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QSO with NA1SS @ 1609 UTC
by santanaamt＠aol.com 28 May '11

28 May '11

Background: Was reading Endeavour to depart tomorrow from ISS, and on the issfanclub site was an overhead pass. Action: Began to call CQ and heard squelch opening until Mike Fincke called me back! We spoke for a minute and he even spoke spanish to me. So check on next pass. Later: Took a webcam video which will edit and post later on YouTube, will advise later. Cheers, Angel Santana - WP3GW

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AO-51 now off
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 May '11

27 May '11

Well, she crashed again. This time we restarted, and then killed the transmitter before AOS. In an hour we'll know if it makes it through with the transmitter off. If so, we'll start reloading code in the AM. Thanks to those who sent telemetry and reports. For now you can take a break, and we'll let you know when to listen again. 73, Drew KO4MA

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***AO-51 reports needed*** 27 May 2011
by Mark L. Hammond 27 May '11

27 May '11

Hello AO-51 users, This afternoon 27 May 2011 AO-51 stayed ON for a full orbit. This caught both me and Drew KO4MA quite by surprise. It is completely unexpected. Had both of us not been there, we wouldn't have believed it.... KO4MA put it into repeater mode around 2000utc. When it came back over around 2145utc it was still up and in repeater mode!! We changed to digital mode to collect some telemetry and have left it in digital mode. **WE NEED REPORTS** in case it remains on next orbit (neither of us get another pass until tomorrow). You can listen on 435.150 MHz for the digital signal. IF you have 9600 baud packet and TLMEcho, you might be able to grab some telemetry that will be useful for us. Stay tuned! This might be a fluke, or it might be a good sign... Please send your email reports to the list and directly to us using our callsigns AT AMSAT.org. 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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FT847 satpc32 help needed
by Jeremy Bomkamp 27 May '11

27 May '11

If anyone has a modified doppler.sqf file for the Ft847, I would appreciate it if it could be posted or emailed to me. It is hard trying to dial in my downlink, while transmitting and holding an arrow antenna. 73

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Re: AO-51
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 May '11

27 May '11

We switched it to 9k6 digital to try to figure out what happened. 9k6 sounds an awful lot like white noise. My gut reaction is the reversed cell failed again, this time to a dead short, and the remaining cells were enough to keep it running through eclipse. We also saw a 10 degree C drop in battery temperature between the first and second pass, indicating some sort of big change. At this point we are going to observe for a bit to firm up our hypothesis, then we will try to load the software, get some WOD, and get the transmitters shutting off during eclipse. Observations right now from when the satellite goes into eclipse would be -very- helpful. Exciting times, but I'm trying to guard my optimism. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Kevin Deane <summit496(a)live.com> >Sent: May 27, 2011 6:13 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 > > > >Was there people on that pass? It was pretty low for me, I was getting a signal on the down, but no people, I tried a couple times, I am pretty sure it was the bird because the signal faded away as usual. > >Anyway my friend KF1BUZ is heading to DN00 Black Rock Desert as I write this. I do not have that grid, just thought if anyone needed it that you might listen for him. > >Hope to catch some of you this weekend, thanks again to all who make it possible! > >Kevin >KF7MYK > >_______________________________________________ >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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AO-51
by Kevin Deane 27 May '11

27 May '11

Was there people on that pass? It was pretty low for me, I was getting a signal on the down, but no people, I tried a couple times, I am pretty sure it was the bird because the signal faded away as usual. Anyway my friend KF1BUZ is heading to DN00 Black Rock Desert as I write this. I do not have that grid, just thought if anyone needed it that you might listen for him. Hope to catch some of you this weekend, thanks again to all who make it possible! Kevin KF7MYK

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AO51 ON!
by PY5LF 27 May '11

27 May '11

What a good surprise now 21:30 UTC when I heard AO51 in very low pass for me , but with good signal . It means that the sat do not crash the software during the eclipse , I guess. 73 PY5LF LUCIANO FABRICIO CURITIBA-PR-BRAZIL GG54JM <http://www.qrz.com/db/py5lf> http://www.qrz.com/db/py5lf <http://www.falautomation.com.br/> www.falautomation.com.br

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SO-50 and other Lamentations
by Giacobbe Lauser 27 May '11

27 May '11

So, I ran the passes yesterday and got updates on all the current sats so I could get back into things after an absence, and I was quite surprised... Am I to understand that the only active FM satellites now are AO-27 and SO-50? HO-68 bit the dust. AO-51 is in the crapper for a while. SO-67 is mostly off over the USA. ARISS is rarely on. What's the scoop? - Jake, KK6L

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Re: SO-50 and other Lamentations
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 May '11

27 May '11

> >Am I to understand that the only active FM satellites now are AO-27 and SO-50? Not Really... >HO-68 bit the dust. Might be back. >AO-51 is in the crapper for a while. Has been on most afternoons 145.880 up and 435.150 down. West coast stations might more often hear it on the eastern passes. >SO-67 is mostly off over the USA. First week of the month is for NA and SA. I'll be writing the schedule tonight. > >ARISS is rarely on. If on, usually in digipeater. > >What's the scoop? > We need more satellites of all flavors. Support the program of your choice, Fox, P3E, Kiwisat, FunCube, or all of the above! Welcome back, Drew KO4MA

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AO-51 QRM gone?, back to .88 up
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 May '11

27 May '11

Thanks to many folks, especially K8YSE and KE4KOL, it looks like we may have scared off whomever was squatting on the 880 uplink. Starting this afternoon we will give it another try, 145.880 up, and 435.150 down. This was the most common uplink historically with this downlink, so I'd like for it to be the default in these post-battery failure operations. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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Re: Interference on AO-51 145.88 uplink
by Don Hoover (WS4E) 27 May '11

27 May '11

After seeing the recent post by Drew about interference from AO-51 on 145.880 coming from a Louisville repeater, as the president of the ham club in Louisville, I forwarded the posting from Drew out to the membership. Here is some info I received from some members: >I listened to the audio track. The call letters of the interfering signal is KB4PTJ. >This repeater is located in Shelbyville, KY and operates on 444.050 TX/449.050RX >with a PL of 91.5, and is associated with its companion repeater located in Williamsburg, KY (also 444.050/PL >100.0) and linked via the Internet to several repeaters around the eastern US. I know of one in Virginia and another >in New Jersey. > > >The owner is: Will Jones, a HVAC contractor who lives in the Williamsburg/Corbin area. >He may well be interested that his repeater audio is interfering with the AO-51 Satellite. >Will is very knowledgeable and would want to do right by the situation. My guess, is that since this is a 70cm repeater, the chances of it actually emitting on 145mhz are pretty slim. My bet is on a rouge cross-band repeater by someone who picked a 'clear frequency'. I have been monitoring the frequency and it seems quiet. If it comes up again we can organize a foxhunt to locate and educate the owner. After seeing the recent post by Drew about interference from AO-51 on 145.880 coming from a Louisville repeater, as the president of the ham club in Louisville, I forwarded the posting from Drew out to the membership mailing list. Here is some info I received from some club members in response: >I listened to the audio track. The call letters of the interfering signal is KB4PTJ. >This repeater is located in Shelbyville, KY and operates on 444.050 TX/449.050RX >with a PL of 91.5, and is associated with its companion repeater located in Williamsburg, KY (also 444.050/PL >100.0) and linked via the Internet to several repeaters around the eastern US. I know of one in Virginia and another >in New Jersey. > > >The owner is: Will Jones, a HVAC contractor who lives in the Williamsburg/Corbin area. >He may well be interested that his repeater audio is interfering with the AO-51 Satellite. >Will is very knowledgeable and would want to do right by the situation. My guess, is that since this is a 70cm repeater, the chances of it actually emitting on 145.880 mhz are pretty slim. My bet is on a rouge cross-band repeater by someone who picked what they thought was a 'clear frequency'. I have been monitoring the frequency here in Louisville and it seems quiet now. If it comes up again we can organize a foxhunt to track it down and educate the owner. --- Don Hoover WS4E(a)arrl.net President, Amateur Radio Transmitting Society of Louisville http://www.w4cn.org

