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FX.25 on Castor and Pollux
by Jim Heck 01 Aug '09

01 Aug '09

Hi Folks, Does anyone know if these sats are sending FX.25 yet? I havnt found much on the web about FX.25, but it sounds exptremely cool. The https://goby.nrl.navy.mil/ANDE/Amateur_Radio.html web site refers to a FX.25 decoder. Is this yet available, I wonder? 73s Jim G3WGM

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AO-7 A/B
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Does anyone have an idea when we go from a to b or b to a? Looking at the log it seems not very consistant. 73 bob W7LRD

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Pollux TLM 1742Z Pass in EN91
by kc8ran＠cox.net 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Worked using keps from Nigel. Heard lots of packets but only decoded 3. Time stamp is EDT (UTC-4). Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=118 >[13:46:52] MEMS 87780 2.59 2.58 2.45 12.03 12.118 10.331 -0.550 -0.116 3.665 -5.14 15.26 11.54 16.80 17.64 17.01 2.60 13 18 55 Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=100 >[13:47:18] SYST 87813 0 0 33 0 0037 1078 0000 0f30 0149 0f38 0007 1020 003c 0e10 ffff ffff 0156 08c8 0fbc 0038 Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=117 >[13:47:58] MEMS 87846 2.59 2.57 2.46 12.03 12.118 10.331 -0.663 -0.882 0.333 -7.36 -4.36 23.50 16.75 17.46 16.99 2.60 3 40 14 Joe KC8RAN Parma Hts, OH EN91

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Re: Youtube video of ANDE-2 deployment from STS-127 (Henk, PA3GUO
by Clint Bradford 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Extraordinary, indeed! Can someone tell me what all five objects are at, say, the 6:15 minute mark on the video? Clint Bradford

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CP6 satellite, data decoding using CPX data decoder
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Check out http://moredbs.atl.calpoly.edu/satellites/CP6/passes/2875. Six packets downloaded on one pass with new settings in IC-910. This was an attended pass with fine tuning the signal manually using the CW beacon as a guide. The best automated pass so far was three packets decoded. TLE in online primer located at http://www.gatorradio.org/CP6_tutorial.pdf gave reception from horizon to horizon and packet decoding (adequate signal strength) above 9 degrees. My home ground station is based on the same equipment as W4DFU at the University of Florida Club station. Students will join me there tomorrow to do the same, then set-up for the newly launched cubesats. UF swampsat is under construction. See www.gatorradio.org <http://www.gatorradio.org/> for club info. Jay, AA4FL Faculty Advisor, Gator ARC at UF

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Dragonsat
by Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Suppose I should have given the latest for DRAGONSAT 1 35690U 09038B 09211.97009835 +.00095697 +00000-0 +49101-3 0 00059 2 35690 051.6383 081.9986 0005201 088.2863 271.8760 15.80461110000070 -- Nigel A. Gunn, 1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA. tel +1 937 825 5032 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF), e-mail nigel(a)ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net Member of ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548, Flying Pigs QRP Club International #385, Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691, AMSAT-UK 0182, MKARS, ALC, GCARES, XWARN.

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AggieSat-2 information etc.
by Mineo Wakita 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

I received a private mail from AggieSat-2 Ground Staion. Please see the bottom in the following page, http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/dragonst.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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ANDE-2 telemetry 13:15 UTC
by Mike Rupprecht 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

2009-07-31 13:15:34.260 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: SYST 71511 0 0 33 0 016a 0fc0 0012 0e80 0013 0e50 004e 1000 003a 0db8 ffff ffff 0158 08ce 0fbc 003c ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:16:13.750 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: MEMS 71544 2.59 2.58 2.45 11.09 11.440 9.668 -0.110 -0.555 -3.116 -5.41 -27.76 12.53 15.95 16.63 15.90 2.60 30 36 5 .. ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:16:40.260 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: SYST 71577 0 0 33 0 002b 1030 002c 0ee8 0023 0ee8 018f 10a0 0019 0e60 ffff ffff 015a 08c8 0fba 003a ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:16:44.540 UTC: from KD4HBO-1 to CQ via TELEM: SYS 66720 65535 0 30 0 ffdc 0940 ffcc 0670 fe52 1090 fffe 0b80 ffe3 0cc0 fff4 0cb8 13.7 5.0 9.4 .71 -1.22 1.61 7.04 4.16 4.16 54 35 23 ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:17:14.540 UTC: from KD4HBO-1 to CQ via TELEM: SYS 66750 65535 0 30 0 ffd1 0950 ffd1 0688 ff96 10c0 ffdb 0bc8 fffe 0cd8 ffc6 0cf0 13.7 5.0 9.9 .76 -1.03 0.55 7.04 4.16 4.16 54 25 27 ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:17:19.710 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: MEMS 71610 2.59 2.58 2.44 11.09 11.440 9.553 0.01 -0.224 -3.777 -5.23 -32.76 3.86 16.08 16.64 15.97 2.60 16 12 47 .. ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:19:31.750 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: MEMS 71742 2.59 2.57 2.45 11.225 11.440 9.668 -0.223 0.888 -2.220 -6.00 -24.53 -23.41 16.20 16.71 16.43 2.60 35 15 6 .. ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:19:58.270 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: SYST 71775 0 0 33 0 003a 1158 0016 1030 0018 0f20 0099 11b8 0158 0ff8 ffff ffff 0156 08ca 0fbc 003c ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:20:37.730 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: MEMS 71808 2.59 2.57 2.46 11.09 11.556 9.884 -0.118 1.114 1.665 -3.58 -0.87 -24.82 16.35 17.07 16.44 2.60 32 32 28 .. ______________________________________________________________________ 2009-07-31 13:21:44.200 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: MEMS 71874 11.225 11.556 10.00 -0.05 0.885 3.552 -2.13 12.38 -15.23 16.61 17.18 16.45 2.61 8 8 42 .. 73, Mike DK3WN

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Pollux, Castor Object Numbers
by Armando Mercado 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Greetings, SpaceTrak has the following element numbers assocaited with the ANDE deploy: 35691 - Object C 35692 - Object D 35693 - Object E 35694 - Object F 35695 - Object G 73, Armando, N8IGJ

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ANDE-2 observations
by Mike Rupprecht 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

14:50 UTC 64 deg pass 14:50 POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,?,F0 (1199 baud): SYST 77187 0 0 33 0 0168 10f8 0000 0fd0 0008 0ff0 003d 1138 0060 0ec0 ffff ffff 0158 08ca 0fbc 003a 14:52 POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,?,F0 (1199 baud): MEMS 77286 11.440 11.771 10.331 -0.02 -0.02 -3.882 -5.32 -34.22 -2.22 16.34 17.02 16.44 2.60 34 32 18 14:53 POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,?,F0 (1199 baud): SYST 77319 0 0 33 0 0027 11e0 0004 10b8 0011 1058 0163 1218 004c 1000 ffff ffff 0156 08ca 0fbe 003c 14:54 POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,?,F0 (1199 baud): SYST 77385 0 0 33 0 019a 1268 0000 1110 001e 1048 0014 1280 0003 10b8 ffff ffff 0156 08ca 0fba 0038 14:55 POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,?,F0 (1199 baud): SYST 77451 0 0 33 0 0005 12b0 0004 1148 0173 10a0 001c 1298 0021 1138 ffff ffff 0158 08ca 0fba 0038 14:56 POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,?,F0 (1199 baud): SYST 77517 0 0 33 0 0020 12f0 0001 1178 001b 10f8 0028 12c8 0008 1190 ffff ffff 0158 08c8 0fbe 003a See the VHF spectrum here: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=6667 If you take a look at the spectrum you can see the following issues: # TX frequency of Pollux is 1.5..2 KHz higher than Castor # RF signal of Castor is weaker than Pollux # intervals are not constant (maybe it depends on MEMS or SYST packet) # TLE are bad ;-) 73, Mike DK3WN

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TLM Decode
by kc8ran＠cox.net 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Heard lots of packets between 15:50 and 16:10Z but only decoded 1. Beam was pointing south from EN91 based on path for ISS (don't have good keps yet from SpaceTrak?) Joe KC8RAN Fm PCSAT-11 To BEACON Via SGATE <UI pid=F0 Len=42 >[12:00:40] T#003,054,049,082,118,214,11111111,0010,1

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Re: Pollux in APRS Database
by David Johnson 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Hi Mike, In principle yes, you might have some packets that other people have missed. The problem is that the packets are time-stamped when they go into the database within a few seconds of actual receipt. (propagation time across the internet). So in reality, if there is a delay of more than a couple of minutes it could cause problems. Better to decode and publish here for the moment, I think. 73 - Dave Mike Rupprecht wrote: > Hi Dave, > does it make sense to play back my audio file and igate the CASTOR/POLLUX > packets into the APRS network ? > > 73, Mike > DK3WN > > -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- > Von: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Im > Auftrag von David Johnson > Gesendet: Freitag, 31. Juli 2009 15:52 > An: Graham Shirville > Cc: amsat-bb(a)AMSAT.Org > Betreff: [amsat-bb] Pollux in APRS Database > > Hi, > > FYI, Here are the counts of records received and stored in my > APRSPackets table in the past 24 hours: > > +---------------------+--------------+ > | count(CallsignSSID) | CallsignSSID | > +---------------------+--------------+ > | 44 | PCSAT-1 | > | 3 | PCSAT-11 | > | 14 | POLLUX-1 | > | 6 | W3ADO-1 | > +---------------------+--------------+ > > 73 > > Dave, G4DPZ > _______________________________________________ > 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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ANDE-2 telemetry periods
by Henk, PA3GUO 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Here are 3 packets decoded by Mike, DK3WN: 2009-07-31 13:19:31.750 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM:> MEMS 2009-07-31 13:19:58.270 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM:> SYST 2009-07-31 13:20:37.730 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM:> MEMS Based on these I conclude the following transmission periods: MEMS > SYST: 27 seconds (58-31) SYST > MEMS: 39 seconds (37-58) Total: 27 + 39 = 66 seconds for a complete package (the 33 seconds is an average therefore) This corresponds with my audio analysis, which btw also shows Castors 30 seconds period: http://www.pa3guo.com/ande2_periods_31jul09.jpg (you see in the spectrum the various packets from Castor & Pollux) Henk, PA3GUO http://www.pa3guo.com

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DRAGONSAT
by Mike Rupprecht 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

All, I heard AggieSat-2 in all passes but weak signal - periodic bursts every 20 seconds. No information about modulation from the team :-( Nothing heard from BEVO-1. 73, Mike DK3WN

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just received around 1450UTC 30th july at IO91QX strong signals
by GRAHAM SHIRVILLE 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

cmd:POLLUX-1>CQ,TELEM/1: <UI>: MEMS 71544 2.59 2.58 2.45 11.09 11.440 9.668 -0.110 -0.555 -3.116 -5.41 -27.76 1 2.53 15.95 16.63 15.90 2.60 30 36 5 cheers Graham G3VZV

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Pollux Telemetry
by John Ronan 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

1k2: fm POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM ctl UI pid=F0(Text) len 100 12:40:25 0000 MEMS 65802 11.440 11.440 9.668 -0.224 0.114 4.119 -3.27 17.48 4. 0040 08 16.19 16.66 16.39 2.60 4 18 48 .. It doesn't seem to have made the APRS-IS though, I must check my xastir setup when I get home. de John EI7IG

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POLLUX-1 Tlm
by Paulo Pinto 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Heard at 1140 UTC on 145.825 MHz: POLLUX-1>CQ, TELEM: SYST 65703 0 0 33 0 0 17d 0dc0 0000 0c80 000b 0c88 001f 0de8 0017 0c60 ffff ffff 0158 08ce 0fbe 0038 POLLUX-1>CQ, TELEM: SYST 65769 0 0 33 0 0 01c 0e28 0000 0cf0 0006 0cc8 0166 0e38 000f 0ca0 ffff ffff 0156 08ce 0fba 003c POLLUX-1>CQ, TELEM:MEMS 65802 11.440 11.440 9.668 -0.224 0.114 4.119 -3.27 17.48 4.08 16.19 16.66 16.39 2.60 4 18 48 73 -- CT1ETE, Paulo Pinto MSN: pspinto(a)yahoo.com http://www.ct1ete.net http://transponderclubedeportugal.blogspot.com

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ANDE-2 telemetry
by Mike Rupprecht 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

40 deg pass but weak signals. 2009-07-31 11:41:37.330 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: MEMS 65868 11.440 11.440 9.553 -0.559 -0.557 2.447 -5.46 8.53 20.69 16.16 16.65 16.32 2.60 24 4 28 .. 2009-07-31 11:41:44.290 UTC: from KD4HBO-1 to CQ via TELEM: SYS 61020 65535 0 30 0 ffdb 0820 ffd4 04c0 ffcc 0f70 ffe2 0a80 febb 0b98 ffae 0be0 13.7 5.0 10.9 .05 0.99 0.68 7.04 4.16 4.16 46 14 30 2009-07-31 11:44:55.340 UTC: from POLLUX-1 to CQ via TELEM: MEMS 66066 11.440 11.556 9.553 0.02 -0.331 -3.773 -4.56 -31.97 6.12 16.18 16.65 16.27 2.60 4 8 45 .. 73, Mike DK3WN

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POLLUX telemetry
by Mike Rupprecht 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

. pretty low pass (7 deg) 2009-07-31 10:08:34.870 UTC: POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ> SYST 60291 0 0 33 0 0148 0ef0 0159 0df8 000d 0d60 0018 0fd8 0009 0df8 ffff ffff 0156 08ca 0fba 0036 2009-07-31 10:09:40.870 UTC: POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,? SYST 60357 0 0 33 0 0009 0f38 0033 0e48 002b 0d80 0012 1048 0049 0e48 ffff ffff 0158 08ce 0fbe 003c 2009-07-31 10:10:46.860 UTC: POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,? SYST 60423 0 0 33 0 0027 0f98 01b4 0ea0 000b 0db0 0007 10a8 000a 0eb0 ffff ffff 015a 08cc 0fb8 0038 73, Mike DK3WN

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Dragonsat TLE
by Mike Rupprecht 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

DRAGONSAT 1 35690U 09038B 09211.78040654 .00052238 00000-0 27158-3 0 10 2 35690 051.6362 082.9800 0005074 086.7019 273.4578 15.80416454 40 .see http://www.space-track.org 73, Mike DK3WN

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New IRC for Houston AMSAT Net
by Bruce 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

The Houston AMSAT Net now being heard on Echolink in the conference *AMSAT* Wednesday 0100UTC (Tuesday 8PM Central) has moved to a new IRC. You can find us on our new IRC.... IRC Server: irc.radiochat.org PORT: 6667 Group: #amsat 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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POLLUX heard
by Chuang Edward 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

