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Quesion about ISS crossband repeater
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

OK, maybe I am sleep-deprived. I have been reading all of the threads on ISS, and during this morning's pass over my QTH I tuned in to the downlink on 437.8 but did not hear a thing. I know it is something I am doing wrong, but not sure what. Ideas appreciated. Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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Re: AMSAT contest??
by Bob Bruninga 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

> With the wx getting more "cabin feavorish", > ... we should have an impromptu AMSAT > contest... And on the digital birds, do not overlook the challenge for everyone to practice their emergency Satellite Email capability. See www.aprs.org/sset.html for the Satellite Simulated Emergency Test. All it takes is one packet via ISS to send an email to anyone on the planet. PCSAT and GO32 are not currently useable. To confirm success, the easiest is to send the email to yourself. You can also confirm it under the message column on he www.ariss.net web page. Bob, Wb4APR

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Are my pre-amps working?
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

Two FT817 rigs, one for 440 one for 144. Two new Mirage pre-amps: KP-1/44o, KP-1/2M When I power them on, I definitely can hear significantly stronger signals on 2 meter side. I tested by going to 144.39 and the packet signals near my QTH were stronger by 3 S units. For the 440 pre-amp, the signals seem to get stronger but only slightly. During last night's FO-29 pass, it was a little easier to find my signal while tuning around...but not much of a difference. Anybody else using these pre-amps? Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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AO-7
by acjohn1＠juno.com 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

Good morning I have severial questions about working AO-7 that I hope someone can he= lp me with. How many watts dose it take to get into the bird? Is there a= ny trick to finding your downlink? I am using a Icom 718 for a downlink = on a 80m horizontal loop and a FT-718 for a uplink with a home made eggb= eater antenna. I can hear the bird pretty good but just can't get into i= t or find my signal if I am Thanks and 73 John Rusmiselle KG4VHV John Rusmiselle KG4VHV ____________________________________________________________ Paying too much credit card interest? Find low APR credit cards. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2Oq4cNUnobJWxD9aPfXVz7gZ9…

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ISS Packet over Europe 13.05utc
by David Barber 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

Back on 145.800MHz at 1200bps over UK / Europe for the 13.05utc Pass. Confusing! David G8OQW

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ISS at 145.800 (1k2) or 145.825 (9k6)
by Henk, PA3GUO 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

As David, G8OQW pointed out, ISS was now at 145.800 in 1200 baud. With a TS2000 one could easily monitor both freq's & speeds: 145.800 (ts2000/main + internal TNC at 1200) + 145.825 (ts2000/sub + external TNC at 9600) One radio, two channels. That should catch them all ! :-) Henk, PA3GUO

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SSET via ISS (in 9k6): lot of fun to experiment !
by Henk, PA3GUO 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

SSET experiments - lot of fun with 9k6 APRS ! I have always seen APRS via satellites as a great way handle communication during emergency situation: - no 'what did you say, can please please repeat ? (digital comms) - no 'did I copy xyz correctly (no need to confirm the data) - no need to write down a message and then type it into email (all doen automatically) - not a single receiver but many (in the footprint of the satellite) - not only in the footprint, but via findu world-wide. live. - very efficient, if saying "we are all doing fine in xxx, no need for help" would take 10 seconds in SSB (voice), APRS can do this in <2 seconds. And now it can be done even faster: With ISS in 9k6 mode this is a good opportunity to test your station & skills: * set up your radio & antenna * connect any TNC and monitor 145.825 MHz * set your SW to autoforward what you hear to the internet (Igate) ... and test if you could send a Simulated Satellite Emergence Message yourself ! Radio: 145.825 (up & downlink) TNC: HBAUD 9600 U APRS VIA ARISS type for example :ALL :dummy text >> this will send 'dummy text' to ISS, and this will be on www.ariss.net within seconds ! type for example :EMAIL :[email protected] SSET via ISS, 9k6 experimental transmission >> this will send 'SSET via ISS, 9k6 experimental transmission' as normal email to pa3guo(a)amsat.org, within ~10 seonds seconds you will see many others these days experimenting, confirm their success: 00:01:40:17 : DL8DR]APRS,RS0ISS-5*,qAS,PA3GUO::Heard :PA3GUO-8,RS0ISS-5,EA2CNC,2E0EXL,EA7AHA,G8OQW,OE1VKW,ON6MU 00:01:42:36 : G8OQW]APRS,RS0ISS-5*,ARISS,qAS,DF9CP::BLNQSL1/1:RS0ISS-5,CT1DHM,PA3GUO-8,EA2CNC,EA7AHA,DF9EY,2E0EXL,DL8DR 00:01:41:35 : PA3GUO-8]APRS,RS0ISS-5*,qAS,PA3GUO::ALL :Experimental Radio Communication via ISS: 9k6 Packet Radio 00:01:43:43 : PA3GUO-8]APRS,RS0ISS-5*,qAS,PA3GUO::EMAIL :[email protected] SSET via ISS, 9k6 experimental transmission My setup: Kenwood TS2000 with its internal TNC running at 1200 baud + a PK96 cheap old TNC, externally at 9600 baud. Both TNC's via ALoger IGating to the internet. Single radio, dual communication channel. Have fun - share your results via the amsat-bb ! Henk, PA3GUO http://www.pa3guo.com