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Robin Harvey G4BBR SK
by Trevor . 27 May '11

27 May '11

Robin Harvey G4BBR died on the morning of Tuesday, May 23, in the Sue Ryder Home, Leckhampton, Cheltenham after a long illness. Active in the early days of Amateur Satellites he was AMSAT Life Member 445 and a keen Oscar 7 operator. In the 1970's he was a Member of the Borderers VHF Contest Group, GW4ABR/P, sometimes also called The Golden Valley VHF Contest Group. They acheived the 1st G4 +3, 2m Award and the 1st G4 + 3, 4m Award. Robin spent 2 years National Service in the Royal Signals, Germany, then back to the General Post Office (GPO), then the UK Government company running all postal and telecommunications. After that he was in the Army at Boddington for a couple of years where he Commissioned STRAD, Signal Transmission, Reception and Automatic Distribution (Electronic Telegraph switching system) for the Army. He then joined the Foreign Office in the late 1960s in Cheltenham where he stayed until he retired a few years ago. His funeral will take place on Wednesday June 1 at 2.30pm at Cheltenham Crematorium, South Chapel. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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VUCC, LoTW at Dayton?
by Ted 26 May '11

26 May '11

Does anyone who was at Dayton, and talked to the ARRL, have any info/feedback to share? TNX, Ted, K7TRK

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Interference on AO-51 145.88 uplink
by George Henry 26 May '11

26 May '11

There are 4 ARRL-affiliated radio clubs listed for the Louisville area... has anyone tried contacting one of them for assistance in finding & shutting down the offending repeater? George, KA3HSW

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Re: Widest split of the year award
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 May '11

26 May '11

We just replace the microphone on skype with a line from the accessory jack at a fixed level, or you can go thru an interface like a rigblaster. There are others on this list that run full remote on voice...I haven't gotten that far. It's mainly a tool for commanding for me so far. 73, Drew -----Original Message----- >From: "Ng, Peter" <Peter.Ng(a)bccdc.ca> >Sent: May 26, 2011 6:47 PM >To: 'Andrew Glasbrenner' <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com>, Zachary Beougher <zack.kd8ksn(a)hotmail.com> >Cc: "<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Widest split of the year award > >>>I did, but my home station wasn't part of it this time. Up from the office and down from Mark's via Skype. > >Hi Drew, this is very interesting. Do you just decode the audio directly from Skype? Just curious, is it possible to remote uplink as well? > >73's Peter VE7NGP

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Widest split of the year award
by Zachary Beougher 26 May '11

26 May '11

Drew, KO4MA, gets the “widest split of the year award” for his operation on AO51 this evening – uplink from his home station in FL via remote, and downlink from N8MH’s QTH in NC. I wonder if anyone else could mount their receive and transmit setups 547.17 miles apart? Or to put it in terms that you are more likely to deal with when assembling your station, 34,668,746.87 inches apart. 73! Zack KD8SKN

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Re: AO-51 Status
by Zachary Beougher 26 May '11

26 May '11

Forgot to CC the BB... Zack -----Original Message----- From: Zachary Beougher Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 5:30 PM To: Andrew Glasbrenner Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 Status Hi Drew & group, John posted a recording on his website that recorded the repeater ID, but the audio is very faint. Here is the recording (repeater IDs @ 3:20): http://www.papays.com/sat/AO-51_18May2011_224233z.mp3 or go here: http://www.papays.com/sat/general.html I listened to it over and over and it sounds like a KE4PPT/PPJ, but I checked and neither of those is correct. Maybe someone else would have a different idea. 73, Zack KD8KSN -----Original Message----- From: Andrew Glasbrenner Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2011 3:02 PM To: Ng,Peter ; AMSAT BB ; 'Clint Bradford' Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 Status >AO-51 Control Team members, you are amazing! Thank you! > >73's Peter VE7NGP Thanks guys. It's truly great to have a team like we have in the AO-51 command team. Let me relate a few things about AO-51 and where we are headed. Cell 3 has reversed, or shorted. Without the ability to record WOD through eclipse, we can't tell for sure. Personally I think it has reversed, but regardless, the computer that runs AO-51 crashes every eclipse now. We are reloading the small housekeeping program stored on the satellite from ROM each pass, then turning the repeater on, setting the modulation level and turning the power down. We are working on automating this process, and when that is done, we'll expand the geographical areas. It's going to take time, and there is the distinct possibility that further deterioration may occur before we can get everything in place, and what little ops we have left will cease. Right now the repeater is only being enabled on afternoon passes over the US, as a command station is available. However, we are letting it stay on past our LOS, so stations in Asia may hear it active still on the descending morning passes there. Over the weekend, I was not able to attend the Dayton hamfest :-( . I wanted to make sure the satellite was available for the AMSAT demonstrations there by Keith, Roger, and Mark, but I was also not going to be home! Most of the passes were enabled via a combination of remoting in to my home station via an Iphone and Logmein Ignition, and listening off the air while parked in various rural North Florida locations. This was a challenge, especially outside of wifi and 3G service! Further complicating the issue is the repeater in the Louisville KY area operating on the 145.88 uplink. This necessitated the change on the fly to 145.920 up, as the repeater was drowning out the demo guys at Dayton. Fortunately we have some excellent help in tracking this down, so Mark, Kevin, and I can concentrate on keeping the repeater running. If you know who is responsible for this repeater, please let us know. We've not gotten a solid ID from it, but it has a digital voice ID, a morse S courtesy tone, and a PL of 91.5. It may be a link, but is likely a repeater output. Just a quick update to let everyone know where we stand. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations PS Thanks for all the donations for Fox and Arissat over the last week! If you haven't yet donated, drop by www.amsat.org, or call Martha at 1 888 322 6728 today and help us get Fox in space. _______________________________________________ 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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Office Closed
by Martha 26 May '11

26 May '11

In observance of Memorial Day, I will be out of the office Friday, May 27- May 31st. Will be back in the office on Wednesday, June 1. Have a safe holiday. -- 73- Martha

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Fwd: [funcube] Don't forget the FUNcube dongle is on sale today!
by Mark L. Hammond 26 May '11

26 May '11

FYI! 73, Mark N8MH ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: m0tfo <robpegs(a)hotmail.com> Date: Thu, May 26, 2011 at 2:05 PM Subject: [funcube] Don't forget the FUNcube dongle is on sale today! To: funcube(a)yahoogroups.co.uk The FUNcube dongle Pro will be on sale this evening (21:00UTC.) The sale times are now lasting longer,so this is the best time to grab yourself an SDR dongle. Order here:http://www.funcubedongle.com/?page_id=286 Q. What is the frequency range? A. 64-1,700MHz, although straw poll tests on pre-production units indicate that units can be stretched down to 51.5MHz or so. Upper frequency limit is beyond 2,000MHz. In testing, we have determined that there is a gap between about 1,100MHz and 1,270MHz where the design of the local oscillator VCO, PLL and divider chain in the tuner chip don't provide seemless coverage. Q. What can the FUNcube Dongle receive? A. The FUNcube Dongle has no restriction on modulation schemes: it is limited only by the application program running on the host computer. As long as the signal fits within about an 80kHz bandwidth, the FUNcube Dongle is capable of receiving the radio signal. So, for analogue reception, as well as narrow band FM and SSB, it is also possible to receive, for example, sound subcarriers for TV broadcast. Similarly for data reception, as long as a data demodulator has been written that will accept standard soundcard quadrature I/Q reception, that will work too. Q. What is the bandwidth? A. 96kHz is the quadrature sampling rate. Once the ADC's decimation filter skirts have been taken into account, you have about 80kHz. Q. What applications work with the FUNcube Dongle? A. As well as the forthcoming FUNcube front end application, any application that understands a standard stereo soundcard configured for quadrature, or I/Q, reception should work. Examples include Linrad, Spectravue, Rocky and M0KGK. Q. What is the sensitivity? A. Each unit is tested for 0.15uV for 12dB SINAD NBFM at 145MHz and 435MHz. Q. What operating systems are compatible? A. Currently Windows 2000 SP4, XP 32 bit, and Vista and Windows 7 32 and 64 bit have been tested. The sound card element works with Mac OSX and Ubuntu 10.10 32 and 64 bit, but the frequency setting application has not been ported yet. Q. What's the difference between versions? A. There are two versions, the Base and the Pro models. The Base model is frequency restricted and designed as an entry level minimal cost device, targetted for educational outreach. The Pro model is unrestricted in its frequency coverage. Q. Can I upgrade a "Base" version to a "Pro" version? A. At present, the upgrade will require a return of the device so that it can be modified to accept "Pro" firmware. Q. Is the firmware upgradeable? A. Yes, already the devices can have their firmware upgraded in a matter of a few seconds by the user. However, Pro firmware and Base firmware are not interchangeable. Q. Do I need front end filters? A. Some people have experienced front end overloading with the FCD at VHF in particular. Although there is fixed and programmable front end filtering already on the FCD, at VHF it's not very selective. Typically the symptom is that it will appear deaf: this is the noise floor rising due to an overloaded front end. You can see this in Spectravue as when you plug in the antenna the noise floor rises potentially several tens of dB. Although reducing gain can help, of course innevitably this is at the expense of the unit's native sensitivity. At this stage it is worth pursuing external filtering options. We're working on some solutions already, but some readily available commercial solutions include Hamtronics' LNP preselector, SSB Electronics SP-2000, and DCI's DCI-145-2H and DCI-145-4H. As these are not exactly cheap, I have been working on some ideas here that you may like to try: http://www.funcubedongle.com/?p=456. We're also investigating at a reasonably priced active no-tune solution. Rob M0TFO