POLLUX heard using TLE for STS-127: POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,?,F0: SYST 32637 0 0 33 0 0016 0b30 0000 0a50 0032 0a38 000f 0ba0 01a7 09d8 ffff ffff 0158 08c8 0fbc 003a POLLUX-1/TELEM>CQ>UI,?,F0: MEMS 32670 2.59 2.57 2.46 9.337 8.775 7.118 0.558 -0.991 0.110 0.15 -5.90 24.52 13.54 14.39 13.97 2.60 24 20 19 Date/Time: July.31 02:28U GL: PL04vq Max Ele: 38.4 deg. Edward / BX1AD -----

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AO-51 is operational in 'normal' mode
by Gould Smith 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

I have most of the tasks uploaded. We are now in a no eclipse period, so we can run higher power levels. I will be bringing the power up slowly as I watch the response. I turned on TXB tonight in V/U mode 145.920/435.300 and instantly heard people talking. Both transponders are running about 500 mW. TXA is running digital telemetry, there is no uplink operational. 73, Gould, WA4SXM

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Re: AO-51 is operational in 'normal' mode
by Jim Jerzycke 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Well done, and thanks to the Command Team! 73, Jim KQ6EA --- On Thu, 7/30/09, Gould Smith <gouldsmi(a)bellsouth.net> wrote: From: Gould Smith <gouldsmi(a)bellsouth.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 is operational in 'normal' mode To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Thursday, July 30, 2009, 8:01 PM I have most of the tasks uploaded. We are now in a no eclipse period, so we can run higher power levels. I will be bringing the power up slowly as I watch the response. I turned on TXB tonight in V/U mode 145.920/435.300 and instantly heard people talking. Both transponders are running about 500 mW. TXA is running digital telemetry, there is no uplink operational. 73, Gould, WA4SXM _______________________________________________ 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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amsat colloquim presentations
by Nick 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Are the amsat colloquium presentations archived for viewing ? Thanks nick

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Re: ANDE released
by kc8ran＠cox.net 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Copied in EN91. Timestamps are EDT (UTC-4) Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=112 >[15:03:57] MEMS 6006 2.59 2.57 2.46 0.778 1.440 0.331 -0.441 -0.882 1.441 -7.26 -1.13 24.26 6.90 7.24 6.72 2.60 16 45 31 Fm POLLUX-1 To CQ Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=99 >[15:04:23] SYST 6039 0 0 33 0 0051 0a30 002d 0980 002d 0960 0168 0cc8 0008 09d0 ffff ffff 015e 08c6 0fbe 0040 Used UISS to decode, tracking ISS on 145.825 figuring it had to be close enough (antenna has 24 degree beam width). Will add keps later on and get more accurate tracking. Joe KC8RAN On Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 1:26 PM , Ivan Galysh wrote: > Anyone who hears any of the satellites, let me know and send me any > telemetry. > > > Ivan > > _______________________________________________ > 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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ANDE heard
by Ivan Galysh 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Hello all, Thanks to Henk for capturing data from Pollux. He heard Castor/KD4HBO-1 but not decode. Current surface temperature is ranging from 6 to 9C. Interior temperature is ranging from -3 to -1C. It looks like all high school MEMS experiment payloads are functioning. Some of the data doesn't look right but that is part of the experiment. When I get a chance, I'll send out the MEMS telemetry format and info on the MEMS devices. This was collected from Henk, PA3GUO. POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 990 2.59 2.57 2.45 -3.112 -1.556 -2.118 0.226 -0.779 -2.559 -5.35 -27.74 17.44 4.86 4.73 4.40 2.60 7 49 10 POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 1023 0 0 33 0 002d 06e8 017f 06a8 0145 0670 ffff 09a0 0022 06c0 ffff ffff 0158 08cc 0fc4 0036 Ivan

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Grid-Exposition thanks!
by David Gendle 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

I just want to take a moment to thank a number of folks that have been adding much enjoyment to my satellite operations lately. Yesterday I found an envelope in my mailbox with a bunch of QSLs from Jim (ND9M) confirming QSOs in 13 different grid squares with 6 of them "new ones" for me along the East coast from Delaware to Florida. I recently logged 5 new squares with contacts with Patrick (WD9EWK) in AZ and UT. A few weeks ago I received some QSLs from Doug (KD8CAO) providing me some new contacts into upper MI. In addition there has been Gail (KB0RZD) adding to my collection in the midwest with many new grids, and John (K8YSE) with his trip to DE helping those that needed DE for WAS or just for an additional grid worked. Rob (KD4ZGW) is always "popping up" somewhere in the US and always willing to provide a contact to anyone making the trip. Last year Allen (N5AFV) provided me with some great contacts to some very wet grid squares while operating /MM from a cruise ship. There have been others which I have missed, but none the less their efforts are appreciated. These guys armed with their laptops, GPS units, handheld antennas, radios, and maps take off into remote country and areas to provide us with the enjoyment of working a new grid. Then when they return they have to face a pile of QSL requests from folks like me wanting to confirm our new contacts. They spend a lot of time and money with nothing in return except the thanks from those of us that have benefited from their efforts. There have been other posts recently publicly thanking these guys but I just wanted to chime in and add my thanks for some great contacts with some great guys! I just took a break from writing this note to go work AO-27. I didn't expect much because of the short pass and the fact that it was a low pass to the East of me, however, much to my surprise and good fortune I made a contact with Dan (KB1RVT) working from FN54! Thanks Dan, you made my day! Guys, I just want to add my sincere thanks and appreciation to your efforts and desire to help enhance the amateur radio hobby for a great many of us that enjoy working the "birds"! I hope someday the conditions will allow me to pack up a radio and trek off into some area where I also can provide some contacts in a new area and provide some QSLs for others. However, in the meantime, thanks to those of you that are currently spending time to better the hobby for all of us! Thanks! 73, Dave - K4DLG

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Youtube video of ANDE-2 deployment from STS-127
by Henk, PA3GUO 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

All, For those that missed the great moment; OZ9AEC has made the deployment of the two ANDE satellites available at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B19rIEZwTJU Henk

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ANDE released
by Ivan Galysh 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Anyone who hears any of the satellites, let me know and send me any telemetry. Ivan

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ANDE-2 satellites heared (17:44utc)
by Henk, PA3GUO 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Congratulations to Ivan and his team ! !S 17:40:19 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:MEMS 990 2.59 2.57 2.45 -3.112 -1.556 -2.118 0.226 -0.779 -2.559 -5.35 -27.74 17.44 4.86 4.73 4.40 2.60 7 49 10 !S 17:40:46 !POLLUX-1>TELEM>CQ:SYST 1023 0 0 33 0 002d 06e8 017f 06a8 0145 0670 ffff 09a0 0022 06c0 ffff ffff 0158 08cc 0fc4 0036 During the 16 degrees elevation pass I did hear much more packets. My TNC only decoded 2 (see above). Also from Coastor I think, as they were close to Pollux. Seems Castor is less loud (RF wise). Frequency 145.825. 2x6 elements beam, no pre-amp. TNC: PK96, 1200 baud. Radio: Kenwood TS2000X. Perfect deployment from the Shuttle, and immediately the sats work ! Henk, PA3GUO

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Aggiesat heared !
by Henk, PA3GUO 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Think I did pick up Aggiesat: Very pass, 1433 UTC (manual tuning): http://www.pa3guo.com/aggiesat_30jul2009_1433utc_436.250cw.mp3 Next pass, 1600 UTC (manual tuning): http://www.pa3guo.com/aggiesat_30jul2009_1600utc_436.255cw.mp3 Burst of 5 seconds, within a period of 20 second. My estimate is that the center frequency is around 436.255 MHz First signals heared 436.262, last signals 436.248. Shuttle keps used. Henk, PA3GUO

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ANDE -3h deploy elements
by Ivan Galysh 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

1 99999U 09211.72373843 -.02622722 00000-0 -14293-1 0 00003 2 99999 051.6372 083.2754 0005819 029.8235 006.8153 15.79273176000058 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 99999U 09211.72373843 .00571633 00000-0 30100-2 0 00009 2 99999 051.6372 083.2754 0003023 027.2381 009.4075 15.79914706000027 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 99999U 09211.72373843 .00636106 00000-0 34351-2 0 00008 2 99999 051.6372 083.2754 0005463 031.4523 005.1966 15.79342597000027 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 99999U 09211.72373843 .00545186 00000-0 29083-2 0 00001 2 99999 051.6372 083.2754 0004209 029.9409 006.7016 15.79624738000022 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 99999U 09211.72373843 .00573006 00000-0 30024-2 0 00000 2 99999 051.6372 083.2754 0002560 025.5846 011.0602 15.80024865000024 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 99999U 09211.72373843 .00564650 00000-0 29889-2 0 00002 2 99999 051.6372 083.2754 0003500 028.5748 008.0691 15.79797847000022 Ivan ------------------------------------------------------------------------

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ARISS -School Link Up
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Hi Really good copy on the downlink pass 1607 -1617 Zulu of the ARISS School Link on 145.800 Mhz. Excellent audio quality and another fine set of questions and answers. Congratulations once again for another success in this role play for education and of course Amateur Radio. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amsat NA

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Active from IM57sc
by Paulo Pinto 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

Hi all, I will be active between 1st and 7th August as CT1ETE/p from IM57sc. I will try to operate VO-52, AO-27, SO-50 and AO-51 (time permiting). For those needing this gridsquare I'll try to be the most active as possible. My setup will be QRP: Yaesu FT-817ND Arrow Antenna Hope to hear you in the birds! 73 -- CT1ETE, Paulo Pinto MSN: pspinto(a)yahoo.com http://www.ct1ete.net http://transponderclubedeportugal.blogspot.com

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Re: ANDE-2 Deployment
by Trevor . 30 Jul '09

30 Jul '09

BEVO-1 is also being deployed by the shuttle, freq 437.325 MHz, details at http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2009/dual_picosat_deployment.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA

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CP6 decoding software and equipment setup
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Use the following tutorial for Downloading and Decoding CP6 data using the KPC-9612 Plus TNC, ICOM-910, SatPC32 and CPX Data Decoder Software http://www.gatorradio.org/CP6_tutorial.pdf Let me know of any suggestions in content. This was written to be a straight forward primer for recently licensed members of the UF Small Satellite Design Club. Dr. Jay Garlitz, AA4FL Faculty Advisor, Gator Amateur Radio Club at UF __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4289 (20090729) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

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Shuttle - ISS Viewing
by Clint Bradford 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

What a marvelous sight this evening at 8:40PM PDT: the Shuttle followed by the ISS streaking across the WSW sky, both easily viewed at the same time for several minutes. Awesome ... and I'm not easily awed (grin). Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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ISS Visible Passes
by Bruce 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

this was posted on our local club server in houston. nick teaches at a clear lake school (nasa area) and also teaches astronauts so they can get their license. 73...bruce -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [CLARC] ISS Visible Passes Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:39:35 -0500 From: Nick Lance <nlance(a)hal-pc.org> To: CLARC <clarc(a)clarc.org> You should be able to see the ISS, Shutle and progress simultaneously tonight! A very rare event. I'll be on the CLARC repeater beginning around 9:10 pm. Nick SATELLITE LOCAL DURATION MAX ELEV APPROACH DEPARTURE DATE/TIME (MIN) (DEG) (DEG-DIR) (DEG-DIR) ISS Mon Jul 27/08:50 PM 4 21 11 above N 10 above E ISS Mon Jul 27/10:25 PM < 1 13 10 above W 13 above W ISS Tue Jul 28/09:16 PM 3 79 33 above NW 24 above SE ISS Wed Jul 29/09:40 PM 2 15 11 above W 14 above SSW ISS Fri Jul 31/08:54 PM 2 14 13 above WSW 10 above SSW ISS Tue Aug 11/06:21 AM 2 13 10 above SSE 13 above ESE -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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liquidating ham shack
by Chris Hackworth 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Greetings, I am liquidating most of my ham radio collection due to the fact that the house that I am renting is going into foreclosure due to the landlords negligance. I need to amass some money to make sure that I can get another house to rent for my wife and kids. They come first, so my ham radio stuff must go. I have about 55 ham radio related books, from HF and qrp books, to vhf and uhf. Arrl and rsgb books. Arrl Handbooks, Joseph carr books, ,Microwave projects,Etc.... I will also be listing a project ts-440s. all the parts are there, I bought replacement parts from East Coast Transistor, it just needs reassembled. I will also probably be listing the Kenwood T599a and R599a set that I have. Please check under the EBAY user ID of amreviewer102. Please check later tonight, as the wife is currently listing items Thanks for listening and allowing me to post. -- Chris N8PHU ET1(SW) USN (Ret) Chief transmitter Heavy SES-Americom

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Shrewsbury School Space Experiment
by Trevor . 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

An experimental package developed by Shrewsbury School pupils is part of the UK-DMC2 should have been launched earlier this evening. The pupils experiment aims to measure variations in the ionosphere, which can affect the accuracy and safety of satellite navigation systems, and might also help to provide indications of impending earthquakes http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8171327.stm It good to see schools getting actively involved in space experiments. You can see a video of the Space Experiment Competition award ceremony last year at http://www.engineeringbritain.com/space/plugin/tag/space+experiment Martin G3YJO can be seen at 13:40 and 31:00 into the video. 73 Trevor M5AKA

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OZ/KO4MA on the air
by Andrew Glasbrenner 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

I was just on FO-29 this evening from JO45pk as OZ/KO4MA/Portable. I had good copy on the satellite with my Arrow and 817, but neither station I called could get my full call. C'est la vie. I'll be on again tomorrow I'm sure. 73, Drew OZ/KO4MA/P

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over simplification
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Greetings I realize my thinking is probably an over simplification. The Shuttle can pack about 38,000lb to a 51 degree orbit. Even a 25 Lb satellite would only be about less that one tenth of one percent of that. With the shuttle going up every few months, we "could" have a bunch of fun birds up there. Could we not have a few small bucket sized satellites sitting on the shelf ready to go? Preferably with a sort of L/S band capability, we only have AO-51 that can do that, and that is seldom. It will be over 100 degree F. in Seattle today, I have one cool room, with little to do but think about this stuff. keeping cool 73 Bob W7LRD

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SDR source for amsat-uk project?
by andy thomas 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Here is a wire component (not smd!) source for a 7MHz (>2nd IF?) SDR receiver: http://zao.jp/radio/66RF/index_e.php thanks to colin G1IVG (I haven't built mine yet). It could be part of the amsat-uk dedicated SDR receiver for FUNSAT?would need a front end.. 73 de andy G0SFJ

