- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Back on the birds after 15-year absence
by Bato, Andras 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Hello all, Seems this list is moderated and does not allow any kind of criticism! I shoulds say, I am a regular on usable satellites but I can not understand how a strong organization like AMSAT is not able to keep its webpage fresh?! UWE-2 has died long ago but is is still in the the list, etc. Many of us know this but those who come back after years really not know when and which sat to use or listen to! gl de ha6nn Andras

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HO-68 schedule for next few hours - west coast US
by Joseph Holman 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

I'm unclear of the operating schedule for the bird - the web site gives the following but there is a gap in times, no? Don't we have a west coast US pass in about another hour or so? What is suppose to be the operations during this time? Maybe I'm missing some information? Anyone going to be on? Thanks, Joe AD7D

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ft847 cad problem solved
by Albert Onley 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Thanks to all who replyed to my ft847 cad problem as it turns out it was a bad com port on the computer it was working last week on my Mark 5 and i moved it to another port . so goes electonics and spike's tks al k4vhv

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AO-51 mode change and recommendation
by Andrew Glasbrenner 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

AO-51 has been switched to the SSB/FM crossmode repeater, 145.880 USB up, 435.150 FM down. Power output is 1.93 watts. The downlink modulation is set very high, so that even very weak signals will be audible. The downside to this is that someone running excessive power will cause the downlink to distort.If this happens I'll be forced to adjust the modulation level down, or possibly end the mode early. For a "normal" station, 5 watts on the uplink to a modest gain antenna is entirely sufficient. Please use the minimum power necessary. This mode -requires- tuning the SSB uplink precisely for Doppler, and to effectively do that you will need full duplex. Please use this for voice communications only, until Straight Key Night, when CW will be the designated mode. Thanks, and enjoy this unusual mode. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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GO-32 over North America?
by Mark L. Hammond 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Has anybody heard GO-32 over North America in recent weeks? I've seen good reports from DK3WN, but haven't heard a packet from GO-32 the last few times I've tried to listen to it... -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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HO-68 Linear Transponder - Newbie Questions
by Mike Benonis 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

I'm a relative satellite newbie, and hence I don't have a base station set up. I do have a 2m SSB rig and an HT capable of SSB reception up at 435 MHz, as well as an Arrow antenna. With that in mind, does anyone have any tips for making contacts via the linear transponder on HO-68? Other than keeping my antenna pointed in the direction of the bird/rotated to avoid fades, how much do I need to compensate for doppler on the transmit and receive rigs? If I only tweak the RX rig, is that acceptable? Also, how much power should I use? Thanks for any advice this list might have! 73's de Mike KI4RIX Best regards, Mike Benonis mike(a)benonis.net KI4RIX

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SO-67 Tx power
by Jan-Albert Koekemoer 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Hello The Tx power level of the SA-AMSAT payload has been reduced by 3dB for all passes from now onwards, as a temporary measure to make more power available for other activities. Regards Jan-Albert E-mail Disclaimer http://www.sunspace.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm

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XW-1 BBS over Africa (1st time)
by Nader Omer 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Hi All and HNY I h've succeded connect to the XW-1 BBS , Orbit # 192 ,18:05 UTC. Wisp upload window pop-up 3 times !! But the FM voice was longer than the re-try time!! For sure I wll upload my messages soon on XW-1 BBS .This is really fun. Thanks again Alan Kung and XW-1 team for the new schedule and for the Multi Mode New Year Gift . :) 73's Nader st2nh www.st2nh.com

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HD TV Noise
by H. Vordenbaum 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Are there any ideas on which HD TV systems generate the least R.F. noise; Plasma vs. LCD vs LCD/LED ? I am interested since I am contemplating getting a fairly large screen HD TV in the near future and am wondering if it will raise the RF noise floor significantly around the house. The input would be from Time-Warner cable. There's already some noise birdies from various computers and internet in my scanners, etc. 73, Harvey K5HV

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SO-67 schedule
by Jan-Albert Koekemoer 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Hello I've added the following to the revolving schedule. A disclaimer I've neglected to add before: we reserve the right to adapt the schedule without prior notice, but will try our best to stick to the published one as far as possible. EUROPE 01/01 09:44 01/01 11:19 02/01 07:50 02/01 09:24 02/01 10:58 03/01 07:30 03/01 09:03 03/01 10:36 04/01 08:43 05/01 08:22 06/01 09:35 07/01 09:15 exUSSR 30/12 05:42 31/12 05:20 31/12 06:50 01/01 05:00 02/01 03:06 02/01 04:39 02/01 06:16 03/01 05:55 04/01 04:00 05/01 05:14 05/01 06:46 USA 30/12 12:05 30/12 13:40 30/12 15:15 30/12 16:48 30/12 18:20 30/12 19:52 30/12 21:26 30/12 23:00 31/12 11:45 31/12 13:19 31/12 14:54 31/12 16:27 31/12 18:00 31/12 19:32 31/12 21:05 31/12 22:39 01/01 12:58 01/01 14:34 01/01 16:07 01/01 17:40 01/01 19:11 01/01 20:45 01/01 22:18 01/01 23:52 02/01 12:36 02/01 14:13 02/01 15:47 02/01 17:20 02/01 18:50 02/01 20:24 02/01 21:58 02/01 23:32 03/01 12:15 03/01 13:52 03/01 15:26 03/01 16:59 03/01 18:31 03/01 20:04 03/01 21:37 03/01 23:11 Regards Jan-Albert Koekemoer (ZR1JAK) E-mail Disclaimer http://www.sunspace.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm

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AO-51
by graham mcphee 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

>From VK2AYE I had no trouble working ZL2BX on USB up and FM down at 1900utc, sig were very strong , for what it is worth 435.150 was 40 over 9 on TS2000 Graham VK2AYE

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HO68 Linear Transponder
by PY5LF 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Hello Great contact last night with LU2DPW and LU5BOJ by HO68 , in SSB and CW, good signal from AOS to LOS! <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaRRbFUrbh0> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaRRbFUrbh0 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0J6EnzpUsM> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0J6EnzpUsM Now , my SatPC32 are working fine. Thanks to China ! PY5LF LUCIANO FABRICIO CURITIBA-PR-BRAZIL GG54JM <http://www.qrz.com/db/py5lf> http://www.qrz.com/db/py5lf <http://www.falautomation.com.br/> www.falautomation.com.br

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another bleep sat
by Rocky Jones 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=29916 _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/

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XW-1 over South America
by PY2ZX 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Hello Alan, ---- 28 Dec. 2009 HO-68 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 01:40...South America <<<<<<<<<<<< (...) 29 Dec. 2009 HO-68 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 01:20...South America <<<<<<<<<<<< (...) ---- Thanks for provided the XW-1 transponder to this part of South America. Here some recordings made in 29 Dec. 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1auAZ1oh94o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDi0M7wZGI When is possible stay GG and GF fields on the HO-68 future operational planning. They are among the most dense in terms of amateur radio operators in South America but was not well covered on past schedulles. Anyway we are keep tuning even during beacon-only mode. These are some of the new graphics: http://www.archangelo.net/misc/sat/xw-1/graf/view.htm Flavio PY2ZX GG66nt

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Cosmonaut describes ARISS contact
by andy thomas 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

I thought you'd like to see the following blog entry: http://rt.com/About_Us/Blogs/orbital-log/2009-12-28.html 73 de andy g0sfj

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Re: Question about vacuum and power module for lineartransponder
by Michael Fletcher 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

>>> Hi AMSATs, >>> >>> After many work on my transponder design I decided to put some work in >>> extending my lab. >>> One of the things I liked to have is a vacuum test chamber, to test electronics >>> under vacuum conditions. >>> >>> I have looked around and I see all kind of classes of vacuum pumps, and their >>> equal increasing price. >>> My question is how deep the vacuum has to be to be able to do a valide test on >>> (space) electronics working under space vacuum conditions ? >>> >>> I also would like to know if anyone has experience in SSB mode with the new >>> power modules types from Mitsubishi. Like the RA60H1317M, which can give 60W >>> power on 2m with only 50mW input power. >>> I am looking for some PA behind my LE005-R2 transponder design, to get a small >>> sized high-power linear transponder. The transponder gives 200mW PEP, so the >>> 50mW is no problem at all.I just wonder how linear these Mitsubishi modules >>> are, when using in linear mode. >>> >>> In the datasheet it says that they 'may älso be used for linear mouldation", >>> which doesn't give many guarenty. Any experience with these modules in linear >>> (SSB) mode are welcome. >>> >>> 73 de PE1RAH, William Leijenaar >>> For my small mode-uv transponder design, please check: >>> www.leijenaarelectronics.nl >>> --- >> Hi William. >> >> A better solution would be to build a class AB linear from 2 suitable >> FETs. An even better solution but one requiring a lot of development >> would be to separate the modulation into phase and amplitude and then >> modulate the gate with phase and drain with amplitude. Efficiency >80% >> >> >> David > Hi David, G0MRF > > What you suggest is the HELAPS principle of Envelope Elimination and > Restoration that was used in all linear transponders from OSCAR-6 ,OSCAR-7 > OSCAR-10 and OSCAR-13 with an efficiency of about 85 % > > http://www.amsat-dl.org/dl/HELAPS_en.pdf > > The above is a complete description of the HELAPS principle written by > Dr. Karl Meinzer DJ4ZC with all functional schematic diagrams of the > linear transponder Mode-B on board of OSCAR-7 > > I hope it helps William PE1RAH > > 73" de > > i8CVS Domenico William, regarding vacuum, you need to be able to simulate the space environment as accurately as possible. This means you need to be able to create a high vacuum of the order of 1E-7 Torr or better. Going all the way to 1E-9 Torr and beyond would be great and the Big Guys even use ion getters to grab the last floating molecules captured to make the chamber resemble real space... AMSAT has experience e.g. with failure of a particular type of RF capacitor that fails _only_ in high vacuum, so the only way to segregate the good ones from the bad ones is (thermal) high vacuum. And when finding such a failure and having corrected it (you think), you _must_ take the time, patience and money to _redo_ the test to ensure your results. At the same time you need to slowly cycle through your planned temperature cycle, e.g. -40 ... +60 degrees C or whatever. Regarding HELAPS (or whatever other type of efficiency and linearity improving technology you want to use), this is the only way to go with a) limited power available, b) maximum RF output power needed and c) limited thermal dissipation possible in space. The old AO-07 is a favourite of mine. Here is the block diagram of the Mode B transponder (in Finnish) showing the components used for each stage: http://www.kolumbus.fi/michael.fletcher/ao_07b.gif For those interested, here is breadboard of an early 10 GHz HELAPS experiment: http://www.kolumbus.fi/michael.fletcher/X_band_HELAPS_2.jpg Back then, AMSAT-OH was not feeling confident in building a flightworthy 10 MHz SMPS HELAPS modulator, but since then I have been looking at a 12-polyphase modulator concept. The reliability issue here is a statistical one with the component count rising pretty rapidly. I just have personal dinosaur thing about wanting to experiment with this stuff in the analogue way ;-) 73, Michael, OH2AUE

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back on the birds after 15-year absence - want tips on antenna system
by William Hein 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