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Re: UO-11 Telemetry Decoded
by Jeffrey Koehler 26 May '11

26 May '11

I copied "I want my Maypo!" Jk Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond(a)gmail.com> wrote: >That's funny--over here it said, "Drink more Ovaltine!" > >:) > >73, > >Mark N8MH > >At 01:11 AM 5/26/2011 -0700, Clint Bradford wrote: >>What a delight being able to monitor UO-11 this week! >> >>Just in case you do not have proper decoding software to "read" what it is transmitting, here is a transcript of what I heard here in Southern California yesterday morning. >> >>"GOOD DAY, FELLOW HAMS. NOW MORE THAN EVER, PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING AMSAT IN YOUR COUNTRY." >> >>Clint Bradford, K6LCS >>http://www.work-sat.com >> >> >>---------------------------------- >>Clint Bradford, K6LCS >>http://www.clintbradford.com >>_______________________________________________ >>Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >>Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Re: UO-11 Telemetry Decoded
by Mark L. Hammond 26 May '11

26 May '11

That's funny--over here it said, "Drink more Ovaltine!" :) 73, Mark N8MH At 01:11 AM 5/26/2011 -0700, Clint Bradford wrote: >What a delight being able to monitor UO-11 this week! > >Just in case you do not have proper decoding software to "read" what it is transmitting, here is a transcript of what I heard here in Southern California yesterday morning. > >"GOOD DAY, FELLOW HAMS. NOW MORE THAN EVER, PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING AMSAT IN YOUR COUNTRY." > >Clint Bradford, K6LCS >http://www.work-sat.com > > >---------------------------------- >Clint Bradford, K6LCS >http://www.clintbradford.com >_______________________________________________ >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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Big Thanks
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 26 May '11

26 May '11

A big at a boy to the AO-51 control team for their efforts to keep our bird running. Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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UO-11 Telemetry Decoded
by Clint Bradford 26 May '11

26 May '11

What a delight being able to monitor UO-11 this week! Just in case you do not have proper decoding software to "read" what it is transmitting, here is a transcript of what I heard here in Southern California yesterday morning. "GOOD DAY, FELLOW HAMS. NOW MORE THAN EVER, PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING AMSAT IN YOUR COUNTRY." Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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hey AMSAT
by wythe25＠gmail.com 26 May '11

26 May '11

AMSAT hi, enjoy this http://email.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=email&zu=http://c…

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HudsonValleySatcomGroupNet Tonight May 26 @8PM EDT On Echolink N2EYH-L
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 25 May '11

25 May '11

It is time again for the HVSGN at 8 PM EDT tonight May 26 on Echolink N2EYH-L. There will be a Amsat Area coordinator(Dee-nb2f) joining us for the net to answer any questions you may have. Hope to hear you there.73 Gary

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Invitation to connect on LinkedIn
by Krystian Górski 25 May '11

25 May '11

LinkedIn ------------ I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Krystian Krystian Górski Student at Akademia Morska w Gdyni Poland Confirm that you know Krystian Górski https://www.linkedin.com/e/nue9k3-go5a7hel-60/isd/3008791958/5r_pAuKj/ -- (c) 2011, LinkedIn Corporation

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 25 May '11

25 May '11

It was May 12, 2001, the day that Mike Scarcella, WA5TWT, the previous AMSAT Awards Manager handed over all the files to me as the new Awards Manager. For 10 years I have performed this duty as fairly and equitably as I can. I computerized all the awards, entered some of the very early Communication Achievement Awards into the computer and helped create some new awards along the way. Here's to another 10 years, enjoy. Here is a list of awards issued in the last month or so. The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. Brandon Rasmussen, K7BBR Stephen Davis, KJ4FEL Richard Ryan, KC2YDQ The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award. Nikolai Ozerov, VE3NKL, #535 Richard Batchelor, KA5IQX, #536 The following have earned the AMSAT Sexagesimal Award. Rodney Waln, KC0ZHF, #160 The following have earned the AMSAT Century Award. Doug Papay, KD8CAO #41 The following have earned the South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement award Richard Batchelor, KA5IQX, #US166 The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award. Gerald Krebs, N0JE, #US72 John Papay, K8YSE, #US73 Ron Oldham, N8RO, #US63 endorsement for 2K, 3K, 4K Bob Harrell, AJ5C, #US64 endorsement for 2K, 3K, 4K The following have earned their Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI 5000 Award. Ron Oldham, N8RO, #26 Bob Herrell, AJ5C, #27 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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FUNcube at AMSAT-UK Colloquium July 30-31
by Trevor . 25 May '11

25 May '11

The 26th AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held on the weekend of July 30-31 at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford, England, close to the University of Surrey. A special beginner’s session is planned for Friday afternoon July 29. Among the presentations will be talks on the FUNcube satellite and the FUNcube Dongle VHF-UHF Software Defined Radio. In additional to the lecture stream there will be the GB4FUN Mobile Communications Centre, AMSAT-UK shop, a Saturday night Gala dinner, auction and raffle. The event is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. Further details are available on the AMSAT-UK website at http://www.uk.amsat.org/ 73 Trevor M5AKA

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Alen Biddle WA4SCA
by Bob Bruninga 25 May '11

25 May '11

Alan, my replies to your email about Radiation for Cubesats is bouncing. Send me a different email address. Thanks Bob, WB4APR

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UO-11 Screaming!
by Clint Bradford 25 May '11

25 May '11

UO-11 loud and clear over Southern California right now - reported to oscar.dcarr.org ! Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Re: AO-51 Status
by Andrew Glasbrenner 25 May '11

25 May '11

>AO-51 Control Team members, you are amazing! Thank you! > >73's Peter VE7NGP Thanks guys. It's truly great to have a team like we have in the AO-51 command team. Let me relate a few things about AO-51 and where we are headed. Cell 3 has reversed, or shorted. Without the ability to record WOD through eclipse, we can't tell for sure. Personally I think it has reversed, but regardless, the computer that runs AO-51 crashes every eclipse now. We are reloading the small housekeeping program stored on the satellite from ROM each pass, then turning the repeater on, setting the modulation level and turning the power down. We are working on automating this process, and when that is done, we'll expand the geographical areas. It's going to take time, and there is the distinct possibility that further deterioration may occur before we can get everything in place, and what little ops we have left will cease. Right now the repeater is only being enabled on afternoon passes over the US, as a command station is available. However, we are letting it stay on past our LOS, so stations in Asia may hear it active still on the descending morning passes there. Over the weekend, I was not able to attend the Dayton hamfest :-( . I wanted to make sure the satellite was available for the AMSAT demonstrations there by Keith, Roger, and Mark, but I was also not going to be home! Most of the passes were enabled via a combination of remoting in to my home station via an Iphone and Logmein Ignition, and listening off the air while parked in various rural North Florida locations. This was a challenge, especially outside of wifi and 3G service! Further complicating the issue is the repeater in the Louisville KY area operating on the 145.88 uplink. This necessitated the change on the fly to 145.920 up, as the repeater was drowning out the demo guys at Dayton. Fortunately we have some excellent help in tracking this down, so Mark, Kevin, and I can concentrate on keeping the repeater running. If you know who is responsible for this repeater, please let us know. We've not gotten a solid ID from it, but it has a digital voice ID, a morse S courtesy tone, and a PL of 91.5. It may be a link, but is likely a repeater output. Just a quick update to let everyone know where we stand. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations PS Thanks for all the donations for Fox and Arissat over the last week! If you haven't yet donated, drop by www.amsat.org, or call Martha at 1 888 322 6728 today and help us get Fox in space.

