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HO68 & SatPC
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 01 Jan '11

01 Jan '11

The following lines made SATPC32 work on HO-68 tracking for me Put this in AMSATNAMES.txt: 36122 09072B HO-68 And this in Doppler.SQF HO-68,435790,145910,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,CWbcn HO-68,435740,145950,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,Xponder HO-68,435675,145825,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,Rptr-BBS Thanks to Glenn Damon WA4HFN

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Re: HO68 & SatPC
by Mark L. Hammond 01 Jan '11

01 Jan '11

http://www.dk1tb.de/NewSatelliteData and http://www.dk1tb.de/FAQ_e.htm It's all there... 73, Mark N8MH At 04:53 PM 1/1/2011 +0000, wa4hfn(a)comcast.net wrote: >The following lines made SATPC32 work on HO-68 tracking for me Put this in AMSATNAMES.txt: 36122 09072B Â HO-68 And this in Doppler.SQF HO-68,435790,145910,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,CWbcn HO-68,435740,145950,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,Xponder HO-68,435675,145825,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,Rptr-BBS Thanks to Glenn DamonÂ Â 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 Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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AO51 Switch Back to Voice?
by Zachary Beougher 01 Jan '11

01 Jan '11

Happy New Year Everyone! Could anyone tell me when AO51 switches back to regular voice operation? The current schedule (http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php) ended on the 30th, and I didn’t see anything about when it would be back in voice. 73! Zack KD8KSN

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AO-51 Off
by Rsoifer＠aol.com 01 Jan '11

01 Jan '11

Hi, AO-51 turned off at approximately 1242 UTC as I was listening to N5AFV's CW coming through the passband. 73 Ray W2RS

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HO-68
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 31 Dec '10

31 Dec '10

HO-68 problem solved Thanks to AA5PK WA4HFN Damon

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HO68
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 31 Dec '10

31 Dec '10

Need help with the Identification Number and International Designator for HO68 for SatPC 32 to work Please reply to wa4hfn(a)comcast.net and not on the BBS Thanks Damon

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Thank you !
by PA3GUO 31 Dec '10

31 Dec '10

Dear all, Here in the Netherlands we have only a few hours left of 2010. Thank you for all the positive energy this year on the amsat-bb ! It is truly a pleasure to be part of this group. Have a fantastic 2011 !! Henk, PA3GUO

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Re: Let Your Garage Charge Your Radio
by G0MRF＠aol.com 31 Dec '10

31 Dec '10

Hi Clint. Sounds like a unique solution. Probably OK for NiCd or Lead acid. However, if it's any sort of Lithium technology in those batteries, then deep cycling and a top up charge is definately the wrong way. For maximum shelf life Lithium batteries need to be kept at 40 - 60% charge, then topped up when needed. Also, for the maximum number of cycles, the battery needs a small depth of discharge not deep cycling. Your friend is probably using NiCd bats, but I thought I would mention it just in case anyone thought this would be a good idea for Lithium batteries. Thanks es HNY David In a message dated 30/12/2010 19:20:52 GMT Standard Time, clintbradford(a)mac.com writes: He also performs a "cycling" of his battery pack every 60 days (running the radio until it won't power on, then charging). After a year-and-a-half of this, his voltage indication is still quite high. When he performs his "cycling," the pack seems to not have lost a bit of capacity.

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LVB Tracker reset problem
by Bill Photinos 31 Dec '10

31 Dec '10

Got my LVB Tracker from AMSAT last week. Installed it on a G5500. Calibrated it and it seemed to work fine until yesterday. It seem to now just randomly reset itself as if it were being power cycled. The LCD screen posts the startup firmware version message then goes back to normal. This happens randomly. I have opened up the unit ad everything seems to be seated well. Any suggestions on where to look? Could this be a voltage issue from the G5500 or out of the voltage regulator on the LVB. When this happens it locks the virtual comm port on the computer causing me to have to reset the rotor & tracking programs. Thanks, Bill - W4RVN

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UO-11 Active
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 31 Dec '10

31 Dec '10

Hi all, Pleased to report that UO-11 was active and quite strong on the North/South pass from my QTH in Wales here in the UK. Approx. 0958 hrs GMT. 31st December 2010. I have not monitored A0 -7 as yet today ( it was active yesterday) but is nice to see these old birds seeing out yet another year along with those much younger in this new world of technology advances.. Just a point to the many enquiries about working satellites -You do not need high power or high gain antennas to enjoy the hobby - I have used both my Arrow and Elk antennas for many contacts and still get good reports. Wishing you all a "HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOOD LUCK" for 2011. A big thanks to all that support their time and effort as well as donations to make the hobby worhwhile. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat - UK Amsat NA

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Re: Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB) with antennas in attic?
by Mike Ryan 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

The Arrow isn't set up for mast mounting by default. But under the rubber handle (easily pulled off) is a threaded connector that mates with most camera tripods. Many use that tripod mount on the Arrow (including me) to manage fatigue and be lazy. You can rig up an L bracket with a trip to the hardware store that uses those threads and gives you something to mount to a mast. An L bracket connected to the Arrow on one end via the threaded screws and connected to a small piece of pipe, mast , or electric conduit on the other end through a couple ubolts. This would never hold up to wind outside but just fine in the attic. In this config 70cm is horizontal and 2M vertical but with a little creativity, you can flip that. Always having one band out of polarity is a characteristic of the Arrow. It’s a little inconvenient signal wise, but of you run full duplex, it gives you some isolation. The Elk, being a dual band log periodic, doesn’t have this feature and both bands are same polarity. Elk or Arrow. Always a debate in the group. Some swear by one and some by the the other. Yes, keep that ARR amp at least until you get a chance to try it. It makes a huge difference on the downlink. Better still if you have the “S” or switched model as its so very easy to accidentally pop your amp through a careless bump of the PTT. As for the U100, that’s just my choice as I’ve been happily using them for years. Since the mast goes through the center, they also make a very easily deployed elevation rotor. Some good pictures of how to do that on Norms Rotor Service website. But you can use any inexpensive rotor like the Radio Shack (similar units available from NTE, Philips, RCA, and HyGain) . I have one of those too and its fine for light duty. Its just very clear by listening to it run and peeking inside the housing at the tiny motor that it wont hold up to punishment. The U100s may be ancient clunkers, but they are pretty tough. Good luck. Mike WB1AAT ----- Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:34:03 -0500 From: "Joe Krepps" <occupant(a)ytpress.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB) with antennas in attic? To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <op.vohsq1oraadv7j(a)joes-computer.local> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-15; format=flowed; delsp=yes Question: when mounting an Arrow to a TV rotator, are the 2m elements vertical, horizontal or ...? Guess I better hang onto my bought-from-eBay-but-never-used ARR 432MHz preamp! Tnx & 73, Joe WB3CFN <-now on the hunt for a good ol' U100 (Ka-CHUNK Ka-CHUNK Ka-CHUNK...)

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Re: Mode change delay-AO-51
by Mark L. Hammond 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

Yes Jim, that's what I meant :) Good catch. That's around 5am local Eastern US time, tomorrow (Friday). Hope that's more clear now..heh. 73, Mark N8MH At 08:23 PM 12/30/2010 -0500, Jim Wright wrote: >Did you mean 31 Dec? 1000 UTC on 30 Dec is history! >Curious, >Jim > > >On 12/30/2010 8:05 PM, Mark L. Hammond wrote: >>Hi All, >> >>Due to power management related issues, we skipped the mode change tonight for SKN mode. The plan is for the change to occur around 10:00utc 30 Dec. >> >>73, >> >> >> >>Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] >> >>_______________________________________________ >>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 >> Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Mode change delay-AO-51
by Mark L. Hammond 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

Hi All, Due to power management related issues, we skipped the mode change tonight for SKN mode. The plan is for the change to occur around 10:00utc 30 Dec. 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Let Your Garage Charge Your Radio
by Clint Bradford 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

This has to be one of the most unique radio-charging setups I have ever heard of. Gene KJ6BRR privately emailed me earlier this week, asking me what I thought of his setup. He owns an FT-60R. He rarely uses it - and doesn't carry it around with him. An occasional event or drill - that's all. But he wants it 100% charged and ready to go when he DOES need it. Here's what he has done. He built a little "charge station" shelf in the garage, and hooked up the FT-60's wall wart to the garage door opener's AC outlet. And every time the garage door is opened - four times a day - the radio received four-minute charges. He also performs a "cycling" of his battery pack every 60 days (running the radio until it won't power on, then charging). After a year-and-a-half of this, his voltage indication is still quite high. When he performs his "cycling," the pack seems to not have lost a bit of capacity. He asked me for my opinion of the setup. "Wonderfully innovative ... slick ... and it WORKS for you ... " are phrases that immediately came to my mind. NOT for EVERYone - but for Gene's life with his FT-60R, he is ready to go at a moment's notice! Clint Bradford