I was an active Satellite operator back in the AO-10, AO-13 and Radio Sputnik days (as AA6TT) and am just getting back on the birds after a near 15-year absence and am getting used to today's LEO sats. I completely missed AO-40. VERY surprised to learn AO-7 is QRV! I presently have an Arrow antenna on a tripod located indoors. Rig is a FT-847 with MacDoppler tracking software. I successfully heard the 70cm CW beacon from HO-68 earlier today so it's nice to know everything works. Will be attempting QSOs on future passes on this and other LEO birds. I will be building a more robust outdoor antenna system in a few months and want to make sure I am prepared for the satellites which may be launched in the next few years. Here is what I am thinking (overkill for LEO birds but I want to be ready to MEO & HEO sats): 10m Dipole V M2 2M-CP14 or Gulf Alpha 2M-8ELSat and SSB Electronic mast-mounted preamp U M2 436CP-30 or Gulf Alpha 70CM-16ELSat and SSB Electronic mast-mounted preamp Questions: (1) RHCP for the V and U Yagis? Any reason to have switchable polarity? (2) Anyone who has used both M2 and Gulf Alpha satellite antennas please comment on their relative merit.? I find M2 on-air performance to be very good however I have had problems with M2 feed-point failures. (3) Will next gen ham satellites have S-Band downlinks? (4) Will next gen ham satellites have L-Band uplinks and/or downlinks? (5) Other bands to be prepared for? (6) Are these the satellites currently available for 2-way QSOs? AO-7, AO-27, AO-51, SO-67 & HO-68. Did I miss any? (7) Any pattern to when AO-7 is in Mode A and Mode B? 73, Bill ----- William Hein, AA4XT mobile: +1 (615) 967-1226 email: Bill.AA4XT(a)Gmail.com Loc: EM65PS Web: AA4XT.com 6752 Owen Hill Road College Grove TN 37046-9122 USA

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AO-51 mode change and recommendation
by vk5alx＠amsat.org 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Attempted to use this mode on 2 passes but was not successful. Several stations tried to work on the first pass over Australia (07:51 UTC 29 Dec) but audio was very weak and there was a lot of interference on the signal. Some stations had difficulty netting onto frequency, probably because they could not hear themselves clearly. On the second pass I could hear no other stations attempting to access and while the downlink signal was strong there were all manner of noises present and only once or twice could I actually hear my voice among the noises. I'm sure that last time AO-51 was in this mode it worked reasonably well. Will be interested to hear reports from other continents to see if the interference was specific to this region. 73 Alex / VK5ALX

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AO-51 end of the aftenoon pass
by Mateusz 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

Here is a record from last seconds of aftenoon pass of AO-51 over Russia and East Europe, there was something unusual: http://www.enduro.idl.pl/audio_sat/ao51ssb_fm_end.mp3 I swithed receiver to USB and tuned to that signal (Doppler correction ON), it was not local, it was dissapear as AO-51 went under horizon. Matt SQ7DQX

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AO-51 USB/FM mode
by Matt 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

I forgot to add that elevation was lower than 0.9 degree. My antennas are pointed to horizon. Matt SQ7DQX

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HELP WITH YAESU FT 847 CAT CONTROL SETUP
by Albert Onley 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

I am trying to get my ft 847 to work in CAD mode . I have the C+ on, using NULL MODEM CABLE ,baud set to 57600 BOTH IN RADIO AND PROGRAM , using COM 1. RUNNING XP HOME WITH SP 2. AL K4VHV

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UGATUSat is RS-38
by Mike Rupprecht 29 Dec '09

29 Dec '09

09:48 UTC strong CW beacon on 435.490MHz rs38 ubs189 uab176 [DATA] rs38 ubs188 uab177 ibs17 iab110 isp0 tab156 tsep146 tuf0 tbi167 tspa134 tspb255 mcon69 sma115 smb111 mra11 mrb14 rs38 ubs189 uab177 ibs17 iab130 isp22 tab156 tsep146 audio file of a complete beacon record (4 min) here: <http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=10401> http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=10401 73, Mike DK3WN

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sat_reporter
by Andrew Rich 28 Dec '09

28 Dec '09

I am putting together a sat_report web based system My fields at the moment are 1. From 2. Subject 3. Satellite 4. Frequency /s 5. Mode /s 6. Notes 7. Country Would you like to see anything else ? 1. Station setup 2. Signal report 3. File attachments Prototype http://vk4tec.no-ip.org/sat_report/index.htm Andrew Rich VK4TEC

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First QSO'S on HO-68 linear Xponder
by Luc Leblanc 28 Dec '09

28 Dec '09

Just got my first few QSO'S on the linear transponder of HO-68. It was like a small motel room with all efficiencies but walls are in cardbox and you can hear the 3 rooms on each side. But what an excellent signal and audio was Q5 on any station i was able to hear. It was like 20 meter band on a contest day... Recommendation just tune the higher frequency (The downlink). Messing with the uplink just not work as you step over a lot of stations. It is by far the strongest linear satellite and i will try auto doppler on the next linear session. I count about 15 simultaneous station at the same time and the dowlink power was holding even with some excessive uplink power at times! It is understandable as the new toy was just getting out of the box... As the power budget is higher the transponder is able to give enough signal to a lot more stations. The key is high downlink power to be able to sustain more station at the same time. But just try to reduce your power when the satellite is overhead he's just above you at TCA Time to Closest Approach "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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HO-68
by Dale Hershberger 28 Dec '09

28 Dec '09

I am having a difficult time to access HO-68. I have it in my tracking programs along with SO-67. The problem is that the listed times for HO-68 and the scheduled times as posted for times do not seem to work for me. SO-67 works for me and I have accessed it ok but have I yet to be successful in getting into HO-68. I know it is a dumb thing I am overlooking and will kick my self when I get it right. I had some good passes according to SatPC32 and NOVA but all I hear is silence... I have checked for the mode, FM and Linear. I have the tone set but I know there is something I am overlooking. Any help is greatly appreciated....Had a busy Holiday weekend. And want to thank our China AMSAT friends for what sounds like a very good new Satellite. Thank you to Alan Kung, BA1DU and friends for this very nice Christmas gift. Dale/ KL7XJ

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XE2VAS in DM40 next Sunday (3 January)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 28 Dec '09

28 Dec '09

Hi! I received an e-mail from Uriel XE2VAS earlier this morning. He said he was on AO-27, SO-50, AO-51, and SO-67 during the day yesterday (Sunday, 27 December) from the small city of Imuris, about 70km/43 miles south of Nogales and the USA border in grid DM40. In a change of plan, he will not return to DM40 until next Sunday (3 January). On that day, he will attempt to work any FM satellite passes while he is down there. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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LU or other DX on HO-68
by Andrew Glasbrenner 28 Dec '09

28 Dec '09

Hi All, Last night I thought I heard a LU5OJ? on HO-68 right after AOS. If you know who this might have been, please let me know. I'm also interested in schedules for SSB QSOs with new stations/grids/countries, especially those stretching the footprint on HO-68, during linear transponder passes. 73, Drew KO4MA EL88pg

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multiple sats
by Larry Gerhardstein 28 Dec '09

28 Dec '09

Whats the trick to get SatPC32 to display multiple satellites via the "M" button? Larry W7IN

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XE2VAS from DM40 - now through Thursday (31 Dec)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

Hi! Uriel XE2VAS (also N2IY), who lives in Nogales in northern Mexico (grid DM41), was on a couple of satellite passes from the rarely- heard grid DM40 today. He will try to be on other FM satellite passes through Thursday (31 December). Anyone working XE2VAS and wanting a QSL card can send the QSL request with SASE to my PO box. Please do NOT use the mailing address for XE2VAS or N2IY on QRZ.com. Thanks to John K8YSE, I was able to hear the audio from the AO-27 pass at 2032 UTC this afternoon with XE2VAS. I will send this to Uriel, so he can hear how he sounded through the satellite. Although Uriel has a 2m FM mobile radio and an IC-706, it sounded like he was using an HT with his Elk log periodic antenna on that pass. Please remember that Uriel's first language is *not* English. If you want a better chance for a QSO, please use standard international phonetics for your callsign and grid locator. An even better option is to use Spanish-language digits with phonetics for your callsign and grid locator in a call to XE2VAS. K8YSE and N5AFV both did this, and quickly completed their QSOs. Since hams in the USA and Canada are only required to ID in English at the end of a QSO (English or French, for Canadians), making the initial call to a station like XE2VAS in Spanish *is* legal - as long as you make your legal station ID at the end of the QSO. Good luck and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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HO-68 - first FM pass over Australia
by vk5alx＠amsat.org 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

Six stations, plus myself, accessed Hope-1 (HO-68) on its first FM pass over Australia starting at 11:00 UTC (27 Dec) - VK2ZAZ, VK2TJU, VK2CMP. VK7HRX, VK4ZQ, VK2WEL Downlink signal at my location reached -98dBm but I did experience several very deep fades which took the signal from full quieting to full noise. The fades were very sudden and lasted from just a few seconds to up to half a minute each time. Some signal dropouts were experienced. However, maximum elevation here was just 15 degrees. Antennas here were RHC for 70cm receive and LHC on 2 mtr TX. Some distortion in the received audio was evident indicating that the satellite's receiver might be a little off frequency or that it prefers narrow deviation. Hopefully we will have more opportunities to test the bird further before it is commissioned for normal use. 73 and best wishes for 2010 Alex VK5ALX

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SO-67 27 December 2009 1619 UTC audio
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

Hi! The 1619 UTC SO-67 pass was a nice one covering virtually all of the continental USA and most of Mexico as the satellite moved southbound. I was operating from DM43iu, about 60 miles/100km northeast of Phoenix, where the satellite was up to a maximum elevation of 53 degrees. Stations were heard from Oregon to South Carolina, and as far south as central Mexico. You can hear my audio recording at: http://so67.wd9ewk.net/ (look for the MP3 with the filename starting with 20091227) This was the first SO-67 pass I worked in over a month. It seems like most have compensated for this satellite's unique characteristics. Waiting for the carrier to drop, even for the briefest of moments, makes a big difference. If you don't wait for the carrier to drop, a quick unkey of the mic and then keying the mic again also works - as long as you are working full-duplex. Thanks again to AMSAT SA for the satellite and the generous scheduling over the last few days. Near the end of that pass, Uriel XE2VAS was briefly heard from grid DM40 approximately 40 miles/60km south of Nogales AZ in northern Mexico. Uriel *may* be operating from DM40 over the next few days, FM satellites only, for those who may need/want a QSO for that grid. If you work XE2VAS, whether from his home grid DM41 at the USA/Mexico border or from DM40, you may send your QSL requests with SASE to my PO box. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: DJ-G7 - BNC-to-SMA Adapter
by Clint Bradford 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

>> ... my arrow antenna's BNC connector doesn't plug directly to the DJ-G7's SMA antenna jack ... I hope you didn't order the Yaesu CN-3 adapter. It should be taken off the market. It provides absolutely no protection/strain relief to your new HT's SMA connector when in use. Stephen Gulyas makes "intelligent" BNC-toSMA adapters ... which have a hard rubber gasket that "mates" to the top of a radio. VERY protective from the stress and strain we place on our radios when changing out antennas. Scroll down half of this page to download a copy of what Stephen offers ... http://www.work-sat.com Look for: Stephen Gulyas’s BNC-to-SMA adapters (76kb .pdf) Enjoy what Santa brought you! Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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SO-67 27Dec2009 1443z Audio
by John Papay 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