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Re: TS2000
by Bruce Semple 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Hi Peter -- Sorry for the poor sentence construction -- It is my belief you have to use the rear connector for 9600 -- you cannot use the earphone / speaker connector ... I was trying to ask if you were ... Clarity is important .. 73, Bruce WA3SWJ At 01:22 PM 7/29/2009, Peter Gibson wrote: >Hi Bruce >Thanks for the reply yes tried all the sub menue,,,but have not tried to >feed the audio > From the earphone will give it a go >Thanks again Pete G7LJA > >-----Original Message----- >From: Bruce Semple [mailto:[email protected]] >Sent: 29 July 2009 15:57 >To: Peter Gibson >Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] TS2000 > >Hi Peter -- >Have you switched the Extended Menu option -- I think it is number >45? 47? -- something like External TNC speed 1200/9600 >(I am away from my radio right now) >My observation is that this switch causes the audio from the detector >-- to bypass the internal audio processing an be fed directly to the >audio out on the rear connector. >Are you using the rear connector - vs tying into the earphone jack? > >It has the same effect on the input signal -- bypassing the internal >audio processing -- and this is why I typically have to provide more >"audio drive" when running 9600 baud. > >Feel free to contact me of the list -- > >73, >Bruce >WA3SWJ > > > >At 05:26 AM 7/28/2009, you wrote: > >Hi > > > >Need info on a TS2000 problem...radio not decoding 9k6 on either the > > > >Internal tnc or an external tnc. Works fine on 1200 > > > >Phoned Kenwood all they want is for the radio to be sent back > > > >73 peter G7LJA > > > >_______________________________________________ > >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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Virgin Galactic & Small Satellites
by Rich Dailey (Gmail) 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Virgin Galactic Deal Targets Small Satellite Launches. "Whitehorn said a business plan is being evolved by working very closely with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, a leading small satellite company based in Guildford, United Kingdom. That group has already delivered operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. http://www.space.com/news/090728-virgin-galactic-satellite-launch.html Rich, N8UX

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Re: AO-51
by David Wing 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Nothing heard on the 0119 UTC North American pass of AO-51 73, David K6CDW DM04 * Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 * From: Francisco Jiménez-Martín, EB1IAT< <mailto:[email protected]> eb1iat@xxxxxxxxx> * Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:09:31 +0200 * DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=gamma;h=domainkey-signature:received:received:from:to:references:in-reply- to:subject:date:message-id:mime-version:content-type:content-transfer-encodi ng:x-priority:x-msmail-priority:x-mailer:importance:thread-index:content-lan guage;bh=7sVPvFwO//0edSShYxGhYsweO8B8TBTIC+IxzKbjb8E=;b=h3O3IdeNvro4jyYKY6ny inFVXYXcEp0f8psbgp0txpNj0dVWDvyKKEX/HbEOU6/VwajUaGvexd3SebnOdmjLmYKMIYgffVdE Gp0Dz/rVMpjPx8QgVutH4Vt20FOK3eA2g5X5haf3BTQ+aGNJHqHi8Ua7mZO7w45a5HukxsM4T8M= _____ size=2 width="100%" align=center> Hello All, I can confirm that the bird is still down, nothing heard during the pass of 17:41 UTC (Orbit #26.679 + 5 minutes) almost over my QTH in IN70jv. Regards from Spain, EB1IAT - Fran -----Mensaje original----- De: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [ <mailto:[email protected]> mailto:[email protected]] En nombre de Alan P. Biddle Enviado el: lunes, 27 de julio de 2009 15:22 Para: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Asunto: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 Morning, The 435.150 MHz TLM downlink was on at the 1308 UTC pass over the US. The data shows about 1 watt on the downlink. Progress is being made. Alan WA4SCA _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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G-5400B Rotor / Elevation not working
by Bobby Lacey 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

I have a Yaesu G-5400B and the elevation side of the control box seems to have stopped working. The actual elevation rotor has also stopped responding as well. I hooked up a working elevation rotor to test and didn't get any response out of it. Has anyone experienced this or know of something I should look before before I start tracing the schematic? Please respond to me directly unless the list thinks this question warrants it's own thread. 73 Bobby KF4GTA

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FUNcube a UK Linear Transponder Satellite
by David Johnson 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Hi, AMSAT-UK has announced a new amateur satellite project – FUNcube – that features a 435 to 145 MHz Linear Transponder for SSB/CW operation. The project has received major initial funding from the Radio Communications Foundation (RCF) and is expected be developed in collaboration with ISIS-Innovative Solutions in Space BV. FUNcube is an educational single cubesat project with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics. It will support the educational Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM) initiatives and provide an additional resource for the GB4FUN Mobile Communications Centre. The target audience consists of primary and secondary school pupils and FUNcube will feature a 145 MHz telemetry beacon that will provide a strong signal for the pupils to receive. It is planned to develop a simple receiver board that can be connected to the USB port of a laptop to display telemetry in an interesting way. The satellite will contain a materials science experiment, from which the school students can receive telemetry data which they can compare to the results they obtained from similar reference experiments in the classroom. FUNcube is the first cubesat designed to benefit this group and is expected to be the first UK cubesat to reach space. More details can be found at: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/696/68/ 73 Dave, G4DPZ AMSAT-UK 1267 AMSAT-NA LM-1260

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Help in collecting AO-51 telemetry values
by Gould Smith 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

I need some help from stations west of the US east coast to look at realtime AO-51 telemetry during a pass over your QTH. Please send me AO-51 realtime values of : Battery 1 temp and Battery 1 voltage. I haven't gotten far enough in the reload process to collect WOD as a file. Just a few values if they are changing is sufficient. 73, Gould, WA4SXM AO-51 Command team member

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AO-7 mentioned in Scientific American
by Webmaster 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Article entitled "Space Aged: 10 Spacecraft from Decades Past That Are Still Ticking [Slide Show]" has a nice slide with text and a link. Pretty cool eh? Enjoy. http://preview.tinyurl.com/kuryu9 73 John Meeks KC8ZFN

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Re: TS2000
by Henk, PA3GUO 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Dear Peter, The TS2000 can do almost anything one can dream of. As a result, it has many menu settings (SW). For the TNC are also many settings in the menu (number 50). 50A Packet filter bandwidth 50B AF input level for Packet 50C MAIN band AF output level for packet 50D SUB band AF output level for packet 50E MAIN/SUB band: External TNC [MAIN,SUB] 50F Data transfer speed: External TNC [1200,9600 bps] Is only RX not working, or also not TX ? Anyway, best is to go to yahoo groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KenwoodTS-2000/ The other group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/adjust_ts2000) suggested is less active as this one. Henk, PA3GUO >Hi > >Need info on a TS2000 problem...radio not decoding 9k6 on either the > >Internal tnc or an external tnc. Works fine on 1200 > >Phoned Kenwood all they want is for the radio to be sent back > >73 peter G7LJA

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FO-29 and VO-52
by PE0SAT 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Hi, Thanks for reading I have a burning Question? Why is there so little activity on VO-52 and FO-29? These are the birds that make it possible to make QSO's from Europe to the States and other continents. During the pass from July 27 2009 10:34 UTC, nothing not a single soul :( Yesterday around the same time, again nothing ... Is there no interrest in these birds, they're strong and have a proper footprint. 73's Jan - PE0SAT

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Re: Need contact with Maine and Rhode Island for W.A.S award.
by DAVID BIRD 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Hi all, Thank you for takeing the time to e-mail me. And for all the Amsat-bb reply's. I got lots of good infoe.I will be trying to setup some sked's after AO-51 is back on line. 73 David- KC7USS. Tnx again!

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TS2000
by Peter Gibson 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Hi Need info on a TS2000 problem...radio not decoding 9k6 on either the Internal tnc or an external tnc. Works fine on 1200 Phoned Kenwood all they want is for the radio to be sent back 73 peter G7LJA

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CP6 digital data decoding software
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Please contact me off list at drjay(a)gatordental.com if you have successfully decoded CP6 using their decoding program/software. I have some questions about it... Jay AA4FL

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LEO QSO etiquette
by Paulo Pinto 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

Hi, After almost a year off the air, I tried a few minutes ago a contact in AO-27. Things didn't change since my last QSO's. Stations keep making satellite contacts as they were using repeaters. The QSO rate is so low that I wish I stayed in the cool environment of my office instead of being inside my car with almost 35 degrees celsius inside. Why does an amateur radio operator succeed with a technical examination and it's not able to understand some basic principles of satellite operation? Is there anything we can do? 73 -- CT1ETE, Paulo Pinto MSN: pspinto(a)yahoo.com http://www.ct1ete.net http://transponderclubedeportugal.blogspot.com

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Re: NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FOR W.A.S AWARD!
by John W Lee 28 Jul '09

28 Jul '09

REAL TELETYPISTS USE ALL CAPS ! K6YK On Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:59:10 -0400 "Roger Kolakowski" <rogerkola(a)aol.com> writes: > Hi David... > > Your CAPS KEY seems to be stuck on...maybe you should look into > getting a > new keyboard... > > Roger > WA1KAT > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "DAVID BIRD" <kc7uss(a)gmail.com> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:20 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FOR > W.A.S > AWARD! > > > > HI ALL! MY NAME IS DAVID, KC7USS. I AM TRYING TO EARN THE ARRL > W.A.S > > AWARD. I ONLY HAVE TWO MORE STATES TO GO! THE TWO I NEED IS MAINE > AND > > RHODE ISLAND.IF YOU CAN HELP PLESE E-MAIL ME AT kc7uss(a)gmail.com > > THANKS ALL!!! 73 KC7USS > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > ____________________________________________________________ Protect yourself with the right Health Insurance plan. Click for coverage information. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTIn7HV0SmE8BHAKCvQSBGBvNP…

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Re: Duplexer / 847 / Preamp Question
by Jim Jerzycke 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

It should work fine. The only thing to check is that the center conductor of the coax is NOT at DC ground. That will blow the trransistor used to switch the DC on or off in the menu. I blew mine this year at Field Day on the 2M side. I had it connected to a multisection helical filter, and didn't check before I powered up the radio. I'm going to run a separate power lead for the preamps from now on! DC up the coax is nice until you do something stupid like I did. 73, Jim KQ6EA --- On Mon, 7/27/09, harry(a)gunship.org <harry(a)gunship.org> wrote: From: harry(a)gunship.org <harry(a)gunship.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Duplexer / 847 / Preamp Question To: "AMSAT" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 7:57 PM Guys, I want to use an FT-847 with a mast mounted SSB preamp and a single feedline antenna (Cushcraft A270-10S) that I already have mounted on my tower. Can I send the DC for the preamp up through the coax and still use a duplexer? I have checked the continuity of a Comet CF-4160 duplexer and the 1.3-170MHz side appears to be isolated from the 440 side. Since there is direct continuity on the 1.3-170MHz side of the duplexer I would run the DC for the preamp up that "side." I really don't want to blow up my 847 by doing something foolish so any thoughts, cautions etc. welcomed. 73 de harry, W6DXO _______________________________________________ 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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Duplexer / 847 / Preamp Question
by harry＠gunship.org 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

Guys, I want to use an FT-847 with a mast mounted SSB preamp and a single feedline antenna (Cushcraft A270-10S) that I already have mounted on my tower. Can I send the DC for the preamp up through the coax and still use a duplexer? I have checked the continuity of a Comet CF-4160 duplexer and the 1.3-170MHz side appears to be isolated from the 440 side. Since there is direct continuity on the 1.3-170MHz side of the duplexer I would run the DC for the preamp up that "side." I really don't want to blow up my 847 by doing something foolish so any thoughts, cautions etc. welcomed. 73 de harry, W6DXO

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2009 AMSAT BOD Candidate Statements
by Gould Smith 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

The AMSAT web site now has a link to the 2009 AMSAT BOD Candidate Statements/Biographies in pdf format. The link in under the announcement about the corrected ballot at the top right of the web site www.amsat.org 73, Gould, WA4SXM Thanks to Rick, W2GPS for getting the page created.

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Maine and Rhode Island Satellite Ops
by John Papay 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

David (KC7USS), N1RCN is a regular on the FM birds and he is the most active Rhode Island Station. Contact him, his callsign at amsat.org KB1RVT/1 is now in FN54 spending a week or so in Acadia National Park. He is active on all of the FM birds. That's your best bet for Maine although others like N1AIA have been heard recently. John K8YSE

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Re: FO-29 and VO-52
by Rodney Waln 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

$$$ for most, well for me i have had 2 contacts on vo-52 it is the matter of cost for a second radio or some thing that will track up/dwn links auto, i run satpc32 but only with a ft-857d half duplex and manual rortor control, very soon i will get a different ssb radio for the down link and auto rotor control as i have figured out that is best for me, my $0.50 Rodney kc0zhf

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AO-51 Reload
by Gould Smith 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

AO-51 analog operation will be off the air for a few days while I reload the software. You can of course copy the telemetry during this time. Normally we have three stations spread across both coasts that can upload which allows a fairly quick return to normal operation. This time there is only one station (due to a number of factors) to do the upload. Please be patient, we will have the satellite operational as soon as possible. 73, Gould, WA4SXM for the AO-51 Command Team

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Re: AMSAT-India VO-52 Award
by jille vermeulen 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

Dear Amsat India, Today I received the VO-52 award, thank you very much for this realy nice award, very attractive. It will be framed and get the most beautifull place in my shack. Thanks again to all those who made it possible. Sure I will continue using the VO-52. The dutch transponder was made here in my city, Venlo-Holland. 73, Jille Vemeulen PA3EAQ - Venlo Holland pa3eaq(a)home.nl

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AMSAT Board candidates information online
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

Hey everyone, John, K8YSE, asked me to post the following because he's having some local ISP issues: Some did not receive the first mailing with the Board of Directors Candidate's Biographies. They can be downloaded at: http://www.papays.com/2009amsatelection.pdf John K8YSE 73 to all, Tim - N3TL

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ballot biographies on line
by John Papay 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

Some did not receive the first mailing with the Board of Directors Candidate's Biographies. They can be downloaded at: http://www.papays.com/2009amsatelection.pdf John K8YSE

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AO-51
by Roberto 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

SAT - AO51 , not heard europe ? http://oscar.dcarr.org/ 73 de iw5bsf Roberto Coordinator A.R.I Satelliti http://www.webalice.it/iw5bsf/

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WD9EWK's Grid Dxpedition
by John Papay 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