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Re: RAX Decode
by Mark L. Hammond 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

Hi Enzo, A regular 9600 baud modem (same one you use on AO-51) will work fine. When it's ON, the beacons sound like a short packet burst from AO-51 (or any other 9600 source). 73! Mark N8MH At 09:44 PM 12/29/2010 +0100, you wrote: >Hello, >i would like to receive the RAX Satellite. >as i read on the Amsat web it is GMSK 9600 BPS. >I would like to know what to hear. >Should i hear the noise like the AO-51 bird? >What do i need to decode it? >Thanks in advance > >73 de Enzo IK8OZV >EasyLog 5 BetaTester >EasyLog PDA BetaTester >WinBollet BetaTester >D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania >Skype: ik8ozv8520 > > > > > ********************************** > ******* GSM +39 338 9749786 ******* > ****** SMS +39 338 9749786 ****** > ***** FAX +39 328 7244294 ***** > *** 2nd e-mail: vimone(a)tin.it *** > ********************************* > > >_______________________________________________ >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 Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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FUNcube Dongle
by Howard Long 30 Dec '10

30 Dec '10

Folks Henk PA3GUO has kindly put up a video of his FUNcube Dongle in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFZGlqKPPQo The FUNcube Dongle was originally developed for educational outreach as part of the ground segment for the FUNcube satellite. However we realised it can be used for many other applications as well, so AMSAT-UK developed a Pro version too. We sold out in just over a minute on the first batch about ten days ago. We have some more on stream that will be available from 20:00UTC on Sunday 2 January 2011. You can order them here: http://www.funcubedongle.com A proportion of the sales of the FUNcube Dongle goes to support AMSAT-UK's FUNcube satellite (http://www.funcube.org.uk). Season's greetings & 73, Howard G6LVB

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HAPPY NEW YEAR
by iw2ndx＠fastwebnet.it 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL de IW2NDX (Stefano)

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Re: RAX Decode
by Matt Bennett 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

> Hi Enzo, > > We are glad to hear you are interested in tracking RAX! RAX > beacons sound just like the noise you'd hear if you opened > your squelch wide open. Beacon intervals are normally every > 20 seconds. RAX is experiencing some power problems right > now, so are keeping the beacon off most of the time to > conserve battery life for the year ahead. I notified the BB > earlier this month that I will post a message when we are > beaconing regularly again. > > The software to auto-decode beacons can be found on our > website at http://rax.engin.umich.edu. Mike > Rupprecht (DK3WN) also has his own version at http://www.dk3wn.info/software.shtml. > > 73, > > Matt Bennett > KF6RTB > RAX Project Manager > > > --- On Wed, 12/29/10, Vincenzo Mone <vimone(a)alice.it> > wrote: > > > From: Vincenzo Mone <vimone(a)alice.it> > > Subject: [amsat-bb] RAX Decode > > To: "Amsat - BBs" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > > Date: Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 12:44 PM > > Hello, > > i would like to receive the RAX Satellite. > > as i read on the Amsat web it is GMSK 9600 BPS. > > I would like to know what to hear. > > Should i hear the noise like the AO-51 bird? > > What do i need to decode it? > > Thanks in advance > > > > 73 de Enzo IK8OZV > > EasyLog 5 BetaTester > > EasyLog PDA BetaTester > > WinBollet BetaTester > > D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania > > Skype: ik8ozv8520 > > > > > > > > > > ********************************** > > ******* GSM +39 338 > > 9749786 ******* > > ****** > > SMS +39 338 9749786 > > ****** > > ***** > > FAX +39 328 7244294 > > ***** > > *** > > 2nd e-mail: vimone(a)tin.it > > *** > > ********************************* > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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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Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB) with antennas in attic?
by David Mennerich 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

I have HOA rules that prevent me from putting antennas on the roof where I live. However, I can put antennas in the attic. I have an Az/El setup that I could mount up in the attic, but wanted to get some feedback from folks on any experience they've had working the LEO satellites with antennas in the attic. Thanks! - Dave N2TEB

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FUNcubeDongle: out of the box test results (excellent !)
by PA3GUO 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFZGlqKPPQo (HD video: set to 720p and Fullscreen) YouTube video featuring the first results; - HO68 CW - HO68 FM - AO51 FM - VO52 SSB - OOREOS 1k2 AX25 (packet radio with MixW) Results are amazing. The FUNcubeDongle gives results similar to the Kenwood TS2000x. Tests are done with the dongle straight out of the box, no tweaking. Great achievement Howard & team ! Henk, PA3GUO, The Netherlands http://www.pa3guo.com

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RAX Decode
by Vincenzo Mone 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

Hello, i would like to receive the RAX Satellite. as i read on the Amsat web it is GMSK 9600 BPS. I would like to know what to hear. Should i hear the noise like the AO-51 bird? What do i need to decode it? Thanks in advance 73 de Enzo IK8OZV EasyLog 5 BetaTester EasyLog PDA BetaTester WinBollet BetaTester D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania Skype: ik8ozv8520 ********************************** ******* GSM +39 338 9749786 ******* ****** SMS +39 338 9749786 ****** ***** FAX +39 328 7244294 ***** *** 2nd e-mail: vimone(a)tin.it *** *********************************

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Re: Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB) with antennas in attic?
by Joe Krepps 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

Question: when mounting an Arrow to a TV rotator, are the 2m elements vertical, horizontal or ...? Guess I better hang onto my bought-from-eBay-but-never-used ARR 432MHz preamp! Tnx & 73, Joe WB3CFN <-now on the hunt for a good ol' U100 (Ka-CHUNK Ka-CHUNK Ka-CHUNK...)

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Re: Fundraising ...
by Clint Bradford 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

CLINT >> Got some attractive "spare"accessories just taking up room in your shack? Get rid of 'em - by having the recipient send a couple bucks to AMSAT. DEE >> ... Good ideas ... EVERYBODY wins! The recipient gets a needed accessory. The recipient gets "credit" for the tax-deductible donation to AMSAT-NA. And Clint's spouse is happy that there's one less thing laying 'round the house ... HAPPY NEW YEAR, AMSAT-BB! Clint, K6LCS

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Fundraising ...
by Clint Bradford 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

Well, over in a YahooGroup covering the Yaesu FT-60 handheld radio this evening - 1. Pat KC2RNN needed a replacement FT-60 wall wart ... 2. Clint K6LCS had one, un-used, sitting 'round ... 3. AMSAT-NA is running a fund drive ... Put those three ingredients together, and Clint K6LCS is sending Pat a new wall wart for Pat's donation to AMSAT! (I feel like I should be on a PBS telethon ... (grin).) Got some attractive "spare"accessories just taking up room in your shack? Get rid of 'em - by having the recipient send a couple bucks to AMSAT. Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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KD8KSN/8 EN90/EM99 Cards Mailed
by Zachary Beougher 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

Hi Everybody, The KD8KSN/8 EN90/EM99 cards went out in the mail this morning with the exception of AB0XE, KJ4CTZ and VE3JW. I ran out of labels and envelopes, so give an extra day or two on those three. I have heard from several stations that didn’t get to work me at this boundary that they need one or both of these grids. The plan in to return to this grid boundary in late winter/early spring before corn is planted and working the boundary become difficult. I will definitely try to go on a weekend this time. 73, and Happy New Year! Zack KD8KSN

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straight Key night on AO-51, Hows it work?
by Tom Schuessler 29 Dec '10

29 Dec '10

Greetings, The AO-51 status page says; December 30 (late UTC) CW/FM Repeater, V/U For Straight Key Night Uplink: 145.880 MHz CW Downlink: 435.300 MHz CW over FM The question was asked last week or so on the BB about what the uplink mode really is supposed to be, A1? Will it receive like a narrow transponder and output CW over FM with different frequencies of audio tone as the incoming signals populate the passband. I do not recall ever seeing an answer to the question. Obviously there should be an avoidance of the use of the normal FM by ground stations to allow the straight key folks a fighting chance. 73 de N5HYP Tom Schuessler 2713 Lake Gardens Drive Irving, Texas 75060 972-986-7456 214-403-1464 (Cell) n5hyp(a)arrl.net

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Vertically mounted beam question
by John Geiger 28 Dec '10

28 Dec '10

What sort of radiation pattern (mainly elevation lobes) would a dualband beam, like the Cushcraft A270-6S or Elk Antenna, have when mounted for vertical polarization? Does it have useful elevation lobes for most LEO satellite work? I used to have a Cushcraft A270-10S mounted horizontally and whichever band was on the top of the boom had some very high lobes with nothing on the lower parts of the passes. 73s John AA5JG

