- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Possible Chinese satellite launch
by vk5alx＠amsat.org 10 Dec '09

10 Dec '09

>From: andy thomas <andythomasmail@xxxxxxxxxxx> >Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:00:08 +0000 (GMT) >YOAGAN-7 was launched from Jiuquan by a Chang Zheng-2D into a >sun-synchronous orbit about 400 miles high yesterday. Is this the same >mission for the ham satellite? Jiuquan launches to polar orbit from 41 >degrees North. NORAD-Nr. 36110 bzw. als Objekt 2009-069A. 73 de andy >G0SFJ No, this is an earth observation satellite. See bottom of page; http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc… 73s Alex / VK5ALX

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Possible Chinese satellite launch
by andy thomas 10 Dec '09

10 Dec '09

YOAGAN-7 was launched from Jiuquan by a Chang Zheng-2D into a sun-synchronous orbit about 400 miles high yesterday. Is this the same mission for the ham satellite? Jiuquan launches to polar orbit from 41 degrees North. NORAD-Nr. 36110 bzw. als Objekt 2009-069A. 73 de andy G0SFJ

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SO-67 scheduling
by Jan-Albert Koekemoer 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Hello Due to urgent commissioning activities that are falling a bit behind, we can unfortunately not schedule any SA-AMSAT payload activities for the coming weekend and weekdays to follow. Best regards Jan-Albert E-mail Disclaimer http://www.sunspace.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm

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RS-22 Fail
by CA3SOC Raul Romero 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

14:00 in South America Not Heard, Fail ? Raul CA3SOC --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Are you still wasting your time with spam?... There is a solution!" Protected by GIANT Company's Spam Inspector The most powerful anti-spam software available. http://mail.spaminspector.com

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G-5500 problem
by Paul Baldock 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Ignore the comment about reading 2.2 Ohms when not working. I just checked again and it reads about 4.4 ohms whether working or not. So I guess its getting stuck for some reason. - Paul I have a G-5500 that sometimes will not turn clock wise(CW) but will turn counter clockwise (CCW) OK. When it is working OK in both directions each winding (CW and CCW) measures about 4.4 Ohms in the shack. When it will not turn CW that winding measures about 2.2 ohms (The CCW winding still measures 4.4 ohms). The Controller is fine, so the problem is in the motor. Does this motor have brushes? Any thoughts on what the problem might be? Thanks - Paul KW7Y

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For Sale: Yaesu FT736
by John Hansen 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Yaesu FT-736 2meter/70cm satellite transceiver. Excellent condition. For pictures see http://www.johnahansen.com. No problems with the AC supply on this one. Full power output (see the pictures). Has the narrow CW filter, but no other options. $650 + shipping. Contact john(a)hansen.net

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Audio file of 'Libertad 1'.
by HEYLER YESID LEDEZMA LEUDO 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Hi. I am HEILER Ledezma. Researcher of the Space Project 'Colombia on Orbit', project than launched the first colombian satellite. But we don't have all the audio file of our Cube-Sat. I need the most of the audio files of the telemetry of 'Libertad 1'. Can somebody to send it to me? Thanks! HEILER Ledezma Researcher of the Space Project 'Colombia on Orbit' Encuentra las mejores recetas en Yahoo! Cocina. http://mx.mujer.yahoo.com/cocina/

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Re: Alinco DJ-G7 updates
by K8KFJ＠aol.com 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

In a message dated 12/9/2009 12:59:55 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, faunt(a)panix.com writes: > Darn. Still leaves us without a viable TRUE duplex HT > in the marketplace Think I'll hold on to my FT-470. I never knew it would become so valuable one day. :-) 73, Gary -K8KFJ- West Virginia Satellite VUCC #125

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Congratulations (again!) to G3YJO
by Rsoifer＠aol.com 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Today's RSGB news bulletin reports that Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO, has been awarded the Faraday Medal by the IET, Britain's equivalent of IEEE. Martin is, of course, chairman of AMSAT-UK. Congratulations to him on this well-deserved recognition. 73 Ray W2RS

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Report page now includes SO-67
by OZ1MY 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Hi all, KD5QGR, David, has included SO-67 on the report page: http://oscar.dcarr.org/index.php It would be nice to have reports on SO-67 and the other satellites from all over the World. Many do it already - but there are areas with few reports. The more we are the better the information :-) 73 OZ1MY Ib

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SO-67 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
by OZ1MY 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

Hi all, Wednesday it was not on (I think). The two other days it worked very well. The general picture is that at the start to the North is easy to work :-) Once it gets further South it gets more crowded - but that is only to be expected. More people can reach it. Some operators have still not found out to use less deviation. May be they do not read the -bb ? Perhaps those of you who read this could tell those that do not. Or get the information in your national magazine. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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BT3WX to be on air
by Michael Chen 08 Dec '09

08 Dec '09

All, BT3WX, the special event station celebrating the launch of XW-1 amateur satellite, is going to hit the air at 1000z today (Dec. 9). Please look for us on all HF amateur bands as well as all possible satellite passes. Michael Chen, BD5RV/4 Email: michael.bd5rv(a)gmail.com MSN: bd5rv(a)jsdxc.org Skype: michael-bd5rv

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Alinco DJ-G7 updates
by Alan P. Biddle 08 Dec '09

08 Dec '09

Hi, Just noticed that updated firmware and cloning software, all versions, and a new though poor quality manual PDF are available at: http://www.alinco.com/usa.html 1: RIT/TXIT functions / added. 2: Reverse function in repeater operation / bettered. 3: Beep sounds at turn-off the power / added. 4: CTCSS tone of Auto-repeater & memory / bettered (give priority to the tone in memory, not in VFO while auto-repeater is ON) 5: Welcome-screen setting / bettered. 6: New scan mode added = turns on the LCD light when scan stops. Very convenient operating G7 in the dark. 7: Firmware update operation: accepts the command only when the battery-icon shows "full". 8: Minor bugs fixed. No indication of anything to fix the basic RX deficiencies in full duplex, but the RIT/TXIT looks interesting. Alan WA4SCA ----------------------------------- The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present - and is gravely to be regarded. President Dwight D. Eisenhower

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back to DN71
by Rodney Waln 08 Dec '09

08 Dec '09

well i am headed back to DN71 and should be there Dec, 10-12 2009 to finish up on what i was doing last time, and possabley work some after noon and evening passes on the FM birds like last time, also the cards are made up and have been mailed, thank you for the e-mails and the sase's, if you worked me last time and do not get your card with in a week let me know, hope to work you on this trip, Rodney kc0zhf

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G5400 info
by w4upd 08 Dec '09

08 Dec '09

Since there has been a fair amount of requests for Yaesu G5400 rotator information concerning various problems that have been encountered, I have included a link to my FTP site that contains the ZIP file that has various manuals, documents, pictures, etc related to this rotator. It includes pictures of my elevation unit motor, both old and new user guides with IPB. The correct IPB is important as my unit came with an older user guide/IPB and caused me great grief when trying to older parts from Yaesu which most of the time were the wrong ones due to incorrect unit drawing and index numbers. The file is rather large about 34mb, but I hope it is helpful to others as this is compilation of info gathered here from others experiences along with mine. ftp://bristor-assoc.com/pub/Amateur/Satellite/G5400.zip Reid, W4UPD

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LVB tracker noise
by joe barkley 08 Dec '09

08 Dec '09

I am using and LVB tracker to control my GS5400B AZ/EL system. I mainly use it on EME and WSJT controlling it with NOVA. There has always been excessive noise shown on the waterfall when I am on certain 144mhz frequencies. I can cut power to the 5400 and it goes away so I am pretty sure it is either the box itself or the USB connection. I have put toroids on the cable ends. I have also tried different computers and it is the same. Any ideas on what I could do to remedy this. I can cut power to the rotor and all is fine. But the I have to restart NOVA each time. I could live with it if I could just switch the Rotor control off and on without restarted NOVA etc.. Thanks Joe KI4TZ

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08/12/09 0205utc AO-51 pass
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

Nothing heard from that West Coast Pass at this station. Anyone else that didnt hear it, or is my receiver gone belly up? JOhn W6ZKH

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SatPC32 w/TS-711A & TS-811A
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

Havent found the answer looking on search, so thought I would put the question here. Has anyone controlled the Kenwood Twins (TS-711a & TS-811a) using the SatPC32 program? I am not that well versed in the subject, so that is why I am asking. John W6ZKH

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South America - Europe contact via AO-07
by Juan Antonio Fernandez 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

This evening I have completed a contact from IM78BW with Mr. Piraja PS8RF at GI84OW Brazil, thorugh AO-07 mode B in the 60446 Orbit at 19.55 GMT. Althoug I have farest contacts with this satellite in this mode this is the first with South America. The Satellite sounded clear without any noisy and distorsion over the Atlantic Ocean. It likes to be a healthy sat. Thanks to the AO07 !!! Juan Antonio EA4CYQ 73s

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Satellite array & tower Up
by Edward Cole 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

Thursday, Dec. 3rd we got the satellite tower tilted back up with antennas for 145, 435, 1268, and 2401. Cables and the electronics enclosure remain to be installed. I do have the 15w 1268 Tx up and tested. I have a 150-foot piece of LMR-400 to run to the 435 x-yagi. I have LMR-400 and N-connectors to make more cables. photos of the array on: http://www.kl7uw.com/sat.htm The dual Lindenblad antennas are still partially done on the workbench. 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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SO-67 contacts
by Ulip Željko 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

Hello Satellnauts, After a two orbits of listening and following the SO-67 rules, I made few contacts without any problem: 05.12.2009. 08.07 UTC: PE1NIL, ON5UE, SP5MG, F1UGK, IV3RVQ and EA5TT 06.12.2009. 07.47 UTC: SP9FPP, YO9GJX, F6BYJ, I6IBE and SQ7DQX See you on the SO-67! Best regards & 73 Zeljko 9A2EY

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SO-67 0858_07-12-2009
by Mateusz 07 Dec '09

07 Dec '09

Record from monday morning: http://www.enduro.idl.pl/audio_sat/so67_europe_mess.mp3

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AO-51 - After the Change
by Clint Bradford 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

