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K4T on FO-29 at 2348 UTC this afternoon/evening
by Tim - N3TL 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

Hey everyone, On the 2130-ish UTC pass of AO-51, Mark, N8MH, was QRV from K4T and said he plans to work CW during the pass of FO-29 That he should get AOS for at roughly 2348 UTC. The satellite will be moving southwest from Europe. 73, Tim - N3TL

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AO-27 Audio 12March2010 1957z
by John Papay 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

Here's an audio recording of the AO-27 pass on 12 March 2010 at 1957z. Great signals from K4T and he managed to work it all the way down to his horizon at the end of the 7 minute repeater portion of the pass. http://www.papays.com/AO-27_12Mar2010_195733z.mp3 73, John K8YSE

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AO-27 Recording 12March2010 1816z
by John Papay 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

The audio of the AO-27 pass on 12March2010, 1816z is on my webserver. http://www.papays.com/AO-27_12Mar2010_181645z.mp3 Very good pass! 73, John K8YSE

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K4T AO-27 12Mar2010 1818z
by John Papay 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

Mark was loud and clear on AO-27 on the first PM AO-27 pass out over the Atlantic. He reported that their preamps and antennas are working now and they have plenty of transmit power to be heard. Thanks to those who provided wiring info for their preamps. They are definitely hearing better. Many stations were worked on this pass. 73, John K8YSE

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K4T operation
by Alan P. Biddle 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

Hi, If you need Dry Tortugas, give them a try, almost any satellite and pass. They are on the air with a first rate satellite station. An earlier problem with the 70 cm downlink is fixed. So far everybody seems to be playing nice by being patient. 73s, Alan WA4SCA

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Re: HO-68 Schedule - 14-21 Mar 2010
by Nader Omer 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

Thank you very much Alan Kung This is the best way for both FM and Pacsat fans to share the resourses and fun of Hope1 satellite. FB TU. 73's Nader ,ST2NH

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K4T Audio 12March 1156z 435.150
by John Papay 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

The K4T Audio Recording from this morning's pass is on my webserver. They were on FO-29 30 minutes later but their signal was weak. Right now they are working ssb on 14260. http://www.papays.com/AO-51_12Mar2010_115613z.mp3 They are having some antenna pointing problems but have been working through it. Lots of satellite contacts are in their log. Great job! 73, John K8YSE

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ISS APRS ? (www.ariss.net)
by PA3GUO 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

Does anyone know how/what the (incorrect ?) entries are on http://www.ariss.net ? 01:06:44:29 : ON3AVC-9]UP5RQ4,ON0BT-10*,ON0DAS-4*,RS0ISS-3*,qAR,ON0LN-10:`z,Rl `v/`"4@}_ -- Henk, PA3GUO

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Satellite Radio(s)
by Joel Black 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

Hypothetically speaking, if you had an FT-857 and wanted to work satellites full-duplex, what would you pair it with? Another 857, an 817, something else? Thanks, Joel, W4JBB AMSAT #32589

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Wallops ADAMSat Launch Thurs 7-9 AM
by Robert Bruninga 11 Mar '10

11 Mar '10

> The Wallops launch window is (Thursday) 7- 9 AM. > They require < 10% cloud cover, and the forecast > is not promising. But they decided to go through > the preparations and launch if the cloud breaks > just enough tomorrow. > > Wallops Launch team will be "tweeting" about all > the launch news or delays as they happen on: > > http://twitter.com/KyspaceADAMASat APRS stations can receive Launch announcements even while mobile via the APRS CQSRVR. Just send APRS message to CQSRVR beginning with the group name CQ WALLOPS ... (for info on cqsrvr see www.aprs.org/cqsrvr.html Remember, Point beams towards Wallops and capture all data on 144.39 1200 baud for the duration of the flight! Which should be visible over most of the mid-atlantic states. Callsign will be KJ4HVJ. The sounding rocket with amateur satellite operates on 144.39 MHZ APRS will rise to 100 miles or so for an 8 minute mission. The payload is called SOCEM/ADAMASat. There is a computer program and GUI to interface to your PC so you can grab the telemetry live. It is on: http://ssl.engr.uky.edu/adamasat_free_gui.exe It's a one shot deal, so I'm gonna have a backup TNC and HYPERTERM collecting everything. ADAMASat is the Antenna Deployment and Mono-filament Actuator Satellite. It's a 2U CubeSat designed by Kentucky Space as part of SOCEM, the Sub-Orbital CubeSat Experimental Mission. ADAMASat, which is scheduled to launch on Hall 12.067 out of Wallops Flight Facility on 11 March, will fly in space for roughly 8 minutes performing an engineering experiment and transmitting data down to Earth via APRS packets. More information on ADAMASat is available at http://ssl.engr.uky.edu/suborbital/adamasat Kentucky Space is hereby releasing to the AMSAT-NA community the ADAMASat FREE GUI, a free 32-bit Windows binary for amateur radio operators in the Eastern United States who are interested in tracking ADAMASat on its launch day. The GUI is a standalone application and upon opening it on his/her computer, the HAM will be greeted with a popup window which explains the steps required to track the payload. All that is needed is a Windows machine, a radio and TNC which can receive on 144.390 MHz, a serial or USB cable, and a suitable location. The GUI parses the APRS packets as they are received, graphing temperatures on-board the payload and reporting status of the mission in real-time. It also includes instructions on e-mailing the packet log to Kentucky Space to aid in post-processing, and a built-in aggregator for the official ADAMASat Twitter RSS feed. Disclaimer: Kentucky Space provides the GUI "as is" without warranties of any kind, and shall not incur any liability for any damages connected to the use of the GUI.

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AO-51 pass 1411 utc 3/11
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 11 Mar '10

11 Mar '10

Drew and the AO-51 Crew. Did you do a power change on Echo?? The pass this morning, was very weak, even at 1150 km distance (40.7 deg), as never got over S2 where here lately has been S7 (no external preamp). Just curious. John W6ZKH

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ADAMASat in the press
by Trevor . 11 Mar '10

11 Mar '10

>From RSGB website: http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100310/ESN01/3100392/-1/ESN 73 Trevor M5AKA

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CUTE-I close approach
by Mike Rupprecht 11 Mar '10

11 Mar '10

All, SpOC has identified a predicted close approach between CUTE-I (#27844) and another object (SCC# 8539) tomorrow (March 12) at 15:05 UTC predicted distance: 103 m (!!!). This is pretty close ... CUTE-I will be over Canada at this time. CUTE-1 1 27844U 03031E 10067.66557678 +.00000065 +00000-0 +50591-4 0 07966 2 27844 098.7140 078.0773 0010899 099.7279 260.5126 14.20689200346814 DELTA 1 DEB 1 08539U 72058GN 10066.23583639 .00000207 00000-0 10023-3 0 5252 2 08539 097.3171 342.3694 0218387 016.3249 344.4815 14.14085922932481 73, Mike DK3WN

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CUTE-I cloase approach
by Mike Rupprecht 11 Mar '10

11 Mar '10

All, SpOC has identified a predicted close approach between CUTE-I (#27844) and another object (SCC# 8539) tomorrow (March 12) at 15:05 UTC predicted distance: 103 m (!!!). This is pretty close ... CUTE-I will be over Canada at this time. CUTE-1 1 27844U 03031E 10067.66557678 +.00000065 +00000-0 +50591-4 0 07966 2 27844 098.7140 078.0773 0010899 099.7279 260.5126 14.20689200346814 DELTA 1 DEB 1 08539U 72058GN 10066.23583639 .00000207 00000-0 10023-3 0 5252 2 08539 097.3171 342.3694 0218387 016.3249 344.4815 14.14085922932481 73, Mike DK3WN

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Re: ND9M Road Trip
by Gkcarr 11 Mar '10

11 Mar '10

Jim and Cori, you made a very valiant effort at giving out many new grids to many operators during your six week grid-xpedition! I know we all appreciate your effort and don't envy your upcoming job of confirming all to all. It was indeed my pleasure to meet ansd visit with you both at the Houston hamfest. We apprecaite you assisting with the sat demo as well! Till next we meet, God's choicest blessings to you both! 73 George WA5KBH

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Re: ND9M Road Trip
by John Papay 11 Mar '10

11 Mar '10

Jim did a great job in operating from at least 86 different grids. A graphical representation of those grids is on my webserver. Red grids are ones that I worked him in. Blue grids are the ones I missed. http://www.papays.com/nd9m.jpg As Rick said, one could have almost completed VUCC by just working ND9M/p over the course of 6 weeks. Congratulations Jim on a stellar operation! 73, John K8YSE

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ND9M Road Trip
by Rick - WA4NVM 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

GM all "bird" watchers (or is that workers), I just wanted to say a BIG THANKS to Jim and Cori for their satellite road trip. I think they are home by now, or maybe today. I just can't wait to see the write up and some of the pictures from their trip. I think they were on the road for 48 days! Thousands of miles and dollars spent just to give the rest of us new grid squares. And if you were lucky enough to work all of the grids, it would almost give you a VUCC in less than two months. Thanks again from all of us. I can't imagine the writer's cramp from all of those QSL cards. Hi Hi 73 all, Rick WA4NVM

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Yaesu VX-7R
by Robert Smith 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

Aloha Re: the VX-7R: Mine is programmed for all the FM birds. I use 5 steps for Doppler at 5KHz intervals; 2 before and 2 after the central frequency. To program these, I goto VFO and program the first downlink. For instance 436.805 MHz for SO-50. No tone is necessary here. I then hold the "MON" down for the next avail memory and click "MON" again to store. I do this sequentially for the next 4 "doppler" frequencies. So SO50 might be in memory banks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. In order to facilitate the odd split WITH TONE, I go back to VFO and enter 145.850 MHz and go into the set key (MON SET) in order to attach a 67.0 Hz tone to the 145.850. It is not necessary to change uplinks for Doppler. At this point I simply I PTT out of the VFO frequency and hold down the MON key again. A flashing * will indicate which memory channel is active. I immediately scroll back with the tuning knob to the first memory channel, ie 1. Push the PTT and MON simaltaneiously and you have now storied your uplink 2 meter frequency (with tone) onto channel 1 wihich also has your AOS downlink frequency. Repeat this procedure 4 more times. So when you goto Channel one in the programmed mode you will see 436.805 and if you push the PTT you will see 145.850 MHz. This works like a charm! As the bird comes in just go to each successive down link channel. (Also see pp 46 bottom of VX-7R manual for odd splits. REMEMBER: SO-50 wants turned on and a 74.4 Hz tone is needed there. I doubt it will ever be necessary except here in Hawaii. Good luck and 73 to all robert NH7WN, Honolulu

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Yaesu VX-7R passing tones in odd band split memory
by Call Sign 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

Patrick, My Yaesu VX-7R HT, does not pass tones, in a single memory channel set up for odd band split (2m/440). I experimented extensively by trying to open the squelch on another radio, set to tone squelch, both sides of the odd split memory had tone and the same tone dialed in before storing each side into the same memory channel, on the HT. To be sure, I brought the matter to Ron at Vertex Standard (Yeasu customer service) in Cypress Calif, he was sure I was not doing something correct, however, he was only able to duplicate my results and could not pass tones, on his test radio, in that configuration, he followed up by phone after he called engineers in Japan for clarification and confirmation. I have not tested other Yaesu HT's or other Yaesu "radios", your response said "on a Yaesu radio", my post was with regards to my VX-7R. Regards...... Message: 2 Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 14:28:29 -0700 From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Current Handheld-Which is best Actually, you can program PL tones in the odd-split memories on a Yaesu radio. You just have to program the tones with both of the frequencies - even if you only need a PL on the transmit frequency. Make sure the "T" is lit up for a transmitted PL when you are putting the first (receive) frequency into the odd-split memory. Message: 1 Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:01:08 -0800 From: "Call Sign" <ki6rrq(a)cox.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Current Handheld-Which is best To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <E1FC6357636E42E6BA00A383EE2C8649@agentj07qkr8dt> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Heres another vote for the Yaesu HT rigs; I use a Yaesu VX-7R and I appreciate being able to program a single odd band split, memory channel (that require no pl), then I use the memory tune (MT) function on the radio and turn one dial back and forth to adjust for Doppler and the 2 meter transmit is ready to go anytime I squeeze the PTT. This set up works much better for me then 5 separate memory channels for every bird. The Kenwood HT's wont let you program that odd band split into a single memory channel, (dont know about others) however sadly, Yaseu made it so you cannot pass pl tones in the odd band split memory channels but of course you can pass pl tones in the other memory or VFO modes.

