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Re: QSL Cards
by Rafael Valdez G. 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Hello Jim, For VUCC purposes and AMSAT awards you will need paper QSL but for WAS and DXCC LoTW will do it, the bad news is that is not widely used by satellite community, on the other hand eQSL has its own awards. But anyway from my side I enjoy QSLing as part of the hobby in any way or via..... 73's and good luck XE2RV Ps. Qsl rate in satellite community is quite high...in NA ------Original Message------ From: Jim Heck To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Mar 23, 2009 9:20 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] QSL Cards Hi Folks, I have only recently re-started to operate via the sats after a gap of about 4 years (my last qso was via AO-40!). The buzz is returning!!! I would be interested to know whether ham operators these days send old fashioned cards via the bureau/direct, or whether EQSL cards are now used more extensively. If the later, which service is considered the best/most reliable/most trustworthy/etc/ I have come across www.eqsl.cc <http://www.eqsl.cc> which seems quite reasonable, and I notice that there are some cards waiting for me !!! (I'll be signing up soon, and I'll be interested to see how old they are, etc !!! 73s Jim G3WGM _______________________________________________ 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 <http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>

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Re: QSL Cards
by books47925＠mypacks.net 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Hello All, Tim you are correct, in that ARRL does not accept EQSL for awards. I'm in the LOTW system, but I still prefer a "real card". I enjoy seeing the envelope in the mail box from the buro, or the QSL cards sent direct! The convenience of LOTW is very nice, but I like to show off the cards received too! Most are in a photo album on the coffee table. When visitors are over, they really get a kick out of seeing the cards too. 73, Steve KB8VAO -----Original Message----- >From: n3tl(a)bellsouth.net >Sent: Mar 23, 2009 10:09 AM >To: Jim Heck <jimlist(a)milnet.uk.net>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: QSL Cards > >Hey Jim, > >Welcome back! I've been licensed since 1983, but was totally off the air from 1992 through mid-1997, and have only been working satellites about 10 months. It's the most fun I've ever had in ham radio! > >I picked up where I left off with QSLs and continue to use "hard cards" to confirm my contacts. I also have received many eQSL requests, and honor them - but if I need to confirm a grid or state for an award, I send my card with a SASE and request a card from the other station. Not everyone has complied, but many more have than haven't. I thank all of them for that. > >I haven't signed up for Log of the World yet, but see that some operators also are using it. ARRL does recognize LoTW electronic "QSLs" for its awards, but I don't believe it recognizes those from the eQSL site. I'm confident someone will correct me if that's inaccurate. > >73, > >Tim - N3TL >Athens, Ga., USA - EM84ha >-------------- Original message from "Jim Heck" <jimlist(a)milnet.uk.net>: -------------- > > >> Hi Folks, >> >> I have only recently re-started to operate via the sats after a gap of about 4 >> years (my last qso was via AO-40!). The buzz is returning!!! >> I would be interested to know whether ham operators these days send old >> fashioned cards via the bureau/direct, or whether EQSL cards are now used more >> extensively. >> >> If the later, which service is considered the best/most reliable/most trustworthy/etc/ I have come across www.eqsl.cc which seems quite reasonable, >> and I notice that there are some cards waiting for me !!! (I'll be signing up soon, >> and >> I'll be interested to see how old they are, etc !!! >> >> 73s Jim G3WGM >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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QSL Cards
by Jim Heck 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Hi Folks, I have only recently re-started to operate via the sats after a gap of about 4 years (my last qso was via AO-40!). The buzz is returning!!! I would be interested to know whether ham operators these days send old fashioned cards via the bureau/direct, or whether EQSL cards are now used more extensively. If the later, which service is considered the best/most reliable/most trustworthy/etc/ I have come across www.eqsl.cc which seems quite reasonable, and I notice that there are some cards waiting for me !!! (I'll be signing up soon, and I'll be interested to see how old they are, etc !!! 73s Jim G3WGM

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Re: QSL Cards
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Hi Jim, My response is that perhaps things have not changed much in 4 years, with opinions still currently being debated in respect of both the HF operations and working satellites . As you are aware the RSGB handling is now under a contract so it is little early to say what the impact will turn out to be in terms of time and cards still getting to destinations The cost of posting is of course now a key factor if you intend going direct or via a QSL manager, but if you want to ensure that you have a quick response,this is still the way to do it. However my own opinion and of others is that even when you include cash or payment it is still not 100% At one time I used to send out cards for every contact that I made, but of course that was mainly on HF, it did take time and money and like our club special events we do only get about a 25% returns Printing cost as you have experienced have risen as well as postage adding to the difficult times and exchange rates Main factors are by those that enter contests, go for IOTA or generally want a collection or first card! The problem is that in respect of contests and awards the "E - qsl " method is not accepted I regret to say. Usually also if you do use this method ( and I would say many do ) you may be asked to send off details of your licence etc so that it is registered to count for certain awards. I have found recently that I received cards dating back for contacts over 4 years ago , Others like myself have had complaints from hams asking why I have not sent out a card - Many appear to have gone astray and may be due mail / delivery collection / lost items / or other reasons ? If you are speaking in terms of satellite contacts only , then I think that my experience is that a QSL direct has always been a very positive way of doing things and with such a low number contacts the expense has not been a bother. I do see however various bones of contention on the BBS and that might be because of the bad times with finance and security. Many have been asking why the electronic method cannot count for awards and perhaps you might like to look this up via the ARRL web site. There was even comments about "Verification of your location " using a GPS and photo showing the reading. But that was in the USA with its large area and grid squares that are being chased. I hope my input will help - And by the way I am just as guilty about response times whether it is eqsl, snail mail or the bureau. Personal problems have contributed to this but in general I just don't know where time has gone. Cheers Ken de GW1FKY. PS - With respect to your mail and support for the rally, I would very much like to join you and help out but I think that the distance with a return trip maybe just a bit to much for me, but I will consider it nearer the time.

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Re: down converter
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Tim - VK2XTT said : > . . . you need to find a CalAmp 130415 MMDS down converter to modify. > With the right crystal they produce an IF at 435 Mhz. > > I wrote an article on modification back in 2005 for the local club mag > that I'll send you off list detailing the conversion. Hi Tim, A friend gave me a 130415, which has had some modification... I'd sure like a copy of your mod article for comparison. >From what I've found so far, they had already changed the crystal, disconnected the comb filter, and changed out the voltage regulator... perhaps more that I didn't recognize. Your article may provide me with some new perspective. Please send the article or a link to <mycallsign>at<AMSAT>dot<ORG> Thanks in advance. 73 for now /;^) (pardon the bandwidth, I encountered a failure on Tim's QRZ email address) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

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ISS/Discovery orbital adjustment
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

The ISS/Discovery combination did a little dance yesterday in adjusting the orbit to avoid some more 'space junk'... It may not have been enough to be noticable right away, but a new element set will be in order soon. More detail is available from : http://spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts119/090322fd8/index4.html Thanks /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

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f.s. S-band downverter
by Patrick Marineau 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

For Sale: K5GNA AIDC 3731 downverter. Retuned for 2400 Mhz with 2 meter I.F. installed, with power supply and bias tee, cables, reflector. Unit is new, never used. Purchased for AO-40, but bird died before I could use it. $55 shipped CONUS Thanks, Pat K9HF ____________________________________________________________ Free information - Scholarships for college, university or tech school. Click now! http://thirdpartyoffers.mybluelight.com/TGL2341/fc/BLSrjpderLMf8hQ2znWQLMwV…

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Down converters
by Douglas Anoman 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

I would like to thank everyone for helping me find the downconverters. KC9MLN Thank You Douglas Anoman

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down converter
by Douglas Anoman 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

Where and how do i get a down converter from 2.4 to 435 mhz? KC9MLN Thank You Douglas Anoman

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AO51 SSTV
by Ron Miles 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

What are most AMSAT folks using for SSTV software? My objective is to TX and RX SSTV via AO-51 or ISS using a soundcard interface like the Rigblaster Nomic. BTW, enjoyed the VS mode this past week on AO-51. Thanks es 73, Ron, n6paa

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P3E question.......
by Chad Phillips 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

I have been trying to find the latest news on P3E on the NA, UK and Dl websites. Really cannot find anything. Can anyone enlighten me to the status and or current news of the sat? Thanks, Chad kg0mw

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yagi design
by Bert Audenaert 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

Hi all, Hereby my first mail on this BB. I want to start with satellite communication. I already build an eggbeater antenna, but togheter with my TS2000 i receive only very poor signals. To work more comfotable, i want to build two yagi antennas (one for 2m and one for 70cm) with an azimuth/elevation rotor system. For the 2m version, I took the following design of DK7ZB as a start: http://www.qsl.net/dk7zb/start1.htm -> 144MHz yasis -> 6 El-28-Ohm (2m60). Because I want to tune this antenna to the upper side of the 2m band (I had 145.800MHz as center frequency in mind), I entered the data of this yagi in MMANA GAL, a free NEC program (http://mmhamsoft.amateur-radio.ca/mmana/). After Calculation, i got totally diferent results as on the DK7ZB website. Please find the MMANA file as an attachment on this mail. What am i doing wrong? 73, Bert - ON4DMD

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Re: Last heard AO-7 435 beacon?
by Greg Beat 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

Alan - I think you are correct. I heard the AO-7 2-meter beacon the last minute of an overhead pass at sunset (local) the next day (18th) last week -- while waiting for an ISS pass. I actually was surprised (and pleased) to hear it on my Icom IC-211 as it was headed over Canada! greg w9gb Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:24:51 -0000 From: "Alan Cresswell" <alancresswell(a)xtra.co.nz> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Last heard AO-7 435 beacon? To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <FAAA6A54FC78464AA088362C417DD59F@satellite> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi Mark, The mode A beacon was always very strong here but I have not heard it for the last few days. The last telemetry I copied was 17 March at 0900 UT. Alan ZL2BX

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Advise on APRS sw
by Edward Cole 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

I have a request that is sort-of off topic with this list - please excuse. I have run win APRS for several years to track vessels on water. But the graphics are all land-based for road travel and show no marine details. Also, they are kind of crude graphics for today's standards. For road travel I obtained an old Delorme Street Atlas program that supported APRS and although the program details are seriously out of date it is still usable. But this is only useful for land travel. So my question is whether there is an APRS program that easily imports map files and overlays mobile tracks? Ideally, I could import any of the newer digital marine charts as a map. There are map programs that allow laying out navigation and trace onto the map display, but the way-points need to be manually input. I need an APRS program that runs a track automatically from an APRS beaconing station. Thanks, Ed - KL7UW

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Re: DM35/DM45 trip today - report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