The North American Pass of SO-67 on 27Dec2009 at 1443z is now on my webserver. The bird was strong as usual. It is difficult not to respond immediately to a call to your station, but those that wait for the "tail timer" to expire, will have more than 3 seconds to exchange their information. Watch the S meter and wait for the tail to expire before you transmit. This doesn't always work if there are others still transmitting after the tail timer expires. Their signal is not repeated but it prevents the repeater from re-transmitting your signal. Full duplex allows you to hear the bird when you are transmitting and makes successful qso's much easier. http://www.papays.com/SO-67_27Dec2009_144322z.mp3 Thanks to AMSAT-South Africa for this very strong bird. If the tail timer can be re-configured, contacts using a handheld and a rubber duck antenna will be possible. Right now there is just too much confusion due to everyone transmitting at the same time. Full duplex really helps. 73, John K8YSE

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HO-68 27Dec2009 1527z North America
by John Papay 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

A recording of the HO-68 pass, 27Dec2009 at 1527z over North America is on my webserver. This was an 82 degree pass for me and the bird was copied well from horizon to horizon. The first packet was received within one minute after AOS and the last packet was within a minute of LOS. I was not at home for this pass. SatPC32 did all the work. The receive antenna was set for Left Hand Circular Polarization which seems to work better than right hand on average. Signals were strong throughout the pass. FM Voice and packet seemed to interrupt one another and it was hard for some to make a complete qso. http://www.papays.com/HO-68_27Dec2009_152711z.mp3 These are the packets decoded during the pass. The date/time stamp was inserted by the TNC to show when the packets were received. It was not sent from the satellite: BJ1SA-11>KB2M [12/27/09 15:28:18]:OK KB2M\D BJ1SA-11>PBLIST [12/27/09 15:28:18]:PB: Empty. BJ1SA-11>KB2M [12/27/09 15:28:38]:OK KB2M\D BJ1SA-11>PBLIST [12/27/09 15:28:38]:PB: KB2M\D BJ1SA-11>PBLIST [12/27/09 15:28:39]:PB: Empty. BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:28:43]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:29:20]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:29:32]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:29:44]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:30:08]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:30:44]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:30:56]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:31:32]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:31:45]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:31:57]:Open BJ1SA-12:1 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:33:09]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:33:34]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:33:46]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:33:58]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:34:46]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:34:58]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:35:23]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:35:35]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:35:59]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:36:23]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:36:47]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:37:35]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:37:48]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:38:24]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:38:36]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:38:48]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:39:00]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:39:13]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:39:24]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:39:36]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:40:01]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:40:13]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:40:25]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:40:37]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:41:01]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:41:14]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:41:26]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:41:38]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:41:50]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:42:02]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:42:14]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:42:26]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:43:27]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:43:39]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:43:51]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:44:15]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:44:27]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:44:51]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:45:03]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:46:04]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:46:16]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/27/09 15:46:28]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 We look forward to more testing and fine tuning. Thanks again to AMSAT-China. Happy New Year. 73, John K8YSE

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HO-68 Schedule Dec27--28
by Alan Kung 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 20:20...South Africa 20:30...Europe,North Africa 20:40...Europe,North America, North Africa,North Pole 20:50...North America, Europe,North Pole 20:55...Turn Off 28 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 01:40...South America 01:55...North South America,South NA 02:10...North America 02:15...North NA,Russia,North Pole 02:20...Turn Off 28 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 12:31...South Australia,South Pole 12:35...Australia,South Pole 12:41...Turn Off 28 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 12:51...South Asia, North Australia 12:55...East Asia, South Asia 13:05...East Asia, North Asia, Middle Asia 13:06...Turn Off 28 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 21:45...South Africa 21:55...South America,West Africa 22:05...West Europe, West North Africa 22:15...North America, Europe,North Pole 22:20...North America, North Europe, North Asia,North Pole 22:25...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Congrats to WB8OTH
by Dave Webb KB1PVH 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

I just want to congratulate Perry, WB8OTH for reaching 6000 QSOs on the birds. Nice job! 73, Dave KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID

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Hope Oscar - 68 (HO-68) CW Beacon heard Loud and Clear from Grid EM85sh
by Robert Felt 27 Dec '09

27 Dec '09

Thursday 24 Dec 2009 @ 16:20 - 16:36 Z : Monitored new China HO-68 CW beacon on the 435.79MHz (+/- doppler) from my QTH EM85sh in Hendersonville, NC. CW Signal was strong and clear both with and w/o preamp !! Well done to the China AMSAT team. Thanks and 73 Bob KB5YZG

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ANS-361 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-361 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: * Report Your AMSAT Volunteer Hours * SO-67 schedule * SKN on OSCAR 2010 * AMSAT Kid's Day on AO-51 on 3 January *Thank You and Season Greetings on Behalf of the HO-68 Team * AO-51 Satellite Grid DXpedition Announced * ARISS Status - 21 December 2009 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-361.01 Report Your AMSAT Volunteer Hours AMSAT News Service Bulletin 361.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 27, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-361.01 Attention AMSAT Volunteers! It is that time again when we gather volunteer hours donated to the AMSAT Program of Work to include within our yearly Audit. These important donations of personal time help us illustrate to the outside world the involvement of our members. We welcome reporting in all areas of service from Managing a booth at a Hamfest, to engineering of new AMSAT projects, to day to day operational activities. If you are not already signed up for the on line Web site "VRS" (Volunteer Reporting System) program, please go to amsat.org and select "Become a Volunteer" from the link on the left side of the main page. Select #2 in order to create an account for your reporting. You will be given a confidential account into which you can report your volunteer hours. Select # 3 to actually report your 2009 efforts. We total up the efforts and total value while we keep confidential the actual dollar amount of each volunteer. With the year drawing to a close, this is a great time to submit those hours. After January 1, 2010 we'll download the file and report these numbers to our Auditor. Your efforts are important, so please take the time to report. If you have any questions feel free to email me at: w8gsm(a)amsat.org. Gunther Meisse AMSAT Treasurer W8GSM [ANS thanks Gunther, W8GSM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-361.02 SO-67 schedule AMSAT News Service Bulletin 361.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 27, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-361.02 Jan-Albert Koekemoer, ZR1JAK, received the following schedules from the various coordinators. Note that some passes had to be omitted due to other higher priorities on the satellite. SOUTH AMERICA: 27/12 01:18 27/12 11:48 27/12 13:25 27/12 23:25 28/12 00:58 28/12 11:28 28/12 13:02 28/12 23:05 29/12 00:35 29/12 11:08 29/12 12:41 30/12 00:16 30/12 01:50 30/12 10:48 30/12 12:20 30/12 23:56 31/12 01:30 31/12 10:29 31/12 11:59 31/12 23:36 01/01 01:10 01/01 11:38 01/01 13:14 01/01 23:16 AUSTRALIA/NZ: 27/12 21:19 28/12 00:28 28/12 20:57 28/12 22:31 29/12 00:07 29/12 20:37 29/12 22:09 29/12 23:46 30/12 21:51 30/12 23:24 30/12 21:30 30/12 23:05 01/01 00:40 USSR: 27/12 14:20 27/12 19:00 AFRICA: 27/12 05:30 28/12 08:16 29/12 07:58 30/12 06:03 30/12 07:38 31/12 05:42 31/12 07:17 01/01 05:20 01/01 06:57 01/01 08:26 JAPAN 27/12 00:30 27/12 22:37 28/12 00:09 (Deleted) 28/12 23:48 29/12 01:24 29/12 23:28 30/12 01:03 30/12 23:08 31/12 00:42 31/12 22:48 01/01 00:21 EUROPE 27/12 06:47 27/12 08:20 27/12 09:54 27/12 11:28 28/12 09:33 29/12 09:12 USA/CANADA 27/12 00:22 (Deleted) 27/12 13:08 27/12 14:43 27/12 16:16 27/12 17:49 27/12 19:21 27/12 20:54 27/12 22:28 (Deleted) 28/12 00:02 [ANS thanks Jan-Albert, ZR1JAK, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-361.03 SKN on OSCAR 2010 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 361.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 27, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-361.03 All radio amateurs, worldwide, are cordially invited to participate in AMSAT's Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2010. Participating in SKN on OSCAR 2010 is easy. No rules, no scoring and no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR between 0000 and 2400 UTC on 1 January 2010, using a straight hand key. The AMSAT AO-51 Operations Group reminds everyone that AO-51 will be configured to support CW operations during the annual Straight Key Night event. Participants may operate CW through AO-51 between 0000 and 2400 UTC on 1 January 2010, using a straight hand key. AO-51 will be configured in the following mode during the event: SSB/FM Repeater, V/U (CW QSOs only on Straight Key Night) Uplink: 145.880 MHz USB Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, all participants are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for "Best Fist." Your nominee need not have the best fist of those you heard, just of those you worked. Please send your nomination to w2rs(a)amsat.org. A list of those nominated will appear in ANS and The AMSAT Journal. [ANS thanks Ray, W2RS, and the AMSAT AO-51 Operations Group for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-361.04 AMSAT Kid's Day on AO-51 on 3 January AMSAT News Service Bulletin 361.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 27, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-361.04 AMSAT-NA and the AO-51 Operations Group will sponsor Kid's Day on AO-51 on January 3, 2010. The event is open to all kids, worldwide. We ask all amateur radio stations to give this short time window to promote satellite operations with kids, by actually showing a kid how to make contacts via AO-51, providing a station to contact, or stepping aside to allow others to make contacts with the kids. During the event, please limit contacts to stations that are operating with kids at the microphone. This should allow the kids to have a nice QSO and pass some information. Kids can tell their name, age, who is helping them operate on AO-51, where they live, and other information about themselves. AO-51 will be configured in the following mode during the event. Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM voice Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM voice See http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html on the ARRL website for more Kids Day information. Have fun and enjoy AO-51! [ANS thanks the AO-51 Operations Committee for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-361.05 Thank You and Season Greetings on Behalf of the HO-68 Team AMSAT News Service Bulletin 361.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 27, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-361.05 CEO of Amsat-China and HO-68 (XW-1) Project Manager Alan Kung, BA1DU wrote, "On behalf of Amsat-China and the HO-68 amateur satellite pro- ject Team, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all radio amateurs who reported the communications status of HO-68 satellite in the past few days." Alan continued, "I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all individuals and organizations for your congratulations. I must say I am sorry I am not able to respond to each of the reports, but your reports are very valuable for our analysis of status of the satellite. Thank you very much for your participation in the in-orbit satellite communications test of HO-68." The HO-68 team wishes all a happy holiday and we hope HO-68 amateur satellite will be able to bring you a new fun! This week AMSAT-NA President, Barry Baines, WD4ASW wrote, "On behalf of Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, congratulations on the success- ful launch of XW-1 and its subsequent designation as HO-68. This is a significant milestone for both Amateur Radio and AMSAT-China. We are very excited to see not only a new amateur satellite successfully placed in service, but a new member of the AMSAT International family establishing itself as well. Please let us know more about your organ- ization and how we might be able to develop appropriate relationships between AMSAT-China and other AMSAT organizations. Again, congratula- tions on placing HO-68 in service and best wishes for the New Year." The latest official information can be found on-line on the AMSAT-China web page at http://www.camsat.cn/ The AMSAT-NA Satellite Status Web may also be consulted for frequency and operating mode information: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=116&retURL=/ satellites/status.php [ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU and Barry Baines, WD4ASW for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-361.06 AO-51 Satellite Grid DXpedition Announced AMSAT News Service Bulletin 361.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 27, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-361.06 Jim, ND9M/VQ9JC, plans to activate 85 grids in 8 states on AO-51 between January 21st and February 10th. Jim and his wife will be driving to the Denver area (DN70) where his step-son lives and Cheyenne (DN71) where his brother lives. The trip will start from Panama City, Florida, on/or around January 21st, from where they head to Memphis, TN. Jim may possibly activate some grids. From Memphis they will head westbound through OK, then into KS and NE before hitting CO. Their around trip will take them through Big Bend National Park and Texas (hitting every grid in TX) and the Gulf Coast into Louisiana. [ANS thanks KB8NW, OPDX Bulletin, and MakeMoreMilesOnVHF Newsletter For the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-361.07 ARISS Status - 21 December 2009 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 361.07 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 27, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-361.07 1. Jeffrey Williams Chats with Italian Students via ARISS Contact On Monday, December 14, Expedition 21 astronaut Jeffrey Williams, KD5TVQ participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with students from Istituto Comprensivo di Govone - Scuola Secondaria di primo grado "Nino Costa" di Priocca in Priocca, Cuneo, Italy. The contact was held at Infinito Astronomic Park in Pino Torinese, Torino, where an audience of more than 150 students, teachers, visitors and media watched as the students posed 22 questions to the astronaut during the nine minute pass. Following the contact, ARISS mentor Francesco De Paolis spoke to the children via teleconference about the contact and amateur radio. Regional television, local media and newspapers covered the event. The video, which was streamed on the web, received over 170 connections. The European Space Agency (ESA) reported the news on its Web site. See: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMLSV9K73G_Italy_0.html 2. ARISS International Team Meeting Held An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) meeting was held on Tuesday, December 15. Agenda items addressed included the VHF AIS (Automatic Identification System) and ARISS antennas which were recently installed on the Columbus module and the status of ARISSat-1. To view the minutes, see: https://www.rac.ca/ariss/arisstel2009-12-15.htm [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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Ham Radio Deluxe and TS-2000 for SSB sats
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