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Re: Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB)
by Mike Ryan 28 Dec '10

28 Dec '10

It can be done but there will be some loss. Generally the higher the frequency, the bigger impact of barriers like roofs and walls. So 70 cm downlink will suffer noticeably. I’ve done it and make the following recommendations. Get the most gain you can. While omnis are possible, you may lose patience with limited passes as I did when I started with turnstiles and moxon turnstiles. Get or build a yagi or other directional antenna and turn with a cheap tv rotor (I prefer old alliance u100s as they are inexpensive used and quite rugged). The biggest one you can afford or squeeze into that attic space available. Because you don’t need to weatherize, consider just rigging up an Arrow or Elk (I did it with the Elk) at fixed elevation. Get a preamp. Its night and day, believe me, when you have one with less than ideal antennas. I use the ARR 25 watt switched units. Youll really benefit from the preamp on 70 cm downlink. If you do VO52 or A07 mode B, a preamp on 2M is helpful, but I’ve found these sats quite usable without one from the attic. While this might just be my QTH, I found a lot more QRM on 2M than 70 cm and the preamp just tends to make the QRM louder. Keep the antenna away, best you can, from any possible sources of coupling (metal), including house wiring, ductwork, flashing, and even foil backed insulation batts. You cant avoid everything up there, but just try your best. The effect, exhibited often in the form of directional SWR issues and RFI is a combination of how big the metal is and how far away. In my case, I had to move things around due to nearby heating ducts. Good luck! Mike WB1AAT

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AO-51 update 28 Dec 2010 2315utc
by Mark L. Hammond 28 Dec '10

28 Dec '10

Hi All, This evening we shut down the digital transmitter TXA (435.150). This is due to less sun (we are on the edge of eclipse). I suspect we'll be keeping TXA off for the most part, except to collect telemetry. We'll do our best to keep 435.300 running as much as possible. 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Re: Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB) with antennas in attic?
by Bill Dzurilla 28 Dec '10

28 Dec '10

Dave, It depends to an extent on the composition of your roof. I did not get good results from the attic, but others have. Give it a try if you have no other choice. A couple of people have mentioned fixed elevation at 30 degrees. If you go this route, I would recommend just 15-20 degrees of elevation, not 30. I use an Elk with 20 degrees fixed elevation and a small TV azimuth rotor, mounted outside. My HOA also disallows outside antennas, but the Elk is so tiny (2' long) no one has complained (knock on wood). I've worked Europe on AO-7 and HO-68. Good luck and 73, Bill NZ5N

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New UT FASTRAC TLEs available
by Andrew.MacAllister＠emerson.com 28 Dec '10

28 Dec '10

Just updated today for FAST1 and FAST2 (not yet separated): http://fastrac.ae.utexas.edu/for_radio_operators/users/phpBB3/predictedorbi… 73 de Andy W5ACM

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Attic antennas
by WB2LLP 28 Dec '10

28 Dec '10

For the attic antennas, how much space is there between the attic floor and the ridge pole?

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Re: Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB) withantennas in attic?
by Patrick Farcon 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

Dave, I have the same antenna restrictions here at my home. When a member of the "board" has seen me outside my home working the satellites in my parking lot he asked me just that, "anyway you can put antennas in the attic?" I try to make it outside with my portable Arrow II or Elk setup but it has gotten to be really cold and with the recent blizzard tough or almost impossible. Be that as it may, I have been working handheld indoors but my receive is very poor at times. I have mad a few contacts but most likely I am getting out better than I receive which is not a good thing. I used to have an old TV antenna rotor from Radio Shack that would at least help with azimuth and I could use a fixed elevation of about 30 degrees but I think it is long gone after the move years ago. I was thinking of putting a more elaborate AZ/EL setup in the attic as well and looking for suggestions. Also looking for suggestions on preamps as well to at least improve my signal on receive even if I work handheld for some time longer. I always enjoy and filled with envy when I hear stations working each other down to about 1 degree elevation at their QTH and dream of someday getting there, especially for HO-68 and the linear satellites. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as well. 73, Pat N2VYT FN20un

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Akatsuki Malfunction Possibly Caused By Valve
by B J 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101227p2a00m0na016000c.html 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

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Re: ISS Voice Contacts?
by AJ9N＠aol.com 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

At this point in time we do not know active the new crew will be. As with every new crew, the crew is off limits for a few weeks once they have docked to allow for them to get acclimated to space and learn their way around the ISS. The first scheduled ARISS school contact with the new crew is Università degli studi di Bari “Cittadella Mediterranea della Scienza”, Bari, Ba, Italy, direct via IZ7EVR slated for Sat 2011-01-08 12:21:55 UTC 41.2 deg. So look for activity starting about then. As always, I attempt to keep everyone up to date with the latest schedule when I post to the various bulletin boards. Also monitor the ISS Fan Club webpage for activity announcements.. 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS mentors In a message dated 12/27/2010 6:52:57 P.M. Central Standard Time, k7trkradio(a)charter.net writes: I guess I'm a little late coming to the party, but is there any possibility of working the station post Col. Wheelock? Ted K7TRK _______________________________________________ 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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ISS Voice Contacts?
by Ted 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

I guess I'm a little late coming to the party, but is there any possibility of working the station post Col. Wheelock? Ted K7TRK

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Re: High resolution serial antenna tracking
by Richard Ferryman 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

Thank you Erich and Paul. I will program another chip to accept the EasyComm protocol and test it out. I probably won't require this accuracy unless we get a bird up with X-band or above. Thanks es 73 de Richard (Dick) G4BBH

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High resolution serial antenna tracking protocol?
by Richard Ferryman 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

I have been working on an antenna tracking system using a very heavy duty CCTV pan and tilt head which uses large stepper motors. I have built a new control system that accepts Yaesu serial data commands from SatPC32 and drives the stepper motors to the correct position. The Yaesu protocol only works in whole degrees. Does anyone know of a serial protocol that allows fractional degree or minute data? I know our application doesn't need it but I would like to test the hardware to it's limit! Dick G4BBH

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Sacramento and L.A
by Michael Chen 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

Hey, guys, I will be in Sacramento today to 29th and then L.A till Jan. 5. It will be great to meet some amsat guys in these areas. Leave me a message or call (317)716-6818. Michael Chen, BD5RV/4 AMSAT-China: http://www.camsat.cn ----------------------------------- Twitter: http://twitter.com/bd5rv Email: michael.bd5rv(a)gmail.com MSN: bd5rv(a)jsdxc.org Skype: michael-bd5rv

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FS: FT736R and accessories
by Rm2642＠aol.com 27 Dec '10

27 Dec '10

Offering my FT736R with accessories first to the satellite community before placing them on eBay. Detailed photos of everything at n6paa.org. Please reply off list. Thanks ron n6paa

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DM31 QSLs to the post office...
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Hi! After returning home earlier this afternoon, I printed and wrote out the QSL cards from my DM31 trip to southern Arizona just over a week ago (18 December). All of those cards will go to the post office tomorrow morning. These cards will have a different Arizona license plate on them; I'm not much of an artist, but I can at least mix things up with the large variety of license plates issued by the state of Arizona. :-) I hope everyone had a good Christmas. Happy 2011 to all, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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AO-51 update 26 Dec 2010 2115utc
by Mark L. Hammond 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Hi All, This afternoon the power management function of AO-51 was turned ON, in anticipation of eclipses in just a few days. You might see the transmitter power levels go UP and DOWN a bit as the battery voltage changes. We'll make some adjustments and tweaks to keep it from going UP and DOWN too often--but it's the way it's gonna work. In a few weeks we expect transmitter(s) to be OFF while in eclipse and ON when in the sun. Expect adjustments and various power management schemes from now until the end of February when we'll again see full sunlight for a brief period (few short months as I recall). We'll do our best to keep you informed via the BBS and the AO-51 webpage. On behalf of the Command Team, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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First Satellite QSO AO-27
by John M. Belstner 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Congratulations to Steve KC4SW on his first Satellite QSO on AO-27 today. Too bad I must also apologize for all the poor operating behavior on the FM Birds. Its not normally this bad. John Belstner W9EN Valley Center, CA DM13le