Hi! Thanks to WB3JFS for pointing out a typo in my earlier posting. I parked on 112 degrees *West*, not North. My error. The map link had my location right, at least. Time for bed... 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ On 3/22/09, Jeff Yanko <wb3jfs(a)cox.net> wrote: > Hi Patrick! > > Sounds like you had a good trip and operation. One point I need to make. > You mentioned the 112 degree North location. I think AZ would be a little > off the map. :0 > > > 73, > > Jeff WB3JFS > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb(a)wd9ewk.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 12:35 AM > Subject: [amsat-bb] DM35/DM45 trip today - report > > >> >> Hi! >> >> I just returned home in the past hour, after a fun day away from >> Phoenix in the mountains and trees of northern Arizona. It was >> a little breezy, some snow was still on the mountaintops and in >> shady spots in the areas around 7000 feet/2134m elevation or >> higher, and a great day to play radio. >> >> I used the same spot I went to twice in 2008 to park on the >> DM35/DM45 grid boundary (112 degrees North). In fact, I was able >> to put my radio gear in the back of my truck exactly on the spot >> I used for those two trips last year, and then take the now- >> obligatory photos for VUCC documentation. I was along old US 66 >> just north of the I-40 freeway 20 miles/32km west of FLagstaff >> AZ: >> >> http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35+15.570+n+112+0.00+w&jsv… >> >> I worked two AO-27 passes and two AO-51 passes from here this >> afternoon/evening. The ISS gear was turned off for the spacewalk, >> and remained off into the evening. SO-50 was passing by at almost >> the same times as the two AO-51 passes, and I decided to work the >> AO-51 V/U repeater instead of SO-50. I made 11 QSOs on each of >> the AO-27 passes, 10 on the first AO-51 pass to the east, and 6 >> on the later western AO-51 pass. Stations from southern Mexico >> to Alaska and Canada went in the log from there. Making 38 QSOs >> on 4 passes, and avoiding the heat in Phoenix... not a bad day. >> >> This was my first time on AO-27 since it was brought back from the >> dead earlier this month. Nice to see so many stations on those 7- >> minute passes. Hopefully it stays operational for a long time, to >> fill in those afternoons before AO-51 comes by later in the day >> (for those of us in the western USA). Of course, the first AO-51 >> pass I had was full of stations. Not too many, later in the day, >> on the western pass. >> >> Before I went out to the DM35/DM45 line, I took a bunch of pictures >> of the Flagstaff area including the Lowell Observatory that is >> above downtown Flagstaff. I'm thinking about taking the pictures I >> have from today, and making a small slide show and making it >> available to whoever wants it. With a digital camera I bought a >> year ago, I now have lots of pictures and - with the trips I've >> done in the last year - lots of stories I could put to "paper". >> >> If I missed working you from DM35/DM45 today, I will be back in that >> area during the upcoming summertime. There is a hamfest in Williams, >> a small town about 10 miles/16km west of where I stopped today, and >> I would probably make a trip back to this spot like I did before the >> same hamfest last year. Plus any open weekend I have could be a good >> time to go there, when it is over 110F (44C) here in Phoenix. >> >> Good night, and 73! >> >> >> >> Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK >> http://www.wd9ewk.net/ >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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DM35/DM45 trip today - report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 22 Mar '09

22 Mar '09

Hi! I just returned home in the past hour, after a fun day away from Phoenix in the mountains and trees of northern Arizona. It was a little breezy, some snow was still on the mountaintops and in shady spots in the areas around 7000 feet/2134m elevation or higher, and a great day to play radio. I used the same spot I went to twice in 2008 to park on the DM35/DM45 grid boundary (112 degrees North). In fact, I was able to put my radio gear in the back of my truck exactly on the spot I used for those two trips last year, and then take the now- obligatory photos for VUCC documentation. I was along old US 66 just north of the I-40 freeway 20 miles/32km west of FLagstaff AZ: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=35+15.570+n+112+0.00+w&jsv… I worked two AO-27 passes and two AO-51 passes from here this afternoon/evening. The ISS gear was turned off for the spacewalk, and remained off into the evening. SO-50 was passing by at almost the same times as the two AO-51 passes, and I decided to work the AO-51 V/U repeater instead of SO-50. I made 11 QSOs on each of the AO-27 passes, 10 on the first AO-51 pass to the east, and 6 on the later western AO-51 pass. Stations from southern Mexico to Alaska and Canada went in the log from there. Making 38 QSOs on 4 passes, and avoiding the heat in Phoenix... not a bad day. This was my first time on AO-27 since it was brought back from the dead earlier this month. Nice to see so many stations on those 7- minute passes. Hopefully it stays operational for a long time, to fill in those afternoons before AO-51 comes by later in the day (for those of us in the western USA). Of course, the first AO-51 pass I had was full of stations. Not too many, later in the day, on the western pass. Before I went out to the DM35/DM45 line, I took a bunch of pictures of the Flagstaff area including the Lowell Observatory that is above downtown Flagstaff. I'm thinking about taking the pictures I have from today, and making a small slide show and making it available to whoever wants it. With a digital camera I bought a year ago, I now have lots of pictures and - with the trips I've done in the last year - lots of stories I could put to "paper". If I missed working you from DM35/DM45 today, I will be back in that area during the upcoming summertime. There is a hamfest in Williams, a small town about 10 miles/16km west of where I stopped today, and I would probably make a trip back to this spot like I did before the same hamfest last year. Plus any open weekend I have could be a good time to go there, when it is over 110F (44C) here in Phoenix. Good night, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Call for talks
by Bob Mcgwier 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

My last official act as chair of ARRL SDR committee was to agree to chair the SDR FORUM at the Dayton Hamvention. I solicit talks from individuals, groups, or a business. The talk must be about SOFTWARE radio. I encourage Elecraft, Flex, TAPR/AMSAT, Quicksilver and others to participate. I think this is likely to be the last year as through the efforts of individuals, groups, and companies, we are entering mainstream territory. Let me hear from you if you are interested. I will pursue invited talks separately. Bob McGwier ARS N4hy

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Beautiful sighting
by John Price 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

The 00:03 pass of ISS/Shuttle over FM07 was just grand. My wife and myself had a great view from our back deck. You fellows were very active as usual. I listened on the D7 kenwood and the rubber duck antenna. It was almost solid copy continuous. What a show! 73's << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Email N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 http://home.comcast.net/~n4qwf/site/ Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Last heard AO-7 435 beacon?
by Mark L. Hammond 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

Hi All, It seems to me that perhaps AO-7 has been in mode A but the 435 beacon hasn't been on...can anyone confirm my observations? Thanks, Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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KE5GDB => DL99 tonight
by Andrew Koenig 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

Hello all, I've been active in DL99 since Thursday night. We'll be headed home tomorrow morning, so tonight is the "last call" for DL99 for a while. I only have FM equipment with me. DL99 is about 100 miles west of San Antonio. I will try and work all passes over 5deg. 73 de KE5GDB -- Andrew Koenig

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Wow: AO-51 VS
by Greg D. 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Hi folks, Just want to put in a plug for AO-51's mode VS. I just finished a nearly horizon-to-horizon pass with Ron, N6PAA, that sounded like a chat on the local repeater. The bird was a solid S5 on my ICOM R-7000 all-mode scanner (the IF receiver), a setup that on a really good day got to maybe S1 on AO-40. Just a few short fades during the pass, and I was able to copy myself down to 2.5 degrees. The rest of the setup includes an infamous Drake 2880, modified to move the IF to 301 mhz, a Khune preamp, 3 turn helix feed in front of a BBQ grill that I lined with window screen. Uplink is my trusty Yaesu 736R transceiver and an 8 element linearly (vertical) yagi. Wow. Greg KO6TH _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail® is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_70faster_032009

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DM35/DM45 on Saturday (21 March)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Hi! After the temperatures started going over 90F (33C) here in the Phoenix area before the official end of winter, I have decided to make a quick day trip to northern Arizona tomorrow. I will attempt to park on the DM35/DM45 line for the FM satellite passes and - if available - the ISS cross-band voice repeater in the afternoon and into the evening (early Sunday, on the UTC clock). I have not decided where on the grid boundary I will park, but I will be up there. I'll be happy to send QSL cards to anyone who makes contacts with me from DM35/DM45. Just e-mail me directly with the QSO details, and - if you're in the log - I'll send a card out to you. If your mailing address is not correct in databases like QRZ.com, please include a valid mailing address with the QSO details. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: 2400 MHz
by Michael Heim 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Hi Gene, and thank you for the kind words. Yes, I'm using fixed elevation, about 30 degrees or so. It works quite well for me if you consider that the satellites are rarely above about 45 degrees, and when they are, theyre not at a high elevation for very long. 3 elements on 2 meters is VERY broad. 6 elements on 437 is narrower, but I lose the satellite once it goes above about 60 degrees. So an overhead pass, I lose the bird for a little bit. I lose the satellite (AO-51) to the point I can no longer copy about 5 degrees above the horizon. The gain on S band is greater, so the beamwidth is narrower, however, the signal strength on 2400 is so strong, I actually hear the bird BETTER on S band than I do on 70 cm. I get it a LOT better, except when its toward the south, where I have trees that are fairly close (less than 100 feet) away from the antennas. When the 2400 MHz antenna is looking RIGHT at the satellite, the signal strength meter on my FT-817 is full scale, and totally full quieting. When the satellite is between the trees and my northern horizon, I get it at least S-9 and full quieting until it gets to about 5-6 degrees above the northern horizon, but I can still copy it at 3 degrees above the horizon. I think a lot of the success I'm having is because the front end is so sensitive. I looked at it with a calibrated signal generator, radiating into a halfwave dipole radiator on the generator about 5 feet or so away from the converter, and although how much signal I was feeding the generator, I dont remember exactly, it was VERY low, on the order of -50 or -60 dbm. Remember, this was radiated from the generator, as the converter does not have a spigot to actually physically connect the generator to actually measure its sensitivity. The antennas are elevated and all of the support structure above the rotator is 1 inch ID PVC pipe. I raised it as far as I have above the rotator to keep the rotator out of the 2 meter field. I HAD the 2 meter elements vertical when I first put it up, but swapped polarization because I wanted to work some terrestrial 2 meter SSB. I probably could shorten the vertical support some, but it seems to be working ok the way it is. I may replace the rotator with a larger ham rotator and I also have a U-110 that I can use as an elevation rotator, but thats a lot of weight to put up, and would no longer be a one man job putting it up and taking it down. The antennas are quite small, and the wind load is so little, I dont think that little bit of height above the rotator will not have any ill effect. The crossboom is about 3 feet above the rotator. One thing I did not say in the article, because it was mainly about S band, but I've found that using an insulated support structure makes a difference, no matter what plane the antenna is in. Even with the 70 cm elements perpendicular to the support arm, I gained a couple S-units on the downlink changing from metal to the PVC. I recommend plastic ANYWHERE near the antenna proper. Michael Heim ARS KD0AR ----- Original Message ---- From: WB2LLP <wb2llp(a)optonline.net> To: Michael Heim <kd0ar(a)sbcglobal.net> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 4:05:46 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] 2400 MHz Mike, I enjoyed your article in the new AMSAT journal and have been pouring over the picture on the front cover. It would appear that you have the "Bruninga fixed elevation" and I will be installing one shortly. However I do have two questions: Bob's argument was based on having a rather wide beam width on the antennas which I suspect you have on the 144 and 432 antennas. I was surprised that the S band antenna had a wide enough beam width considering the number of directors. You appear to have elevated the antenna a couple of feet above the rotator which puts more of a strain on the rotator bearings and mast. Are you trying to get away from all the metal at the top of the pipe mast or is there something else I do not understand? TNX es 73 de WB2LLP Gene