I thought I read we were supposed to experience degraded performance from AO-51 since last week's re-orientation of the bird. I just worked the 5:04PM Pacific Standard Time / 01:04 GMT pass from DM03. Worked three countries along the West Coast, in addition to working Texas to the East. Elaborate station equipment involved ... -handheld radio at 2.0W -handheld dual-band Yagi Performance seems just fine out here, folks! Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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(no subject)
by Pierre van Deventer 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

I have seen this topic being debated on previous occasions. Each and every time I have used AO51 I experience the same. If one uses a hand held linear polarized Yagi for the down link the signal difference by "twisting" the wrist is enormous. I have not made a point of measuring the difference as such, but the down link signal varies from being full quieting to virtually inaudible. This was so before the flip and still so now after the flip. 73, Pierre ZS6BB -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Clint Bradford Sent: 07 December 2009 05:15 To: Glenn AA5PK Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 - After the Change >> ... I think the handheld ops have less trouble with the polarity switching because tend to compensate more quickly with a twist of the wrist ... That phenomenon is not evident now - nor has it ever been - for me on AO-51. I know the engineers say I am supposed to be increasing or decreasing my signal strength by 22 or 23db by merely twisting my Yagi 90 degrees. But I have hundreds of witnesses during dozens of demonstrations who will tell you that when the Yagi is turned 90 degrees, there's no discernible change in the signal. This is not a scientific approach to the subject, of course. Just what my aging ears can hear. I have heard fellow AMSAT members describe AO-51's "signal fading due to the satellite tumbling in space," too. I am not using elaborate equipment, but have no idea what they are talking about. Just my firsthand observations. Guess I could be wrong ... we are a little different - I am told - out hre on the West Coast of the US. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Fade compensation
by Robert Smith 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

Aloha All Just a note on my personal Arrow experience. With many satellites, ie, AO-51, SO-50, Cubesats Prism, SEEDS, etc., I have found that a "twist" of the wrist" can make the difference between a "clean" signal and no signal at all! This is a common phenomena that I experienced less than 2 hours ago on AO-51. The AO-51 pass was noisy at 14 degs max. el. using my Arrow and HT. Antenna "adjustment" helped significantly. Having only been on 51 a handfull of times during the past week I cannot pass any judgment regarding recent downlinks in Hawaii. My impression is that AO-51 is a very dependable, fantastic FM bird. The same goes for it's Operations team and those I regularly hear on the mainland. Tonite's "noise" may be been an anomoly or perhaps the current orientation of AO-51 has shifted some signal strength in favor of the southern hemisphere. I did did have several clear QSOs. I will continue to evaluate AO-51's signal quality. 73 to everybody Respectfully- robert, NH7WN Honolulu, Hawaii

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WD9EWK at the Superstition hamfest (Mesa AZ) and DM32/DM42 on Saturday
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

Hi! More fun on the satellites yesterday. Between the Superstition Amateur Radio Club's annual hamfest and a quick afternoon/evening road trip south of Phoenix to an unusual grid, it was a good day. Lots of interested people at the hamfest, and lots of QSOs for those hoping to work the rarely-heard grid DM32 later in the day. Superstition Amateur Radio Club hamfest, at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona (grid DM43bj) This hamfest is the first one of the Phoenix-area hamfest "season", as the weather turns cooler and the winter visitors - "snowbirds" - from other colder parts of North America make their way back to central and southern Arizona. When I showed up at the hamfest around 0515 local time (1215 UTC), there were already more people setting up than in the past couple of years. Good weather also helps with that, of course. Although cool by local standards (36F/2C at that hour), no rain was seen. I set up my AMSAT table, and prepared for the first of 6 passes I would use for on-air demonstrations. The first two passes of the morning, at 1254 and 1434 UTC, were on AO-51. These were the first passes I worked since the satellite was flipped around and its antennas were not favoring the Northern Hemisphere. Once the satellite was up from the horizon, there was little noticeable difference compared to previous passes. Near the horizon, it was tougher to hear - but not impossible. As usual, there were lots of stations on the pass toward the east. I was able to make 8 contacts with stations across the USA and in southern Mexico. One of those QSOs was with Bob WA7DXZ, who let me know he would be coming to the hamfest in a couple of hours. He showed up as promised, stopping by to say "hello" a couple of hours after we made that QSO. The second pass to the west had fewer stations on, and only 3 QSOs went in the log. The next pass I planned to try for a demonstration was on AO-7. It was in mode B at 1448-1510 UTC, coming almost directly over my head (81 degrees maximum elevation). This was the first time I attempted a demonstration using this satellite. Unfortunately, I had some local QRM to deal with on the SSB downlinks - generators with lots of noise audible on my receiver (one of my FT-817NDs). Thankfully, the noisy generators were north of me, and pointing my antenna away from that direction reduced the noise. Thanks to AA5PK, KC7MG (he was not too far away from me, in Casa Grande south of the hamfest site), WC7V, and XE1AO for the SSB QSOs. In fact, XE1AO said that his QSO with me was his first on AO-7. Maybe we'll hear more activity from Mexico on that satellite in the near future. Later in the morning, I had two VO-52 passes and an SO-50 pass where I had demonstrations. Again, I made contacts with 4 stations on the first VO-52 pass to the east at 1618-1630 UTC, and two on the western pass at 1754-1806 UTC. In between these two passes was the SO-50 pass I worked at 1730-1742 UTC, with 6 QSOs. When I wasn't on the radio, I had a steady stream of traffic around the AMSAT table. All of the demonstrations draw nice crowds, and the AO-7 demonstration in particular brought out the largest crowd. The longer pass time meant people stuck around longer, including many who had been on the satellites in the past. Some of those were active on AO-7 in the 70s and early 80s during its first life. I apologize to those who were waiting for me on passes where I didn't show up until 3 or 4 minutes into the pass, as I was chatting with people around the table and I was not watching the clock closely. This hamfest also turned out to be a nice get-together for satellite operators currently active on satellites. A nice roundup: Bob WA7DXZ Ed N7EDK John N7JK Larry WA6DIR Leo W7JPI Larry drove in from California, Ed and Leo came up from southern Arizona, and Bob and John live in the Phoenix area. A nice get-together for those of us that get on from the southwestern USA. Many others who are occasionally on also stopped by throughout the morning, including a couple from northern Mexico. Thanks to the Superstition Amateur Radio Club for providing me a space for AMSAT at the hamfest, and all of the stations across North America that made contacts with WD9EWK during the demonstrations. But this would not be the end of my day on the satellites... Southeast of Maricopa, Arizona, in Pinal County (grids DM32xx and DM42ax) 32 59.960 N 112 0.000 W A few days before the hamfest, I mentioned I would also make a trip to the rarely-heard grid DM32 in the afternoon after the hamfest. Less than 45 minutes away from the hamfest is the northeast corner of DM32, a grid that has no resident satellite operators and most of it is off-limits due to an Air Force bombing range and several wilderness areas in the grid. The southwest corner of the grid crosses into northern Mexico. I have gone to this area on many occasions in the last couple of years, putting both of these grids on the air for satellite operators. The location on the boundary that I use is very close to where four grids (DM32, DM33, DM42, DM43) converge - in the middle of a farm. I do not go onto that spot, but park on this boundary on the side of a road to work from both DM32 and DM42. I drove here after most people had left the hamfest around 2000 UTC, an hour before the first of two AO-27 passes I hoped to work at this location. I arrived with 10 minutes to spare. I set up my radio, the antenna was already assembled from earlier, and I was ready for the 7 minutes of AO-27 repeater time. In 7 minutes, 12 QSOs were logged with stations all over the USA and Canada - including QSOs with several who had previously told me that they hoped to work DM32. The western AO-27 pass at 2240-2247 UTC had 4 more QSOs, including a QSO with Craig KL4E doing a demonstration for a Boy Scout group in Anchorage, Alaska. Later on, there were two AO-51 passes - 0004-0018 and 0144-0156 UTC. The first pass to the easy was a popular pass, with 14 QSOs from all over the continental USA and Alaska (KL4E was on doing another demonstration for that Boy Scout group in Anchorage). The later pass wasn't as busy, but still put 8 more QSOs in the log with stations along the US west coast and in Alaska (KL4E again; this time he was at home). A total of 38 QSOs were logged on these 4 passes. Compared to many of my other road trips, this one was a very short trip. I drove less than 100 miles/160km for the day. There was no shortage of activity on all of these passes, 10 in total. Anyone who worked WD9EWK yesterday and wants a QSL card only needs to e-mail me the QSO details. If you're in the log, I will mail you the card(s). No SASE required. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Help with SO-67 and Nova
by Gopal Madhavan 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

I am unable to see SO-67 listed amongst the satellites for the Nova tracking program. Can anyone help and let me know how I can add this satellite to the list? Gopal VU2GMN Gopal Madhavan "Shreyas Apartments" 128 (old 63) Greenways Road R A Puram Chennai- 600 028, India Tel: +91 44 2493 7724/ 42303129 Mob: +91 94440 18452 E-mail: gopal.madhavan(a)gmail.com

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SO-67 recordings North America 05-06Dec2009
by John Papay 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

The SO-67 recordings from 05 and 06 December are on my webserver: http://www.papays.com/SO-67_05Dec2009_125403z.mp3 This pass was only 1 degree so it is short. But you can get an idea of how strong this satellite is, even at low elevations. East is not a good direction for me but SO-67 burns its way through the trees. http://www.papays.com/SO-67_05Dec2009_142508z.mp3 This is a 54 degree pass. The time stamp on the audio files are not necessarily the beginning of the audio clip. That's because my recorder turns on at AOS and SO-67 is not turned on for 1-2 minutes after I can see it. Therefore I have deleted the beginning of the audio file because it only contains noise. http://www.papays.com/SO-67_05Dec2009_155930z.mp3 This was a 10 degree western pass for me. http://www.papays.com/SO-67_06Dec2009_140452z.mp3 This was a 28 degree eastern pass for me. http://www.papays.com/SO-67_06Dec2009_153840z.mp3 This was a 17 degree western pass for me. I was not at home during this pass. SO-67 continues to be difficult to work for some because of not adjusting for the particular operating parameters of this bird, especially the 3 second tail timer. Once you learn to take this into account, the bird is easier to work. Full duplex makes it much easier to work this bird since you can determine when you are in or out. You can hear an example by listening to VE2DWE. He transmits during the tail, but since he is full duplex he knows when the transmitter goes off and he unkeys and then keys and continues with his exchange. SO-67 is in virtually continuous use when over North America. If it is possible to change the way it operates, it would be best for it to have the transmitter on continuously over North America (based on a schedule) with no "tail," similar to how AO-27 operates. It would not stress the transmitter as much since it would not be constantly going on and off. I have included another audio file taken from AO-27, 6December2009 at 2031z. AO-27 is on for 7 minutes over North America with the transmitter on continuously, no CTCSS required for access. If you work this bird it pays to watch the clock to see when the end of the pass is eminent. I use a software timer and start it when the data goes off at the beginning of the pass. If someone calls you at the end of the 7 minute period, you know how long you have to respond. No sense in being surprised. http://www.papays.com/AO-27_06Dec2009_203103z.mp3 73, John K8YSE EN91dh