Hi! Omar XE1AO is asking me for advice on the frequencies to put into Ham Radio Deluxe for his TS-2000. He is trying to get set up for HO-68 (XW-1) when it is in SSB/CW. I do not have that radio, and do not use HRD right now. Could someone e-mail me the information that I can pass along to Omar for that combination of software and radio to get him set up for the new satellite (and possibly the other SSB/CW satellites as well)? If you prefer, you can e-mail Omar directly. He has an e-mail address registered on QRZ.com that is valid. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK (on behalf of Omar XE1AO) http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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XW-1 Beacon in PF88jt
by Frank Woolfe 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

Great Sig's received from XW-1 this morning in Orbit 155 from PF88jt, AOS .5 Degs Elv, 335 Deg's Az,,,, LOS .5 Degs Elv, 214 Degs Az; Rec'd max distance 4155Klm towards Antarctic, Southern Indian Ocean, unfortunately no transponder operation. Frank VK5KV, PF88jt

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Christmas Gift: DJ-G7
by Lee Ernstrom 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

Howdy Folks, I received the Alinco DJ-G7 handheld tri-band radio for a Christmas gift from the XYL and I am looking forward to activating some of the more rare grids around northern Utah in the very near future. I dicovered, however, that my arrow antenna's BNC connector doesn't plug directly to the DJ-G7's SMA antenna jack (imagine that) so I just ordered a BNC to SMA adaptor. Anyway, my question is are there any other DJ-G7 users here that can give me some insight into how effective this hand held is on the satelites? Thanks in advance for your response. WA7HQD Lee Ernstrom Syracuse, Utah DN31xb

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XW-1 FM
by WCP 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

OK so what is the trick to work the FM repeater on WX-1 ? Using TS-2000 and set to : Uplink: 145.8250 MHz FM, PL 67.0 Hz. Downlink 435.6750 MHz FM I have no problem working Linear Transponder.........................

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An interesting observation and thought on XW-1 and AO-7, VO-52.
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

I noted a number of times the past few days either AO-7 & XW-1 or VO-52 & XW-1 were visible to each other over NA. 5 KHz of VO-52s downlink and all of AO-7's 2m downlink fall into XW_1's uplink. With signals as strong as they are, it should be possible to make cross satellite contacts, ie. U/U. In on VO-52 or AO-7, out on XW-1. Just an observation but I don't recommend trying it as may interfere with other users. KB7ADL

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Re: VO-52 Orbit 25114, 1445z Today
by Jeffrey Koehler 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

Thanks to everyone that responded. It was Dave, KB1PVH. Happy Holidays, jeff WB2SYK --- On Sat, 12/26/09, Dave Webb KB1PVH <kb1pvh(a)gmail.com> wrote: > From: Dave Webb KB1PVH <kb1pvh(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] VO-52 Orbit 25114, 1445z Today > To: "Jeffrey Koehler" <jeffk13057(a)yahoo.com> > Date: Saturday, December 26, 2009, 10:24 AM > Jeff, > It was me, KB1PVH . > > > > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID > On Dec 26, 2009 10:17 AM, > "Jeffrey Koehler" <jeffk13057(a)yahoo.com> > wrote: > > If you are the KP1 station that worked WB2SYK on the above > VO-52 pass over Eastern NA this morning, could you please > drop me an email? I copied down your call as KP1PVH but you > don't appear in QRZ for my logging program. I may have > copied down your call incorrectly. > > > > > Thanks and Happy New Year to all, > > > > Jeff WB2SYK > > Syracuse FN13 > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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: Help with WISAT32
by 9w2qc＠9w2qc.net 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

Hi Erich, Many thanks for the reply and I must admit that not only the software is excellent but also the support given by the yourself is excellent. I am also glad to say that I have managed to solved point 1, 2 and 3 as below with your help. However, I have 2 more questions that once resolved should help me migrate the tracking software away from WISP. 1. Is it possible that WISAT32 run a program (.bat file) before AOS and LOS like what WISP can perform? The main use for this is because, for unattended operation, I need to run a batch (.bat) file to power on the station, and then after the pass, run another batch file to power off the station. Of course, this can be done in WISP since I still need to run it in parallel for the PACSATs, but I thought it would be a better idea to move everything to WISAT32 and keep WISP solely for the PACSAT PB/PG use. 2. Can SATPC32 work with IC-PCR2500 yet? As I do not see this model in the list of radios listed. Would be good if this is supported, as this is a good radio for me to use on the APT weather satellites and for receiving 38k4 data. Another separate question that I would like to ask is regarding dual frequency receive. I see that SATPC32 has already support for 2 radios. Take for example the HO-68 satellite that has 2 simultaneous downlinks. One is the CW telemetry/beacon which is always on and the other is perhaps the FM transponder downlink. It will be good if we are able to track the doppler for FM transponder uplink & downlink on radio 1 and the CW telemetry/beacon downlink on radio 2 simultaneously. Is this something that SATPC32/WISAT32 supports or plan to support in the future? I tried looking this up in the manual, but could not find this. Maybe perhaps I did not look far enough. Once again, thank you Erich for the excellent software and help. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010 to you and your family. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC, WQ2C Original Message: ----------------- From: Erich Eichmann erich.eichmann(a)t-online.de Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:28:14 +0100 To: 9w2qc(a)9w2qc.net, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with WISAT32 Hello Sion Chow, you can use Wisat32 parallel with Wisp32 (the "Wi" stands for Wisp, because the program was thought to be used with Wisp). The Wisp rotor and radio driver RR.dll doesn't work on NT based system (XP, Vista). So, you can use Wisp32 for data traffic and Wisat32 for rotor and CAT control. 1 + 2. Wisat can automatically switch to a particular satellite (when it rises) parallel with Wisp32. That requires an entry in the aux. file Prior.SQF with the same priority order the satellite has in GSC. The Wisat32 control "A" ("A" for Automatic Satellite change) must be switched to "A+". In menu "Options" this setting can be set as start option. The file Prior.SQF itself contains instructions what happens when 2 satellites with priority are audible at the same time. 3. With FM sats the 5 frequency controls are disabled, because FM sats work in fix channels. Nevertheless you can enable them manually by clicking control "V" to "V+". When you witch to an SSB/CW sat the 5 controls will automatically be enabled. Wisat takes over the radio and rotor settings from SatPC32 (Configr. #1) and it takes the data from the same data files (Doppler.SQF, Prior.SQF). So, these settings must be done in SatPC32. Wisat32 doesn't support semi duplex radios. For more instructions read the FAQs file on my Website, English page "Downloads" ("How to configure SatPC32 for a new Satellite") with a tutorial by W9AE. 73s, Erich, DK1TB ----- Original Message ----- From: <9w2qc(a)9w2qc.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Saturday, December 26, 2009 10:31 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Help with WISAT32 Dear All, After being very happy with SATPC32's results both for satellite tracking in my home station and during ARISS sessions, I have started exploring WISAT32 that is included in the SATPC32 package. Basically, what I am looking for is to have WISAT32 replace WISP that I have been using as my primary tracking software for the past few years. However, in WISAT32, I encounter a few problems that I hope someone could lead me to a solution: 1. I have loaded a list of satellites in WISAT32 (similar to how you do it in WISP). How do I get WISAT32 to start tracking the satellite automatically (rotor and CAT control) as soon as a particular satellite comes above the horizon? Under "Options", I have enabled "Auto Select" but the tracking still does not start unless I click on the satellite. 2. Also is it possible to set priority (like in WISP) as to which satellite to track, in case 2 satellites comes in at the same time? 3. It seems that the manual frequency control buttons has been disabled (200, 100, 500, 1k, 5k) as compared to SATPC32 main program. Is there a way to enable this back, as it is useful for some frequency "trimming" at times. Appreciate if someone could kindly help me with the above issues, which I believe is really a minor one that I am not aware of. Thank you. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC, WQ2C -------------------------------------------------------------------- myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft® Windows® and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting

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XW-1 Linear Transponder report
by Nitin Muttin 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

All, Tried the XW-1 Linear transponder for the first time today Dec 26th during the 17:02 pass. The transponder was available exactly at 17:05 UTC as per the schedule published on www.camsat.cn <http://www.camsat.cn/> and I was able to hear my signal on the downlink very well. Any stations heard me can drop me a direct email. 73's Nitin [VU3TYG] No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.722 / Virus Database: 270.14.120/2587 - Release Date: 12/26/09 13:57:00

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HO-68 26Dec09 1544z North America
by John Papay 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

