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K7TEJ operation from this past weekend
by saguaroastro＠cox.net 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

All, This past weekend (Friday & Saturday to be exact) I was at a telescoping event about 100 miles west of my usual QTH in DM33vq. I incorrectly gave my grid as DM33eo as that is the usual location we observe from, but we had moved to a larger site about 1 1/2 miles east to accommodate a larger crowd. I didn’t; realize it till now that I was in DM33ln. I know DM33 isn't; exactly a rare grid, but some of you that I worked might actually care about these things, I know I'm pretty anal about stuff like that. Also the location is in La Paz County, not Maricopa for county chasers. QSL's will go out later this week or early next. Now for something totally different and I hope someone here can shed some light on a problem that developed with my Kenwood TH7-DA. My battery dies on the drive out and when I tried to turn the radio off, it started making a high pitched beeping that would not stop until I removed the battery. I put in my extra battery and the radio seemed fine , but I noticed that many sub functions we not working, for example, I have SO-67's uplink in memory that I saved with the tone, I tried to turn the tone off but couldn’t; access the menu item. I just got the same high pitched beep as before. Also not working are Switching from VFO to memory, Switching from memory name tag to frequency display, memory insert, among others. I can switch bands and sub bands, change power levels and open squelch and switch on & off Duplex. I'm thinking a reset to default settings may fix things, but I'd rather not if possible as it would mean programming the radio again and My cable does not work, so that'd be a manual thing I'd rather avoid. Any ideas? 73 de Rick K7TEJ

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QSOs North America LU/Q on AO7
by Luis Quintas 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

Bob (N3LL) and I (LU6QI) made a QSO on AO7 in SSB Mode B at 22.22 UTC on April 5, 2011, during orbit 66529. The distance between our respective QTHs is 6914.6 km. I also contacted Adrian ZF8/ZF2AE a few days before, covering agn more than 6000 km. I use some antennas from Cushcratf (Oscar Boomers) 22XB (14db) in 2mts and 738XB (15.5 db) in 70cm with an elevation-azimuth rotor. There is some kind of smooth valley to the north and west of my location and it looks vy clear in those directions, so I can listen quite often this satellite almost at the horizon level. I have worked on AO7 Mode B other stations from North America and in some cases they used portable antennas or yagis fixed at some angle (named 20 degrees up) and we could still make a QSO. I am QRV for other stations 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, Best 73 de --luis LU6QI

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Re: Bird
by Reicher, James 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

The song is "Surfin' Bird". It was released in 1963 by The Trashmen. The song was included in Dr. Demento's 20th Anniversary Collection 73 de W0HV, Jim in Raymore, MO (ex-N8AU) Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2011 21:11:49 -0700 From: Kevin Deane <summit496(a)live.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Bird To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <COL107-W5615A9C71AED7876BD264C83A50(a)phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" A-well-a everybody's heard about the bird B-b-b-bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a don't you know about the bird? Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word! A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a... By: Peter Griffin I do not know the year of that song but I am sure some of you do. I would like to thank ALL of those responsible for the Birds up there and keeping them going. I had a great time this last weekend and made lots of new contacts. Also thanks to those who participated in my FUN!!! Kevin KF7MYK

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ND9M/MM Sat Ops: 06-10 April
by Clary, James T, Civilian 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

My ship was originally scheduled to sail from Jacksonville today, and do donuts in the ocean for a few days before heading up to Charleston on Sunday. All that has been chucked out the window; now we're to leave tomorrow (07 April) in the late afternoon and head straight for Charleston, so there won't be any new wet grid squares along the way. We'll get to Charleston early Friday morning, and I'll sign off the ship on Sunday. The shipyard we're going to is in grid FM02. That grid isn't super rare, but it's not all that common on the birds either. I should be able to get on from FM02 at various times on Friday and/or Saturday before I jump the rail. Unfortunately, there will still be a lot going on aboard the ship, so I can't in good conscience predict what pass(es) I'll be on. My XYL Cori has fully recovered from her shoulder surgery and will pick me up when I leave the ship on Sunday. We'll drive to south Florida where I will get a physical check up I need for renewing my merchant marine documents that will be expiring this summer. Our driving route will be FM02 - FM03 - EM93 - EM92 - EM91 - EM90 - EL99 - EL98 - EL97 - EL96 - EL95. If you need any of those, send me an e-mail and I'll see if we can work something out. Pse note that my shipboard e-mail address will remain valid while I'm off the ship, but I will not have access to it until I return to the ship in several months. After Saturday (09 April), pse use my "regular" e-mail address, claryco @ aol.com. Now it's back to working on the logs... 73 for now, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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ISS close call
by Mike1234 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

I was following the space junk that was heading very close to the space station. The news said the junk was part of a Chinese communications satellite. Being a newbie here I was wonder if it was an old bird which was used for ham communications at one time? Mike N8GBU

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Re: Bird
by Mike1234 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

I remember that song from the early sixty's. There was a show on that had a mad scientist clown type guy called Glue Arty. That was kind of his theme song when he appeared on the show. He was pulled off the air for trying to blow up an animal, "a rat I think" with a fire cracker. There maybe someone on here that remembers more than I do. I was about ten years old at the time. Mike N8GBU

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Has anyone heard KC7CN???
by zach hillerson 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

I miss most of the mid-day passes due to work (uughhhhh) but am on most of the evening passes and I haven't heard KL7CN yet on his Caribbean adventure. I'm curious if anyone has heard/worked him and if so, is there a pattern to the passes he is on? I'd like to try and "sneak" home during a day pass if I thought he would be on... Thanks, Zach N4ERZ

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AO-27 Eclipse
by Kevin Deane 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

Please correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that the AO-27 is creeping further and farther down into the US before it goes into eclipse. A lot of times at great elevation, with Alaska, Canada and some of the US well inside the footprint. Of course everyone is asleep at this time, but I was wondering if this will keep getting better and maybe some of the earlybirds would like to try workin it like we do the 51 so early in the morning as we so often do? Thank's for any input, Kevin KF7MYK

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Bird
by Kevin Deane 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

A-well-a everybody's heard about the bird B-b-b-bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a don't you know about the bird? Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word! A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a... By: Peter Griffin I do not know the year of that song but I am sure some of you do. I would like to thank ALL of those responsible for the Birds up there and keeping them going. I had a great time this last weekend and made lots of new contacts. Also thanks to those who participated in my FUN!!! Kevin KF7MYK

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Re: icom r-20, control software and satellites
by Nader Omer 06 Apr '11

06 Apr '11

Hi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKwVSqDZ81k 73 , Nader

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Re: Bird
by Bob- W7LRD 05 Apr '11

05 Apr '11

Well I was in high school when that was "popular". Should it be our satellites theme song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZThquH5t0ow Fun topic for a slow afternoon. We really need a big bird (heo). 73 Bob W7LRD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Deane" <summit496(a)live.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 9:11:49 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Bird A-well-a everybody's heard about the bird B-b-b-bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a don't you know about the bird? Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word! A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word A-well-a... By: Peter Griffin I do not know the year of that song but I am sure some of you do. I would like to thank ALL of those responsible for the Birds up there and keeping them going. I had a great time this last weekend and made lots of new contacts. Also thanks to those who participated in my FUN!!! 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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Presentation Pointers
by Clint Bradford 05 Apr '11

05 Apr '11

Informative and entertaining short videos on what NOT to do to your audiences with your presentations. >From Microsoft ... (they have some program called "PowerPoint," I have been told. Personally, I am a Keynote person ... (grin)). http://tinyurl.com/3hh7l9o Clint, K6LCS ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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Re: Icom IC-R20 Reviews
by Clint Bradford 05 Apr '11

05 Apr '11

Some reference material ... http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/mtscan1104.pdf http://www.ukmidlandscanner.co.uk/r20rev.htm Clint

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MESSENGER Begins Science Phase Of Mission
by B J 05 Apr '11

05 Apr '11

http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/news_room/details.php?id=166 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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This Month's Quiz!
by Clint Bradford 05 Apr '11

05 Apr '11

At least three AMSAT members are in this month's CQ magazine - can you name them? Clint, K6LCS

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SpaceX Announces Falcon Heavy Rocket
by B J 05 Apr '11

05 Apr '11

http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1104/04spacex/ http://www.spacex.com/falcon_heavy.php http://www.spacex.com/falcon9_heavy.php 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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ZF2AE > last day to get EK99
by Adrian Engele 05 Apr '11