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Re: ISS Repeater / Joe?
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY] 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

It might have been Joe Acaba - KE5DAR. He has some ties to Puerto Rico. Kenneth - N5VHO ________________________________________ From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org] On Behalf Of Rick - WA4NVM [wa4nvm(a)comcast.net] Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 6:46 PM To: kg4zlb(a)gmail.com; AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS Repeater / Richard Hi all, OK .... Sorry...... One more time..... my boo boo..... It was Mike the ISS Commander, not Richard G. That's what I get trying to type and talk on the phone at the same time! Good luck all, Rick > Presumably Richard R. Arnold, Mission Specialist! > > -- > David > KG4ZLB > www.kg4zlb.com > > > > > Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BARRIOS TECHNOLOGY] wrote: >> Who is Richard? >> >> Kennneth - N5VHO >> >> ________________________________________ >> From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org] On Behalf >> Of Rick - WA4NVM [wa4nvm(a)comcast.net] >> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 5:20 PM >> To: Rick - WA4NVM; AMSAT BB >> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS Repeater / Richard >> >> Sorry for the mistake. It should have been WP3UX that I heard >> Richand work in P. R. >> >> RT >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 _______________________________________________ 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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ISS Repeater / Richard
by Rick - WA4NVM 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Hi All, The ISS repeater was back on the air. (2150 utc) Then Richard came on the air calling for Puerto Rico stations. I heard him WP4UX. Then he was gone and few others worked each other. 73 all, Rick - WA4NVM #1339

3 4

AO-51 S-mode
by Luc Leblanc 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Traffic is light...on S downlink I heard KB2M but i try to call him a couple of time but without success, Clare VE3NPC show up and a new VE2 VE2FSK making our ve2 satellite users up to 3... S downlink is loud but with the usual slow deep fades guessing satellite is thumbling or slolwly rotating with the S band antenna pointing and not pointing toward the station. It will be interesting to have someone on skype to listen my reception and his to see if the fades are also present at the same time. "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

1 0

GO-32 telemetry
by Mike Rupprecht 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

05:26 UTC got some complete telemetry buffer 1 from GO-32 this morning [20.03.2009 05:35:09] [BEACON] TechRam1V9.87 000060100000000000000000000400000000003B0E0300[20.03.2009 05:35:39] [BEACON] TechRam1V9.87 000060100000000000000000000400000000004C0E0300[20.03.2009 05:36:09] [BEACON] TechRam1V9.87 00006010000000000000000000040000000000380E0300[20.03.2009 04:56:58] [TLM][#169] [1] Ch 2007: REG_BUS_5V: 5.02 V[20.03.2009 04:56:59] [TLM][#170] [1] Ch 2008: PCU_UNIT: 3[20.03.2009 04:57:02] [TLM][#171] [1] Ch 2020: ENG_I_5V_PS1: 0.49 A[20.03.2009 04:57:02] [TLM][#171] [1] Ch 2021: ENG_I_5V_PS2: -0.13 A[20.03.2009 04:57:08] [TLM][#172] [1] Ch 2046: I_UNREG_12V_1: 0.53 A[20.03.2009 04:57:43] [TLM][#173] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.42 A[20.03.2009 04:57:43] [TLM][#173] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.06 A[20.03.2009 04:57:43] [TLM][#173] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 04:57:43] [TLM][#173] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 04:58:00] [TLM][#174] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.62 V[20.03.2009 04:58:22] [TLM][#175] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26317[20.03.2009 05:00:44] [TLM][#176] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.45 A[20.03.2009 05:00:44] [TLM][#176] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.06 A[20.03.2009 05:00:44] [TLM][#176] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:00:44] [TLM][#176] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:00:53] [TLM][#177] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26316[20.03.2009 05:01:00] [TLM][#178] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.64 V[20.03.2009 05:01:49] [TLM][#179] [1] Ch 66 : ATT_STATE_CNT: 22426[20.03.2009 05:01:50] [TLM][#180] [1] Ch 2200: ENG_PDU_STT: 127[20.03.2009 05:01:50] [TLM][#180] [1] Ch 2201: ENG_PWR_STAT: 0[20.03.2009 05:01:50] [TLM][#180] [1] Ch 2152: ENG_MAX_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:01:50] [TLM][#180] [1] Ch 1200: SCC_GLOBAL_STAT: (68 bytes)[20.03.2009 05:01:58] [TLM][#181] [1] Ch 2007: REG_BUS_5V: 5.02 V[20.03.2009 05:02:02] [TLM][#182] [1] Ch 2020: ENG_I_5V_PS1: 0.44 A[20.03.2009 05:02:02] [TLM][#182] [1] Ch 2021: ENG_I_5V_PS2: -0.13 A[20.03.2009 05:02:08] [TLM][#183] [1] Ch 2046: I_UNREG_12V_1: 0.57 A[20.03.2009 05:02:17] [TLM][#184] [1] Ch 2500: DD_OVER_SEC_CNT: 34[20.03.2009 05:03:24] [TLM][#185] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26320[20.03.2009 05:03:45] [TLM][#186] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.06 A[20.03.2009 05:03:45] [TLM][#186] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.05 A[20.03.2009 05:03:45] [TLM][#186] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:03:45] [TLM][#186] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:04:00] [TLM][#187] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.64 V[20.03.2009 05:05:55] [TLM][#188] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26318[20.03.2009 05:06:47] [TLM][#191] [1] Ch 2129: TMP_TRANS: 8.71 C[20.03.2009 05:06:47] [TLM][#191] [1] Ch 2125: TMP_BAT: 4.68 C[20.03.2009 05:06:49] [TLM][#192] [1] Ch 56 : ATT_CURR_STATE: 4[20.03.2009 05:06:49] [TLM][#192] [1] Ch 66 : ATT_STATE_CNT: 22726[20.03.2009 05:06:50] [TLM][#193] [1] Ch 2200: ENG_PDU_STT: 127[20.03.2009 05:06:50] [TLM][#193] [1] Ch 2201: ENG_PWR_STAT: 0[20.03.2009 05:06:50] [TLM][#193] [1] Ch 2152: ENG_MAX_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:06:50] [TLM][#193] [1] Ch 1200: SCC_GLOBAL_STAT: (68 bytes)[20.03.2009 05:06:58] [TLM][#194] [1] Ch 2007: REG_BUS_5V: 5.02 V[20.03.2009 05:06:59] [TLM][#195] [1] Ch 2008: PCU_UNIT: 3[20.03.2009 05:07:00] [TLM][#196] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.63 V[20.03.2009 05:07:02] [TLM][#197] [1] Ch 2020: ENG_I_5V_PS1: 0.55 A[20.03.2009 05:07:02] [TLM][#197] [1] Ch 2021: ENG_I_5V_PS2: -0.13 A[20.03.2009 05:07:08] [TLM][#198] [1] Ch 2046: I_UNREG_12V_1: 0.57 A[20.03.2009 05:07:18] [TLM][#199] [1] Ch 2501: EDC_SINGLE: 14[20.03.2009 05:07:19] [TLM][#200] [1] Ch 2502: EDC_DOUBLE: 1[20.03.2009 05:08:26] [TLM][#201] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26316[20.03.2009 05:09:47] [TLM][#202] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.20 A[20.03.2009 05:09:47] [TLM][#202] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.05 A[20.03.2009 05:09:47] [TLM][#202] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:09:47] [TLM][#202] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:10:00] [TLM][#203] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.64 V[20.03.2009 05:10:57] [TLM][#204] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26316[20.03.2009 05:11:49] [TLM][#205] [1] Ch 66 : ATT_STATE_CNT: 23026[20.03.2009 05:11:50] [TLM][#206] [1] Ch 2200: ENG_PDU_STT: 127[20.03.2009 05:11:50] [TLM][#206] [1] Ch 2201: ENG_PWR_STAT: 0[20.03.2009 05:11:50] [TLM][#206] [1] Ch 2152: ENG_MAX_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:11:50] [TLM][#206] [1] Ch 1200: SCC_GLOBAL_STAT: (68 bytes)[20.03.2009 05:11:58] [TLM][#207] [1] Ch 2007: REG_BUS_5V: 5.02 V[20.03.2009 05:12:02] [TLM][#208] [1] Ch 2020: ENG_I_5V_PS1: 0.49 A[20.03.2009 05:12:02] [TLM][#208] [1] Ch 2021: ENG_I_5V_PS2: -0.13 A[20.03.2009 05:12:08] [TLM][#209] [1] Ch 2046: I_UNREG_12V_1: 0.57 A[20.03.2009 05:12:48] [TLM][#210] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.17 A[20.03.2009 05:12:48] [TLM][#210] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.05 A[20.03.2009 05:12:48] [TLM][#210] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:12:48] [TLM][#210] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:13:00] [TLM][#211] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.64 V[20.03.2009 05:13:28] [TLM][#212] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26318[20.03.2009 05:15:49] [TLM][#213] [1] Ch 2004: ENG_CHRG_I: 0.14 A[20.03.2009 05:15:49] [TLM][#213] [1] Ch 2005: ENG_DISCHRG_I: 0.05 A[20.03.2009 05:15:49] [TLM][#213] [1] Ch 2151: ENG_TOT_CHRG: -784[20.03.2009 05:15:49] [TLM][#213] [1] Ch 2150: ENG_MAX_DEP_OF_DI: 0[20.03.2009 05:15:59] [TLM][#214] [1] Ch 81 : TLM_W_WHEEELI: -26318[20.03.2009 05:16:00] [TLM][#215] [1] Ch 2001: PCU_BAT_V: 14.58 V[20.03.2009 05:16:46] [TLM][#217] [1] Ch 2112: TMP_ANTpan_C: -2.15 C[20.03.2009 05:16:46] [TLM][#217] [1] Ch 2117: TMP_COLDpan_C: -14.24 C[20.03.2009 05:16:47] [TLM][#218] [1] Ch 2129: TMP_TRANS: 6.88 C[20.03.2009 05:16:47] [TLM][#218] [1] Ch 2125: TMP_BAT: 4.44 C[20.03.2009 05:36:39] [BEACON] TechRam1V9.87 00006010000000000000000000040000000000350E0300PS: See here for more - http://www.dk3wn.info/p/73, Mike