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EL94 at 2238 10 March AO-51
by Mark Hammond N8MH 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

I hope to be active on AO-51 per subject. Portable as N8MH. Tnx for AO-27 contacts! 73, Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

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EN60 Operation by KD8CAO
by John Papay 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

Doug KD8CAO will likely be in EN60 for the 2105z and 2243z passes of AO-51 on 10 March. He will also likely operate from EN60 on the 12 March 2303z AO-51 pass. EN60 hasn't been on much so it would be a good one to work if you don't have it. 73, John K8YSE

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Grid Square Map Plots
by John Papay 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

I've received several inquiries about the software that was used to create the ND9M/p road trip grid square plot: http://www.papays.com/nd9m.jpg The program is a Great Circle Map generator with some very nice features created by SM3GSJ. KD8CAO originally discovered this program and posted info about it on the amsat-bb. It is called GcmWin. Since that time, Roger has added some functionality that makes it very suitable for those who chase grids. Originally, to plot grid square data, a 6 character grid designation was required. Roger changed it so that 4 character grids were acceptable. In addition, only one set of grid square data could be overlayed on the map. He graciously changed the software so that two different colors from two different grid square files could be plotted. Now you can show your confirmed grids in one color and your worked grids in another. The program has many other features related to propagation that might interest those who work HF. The homepage for the software is: http://www.qsl.net/sm3gsj/ I am thinking about creating a webpage that could be used as a repository for posting these maps for anyone that is interested in having their plot on line. Let me know if you're interested. You can view my plot at: http://www.papays.com/k8ysegrids.jpg My radius is set at 8200 miles which is a compromise between detail and the maximum distance that can be worked on AO-7. If you decrease the radius, more detail can be shown. You can include grid square numbers if you make the radius small enough. Red is confirmed and Blue is worked. The map doesn't include cards received after 1 Jan 10. Thanks to Roger SM3GSJ for making this program available! 73, John K8YSE

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ND9M- Road Trip
by Peter Portanova 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

Thank You, I would like to also acknowledge Jim and Cori for providing this growing, enthusiastic Satellite Community with an exciting 48 days of Grid Exploring, I can't wait for the video! To those who say working thru Amateur Satellites is no longer fun, we say if you followed ND9M, worked him and read his updates you would have a different opinion, thank you guys!! 73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com

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Re: HO-68 Command Team Contact
by Reid Crowe 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

I've sent an email to Alan, thank you to everyone who replied. 73, Reid N0RC On 3/10/2010 9:15 AM, Mike Rupprecht wrote: > Try to contact Alan Kung directly: alankung(a)public3.bta.net.cn > > 73, Mike > DK3WN > > -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- > Von: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Im > Auftrag von Reid Crowe > Gesendet: Mittwoch, 10. März 2010 15:51 > An: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Betreff: [amsat-bb] HO-68 Command Team Contact > > I'm looking for contact info for the HO-68 command team. I wasn't able > to find it on their site. Does anyone know their email address? I'm > trying to request that HO-68 be turned on to support operation for FQ56. > _______________________________________________ > 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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FQ56 Operation Announcements
by Reid Crowe 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

I just want to let everyone that is following my planned operation to FQ56, Thule Greenland, that I've created a Google group to send out announcements. Since I will not have a set operating schedule while I'm up there, I will send out an email right before I go on the with my operation plans for that time period. I think this is a better option than just telling people to watch the DX cluster. You can join here: <http://groups.google.com/group/ox-thule-2010> 73, Reid N0RC

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HO-68 Command Team Contact
by Reid Crowe 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

I'm looking for contact info for the HO-68 command team. I wasn't able to find it on their site. Does anyone know their email address? I'm trying to request that HO-68 be turned on to support operation for FQ56.

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Current Handheld-Which is best
by Call Sign 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

Heres another vote for the Yaesu HT rigs; I use a Yaesu VX-7R and I appreciate being able to program a single odd band split, memory channel (that require no pl), then I use the memory tune (MT) function on the radio and turn one dial back and forth to adjust for Doppler and the 2 meter transmit is ready to go anytime I squeeze the PTT. This set up works much better for me then 5 separate memory channels for every bird. The Kenwood HT's wont let you program that odd band split into a single memory channel, (dont know about others) however sadly, Yaseu made it so you cannot pass pl tones in the odd band split memory channels but of course you can pass pl tones in the other memory or VFO modes. In my short experience, the better question I will be asking myself next time I purchase, is which HT has the most sensitive receiver and has enough other functions to still get the job done, although my VX-7R receives ok, some of the problems I had, with what seem like nulls, using the Arrow antenna and diplexer, went away when a friend gave me a pre-amp to put between the antenna and the HT. (the preamp is the size of a quarter and a 9 volt battery, so its still nice and portable, not commercially available, sorry) Sure wish we had a good full duplex, dual or tri-band, HT that had an excellent receiver, (worked USB on both TX and RX) and had the modest other functions we need to work the satellites but the compromised HT's are still a bunch of fun, with a portable Yagi in the trunk, a spare 19 minutes (including set up) and a pass prediction schedule, can bring a big smile to my face when I am out and about, in the car. Message: 3 Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 12:23:12 -0800 From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Current Handheld To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <14794104-F646-4AE6-AA55-56174A71527A(a)earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >> ... "what is the best current handheld for FM sats"?? We do not have a currently-manufactured TRUE DUPLEX HT available. Alinco tried - but the sub-band receive performance on their DJ-G7T is gruesome. I use and like the Yaesu FT-60R - for MANY reasons ... -Receives 108 to a gig -bulletproof case -strongest belt clip of any amateur HT chassis on the market -easy to manually program -1,000+ memories -large, easy-to-read display -and a battery situation that is great. Load up the optional FBA-25 AA alkaline tray with alkalines or NiMH cells, and you have FULL TX POWER available, is needed. Do that on, say, a Kenwood TH-F6a, and you have ONE-HALF WATT TX power. Oh - and the Yaesu FT-60R can be programmed for "split freq" ops - where is receives on 440 and transmits on 2M. Overall, it is a tremendous value for your money. Under $200 at HRO and AES and other authorized Yaesu dealers. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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WD9EWK @ Scottsdale "Springfest", Saturday (13 March)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club's Springfest hamfest on Saturday morning, 13 March 2010. For the first time in about 20 years, this hamfest has a new location. It will be in the parking lot at the Fort McDowell Casino, along the Beeline Highway (Arizona route 87) a couple of miles northeast of Shea Boulevard on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation reservation. The hamfest officially runs from 7am to 1pm (1400-2000 UTC), although it typically wraps up before noon. During the hamfest, I will do several on-air demonstrations using a variety of satellites as WD9EWK. Even though the hamfest does not officially start until 1400 UTC, I may be on passes as early as 1300 UTC. I will attempt to work passes on two FM satellites (AO-51 and SO-50) along with 3 SSB satellites (AO-7, FO-29, VO-52) from the hamfest, located in either grid DM43dn or DM43do depending on the parking lot the hamfest uses. With K4T on this weekend, I will try not to get in their way on the SSB passes. I will try to be in the upper half of the downlink passband for each of these satellites (and, if possible, work K4T during one of the demonstrations), but not park too close to their planned frequencies. If there is activity at the hamfest until 2000 UTC, I will also try to work an HO-68 pass at 1920-1933 UTC around 145.950 MHz USB on that downlink. Anyone working WD9EWK on Saturday wanting a QSL card for any contacts only needs to e-mail me with the QSO details. If you're in the log, you will get a card. Making contacts with regular operators is a great help with the demonstrations; stations typically make the normal exchange along with briefly mentioning the city/town and state they are in. This helps to reinforce that a low-power portable VHF/UHF station can reach out across North America via satellite. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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U-100 rotor 4sale
by Bob- W7LRD 10 Mar '10

10 Mar '10

Hello-I have a Alliance U-100 rotor with control unit for sale. It will handle up to 5 square feet of antenna. Good for a modest elevation satellite array. Works good, clean unit. Listing it here first, before Ebay. Contact direct 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Yuri Gagarin birth anniversary 9 March
by andy thomas 09 Mar '10

09 Mar '10

Tomorrow 9 March 2010 will be the 76th birth anniversary of First Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. Expect to hear some interesting recordings from Yubileiny RS-30 - worth having that digital recorder ready!! 73 de andy G0SFJ

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ND9M Road Trip Final Update #20
by John Papay 09 Mar '10

09 Mar '10

Jim will be on AO-27 at 1943z on the EL39/49 line, 9 March. He MIGHT be on other passes on the way home. 73, John K8YSE

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XE2/WD9EWK videos from February 2009 trip
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 09 Mar '10

09 Mar '10

Hi! After my first attempt at uploading videos to YouTube last night, I found 3 video clips from my trip to Mexicali last year. One clip was from part of an SO-50 pass, and the other two were during a shallow AO-51 pass, all on 22 February 2009. These videos were made by David XE2DAK using his Sony digital (still-photo) camera, so the video quality is not the greatest. These clips were from passes I worked in the city of Mexicali - near the state university, and at Mexicali's "Ciudad Deportiva" (Sports City) athletic complex. The SO-50 pass video can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf_pJw9qthM The two clips from the AO-51 pass are at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WskH1spZIc and: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qseb6JVNgvo 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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K4T DXpedition to EL84 Dry Tortugas 11-15 March 2010
by Mark L. Hammond 08 Mar '10

08 Mar '10

Hello All, There has been mention of this previously, but here's your last reminder from the group as we make final preparations for the K4T trip to EL84, Dry Tortugas. Details here: http://aroadventures.org/page6.html Thanks to great organizing by Mike AC2V, we will have 2 full satellite stations and one portable setup (should it be needed). We hope to work some CW on the linear birds, since some members of the team are CW aficionados and we'll have 2 stations. To help people find us, we'll probably work CW around the target frequencies listed, rather than at the bottom the transponder--but tune and listen. We will be active on the following satellites with target frequencies listed as below: Target Frequencies for K4T 11 March - 15 March 2010: Gridsquare EL84 Satellite Downlink Uplink --------- -------------- ------------- AO-7 145.960 USB 432.136 LSB (and CW) AO-27 436.795 FM 145.850 FM FO-29 435.860 USB 145.940 LSB (and CW) SO-50 436.795 FM 145.850 FM AO-51 435.150 FM 145.880 FM (primary) AO-51 435.300 FM 145.920 FM (secondary if necessary) VO-52 145.910 USB 435.240 LSB (and CW) HO-68 435.760 USB 145.930 LSB (and CW) Possible satellite passes (time in UTC) to work K4T are listed at this link; we'll try to work as many as possible, but we might not be able to realistically work EVERY pass on the list (we'll try ;) ) http://aroadventures.org/page24.html There are thunderstorms possible, so we may need to shutdown a bit. And don't forget the awesome HF/6M contacts you can make! Here is the HF bandplan: http://aroadventures.org/page22.html And, we are dreaming about some meteor-scatter (EME? heh) using WSJT between passes, simplex operations, and band openings; we'll see. Hope to work as many fellow AMSAT-BB folks as possible. 73! -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Re: Mars Express rx by F5PL (ESA)
by Nader Omer 08 Mar '10

08 Mar '10

Anther Great Milestone to Amateurs achievements, FB Pinel .73's 73's Nader > Hello all; at ESA blog: > http://webservices.esa.int/blog/post/7/1058 >73 de Michel F6HTJ

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Mars Express rx by F5PL (ESA)
by f6htj＠aol.com 08 Mar '10

08 Mar '10

Hello all; at ESA blog: http://webservices.esa.int/blog/post/7/1058 73 de Michel F6HTJ

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current handheld
by Bob- W7LRD 08 Mar '10

08 Mar '10

I have been asked- "what is the best current handheld for FM sats"? What are we using? I have an old IC-w32a, no longer in production. 73 Bob W7LRD

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videos from XE2/WD9EWK (DM21) and Yuma hamfest in February 2010
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 08 Mar '10

08 Mar '10

Hi! I'm slowly getting the hang of video and putting it online in a usable form. I have placed 3 videos on YouTube this evening. One video is of a demonstration from the Yuma (Arizona) hamfest on 20 February 2010 where Kevin KJ6DDS and I worked the microphone. Larry KI6YAA operated the video camera (my Nokia N900 phone). At the end of the video, a Marine Corps Harrier jump jet was making its approach to land at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, which is across the street from the hamfest site. That video can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwyFsk9tFAc The other two videos were from an AO-51 pass I worked as XE2/WD9EWK from grid DM21jw in northern Baja California on 19 February 2010 at 0019 UTC. On this afternoon, I was accompanied by Larry KI6YAA and Kevin KJ6DDS, and Alex XE2BSS/N2IX worked the video camera. We parked along the highway on the "Laguna Salada", a dry salty flat area near the Colorado River on the way toward the Gulf of California. The video had to be split into two parts, to comply with YouTube's 10- minute limit on video length. The first 7 minutes can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW5-hL3SDig The remaining 7:14 can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k2yAMGeALc When we were down at DM21jw, it was windy. XE2BSS tried his best to shield the phone/camera's mic from the wind, and allowing the speaker that was connected to my radio to be heard in the video. I worked several other passes from this location, all of which I have MP3 audio recordings of, but this was the one we decided to make a video of. I hope to have the QSL cards from last month's trip to Baja California and the Yuma hamfest ready this week. I've received a lot of QSL requests already, especially for QSOs with DM21. :-) Please be patient, the cards will be on their way. And, eventually, the QSOs will make their way into ARRL's Logbook fo the World system (more on that in a separate message). 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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FS ICOM W2E
by Dave Aitch 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

UK Only please. Works OK but only with DC in the top connector. DC lead, got a headset too. I used to use it /M with a 19" whip when out and about trucking. Worked great. Don't do trucking anymore, so its surplus to me. Lets haggle. Cheers, Dave. G1OCN. AMSAT UK 5766.