05 Apr '11

Like any vacation, all good things must come to an end. Today will be my last day of operating from the Cayman Islands. Yesterday I took the day off to meet with two local hams. I managed to get one interested in satellite operations, perhaps we will get some more permanent satellite ops from the Cayman islands. I will try but cannot guarantee to get on some of the following passes today: FO-29 at 20:00UTC AO-27 at 20:05 UTC AO-51 at 21:11 UTC FO-29 at 21:43 UTC If there is time I may try: VO-52- 01:20 UTC 4/6/11 Thanks again for working me and making this another fun vacation. I appreciate the great discipline and good listening skills on most passes. I know I dropped out on a few occasions for unknown reason, I will have to check all he cables when I get back. The heat and humidity takes a toll on the equipment. I am also having PTT trouble with my Heil headset and may need to move to a hand microphone if troubles persist. 73, Adrian ZF2AE (AA5UK) from EK99kh

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Shuttle Endeavour Launch ( Mission STS -134 ) new date
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 04 Apr '11

04 Apr '11

Hi all, Following a review and risk assessment, NASA have cancelled the launch of Shuttle Endeavour which was scheduled for 19th April 2011. The new date is slated for 29th April 2011 - Ten days later - Delay is due to concerns with pending resupply craft being launched followed by the docking which may have been a conflict in the previous planned time scale. Trust all goes well for the new date. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

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Re: Special Event April 12
by Clint Bradford 04 Apr '11

04 Apr '11

>> ... I've decided to do a Special Event for the 50 years of the First Man in Space ... Consider entering your event at ... http://www.yurisnight.net There are well over 300 celebrations registered there! >> ... I assume that in Russia there will be an operation of some kind ... Russia is gearing up for the event, too. It is being widely publicized ... and schools are using it as an educational event. Clint, K6LCS http://tinyurl.com/YURI-K6LCS

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Cleaning Out More Stuff (2.4GHz)
by Joel Black 03 Apr '11

03 Apr '11

I found the following in my workshop that need to go: 1 ea. CalAmp 31881 (not sure which crystal is installed, but I'd guess 2m) $30 OBO + shipping 1 ea. CalAmp 31732 (I don't think I modded this one) $30 OBO +shipping 1 ea. DEM 13ULNA $80 OBO +shipping I also have a solid copper 5 1/2-turn 2.4GHz helix with aluminum disk reflector. Not sure how I'd get this to you w/o damage. Has N-type male for interfacing with the 13ULNA. $15 firm +shipping. If you wish to pay by PayPal, I will have to add the service charge to your purchase. You can reply to w4jbb(at)charter(dot)net. Thanks for looking and for the bandwidth. 73, Joel - W4JBB

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KD4ZGW/m in EM60-61-62
by John Papay 03 Apr '11

03 Apr '11

KD4ZGW/m will be operating from EM60, EM61 and EM62 on Tuesday 5 April. Look for Rob on SO-67, AO-51 and AO-27. QSL to his QRZ.com address and be sure to include his grid as well as yours on the card. Rob is one of a handful of operators who has qualified for the satellite "Reverse VUCC" award sponsored by the Central States VHF Society for operating from 100 different grids. Rob drives an 18 wheeler and has given many of us new grids all across the United States. Thanks Rob! 73, John K8YSE

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Grids
by Kevin Deane 03 Apr '11

03 Apr '11

I still say it is cheating, maybe I will change my mind after I have exausted all the grid squares I possibly can and am dying for this or that. I think that will take a while though. I guess everyone ignored my sarcasim in the last post. :( Thanks for the info anyway. Very nice pass this morning on the Mad Bird, thanks for all the new contacts! Kevin KF7MYK

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KL7CN/MM 4-April-2011 01:09Z
by KL7CN 03 Apr '11

03 Apr '11

Will be on SO-67 from FK68 on the 01:09Z pass hoping to hear Western states. This is first pass for me since getting Arrow through TSA. Fun. -- bag Sent from an iPhone; replies are brief, but still attempt to be witty.

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Short Notice: CQ Europe de ZF2AE from EK99kh on AO7 at 20:40 UTC
by Adrian Engele 03 Apr '11

03 Apr '11

I know this is short notice but I saw there is a AO7 pass in a few minutes. I will try to listen for any European station within the footprint. Perhaps we can make contact 73, Adrian ZF2AE EK99kh

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How many Grids
by Kevin Deane 03 Apr '11

03 Apr '11

Can you be in at once? I mean we are pretty small on the scale of things, so how can you give out more than one grid square at a time?? I mean really, I hear it all the time. What do you do, put your antenna on one grid square, run some coax over and set your radio up on the other grid? Ok boys, hear is DM09 and DM08!!! Her - ert duh, how about I drive to where the four corners of four grids meet, stand right in the middle of that and give out all four of them at once? Is this how it is done. Just does not seem right to me, seems like cheating. Seriously...Is there not some kind of rules or something? I think I will leave it at that before I get too offensive. Kevin KF7MYK

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solder heat switch
by Dave Guimont 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

Hi Dom, I was pondering the temp reduction for the tip after we had our discussion the other day... The current is fully off for half of the cycle and reduced by some percentage on the other half, but I can't remember the procedure to determine it....The figure .7 sticks in my mind... That percentage would probably be close to the idling tip temperature, influenced by radiation and some other factors of course... These kind of things (queries) pop in, but the answerers don't pop in as easily any more!! Ready for a math lesson, tnx!! 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Re: Logs/Grids
by Jeremy Bomkamp 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

the HRD logger program can be used to automatically update eQSL, QRZ, hrdlog.net. And if you download HRD utilities, uploads to LoTW are a lot easier and will update your log as to who has returned a QSL through eQSL or LoTW. The HRD utilities can be downloaded at http://wd5eae.org/Software.html Or if you just want to keep track of what grids you have worked or confirmed: http://www.papays.com/sat/gridmaps/gridmaps.html and download the GCMWIN program from the link

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ZF2AE is now in EK99kh Unfortunately it is pouring heavy rain!
by Adrian Engele 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

All I has wifi connection issues and was going to post my passes for today. Well in the mean time a weather front has come in and there is very rain happening now as well as an AO51 pass in a few minutes. Will have to play things by ear to see if things clear up. If they do I will try: FO29 at 22:45Z SO-67 at 0128Z 4/3/11 Maybe VO-52 02:00 Again there is no guarantee I will be on due to the ongoing rain downpour. I am available tomorrow afternoon/evening. I will know schedule noon local time tomorrow. 73, Adrian ZF2AE now in EK99kh

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Mobile Operation; FL-OH
by John Papay 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

Thanks to all who worked or tried to work me mobile on my trip back to Cleveland from Melbourne, Florida. I operated while in motion on SO-67, AO-27 and AO-51. Equipment was the Kenwood V7A and a Larsen dual band mag mount on the trunk lid, no preamps. SO-67 has a dynamite signal and it was easy to hear the bird, however, with the road noise at 70mph, the weaker audio made it difficult to copy those whose audio was on the weak side to begin with. Even so I made some good contacts on two passes. AO-27 was also very good although not as strong as SO-67. I did manage to work KD8KSN while in EM94 right at the end of the pass. AO-51 was the real workhorse with it's high power output. Copying in the mobile was fairly good but you could really hear the antenna elevation pattern effect as the bird went over. It was really nice to work Yuri, UT1FG/MM, while in EM95 on I-77 in Charlotte NC. The last AO-51 pass was blocked right in the middle of the pass because I came up on the 5 mile grade over the Blue Ridge Parkway. I kept hearing WA4HFN calling and finally got into the bird just seconds before it disappeared over the ridge. This was in EM96 just inside the Virginia line. CO6CBF was also worked earlier on this pass. Headphones would have helped a lot. I didn't think to have them available. More contacts could have been made if I had been able to stop since the mobile fading would have been minimized. If anyone needs a card for a new grid, just send me an email with the qso info. No SASE needed. The trip was 1100 miles and took 17 hours. It was in the 30's here. Yuk! 73, John K8YSE

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Special Event April 12th
by santanaamt＠aol.com 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

Hi: Since posting a query and no reponse, I've decided to do a Special Event for the 50 years of the First Man in Space and 30 years of the first Space Shuttle Launch. It will be on HF and locally on 2 meters. It has been posted on QRZ.com. Also if you know of any other activation, let me know, I assume that in Russia there will be an operation of some kind. Cheers, Angel Santana - WP3GW

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Can SatPC32 track the moon?
by Bill Dzurilla 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

I've been using SatPC32 to track the ham satellites. Lately I've also been trying EME (moonbounce). Does anyone know if SatPC32 can track the moon as well as the amateur satellites? If yes, how is this done? 73, Bill NZ5N

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Re: Preamp Distance from Antenna
by i8cvs 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