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AO-51 Status
by Clint Bradford 25 May '11

25 May '11

>> ... we'll try using 145.920 as the uplink this weekend ... What frequencies is the control team attempting to load for this week? Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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FS: SSB Electronics 1296 Transmit Converter and PA
by IKE Lawton 25 May '11

25 May '11

FS: SSB Electronics 1296 Transmit Converter and PA Never used SSB Electronics LSM-24 1296 transmit convertor with SSB Electronics PA-2310, 10 watt, linear power amplifier. Asking $400.00 shipped is Continental US (NO export) or best offer. Pictures available on request. Contact W3IKE via QRZ email address.

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Pasadena CA Presentation - June 28
by Clint Bradford 25 May '11

25 May '11

AMSAT area coordinator Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will be presenting his "Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT" session at the June 28, 2011 meeting of the Pasadena (CA) Radio Club. ALL are welcome to attend. "The Pasadena club just celebrated their 50th anniversary," Clint reports. "Not only as a club, but also 50 years of being an ARRL affiliate club." Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - 7:00PM Kaiser Permanente - Walnut Center 393 E Walnut Street, Pasadena CA 91101 Attendees should download Clint's four-page tutorial and radio programming data from ... http://www.work-sat.com ... and Clint welcomes pre-presentation questions. Call him at 909-1241-7666, or send email to ... clint(a)clintbradford.com /end/

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OSCAR-11 Reports Requested for Wednesday May 25
by Clive Wallis 25 May '11

25 May '11

Hi, OSCAR-11 is off at the present time. I'm expecting it to switch on during Wednesday May 25th at about 05:17 UTC, when the satellite is out of range for UK. I would appreciate any reception reports for next Wednesday before and after that time. It is equally important whether you are reporting heard or NOT heard. When the satellite last switched off, it happened during a pass over UK, and I was able to get a precise time of switch off. Reports on Wednesday will help me improve the accuracy of future predictions. Please add your report to the satellite status web site URL http://oscar.dcarr.org/index.php 73 Clive G3CWV Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK

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QSOs with North America via AO7,,,,and QRV,,,,
by Luis Quintas 25 May '11

25 May '11

I Tnx Humberto XE1FZE (Orbit 67044 covering 7162 km), Jay AA4FL operating W4DFU (Orbit 66730 covering 7200 km), and Jim ND9M (Orbit 66780 covering 7346 km), for QSOs done recently on AO7 Mode B. All of them on CW. I am QRV for others QSOs attempts via AO7 and I would like to invite other stations from North America who would like to attempt a QSO either in 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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Re: 1961-05-25: JFK's Moon Landing Speech
by B J 25 May '11

25 May '11

<snip> > Thank you for this reminder of the 50th anniversary of President > Kennedy's speech to Congress :-) <snip> You're welcome. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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1961-05-25: JFK's Moon Landing Speech
by B J 25 May '11

25 May '11

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/features/kennedy_moon_speech.html http://www.insidescience.org/current-affairs/jfk-s-1961-speech-led-space-ex… For video only: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=90211871 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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NASA Chooses New Exploration Spacecraft
by B J 24 May '11

24 May '11

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/may/HQ_11-164_MPCV_Decision.html http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1105/24mpcv/index.html The design is based on Orion. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Farewell, Spirit
by B J 24 May '11

24 May '11

http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/news/whatsnew/index.cfm?FuseAction=ShowNews… http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1105/24spirit/index.html It was an amazing vehicle, considering that it was designed to last for about 3 months. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Yaesu G-800S or G-800SDX
by Farrell Winder 24 May '11

24 May '11

Wanted: Yaesu Controller Box G-800S or preferably G-800SDX. Want controller box only. Please reply direct to my E-Mail address. Thanks, Farrell Winder, W8ZCF Cincinnati, OH

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new launch vehicle coming soon
by g.shirville＠btinternet.com 24 May '11

24 May '11

Hi All, Some quite up to date info about the new VEGA launcher can be viewed here http://esatv-movies.e-vision.nl/videos/mplo/vega_tests_TV_05-10-11_wmplow.w… The maiden flight is expected to carry up to nine cubesats as secondary payloads - more information is here: http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Education/SEM3N03MDAF_0.html cheers Graham

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eQSL
by mlolmsted＠fuse.net 24 May '11

24 May '11

If you just received an eQSL from me and have previously sent one, please delete the new request. I was loading data into a new computer logging program and got "click" happy. Before I knew it I uploaded approximately 106 entries to eQSL. OOP's. Merle, AA4QE

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Re: OSCAR 11 Tonight/Tomorrow
by Clint Bradford 24 May '11

24 May '11

Confirming if anything is to be heard, it will be telemetry on 145.826 - correct? Clint, K6LCS ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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Interference from repeaters
by Richard Ferryman 24 May '11

24 May '11

I have for some time wondered what was causing a considerable amount or QRM (S9+60dB) to the ISS downlink on 145.800. It took a while to identify as there is no CW ident etc. but I have now discovered this is a new D-Star repeater on our repeater channel RV63 which is 145.7875 MHz, only a couple of kHz from ISS and inside the doppler shift range. It seems very poor planning to place high this powered high sited repeaters so near to the satellite allocation. Is this becoming a common problem and are repeaters also causing any problems to uplinks? Dick G4BBH

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ISS Expedition Crew 26/27 Lands Safely
by KM9U 23 May '11

23 May '11

Dmitry Kondratyev, Cady Coleman, and Paolo Nespoli of the ISS Expedition 26/27 crew have landed safely at 02:27 UTC in Kazakhstan after a nearly 6 month stay on the International Space Station.

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FS: ICOM 910H
by Angelo Glorioso 23 May '11

23 May '11

I am listing for sale an Icom-910H VHF/UHF Satellite rig. I am second owner. I just sent the radio to Burghardt Radio repairs to have a keypad problem fix and the radio checked out before selling. Specifications: a.. 100 W of stable output power on VHF (75 W on UHF) b.. High performance receiver c.. Additional 1200 MHz band unit (UX-910) OPTIONAL ******** d.. 9600 bps packet operation e.. Two data sockets for simultaneous two band packet communications. f.. Satellite communications a.. Simultaneous display of uplink and downlink frequencies b.. Satellite memory channels c.. Normal/reverse tracking d.. Easy Doppler compensation g.. All receiver functions work on main and sub bands h.. IF shift i.. Attenuator j.. Noise blanker k.. Sweep function observes conditions around the displayed frequency l.. Four types of scanning m.. Memory pad temporarily stores the operating frequencies and modes n.. Electronic keyer with a dot/dash ratio control o.. FM-narrow mode (FM-N) (except 1200 MHz band) p.. CI-V capability for PC control q.. 50 tone CTCSS encoder r.. One touch repeater function ****** An optional UX-910 1200 MHz band unit is required for 1200 MHz operation. ******Optional UT-106 DSP - Supports 2 - One for each band. I am asking $750.00 plus shipping. If interested, contact me off the list please. Angelo Glorioso III

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AO-51 Status
by Clint Bradford 23 May '11