Patrick, First off a big thank you for making the effort to activate all of those 14 grids. Rather than heading off to Cancun and lying on the beach, you spent your vacation time to give all of us something new to work on the satellites. You make it sound so easy, but it is not. Working from a single spot in Delaware cannot be compared to the traveling you did and the planning and execution of finding places where you could operate on a grid boundary safely and see the sky at the same time. You executed on each pass to everyone's delight. The QSL chore ahead of you cannot compare to receiving and responding to a few qsl cards that come to each of us in the mail. It is time consuming and expensive. Thank you for the all that work that comes AFTER you get home. Your operation is an inspiration to all of us to consider working from a grid away from home. Several operators have told me that they are planning to do just that. Some new grids will be showing up thanks to the example you set over and over again. Working towards VUCC is something that interests many satellite operators. It gives us something to work for every day. It was nice to see my callsign at the top of your list for grids worked. I guess that makes me the "Satellite Hog". not unlike the title of "DX Hog" which has also been conferred upon me. The title has pluses and minuses. Everyone can decide that one for themselves. Speaking from personal experience, we all like to work our friends when we are out on an expedition. It shows that our friends are interested in what we are doing and it provides us the encouragement to keep doing it. I hope you feel the same. The writeup was so detailed that my head was spinning as I read it. It's hard to imagine how you could do this all by yourself out in some of the most remote territory in the United States. Congratulations on a very successful grid dxpedition. I hope to work you on many more. John K8YSE

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Election Bios
by Clint Bradford 27 Jul '09

27 Jul '09

I received a call Saturday from a gentleman who did receive the second ballot mailing - but was looking for ALL the bios/statemens of all candidates, because he threw away the first mailing. Said he could not find them on the AMSAT Web site, either. Can these be posted on the AMSAT Web site for all to peruse? Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Central states VHF conf and suitsat
by wb7dru＠usfamily.net 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

It was very nice meeting Gould this weekend at central States VHF conf in Chicago. His talk on the hardware was great and seeing the suitless sat hardware in action was great. I was able to copy the SSTV beacon on my Eee PC netbook after playing with MMTV for awhile. It did impress those around me in the conference room. The suitsat platform is impressive. I can see that a lot of effort has gone into it and its flexablity will aid us on future birds. It is something us AMSAT Members can be proud of. Nice job to Gould and the team! Dave wb7dru Burnsville, MN --- Get FREE High Speed Internet from USFamily.Net! -- http://www.usfamily.net/mkt-freepromo.html ---

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WD9EWK's 16-22 July trip report (l-o-n-g!)
by amsat-bb＠wd9ewk.net 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

Hi! After a few days, I am now taking time to put down into one message some details about my recent trip. I posted daily updates to let everyone know of where I had been and where I planned to operate from over that week. Starting on 16 July at DM35xg/DM45ag near Flagstaff in northern Arizona until 22 July at DM25jx/DM26ja in Las Vegas, I made a total of 257 contacts with 103 different call signs. I drove 1905 miles/3065km in my 7-day trip, operating from 14 different grids in 3 states (Arizona, Nevada, and Utah). I made a quick trip to Colorado along I-70 between a couple of passes on 20 July, long enough to make a couple of phone calls between two AO-27 passes I worked from DM58ix/DM59ia. I had intended on a lot of work from the rarely-heard Utah grids via satellite, and I think I was successful in that goal. For all of these passes, I used an Elk Antennas handheld 2m/70cm log periodic as my antenna. On VO-52 at the hamfest, I used a pair of FT-817NDs. For the FM satellites, I used an IC-2720H 2m/70cm FM mobile radio. The radios were powered by a pair of 12V/20Ah jumpstart battery packs, so I would not have to tap my truck's power system to run the radios. While driving, I could recharge the packs to keep them ready for more operating, or they could be recharged in my motel room overnight. As I have done over the past year or so, I tried to operate on grid boundaries when away from home. This allows me to hand out QSOs for more than 1 grid at a time, where at least one of the grids - or sometimes both - are considered "rare" on the satellites. Thanks to the way the roads ran across much of Utah, I was able to do this for many passes. I used the Google Earth software, the Google Maps web site, and atlases I have for the 3 states I drove through to identify potential stops. Although I had a general idea of where I was going to travel, I did not have a firm plan made out too far in advance. I would look at the map and pass predictions the every night, to see where I could be for passes each day, and made my plans accordingly. ********** Here is a summary of each stop where I worked satellites during this trip. I have listed the latitude and longitude from my Garmin GPS receiver at each stop, in degrees and decimal minutes, which can be put into Google Earth or Google Maps to visualize each location... Thursday, 16 July - along old US-66 between Williams and Parks, Arizona, west of Flagstaff in Coconino County (grids DM35xg and DM45ag) 35 15.570 N 112 0.000 W This spot is one I have used a few times over the past year or so, in the Kaibab National Forest. I drove up from Phoenix in the morning, before I had to be in Williams to set up the AMSAT booth for the hamfest. I worked a couple of AO-27 passes from here in the afternoon. Twelve QSOs were made in the first 7-minute AO-27 pass at 2000 UTC, then 8 more on the 2141 UTC AO-27 pass. After these two passes, I drove to Williams to get my motel room and then set up at the hamfest. Once I set up the AMSAT booth at the hamfest, I went back to this spot for an AO-51 pass in the late afternoon (0059 UTC, 1759 local). I worked 9 stations on this pass. This was the only day I operated in DM45. Even with the several trips I've made up here, it still seems like either of these grids (or both of them) are new for someone on the passes. As long as it is not snowing in northern Arizona, I can make day-trips up here to operate from either grid - or both grids - for anyone needing them in their log. Friday and Saturday, 17-18 July - ARRL/Arizona State Convention and Hamfest, at the Williams (Arizona) Rodeo Grounds in Coconino County - grid DM35vg 35 15.511 N 112 11.105 W Over these two days, I operated from outside the exhibit hall at the hamfest. I manned an AMSAT table in the hall, with the assistance of Ray W1OTH and Larry W7LB over these two days. I was able to do on- air demonstrations when either of these guys were around, and I had lots of chances for that on 17 July. I worked passes on all 3 FM satellites as well as two VO-52 passes, making a total of 34 QSOs. Since I was the only one at the table for much of Saturday morning, and storm clouds were in the area that afternoon, I was not able to work any passes that day. I gave a presentation at the hamfest on Friday morning, and talked to lots of people who walked by the AMSAT table during the two-day event. Larry WA6DIR and Glen NN6T, long- time satellite operators, stopped by during the hamfest. After these 3 days, the serious travel began.... Sunday, 19 July - east of Goulding, Utah, at the intersection of US-163 and Monument Valley Road, on the Navajo Nation reservation in San Juan County (grids DM46vx and DM47va) 37 0.000 N 110 10.448 W After I left Williams early in the morning, I tried to get to some point in Utah before I would start working the satellites. I also had a phone call to make, participating in an ARISS telebridge contact at 1550 UTC. With the early departure, I was able to find this spot just north of the Arizona/Utah border next to the Monument Valley park 40 minutes before that phone call. I was near this location last year, operating from points east (DM56ex/DM57ea, along US-191 between Monument Valley and the Four Corners monument) and west (DM46fx/DM47fa, along US-89 next to Lake Powell) near the Arizona/Utah border, and planned to only be here for one pass. SO-50 was passing by around 1642 UTC, and I was ready for it. It was a high pass, going from my north toward the southeast, covering much of North America. I was able to log 14 QSOs with stations across the USA and Mexico. Thanks to everyone who was on there, for cooperating and allowing lots of stations to work these two rare grids - DM46 in particular, since this was the only chance to work it on my trip. Sunday, 19 July - between Goulding and Mexican Hat, Utah, southeast of US-163 on county route 425, on the Navajo Nation reservation in San Juan County (grids DM47xb and DM57ab) 37 4.980 N 110 0.000 W Only a short drive northeast of the earlier stop, I was able to park on this grid boundary for a total of 3 passes. I wanted to find a safe spot to park, off the US-163 highway, where I could get a good view of the sky for satellite work. With the quick drive, I was able to work 3 passes - one on SO-50, followed by a pair of AO-27 passes. In between these passes, I was able to drive around this part of Utah to get more pictures. The SO-50 pass around 1823 UTC was generally following the US west coast - a good way for me to see how this would work for a later AO-27 pass in this direction. I worked 6 stations on this pass, all of the stations I heard on there. After the pass, I had a lot of time to drive around before returning for the AO-27 passes. The first of the AO-27 passes came at 2015 UTC. The first few seconds of the 7-minute pass were chaotic, with many stations trying unsuccessfully to be heard through the transponder. Once that moment of chaos passed, the "business" of making contacts commenced. In about 6 1/2 minutes on that pass, I worked 17 stations across the USA and Canada. Being this was a Sunday and an eastern (for me) pass that covered most of North America, I expected a lot of activity. To make 17 QSOs during an AO-27 pass is pretty good. In between the two AO-27 passes, there was more driving around and taking more pictures. It was still warm up in that area, approaching 100F/38C, so my truck's air conditioning was running to keep me cool. I made my way back to this location for the western AO-27 pass at 2155 UTC, and proceeded to work a total of 10 more stations in the western USA and Mexico. This brought the QSO count at this location to 33, a good effort for almost 4 hours out there. Sunday, 19 July - near White Mesa, Utah, along US-191 on the Ute Mountain Indian reservation, between Bluff and Blanding in San Juan County (grid DM57gk) 37 26.279 N 109 28.211 W I was driving north to the DM57/DM58 grid boundary, but knew about an AO-51 pass at 2303 UTC. It was going to be a tough pass to work, with only 4 degrees maximum elevation across the northeastern sky. I was able to make this pass work, thanks to the local terrain - no hills or mountains from east to north, in the direction I needed for this pass. This turned out to be the most surprising pass of the entire trip. Despite the low transmitter output on AO-51's 435.300 MHz downlink (below 300mW), I was able to hear the satellite when it had at least .5 degree elevation at the start and end of the pass. I worked 8 stations, all east of the Mississippi River, in the span of almost 7 minutes. For a pass I had almost decided not to even attempt, I am glad I tried it. Sunday and Monday, 19-20 July - north of Montebello, Utah, on county route 321 east of US-191 in San Juan County (grids DM57ix and DM58ia) 38 0.000 N 109 19.150 W Up until this stop, I had been operating from grids I previously worked from. This was the first time I operated from a new grid on this trip, DM58. I had to do some driving east of US-191, to avoid being in a small "canyon" with no visibility of the western or eastern sky for satellite operating. This spot was at just over 7000 feet/2133m elevation, with a good clear view in all directions. The first of the Sunday evening AO-51 passes at this location was, as expected, crowded. This was probably the most difficult pass for me to work during the trip, with the volume of stations on the pass and moments where some operators were calling me as I was trying to complete QSOs with other stations. Following simple guidelines like "If you can't hear the satellite's downlink, don't transmit." and "If you hear a station call any call sign that is not yours, this is probably *not* the time to call that station" would have allowed for a few more QSOs on that pass. Even with that, I was able to work 15 stations across much of the USA and Mexico. At 0220 UTC, I had a good AO-51 pass to the west. Not many were on the pass, and I was able to work 6 more stations in Arizona and California. I spent the night in Monticello, and then returned to this spot Monday morning before heading north toward DM59. I was able to work one SO-50 pass from this spot on Monday morning. Ten more QSOs went in the log, including one with the Canadian special- event station VE3MOON in Ottawa. I logged a total of 31 QSOs at the DM57ix/DM58ia boundary. I could have stayed here for a while and still make QSOs where either or both of these grids would be new ones for the stations worked, but I still had much more driving to do this day. Monday, 20 July - north of Moab, Utah, on Blue Hills Road west of US-191, next to Moab Airport in Grand County (grid DM58dr) 38 44.932 N 109 44.525 W I was watching the clock and my surroundings, knowing there was an SO-50 pass coming by around 1710 UTC. In Moab, being in a canyon with the Colorado River running through it, I could not have worked this pass. I was able to drive about 15 miles/25km north of Moab and reach a spot with a good view of the western sky. Once I parked and set up my gear, I only heard 3 stations on this pass (in Arizona, California, and Oregon). I worked all 3, and had a couple of hours to get lunch and find the spot I would work from on the upcoming AO-27 passes. Monday, 20 July - northeast of Cisco, Utah, along old US-6 south of I-70 in Grand County (grids DM58ix and DM59ia) 39 0.000 N 109 17.648 W With AO-51 transmitting the special AMSAT transmission commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing in the evening, this would be the last location I would operate from on this day. For many, both DM58 and DM59 were grids missing from many satellite operators' logs. This would be the only stop where I would work from grid DM59. I pulled off the old road, took lots of pictures including the photos of my station and GPS receiver, and waited for AO-27 to turn on at 1946 UTC. During this 7-minute pass, I worked 13 stations - a very good number for a weekday afternoon pass. No Mexican or Canadian stations, just stations across much of the USA. Twelve more were logged on the pass to the west at 2127 UTC, this time with stations from across the USA plus VA6BMJ in western Canada. After these two AO-27 passes, I drove west along I-70 and US-6 toward Provo, and then south approximately 30 miles/50km from Provo to the town of Nephi. While approaching Provo on US-6, I was able to hear parts of the AO-51 pass at 0003 UTC with the special Apollo 11 transmission. On the next pass at 0141 UTC, I was able to hear it and record it from outside the motel I stopped at for the night. Tuesday, 21 July - Nephi, Utah, along county route 1814 west of I-15 in Juab County (grid DM49bq) 39 40.514 N 111 51.237 W By stopping here, this set up my Tuesday travel perfectly. From here, I could drive down through DM3x and DM4x grids after spending a couple of days mostly working from DM5x grids in eastern Utah. I woke up early this morning, and had a chance to work an AO-51 pass going directly overhead before I set out toward southern Utah. This AO-51 pass started around 1346 UTC, and there was a conversation going on as I started to clearly hear the downlink. I was able to make quick contacts with 10 stations in 9 minutes, mostly in the western USA and Canada. I did not plan on staying here for later passes; I wanted to get to a grid boundary for passes later in the morning. Tuesday, 21 July - Redmond, Utah, west of US-89 in Sevier County (grids DM48bx and DM49ba) 39 0.000 N 111 51.855 W I saw on the map there could be two options for parking on this grid boundary. After quickly driving around the area, I settled on this location that was off either of the 2 numbered highways in this small central Utah town. Other than at the Williams hamfest, this would be the only spot where I worked passes on all 3 FM satellites. There was a western AO-51 pass at 1527 UTC, and the first chance for me to work from this spot. Two Canadians and one station in California were all I heard, and I worked all 3. About 25 minutes later at 1559 UTC, a nice SO-50 pass that would cover much of the USA and Canada went by. Nine stations, spanning from western Canada to south Florida, were worked. The next SO-50 pass going down the Pacific coast at 1743 UTC only had 2 stations in California on; both were worked. At this point, I had about 90 minutes until a very shallow (7 degrees maximum elevation) AO-27 pass at 1917 UTC. I had a choice - stay here for one more pass, or move southwest to my next planned stop. I stayed here, since I had a better view of the northeastern sky where AO-27 would be. I'm glad I did! Even without being able to hear the first 2 minutes or so of the 7- minute pass, I worked 9 stations in a 3-minute span. For all 4 passes on these 3 satellites at this location, I made 23 QSOs. Tuesday, 21 July - Sigurd, Utah, along Substation Road between I-70 and UT-118 in Sevier County (grids DM38xu and DM48au) 38 50.542 N 112 0.000 W I did not have to go far from DM48bx/DM49ba to this spot, less than 30 minutes. I quickly saw why this road was named Substation Road - I was near an electrical substation. This did not cause any problems with my radio, but it was cloudy in this area. I could see rain to the southwest, and some lightning way off in the distance. Other than some raindrops, I had no problems with the weather. The first of the two AO-27 passes I had at this location came at 2058 UTC. This pass covered much of North America, and I could easily hear the satellite for all 7 minutes of the pass. In 3 out of the 7 minutes, I worked 8 stations. Not a big number, but OK for a weekday afternoon pass. The next pass at 2240 UTC added 4 more QSOs, which included my first Alaska QSO from Utah (Dale KL7XJ). Tuesday, 21 July - between Beaver and Parowan, Utah, on the I-15 west frontage road north of milepost 89 in Iron County (grids DM37px and DM38pa) 38 0.000 N 112 43.622 W I knew AO-51 would pass almost directly over Utah at 1900 local (0100 UTC on 22 July), so I wanted to get to the next grid south of the last location I stopped at. This would be the first time I operated from DM37, and the only time I would do so on this trip. To safely stop here, I had to exit the I-15 freeway 6 miles/10km north of this spot, and then drive on the unpaved frontage road. It took almost 90 minutes to get from DM38xu/DM48au to this location, but I had 30 minutes to prepare for this pass. Once I parked on the spot and took the obligatory photos of the area and my station and GPS receiver, I waited for the pass to start. When AO-51 came up above the mountains to my south, I started making contacts. In 10 minutes, I worked 13 stations across much of the USA, western Canada, and Alaska. I lost the last 3 minutes of the pass due to the mountains north of me, but 13 QSOs in the part of the pass I could work was very good. I did not stay here for the last AO-51 pass to the west around 0240 UTC, as I needed to drive south to find a place to spend the night before the final day of my trip. I had planned to stop in St. George north of the Arizona/Utah border, but decided to keep driving through the small part of I-15 that passes through Arizona to the town of Mesquite, Nevada. Mesquite is at the Arizona/Nevada border along I-15, a good place to stop that would be close to where I would operate from next. Wednesday, 22 July - Scenic, Arizona, at the intersection of Scenic Blvd. and Spring Rain Drive, east of I-15 in Mohave County (grids DM26xt and DM36at) 36 48.099 N 114 0.000 W I stopped in this area last year, working a few passes on that trip. Since I needed to be home at the end of this day, I only planned to work one pass from here plus one later pass before focusing on the drive back to Phoenix. This corner of Arizona is part of the "Arizona Strip", north of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. To get here from the rest of Arizona requires driving into a neighboring state. Mesquite, where I stopped for the night, was less than 10 minutes away from here. I had an SO-50 pass at 1448 UTC from this location, passing from the north to the east. There were mountains to the east that would block the last few minutes of the pass, but the view to the north and northeast was good enough for the 19-degree pass. This would be the only time I would operate from DM36 on this trip. I made 7 QSOs in 5 minutes, working stations across the USA and Canada, then I packed up for the drive down I-15 to Las Vegas. Wednesday, 22 July - Las Vegas, Nevada, east of the intersection of Las Vegas Blvd. and Cactus Avenue in Clark County (grids DM25jx and DM26ja) 36 0.000 N 115 10.228 W I worked a few passes from this spot last year, so I knew the area. I had a few hours before the AO-27 pass I wanted to work at 2029 UTC, and met up with Jeff WB3JFS for lunch not far from this spot. Thanks for the chance to meet you! After lunch, I went to this spot and waited for AO-27. Even though there have been resident hams on the satellites from both of the grids covering metropolitan Las Vegas (DM25 and DM26) over the past few months, plus NN6T occasionally on from DM25 in northwestern Arizona, I still had a nice pileup calling me on this pass. I worked 15 stations across the USA and Canada during the 7-minute pass. ********** During my trip, many callsigns were heard more than a few times. I went through my log, to see if anyone worked me from all 14 of the grids I visited. I know that some of these grids were not "new" for the stations I worked, but they were showing up frequently in my log. Here's what I found, looking for callsigns I worked from at least 5 of the 14 grids I visited: 14 grids - K8YSE 13 grids - KI6YAA 12 grids - WA4NVM 11 grids - KC0ZHF, W8KHP 10 grids - N3TL, N5AFV 8 grids - KG6NUB, WD8DOT 7 grids - W6ZKH, WB3JFS 6 grids - AA5PK, K8GI/p, ND9M, VA6BMJ, WA5KBH 5 grids - K4DLG, N5ZNL, VA7VW, VE3MWA, WA7HQD I worked K5E a few times, under the callsigns K5E operated by Tim N3TL as well as K8YSE/K5E and WA4NVM/K5E. ********** Some thank-yous... 1. AMSAT's AO-51 Operations Group, for having a 2m/70cm FM voice repeater available on AO-51 for virtually all 7 days of my trip. The Apollo 11 transmission was very nice, and being able to count on AO-51 being on the air for the rest of my trip helped me to have many opportunities to make QSOs from this part of the country. 2. Ray Fobes W1OTH and Larry Brown W7LB, AMSAT members who helped me with the AMSAT booth at the Williams hamfest. 3. Amateur Radio Council of Arizona, and in particular Grant Hays WB6OTS, for providing AMSAT a space in the main exhibit hall during the Williams hamfest. 4. My "crew" that helped me during the trip - John K8YSE, Rick WA4NVM, and Tim N3TL. These guys were like the pilot stations that help DXpeditions on HF. I sent them e-mails in advance of my trip, seeking comments on my plans. Tim, in particular, sent e-mails to the AMSAT-BB when I didn't have the time or access to the Internet to do this myself. During my trip, I received feedback from them on how I was doing on the air from day to day, and sometimes called them to confirm what I was seeing on maps or to make sure they knew I would be on from a particular spot. 5. All the stations making contacts with WD9EWK. This is one reason operators like me will go out to unusual places and work satellites - to help others who are looking for a new grid, county, state, etc. for their logbooks. With the 3 FM satellites and their passes happening throughout the day and early evening, it was easy to work passes and travel between passes to maximize the number of passes I could work and grids I could work from each day. ********** I am working on the QSL cards for the locations I operated from on my trip. I have already received a few e-mails with listings of QSOs made with WD9EWK during this trip, plus several envelopes in my mailbox since I've returned home. Sending me a QSL request to my PO box is not mandatory to get my card(s) from this trip. I appreciate those who have sent me SASEs, which will help me with postage costs. I hope to have the cards ready to go out in the next week or two. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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NAVSPASUR Fence - Still VHF?
by Rich Dailey 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