Hi Matthias, DD1US I know that the negative effect of the added losses in front of a preamplifier and thus reduced sensitivity is also a function of the noise level due to the Antenna Temperature. In a terrestrial system for 70 cm the antenna at zero degrees elevation sees at best a Noise Temperature equal to the ambient temperature of 290 kelvin if you are fortunate enough to live in a rural area. In a satellite system a good antenna with low side lobes when aimed at high elevation sees a "cold sky" and thus the " Antenna Temperature" is around 50 kelvin i.e. much lower than the ambient temperature of 290 kelvin. Now suppose that the loss of the coax cable betwen the antenna and the preamplifier input is 0.7 dB and the Noise Figure of the preamplifier is 0.55 dB and the antenna is used for terrestrial use at zero degrees elevation so that the antenna sees at best 290 kelvin Coax cable 0.7 dB = 51 kelvin Preamp NF 0.55 dB = 39 kelvin Antenna temperature = 290 kelvin -------------- Total system Temp. = 380 kelvin ( for terrestrial use) Now suppose that the antenna is aimed at the satellite and sees a "cold sky " at 50 kelvin so that the total system Temperature is reduced to 51+39+50 = 140 kelvin ( for satellite use ) The improvement of sensitivity of the same receiving system looking at the satellite against terrestrial use is 10 log (380 / 140 ) = 4.3 dB 10 in Signal to Noise Ratio. By the way now suppose that the preamplifier is NOT antenna mounted and the line losses between the antenna and the shack where the preamplifier has been mounted is tipically 3 dB = 290 kelvin For terrestrial use at zero degrees elevation the total system Temperature is 290 + 39 + 290 = 619 kelvin For satellite use with high antenna elevation the total system Temperature is 290 + 39 + 50 = 379 kelvin With 3 dB of loss of coax cable between the antenna and preamplifier the improvement of sensitivity of the same system looking at the satellite against terrestrial use is reduced to 10 log (619 / 379 ) = 2.1 dB ONLY 10 in Signal to Noise Ratio This is why prescinding from where the antenna is aimed or towards the horizon or towards the sky in order to gain in sensitivity it is necessary to keep the losses between the antenna and input of preamplifier as low as possible. Best 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthias Bopp" <matthias.bopp(a)gmx.de> To: <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2011 12:22 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Preamp Distance from Antenna Hi Zack and Domenico, I would like to add, that the negative effect of the added losses in front of the preamplifier and thus reduced sensitivity of your system is also a function of the noise level: in terrestrial systems where your antenna typically sees a noise temperature equal to the ambient temperature all written below is reflecting the negative effect quite well. However in a satellite system where your antenna sees the noise of the sky the "Noise temperature" is a function of frequency and at VHF/UHF/SHF the sky is "quite cold" and thus the "noise temperature" is much lower than the ambient temperature. Therefore the negative effect of the degraded noise figure is much higher. Please keep this in mind. Best regards Matthias www.dd1us.de -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- Von: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Im Auftrag von i8cvs Gesendet: Donnerstag, 31. März 2011 00:03 An: Zachary Beougher; Amsat - BBs Betreff: [amsat-bb] Re: Preamp Distance from Antenna Hi Zack, KD8KSN The loss in dB of the coax cable from the antenna to your preamplifier adds directly to the Noise Figure NF of your preamplifier. As an example if the loss of the coax cable is say 0.7 dB and the Noise Figure of the preamplifier is 0.55 dB as specified by the manufacturer then the overall Noise Figure of the system antenna plus preamplifier is 0.7+0.55=1.25 dB This is why to reduce the overall Noise Figure of any receiving system it is necessary to install the preamplifier as close as possible to the antenna connector. By the way the gain of a ARR SP432VDG preamplifier is 16 dB and as connected in front of your 70 cm receiver you will see an increase of noise level of about 3 S-units in your S meter but the overall Noise Figure of your receiving system will be much lover than the Noise Figure of the 70 cm receiver alone. In this condition using a preamplifier the 70 cm receiving system will be more sensitive but it will be more susceptible to intermodulation and overloading when you transmit to a satellite in the 2 meters band. If you suffer with intermod the only cure is to add a 6 dB attenuator from the preamplifier output to the 70 cm receiver input but if you use a 70 cm tranceiver don't forget to remove the attenuator before to transmit in 70 cm I hope this helps. 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "Zachary Beougher" <zack.kd8ksn(a)hotmail.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:24 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Preamp Distance from Antenna > Hi, > I am in the process of getting the ARR SP432VDG preamp for my mobile setup (and just to have around), and I have read that the closer to antenna you mount the preamp, the lower noise figure you will have. My question is, what is close to the antenna - 1ft., 5ft., 10ft.? Ideally, I would probably mount it about 5-6ft. from the antenna (1/4 wave) - would this be acceptable? > > Any additional advice would be appreciated! > > Zack > KD8KSN > _______________________________________________ > 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 _______________________________________________ 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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Log/Grids
by Kevin Deane 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

I am hoping there is a nice logbook thinga ma jig program out there. Does anyone know where I can get one? I really like doin the cards, I feel bad for sending out some pretty hokey ones now that I am getting some really nice ones... Anyway I figured that someone must have some easy/cool way to keep track of all this stuff. Thanks, Kevin KF7MYK

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Wisp DDE Client
by Howard Kowall 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

Hello All Does anyone know what the last version of Wisp DDE Client is. As far as I can tell it's 4.3.7 Thanks to all who read and respond Howard VE4ISP

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Icom IC-910H using SatPC32
by KE4KOL 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

Is anyone using the Icom IC-910H with SatPC32? Any pros or cons? Will it give VFO feed back to the software? Thanks, Jim, KE4KOL

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SwissCube satellite videos + PW Sat
by Trevor . 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

See http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2011/swisscube_video.htm IARU Satellite Frequency Coordination pages have an update on PW Sat due to fly on Vega later this year, see http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/formal_detail.php?serialnum=132 It's planned to carry an APRS transceiver which will be good. I had a look at the Warsaw University of Technology site but couldn't locate any PW Sat pages. Anyone know if there's any further info on the sat available? 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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KL7CN QRV Caribbean next week
by KL7CN 02 Apr '11

02 Apr '11

Hello, all: I will be active in a holiday-style DXpedition on the FM satellites from various Caribbean locations next week starting Sunday 3-April-2011. We will start /KP4 from San Juan, and then operate /MM from as many grids as we can, followed by J6/ from St. Lucia, then as V25CN from Antigua, then as a very special FS/PJ7/ operation from the border monument on St. Martin, then /KP2 from St. Croix, and finally again as /KP4. I will attempt to send a note at the beginning of each day indicating if, when, and how operation will occur. Special thanks to Patrick WD9EWK for answering many questions, Sawson KG6NUB for equipment checks, and Allen N5AFV for the original inspiration. Special thanks also to the AO-51 control ops for agreeing to keep the satellite in V/U mode for the week. We'll see how it goes! Thanks in advance for your patience! -- bag Sent from an iPhone; replies are brief, but still attempt to be witty.

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Paccomm PSK-1 firmware discovery
by Greg Beat 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

I am checking out a couple of surplus Paccomm PSK-1 this weekend. I was told that there was only one version of the PSK-1 firmware, BUT I have discovered that is not true. S/N are hand written on the PSK-1 printed circuit board. S/N P10511 *********************************************** * P a c C o m m P S K M o d e m * * Software version 2.01 CSUM: 6717 * * COPYRIGHT 1989 Digital Signal Systems * * -with Kansas City Tuner REALTIME Support- * *********************************************** <1> Mode: Manchester (Satellite) <2> Modem: Out-of-Line (TNC's modem) <3> Joint/Split: Joint (VHF RX, VHF TX) <4> AFC: None (Provide no AFC outputs) <5> Mic-Click Sense: Active-Low <6> Clicks-per-Step: One <7> Maximum Step Rate: 2 per second <8> DCD Output Sense: Active-Low <9> RS232 Speed: 1200 8N1 <A> KC Tuner Radio Type: None Enter Function# or ESCAPE to exit... ----- This earlier 1989 version (2.01) supports the KC Tuner function This version of the PSK-1 will turn ON (slave operation), when the host TNC-2 is tuned ON ----- S/N P10809 *********************************************** * P a c C o m m P S K M o d e m * * PSK Firmware version 2.10 CSUM: 2A05 * * (C) 1990 Digital Signal Sys, 1991 PacComm * *********************************************** <1> Mode: Manchester (Satellite) <2> Modem: Out-of-Line (TNC's modem) <3> Joint/Split: Joint (VHF RX, VHF TX) <4> AFC: None (Provide no AFC outputs) <5> Mic-Click Sense: Active-Low <6> Clicks-per-Step: One <7> Maximum Step Rate: 2 per second <8> DCD Output Sense: Active-Low <9> RS232 Speed: 1200 8N1 <A> Help: Enter Function # or CONTROL-C or ESCAPE to exit... ----- This later 1990 version (2.10) removes the KC Tuner support and replaces it with a Help function. This version of the PSK-1 will NOT turn ON, when the host TNC-2 is tuned ON. Power ON function has to be separately performed with each modem. ===== Interesting discovery and behavior. Any thoughts? Greg w9gb