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Successful G-5500 AZ repair
by Mark L. Hammond 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

Hi All, In recent weeks I asked about the AZ resistor pot for my G-5500. The unit is 9 years old. The observation was a "bad spot" that appeared to be in the area of 150-220 degs. But it was sporadic...not the same all the time. I suspected a worn spot on the wire contact of the resistor pot...I was wrong! This weekend I opened it up (azimuth) and was "pleased" to see that the "only" problem was a broken black wire that runs from the center/back of the pot to the middle contact/red wire. Such a simple problem that makes your $600 rotor system basically worthless! The wire contacts in the pot looked like new. At first glance I didn't even realize the wire was supposed to be connected to anything, since the break was so clean. Thanks to KD4APP for posting the a picture of his setup: http://www.sunsunsun.net/kd4app/amsat/g5500.htm and http://www.sunsunsun.net/kd4app/images/g5500-pot.JPG After I soldered the black wire, I put some electrical tape around the pot to give some strain relief to the wire. It was amazingly clean inside, but North Carolina weather is pretty decent year round. Of course I cleaned/regreased the bearings (I should have used a bucket as suggested by Alan WA4SCA :) ) with some marine trailer bearing grease; it's thick and sticky enough to help hold them onto the races during reassembly. Only the "bottom" bearings showed any rust, and it was light. A rub with a rag and they were clean. Hint for next time--do NOT stop the unit at 0 deg AZ before taking it apart. Rather, use 90 or 180 or 360 deg (since the unit does 450 deg, avoid 0 and 450). You'll want to avoid the "end stops" since the little lever gets in the way and won't let you put it back together quite right... In the end, a satisfying repair. 73, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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ao-51 bbs
by Pedro Cruz 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

Hello Any one know how to acess to Ao-51 BBS . Any spetial soft.? Best 73 ! Pedro Cruz - CU2JX

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G5400 Elevation Rotor Opened up
by John 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

I opened up the G5400 elevation rotor. All the bearings and gears look good. Problem found is the motor shaft spins free inside the first, small nylon gear on the end of the shaft. Any advice on how to replace or repair that gear? Thx. John KE5GFJ

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WTB: Kenwood TS-711A
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

Am looking for a Kenwood TS-711A to go with my TS-811A I got the other day, to complete my SSB /CW linear setup. Must have TU-5 Encode Tone board. Anyone have such a critter that they would part with at a reasonable price? Also other rigs like Icom IC-271A/H if need be. Please respond by email. Thanks, John W6ZKH

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AO-51 report
by Luc Leblanc 06 Dec '09

06 Dec '09

On the 1210 UTC last western pass i found similar signal but a steady 18 seconds (aprox) cycle one deep fade with a couple of small ones. The western pass are usually not my best ones but i was able to work the satellite from AOS to LOS with some part of the pass with no signal but i was able to hear something just at the noise floor. It will be interresting to check the S and L band in this attitude reversal? Rig here: Yaesu ft-847 with with KLM-14C VHF and 25 elements UHF K1FO style linear yagi plus RX Icom ag preamp "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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AO-51 reception report
by w4upd 05 Dec '09

05 Dec '09

Since the changes made to AO-51 the other day, it appears I am having more difficulty in copying the bird than others on this list server. Tonight during the 22:22UTC pass which was at an maximum elevation of 60 degress I was not able to hear the bird as well as I have in the past. The signals had more fade and were about 1/3 of what they use to be. Again, my present antennas have a lot to be desired as I am using a 2 meter homebrew ground plane for the 435.300 reception. Before the changes, this worked reasonable well, now it appears I'll need to do something different and improve the reception antenna. I am assuming the downlink power is still reasonable. Just a report of how I seem to fair (or not) with the recent orientation changes of AO-51. Reid, W4UPD

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SO-67 audio record
by Jean-François Ménard 05 Dec '09

05 Dec '09

Hi, John K8YSE, did you record the 2 passes this morning ??? If so, I would like to have the last pass... 14:24UTC... I missed someone when writing my log and I would like to hear my self again this time.... to make sure my mic gain is adjusted properly... Hi !! 73 -- Jean-François Ménard VA2SS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AMSAT www.amsat.org / Member #37102 ARRL www.arrl.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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Status DelfiC3
by PE0SAT 05 Dec '09

05 Dec '09

Hi All, I haven't heard DelfiC3 for quite a while, other amateurs have other experience this last weeks ? 73's PE0SAT

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ao 51
by Nick Pugh K5QXJ 05 Dec '09

05 Dec '09

Hi AMSATERS Since the flip maneuver the polarization from my qth on the 435.3 MHz is RHCP with deep fades. My interpretation is that the satellite did not flip over and is now wobbling. Do I have the right assumption? Thanks nick

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3 passes of SO-67 today, Saturday over Europe
by OZ1MY 05 Dec '09

05 Dec '09

Hi all, SO-67 worked very well today with large downlink signal. The first pass was to the East of me - with SP5MG and myself on. This is the first time I have actualle seen the effect of the 3 second tail. The transmitter stayed up for those 3 seconds - very easy to see on the S-meter. The two next passes was the same as before. As Danni says in his e-mail, take the "tail" into account when working SO-67 :-) Please observe "good operating practice for FM repeater satellites" For SO-67 there is one more thing. Do not use a "normal" old deviation - use FM Narrow and turn down the mike gain. And perhaps even one more thing - when you have made a QSO on this new satellite - give way to others who have not :-) Have a nice weekend all. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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Re: Netbooks
by ANTHONY JAPHA 05 Dec '09

05 Dec '09

You guys are way ahead of me. I'll settle for reality! I live in a high-rise Manhattan building and must do my satellite operation by carrying all the needed equipment out to the promenade behind the building next to the East River (2 miles due north of the UN building). I'm looking for a way to lighten the load, and the netbook looks promising. N3TL even reports that the Yaesu CAT to USB cables he bought worked without installing new drivers. That's big because I don't know how to "map" another computer's CD drive into a netbook to read any new drivers! Tnx for the ideas. 73, Tony > [Original Message] > From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF <nigel(a)ngunn.net> > To: Bruce Robertson <ve9qrp(a)gmail.com> > Cc: myles landstein <myles.landstein(a)gmail.com>; AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; <tjjapha(a)earthlink.net> > Date: 12/4/2009 12:19:22 PM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Netbooks > > Why virtualise? > Use a dual core processor and run a different operating system on each core. > > Bruce Robertson wrote: > the virtualization features turned on so that I can > > run linux images alongside the Win32 ham stuff.

5 4

Battery Charger Deal - TODAY ONLY
by Clint Bradford 04 Dec '09

04 Dec '09

Today only, Amazon has the La Crosse BC-9009 AlphaPower Battery Charger for $34.99 shipped. And in addition to NiCD/NiMH charger, you get four AA rechargeables, four AAA's, adapters for C and D cells, and a travel case. Charger features four independent status displays, one for each of its four slots. They can cycle through stats like charge rate, discharge rate, elapsed time, and total battery capacity. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00077AA5Q Clint, K6LCS ---------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com

2 1

Netbooks
by ANTHONY JAPHA 04 Dec '09

04 Dec '09

Hi All, Has anyone used SatPC32 with a netbook computer? I'd appreciate your comments. Which netbooks do best? What ports do netbooks come with? I just tried SatPC32 on AO-7 with an old Dell Inspiron 3800. It works well controlling 2 FT-817s in the shack. When outside, using a charged battery, it was very slow. I had to restart SatPC32 a couple of times, and, as a result, lost at least 2 QSOs with Europe. Maybe it's time for a change. Tnx and 73, Tony, N2UN LM 183

8 8

Can someone please remind me which birds need to be illuminated...
by Mark Lunday 04 Dec '09

04 Dec '09

with sunlight in order to function? AO-7 - yes AO-16 - ??? AO-27 - no AO-51- no FO-29 ??? VO-52 - no SO-50 - no SO-67 - ??? Mark Lunday WD4ELG Greensboro, NC - FM06be <mailto:[email protected]> wd4elg(a)arrl.net <http://wd4elg.net> http://wd4elg.net <http://wd4elg.net> http://wd4elg.blogspot.com

5 5

Re: Ham Class demo Thursday Night
by Rick - WA4NVM 04 Dec '09

04 Dec '09

Just a quick "THANKS" to all of those operators they made the effort to work (us) me during my demo with the Delta ARC ham class last night on S0-50. A little "cold" outside at that time. I think winter is here. 73 to all, Rick Hi All, I will be doing a satellite demo on S0-50 tomorrow night from Memphis for our current Tech. class. It will be on the Dec. 4th - 0250utc pass. I would appreciate a few contacts to show them how easy it is to work the "birds" with an HT and handheld antenna. Thanks in advance, Rick - WA4NVM

1 0

OT: Cell phone emissions and brain cancer - no link found (American Cancer Society and others)
by W4ART Arthur Feller 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

See: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_1_3x_cellular_phones.asp This was posted about a month ago with additional information noted in today's Washington Post. 73, art..... W4ART Arlington VA "Mr. Pollin is the kind of person every little child hopes he grows up to be and every old man wished he had been." -Ernie Fingers

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Re: SO-67 schedule
by Tony Langdon 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