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Presentation/demonstration tonight - report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Hi! Thanks to all the stations I heard and worked on the 0133 UTC AO-51 pass this evening. I was standing outside the meeting room on the Thunderbird School of Global Management campus in Glendale AZ (grid DM33vo), and the demonstration took place just before the start of the ThunderBird Amateur Radio Club's monthly general meeting. I also gave a satellite/AMSAT presentation during the meeting. For the AO-51 pass, I worked 13 stations from central Mexico up to Alaska, and as far east as Winnipeg and Memphis. Thanks to all for the QSOs, and my apologies to N5JDT and VE6RVT/W7 - I heard you during the pass, heard you again when playing back my recording to make my log entries, but did not work you in there. I also heard from a couple of others who heard the pass, but could not get through themselves. I appreciated the crowd that showed up for the pass, and the variety of locations for a predominately western North America pass. I gave a presentation for this club in March 2007, followed by an on-air exercise for some of the club members who assembled their own dual-band Yagis using the WA5VJB "Cheap Yagi" design complete with diplexer in July 2007. I've been invited to their hamfests for 3 consecutive years now, in January of each year, and appreciate the hospitality of the club and its membership to have me be a part of their meetings and hamfests over the past couple of years. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: iss/shuttle view over AL tonight
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

KC8GKF said : > hi folks, had a nice clear sky for the passover of the shuttle and iss I was plesantly surprised in Alabammy, expecting only about 2 minutes, barely 11 degrees above the horizon... and it just about still wasn't dark yet. What's up with that ??? But, there she was - right on time. Got the full 2 minutes to watch. And 11 degrees looks higher than I was expecting. The crew got the S6 truss installed ok, and they expect to get the new solar panels deployed tomorrow.!. I'm sure they'll have the radio back on soon. Thanks /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

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iss/shuttle view over mi tonight
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

hi folks, had a nice clear sky for the passover of the shuttle and iss togeather tonight, pretty neat, looked like a single star moving. Just wish they would turn back on the packet/hamrig, hi kc8gkf west mi

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2400 MHz
by Michael Heim 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Fixed my converter! I'll be back on the next pass. A lil water got in there, condensation or leakage. I put vaseline around the rubber O ring on the cover to keep that from happening again. Michael Heim Chief Engineer, Forever Broadcasting New Castle PA WKST WJST WWGY 814-671-0666 ARS KD0AR

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Re: AO-51
by David - KG4ZLB 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Did I miss a mode change? I thought SSTV started on the 23rd! On this last pass of AO-51 on v/u, (145.920/435.150) we were treated to sporadic SSTV and someone saying "test, 1,2" repeatedly! On the basis that he was ignoring the QSO's that were trying to go on around him, its save to assume that he couldn't hear his own downlink! What goin' on? -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com

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Yeasu 5400 rotator help.
by boprie＠aol.com 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Hello We have two Yeasu 5400 AZ EL rotators with the associated controllers and the same problem. Both are about 15 years old and generally work. There is a procedure to set it up that calls for the operator to drive the AZ and EL to the 360 and 180 to set the full scale deflections. We can do this and see the required 4.5VDC on the two appropriated pins in the back. When we drive the AZ and EL back to zero, it is typically short about 10 degrees. We have attempted this adjustment several times to find the happy medium between the few adjustments but we can never get the full span. Does anyone know if there is something inside the control box we can change(or modify our set-up procedure) to get a fuller span on the AZ EL meters? In looking at the schematic, and also on the inside, we didn’t find another hidden pot to do this. If anyone can help, they also email me directly if they wish at boprie(a)aol.com and also Boprie(a)umich.edu. Tnx and 73dB de WS8P G'day

2 1

Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net on Echolink Tonight
by Cotejaune2＠aol.com 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Hello all from the Hudson Valley Satcom Group Net. We are located about 70 miles north of NYC. We have our net every other Thursday at 8PM EST. Tonight we are going to have Echolink available for the first time. Bear with us if there are any connection problems that may come up. The node is n2eyh-l. Please join us and bring your Satellite wisdom to the net. I'm Gary(WA2AQH) and Tom(KC2DTQ) will be the net control stations for the net. Hope to hear you there. 73 Gary **************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)

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Re^2: SOHLA-1 operation start
by Mineo Wakita 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

The current amateur mode is only the broadcast of AFSK signal. 437.505MHz, AFSK 1200bps, AX.25 Please see the following URL about the examination use schedule and Mission of SOHLA-1 etc. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/sohlacwe.htm#operation JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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AO-51 mode S
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 19 Mar '09

19 Mar '09

Mode S down link sounds great. I almost had the bird to myself I caught a station with NUK then nothing. Rather tricky tracking the fast moving 51 with a 3 foot dish and chasing doppler all by hand. Nice to know my old AO-40 (sobsob) S band stuff still works! Get out that "old" S band gear! 73 Bob 7LRD Seattle

4 3

Re: STS+ISS viewing
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

N4QWF said : > The 00:03 pass of ISS/Shuttle over FM07 was just grand. > My wife and myself had a great view from our back deck. I'm sure glad yall got to see it. Couldn't see it from Huntsville - for some reason it wasn't dark enough. I think someone has been messin with the clocks... It is still March, isn't it? /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

2 1

Re: STS+ISS viewing (Wednesday) - Oops ...
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

S`what I get, trying to use my memory for more than a few seconds at a time. ** Should have stated ** Here in N.Alabama starting just after 7pm, out of the WestSouthWest, up to 30 degrees in the NW, and then down towards the North ... I'm sure everyone already figured that one out... Thanks /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

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STS+ISS viewing tonite
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Should be great STS+ISS viewing tonite for SouthEastern US at least... Check http://www.heavens-above.com or http://nasa.gov for more detail: Here is N.Alabama starting just after 7pm out of the WNW, up to 30 degrees in the NW, and then down towards the North ... Should be really bright !!! Enjoy /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

2 1

moonraker crossed yagi
by Peter Gibson 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Go for wimo yagi Look on internet

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Re: SOHLA-1 oparation start
by Mineo Wakita 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Prediction(UTC) Correction 19 Mar 04:25 20 Mar 15:53 21 Mar 03:49, 14:46 22 Mar 15:16 23 Mar 03:13, 04:50 24 Mar 03:43, 05:22 JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Moonraker Crossed Yagi
by Chris Bloy 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Hi All, Ok, any comments on any Moonraker antennas? http://www.moonrakerukltd.com/Amateur-Radio/Beam-Antennas/Crossed-Yagi I am looking at getting the 70CMS and a 2Metre versions, but cannot find any reviews, other then they are a "CB Antenna" maker type comments? What antenna's have you guys got for a crossed yagi? -- Thanks, Chris Callsign: M0DQO AMSAT UK & GB3PC/GB3PD Membership Officer http://www.gb3pc.co.uk

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SOHLA-1 operation start
by Mineo Wakita 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

SOHLA-1 examination use started on 17 March 2009. The reception report was as a powerful signal in 18 March. The normal operation will start from 25 Mar. The examination use schedule of then as follows. Information 437.505MHz AFSK 1200bps AX.25 OBJECT E 1 33496U 09002E 09077.41247038 .00000497 00000-0 92137-4 0 1659 2 33496 098.0280 188.1849 0006449 198.4659 161.6367 14.69427465 7946 Prediction(UTC) 19 Mar 04:25, 15:53 21 Mar 03:49, 14:46, 15:16 23 Mar 03:13, 04:50 24 Mar 03:43, 05:22 http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/sohlacwe.htm JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

The beginning of 2009 has been the busiest for AMSAT Awards since I took over processing awards in 2001. We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Jack Barbera, WA1ZDV Marilyn Tillman, N4GMT Mount Nebo VHF Contest Club, NE5BO Rick Tillman, WA4NVM Chris Meyers, KC0YBM Richard Allen, N0CFL The following have earned the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award. Mount Nebo VHF Contest Club, NE5BO #483 Rick Tillman, WA4NVM #484 David Webb, KB1PVH #485 The following have earned the AMSAT South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement Award. Douglas Anoman, KC9MLN #US130 Rick Tillman, WA4NVM #US131 David Webb, KB1PVH #US132 The following have upgraded their AMSAT Sexagesimal Satellite Communication Achievement Award Rick Tillman, WA4NVM #147 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on SkyScanner Satellite Radio Network on Galaxy-25 @97° West, Transponder 23 (12115 Vert), Symbol Rate: 22425, APID: 1794 (DVB Free To Air) Also 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

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Re: AO-51
by Michael Heim 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

ok.. thanks Tim. Looks like I've got something I need to look at. Didnt hear the S band downlink and I spot checked 435.150 with nothing heard. I'll look again tonight. Thanks Michael Heim ARS KD0AR ________________________________ From: "n3tl(a)bellsouth.net" <n3tl(a)bellsouth.net> To: Michael Heim <kd0ar(a)sbcglobal.net> Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8:26:03 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-51 Hey Mike, The 145.920/435.150 pair was up and working fine, albeit with only a few stations in there. I heard N9AMW, NL7VX, WA4NVM and N5ZNL. 73, Tim -------------- Original message from Michael Heim <kd0ar(a)sbcglobal.net>: -------------- > Tuned into AO-51 this morning (around 11:50 UTC) and I couldnt hear either > transponder. Is everything ok up there or am I having problems? > > Michael Heim > ARS KD0AR > > _______________________________________________ > 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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AO-51
by Michael Heim 18 Mar '09

18 Mar '09

Tuned into AO-51 this morning (around 11:50 UTC) and I couldnt hear either transponder. Is everything ok up there or am I having problems? Michael Heim ARS KD0AR

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satellite demo & presentation, Thursday evening (19 March)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hi! I will be giving a satellite-related presentation for the ThunderBird Amateur Radio Club in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday, 19 March 2009. The meeting is in the Snell Building on the campus of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, room 28. The campus is on the southeast corner of 59th Avenue and Greenway Road - grid DM33vo. The meeting starts at 7.00pm (0200 UTC), and my presentation will be after the first half of the meeting - approximately 8.00pm. Before the meeting, I will have a demonstration on AO-51. The satellite will be in range between 6.33 and 6.47pm (0133-0147 UTC), a high pass to my west. I will be on the 145.920/435.150 MHz repeater, to allow anyone watching my demonstration listen in with a 2m/70cm FM transceiver. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

old satellites
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hello I believe this subject has been kicked around on this BB before. It did generate some creative thinking. Given all the satellites up there and all the varied uses of them, eventually some of them get compromised for whatever reason. Is there any way any of these old relics can be reprogramed, used or otherwise "adjusted" to suit us? We don't need a real good S/N ratio to make us happy, and we are pretty good at cobbling together whatever we want. We have some very informed and smart people on this BB who know. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

5 5

Tranzit-B telemetry system on ISS
by andy thomas 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

I've just come across the following interesting references on space ref to what seems to be a VHF telemetry channel (bio/medical monitoring?) "...including VHF/voice & biomedical electrode belt and *telemetry hookups via the BSS (later by the wireless in-suit Tranzit-B radio telemetry system) for vital signs and equipment monitoring". http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=30763 and: " [The suited run requires wireless Tranzit-B suit radio telemetry on both semisets (activated: 2:56am) and temporary deactivation of the Russian VHF channel 1 (Very High Frequency, Russian: UKV1, for ultra-shortwave) to avoid interference from extraneous radio stations to the Orlans while over Russian ground stations (RGS, DO 3/4). All EVA preps were monitored by the ground via audio, the reason for the early morning time of the training run. Tranzit-B TM was turned off at ~3:10am EST.]" http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/iss_reports/reports2008/12-19-2008.htm My questions are: what is the TRANZIT-B TM system, how close is it to the 2m channels, what is the TLM data modulation and breakdown? 73 de andy G0SFJ