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[Fwd: FW: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 184 [Sec=Unclassified]]
by vk0kev＠ontoit.biz 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

I have been following this discussion with some interest. I too have experienced working AO-51 in areas where the footprint is over relatively low population areas. Despite being thrilled by my first contacts from VK4 (my home state) my enthusuiasm on AO-51 operation quickly wained due to a few "big gun" operators who seemed to consider AO-51 a private chat channel. Often passes would be completely monopolised by two or three operators leaving no gaps for other stations. Sadly when these "guns" were out of footprint there was seldom anybody to the north to contact. Down here in VK0 I'm pretty sure I'm the first to get the footprint and have noticed the same beahviour. Unless of course I call first (which I have done on only a few occassions). Being a "rare" stations has it's advatages! I guess the bottom line is to spend more time listening, have a little patience, courtesy and respect for other hams. This needs to apply to the "guns" as much as anybody else. Whilst there has been a lot of discussion about how to reign in the rogues surely the simplest solution is to ignore them? It's a practice I use in any pile-up and is an opportunity for people to change their operating behaviour. 73' Kevin Message: 2 Date: Fri, 01 Apr 2011 06:32:49 +1100 From: Tony Langdon <vk3jed(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: More Echo Madness To: K5OE <k5oe(a)aol.com>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <4d94d6e8.9d7bdc0a.053d.2cdc(a)mx.google.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed I remember in the UO-14 days many late night passes, where I ended up talking to myself for an entire pass. If I got lucky, one or two others would show up and we'd have a ragchew for the entire pass (with long breaks for those breaking in). The biggest problems I've heard on the FM birds down this way are (1) long range cordless phones, there seems to be millions of these things in SE Asia - I'm assuming it's phones by the tempo of the speech, and (2) new operators who don't realise they're not hearing the 70cm downlinks on their vertical antennas, and accidentally stomp on the uplink. Unfortunately, due to the large distances here, there's often no one else within their simplex range to give them pointers. I have personally elmered a couple who I did find within simplex range, and got them on the birds successfully. I'm not so active on the satellites these days, but that's due to subtle lifestyle factors that brings the short passes at differing times of day into conflict with other things that happen here, rather than anything fundamental about the sats themselves. One of the things I notice here is that not only is the population density much lower, but there's none of the grid chasing down here. We do have satellite awards, but these can be completed with a modest amount of contacts (VK0 can be a challenge to work - it's the only VK call area I haven't worked). I've never understood the rationale behind increasing the pressure on an already limited resource by encouraging grid square chasing. One would have thought the FM birds should be the "WARC bands" of the satellite world. Keep the grid chasing to SSB/CW, where more operators can be supported (and maybe encourage a few to upgrade to SSB :) ). >I spent most of last year in Papua New Guinea (V29OE) and the only >satellite traffic I ever heard was on AO-51 V/U FM (VK's of >course). I never completed a QSO as I just could not make it with a >bad battery in my FT51R (less than a Watt) and a whip antenna. And the only P29s I've worked on the birds have been Americans who were working in PNG! :) Unfortunately, you weren't one of those I've worked. >The thing that really annoys me, though, is that I saw Drew's >posting, I wrote down the new uplink frequency, I had it in front of >me on a sticky note, and I still didn't connect the dots when I >couldn't hear myself in the downlink! I deserved to miss that grid :-) In the famous words of Homer Simpson... "DOH!" :D 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com

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Android satellite tracking app
by George Henry 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

Looking for an Android tracking app that: Doesn't require GPS (which lots of tablets don't have); Has a world map (groundtrack and footprint) display instead of a sky watcher type display, and; Is available to download from someplace other than the Android Marketplace (which doesn't support most tablets, only phones). Does such a thing exist?? George, KA3HSW * Open in Google Docs Viewer * Open link in new tab * Open link in new window * Open link in new incognito window * * Download file * Copy link address * Edit PDF File on PDFescape.com

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Short notice plans from EK99xp this afternoon - ZF2AE/ZF8
by Adrian Engele 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

Fellow ops, I was originally not planning on getting on the satellites this afternoon but we are coming back early from our neighbor island trip. I will try to make the following passes: FO-29 @ 2153UTC AO-51 @ 22:11UTC assuming it is still on the end of March Schedule AO-07 @ 22:31 UTC. I will have some blockage after TCA and will only make half of the pass. 73, Adrian ZF2AE/ZF8

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WWV WWVH Survey
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

WWV is doing a survey. If you use it you can find the survey here: www.tf.nist.gov/survey/ KB7ADL

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Re: ZF2AE/ZF8 will be QRV from FK09
by Adrian Engele 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

Thanks to all the stations that managed to work me from FK09. I know I missed a bunch of you but we also have many in the log. AO27 was not behaving on my end. It was extremely noisy on the downlink and I was only able to work a few of you. FO29 - AO51: this was a tricky pass. AO51 was coming into view half way into the FO-29 pass. FO-29 was very productive. AO51 worked out very well. I later lost it between some trees but was able to get into it at about 3 degrees, getting three more stations in the log before I lost it. Sorry to those that I missed. Thanks again for a pretty disciplined set of passes and lots of folks in the log. I plan to be back on Little Cayman in a few years so keep your fingers crossed, I may try to go over to FK09 again in the future. Today will be a no radio day. Maybe HF. I'll be back on the air late evening Saturday once we are back on Grand Cayman from EK99kh. 73, Adrian ZF2AE/ZF8 ________________________________ From: Adrian Engele <aa5uk(a)yahoo.com> To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Sent: Thu, March 31, 2011 7:09:28 AM Subject: ZF2AE/ZF8 will be QRV from FK09 OK, here is the game plan. I will be making a special trip over to FK09 today. I plan to be on during 1900 UTC through 2300 UTC today only!!! I hope to get on: AO27 at 19:06 UTC FO-29 at 21:03 UTC AO-51 at 21:11 UTC Please, please, please be patient and listen, listen, listen. This makes it easier on this operator and I can work more stations efficiently as was done yesterday. 73, Adrian AA5UK - ZF2AE/ZF8 EK99xp > FK09 later today

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Re: soldering iron recommendation
by Lowell White 01 Apr '11

01 Apr '11

Neat. Any problems with switch isolation from the AC line? I may add your "hack" to a standard iron. Thanks. 73, Lowell K9LDw ------ Original Message ------ Received: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 02:07:51 PM CDT From: Dave Guimont <dguimon1(a)san.rr.com> To: "Lowell White" <whiteld(a)usa.net>Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: soldering iron recommendation > > Good recommendations, Lowell. > > I use fairly high wattage tips (on an iron, easier to handle) and > switch a diode in and out for two reasons...I have two heat choices, > and when switched on "low" it keeps the tip from "burning" as > quickly, and yet "high" heat is almost immediately available...the > switch case and diode holder is made from a short length of 1/2" PVC > and two PVC caps... > > > >You might find either a 'regular' or average sized soldering gun to be of use, > >or a 40W-50W iron, mainly depending on the size of wire / connector you plan > >to typically work on. Soldering guns typically will have a higher wattage > >rating and a larger surface contact area, lending them to better handle > >heating of, say, the shell of a PL-259. An iron is better suited for smaller > >or lower power (i.e. more sensitive to heat) applications. Various tips can be > >had on irons also to help suit them to the work to be done. The most common > >are round tips or chisel points. > > > > > > 73, Dave, WB6LLO > dguimon1(a)san.rr.com > > Disagree: I learn.... > > Pulling for P3E... >

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Re: Intro to Satellite Presentation
by Dale Hershberger 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

On 3/31/2011 10:33 AM, Dale Hershberger wrote: > Myself, Dale/KL7XJ, Dan O'Barr/KL7DR and Craig/KL4E will be giving a > Satellite presentation > at the monthly meeting of the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club on Friday > April 1st. Meeting will > be in the in the Carr-Gottsein building at Alaska Pacific University, > Anchorage, Alaska. > > I will give a intro to satellite ppt, Dan and Craig will help. We > will try a real demo but the > only two sats will be SO67 and HO68. HO68 shows as being down even > though it is scheduled to be on over the Americas for two weeks > starting Mar 30. Our best try will be the SO67 pass. > > HO68 AOS at 1956 Local/0356 UTC > SO67 AOS at 2110 Local/0510 UTC > > Hope to make some contacts... > Thanks for listening. > > Dale/KL7XJ > Area Coordinator-Alaska > I have corrections to make on my previous post. It looks like there will be two passes on SO67 only. HO68 will not be on and SO67 will be on during passes according their schedule and it is the satellite that will be on over the Americas. SO-67 AOS 1938 Local / 0338 UTC SO-67 AOS 2110 Local / 0510 UTC Will have to see if we can both or only one. It all depends on the meeting schedule. Thanks to Mark for info on the corrections. 73, Dale/KL7XJ