23 May '11

It is so hard to "accept" that AO-51 is failing when is sounds SO DARNED GOOD as it is right now over the Western United States. THANK YOU, AO-51 Control Team members. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Microwave Modules MML 144/200S manual/schematic sought
by Jim Sanford 23 May '11

23 May '11

All: I was just /given/ one of the subject amplifiers. Google has not turned up anything; anybody got a line on manual/schematic? Thanks & 73, Jim wb4gcs(a)amsat.org

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First Trip to Dayton
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 23 May '11

23 May '11

I have heard of how great the Dayton hamfest is and now I can say its was AWSOME Hot Friday Night WA4HFN em55 Damon

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Re: Dayton
by Richard John K7MDH 23 May '11

23 May '11

Steve, Thank you very much for the first clear explanation on HO-68 that I have heard. It was my favorite bird, and while it is sad to learn the chance of recovery is low, it is good to know what's really going on. Thanks again, Richard > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Stephen E. Belter" <seb(a)wintek.com> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Cc: "Richard John K7MDH" <K7MDH(a)arrl.net> > Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011 8:00 AM > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Dayton > > >> Richard, >> >>> did CAMSAT have anything realistic to say about HO-68 ? >> >> Yes, Alan Kung, BA1DU and CEO of CAMSAT was one of the speakers at the >> AMSAT Forum. He reported that HO-68 is suffering from a bad relay or >> relay driver that is used to switch from the beacon to the transponder. >> The likelihood of recovery is low, but not zero. As my schedule permits, >> I plan to post Alan's very informative presentation on the AMSAT web >> site. Watch for an announcement from ANS (the AMSAT News Service). >> >> Here is the explanation from Alan's slide. Since I have a copy of his >> presentation, these are exact quotes, not my interpretation: >> >> -- The current situation is the transponders will be difficult to switch >> the RF PA from beacon mode to transponder mode >> >> -- The RF relay or its drive circuit is failing, it is a stick relay. >> Probability of success of switch is probably a few tenth >> >> -- On the other hand, up to now the both solar and lithium-ion batteries >> are in very nice condition >> >> -- The exhibitions of the thermal-control, onboard flight computer and >> TT&C are also excellent. >> >> >>> any new satellite radios announced by anyone ? >> >> None that I saw or heard about. >> >> >>> I'll settle for ANY new radios announced by anyone ? >> >> Elecraft showed their KX3. I'll have to let others give you the details. >> >> 73, Steve N9IP >> -- >> >> >

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Re: Dayton
by Richard John K7MDH 23 May '11

23 May '11

While we empathize on the bathrooms (being a major morning coffee drinker myself), what we REALLY want to know is: - did CAMSAT have anything realistic to say about HO-68 ? - any new satellite radios announced by anyone ? - I'll settle for ANY new radios announced by anyone ? Richard

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Question
by Stuart Balanger 22 May '11

22 May '11

*Hi all, I didn't get to print up the Announcement of this yr's. AMSAT-NA Symposiunm Hotel, & address (San Jose,CA)is , & was wondering if it could beE-Mailed to me (& I know the date in Nov.) I got to see some of the live video from "w5kub.com @ Dayton & it as facinating, (Interview w/ astronaut) 73,Stu (WA2BSS) *

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Dayton
by Mike1234 22 May '11

22 May '11

Just got back from Dayton had a very good time. The A.M.S.A.T demonstration outside was great ! They tried for the I.S.S. but the system was not working on board. Ten minutes later AO-27 came around and Mark N8MH made several contacts. Now I see why I need a voice recorder . Astronaut Wheelock was there but did not get his autograph. Martha did an excellent job with the crowd. I got my elk antenna from A.M.S.A.T talking to Martha she said they were selling fast. The weather was great Sunny and very warm, with a slight breeze. The only thing bad about it was the lack of restrooms. They had all the restrooms closed everywhere I went. Got back to Toledo....rain,chilly and gloomy :( Mike N8GBU

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P3E
by Dave Guimont 22 May '11

22 May '11

Any prospective, present or past amateur satellite operators go to this site: http://www.kl7uw.com/Bochum_2011-05-14%20by%20DB2OS.pdf It will pique the interest of prospective, please the present, and possibly sadden the past operators, but I promise it will encourage you to support P3E..... Very simply call AMSAT NA (or elsewhere) offices to contribute..... 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Info for W4UPD about Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update
by i8cvs 22 May '11

22 May '11

----- Original Message ----- From: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> To: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 5:51 PM Subject: Info for W4UPD about Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update Hi Reid, W4UPD I tryed again but my message to you via your server updwrb(a)bristor-assoc.com bounced back again to me. See below. These recipients of your message have been processed by the mail server: updwrb(a)bristor-assoc.com; Failed; 5.3.0 (other or undefined mail system status) Remote MTA bristor-assoc.com: network error SMTP protocol diagnostic: 550 5.0.0 Access denied You can download directly the file from here. http://www.kl7uw.com/Bochum_2011-05-14%20by%20DB2OS.pdf 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "w4upd" <updwrb(a)bristor-assoc.com> To: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 4:01 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update > Please try again. The recipient below is not me and I have not yet > seen the file. I have my own server and there is no limitations on file > size. I did not see you sending me the file as well, so would appreciate > it if you could make the attempt to send it to me. > > Thanks, > > Reid, W4UPD > Amsat #17002 >

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Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update
by i8cvs 22 May '11

22 May '11

Hi Juan Carlos, CO8TW My message with file to you bounced back to me because (message too big for system) and Message size exceeds fixed maximum message size. See below Sorry ! 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mail Delivery Service" <postmaster(a)virgilio.it> To: <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 12:47 PM Subject: Delivery Status Notification > - These recipients of your message have been processed by the mail server: > co8tw(a)frcuba.co.cu; Failed; 5.3.4 (message too big for system) > > Remote MTA mail.frcuba.co.cu: network error > > > - SMTP protocol diagnostic: 552 Message size exceeds fixed maximum message size >

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Info for W4UPD about Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update
by i8cvs 22 May '11

22 May '11

Hi Reid, W4UPD I tryed again but my message to you via your server updwrb(a)bristor-assoc.com bounced back again to me. See below. These recipients of your message have been processed by the mail server: updwrb(a)bristor-assoc.com; Failed; 5.3.0 (other or undefined mail system status) Remote MTA bristor-assoc.com: network error SMTP protocol diagnostic: 550 5.0.0 Access denied You can download directly the file from here. http://www.kl7uw.com/Bochum_2011-05-14%20by%20DB2OS.pdf 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "w4upd" <updwrb(a)bristor-assoc.com> To: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 4:01 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update > Please try again. The recipient below is not me and I have not yet > seen the file. I have my own server and there is no limitations on file > size. I did not see you sending me the file as well, so would appreciate > it if you could make the attempt to send it to me. > > Thanks, > > Reid, W4UPD > Amsat #17002

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AO7-Excess transmit power
by Dean Maluski 22 May '11

22 May '11

Yesterday I was working/listening and waiting AO7 SSB VHF/UHF, One station was booming in. Call sign intentionally not posted to skip their possible embarrassment. Midway thru the pass the signals went dead. No receive at all. If I recall from reading my theory he was likely hitting bird with 100 watts and used up the batteries in bird. Am I on track? Also, last week I was working a 6 land station who was proudly boasting 100 watts, Yikes, I never use more than 20 watts and my signal makes it no problem. de n1ety

