo/Astronomy_Fair~EN.php Watch the video at Southgate - http://tinyurl.com/68dase2 to see if your shoe size measures up. + UniverseToday posted photos and video of the testing and integration of NASA's Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle: http://tinyurl.com/6zm4wn8 + A photo gallery of the Minotaur rocket launch from the Virginia coast is posted at: http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/ors1/launch/ + Congratulations to Jeff, WB3JFS for earning his VUCC Satellite Award #217! + Stefan HB9ZEM has released a video showing his prototype Amateur Radio satellite Azimuth/Elevation tracker. See: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2011/satellite_tracker_video.htm + See what you missed at Friedrichshafen: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2011/friedrichshafen_video.htm + The 2nd Issue of The Egyptian Radio Amateur Magazine "CQ EGYPT" JULY 2011 is at: http://erasd.net/CQSUAMATEURRADIOMAGAZIN.aspx [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-191.06 More University Satellite Missions in Preparation AMSAT News Service Bulletin 191.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 10, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-191.06 Italian EduSAT Launch July 21 ----------------------------- EduSAT is funded and coordinated by Italian Space Agency with the aim to promote space education among high school students and to support the qualification and scientific careers of young people, as university students, PhD students and young researchers. Another target of this program is to develop a small space mission for low cost scientific experiments and technological tests in orbit. Edusat is currently slated to launch on a Russian Dnepr-1 on July 21. It is planned that Eduasat will deploy the MyPocketQubs, the two Eagle payloads and the ScoutQub sometime after launch. Its downlink will operate under an Italian Telecommunications Ministry experimental licence on 435.750 MHz. The Group of Astrodynamics of the "Sapienza" University of Roma (GAUSS) web page is at: http://tinyurl.com/6kov8ow UNM's Trailblazer CubeSat Planned Launch March 2012 --------------------------------------------------- The Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center (Cosmiac) of The University of New Mexico has received notice from NASA that UNM's Trailblazer satellite has been manifested on the Educational Launch of Nanosatellites (ELaNa) IV Mission on a Falcon 9 rocket. This satellite will provide a proof of concept flight for an Air Force Sponsored bus design called Space Plug-and-play Arch- itecture (SPA). The PnP type architecture is a capability that will allow for rapid satellite development and delivery similar to what is currently available in a home computer. The payload includes a variety of space weather projects including a dosimeter, gyro and magnetometer. Plans call for a 325km circular orbit with a 51.6 de- gree inclination. The IARU has coordinated a downlink frequency of 437.425 MHz. Watch as Craig Kief, KE5VSH, deputy director of the Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations and Applications Center (COSMIAC) discusses the mission at: http://tinyurl.com/43ps2h2 (Southgate) [ANS thanks the CubeSat Teams at GAUSS and UNM COSMIAC for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. And with that please keep in mind the ham who took up playing golf. He brought his XYL with him to the links but after a short while he had to tell her she asked too many questions. The XYL replied, "But I just asked why did you hit that ball into the lake?" 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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The Force is Strong with NASA's Smartphone-Powered Satellite
by Trevor . 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

See article at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/spheres_smartphone.html 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio Email/RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email Your News To: editor at southgatearc.org Or Upload At: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news_1.htm ----

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OM3BD now qrv sats, JN89 possible on Sunday
by Bill Dzurilla 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

Thanks to all who have emailed and requested skeds with me from JN88 in Slovakia. After a series of rig and antenna issues, I am now back on the sats, with several QSOs today with good reports. I will try to make a test AO-7 run tomorrow when I have a common footprint with North America. If all goes well, I will take my rig and a 70cm antenna with me for the weekend when I go the the OM1HQ club station in JN89 for the IARU contest on HF. They have a 2m beam at the club. Those of you who worked me last year in JN88 should be on the lookout Sunday if you want this new grid. No promises or skeds yet, with the bad luck I've been having anything can happen. But I still have more than 3 weeks left here and hope to have some sat contacts with North America. Last year, best DX was Ohio to the west and Virginia to the south. 73, Bill NZ5N/OM3BD