In doing some historical research, I came across a tidbit of info about Raytheon being awarded a contract in 2002 to convert the NAVSPASUR fence transmitters to s-band. Does the system still use 216.98 mhz, or is it strictly s-band now? A related question - given the huge amounts of radiated energy on 216 mhz from the system, has the effects of fundamental overload ever been experienced by any of our amateur satellites when "crossing the fence"? If so, could it be a contributing factor to the operational stability of a "marginally operational" satellite, such as AO-7? Would be an interesting observation, if they are still using vhf, that is. (Google search terms: NAVSPASUR) Rich, N8UX

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Re: A0-51 is Down ...
by Clint Bradford 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

Well, thanks for keeping it up for my demo and presentation last night (Saturday) in Big Bear, California. We made four contacts during its 6:39PM PDT pass, properly impressing the 30+ attendees. Then we went back to the meeting room for my presentation. We wrapped up just in time to walk outside and watch the ISS pass over us at 9:10PM PDT. A wonderful evening, indeed. Clint, K6LCS http://www.k6lcs.com

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VO-52 award
by andy thomas 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

A very handsome award from Amsat-India received here safely yesterday - many thanks to all in the crew! 73 de andy G0SFJ

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Castor and Pollux: FX.25 all the time, or just some of the time?
by Douglas Quagliana 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

Hi, Can anyone tell me if the satellites will be transmitting packets with FX.25 all of the time, or is FX.25 only going to be enabled at certain times? Douglas KA2UPW/5

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SATPC32
by Allen Vinegar 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

I was in the middle of a contact on FO29 when I got repetitive message boxes stating the following: Zugriffsverletzung bei Adresse 00405DFC in Modul 'SatPC32.exe'. Lesen von Adresse 00C0C0C0 The program froze while this was going on. Any ideas? Al W8KHP

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K5E by the numbers
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

Hey Everyone, Here is a more detailed summary of the K5E Satellite Special Event, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Four operators made contacts over the course of the special event as K5E – AA5PK, K8YSE, N3TL and WA4NVM. We made 338 contacts with 182 different stations. Those totals do not include two automated responses sent directly to K5E (being operated by N3TL) in response to direct packets sent to RS0ISS-3. The ISS radio confirmed a direct contact and generated its own direct response, but no one was manning the station aboard the ISS. Still, it was pretty cool to get a direct response from the ISS on two different occasions. Here’s a look at how those 338 contacts occurred: By Satellite – in descending order: AO-51: 126 AO-27: 53 SO-50: 51 FO-29: 50 VO-52: 29 AO-7: 28 ISS: 1 By Mode – in descending order: FM: 230 SSB: 103 CW: 2 Cross Mode (one station used CW, the other used SSB): 2 Packet: 1 Geography K5E logged contacts with stations in 42 states, four Canadian provinces and five additional DX entities. States: It’s easier to list those K5E did NOT log – Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Oklahoma. The other 42 states are in the log. Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. DX entities: Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Not all of the K5E operators logged the grid squares of the stations they worked. Here, specifically, I refer to myself (N3TL). It’s safe to say that the operation made contacts with more than 100 grids among the 182 stations. There are 51 grids accounted for just in the states, provinces and DX entities worked. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL K5E - The 40th Anniversiary Apollo 11 Satellte Special Event

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AO-51 is down
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 Jul '09

26 Jul '09

It appears that AO-51 is down as of ~800Z this morning. Please standby until we notify that operations have been restored. 73, Drew G/KO4MA/P AMSAT-NA VP Ops

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Re: Cross boom question
by Greg D. 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

Hi Ed, I am fortunate in the weather dimension, especially compared to your neck of the woods. My pole has been up, untreated, for about 10 years now, and it's starting to show signs of its age. Summer project to rebuild the array, as it's gotten quite a bit out of balance as new antennas have been added and old small ones swapped out for bigger ones. If I had the steel pole, I'd probably use it. The wood is nice in one way, though; things clamped to it tend to stay where they are, as the teeth dig in nicely. Greg KO6TH > Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:06:34 -0800 > To: ko6th_greg(a)hotmail.com; w0sat(a)msn.com; kq6ea(a)pacbell.net; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; hislens(a)gmail.com > From: kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Cross boom question > > That may be OK in country that does not > experience snow. I built a 437-MHz Helix using a > wooden closet pole (painted) and it only lasted > two seasons before the pole split from the > wieight of the snow. Wood makes a good stiffener > but really does not have the strength that fiberglass has. > > But one need not worry mounting CP satellite > x-yagis on a metal crossboom. WA5VJB analyzed > and tested the concept proving that mounted in > the X confiuration with cables dressed tight to > the antenna and crossbooms negilible effects are > seen (at least for satellite class operations). > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > I have used a metal crossboom for years. > > At 02:24 PM 7/25/2009, Greg D. wrote: > > >Wooden pole for me. Just a regular closet pole > >from the lumber yard. I've never been impressed > >by the structural qualities of plastic pipe, and > >putting a wooden dowel up the middle of one > >still leaves much of the structural > >responsibility with the plastic on the > >outside. So, why not make it all wood? Heck, > >if it can support my wife's wardrobe, it should > >be able to handle a couple of antennas :-). How long of a span do you need? > > > >Greg KO6TH > > > > > > > From: W0SAT(a)msn.com > > > To: kq6ea(a)pacbell.net; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; hislens(a)gmail.com > > > Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:14:20 -0500 > > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cross boom question > > > > > > > > > Amen: I have been aluminum cross booms for several years now. > > > Jerry w0sat > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > > > Behalf Of Jim Jerzycke > > > Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 4:36 PM > > > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; Kevin Groth > > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cross boom question > > > > > > This has been gone over a zillion times. > > > Short answer; Mount them in an "X" configuration and don't worry about it. > > > http://www.g6lvb.com/fibermetalboom.htm > > > > > > --- On Sat, 7/25/09, Kevin Groth <hislens(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > > From: Kevin Groth <hislens(a)gmail.com> > > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Cross boom question > > > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > > Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009, 1:47 PM > > > > > > I have just finished building a set of 2m and 440mhz circular polarized > > > beams to work the birds. (tired of standing in the heat and cold outside!) > > > I tried to save a little bit of money by > > building a wood dowel inserted into > > > a sched 40 uv resistant pipe. I hung the beams on either side of the cross > > > boom and it sags way too much and is ugly. I thought about using some > > > eyebolts and some nylon cording for support to the vertical mast, but I'm > > > trying to keep everything as clean as possible for the neighbors. I would > > > really rather not have to purchase a > > fiberglass satellite boom commercially, > > > but if I have to, I will. > > > > > > > > > > > > I have a bunch of 1.75" aluminum pipe that would be more than able to > > > support most anything I plan to add to the antenna collection in the future > > > (1.2 and 2.4 ghz). My question is how much > > of a difference would it make if > > > I mounted the 2m and 440 beams in an X position to the aluminum beam? I > > > have read some short answers that it would minimize the swr issue, but > > > haven't really found an answer that I am comfortable with. Also, how would > > > that effect a later addition like a 1.2 or 2.4 ghz antenna.? My current > > > antennas are a KLM 2m-14c and a 435-40cx, both circular polarized and > > > switchable RH and LH polarization. Does anyone have any experience with a > > > metal crossboom? > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > Kevin > > > > > > N9EME > > > > > > Fort Worth, TX > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > 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 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 > > > >_________________________________________________________________ > >Bing™ brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now. > >http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MLOGEN&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TXT_… > >_______________________________________________ > >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 > _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Celebrate the moment with your favorite sports pics. Check it out. http://www.windowslive.com/Online/Hotmail/Campaign/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_…