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ISS UK Pass @ 11.30utc
by David Barber 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

ISS UK Pass at 11.30utc. 1200bps Packet heard on 145.800MHz Missed copying the frames as my packet system was monitoring 145.825MHz for 9600bps. David G8OQW

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Re: AMSAT DXpedition loaner gear project.
by Wayne Estes 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

Drew wrote: We already have a major DXpedition to a location within LEO range of most of North America interested in participating in the early part of 2009. Wayne replies: Would that be Desecheo? If so, I hope they can use FO-29 or AO-7 to give the west coast a shot. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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Re: ISS 9K6 with ICOM 910
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 13 Dec '08

13 Dec '08

Alan (VE4YZ) said : ...short passes ...goode olde PacComm NB96 I'm reminded of a comment made by Nader (ST2NH) not so long ago, suggesting local testing between two of your radios to iron out kinks. It sounds like you already even have one side of that link up and runnable with your NB96 old-mode hardware... Thats a great start I'd think. Better than where I'll start with two (un-tested) soundcard solutions running back to back via two (un-tested) radios. (That probably explains why I haven't yet started) (The 9600 testing may well conclude, before I even get started ...) I wonder if my soundcard is good enough to record some downlink audio. Hummm, probably more of the same confusion/frustration. Good luck, be sure to let us know what works... 73 /;^) -- <- 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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Re: PCSAT Recovery status
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

>> "Why not list the stations heard?" >> There should be a "Wall of Shame." > > Because of the dozens of packets being digipeated by PCSAT, none > or maybe one or two have enough power to get heard. .. .. .. At least there are fewer stations than there were earlier. Apparently not enough, but at least the word IS getting around. Here are a few that did make it recently. As seen via : http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/pcsat.cgi?absolute=1 20081212083105 : DL0SP]CQ,W3ADO-1*,qAS,DF9CP:73 frm Spandau - Clubstation 20081212082514 : IZ1BOH]APRS,W3ADO-1*,qAS,DF9CP:[JN44JV]-73....for ALL,de FRANK (ITALY) 20081211121013 : WP3PK]CQ,W3ADO-1*,qAR,WP4YF-3:FK68ka PUERTO RICO GOOD MORNING 20081211103908 : IZ1BOH]APRS,W3ADO-1*,qAS,PA3GUO:[JN44JV]-73....for ALL,de FRANK (ITALY) 20081211085635 : IZ1BOH]CQ,W3ADO-1*,qAS,PA3GUO:[JN44JV]-73....for ALL,de FRANK (ITALY) Good Luck.... 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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CO8LY in AO-51
by Eduardo Somoano C 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

LAST MINUTES Y COPY MANY STN IN AO51 CALL NZ5N/6Y5 BUT NOT MY COPY DUE TO PILE UP FROM NA STN. I LISTEN ALSO : YV5ZV KU8L N3PKC N2BL W9VNE KB1PVH AND OTHERS I WILL NEXT PASS TOMORROW AT NIGHT CONTACT WITH NA STATIONS. 73.- EDUARDO CO8LY FL20la

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test
by Jerry 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

test

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AMSAT DXpedition loaner gear project.
by Andrew Glasbrenner 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

