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Running Power to the Polarity Switch
by David Wing 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

I'm making good progress to get my KLM and Cushcraft antennas mounted on the roof.I think I'll be able to wrap it all up this weekend. I do have a question about the polarity switch on the Cushcraft 30 element 440 antenna. The switch has one lead that seems to be intended go to +12vDC and the negative lead goes to the boom of the antenna. Do I need connect -12vDC to the coax on my feed line in order to complete this circuit? Seems easier to just disconnect the wire from the boom and run it to a dedicated -12vDC lead. My switch on my KLM is fed with dedicated leads for + and - and it seems that would be the easiest way to deal with the Cushcraft. Am I missing something obvious here? I have wires to spare and can so it's not a big savings to me to run the -12vDC on the coax if that is the reason why this was designed this way. Pointers and suggestions welcome. 73, David

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Outdoor Box: Further Considerations
by Stan, W1LE 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

Hello The Net: additional considerations: 1. Add a small hole in the bottom to allow the box to vent, << 1/8" drill is OK. small enough to keep the bugs out, but enough to prevent a vacuum build up inside or over pressuring. 2. Not all electrical boxes are created equal. The cost effective (cheap) ones are PVC. Some use sheet metal type (self tapping) screws to secure the cover. The better ones use a metal insert that mates a machine screw. The threads last longer. Some PVC material is softer than others that are more brittle. Be careful drilling holes. 3. Typical NEMA ratings are #12 for indoor wet environment, 4X for weather proof/tight. Newer IPC ratings are available but you need to research the IPC #'s. I avoid NEMA 12 enclosues 4. Ebay can be your friend for cost effective larger weatherproof enclosures. Search electrical enclosures. For fiberglass enclosures, BONDO fiberglass filler is easily applied to fill existing holes. Tape over the back side, fill with BONDO, paint to seal. Other enclosures are available in fiberglass ($) aluminum ($$) and stainless steel ($$$$). Some with stainless steel hinges and latches to open the cover. 5. design for your environment. Here in New England we have temperature extremes and lotsa rain/snow/wind. A milder environment like So. Cal. will allow a simpler box. I avoid painted steel boxes, even the galvi ones... 6. Another source after Home Depot and Lowes can be www.TekSupply.com a agricultural supply house. Electrical supply houses for tradesmen can also be helpful. Stan, W1LE FN41sr Cape Cod

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Outdoor box for preamp?
by Michael Tondee 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

Just got my new ARR SP432VDG preamp in the mail today. Since I'm on a budget, I opted to buy this unit rather than a mast mount outdoor amp. It is still my intention to mast mount this preamp though. Advanced Receiver Research themselves say that you can do this using a NEMA outdoor electrical enclosure. The problem is that I've been looking at outdoor electrical enclosures and have yet to find one that has dimensions that the preamp will fit in. I have really only been looking at outlet type boxes. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can use? The unit is about 3 inches tall including the N connectors and about 4 and 5/8 inches wide. I need something relatively cheap that will give reliable protection. Thanks, Michael, W4HIJ

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Selling up.
by Dave Aitch 20 Nov '09

20 Nov '09

ICOM 910HX ICOM VHF & UHF mast mounted pre-amps ICOM SM-10 desk microphone. In addition, four antennas from VHF to 2.4GHz. An ALTRON wall mounted 2 section mast. AEA DSP 2232 Offers invited, UK only please. Further details available direct. Dave. G1OCN. Portland. Dorset.

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Speaking of Icom release dates...
by Michael Tondee 19 Nov '09

19 Nov '09

What about the new Kenwood? Anyone know if it will be sat capable? I hope to have enough money after the first of the year to purchase a new radio. Unfortunately, I think both the new Icom and Kenwood rigs will be out of my reach. I've heard rumors of 3K + for the Icom price. . I liked the TS-2000X I had and was hoping to get another new one before production is discontinued. Michael, W4HIJ

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Intelsat is advertising for Geosynchronous Hosted Payloads
by Daniel Schultz 19 Nov '09

19 Nov '09

Intelsat is running banner ads on Science Magazine's web site, offering "Hosted Payloads" on geosynchronous satellites. Check it out at http://www.spacedelivered.com/view/ Dan Schultz N8FGV

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Re: Satellite Thermal Lesson
by Robert Bruninga 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Satellite Thermal Lesson > > Fascinating report, Bob - thanks for sharing... > I recently bought a cheap IR thermometer (gave into a > long-standing state of curiosity) and had great fun > with it; can't wait to do some more testing, but > lots of fun walking around pointing at things > in the environment. But if you read the docs, the display from such an IR thermometer is completely meaningless unless you know the EMISSIVITY of what you are pointing at... Now the good news is that MOST things have a reasonablly good emissivity, such as BLACMK and WHITE and Fingerprints etc... Remember, even my fingerprints changed the emissivity of my aluminum from about 4% all the way up to near 90% like black and everything else. But point that thermometer at CLEAN aluminum and the reading will be meaningless for TWO reasons: 1) If it is clean, it will see hardly any IR from the aluminum and so "it should read a real low temperature"... 2) But it WONT! The reason is, that ALUMINUM is also a great REFLECTOR of IR! So therefore your IR thermometer will not even see the alluminum plate anyway, because all it will see is what it sees reflected in the aluminum. You can prove this to your self by holding a sheet of aluminum as if it was a mirror. Point is so y our IR gun see's your body in its reflection and you will see your body temperature. Point the reflection to somethig cold, and it will read the cold temperature. So again, those IR thermometers are only as good as the knowledge of the person using them. That's why those "window" snake-oil salesmen can come out and show you all the "leaks" and lost heat in your home, and sell you thousands of $$$ of new windows, because they either 1) don't have a clue how their instruments work, or 2) They do know, but they use the missleading display to fool the gullible. Thanks for the reminder about those IR thermometers. Someone in our department got some and was running around doing all kinds of measurements... Then we showed him how his measurements didn't mean a thing unless he knew the emissivity of what he was shooting at... Sure pulled the rug out from under him. But again. Almost everything around you has a high emissivity... But if he doesn't know what does and what doesn't, then he is just messing around... And should not use those numbers for anything valuable... Bob, WB4APR

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IC-910 mic connector
by Bob- W7LRD 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

For you 910 owners I am configuring a sequencer for my IC-910. On the mic connector, what is the +8Vdc 10ma on pin 2 used for? I am tapping into the PTT for triggering the sequencer and just trying to figure it all out. Thanks 73 Bob W7LRD Washington State AMSAT area coordinator

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Thanks for 3 new grids on AO-27 this afternoon!
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

Hi! Thanks to John W6ZKH, Alvaro XE2AT, and Ismael XE1AY for 3 new grids in the log during an AO-27 pass around 2043 UTC this afternoon. As "advertised", John and Alvaro were on from unusual spots - W6ZKH from DM07 in California, XE2AT from EK19 in Veracruz on the Mexican Gulf coast. XE1AY was also in there from DL91 in central Mexico, another new one for the log. Alvaro - it is nice to see you operate from different parts of Mexico once again. It's been a while. :-) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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AO-51 back to 9k6 PBBS and telemetry
by Andrew Glasbrenner 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

Due to a combination of meeting some of our objectives early and having issues with others, we have switched from 38k4 to 9k6 for the last day of this scheduled mode. We might be experiencing some desense issues on the L uplink with the 38k4, so for the next 24 hours we'd like to encourage any L/U 9k6 capable stations to attempt to access the BBS and let us know if you are successful. Power is at 2.05 watts, so the downlink is strong. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations

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Arrow Antenna - Mod II
by Clint Bradford 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

I just posted photos of another "mod" performed to my Arrow Satellite Antenna: the addition of an HT tray. Helps with "counter-balancing." Use the PHOTOS link at the top of ... http://www.work-sat.com Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Re: PocketSat3 for iPhone, iPod touch
by Clint Bradford 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

>> ... Unfortunately the $1.99 version is only good for 40 fixed sats ... The two-buck app lets you know if the program runs properly on your particular setup. Again, I have tried six sat tracking apps for my new 32GB iPod touch - and PocketSat3 if the finest of the bunch. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

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Satellite Thermal Lesson
by Robert Bruninga 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

Lesson learned on Satellite Thermal. For years, we have been trying to demonstrate to students the extreme differences in Temperature of a satellite based simply on its color. In space, far from earth, here is what you should get for three identical satellites: Black will be about +55 deg F White will be about -60 deg F Aluminum will be about +225 deg F (from memory anyway)... But we have never been able to see the extreme temperature of the aluminum in our vacuum chamber. Of course, we are not using a SUN, but an incandescent lamp which has 95% of its radiation as heat and only 5% as light, so we attribtuted our wishy-washy results as due to the lack of real solar spectrum. This year, we finally have a Tvac chamber that has a liguid nitrogen cold plate so we can actually better simulate the blackness (and cold) of space.. Again, same result. Aluminum was about the same as black. This was a frustrating result from this new chamber. Then I noticed the fingerprints on the aluminum. I cleaned the aluminum with a swab of alcohol to eliminate all the surface contaminants, and fingerprints and re-did the test... BINGO. Now the temperature of the aluminum goes up and off scale HOT, way way different from the black or White. And now the WHITE also goes colder.. So just the thinneest innvisible layer of surface contamination completely changed the thermal emissivity of the Aluminum. And we all know this anyway, since "low-E" coatings of glass and other materials is now so common. It is only the outer surface of molecules that set the absorbtivity and emissivity... And the differnce between Black and Aluminum is 30-to-1 (if the aluminum is clean)... That's why we wrap baked potatos in Aluminum foil! (don't use greasy hands)... Of course we always clean our actual spacecraft to clean-room conditions before flight, so this does not impact our on-orbit results, but it sure does make a difference in the lab when we are demonstrating absorbtivity and emissivity in the chamber with samples handled by the students! When I get a chance, Ill post the results... Bob, WB4APR

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PocketSat, RIP ???
by Clint Bradford 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

Unfortunately, I heard "one of us" report last week that "PocketSat isn't really popular any more, with the demise of the Palm computing platform ... " That's woefully incorrect on many fronts. Palm users are plentiful, and Jim is still supporting us. PocketSat+ is still the best Palm-platform satellite tracking software available, IMHO. Support still at ... http://www.bigfattail.com But Jim has not let his programming skills stagnate. We now have PocketSat3 for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch devices. It provides gorgeous screen graphics for our passes. Available in the Apple Store. Docs and support at Jim's new site at ... http://www.pocketsat.com/ It works marvelously on my new 32GB iPod touch. AMSAT's keps are one of the four default sets for painless download. Recently added is a "View Constellation" mode - which overlays your view of the heavens on a sat pass. There are several "satellite trackers" in the Apple Store ... from free to $.099 to a few bucks. I have tried five others. NONE of them come close to the feature set, ease of use, and product support that one receives with PocketSat3. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com 909-241-7666