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NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FOR W.A.S AWARD!
by DAVID BIRD 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

HI ALL! MY NAME IS DAVID, KC7USS. I AM TRYING TO EARN THE ARRL W.A.S AWARD. I ONLY HAVE TWO MORE STATES TO GO! THE TWO I NEED IS MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND.IF YOU CAN HELP PLESE E-MAIL ME AT kc7uss(a)gmail.com THANKS ALL!!! 73 KC7USS

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ANS-207 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-207 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 ********************************************************************** * 2009 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting October 9-11 * * Four Points Sheraton Hotel at the Baltimore Washington Airport * * Details - http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2009/index.php * ********************************************************************** In this edition: * Important Reminder AMSAT Board of Directors Ballots * AMSAT-UK Announces FUNcube Amateur Radio Satellite * SuitSat-2 Demo at the Central States VHF Society Conference * Special Events Stations Commemorate Apollo 11 40th Anniversary * STS-127 To Deploy Dual Picosats on July 30 * SwissCube Delivery to India, Three Additional CubeSats Planned * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-207.01 Important Reminder AMSAT Board of Directors Ballots AMSAT News Service Bulletin 207.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 26, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-207.01 To All AMSAT Members: As noted in last week's ANS, the original Board of Directors ballot that was mailed earlier this month to all AMSAT members and included with important AMSAT information has an error on it, stating "select no more than three" with five candidates listed. Replacement ballots of a different color have now been mailed to all AMSAT members in an an envelope marked "corrected ballot" and the new ballot states "Select no more than four" with five candidates listed as well as marked with "corrected ballot". Please note that the none of the original ballots will be counted, so if you mailed the original ballot to AMSAT, you must also mail the corrected ballot in order to have your ballot be counted. The due date for submitting ballots has not changed and the corrected ballot must be received at the Silver Spring, MD no later than the close of business on September 15, 2009. [ANS thanks AMSAT HQ for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-207.02 AMSAT-UK Announces FUNcube Amateur Radio Satellite AMSAT News Service Bulletin 207.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 26, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-207.02 AMSAT-UK has announced a new amateur satellite project - FUNcube. The project has received major initial funding from the Radio Communications Foundation (RCF) and is expected be developed in collaboration with ISIS-Innovative Solutions in Space BV. FUNcube is an educational single cubesat project with the goal of enthusing and educating young people about radio, space, physics and electronics. It will support the educational Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM) initiatives and provide an additional resource for the GB4FUN Mobile Communications Centre. The target audience consists of primary and secondary school pupils and FUNcube will feature a 145 MHz telemetry beacon that will provide a strong signal for the pupils to receive. It is planned to develop a simple receiver board that can be connected to the USB port of a laptop to display telemetry in an interesting way. The satellite will contain a materials science experiment, from which the school students can receive telemetry data which they can compare to the results they obtained from similar reference experiments in the classroom. FUNcube is the first cubesat designed to benefit this group and is expected to be the first UK cubesat to reach space. It is anticipated FUNcube will be launched into a Sun Synchronous Low Earth Orbit about 600-700km above the earth using one of the many launch opportunities that exist for Cubesat missions. In such an orbit the satellite passes over Europe approximately 3 times in the morning, and 3 in the evening, every day, perhaps allowing the morning passes to be used for educational purposes and the evening passes for Amateur Radio communications. FUNcube will carry a UHF to VHF linear transponder that will have up to 1 watt and which can be used by Radio Amateurs worldwide for SSB and CW communications. Measuring just 10 * 10 * 10 cm, and with a mass of less than 1kg, it will be the smallest ever satellite to carry a linear transponder and the choice of frequencies will enable Radio Amateurs to use their existing VO-52 or DO-64 station. A key feature of the satellite is the absence of an On-Board Com- puter. For reliability and maximum power efficiency, the design has been kept as straight-forward as possible with satellite control being achieved using simple commands. See the AMSAT-UK FUNcube webpage at: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/696/68/ AMSAT-UK has more than 350 individual members and is one of more than 20 such groups worldwide. AMSAT-UK teams have provided hardware for more than 10 satellites over the past 35+ years including SSETI Express in 2005.They are presently involved with the development of hardware and software for a number of satellite projects including the European Student Earth Orbiter (ESEO), P3E, SUITSAT2, the Col- umbus module on the ISS and also the GENSO Ground station network. The Radio Communications Foundation is a Registered Charity (Number 1100694) set up in 2003 to fund efforts to bring the wonders of radio into the classrooms, universities and any other public place where hands on demonstration can influence understanding. The RCF funding for FUNcube is made possible through the generous bequest from a "silent key" who wanted the hobby that he loved brought to the attention of others. AMSAT-UK: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ Radio Communications Foundation: http://www.commsfoundation.org/ GB4FUN: http://www.gb4fun.org.uk/ FUNcube contact: Graham Shirville G3VZV (g3vzv(a)amsat.org) [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-207.03 SuitSat-2 Demo at the Central States VHF Society Conference AMSAT News Service Bulletin 207.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 26, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-207.03 On July 24-25 the Central States VHF Society hosted their 43rd Conference in the Chicago area. The event attracted radio amateurs interested in experimentation with weak signal VHF/UHF, microwave, terrestrial and space communications, and EME. SuitSat-2 System Engineer Gould WA4SXM was at the Conference with a functioning prototype of the SuitSat-2 hardware, antennas, and initial software. The success of the Phoenix ARISS system inte- gration meeting held July 10-12 was evident as SuitSat-2 trans- mitted live signals everyone at the Conference could monitor on 145.950 MHz. The SSTV subsystem was transmitting live pictures in Robot36 mode captured by the cameras. Reminder: if your computer SSTV capture software such as MMSSTV is functional viewing existing terrestrial SSTV transmissions you will be ready to receive SuitSat-2 video. Gould also gave a presentation to a full house during which he dis- cussed SuitSat-2 architecture and software. The presentation, as well as the live display, included these subsystems: + Software Defined Radio Transponder + Internal Housekeeping Processor Board + Power Control Board + Interconnect Board + Safety Power Interlock + Flexible antennas The SuitSat-2 team plans to deliver the completed flight system to Russia in December, 2009 with an EVA deployment planned for the Spring of 2010. Watch the AMSAT Journal for full details as system integration completes and SuitSat-2 moves toward orbit! [ANS thanks whomever for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-207.04 Special Events Stations Commemorate Apollo 11 40th Anniversary AMSAT News Service Bulletin 207.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 26, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-207.04 If you were fortunate to work the Amateur Radio special events stations that commemorated the 40th anniversay of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon here is a summary of the QSL information: VE3MOON From the Canada Museum of Science and Technology In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing, the special event callsign VE3MOON will be operating from 14-27 July. The museum team plans to operate via AO-51, SO-50, VO-52, FO-29, and the ISS. QSL via Darin, VE3OIJ. AO-51's 40th Anniversary Special Message AMSAT-NA marked the 40th anniversary of the first manned lunar landing with a special event on AO-51. AO-51 transmited a special message commemorating the event on Monday, July 20. A special AO-51 SWL QSL is available to ground stations who copy the downlink. Send QSL requests marked "Apollo 11" with SASE to the AMSAT office at 850 Sligo Ave. Suite 600, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Mark, K6HX posted recordings and SSTV images received during this event on his web page at http://tinyurl.com/kn9bgm. Ed, KL7UW has his recording at http://www.kl7uw.com/40th_apollo_message.wav. Special Event Station K5E The special call sign K5E was active on the satellites until July 24. If you worked K5E you can claim a special QSL card donated by WA3MVQ. QSL via Tim, N3TL with a standard size SASE. EE Times prepared a July 20th special edition that tells the Lunar Landing story from the viewpoint of a number of engineers. It can be found on-line at: http://tinyurl.com/npklma. Page 44 features comments by AMSAT member Steve Bible, N7HPR. [ANS thanks VE3MOON, AO-51 Operations Team, K5E, and Tom K3IO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-207.05 STS-127 To Deploy Dual Picosats on July 30 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 207.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 26, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-207.05 The University of Texas at Austin announced this week they will deploy a satellite in space on July 30, 2009 at 7:27 AM CDT via the STS-127 Space Shuttle Picosatellite Launcher (SSPL). BEVO1 is a 12.5 cm cube and 3 kg in mass. The purpose of the mission is to collect data from NASA's DRAGON GPS receiver. BEVO1 has two modes, data and beacon. The data mode is on over most parts of the United States, and the rest of the time, the satellite is in beacon mode. Also, anyone tracking BEVO1 can record what they hear at http://paradigm.ae.utexas.edu/ops. The University of Texas also has additional information at: http://www.utexas.edu/news/2009/06/09/picosatellite/ BEVO1 Downlink Information: Beacon Mode Downlink Freq: 437.325 MHz Modulation: FM, 200mW, Morse Code, ~20 WPM Data Mode Downlink Freq: 437.325 MHz Modulation: GMSK, 1W, 9600 baud, AX.25 (default) FM, 1W, Bell 202, AX.25 NASA describes DRAGONSat as an anticipated eight-year program with a launch of the satellites approximately every two years. The first three missions will test individual components and subsystems while the final mission will culminate with the successful docking of two satellites. Refer to http://tinyurl.com/m2blyc for additional mission information. The University of Texas at Austin has developed BEVO1 and Texas A&M University has developed AggieSat-2 for this mission. Both satellites will perform the initial data acquition testing of the DRAGONSat pro- gram. [ANS thanks Jahshan Bhatti at the University of Texas at Austin and Andy, W5ACM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-207.06 SwissCube Delivery to India, Three Additional CubeSats Planned AMSAT News Service Bulletin 207.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 26, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-207.06 The Southgate ARC webpage reports the SwissCube Amateur Radio satellite, and its integration team will shortly be leaving for the launch site in India. The SwissCube mission has a scientific and a technology objective to observe and take measurements of the airglow phenomena. The IARU has coordinated a downlink fre- quency of 437.505 MHz. The Technical University of Berlin will launch their BeeSat cubesat project on this mission. The main objective of BeeSat is the on orbit verification of newly developed micro wheels for pico satellite applications. BeeSat will demonstrate the use of coin size micro wheels for the attitude control. This satellite is licensed to operate on 436.00 MHz. University of Wuerzburg, Department of Computer Science will launch UWE-2 is to test a newly developed attitude determination system. Other experiments related to "IP in space" will be per- formed. These experiments follow on from the experiments of the previous satellite UWE-1. A AX25 and CW downlink on 437.385 MHz has been coordinated by the IARU. The Istanbul Technical University will launch ITUpSAT on a mission to characterize a passive attitude control system and take earth observation pictures. Main communications will take place on fre- quencies outside the amateur satellite service, but a 100mW 70cm CW telemtry beacon is planned to operated on 437.325 MHz. Space launches are technically challenging and are usually prone to last minute changes, so the exact launch date for the PSLV is still not known. [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA, Southgate, and IARU Coordination pages for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-207.07 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 207.07 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 26, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-207.07 + Congratulations to Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB upon winning the Newsline Youth Ham of the Year Award! Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Team member Nick Lance, KC5KBO, who does ham radio mentoring of students at his local school, was pleased to learn that his student, Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB, has won the Newsline Youth Ham of the Year Award. ARISS was one of the main motivators for Andrew to study for his license, and to stay licensed. He continued his interest in space by helping with ARISS contacts and by being active in ham satellite operations. (Via Carol Jackson, KB3LKI, ARISS Weekly Report) + Full information for the 2009 Mid-Atlantic VHF Conference Saturday, September 26 in Plymouth Meeting, PA is available on-line at: http://tinyurl.com/mdrbxx (Packrats) + Replay of the Falcon-1 launch is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfdk_VZMjQI + Here's a science oriented web page that may be of interest to the young visitors to your shack. Visit the NASA: Home and City site http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/nasacity/index2.htm to see how space exploration impacts daily life. + John K8YSE says he will prepare special QSL cards from his Delaware satellite operation July 11-12. Watch for his announcement via the amsat-bb and his QRZ.com web page. + NASA has an interactive web site to allow you to explore the Apollo 11 landing site: http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/apollo11_landing/index.html + An on-line HD video of the STS-127 launch is available at: http://tinyurl.com/lqeqqo (UniverseToday.com) [ANS thanks everyone 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. And, with that please keep in mind that because cows eat grass they're lawn mooers. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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ISS
by Howard Kowall 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

Hello to all Is the ISS operational I haven herd anything on In a long time Been listening to 145.800 not even a peep thanks to all who respond Howard VE4ISP

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Cross boom question
by Kevin Groth 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

I have just finished building a set of 2m and 440mhz circular polarized beams to work the birds. (tired of standing in the heat and cold outside!) I tried to save a little bit of money by building a wood dowel inserted into a sched 40 uv resistant pipe. I hung the beams on either side of the cross boom and it sags way too much and is ugly. I thought about using some eyebolts and some nylon cording for support to the vertical mast, but I'm trying to keep everything as clean as possible for the neighbors. I would really rather not have to purchase a fiberglass satellite boom commercially, but if I have to, I will. I have a bunch of 1.75" aluminum pipe that would be more than able to support most anything I plan to add to the antenna collection in the future (1.2 and 2.4 ghz). My question is how much of a difference would it make if I mounted the 2m and 440 beams in an X position to the aluminum beam? I have read some short answers that it would minimize the swr issue, but haven't really found an answer that I am comfortable with. Also, how would that effect a later addition like a 1.2 or 2.4 ghz antenna.? My current antennas are a KLM 2m-14c and a 435-40cx, both circular polarized and switchable RH and LH polarization. Does anyone have any experience with a metal crossboom? Thanks! Kevin N9EME Fort Worth, TX

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Elk Ant/ metal mast??
by Jerry Felts 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

I think I'm going to get a used Elk ant to mount on top of my 20ft tower or at least would like to. It would go on the top of the lil 20ft tower and 5 ft above it would be a 9 el 2m yagi. The mast is metal and I'm wondering how to mount it to the mast and mostly will the metal mast work ok??? -- Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota http://nr5abikeblog.blogspot.com/ http://nr5abeaconblog.blogspot.com/

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Re: Cross boom question
by Jim Jerzycke 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