At 06:38 AM 12/4/2009, Jan-Albert Koekemoer wrote: >Hello > >The (partial) schedule for SO-67 for the next couple of days are as follows: Jan, did you get my email for VK/ZL? 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com

1 0

Tonight's launch from cape.
by David H. Jordan 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

Does anyone know if the rocket launched from the cape tonight? Dave, AA4KN Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

3 2

Re: AO-51 magnet reversal tonight
by Tom Clark, K3IO 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

Drew posted > On the 2242UTC pass of AO-51 tonight, we will try for the first time to > reverse the magnet and "flip" the orientation of the satellite. While we > do this, the 435.300 transmitter will be shut off for about 10 minutes. > If the reversal is successful, we should see some changes in signal > levels and patterns. This particular maneuver has not attempted since > launch. > > I'd appreciate any signal reports or observations from this evening and > the next few days be emailed to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org or ko4ma(a)amsat.org. I'm really glad we are finally testing this AO-51 experiment! Thanks for listening to my request. I'm most interested in seeing the results of this test, but I don't see the ao51-modes reports, so please keep me posted offline. Since angular momentum must be conserved when you "flip" the s/c. The s/c body should precess (probably looking like tumbling) until the momentum dampers absorb the change. Keep an eye on the solar panel currents and I'll bet the spin rate will change. Concerning your other note: > In related news, as the spacecraft spin inexplicably continues to slow, > we are seeing increasingly larger dips in the spacecraft voltage when > the panels are poorly aligned to the sun. My guess is that the momentum loss is due to eddy currents induced in the s/c body by the earth's magnetic field. Sometime drop a piece of (non-magnetic) aluminum into the poles of a big magnet -- you'll see the aluminum change speed noticeably. Back in the antique days of mechanical speedometers in cars, the speedo cable turned a permanent magnet above an aluminum or brass disk connected to the indicator. As the magnet spun faster, eddy currents would drag the disk/pointer to higher values. There are some good treatments of eddy currents& angular moment on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39r8moW_p-w , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ-3pxKdT8Q , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmfKmUq2EI8&feature=related , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3xqH1arESA&NR=1 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brNBVDCeECg&feature=related . In these clips, note that moving brass or aluminum items (acting just like the satellite body) "feel" the static magnetic (like the earth's magnetic field). For some (boring) physics theory, follow the links at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_current. 73 de Tom, K3IO

2 1

SO-67 schedule
by Jan-Albert Koekemoer 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

Hello The (partial) schedule for SO-67 for the next couple of days are as follows: JAPAN 4/12: 22:40 5/12: 00:13 5/12: 23:52 6/12: 01:28 EU 5/12: 06:30 5/12: 08:03 5/12: 09:37 6/12: 07:42 6/12: 09:16 6/12: 10:50 7/12: 08:55 8/12: 08:35 9/12: 08:14 USA/CANADA 5/12: 12:50 5/12: 14:26 5/12: 16:00 5/12: 17:33 5/12: 19:05 5/12: 20:36 5/12: 22:10 6/12: 12:29 6/12: 14:06 6/12: 15:40 6/12: 17:13 6/12: 18:44 6/12: 20:16 6/12: 21:50 SOUTH AMERICA 4/12: 11:49 4/12: 13:28 5/12: 11:28 5/12: 13:05 6/12: 11:09 6/12: 12:42 6/12: 14:16 INDIA 5/12: 03:30 6/12: 03:10 6/12: 04:44 Regards Jan-Albert E-mail Disclaimer http://www.sunspace.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm

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Re: AO-51 magnet reversal tonight
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

Drew, the only difference I detected in the 0029 utc pass over Western US was the polarity changes. Almost thought I was on SO-50 instead of AO-51. Had to keep the hand on the reversal switch. Heard acouple of other comments about it too during the pass. Signal strength here on the West Coast seemed to be the same as before. John W6ZKH

4 3

AMSAT-Florida net issues
by Andrew Glasbrenner 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

To all AMSAT-Florida net participants: Recently, the KG4YZY repeater that provided the Echolink connection into the wide area NI4CE repeater system was permanently disconnected from the network, and temporarily removed from service. As the AMSAT-Florida net relied on that Echolink connection as the hub for all our participating repeaters from Miami to Gainesville, as well as worldwide individual participants, we are left in quite a jam until we reestablish a hub system. Further complicating the situation is that the three active net control stations rely on being able to use a real RF connection to run the net, assisted by Echolink in the background. For tonight's net I propose that Echolink users connect to K4ZPZ-R 44310 in Orlando, 443.100 on RF. Our Orlando NCS is unavailable tonight, so depending on conditions I will attempt to be NCS either via RF or Echolink. This might get very "interesting", and the net will likely be more informal than usual. We can reevaluate and reintegrate NI4CE when they restore Echolink connectivity. What I do not think should happen is the net splitting into two entities. That, IMO, is a recipe for failure and burnout. So, please join us on K4ZPZ-R tonight for the AMSAT-Florida net, Echolink node # 44310, RF 443.100 MHz. 73, Drew KO4MA

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congrats F2IL
by Ulip Željko 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

F2IL Jean-Marie! Congratulations for the 10.000+ contacts via AO-7 !!! You have always good signal and good ear. Best regards; Zeljko 9A2EY

1 0

AO-51 magnet reversal tonight
by Andrew Glasbrenner 03 Dec '09

03 Dec '09

On the 2242UTC pass of AO-51 tonight, we will try for the first time to reverse the magnet and "flip" the orientation of the satellite. While we do this, the 435.300 transmitter will be shut off for about 10 minutes. If the reversal is successful, we should see some changes in signal levels and patterns. This particular maneuver has not attempted since launch. I'd appreciate any signal reports or observations from this evening and the next few days be emailed to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org or ko4ma(a)amsat.org. In related news, as the spacecraft spin inexplicably continues to slow, we are seeing increasingly larger dips in the spacecraft voltage when the panels are poorly aligned to the sun. The immediate result of this is that we have had to decrease the power on both transmitters to prevent discharging the batteries too deeply. We'll be working on mitigating strategies this coming month. This may include using existing software routines to automatically lower the downlink power during these dips in power production, or resolving to run one transmitter at a time instead of simultaneous digital and repeater downlinks. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

4 5

I: Re: AO-51 magnet reversal tonight
by Francesco Grappi 02 Dec '09

02 Dec '09

Hi Drew, I worked Ao-51 this morning, and I had a contact with EI8JB portable during 07,33 utc orbit. For me nothing changed, I received from Ao-51 the same strong signal as usual. My downlink set-up : 738xb cross yagi antenna 38 elements cross yagi sp-7000 preamp. My locator JN54IL I received repeater transponder s.9+20 on RHCP polarization I received telemetry s.9 on LHCP polarization Transceiver TS 790E (only a little bit qsb on both transponder, but normal for me) Ao-51 range = 2650 Km. Max. elevation 8° Thank you to you and all commander team for your effort, to keep Ao-51 ever on a good shape. 73" Frank IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Per conto di Andrew Glasbrenner Inviato: giovedì 3 dicembre 2009 0.03 A: Amsat-BB Oggetto: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 magnet reversal tonight The commands were executed to reverse the magnet, and there did seem to be a change in signal strength by the end of the pass. I'm particularly interested in any signal reports from the Southern Hemisphere. Does AO-51 sound stronger than normal? 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations _______________________________________________ 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

1 0

WD9EWK from DM32, Saturday (5 December) afternoon
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 02 Dec '09

02 Dec '09

Hi! After the hamfest on Saturday (5 December) morning, I plan on spending the afternoon somewhere in the rarely-heard grid DM32 south of Phoenix. I may park on the DM32/DM42 grid boundary, but definitely somewhere in the rarely-heard grid DM32, for a few passes: AO-27: 2100-2107 and 2240-2247 UTC AO-51: 0004-0018 and (possibly) 0144-0156 UTC It has been a few months since I last operated from DM32, and this was one of the grids I saw listed in response to my request for Arizona grids that satellite operators wanted for their logs. If you work WD9EWK on Saturday afternoon and want a QSL card for QSOs from DM32, please e-mail me the QSO details. If you're in the log, I'll be happy to send a QSL card. No SASE required. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

WD9EWK from Mesa AZ hamfest on Saturday (5 December)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 02 Dec '09

02 Dec '09

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the Superstition Amateur Radio Club's annual hamfest in Mesa, Arizona, on Saturday 5 December 2009. The hamfest will be in the southwest parking lot at Mesa Community College, along the east side of Dobson Road between Southern Avenue and the US-60 freeway (exit 177) in grid DM43bj. The hamfest starts at 0600 local time (1300 UTC) and officially runs until 1400 local time - although this hamfest typically shuts down between 1100 and 1200 local time. More information about the hamfest is available at: http://wb7tjd.org/hamfest/ During the hamfest, WD9EWK will be on several satellite passes for demonstrations: AO-51: 1254-1309 and 1434-1447 UTC AO- 7: 1448-1510 UTC VO-52: 1618-1630 and 1754-1806 UTC SO-50: 1730-1742 UTC On AO-7, look for me around 145.960-145.965 MHz USB. On the VO-52 passes, look for me around 145.910-145.915 MHz USB. Don't worry, these satellites work fine away from the center of the passband. :-) Satellite demonstrations using both FM and SSB have been great for attracting crowds for demonstrations at other hamfests in the past year. At some hamfests, VO-52 passes would attract the largest crowds. Using a pair of FT-817NDs with a handheld antenna, working the satellite at 5W, and not relying on computer control of radios or antennas helps to dispel the myths about how complex non-FM satellite operation has to be. I hope to hear many of you on these passes Saturday morning. If anyone working WD9EWK would like a QSL for contacts during these demonstrations, please e-mail me directly with the QSO details. If you're in the log, I'll gladly mail you a QSL card. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

Ham Class demo Thursday Night
by Rick - WA4NVM 02 Dec '09

02 Dec '09

Hi All, I will be doing a satellite demo on S0-50 tomorrow night from Memphis for our current Tech. class. It will be on the Dec. 4th - 0250utc pass. I would appreciate a few contacts to show them how easy it is to work the "birds" with an HT and handheld antenna. Thanks in advance, Rick - WA4NVM