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Re: Current Handheld
by Clint Bradford 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

>> ... "what is the best current handheld for FM sats"?? We do not have a currently-manufactured TRUE DUPLEX HT available. Alinco tried - but the sub-band receive performance on their DJ-G7T is gruesome. I use and like the Yaesu FT-60R - for MANY reasons ... -Receives 108 to a gig -bulletproof case -strongest belt clip of any amateur HT chassis on the market -easy to manually program -1,000+ memories -large, easy-to-read display -and a battery situation that is great. Load up the optional FBA-25 AA alkaline tray with alkalines or NiMH cells, and you have FULL TX POWER available, is needed. Do that on, say, a Kenwood TH-F6a, and you have ONE-HALF WATT TX power. Oh - and the Yaesu FT-60R can be programmed for "split freq" ops - where is receives on 440 and transmits on 2M. Overall, it is a tremendous value for your money. Under $200 at HRO and AES and other authorized Yaesu dealers. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Re: current handheld
by Andrew Glasbrenner 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

At the moment there are no new HTs that are full duplex and work well enough for me to personally recommend. I've been pointing folks to going the two radio route, with anything that will receive 435, and anything that transmits on 2m (with PL for SO-50, 67, or 68). For a half duplex radio, I like the F6A as it will receive dc-daylight on FM and SSB/CW. I strongly suggest people use full duplex on the FM birds, but this rig works well as the receive portion. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> >Sent: Mar 7, 2010 2:09 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] current handheld > > > >I have been asked- "what is the best current handheld for FM sats"? What are we using? I have an old IC-w32a, no longer in production. > >73 Bob W7LRD >_______________________________________________ >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: Membership Benefits
by Bob- W7LRD 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

Hi Joel and all -This is a timely question for me. Yesterday I organized and ran (with the help of Wayne-W9AE) a AMSAT table at a local hamfest. I had the opportunity to meet many local hams both satellite ops and the curious. I extolled the virtues of AMSAT and the satellite community in general. A few points I noticed as an undercurrent in some of the conversations. We hams are generally a frugal bunch and in some cases just plain cheap. I had several antennas on display as well as several pictures, one was of an astronaut on a EVA installing one of our antennas on the outside of the space station. Some of the questions went like this, one guy asked, "do you have to belong to AMSAT to operate satellites?", can I get this software (Satpc32) free on line?" "are these books available any where else?" My response to these and similar queries was, "see this picture?" what do you think the shipping cost is?" "What we do, is rocket science, and rocket science is not cheap". How many active satellite operators do not belong to AMSAT? How many use pirated tracking programs. How many do not contribute "something" to AMSAT. Maybe some aspect of of AMSAT ticks you off, so you cut the cord. I'm sure some part of the government ticks you off, you don't move to Canada. In order for AMSAT and our efforts to succeed it takes money, and yes probably lots of it. This event was a learning process for me and in the future I hope to hone my abilities and create more dues paying and contributing members. Finally- "this is rocket science and rocket science is not cheap. 73 Bob W7LRD Washington State AMSAT area coordinator ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joel Black" <jbblack68(a)gmail.com> To: "AMSAT" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, March 7, 2010 6:40:33 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [amsat-bb] Membership Benefits AMSAT-BB, I realize what I'm going to get by asking this... If you were giving a presentation to amateur radio operators who know little or nothing of AMSAT, what would you list as some of the benefits of being a member of AMSAT? What would be the single most important reason? 73, Joel, W4JBB _______________________________________________ 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: Membership Benefits
by Edward Cole 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

At 08:02 AM 3/7/2010, Bob- W7LRD wrote: >Hi Joel and all -This is a timely question for >me.Â Yesterday I organized and ran (with the >help of Wayne-W9AE) a AMSAT table at a local >hamfest.Â I had the opportunity to meet many >local hams both satellite ops and the >curious.Â I extolled the virtues of AMSAT and >the satellite community in general.Â A few >points I noticed as an undercurrent in some of >the conversations.Â We hams are generally a >frugal bunch and in some cases just plain >cheap.Â I had several antennas on display as >well as several pictures, one was of an >astronaut on a EVA installingÂ one of our Â >antennas on the outside of the space >station.Â Some of the questions went like this, >one guy asked, "do you have to belong to AMSAT >to operate satellites?", can I get this software >(Satpc32) free on line?" "are these books >available any where else?"Â My response to >these and similar queries was, "see this >picture?" what do you think the shipping cost >is?"Â "What we do, is rocket science, and >rocket science is not cheap".Â Â How many >active satellite operators doÂ not belong to >AMSAT?Â How many use pirated tracking >programs.Â How many do not contribute >"something" to AMSAT.Â Maybe some aspect of of >AMSAT ticks you off, so you cut the cord.Â I'm >sure some part of the government ticks you off, >you don't move to Canada.Â In order for AMSAT >and our efforts to succeed it takes money, and >yes probably lots of it.Â This event was a >learning process for me and in the future I hope >to hone my abilitiesÂ and create more dues >paying and contributing members.Â Finally- >"this is rocket science and rocket science is >not cheap. 73 Bob W7LRD Washington State AMSAT >area coordinator ----- Original Message ----- >From: "Joel Black" <jbblack68(a)gmail.com> To: >"AMSAT" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, March >7, 2010 6:40:33 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific >Subject: [amsat-bb] Â Membership Benefits >AMSAT-BB, I realize what I'm going to get by >asking this... Â If you were giving a >presentation to amateur radio operators who know >little or nothing of AMSAT, what would you list >as some of the benefits of being a member of >AMSAT? Â What would be the single most important >reason? 73, Joel, W4JBB >_______________________________________________ >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 Re: being a member of Amsat: That is the "minimum" we can support amateur satellites with. I am proud of my low Amsat membership# as that shows I have been a long-standing member. If I could afford more I would become a life-member, but in my retirement we will manage to come up with our annual dues. "Cheap"? I know, considering the cost of "rocket science"! I have been a field-op since about 1998. I have handed the torch off (sponsored) to four others in Alaska to become field-ops (they do a superb job). I now try to support with technical advice, if I can. I have fond memories of the early years in ham satellites (AO-6). Looking forward to more with Amsat in the future. My hat is off the volunteers that make it all possible (and to the members that support them). 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

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Re: Membership Benefits
by Clint Bradford 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

AMSAT members receive an every-other-month printed Journal ... discounts on some satellite tracking software and publications ... members can proudly boast that they are supporting amateur satellite programs ... and talk to your CPA - AMSAT-NA is a 501(c)(3) organization that can be left a few bucks in one's will, Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Membership Benefits
by Joel Black 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

AMSAT-BB, I realize what I'm going to get by asking this... If you were giving a presentation to amateur radio operators who know little or nothing of AMSAT, what would you list as some of the benefits of being a member of AMSAT? What would be the single most important reason? 73, Joel, W4JBB