3 4

computer crash
by Bruce 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

i back up email to a network attached storage device every 5 hours, all data every night and clone the drive every 2-3 days. i will lose nothing but a bit of time. so i am good. by the way, without the computer there will be no echolink or internet streaming of the houston amsat net this week. sorry about that but s... happens. instead i am going out to dinner with the family. 73...bruce Sent from my iPhone

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Field Day reminder
by Bruce 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

Monday, July 11, 2011 at 23:59 Central Time is the deadline for submission of your field day summaries. I am going to be a bit delayed in processing the results as my computer decided to die. Most likely the processor (Intel Core 2). I ordered a new computer today. It will probably arrive around Thursday or Friday. I can still check my mail on another computer. Yippie, just love migrating... hopefully, using the old hard drive and then loading the new drivers will go smoothly. 73...bruce

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Russian kocmoc
by Bob DeVarney W1ICW 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

just me chiming in again. I have kocmoc award number 51-RS and can find no dash number typed on mine, but then I have it matted (poorly ) in a frame which might have cut it off a bit. Mine is dated Sept 12 1998. I also have the ZRO award dated January 1995, only ever got down to level 4 on mode B, was working on further shack enhancements when I either got married or the satellite died, or maybe a bit of both. Very proud of this award, even if my level is somewhat trifling compared to level 8 My prized possession is a Special Event QSL from W5RRR for the Apollo 11th 25th Anniversary on July 19-22, 1994. I worked them the last pass over the US, last couple hours of the pass, and I was the last station to work them before the satellite ( AO-21 )switched modes to transmit wefax images. I was working it portable, with a Bearcat scanner with preamp for reception, a Kenwood TH-78 HT driving the gutted final from a Motorola UHF Micor and a 12 element yagi on a camera tripod for the uplink. How many others worked this Special Event Station, or remember the different modes of AO-21? Looking at the dust covered walls here I see I was extremely active in sats in the mid to late 1990s; very little since. Some of that I can blame on getting married about that time. Some I cannot. It's easy to sigh and wish for the "good old days" but I think that memory is always sweeter and if we looked more closely the good old days weren't always so good. I for one would not want to go back to manual tracking and doppler correction like I had back then .. I finally upgraded to an AEA ST-1 and The Station Program by VP9MU some time around 1997 if I remember. The availability of cheap solid state power FETS is pretty darn cool too.. a single FET 1200 watt amplifier for two meters really tickles me pink.. working on one now for my EME station.. So maybe we'll look back on THESE as the good old days. I have some very well thumbed issues of Orbits magazine, the forerunner to AMSAT Journal from when I first got licensed in 1981. I see they were pretty excited to be building AO-10 back then, and commemorating the third launch anniversary of Oscar-8. Very cool stuff indeed. 73 all, Bob W1ICW

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FAST2
by John Ronan 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

Hi, Surprisingly I received a beacon from FAST2 this morning. I've seen posts to indicate that it is slightly high in frequency, does anyone know if this is the case? Regards John EI7IG

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Re: Russian KOSMOS award?
by K5OE 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

Congrats, John. You were #8. > I'm looking at my KOCMOC, it says No. 8-1 CT. 12 December 99. > I can't remember what the levels of achievement were. I was at > "Step 1". > And it was one of the hand-delivered ones! Step 1 was for 100 contacts Step 2 was for 200 contacts Step 3 was for 300 contacts They all look exactly the same except or the -1, -2, or -3 typed in at the bottom. Now back to 40 m and the IARU HF contest... 73, Jerry

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Re: FM satellites
by Gordon JC Pearce 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

On Thu, 7 Jul 2011 17:04:29 -0400 Joseph Armbruster <josepharmbruster(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Gordon, > > That's interesting! I live down in Florida and had no clue that some of > those towers were powered by diesel! > > Do you know how many gallons (or liters) it takes to run the tower for a > week? > > Joseph Armbruster > KJ4JIO The tank on site near the high site I was working on last week is about the same size as my 1300 litre heating oil tank. It's a 10kVA genny, somewhere around 2 litres per hour, and it gets topped up every two weeks. A rough back-of-an-envelope calculation gives about three and a half weeks running time to dry, not allowing for any load-shedding. Presumably you could knock down the RAN output power, or drop off one of the microwave links if you needed to save a bit of fuel. Gordon MM0YEQ