An audio recording of the HO-68 26Dec09 1544z pass over North America is on my webserver: http://www.papays.com/HO-68_26Dec2009_154401z.mp3 I counted about 20 different stations on this pass. Packet continues to affect the voice repeater in such a way that it can be difficult to make a contact. 145.825 is a busy frequency and there are probably stations that are set to beacon at frequent intervals. Then there are those that are trying to connect to the BBS at the same time that others are trying to use the voice repeater. This does not work very well over the US where there is a great deal of activity. The following packets were copied during the pass. Many other packets were heard but not decoded. The date/time stamp was added to indicate when the packet was received. It is accurate to within a few seconds: BJ1SA-11>PBLIST [12/26/09 15:45:53]:PB: Empty. BJ1SA-11>KB2M [12/26/09 15:47:07]:NO -2 KB2M\D BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:47:28]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:48:04]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:48:28]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:48:41]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:49:41]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:50:05]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:50:17]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:50:29]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:50:42]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:51:06]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:51:18]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:51:30]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:52:06]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:52:43]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:53:19]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:54:07]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:54:31]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:54:44]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:54:56]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:55:20]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:55:44]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:55:56]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:56:20]:Open BJ1SA-12:1 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:56:32]:Open BJ1SA-12:1 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:56:57]:Open BJ1SA-12:1 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:57:09]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:57:21]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:58:21]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>N8MH [12/26/09 15:58:32]:¡26K BJ1SA-11>N8MH [12/26/09 15:58:53]:NO -2 N8MH\D BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:59:10]:Open BJ1SA-12:1 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:59:22]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:59:34]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:59:46]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 15:59:46]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>N8MH [12/26/09 15:59:49]:í26K BJ1SA-12>N8MH [12/26/09 15:59:53]¿ N8MH>BJ1SA-12 [12/26/09 15:59:57]: BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 16:00:34]:Open BJ1SA-12:1 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 16:01:23]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 16:01:35]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 16:01:47]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/26/09 16:03:00]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-11>N8MH [12/26/09 16:03:06]:NO -2 N8MH\D Signals were strong throughout the pass with some downlink polarization shifting. Thanks again to AMSAT-China for this very nice satellite. 73, John K8YSE EN91dh Cleveland, Ohio

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VO-52 Orbit 25114, 1445z Today
by Jeffrey Koehler 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

If you are the KP1 station that worked WB2SYK on the above VO-52 pass over Eastern NA this morning, could you please drop me an email? I copied down your call as KP1PVH but you don't appear in QRZ for my logging program. I may have copied down your call incorrectly. Thanks and Happy New Year to all, Jeff WB2SYK Syracuse FN13

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Re: Help with WISAT32
by Erich Eichmann 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

Hello Sion Chow, you can use Wisat32 parallel with Wisp32 (the "Wi" stands for Wisp, because the program was thought to be used with Wisp). The Wisp rotor and radio driver RR.dll doesn't work on NT based system (XP, Vista). So, you can use Wisp32 for data traffic and Wisat32 for rotor and CAT control. 1 + 2. Wisat can automatically switch to a particular satellite (when it rises) parallel with Wisp32. That requires an entry in the aux. file Prior.SQF with the same priority order the satellite has in GSC. The Wisat32 control "A" ("A" for Automatic Satellite change) must be switched to "A+". In menu "Options" this setting can be set as start option. The file Prior.SQF itself contains instructions what happens when 2 satellites with priority are audible at the same time. 3. With FM sats the 5 frequency controls are disabled, because FM sats work in fix channels. Nevertheless you can enable them manually by clicking control "V" to "V+". When you witch to an SSB/CW sat the 5 controls will automatically be enabled. Wisat takes over the radio and rotor settings from SatPC32 (Configr. #1) and it takes the data from the same data files (Doppler.SQF, Prior.SQF). So, these settings must be done in SatPC32. Wisat32 doesn't support semi duplex radios. For more instructions read the FAQs file on my Website, English page "Downloads" ("How to configure SatPC32 for a new Satellite") with a tutorial by W9AE. 73s, Erich, DK1TB ----- Original Message ----- From: <9w2qc(a)9w2qc.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Saturday, December 26, 2009 10:31 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Help with WISAT32 Dear All, After being very happy with SATPC32's results both for satellite tracking in my home station and during ARISS sessions, I have started exploring WISAT32 that is included in the SATPC32 package. Basically, what I am looking for is to have WISAT32 replace WISP that I have been using as my primary tracking software for the past few years. However, in WISAT32, I encounter a few problems that I hope someone could lead me to a solution: 1. I have loaded a list of satellites in WISAT32 (similar to how you do it in WISP). How do I get WISAT32 to start tracking the satellite automatically (rotor and CAT control) as soon as a particular satellite comes above the horizon? Under "Options", I have enabled "Auto Select" but the tracking still does not start unless I click on the satellite. 2. Also is it possible to set priority (like in WISP) as to which satellite to track, in case 2 satellites comes in at the same time? 3. It seems that the manual frequency control buttons has been disabled (200, 100, 500, 1k, 5k) as compared to SATPC32 main program. Is there a way to enable this back, as it is useful for some frequency "trimming" at times. Appreciate if someone could kindly help me with the above issues, which I believe is really a minor one that I am not aware of. Thank you. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC, WQ2C -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com - What can On Demand Business Solutions do for you? http://link.mail2web.com/Business/SharePoint _______________________________________________ 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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XW-1 0815 UTC over Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
by 9w2qc＠9w2qc.net 26 Dec '09

26 Dec '09

Dear All, For the first time this morning (26th December 2009 at 0815 UTC, 45 Deg Elevation), the linear transponder of XW-1 / HO-68 was turned on over Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The transponder was sounding very well, with a couple of high speed CW stations and JAs heard on SSB just after AOS. Unfortunately, had too short a window to find my uplink and work the JAs. After the JA window has passed, managed to have a nice contact with E21EJC. As published, the linear transponder shut off at 0819 UTC, and after this the following CW telemetry was recorded: http://www.9w2qc.net/amsatbb/HO68_1120MYT_45DEG.mp3 Great sounding satellite, and hope to see the linear/FM transponder activated more often over this part of the region. BTW, is there any particular e-mail address (maybe from the control team) that we should use to send telemetry recordings to? Would also like to wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC, WQ2C -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web.com - Microsoft® Exchange solutions from a leading provider - http://link.mail2web.com/Business/Exchange

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Re: Progress on Sat antennas
by Edward Cole 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

Sorry slight typo on my callsign http://www.kl7uw.com/LBant.htm 73, Ed At 05:15 PM 12/25/2009, you wrote: >Ed, no soap with that website, as shows none exist. You sure on the >website name? > >John W6ZKH > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Edward Cole" <kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net> >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 6:03:24 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific >Subject: [amsat-bb] Progress on Sat antennas > >Just a short note that I took the day off spending the day with my >wife celebrating Christmas. > >I am finishing up construction of my Lindenblad antennas for 145 & >435 MHz and have a new webpage showing the results: >http://www.kl7ujw.com/LBant.htm > >Just some photos at this point. If wind drops I may get it installed >on the tower tomorrow. > >Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! > >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 >====================================== > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

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Progress on Sat antennas
by Edward Cole 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

Just a short note that I took the day off spending the day with my wife celebrating Christmas. I am finishing up construction of my Lindenblad antennas for 145 & 435 MHz and have a new webpage showing the results: http://www.kl7ujw.com/LBant.htm Just some photos at this point. If wind drops I may get it installed on the tower tomorrow. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 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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HO-68 telemetry decoded.
by Eric Knaps, ON4HF 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

Hello all, When HO-68 was at AOS this evening here in Europe I decoded a telemetry line at 19u18 utc before making contacts on the transponder. PA Output RF Switch Status : PA1 Works (Transponder and Beacon) Transponder Working Status : Beacon and Linear Transponder Transponder Temperature : 25 C Beacon RF Output Power : 0 mW Beacon Power Supply Volts : 5 V Receiver Power Supply Curr : 250 mA Linear Transponder ACG Volts : 3,2 V Transponder RF Output Power : 1638 mW Transponder PA Curr : 540 mA Linear Transponder Up Conv : 242 mA Linear Transponder Volts : 5 V FM Dig S/F Transponder Curr : 0 mA FM Dig S/F Transponder Volts : 0 V It's strange that the power output of the beacon is 0 mW. I did receive it, so it must be more than 0. 73, Eric -- ON4HF. -- Eric Knaps Waterstraat 30 B-3980 Tessenderlo Belgium Tel. +32472985876 (mobile) http://www.on4hf.be

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Landwehr
by Jim 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

I have a Landwehr 145ma and have lost the power plug. I am looking for the # of the DIN plug for the 145ma Tnx Jim K7UDG hartwell(a)hartwell.net

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Re: Problem with mast-mounted ARR preamp, help please
by Mark L. Hammond 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

Hi Bill, Merry Christmas! I'm sorry to hear about your ARR preamp problem---I have used these over the years, and unfortunately what you describe is very consistent with the GAsFET device going bad. The 1 second of signal that you hear is from the relays working with the RF sense circuit. It's the silence that isn't good...it should go from 1 second of weak signal to a BIG signal as the preamp circuit come in line and works....in my experience, going silent after that is a good indication that the device is shot. If it's less than a year old, they are likely to fix it under warranty at no charge (other than shipping to them). I've had great service from ARR for several preamps of the years. Even if out of warranty, I think the charge is quite reasonable, compared to the price of a new one! Wish I had better thoughts to share, but figuring out it's really broken is often an important one...probably ought to send it in (unless you have the right device, etc. to fix it yourself). 73, Mark N8MH ____________________________ Subject: [amsat-bb] Problem with mast-mounted ARR preamp, help please From: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo@xxxxxxxxx> Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:59:16 -0800 (PST) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello and Merry Christmas, I have an ARR SP432VDG preamp, which is mast-mounted to an Elk antenna in my attic. This set-up has worked well until today, when I did not hear any sats with 70cm downlink. I then tried to see if I could bring up the local 70cm repeaters. Interestingly, I could key the repeaters and hear them ID for about a second, then I would lose the signal completely (e.g., "This is K4" then nothing). So it appears that the RF sensor is working and enabling me to transmit properly, and that when I unkey after a transmission I receive properly for one second, but no reception after that one second. I'm thinking it must be a bad relay. Any thoughts or things to try before I send it for repair? Merry Christmas and 73, Bill NZ5N

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Problem with mast-mounted ARR preamp, help please
by Bill Dzurilla 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

Hello and Merry Christmas, I have an ARR SP432VDG preamp, which is mast-mounted to an Elk antenna in my attic. This set-up has worked well until today, when I did not hear any sats with 70cm downlink. I then tried to see if I could bring up the local 70cm repeaters. Interestingly, I could key the repeaters and hear them ID for about a second, then I would lose the signal completely (e.g., "This is K4" then nothing). So it appears that the RF sensor is working and enabling me to transmit properly, and that when I unkey after a transmission I receive properly for one second, but no reception after that one second. I'm thinking it must be a bad relay. Any thoughts or things to try before I send it for repair? Merry Christmas and 73, Bill NZ5N

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HO-68 : SSB S Africa 1st time
by Andre' v Deventer 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

Hi Alan, Well I can report like many others, the SSB operation is excellent and clear comms. My switch on was at 5 degs going North to LOS and I worked ZS6Y, ST2NH, ZS1LS & ZS6BNE. I was still copying at zero degs the stations in the North ! Congrats also for this fantastic SSB xponder. 73 andre ZS2BK

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SO-67 schedule (adapted)
by Jan-Albert Koekemoer 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