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FW: [ans] ANS-066 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-066 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * East Coast APRS Satellite Launch 11 March! * A new interference threat to the Ham Bands * SK: Dave Toth, VE3GYQ * Daylight Savings Time * AO-51 Survives Close Encounter With FORMOSAT-3 * A Self adjusting Orbit Scheme * ARISS Update SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.01 East Coast APRS Satellite Launch 11 March! AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 7, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.01 East Coast APRS Satellite Launch 11 March! You will be able to see it too over most of the mid-atlantic. I don't see a launch time or any other info yet. Here is what I have received: ----------------------------------------------------- A sounding rocket with amateur satellite operating on 144.39 MHZ APRS will rise to 100 miles or so for an 8 minute mission. The rocket (I think) is the Hall 12.067. The payload is called SOCEM/ADAMASat. There is a computer program and GUI to interface to your PC so you can grab the telemetry live. It is on: http://ssl.engr.uky.edu/adamasat_free_gui.exe It's a one shot deal, so I'm gonna have a backup TNC and HYPERTERM collecting everything. ADAMASat is the Antenna Deployment and Mono-filament Actuator Satellite. It's a 2U CubeSat designed by Kentucky Space as part of SOCEM, the Sub-Orbital CubeSat Experimental Mission. ADAMASat, which is scheduled to launch on Hall 12.067 out of Wallops Flight Facility on 11 March, will fly in space for roughly 8 minutes performing an engineering experiment and transmitting data down to Earth via APRS packets. More information on ADAMASat is available at http://ssl.engr.uky.edu/suborbital/adamasat Kentucky Space is hereby releasing to the AMSAT-NA community the ADAMASat FREE GUI, a free 32-bit Windows binary for amateur radio operators in the Eastern United States who are interested in tracking ADAMASat on its launch day. The GUI is a standalone application and upon opening it on his/her computer, the HAM will be greeted with a popup window which explains the steps required to track the payload. All that is needed is a Windows machine, a radio and TNC which can receive on 144.390 MHz, a serial or USB cable, and a suitable location. The GUI parses the APRS packets as they are received, graphing temperatures on-board the payload and reporting status of the mission in real-time. It also includes instructions on e-mailing the packet log to Kentucky Space to aid in post-processing, and a built-in aggregator for the official ADAMASat Twitter RSS feed. Disclaimer: Kentucky Space provides the GUI "as is" without warranties of any kind, and shall not incur any liability for any damages connected to the use of the GUI. [ANS thanks Bob, WA4APR, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.02 A new interference threat to the Ham Bands AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 7, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.02 FCC to Permit Rescue Radio Robot in the 430 to 450 MHz Band Reports initially carried in the February 26, 2010 edition of Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1698, and on the QRZ.com website say the FCC has issued a waiver of the Part 90 rules to permit a company called Reconrobotics Incorporated to sell a remote controlled security robot that will operate in the 430 to 448 MHz band. This is spectrum that is primary to the Federal Radiolocation Service but also encompasses the Amateur Service weak signal, satellite and repeater subbands. The waiver permits Reconrobitics to manufacture and sell a device called the Recon Scout. This is described as a device designed for state and local law enforcement and firefighting agencies, and secur- ity personnel in critical infrastructure industries. The Recon Scout can be thrown, dropped, or launched into potentially hazardous areas and can provide real-time video to an operator located a safe dis- tance away. Typical applications will include such things as checking a building prior to forced entry, searching vehicle undercarriages for explosives and searching for survivors in a burning structure. The Recon Scout transmits the analog video signal to the operator on one of three six megahertz channels. These are 430 to 436 MHz, 436 to 442 MHz, and 442 to 448 MHz. Reconrobotics says that multiple channels are necessary in order to avoid interference during incidents where multiple Recon Scouts are in use, but that such situations should be rare. The company's now approved proposal is that the first unit sold to a responding organization would operate on 442 to 448 MHz. That happens to be where thousands of ham radio repeaters operate. The 436 to 442 MHz version being sold only to entities that already own the 442 to 448 MHz version, and the 430 to 436 MHz version being sold only to entities that already own both of the others. In approving the waiver, the FCC told Reconrobotics the Recon Scout will have to operate on a secondary basis where it cannot cause inter- ference and is not protected from interference to all Federal users and licensed non-Federal users including radio amateurs. The FCC also warned prospective users that operation of the Recon Scout in an unauthorized manner will subject licensees to Commission enforce- ment action and license revocation. It also said that widespread improper use of the device could lead the Commission to stop grant- ing or renewing Recon Scout authorizations. [ANS thanks Amateur Radio NewslineT Report 1698 for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.03 SK: Dave Toth, VE3GYQ AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 7, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.03 SK: Dave Toth, VE3GYQ AMSAT received the sad news of the passing of a friend this week noting the passing of Dr David Toth, VE3GYQ. Dave was the President Emeritus of Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) Group. He was an early member of TAPR, a long time supporter of AMSAT and he gave of his time and talents to promote technical endeavors in Amateur Radio. Former AMSAT President Tom Clark, K3IO remembered Dave, "He was always a friend of AMSAT, giving up personal vacations to help with the integration of AO-40 in Orlando. For many years, he was the glue that held TAPR together." Former AMSAT Board Member, Bob McGwier, N4HY recalled that, "Dave was an important player in the earliest days of packet radio in that he helped promote packet and supported it with on the air hardware. As a board member and President of TAPR, he helped TAPR become the principal support for Open HPSDR, a project to promote the development of hardware and software for software defined radio use by Amateur Radio. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him." Dr. Toth graduated from the University of Western Ontario Medical School in 1978. He practiced family medicine in London, Ontario but moved to the U.S. in 1993 to began a career in emergency medicine. He was a partner of Premier Health Care Services, in Dayton, Ohio, and worked at Lima Memorial Health System and St. Rita's Medical Center until the time of his illness. [ANS thanks Tom Clark, K3IO; Bob Bob McGwier, N4HY; Steve Bible, N7HPR; ARRL, TAPR, and Amateur Radio Newsline for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.04 Daylight Savings Time AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 7, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.04 Next week, March 14th, our semi-annual time change will occur. And of course, do we gain or loose an hour? The words Spring ahead and Fall back should come to mind as this is the rule. More modern Atomic Clocks (as they are called) Set themselves without any manual adjustments. I had a clock that was pre programmed for earlier DST changes and sent me to work late one Monday morning. Get out your pencils and mark your calendar For this event. I'm sure the News media will advise you for several days prior to this required Adjustment to happen, but, someone will not get the word. Please tell that person. Thank goodness GMT (UTC) stays the same no matter what time of the year it is. Computers too are Pre programmed but satellite program users should make sure time was corrected properly. We Wouldn't want you to miss that Sat QSO you planned for all week. Don't forget the 1.26 micro second Adjustment that the Earthquake in Chile has created. [ANS thanks ANS Editor for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.05 AO-51 Survives Close Encounter With FORMOSAT-3 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 7, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.05 AO-51 Survives Close Encounter With FORMOSAT-3 AMSAT-NA VP Operations, Drew KO4MA, received notification from the US Joint Space Operations Center, located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on Sunday, February 28 warning that AO-51 would have a close approach to another satellite, FORMOSAT 3-D, on Monday at 1056 UTC. This occurred over the Eastern US, with many stations on hand capable of receiving telemetry from AO-51 before and after the near miss. Drew said, "The predicted miss distance was 953 meters, which is over 3000 feet overall but the radial difference between the two orbits was only 39 meters." Steve, W3HF noted, "Given the orbital uncertanties of both satellites, an orbit separated by only 39 meters could mean that distance may become eaten up rather quickly!" In preparation for the close encounter, Drew shut off the S band tran- smitter and turned on the digital downlink at 2 watts, with telemetry transmitted every 5 seconds. The next morning, on March 1, Drew was able to post a message that AO-51 was alive and well, "It looks like we are fine. A second warning email this morning from the Air Force called it even closer, but everything was working at LOS this pass." FORMOSAT-3 is a constellation of satellites launched on April 15, 2006. It is a joint U.S.-Taiwanese project with major participants including the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), the National Science Foundation, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on the U.S. side and the National Space Organization (NSPO) on the Taiwanese side. [ANS thanks AMSAT-NA VP Operations, Drew KO4MA, and Steve, W3HF for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.06 A Self adjusting Orbit Scheme AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 7, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.06 >From the IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination pages at http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/formal_detail.asp?serial=168 POPACS-RR a 2U cubesat will use self-contained, warm gas, propulsion system to adjust satellite's initial circular orbit of 450 km to eccentric orbit with apogee of 1500 km and perigee of 450 km. Demonstrate use of 3D printing (a.k.a. rapid prototyping) for manufacturing small satellites. Measure flux of energetic particles in lower Van Allen Belt. Test radiation-hardened electronic components and high performance solar cells in high radiation environment over a period of five years. Test radiation hardened components for a Plug and Play satellite. Proposing a UHF downlink of 9k6 GMSK AX25 packet and also an S Band downlink of BPSK at 9k6 or 38k4. Planning a launch on the first flight of SpaceX Falcon 1E not earlier than May 2011 with a 45 deg inclination. Will apply for a FCC part 5 Experimental licence for this project. IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination pages http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/ 73 Trevor M5AKA [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-066.7 ARISS Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 066.07 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 7, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-066.07 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report March 1, 2010 1. School Contact Expedition 22 astronaut Soichi Noguchi, KD5TVP Participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Hamasuka Junior High School in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa, Japan on Thursday, March 4. This is a direct contact and was scheduled for 10:09 UTC. Noguchi is an alumnus of the school. 2. Timothy Creamer Chats with Doncaster Students via ARISS Contact On Thursday, February 25, Timothy Creamer, KC5WKI spoke with Doncaster Primary School students in Doncaster, Victoria, Australia via an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact. The connection was made through telebridge ground station VK4KHZ in Queensland. Two hundred fifty guests attended the event and watched as the students asked nineteen questions of the on-orbit astronaut. The students were involved in many activities leading up to the contact in their Physics, Space, Geography, and English classes. During one such activity, the students researched a place in the solar system and created a short television program for the intergalactic travel show "Postcards." 3. ARISS Annual Report 2009 Posted The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Annual Report 2009 has been posted to the AMSAT Web site. See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/Papers/Annual%20Reports/ARISS_Annual_Report _2009_Final.pdf 4. ARISS News on Amateur Radio Newsline The February 26, Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1698 includes one item about the ARISS program. The "Ham Radio in Space" article summarizes the ARISSat Design Review meeting held in Orlando, Florida. See: ftp://ftp.arnewsline.org/quincy/News/news.txt [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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Telemetry for a newbie
by Peter Wilson 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

Hi all, My Gulf antenna arrived last week and togther with my recently aquired FT-736 I should be up and running within the month. My initial reason for building my satellite station was to receive and decode telemetry from the sats, hoping to monitor their condition over a period of time. I realise that some transmit TLM via morse, some via AX25, and some via 96K packet. What would be the best sat to start with, especially AX25? - Does AO51 send TLM all the time or only over the USA? What resource is the best for reading? Does the F&-736 need modifying for high speed packet reception? Many thanks for any help. Peter G8KEK AMSAT-UK 6897

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PLANET-C, UNITEC-1 launch plan 17May2010
by Mineo Wakita 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

Four CubeSats in Japan are planning to launch on 17 May 2010 together with PLANET-C which belongs to JAXA by H-IIA rocket. Launch date, 17 May 2010 Launch time, 21:44:14UTC Launch site, Tanegashima Space Center in Japan Three of the CubeSats, Negai*", WASEDA-SAT2, KSAT, being launched by the H-IIA rocket on May 17 will be dropped off into a low earth orbit but UNITEC-1 will continue following the JAXA's Venus Climate Orbiter PLANET-C / AKATSUKI on its journey to Venus. For more information, http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2010/03/20100303_h2af17_e.html http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/unitec-1.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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help, LEO navigational question
by jlv 07 Mar '10

07 Mar '10

Sorry...but.. I am thinking.. Does ITAR laws also include the cubesats and other radioamateur satellites?? 73.. Luis CX2AN

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Re: help, LEO navigational question
by jlv 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

Thank you David for the return,... Detailed information of the orientation systems and positioning is what I look for, but it is reasonable that some information is reserved. I will try to find all the information that is possible to help me to guide my own experiments about this matter.. Thank you again 73..Luis CX2AN ----- Original Message ----- From: G0MRF(a)aol.com To: jlv(a)fing.edu.uy Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 3:07 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] help, LEO navigational question In a message dated 06/03/2010 16:31:40 GMT Standard Time, jlv(a)fing.edu.uy writes: Hi all,... I want to learn about horizon detection, orientation and automatic control of attitude of LEO. satellites. Can somebody guide my search of information about this topic? 73..Luis CX2AN Attitude control is usually done in LEO with "magnetorquer coils", or "reaction wheels" or "attitude thrusters" Attitude determination can be done in several ways By "sun sensor" "horizon sensor" "Star tracker" or by comparing the detected magnetic field on the satellite against a model of the earths magnetic field stored in memory. If you search for the above topics you will find papers from teams who have implemented satellite control using these methods. Of course the computer algorithms to process the data collected and calculate attitude is complex. You will not get detailed information from the USA due to their ITAR laws. 73 David

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Re: ND9M Road Trip Update #19
by Louis House, KD5GM 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

It was a great pleasure to meet You and Cori at the B-VARC, Greater Houston Hamfest. Thanks for sharing your road trip in the grids as you travel. Best wishes and safe travels. Louis, KD5GM CW, The original digital mode.

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2 upcoming MHV Hamfests!
by Stuart Balanger 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

*2 April Hamfests Sat. April 10 the Orange Co (NY) Hamfeste @ Wallkill Community Center (Near Middletown,NY) More Details; www.ocarc-ny.org Sunday April 25 Mt. Beacon ARC Hamfeste or "Beaconfeste" Tymor Pk. (Central Dutchess Co.) more info; www.wr2abb.org 73,.Stu (WA2BSS,Director,MBARC) *

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help, LEO navigational question
by jlv 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

Hi all,... I want to learn about horizon detection, orientation and automatic control of attitude of LEO. satellites. Can somebody guide my search of information about this topic? 73..Luis CX2AN

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Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net / Echolink Was Not Available For The Last Net.
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

I am sorry Echolink was not available for our net on Thursday, March 4. Our club Director of engineering did not have Internet capabilities do to the storms last week. I myself was without power for almost 7 days and 11 days without Internet/phone and cable. Hope to hear you on the next net on March 18. 73 Gary/WA2AQH

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hamfest
by Bob- W7LRD 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

Hello Wayne W9AE and myself will be manning a AMSAT table at the Puyallup (say that fast three times) hamfest in Puyallup Wa CN87. We will attempt to do some demo contacts on the FM satellites. Check your tracking program and if we have a good pass give us a call. Make us (AMSAT) look good for the demo. 73 Bob W7LRD Washington State AMSAT area coordinator

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ND9M Road Trip Update #19
by claryco＠aol.com 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

Cori and I will be at the BVARC Greater Houston Hamfest tomorrow; hope to CU there. Once we leave the 'fest, we'll head north a bit, and I'll operate from the EM20 / EM21 line during the 06/2339Z AO51 pass. Sunday (7 Mar) should find us on the EM22 / EM23 line for at least one (probably both) of the AO27 passes at 1856Z and 2034Z. Then I'll be on AO51 for the EM32 / EM33 line at 07/2300Z. Since EM33 seems to be fairly sought after, we may overnight there so that I can put it out again during the next morning's SO50 pass at about 08/1651Z. After that, AO27 at 08/2006Z could find us in EM31 or on the EM30 / EM31 line. That would allow us to get through EM30 and possibly to the EL39 / EM30 line for the 08/2221Z pass or the one after that at 09/0000Z. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Rosenberg, TX / EL29

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HO-68 Schedule - 07-14 Mar 2010
by Alan Kung 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