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Re: O/OREOS TLE errors ?
by PA3GUO 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Hi Ryan Thanks a lot for your detailed reply. Would you be so kind to share that spreadsheet (XLS?) with me ? In the coming days I really need (well, would higly appreciate) to have working TLEs - especially also for Nanosail. Best of course would be if the O/OREOS/Nanasail team could fix this prior to posting them on the web :-) Thanks Henk ---- Ryan Caron <rcaron(a)gmail.com> schreef: > The O/OREOS TLEs consistently do not have valid checksums (last digit of > each line). I submitted a comment about this on their website but I have > not heard back. The correct checksums are 2 & 3, and not the 6 & 5 that > is listed. > > If, by the time you read this, the posted TLEs are not 6 & 5, then the > TLEs have been updated and you'll have to generate new checksums. The > formula is a sum of all numerical characters on the line, including the > line number, treating minus signs as a one and everything else (letters, > +, spaces) as a 0. Then take modulus 10 of the sum (i.e. last digit of > the sum). Look it up on wikipedia for more details. > > I've made a spreadsheet to fix this, but it is still a manual operation > for me (got to write a script at some point). Some programs disregard > the the checksum, which is why HRD & the website still work and your > tracking tool doesn't. Predict/GPredict, my tools of choice, require > valid checksums, making proper TLEs a pet peeve of mine. I don't know > what NOVA's up to. > > In terms of "swarm spread" (i.e. how small delta-V between spacecraft > that shared the same ride, which in this case is just done by compressed > springs, translates into spatial differences), 35 minutes of separation > is pretty high for just 10 days after launch. With all the latest TLEs > from the three websites, I show O/OREOS being 3.5 minutes ahead of RAX, > and RAX being a 1.33 minutes ahead of FAST1/2. > > Ryan, KB1LKI > > On 11/30/10 4:54 AM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > > ------------------------------ > > > > Message: 4 > > Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:55:16 +0100 > > From: PA3GUO<pa3guo(a)upcmail.nl> > > Subject: [amsat-bb] O/OREOS TLE errors ? > > To:[email protected] > > Message-ID:<19767175.1291067716437.JavaMail.root(a)viefep21.chello.at> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > > > Dear all, > > > > I keep on having troubles with the O/OREOS kepler sets. > > RAX and the others are fine. > > > > With todays version (as from the O/OREOS dashboard on the web) > > - NOVA gives O/OREOS just a bit behind RAX > > - HamRadioDeluxe give O/OREOS 35 minutes behind RAX > > - The O/OREOS web (dashboard graphic) shows O/OREOS 35 minutes behind RAX > > - My private antenna tracking tool does not recognize the keplerset of O/OREOS > > > > Anyone else has experienced this (and maybe even a solution) ? > > Henk > > -- > > Henk, PA3GUO > > -- Henk, PA3GUO

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AO27 and TS 2000
by Mateusz 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Hallo TS 2000 users known very well how irritating is internal bird on 436.798 MHz. It is makes impossible(*) to operate AO27 at AOS, has to wait close to LOS or forced to use preamp that is questionable in urban area. I tried today to make QSO on AO27 just after AOS. I was listening in AM mode arround internal bird and did QSO with OE6MDF.A few seconds after AO27 was off (packet). * - try listening in amplitude modulation arround internal bird :) SQ7DQX

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Re: no signal, please help
by G0MRF＠aol.com 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

In a message dated 26/12/2010 07:05:57 GMT Standard Time, n.mahdinejad(a)gmail.com writes: Hi Dear. I have visited that website, now in my installation every thing is ok, antennas track the sateliites and ICOM set to satellites ferequencies but there is no signal, could you please help me what is the problem. Thanks for your help and attention. Hi. 1) check you have a good connection between the antenna and the receiver. Do this by listening to a weak local signal. This will check 'silly' errors e.g. Not having the RF gain control turned to the correct position. 2) When you have the weak local signal coming through, turn the antennas so you can check they are OK. You can see from the S meter that the antenna has the correct 3dB beamwidth for the expected gain. 3) With the system checked out on local signals, select a satellite with a strong beacon signal. My personal suggestion is HO-68. It has a 200mW CW beacon that is very easy to hear and it is on 24/7. Check for the the next suitable pass, perhaps one with an elevation that exceeds 30 degrees. Then check your computer is giving correct the correct tracking information by going to N2YO.com. If your PC and N2YO agree, then you are ready for a pass. 4) Set up the radio 15 minutes in advance of you aquisition of signal. Point the antennas towards the horizon where you expect the satellite to appear. Set the radio to CW (wide) and set to 435.790 (beacon frequency) then add about 9kHz for doppler. 5) Wait and see if the satellite appears as expected. If the satellite 'fails to appear' and your antenna starts to track across the sky, switch the tracking off. There is no point tracking something that is not there. Look for errors, perhaps move the frequency +/- 5kHz....but if you have done all the above, I suspect you will be listening to the reassuring beeps from HO-68. You can then check tracking and doppler compensation if you have it. Regards David G0MRF

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true tle
by N. Mahdinejad 26 Dec '10

26 Dec '10

Dears. Merry Christmas. I wish all of you have happy holidays. I have question about true tle of amsat satellites. There is one set of TLE in celestrak and one in each satellite webpage in amsat . those are different from in clestrak. Which of these TLE are true that I can use in unitrak for tracking? My tracking predictions in following two pages are different. I don’t know why? http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/index.php http://www.amsat.org/amsatnew/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=116&retURL=/sate… Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Best Regards.

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no signal, please help
by N. Mahdinejad 25 Dec '10

25 Dec '10

Hi Dear. I have visited that website, now in my installation every thing is ok, antennas track the sateliites and ICOM set to satellites ferequencies but there is no signal, could you please help me what is the problem. Thanks for your help and attention.

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Historic NASA Audio
by Clint Bradford 25 Dec '10

25 Dec '10

The famous 1968 NASA telecast recalls the first public, voice-over-radio broadcast, also on Christmas Eve. ttp://tinyurl.com/nasa-1968 Clint, K6LCS

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I: Happy Holidays from Amsat-China! ___HO-68 Schedule 26-02Jan 2011
by Francesco Grappi 25 Dec '10

25 Dec '10

Hi Alan, Thank you very much for Your effort and Amsat China team too, for this HO-68 excellent satellite. I wish you and all a Happy New coming year !! 73" frank IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Per conto di Alan Kung Inviato: sabato 25 dicembre 2010 16.11 A: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Oggetto: [amsat-bb] Happy Holidays from Amsat-China! ___HO-68 Schedule 26-02Jan 2011 On this Christmas and upcoming new year, on behalf of Amsat China I am wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year, expressing my appreciation for your help during the year.We wish amateur satellite community happiness and prosperity in the year ahead! Alan Kung, BA1DU Amsat-China www.camsat.cn -------------------------------- UTC: 26 Dec 2010 ================================ 16:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 17:40...Turn Off 18:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:30...Turn Off 20:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 20:55...Turn Off 22:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 23:35...Turn Off 27 Dec 2010 ================================ 02:31...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia, East Asia,South Asia 02:47...Turn Off 13:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA, South America 14:10...Turn Off 16:40...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Middle East,Europe,NA 17:25...Turn Off 18:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Middle East,Europe,NA 19:00...Turn Off 28 Dec 2010 ================================= 00:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,East Asia,Oceania 01:05...Turn Off 02:14...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:30...Turn Off 10:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,East Asia,Oceania 11:10...Turn Off 13:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 13:55...Turn Off 16:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India, Africa,Europe,NA South America 17:10...Turn Off 18:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 18:55...Turn Off 19:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 20:20...Turn Off 29 Dec 2010 ================================= 00:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 00:50...Turn Off 01:53...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:08...Turn Off 12:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 13:35...Turn Off 16:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,India,Middle East Europe,NA 16:50...Turn Off 17:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 18:40...Turn Off 19:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 20:05...Turn Off 30 Dec 2010 ================================ 23:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 00:30...Turn Off 01:30...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:15...Turn Off 14:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe, NA,South America 15:05...Turn Off 17:40...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 18:25...Turn Off 19:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 20:10...Turn Off 20:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:35...Turn Off 23:30...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,North Asia, Oceania 00:15...Turn Off 31 Dec 2010 ================================ 01:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:45...Turn Off 14:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe, NA,South America 14:50...Turn Off 17:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 18:05...Turn Off 19:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:50...Turn Off 20:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:20...Turn Off 23:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 00:00...Turn Off 01 Jan 2011 ================================ 02:59...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 03:14...Turn Off 13:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 14:35...Turn Off 17:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 17:45...Turn Off 18:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:35...Turn Off 20:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:00...Turn Off 22:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 23:40...Turn Off 02 Jan 2011 ================================ 02:41...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 02:57...Turn Off 13:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 14:20...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn _______________________________________________ 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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Happy Holidays from Amsat-China! ___HO-68 Schedule 26-02 Jan 2011
by Alan Kung 25 Dec '10