8 12

Re: old satellites
by Daniel Schultz 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

David, KG4ZLB asked: >I was reading about the newly launched GOCE satellite and the fact that >its mission will end when its 40kg tank empties - that of course may be >a long time coming but as it has an S band transmitter, could this not >be tweaked for us once the mission is complete? Given the low altitude orbit for this gravity mapping mission, I suspect that the satellite will quickly reenter when the Xenon supply is used up. Dan Schultz N8FGV

1 0

"Mobile" Operation
by Kent Frazier 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

I've heard conflicting things, so I'd like to see what the consensus is here. Since my rig is mounted in my car, I've been told I should say "mobile" when ever I attempt a QSO. Some of the reasoning is that others will understand my "limitations" and try to work me. On occasion, this seems to have been the case. Others have told me that I should only use "mobile" when the vehicle is actually in motion. What say you all? 73, Kent K5KNT AMSAT #36765 ARRL

11 16

ISS and Shuttle visible over Europe today
by Simone T 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hi everybody, we had a nice visible pass of Space Shuttle Discovery pursuiting ISS over south France (Antibes, JN33) at 8pm local time on March 17th. 73 de IW1FYV - Simone

1 0

Defective W32A 4 Sale
by Sebastian 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

This is a long story, I'll try not to get into too much detail, and please any responses send them directly to me. I have an Icom W32A (dual band full-duplex HT) package for sale. It includes a wall charger; an off brand Master Charger 1a (drop in charger); BP-173 9.6v 650mAh battery; 9.6v 1100 mAh W&W battery; Icom antenna and original manual. I bought this recently at the Orlando hamfest, and it seemed to be working fine. It was a package deal, so I sold this to another ham who found the radio had problems when it was received. The other ham opened up the radio, and found a ribbon cable which goes from one part of the radio to the other, was loose, and missing a small plastic connector which holds it in place. When the ribbon cable was moved to the right place, the radio worked perfectly. The other ham broke the cable, and then tried to 'fix it' and the radio no longer turns on. I don't want to deal with this anymore, and would prefer to sell it as- is NOT WORKING. I'll sell the entire package only for $110 shipped. This is good for parts, or perhaps you can repair it. Again, please respond off the list. 73 de W4AS Sebastian

1 0

The Goce Satellite Ion Engine
by Bill Ress 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Following up on David's (G0MRF) post about the ion engine, the ESA Goce satellite mission, due to launch next week, uses a nifty ion engine which you can see at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7935621.stm I believe these engines will soon become "practical" for use in satellite orbital modification. David presented a fine paper at the 2008 AMSAT Symposium in Atlanta showing how it would be possible to launch (relatively inexpensively) to LEO and then over time, using small thrust engines, modify the orbit to MEO. He also shows how the MEO orbit could provide a significant portion of a HEO's orbit visibility time. Possibly a reduced cost way to achieve extended satellite visibility at a price tag much less than the $8 to $10 million dollar GTO launch cost. If any of our members/readers have leads/contacts with folks doing ion engine development work that might be looking for a satellite test vehicle, please contact me off list. Regards...Bill - N6GHz`

3 2

grid squares
by Michael Heim 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

I'm not sure how active FN01 is regarding satellite work, but I will be spending a week in that grid next week for work. If anyone needs FN01, I can be very easily convinced to take an HT and antenna with me. I do not believe I have the grid worked myself, so it might be rare on the birds. Let me know if you need it, and I'll do something to get on from Oil City, PA. Michael Heim ARS KD0AR

3 2

Re: old satellites
by Wayne Estes 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

There is no reason to stabilize a satellite after it is boosted to the graveyard orbit. The satellite might have power and be easy to track, but the antennas won't point towards earth very often. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

6 5

Re: old satellites
by G0MRF＠aol.com 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

In a message dated 17/03/2009 17:29:47 GMT Standard Time, kg4zlb(a)googlemail.com writes: >I was reading about the newly launched GOCE satellite and the fact that >its mission will end when its 40kg tank empties - that of course may be >a long time coming but as it has an S band transmitter, could this not >be tweaked for us once the mission is complete? Hi. ESA will use the usual 2G / 2.2G ish space communications band for GOCE. The modulation format and data rate will be very different from anything that we are familiar with. The uplink will send commands to the spacecraft and the downlink will send back science data but It's highly unlikely that signals can pass through or that the TX and RX can be moved to 2.4 GHz. >And thinking further, for these satellites could amateur radio gear be >carried so that it could be activated once the main mission is complete? >Doing this over a number of years would provide a ready made supply of >new birds over a period of time. This however is a very practical idea. Right now AMSAT members are building / designing a communications system that will be launched on the ESA educational satellite ESEO. When the science mission is over it will switch to amateur use and hopefully provide a good service for many years (touching wood for good luck as I write this) ESEO is planned to be 75kg going to LEO. 73 David

2 1

Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 129
by Louis McFadin 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

There is no DCI filter in line with the ISS amateur radio system. On Mar 17, 2009, at 11:51 AM, amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: > Lou McFadin W5DID ARISS US Hardware manager

1 0

iss packet invalid callsign nnnnnn
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

hi folks, just looking at the iss mheard callsign list I see one called nnnnnnn. Does anyone know what or who this is? maybe just a silly error, or maybe someone is using the iss without a call. we hams police our own if I'm not mistaken. anyway why its here to observe and go over hows about some explaining to us why there are serveral calls for the iss. I see in the list, ISS, ISS-10,ISS-5, RSOISS-4, -4 I Think is the heard digi, but always wondering what the other iss calls are. If anyone knows please post, thank you much, kc8gkf-5 UISS User. attached is the isscallsign heard list

2 1

Re: "Mobile" Operation
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

So . . . As I really only have a hand-held radio when I'm in the car, that might be considered porta-mobile. But since I often have to stop and hang the antenna out the window, would that be considered psuedo-mobile ? Which raises another age-old question - "If I forget to key the mic while talking, but my wife isn't around, - am I still wrong ?" (Your mileage may vary) /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

1 0

Re: Did ISS perform maneuver burn?
by Greg Beat 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Jeff - When I was listening to the Shuttle STS-119 audio feed last night - March 16 (just before Midnight - Chicago time). The Shuttle performed a burn to "catch up" with the ISS. The shuttle appeared to be about 20 minutes behind the ISS on the visible pass here last night -- before the burn. w9gb ==== Message: 11 Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:34:07 -0700 From: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs(a)cox.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Did ISS perform maneuver burn? To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <D48CA16E64E44DD186DE36455EFF8ECE@QUECREEK> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Hi all! Did the ISS perform a maneuver burn to avoid a possible collision with space junk? The reason I ask is during the 0841z to 0850z pass I started to receive the downlink about 08:39:30. About 1.5 minutes before the AOS was to occur. I'm using 1 week old keps and the previous night pass was right on schedule. 73, Jeff WB3JFS DM26

2 1

Re: "Mobile" Operation
by Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

If you're not operating from your station address, and your entire station is not capable of being fully operated whilst moving, then you are portable. If your station is completely operable whilst you move your "shack" at the vehicle's (or your feet if walking) normal speed, you are probably mobile. John Heaton wrote: > On Tue, 2009-03-17 at 16:20 +0000, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote: >> Sitting still isn't mobile if you're parked. > > I understood that if you aren't operating from your station address then > you are 'mobile'.. > > John > -- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Nigel A. Gunn. G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF) 1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA 937 825 5032 e-mail nigel(a)ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net Member of ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548, Flying Pig #385, Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691, AMSAT-UK, MKARS, ALC <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

1 0

N3TL/portable South Carolina
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hey everyone, What a hoot that was! If any of you are thinking about making a drive to activate a not-so-active grid or a not-so-active state ... go for it! You will have a blast. I did. >From here in northeast Georgia, South Carolina is closer than Ham Radio Outlet's Atlanta store. Last night, I drove up U.S. 441 to I-85 and headed north to the state line. I found a couple of really good locations very close to the border and just off the interstate. I chose the South Carolina Welcome Center at I-85 mile marker 1 last night because (1) the pass would be after dark and the center is very well lit, and (2) it was rainy and foggy. I figured the light and security of the center would be nice to have. They were. My home grid, to six characters, is EM84ha. On this pass, I operated from EM84ll. This was a busy pass of AO-51, and there were multiple Mexican stations operating portable from different grids. In spite of that, I made a personal high of 11 contacts on the pass, with: AA5PK K8YSE - EL98 N5AFV K8YSE - EN91 KB0RZD WA5KBH N1RCN N9AMW WA2S K5KNT K8NWD Thanks to everyone on the pass. It was great hearing all of you and working so many of you. This location is a good one for working passes to the west, and I'll be using it again to activate South Carolina. QSL cards will be on the way in the next day or two. No return card is necessary. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL EM84ha

1 0

Did ISS perform maneuver burn?
by Jeff Yanko 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hi all! Did the ISS perform a maneuver burn to avoid a possible collision with space junk? The reason I ask is during the 0841z to 0850z pass I started to receive the downlink about 08:39:30. About 1.5 minutes before the AOS was to occur. I'm using 1 week old keps and the previous night pass was right on schedule. 73, Jeff WB3JFS DM26

2 1

How much Precision for QTH?
by Kent Frazier 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

Hi all, I was wondering how much precision is needed when indicating my QTH on a QSL card. Since my station is currently my mobile rig, mounted in my car, I sometimes operate from different locations. Mostly I operate from the driveway of my home, but I have also operated from my daughter's elementary school and my work parking lots. Both of these locations are within a 2 mile radius of my home. I know if I were in a different grid square I would need to indicate that, but when operating within the same grid and even the same subgrid how precise do I need to be? 73, Kent K5KNT AMSAT #36765 ARRL

1 0

AMSAT INDIA March-09 Newsletter
by Nitin Muttin 17 Mar '09

17 Mar '09

All, AMSAT India March 2009 Newsletter is uploaded and available at http://www.amsatindia.org/Newsletter/AmsatIndia-News-March.pdf www.amsatindia.org/Newsletter 73's Nitin [VU3TYG] AMSAT India www.amsatindia.org ________________________________________________

1 0

Re: N3TL/portable tonight
by Glenn AA5PK 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

A million thanks to Tim/N3TL for the SC contact this evening on AO-51. That makes all 50 states. 73 Glenn AA5PK AMSAT #6694

2 1

N3TL/portable tonight
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Hey everyone, I plan to operate AO-51 this evening (March 16 local time, March 17 UTC) from South Carolina. I should be in the footprint from around 00:15 UTC to 00:23 UTC (8:15 p.m. - 8:23 p.m., EDT) on 145.920 up/435.150 down. If we work and you need a QSL card to confirm South Carolina, please email me. I'll get a card on the way to you. No return card to me is necessary. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