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Intro to Satellite Presentation
by Dale Hershberger 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

Myself, Dale/KL7XJ, Dan O'Barr/KL7DR and Craig/KL4E will be giving a Satellite presentation at the monthly meeting of the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club on Friday April 1st. Meeting will be in the in the Carr-Gottsein building at Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska. I will give a intro to satellite ppt, Dan and Craig will help. We will try a real demo but the only two sats will be SO67 and HO68. HO68 shows as being down even though it is scheduled to be on over the Americas for two weeks starting Mar 30. Our best try will be the SO67 pass. HO68 AOS at 1956 Local/0356 UTC SO67 AOS at 2110 Local/0510 UTC Hope to make some contacts... Thanks for listening. Dale/KL7XJ Area Coordinator-Alaska

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Re: -={Echo Madness}=-
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

There is only ONE WAY to stop the mess on AO51. Turn it off and let Drew turn it on when he wants to make a sked with someone . He caused me to miss a grid contact Sunday when he changed the TX freq in the middle of a pass . He was wrong in doing that. AO51 is out of control. If an operator needs to be contacted by email and have proper operation explaned to them ,let KO4MA do it. We can type these usless messages here till we all get blisters on our fingers and it will not make any difference. Alot of the people who are causing the mess dont even use the Amsat BB . WA4HFN Damon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger Kolakowski" <Rogerkola(a)aol.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 3:03:02 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: -={Echo Madness}=- Not directed at the authors, but in listening to the recording of that pass, I think it could have easily done without the multiple CQ's along with the whistling and blowing into the mike...eliminate those bad habits first and then working on not interrupting quick, 4 transmission exchanges and trying to keep transmissions short would result in a much less chaotic atmosphere, even without running full duplex. Roger WA1KAT Zachary Beougher wrote: > Hello Kevin and group, > > >> Back to the point, please let me know if you think I >> need any correcting, I would rather help not hinder. >> I really enjoy this HOBBY, but I dont know if there is >> a solution... >> > > At this stage in the game, there really is no solution per say. When there > is 30-40 > guys on ONE frequency trying to make QSOs, what else can we expect? _______________________________________________ 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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More Echo Madness
by K5OE 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

Please allow a little perspective on AO-51 from someone who has worked it for a long time and from all over the world. I left the USA in late 2003 for a work assignment in Darwin, NT (Australia as VK8OE), where I talked to myself for over a year on AO-51 mode L/S (I took my AO-40 setup and it died before I could work it as DX). I did the same thing on ISS packet, having great keyboard QSO's with myself. The only sat contacts I ever made while VK8OE was on AO-51 in mode V/U FM (mobile while at work) with a few ops on the other side of the continent (VK5ZAI, VK3FGN, VK2TU, VK2TRF, et al). Ditto in the UK (M0GOE), where every pass sounds like the one from last weekend--or worse. I gave up working FM satellites for several years while in Europe--and I had an Arrow! The only operating time on sats I had for a number of years was a Mexican cruise in 2007 where 100% of the succesful contacts were on AO-51. I am repeating that cruise in two weeks and hope to work a few of you on this venerable bird. I spent most of last year in Papua New Guinea (V29OE) and the only satellite traffic I ever heard was on AO-51 V/U FM (VK's of course). I never completed a QSO as I just could not make it with a bad battery in my FT51R (less than a Watt) and a whip antenna. Sorry for the rambling.... the bottom line is birds like AO-51 are a great resource to us and finding ways to manage them for everyone's benefit is a challenge. They are a priviledge to work, not a right. Control of them is not a democracy. And regardless if you consider this a casual interest or a seriously competitive sport, it is still just a hobby. The thing that really annoys me, though, is that I saw Drew's posting, I wrote down the new uplink frequency, I had it in front of me on a sticky note, and I still didn't connect the dots when I couldn't hear myself in the downlink! I deserved to miss that grid :-) 73, Jerry, K5OE

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Re: soldering iron recommendation
by Lowell White 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

Hi Zach, You might find either a 'regular' or average sized soldering gun to be of use, or a 40W-50W iron, mainly depending on the size of wire / connector you plan to typically work on. Soldering guns typically will have a higher wattage rating and a larger surface contact area, lending them to better handle heating of, say, the shell of a PL-259. An iron is better suited for smaller or lower power (i.e. more sensitive to heat) applications. Various tips can be had on irons also to help suit them to the work to be done. The most common are round tips or chisel points. Weller is probably the best known and distrubuted brand of the consumer brands. A local hardware store or some hobby stores would be likely to carry them as well as might big box stores. Kind regards & 73, Lowell K9LDW ------ Original Message ------ Received: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:33:15 PM CDT From: zach hillerson <qstick333(a)yahoo.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] soldering iron recommendation > A bit off topic - I am hoping to get better at making cables and dipoles etc... and would like to replace the antiquated soldering iron I am attempting to use with something more suited to the job. I'd appreciate a recommendation as to brands/models I should be looking at for this type of work. I'm not sure what wattage would be appropriate. I do not plan to do circuit work at this time, strictly connectors and HF dipoles. > > Thanks! > > Zach > N4ERZ > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Fm Birds
by Giacobbe Lauser 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

Just so everyone knows, I find all of this utter ridiculous; and while I disagree with all of the folks who say "this is just a hobby" (since many of us are also commercial operators and heavily involved in ARES/RACES, etc. as certified emergency radio operators), I do believe that some civility is in order. Rather than complain incessantly though, I'm just going to get off the birds altogether. I'm thinking of selling my FT-60R, my Elk antenna, and my digital recorder and moseying on down the bands. I really prefer HF DX and contesting anyway, but satellite was fun while it lasted... I do hope you're all able to sort this mess out though. It's really seeming petty from the outside, and I know most of us don't like infighting like this. Good luck! I'm out.... - Jake, K3UAZ

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soldering iron recommendation
by zach hillerson 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

A bit off topic - I am hoping to get better at making cables and dipoles etc... and would like to replace the antiquated soldering iron I am attempting to use with something more suited to the job. I'd appreciate a recommendation as to brands/models I should be looking at for this type of work. I'm not sure what wattage would be appropriate. I do not plan to do circuit work at this time, strictly connectors and HF dipoles. Thanks! Zach N4ERZ

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HudsonValleySatcomGroupNetMarch31@800PMEDT Echolink N2EYH-L node 429079
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

It is time again for the HVSCG Net at 8 PM on Echolink N2EYH-L and the MT beacon Repeater 146.970 pl 100. Please join us for the net and share your satellite knowledge and talk about any contacts you have made on the birds. An Amsat coordinator or two will be there to answer any questions you may have. Hope to hear you there.

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Subscribers
by Kevin Deane 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

I mentioned this BB to a fellow Sat user and he has joined. I think everyone should, I have found this a very usefull source of information. Plus you can reply to certain users without posting to everyone which I think is nice. Except of course when you hit the wrong button. Anyway seems some of the other forums are stale, year + old post and all. I saw mentioned here about not everyone reading this BB so I thought I would spread the word. This is a good thing right? Kevin KF7MYK

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ZF2AE/ZF8 will be QRV from FK09
by Adrian Engele 31 Mar '11

31 Mar '11

OK, here is the game plan. I will be making a special trip over to FK09 today. I plan to be on during 1900 UTC through 2300 UTC today only!!! I hope to get on: AO27 at 19:06 UTC FO-29 at 21:03 UTC AO-51 at 21:11 UTC Please, please, please be patient and listen, listen, listen. This makes it easier on this operator and I can work more stations efficiently as was done yesterday. 73, Adrian AA5UK - ZF2AE/ZF8 EK99xp > FK09 later today

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Yuri's 50th
by G0MRF＠aol.com 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Hi all. Well. Hi ARISSat team actually. It's now less than 2 weeks before ARISSat-1 will be activated on board the ISS. Can anyone tell me / us, the current status of the ARISat decoding software / where it can be downloaded and the planned times of activation of the satellite please. Would be nice to have some time to load it onto the computer at a weekend and avoid the traditional last minute rush. BTW. Did it get recharged via a new lead on the last supply flight? (Will it last 24 hrs?) Thanks David G0MRF