07 Mar. 2010, Linear Transponder ================================ 16:55...Turn On India, Africa, Middle East, Europe,NA 17:40...Turn Off 18:45...Turn On Africa,Europe,Middle East,NA 19:30...Turn Off 08 Mar. 2010, Linear Transponder ================================ 02:31...Turn On North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:46...Turn Off 14:30...Turn On Oceania,South Asia,East Asia, North Asia, Europe 15:15...Turn Off 20:15...Turn On Africa,Europe,NA 21:00...Turn Off 09 Mar. 2010, Linear Transponder ================================ 01:20...Turn On South America,NA,North Asia 02:05...Turn Off 02:14...Turn On North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:29...Turn Off 03:30...Turn On NA,South America,North Asia 04:15...Turn Off 11:50...Turn On Oceania,Asia,Europe 12:35...Turn Off 18:10...Turn On India,Middle East,Europe,NA 18:55...Turn Off 19:55...Turn On Africa,Europe,NA 20:40...Turn Off 10 Mar. 2010, Linear Transponder ================================= 01:58...Turn On North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:11...Turn Off 10:15...Turn On Oceania,East Asia,North Asia,Europe 11:00...Turn Off 13:05...Turn On Europe,NA,South America 13:50...Turn Off 16:05...Turn On India,Middle East,Africa,Europe,NA 16:50...Turn Off 23:25...Turn On South America,Europe,NA 24:10...Turn Off 11 Mar. 2010, Linear Transponder ================================= 01:41...Turn On North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:53...Turn Off 06:50...Turn On NA,North Asia,Middle East,Europe,Africa 07:35...Turn Off 10:05...Turn On Oceania,Asia,Europe,NA 10:50...Turn Off 16:00...Turn On India,Middle East,Africa,Europe,NA 16:45...Turn Off 19:25...Turn On Africa,Europe,NA 20:10...Turn Off 12 Mar. 2010, Linear Transponder ================================ 00:35...Turn On South America,NA,North Asia 01:20...Turn Off 01:29...Turn On North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 01:43...Turn Off 09:45...Turn On Oceania,Asia,Europe 10:30...Turn Off 19:05...Turn On Africa,Europe,NA 19:50...Turn Off 23:10...Turn On South America,NA,Asia,Oceania 23:55...Turn Off 13 Mar. 2010, Linear Transponder ================================ 02:05...Turn On South America,NA,North Asia 02:50...Turn Off 02:58...Turn On--FM/Digi North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 03:08...Turn Off 12:30...Turn On South America,Oceania 13:15...Turn Off 18:50...Turn On Africa,Europe,NA 19:35...Turn Off 14 Mar. 2010, Linear Transponder ================================ 01:50...Turn On South America,NA,North Asia 02:35...Turn Off 02:42...Turn On ---FM/Digi North Asia,East Asia,South Asia 02:58...Turn Off 07:50...Turn On North Asia,Europe,Africa 08:35...Turn Off 11:00...Turn On Oceania,Asia,Europe 11:45...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Nice video by KP4WK working AO-51
by (KP4TR)Ramon Gonzalez 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

Here's a nice video posted by KP4WK using a tape measure antenna to work AO-51. I'm also heard working AO-51 while driving in my car. "Satellite Fever KP4WK working AO51 with the tape measure antenna" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBVT-3BwYI8

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Hawaii AO-51 pass today
by Robert Smith 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

Aloha all AO-51 flies by Hawaii at a max. el. of 4 degs at 0203Z this afternoon. In order to spot the bird I will have to head to the beach but it might be worth it! The footprint will cover the entire western U.S., extending to Hawaii. My intent is to be on the air. Hope to hear the mainland. 73 de robert NH7WN, Honolulu

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SAT SERV LTD at los angeles show next week
by COPPOCK, ROBERT L (ATTCORP) 06 Mar '10

06 Mar '10

HI SAW THIS ON AN AD IN HEAVENS-ABOVE.COM -- MAY BE USEFUL INFO, OR THOSE IN L.A. CA AREA MAY WANT TO GO TO THE SHOW MAR 8-11 http://www.satserv.co.uk/home.html 73, ROBERT k f 0 g CM97

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Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net Tonight At 8pm EST March 04 on N2EYH-L
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 05 Mar '10

05 Mar '10

Just got my Internet back this afternoon after the storms last week. Join us for the net tonight at 8PM EST on N2EYH-L or the Mt Beacon ARC Repeater 146.970 pl 100. Hope to hear you there. 73 Gary/ WA2AQH

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Has anyone in AMSAT considered this?
by Jack K. 04 Mar '10

04 Mar '10

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2010/cubesat_to_raise_orbit.htm

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RSGB Response to WRC-12 Consultation
by Trevor . 04 Mar '10

04 Mar '10

A copy of the RSGB response to the OFCOM WRC-12 consultation can be seen at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/wrc_12/responses1/RSGB.pdf Other responses are at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/wrc_12/responses1/ OFCOM World Radiocommunication Conference 2012 (WRC-12) Consultation http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/wrc_12/ 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio News (Email/RSS): http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email Your News To: editor at southgatearc.org Or Upload Using Form At: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news_1.htm ----

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Re: Adjust all Clocks ...
by Reicher, James 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

And all this time, I thought the Ohno second was the cry of the Men's Short-Track Speed-skating announcer. 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, 2 Mar 2010 16:05:43 -0800 From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Adjust all Clocks ... To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <FAEE34A8-7682-4ED9-887E-13103978B694(a)earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >> ... Have corrected all clocks. So we're now ready to go! Thanks. You are most welcome, Carl. There's actually a smaller unit of time that was recently measured by JPL: the ohnosecond. It is defined as the amount of time between when a man's hand lets loose of the closing locked car door - and when he realizes he's left the keys in the ignition. Pronounced, "OH NO! second." Clint, K6LCS

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Keps Communication
by Angelo Glorioso 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

Anyone know if they are still in business?? I have emailed them several times with no reply.

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AO-51 update-running 2.05 Watts
by Mark L. Hammond 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

Hi all, AO-51 is now running 435.300 at high power, currently defined as 2.05 Watts (as of 2305utc 2March10). The digital transmitter (435.150) has been turned OFF. Enjoy the big signal! 73 on behalf of the AO-51 Command Team, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

3 2

Raising the apogee of a LEO from 450km to 1500km
by Trevor . 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

>From the IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination pages at http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/formal_detail.asp?serial=168 POPACS-RR a 2U cubesat will use self-contained, warm gas, propulsion system to adjust satellite’s initial circular orbit of 450 km to eccentric orbit with apogee of 1500 km and perigee of 450 km. Demonstrate use of 3D printing (a.k.a. rapid prototyping) for manufacturing small satellites. Measure flux of energetic particles in lower Van Allen Belt. Test radiation-hardened electronic components and high performance solar cells in high radiation environment over a period of five years. Test radiation hardened components for a Plug and Play satellite. Proposing a UHF downlink of 9k6 GMSK AX25 packet and also an S Band downlink of BPSK at 9k6 or 38k4. Planning a launch on the first flight of SpaceX Falcon 1E not earlier than May 2011 with a 45 deg inclination. Will apply for a FCC part 5 Experimental licence for this project. IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination pages http://www.amsat.org.uk/iaru/ 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio News (Email/RSS): http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email Your News To: editor at southgatearc.org Or Upload Using Form At: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news_1.htm ----

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New TH-D7 with GPS
by SALAH 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

I was told that kenwood will release a new version of TH-D7 radio in the first quarter of 2010. This model will include a GPS. Do you have any information about that. 73s SALAH CN8XS

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ND9M Road Trip Update #18
by claryco＠aol.com 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

I'll be on tomorrow after all as the family get together was delayed by a day. Thursday's now the off day. I'll be on from the EM02 / EM12 line during the SO50 pass at 03/1746Z as well as the first and probably both AO27 passes at 03/1910Z and 03/2049Z. After that will be EM13 possibly on the AO51 pass at 03/2222Z but definitely at 03/2359Z. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Cisco, TX / EM02

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Ah, yes, the ohnosecond
by Aa4mi＠aol.com 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

Thanks, Clint; much appreciated. As "they" say: been there, done that. Also the earth's axis has been shifted. We'll have to re-align the laser beam we shoot at the moon every Thursday eve.....Always something to do. 73, Carl Zelich, AA4MI aa4mi(a)arrl.net

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Re: Adjust all Clocks ...
by Clint Bradford 03 Mar '10

03 Mar '10

>> ... Have corrected all clocks. So we're now ready to go! Thanks. You are most welcome, Carl. There's actually a smaller unit of time that was recently measured by JPL: the ohnosecond. It is defined as the amount of time between when a man's hand lets loose of the closing locked car door - and when he realizes he's left the keys in the ignition. Pronounced, "OH NO! second." Clint, K6LCS

1 0

Again Pacsat with software succeded!!
by Nader Omer 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Gentlemen good day/night Tonight I succeeded to worked HO-68 BBS with a new combination of software WISP+MLTIPSK+VSPE and without hardware TNC. link for photo and info http://st2nh-blogger.blogspot.com/2010/03/pacsat-ho-68-via-software-wispmul… 73 de st2nh

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Adjust all clocks...done
by Aa4mi＠aol.com 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Have corrected all clocks. So we're now ready to go! Thanks. 73, Carl Zelich, AA4MI aa4mi(a)arrl.net

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How to correctly log multiple grids?
by John Papay 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Mike, As others have said, just log it twice, once for each grid. The portable and handheld designations are commonly used on satellites. Portable can have many meanings. Some use it to say they are using an HT or operating on batteries. Originally, the portable designator was used to indicate you were not at your home QTH. In the 60's and earlier, the FCC was much more controlling of amateur radio than they are now. If you were not at home, you were obliged to sign /mobile or /portable on voice or on CW, /8 if you were in the 8th call area etc. If you moved out of your call area, you had to get a new callsign with the proper number for your new location. If you were to be away from your home QTH for more than 72 hours, you had to tell the FCC Engineer in Charge of your district where you were going to be operating from. If on a trip, you had to supply an itinerary telling them where you would be on a certain day. The FCC wanted to know where the transmitters were and who was operating them. Another requirement was to log every contact. If the FCC came calling, you had better have your logbook available. There was a requirement that you operate so many hours in a certain period of time in order to renew your license. In the early days, the FCC was feared. There were lots of rules to follow. A mistake could cost you your license. Today things are much different and the rules are very friendly. But signing portable still has meaning when it indicates you are not at home and possibly operating in another grid. When you hear "portable," it gives a hint that you might want to check your grid list to see if it's a new one. It also might influence you to give priority to the "portable" station since it may be operating under less than desirable circumstances, out in the open, on the side of a road, out in the rain etc., for the primary purpose of handing out a new grid for those who are paying attention in their comfortable hamshack. Of course, many use "portable" when they are at home with an HT. If you hear me signing portable, you'll know I'm not at home. Time to check your grid list. 73, John K8YSE

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AO-51 Publication
by Bruce 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

The AO-51 Publication Development, Operation and Specifications by G. Gould Smith, WA4SXM, is once again in stock at the AMSAT online store and ready for immediate shipment. Originally published in 2004, this publication was updated in 2005. It is 73 pages and is in color. Order yours today for only $20.00 plus shipping where applicable. 73...bruce AMSAT Online Store Manager -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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Adjust All Clocks!
by Clint Bradford 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

NASA scientist Richard Gross and his colleagues at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., calculated that Saturday's earthquake in Chile shortened the day by 1.26 microseconds. An earthquake can make Earth rotate faster by nudging some of its mass closer to the planet's axis. That's the same way that ice skaters speed up their spins by pulling in their arms. Please adjust your satellite passes accordingly. Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig
by Tom Clark, K3IO 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

There is one US made radio on the market today that will meet >>>ALL<<< the desires & requirements discussed in this thread -- and it is made by an AMSAT member (K5SDR)! It was on view at last fall's AMSAT Symposium. I say "ALL" contingent on the release of one module RSN (Real! Soon! Now!). I'm talking about the software-defined Flex 5000 (see http://www.flex-radio.com/). When the new V/U module is released (by Dayton), the F5K can be used at the 100W level on 160-6M, and 60W on V=2M & U=70cm. It will operate Full-Duplex in any combination of V/U (+10 meters). Greg, K5GJ described the new V/U module fully at the AMSAT Symposium. Flex has offered significant door prizes (like half of a base 5K) at all the recent AMSAT & TAPR meetings (I won a prize that I converted to a V/U upgrade for my personal F5K; I eagerly expect it in the next month or so). For some more info, this is clipped from the Flex advertising describing the new V/U module: > The FLEX-5000 V/U module is a fully integrated all-mode, all-band > (144-148/430-450 MHz) full-duplex VHF/UHF module that adds both 2m and > 70 cm capabilities to the already outstanding FLEX-5000 family of > software defined radios. All of the FLEX-5000 V/U module's > oscillators are locked to the 500 MHz master oscillator in the > FLEX-5000, which in turn is locked to the internal 0.5ppm reference or > it may be connected to an external 10 MHz reference for even greater > frequency stability. If want additional HF capability, you can add a second receiver and/or automatic antenna tuner. You can tie the entire radio to a GPS or Rubidium frequency reference for accuracy/stability at levels better than a part per billion. For any of the microwave bands (23 cm and up), either the V or U channel can serve as the IF for a transverter. For the wider bandwidth modes discussed for the "HR-956-Pro", the F5K is capable of supporting anything up to a few hundred kHz. For these SDRs, new software support shows up daily, contributed (free) by a significant cadre of amateurs. If a modem for some different mode, is needed, IOS (It's Only Software! ). And the price for a fully decked out is less than half of that forecast for the "fictional HR-956-Pro" (even including a suitable PC). SUPPORT THE US MANUFACTURERS! THEY ARE A RARE BREED! 73, Tom