1 0

AO-40 status
by "John Becker, WØJAB" 02 Dec '09

02 Dec '09

Is there any thing going on with AO-40 such as a change in it's status? It sure was fun working it. John, W0JAB

5 4

"Frustration" Solved!
by Michael Tondee 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

Well, just got through listening to a pass of AO-51. As several have suggested, it was a pointing issue with the antenna. I can't believe my memory has gotten to the point where I couldn't remember where North was the last time I had the antennas up. Thing is, I actually took a compass reading the other day and compensated for declination but I must have misread something somewhere. I was only about 20 degrees off! Declination here is only 4 degrees so it couldn't have been that. That's what I get for working on stuff at dusk I guess. I'm slightly embarrassed! BTW, I didn't mean to make anyone think that an 11 element yagi was too narrow for LEO's. It's fine if you point the dang thing right! Also, the reason why I went this route with the more complex antenna and AZ/EL system is that I already had the stuff on hand from my last foray into satellites. Only the preamp was new and I knew that everything had worked before. I can certainly appreciate the suggestions on simplification and I was about to do just that if I didn't have any success today. Now I just have to work out some of my cable issues and get something going for transmit. My 2 meter "cheap yagi" has seen better days. Once I get that, I'll raise the mast and get the antennas up to their normal height. I'm just using HT's right now but I hope to have a new TS-2000X sometime after the first of the year. I've been quite interested in the TS-2000 vs. IC910H thread. I know that Icom has discontinued the 910 because of the 9100 but I was under the impression that Kenwood would release a new rig at Dayton this year and wonder if that will mean the demise of the TS-2000. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and also allowing me to "vent" a bit last night.I was getting pretty frustrated. 73, Michael, W4HIJ

7 9

Boost To higher Orbits?
by Idle-Tyme 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

Hi all, This is now WAY out in crazy thinking. But we all know how a wind speed anemometer works right? The flat side has more resistance to the "Wind" than the rounded front side, so it has greater pressure exerted on it right? This would even work with not so much half spheres as in a traditional anemometer but with like pyramids shapes i would also think. Now does solar "Wind' have pressures similar to air "Wind"? obviously it does or they wouldn't be thinking if trying to use it right? I know it's exceedingly small amounts of pressure. but if we were to launch into an orbit that is as close to the equator as possible and the bird deploys as large as possible equivalent of an anemometer cup and it's positioned so that it's base is perpendicular to the solar wind when it is directly at right angles to the earth and sun. This tiny push, and then 180 deg later less push then 180 deg later more push etc. think this bird could ever so slowly in a spiral raise it's orbit? Crazy? what's anyone think? Joe WB9SBD -- *The Original Rolling Ball Clock http://www.idle-tyme.com*

4 3

DN70,DN71 trip
by Rodney Waln 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

hi, and thank you to all the stations that worked me on my trip to Cheyenne, Wy as said before i got there on the 23rd, but had radio problems...ect. after they were taken care of and the family stuff was done i was able to operate DN71 and DN 70,71 on the US 85 hwy Colorado/Wyoming border all be it a windy day(hope i did not sound to bad). i also had help from a long time friend (N7BAM thank you brian) on the 27th from DN71 and on the 28th i traveled south to give out the combo, it was a long trip at least for me and i would have liked to do more operating from that area in the near future, more info on that later. if you would like a card for contact just e-mail the details and if you send SASE that would be ok too. in total 5 passes were worked on the trip and SO-50, AO-27 and AO-51 were used on the after noon and evening passes. Rodney kc0zhf back in DN94

1 0

UO-11 a report
by Mineo Wakita 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/uo11mixw.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

1 0

XW-1
by John Heath 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

Hi Great to have such positive news about China's entry into the amateur radio satellite field. Alan Kungs recent posting was most encouraging. Will the space authorities in China will have a similar positve attitude towards amateur radio within their ambitious manned spaceflight program ? I hope so, and wish them well. 73 John G7HIA

1 0

AO-40 status
by John Becker 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

Is there any thing going on with AO-40 such as a change in it's status? It sure was fun working it. John, W0JAB

1 0

Re: Interference in Spain
by Lino IK1SOW 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

To perhaps resolve the problem of the Spain interference, the audio subtones could be used for the uplink? Lino, IK1SOW

3 2

video: stand-alone tracking and tuning with Arduino
by Bruce Robertson 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

Gang: The following one-minute video shows my breadboarded Arduino (ATMega328) tracking two satellites and tuning an FT-817 in response. It also shows the chip periodically announcing the location of the bird in CW, and, as a bonus, you'll see AO-51 being received with a simple dipole directly connected to a low-noise preamp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgNcCGXeRyw This is an application of the Arduino FT-817, Plan 13, CW and Tle EEPROM storage libraries available at: http://code.google.com/p/qrptracker/ One long-term goal is to port this to the Arduino mini-pro, here http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardProMini, add a clip-on real-time-clock and battery, and make a 10 satellite tracking dongle for the FT-817 and TH-D7A that is not much bigger than a USB key, and suitable for portable use. (In that version, the location will be stored in EEPROM, not derived from the GPS unit.) Long, long term, I hope that demoing this technology will inspire ham radio manufacturers to make stand-alone doppler tuning a built-in feature in rigs like the ones above. Right now, however, the code only tunes the downlink, and I have to spelunk through the code for Instanttune to see how to deal with the FT-817 on transmit :-) (For the many people new to this list and this wonderful corner of ham radio, I should mention that his project is an experimenter's platform, not a fully-functioning trackbox. For the latter, you want the LVBTracker, available from AMSAT-NA's shop.) 73, Bruce -- http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com

2 1

IC-970 vs. newer rigs
by Peter Jordahl 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

Have been following the "910H vs. TS-2000" thread. Wonder how the older IC-970A (good in its day) compares with these newer rigs, acknowledging the lower power (25W) and lack of any DSP in the receiver. My 970A is currently in semi-storage waiting for me to have the old-style trimmer capacitors replaced; the synthesizer no longer locks on 70 cm. Hope to get that done soon. Any suggestions as to the best repair site for an older ICOM rig welcome; I already know about MTS and absent any really glowing alternative suggestions will probably send it there. Pete K5GM AMSAT LM-1618 Pete Jordahl, K5GM k5gm(a)amsat.org

2 1

OSCAR-11 Report
by Clive Wallis 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

OSCAR-11 REPORT 30 November 2009 This report covers the period from 21 April 2008 to 30 November 2009. The satellite unexpectedly resumed transmissions recently. It was first heard by Keith N4ZQ on 19 November 2009 and transmissions continued until it switched OFF on 27 November. It was last heard by Tetsu JA0CAW at 23:59 UTC 26 November 2009. Previously, it was last heard by Peter ZL3TC on 23 April 2008, on a single pass. Study of the satellite's behaviour had suggested that its battery would not sustain operation during solar eclipses, and the watchdog timer would switch the satellite OFF after less than an orbit. Eclipses are now occur during every orbit and will continue for many years. In practice this meant that OSCAR-11 would only be heard occasionally by stations monitoring the frequency while listening for other satellites. During this period of inactivity the satellite achieved 25 years in orbit on 01 March 2009. Congratualtions to Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, his team at the University of Surrey and participating amateur radio groups, for this fine achievment. Good signals have been received by stations located all over the world during this recent period of activity and telemetry has been decoded successfully. However, the satellite has only transmitted when in sunlight. I have been overwhelmed by the number of reports received, too many to list individually! Many thanks to everyone who sent email reports or posted to AMSAT-BB. The telemetry is unchanged from the 2008 downloads. The on-board clock is now 241 days slow. When last received in 2008 it was 83 days slow. The increasing error suggests that the clock may be stopping, when the satellite is in eclipse. The exact date when the satellite started transmitting is not known, so if the watchdog timer was reset, the next transmissions might start around 16 December, however if the timer went through its full operating cycle, transmissions could resume around 06 December. The Beacon frequencies are - VHF 145.826 MHz. AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry UHF 435.025 MHz. OFF S-band 2401.5 MHz. OFF The satellite is now subject to eclipses during every orbit. Long term predictions indicate that eclipses will occur until 2019, when there will be some eclipse free periods until 2023. However these very long term predictions should be regarded with caution, as large tracking errors can accumulate over long periods of time. When telemetry was last received it showed that one of the solar arrays had failed, and there was a large unexplained current drain on the main 14 volt bus. After 25 years in orbit the battery has undergone over 100,000 partial charge/discharge cycles, and observations suggest that it cannot power the satellite during eclipses lasting more than about ten minutes, or sometimes even during periods of poor solar attitude. ------------- RECEPTION REPORTS REQUESTED! Please send reception reports to xxxxx(a)amsat.org (replace xxxxx by g3cwv) or post to amsat-bb. If you have a file, please let me know what you have, before sending it! The satellite transmits on 145.826 MHz., set receiver to NBFM. OSCAR-11 has a characteristic sound, rather like raspy slow morse code, sending "di di dah dah dah dah dah dah dah" sent over five seconds. If you are receiving a very weak signal, switch the receiver to CW or SSB. You should hear several sidebands around the carrier frequency, should be able to hear the characteristic 'morse code like' sound on at least one sideband. Please note that you need a clean noise free signal to decode the signals. There is an audio clip on my OLD website www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ which may be useful for identification and as test signal for decoding. ------------- The current status of the satellite, is that all the analogue telemetry channels, 0 to 59 are zero, ie they have failed. The status channels 60 to 67 are still working. The real time clock is showing a large accumulated error, although over short periods timekeeping is accurate to a few seconds per month. When last heard the clock was 241 days slow. The day of the month has a bit stuck at 'one' so the day of the month may show an error of +40 days for some dates. The time display has switched into 12 hour mode. Unfortunately, there is no AM/PM indicator, since the time display format was designed for 24 hour mode. The spacecraft computer and active attitude control system have switched OFF, ie. the satellite' attitude is controlled only by the passive gravity boom gradient, and the satellite is free to spin at any speed. The watchdog timer now operates on a 20 day cycle. The ON/OFF times have tended to be very consistent. The average of many observations show this to be 20.7 days, ie. 10.3 days ON followed by 10.4 days OFF. However, poor solar attitude may result may result in a low 14 volt line supply, which may cause the beacon to switch OFF prematurely, and reset the watchdog timer cycle. When this occurs, the beacon is OFF for 20.7 days. OSCAR-11 was the second satellite from the University of Surrey, www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/SSC. It was designed, built and launched, within a time scale of six months, by a team headed by Martin Sweeting G3YJO. Amateur radio groups working at various locations in the world, also contributed to the project. It used commercially available 'off the shelf' components (COTS). Following the success of these satellites, in 1985 Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. www.sstl.co.uk was formed, as a commercial venture. This grew into a major company which has produced over 30 small satellite projects for a global market. The University of Surrey has recently sold it's major shareholding in SSTL to EADS-Astrium. The joint company will therefore have the experience of manufacturing large and small satellites, for geo-synchronous and low earth orbits. In regognition of his work, Martin G3YJO, was appointed Professor at the University of Surrey. He received an OBE in the 1995 Queens birthday honours list, and in 2002 a knighthood in the New Year's honours list. Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting my websites. If you need to know what OSCAR-11 should sound like, there is a short audio clip for you to hear. The last telemetry received from the satellite is available for download. The website contains an archive of news & telemetry data which has now been updated. It also contains details about using a soundcard or hardware demodulators for data capture. There is software for capturing data, and decoding ASCII telemetry. The URL is www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ However, please note that this site is no longer being updated, and the latest news and information will and will be uploaded to my new site www.g3cwv.co.uk which is currently being constructed. If you place this bulletin on a terrestrial packet network, please use the bulletin identifier $BID:U2RPT145.CWV, to prevent duplication. 73 Clive G3CWV xxxxx(a)amsat.org (please replace xxxxx by g3cwv)