Hello Herewith an amended schedule for SO-67 with South America, USSR and Australia/NZ included. Note that I had to adapt the previous schedule in three instances to accommodate the added countries (see below). SOUTH AMERICA: 26/12 01:38 26/12 10:36 26/12 12:09 26/12 23:45 27/12 01:18 27/12 11:48 27/12 13:25 27/12 23:25 28/12 00:58 28/12 11:28 28/12 13:02 28/12 23:05 29/12 00:35 29/12 11:08 29/12 12:41 30/12 00:16 30/12 01:50 30/12 10:48 30/12 12:20 30/12 23:56 31/12 01:30 31/12 10:29 31/12 11:59 31/12 23:36 01/01 01:10 01/01 11:38 01/01 13:14 01/01 23:16 AUSTRALIA/NZ: 26/12 21:40 27/12 21:19 28/12 00:28 28/12 20:57 28/12 22:31 29/12 00:07 29/12 20:37 29/12 22:09 29/12 23:46 30/12 21:51 30/12 23:24 30/12 21:30 30/12 23:05 01/01 00:40 USSR: 26/12 05:30 26/12 16:18 27/12 14:20 27/12 19:00 AFRICA: 25/12 07:47 26/12 05:51 27/12 05:30 28/12 08:16 29/12 07:58 30/12 06:03 30/12 07:38 31/12 05:42 31/12 07:17 01/01 05:20 01/01 06:57 01/01 08:26 JAPAN 25/12 23:17 26/12 00:51 26/12 23:00 27/12 00:30 27/12 22:37 28/12 00:09 (Deleted) 28/12 23:48 29/12 01:24 29/12 23:28 30/12 01:03 30/12 23:08 31/12 00:42 31/12 22:48 01/01 00:21 EUROPE 26/12 07:07 26/12 08:40 26/12 10:14 27/12 06:47 27/12 08:20 27/12 09:54 27/12 11:28 28/12 09:33 29/12 09:12 USA/CANADA 25/12 01:04 25/12 12:13 25/12 13:50 25/12 15:24 25/12 16:57 25/12 18:28 25/12 20:01 25/12 21:35 25/12 23:09 26/12 00:43 26/12 13:29 26/12 15:04 26/12 16:37 26/12 18:09 26/12 19:40 26/12 21:14 26/12 22:48 27/12 00:22 (Deleted) 27/12 13:08 27/12 14:43 27/12 16:16 27/12 17:49 27/12 19:21 27/12 20:54 27/12 22:28 (Deleted) 28/12 00:02 E-mail Disclaimer http://www.sunspace.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm

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HO-68 FM/Packet Understanding
by Peter 25 Dec '09

25 Dec '09

Luc, John and the Group, I want to wish everyone a Healthy and Peaceful New Year, and I hope that Santa was good to you; I know Santa gave me a terrific Satellite gift. I asked Alan to give me a better understanding of how signals are processed with XO-68, I hope his explanation below helps. Dear Peter, FM / Digital working principle is that whoever will relay signal to who should transmit first. the transponder is not torn between the uplink signals. In other words, if the voice first, open the repeater and talk, this time where the transmitting packet data is necessary to wait for voice communication before end of the processing voice. By the same token, if you are transmitting Packet data into voice link from time to time, the satellite will continue to transmit the packet data to complete the data frame, and then process voice request if the request is still active. On the other hand, if there are a lot of very strong signals transmit to the satellite at same time, the satellite receiver may be unable to decode 67Hz PL correctly, so voice will be unable to be replied in that case. Happy Holiday! 73 Alan, BA1DU

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HO-68 Beacon Copied in FM19
by Mike Benonis 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

I was able to copy the HO-68 Beacon from my QTH in FM19fa using my new Arrow II Handheld Satellite Antenna. I wanted to thank the Chinese AMSAT Folks for a wonderful gift to the amateur satellite community and wish everyone a very merry Christmas tonight. I look forward to many QSO's on this satellite in the coming weeks. 73's de Mike KI4RIX Best regards, Mike Benonis mike(a)benonis.net KI4RIX

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HO-68 Across the pond
by John Meeks 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

Many thanks to Amsat China for placing Xwang-1 in such a great orbit. On the 23:20 Linear xponder pass tonight I had the pleasure of working Paul 2E1EUB and Danny ON5UE. Europe was in my footprint here in northern Michigan EN75 for a good long time. Heard a good number of US-EU contacts.on that pass. Well done Alan and the China team. Tnx and 73 KC8ZFN John

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A nice shot
by Rocky Jones 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/station/crew-22/hires/iss022e014… this is far easier then the NASA PAO makes it out to be (no it doesnt happen at 17,500 mph) Ivan makes it look very easy...but it is more difficult then they make it look and Ivan does it with grace. This time it is also quite pretty Merry Christmas everyone Robert WB5MZO _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/

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HO-68
by TERRY BROMLEY 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

Tnx Joe K3SZH for our first qso on HO-68 at 23:18 nice christmas box. Terry, G1WPR.

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OBSERVER PROBLEM CORRECTED
by Albert Onley 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

TKS AL WHO RESPONDED TO MY OBSERVER PROBLEM IT IS NOW WORKING TKS AL K4VHV HAPPY HOLIDAYS

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AO-51
by Jeff Yanko 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

I recall Andrew mentioning that AO-51 had a software crash and he was in the process of reloading it. Just wondering if it's back up yet? And Merry Christmas to all! 73, Jeff WB3JFS

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Re: question (about 435.770)
by Mark L. Hammond 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

Hi Nick, I bet you were hearing IO-26 at 1200 baud PSK. I was commanding telemetry requests, so you might have heard a good bit of activity. 73, Mark N8MH __________________________ question -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: [amsat-bb] question From: "Nick Pugh K5QXJ" <quadpugh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:40:07 -0600 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What sat is on 435.770 MHz transmitting 400 baud psk . I copied a sat with Doppler at 19:20 Z today. I am located in Louisiana USA I and I don't know what sat it is? Merry Christmas nick

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HO-68 Audio 24December2009 1807z FM/BBS
by John Papay 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

An audio recording of the HO-68 pass over the far western USA 24Dec2009 1807z is on my webserver: http://www.papays.com/HO-68_24Dec2009_180656z.mp3 The same scenario continues with packet competing with the voice repeater. How the two work together is not obvious but it does seem that the packet shuts down the voice repeater for a period of time. What makes the voice repeater start up again is not clear. I decoded some packets on this pass. I have the TNC set to Date/Time stamp the packets so we know exactly when they were received. The clock is accurate to within a few seconds. BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:09:38]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:10:02]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:10:26]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:12:27]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:13:03]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:13:15]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:13:39]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:13:15]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:13:39]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:13:52]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:14:40]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:14:52]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:15:28]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:15:40]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:16:05]:Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>WC7V [12/24/09 18:17:01]:°3K BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:17:05]:Open BJ1SA-12:1 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT [12/24/09 18:17:54]:Open BJ1SA-12:1 Thanks again to the Chinese Team for a wonderful Christmas present! Merry Christmas. 73, John K8YSE

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Re: one remark of HO68
by G0MRF＠aol.com 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

That's an interesting obsevation Dan. If we listen to the pass at 23.15 UTC, the pass is mid Atlantic with good communications between Western Europe and the East Coast of the USA. Italy / Eastern Europe is out of the footprint, so there should be fewer stations on the XW1 uplink. Thanks David In a message dated 24/12/2009 17:42:05 GMT Standard Time, Danny.casier(a)skynet.be writes: Hello satfolks; When i listen to the recording of the activity (12:35z) over Europe of HO68 I hear my calling is shortly interupted just that long of a packet. So I think the input of the transmitter is muted every time a carry is detected. If many try to send packets to the sat normal voice communication is impossible. So my conclussion is: packet and voice mode at the same time is not a good way. Maybe that was the problem of the firsth FM-activity over Europe. Many where trying to work the sat in packet and the input was most of the time muted. Only big gunns could get thru the packets. Merry Christmas. Dan ON5UE

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HO-68 South Africa
by Andre' v Deventer 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

Hi Alan, We just experienced our 1st live pass in South Africa. Easy QSO's with ZS6Y and ZS6BNE. FM signal @ S7 and stable till my LOS. Congrats to the Team for a wonderful new Sat to have fun with. Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays to All the Satellite fraternity ! 73 Andre ZS2bk

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question
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

What sat is on 435.770 MHz transmitting 400 baud psk . I copied a sat with Doppler at 19:20 Z today. I am located in Louisiana USA I and I don't know what sat it is? Merry Christmas nick

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HO-68 over Europe in FM mode
by E. Kafetzopoulos 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

Hi all, This evening we had the same problem with HO-68. When at low elevation and when the footprint was over Assia Minor and East Europe, entry to the repeater was easy and I managed to make some contacts with UR4LRH, SQ9MES and SP7TEC. When the footprint covered part of Italy I made a last contact with IW6OVD and from then, when many other stations from Western Europe where trying to use the bird, only fragmets of calling CQs were heard during the whole pass. Dan ON5UE thinks that the problem is due to the use of packet and voice mode at the same time, since many are trying to work the sat in packet and the input ismost of the time muted. Anyway, I think that the receiver cant demodulate any of so many signals competing for demodulation. When the sat is over South-East Europe with limited activity QSOs are easy and with strong signals. Over West Europe with so many stations competing for entry, the receiver is muted. Merry Chrismas to all 73 de Evan SV1EEK

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Help
by Albert Onley 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

HI i am trying to set up Pcsat 32 How do i get the Observer location on the us map ? I put in all the inf under the Observer set up , but must missed somethihng some where . TKS AL K4vhv

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SO-67 schedule
by Jan-Albert Koekemoer 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

Hello For those believing in King Jesus, may you all have a blessed Christmas! I have received the following schedules from the various coordinators. Note that I may have omitted some passes due to other higher priorities on the satellite. AFRICA: 25/12 07:47 26/12 05:51 27/12 05:30 28/12 08:16 29/12 07:58 30/12 06:03 30/12 07:38 31/12 05:42 31/12 07:17 01/01 05:20 01/01 06:57 01/01 08:26 JAPAN 25/12 23:17 26/12 00:51 26/12 23:00 27/12 00:30 27/12 22:37 28/12 00:09 28/12 23:48 29/12 01:24 29/12 23:28 30/12 01:03 30/12 23:08 31/12 00:42 31/12 22:48 01/01 00:21 EUROPE 26/12 07:07 26/12 08:40 26/12 10:14 27/12 06:47 27/12 08:20 27/12 09:54 27/12 11:28 28/12 09:33 29/12 09:12 USA/CANADA 25/12 01:04 25/12 12:13 25/12 13:50 25/12 15:24 25/12 16:57 25/12 18:28 25/12 20:01 25/12 21:35 25/12 23:09 26/12 00:43 26/12 13:29 26/12 15:04 26/12 16:37 26/12 18:09 26/12 19:40 26/12 21:14 26/12 22:48 27/12 00:22 27/12 13:08 27/12 14:43 27/12 16:16 27/12 17:49 27/12 19:21 27/12 20:54 27/12 22:28 28/12 00:02 Regards Jan-Albert Koekemoer (ZR1JAK) E-mail Disclaimer http://www.sunspace.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm

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Merry Christmas satt fans
by Luc Leblanc 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

As already stated SO-67 and HO-68 are two wonderful Christmas gifts offered by our South African and Chineses friends. As my previous wishes seems to come to some reality regarding at an international venture for amateur radio satellite i just hope this trend will continue. In the mean time a Merry Christmas to all of you and here is a link that you can shared with you young folk's this Christmas eve. http://www.noradsanta.org/ "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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HO68: first trans-atlantic QSO
by Henk, PA3GUO 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

KB2M and F6BYJ Congratulations on the first trans-atlantic qso via xw-1/ho68 ! I have an mp3 if you like. Henk, PAGUO

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HO68: digital communications report
by Henk, PA3GUO 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