3 2

AMSAT Solar Talk
by Bob Bruninga 22 May '11

22 May '11

The AMSAT/TAPR banquet talk at Dayton was about Solar and emergency power for Ham radio. In preparation, here are three ideas that amazed me that might amaze you: 1) This week by googling solar panels, I found PRIME home solar (UL approved) 220 Watt panels going for $1.39 per watt! (compare that to $6/w contractor installed systems 2 years ago...) 2) Even if you want to use bargain panels and bargain micro-grid-tie inverters, one way, is to pay a contractor to install the smallest fully approved and electrical-permitted solar system you can buy. This gets you fully legal, connected, grid-tied etc. Then add as many panels and additional plug-in micro-grid inverters at your own DIY cost! Just remember, to connect + to + in parallel, and + to - in series... and just plug in the DIY microinverters to the wall outlet. (Note, the UL approved microinverters should be connected to a standard 20 amp breaker in your breaker box by a master electrician). 3) Amazing angles! No-longer does SOUTH matter!!! I hope everyone here has had the fun of playing with the on-line PVWATTS for computing annual solar ouput over any conceivable arrangement of azimuth and elevation angles. I just compared a pure EAST/WEST facing roof to the optimum South facing, just to see how bad it would be. AMAZING! Here is the PVWATTS page: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/calculators/PVWATTS/version1/ DRUM ROLL: A DUE EAST facing roof (with a 20 degree tilt) will produce 85% of the annual power as the ideal tilted southern array. Amazing... BUT!!! SO does the WEST side of the same house! So, unlike the southern home that can only use HALF his roof for power*, the EAST/WEST facing homeowner can generate 170% more power than the sourthern facing owner because he has twice the room to put the panels!!! (Roof size and shade are the #1 limits to homeowner 100% production of their annual electrical needs). *But wait, there's more! Next for grins, I used PVWATTS to tell the power output from the NORTH FACING side of the South Facing house. Who would ever even think of doing this? But if the ROOF tilt is the typical low profile 20 degrees, guess what? The NORTH side of the roof can produce 60% (annual) of the south side! So the homeowner with his low-profile southern roof maxed out with solar, can now increase his total annual output by 60% (with a double sized array (on a low tilt roof)). He produces nearly zero in the middle of winter from that side, but makes up the full 60% of his total capacity for that array in the summer! Many hams who know that SOUTH IS BEST find it hard to accept this. But do the PVWATTS calculations yourself. Remember, the SUN comes up in the NE and sets in the NW during the summer when the days are 14 to 16 hours long. This means that for the 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the evening, the IDEAL Southern array is not even seeing the sun. Sure, an east facing array will produce little in the winter, but for GRID-TIE, the ONLY thing that matters is ANNUAL total power. and all these other directions make up for their poor winter performance by making MORE power in the other months. Even laying flat on the ground will produce 80% of the annual power (but be a maintenance issue... Any panel should be at at least 10 degrees to assure rain-cleaning). Back to the EAST/WEST facing house... Doubling the array to get the added 160% may not have been cost effective in the past, but with DIY panels at $1/watt and DIY plug-in micro-grid inverters at about $0.30/W, it's so cheap to expand your array into less productive angles, why not! DIY panels and added plug-in DIY microinverters can double the size of your "approved" array for probably 1/4 the original cost of your contractor installed system. Putting panels on EVERYTHING until you get to 100% of your annual electrical load is the goal. You can do it! Look outside the "southern" box. (But shade remains the #1 killer of even the greatest solar ambitions. But as costs are so low, look again...) Don't forget, the economics of homeowner solar is all due to GRID-TIE. There is not a single battery in the system. Off-grid battery systems can only deliver about 33% of annual energy for the same $ investment plus the added burden of lifetime maintanance. GRID-TIE is the only way to go (if you are on the grid)... Please see: www.aprs.org/off-grid-maybe.html Oh, and the BIGGEST FACTOR by far is the almost 50% Government Credits, Rebates and Grants that come right off the top of your installation costs. I would bet these are going to be gone in a year or two (my state has already reduced theirs by 1/3rd), beacuse the cost of home-solar produced power is now LESS than utility power (with the 50% incentives) and so EVERYONE is jumping into solar. With tight budgets at all governmnet levels, do not expect these incentives to last. Next week, I'll post slides from the AMSAT/TAPR solar talk. Oh, and please come join the SolarDIY(a)yahoogroups.com discussion group made up mostly of HAMS going solar. Bob, WB4APR

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WB2OQQ
by Peter Portanova 22 May '11

22 May '11

Hello, I want to thank the stations that called W2GSB/APM, airports are not the most ideal location for transmitting with all the metal around us, attached is a video of the GSBARC event, thank you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyXHvYWaasg 73's Pete WB2OQQ

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New Bird Op
by claryco＠aol.com 21 May '11

21 May '11

I'm very happy to report that my XYL (and grid-pedition driver) Cori passed her Tech license exam at the Dayton Hamvention today. Now comes the long wait (or so it will seem) for her callsign to appear in the FCC database before she can get on the air. But she'll be ready and packin' when we head out to AZ in July. And yes, her family AMSAT membership is already on the books! 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Dayton OH / EM79

3 2

Re: Shuttle Flight Photo
by Clint Bradford 21 May '11

21 May '11

>> ... And what was her iPhone doing turned on during approach? Still a no-no on all commercial carriers, AFAIK ... If you are telling us that if you had that view outside your flight's window and would NOT take that photograph ... then you are fibbing to us all (grin). Clint Bradford, K6LCS ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

2 1

In-flight iPhone snaps Space Shuttle launch
by Clint Bradford 21 May '11

21 May '11

The story behind the photo taken of the Space Shuttle from an in-flight passenger jet. Stefanie Gordon shot the image of Endeavour's launch with her iPhone as her plane descended for a landing. http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/17/in-flight-iphone-snaps-space-shuttle-launch/ Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

8 9

Carrier?
by Robert Smith 21 May '11

21 May '11

Aloha I just returned from over a month on the mainland where unfortunately I was not too engaged in SatComms. Also, I've deleted a lot of accumulated email without paying too much attention however I thought I noticed carrier? problems with AO-51. Being home now, I have tried on several occasions to work 51 only to find the uplink frequency totaled out with some type of carrier. The same occurred this evening on the Hawaii easterly pass. Essentially 145.910 - 145.925 MHz is totally "S-metered" out. Is this the same phenomena I think I noticed posted on this BBS? Any predictions where it is coming from? robert NH7WN Honolulu, HI

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Fw: Re: Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update
by i8cvs 21 May '11

21 May '11

Hi Reid, W4UPD My message with file for P3E bounced back to me.Please indicate to me another email address or ask the same file to Ben Napper at ben.napper(a)gmail.com because he has received the file from me just few minutes ago. 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "w4upd" <updwrb(a)bristor-assoc.com> To: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2011 1:17 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update > I would appreciate a copy of this file as well. > > Reid, W4UPD > Amsat #17002 > > > On 5/21/2011 7:05 PM, i8cvs wrote: > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Ben Napper"<ben.napper(a)gmail.com> > > To:<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > > Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2011 10:48 PM > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update > > > >> The most recent stuff on the P3E website is from 2005 and what I'm > >> guessing is the most recent thing posted on Eagle's website isn't dated > >> and says that updates will be provided when progress is made. > >> > >> I'm just curious as to what the real status/in-progress milestone/really > >> really rough guess as to when completion becomes a possibility is. I know > >> these are not quick and easy projects, but published updates every 6 > >> months(at least) would be awesome. > >> > > Hi Ben , > > > > The most recent stuff on P3E comes from the AMSAT-DL Symposium and > > AGM on May 14 2011 in Bochum and in a separate email I will send to you > > a pdf file 4.27 MB long describing the P3E status / update with pictures and > > diagrams. > > > > In addition I can send the above file to everyone requesting it to me. > > > > About Eagle's I don't have any information. > > > > 73" de > > > > i8CVS Domenico > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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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Actual Eagle and P3E Status/Update
by Ben Napper 21 May '11

21 May '11

The most recent stuff on the P3E website is from 2005 and what I'm guessing is the most recent thing posted on Eagle's website isn't dated and says that updates will be provided when progress is made. I'm just curious as to what the real status/in-progress milestone/really really rough guess as to when completion becomes a possibility is. I know these are not quick and easy projects, but published updates every 6 months(at least) would be awesome.