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PREDICT/Linux question
by Rich Dailey 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

After a Linux hiatus of a few years, I setup an spare pc with Linux Mint, an offshoot of Ubuntu. Through the software manager (gee, thing have become easier since my last Linux adventure) I was able to install the latest Predict software. When I run it, it first asks for my station info. I enter this, and at the last <cr> it kicks me back out to the terminal prompt. Anyone else had this issue? Thanks, Rich, N8UX

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SatPC32 Auto Doppler
by Howard Kowall 18 Nov '09

18 Nov '09

Hello to everyone Is it possible to use SatPC32 12.8a without auto Doppler correction? I use 2 separate transceiver one for uplink the other for downlink,all I want to do is be able to change the downlink freq. and let the uplink follow according to the Doppler sqf file.I want no automatic Doppler correction just transparent tuning. Thanks to all who read this Howard VE4ISP

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EK19 activation !!
by Alvaro de Leon Romo 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

Hi I will fly to Veracruz and I will activate EK19 the 18th in SO50 at 2055 and 2236 UTC pass, I will try AO27 at 2006 pass the 18th also.... GL all Ps all depend of weather.. Al XE2AT _________________________________________________________________ Todo lo que te gusta de Internet en un mismo lugar www.messengernews.com.mx

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Re: SatPC32 Auto Doppler
by Mark L. Hammond 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

Hi Howard, I think the answer is "yes" you can do what you want to do. SatPC32 12.8a is really good with 2 radios. I've had it running a TS-2000x and an IC-910H at the same time, in both directions, meaning one radio xmit, the other receive--and flip flopped from that, too. It works! Oh, I tried the IC-910H with a FT-817, too. Worked fine. What 2 radios are you trying to configure, and which one do you want to Xmit and which one receive? The configuration is under the Radio setup window. You need to setup both radios. Try one radio as Radio 1, then the other as Radio 2. If you have the xmit/receive setup backwards, just set them up the other way. 73, Mark N8MH --------- Follow up to my last post So really what I want to do is to make 2 tranceiver,to act like a FT847,FT736,IC910,etc. Thanks again Howard VE4ISP ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Kowall" <hkowall(a)shaw.ca> To: "AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:06 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] SatPC32 Auto Doppler > Hello to everyone > Is it possible to use SatPC32 12.8a without auto Doppler correction? > I use 2 separate transceiver one for uplink the other for downlink,all I > want to do is be able to change the downlink freq. and let the uplink > follow according to the Doppler sqf file.I want no automatic Doppler > correction just transparent tuning. > Thanks to all who read this > Howard > VE4ISP -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Re: Problem with Basic Stamp based tracker box serial display
by Mark L. Hammond 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

Hi Michael, Greg has given you sound advice about checking the voltage to the LCD. The only problem I've ever had with the LCD was related to a BAD CONNECTION to the pins on the LCD. It exhibited similar symptoms as what you describe. I found that it lost good contact and would cause the display to go dim or OFF. Took me a little checking to figure that one out. Other than, I've had no issue with my SAEBRTrack box..but then again, I helped design it ;) Glad to see your return to the birds!! 73, Mark N8MH (formerly KC4EBR, and thus the EBR in SAEBRTrack) _______________ Hi Michael, When the display dies, does the rest of the box keep working? If the whole thing dies, then I'd suspect the 7805 (5v) power supply. Does the 7805 get hot? If so, that's the problem; they have a built-in thermal shutdown for over-temp and/or over-current. What sort of heat sink do you have on it? If the problem is limited to the display, then I'd take a look at what's feeding it, power-wise, if it's different than the rest of the board. Again, I'd first look for things that are running too warm. If there's no heat problem, I'd next look for RF problems, or other things that can be cured with better shielding or grounding. My controller (also Stamp-based) was extremely sensitive to the electric glitches created when the motors were turned off. Kept losing its mind; I fixed it by adding more bypass caps around the board. Good luck, Greg KO6TH > Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:23:08 -0500 > From: mat_62(a)netcommander.com > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Problem with Basic Stamp based tracker box serial display > > I have a a homebrew tracking box designed around a Basic Stamp. It's > known as the SaebrTrack, I built it from an article on the web. The > circuit uses an LED display with a serial "backpack" attached from > Scott Edwards electronics to display the Azimuth and Elevation readings. > The information is fed to it from the Basic Stamp. > Lately the display light will start flickering at times and then the > letters will fade out completely as well. It takes turning the box off > and back on to bring them back up. This seems to be a sporadic > occurrence and can happen when the box is turning the rotators or > sitting idle. There is no rotator control box, the entire operation is > handled by this unit. > I just basically read the schematic and built this thing and then > loaded the Stamp with the software. I'm not well versed in this > technology. Could this be something as simple as voltage regulation? > There is a 12V transformer that runs the DC rotator motors and a > separate 6V transformer that takes care of the display and indicator > lights as well as feeding voltage to the position pots on the rotators. > I believe there is a 7805 regulator in the 6V circuit if memory serves. > Any thoughts or ideas? I've checked for loose connections. Could the > serial backpack display itself be causing this? > Any help would be appreciated. It gets kind of annoying when it happens. > Tnx and 73, > Michael, W4HIJ -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Re: AMSAT, ITAR, More AMSAT-NA Volunteers & Such .
by Alex, N3SQ 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

Michael, W4HIJ wrote: >Interesting stuff Alex. > I'm currently working on an FM satellite station as that's all I can >afford at present but I hope some of the NextGen birds will carry linear >transponders too. At any rate, it all sounds very exciting. >73, >Michael W4HIJ > ARISSat-1 is flying a V/U Linear transponder with the 10.7MHz IF SDX board, the NextGen bus will fly the same equipment. I'm hoping that we can fly an L/S Linear transponder & 10.7MHz IF Matrix as payload on the NextGen satellites. They're not going to be the most powerful transmitters nor the largest antennas flown, since we've got a limited power, mass, and volume budget. Remember, we're talking about a 3kg mass budget, a 3 liter (10cm x 10cm x 30cm) volume budget and an 8w DC power budget for the spacecraft . . . Think the size of a loaf of bread. Alex, N3NP

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demo
by Bob- W7LRD 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

Hello I will be giving a in shack demo today on AO-7 at 2310Z and 11/18 at 0057Z and SO-50 at 2353Z. Should you hear me on I would appreciate a call. Trying to demystify satellite communications, and bring more operators into the "fold". 73 Bob W7LRD CN87 Washington State area coordinator

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Re: Portable in DM07
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

You are probably correct in that statement Jeff, "so naturally we're nuts,"....hi... I can imagine just what folks think when they see one of us sweeping the skies with our little antennas and radios. That 4 corner location was viewed in Google Earth. Once I get in the area, then I can really look over the situation. I dont think CM96 or CM97 are in demand as much as DM07, looking at your survey. So, when I get there I will determine just exactly what I am going to do. Again, this Grid-exposition is scheduled for tomorrow 11/18/09 on the AO-27 pass @ 2041 utc and the SO-50 pass @ 2238 utc. Also maybe the AO-27 pass @ 2220 utc, which is a West Coast pass. Equipment will be Yaesu FT-60R HT and ELK yagi on tripod this time. For QSL, send me an email with your info or QSL direct (SASE not required but appreciated) or eQSL.cc. I dont chase paper or grids, but do like to get cards. Hey, gotta plug up the nail holes in the wall the xyl puts in with pictures and nick-nacks, right? Hope to see you all there. John W6ZKH DM06 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs(a)cox.net> To: w6zkh(a)comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 12:55:50 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Portable in DM07 Hi John, Will be looking forward to working you in DM07. You know. The 4 grid corner in the middle of an almond orchard is really not a problem. We're hams, we operate satellites, so naturally we're nuts, so we'd all fit in. :) 73, Jeff WB3JFS ----- Original Message ----- From: <w6zkh(a)comcast.net> To: "amsat-bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 8:13 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Portable in DM07 > Hello all............barring any unforeseen problems, next Wednesday, > 11/18/09 I will take a quick trip up to DM07 Grid to fulfill some requests > for that grid, plus hopefully it wont be a bust like last time. The data > is: > > AO-27 @ 2041 utc which is a 25 deg pass > SO-50 @ 2238 utc which is a 23 deg pass > > I had hoped to work the intersection of CM86/CM87/DM06/DM07 except it is > in the middle of large Almond orchard, so will just stick with DM07. > > I will be using the Yaesu FT-60R ht + Elk dual-band yagi, like I did when > on vacation last month. > > Hope to work as many as I can for those 2 passes. QSL direct (no SASE > required) or eQSL.cc This Grid Location, DM07 is mostly rural and > mountainous, where Yosemite is located. I will be in the SW corner, in the > valley so wont be blocked by the Sierra Nevada's. > > Look for all. > > John W6ZKH > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Top 250 Grid Survey - Results
by Michael Rudzki 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

After several years of activating Eagle Harbor Lighthouse (EN57) without HTs or an Arrow antenna, we were asked by the local hams in upper Michigan why we don't operate on the satellites anymore. We are now planning on bringing our sat gear in August 2010 to activate at least EN57 and EN67. And if Al doesn't have EN56 by that time, I will personally drive down to Jacobsville and activate it. EN66 is on our way to Eagle Harbor, but we usually pass through that region in mid afternoon EDT on a Friday. As a result, all of our previous attempts to activate EN66 were unsuccessful. But we will try again next year, provided there is an FM satellite within range while we are driving through. 73, Mike, N8MR "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxxxxxx> wrote: >5 VOTES >EN03 >EN05 >EN07 >EN16 >EN33 >EN40 >EN49 >EN58 >EN66 >EN67 Alvaro de Leon Romo <xe2at@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > I see that I am the only one soul that need EN56 :-) _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/

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Top 250 Grid Survey - Thank you
by Jeff Yanko 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

Hi group, Though I thanked the participants of the survey in the initial release of the survey, I did not mention them by call, and I should have, since they helped create since a perspective view of the grids we are in search of. There were a total of 15 replies, including myself. Thanks again! N5AFV XE2AT K6YK N1AIA K0TW K8YSE WA8SME N3TL KI6YAA AA5PK KB0RZD WA4NVM K6CDW KD8CAO 73, Jeff WB3JFS

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CO-65 earth picture update
by Mineo Wakita 17 Nov '09

17 Nov '09

We, CO-65 station control, could get an image below from parts of the image data we had obtained until this morning. From our analysys seems that it was taken on Oct. 28th ,2009, and at the point whose latitude was 84.6392 degrees north and longitude was 128.3049 degrees., near to the north pole. http://lss.mes.titech.ac.jp/ssp/cute1.7/blog/1_48_caption.Jpeg JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Problem with Basic Stamp based tracker box serial display
by Michael Tondee 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