25 Dec '10

On this Christmas and upcoming new year, on behalf of Amsat China I am wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year, expressing my appreciation for your help during the year.We wish amateur satellite community happiness and prosperity in the year ahead! Alan Kung, BA1DU Amsat-China www.camsat.cn -------------------------------- UTC: 26 Dec 2010 ================================ 16:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 17:40...Turn Off 18:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:30...Turn Off 20:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 20:55...Turn Off 22:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 23:35...Turn Off 27 Dec 2010 ================================ 02:31...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia, East Asia,South Asia 02:47...Turn Off 13:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA, South America 14:10...Turn Off 16:40...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Middle East,Europe,NA 17:25...Turn Off 18:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Middle East,Europe,NA 19:00...Turn Off 28 Dec 2010 ================================= 00:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,East Asia,Oceania 01:05...Turn Off 02:14...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:30...Turn Off 10:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,East Asia,Oceania 11:10...Turn Off 13:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 13:55...Turn Off 16:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India, Africa,Europe,NA South America 17:10...Turn Off 18:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 18:55...Turn Off 19:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 20:20...Turn Off 29 Dec 2010 ================================= 00:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 00:50...Turn Off 01:53...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:08...Turn Off 12:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 13:35...Turn Off 16:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,India,Middle East Europe,NA 16:50...Turn Off 17:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 18:40...Turn Off 19:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 20:05...Turn Off 30 Dec 2010 ================================ 23:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 00:30...Turn Off 01:30...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:15...Turn Off 14:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe, NA,South America 15:05...Turn Off 17:40...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 18:25...Turn Off 19:25...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 20:10...Turn Off 20:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:35...Turn Off 23:30...Turn On--FM/PACSAT NA,North Asia, Oceania 00:15...Turn Off 31 Dec 2010 ================================ 01:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:45...Turn Off 14:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe, NA,South America 14:50...Turn Off 17:20...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 18:05...Turn Off 19:05...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:50...Turn Off 20:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:20...Turn Off 23:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 00:00...Turn Off 01 Jan 2011 ================================ 02:59...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 03:14...Turn Off 13:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 14:35...Turn Off 17:00...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 17:45...Turn Off 18:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:35...Turn Off 20:15...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 21:00...Turn Off 22:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 23:40...Turn Off 02 Jan 2011 ================================ 02:41...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 02:57...Turn Off 13:35...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Europe,NA,South America 14:20...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Re: question about recive beacon signals with icom 910 h
by G0MRF＠aol.com 25 Dec '10

25 Dec '10

This is the sort of question which is easy to answer yourself - with a bit of work. Just go to _http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/status.php_ (http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/status.php) and the answers can be found 73 David In a message dated 25/12/2010 12:07:54 GMT Standard Time, n.mahdinejad(a)gmail.com writes: I have question about ICOM- IC 910 H. 1. I want to receive beacon signals of some amsat satellites. Could you please tell me from which satellites I can receive beacon signal? (So-50, so-67, ao-27, ao-16, ao-51, prism. Kks, and etc)

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question about recive beacon signals with icom 910 h
by N. Mahdinejad 25 Dec '10

25 Dec '10

I have question about ICOM- IC 910 H. 1. I want to receive beacon signals of some amsat satellites. Could you please tell me from which satellites I can receive beacon signal? (So-50, so-67, ao-27, ao-16, ao-51, prism. Kks, and etc) All the equipments are prepared. There is also unitrac with icom radio and YAESU rotator (but I don’t have tnc). 2. In the main configuration of unitrac there are uplink downlink and beacon ferequency tabs those we shoud fill with the information of satellite ferequency but I don’t know what to do in icom for reciving beacon or telemetry of satellites. Thanks for your help and attention. Best Regards.

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Re: Working HO-68
by Patrick E. Farcon 24 Dec '10

24 Dec '10

Richard, I believe the schedule may be flipping back to SSB this evening. I am in FN20un and usually the passes around 14:00 and 16:00 UTC are valid for this area in NJ. The first of the two passes above often may even have European stations on. Http://www.camsat.cn I believe is the website for times on and off. Hope this helps and see you on HO-68. Sent from my iPhone

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Historic NASA Audio - Corrected URL
by Clint Bradford 24 Dec '10

24 Dec '10

Duh ... http://tinyurl.com/nasa-1968 No - I haven't been sippin' the egg nog ... yet ... Clint

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Fw: DELFI C3 Close Approach
by Peter Portanova 24 Dec '10

24 Dec '10

Happy Holidays Satelliteers, have a safe and satellite filled Holiday, without Fireworks! 73- Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com http://www.qrz.com/db/WB2OQQ? Sent: Friday, December 24, 2010 6:53 AM Subject: DELFI C3 Close Approach > Sir/Ma'am, > > The United States Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) has identified a > predicted conjunction between DELFI C3 (SCC# 32789) and KNOWN OBJECT > > Primary Object: DELFI C3 (SCC# 32789) > Secondary Object: KNOWN OBJECT > Time of Closest Approach: 26 DEC 2010 02:40 UTC > > Overall miss distance: 506 meters > Radial (dU) miss distance: 83 meters > In-Track (dV) miss distance: 420 meters > Cross-track (dW) miss distance: 271 meters > > Primary Radial Error (U): 11 meters > Primary In-track Error (V): 181 meters > Primary Cross-track Error (W): 9 meters > > Secondary Radial Error (U): 62 meters > Secondary In-track Error (V): 706 meters > Secondary Cross-track Error (W): 47 meters

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AO7 QSO / RW3XL
by waf3153＠aol.com 24 Dec '10

24 Dec '10

Just had a nice QSO on AO-7. Worked RW3XL KO84DM on cw at a distance of 7,480 KM !?? WB2SIH? FN31DD

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RW3XL QSO.
by waf3153＠aol.com 24 Dec '10

24 Dec '10

Just had a nice QSO on AO-7. Worked RW3XL on cw at a distance of 7,480 KM !

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Another Winner!
by Martha 23 Dec '10

23 Dec '10

We now have another winner in the latest group of donations totaling $250. Stephen Silverman of Washington, DC. I would like to extend a special BIG thanks to Clint Bradford, K6LCS for his matching campaign. -- 73- Martha

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AO-51 2M PBBS uplink active
by Mark L. Hammond 23 Dec '10

23 Dec '10

Hello All, Just now I switched the uplink on the AO-51 PBBS to 145.860 (the schedule called for L-band uplink). We hope to leave it there until the next scheduled mode change. Hopefully we'll see some more activity on the bird :) Merry Christmas and 73! Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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QST Editor on HO-68
by John Papay 23 Dec '10

23 Dec '10

HO-68 was on this morning with a North America/Europe footprint, but the only station heard was 2E0BFT. After the window with Europe closed I found another station, WB8IMY, calling CQ with a nice signal. I knew the callsign was familiar but it wasn't from hearing it on the satellites. It was from reading QST Magazine! Steve, WB8IMY, is the Editor of QST Magazine and was operating from home with his TS2000 and Eggbeater antennas. We had a nice chat and the reception was excellent. You never know what you just might happen to snag on the birds! The recording is on my website, http://www.papays.com/sat Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 73, John K8YSE

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Re: NASA Video
by Clint Bradford 23 Dec '10

23 Dec '10

>> ... WOW is not enough to describe it ... My wife walked over to my workstation to make sure I was OK - all she saw was me, motionless, with my jaw dropping to the floor ... (grin) Clint

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AO-51 Mode change complete
by Mark L. Hammond 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

Hi All, We are back in "normal" mode as of about 20:30utc 22 Dec 2010--but the L-band uplink to the PBBS is OFF for a bit so that we can try to catch up on the download of whole orbit data that has been accumulating during the S-band period. It might remain off for a day or so, we'll see. We are very soon entering eclipse periods. As always, watch for announcements about any schedule changes, etc. Next scheduled mode change is for Straight Key Night--which is just about when eclipses start! December 22 (late UTC) FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM (no PL tone) Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM 9k6 Baud PBBS Operations, L/U Uplink: 1268.705 MHz FM at 9600 baud Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM at 9600 baud December 30 (late UTC) CW/FM Repeater, V/U For Straight Key Night Uplink: 145.880 MHz CW Downlink: 435.300 MHz CW over FM 9k6 Baud Telemetry Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM at 9600 baud 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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NASA Video
by Clint Bradford 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

Grab your favorite holiday-season drink, load up the HD version of this NASA video, and be awe-struck. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48hjjKUS7G8 "Best of the Best" Launches "Powered" by Music Imagery rarely seen by the public that highlights three space shuttle launches is set to music in this special video produced by NASA engineers at the Glenn Research Center. Clint