2 1

S band downlink - AO-51
by Michael Heim 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Worked VE3NPC on AO-51 V/s just now. We had the transponder totally to ourselves, and had a nice little chat. I was on this morning around 7:30, by myself. We have V/s all week. This is my favorite configuration, the signals are a LOT stronger on 2401.2 then on 70cm. What is the TPO and antenna on S band on AO-51? Such good conditions, I hope to hear you on!! Michael Heim ARS KD0AR

3 2

AO-10 Report On Sat Status
by Chris Bloy 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Hi All, I see that IK2MKE has reported hearing AO-10, any idea if this is possible? -- Thanks, Chris Callsign: M0DQO AMSAT UK & GB3PC/GB3PD Membership Officer http://www.gb3pc.co.uk

13 16

SwissCube Slide Show
by m5aka＠yahoo.co.uk 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

SwissCube is scheduled for launch at the end of April and pictures from a recent presentation on the satellite are now available on the web, see http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2009/swisscube_slideshow.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Get Daily Amateur Radio News by Email http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2783644&loc=en_US ----

1 0

Re: ISS Webcam Streaming Video
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Trevor M5AKA said : > Does anyone know if the camera is connected via cable > or do they make use of a WiFi connection ? We'll assume you are speaking of the connections on ISS, as it is most certainly wireless back to earth. TDRSS tho, not LinkSys. They have several new HD video cameras mounted outside, in addition to several indoor cameras. The Ku band downlink carries 4 simultaneous video channels, as selected by ground control or crew. I'm not sure why this is considered new, as it seems like the same thing they have been doing during crew sleep - showing lots of outside camera views on NASA-TV as streaming video. I think maybe there is a new URL, it's just that during Joint Ops they are showing Mission Coverage, same as on the main public channel. AhHa - looks like http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/isslivestream.asx by itself will kick open a Media Player window. Maybe after this shuttle mission this new URL will not go back to the regular public channel content. I love watching the earth ball rolling underneath ISS, and hope that this new URL will give us more of that, and less 'NASA Edge' . . . Thanks /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

1 0

ISS Webcam Streaming Video
by Trevor 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

The ISS streaming video camera seems to be a great idea http://www.southgatearc.org/news/march2009/iss_webcam.htm Does anyone know if the camera is connected via cable or do they make use of a WiFi connection ? 73 Trevor M5AKA

2 1

Re: Orbiting Debris - Again
by m5aka＠yahoo.co.uk 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

--- On Mon, 16/3/09, Rich Dailey <richdailey(a)windstream.net> wrote: > I try hard to maintain optimism, but I see this problem > only getting much worse in the future. Solutions? One solution may be to put the ISS in a 1200 km orbit and thus above most of the debris that originates from decaying sats and debris in 500-1000 km orbits. The big drawback is that it would cost more per kilo to get payload up there but once construction is completed there shouldn't be the need to ship up so much stuff. 73 Trevor M5AKA

1 0

Re: ISS Packet off/on?
by Nader Omer 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

HI Jeffrey kc8gkf I think you mean you lost your position Icon at http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi The server will not hold the info for good !!! Only the fresh APRS data shows up. Bob WB4APR can tell us more about this. 73 Nader.st2nh

1 0

ISS Packet off/on?
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Hi folks, wow was nice to get mycall on the ariss map, but I lost it. Not sure if its because they turned off the iss packet for the shuttle or if its still on, any one know? I see other calls still on the web page. 73 kc8gkf using uiss 5.2.3c jpole @10 feet 5 watts/low ft-8100 kpc3+ 1200 baud 145.825 mhz

3 2

NASA plans improved ‘Internet in space’ - references SDR's
by h05ram-k9ldw＠usa.net 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

NASA plans improved ‘Internet in space’ * By Sean Gallagher * Mar 09, 2009 NASA’s Deep Space Network is on the way toward becoming a true Internet in space, thanks to the agency’s research and investment in software-defined radios (SDRs). Also, the agency is preparing an SDR test module for the International Space Station that will be capable of connecting the station with an uplink of 100 megabits per second. Pat Elben, the chairman of NASA’s software defined radio architecture and technology team (SAT) at NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation directorate, told attendees at the IDGA’s Software Radio Summit that the agency is setting up a new test platform. The platform, named the Communication Navigation and Networking Reconfigurable Testbed (CoNNeCT) will help NASA test waveforms based on the agency's Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS), NASA's own standard for space-rated software-defined radio systems. CoNNeCT will be added to the International Space Station in 2011, and demonstrate communications between the space station and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite constellation that makes up the backbone of NASA’s network with three radio systems -- the Electra radio that flew aboard MRO, the General Dynamics Starlight radio, and the Orion radio -- the system being designed for NASA's follow-on to the space shuttle. NASA developed its own standard because of the demanding requirements of space, where reprogramming a radio often has to be done remotely while the radio is on a spacecraft traveling through the solar system. That was the case, Elben said, when the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) was launched. Technicians discovered the Electra radio aboard MRO, a software-defined radio that was to act as the communications link to the two Mars rovers on the surface, was getting interfered with by something else on the spacecraft just before launch. NASA was able to launch the MRO and create a software patch and upload it to the Electra radios aboard it while the spacecraft was en route to Mars, he said. Some observers have expressed concerns that suppliers might be reluctant to write software to yet another SDR architecture — the Defense Department’s Joint Tactical Radio System uses the Software Communications Architecture, which has been adopted by the Software Defined Radio Forum along with its own SW Radio standard. Elben said NASA plans on buying more than 1,000 STRS-based radios between now and 2025, but the price of these radios — between $1 million and $5 million — makes STRS radios a potentially $1 billion market for radio developers. Although NASA has deployed software-defined radios for years, starting with the “Blackjack” global positioning system receiver on spacecraft in 2000, STRS will be part of the basis of an ambitious revamp of the agency’s Deep Space Network. The re-engineering will be based on SDRs and on high-bandwidth optical links, Elben said. It will also entail the use of software-defined systems and a move to less-expensive arrays of dish antennas instead of the old larger dishes. The new approaches are expected to make the network more automated and less expensive. In the 1960s when NASA first created what became its Deep Space Network, “there was no grand vision,” Elben said. “NASA’s goal for 2024 is a highly integrated, IP-based disruption resistant network.” Last November, NASA successfully tested Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN), an Internet Protocol-based network using store-and-forward technology to ensure that packets of data would not be lost when being passed through the Deep Space Network. The agency will begin testing DTN aboard the International Space Station this summer. Source: http://gcn.com/articles/2009/03/09/nasa-software-radios.aspx?s=gcndaily_160… ###

1 0

AMSAT-DC Meeting?
by Doug Kuitula 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Hi all, Has any date been set for the AMSAT-DC meeting this spring? I did not see anything on their web site. 73 de Doug KA8QCU

2 1

Orbiting Debris - Again
by Rich Dailey 16 Mar '09

16 Mar '09

Looks like the ISS will have to duck and cover again. I try hard to maintain optimism, but I see this problem only getting much worse in the future. Solutions? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090316/ap_on_sc/space_shuttle_28 Rich, N8UX

1 0

Re: QSL Etiquette
by Luc Leblanc 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

Satellite does not lie (Human does) Something came up to my mind. i received a QSL card for a satellite QSO one year prior to the date i get the card. And for an unexplainable reason this QSO was not in my log. We have another tool available to check if with the time reported on the card this satellite was at least in view at that time. Just set back your pc clock around the past date and play with you program to see if it's matching a co- visibility foot print. It was not but when i try local to UTC time switch it does. This fellow discharge himself from his burden of proof and he got my card but not before he sends me a corrected one. "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

2 2

Hello South Carolina
by Glenn AA5PK 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

I'm down to a one state needed for WAS Satellite endorsement. Is there no one operating from South Carolina? 73 de Glenn AA5PK AMSAT #6694

1 0

kenwood d7a KISS mode + manuals
by Robert Coppock 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

HI ,,,, ,, i did some checking, looking for the KISS mode info from the "specialized communications manual" i could not find one for the d7a, but the manual for the d700e shows this info. i also ran into a document that stated it only works on the d700e, not the d700a, i am not sure about the d7a i need to unbox my HP LX200 to even attempt to try and test it out, maybe i will have time soon. anyway, here is a good link for kenmore(hihi) radio manuals. http://www.kenwood-service.com/e_imdl/com.html happy saint patty day, go eat some green eggs and HAM, 73, Robert k f 0 g cm97 dublin, ca

1 0

Remote control of the IC-910H
by Werner H. Berli 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

Hi Has anyone on this list remote controlled the IC-910H? What is the best software to control the IC-910H via its CAT interface? 73 de Werner, HB9US

5 6

Upper Mid West Hamfests
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

Is anyone going to Fargo or Sioux City this year? I noticed they are on the same day, April 18th. 73, Joe kk0sd

1 0

Re: North Korean Launch
by Luc Leblanc 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

On 15 Mar 2009 at 7:51, Gary "Joe" Mayfield wrote: The last satellite (if it would have > reached orbit) was supposed to broadcast on 27 MHz. > > > > 73, > > Joe kk0sd Wow my son will put his CB stuff back in his car... "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

1 0

North Korean Launch
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

I know there isn't much information that comes out of North Korea, but several short wave news sources are reporting another attempted satellite launch between April 4th and 8th. The last satellite (if it would have reached orbit) was supposed to broadcast on 27 MHz. Has anyone heard anything else? 73, Joe kk0sd

1 0

2M1EUB/P QRV SCOTLAND reminder
by paul robinson 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

Hi group ill be qrv all SATS from N.E.Scotland ,from 21.March.09 for one week .check out qrz.com under 2M1EUB listing for more info.should be qrv 160m and 80m as well. de paul 2E1EUB

1 0

Re: PREDICT for DOS configuration question
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 15 Mar '09

15 Mar '09

WA4SCA said : > , so now to figure out the scheduling. As I recall (without looking) the InstantTrack method, something like 000B045S090B270 would indicate mode B from 000 to 045, mode S from 045 to 090, back to B, etc for an orbital schedule, but as Greg says we don't have any of those. Maybe a test of something like that would at least show if the format was similar for Predict. I can't think of what else it might be useful for. I don't think we have any that would use a weekly schedule either, but I understand the general query to find the formats ... With source code in hand (on screen), I'm sure someone (with more time on their hands than me) could figure out what it was looking for, and how it was formatted. .. Or someone might show up and just tell us. Good luck Alan... /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

3 3

WD9EWK @ Scottsdale AZ hamfest - report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