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Russian KOSMOS award?
by Bob DeVarney W1ICW 09 Jul '11

09 Jul '11

I am wondering how many Russian KOSMOS awards have been/were issued? Anybody have any info on them? I was cleaning the shack up and after dusting off the walls, I noticed mine from 1998 with number 51-RS on it. I know N1JEZ has one with a similar number on his. Anybody have any idea if they still issue the award? Are they still issuing the JARL FUJI Award or the SA-AMSAT award and more? I might have some real dinosaurs here on my walls... 73 de W1ICW Alias Cro-Magnon man

6 7

STS-136 TLE
by Clint Bradford 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

TLEs for STS 135 now on CelesTrak. Clint Bradford

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Russian KOSMOS award?
by k6yk 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

Guys, I'm looking at my KOCMOC, it says No. 8-1 CT. 12 December 99. I can't remember what the levels of achievement were. I was at "Step 1". And it was one of the hand-delivered ones! For those who don't know, there are several awards available for OSCAR as well as HF. Worked All California Counties (WACC). I have this one, No. 23 and No. 1 on OSCAR. Worked all Continents (IARU award) endorsed for OSCAR CQ DX field award (CQ magazine). I have this one No. 59 for OSCAR. County Award from SWOT (Sidewinders on two) in Texas. Requires only 100 counties. I have No. 4, 8-27-99. Does anybody have the "Satellite DX Achievement Award" from ARRL? I have this, no number on it, received in 1975 for "proficiency using the OSCAR 6 communications satellite". 73, John, K6YK On Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:07:06 -0400 Bob DeVarney W1ICW <we1u(a)myfairpoint.net> writes: > I am wondering how many Russian KOSMOS awards have been/were issued? > > Anybody have any info on them? > > I was cleaning the shack up and after dusting off the walls, I > noticed > mine from 1998 with number 51-RS on it. > > I know N1JEZ has one with a similar number on his. Anybody have any > > idea if they still issue the award? > > Are they still issuing the JARL FUJI Award or the SA-AMSAT award and > > more? I might have some real dinosaurs here on my walls... > > 73 de W1ICW > > Alias Cro-Magnon man > ____________________________________________________________ 57 Year Old Mom Looks 27! Mom Reveals $5 Wrinkle Trick That Has Angered Doctors! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4e17b57c45cce96c09st05vuc

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STS-135 Retransmission Discovery
by Clayton Coleman 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

I was working on my chainsaw this morning when I decided to turn on my 2m rig and put it in VFO scan mode. I went back to the workbench and the radio stopped scanning -- on a shuttle retransmission channel. Someone within range of my home QTH was retransmitting the final moments as the ground crew was closing up the shuttle and getting ready to pressurize the cabin. The signal I had was fairly weak but perfectly readable, so I left the radio sitting there for the next few minutes as I wrapped up my work. After I finished up my business outdoors and the temperature had hit 100 degrees, I went back in the house to see if I could find out online who was the source of that shuttle retransmission on 147.56. The only reasonable explanation is it was coming from a station in Beaumont, 140 miles south of me. They used to retransmit the shuttle missions years ago and I would occasionally hear them. It was really cool to hear this station on the air again. I listened to them years ago via another similar band opening. If someone on this list is part of that group in Beaumont who setup the station, thank you. It was a pleasant blast from the past. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Re: Russian KOSMOS award?
by K5OE 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

I knew I must be younger than you, Bruce... maybe Mike too :-) KOCMOC 54 VUCC 88 But how many had their Cosmos Award hand-delivered in Moscow? 73, Jerry

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Atlantis Now In Orbit
by B J 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

There was a glitch just as control was about to be handed over to the on-board computers but, others than that, it was a good launch. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

3 5

Re: Atlantis Now In Orbit
by Lowell White 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