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FT-736R Help Needed
by Hal Lund ZS6WB 01 Dec '09

01 Dec '09

A South African operator is desperately in need of a component to repair his FT-736R. The part is an IC No. HD63A01YO (Hitachi) The FT-736R manual reference is Yaesu Part Number G1090792, control unit F2891000A diagram item Q1008. Does anyone in the satellite community know of a source for this component, possibly from an old 736R that has been cannibalized for spares? The FT-736R is a great old radio and should be kept in use as long as possible. I wouldn't part with mine for anything! It's worked a lot of VHF DX both through the satellites abd off the moon. Hal ZS6WB

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Re: Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000
by Henk, PA3GUO 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Hi ! There is more: - TS2000 has a built in antenna tuner Henk, PA3GUO (a proud TS2000X owner since 2001)

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Link requirements for LEOS
by Steven O'Neal 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

All, Maybe a dumb, maybe a redundant question that has been asked and answered multiple times, but here goes. What sort of link requirements are required to work the current crop of LEOS in terms of antenna options and commercially available omni antennas? I was quite active in the early 90's on the Ko23 and Uo22 birds, ended up with a steerable array (Cushcraft ones), and that worked fine, but wanted to take another run at working the current crop with something a little less demanding in terms of getting up in the air and steering. I've been reading a bit about the M2 Eggbeaters, which seem to pretty good, but wondering what sort of operating result I would get driving them with a bare 10 watts out of a FT 726 for a 2 meter up-link and perhaps a preamp on the 70cm side. I'd appreciate any observations, comments, results, hints, tips, or whatever you would care to share. Thanks Steve N6CRR/VK8SO (from back in the day) _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/

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Re: Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000
by Tom 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Being a recent newbie to the LEOs it had never even occurred to me that too narrow a beam width could present a problem with staying pointed at those satellites. Thanks, Reid, for bringing that thought up in my mind. I wasn't taking it out of context. I was just wondering if it was an unforeseen problem (by me) that I needed to address. It's things like this that allow us to learn. It appears that a narrow beam width is not normally a problem and I thank John and others who pointed that out. 73, Tom, KØTW > I have used a Cushcraft 13B2 (13 elements) on 2m and a Cushcraft 719B (19 elements) on 70cm on the > satellites with no problem. Didn't experience either as being too narrow beamwidth for sat use. > > 73s John AA5JG > > I am amazed at how many people take things stated out of context on this > reflector. I never said that any of the arrays would not work due to > problem they were having hearing the satellites and it was stated that > if none of the other suggestions worked to consider that the arrays they > are using are pointed correctly in the correct direction of the > satellite. Pointing being off, the nulls could easily block the > satellite's reception. The larger the array the more this might be > evident. The larger the array, stacked arrays and even dish antennas, > pointing becomes a bit more critical. > > Reid, W4UPD

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Icom 910
by Douglas Anoman 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Some one from Icom told me that the Icom 910 is no longer being made, Is this true? Thank You Douglas Anoman KC9MLN KC9MLN(a)AMSAT.ORG Amsat #37043

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Frustration
by Michael Tondee 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

I've been trying to get my receive setup going the last few days but I'm having horrible results. I have my 11 element 70cm "cheap yagi" back up on the mast and my homebrew SaebrTrack and OR-360 AZ/EL TV rotator system interfaced to SatPC32. I have an ARR preamp mounted at the mast fed with a seperate 12VDC feed and about a 40 foot run of JEFA brand LMR 400. Once I get into the shack there is a bit of patchwork to the cables. I'm using a Yaesu VX3 to receive and due to the SMA connector on the HT and not wanting to strain it I have a 4 foot adapter cable of LMR 100 that goes from an SMA to a SO-239. I then have to use a short length of coax with a PL-259 to N male to mate up with a N barrel connector connected to my LMR 400 coming from outside. Now obviously, I know this isn't optimum and eats up valuable RF and I intend to change it ASAP but I'm hearing absolutely nothing on AO-51 passes. Not even the hint of signals. I'm thinking with that preamp in the line I should at lest hear something discernible besides noise regardless of the patchwork of cables. Am I off base in thinking this? I did catch just a bit of discernible signal off SO-50 last night but it was almost overhead. I'm not a beginner at this but I'm frustrated. Perhaps I'm putting too much faith in the preamp to push the signals through my hodgepodge of adapters and cables? Any thoughts are appreciated. 73, Michael, W4HIJ

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Re: Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000
by Tom 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Thanks for all of the great information. Since both the TS2000 and IC910H have been around a while I believe that most of their 'problems' have been at least discovered. So, in that respect, I'm leaning away from the "still to be debugged" IC-9100. Also new rigs always are priced high in the beginning of their life, as we all know. I know that some of the ham dealers are offering "Closeout" prices on the 910H but I didn't see much difference from previous pricing. Not to prolong this thread but Jerry's append (below) brings up another question. How much antenna is "too much" for satellite operation. Someone earlier mentioned that an 11 element yagi might have a beam width too narrow to closely follow an LEO bird. I had planned on using yagis with 13 elements on 2M and 18 els on 70cm. Is that a bad plan? Thanks again. Tom, KØTW > Hi; I have owned the Ft-736 R and the Ft-847, which I am using now. > No matter which rig you decide to buy the most important thing > is the antenna system. > I use KLM,s with switchers and pre amps. > I switch my pre amps off and on from the shack. > My 847 has a pre amp built in too. > Nothing is better than MAST MOUNTED PRE AMPS THOUGH. > If my 847 goes bad I will replace it with another used 847. > I also work a lot of HF too. > I run barefoot on HF all the time. > I also get through all the pile ups because I have a good > antenna > with gain. > Through the years I have made over 15,000 satellite > contacts alone. > 73,s Jerry w0sat

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Maximum distance for the LEO satellites
by OZ1MY 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Hi all, Interesting to see the talk about distance records. Just for fun I tried to find the "best case" distance for the different satellites. Conditions for the calculations: Used NOVA for Windows to find the maximum height. Used Jan Kings Spreed Sheet to find Slant Range with an elevation of 0 degrees. Multiplied by 2 to get maximum distance between two stations. Sat. Max. Height Slant Range Max. Distance between stations AO-51 817 km 3300 km 6600 km SO-50 690 km 3046 km 6092 km AO-27 800 km 3293 km 6586 km AO-Ø7 1459 km 4552 km 9104 km FO-29 1322 km 4314 km 8628 km VO-52 643 km 2935 km 5870 km SO-67 506 km 2591 km 5182 km XW-1 1200 km 4092 km 8184 km Hope it is right :-) 73 OZ1MY Ib

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AMSAT at the Tampa Bay Hamfest, Dec 5-6
by Andrew Glasbrenner 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Hi All, This is just a reminder and request for assistance for the AMSAT booth and forum at the Tampa Bay Hamfest this coming weekend, Dec. 5th and 6th, at the Manatee Civic Center in Palmetto, FL. We have a scheduled AMSAT forum at 10:30AM on Saturday, and we will have a booth with AMSAT books, software, and goodies. We are also planning on doing a variety of demonstrations, including AO-27 and SO-67 on FM, VO-52 on SSB, and maybe even listen to some of the more interesting cubesats like CO-66. During the forum we'll talk about the status of current AMSAT projects around the world, and where we are headed. If you are a current AMSAT member, or plan on joining or renewing at the hamfest, we could use some help behind the table throughout the day. Please drop me an email at ko4ma(a)amsat.org if you can help out. You don't have to be a satellite expert, just interested in helping is all. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000
by Perry Yantis 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

I am always amazed when I hear someone say the TS 2000 does not have a good receiver, mine is great!!! The TS 2000x I have hears all satellites very well. Remember there is an internal preamp on the TS2000. On hf it just seems to amplify the noise level so I leave it off. But I leave it turned on all the time on vhf, uhf and it automatically comes on when you turn on 1.2. The last time I used an external preamp was on the KLM Echo 2 back in the 70's. Since then I have used a Kenwood TS700, TS790, and now the TS2000x. The TS2000x receives (with the internal preamp on for vhf, uhf) about the same as my old TS790 did (it did not have an internal preamp). With M2 antennas, computer tracking and tuning, low loss cable, and cable lengths between 50-70 ft I have never had a problem receiving any amateur radio sats. Perry WB8OTH

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SO-67 Recordings 29Nov2009 USA
by John Papay 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