Dec 24 1245 utc BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT>UI,C,F0: Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>DD1JSN>DM,C BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT>UI,C,F0: Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-11>G1OCN>UI,C,F0: NO -2 G1OCN\D BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT>UI,C,F0: Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>BBSTAT>UI,C,F0: Open BJ1SA-12:0 BJ1SA-12>G1OCN>DISC,P BJ1SA-12>G1OCN>DISC,P BJ1SA-12>DD1JSN>UA,F BJ1SA-12>DD1JSN>I00,C,F0: ..ºb3K. Congratulations to G1OCN, DD1JSN and CAMSAT for a working sat ! Henk, PA3GUO

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Re: First Trans-Atlantic QSO XO-68- WB2OQQ
by Henk, PA3GUO 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

OK - I stand corrected (to much excitement I think). 73, Henk >Henk, > >I would like to correct you, on 18 December 2009, 12:43 UTC,WB2OQQ made the >first FM/FM Trans Atlantic QSO with OZ1MY on HO-68, thank you. > >73, >Pete, WB2OQQ

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Re: XW-1 Schedule on Dec 24-27
by fernando_dibartolomeo＠virgilio.it 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

I'm sorry, I confuse digital trasponder with linar trasponder. 73 Fernando. ----Messaggio originale---- Da: fernando_dibartolomeo(a)virgilio.it Data: 23-dic-2009 7.22 PM A: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Ogg: [amsat-bb] Re: XW-1 Schedule on Dec 24-27 Thank's Alan for the schedule. It 'very interesting see that the FM repeater and the linear transponder works simultaneously. I hope that the transmit power is equally distributed. Thank's again Fernando de IW6OVD. ----- Original Message ----- From: Alan Kung To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 5:22 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] XW-1 Schedule on Dec 24-27 Wed. 23 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 19:45...South Africa,Middle East Asia 19:55...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 20:05...Europe,North America, North Pole 20:15...North America, Russia,North Pole 20:25...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 02:55...South America 03:05...North South America,South NA 03:15...North America 03:25...North NA,Russia,North Pole 03:30...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 12:09...North Australia,South Asia 12:15...East Asia,South Asia 12:22...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 12:35...North Asia, North Europe, North Pole 12:45...East NA, West Europe,North Pole 12:55...East NA, North South America,West Africa 13:00...South America 13:05...Turn Off ================================================== Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 17:40...East Africa,Middle East Asia 17:10...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 18:00...Europe,North America, North Pole 18:10...North America, Russia,North Pole 18:20...North America 18:25...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 19:20...Africa 19:30...North Africa,Middle East Asia 19:40...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia, North Pole 19:45...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 23:15...East NA, West Europe,West Africa 23:25...East NA, West Europe, North Pole 23:35...North NA, East Asia, North Pole 23:45...East Asia 23:55...South East Asia,North Australia 24:00...Australia 24:05...Turn Off Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 02:40...South America 02:50...South NA, North South America 03:00...North America,North Pole 03:10...North NA,North East Asia 03:15...Turn Off ================================================== Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 17:25...East Africa,Middle East Asia 17:35...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 17:45...Europe,North America, North Pole 17:55...North America, Russia,North Pole 18:00...Turn Off Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 19:05...South Africa 19:15...North Africa,Middle East Asia, South Europe 19:25...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia, North Pole 19:30...Europe,North East NA, North Pole 19:35...Turn Off Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 03:04...East Asia 03:10...East Asia, South Asia 03:15...East Asia, South Asia, Middle Asia 03:19...Turn Off Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 15:40...Europe,North America,North Pole 15:50...NA, North Pole 16:00...North America,North South America 16:10...Turn Off ================================================== Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 17:05...East South Africa,Middle East Asia, South Asia 17:15...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 17:25...Europe,North Pole 17:30...North America, North Europe,North Pole 17:35...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 00:59...East Asia 01:05...East Asia, South Asia 01:10...East Asia, South Asia, North Australia 01:14...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 11:00...South Australia,South Pole 11:10...Australia 11:20...Nouth Australia,East Asia 11:30...East Asia, North Asia 11:40...NA,North Europe, North Pole 11:50...NA,North Europe, North Pole 11:55...East NA,West Europe, West Africa 12:00...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 15:20...Europe,North Asia,North Pole 15:30...NA, West Europe,North Pole 15:40...NA, North South America 15:45...South America,South NA 15:50...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ 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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First Trans-Atlantic QSO XO-68- WB2OQQ
by Peter 24 Dec '09

24 Dec '09

Henk, I would like to correct you, on 18 December 2009, 12:43 UTC,WB2OQQ made the first FM/FM Trans Atlantic QSO with OZ1MY on HO-68, thank you. 73, Pete, WB2OQQ

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another fun pass on HO-68/XW-1
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Hi! The HO-68 (XW-1) transponder was full of activity once again this evening over North America. For me, this was a better pass with maximum elevation of 25 degrees compared to Saturday's pass at 13 degrees maximum elevation. The pass cut through center of the USA, a nice pass for the entire continent. I saw K8YSE has made available his recording from tonight's pass, and I'll listen to that tomorrow to see what else was on that I may not have heard. Out in the (dark, cool, quiet) city park at DM33xp/DM43ap here in Phoenix, I made another 3 QSOs during the pass. Thanks to Glenn AA5PK, Tim N3TL, and Jeff K7WIN for hearing me and the nice signal reports for my portable all-mode station (two FT-817NDs, Elk Antennas handheld 2m/70cm log periodic, 5W transmit power). Many other stations were on when I tuned through the passband. Compared to the relatively few QSOs made when the satellite was in the FM/packet configuration earlier this week (none were logged by WD9EWK), SSB seems to be a huge success! Before HO-68 passed by this evening, I worked a pair of AO-7 passes with this same setup. When I'm on HO-68 or AO-7 in SSB or other satellites like VO-52 and (when operational) FO-29, this is the station I'm using. I can't turn up the power any more than 5W, and - until we get satellites with orbits much higher than AO-7 - this power level seems to work fine. I'm looking forward to more HO-68 passes with the linear transponder. :-) Thanks again to Alan BA1DU and CAMSAT for a great new satellite! Merry Christmas, Happy 2010, and 73 to all from the desert! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Phoenix, Arizona USA http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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An Anniversary QSO
by Hal Lund ZS6WB 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Last evening I had been up on several earlier satellite passes and knowing Dean, ZD8DC was planning to come up on a later AO-7 pass I sat down in front of the TV to pass a bit of time. As I do all too often these days, I fell asleep in front of the TV but was awakened by a phone call from ZS2BK to alert me that Dean was booming in on AO-7. Everything was set up for AO-7 so the contact was quickly made with 59 signals both ways. Dean does extremely well over the 5000 km path with his portable FT-817 and Arrow antenna. It was not the first QSO with Dean but I was very pleased to have the opportunity to pass holiday greetings to Dean and to thank him for the excellent job he has done on the satellites during his work assignments on Ascension. The QSO also brought back some great memories. On this date in 1964, exactly forty-five years ago I was ZD8HL on Ascension Island. I was working for the RCA Missile Test Project assigned as a technician on a C-band radar and our mission was to track the launch vehicles and payloads coming downrange from Cape Canaveral. Those were exciting times as we moved through Projects Mercury and Gemini with Apollo and the final goal of putting a man on the moon drawing closer. Just a few days earlier I had been offered and accepted a transfer to Pretoria, South Africa which was the next tracking station down the line from Ascension. As I had less than ten days before the next monthly military flight to South Africa came through I had little time to decide what to take with me and what to send back to Cocoa Beach for storage. Unfortunately there was no reciprocal ham license agreement with South Africa so the Collins S-Line and other ham equipment was packed for Cocoa Beach. A huge disappointment that I could expect to be off the air for a while. The transfer would lead to a career change in later years and the lovely weather down here made the decision to retire here in South Africa an easy one to make. Christmas on Ascension in 1964 was quiet with no launches scheduled. The FPS-16 radar was on a hill overlooking the base and we had asked and received permission to decorate the radar dish with Christmas lights. It was visible from much of the island and our "Christmas Tree" on the hill did a lot to raise the spirits of those who had been unable to go home on Christmas leave. The cooks in the mess hall really put on a Christmas feast for us, turkey and all the trimmings and no one went away hungry. I want to thank Dean, ZD8DC for helping me bring back some of these memories with his operations from Ascension and I hope some of those great cooks are still staffing the mess hall for him this Christmas. Holiday greetings to the satellite community throughout the world. Thanks for all your efforts in keeping interest in space alive and I hope that future years may see a revival of the spirit that existed when we were trying to put a man on the moon. Those were great times! Hal ZS6WB

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HO-68 Beacon Heard In DO33
by B J 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

I listened for HO-68 for the first time last night and again during two passes today. The S meter on my FT-817ND didn't budge but the signal was steady and clear and I was able to copy most of the characters that were transmitted. I'll be in CO96 tomorrow and Friday and I'll try to listen for it there as well. I think we're going to have a lot of fun with this bird. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL __________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Canada Toolbar: Search from anywhere on the web, and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now http://ca.toolbar.yahoo.com.

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HO-68 24Dec2009 0305Z Audio North America
by John Papay 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

A new audio file of the HO-68 linear transponder pass over North America, 24 December 2009 at 0305z is on my webserver: http://www.papays.com/HO-68_24Dec2009_030312z.mp3 Another good pass with lots of stations on ssb and cw. 73, John K8YSE

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Thanks
by Bob Herrell 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Thanks to all those who set me straight on the CAT files. Still learning all this stuff. Hope to work you soon. Happy Holidays. 73, Bob AJ5C __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4713 (20091223) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com

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SO-67 CAT data
by Bob Herrell 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

I am using SatPC32 with my IC-910H. The radio will do Narrow FM. Is there any way to program the Doppler file to make the radio go to FMN automatically? This sure would be handy for SO-67. I have tried both NFM and FMN to no avail. 73 Bob Herrell AJ5C __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4713 (20091223) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com

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AO-07 ALIVE
by Louis House 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

All concerned: After reading on the BBS about the possibility of AO-07 being down, I thought I would give a listen. A nice sounding bird and WOW 35 years old too. I did hear her on pass 60648 at 2250z December, 23 with a max el of 12 degrees de EL29kq. I was using the U/V mode. there were other stations working her and I could hear my own signals coming back as well. 73z Louis, KD5GM CW ;-) The Original Digital

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XW-1 CW Beacon very stable
by Henk, PA3GUO 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Hi Alan, XW-1 is extra-ordinary stable with its CW Beacon. Using the current kepler set, I can set the filter of my Kenwood TS2000 to 50Hz, and XW-1 stays nicely within during the entire pass (15..20 minutes). Well done ! This is just 55 seconds: http://www.pa3guo.com/ho68_cw_beacon_21dec09_1008utc_pa3guo.mp3 Best regards Henk, PA3GUO The Netherlands (Europe) http://www.pa3guo.com

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XW-1 linear transponder frequencies here
by OZ1MY 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Hi all, Tried it for the first time this evening. I only had to change the downlink setting +200 Hz to hit the correct frequencies. You may experience differently with other radios. I use an IC-910. ICOM seems to display frequencies differently from the professional standard so that you have to be like 600 Hz to 800 Hz off the nominal carrier frequency in USB and LSB on the display. As far as I know the carrier frequency is used for professional radios. Great satellite. May it have a long life :-) 73 OZ1MY Ib