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On a more positive note...
by Adrian Engele 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Dear fellow Satellite Ops, In contrast to the recent disastrous pass on AO-51 the other day, today it was a joy to help many operators get EK99 and ZF2AE/ZF8 into their logs. The AO-27 @ 19:35UTC and AO-51 @20:13 UTC passes were a joy to work. As a DX Station, I appreciated everyone's courtesy, good operating technique and most importantly good listening skills. I hope the newer operators got a good feel for what a busy pass can sound like but still be very productive. As many of you know I will be popping up on various satellites mostly in the afternoon/evenings. Both on FM and SSB. I cannot guarantee that I will be on a particular satellite but I will make an effort when asked. Mornings are out for me as I am out diving. Tomorrow I will make an effort to make it over to FK09. I have to rent a car a great expense (only one rental car place on the islands and they charge big bucks) to make it over to the East end for a few hours. Right now I will only be available from around 1900 UTC to 2300 UTC. This is the only time I have left unfortunately on Little Cayman. I have to check what is available. I think one AO51 and an FO29 pass, perhaps some others. I hope we will see the same discipline we saw today to allow many stations to work me in a calm and orderly fashion. I would like to thank Drew for all the hard work to keep AO-51 happy. I know it is often a thankless effort but it is appreciated by many including this operator. Finally a reminder it is very hot and very humid here. So yes I pity those that have to stand in the cold but trust me standing in the sweltering heat dripping with sweat, tuning the radios and jiggling the antennas is a big challenge too! See you on the birds. I will be going to Grand Cayman on Saturday, so plenty of opportunity to work me from there. 73, Adrian ZF2AE/ZF8

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Oscar 57
by jerry keeton 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Has anyone ever heard an AFSK signal from Oscar 57 ?

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Preamp Distance from Antenna
by Zachary Beougher 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Hi, I am in the process of getting the ARR SP432VDG preamp for my mobile setup (and just to have around), and I have read that the closer to antenna you mount the preamp, the lower noise figure you will have. My question is, what is close to the antenna – 1ft., 5ft., 10ft.? Ideally, I would probably mount it about 5-6ft. from the antenna (1/4 wave) – would this be acceptable? Any additional advice would be appreciated! Zack KD8KSN

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Lehman High School on Fox News, Austin
by Clint Bradford 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Fox News covers Lehman event ... http://tinyurl.com/iss-lehman -or- http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/top_stories/Lehman-HS-Students-Tal-to-Astron… Clint, K6LCS

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Re: FT-60R and recording
by Bill Dzurilla 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Hi Ted, I also use the FT-60. Since it is not full duplex, I do not use headphones and just have a small recorder hanging from my neck. It picks up my voice and sounds from the radio. If you want to use headphones, I suppose you could use a T adapter and plug both the phones and the recorder into the headphone jack, but then I don't think your own voice would be recorded. 73, Bill NZ5N

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Re: FT-60R and recording
by Bill Acito W1PA 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Gosh, I love Google... http://www.mixitproducts.com/ -------------------------------------------------- > We need a small portable, two channel mixer with low and high inputs and a > balance control. >

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Re: FT-60R and recording
by Bill Acito W1PA 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

I have often wondered about this myself. I like to use headphones... I wonder if you could use a stereo recorder, and put the "speaker out" (low impedance) to one side, and an external mic (high impedance) to the other. Getting the audio to balance would be a trick. We need a small portable, two channel mixer with low and high inputs and a balance control. Otherwise you have to use an external speaker, and just pick it and your voice up over the mic. Bill W1PA

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Today Grid EL51 on AIR
by David Maciel 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

This day, on the AO-51, on 21.50z, Eduardo XE3EOL work the Grid EL51 is a difficult grid in Mexico, lucky if they listen. David Maciel XE3DX EK36 Amateur Ham Radio www.qsl.net/xe3dx/ xe3dx(a)amsat.org

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ND9M/MM Sat Ops: QRT ... for now!
by Clary, James T, Civilian 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

My ship will be pulling into Jacksonville (EM90) late tonight, so there are no more wet grids to operate from for the time being. It'll be nice to at least try sleeping through the night tonight for the first time in weeks without getting up for an oh-dark-30 pass. I've been doing it for so long that I'll probably be awake at some ridiculous pass-time hour anyway, but I'll try not to be. We're due at Charleston SC on 10 April. The run from Jax to Charleston is just a few hours, but I'm told that since another ship is scheduled to take our berth at the Jacksonville dock on the 6th, we'll be leaving a few days early. We won't have a destination, other than Charleston four days later, but I don't know if we'll head out a few miles and do a "controlled drift" or do donuts until it's time to head in. I'll keep an eye on the navigation charts, and will update the BB if it looks like we'll be in a wet grid when there's a pass coming up. Meanwhile, I'll finish getting my logs together and get ready to sign off the ship when we arrive at Charleston. I'll post a trip wrap up in a few days once I get the numbers compiled. Tks for helping to make the two-month voyage a memorable one! 73 for now, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Jacksonville / EM90

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FT-60R and recording?
by Ted 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Hello, Is anyone using a FT-60R with their Arrow and a recorder? I use a Heil Traveler headset w/boom mic. I have not been able to come up with any way to put a micro recorder in line with that set up. The radio only has 1 jack for mic/ear phone. The FT-60R is not duplex so maybe the question is moot. The best I can figure so far is to have the recorder close to me so at least I could log who I contacted (without taking paper notes) Any thoughts appreciated, 73, Ted K7TRK

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Re: -={Echo Madness}=-
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

At 12:22 AM 3/30/2011 +0000, you wrote: > There is only ONE WAY to stop the mess on AO51. Turn it off and let > Drew turn it on when he wants to make a sked with someone . LOL, Now that was funny. Made my morning. :-) Sorry you missed getting the contact though. 73 KB7ADL

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Re: FT-60R and Recording
by Clint Bradford 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Don't over-think recording. Almost any Smartphone has a voice recording app built in ... You can make acceptable recordings without being physically wired to the source! Clint, K6LCS ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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Re: Preamp Distance from Antenna
by Clint Bradford 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

>> ... mobile installation ... preamp ... You will have better results by parking the car and attaching your Arrow Antenna to your mobile rig ... AFTER turning TX power down to 5W. Just an idea ... Clint, K6LCS ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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-={Echo Madness}=-
by Kevin Deane 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

I was hoping to get some feedback from you guys. I have only been operating for a short time and had some hicup's along the way. I found some recordings of when I first started...There were some I could not hear the bird, and the very first ones were pretty funny. I got some schooling on my form pretty quick from you guy's. I wish I would have listened to passes before I started, at the time I did not know they existed... I saw a post about making one contact per pass, well I am guilty. However, I have been listening to my passes and I dont think I am too intrusive, and I get stepped on all the time. My brother say's that I am terribly addicted when I was upset when I could not get in on the maddness when they changed the uplink, pretty funny really. I was all checkin the equipment from top to bottom. Anyway, I try to call the new guys, because I remember how excited I was, hearing someone calling me. I still enjoy it, wether it be on VHF/UHF or HF. Is not that the reason we do this is to have fun? Sure there are times I get frustrated, cant get in or what not. Maybe that is what this is all about. Should I just not jump in there and free up the bird that much more, I suppose so. There are plenty of times when the 51 is not all jammed up, maybe the people who are all upset about the Echo Madness should just get up early, I can hear the east coast pass in the morning, not bad at all as far as traffic goes. There are lot's of times I am talking to myself on all the FM Birds. In the future, on the weekends when it is REALLY busy, are you guys saying I should just step aside and not operate because it is too busy? Get Real, there is always gonna be pile up's on the weekends. That is why these BIG GUNS are big guns, because they want to be heard. You can not tell me they are not running all kinds of power equipment and what have you. That sucks for us little guys, but oh well I am not crying, thats just the way it is and always will be. Back to the point, please let me know if you think I need any correcting, I would rather help not hinder. I really enjoy this HOBBY, but I dont know if there is a solution... Kevin KF7MYK nvllrc.org

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Fw: echo madness
by graham mcphee 30 Mar '11

30 Mar '11

Correction Should read 2 million in VK and 70/80 million in ZL ----- Original Message ----- From: "graham mcphee" <gemcphee(a)bigpond.com> To: "nh6vb Scheller" <nh6vb(a)msn.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:27 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] echo madness > Sorry about that > There was approx 200 000 sheep in VK in the hey day and 70/80 000 in ZL I > could stand to be corrected > HI HI > Graham McPhee VK2AYE > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "nh6vb Scheller" <nh6vb(a)msn.com> > To: <gemcphee(a)bigpond.com> > Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 10:00 AM > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] echo madness > > > > Hey Graham, you forgot to count the sheep, mate! > Kiora, Peter NH6VB (Aloha) > >> From: gemcphee(a)bigpond.com >> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >> Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 06:37:06 +1100 >> Subject: [amsat-bb] echo madness >> >> to Kevin Deane and others >> If the QRM on the sats is too much for you people to take in the northern >> hemi just move to beautiful Australia or shaky New Zealand where at the >> most >> that we get on AO51 in the evening is no more than six or seven and we >> have >> a round table discussion, not chasing grid squares as there are only >> 22million people in VK and 4 million in ZL. >> I say this with smile on my face >> Graham McPhee VK2AYE >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 10.0.1204 / Virus Database: 1498/3536 - Release Date: 03/28/11 >