5 4

DXpedition 3W6C April 2010
by Michael Lipp HB9WDF 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Dear satellite enthusiast and DXers The 3W6C-Team will activate Côn Có Island (AS-185) on satellite from April 10 to18. The crew use a FT-897 TRX with homebrewed "Easysat"-antenna for 2m and 70cm and a homebrewed 10m crossdipol. Following satellite will be use: - AO-07* - AO-51* - HO-68* - SO-50 - SO-67 (*first priority - not all overflights and sats will be use) Please note, that only AO-07 will be activate in SBB/CW-mode. All other satellite are use in FM-mode. The main areas in the Foodprint are: East-Asia, Japan, China, India, Australia and east part of Russia. If possible, so the 3W6C-Team will use some DX-Windows to near East and west part of Russia. Operation note: The main-operator for Satellite is HB9BXE, Hans-Peter. Hans-Peter don't use a CAT-Interface for doppler correction. The equipment is in full manual use. It is important to know, that Hans-Peter don't hear his own downlink. For AO-07, he made no doppler correction in the uplink. Hans-Peter will search some signals +/- 5kHz arround the downlinkfrequency. (quasi splitmode like shortwave). Is there a pileup on the sat, please use only callsign, signalstrenght and gridsquare. All Crewmembers are primary shortwave operators. So please be patient, if they have some troubles with the sat-operation. For additional information and operating-plan, please contact the 3W6C Website. www.3w6c.qrv.ch <http://www.3w6c.qrv.ch> Important: We still search Pilot-Station for coordinate the activities from following Areas: Australia, India and central Asia. If you like support the 3W6C-Team as pilot, please contact the team-leader hb9bxe (hb9bxe(a)web.de) Thanks for support of the 3W6C-DX-Pedition. 73 de Michael, hb9wdf Satellite coach of 3W6C unfortunately not on the DX-Pedition :-(

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ND9M Road Trip Update #17
by claryco＠aol.com 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

I'll be on the DM91 / DM92 line for tomorrow's SO50 pass at 02/1857Z as well as both AO27 passes with go VOX at 02/1943Z and 2124Z. >From there, we're hoping road conditions will allow us to get up to the DM93 / EM03 line for the AO51 pass at 02/2300Z. We'll be visiting relatives in Dallas on Wednesday so that'll be an off day. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9jC San Angelo, TX / DM91

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NASA - 2011/2012 CubeSat Launch Opportunities
by Trevor . 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

See http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/synopsis.cgi?acqid=139845 73 Trevor M5AKA

12 14

More Evidence For Water On The Moon
by B J 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2010/mar/HQ_10-055_moon_ice.html 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL __________________________________________________________________ The new Internet Explorer® 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/

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Re: AO-51
by Stephen Melachrinos 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

Drew - But remember that this is three-dimensional; your example is 2-D. I'm pretty sure that "39 meters radial" is referencing the instantaneous radius of the orbit; that means that at the closest approach, the predicted altitude of one spacecraft was 39 meters higher than the other. Pythagoras tells us that if the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 893 meters, and the height (=radial distance) is 39 meters, then the length of the base of the triangle is just over 892 meters. View this as the radius of a circle, centered on one satellite but 39 meters either above or below it, and the other satellite flies by, in the plane of and tangent to the circle. AO-51 has an inclination of about 100 degrees; Formosat-3D has an inclination of (I believe) 72 degrees. Without going through the calculations I'm not sure of the actual trajectories, but my modification of your visualization is the following: The two satellites are each "driving" along interstate highways (at 17,500 mph). The two highways do cross each other (at some angle which is determined by the inclinations and trajectories as mentioned above), but one highway is elevated 39 meters (about 128 feet) above the other. When the two vehicles get to their closest point, there's 892 meters between them horizontally, and 39 meters between them vertically. Now I'm not making light of how uncomfortable this approach is. Even though space is big (that's why they call it space), this is definitely uncomfortably close. The reason is that our ability to predict exactly where a spacecraft is at a precise time in the future is not perfect. The uncertainties are small from the perspective of antenna pointing angles on the ground, but they're large compared to the dimensions of this example. Instead of viewing the orbits as roadways, where you know that a car is exactly in a lane that's ten feet wide, a better view is that these are tubes whose internal radius is a hundred meters or so; the vehicle can be anywhere within the tube's cross-section. (Those are known as radial and cross-track errors.) And its position lengthwise in the tube (the "in-track" position) at any precise moment in time is only known to a hundred meters or so. So if two orbits are only separated by 39 meters, their tubes actually intersect for a large portion of their cross-sections. And when you add in the in-track uncertainties, that 893 meter separation gets eaten up really quick. Steve W3HF Mar 1, 2010 03:40:54 PM, glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com wrote: > It's all predictive until they smack together, but the estimates this > morning said 893m overall, but only 39m radially. I'm visualizing that > as one car merging on a highway at 17,500 mph, with one 3000 feet in > front of, and 120 feet left or right of the other. Scale the 17,500 mph > to 70 mph, and the distances in the analogy would be 12 feet in front > of, and 6 inches abreast. Just to put the velocity and distances in > perspective! > 73, Drew KO4MA

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Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig
by Clint Bradford 02 Mar '10

02 Mar '10

When Clint wins the lottery ... I am going to have 10,000 or so handhelds (sorry, guys) made that are truly useable by the visually-impaired - and give 'em away to that community. Voice prompts and voice when any key is touched. An intelligently-laid-out keypad that gets spec'd to me by HandiHams. Something TRULY appreciated by that community. I have seen visually-impaired hams work with the old ADI AT-600 - which was well-received. But there's so much more than can be put into an HT. I mean, hams liked the AT-600 (and Kenwood TH-F6a) because it "beeped" at certain points when programming (like when you scrolled CTCSS and hit 100.0hz). But we need to build voice into every step of programming. The technology is there. OK. Enough for Clint's off-topic rant. But if you ever see me on CNN as a lottery winner - expect a GREAT handheld radio for the visually-impaired about six months thereafter. Clint, K6LCS

1 0

Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig
by Ken Ernandes 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

I'm not normally one to throw cold water on creative ideas, but I will put myself in the position of the potential manufacturer. What any manufacturer would need to even contemplate this project is good answers to a few basic questions: 1. Can I come up with a design to these specifications that I can sell in the realistic price range of the typical amateur operator? 2. Is there a large enough market out there that I can make a profit on this exercise? My guess is the manufacturers wouldn't touch this one with 3.048-meter pole without at least one functioning high altitude satellite on orbit. I realize these are frustrating times, but I think you'll need to come up with more than just a wish list. Perhaps a group could get together and prototype portions to make a plausible case that this can be built economically. Can it be done? Probably... But those who really want it will probably need to invest a lot of sweat equity to prove it. 73, Ken N2WWD -----Original Message----- >From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond(a)gmail.com> >Sent: Mar 1, 2010 1:55 PM >To: MM <ka1rrw(a)yahoo.com> >Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig > >How about IF tap (10.7MHz) and high speed packet ready (up to say, 76k >or faster)? > >(Maybe I missed it, but I don't think I saw those 2 features...) > >73, > >Mark N8MH > >On Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 1:44 PM, MM <ka1rrw(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> My Ideal Competition Grade VHF/UHF Radio Wish list. >> >> It seems we are long over do for a Competition grade high performance VHF/UHF transceiver, which can also be used for Satellite operations. There are several competition grade HF transceivers on the market, however there are no high end competition grade VHF/UHF/Satellite systems on the marker. >> >> Most of the rigs I have seen which support VHF/UHF are either HF rigs that have had VHF/UHF slapped on, or low end VHF/UHF rigs, with HF slapped on. >> >> If we want the Amateur Radio manufactures to build us a "GREAT" VHF/UHF/Satellite system, then we need to tell them what we need. >> >> Here are some suggestions. Constructive comments welcome. >> >> This radio does not exist. >> If the manufactures are interested in providing a new state of the art VHF/UHF radio to the Amateur Radio community, here is one opinion of what should be in next Competition Grade VHF/UHF Transceiver and what should not be in the radio. >> >> I am going to give this fictional radio a name HR-956-Pro. >> >> >> What do we need: >> >> • We need a competition grade VHF/UHF transceiver that will support Terrestrial-DX, Satellite and EME operations (Voice, CW and Digital-JT65). >> • The HR-956-Pro, needs to be able to interface with modern computers (HTML Browser, USB and or CAT-5). >> • The HR-956-Pro, needs to able to interface with modern Externally mounted Pre-amplifier (both power feeds and transmitter sequencing). >> • The HR-956-Pro, need to be able to interface with modern Solid State Amplifiers and Tube based amplifiers. The RF output per band needs to be standardized with the Amplifier manufactures to prevent transceiver and amplifier failures due to sequencing problems and RF mismatching. >> • TX/RX Sequencer built-in, to control external Preamps, Amplifies and other accessories (programmable). >> >> Receiver: >> Of course we need a "Great" receiver, not another mediocre receiver. >> Each receiver for each band needs to be a "Great" performer. >> >> No Birdies: >> On a HF rig, a few Birdies do not usually cause serious issues, since the HF users are often listening to signals "Above" the noise floor. On a Satellite Radio, we are often listening to signals 10-30 dB, "Below" the Noise floor. Internally generated birdies are a serious problem for weak signal VHF/UHF operations. >> >> Filters: >> Each mode will need its own selection of DSP filters. The filters would also affect one of the Line-level outputs to the external PC. There are times when want to send Filtered or unfiltered audio to your external PC for Digital signal processing. One of the line-level outputs should be taped before the HR-956-Pro Filters, the other line-level output should be taped after the HR-956-Pro filters. The TX and RX filters should be independently selectable. >> The Filters need to be tested to verify they will support Satellite Mode-J (TX on 2-meters while listening on 435-438) >> >> Example: >> FM-5k, Filters 15k, 10k and 8k filters. >> AM Filters 10k, 6k, 3k, etc. >> SSB Filters 4.0k, 3.0k, 2.5k, 2.0k, etc. >> >> Other Modes: >> CW, FM-2.5k, Data >> >> Audio Quality: >> Life is too short for QRP or Poor Audio. >> It's not the number of contacts that’s important, it’s the quality of the contact. >> On the audio side, the HR-956-Pro needs to be able to support a wider range of audio through most of the stages. Of course the radio needs to meet FCC and other requirements, however we can still design the radio to deliver a wider bandwidth of good sounding audio. >> Let's shoot for 100-4000 Hz, on both TX and RX audio circuits. This will also mean, that a better stock microphone design will be required. >> >> >> VHF / UHF Bands built-in, with competition grade TX/RX: >> 6-meters 50-54 >> 2-meters 144-148 >> 70-cm 420 - 450 >> 23-cm 1280 - 1300 >> (All frequencies localized for each country) >> >> Transmitter outputs: >> A high power transceiver is less desirable than a low power transceiver. >> >> Let me explain: >> For serious Terrestrial DX and EME you need to run more than 100 watts. A VHF/UHF transceiver designed for high power ( 100 watt range) transmitting, would not be compatible with third-party amplifiers or pre-amplifiers. >> >> Most VHF/UHF amps are designed for 25 or 50 watts maximum input. >> >> The manufactures of Transceivers and Amplifies need to agree upon a set of standard power level so the third-party amplifier manufactures can design properly matched Amplifiers and pre-amplifiers. This will also help reduce the number of transceiver and amplifier failures caused by mismatched RF settings. >> >> Suggested standards for VHF/UHF bases stations: >> 6 Meters 50 watts >> 2 Meters 25 watts >> 70 cm 25 watts >> 900 mc 10 watts >> 1.2 gig 10 watts >> >> The duty cycle of the competition grade system, will also need to be greater than a 70% duty cycle. >> A typical EME link running JT65 requires a 50% for 10-30 minutes at a time. The transistors and cooling system needs to be designed accordingly to meet the competition grade requirements. >> >> >> HR-956-Pro Must have list: >> >> Spectrum display screen: >> I can't imagine building a new competition grade system without this feature. >> It would be nice to see the band pass, before and after the filter stages. >> >> Full computer remote control: >> Memory read/Read and save. All memory channels options must be exportable to a CSV or similar file, including TX and RX frequencies, settings, including Repeater or split frequency settings. >> All protocols must be Public protocols, no propriety software or licenses. >> >> >> Doppler Control (Manual): >> >> LEO SSB satellites are some of the hardest satellites two work because of the amount of Doppler frequency change per second. Satellite Mode-B is very hard (70 cm Uplink and 2-meter Downlink). While you are talking through a SSB Mod-B satellite, you need to be simultaneously adjusting your transmitter with every other word, in order to keep your downlink signal centered inside the transponder. >> >> The Yasue FT-736R Satellite control knob, seems to work very well with dual VFO's and provides you the ability to quickly change either TX or RX to compensate for Doppler (among other features). The Knob style is much easier to use than "Buttons". I found the Doppler VFO correction on some newer radios to be very frustrating. >> The new HR-956-Pro must have the Yasue FT-736R control Knob and it must be functional for both VFO's and Memory Channels. >> >> >> DSP Noise tools: >> The usual stuff. >> >> >> FM Center Tuning Meter: >> Many of the new satellites are LEO's (Low Earth Orbit), and many of these satellites are running FM-5k. The reason for FM is because the Doppler causes the 70cm band to drift over 20, kHz during a 10-20 minute pass. The LEO SSB satellites using Mode J or Mode B are difficult to use because of the large Doppler change. The FM mode, helps reduce the impact caused by the higher Doppler. >> >> The FM Center Tuning Meter feature is a "must have" for a Satellite radio. >> When the FM satellite comes in range, just look at the FM meter and tune the receiver until the needle is centered and you now know the exact downlink for that Satellite. If the needle is left, turn the RX knob slowly Right, If the needle is Right, turn the RX knob slowly left, very simple. >> The Yaesu FT-736R has a FM Center Tuning Meter and it makes working FM satellites much easier. The IC-910 has a blinking light to tell you your FM satellite receiver frequency has drifted. Unfortunately, the blinking light is useless in telling you if your frequency is high or low. >> >> >> HR-956-Pro, Nice to have list: >> >> General coverage receiver (50 - 1000 megacycles): >> The addition of a general coverage receiver would help with the sales of the HR-956-Pro. However, it is very important that the general coverage receiver, NOT degrade the performance of the satellite receivers. We are not trying to build a super police scanner. One possible suggestion would-be to make the general coverage receiver a separate circuit board, which would be connected to a separate antenna port and thus would not degraded from the performance of the satellite receivers. >> >> VHF / UHF Optional bands or Transverter: >> The Amateur radio community is constantly experimenting with new bands. It would be nice to have a Transverter module or expansion module for future bands. In the USA these bands are becoming popular, 220mc, 900 mc, etc >> >> (All frequencies localized for each country) >> >> >> Size is important: >> To hold the hardware, band scope, filters and make the buttons easily accessible, a box about the size of the IC-756 product seems to be the right size. >> >> What should not be in the HR-956-Pro. >> >> No HF: >> No access to frequencies below 50 megacycles. >> The addition of HF to a satellite radio would only degrade the performance of the weak signal satellite receivers. >> HF would also add to the cost of the transceiver and reduce its sales potential. >> A competition grade VHF/UHF transceiver has no use for HF. >> HF would result in the radio being just another mediocre transceiver. >> >> No obsolete Serial ports: >> No RS-232 or TTL. >> These devices are so last century. >> >> DSTAR: >> The DSTAR mode is fun, I use it often and I have even been pushing ARISS to install it on the International Space Station. As much as I like this mode, it is not a requirement for a competition grade satellite system. I would much rather have the money put into making the VHF/UHF receivers the best possible. >> >> >> How much are we willing to pay for the HR-956-Pro: >> >> That depends on the performance, suggest price $2000 - $3000 USD >> >> Closing: >> >> If anyone knows of such a radio I would be interested to know who makes it. >> >> >> Sincerely >> >> WF1F Miles >> www.marexmg.org >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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] > >_______________________________________________ >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