3 2

Picture
by Kevin Deane 21 May '11

21 May '11

>> ... And what was her iPhone doing turned on during approach? Still a no-no on all commercial carriers, AFAIK ... >>If you are telling us that if you had that view outside your flight's window and would NOT take that photograph ... then you are fibbing >>to us all (grin). >>Clint Bradford, K6LCS YEAH! Kevin KF7MYK

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Fwd: [The Weekly DX] 70cm is SAFE!!!
by Rsoifer＠aol.com 21 May '11

21 May '11

____________________________________ From: bernie(a)dailydx.com To: dailydx(a)kkn.net, weeklydx(a)kkn.net Sent: 5/21/2011 3:16:20 P.M. GMT Standard Time Subj: [The Weekly DX] 70cm is SAFE!!! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2011, Massapequa Park, NY - A delegation of Amateur Radio operators from the Long Island / New York City area met this morning with Congressman Peter T. King (R-NY) to discuss his recent proposed legislation, HR 607, and its impact on Amateur Radio. Congressman King said that he fully understands and appreciates the importance of Amateur Radio and the service it provides to the community, and that he would see to the modification of the bill so that the 420 - 440 MHz band would be excluded from the spectrum to be auctioned. The delegation included Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, ARRL Section Manager for New York City / Long Island (NLI), Peter Portanova, WB2OQQ, NLI Local Government Liaison (LGL), George Tranos, N2GA, NLI State Government Liaison (SGL), and Jim Mezey, W2KFV, NLI ARES Section Emergency Coordinator (SEC). "The Congressman went on to explain that it was never his intention to remove the 70 centimeter band from Amateur use. He further asked us to `get the word out' and inform the Amateur Radio community that 70 centimeters is not in jeopardy," said Lisenco. Lisenco, Mezey and Tranos spoke about the importance of Amateur Radio emergency communications while Portanova, who is also the local AMSAT representative, addressed satellite and other amateur use of the 70 centimeter band. The Congressman was very receptive to the group, who also extended an invitation to attend Field Day locations in his District. _______________________________________________ WeeklyDX mailing list WeeklyDX(a)kkn.net http://www.kkn.net/mailman/listinfo/weeklydx

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WB2OQQ SPECIAL EVENT
by Peter Portanova 21 May '11

21 May '11

Good Morning, The Sun rose this morning in FN 30 land which means the Great South Bay Air Power Museum event celebrating Armed Forces Day will occur. www.gsbarc.org The call will be W2GSB/APM, a collector QSL will be sent on SASE request to WB2OQQ's QRZ address. WB2OQQ will be pointing his ELK for the following passes: 5/21- AO-27, 16:40 UTC SO-50 16:54 UTC, AO-27, 18:17 UTC, SO-50, 18:34UTC AND POSSIBLY A0-51, 19:04UTC IF WE CAN HEAR, Thank you. I have a short presentation that I will be giving on Listening to the Amateur Satellites with what you own, prior to each pass.. see or hear you! 73's Pete WB2OQQ

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] Re: 70c Band safe from auction,
by Mike1234 21 May '11

21 May '11

I would have loved to see something in writing. Talk is cheap and I never trust a politician. They can say one thing and do another. Mike N8GBU

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Coax
by Mike1234 20 May '11

20 May '11

I was wondering what would be the right coax for a 50 foot run for satellite work ? Actually maybe a little less ? Your help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. Mike N8GBU

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Coax and Software correction
by Mike1234 20 May '11

20 May '11

Sorry guys its been a busy day I thought I put in the left out information. The coax for satellite work I was talking about was for two meters and 440 to link up with the ham satellites. I have about a 50 foot run or less.The software I was referring to was SATPC 32 I have version 12.8 I thought I saw somebody post there was a new version out and if so will it be at Dayton? Sorry Guys Mike N8GBU

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ARISSAT-1 TLM DOWNLOAD
by Pete Norris, K1HZU 20 May '11

20 May '11

Hi all: When the TLM download became available, I downloaded it into XP, as the Vista version was not ready. Does anyone know whether it has been released or not? My Vista setup would be far better to run it in than my XP. Thanks to all. I'm anxiously waiting for July. Pete, K1HZU

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Coax
by Kevin Deane 20 May '11

20 May '11

Here is my two cents: Anything UHF has a higher loss so it is pretty simple. Get the good stuff, 9913 or LMR 400 or better. I think we got 50 Ft of 9913 with factory ends for like $78 bucks shipped. If it is a permanent install I would use the best hardline I could get. Kevin KF7MYK

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AO51
by Andrew Glasbrenner 20 May '11

20 May '11

Due to interference from a repeater, we'll try using 145.920 as the uplink this weekend. 73, Drew KO4MA Sent from my iPhone

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My Comments on AO-51
by Mike1234 20 May '11

20 May '11

I have been following the comments of AO-51 failing. I'm new to working the birds and have yet to start to do anything with the birds. Primarily from health problems, the weather and other personal things going on in my life. I keep my membership up with AMSAT and bought a bunch of stuff from the website. I also have donated on the website too. From a guy who hasn't even used a bird yet. We need a new bird, I saw the one at last years Dayton hamfest and was amazed at the size ! Mike N8GBU

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Software
by Mike1234 20 May '11

20 May '11

I was wondering if there is a new version and if it is going to be down at Dayton? I'm going to Dayton Saturday ! Mike N8GBU

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70c Band safe from auction, Thanks WB2OQQ
by Larry Teran 20 May '11

20 May '11

I would like to thanks Peter Portanova, WB2OQQ on his participation to visit Congressman Peter T. King (R-NY) to discuss his recent proposed legislation, HR 607, and its impact on Amateur Radio, as well as the other delegates that participated on, for now the 70cm ham portion is safe from the auction. Thanks Peter!! 73's Larry KI6YAA

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Primer on Digital modes for Sats
by Jeremy Widner 20 May '11

20 May '11

Where would I start if I am looking for a primer on digital modes on Sats? -- 73 Jeremy Widner K0PDX http://k0pdx.us Secretary Raytown Amateur Radio Club - K0GQ http://k0gq.com/

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WB2OQQ/ SPECIAL EVENT
by Peter Portanova 20 May '11

20 May '11

Hello, The Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club has invited me to do a Satellite Presentation and Passes in honor of Armed Forces weekend. I will be situated at historic Republic Airport, home of many of the aircraft that were used to defend our freedom, in fact I will be using my ELK Antenna and Yaesu FT-50R in the shadow of an F-102, Interceptor I will be available for the following passes on Saturday 5/21/2011 only, the call you will hear is W2GSB/APM, if you're interested visit their website www.w2gsb.org if you want the special event QSL you can send an SASE to my QRZ address. GRID: FN30, Farmingdale, LI, NY Date Satellite Time UTC 5/21 AO-27 16:40 5/21 SO-50 16:54 5/21 AO-27 18:18 5/21 SO-50 18:35 73's and Enjoy WB2OQQ Pete

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ISS QSOs through voice or digipeater for LOTW
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 19 May '11

19 May '11

Hi! Since I haven't seen an answer posted to your question from earlier, here goes. Yes, QSOs between two stations on the ground through the ISS is acceptable for LOTW. Use the satellite name "ARISS" for the ISS, as shown in the LOTW FAQ: https://p1k.arrl.org/lotw/faq (all the way at the bottom of the page) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - at LAX airport http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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My First Satellite Contacts
by Ben Napper 19 May '11

19 May '11

Wow! I've been grinning ear-to-ear for a little while now that I have my first satellite contacts completed. I find it astonishing that a hobby as mundane sounding as Amateur Radio can have any aspect of it that is as exhilarating as this experience has been. From the day I got my Tech ticket, I've wanted to work the birds, but, being a younger ham, life takes its turns. Thank you to my #1 - K8YSE, #2 - AC0RA, #3 - W7JPI, #4 - WA4NV, and #5 - K8TL. That said, I've learned a few things while lurking on here and the satellites. - Be patient. There's a lot of hams and only a few FM birds. (I'd love to get into the linear birds too, but I'd need congressional approval from the wife for the budgetary consideration required to make that a reality.) - Don't try to transmit on the bird's downlink frequency. No matter how hard you try, you will be doing a lot of talking to yourself. - Clean up the dog poo in the backyard. Now, some questions: I want to use Ham Radio Deluxe as my log (unless I hear of something that is much better) and I'm setup for LotW. How often should I upload to LotW? Are there any gotchas with logging satellite contacts? Best practices? Also, I want to (eventually) do paper QSL cards. If you do them, how do you usually handle them? Who do you recommend to use to get them made? Thanks, Ben Napper - KC0PCQ