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ONLINE REGISTRATION - 1st IAA Conference on University Satellites Missions and Cubesat Conference in Roma
by Group of Astrodynamics 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

Dear all, we would like to announce you that the Online Registration service is now available to register to the 1st IAA Conference on University Satellites Missions and Cubesat Conference in Roma. Please follow the instructions on this link: Registration<http://www.gaussteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&I…> <http://www.gaussteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&I…>We would like to announce also that the Conference will take place at the Centro Logistico della Guardia di Finanza 'Villa Spada', which is located in Via Castiglion Fiorentino, 00138 Roma. As this place is difficult to reach with public transports, we will organize a service of bus transports from the hotels indicated in the accommodation page (hotels<http://www.gaussteam.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109&I…>) to the Conference site. If you want to book an hotel in another area, consider how to reach the Conference site. Best regards, -- Gruppo di Astrodinamica Università degli Studi Sapienza Via Salaria, 851 00138 Roma website: www.gaussteam.com tel. 0039 06 88346436

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Office Closed
by Martha 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

The AMSAT Office will be closed from December 24th to January 2nd. We will reopen on Monday, January 3rd 2011. Happy Holidays to all! -- 73- Martha

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AO7 modeA???
by Edward R. Cole 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

Nothing heard during the 0145z pass (#65.199). Did it not switch? 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 144-1.4kw*, 432-100w*, 1296-testing*, 3400-winter? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ====================================== *temp not in service

2 1

Fwd: AMSAT-BB and SAREX
by Martha 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

All, My heartiest of congratulations to all the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) volunteers and their international sponsoring organizations on this, the 10th anniversary of the first Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school group contact. It is breathtaking to see all that you have done this past decade. Ham radio operations on ISS started with the first Moscow/USA checkout contact on November 13, 2000—just 11 days after Expedition 1 took up residence on ISS. That paved the way for the historic first school contact between the students at the Burbank School in Burbank, Illinois and Bill Shepherd, KD5GSL on December 21, 2000. Long-time ARISS volunteer Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, mentored that first contact…preparing the Burbank students, teachers and community for an activity that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Since then, the ARISS team’s volunteer spirit and can-do attitude have kept the ARISS stations on ISS operational the entire decade--through all 26 crew expeditions. Over 560 schools or organizations have performed ARISS contacts -- inspiring tens of thousands of students and enabling millions and millions, worldwide, to experience the human spaceflight journey and to share in the excitement and camaraderie of the ham radio hobby. The international team has installed antennas and equipment in several ISS modules, deployed SuitSat, delivered ARISSat, and a school contact was a prominent “star” in the IMAX ISS 3D movie. Most importantly, you have inspired a legion of students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. On my desk is a copy of NASA’s “Reference Guide to the ISS.” I recently noticed that on the back cover is a beautiful photograph of ISS with the Sun shining prominently on one of the ARISS antennas mounted on the Russian Service Module. That photograph reminds me of a story from the U.S. Constitutional Convention when statesmen Benjamin Franklin, looking towards the president's chair, at the back of which a rising sun happened to be painted, observed to a few members near him, that painters had found it difficult to distinguish in their art a rising sun from a setting sun. Franklin said "I have often…looked at that behind the president without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting: But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting sun." Indeed….the sun that shines over ARISS is a rising sun. Congratulations to the ARISS international team and their sponsoring organizations!! 73, Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO December 21, 2010 -- 73- Martha

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HO-68 Schedule 19-26 Dec 2010
by Alan Kung 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

UTC: 19 Dec 2010 ================================ 17:05...Turn On--CW/SSB India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 17:50...Turn Off 18:45...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA 19:30...Turn Off 20:20...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA 21:05...Turn Off 23:00...Turn On--CW/SSB South America,NA,North Asia 23:45...Turn Off 20 Dec 2010 ================================ 02:40...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:55...Turn Off 13:40...Turn On--CW/SSB NA,South America 14:25...Turn Off 16:45...Turn On--CW/SSB India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 17:30...Turn Off 18:20...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 19:05...Turn Off 22:40...Turn On--CW/SSB NA,North Asia,East Asia, Oceania 23:25...Turn Off 21 Dec 2010 ================================ 02:20...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia, East Asia,South Asia 02:35...Turn Off 10:35...Turn On--CW/SSB Oceania,Asia,Europe 11:20...Turn Off 13:20...Turn On--CW/SSB NA, South America 14:05...Turn Off 16:30...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Middle East,Europe,NA 17:15...Turn Off 18:20...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Middle East,Europe,NA 19:05...Turn Off 19:45...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 20:30...Turn Off 22 Dec 2010 ================================= 00:15...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia Oceania 01:00...Turn Off 02:11...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:27...Turn Off 13:05...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe,NA,South America 13:50...Turn Off 16:15...Turn On--CW/SSB India, Africa,Europe,NA South America 17:00...Turn Off 17:55...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 18:40...Turn Off 19:30...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Middle East,Europe,NA 20:15...Turn Off 23 Dec 2010 ================================= 23:55...Turn On--CW/SSB NA,North Asia,East Asia,Oceania 00:40...Turn Off 01:50...Turn On--CW/SSB Asia,Oceania 02:03...Turn Off 14:35...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe,NA,South America 15:20...Turn Off 16:00...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,India,Middle East Europe,NA 16:45...Turn Off 17:50...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 18:35...Turn Off 19:15...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 20:00...Turn Off 23:40...Turn On--CW/SSB Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 24:25...Turn Off 24 Dec 2010 ================================ 01:34...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:45...Turn Off 14:15...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe, NA,South America 15:00...Turn Off 17:30...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Africa,Europe,NA 18:15...Turn Off 19:15...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Africa,Europe,NA 20:00...Turn Off 20:45...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 21:30...Turn Off 25 Dec 2010 ================================ 23:25...Turn On--CW/SSB South America,NA,North Asia 00:10...Turn Off 01:12...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:28...Turn Off 14:00...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe, NA,South America 14:45...Turn Off 17:15...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 18:00...Turn Off 19:00...Turn On--CW/SSB India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:45...Turn Off 20:25...Turn On--CW/SSB Africa,Europe,NA 21:10...Turn Off 23:05...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 23:50...Turn Off 26 Dec 2010 ================================ 02:52...Turn On--CW/SSB North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:07...Turn Off 13:45...Turn On--CW/SSB Europe,NA,South America 14:30...Turn Off 16:55...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 17:40...Turn Off 18:45...Turn On--FM/PACSAT India,Africa,Europe,NA 19:30...Turn Off 20:10...Turn On--FM/PACSAT Africa,Europe,NA 20:55...Turn Off 22:50...Turn On--FM/PACSAT North Asia,East Asia, South Asia,Oceania 23:35...Turn Off 73! Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Re: FAST 1/2
by Andrew Glasbrenner 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

Sorry, read that too fast. Does the name of the satellite in the .sqf file match the name in the keps file exactly? Did you restart after changing the file? 73, Drew -----Original Message----- >From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> >Sent: Dec 22, 2010 8:18 AM >To: Jack Barbera <barberaalderwood(a)yahoo.com> >Cc: amsat-bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FAST 1/2 > > >Did you create new lines in the doppler.sqf file with the frequency information? > >73, Drew KO4MA > >-----Original Message----- >>From: Jack Barbera <barberaalderwood(a)yahoo.com> >>Sent: Dec 22, 2010 7:51 AM >>To: Amsat Reflector <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >>Subject: [amsat-bb] FAST 1/2 >> >>Need a little help with FAST 1 & 2. I have entered all the informatiion for the >>doppler. SQF file & tried to get on the satellites this morning. I was not able >>to get the RF section of the SAT PC 32 program working. The satellites show >>up on the count down & the Win AOS windows of the program. The rotor tracking >>part of the program works fine, but the RF section & CAT parts do not list the >>down link & up link frequencies. Can anyone provide a little help as to what I >>may have done wrong or didn't do. >> >>Thanks for any help you may provide. >> Jack WA1ZDV >>_______________________________________________ >>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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FAST 1/2
by Jack Barbera 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

Need a little help with FAST 1 & 2. I have entered all the informatiion for the doppler. SQF file & tried to get on the satellites this morning. I was not able to get the RF section of the SAT PC 32 program working. The satellites show up on the count down & the Win AOS windows of the program. The rotor tracking part of the program works fine, but the RF section & CAT parts do not list the down link & up link frequencies. Can anyone provide a little help as to what I may have done wrong or didn't do. Thanks for any help you may provide. Jack WA1ZDV

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please help
by N. Mahdinejad 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