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Looking for a manual for a Ten Tec 2510
by Bill Acito W1PA 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

2510, not 2510B. Not on Ten Tec's site, W7FG doesn't have them, and waiting on one other commercial site that might have one. Willing to pay reasonable copying costs. As Drew pointed out, this needs to be brought down from 435 to 432 -- anyone ever done that? Bill W1PA

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Re: SO-67 questions
by Bill Dzurilla 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

One more SO-67 question. Why is there an echo on the downlink? Usually I hear someone talking and then hear the same words a second or two later, but much louder. 73, Bill NZ5N > Is SO-67 operating on the published frequencies > (145.870/435.345) or > does one of up/down need an adjustment? > > What is the meaning of "Use Narrow FM on the uplink" on the > AMSAT detail > page for SO-67? Not sure if I know of any such > configuration on the > Yaesu FT-847. > > Thanks - Dave > N7LKL

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CW signal heard
by James Luhn 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

I am very new to satellites so please don't be too hard on me in regards to this post. This afternoon at about14:50 cst (07:50 utc) I copied cw that started at 435.310mhz and eventually made it to 435.292 before fading away at roughly 15:00 cst. I am south of Houston, TX, grid EL29, Texas City, TX near Galveston, TX. The code was always 5 character groups. Some of what I copied is MCO53, SMA127, SMB0?, US17A........ I looked on the AMSAT page to see what satellite was overhead and I did not really see one that would fit the strength of the signal (S9) that I was hearing. Perhaps someone can inform me as to what satellite I was hearing. Also at the time I heard what I believe is some form of radar that sounded almost like a siren. The signal was pinning the S-meter. Each time I heard the siren signal I had low flying jets above. No doubt in my mind there was a connection between the two. The jets were over 3 times, the siren signal was also 3 times. It was strongest when the jets were directly overhead. Please excuse me if my questions have already been answered. 73, James WA5AOO

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echo madness
by graham mcphee 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

to Kevin Deane and others If the QRM on the sats is too much for you people to take in the northern hemi just move to beautiful Australia or shaky New Zealand where at the most that we get on AO51 in the evening is no more than six or seven and we have a round table discussion, not chasing grid squares as there are only 22million people in VK and 4 million in ZL. I say this with smile on my face Graham McPhee VK2AYE

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AO-7 Minimalist
by Bill Acito W1PA 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Those of you working AO-7, what is a good minimalistic set-up? Should I be able to work it with an Arrow antenna, a RX pre-amp, and a Ten Tec Mode B box? Bill W1PA

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Re: Working the FM Satellites
by Bill Acito W1PA 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

>Desiring a "solution" is indicative of there being a "problem." It has not >been >demonstrated to my satisfaction that there is a massive problem that >required >re-thinking of what FM sats are all about. Lots of users and limited resources is always ugly... whether it be traffic, water, groceries, black-friday sales, or working a new grid on a FM bird. Rare grids or Field Day on a FM-bird may not be a "problem", but certainly does not hold us in the best light. I thought the purpose of satellite on Field Day was to encourage new users to the mode... would you introduce someone to ham radio by letting them listen to a rare dx pile-up? An aside: is the use of QRZ? on the rare-grid side frowned upon? or would it make things worse? I think a lot of the errant calling is folks trying to separate from capture effect, or guessing when the rare one is listening. I hear this a lot on the ISS voice passes as well, where you can't hear the uplink of others. Bill W1PA

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FW: delfi c3 (do-64) tlm software FOUND
by larry 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Thanks for the assistance in locating the software. I just took another look on dk3wn's site and unless I'm doing something wrong, I don't see it in the "software" page anywhere. Yet it is on the other page. Guess that's what I get for not fully checking out Mike's page - which I sure will do now! 73's... Larry N1MIW

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Lehman HS ISS Contact
by Clint Bradford 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Monitoring the ISS ... Great, informative answers from the astronaut. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Working the FM Satellites
by Clint Bradford 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

>> ... Back to the point, please let me know if you think I need any correcting, I would rather help not hinder. Personally, I think you have an excellent attitude, Kevin. It is darned near the same philosophy/mantra that I communicate during my satellite presentations. >> ... I really enjoy this HOBBY, but I don't know if there is a solution ... Desiring a "solution" is indicative of there being a "problem." It has not been demonstrated to my satisfaction that there is a massive problem that required re-thinking of what FM sats are al about. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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ND9M/MM Op Sked: FL08 Update
by Clary, James T, Civilian 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

My ship kicked into high gear overnight and is much farther along than our voyage plan called for. We're crossing into FL08 in a few minutes instead of later this afternoon. I'll try to be on SO67 at 29/1311Z and whatever pass(es) occur while we're in the grid. We won't be in the grid all that long, so hopefully I won't get called out for an assignment at pass time. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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Delfi-n3Xt Telemetry Equations & Format
by Clive Wallis 29 Mar '11

29 Mar '11

Hi,, I note that in another thread Wouter PE3WJ mentions the the next Delfi satellite n3Xt currently being constructed. Can we be assured that full details of the telemetry equations and decoding format for defli-n3Xt will be published, preferably before launch. With the considerable interest shown in the Funcube Dongle I'm sure that many satellite enthusiasts will want to write their own decoding software. In the case of delfi-C3 I received a large number of packets using my G3RUH hardware decoder, but was unable to decode them, due to not having the telemetry details. I had hoped to publish details of my experiments. After repeated requests for the information I was eventually told that it was commercially confidential and could not be published. IIRC this information has to be made available to the IARU satellite coordinator before launch, and updated when there any changes, following launch. AFAIK it is against amateur radio license regulations to transmit coded information in the amateur bands, unless the decoding information is freely available. The only exception being access codes to control the satellite, for obvious reasons. I trust that delfi-C3 won't set a precedent for future projects and this problem will not arise again. We want to encourage radio amateurs and students to experiment and avoid the 'black box' culture as much as possible. I will be interested in any comments. 73 Clive G3CWV Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK

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Re: AO-51 Uplinmk
by Clint Bradford 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

>> ... Well ok, then what is the answer? I live in the most populous region of the US' most populous state. I mention that because if any region on the planet has the potential for on-the-air abuse and mis-use, then this is it. I can count on one hand the number of times I have NOT been able to make a contact on a pass of AO-51 the past few few years. In front of audience after audience - over fifty demos the past couple of years - plus personal contacts. Are there examples of "poor" ops? Absolutely. But I see those as opportunities to educate. Many an email has been sent to a newbie I have heard on the air. But NEVER to degrade or chide - but to educate. I only casually listened to the pass that caused this thread and change of uplink frequency. I guess I will re-listen, without office distractions, and see if I am as "struck" as others were with gross mis-use of the service. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com 909-241-7666

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Re: AO-51 Uplink Changhe
by Jim Adams 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

>>>*I cannot think of a worse idea.* ** Well ok, then what is the answer? AO-51 used to be fun to work, but with the high power stations, jammers, and everyone talking over everyone else, it's no longer fun. With the frequency change this evenings pass was very enjoyable. Jim Adams - K0BAM Ridgway, Colorado ** * *

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ND9M/MM Op Sked: FL04 Update
by Clary, James T, Civilian 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

The Gulf Stream is pushing us a bit faster now. We'll be crossing into FL04 sooner than expected, around 28/2250Z. The upcoming AO7 pass that starts locally at 28/2248Z looks to be the only available window for this grid before we exit into FL05 about an hour later. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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ND9M/MM Op Sked: 28 March - Update
by Clary, James T, Civilian 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

We've got one more full day of sailing before we arrive in Jacksonville, but there are a few good grids in the FL field still left. My op sked for tonight and tomorrow is below. I fully expect to get on while we're in FL07, but we'll be in that grid during the work day so I don't know what pass(es) that'll be. We'll be in FL04 for only an hour or so tonight as we turn north near where the Florida Keys meet the mainland. Fortunately there are a couple passes (VO52 and SO67) that occur as we enter and depart the grid, so I should be able to put FL04 into a few logs at least. AO51 - 28/2132Z - EL94 FO29 - 28/2203Z - EL94 AO7 - 28/2246Z - EL94 VO52 - 29/0033Z - EL94 or FL04 SO67 - 29/0133Z - FL04 or probably FL05 VO52 - 29/0207Z - FL04 or probably FL05 FO29 - 29/0950Z - FL06 AO51 - 29/1128Z - FL06 AO51 - 29/2053Z - FL08 FO29 - 29/2107Z - FL08 AO51 - 29/2234Z - FL08 FO29 - 29/2253Z - FL08 AO7 - 29/2341Z - FL08 or EL98 VO52 - 30/0050Z - EL98 SO67 - 30/0114Z - EL98 I'll update tomorrow as needed. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Grid EL94