I have uploaded the three morning passes of SO-67 as follows: http://www.papays.com/SO-67_29Nov2009_132150z.mp3 http://www.papays.com/SO-67_29Nov2009_145433z.mp3 http://www.papays.com/SO-67_29Nov2009_162953z.mp3 If you want to make successful qso's on SO-67, you must change the way you normally operate. The three second tail is different than any other satellite so you must adjust for it. If you don't, you will not have much fun. The first way to make a good contact is to wait 3 seconds after the last station transmits before you transmit. You will then be able to transmit for as long as the qrm will allow. I believe there is a 30 second timer which will come into play if a valid signal with PL is continuous for that period of time. If someone calls you and you can reply in less than three seconds, by all means jump right in and transmit as soon as the other station drops. There is enough time to acknowledge with your grid square and a "qsl." There is normally not enough time to add your callsign. If you have to say more than 3 seconds worth, wait until the tail timer expires (3 seconds) before you start transmitting. If you are full duplex, you can easily transmit on the 3 second tail, hear yourself drop, unkey and then begin transmitting again. That has worked for some. There is a third way to get around the tail timer and that is to start transmitting before the station you are working unkeys. If there is a squelch crash, you missed and the tail timer will get you. If you get your transmitter on before the other station drops, you'll be able to exchange your info without dropping. It's tricky and full duplex helps. There are many other factors which can contribute to a drop including being clobbered by another station. If the clobbering station is not running PL, the three second timer starts and the bird will drop. Again, full duplex helps to hear what is going on when you are transmitting. Running too much deviation can also mute the receiver and start the timer. Turn your mic gain down and your processor off. Use narrow FM on your transmit signal if your radio has it. Incorporating a 3 second waiting period is very difficult because we have been programmed to respond immediately after the station we are working stops transmitting. Failure to begin transmitting immediately usually results in someone else making a call. However, when working SO-67, transmitting immediately will start the 3 second timer. It takes discipline to wait. The last option is to just listen and let the others experience the fun. (smile) 73, John K8YSE

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Re: Interference in Spain
by Clint Bradford 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

>> ... You cannot solve the problem existing as well in Spain shooting down all taxi drivers that are using 2 meters for their communications ... I'll wager that I have more (a) licensed amateurs and (b) unlicensed abusers of ham and commercial bands here in Southern California than you do in your immediate area. The potential for illegal use and abuse is greater here - but (knock on wood) we have very little problems. I feel your frustration ... but I believe it can be solved with a methodical education campaign. I've contacted several illegal dispatch operations personally. I am not one to simply complain to our FCC and think my job is done. I'd rather visit and explain to someone why their ops are illegal, what the potential fines are (they range from US $3,000 to US$10,000 a day, plus confiscation of all equipment), and then show them how to get legal ... sometimes even using the equipment they already own. My methodology has worked on "problems" as large as a large commercial air carrier to small, mom-and-pop dispatchers. I have solved several problems in this manner. >> ... The only cure is to make the LEO satellite receivers less sensitive and use more EIRP at the ground station.........no HT's my friend ! I think you are joking. I HOPE you are joking. One of my favorite ways to get fellow amateurs interested in AMSAT and satellite operations is to show them just how easy it is to work our LEO birds - with equipment most hams already own (dual-band HT and a better antenna). LEOs have a wonderful amateur radio public relations purpose. I am not sure how your country's department of telecommunications respects amateur radio. Contact them at ... http://www.cmt.es/cmt_ptl_ext/SelectOption.do ... and see how they would like you to work on/with illegal operations. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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morning pass AO-51
by Mateusz 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Hallo Today morning I recorded signals from AO51 downlink with my call and a station in background: www.enduro.idl.pl/audio_sat/AO51_30_11_09_0754UTC.mp3 Elevation was 3 deg and lower. Station heard in background probably doesn't know that transmits within satellite part of 2m band, maybe it is not amateur? Matt SQ7DQX

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Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000
by Tom 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

I plan to purchase a new home transceiver in the next few months and I've narrowed my choices between a 910H and a TS2000. Thinking only of satellite operation (ignoring the HF capability of the TS2000), is there a general preference in the Amsat community of one over the other? Reasons? Thanks for your opinions. Tom, KØTW

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Re: Satellite QSO distance record attempt
by Bob- W7LRD 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

This thread brings up a ongoing effort between myself and Eric-PA1TNO. At best we share a 30 second window on AO-7. This equates to a distance of 7837.7Km. Just trying to streeeeeeeeetch the footprint. 73 Bob W7LRD ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Groth" <hislens(a)gmail.com> To: "Daniel Nick Kucij" <dnkucij(a)myfairpoint.net> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:01:48 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Satellite QSO distance record attempt So far, my record is 3019 miles on AO51. I caught KL4E, Craig, up in Alaska. My furthest contact south is 2484 miles to YV5DSL, Jose, in Caracas, Venezuela. I work days so I can't usually get on in the mornings during the week but later in the evenings around 10pm-1am CST, I usually have SO50 all to myself or maybe one other station- which is absolutely no good at all, but I always try to CQ South America in hopes of going further south. This morning, I had a scheduled contact with NH7WN, Robert, in Honolulu- which would have been a 3753.190 mile contact. He was on an HT and an Arrow standing in 40 mph winds and rain at 4:40am his time!! Sawson, KG6NUB, set everything up and did a great job of coordinating the attempted QSO. Thanks Sawson! Apparently we just missed the QSO. Robert heard me but I did not hear him. I believe I waited just a moment too long to transmit and lost the window. Seconds counted there! I also appreciate the courtesy of VE6AB, Jerry, and K6CDW, David, for clearing during the attempt. All in all, it was a great attempt and we plan on trying again as soon as possible. Kevin N9EME -----Original Message----- From: Daniel Nick Kucij [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:18 AM To: hislens(a)gmail.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Satellite QSO distance records Hi Kevin, I was surprised your post did not attract more discussion than it did, as it seems we all love the DX. I've also searched online before and could not find anything except for the AO-7 references. I've never found the actual footprint dimensions for AO-51/AO-27 either. This summer while on the coast of Maine, I tried some trans-atlantic DX on AO-51 and AO-27 for the first time. I was using a handheld and homebrew yagi (2up, 5down) pictured on my QRZ page. To my amazement, I worked the Canary Is. and Spain on my first try from the top of Cadillac Mt. in Acadia National Park.. Since returning home to Vermont, I've kept at it, sometimes using a small amp and/or preamp. I've been quite successful with confirmed contacts from the Azores, Canary Is, Spain, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Iceland. All of these have been on LEO FM birds ay DX in the +/- 3000 mile range. Some of them were made completely barefoot on the HTs, some were two way HT with no amp either side! I've heard Wales, but he didn't hear me. My best DX QSO on AO-27 is England at 3203 Miles (5155 Km). My best DX contact on AO-51 is the Canary Is at 3339 miles (5374 km) It's always a thrill to do it even when I work the same station over again. My best North American continental DX is Inuvik, NWT at 2674 miles on AO-51. I see you have a great antenna set-up. How far south have you been able to work with it? 73 Nick KB1RVT _______________________________________________ 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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satellite rig comparison
by Dads 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Hi; I have owned the Ft-736 R and the Ft-847, which I am using now. No matter which rig you decide to buy the most important thing is the antenna system. I use KLM,s with switchers and pre amps. I switch my pre amps off and on from the shack. My 847 has a pre amp built in too. Nothing is better than MAST MOUNTED PRE AMPS THOUGH. If my 847 goes bad I will replace it with another used 847. I also work a lot of HF too. I run barefoot on HF all the time. I also get through all the pile ups because I have a good antenna with gain. Through the years I have made over 15,000 satellite contacts alone. 73,s Jerry w0sat

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Re: Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

At 11:30 AM 11/30/2009 -0500, "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond(a)gmail.com> wrote: >Hi Tom, > >I own a TS-2000X and thanks to the AMSAT Symposium :) an IC-910. I >do more digital than voice, so my perspective is biased in that >direction. > >Here are some of my thoughts: > >The CAT control of the TS-2000X is amazing. All menu options are >available remotely via CAT. No so with the 910. > >The TS-2000X allows adjustments of modem/TNC levels in/out of the rig, >910 does not. > >The TS-2000X has built-in TXCO and DSP, 910 does not (yes, they are >expen$ive options). > >The TS-2000X lets you work mode A, 910 does not. > >The TS-2000X gives me the full rated power output on both 2M and 70cm, >the 910 does not (same antennas, feedlines, etc.)---does anybody have >the solution to this? Even with flat SWR the 910 cuts back output to >about 70-75W on 2M and 40-50W on 70cm!! Bummer > >The 910 receiver is much better on 2M than my TS-2000X, which is >actually pretty deaf on 2M(even after doing the "resistor mod" to >improve receive). > >The 910 does not have the AO-27/SO-50 birdy, while the TS-2000X >does--this is my single biggest disappointment with this radio!!!! >Tuning the TS-2000X "off frequency" by 5-7kHz above and below the real >frequency helps a bit, but it's still a pain. > >In spite of the short comings of the TS-2000X, I don't think I'd trade >it even up for an IC-910H with a the 1.2 gig module installed... > >73, > >Mark N8MH Mark, Didn't you have a kenwood TS-790 too? I use the TS-790, and a TS-440s HF rig and wondered how the receivers in the TS-2000 compare to the receivers in the TS-790 on 2m and 70cm. I wonder if people like its HF performance, I would be using it on HF in place of my 22 year old TS-440. KB7ADL