I have a a homebrew tracking box designed around a Basic Stamp. It's known as the SaebrTrack, I built it from an article on the web. The circuit uses an LED display with a serial "backpack" attached from Scott Edwards electronics to display the Azimuth and Elevation readings. The information is fed to it from the Basic Stamp. Lately the display light will start flickering at times and then the letters will fade out completely as well. It takes turning the box off and back on to bring them back up. This seems to be a sporadic occurrence and can happen when the box is turning the rotators or sitting idle. There is no rotator control box, the entire operation is handled by this unit. I just basically read the schematic and built this thing and then loaded the Stamp with the software. I'm not well versed in this technology. Could this be something as simple as voltage regulation? There is a 12V transformer that runs the DC rotator motors and a separate 6V transformer that takes care of the display and indicator lights as well as feeding voltage to the position pots on the rotators. I believe there is a 7805 regulator in the 6V circuit if memory serves. Any thoughts or ideas? I've checked for loose connections. Could the serial backpack display itself be causing this? Any help would be appreciated. It gets kind of annoying when it happens. Tnx and 73, Michael, W4HIJ

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AMSAT, ITAR, More AMSAT-NA Volunteers & Such . . .
by Alex, N3SQ 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

Ladies & Gentlemen, Here's the main thing to think about ITAR. ITAR regulates OUTFLOW of information, it doesn't care about INFLOW of information. If you build or design it by a non-US Person (Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident) and you bring it INTO the US, ITAR does not care. So AMSAT-NA can use designs from P3E, but cannot design parts of P3E. So the logical thing to do is have all "major" future AMSAT spacecraft be AMSAT-NA managed spacecraft with design elements (camera systems, experiments, etc.) contributed by other AMSAT organizations. The only main technical interaction between the AMSATs would be via a standard, open-sourced, well-published-in-technical-journals interface specification. Money could be contributed from other AMSATs to fund launch & development costs. As for the mantra of "no one being able to develop the equipment in the US" . . . The volunteer base is not capped, just expand the size of the volunteer base and organize it better. None of the experienced engineers should be directly building hardware, we should all be supervising teams of engineering students who actually build the equipment. There are over 250 University Engineering programs in the US. Each of those programs have at least 50 students in each graduating class. Let's say that we can get 15% of the students interested in working on a satellite project (my personal observations are more like 75% of the students are interested). Let's do the Math: Worse Case: 250 Schools x 50 students per graduating class x 15% = 1875 POTENTIALLY INTERESTED STUDENTS IN THE US Best Case: 250 Schools x 50 students per graduating class x 75% = 9375 POTENTIALLY INTERESTED STUDENTS IN THE US And this is just talking about COLLEGE SENIORS - EE's, ME's, CE's, CS's, SE's . . . double the number if you include the Juniors. Anywhere near this load of students would completely overload the current AMSAT-NA volunteer base. But talk about the potentially available volunteer base! With Binghamton University, I had 7 Hardware Engineering slots available on the team. There are 200 Hardware Engineers in the BU graduating class - about 168 of the students wanted to be on the Satellite Project Team, a 24x over-subscription. That's pretty impressive. I could have had more teams, but we need to crawl, the walk, then run with this activity - EVOLUTIONARY not REVOLUTIONARY (but let's just make sure evolution works quickly . . .) The current BU student team is "stoked", they are really excited to be working the project. Every week I get thanked by the students for bringing the project to their attention. They have done some really great work and they have a great faculty advisor, Dr. Roger Westgate. I expect that there will be more than 1 project team next year working on an AMSAT satellite, assuming AMSAT is interested in sponsoring more. So stop crying into your beer over ITAR. The world is not coming to an end. Let's work to launch spacecraft within the ITAR limits. In the meantime, let the AMSAT-NA BoD navigate it's way through the byzantine structure of the US Govt to try to bring about change in ITAR. Alex Harvilchuck, N3NP

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Grid Expeditions
by KK4AK 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

When attempting to make a contact on the sats one of the customs is to add "handheld", "portable", etc. to your announced call. Would it make sense to start a new custom of adding "Roving" or "Grid Expedition" or something similar when transmitting from a rare grid. This could alert everyone to let that station have some priority in making contacts during that pass. Just a thought. 73's Allen KK4AK

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Re: SO-67 and FT-60R
by Clint Bradford 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

>> ... please the wonderful document on amsat website that give a lot of hint and trick ... It was that seven-year-old document - in addition to a couple others - that made me "update" things with the four-page tutorial at ... http://www.work-sat.com Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Re: AMSAT, ITAR, More AMSAT-NA Volunteers & Such .
by Alex, N3SQ 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

For those following what was announced at the AMSAT Symposium, there are two different ways AMSAT is working with the Universities: (a) AMSAT-NA helps a University Satellite Program: This is the case with UCF, AMSAT volunteers are helping a University with their satellites. (b) A University helps the AMSAT-NA Satellite Program: This is the case with Binghamton University, BU Students are helping build & launch AMSAT satellites. The two ways are not mutually exclusive, each has benefits. The BU activity was organized to help get AMSAT back on it's engineering feet and to provide continuing assistance. We're doing that by providing engineering assistance and manpower to help AMSAT launch more modular design satellites ASAP. We're at 35 students right now, that number can grow significantly next fall at AMSAT's direction. Our goal is to get an Engineering model of the NextGen satellite bus ready for the AMSAT booth at the Dayton Hamvention in May 2010. Engineering model says we have the modified spaceframe with deployable wings ready, power system ready (with mock supercaps & solar cells) and the non-flight boards installed - basically stuffed 'n mounted on a stand for your viewing. NextGen is an open-source spacecraft bus, it will provide a stable & robust platform for any university to build an experiment to fit within the bus. I would personally advocate AMSAT launching up to two or three of the NextGen-class spacecraft in different 600-800km, sun-synchronous orbits to provide as much worldwide coverage as possible. Given the proposed characteristics of the NextGen spacecraft bus, there is a strong possibility of carrying an IF Matrix Switch with L/S RF capability instead of an experiment payload. This would provide capabilities similar to AO-51 (V/U, V/S, L/U, L/S) but using SDX with an IF Matrix Switch. By using Supercapacitors instead of batteries there is a very good chance of having a significant satellite lifespan (15+ years). All technology developed can be applied to other classes of AMSAT spacecraft, just as NextGen is using modules from the ARISSat-class spacecraft. I would expect that ARISSat-2 will most likely take advantage of the power system modifications developed for NextGen. The possibilities are endless, all it takes are more people interested in working on a module. Alex, N3NP

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Re: SO-67 and FT-60R
by Clint Bradford 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

>> ... How do I set my FT-60R up for SO-67?? Its only one freq isn't it? -- Jerry - NR5A - Jerry - Watch the sat's operating schedule for updates ... http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ This past weekend, they had a cross-band repeater set up for many. Uplink: 145.875MHz Downlink: 435.345MHz CTCSS 233.6 As with other FM sats, please program to compensate for the Doppler effect on the receive side. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com

2 1

Uni_trac 2000 sat files
by Michael Wolthuis 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

Can anyone who is running a Uni_Trac 2000 or 2003 zip me up your .sat files and send them to me by chance? My directory seems to be missing these and I can¹t get it to create even one for an example. I¹m working on it, but the easy solution would be if someone can send me the files they use. Thanks! Mike kb8zgl

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Top 250 Grid Survey - Results
by Clary, James T, Civilian 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

Tks for collecting and assembling all the data, Jeff. I've got a trip lined up to Texas in January with DL88 as the primary target. Your list confirms what I'd already expected to see, and I'll do what I can to put a dent in those numbers by operating from a bunch of grids on your list in DL, EL, DM, and EM. 73, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC Diego Garcia, BIOT

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38k4 mode switch delayed 12 hours
by Andrew Glasbrenner 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

That's all! 73, Drew KO4MA

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SO-67
by Louis House 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

How does one add SO-67 to the SatPC32 sqf,files to make the software track and control the radio for doppler. I found SO-67 in the Wisat32 and up it in the available Sats to use and I copy/pasted and edited a file for this Sat in the SatPC32 sqf.doppler files and it shows up as avialble and when I select it the CAT control shows it active but the frequency on the radios (857 & 897) are not correct and the software will no tcontrol the radios. What or how much have I missed in the set up?? Louis KD5GM

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Top 250 Grid Survey - Results
by Jeff Yanko 16 Nov '09

16 Nov '09

Hi all, I want to thank all of those who took the time out to contribute their grid data so I could try to compose a list of the most wanted, or needed, grid squares via the satellites for the continental United States with some Canadian and Mexico grids thrown in as well. I initially started out with the total 250, 10 grid fields times the 25 most needed grid squares per field, hence 250. I should've taken into account that grid fields like CM and FM aren't fully land mass enough to give a full 25 grids so it looks like the 250 will become the top 230. In any case, the data was very useful and informative. I believe many will see what grids are outstanding in need of activation. Since I did not receive any more entries since Thursday, 11/12, I already had a running tally of the totals as I was receiving them and was waiting for more to come in by the deadline of 11/14. None did, so I was able to cap this project about a day ahead of schedule. I hope everybody enjoys the data and can possibly use it in the future if they plan on traveling, visting relatives, or just going on a GridDXpedition. I broke down the grid fields by the most votes then proceeded to seperately post the grid squares of each field by their votes, highest to lowest. The layout is rather long but since this is just basic data I wanted to keep it simple and left justified to keep it clear. Printing it out may make it easier to read or comprehend since you won't be looking at just a portion of the data on the screen but a print out on paper layed out on the table. If you have a questions, comments or just plain curious, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. 73, Jeff WB3JFS Las Vegas, NV DM26 GRID FIELD TALLY: DN - 469 EN - 322 DM - 308 EM - 213 EL - 173 CN - 172 FN - 127 DL - 90 FM - 63 CM - 39 ///CN/// 9 VOTES CN70 CN72 CN73 CN98 8 VOTES CN71 CN77 CN78 CN90 CN91 CN93 CN96 7 VOTES CN74 CN80 CN81 CN82 CN92 CN99 6 VOTES CN94 5 VOTES CN75 CN83 4 VOTES CN76 CN95 CN97 2 VOTES CN85 CN86 ///DN/// 10 VOTES DN02 9 VOTES DN03 DN10 DN37 8 VOTES DN04 DN12 DN21 DN75 7 VOTES DN05 DN11 DN24 DN60 DN62 DN67 DN68 DN73 DN77 DN78 6 VOTES DN07 DN19 DN20 DN25 DN28 DN29 DN34 ///EN/// 8 VOTES EN48 7 VOTES EN08 6 VOTES EN01 EN02 EN10 EN12 EN13 EN17 EN24 EN36 EN46 EN47 5 VOTES EN03 EN05 EN07 EN16 EN33 EN40 EN49 EN58 EN66 EN67 4 VOTES EN09 EN15 ///FN/// 5 VOTES FN24 FN55 3 VOTES FN06 FN14 FN17 FN23 FN27 FN28 FN37 FN38 FN45 FN48 FN53 FN56 FN64 2 VOTES FN02 FN05 FN07 FN08 FN09 FN11 FN12 FN15 FN16 FN19 ///CM/// 8 VOTES CM89 5 VOTES CM94 CM95 4 VOTES CM86 3 VOTES CM79 CM93 CM96 CM99 2 VOTES CM88 CM98 1 VOTE CM97 ///DM/// 10 VOTES DM 28 DM29 9 VOTES DM17 DM18 8 VOTES DM16 DM83 7 VOTES DM27 DM71 DM77 DM81 6 VOTES DM60 DM64 DM70 DM82 DM88 DM89 DM93 5 VOTES DM07 DM19 DM50 DM67 DM68 DM74 DM76 DM84 ///EM/// 6 VOTES EM33 5 VOTES EM03 EM23 EM62 4 VOTES EM16 EM21 EM47 EM50 EM53 EM59 EM81 3 VOTES EM00 EM02 EM06 EM07 EM08 EM19 EM20 EM22 EM24 EM41 EM43 EM52 EM61 EM71 ///FM/// 5 VOTES FM08 FM26 FM27 4 VOTES FM02 FM03 FM13 FM15 FM16 FM25 3 VOTES FM04 FM05 FM06 FM14 FM17 2 VOTES FM07 FM09 FM18 1 VOTE FM19 FM39 ///DL/// 5 VOTES DL79 DL88 DL89 4 VOTES DL59 DL69 3 VOTES DL29 DL39 DL58 DL66 DL67 DL98 2 VOTES DL27 DL36 DL37 DL38 DL43 DL45 DL46 DL48 DL53 DL56 DL57 DL65 DL68 ///EL/// 11 VOTES EL08 7 VOTES EL17 EL49 6 VOTES EL07 EL16 EL18 EL59 5 VOTES EL06 EL09 EL19 EL39 4 VOTES EL00 EL10 EL11 EL14 EL15 EL28 EL89 EL94 3 VOTES EL04 EL13 EL40 EL41 EL84 EL86