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Re: AO-51 uplink
by Glenn AA5PK 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

For those wondering, here's a recording of that pass from K8YSE's audio archives: http://www.papays.com/sat/AO-51_25Mar2011_215604z.mp3 73 Glenn AA5PK > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > To: "Amsat-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; "AO51 Modes" <ao51-modes(a)amsat.org>; "Mark Hammond" <n8mh(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2011 5:37 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 uplink > > >> The AO-51 repeater uplink was switched to 145.88 on the 2215 pass >> tonight. I realize there are multiple grid dxpeditions out and about, >> but that does not excuse some of the operating I heard tonight. If >> another station is in the middle of a QSO, stand by and let them finish. >> If you start to transmit and can't hear yourself, or you hear someone >> else in the downlink, stop transmitting and let them make the call. >> Finally, if you've worked that grid, or that station, or that country, >> how about taking a breather and letting someone else work it for a new one. >> >> 73, Drew KO4MA >> AMSAT VP Operations, and AO-51 Command Station >> _______________________________________________ >> 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: AO-51 Uplink Change
by Clint Bradford 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

>> ... Maybe that's the answer, changing the uplink frequency at random and posting that change here ... I cannot think of a worse idea. The "best available information" should ALWAYS be on the Control Ops pages - the only pages that are maintained by those who are in control of the satellites. Start eliminating operations by posting changes only here ... or some other private or semi-private clique ... and you undermine what the FM satellites are supposed to be all about. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com 909-241-7666

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SO-67 questions
by Dave Straube 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

Is SO-67 operating on the published frequencies (145.870/435.345) or does one of up/down need an adjustment? What is the meaning of "Use Narrow FM on the uplink" on the AMSAT detail page for SO-67? Not sure if I know of any such configuration on the Yaesu FT-847. Thanks - Dave N7LKL

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Re: SO-67 questions
by Jim Adams 28 Mar '11

28 Mar '11

Here is the web page for SO-67 http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ I heard you this morning and myself and another op tried calling you your signal was weak but readable. Here's how I have my ht programmed: SO67 A2 435.355 dn 145.875 up SO67 A1 435.350 dn 145.875 up SO67 MID 435.345 dn 145.875 up SO67 L1 435.340 dn 145.875 up SO67 L2 435.335 dn 145. 875 up No tone and I don't use narrow fm. Hope this helps. Jim Adams - K0BAM Ridgway, Colorado

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downconverter/feed/dish for sale
by Bob- W7LRD 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

Trying here before Ebay. UEK-3000 2.4ghz to 2M downconverter, short helix feed, 18" dish. Complete S band receive system. Email direct 73 Bob W7LRD

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ND9M/MM Op Sked: 28 March
by Clary, James T, Civilian 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

Here's the list of planned ops for tonight and tomorrow. Although EL93 isn't listed with certainty below, I'm confident that I'll be able to get on at some point during the workday; we'll be in EL93 for about three to four hours in the late morning. I'll send out a note tomorrow when I know better. AO51 - 28/1028Z - EL83 FO29 - 28/1047Z - EL83 AO7 - 28/1159Z - EL83 or EL93 AO51 - 28/2132Z - EL94 FO29 - 28/2203Z - EL94 AO7 - 28/2246Z - EL94 SO67 - 29/0133Z - FL04 VO52 - 29/0207Z - FL04 or FL05 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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ZF2AE/ZF8 QRV this afternoon from Little Cayman
by Adrian Engele 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

Greetings fellow satellite ops. Sorry I have only had time to get on 2 passes from Gran Cayman a few days ago. I am wrapping up CQ WPX this afternoon/evening and I will try to make the following two passes today. AO-51: 22:10 UTC 3/27/11 VO-52 01:47 UTC 3/28/11 Hope to get more active in the coming days. Wednesday afternoon looks very good for several passes in the mid afternoon, more daily notices will be posted as I firm up my schedule. 73, Adrian AA5UK > ZF2AE/ZF8 EK99xp

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Re: AO-51 uplink
by Jim Adams 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

I think that's a great idea, unfortunately I didn't see this in time to reprogram my ht. Maybe that's the answer, changing the uplink frequency at random and posting that change here. I would have loved to be able to work ZF2AE today, but with an ht it was impossible. Jim Adams - K0BAM Ridgway, Colorado

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AO-51 uplink
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

The AO-51 repeater uplink was switched to 145.88 on the 2215 pass tonight. I realize there are multiple grid dxpeditions out and about, but that does not excuse some of the operating I heard tonight. If another station is in the middle of a QSO, stand by and let them finish. If you start to transmit and can't hear yourself, or you hear someone else in the downlink, stop transmitting and let them make the call. Finally, if you've worked that grid, or that station, or that country, how about taking a breather and letting someone else work it for a new one. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations, and AO-51 Command Station

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SO67 Americas schedule
by Hans 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

Hi all SO67 schedule for the Americas and South Africa starting on 28 March are now on www.amsatsa.org.za. The Americas will have two weeks till 10 April, then Europe follows from 11 - 17 April, then central Asia followed by Australasia from 25 April to 1 May 73 Hans ZS6AKV

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QSO W4-LU/Q on AO7
by Luis Quintas 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

Sebastian (W4AS) and I (LU6QI) made a QSO on AO7 in SSB Mode B at 22.55 UTC on March 26, 2011, during orbit 66404. The distance between our respective QTHs is 6715 km I also made others QSOs in these days on AO7 covering around 7000 km The satellite is working wonderful and I am QRV for other stations from North America who would like to attempt a QSO either in SSB or CW. My grid locator is FF66TQ. Tnx, 73 de --luis LU6QI

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Fwd: Next "HV Satcom" Net.
by Stuart Balanger 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stuart Balanger <wa2bss(a)gmail.com> Date: Sun, Mar 27, 2011 at 3:40 PM Subject: Fwd: Next "HV Satcom" Net. To: amsar-bb(a)amsat.org *Hi all, The Mt. Beacon "Hamfeste" or "Beaconfeste" is Sun- day April 10 @ Tymor Pk *Central dutches Co.,NY) More info on the MBARC Home page! Thanks,.& 73,.Stu (WA2BSS) * ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Stuart Balanger <wa2bss(a)gmail.com> Date: Tue, Mar 22, 2011 at 7:01 PM Subject: Next "HV Satcom" Net. To: ans-editor(a)amsat.org *The next "HV Satcom"Net is Thursday March 31 @ 8PM (EDT;-4 UTC) on the 146.970 MHZ Repeater, w/ an echolink node of "N2EYH-L" More info: www.hvsatcom.org or E-Mail: wa2aqh2amsat.org or the MBARC Home Page: www.wr2abb.org/home/ 73,.Stu (MBARC ;Director)(WA2BSS) *

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ND9M/MM Op Sked: EL72 & EL73 Update
by Clary, James T, Civilian 27 Mar '11

27 Mar '11

I expect to be QRV from EL72 on VO52 at 27/1504Z. We'll be in this grid until around 27/2200Z, so I'll be able to get on again from EL72 at least one more time at 27/2113Z on FO29 before we cross into EL73. We should be in EL73 for about three hours, from about 27/2200Z to 28/0100Z. Based on that time frame, I'll be on from this grid as follows: AO51 - 27/2212Z FO29 - 27/2259Z AO7 - 27/2347Z After that we'll be in EL83 until daylight tomorrow morning. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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(no subject)
by Howard Kowall 26 Mar '11

26 Mar '11

Hello All Before I start I am not cheap just frugal Want to make my antenna polarization selectable with relays LHCP or RHCP For both UHF and VHF I really don't want to buy a commercial ones Does anyone know what type or where I can purchase theses types of relays I would like to have them rated for aprox 50w for UHF and VHF 12vdc coil would be nice,I plan on energizing them with a separate power supply Thanks to all who read and respond to this Howard VE4ISP

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gpredict easycomm and kenwood radio
by Andrew Rich 26 Mar '11

26 Mar '11

Hello I have a mate that has 1. Rotator that talks easycomm 1 on serial 2. Kenwood radio 3. gPredict for windows Can hamlib help ? - Andrew -

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