Did anyone else notice that about MET 41-43 minutes the camera shot from the detached fuel tank showed one satellite arcing over and back down (behind the tank as the camera was rear-facing) and later another CLOSE satellite miss... one whose dish antenna could be seen clearly jus tbefore the video cut away? There may have been some other noticable space debris but a) the tank was moving pretty rapidly and b) there was enough noise on the video signal that at times it as hard to discern between dropped video bits and visual debris. 73, Lowell K9LDW

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Stationary antennas
by Richard Lawn 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

Some of you may recall my earlier posts inquiring about recommendations for stationary antennas. Here is my update and progress report so far. 1 have constructed k5oe eggbeaters for both bands and so far only tested the 2 mtr uplink 2 also completed construction of a 70 cm turnstile moxon and will try next month along with a quadridiler for 2m and 2m moxon if I get it finished 3 yesterday I tried a Antennas.us 70cm quadridiler and home brew 2m k5oe. Results: I was able to hear my cw down link fairly well on FO-29 down to about 8 deg or so using a mirage preamp at the station with short run of coax. I'm encouraged though as usual no one to talk to. I was really surprised that I heard w7jpi with a solid ssb cq on AO-7 which I didn't think was still operational. For receive on 10 I'm using an OCF windom with ts-2000 and it's internal hf preamp. Nothing was heard yesterday out of AO-51 at least when I tried. I'll report further next month after I have given a fair trial to all home brew antennas and the one inexpensive commercial product I mentioned. At least I'm more encouraged. Rick W2Jaz

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Scanning question
by Malcolm Preston 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

This question is really not an AMSAT one but relates to expertise someone in AMSAT may have. It involves a frequency tracking program such as SATPC does for sats but for an hf application. We are looking for a program that would: 1. Scan 2-4 frequencies, each on different hf bands on a timed basis - say every 3 minutes. 2. Stop scanning when a connection is requested by a digital mode (pactor or winmor). Resume scanning when a connection is broken. Note that no rig that we know of provides this scanning capability on a multiband basis. The application is the WINLINK hub KP2D on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The previous set-up involved 3 modems on 3 different bands with separate antennas. It was trashed by lightning. We would like to get it working but with a single rig and modem to avoid the high cost of separate modems for each band and using a multi band antenna. Does anyone out there know of software that has been developed that would do this or could be modified to do it? Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Mal Preston, NP2L St. John, USVI

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5 in em55
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

Congrats to KB1PVH # 14 for 5 in EM55 WA4HFN em55

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Re: Russian KOSMOS award?
by na2x＠yahoo.com 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

Yes, the JARL is still issuing the FUJI Award. I got one dated 11/22/2010 (no number). http://www.jarl.or.jp/English/5_Fuji/eaward.htm

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STS-135 launch
by n4csitwo＠bellsouth.net 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

Incredible launch! Unfortunately, view was too obscured by clouds to view from east Orlando for this final launch. God speed to the crew. Dave, AA4KN

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Re: OT: Off-topic posts [Was FM satellites]
by Jeffrey Koehler 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

I hope I'm not the only one that got your Animal House reference. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? NO!! Freakin hilarious. 73. Jeff. WB2SYK FN13xc Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

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Golden Packet attempt 2011!
by Bob Bruninga 08 Jul '11

08 Jul '11

Didn't make that FD Satellite Contact? Get outdoors again on Sunday 24 July Noon to 1600 local time to join the annual Golden Packet attempt. See www.aprs.org/at-golden-packet.html for east coast or http://aprs.org/pct-golden-packet.html for west coast We need you with your D700 to drive/hike to the top of some of the highest mountains in the USA and set up as a portable APRS digipeater to see if we can link a Golden Packet across thousands of miles. There is an attempt along the Appalachian Trail from Alabama to Maine and along the Pacific Crest trail from San Diego to Seattle. Good portable stations are needed on many mountain tops! See the above web page for the planning. IN particular we need stations in the East: * MT Washington * Mt Greylock, * Central Maine, * Mid NH area, * Georgia, * Huntsville, * Lookout Mountain TN * and more? Out west we need: * Seattle * Washington State * Oregon * Northern California, * Bay area * SoCal * San Diego * and More I'm updating those pages as we speak, so tune in daily to see progress. Less thatn 2 weeks to go! Bob, Wb4APR

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