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SO-67 on Flea Power!!!!
by Tim - N3TL 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

My profound thanks to John. K8YSE, for posting the recordings he's made of SO-67 passes over North America. His most recent recording, which he began at 15:00:38 UTC, provides proof that - even amid the chaos of a pass like that one - very low power levels can work our amateur satellites. Anyone who listens to the recording will hear the weak-signal call of N3TL at 8:51 into the recording. I'm faint, but I'm in there ... on 50mW (.05 watt) from my Yaesu VX-7R HT and Elk dual-band log periodic antenna. KI0G surprised the heck out of me when I heard him call me several seconds later. When he did, I thought, "He must be calling me blind. There's no way I made it through on 50 milliwatts." No matter - I spent the rest of the pass transmitting QSLs for our contact, but K8YSE's recording shows that I didn't make it back into the satellite before he (K8YSE) left the footprint. If someone farther south has a recording that includes me QSLing Bob, KI0G, by all means please email me a copy. My signal made it into SO-67 beginning at 15:09:29 UTC and ending at 15:09:30 UTC. According to Orbitron, SO-67 was pretty much right at the intersection of 30 degrees north x 90 degrees west, or right on top of the 4-grid boundary of EM40, EM50, EL49, EL59. She was at a range of 882.050 kilometers (548.0805 miles) to my handheld station in EM84 at 15:09:30 UTC. Based on those distances, my power level translates to 17,641 kilometers (10,961.61 miles) per watt. Given how busy SO-67 has been over North America the past two weekends, I'll take that! During that pass, I tried to time my transmissions based on Mr. Cresswell's posts to the BB on 14 November about the two passes he worked and observed that day over New Zealand. Specifically, I listened for people to immediately return calls, then have their signal drop out when the satellite's tail dropped out. When that happened, I transmitted - and on at least one occasion that K8YSE captured in his recording, flea power found its way to our newest amateur satellite. Thank you, everyone at AMSAT-SA, for building, launching and orbiting SO-67. She is a wonderful addition to the fleet, and one I'm proud to have worked on .05-watt. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

4 3

W6FOG
by Jim Bennett 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

I recently made contact with W6FOG on Grid CM95 on VO-52. It was a low pass for me, 11 degrees, so we didn't QSO much. He said he would try on the next AO-51 pass.

4 3

EM08 Kansas Contacts
by David Wing 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

If you worked me this past weekend while I was portable in EM08 and would like a QSL card, please drop me an e-mail. I don't need QSL cards for any of the contacts. 73, David

1 0

736 R
by Jerry 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Hi : I have a Yaesu FT-736 R All Mode in like new codition. This unit has recently been checked out with new tone board. It cost over $370.00 total with labor. I want to sell this unit so I can buy another rig.. I,m asking $600.00 plus shipping costs. W0sat(a)msn.com

1 0

need help FT-736R and mode in SatPC32
by Jean-François Ménard 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Hi, I would like to know how to change to CW-N (CW narrow) and FM-N (FM narrow) in the doppler.sqf file when using my Yaesu FT-736R !?!?! I can't change directly from the rig when controlling the radio from SatPC32... this is normal... but I don't know wich keyword to enter in the doppler.sqf file. Thank for your help. -- Jean-François Ménard VA2SS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AMSAT www.amsat.org / Member #37102 ARRL www.arrl.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

1 1

SO-67 pass over Europe.
by Eric Knaps, ON4HF 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Hello all, Just trying to make a contact on SO-67 today. I also noticed the dropouts. Couldn't even make a contact over it. I made a recording of it and put it on my website. http://www.on4hf.be/satellite.htm 73, Eric -- ON4HF. -- Eric Knaps Waterstraat 30 B-3980 Tessenderlo Belgium Tel. +32472985876 (mobile) http://www.on4hf.be

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For Sale: Yaesu FT-736 Transceiver
by John Hansen 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Yaesu FT-736 Transceiver for sale, excellent condition. Has narrow CW filter, no other options. Full power output, no problems with the AC supply on this one. Pictures available at: www.johnahansen.com $770 plus shipping from 14063. Contact john at (@) hansen.net John Hansen W2FS

1 0

SatPC32 upgrade
by Erich Eichmann 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Hello, I have uploaded an upgrade of SatPC32 (V. 12.8a) on my website http://www.dk1tb.de The changes can be seen here: http://www.dk1tb.de/Changes128a.txt I hope it works. 73s, Erich, DK1TB

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Re: Red Display SATPC32
by jeffk13057＠yahoo.com 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

I'm not sure about SatPC32 but with orbitron if I remember correctly it may mean that the satellite is going into eclipse? Jeff WB2SYK ------Original Message------ From: Alan P. Biddle Sender: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org ReplyTo: APBIDDLE(a)mailaps.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Red Display SATPC32 Sent: Nov 15, 2009 17:52 Joel, A satellite on the map can be different colors, depending on the background, to make it visible. For instance, against a white background such as the polar regions, it is red. Perhaps elsewhere, though I did not look. Is that what you are seeing? Alan WA4CA -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Joel Black Sent: 14 November, 2009 17:48 To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Red Display For the life of me, I can neither remember nor find why a satellite shows up in red on the display in SatPC32. Can someone point me or kick me in the head? Thanks, Joel, W4JBB _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

1 0

Help unit_trac2000 + WinXP
by wolthui3＠msu.edu 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

I have searched and searched to get this working, but I can not. I bought used a Uni_trac 2000 silver case. I have the latest software loaded on my WinXP Nova sat tracking computer. I have the original cable for the Yaesu g5500. I have confirmed all the pin outs. I am stuck on the calibration portion of the install instructions. I have installed the port95nt.exe as stated in the instructions. The software runs and appears to be talking to the UniTrac2000 on LPT1. It has the yellow LED flashing constantly (like it is geting data). If I pull the power and replug it in then it goes solid yellow until I hit Hardware Reset in the unitrac software. So I am sure it is talking. I double click on Calibrate like the instructions say. I see the Green 0's and it says to use the manual buttons to fully exectue rotation of up and right. I do this, but the numbers do not change. I see it says to adjust the voltage pots, but that doesn't do me any good. Anyone help? Mike kb8zgl

2 1

Red Display
by Joel Black 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

For the life of me, I can neither remember nor find why a satellite shows up in red on the display in SatPC32. Can someone point me or kick me in the head? Thanks, Joel, W4JBB

3 2

SO-67
by Jerry Felts 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

How do I set my FT-60R up for SO-67?? Its only one freq isn't it? -- Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota http://nr5asstuff.blogspot.com/ http://nr5abeaconblog.blogspot.com/

2 1

SO-67 15Nov2009 1636z Audio
by John Papay 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

I was not at home for this pass but it was recorded automatically for me. Just another perspective from my location where the maximum elevation for this pass was only 2 degrees! http://www.papays.com/SO-67_15Nov2009_163613z.mp3 73, John K8YSE EN91dh Cleveland Ohio

1 0

Torrance, CA Presentation
by Clint Bradford 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Whew - what a great past three months it has been! I've had twelve presentations/demos for groups in the Southern California region, and have enjoyed all the clubs. My last in-person presentation of the year will be at the South Bay ARC in Torrance, CA on Thursday, November 19. ALL are welcome to attend. A good pass of AO-51 is occurring a little earlier that afternoon - 4:42PM PST - but I'll be in the parking lot working it if you are available that early. We'll go out for a sandwich or burger between the pass and the meeting, if you'd like! The meeting begins at 7:30 at ... Torrance Memorial Medical Center (TMMC) 3330 Lomita Blvd. Torrance, CA 90505 The presentation notes are available for download at ... http://www.work-sat.com Call me at 909-241-7666 or email clint(a)clintbradford.com with any pre- presentation questions. Thanks to AMSAT, AMSAT-BB, and all the attendees of my presentations this year. Clint, K6LCS

1 0

SO-67 @ Sunday 1638 UTC
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Hi! Thanks again to the SumbandilaSat/SO-67 command team for turning the amateur transponder on so often this weekend. I had 3 potential passes I could work from here this morning, although two of the three were very low (both with maximum elevation of 3 degrees). I focused on the one high pass, the one scheduled to start at 1635 UTC, which had a maximum elevation of 88 degrees. I operated from a parking lot in central Phoenix, grid DM33xl (about 1 mile/1.6km west of the DM33/DM43 grid boundary). As always, it is easy to hear this satellite. Lots of activity on this pass from western Canada to central Mexico, and stations as far east as Texas. I've uploaded the audio from that pass, along with a PDF showing the passes for today on SO-67 out here, to: http://so67.wd9ewk.net/ This morning's recording starts at 1638 UTC, since the satellite has been scheduled to turn on a minute or two before AOS here in central Arizona. We're slowly figuring this satellite out, and there were a couple of calls on this pass that I had not heard on previous SO-67 passes. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