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Ho68 ssb transponder rpt over uk
by paul robinson 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Thanks Alan and the team!! for the sked.tonights pass here in the uk was just brill ! your ssb transponder is far better than the fm ! I hope we will see more of the ssb transponder ! thanks to amsat China and yourself de Paul 2E1EUB AMSAT UK/NA

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My first QSOs via HO-68 --SV1EEK
by E. Kafetzopoulos 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Hi all, The new linear transponder is phantastic!!! I heard my voice at 1deg and during the whole pass the signals were loud and stable. Some moments of fading were very brief without affecting the contacts. At LOS (below 20 deg) I had some noise, but maybe this is a local effect. Switching from horizontal to vertical polarization did not had any affect on the signal strenght (only for uplink, I did not checked the downlink). Thanks to F6HTJ, IW4DVZ, DK3WN, I6IBE, SP9TTX and PE0SAT for my first QSOs via the new bird. Thanks to Alan and the Chinese team for this fabulus job. Merry Christmas to all and my best wishes for a happy and fruitful new year. 73 de Evan SV1EEK

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I: HO68 is GREAT
by Francesco Grappi 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Hi, For me this evening, at 19.55 utc orbit, was the first contact through the linear transponder of XW-1 (HO-68). The downlink signal was impressive strong from each stations worked, SQ7DQX, SV1EEK, OZ1MY, PE0SAT, PA3GUO 2E1EUB, ON5UE,...... with max elevation 80°. I have only seen the polarization change often during orbit... Congratulations for this great job from the Chinees Amsat !! WONDERFUL SATELLITE, THANK YOU ! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !! 73" Frank IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Per conto di Danny Casier Inviato: mercoledì 23 dicembre 2009 21.18 A: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Oggetto: [amsat-bb] HO68 is GREAT Hallo satboys, HO68 (XW-1) linear transponder is great. I worked ST2NH, ON, I, F, OE, SP, and G The max elivation was 67° and i had to reduce the power from 30°. I heard distortion on full power. I could work the sat from 1° elevation with the 8 el horizontal polarisation. This is a great job from the Chinees hams. Congrats. Merry Chrismas. Dan ON5UE _______________________________________________ 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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HO-68 Hints for SSB transponder operation
by Henk, PA3GUO 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Dear all, As reported by others, the linear transponder works fine. Few hints that can make the difference: - Uplink polarization (L/R/H/V) setting has LARGE influence in signal strength (read: HO68 is rather sensitive to polarizaton on the uplink) - With the official freq's programmed I needed to add XIT 5.97 KHz Henk, PA3GUO TS2000X + HRD (doppler correction granularity 10Hz) up 2x6 el. 100W dn 2x8 el. + preamp

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My first qso's on HO-68.
by Eric Knaps, ON4HF 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

The new transponder works great. I worked 6 stations. I made 2 recordings: http://www.on4hf.be/HO-68-23dec2009-19u53.wav http://www.on4hf.be/HO-68-23dec2009-20u02.wav Thanks again to the people who made this a great christmas gift! Eric -- ON4HF. -- Eric Knaps Waterstraat 30 B-3980 Tessenderlo Belgium Tel. +32472985876 (mobile) http://www.on4hf.be

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WOW so wounderful satellite !!!!!!!!
by Nader Omer 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Hi all I've Just read the schedule and synchronize my PC time!!!!! And YES at 19:45 I hear my echo back from the sat. The linear transponder open in time and for the 1st time over Africa!! So strong and clear , with 5 watts (yes 5 watts only) I worked DL8DR-ON5UE-F6HTJ-SQ7DQX . ALL what I can say ....!! THANK AMSAT-CHAINA So much for the wounderful satellite. THANKS ALAN KUNG , FB OM CONGRATULATION. And tnx for every one sharing me the fun. 73;Nader www.st2nh.com

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Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net Tonight At 8PM EST on Echolink N2EYH-L
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Hello everyone. We are having the Net tonight instead of tomorrow on Christmas Eve. There has been a lot of exciting things happening lately with S0 67 and now H0 68 in orbit. If you have worked or heard the new birds join us tonight and share some advise with others on the net. If you are in the area of the Mt Beacon Repeater 146.970 PL 100 join us or on Echolink N2EYH-L at 8 PM EST. Hope to hear you there. 73 Gary/WA2AQH

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Linear transponder HO-68 (XW-1) over Europe (high elevation)
by Mateusz 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Here is a record from today evening and pass of HO-68. Elevation for my antennas pointed to horizon was to high for most of the pass but on the beginning and on the end I made my first qso's on invering SSB transponder: http://www.enduro.idl.pl/audio_sat/HO68_linear_23_12_2009_europe.mp3 file is bigger than previously presented records (5MB). First time I heard ST2NH via sat :-) Excellent job. Matt SQ7DQX Marry Christmas for all and happy New Year

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Reminder
by Martha 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

The AMSAT will be closed until January 4th at 10:00 AM ET. Happy Holidays! -- 73- Martha

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XW-1 Schedule on Dec 24-27
by Alan Kung 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Wed. 23 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 19:45...South Africa,Middle East Asia 19:55...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 20:05...Europe,North America, North Pole 20:15...North America, Russia,North Pole 20:25...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 02:55...South America 03:05...North South America,South NA 03:15...North America 03:25...North NA,Russia,North Pole 03:30...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 12:09...North Australia,South Asia 12:15...East Asia,South Asia 12:22...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 12:35...North Asia, North Europe, North Pole 12:45...East NA, West Europe,North Pole 12:55...East NA, North South America,West Africa 13:00...South America 13:05...Turn Off ================================================== Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 17:40...East Africa,Middle East Asia 17:10...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 18:00...Europe,North America, North Pole 18:10...North America, Russia,North Pole 18:20...North America 18:25...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 19:20...Africa 19:30...North Africa,Middle East Asia 19:40...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia, North Pole 19:45...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 23:15...East NA, West Europe,West Africa 23:25...East NA, West Europe, North Pole 23:35...North NA, East Asia, North Pole 23:45...East Asia 23:55...South East Asia,North Australia 24:00...Australia 24:05...Turn Off Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 02:40...South America 02:50...South NA, North South America 03:00...North America,North Pole 03:10...North NA,North East Asia 03:15...Turn Off ================================================== Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 17:25...East Africa,Middle East Asia 17:35...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 17:45...Europe,North America, North Pole 17:55...North America, Russia,North Pole 18:00...Turn Off Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 19:05...South Africa 19:15...North Africa,Middle East Asia, South Europe 19:25...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia, North Pole 19:30...Europe,North East NA, North Pole 19:35...Turn Off Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 03:04...East Asia 03:10...East Asia, South Asia 03:15...East Asia, South Asia, Middle Asia 03:19...Turn Off Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 15:40...Europe,North America,North Pole 15:50...NA, North Pole 16:00...North America,North South America 16:10...Turn Off ================================================== Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 17:05...East South Africa,Middle East Asia, South Asia 17:15...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 17:25...Europe,North Pole 17:30...North America, North Europe,North Pole 17:35...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 00:59...East Asia 01:05...East Asia, South Asia 01:10...East Asia, South Asia, North Australia 01:14...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 11:00...South Australia,South Pole 11:10...Australia 11:20...Nouth Australia,East Asia 11:30...East Asia, North Asia 11:40...NA,North Europe, North Pole 11:50...NA,North Europe, North Pole 11:55...East NA,West Europe, West Africa 12:00...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 15:20...Europe,North Asia,North Pole 15:30...NA, West Europe,North Pole 15:40...NA, North South America 15:45...South America,South NA 15:50...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn

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Re: Another Bradford DUH Moment
by Clint Bradford 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

>> ... I don't want to be a troublemaker ... Since when, Luc? Is this a New Years' resolution of some sort? >> ... did you ever think your A148-3S was developing some issues with the years? Naw ... I always clean the exposed parts of antennas like this one, and spray 'em with marine spar varnish for protection from the elements (pun intended). Both antennas - my Cushcraft A148-3S and the WB2HOL Tape Measure Yagi - are rated at about 7dBi - well, at least that was when Cushcraft was making the A148-3S. I don't know what MFJ's version will be rated at. OOOPS - We weren't going to cause trouble ... (grin) Clint Bradford http://www.k6lcs.com

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I: XW-1 Schedule on Dec 24-27
by Francesco Grappi 23 Dec '09

23 Dec '09

Hi Alan, THANK YOU VERY MUCH !! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody ! 73" Frank IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Per conto di Alan Kung Inviato: mercoledì 23 dicembre 2009 17.22 A: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Oggetto: [amsat-bb] XW-1 Schedule on Dec 24-27 Wed. 23 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 19:45...South Africa,Middle East Asia 19:55...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 20:05...Europe,North America, North Pole 20:15...North America, Russia,North Pole 20:25...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 02:55...South America 03:05...North South America,South NA 03:15...North America 03:25...North NA,Russia,North Pole 03:30...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 12:09...North Australia,South Asia 12:15...East Asia,South Asia 12:22...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 12:35...North Asia, North Europe, North Pole 12:45...East NA, West Europe,North Pole 12:55...East NA, North South America,West Africa 13:00...South America 13:05...Turn Off ================================================== Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 17:40...East Africa,Middle East Asia 17:10...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 18:00...Europe,North America, North Pole 18:10...North America, Russia,North Pole 18:20...North America 18:25...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 19:20...Africa 19:30...North Africa,Middle East Asia 19:40...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia, North Pole 19:45...Turn Off Thurs. 24 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 23:15...East NA, West Europe,West Africa 23:25...East NA, West Europe, North Pole 23:35...North NA, East Asia, North Pole 23:45...East Asia 23:55...South East Asia,North Australia 24:00...Australia 24:05...Turn Off Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 02:40...South America 02:50...South NA, North South America 03:00...North America,North Pole 03:10...North NA,North East Asia 03:15...Turn Off ================================================== Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 17:25...East Africa,Middle East Asia 17:35...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 17:45...Europe,North America, North Pole 17:55...North America, Russia,North Pole 18:00...Turn Off Fri. 25 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 19:05...South Africa 19:15...North Africa,Middle East Asia, South Europe 19:25...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia, North Pole 19:30...Europe,North East NA, North Pole 19:35...Turn Off Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 03:04...East Asia 03:10...East Asia, South Asia 03:15...East Asia, South Asia, Middle Asia 03:19...Turn Off Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 15:40...Europe,North America,North Pole 15:50...NA, North Pole 16:00...North America,North South America 16:10...Turn Off ================================================== Sat. 26 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 17:05...East South Africa,Middle East Asia, South Asia 17:15...Europe,North Africa,Middle East Asia 17:25...Europe,North Pole 17:30...North America, North Europe,North Pole 17:35...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 Linear Tansponder Turn On: 00:59...East Asia 01:05...East Asia, South Asia 01:10...East Asia, South Asia, North Australia 01:14...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 11:00...South Australia,South Pole 11:10...Australia 11:20...Nouth Australia,East Asia 11:30...East Asia, North Asia 11:40...NA,North Europe, North Pole 11:50...NA,North Europe, North Pole 11:55...East NA,West Europe, West Africa 12:00...Turn Off Sun. 27 Dec. 2009 XW-1 FM and Digital Transponder Turn On: 15:20...Europe,North Asia,North Pole 15:30...NA, West Europe,North Pole 15:40...NA, North South America 15:45...South America,South NA 15:50...Turn Off 73 Alan Kung, BA1DU HO-68(XW-1) Project Manager www.camsat.cn _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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