Hi! The 2009 Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club's "Springfest" hamfest was this (Saturday) morning, and AMSAT was present once again. The hamfest, held at Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale AZ (technically, on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community reservation east of the Scottsdale city limits), is usually the largest and best-attended of the various Phoenix- area hamfests in the hamfest "season" here - any time other than summer. A good location at the end of one row in the college's parking lot, and a great turnout, made for a successful morning. I set up an AMSAT table at 0500 local (1200 UTC), and was able to get on an AO-51 pass at 1245 UTC. Thanks to the 14 stations from Maine down the eastern half of the USA and HI8LAM in the Dominican Republic for QSOs during that early (for me) pass. Later, I worked the next AO-51 pass around 1424 UTC, logging 14 more QSOs. Stations from British Columbia down through the USA (thanks K8YSE, for being the station furthest east on that pass!) and into Mexico were worked. I was on the FO-29 pass around 1525 UTC, hearing stations clearly on the downlink around the area I hoped to be on, but could not hear myself through the satellite. I don't know if it was a case of the satellite's uplink antenna(s) pointing away from me or if I need to take a closer look at my setup. In any event, I had a crowd for that pass, so we listened as I fielded questions about this satellite and SSB satellite operating. Around 1710-1730 UTC, I had 3 passes to choose from - FO-29, SO-50, and VO-52. All were good passes, but I went with VO-52 so I could work stations on an SSB satellite for one of my demonstrations. Thanks Mark WA8SME and Glenn AA5PK for showing up and chatting for a couple of minutes. If anyone who worked WD9EWK during these passes wants to get a QSL card for those contacts, please e-mail me directly. I'll be happy to drop a card in the mail for you. Some of the contacts will have QSL cards dropped in the mail with SASE, since they were new grids and/or states/countries worked via satellite. :-) I did not work alone this morning. Gerry VE4GTB/KD7MDB, who is from Winnipeg but spends winters in the Phoenix area, once again showed up at the hamfest. As always, many thanks for helping the AMSAT efforts at yet another Phoenix-area hamfest in your retirement days. :-) Larry W7LB came up from Tucson, and Ray W1OTH was down from Prescott, spending time at the table and also walking around the hamfest. Ray acted as my "antenna rotator" for the VO-52 pass, which went almost directly over the hamfest. All of us chatted with whoever happened to stop by the table, answering questions throughout the morning. Thanks for all the help! The Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club has been very accomodating to AMSAT for the times I've been part of the AMSAT efforts. This is the 3rd year I have been with an AMSAT table at this hamfest. Thanks to Ed WU7S, the primary contact for the club's hamfest organizing committee, and the club for the space at the hamfest. And many thanks to the stations making 30 QSOs with WD9EWK during the morning. Until the next demonstration... 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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help on antenna project
by VE6ITV 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

Hi, i have a little fm radio station and use a 1/4 wave with radials, i would like to know the dimensions to make a 5/8 wave with radials, any help appreciated. VE6ITV Scott

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AO-7 RTTY TLM Beacon
by Nader Omer 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

Hi AO-7 RTTY TLM Beacon 06 March 2009 16:37 - 17:00 UTC Orbit #56.987 The downlink frequency is 435.105 + - doppler Parameters 45 BAUD, 85 SHIFT. -00366-01899-02609-03895-04875-05054-06891-07620-00000-09913 -10000-11769-12336-13710-14603-15937-16424-17397-10000-19147 -20484-21899-22596-23903-24719-25021-26883-27600-20000-29909 -30000-31000-32000-33499-34000-35233-36229-37217-30000-39253 -40501-41912-42640-43882-44883-45060-46917-47562-40000-49921 -50000-51765-52323-53009-54000-55000-56000-57000-50000-59848 -00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047 -00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047 -00366-01915-02698-03786-04874-05038-06909-07714-00000-09913 -10000-11769-12337-13709-14603-15937-16432-17401-10000-19134 -20483-21909-22715-23764-24873-25021-26883-27727-20000-29908 -30000-31000-32000-33490-34000-35233-36231-37226-30000-39254 -40501-41914-42776-43743-44879-45016-46918-47674-40000-49918 -50000-51762-52323-53009-54000-55000-56000-57000-50000-59851 -00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047 -00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047 -00366-01916-02791-03649-04874-05017-06909-07801-00000-09912 -10000-11768-12336-13711-14603-15937-16425-17398-10000-19125 -20484-21911-22819-23655-24874-25017-26888-27824-20000-29902 -30000-31006-32000-33483-34000-35234-36239-37243-30000-39256 -40501-41915-42829-43640-44876-45017-46923-47827-40000-49918 -50000-51748-52265-53009-54000-55000-56000-57000-50000-59849 -00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047 -00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047-00650-02047 -00366-01913-02844-03539-04829-05017-06909-07801-00000-09912 -10000-11660-12230-13641-14603-15934-16400-17394-10000-19147 -20484-21913-22901-23576-24803-25029-26887-27883-20000-29805 -30000-31103-32000-33495-34000-$5235-36249-37261-30000-39256 -40501-41915-42907-43619-44747-45023-46921-47913-40000-49799 73's Nader , st2nh www.st2nh.com

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ANS-074 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-074 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT at the Dayton Hamvention 2009 * Air Force Approves AMSAT Keplerian Element Distribution * Mario Acuña, LU9HBG Silent Key * AMSAT-DC Spring Workshop April 25 * Satellite Shorts From All Over * UT1FG/MM Wet Grid Square via Satellite Expedition * ARISS Status Report for the Week of March 9, 2009 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-074.01 AMSAT at the Dayton Hamvention 2009 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 074.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-074.01 AMSAT Board Member, Gould Smith, WA4SXM tells of AMSAT's plans at the 2009 Dayton Hamvention will be held this year on 15 - 17 May 2009. Gould says, "This is the 58th year of the Dayton Hamvention, sponsored by DARA (Dayton Amateur Radio Association). As has been the case for the many years Hamvention will be at the Hara Arena Complex on the north side of Dayton. Further information on Hamvention 2009, includ- ing advance ticket sales and motel accommodations, can be found at http://www.hamvention.org." See http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/hamvention/2009/Dayton.php for all of the details of AMSAT at Dayton 2009. AMSAT will occupy the same booths (444-449) in Ball Arena, right across from the ARRL area and just inside the door from the Satellite Demon- stration area. Make your reservations early for all AMSAT activities! AMSAT has a number of great activities planned during Hamvention. There will be a number of new offerings at the AMSAT booth. 2009 is the 40th Anniversary of AMSAT and we will have many pieces of memorabilia on display highlighting 40 years of amateur radio in space. SuitSat-2 has been making a great deal of progress this past year. We will have on display all of the modules that will go into the Orlan space suit later this year, and we will be able to demonstrate most of them. Space Traveler Richard Garriott, W5KWQ will be the speaker at the annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet. He will also give a short talk during the Saturday AMSAT Forum and spend some time at the AMSAT booth. Reserva- tions for the AMSAT/TAPR Banquet are now available through the AMSAT Store. See: http://www.amsat-na.com/store/item.php?id=100158 AMSAT has a limited block of rooms reserved at the Hampton Inn in Fairborn, OH. Please contact Martha at the AMSAT office (301-589-6062) or by e-mail at martha(a)amsat.org for room price and availability during the Hamvention. Priority for rooms will be given to AMSAT members vol- unteering to work in the AMSAT booth for multiple 2 hour shifts during the Hamvention. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-074.02 Air Force Approves AMSAT Keplerian Element Distribution AMSAT News Service Bulletin 074.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-074.02 Keeper of the AMSAT Keps, Ray Hoad, WA5QGD is pleased to announce that AMSAT NA has recieved approval to continue re-distribution of Keplerian elements from the Air Force Space Command data source (Space Track website) for the period April 1, 2009 to April 1, 2010. Thanks to the AFSPC team and especially to Mr. Mark Riddle for their help in this process. Ray said, "This means that the AMSAT Keplerian Elements in verbose format and the 2-line format can be freely distributed by those who recieve them from AMSAT. AMSAT's two formats are each considered an AMSAT product and therefore can be freely distributed. AMSAT asks that AMSAT NA be given credit as the source for your redistribution." [ANS thanks Ray, WA5QGD for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-074.03 Mario Acuña, LU9HBG Silent Key AMSAT News Service Bulletin 074.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-074.03 AMSAT Board Member, Tom Clark, K3IO told AMSAT this week, "It is with great sadness that I learned today of the passing of a long- term friend of AMSAT, Mario Acuña, LU9HBG." Mario was a very senior scientist/engineer at NASA Goddard where he made his name by providing magnetometers for nearly every deep-space and planetary mission since the 1970's. Tom recalled, "When a young Martin Sweeting wanted to fly magnetometers for navigation on the earliest UoSAT's, Mario was the 'go to' guy that put Martin on the right track. Since magnetometers are biased by metal and electrical currents in a spacecraft, Mario arranged for testing of the early UoSATs." Tom also recalled Mario's assistance with the Phase-3 program, "When Jan King, Karl Meinzer, and I were trying to minimize radiation damage in critical Phase-3 components (like the IHU and CMOS logic), Mario was our mentor in helping to figure out the best way to minimize damage and teaching us how to apply tantalum to the top and bottom of ICs." [ANS thanks Tom, K3IO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-074.04 AMSAT-DC Spring Workshop April 25 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 074.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-074.04 AMSAT-DC Area Coordinator Pat Kilroy, N8PK reports on plans for the AMSAT-DC Workshop to be held on Saturday, April 25, at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. A small "simulated satellite" kit will be built, tested and operated by individuals attending. The completed kit, soon to be widely known as a PICetSat II module, is a simple remote sensing unit that serves as an expendable high-altitude small balloon payload. It transmits downlink telemetry on the 70 cm Amateur Radio band. Other attendees will provide and configure radios, computers and software needed to receive, decode and analyze the PICetSat II telemetry. Pat says, "The format of this year's workshop is an experiment unto itself for the few AMSAT-DC subgroup of members who are attempting to organize such an event for the first time." He adds, "This workshop may prove to be a fine training opportunity for one to learn the basics of the design, construction, testing, calibrating and operating an earth-orbiting satellite. All of this in one long Saturday of fun!" The planning sessions are being held each Thursday evening via a toll-free telephone conference. If you wish to help organize or execute the workshop then contact Pat by e-mail for the details of connecting with the group on the telecon at Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov as soon as possible. The cost of each kit will be determined soon, along with the admission structure. For example, being evaluated is $90 for a kit plus AMSAT membership if one doesn't already have it. The details of the registration process, workshop procedures and the associated costs are to follow in a later bulletin and on the AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DC web pages. [ANS thanks Pat Kilroy, N8PK for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-074.05 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 074.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-074.05 + The Desecheo Island K5D DXpedition team made its first satellite contact on Friday, February 20th with Andrew Glassbrenner, KO4MA, in New Port Richey, Florida. That QSO was conducted at 20:14 UTC through the SO-50 ham radio bird. + Paul 2E1EUB will be active on all satellites from N.E.Scotland for the week starting March 21, 2009. Check out qrz.com under 2M1EUB listing for more information. + Graham, G3VZV, has onboard the ship MV Minerva since March 7 which is visiting the islands off lying Antarctica. The schedule included visits to South Georgia (VP8) on March 12 &13th and Tristan da Cunha (ZD9) on March 18 & 19th before arriving in Cape Town on March 24th. Activity is planned via SO50, AO51 and the ISS (if available) from the ship and, if licences can be obtained, from the islands. He will be taking FM handhelds and an Arrow antenna and hopes to have some internet access which can be used to arrange skeds if asked. Contact info is: graham_at_shirville.com + Adrian, AA5UK, will be operating as ZF2AE from Grand Cayman and as ZF2AE/ZF8 from Little Cayman during his March 25th - April 8th vacation on AO-51, SO-50 and FO-29. + QSLs for the W5ACM/C6A/MM Western Caribbean Cruise 2009 started shipping on March 2, 2009. Operators/participants for this event included W5ACM, WB5RMA, WA5TWT and WA5WOD. + Go to http://tinyurl.com/c8jjzx for more information on how you can submit your suggestion to help NASA name the next ISS Module. (UniverseToday.com) + Mark, N8MH plans to host an AMSAT table at RARSFest in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, April 11, 2009. He is recruiting help to staff the table and to answer questions. Please contact Mike directly at: N8MH at AMSAT dot ORG if you can help. Details for RARSFest can be found at: http://www.rars.org/hamfest/ [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-074.06 UT1FG/MM Wet Grid Square via Satellite Expedition AMSAT News Service Bulletin 074.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-074.06 Captain Yuri of the MV Bluebill announced he will be operating as UT1FG/MM from his ship April through June, 2009. His sea voyage will take him from Northern Europe, across the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico up to the Mississippi River, then southward toward Mexico and Central America. Yuri says his current plans are to operate on AO-27, AO-51, SO-50, VO-52, FO-29, and AO-7. Over the past two years he already has logged many North American stations from his ship operations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. QSL via home call UT1FG. [ANS thanks Yuri, UT1FG for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-074.07 ARISS Status Report for the Week of March 9, 2009 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 074.07 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. March 15, 2009 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-074.07 1. School Contacts An ARISS contact was held with the Da Vinci Science Center in Allen- town, Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 14 via telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii. Students submitted questions to ask the ISS crew through the Center's Teacher Leader Institute. Eighteen students with the best questions were selected to speak with the astronaut and all students were invited to attend this educational activity. Parkside Community College in Parkside, Cambridge, U.K. has been scheduled for an ARISS contact on Monday, March 30 at 16:54 UTC. Station GB4FUN will handle the connection. The Girls' Middle School (GMS) in Mountain View, California has been scheduled for an ARISS contact on Monday, March 30 at 18:16 UTC via telebridge station K6DUE in Maryland. The contact is planned with spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi, KE7KDP/HA5SIK. GMS is a small, independent school for girls in 6th - 8th grade. The school's mission is to nurture and empower girls during this pivotal time in their lives. It looks for non-traditional educational opportunities to help girls expand their horizons. An ARISS contact has been scheduled for Marcelino Canino Canino Middle School in Dorado, Puerto Rico. The contact will take place on Tuesday, March 31 at 15:29 UTC. A Microsatellite Student Program has been implemented where students design, construct, build and launch microsatellites which are then tracked and recovered with the help of amateur radio operators. Milwee Middle School in Longwood, Florida has been scheduled for an ARISS contact on Wednesday, April 1 at 17:48 UTC via telebridge station ON4ISS in Belgium. Carl Sandburg Elementary School in the Lake Washington School District, Kirkland, Washington has been approved for an ARISS contact. The con- tact is slated for Thursday, April 2 at 19:28 UTC, assisted by tele- bridge station W6SRJ in California. 2. Padthaway Contact Successful On Tuesday, March 3, students from Padthaway Primary School in Padthaway, Australia participated in an ARISS contact. Telebridge station W6SRJ in California facilitated the connection, allowing fifteen students to ask the astronaut 20 questions. One hundred guests, including the mayor and his wife, attended the event and enjoyed a PowerPoint presentation and a showing of Mike Fincke's Expedition 9 video tour of the ISS. Media outlets were present and the audio was fed to local radio stations. The audio was also fed into the EchoLink AMSAT and JK1ZRW servers with 6 connections made from stations in Australia, England, Italy and the U.S. 3. NASA Teaching From Space Site - Now Available The NASA Teaching From Space (TFS) Web site is now on-line. A new ARISS section is also available. For the TFS site, see: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/teachingfromspace/home/index.html http://tinyurl.com/au7wr8 To view the ARISS site directly, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/teachingfromspace/home/ariss.html http://tinyurl.com/bpy9bp 4. Astronaut Training Status Three successful simulated ARISS contacts took place on Wednesday, March 4. The simulations were held between the following participants: Technopolis, Belgium and Andre Kuipers, PI9ISS Ralph McCall School, Airdrie, Alberta, Canada and Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG Ralph McCall School, Airdrie, Alberta, Canada and Cady Coleman, KC5ZTH These training sessions were terrestrial-based amateur radio contacts using ARISS-equivalent equipment. Audio was available on IRLP. 5. Amateur Radio Newsline Posts Article on Simonyi On March 6, Amateur Radio Newsline (Report #1647) ran a story on Charles Simonyi's upcoming mission. "Ham Radio in Space: Charles Simonyi, KE7KDP Heads Back to the ISS," may be viewed here: http://www.arnewsline.org/ [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. With that please keep in mind you know you are aging when you wake up looking like your driver's license picture. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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Happy Birthday KE5AIT
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