A0-51
by Bruce 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

BB In prep for the change over to 38k4 DL I've put together a home brew computer running WinXP. I've got Wisp loaded but for whatever reason it cannot find AO-51 in the kep database. I used the database update feature using a text file but it still can't find AO-51. Any pointers are greatly appreciated. 73 Bruce KG4YEV

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SO-67 15November2009 1328z 1501z audio
by John Papay 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Audio for the eastern and central USA passes are now on my webserver: http://www.papays.com/SO-67_15Nov2009_132742z.mp http://www.papays.com/SO-67_15Nov2009_150038z.mp3 The dropout problem is still apparent but contacts are possible. The bird is very strong as usual. 73, John K8YSE

2 1

SO-67 activation schedule: 13-15 Nov 2009
by Jan-Albert Koekemoer 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

Hello It will be a busy weekend on SO-67 as we intend to schedule the FM V/U cross-band repeater on Sumbandila as listed below (all times in UTC; all activations 15 minutes duration). We appreciate all feedback, which you're welcome to post on AMSAT-BB, or alternatively on the Sumbandila Google Group (http://groups.google.com/group/sumbandila). For progress made during commissioning of the satellite, please see http://sumbandilamission.blogspot.com . Fri 13 Nov 2009 21:16 - RSA 22:17 - Australia (East) 23:35 - Japan 23:49 - Australia (Central) Sat 14 Nov 2009 01:25 - Australia (West) 06:11 - RSA 07:30 - Europe (East) 07:46 - RSA 09:02 - Europe (West) 12:22 - Brazil 13:50 - USA (East) 15:21 - USA (Central) 16:56 - USA (West) 17:49 - RSA 18:30 - Alaska 19:20 - RSA 20:26 - New Zealand 20:54 - RSA 21:57 - Australia (East) 23:16 - Japan 23:28 - Australia (Central) Sun 15 Nov 2009 01:04 - Australia (West) 05:51 - RSA 07:10 - Europe (East) 07:25 - RSA 08:41 - Europe (Central) 10:17 - Europe (West) 12:03 - Brazil 13:28 - USA (East) 15:01 - USA (mid-East) 16:35 - USA (mid-West) 18:12 - USA (West) The CTCSS tone for the transponder is 233.6 Hz. Uplink: 145.875MHz Downlink: 435.345MHz Additional recommendations: Use only narrow FM Switch off compression Speak softly (mic gain down) Satellite characteristics: All antennas are linear vertically polarized (1/4 wavelength) Sat Tx power = 5W Sat Rx sensitivity = -116.5dBm for 12dB SINAD Max antenna gain = 4dBi Note that the satellite is currently in a controlled sun tracking mode with antennas Nadir pointing. Apologies again for the late notification, but we're still in the commissioning phase and can therefore not guarantee the SA-AMSAT payload service far ahead in time. Regards Jan-Albert Koekemoer (ZR1JAK) Sumbandila Ground Control Team E-mail Disclaimer http://www.sunspace.co.za/emaildisclaimer.htm

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SO-67 14Nov2009 1521z Audio
by John Papay 15 Nov '09

15 Nov '09

The central USA pass was much like the eastern pass. Signals from the satellite were very strong. Audio was very loud, even on the wideband rx setting on the TS2000. Audio cut off after a few seconds of transmission was prevalent. It seems that it took several seconds for the audio to come back when this happened. Lots of stations on the bird including KC8ZFN, KD8CAO, WB8OTH, WC7V, WA4NVM, KB1RVT, WA4SCA, KB0RZD, N5AFV, WD9EWK, N5UXT, WB2IOL, KF9L, AA5PK and others. The bird went over the horizon before it turned off. http://www.papays.com/SO-67_14Nov2009_152116z.mp3 The next Western USA pass is not visible in Cleveland. 73, John K8YSE EN91dh John Papay john(a)papays.com

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Re: DN93
by Rodney Waln 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

thank you to all that tried making contact today, i am still down here and will try again 11/15-16z from dn93TI area afternoon/evening passes FM sats, no card needed just email with the details for card. aprs iss kc0zhf-12, no regular aprs coverage with this setup?. have internet though, Rodney kc0zhf /p DN93 vucc sat #185

1 0

Hawaii SSTV
by Robert Smith 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

Aloha All On the 0226Z AO51 pass today, I attempted to xmit QRP SSTV (2.5 W) to WH6BIE 5000 miles round trip back to Hawaii (4 deg max. el) Surprisingly, prior to my SSTV xmit, I picked up several new stations but as my digital recorder was in the xmit position and my hands full with my Arrow, HT, and digital recorder I was unable to log the calls received (I recall most QTHs) Also, if I happened to "step" on anyone with the SSTV xmission my apologies! WH6BIE was the last station I heard prior to my image xmit and the frequency appeared quiet at that point. If anyone happened to copy or hear the SSTV I would be enjoy hearing about. 73 to all. Mahalo. Respectfully, robert, NH7WN, Honolulu, Hawaii