4 3

AO-51
by Alan P. Biddle 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

Morning, AO-51 heard well south of the TCA with Fromosat 3D. Alan WA4SCA

3 3

Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig
by Bob- W7LRD 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

Hello This "ideal" rig might be good for all people (ham shack in a box). However-not all of us use or want all things. When we do, we improvise and "make" whatever we want to work. That has been a ham tradition since the beginning. I would wager as soon as the "HR-956 pro" came on the market as described there would be some complaining, "well why the heck didn't they do blank blank". We will never satisfy the entire ham population, which is why I thoroughly enjoy making what I have, do what I want it to do. Not always easy, but very rewarding. Besides it would probably cost a gazillion dollars. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "MM" <ka1rrw(a)yahoo.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Monday, March 1, 2010 10:44:00 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [amsat-bb] Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig My Ideal Competition Grade VHF/UHF Radio Wish list. It seems we are long over do for a Competition grade high performance VHF/UHF transceiver, which can also be used for Satellite operations. There are several competition grade HF transceivers on the market, however there are no high end competition grade VHF/UHF/Satellite systems on the marker. Most of the rigs I have seen which support VHF/UHF are either HF rigs that have had VHF/UHF slapped on, or low end VHF/UHF rigs, with HF slapped on. If we want the Amateur Radio manufactures to build us a "GREAT" VHF/UHF/Satellite system, then we need to tell them what we need. Here are some suggestions. Constructive comments welcome. This radio does not exist. If the manufactures are interested in providing a new state of the art VHF/UHF radio to the Amateur Radio community, here is one opinion of what should be in next Competition Grade VHF/UHF Transceiver and what should not be in the radio. I am going to give this fictional radio a name HR-956-Pro. What do we need: • We need a competition grade VHF/UHF transceiver that will support Terrestrial-DX, Satellite and EME operations (Voice, CW and Digital-JT65). • The HR-956-Pro, needs to be able to interface with modern computers (HTML Browser, USB and or CAT-5). • The HR-956-Pro, needs to able to interface with modern Externally mounted Pre-amplifier (both power feeds and transmitter sequencing). • The HR-956-Pro, need to be able to interface with modern Solid State Amplifiers and Tube based amplifiers. The RF output per band needs to be standardized with the Amplifier manufactures to prevent transceiver and amplifier failures due to sequencing problems and RF mismatching. • TX/RX Sequencer built-in, to control external Preamps, Amplifies and other accessories (programmable). Receiver: Of course we need a "Great" receiver, not another mediocre receiver. Each receiver for each band needs to be a "Great" performer. No Birdies: On a HF rig, a few Birdies do not usually cause serious issues, since the HF users are often listening to signals "Above" the noise floor. On a Satellite Radio, we are often listening to signals 10-30 dB, "Below" the Noise floor. Internally generated birdies are a serious problem for weak signal VHF/UHF operations. Filters: Each mode will need its own selection of DSP filters. The filters would also affect one of the Line-level outputs to the external PC. There are times when want to send Filtered or unfiltered audio to your external PC for Digital signal processing. One of the line-level outputs should be taped before the HR-956-Pro Filters, the other line-level output should be taped after the HR-956-Pro filters. The TX and RX filters should be independently selectable. The Filters need to be tested to verify they will support Satellite Mode-J (TX on 2-meters while listening on 435-438) Example: FM-5k, Filters 15k, 10k and 8k filters. AM Filters 10k, 6k, 3k, etc. SSB Filters 4.0k, 3.0k, 2.5k, 2.0k, etc. Other Modes: CW, FM-2.5k, Data Audio Quality: Life is too short for QRP or Poor Audio. It's not the number of contacts that’s important, it’s the quality of the contact. On the audio side, the HR-956-Pro needs to be able to support a wider range of audio through most of the stages. Of course the radio needs to meet FCC and other requirements, however we can still design the radio to deliver a wider bandwidth of good sounding audio. Let's shoot for 100-4000 Hz, on both TX and RX audio circuits. This will also mean, that a better stock microphone design will be required. VHF / UHF Bands built-in, with competition grade TX/RX: 6-meters 50-54 2-meters 144-148 70-cm 420 - 450 23-cm 1280 - 1300 (All frequencies localized for each country) Transmitter outputs: A high power transceiver is less desirable than a low power transceiver. Let me explain: For serious Terrestrial DX and EME you need to run more than 100 watts. A VHF/UHF transceiver designed for high power ( 100 watt range) transmitting, would not be compatible with third-party amplifiers or pre-amplifiers. Most VHF/UHF amps are designed for 25 or 50 watts maximum input. The manufactures of Transceivers and Amplifies need to agree upon a set of standard power level so the third-party amplifier manufactures can design properly matched Amplifiers and pre-amplifiers. This will also help reduce the number of transceiver and amplifier failures caused by mismatched RF settings. Suggested standards for VHF/UHF bases stations: 6 Meters 50 watts 2 Meters 25 watts 70 cm 25 watts 900 mc 10 watts 1.2 gig 10 watts The duty cycle of the competition grade system, will also need to be greater than a 70% duty cycle. A typical EME link running JT65 requires a 50% for 10-30 minutes at a time. The transistors and cooling system needs to be designed accordingly to meet the competition grade requirements. HR-956-Pro Must have list: Spectrum display screen: I can't imagine building a new competition grade system without this feature. It would be nice to see the band pass, before and after the filter stages. Full computer remote control: Memory read/Read and save. All memory channels options must be exportable to a CSV or similar file, including TX and RX frequencies, settings, including Repeater or split frequency settings. All protocols must be Public protocols, no propriety software or licenses. Doppler Control (Manual): LEO SSB satellites are some of the hardest satellites two work because of the amount of Doppler frequency change per second. Satellite Mode-B is very hard (70 cm Uplink and 2-meter Downlink). While you are talking through a SSB Mod-B satellite, you need to be simultaneously adjusting your transmitter with every other word, in order to keep your downlink signal centered inside the transponder. The Yasue FT-736R Satellite control knob, seems to work very well with dual VFO's and provides you the ability to quickly change either TX or RX to compensate for Doppler (among other features). The Knob style is much easier to use than "Buttons". I found the Doppler VFO correction on some newer radios to be very frustrating. The new HR-956-Pro must have the Yasue FT-736R control Knob and it must be functional for both VFO's and Memory Channels. DSP Noise tools: The usual stuff. FM Center Tuning Meter: Many of the new satellites are LEO's (Low Earth Orbit), and many of these satellites are running FM-5k. The reason for FM is because the Doppler causes the 70cm band to drift over 20, kHz during a 10-20 minute pass. The LEO SSB satellites using Mode J or Mode B are difficult to use because of the large Doppler change. The FM mode, helps reduce the impact caused by the higher Doppler. The FM Center Tuning Meter feature is a "must have" for a Satellite radio. When the FM satellite comes in range, just look at the FM meter and tune the receiver until the needle is centered and you now know the exact downlink for that Satellite. If the needle is left, turn the RX knob slowly Right, If the needle is Right, turn the RX knob slowly left, very simple. The Yaesu FT-736R has a FM Center Tuning Meter and it makes working FM satellites much easier. The IC-910 has a blinking light to tell you your FM satellite receiver frequency has drifted. Unfortunately, the blinking light is useless in telling you if your frequency is high or low. HR-956-Pro, Nice to have list: General coverage receiver (50 - 1000 megacycles): The addition of a general coverage receiver would help with the sales of the HR-956-Pro. However, it is very important that the general coverage receiver, NOT degrade the performance of the satellite receivers. We are not trying to build a super police scanner. One possible suggestion would-be to make the general coverage receiver a separate circuit board, which would be connected to a separate antenna port and thus would not degraded from the performance of the satellite receivers. VHF / UHF Optional bands or Transverter: The Amateur radio community is constantly experimenting with new bands. It would be nice to have a Transverter module or expansion module for future bands. In the USA these bands are becoming popular, 220mc, 900 mc, etc (All frequencies localized for each country) Size is important: To hold the hardware, band scope, filters and make the buttons easily accessible, a box about the size of the IC-756 product seems to be the right size. What should not be in the HR-956-Pro. No HF: No access to frequencies below 50 megacycles. The addition of HF to a satellite radio would only degrade the performance of the weak signal satellite receivers. HF would also add to the cost of the transceiver and reduce its sales potential. A competition grade VHF/UHF transceiver has no use for HF. HF would result in the radio being just another mediocre transceiver. No obsolete Serial ports: No RS-232 or TTL. These devices are so last century. DSTAR: The DSTAR mode is fun, I use it often and I have even been pushing ARISS to install it on the International Space Station. As much as I like this mode, it is not a requirement for a competition grade satellite system. I would much rather have the money put into making the VHF/UHF receivers the best possible. How much are we willing to pay for the HR-956-Pro: That depends on the performance, suggest price $2000 - $3000 USD Closing: If anyone knows of such a radio I would be interested to know who makes it. Sincerely WF1F Miles www.marexmg.org _______________________________________________ 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: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig
by Edward Cole 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