Today I sent a Birthday Card to Mike Fincke KE5AIT, via : http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/birthday/index.html - You can too ... ISS is back on APRS, 145.825 FM of course. Not many stations on tonite : http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi Interesting stuff on the ISS home page : http://www.nasa.gov/station Here is an audio recording, as the crew learned of the potential conjunction : http://www.nasa.gov/mp3/318202main_tca_highlights_clip3.mp3 I saw a link to a video they have made, showing some circuit board repair experiments, but I haven't watched it yet. Hummm, never thought about soldering without gravity. I'd be happy to try it if they need someone to go . . . /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net -> <- http://www.linkedin.com/in/alansieg * My 'Day Job' ->

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ISS repeater is active in U/V mode.
by Cor 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

Hello All, ISS repeater is active in the U/V crossband mode. TX Uplink: 437.800 (adjust freq. because doppler effect). RX Downlink: 145.800 A good chance US astronaut Mike Fincke (NA1SS) is listening this weekend. Wish him "happy birthday" via the U/V repeater mode (he might reply to you!). Somethimes crew stay up late in the weekend. 73's Cor PD0RKC Ham Radio In Space: http://iss.ontwikkel.nl

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Looking for Suggestions
by Johnny Miller 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

I'm looking for opinions on my first satellite rig. What seems to be the norm that everyone is using? I'm looking of a base rig. Thanks Johnny Miller millerj - @ - cinci.rr.com N8RTW Xbox Live Gamer Tag:wcso845 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lets cure cancer together visit: http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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TH-F6A vs VX7R
by David J 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

I have a friend, Joe KJ4JIO, who is looking for his first HT to use for FM satellites. He is looking at the Kenwood TH-F6A and the Yaesu VX7R. Would anyone who has used these care to share some comments on them that I can share with him? I'm sure he would welcome comments about any other rigs you are fond of. Dave, AA4KN

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PREDICT for DOS configuration question
by Alan P. Biddle 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

I have been looking at PREDICT for DOS, and have a question about configuring individual satellites. A typical entry looks like this: AO-16 07530 No alat/alon Mode VU Transponder 145.850, 145.950 29.500, 29.400 No weekly schedule No orbital schedule end That seems to imply that you can enter schedules, but none of the examples provided provide any format information. Can someone confirm this, and if so, give me a pointer to documentation, or even an example with weekly and orbital schedule shown? Also, if you have an alat/alon, do you just enter the numbers such as 0/0, or does it require something else on the line? TNX, Alan ----------------------------------- Who is John Galt?

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QSL Etiquette
by Ian 14 Mar '09

14 Mar '09

I was wondering what others may be doing when they receive an "questionnable" request for a QSL. Last week while on vacation in Orlando I attempted to make some AO51 contacts with a handheld station. Althought I was receiving many stations, I was unsuccesful in establishing a contact and never heard anyone call me back. I must have been getting out though as I have received an eQSL request from a South American station. Is it normal practice to ignore the request or to reply with refusal to QSL. If it were a mistaken callsign situation I would reply with a "sorry" but in the case of a bogus request I was wondering what others may be doing. Next time I will use a better antenna hi hi. Thanks & 73 Ian VE9IM

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DK3WN SatBlog
by Nader Omer 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

Hi all I really want to thank MIKE RUPPRECHT DK3WN for his wounderful SatBlog . http://www.dk3wn.info/p/ Every day I learn something new from your blog Mike. 73's Nader , st2nh

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QSL Etiquette
by John W Lee 13 Mar '09

13 Mar '09

Guys, As a little background, I have been a ham for over 50 years and QSL'ing has been a big part of my activities since they are required for awards. And I just plain like QSL cards! I respond to every card that comes to me. There are so many messages from people who say they don't have time to QSL, etc. When I was a QSL manager (see below) I was working full-time, had a 2 hour each way commute, was married with 2 kids to raise. I was one of the QSL managers for the YASME DXpeditions of the 1970's. W6KG and W6QL went to many countries during that period and made between 8000 and 10,000 QSO's at each place. The logs were all hand-written and in 3 ring binders for each location. QSL cards would come in the mail in big bundles with rubber bands around them daily, and the bureau cards would come in cardboard boxes of maybe 25-30 pounds via UPS! I found LOTS of people who were NOT in the log! And I really tried to help them by looking at different days, different times because they put the wrong time/date on them, etc. And I was able to find a lot of them that way. Some people have not yet learned to use UTC time/date. This is a must. If I couldn't find them anywhere in the log, I'd just write "Sorry, not in the log" on their card and send it back. That way they would know that their card made it to the manager and didn't get lost in the mail. Of course good logging is a must also. I have every logbook from day one of my ham career. They are archived in boxes but I can pull one out and check for something if I need to. And I have received cards 10 years or more after the QSO. I keep about 5 year's logs handy, as well as having a log in the computer which I back up at least monthly. If you work somebody and you don't get the call or don't think you have it correct, by all means ask the person to give it again (slowly or in phonetics, whatever it takes)! A legal QSO should contain the time and date, other station's callsign and some other bit of information such as a signal report, grid locator, name, QTH, etc. What did we do before E-mail? We copied everything down correctly ! We did not write to somebody asking for their callsign or wondering if we made a QSO. Regarding E-QSL and LOTW, with E-QSL, if the QSO information matches, you get a confirmation. You can "fudge" and confirm a contact that is not in the log. This is not good. With LOTW you can't. If the information does not match. If you are new to QSL'ing or new to ham radio, I hope this helps you. 73, John K6YK then there is no confirmation. That's the way it should be. ____________________________________________________________ Free information on Digital Photography. Click Now! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTDvmQzkOdsfjz315gMfwcMZqY…

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