1 0

ANS-319 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-319 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT NextGen Progress * AO-51 38k4 BPS Operations 16-19 November * AO-7 has 35th Birthday on 15 November * SatPC32 V.12.8a Upgrade Available for Download * High Altitude Balloon Project Seeks Student Applications * ARISS Status - 09 November 2009 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-319.01 AMSAT NextGen Progress AMSAT News Service Bulletin 319.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-319.01 Just to give everyone a little update on how the AMSAT NextGen Program is doing @ Binghamton University . . . (a) CONTROL & EXPERIMENT SYSTEMS - The Systems Engineering students are doing well analyzing the ARISSat documentation and will be scheduling meetings with the primary AMSAT engineering contact to discuss documentation questions. - Identified Design Changes Needing to Occur for NextGen: * The Control/Safety Timer needs to be adapted to conform with the CubeSat deployment switch standard * Consolidation of Camera functionality into a separate camera payload board (functionality is currently spread across a number of boards in the stack) (b) RF SYSTEMS - The Systems Engineering students are doing well analyzing the ARISSat documentation and will be scheduling meetings with the primary AMSAT engineering contact to discuss documentation questions. - Identified Design Changes Needing to Occur for NextGen: * Antenna design choice - single dual-band vs dual mono-band * New RF container design needed (c) POWER & STRUCTURE SYSTEMS - The Systems Engineering students are doing well analyzing the ARISSat documentation and will be scheduling meetings with the primary AMSAT engineering contact to discuss documentation questions. - The Hardware Engineering students have been busy creating a preliminary design for solar panel deployment and use of supercapacitors to replace the battery. A Preliminary Design Review is being scheduled in mid-November with the AMSAT Engineering Team. - Identified Design Changes Needing to Occur for NextGen: * Replace Battery with modular stacks of Supercapacitors in parallel to the Solar Panels * Shrink ICB (Interconnect Board) to fit within CubeSat frame * Reduce PSU footprint by moving camera power function to a Camera Payload Board (CPB) * Slight PSU voltage supply design change * Remove test/program load functionality from ICB to external test board (XTB) via standard CubeSat & PPOD maintenance ports (per CubeSat spec.) We are still on-target to have an engineering model ready for the AMSAT table at the 2010 Dayton Hamvention with readiness for launch later in 2010. [ANS thanks Alex, N3NP, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-319.02 AO-51 38k4 bps Operations 16-19 November AMSAT News Service Bulletin 319.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-319.02 Okay 38k4 packet operators, get ready to start your engines!! AO-51 is scheduled for a four day period of high speed packet operations at 38k4 bps. It's been about 2 years since the satellite was configured in this mode. The satellite will be in high power mode (only TXA 435.150 transmitter ON) during this period. The posted schedule is as follows: November 16 - November 19 38k4 BBS, L/U Uplink: 1268.700 MHz 9k6 FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz 38k4 FM Usually this means the mode will run from around 22:00-23:00UTC November 15 (Sunday evening Eastern US) until around 22:00-23:00UTC November 19 (Thursday evening Eastern US). Users of the PacketBBS are encouraged to send me feedback/reports on your experiences during this period. Please note that 38k4 packet operations require a receiver with sufficient bandwidth and that your normal 9600 radio receive connection will not work. Users also need a TNC that is capable of running packet at 38k4. A special "wide" filter like the ones available through Symek (www.symek.com) need to be installed in the radio to "tap" a wide band signal. A few commercially available TNCs, like the KPC-9612+ and the Paccomm Spirit-2 (with satellite option) can be used. You can use a PCR-1000 or PCR-1500/2500 as a wide band receiver, without modification. Use the packet jack and set the receiver to FM (not FM-W) with a 50 kHz filter width. If you have one of these receivers, but not the right TNC, you might try Doug Qualigiana's KA2UPW sound card software here: http://www.quagliana.com/willow/ It will decode at 9600 and 38k4. There was a an article about his software in the AMSAT Journal just a few months ago. Hope to see you active on AO-51 at 38k4! [ANS thanks Mark, N8MH, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-319.03 AO-7 has 35th Birthday on 15 November AMSAT News Service Bulletin 319.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-319.03 Thirty-five years ago this Sunday (15 November), AO-7 reached orbit. The following is from the AO-7 page on the AMSAT-NA Web site: "AMSAT-OSCAR 7 was launched November 15, 1974 by a Delta 2310 launcher from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California. AO-7 was launched piggyback with ITOS-G (NOAA 4) and the Spanish INTASAT. The second phase 2 satellite (Phase II-B). Weight 28.6 kg. Orbit 1444 x 1459 km. Inclination 101.7 degrees. Octahedrally shaped 360 mm high and 424 mm in diameter. Circularly polarized canted turnstile VHF/UHF antenna system and HF dipole." If you're not set up for the linear satellites but have a receiver with CW/SSB capability on 2 meters, try listening to a pass. The middle of her Mode B downlink passband is 145.950 mHz, and you will find most of the activity occurring between 145.940 mHz and 145.960 mHz. Generally, you'll hear CW operators below 145..950 and SSB operators above 145.950. Here is a link to the online log for AO-7: http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php [ANS thanks Tim, N3TL, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-319.04 SatPC32 V.12.8a Upgrade Available for Download AMSAT News Service Bulletin 319.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-319.04 Erich, DK1TB has uploaded an upgrade of SatPC32 (V. 12.8a) on his website http://www.dk1tb.de. The V.12.8a update includes the following: 1. The main program SatPC32 can now manage up to 4 different configurations. Configuration #1, for example, could steer a single satellite transceiver to work the normal V/U and U/V satellites. Configuration #2, for example, could steer a separate radio (FT-817, IC-706MKIIG) as RX and the satellite transceiver as TX. This configuration is useful for AO-51, mode V/S. Most users will receive S-band with a 13cm/2m down converter and a 2m RX. Configuration #1 would not work because the satellite transceiver cannot simultaneously receive and transmit on the same band (2m). The Keplerian data only needs to be updated with one configuration. The new data will be used by the all configurations. The configurations can be switched via mouse click in menu 'Setup', 'Configurations'. 2. In 'Real Time' mode the program updates it's calculations once per second. With previous versions the update interval could not be changed. Now the speed can be increased by 5 and 10 fold (menu 'CAT'). On the higher bands the Doppler shift can change by 50 Hertz per second and more. That will cause scale effects on the received signal. Due to the narrow filters CW signals even can be lost. Increasing the update speed can prevent these effects. 3. In menu 'CAT' a bottom line has been added. It displays the complete data line from file Doppler.SQF. So, the optional comments at the end of a data line can also be seen. That is particularly helpful with satellites that provide multiple modes (i.e. AO-51 and ISS) and therefore require multiple data lines in Doppler.SQF. 4. CAT steering of the Icom radios IC-706MKIIG, IC-7000 and IC-910H has been simplified. With previous program versions the IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000 required an extra line between the radio's ACC jacket and the PC's COM port to inhibit frequency changes while the radio is transmitting (because that would cause frequency errors). The IC-910H required the line with SatPC32ISS. This line is no longer necessary. 5. The programs now works flawlessly on 64-bit Windows systems, except rotor steering with the interfaces FODTrack, KCT, IF-100 and RifPC. The kernel driver that is used to output data to these interfaces is a 32-bit version. A 64-bit version is not available yet. The KCT and RifPC could not be used anyhow with 64-bit systems because they require an ISA slot which is no longer supported by newer PCs. The program also works flawlessly under Windows 7. It supports the 96-dpi (100%) and the 120-dpi 125%) fonts. It does not work properly with the new 144-dpi (150%) fonts. Program versions 12.8 and older work only with the 96-dpi fonts. 6. The CD and the Internet Setup File now include the tool DataBackup.Exe. Via a single mouse click, the program can generate a backup copy or restore the entire SatPC32 data folder (all personal settings). That is particularly helpful when the program is upgraded. 7. Some bugs have been fixed (concerning, i.e., downlink correction and transverter operation). THANK YOU to Erich Eichmann DK1TB for creating and continuously enhancing SatPC32 for the global amateur satellite community. And for donating it to AMSAT-DL, AMSAT-NA, and AMSAT-UK. SatPC32 is surely the most lucrative fund raising item for these AMSAT groups. Please support these AMSAT groups by registering your copy of SatPC32. [ANS thanks Erich, DK1TB, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-319.05 High Altitude Balloon Project Seeks Student Applications AMSAT News Service Bulletin 319.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-319.05 The SpaceDaily Express newsletter carried the announcement that NASA is accepting applications from students at U.S. colleges and univers- ities who want to send their experiments to the edge of space on a high-flying scientific balloon. The annual NASA project provides near space access for 12 under- graduate and graduate student experiments to be carried by a NASA high-altitude research balloon. The flights typically last 15 to 20 hours and reach an altitude of 23 miles. Experiments may include compact satellites or prototypes. The experiments are flown aboard the High Altitude Student Platform, or HASP, a balloon-born instrument stack launched from the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility's remote site in Fort Sumner, N.M. The goals of the project are to provide a space test platform to en- courage student research and stimulate the development of student satellite payloads and other space-engineering products. HASP seeks to enhance the technical skills and research abilities of students in critical science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. The project is a joint effort between NASA and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium. NASA's HASP houses and provides power, mechanical support and communi- cations for test articles and instruments. It can support approximately 200 pounds of student payloads. Since 2006, the HASP program has selected 44 payloads for flight, the work of more than 200 students from across the United States. The deadline for applications is Dec. 18. NASA is targeting fall 2010 for the next flight opportunity. NASA expects to make selections in January 2010. Information is available on-line at: http://laspace.lsu.edu/hasp/Participantinfo.html [ANS thanks SpaceDaily Express and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-319.06 ARISS Status - 09 November 2009 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 319.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-319.06 1. Upcoming School Contacts An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been approved for Institut Don Bosco in Bruxelles, Belgium. The contact will take place on Monday, November 16 at 09:41 UTC via telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii. Don Bosco is a secondary industrial technical school with an enrollment of approximately 750 students and offers courses in carpentry, electricity, mechanics, computing, printing and electronics. Flanders District of Creativity and the Department of Education of the Flemish Government have teamed up for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Tuesday, November 17 at 13:44 UTC via station LU8YY in Argentina. The groups have partnered to organize the very first congress for kids in Belgium. A conference is being set up with keynote speakers and interactive workshops for 1200 twelve year olds. Dirk Frimout & Sijtn Meuris will give a presentation about astronomy. 2. Westbrook Intermediate Experiences ARISS Contact On Tuesday, November 3, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held with Westbrook Intermediate School in Friendswood, Texas via telebridge station LU8YY in Argentina. Eleven students were able to ask Robert Thirsk, VA3CSA 11 questions before losing the connection with the ISS. Thirsk's son offered his father a surprise with the third question using his newly acquired ham radio license, KF5DRU. 3. Successful ARISS Contact John Taylor Collegiate On Wednesday, November 4, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact took place between John Taylor Collegiate in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and Robert Thirsk, VA3CSA on the ISS. Telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii provided the link. Fifteen people gathered for the event and observed the students as they asked 13 questions of the astronaut. Media coverage was provided by the Winnipeg Free Press. 4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Speaks with Stott Through ARISS Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Florida experienced an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Thursday, November 5. The connection was made through the telebridge station VK4KHZ in Australia. Approximately seventy students and educators were present for the event and eighteen questions were asked and answered. This was a school crew pick of Nicole Stott, KE5GJN, an alumna of ERAU. The ERAU Web site boasts a news release as well as a photo of Stott on the ISS holding an Embry-Riddle banner. 5. ARISS Contact with Tokaisonritsu Muramatsu Elementary School Tokaisonritsu Muramatsu Elementary School in Tokai Village, Ibaraki, Japan participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Friday, November 6. Eight students posed two questions each to Nicole Stott, KE5GJN on the ISS as an audience of 110 students and parents watched. Media coverage was provided by three newspapers, one magazine and other outlets. 6. Astronaut Training Status A basic operations session on the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) program was held with astronaut Mike Fossum, KF5AQG on Monday, November 2. Fossum is scheduled to fly with Expedition 28 in May 2011. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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AO-7 Mode A at 0020 UTC
by Tim - N3TL 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

AO-7 just finished her first pass over North America as a 35-year-old. She is in Mode A tonight, and appears to be working well. I called CQ in CW for about 10 minutes, and one station tried to answer me. That operator sent the letters F and I in CW, but there were long tones, too, that suggested some kind of keying problem. If you are that operator, you were a solid 579 into EM84, and I was using an end-fed longwire not very high up as my receive antenna on the 10 meter downlink. AO-7 should switch over to Mode B in about 4 hours. I hope to hear many folks celebrating her 160,000+ orbits of service to the amateur satellite community beginning in the morning. 73 to all, and Happy 35th to AO-7, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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DN93
by Gary Lockhart 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

Rodney, Terrific effort trying to break thru the party line of regulars so others could get a rare DX grid contact. Maybe I'll get you another time. Regards, 73 Gary AB3ID

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Re: From CO8LY
by Jarek Stopczyk, KB9IIZ 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

Eduardo, Here is some info I've dug up. 2SC2290 was manufactured by Toshiba link http://www.toshiba.com/taec/components2/Datasheet_Sync//63/21686.pdf 2SC3240 was manufactured by Mitsubishi Turns out that 2SC2290A, SD1487 AND MRF454 are good replacements for 2SC2290. MRF454 is manufactured by MA-COM. RF Parts http://rfparts.com/transistors.html shows both 2SC2290A and MRF454 as available. I did not find any information on the 2SC3240 but there might be a close replacement on the RF Parts site. Regards, Jarek, KB9IIZ ---------------------- Hello dears freinds : I write to you to ask for a big favor. I own an old YAESU FT-747 which final RF power transistors 2SC2290 or 2SC3240 were damaged. I have not been able to find them, allthough I have searched ansiously. A friend of my city gives myself two trasistores of low power and alone I can to transmit with 45 watt in these moments I need you to help me, for that Radio is my unique HF Station. If you could help me find the two transistors I would be profoundly thankfull. Best regards for you and your family. 73.- Eduardo CO8LY

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AO51 KB9IIZ/P in EN51/52/61/62 13Nov09 2205z
by Jarek Stopczyk, KB9IIZ 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

I've activated 42N 88W with grids EN51,52,61,62 on 10/31/09 AO51 2230Z and again on 11/13/09 A051 2213Z and SO50 2342Z. The point is easy to access, just a few feet off the curb in a residential area, please see the below link for location details: http://confluence.org/confluence.php?visitid=12435 John, K8YSE has made a recording (thanks John)of the 11/13/09 A051 2213Z pass, listen at 07:10 file marker. http://www.papays.com/AO-51_13Nov2009_220507z.mp3 I hope to venture back often and announce operation on the amsat-bb. This was a solo activation and another pair of hands would be appreciated. If interested, please send me a note (email below). QSLs: All QSOs will be logged in the Logbook of the World. Direct QSLs with SASE (preferred) will be answered within a week. Equipment: Standard C528A at 2.7W Elk 2M/440 handheld Nokia N810 with Palm OS emulator running PocketSat+. Site: kb9iiz.myanthill.org email: "mycall"-at-arrl-dot-net Regards, Jarek, KB9IIZ

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Re: Satellites need to be open source
by Clint Bradford 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

>> ... Why aren't the schematics ... posted on the internet? Geeze, I am holding AO-51 schematics in my hand ... and at the last AMSAT-NA convention, the proceedings book has a ton of info ... I think the info IS out there. AMSAT-NA doesn't seem to be hiding anything. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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How configure a TS2000 for SO67
by ON5UE 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

Hello sathams. I've tested and found out that CTSS tone in a TS2000 in sat-mode can't by set. Neither via a satprogram. But how to configure the TS2000 to work SO67 Set sat mode off Set split off Set the main VFO for uplink 145.875MHz Set to FMN mode Push the CTSS button and CT must appear in de main VFO display. Push sequelly FUNC and CTSS/SEL button and select 233.6kHz by turning the MULTI/CH knob Push sequelly FUNC and CTSS/SEL button again to enter the CTSS tone. Push the SUB button. Push the CTRL button so the CTRL-indicator appear on the VFO B display. Select the 70cm-band by using the + and - buttons. Set to FMN mode Press the 1MHz button en use the MULTI/CH knob to adjust. Finaly use the tunerknob to finetune the frequentie 435.345MHz. Make sure the step is 5kHz. Turn down the MAIN AF. Turn up the SUB AF. Listen with a headset so there is no sing arround when you transmit. Use less power as possible. ( EU?) Cu on sats. 73 Dan ON5UE

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SO-67 14Nov2009 1350Z
by John Papay 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