DEAR Amsat members. Could you please help me. 1. How can I calibrate my yaesu rotator in azimuth and elevation? 2. I found the true north with gps and compass but don’t know what do after that? 3. I park my rotator in zero elevation (parallel to roof surface) and also zero in controller indoor. But now it's rotate down instead of up. I mean it rotates clockwise instead of counter clockwise. 4. Another problem is that when the controller show 45 degree in real it rotate 90 degree in elevation. Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks. Nayer M

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Re: FAST 1/2
by Andrew Glasbrenner 22 Dec '10

22 Dec '10

Did you create new lines in the doppler.sqf file with the frequency information? 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Jack Barbera <barberaalderwood(a)yahoo.com> >Sent: Dec 22, 2010 7:51 AM >To: Amsat Reflector <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Subject: [amsat-bb] FAST 1/2 > >Need a little help with FAST 1 & 2. I have entered all the informatiion for the >doppler. SQF file & tried to get on the satellites this morning. I was not able >to get the RF section of the SAT PC 32 program working. The satellites show >up on the count down & the Win AOS windows of the program. The rotor tracking >part of the program works fine, but the RF section & CAT parts do not list the >down link & up link frequencies. Can anyone provide a little help as to what I >may have done wrong or didn't do. > >Thanks for any help you may provide. > Jack WA1ZDV >_______________________________________________ >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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Elk dualband antenna experiences
by John Geiger 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

How does the Elk Dualband yagi work as a satellite antenna in a base setup when you are not elevating it? Is it better to mount it for vertical or horizontal polarization to get maximum coverage of satellite passes? Still trying to figure out the best FM sat setup here after some station redesign. 73s John AA5JG

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The Winner
by Martha 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

Beginning with the $1250 mark, I have picked a donor from the first $250 increment. Eric Schecter is our very first winner. He will have the choice of an AMSAT clock, hat or golf shirt. Hopefully, there will be more winners in the near future. -- 73- Martha

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QSL Cards to go out
by Jeremy Kiehner 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

If you've worked me via the birds, and have sent me a QSL via snail mail and have not received one back, I apologize. Past few months have been crazy hectic and my lack of planning didn't obtain new QSL cards lol. I will be sending out QSLs to the following: KB0RZD, N2VYT, N4TRI, WO3T by the new year (hopefully next week). I do use LOTW and eqsl so those have been sent already, just hadn't gotten to send hard copies. Again my apologies but expect them soon! 73, Jeremy KB3DLP / FM19 (3 land side) Sent from my iPhone

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Educating
by Michael 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

I was wondering what would be the best way to explain to the general public with what we do with Satellites? I was at the Doctors office and was stumbling around as I always do try to explain what we do ! Mike N8GBU

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Go32
by jerry keeton 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

I hear a lot of noise from GO32 on it's pass on the beacon downlink of 435.325 . It is supposed to be 9600bps , but I can't copy any packet . Is the noise the packet beacon ? Jerry WB5LHD

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K5VGU in EM67 ( and possibly EM68 ) on Thursday, 12/23/2010
by K5VGU Duane Vigue 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

I will be portable /4 for the last half of this week... Below is the list of passes that I anticipate working on Thursday, December 23, 2010. At this point, I will be working them from EM67, BUT may try to get up to EM68 for the last two. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010 18:25Z SO-50 - SHALLOW PASS 19:04Z AO-27 - around 80 degree pass 20:05Z SO-50 - 50 degree pass 21:23Z AO-51 - 50 degree...depends on mode. Looks like it will be a rainy/sleety/snowy Christmas vacation for us, but I will try to get some QSOs in from these grids while I am there. I hope the weather and roads are decent enough for me to work some passes early next week from EM67 ( and maybe EM68 ), too. I will be traveling back to Alabama on Wednesday, December 29, 2010. I will try to give timely advanced notice via the bb when I am able to confirm other passes that I will work, etc. As always, if you need a QSL for the grids from which I work, please email me the details after the QSO and I will get a QSL out to you as soon as I can when I return home. Good luck and 73 to all! Duane, K5VGU Wetumpka, AL EM62wm ____________________________________________________________ Obama Urges Homeowners to Refinance If you owe under $729k you probably qualify for Obama's Refi Program http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3231/4d10ce028cc68826943st02duc

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Re: Educating
by K5VGU Duane Vigue 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

I actually had someone start the explanation themselves for me one time...they were leaving the parking lot where my truck was all rigged up and they said, "Whatcha doing...tracking a bird?" I replied, "Well, sort of..." ____________________________________________________________ Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat! http://www.netzero.net/freeemail?refcd=NZTAGOUT1FREM0210

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High Altitude Balloon and Satellite communication
by Wagner Sartori Junior 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

Hello, I want to make a High Altitude Balloon and I want to make some questions to I don't loose my time learning and studying if satellite communication is not an option. I'm starting to study radio amateur from now, so I don't know almost anything. Sorry for that! Just simple questions that any of you can answer. 1) Will I be able to use a satellite for telemetry data from my balloon to a ground station? 2) It will be easier or cheaper to don't use satellite and just communicate directly to my ground station? The target altitude is 30km. My main fear is to loose my payload, so radio(maybe two radios for redundancy) is essential. I'll contact experienced people in Brazil regarding the radio things after project is ready. I'm just writing the project so I need this simple informations. I'll send GPS coordinates, altitude, speed, course information, two temperatures sensors, accelerometer/gyro, pressure informations. All text and simple things. I'm planning to send this data using APRS. Thanks, Wagner Sartori Junior

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HO-68 13:26 UTC.
by TERRY BROMLEY 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

Tnx Nick & Paul KB1RVT-N2BX great contact on HO)-68 guys thankyou. 73s Terry G1WPR

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Re: Malware
by Michael 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

I had the same problems try to get the HO birds schedule. My Mcaffee security software came up with a " caution " because some of the links have maleware. My guess its a 50/50 gamble I don't want to take ! Mike N8GBU

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help with dxkeeper
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 21 Dec '10

21 Dec '10

When I try to use lotw from dxkeeper I get an error no sat name and this is even on non satellite contacts Any suggestions on how to fix it Thanks nick Office 337 593 8700 Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School

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OX/N0RC QSL Cards
by Reid Crowe 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

I'm finally getting around to getting all the QSL requests from OX/N0RC sent out. Sorry for the delay. 73, Reid N0RC

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Rotors
by Zachary Beougher 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

All, Is there any other good light duty rotor other than the Yaesu G-5500 that would work well for satellite work? I might like to consider getting one for some homemade antennas that I might use for a rover setup. Other than the rotor and a computer, what do I need to be able to get the thing to track the birds. I know I obviously need a tracking program like SatPC32, Orbitron, HRD – Are any of those better than another? Sorry for the “amateur” questions – I have never done anything with rotors – just the Arrow/HT and standing out in the cold freezing combination. ;-) 73! Zack KD8KSN

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no signals from RAX-1 heard
by Mike Rupprecht 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

All, nothing heard from RAX this morning over Europe . :-( 73, Mike DK3WN

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It's WORKING ...
by Clint Bradford 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

This $25 donation to AMSAT just DOUBLED by K6LCS at http://www.work-sat.com ... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Clint: You woke me up and got be excited about the sats again. I just donated 25.00 to AMSAT. Used AO-13 for years and then dropped out after it died. Have got a 910H and a gulf alpha antenna and plan to start on AO-51. Your site is just super. Thanks for all you are doing and best of holiday greetings. Best 73. Joe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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DOUBLE Your Contribution to AMSAT
by Clint Bradford 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

If you donate to AMSAT here ... http://www.work-sat.com ... your contributions are DOUBLED. That's right - the next few contributors who send AMSAT money through my site will have their donation DOUBLED by K6LCS - up to another $100 and a deadline of midnight PST 12/24/2010. After you use the PayPal system to donate, you must PRIVATELY EMAIL ME so I can double your donation - clint(a)clintbradford.com SMALL PRINT - There is none. 100% of your donation goes directly to AMSAT-NA, less any PayPal fees they may incur. This is NOT an "affiliate" type of relationship - it is pure donations going directly to AMSAT-NA - K6LCS makes nada. Questions? Call me at 909-241-7666 (cell) or 951-685-8614 (res). __________________ Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

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Malware at CAMSAT site?
by Bill Dzurilla 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

I have not operated HO-68 for several months. Today I tried to navigate to camsat.cn to get the latest schedule for the bird, but instead the site was blocked by my Firefox browser with the message, "Warning: Visiting this site may harm your computer! The website at www.camsat.cn appears to host malware." Tried with Chrome browser, same result. What's up? If the CAMSAT site is indeed infected, is there another site to get the HO-68 schedule? 73, Bill NZ5N

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first 1000 QSOs
by Loren 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

Being snow-bound today, I decided to count up QSOs per bird for my first 1000 QSOs on the FM satellites. I Stopped at 1000 to make the percentages easy to figure. I wonder if my percentages are typical of other hams who has been on the FM birds for about one year. AO-51 665 AO-27 163 SO-50 90 SO-67 15 HO-68 67 Merry Christmas to all 73 Loren k7cwq CN94

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AO-51 Straight Key Night CW over FM
by Roland Zurmely 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

Please could someone explain better this mode for your use on Straight Key Night for AO-51: Uplink: 145.880 MHz CW (is this A1 ?) Downlink: 435.300 MHz CW over FM (is this A2 over FM ?) Thanks !