This has been gone over a zillion times. Short answer; Mount them in an "X" configuration and don't worry about it. http://www.g6lvb.com/fibermetalboom.htm --- On Sat, 7/25/09, Kevin Groth <hislens(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Kevin Groth <hislens(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Cross boom question To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Saturday, July 25, 2009, 1:47 PM I have just finished building a set of 2m and 440mhz circular polarized beams to work the birds. (tired of standing in the heat and cold outside!) I tried to save a little bit of money by building a wood dowel inserted into a sched 40 uv resistant pipe. I hung the beams on either side of the cross boom and it sags way too much and is ugly. I thought about using some eyebolts and some nylon cording for support to the vertical mast, but I'm trying to keep everything as clean as possible for the neighbors. I would really rather not have to purchase a fiberglass satellite boom commercially, but if I have to, I will. I have a bunch of 1.75" aluminum pipe that would be more than able to support most anything I plan to add to the antenna collection in the future (1.2 and 2.4 ghz). My question is how much of a difference would it make if I mounted the 2m and 440 beams in an X position to the aluminum beam? I have read some short answers that it would minimize the swr issue, but haven't really found an answer that I am comfortable with. Also, how would that effect a later addition like a 1.2 or 2.4 ghz antenna.? My current antennas are a KLM 2m-14c and a 435-40cx, both circular polarized and switchable RH and LH polarization. Does anyone have any experience with a metal crossboom? Thanks! Kevin N9EME Fort Worth, TX _______________________________________________ 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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Fwd: Hamsat article on the Make blog
by Bruce Robertson 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

If you haven't taken a look at this introductory article, you really should. It does so many things well, in my opinion. First, it doesn't assume the reader is (yet!) a ham. Second, it uses very simple tools, like heavens-above.com, to ensure success. Finally, it has that makergeek cred from the homebrew antenna setup. It would have been a great intro for me when I was starting up. 73, Bruce VE9QRP On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 4:09 PM, Ollie Eisman<ollie(a)ollietech.com> wrote: > FYI > > http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/07/catching_satellites_on_ham_radio.h…

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Left /Right Hand polarization ...
by John Papay 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

Myles, AO51 435.300 is right hand circular polarization (RHCP). AO51 435.150 is left hand (LHCP). If you try to hear a LHCP signal with a RHCP antenna that is really right hand, you will have a drop in signal that can exceed 20db. This will make the downlink unreadable at low elevations. You definitely want to have switchable polarization on UHF if at all possible. The reason that people have a hard time hearing SO50 when they are using RHCP is that although the antennas are supposed to be linear polarized, they don't fare well on RHCP throughout the pass. I find that I have to switch several times between right and left in order to hear the bird throughout the pass. Before I had switching, it was hit and miss with that bird. The two meter side is not as important to switch unless you plan to operate AO7 and VO52 which have downlinks on 2 meters. If you do operate those birds, you'll be able to do much better if you can switch. Switching the uplink on UHF on those birds sometimes makes a big difference too. If you are serious about operating the birds, the investment in polarity switching will be well worth it. John K8YSE

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FX614
by Andy Brian 25 Jul '09

25 Jul '09

HI, I'm looking for any simple source code in C-language for FX-614 (ax.25 decoder) for undestanding simple ax.25 protocol. I found only few asm code for PIC16, but c-lanugage is easily to adopt to other microcontrollers. I tried to connect FX614 IC like in HITSAT http://www.hit.ac.jp/~satori/hitsat/img/decord.bmp and read at RX PC port with rs232 terminal programme, but I didn't receive any useful frame with b011111110 start (like describet in ). After this I found that all modem using pin CTS on RS232 port, I don't know how to handle this with PC to read directy with rs232 RXD port like HEX or binary values to see raw values of packet frames? It is possible to read values from FX614 (through max232 ) with PC to see raw format? So I'm looking for any simple source code in C to find how to decode signal from fx614 to microcontrollers port and then to PC Thanks for your help all the best Andy

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PocketSat+ on Nokia N810
by Greg D. 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Hi folks, I recently treated myself to a new toy - the Nokia N810 "Internet Tablet". (Think iPod Touch with a higher resolution screen, real GPS, real keyboard, and it runs Linux so the apps multi-task, and are free.) Thought I'd pass this on... One of the challenges I faced in this consolidation was finding equivalent apps to the ones I was using on multiple other platforms, including some sort of satellite tracking program. I figured I could at least port Predict over, given the Linux software base. Then I found the Garnet VM program, which is a Palm virtual machine. Loaded it up and installed PocketSat+, and it works really well. In fact, it's faster on the Nokia N810 than it was on my Palm Vx. Just be sure to get all the various clock settings right, between the N810, virtual machine, and the application right, so you don't apply daylight savings twice. Enjoy, Greg KO6TH _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™ SkyDrive™: Store, access, and share your photos. See how. http://windowslive.com/Online/SkyDrive?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_CS_SD_photos_072009

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Elk Antenna Mounted on a Camera Tripod
by Vince Staffo 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Has anyone used the Elk 2M/440 Log Periodic Beam Antenna mounted on a Camera Tripod? I would appreciate your experience/technique in mounting it. Thank You, Vince, WB2FYZ

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Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions
by John Papay 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Drew, I appreciate your comments about what AO-51 can and cannot do. There is no problem if the v/u mode comes down on 435.150 rather than 435.300 except for the polarization difference. Those with Right Hand Circular Polarization (RHCP) will have a difficult time hearing the Left hand (LHCP) downlink. Those with yagi's etc won't be affected and that includes most of the new people. A downlink on 435.150 is better than no UHF Voice downlink at all. As far as dxpeditioners working ssb birds, most of us can do that. But who are we going to work? - only the few that have ssb equipment. The new people starting out are likely to only have a FM handheld or mobile. These are the people that will be going for their first award. As they progress, they'll start working towards their first 100 grid VUCC award and maybe Worked All States, especially if they are on the west coast and can work Hawaii on a FM bird. We cannot expect everyone to invest in L and S band equipment to work the handful of people who operate those modes. If it weren't for the people that bought their radios/antennas/converters a long time ago, even fewer would be operating L/S. It's a lot harder to work grids now than it was years back. If you worked your 550 grids on birds that have the footprint of AO-51, you're a stellar operator. These days you have to pull out the stops to do it and if it weren't for the grid dxpeditioners, it would be tough to do half that amount. Without V/U FM, you don't get to those totals very fast, if ever, on today's birds. There does need to be a balance between modes and AO-51 is certainly a versatile satellite that can serve many different interests. What we need to keep in mind is that new people are the future of AMSAT. If they don't have an FM voice mode, there is no other likely entry point for them. And if no one is going out on grid dxpeditions because there is so little v/u airtime per day, the organization will never grow. There would be no interest in DXCC if there were no dxpeditions. I think that there would be a lot less interest in operating satellites if there was no VUCC and grid dxpeditions to facilitate working something new on a regular basis. Making a contact with the same people over and over gets old quickly. Put someone like WD9EWK in Utah, ND9M all over the eastern US including Delaware, KD8CAO in northeastern Michigan and Drummond Island, KB0RZD on a 4 corner grid boundary in Missouri and even K8YSE in Delaware for those that missed ND9M, and AO-51 COMES ALIVE. XE2AT who is at the top of the VUCC leader board with over 900 grids worked is in there calling KD8CAO in EN86 and EN76. There are no pileups on L/S and the BBS. That being said, I only ask that configurations that preclude a FM V/U transponder be kept to a minimum. We need to do everything we can to encourage new people to enter the world of satellites and we need to support those who operate from other grids and give everyone something to work for. I will be listening for you on AO-7 et. al. Have a great trip. Don't forget to post your operating schedule on the amsat-bb so we know when to look for you and what grids you'll be in. John K8YSE Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:43:03 -0400 From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, "John Papay" <john(a)papays.com> Message-ID: <58370780F3A14122A8BB648728DFAD90@Andrewlaptop> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original John, I certainly understand where you are coming from, although I disagree with some of your positions. AO-51 is currently our only satellite with multiple modes (other than ISS), our only S band satellite, our only BBS, our only L band satellite, etc. Unfortunately our power budget doesn't allow us to run every mode we want to at the same time. This problem will only get worse as the batteries age. We are already at the point where after this extended period of mostly full illumination, we will most likely only be able to run one transmitter at any time, and possibly not the S band in eclipse at -all-. The good news is that the full illumination lasts for quite a while, and during this period we can support two UHF transmitters at a high power level, or one UHF at modest power and the S band transmitter. If we run separate S and UHF, the UHF downlink will have to be on 435.150, as the 435.300 and S transmitters share an audio path. So...that being said, do not expect us to completely forego L and S just for more grid swapping, as fun as it is (I'm at 550 confirmed). Send your requests in early for whatever mode you'd like, and we will try to honor them. Meanwhile, get your S band downconverters ready for portable ops, your 817s and 706s working with SatPC32 on a laptop, and be ready to occasionally run your grid trips on ALL the satellites. It's a real shame to hear so many ops on V/U FM, and so few on V/U and U/V SSB/CW. Since I try to walk the walk, look for me on the SSB -and- FM birds as G/ and OZ/KO4MA over the next 2.5 weeks. I hope to stretch the footprint to North America on FO-29 and AO-7 with my little 817 and Arrow setup. Mode requests should go to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org, not to me direct. 73, Drew KO4MA > We have enjoyed a long stretch of AO51 being in the V/U mode on > 435.300. After the end of the month, the bird will be in sunlight > continuously and that will allow higher power and other modes to be > used. If AO51 is in a non-V/U voice mode, as it was for a 2 week period > not long ago, grid dxpeditions are not going to be worthwhile. If > you plan a vacation ahead of time, you might find later that the bird > will not be in a v/u voice mode during your trip. > > The Operations Team sets the schedule and they do it based upon > requests from the membership for alternate modes. Personally I think > that there should always be a 435.300/145.92 mode available. Everyone > who is interested in chasing grids or activating grids away from their > home > should email KO4MA and request that V/U voice remain on. You cannot > plan anything if you don't know if AO51 will be in V/U voice during your > trip. The schedule is based upon input from the membership and if we > don't make our requests, those that want the bird in other modes (both > transponders) will most likely be served. The second transponder is fine > for other modes but there are probably some modes that cannot be activated > if V/U voice is to remain on. Maybe Drew can clarify this for us. > > There are some that would say that there are other satellites that can > be used for FM voice. Very true, however, if you are out there trying > to activate grids, not having AO51 available is a handicap. You spend a > lot of money to do it and then have 1/3 of your potential air time, on the > best FM satellite up there, not available to you. It makes no sense. > > I'm on L band now and will have S band RX running soon. I enjoy setting > up for different modes. But after you work a few stations in those modes, > and fine tune your equipment, there's not much left. Chasing grids never > ends. There's always one more to work. > > If you are interested in working or activating new grids, please email > KO4MA > and request that AO51 always have one V/U voice transponder available. > There > is no guarantee that this will always work, but if there are no emails, it > is > likely that there will be more periods of non V/U voice on AO51. > > John K8YSE John Papay john(a)papays.com