An audio recording of the SO-67 Eastern USA pass on 14Nov2009 1350z is on my webserver. The audio is a little loud because I had the TS2000 in the narrow mode and did not adjust the recorder input level to compensate for it. My tx and rx audio was in the FM Narrow mode on the TS2000. The repeater still seems to turn off most of the time after a few seconds of transmission. Lots of carriers mixing and most likely affecting the PL decoder. Some of the stations heard were: WB8OTH, AB2EZ, VA2SS, W2JTS, VE3NPC, N5UXT, KB1RVT, N8MS, N3TL, WA4NVM, KO4MA K8ZFN? and more. The received signal level was very strong during the entire pass. http://www.papays.com/SO-67_14Nov2009_134744z.mp3 73, John K8YSE

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Re: AO-7
by ps8rf Piraja 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

Hello Tim, Greetings. It is an excellent idea, tomorrow we will be active on AO-7 to share this historic day for the satellite communications for amateur radio. 73, Pirajá, PS8RF _________________________________________________________________ Novo site do Windows Live: Novidades, dicas dos produtos e muito mais. Conheça! http://www.windowslive.com.br/?ocid=WindowsLive09_MSN_Hotmail_Tagline_out09

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Selling up.
by Dave Aitch 14 Nov '09

14 Nov '09

Complete satellite station for sale. ICOM 910HX ICOM SM-10 Desk mic. DSP2232 G5600B Az/El Rotator All (4) antennas from VHF to 2.4GHz. U.K. only please. Make me an offer for the whole lot. Dave. G1OCN. AMSAT UK 5766

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mmds downconverter
by Bob- W7LRD 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hello Has anyone had any experience with a GIDDC-2278 S band downconverter? http://servsat.com/pdfs/PDFInalambricas/ServsatGIDDC22Series.pdf I would like to convert it for a two meter IF. Got a new one pretty cheap. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Grid DN93 and more
by Daniel "Nick" Kucij 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hi Rodney, I only need two more states to complete the lower 48 on the LEOs handheld, with my homebrew "cheap "yagi, Colorado and Wyoming, so I'd love to catch you in WY on this trip. If we can do a sched that would be great. Thanks! 73 Nick KB1RVT

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Re: Portable in DM07
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Add to my previous announcement, for a QSL card you can just send me an email with details and I'll check against my log and send one out. No need to send me any QSL's. Hope to see you all on the 18th. John W6ZKH

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AO51 KB9IIZ/P in EN51/52/61/62 13Nov09 2205z
by John Papay 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

KB9IIZ/P was operating from a 4 grid intersection, EN51, 52, 61, 62 on the AO-51 pass, 13Nov2009 at 2205z. Congratulations to Jaroslaw for making the effort to operate from four grids at the same time! Also on the pass was FP/KV1J in GN17. The audio clip is on my webserver: http://www.papays.com/AO-51_13Nov2009_220507z.mp3 Cards for my 4 grid operation on 8 November are in the mail to everyone in the log. If you do not receive your card in a week or so, please email me. Thanks. 73, John K8YSE

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Grid DN93 and more
by Rodney Waln 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

tomorrow 11/14-15z i will travel south to grid DN93 probably near the town of Vivian, SD on I-90 or there abouts for afternoon and evening passes on FM sats, not card needed just send e-mail with details mycall at amsat. or at yahoo. also for a heads up i hope to be traveling to Cheyenne, wy on the week of the 23rd by way of western Nebraska so if you need those states and if weather permits i will work as many afternoon and evening passes and a possible from that area, all tentative and updates as they become available, if you have a request i will try to work it in to the mix, Rodney kc0zhf

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AO-51 SSTV
by David - KG4ZLB 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Evening All, I would be interested to know if anyone received my SSTV image transmitted on the most recent AO-51 pass (23:40 utc) Thanks -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com

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TAPR TrackBox For Sale
by John Hansen 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

TAPR TrackBox stand-alone automatic satellite antenna controller for sale. This kit was installed in an aluminum box. I suspect the on board back battery is pretty dead as this unit hasn't been used in some years. Firmware version v3.50b. Pictures are available at: www.johnahansen.com $80 plus shipping. Contact: John Hansen W2FS john at hansen.net

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SSTV Testing
by Tim - N3TL 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hey Everyone, This is mostly intended for those of you who will be trying SSTV on AO-51 this weekend over North America. I use MMSSTV as my software for the mode, and it includes an 8-second-duration black and white mode that I'm going to try on one or two passes this weekend. I'd appreciate it if anyone who copies one of those images would email them to me. Thanks! Tim - N3TL

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AO-7
by Tim - N3TL 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hey everyone, Thirty-five years ago this Sunday (15 November), AO-7 reached orbit. The following is from the AO-7 page on the AMSAT-NA Web site: "AMSAT-OSCAR 7 was launched November 15, 1974 by a Delta 2310 launcher from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California. AO-7 was launched piggyback with ITOS-G (NOAA 4) and the Spanish INTASAT. The second phase 2 satellite (Phase II-B). Weight 28.6 kg. Orbit 1444 x 1459 km. Inclination 101.7 degrees. Octahedrally shaped 360 mm high and 424 mm in diameter. Circularly polarized canted turnstile VHF/UHF antenna system and HF dipole." I consider it good fortune that the Grand Old Girl will be in Mode B on her 35th birthday. According to information from Hal, ZS6WB, in South Africa, her daily toggle between Mode A and Mode B has been occurring very close to 0445 UTC, when at least a portion of South Africa usually is in her footprint. So - from 0445 UTC on 15 November to 0445 UTC on 16 November, AO-7 should be in Mode B (UHF uplink - VHF downlink). I'm hoping she stays consistent! Let's celebrate her historic longevity and make Sunday a very busy day for AO-7. I intend to work every pass I can, and I hope everyone else who has Mode B capability will do the same. If you're not set up for the linear satellites but have a receiver with CW/SSB capability on 2 meters, try listening to a pass. The middle of her Mode B downlink passband is 145.950 mHz, and you will find most of the activity occurring between 145.940 mHz and 145.960 mHz. Generally, you'll hear CW operators below 145..950 and SSB operators above 145.950. Here is a link to the online log for AO-7: http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php Check it out. AO-7 has lived a historic life. As I type this, the AO-7 log shows that she is completing orbit No. 160,155. Let's celebrate her birthday with as many QSOs as possible on the grandest satellite in the current amateur fleet. That's my opinion, of course - but I'm confident it's shared by many who have enjoyed AO-7 over the past 35 years. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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ESA
by f6htj＠aol.com 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hello , Happy to watch our work tracking ROSETTA swing by today . Enjoy , 73s de Gérard GALVE F6CXO and Bertrand PINEL F5PL http://webservices.esa.int/blog/post/5/897

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AO-51 mode change 12 November 2009
by Mark L. Hammond 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

The AO-51 mode change period below was peformed around 22:45 UTC on 12 November 2009. Transmitters are set currently as follows: TXA/435.150 at 610 mW and TXB/435.300 at 640 mW. As always, the 435.150 repeater downlink is subject to interuption for telemetry, generally one AM pass/day over the Eastern US. Best wishes to AMSAT-SA on their Special Event! And enjoy the SSTV operation period over the rest of the world! November 13 - November 15 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM FM repeater, V/U SSTV and AMSAT-SA Event Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM On behalf of the command and operations teams, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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SO-67 control
by Wayne Estes 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

All of this weekend's scheduled SO-67 activations are when it is over South Africa, presumably controlled by ground stations. With an unsustainable 5W downlink we can't expect SO-67 to be activated often in most places. Is SO-67 capable of operating from an uploaded schedule? Or is it only controlled in real-time? Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA

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Re: AO7
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Greetings Tim, I always enjoy your posts. If you think about it, AO7 may outlast us all. Since the batteries are no longer an issue, and the electronics is well burnt in, I'm pretty sure I could be pushing up daisies long before AO-7 decides to go belly up. Delfi-C3 was a great idea. Get rid of the weakest link. As for the issue of low power, milliwatt QSOs are not uncommon on AO7 and VO-52. 73, Mike (K9QHO)

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SumbandilaSat SO-67
by David Barber 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Just found the times for this weekends active periods have been published. http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ David G8OQW

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Yaesu 5400B Az-EL rotor controller Lamps
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Someone a while back mentioned using LED's as replacements for the meter lamps when they burn out. Can't remember who it was. Anyway, if you're still on the list, what value of resister did you use in series with the LED's? I think the OEM lamps were around 14 or 15 volts. Thanks KB7ADL

3 2

Portable in DM07
by w6zkh＠comcast.net 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Hello all............barring any unforeseen problems, next Wednesday, 11/18/09 I will take a quick trip up to DM07 Grid to fulfill some requests for that grid, plus hopefully it wont be a bust like last time. The data is: AO-27 @ 2041 utc which is a 25 deg pass SO-50 @ 2238 utc which is a 23 deg pass I had hoped to work the intersection of CM86/CM87/DM06/DM07 except it is in the middle of large Almond orchard, so will just stick with DM07. I will be using the Yaesu FT-60R ht + Elk dual-band yagi, like I did when on vacation last month. Hope to work as many as I can for those 2 passes. QSL direct (no SASE required) or eQSL.cc This Grid Location, DM07 is mostly rural and mountainous, where Yosemite is located. I will be in the SW corner, in the valley so wont be blocked by the Sierra Nevada's. Look for all. John W6ZKH

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Leonid campaign 2009
by Luc Leblanc 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Time to check the Navspasur Radar for some echoes. November 10, 2009: This year's Leonid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday, Nov. 17th. If forecasters are correct, the shower should produce a mild but pretty sprinkling of meteors over North America followed by a more intense outburst over Asia. The phase of the Moon will be new, setting the stage for what could be one of the best Leonid showers in years. We're predicting 20 to 30 meteors per hour over the Americas, and as many as 200 to 300 per hour over Asia," says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. "Our forecast is in good accord with independent theoretical work by other astronomers." The whole article can be read at: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/10nov_leonids2009.htm And a nice web site on the radar receiving experiment: http://www.itr-datanet.com/~pe1itr/navspasur.html "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Okay, frequency typo for TXA 38k4 ops :)
by Mark L. Hammond 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

The frequency for the 38k4 operation is 435.150, not the 437.150 that I typoed. :) Sorry for creating confusion. "AO-51 is scheduled for a four day period of high speed packet operations at 38k4 bps. If memory serves me correctly, it's been about 2 years since the satellite was configured in this mode. The satellite will be in high power mode (only TXA 435.150 transmitter ON) during this period." -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Looking ahead: AO-51 38k4 packet Nov 16-19, 2009
by Mark L. Hammond 13 Nov '09