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EM14/EM15
by ted 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

If everything works out today I'm going to try to work the afternoon passes of AO-27 from EM14/EM15. (1853Z, 2031Z) Should you need a card, an email will work fine. 73....ted....aa5ck

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New AO-27 schedule uploaded
by George Henry 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

A new schedule was uploaded to AO-27 yesterday (12/19), so if you use the Java schedule lister, make sure you update your data files! I have also been advised that the timing error on the AO-27 website has been corrected. George, KA3HSW Java Schedule Lister available at http://sites.google.com/site/ao27satellitescheduler

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AO51 Uplink?
by Zachary Beougher 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

Hi All, I just got off of AO51, and I could not get in for some reason. I was in V/U mode, and I am aware that it is in V/SU. I was transmitting on the 145.880 uplink (no PL). I heard several others on, but I could not hear myself in the downlink, and no one would respond to my calls. All I can figure is that I overlooked something – any ideas? 73! Zack KD8KSN

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ht for sale
by Dads 19 Dec '10

19 Dec '10

I have a couple HT,s for sale ?? I have a FT-530 Yaesu HT with manual, charger and battery $175.00 plus shipping The FT-530 is a dualband The other HT is Alinco model DJ-580 T dualband $ 145.00 plus shipping Jerry w0sat w0sat(a)msn.com

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Uplink on AO-51
by Andrew Glasbrenner 19 Dec '10

19 Dec '10

I switched the uplink to 145.920 this evening on the chance that the solid carrier blocking the uplink wasn't intentional. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Predict to email
by Andrew Rich 19 Dec '10

19 Dec '10

Does there exist a system that will email a list of passes to a user ? Of selected satellites ? Sent from my iPhone Andrew Rich

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Yesterday at DM31...
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 19 Dec '10

19 Dec '10

Hi! Yesterday's quick trip down to Lukeville at grid DM31 in southern Arizona was a perfect day for radio. After leaving a pre-sunrise rain shower in the Phoenix area on my way down there, it was only sunshine for the rest of the day and about 68F/20C in the afternoon. Much better to be there in December, than in the summertime when it can be well over 100F/38C in the shade. I worked 12 passes while I was down there - three passes on SO-50, one on VO-52, and two each on the others (AO-27, AO-51, FO-29, and HO-68). I left Phoenix around 0615 local (1315 UTC), after making a stop to get some breakfast for the drive out of the city. I was running my new TH-D72A HT as my APRS tracker and to monitor repeaters on the drive, but planned to use my normal radio setup for the satellites - IC-2820H on FM, two FT-817NDs for SSB - with my Elk log periodic. After a quick stop at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument visitor center about 5 miles/8km north of Lukeville and the USA/Mexico border, I made it to the parking lot at "Gringo Pass", the group of shops and fuel station just before the border crossing, a few minutes past 1600 UTC. This opened up one more pass I could work from DM31, a VO-52 pass just before 1700 UTC to the west. Due to the security situation along this part of the USA/Mexico border, almost all of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument west of the AZ-85 highway was closed to the public. There are mountains all around that area, and going as far south as I could - without crossing the border - would give me the best chances to work shallow passes. I operated from the same spot I used in 2009, a parking lot on the west side of AZ-85 in grid DM31ov (31.88192 N 112.81712 W). During the day, I was visited by US Border Patrol agents patrolling in vehicles and on foot. I was asked a few times if I saw people walking north from the border (I didn't, other than Border Patrol agents), and near the end of the day one agent took an interest in my radio gear and chatted for about 10 minutes. Considering where I was and their jobs, I was happy they would pass by while I was sitting down there. I was ready for VO-52 when it popped up, and that was a great pass to start the day. Four QSOs went in the log, starting with Kerry WC7V warming up the 145.910 MHz downlink that I stayed around for the pass. :-) Since Kerry was calling CQ there when I came on, I was going to QSY. Kerry said I could stay there, and so I did. Then it was time to set up the IC-2820H for the HO-68 pass at 1751 UTC. This was busy, despite the satellite moving away from the east coast. I was able to log 20 QSOs with stations all over the USA on this pass, then get lunch at the restaurant before the second HO-68 pass. Even though HO-68 barely popped up over the mountains to my northwest, I was able to log 4 QSOs in a 5-minute span. The first pass I worked that was good for stations along all of the US east coast was on AO-27 at 1952 UTC. I was not able to hear the 20-second data burst before the repeater switched on, but I did hear Drew KO4MA calling me in the first few seconds after the data burst. I answered his call, and then went on to work 16 more stations on that pass. My log already had 45 QSOs for the first 4 passes, but there were more passes to work in the afternoon. There was an hour after that AO-27 pass until the next couple of passes - first SO-50 on a shallow pass to my north, then the west- coast AO-27 pass. Four QSOs on SO-50, and 8 on AO-27. Then almost an hour until the next group of passes on 3 different satellites (FO-29, SO-50, AO-51). The FO-29 pass had a maximum elevation of 10 degrees to my east. Not a lot, but enough to clear the mountains in that direction and still hear it OK. Four QSOs in 10 minutes, not a bad count considering there are fewer working SSB via satellite than FM. The SO-50 pass went up almost over my head, with maximum elevation of 73 degrees. Eight QSOs there, including one with another satellite ham using the new TH-D72A for FM satellite work (Ramon XE1KK, in Mexico City). We briefly chatted about the new HT. Ramon said he was happy with the radio. He used to travel and work satellites from many different locations, and maybe we can hear him on from there (grid EK09) and maybe other places as he travels all over. At 2300 UTC, I had two passes I could work. AO-7 was still in mode B, or I could work AO-51 with its V/US configuration that was turned on for a few days. Both were to my east, but AO-51 was higher in the sky. Even though I enjoy working AO-7 mode B with my QRP SSB satellite station, and I'd be able to work it just before the change to mode A, I went with the AO-51 pass. Six more QSOs for the log, with stations from both the eastern and western USA. After that AO-51 pass, I had an hour before the last group of 3 passes I'd work before driving home. FO-29 was still to my east, but up to a maximum elevation of 78 degrees. Four more QSOs there, then a very shallow SO-50 pass to the southwest. Thanks to Don W6AJP for also being there for a QSO. I started packing up my SSB gear at this point, since I had about 15 minutes until the last pass I would work, an AO-51 pass. Six more QSOs on that pass wrapped up my operating for the day. Of the 12 passes I worked from DM31, four had maximum elevation of 10 degrees or less. Even though those passes yielded few QSOs, there were stations worked on those four passes I didn't hear at any other time in the day. It's a fun challenge to work these passes, to see how low I can go and still hear the satellite. Thanks to everyone for all the QSOs yesterday. As with many other grids anywhere, I could go back to DM31 periodically and it would still be a new grid for someone. I have already been asked about my next trip there, and I may try to go back there before next summer. As with my other trips, there's no need to send me a QSL card or SASE to get a DM31 QSL card from me. Just an e-mail with QSO details is sufficient. I need to print more QSL cards for yesterday's trip, and those will go to the post office in the next week or two. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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DEMI has 1268 transverter
by Edward R. Cole 19 Dec '10

19 Dec '10

I was scanning the DEMI catalog when I noticed that DEMI is offering a xtal for their 1296 transverter which put it on 1268-MHz. The transverter is offered in 25w or 50w: 25w: assembled $590 50w: assembled-only $800 1.5w: kit for $395 (might be adequate for satellite if mounted right at the antenna). You can order either 28 or 144 MHz IF and several configurations (see the website) My point is to inform that this is another source for mode-L (25w is adequate). I have one of them in the 1296/28, 25w configuration for eme. Verrry Nice! I special ordered mine with the A32 PLL which locks to a 10-MHz external freq. ref. Holds freq. to <1Hz. Since I already have one of the rare DEMI 1268/144 Tx converters (made for AO-40) I do not need a freq. switch. There is a very long lead-time on orders (mine took 4-months). 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 144-1.4kw*, 432-100w*, 1296-testing*, 3400-winter? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ====================================== *temp not in service

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