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Re: Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000
by Mark L. Hammond 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Hi Tom, I own a TS-2000X and thanks to the AMSAT Symposium :) an IC-910. I do more digital than voice, so my perspective is biased in that direction. Here are some of my thoughts: The CAT control of the TS-2000X is amazing. All menu options are available remotely via CAT. No so with the 910. The TS-2000X allows adjustments of modem/TNC levels in/out of the rig, 910 does not. The TS-2000X has built-in TXCO and DSP, 910 does not (yes, they are expen$ive options). The TS-2000X lets you work mode A, 910 does not. The TS-2000X gives me the full rated power output on both 2M and 70cm, the 910 does not (same antennas, feedlines, etc.)---does anybody have the solution to this? Even with flat SWR the 910 cuts back output to about 70-75W on 2M and 40-50W on 70cm!! Bummer The 910 receiver is much better on 2M than my TS-2000X, which is actually pretty deaf on 2M(even after doing the "resistor mod" to improve receive). The 910 does not have the AO-27/SO-50 birdy, while the TS-2000X does--this is my single biggest disappointment with this radio!!!! Tuning the TS-2000X "off frequency" by 5-7kHz above and below the real frequency helps a bit, but it's still a pain. In spite of the short comings of the TS-2000X, I don't think I'd trade it even up for an IC-910H with a the 1.2 gig module installed... 73, Mark N8MH > Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:02:24 -0700 > From: "Tom" <k0tw(a)cox.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Icom 910H vs Kenwood TS2000 > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: <A3C3147B82D84BB49AE0E4EB26ADF21A@K0TWHOME> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > I plan to purchase a new home transceiver in the next few months and I've > narrowed my choices between a 910H and a TS2000. Thinking only of satellite > operation (ignoring the HF capability of the TS2000), is there a general > preference in the Amsat community of one over the other? Reasons? > > Thanks for your opinions. > Tom, K?TW

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XW-1 launch date?
by Masahiro Arai 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

ANS-333 shows XW-1 expected launch date is middle December. I heard XW-1 will launch with HJ-1C by CZ-C2 launcher. If this is true, NASA Space Calender http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/calendar/calendar.html shows its launch date is March 2010. When will XW-1 launch?? Masa JN1GKZ Tokyo Japan

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Re: Satellite QSO distance record attempt
by Kevin Groth 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

So far, my record is 3019 miles on AO51. I caught KL4E, Craig, up in Alaska. My furthest contact south is 2484 miles to YV5DSL, Jose, in Caracas, Venezuela. I work days so I can't usually get on in the mornings during the week but later in the evenings around 10pm-1am CST, I usually have SO50 all to myself or maybe one other station- which is absolutely no good at all, but I always try to CQ South America in hopes of going further south. This morning, I had a scheduled contact with NH7WN, Robert, in Honolulu- which would have been a 3753.190 mile contact. He was on an HT and an Arrow standing in 40 mph winds and rain at 4:40am his time!! Sawson, KG6NUB, set everything up and did a great job of coordinating the attempted QSO. Thanks Sawson! Apparently we just missed the QSO. Robert heard me but I did not hear him. I believe I waited just a moment too long to transmit and lost the window. Seconds counted there! I also appreciate the courtesy of VE6AB, Jerry, and K6CDW, David, for clearing during the attempt. All in all, it was a great attempt and we plan on trying again as soon as possible. Kevin N9EME -----Original Message----- From: Daniel Nick Kucij [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, November 30, 2009 9:18 AM To: hislens(a)gmail.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Satellite QSO distance records Hi Kevin, I was surprised your post did not attract more discussion than it did, as it seems we all love the DX. I've also searched online before and could not find anything except for the AO-7 references. I've never found the actual footprint dimensions for AO-51/AO-27 either. This summer while on the coast of Maine, I tried some trans-atlantic DX on AO-51 and AO-27 for the first time. I was using a handheld and homebrew yagi (2up, 5down) pictured on my QRZ page. To my amazement, I worked the Canary Is. and Spain on my first try from the top of Cadillac Mt. in Acadia National Park.. Since returning home to Vermont, I've kept at it, sometimes using a small amp and/or preamp. I've been quite successful with confirmed contacts from the Azores, Canary Is, Spain, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Iceland. All of these have been on LEO FM birds ay DX in the +/- 3000 mile range. Some of them were made completely barefoot on the HTs, some were two way HT with no amp either side! I've heard Wales, but he didn't hear me. My best DX QSO on AO-27 is England at 3203 Miles (5155 Km). My best DX contact on AO-51 is the Canary Is at 3339 miles (5374 km) It's always a thrill to do it even when I work the same station over again. My best North American continental DX is Inuvik, NWT at 2674 miles on AO-51. I see you have a great antenna set-up. How far south have you been able to work with it? 73 Nick KB1RVT

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New member and a question
by Jon Knodel 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Hello, I'm new to this group and have just started working some of the 'easy' satellites. I've already made some great contacts and received help from the more experienced satellite operators. Unfortunately, I don't think I got the call or grid correct of the very first satellite contact I made and would like to try to find out who it was for sure. The contact was on AO-51 at about 0035 UTC Nov 28, 2009. I thought the other station's call was KG6CMU in Grid CM86. I really don't think I got the call or grid correct. Can anyone confirm this contact with N7XW in CN76? I'd certainly appreciate it. Since this first contact, I now record my QSO's so that I get the information correct (I'm operating with a handheld and portable yagi). Thanks for the help. 73, N7XW

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Auto-Tune
by RFI-EMI-GUY 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

I have been having a debate with my son about the overuse of Auto-Tune in music. Personally, I find it irritating. Then it occurred to me that I had proposed on this BB a long time ago that it would be nifty to have a DSP (Like Timewave DSP-599) that would correct for doppler. Has anyone tried Auto-Tune to correct doppler on a linear transponder? -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Use only Genuine Interocitor Parts" Tom Servo ;-P

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Re: Icom 910H vs. Kenwood TS2000
by Mike McConnell 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

I own them both and love them both. I discovered the birdies in the TS2000 and that was real disappointment. For sat use, I would go with the 910 if you can. Mike McConnell W0PD Horizon City, TX Mike McConnell, Ph.D. W0PD w0pd(a)elp.rr.com AMSAT #36792 ARRL#0001168388

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Yubileiniy-2
by Trevor . 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Can't remember if this link has been posted before http://www.iss-reshetnev.com/?cid=news&nid=136 It's concerning Yubileiniy-2 which is slated for a December 28 launch into a 1400 km orbit. It mentions Aerospace Vehicle Laboratory ROSTO providing the radio system, didn't they also do RS-15 ? The first Yubileiniy used 435 MHz. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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New member and a question
by n8bbq＠roadrunner.com 30 Nov '09

30 Nov '09

Jon, Welcome! A quick check of QRZ.com shows a listing for KG6CMU in grid CM87. Perhaps you got the call right? http://www.qrz.com/ '73 de Ed - N8BBQ Subject: [amsat-bb] New member and a question From: Jon Knodel <jknodel@xxxxxxx> Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:32:34 -0800 Hello, I'm new to this group and have just started working some of the 'easy' satellites. I've already made some great contacts and received help from the more experienced satellite operators. Unfortunately, I don't think I got the call or grid correct of the very first satellite contact I made and would like to try to find out who it was for sure. The contact was on AO-51 at about 0035 UTC Nov 28, 2009. I thought the other station's call was KG6CMU in Grid CM86. I really don't think I got the call or grid correct. Can anyone confirm this contact with N7XW in CN76? I'd certainly appreciate it. Since this first contact, I now record my QSO's so that I get the information correct (I'm operating with a handheld and portable yagi). Thanks for the help. 73, N7XW

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IC-32A/Arrow antenna with duplexer
by Mike 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

IC-32A/battery/desk charger/HM-54 speaker mike/antenna/manual/Arrow II antenna with duplexer. $300.00 firm and includes shipping

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Stand alone real time tracker
by William Leijenaar 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Hi AMSATs, For some longer time I have been looking for a way to get a stand-alone real-time satellite tracking system, without the use of a dual-core, GHz speed power consuming computer :o) To my suprise I didn't found much, only one design called trakbox which can be found E.g at the following tapr website: http://www.tapr.org/kits_trakbox.html Unfortunatly it is not available anymore, and the mean reason I guess is the outdated components. I found out that the design originates from JAMSAT. Maybe someone has data (schematic, PCB layout, source code) of this design ? I wonder with todays highly integrated microcontrollers if there is some modern kind of real-time-tracker available ? I am looking for a system that works just seconds after switching on the power supply and not something that first has to boat 15min and needs a mouse to work. 73, PE1RAH William Leijenaar www.leijenaarelectronics.nl --- Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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AO-51 mode change
by Andrew Glasbrenner 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

AO-51 is back to it's normal configuration, 145.920/435.300 repeater at 510mw, and 1268.700/435.150 BBS at 540mw. The digipeater is on, and I apologize to our Japanese friends who are fond of using the digipeater that we have neglected to make sure it stays on. The BBS is set to a slightly higher than normal power to assist with collection of background WOD (whole orbit data) for a few days. Later this week we will attempt to flip the spacecraft for the first time using the reversible magnet. This should result in a slightly better downlink in the Southern Hemisphere, and slightly poorer in the Northern Hemisphere. Careful, calibrated measurements pre- and post- maneuver are welcome to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org. Twitter users can receive tweets from the AO-51 command team at http://twitter.com/AMSAT or by adding "AMSAT" to your follow list. 73, Drew KO4MA

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SO-67 need callsign and help
by Jean-François Ménard 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Hi, I did 2 contacts this morning on SO-67 01h20 UTC 2009-11-29 pass over east north america. My digital recorder did not work !!! So I don't have the audio record to update my log. If you are one of my 2 contacts I did this morning, please let me know by email. Sotty to bother you guys.... 73 -- Jean-François Ménard VA2SS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AMSAT www.amsat.org / Member #37102 ARRL www.arrl.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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SO-67 need callsign and help
by Jean-François Ménard 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Hi, I did 2 contacts this morning on SO-67 01h20 UTC 2009-11-29 pass over east north america. My digital recorder did not work !!! So I don't have the audio record to update my log. If you are one of my 2 contacts I did this morning, please let me know by email. Sotty to bother you guys.... -- Jean-François Ménard VA2SS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AMSAT www.amsat.org / Member #37102 ARRL www.arrl.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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SO67 29-nov-2009 09:33 CEST
by PE0SAT 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

http://www.ham.vgnet.nl/downloads/SO-67-29-nov-2009-0933CEST.mp3 Here a audio file from the pass over europe this morning. The file is 5.640Kb in size. (29-nov-2009 09:33 CEST) If you've listened to this file, maybe you can come to the conclusion that using the satellite in a different way would make the change of making a connection more likely? 73's PE0SAT

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new sat
by Dads 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Hi : What type of satellite is the VW-1 amateur satellite that the china launched Jerry w0sat

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SO67
by PY5LF 29 Nov '09

29 Nov '09

Hello SO67 working perfectly and on time over SA at first pass . Regards 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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