13 Nov '09

Okay 38k4 packet operators, get ready to start your engines!! AO-51 is scheduled for a four day period of high speed packet operations at 38k4 bps. If memory serves me correctly, it's been about 2 years since the satellite was configured in this mode. The satellite will be in high power mode (only TXA 437.150 transmitter ON) during this period. The posted schedule is as follows: November 16 - November 19 38k4 BBS, L/U Uplink: 1268.700 MHz 9k6 FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz 38k4 FM Usually this means the mode will run from around 22:00-23:00UTC November 15 (Sunday evening Eastern US) until around 22:00-23:00UTC November 19 (Thursday evening Eastern US). Users of the PacketBBS are encouraged to send me feedback/reports on your experiences during this period. Please note that 38k4 packet operations require a receiver with sufficient bandwidth and that your normal 9600 radio receive connection will not work. Users also need a TNC that is capable of running packet at 38k4. A special "wide" filter like the ones available through Symek (www.symek.com) need to be installed in the radio to "tap" a wide band signal. A few commercially available TNCs, like the KPC-9612+ and the Paccomm Spirit-2 (with satellite option) can be used. You can use a PCR-1000 or PCR-1500/2500 as a wide band receiver, without modification. Use the packet jack and set the receiver to FM (not FM-W) with a 50 kHz filter width. If you have one of these receivers, but not the right TNC, you might try Doug Qualigiana's KA2UPW sound card software here: http://www.quagliana.com/willow/ It will decode at 9600 and 38k4. There was a an article about his software in the AMSAT Journal just a few months ago. Hope to see you active on AO-51 at 38k4! -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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SatPC32 12.8a and IC-910
by Allan Saul 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Hi Erich, Thanks for the great upgrade. I see you incorporated the CW-N mode and the display of the DOPPLER.sqf line in the CAT menu I suggested :) You are correct, one of the issues with fast changes in Doppler on a CW-N signal is that it jumps in pitch a lot. I enabled the x5 and x10 mode and I can see SatPC32 is now polling the IC-910 much quicker (the SUB light on the LCD flashes an instruction is sent to the rig via C-IV). But what I cant figure out is that even if I set the CW/SSB interval to 10Hz, the rig only changes every 100Hz. When I make small changes to the VFO by rocking the dial back and forth on the rig the full update to the goes back to the frequency display in SatPC32 right down to the last Hertz but as soon as I let go of the VFO knob the IC-910 jumps to the nearest 100 Hz increment up or down when the next C-IV instruction is received from SatPC32. So it seems the full frequency command is going from the IC-910 to SatPC32 but its not accepting it from SatPC32 ? Or am I missing something ? Maybe someone else can test and confirm this. 73's and Best Regards, Allan ZS1LS

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2-way Milliwatt Contact
by Tim - N3TL 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Hey everyone, During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. today (11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld stations that were each transmitting 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the published, nominal transmitted power of AO-27 (500mW), our "power budget" for the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt. I'm thrilled to post this item to the BB. We didn't use a specially scheduled QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact using milliwatt power. I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power of the satellite itself! 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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From CO8LY
by Eduardo Somoano C 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Hello dears freinds : I write to you to ask for a big favor. I own an old YAESU FT-747 which final RF power transistors 2SC2290 or 2SC3240 were damaged. I have not been able to find them, allthough I have searched ansiously. A friend of my city gives myself two trasistores of low power and alone I can to transmit with 45 watt in these moments I need you to help me, for that Radio is my unique HF Station. If you could help me find the two transistors I would be profoundly thankfull. Best regards for you and your family. 73.- Eduardo CO8LY

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AO-51 Audio 12-13Nov2009 AA5CK/P EM03 W9AE CN83
by John Papay 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

I have uploaded two AO-51 audio files to my webserver. The first is the 12Nov2009 2241Z pass with AA5CK/P operating in EM03. The second is the next pass on 13Nov2009 at 0023Z that includes AA5CK/P in EM03 and another not often heard from grid, CN83, with W9AE operating. The second recording is a little over 9 minutes as this was only a 6 degree pass for me here in Cleveland. Thanks to both Ted and Wayne for activating these grids for all of us collecting them for our satellite VUCC! http://www.papays.com/AO-51_12Nov2009_224145z.mp3 http://www.papays.com/AO-51_13Nov2009_002343z.mp3 73, John K8YSE

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SO-67
by Dave Marthouse 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

I haven't heard any activity on SO-67 since the mode vu repeater was on last weekend. Is the satellite in a different mode? If so what is the downlink frequency of the beacon? Any information would be appreciated. Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmart(a)pure.net

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So is P3E essentially dead at this point?
by Michael Tondee 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

I'm following with interest the post on FM versus linear transponders. Right now I'm in the middle of putting together and FM LEO station that can later be made SSB/CW capable with the addition of a new rig which I think I may be able to once again afford sometime after the first of the year. I've read all about the new direction Amsat NA is taking and I applaud it as I think that's what's best. I still wonder about Amsat DL and P3E though. I don't hear much of anything anymore. Last I heard, the figure Arianne space gave for launch was deemed beyond reach and Amsat DL was going to try and get their government to help. Just wondering what the status is. Is there still a chance we will see it in orbit or is it just a poor dead bird mothballed in storage somewhere now? 73, Michael, W4HIJ

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AMSAT is topic of Friday night's 'Technology Net' November 13
by JoAnne Maenpaa 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Just relaying this from the news on QRZ.com. SouthGate ARC site was mentioned also ... The subject for this week's "Technology Net" is Understanding and working the Amateur Satellites, presented by Ron Nutter, KA4KYI. Being the AMSAT Area Coordinator for Missouri, Ron will introduce you to all the AMSAT Satellites as well as the many Satellites launched by other groups around the world. Having made contacts himself to all states in the Continental U.S. he'll explain every combination of equipment to work the birds from handheld to mobile to fixed location. He'll explain how and what you'll need to get into one of the most exciting forms of Amateur Radio. If you go to our website you will see all the "Technology Net" presentations. If you click on the top listing you will be going to Ron's website with many pages of information to support his presentation. There will be a question and answer period at the end of his presentation for you to ask any questions you have. We'll also be posting a recorded version of his presentation on our website afterwards, for anyone that misses it. http://k0gq.com/technet.htm The Technology Net is on the Raytown Missouri Amateur Radio Club repeater at 8:00 pm Central time U.S. Friday November 13, on 145.170(-) no PL tone. Or you can listen from anywhere on the Internet at these locations: Echolink - K0GQ-R node 403841 Echolink - *MISSOURI* conference server node 452514 Echolink - *NV-GATE* conference server node 152566 IRPL - Western Reflector Ch 8 node 9258 Jerry NF9L Get Southgate Amateur Radio News by Email -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service Copy Editor, AMSAT Journal

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Milliwatt 2-way contact
by Tim - N3TL 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Hey everyone, During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. yesterday (11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld stations. Each of us transmitted 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the published, nominal transmitter power of AO-27 (500mW), our "power budget" for the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt. We didn't use a specially scheduled QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact using milliwatt power. I am grateful to know and work so many truly good operators on the satellites.. They try to give others some space, and it's because of their collective approach that many passes still are good for milliwatt power. I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power of the satellite itself. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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Satellites need to be open source
by Robin Theunis 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

I am telling maybe something controversial to you guys but I think it's this idea is needed for amsat. The post is made because I had a question to amsat and the satellite users, builders, controllers,... Why aren't the schematics of AO-7, AO-51, SO-50,... not posted on the internet? In these satellites is are huge amount of magnificent design electronics. Why can't ham-radio amateurs not reuse those design in other satellites, things. You will think: "That is simple to say that everything needs to be opensource but I have worked so long I don't this that other people just copy it!". If I design something for Radio amateur, I will shared it. I find it more important that someone else can use it also. He can make improvement to my design and so gaining better design/ software. Do you know many stops the mail has. Any how many of those stop are thing that run open-source software. I will start. This email is wrote in Firefox, mailed to Google (which use open source software), the mail packet is routed at my home. Which is an linksys with standard open source linux OS. Then is goes to different routers, smtp relay server which is 9 on 10 a open-source linux server. Then it goes to a POP3 server of amsat which is al so an open-source linux server. Opensource in not a bad thing. There are a lot great projects. Ubuntu, OpenOffice, gpredict, fldigi,... Why can satellite builders, controllers share the designs, software of satellite? And if you publish it with the correct license aka GPL, BSD,... Other amateurs can help, improve, make other satellites with the same tested designs. I have a lot of respect of the satellite build at amsat. They have the know-how. But I in my world I find that everyone can access that knowledge. In other words no one can own knowledge in my opinion. Smaller clubs with not so much knowledge can design his own satellite. I vote for http://www.opensatellite.com/ I gave you some stuff to thing/discuss over. What is your opinion? 73 ON8RTH Robin Theunis http://robin.tussen.be

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GWSS Small Satellites Panel: Updated Flyer
by Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Attention all DC/MD/VA/DE Amsat members: Our own, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO and Chief Engineer, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate will be speaking at an event hosted by George Washington Space Society at the Elliot School of International Affairs on Thursday, November 12 at 1930 ET. See attached flyer! If you are going, hope to see you there.. 73 Samudra, N3RDX RSVP or inquiries: > > Kirk Woellert, Research Assistant > Space Policy Institute > The George Washington University > 1957 E St., NW Suite 403 > Washington, D.C 20052 > > email: kdwoell(a)comcast.net > > (703) 732-5339 (cel) >

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Hudson Valley Satcom group Net Will not be available tonight on Echolionk
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Hello everyone. The net will not be available tonight on Echolink I was told by our club director of engineering. The net scheduled for November 26 will be canceled due to Thanksgiving. The next net will be on December 10. If you are able to get into the Mt.Beacon repeater on 146.970 pl 100 join us tonight. Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving. Hope to work you on the birds. 73 Gary WA2AQH

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EM03
by ted 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

I will be in EM03 this afternoon and evening and will QSL all contacts, no return cards needed. 73....ted....aa5ck

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Milliwat 2-way contact
by Peter 12 Nov '09

12 Nov '09

Tim, Sawson, Congratulations on your "flee power" contact! Once again experience, knowledge, patience and the cooperation of good satellite operators triumphs over power. We should tip our microphones to Tim, N3TL and Sawson (KG6NUB) for their efforts. I can hear the hiss of rigs being turned on by other amateur's to experiment and enjoy the hobby, thank you guys, well done!! 73, Pete, WB2OQQ NY Area AMSAT Coordinator

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Re: AMSAT NextGen Program Progress
by Alex, N3SQ 11 Nov '09

11 Nov '09

> So Arisssat or suitsat 2 whatever it is called is now going to be ready at the end of 2010? > > Robert WB5MZO I said that we would be in a good position to have a NextGen 2U or 3U CubeSat satellite ready for a launch opportunity anytime after late 2010. It's up to the AMSAT BoD to (a) decide to launch any NextGen satellite (b) raise the money to launch a NextGen satellite I don't remember saying anything about ARISSat-1's launch opportunities, I'm not the ARISSat Program Manager. Alex, N3NP

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