At 10:47 AM 3/1/2010, Ken Ernandes wrote: >I'm not normally one to throw cold water on creative ideas, but I >will put myself in the position of the potential manufacturer. What >any manufacturer would need to even contemplate this project is good >answers to a few basic questions: 1. Can I come up with a design to >these specifications that I can sell in the realistic price range of >the typical amateur operator? 2. Is there a large enough market out >there that I can make a profit on this exercise? My guess is the >manufacturers wouldn't touch this one with 3.048-meter pole without >at least one functioning high altitude satellite on orbit. I >realize these are frustrating times, but I think you'll need to come >up with more than just a wish list. Perhaps a group could get >together and prototype portions to make a plausible case that this >can be built economically. Can it be done? Probably... But those >who really want it will probably need to invest a lot of sweat >equity to prove it. 73, Ken N2WWD Ken echoes what I thought when I saw this thread. Note: the FT-847 has not been replaced by Yaesu/Vertex. I really think this should be reset to be a SDR radio. Then most of those "niceties" would be handled by software. 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

1 0

March 2010 AO-51 Schedule
by Angelo Glorioso 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

March 2010 AO-51 Schedule March 1 - March 10 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM March 11 - March 16 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM FM Repeater, V/U to support K4T EL84 DXpedition Uplink: 145.880 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM March 17 - March 21 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM March 22 - 28 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM FM Repeater, L/U (Subject to interruption for telemetry collection) Uplink: 1268.700 Mhz FM Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM March 29 - April 4 FM Repeater, V/S Uplink: 145.880 Mhz FM Downlink: 2401.200 Mhz FM

4 6

ISS Assembly
by Jim Wright 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

This is very interesting, a bit fast to read, but click on the names on the right for more info.

1 0

Transporting HT and Arrow Antenna on commercial flight
by Reid Crowe 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

Has anyone had luck with transporting an HT on a commercial flight in their carry on luggage recently? I doubt I'd have much luck with transporting an arrow antenna in my carry on. Any thoughts? 73 Reid N0RC

6 6

AO-51 close miss
by Andrew Glasbrenner 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

Looks like we are fine. A second warning email this morning from the AF called it even closer, but everything was working at LOS this pass. The repeater is on at 450mw, and we'll move that up to 2 watts and shut the digital transmitter off in a few days as soon as we've caught up on telemetry. 73, Drew KO4MA

1 0

ND9M Road Trip Update #16
by claryco＠aol.com 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

My thanks go to the AO51 Ops and Command Teams for making AO51 available for tonight's 01/0018Z pass. It turned out to be a very busy one. Also, thanks go to Rick, WA4NVM, for giving me the heads up phone call while we were on the road that the bird would be in V/U mode for that pass after all. As for tomorrow's ops, we should be on the EM10 / EM11 line for the early SO50 pass which rises locally at 01/1828Z and AO27 that goes VOX at about 01/2012Z. From there, we'll head west with the EM00 / EM01 line as our target for the AO51 pass that comes up at 01/2339Z. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Buda, TX / EM10

1 0

Re: RE March 2010 AO-51 Schedule
by Angelo Glorioso 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

I find your remarks unwanted and unneeded. I HOPE THAT IS A CUP FOR TWO. YOU MIGHT JUST NEED A CUP TOO! Angelo N5UXT > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Gordon JC Pearce" <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 6:39 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: RE March 2010 AO-51 Schedule > > >> On Sun, 2010-02-28 at 13:55 -0600, Angelo Glorioso wrote: >>> >>> Drew, >>> >>> >>> No problem but I feel you are way overreacting to all of this. It was >>> just a message about >>> a schedule. Nothing more, nothing less. YOU AND AMSAT WANT CREDIT??? >> >> <snip> >> >> Once again (typically about three times a week) I find myself wondering >> why I even bother with the AMSAT-BB list. >> >> How about you sit down and have a nice hot cup of Grow The Hell Up? >> >> Gordon MM0YEQ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >

2 1

SK: Dave Toth, VE3GYQ
by Tom Clark, K3IO 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

I am very sad to relay the following message from Steve Bible, N7HPR. Dave was a close personal friend of mine for many years. We fought the battle of the early days of trying to build the HF Packet Radio network on 14.103. He was always a friend of AMSAT, giving up personal vacations to help with the integration of AO-40 in Orlando. For many years, he was the glue that held TAPR together. The following information was supplied by Steve Bible, N7HPR: It is with great sadness that we report the passing of friend Dave Toth on February 26, 2010. Dave was President Emeritus of TAPR and also served as its President (2005-2009) and as a member of its Board of Directors (1987-1993 and 2004-2010). VE3GYQ will be best remembered for his dry sense of humor and his efforts to make TAPR's participation in the HPSDR project a resounding success. Dave's Obituary reads: Dr. David Bradley Toth, 55, died at 3:10 p.m. Feb. 26, 2010, at his residence. He was born Aug. 11, 1954, in Windsor, Ontario, to Thomas S. and Magda M. Kachler Toth. His mother survives in Windsor. On June 16, 2009, he married Ronda S. Nartker, who survives in Spencerville. Dr. Toth graduated from the University of Western Ontario Medical School in 1978. He practiced family medicine in London, Ontario. He moved to the U.S. in 1993 and began a career in emergency medicine. He was a partner of Premier Health Care Services, in Dayton, and worked at Lima Memorial Health System and St. Rita’s Medical Center until the time of his illness. He was a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. He was board certified in Family Medicine of Canada. He was president of the Regional Physician Advisory Board of EMS and was also the medical director of Ada, Bath and Spencerville EMS. He was a private pilot for 30 years. He loved to go to the Allen County Airport and fly his Twin Comanche as much as possible. He was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, EAA and the Comanche Flyers. Besides flying, he was an amateur astronomer. Since he was a young boy in school, he enjoyed looking at the night sky and reading about space and the stars. He had his own observatory that was seen opened up on clear nights. He set up the London, Ontario, Astronomy Club and served as its president. He was also a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and belonged to the Lima, Dayton and Columbus Astronomy Clubs. He traveled for NASA to Chile and Australia to fix telescope problems. He worked closely with Software Bisque to make computer programs to operate telescopes. You could catch him planning trips to Starfest and the Winter Star Party yearly. He was also a HAM radio operator since the 1970s. He would talk for hours with his call sign VE3GYQ. He set up the London, Ontario, towers. He was the Tucson Amateur Packet Radio president from 2004 to 2009. In his spare time, he enjoyed a round or two of golf with partners or for fundraisers. He also enjoyed hitting the slopes if possible to ski. Survivors also include two sons, Michael Toth, of Bowling Green, and Christopher Toth, of London, Ontario; a daughter, Caitlin Toth, of Montreal; a stepson, Rusty Nartker, of Spencerville; two brothers, Brian (Susan) Toth, of London, Ontario, and Darryl (Helena) Toth, of Lakeshore, Ontario; two sisters, Stephanie (Frank) Capizzi, of Shelby Township, Mich., and Sondra (Dana) Woltz, of Windsor, Ontario; an aunt, Apollonia “Loni” Noll of Windsor, Ontario; and numerous nephews and nieces. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Catholic Church. Father Stephen Blum will officiate. Burial of the cremated remains will be at a later date. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday and 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Shawnee Chapel of Chiles-Laman Funeral Homes, where a parish wake service will begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

1 0

RE March 2010 AO-51 Schedule
by Angelo Glorioso 01 Mar '10

01 Mar '10

Drew, No problem but I feel you are way overreacting to all of this. It was just a message about a schedule. Nothing more, nothing less. YOU AND AMSAT WANT CREDIT??? ATTENTION ALL AMSAT !!!! AMSAT SHOULD HAVE FULL CREDIT FOR THE AO-51 SCHEDULE I REPOSTED. PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR OMITTING A LINE IN THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE! :-( IF I OFFENDED ANY NEW UP AND COMING USER OF THE BIRDS, PLEASE FORGIVE ME. :-( I WILL NEVER REPOST A MESSAGE OR BULLETIN AGAIN WITHOUT FULL CREDIT AND I WILL NOT OMIT ANY LINES GOING FORWARD. I GUESS I DON'T HAVE COMMON SENSE LIKE DREW!!! ----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Glasbrenner To: Angelo Glorioso ; Amsat-BB Sent: Sunday, February 28, 2010 12:54 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] March 2010 AO-51 Schedule Angelo Glorioso wrote: I did not realize a line being omitted referenced new users were not welcomed!!!!!!! DID I MISS SOMETHING????? Yes. I'd prefer you not edit the AO-51 schedule and distribute it to the -bb before the command team, that's all. If you quote someone else's work or news item, quote it in it's original form, and credit the source. Seems pretty common sense to me. 73, Drew KO4MA

2 1

AO-51 repeater is on
by Andrew Glasbrenner 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

We got all the files we needed downloaded this last pass, and since Jim is still out and about, I turned the repeater on along with the digital downlink. Sorry for the crossed wires, but it is now on, and will stay on throughout the close approach tomorrow. 73, Drew KO4MA

1 0

AO-51 close approach
by Andrew Glasbrenner 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

I just received a message from the US Joint Space Operations Center warning that AO-51 will have a close approach to another satellite, FORMOSAT 3-D, tomorrow morning at 1056 UTC. This just happens to be over the Eastern US. Predicted miss distance is 953 meters, which is over 3000 feet. Here are the latest elements sets for both satellites: AMSAT ECHO 1 28375U 04025K 10058.90048627 .00000037 00000-0 23393-4 0 6144 2 28375 098.0572 058.6452 0085064 068.7648 292.2602 14.40671174297770 FORMOSAT 3D 1 29050U 06011D 10059.05265027 .00001102 00000-0 26646-3 0 4565 2 29050 072.0087 081.1265 0054240 301.1173 058.4581 14.54154136208438 On this afternoon's pass I will shut off the S band transmitter and turn on the digital downlink at 2 watts, with telemetry transmitted every 5 seconds. If everything goes ok and we are still in one piece, we'll get the repeater back on by tomorrow night. Telemetry collected tomorrow morning during the approach is welcome to ko4ma(a)amsat.org. Let's not panic, 953 meters is a long way apart, but it's worth paying close attention during the approach. Good Luck AO-51. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

2 1

Re: Transporting HT and Arrow Antenna on commercial flight
by andy thomas 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

I have never had any problems taking my Arrow in my checked-in luggage to Russia, the EU or Belarus. see http://www.andythomas.eu But Russia, Ukraine and Belarus require a customs declaration about "high frequency radios" so I have always used local hams' radios for the fm satellites in these countries. Within the EU I take the handheld with me in carry-on luggage with a full battery to be able to switch it on, and at check in tell the airline I'm happy to show it to the pilot (or anyone else!!). I separate the battery from the HT for the xray and offer to connect and switch on if asked. I carry a full licence with me and I have a photocopy licence in my checked-in luggage, the first thing you would see when it's opened, and the luggage is unlocked. 73 de andy g0sfj

1 0

Looking for DVR re Paraset Radio Spy Story
by Farrell Winder 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

Anyone aware of DVD NTSC format covering movie Kontakt . Story of spy radio parachuted into Norway WWII. Thanks any info, please reply offline. . Farrell Winder, W8ZCF

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Grid squares in Georgia
by Will Griffin 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

Hey guys! I'm pretty new to working satellites so I have the bug real bad. As the weather begins to warm up I will be doing a lot of travel around Georgia and east Alambama visiting friends and family. I know that Georgia is not the ends of the earth, but since I have been working satellites I have never heard another operator from the state. If you need any grids throughout the state, let me know and I will make it a point to drive through them and work a bird while I'm traveling. I live on the boundry of EM92 and EM92 so if you need those grids, consider it done. What do yall think? Will KJ4PSU

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ND9M Update
by Rick - WA4NVM 28 Feb '10

28 Feb '10

Hi All, I just talked to Jim, ND9M on the cell phone. He is planning to work the AO-51 pass tonight around 0020utc (March 1st) from the EL19/EM10 grid line in Texas. The bird should have switched modes by then. Good luck all, Rick WANVM

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