2 1

Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 355
by gregory.beat＠comcast.net 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Andy - You are missing key pieces ... Like TTL to RS232 conversion. McGrawHill has publications on RS232 prog in "C" lang. I have these in home library. Start there. W9gb Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00:05 To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 355 Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org You can reach the person managing the list at amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." Today's Topics: 1. W1AW Jul 28 AO-27 (Mark Spencer) 2. Hamsat article on the Make blog (Ollie Eisman) 3. Rare Grids and Gridpeditions (John Papay) 4. Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions (Andrew Glasbrenner) 5. OT Job Opportunity, DOD Technical Skill Sets Needed (RFI-EMI-GUY) 6. Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair (William Leijenaar) 7. Re: Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair (Roger Kolakowski) 8. Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions (Rodney Waln) 9. Public Thanks (Clint Bradford) 10. G3RUH patch wanted (w7lrd(a)comcast.net) 11. FX614 (Andy Brian) 12. AMSAT-UK Keynote Speaker (David Johnson) 13. Re: Ballot (Martha) 14. K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event (n3tl(a)bellsouth.net) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:02:02 -0700 From: "Mark Spencer" <mspencer(a)hughes.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] W1AW Jul 28 AO-27 To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <20090723190216.9BE324FD63D9(a)smtprelay05.b.hostedemail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I will be putting W1AW on AO27 for a demonstration (HT and ARROW) during the teachers institute on July 28 (Tuesday) probably during the 1216(L) pass. Your assistance with the demonstration would be appreciated. If you would like a QSL of the contact, please send yours to WA8SME, and I'll take care of it. No SASEs required. 73, Mark Mark Spencer, WA8SME ARRL-The national association for Amateur Radio Education and Technology Program Coordinator mspencer(a)arrl.org http://www.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ 530-495-9150 ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:09:12 -0600 From: Ollie Eisman <ollie(a)ollietech.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Hamsat article on the Make blog To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <7978F0AE-E7E5-407A-9235-8D523FECD397(a)ollietech.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed FYI http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/07/catching_satellites_on_ham_radio.h… ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:01:44 -0400 From: John Papay <john(a)papays.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Rare Grids and Gridpeditions To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <200907232002.n6NK2DUM025315(a)mx02.mailboxcop.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed It's great to see the renewed interest in activating "rare" grids on the birds. If you don't have a particular grid worked and confirmed, it is a "rare" grid. It is important for all of us to recognize those who are operating "portable" in a grid away from their home. They are only there for a short period of time so giving them the frequency is the thing to do. If you hear a callsign that you have not worked before, call that person rather than someone you just talked with on the last pass. We need to encourage the new people as they are the future of the amateur space program. Use the portable designation if you are operating away from home so others will know that this might be a new grid. We have enjoyed a long stretch of AO51 being in the V/U mode on 435.300. After the end of the month, the bird will be in sunlight continuously and that will allow higher power and other modes to be used. If AO51 is in a non-V/U voice mode, as it was for a 2 week period not long ago, grid dxpeditions are not going to be worthwhile. If you plan a vacation ahead of time, you might find later that the bird will not be in a v/u voice mode during your trip. The Operations Team sets the schedule and they do it based upon requests from the membership for alternate modes. Personally I think that there should always be a 435.300/145.92 mode available. Everyone who is interested in chasing grids or activating grids away from their home should email KO4MA and request that V/U voice remain on. You cannot plan anything if you don't know if AO51 will be in V/U voice during your trip. The schedule is based upon input from the membership and if we don't make our requests, those that want the bird in other modes (both transponders) will most likely be served. The second transponder is fine for other modes but there are probably some modes that cannot be activated if V/U voice is to remain on. Maybe Drew can clarify this for us. There are some that would say that there are other satellites that can be used for FM voice. Very true, however, if you are out there trying to activate grids, not having AO51 available is a handicap. You spend a lot of money to do it and then have 1/3 of your potential air time, on the best FM satellite up there, not available to you. It makes no sense. I'm on L band now and will have S band RX running soon. I enjoy setting up for different modes. But after you work a few stations in those modes, and fine tune your equipment, there's not much left. Chasing grids never ends. There's always one more to work. If you are interested in working or activating new grids, please email KO4MA and request that AO51 always have one V/U voice transponder available. There is no guarantee that this will always work, but if there are no emails, it is likely that there will be more periods of non V/U voice on AO51. John K8YSE ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:43:03 -0400 From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, "John Papay" <john(a)papays.com> Message-ID: <58370780F3A14122A8BB648728DFAD90@Andrewlaptop> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original John, I certainly understand where you are coming from, although I disagree with some of your positions. AO-51 is currently our only satellite with multiple modes (other than ISS), our only S band satellite, our only BBS, our only L band satellite, etc. Unfortunately our power budget doesn't allow us to run every mode we want to at the same time. This problem will only get worse as the batteries age. We are already at the point where after this extended period of mostly full illumination, we will most likely only be able to run one transmitter at any time, and possibly not the S band in eclipse at -all-. The good news is that the full illumination lasts for quite a while, and during this period we can support two UHF transmitters at a high power level, or one UHF at modest power and the S band transmitter. If we run separate S and UHF, the UHF downlink will have to be on 435.150, as the 435.300 and S transmitters share an audio path. So...that being said, do not expect us to completely forego L and S just for more grid swapping, as fun as it is (I'm at 550 confirmed). Send your requests in early for whatever mode you'd like, and we will try to honor them. Meanwhile, get your S band downconverters ready for portable ops, your 817s and 706s working with SatPC32 on a laptop, and be ready to occasionally run your grid trips on ALL the satellites. It's a real shame to hear so many ops on V/U FM, and so few on V/U and U/V SSB/CW. Since I try to walk the walk, look for me on the SSB -and- FM birds as G/ and OZ/KO4MA over the next 2.5 weeks. I hope to stretch the footprint to North America on FO-29 and AO-7 with my little 817 and Arrow setup. Mode requests should go to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org, not to me direct. 73, Drew KO4MA > We have enjoyed a long stretch of AO51 being in the V/U mode on > 435.300. After the end of the month, the bird will be in sunlight > continuously and that will allow higher power and other modes to be > used. If AO51 is in a non-V/U voice mode, as it was for a 2 week period > not long ago, grid dxpeditions are not going to be worthwhile. If > you plan a vacation ahead of time, you might find later that the bird > will not be in a v/u voice mode during your trip. > > The Operations Team sets the schedule and they do it based upon > requests from the membership for alternate modes. Personally I think > that there should always be a 435.300/145.92 mode available. Everyone > who is interested in chasing grids or activating grids away from their > home > should email KO4MA and request that V/U voice remain on. You cannot > plan anything if you don't know if AO51 will be in V/U voice during your > trip. The schedule is based upon input from the membership and if we > don't make our requests, those that want the bird in other modes (both > transponders) will most likely be served. The second transponder is fine > for other modes but there are probably some modes that cannot be activated > if V/U voice is to remain on. Maybe Drew can clarify this for us. > > There are some that would say that there are other satellites that can > be used for FM voice. Very true, however, if you are out there trying > to activate grids, not having AO51 available is a handicap. You spend a > lot of money to do it and then have 1/3 of your potential air time, on the > best FM satellite up there, not available to you. It makes no sense. > > I'm on L band now and will have S band RX running soon. I enjoy setting > up for different modes. But after you work a few stations in those modes, > and fine tune your equipment, there's not much left. Chasing grids never > ends. There's always one more to work. > > If you are interested in working or activating new grids, please email > KO4MA > and request that AO51 always have one V/U voice transponder available. > There > is no guarantee that this will always work, but if there are no emails, it > is > likely that there will be more periods of non V/U voice on AO51. > > John K8YSE > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:50:30 -0400 From: RFI-EMI-GUY <Rhyolite(a)NETTALLY.COM> Subject: [amsat-bb] OT Job Opportunity, DOD Technical Skill Sets Needed To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <4A68CD16.5020109(a)NETTALLY.COM> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Please excuse me for posting this, but in this tight job market I felt might be of interest to some AMSAT or ARRL folks. I know of job opportunities for someone in the San Diego area that has either satellite or submarine communications experience in the DOD. If you have either or both, please contact me OFF LINE and feel free to send your resume. Thanks -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"? "Use only Genuine Interocitor Parts" Tom Servo ;-P ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:27:35 +0200 From: William Leijenaar <pe1rah(a)hotmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <BAY116-W54DCC7DEB7896E51C8880D90180(a)phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi AMSATs, Last weeks I have been working on a testboard for the very small linear transponder system that I have designed. I plan to be at the JARL Ham Fair in Tokyo, Japan on 22nd and 23rd August, where I will present my thiny linear transponder to the ham people. I will be in Japan from 15th August till 27th of August. When some University Cubesat group in Japan is interrested in my transponder design I can give demonstration and presentation. Only serious parties please. Please see some older movies about my transponder design on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/pe1rah 73, and maybe see you on Ham Fair Tokyo, William Leijenaar, PE1RAH --- _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:52:10 -0400 From: "Roger Kolakowski" <rogerkola(a)aol.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair To: "William Leijenaar" <pe1rah(a)hotmail.com>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <001a01ca0bf0$98d605a0$0300a8c0@Tanguray> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi William... It is good to see one person accomplish so much for us satellite users! You already have a successful transceiver in orbit and a launch behind you! Keep up the good work! Roger ----- Original Message ----- From: "William Leijenaar" <pe1rah(a)hotmail.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 7:27 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair > > Hi AMSATs, > > Last weeks I have been working on a testboard for the very small linear transponder system that I have designed. > I plan to be at the JARL Ham Fair in Tokyo, Japan on 22nd and 23rd August, where I will present my thiny linear transponder to the ham people. > > I will be in Japan from 15th August till 27th of August. > When some University Cubesat group in Japan is interrested in my transponder design I can give demonstration and presentation. > Only serious parties please. > > Please see some older movies about my transponder design on youtube: > http://www.youtube.com/user/pe1rah > > 73, and maybe see you on Ham Fair Tokyo, > > William Leijenaar, PE1RAH > --- > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! > http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ > _______________________________________________ > 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 > ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:09:02 -0700 (PDT) From: Rodney Waln <kc0zhf(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <686164.43154.qm(a)web46103.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 ok so what about this question, say you are going to go on vacation or moble /expadition, and you know that they?are changeing?AO-51 to say L/S mode for next week, ? would a HT that has L band FM transmit (DJ-G7T) 1 watt be ok or would you a 10watt amp with the proper antenna,? to kick the bird :-) i have the S band covered almost.? thanks Rodney kc0zhf ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:28:30 -0700 From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Public Thanks To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <97454C59-EAA1-4DC1-9595-2D658EB96131(a)earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes Andrew and Lee have jumped in and are working with the UCLA satellite lead - MANY thanks, gentlemen! And Martha, too, for finding the "right folks." Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666 ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:07:03 +0000 (UTC) From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net Subject: [amsat-bb] G3RUH patch wanted To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <275230980.4737721248412023260.JavaMail.root(a)sz0126a.emeryville.ca.mail.comcast.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Does anyone have a G3RUH S band patch antenna "laying" around they don't need? email direct. 73 Bob W7LRD ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:50:35 +0200 From: Andy Brian <briaandy(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] FX614 To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <e87ea45b0907240450r6fb0c37j5cdfb142058a491d(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 HI, I'm looking for any simple source code in C-language for FX-614 (ax.25 decoder) for undestanding simple ax.25 protocol. I found only few asm code for PIC16, but c-lanugage is easily to adopt to other microcontrollers. I tried to connect FX614 IC like in HITSAT http://www.hit.ac.jp/~satori/hitsat/img/decord.bmp and read at RX PC port with rs232 terminal programme, but I didn't receive any useful frame with b011111110 start (like describet in ). After this I found that all modem using pin CTS on RS232 port, I don't know how to handle this with PC to read directy with rs232 RXD port like HEX or binary values to see raw values of packet frames? It is possible to read values from FX614 (through max232 ) with PC to see raw format? So I'm looking for any simple source code in C to find how to decode signal from fx614 to microcontrollers port and then to PC Thanks for your help all the best Andy ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:18:18 +0100 From: David Johnson <david.johnson(a)blackpepper.co.uk> Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-UK Keynote Speaker To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <4A69A68A.1030106(a)blackpepper.co.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hi, We are pleased to announce that Dr Andreas Mogensen, currently at SSC and recently selected as one of the new the ESA Astronaut corps, has agreed to give a talk in the 1015-1100 hrs slot on Saturday 25th, covering briefly the history of the ESA astronaut corps and then about the steps that he went through in the year-long selection process. He may also touch on the work he is doing at SSC on their lunar mission planning. 73 Dave Johnson G4DPZ AMSAT-UK 1267 AMSAT-NA LM-1260 ------------------------------ Message: 13 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:27:40 -0400 From: Martha <martha(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Ballot To: Donald Anderson <w2dba(a)hotmail.com> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <956751cf0907240727t694acd9i5170e9b518509f6a(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Don - You will be receiving a "corrected ballot" in the mail shortly. It will be in an envelope that says "corrected ballot". That is the ballot you need to use. We will only count the corrected ballot. On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Donald Anderson <w2dba(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > Hi Martha > > My Ballot 2009 says to vote for 3 of the 4 listed but there are 5 listed > and the letter says there are 4 positions up for election . Should I vote > for 3 or 4 positions ? > > Thanks > Don > W2DBA LM-189 > w2dba(a)hotmail.com > > > ------------------------------ > NEW mobile Hotmail. Optimized for YOUR phone. Click here.<http://windowslive.com/Mobile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_CS_MB_new_hotmail_072009> > -- 73- Martha ------------------------------ Message: 14 Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:51:21 +0000 From: n3tl(a)bellsouth.net Subject: [amsat-bb] K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <072420091751.2810.4A69F498000C8A2200000AFA22218683269B0A02D2089B9A019C04040A0DBF049BCC02(a)att.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Hey everyone, K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event - has concluded. My thanks to everyone for making this a fun and memorable special even on the satellites. Here's a brief summary: The K5E log contains 338 contacts representing 182 different operators. Contacts took place on all of the FM satellites (AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50), all of the CW/SSB satellites (AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52; both CW and SSB contacts are in the log), and via the International Space Station. The ISS contact was a two-way direct-packet contact between K5E and KB1GVR, in Maine. I will post a more detailed summary in the near future. Thanks to AA5PK, K8YSE and WA4NVM who assisted by operating portions of the special event as (their calls)/K5E. Their assistance proved valuable in expanding coverage throughout North, Central and northern South America. QSL Cards are in transit from the printer! Thanks again to Glade Schroeter, WA3MVQ, and GGGraphicsstore.com for donating the cards. My goal is to have all on-hand QSL requests filled and back in the mail by no later than July 31. If you worked K5E and have not requested a QSL card, please do so with an SASE. Direct all QSL requests to N3TL at the address on QRZ,com/N3TL. Thanks again to all, and 73, Tim - N3TL K5E ? The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 355 ****************************************

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K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Hey everyone, K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event - has concluded. My thanks to everyone for making this a fun and memorable special even on the satellites. Here's a brief summary: The K5E log contains 338 contacts representing 182 different operators. Contacts took place on all of the FM satellites (AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50), all of the CW/SSB satellites (AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52; both CW and SSB contacts are in the log), and via the International Space Station. The ISS contact was a two-way direct-packet contact between K5E and KB1GVR, in Maine. I will post a more detailed summary in the near future. Thanks to AA5PK, K8YSE and WA4NVM who assisted by operating portions of the special event as (their calls)/K5E. Their assistance proved valuable in expanding coverage throughout North, Central and northern South America. QSL Cards are in transit from the printer! Thanks again to Glade Schroeter, WA3MVQ, and GGGraphicsstore.com for donating the cards. My goal is to have all on-hand QSL requests filled and back in the mail by no later than July 31. If you worked K5E and have not requested a QSL card, please do so with an SASE. Direct all QSL requests to N3TL at the address on QRZ,com/N3TL. Thanks again to all, and 73, Tim - N3TL K5E – The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event

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Re: Ballot
by Martha 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Don - You will be receiving a "corrected ballot" in the mail shortly. It will be in an envelope that says "corrected ballot". That is the ballot you need to use. We will only count the corrected ballot. On Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 10:24 AM, Donald Anderson <w2dba(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > Hi Martha > > My Ballot 2009 says to vote for 3 of the 4 listed but there are 5 listed > and the letter says there are 4 positions up for election . Should I vote > for 3 or 4 positions ? > > Thanks > Don > W2DBA LM-189 > w2dba(a)hotmail.com > > > ------------------------------ > NEW mobile Hotmail. Optimized for YOUR phone. Click here.<http://windowslive.com/Mobile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_CS_MB_new_hotmail_072009> > -- 73- Martha

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AMSAT-UK Keynote Speaker
by David Johnson 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Hi, We are pleased to announce that Dr Andreas Mogensen, currently at SSC and recently selected as one of the new the ESA Astronaut corps, has agreed to give a talk in the 1015-1100 hrs slot on Saturday 25th, covering briefly the history of the ESA astronaut corps and then about the steps that he went through in the year-long selection process. He may also touch on the work he is doing at SSC on their lunar mission planning. 73 Dave Johnson G4DPZ AMSAT-UK 1267 AMSAT-NA LM-1260

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G3RUH patch wanted
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

Does anyone have a G3RUH S band patch antenna "laying" around they don't need? email direct. 73 Bob W7LRD

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Public Thanks
by Clint Bradford 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

Andrew and Lee have jumped in and are working with the UCLA satellite lead - MANY thanks, gentlemen! And Martha, too, for finding the "right folks." Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Re: Rare Grids and Gridpeditions
by Rodney Waln 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

ok so what about this question, say you are going to go on vacation or moble /expadition, and you know that they are changeing AO-51 to say L/S mode for next week, would a HT that has L band FM transmit (DJ-G7T) 1 watt be ok or would you a 10watt amp with the proper antenna, to kick the bird :-) i have the S band covered almost. thanks Rodney kc0zhf

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Cubesat Linear Transponder at Tokyo Ham Fair
by William Leijenaar 23 Jul '09

23 Jul '09

Hi AMSATs, Last weeks I have been working on a testboard for the very small linear transponder system that I have designed. I plan to be at the JARL Ham Fair in Tokyo, Japan on 22nd and 23rd August, where I will present my thiny linear transponder to the ham people. I will be in Japan from 15th August till 27th of August. When some University Cubesat group in Japan is interrested in my transponder design I can give demonstration and presentation. Only serious parties please. Please see some older movies about my transponder design on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/pe1rah 73, and maybe see you on Ham Fair Tokyo, William Leijenaar, PE1RAH --- _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

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