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Re: AO-51 Tracking Widget
by Clint Bradford 19 May '11

19 May '11

>> ... do a View Page Source from your browser. Copy the link for the gadget and change the satid line ... That is called "stealing" another's work. SEND N2YO AN EMAIL - and ask him for what you would like. What is wrong with doing that? I had sent him a small donation earlier this year. And he created a CUSTOM WIDGET for me - just listing my favorite five satellites. He is approachable. He answers polite email messages. He is a ham. He SHOULD be considered a valuable resource/reference person for us ... and NOT someone whose code should be snagged and edited to our whims. UNLESS, of course, he plainly states that his works are free to the world, for us to edit however we want with them. But last time I looked, that was not the case. Clint Bradford 909-241-7666

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Relay ISS via NO44
by jerry keeton 19 May '11

19 May '11

Should have noticed this earlier , a possible skip from ISS to NO44 or vice versa . This pass @1345 or there abouts if this gets posted soon enough . Jerry WB5LHD

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FS: Satellite Antenna System
by John Germanos 19 May '11

19 May '11

I have the following for sale: M2 436CP30 with PS-70CM polarity switch installed M2 2MCP14 with PS-2M polarity switch installed M2 Model HD-FG Fiberglass Boom Yeasu Model G-5400B AZ/EL Rotor W0LMD Rotor Computer Interface All in working order. Pick up only. $600.00 takes all. John WB9PNU 314 843 3031

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new sat
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 19 May '11

19 May '11

A 1u cube satellite cost < $50k Just get a university to sponsor it. A bird that can get out to 1200 KM is < $150k . Three of these sat would get us several hours of coverage a day. AMSAT has approximately 4000 members so raise the dues $20 a year and by year 2 you have the money. Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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FS: M2 149T-CP14 Circular Polarized Antenna
by David Palmer KB5WIA 19 May '11

19 May '11

Hi Everyone, I was contacted by a local ham recently who'd like to find a good home for a sat antenna currently located at their emergency comms site. The antenna appears to be a M-Squared 149T-CP14 circular polarized antenna. It has the following measured specs: Boom 118” (9’ 10”), Driven elements (2): about 37.5”, Reflectors (2): about 39”, Other Elements – range about 35 to 34”. The spec sheet for this antenna indicates it has 10.3 dBi gain and a frequency range of 148-150 MHz (yes, this is outside the 2m ham band). http://m2inc.com/products/commercial/136r149tcp14.html It's been at a fixed az/el position on an office bldg roof for a while but is reportedly in great shape. They don't use the antenna anymore, so he'd like to know whether anyone in the satellite community would be interested in this one. Contact me off-list if you're interested and I'll put you in touch! 73 de Dave KB5WIA / CM88 Northern California

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SO67 at Dayton Hamvention
by Hans 18 May '11

18 May '11

Hi An additional schedule has been implemented to cover S067 operation during the Dayton Hamvention. Details on www.amsatsa.org.za <http://www.amsatsa.org.za/> Hans van de Groenendaal Features Editor EngineerIT www.eepublishers.co.za 012 991 4662 082 781 4631

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AO51 Tracking Gadget
by Zachary Beougher 18 May '11

18 May '11

Hi All, Can anyone tell me how/where I can get the code for the AO51, AO27, ISS, SO50, etc., Google tracking gadgets powered by N2YO? See AO27’s gadget here: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=7&retURL=/satel… (halfway down) I see these things on a couple different sites, so there must be an easier way to get it on my page without creating an entire new gadget. BTW, for those of you that will be commuting to Dayton, you can board the ark in Cincinnati. ;-) It does look like the rain is going to hold off for most of the weekend: Friday, 20th: Partly Sunny, 74F Saturday, 21st: Partly Sunny, 76F Sunday, 22nd: Mostly Sunny w/ a 30% chance of storms. 80F 73, Zack KD8KSN

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Office Closed
by Martha 18 May '11

18 May '11

The AMSAT office will be closed from Thursday, May 19th - Monday, May 23rd. See you in Dayton! -- 73- Martha

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Re: AO51 Tracking Gadget
by Ron Miles 18 May '11

18 May '11

A while back I think Cliff suggested these handy Apple Tracking Apps. I use these on my iPod Touch. http://www.gosoftworks.com/GoSatWatch/GoSatWatch.html http://www.pocketsat.com/products/ps3iphone.php Star finder apps here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/starmap-pro/id309367681?mt=8 :) 73, ron n6paa

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Re: new sat
by G0MRF＠aol.com 18 May '11

18 May '11

$200,000 for something simple should do it. - If you're careful. David G0MRF In a message dated 18/05/2011 16:23:45 GMT Daylight Time, pisymbol(a)gmail.com writes: Somebody just asked me, how much is it to develop/launch a new bird? Anybody care to share some concrete numbers? -aps

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Palos Verdes Newsletter
by Clint Bradford 18 May '11

18 May '11

I am speaking tonight at the Palos Verdes Amateur Radio Club ... they just sent me their May newsletter. http://www.palosverdes.com/PVARC/2011QRO/QROMay2011.pdf Geeze ... sat info on FIVE pages of the newsletter! Guess I should dress up and wear a tie this evening ... (grin) Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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Re: new sat
by Alexander Sack 18 May '11

18 May '11

On Wed, May 18, 2011 at 11:21 AM, <kq6ea(a)verizon.net> wrote: > Commercial launches for the big comsats are anywhere from $90 million to > $120 million depending on the spacecraft and launch vehicle. > Wow! Alright, outside DoD and commercial, what does an AMSAT project typically cost? I had always thought it was less than a million dollars. -aps

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new sat
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 18 May '11

18 May '11

Time to have a FUND raiser for a new bird WA4HFN

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Re: Live wed cast
by Edward R. Cole 18 May '11

18 May '11

Nice video of truck on the interstate - so where is the hamvention? I think all I did was sign up for mega spamming - thanks At 06:54 AM 5/18/2011, wa4hfn(a)comcast.net wrote: >http://w5kub.com/ >Log in and watch >WA4HFN >_______________________________________________ >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 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kW?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-testing*, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

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Re: new sat
by Andrew Glasbrenner 18 May '11

18 May '11

> >On Wed, May 18, 2011 at 10:46 AM, <wa4hfn(a)comcast.net> wrote: >> Time to have a FUND raiser for a new bird > >Somebody just asked me, how much is it to develop/launch a new bird? > >Anybody care to share some concrete numbers? > >-aps AO-51 cost in the neighborhood of 400,000 dollars to build and launch. Our current project, Fox, is designed as a replacement for the V/U repeater on AO-51, and as a multi-function RF system for other cubesats. The idea is to provide better quality RF systems for university cubes, and maybe after their mission they can retask their satellite to two-way amateur service, either as a repeater, transponder, or digital. There is a fundraiser widget on the front page of amsat.org for Fox, and in several other places around the web and on other websites. You can even add it to your own webpage. Fox is a 1U cubesat, about 1kg in mass. We expect launch costs alone to be from 30,000 to 70,000 dollars. Compare that to the number on the fundraising widget, and you can see how far we have to go. There are many donations that have been made outside of the widget, but the gap is still large. The Dayton ARA has been kind enough to offer a matching donation to AMSAT, 3:1 up to 5,000 dollars. So, whether you are headed to Dayton this week or not, your donation to AMSAT will be 33% matched automatically. Drop a few dollars through the widget next time you cruise by the AMSAT website, and help us make Fox a reality. Join AMSAT if you haven't already. Too few of the everyday users of our satellites are AMSAT members. Membership helps support AMSAT and our goals to keep amateur radio in space, and if you are a regular user of satellites like AO-51, you should really support the organization with your membership dollars. 73, Drew KO4MA

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IC-W32a on QRZ.com
by Clint Bradford 18 May '11

18 May '11

There's an IC-W32a on QRZ ... I have no idea who the seller is ... Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

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Re: Time to have a FUND raiser for a new bird
by Clint Bradford 18 May '11

18 May '11

We have been raising money for AMSAT-FOX for months ... have you visited the AMSAT-MA home page recently? Clint Bradford, K6LCS clintbradford(a)mac.com

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