The AMSAT Operations team is in the process of acquiring a few sets of basic loaner gear that will be available to DXpeditions and other groups in order to promote activity on the satellites. Initially these will consist of simple FM portable stations including a full duplex dual band HT and an Arrow or other suitable antenna. Depending on the success of the program, we will likely expand it to include the transponder and digital satellites as well. We also expect to be able to integrate AO-51 operations into the program. In the recent past, similar efforts have been undertaken by individuals within AMSAT, including W9AE's AO-40 package, and KO4MA's gear loaned to the KG4SB Gitmo operation. Thanks to the past generosity of AMSAT-OZ and a few individual donors to a prior personal effort to equip a Peruvian university station for AO-40, I have approximately 140 dollars to redirect to this project. To complete the first phase of this, I'd like to have on hand two split boom Arrow antennas with diplexers and two late model full duplex handhelds. The preferred rig is the Kenwood D-7 or Yaesu FT-530. These will be packaged together in two custom crush-proof PVC carrying tubes. We already have a major DXpedition to a location within LEO range of most of North America interested in participating in the early part of 2009. If businesses, organizations or individuals would like to assist in this program, please email me at ko4ma(a)amsat.org. All sponsors will receive full recognition from AMSAT for their participation. As indicated above, our major needs at this point are two split boom Arrow antennas with diplexers and two full duplex dual band HTs. 73 and thanks for your support of AMSAT, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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AMSAT-UK website
by John Heaton 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Greetings, Over the weekend the AMSAT-UK website will be going offline for a while. The reason is that this side of the building has been undergoing a lot of changes with some of the older offices revamped for their new occupants. The offices have been rewired, and the mains are being switched off to most of this part of the building whilst the new offices are connected. The work is planned for this weekend but I don't know exactly when and for how long. Hopefully the system that the AMSAT-UK website is on will reboot itself, if not will it have to wait till I get in on Monday. I'f its down, don't bother trying to send me email as my email system will be off as well. Bye for now, John John Heaton, G1YYH AMSAT-UK #5701 http://www.phers.co.uk/ Skype: g1yyh-mac or g1yyh-ppc -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.8 (Darwin) iEYEARECAAYFAkk5V3EACgkQDwhbGQHPUt2/OACgmNKONhQXfEH2FNvegjmcZMF7 wT4AmwR/E9v0GfUy8NYDPcQj2TExTsSI =6Zx5 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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A great day in the Satellite Lab!
by Robert Bruninga 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

A great day in the Satelliite Lab! Not only did we hear ISS, and Command up PCSAT, but also on today's last day of class, we distributed 5 LABsats throught the campus in undisclosed locations hanging on strings so that the students had to use Telemetry, and Command, and then the imager and sun/magnetometer sensors to align the comm links and then activate the on-board cameras to see where they were. They were scored on how well they could align their best solar panel to the sun, and how well they could change attitude to use the camera. The first link on this LABsat web page has this final 4 page lab (a word doc): www.aprs.org/labsats.html that summarizes the experiments. Just a lot of fun on the last day of class. Over the semester they incrementally assemble various components of these TNC based satellites going through 33 lab periods and exercises culminating in this final operations scenario. The icing on the cake was that today was also the first day of PCSAT return to full sun, and also hearing the ISS crew on voice all during the same lab. But PCSAT did not hold, and died on the next orbit for the next class. We will resume restoration attempts tomorrow. These LABsats use nothing more than a KPC-3 TNC for all telemetry, command and control, and an $88 Alinco HT for comms. They use $75 2.4 GHz TV cameras for their imaging experiments. Bob, WB4APR USNA Satellite Lab

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de ND9M Maritime Mobile / grids MK21 & MJ39
by vq9jc＠gimail.af.mil 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

Hi Nader, The 11/1528Z pass was not available to me at my QTH in MK14. The only pass I could use last night was at 11/1348Z and faced to the east. (No sigs then either!) Today, I should be in grid MK21 for the SO-50 pass at 12/0647Z. This pass looks to your direction so we may have a chance. Tonight, my ship should be in MJ39 for the AO-51 pass at 11/1447Z which also favors your area. ------- Original Message ------- >From : nader omer[mailto:[email protected]] Sent : 12/11/2008 6:29:25 PM To : vq9jc(a)gimail.af.mil Cc : Subject : RE: Re: de ND9M Maritime Mobile / grid MK16 HI Jim I was on ao-51 15:28 z with hz1am waiting for you may you had a busy day anyhow i wll looking for you tomorrow best 73 st2nh

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DO-64 telemetry - Primary server down ?
by Tim Tuck 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi all, Is anyone experiencing difficulty connecting to the primary repository server at IP address 83.138.144.157 ? I just noticed my RASCAL program has over 700 packets queued up for it! the secondary seems fine. thanks Tim -- VK2XTT :: QF56if :: BMARC :: WIA :: AMSAT-VK :: AMSAT

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ARISS and PCSAT status
by Robert Bruninga 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

At about 2015z, here is what I am seeing on ISS and PCSAT: ISS is doing well on 9600 baud on 145.825. A nice amount of activity. Looking at the live downlink on www.ariss.net it is easy to see that we do have some good 9600 baud Igates passing the 9600 baud data into the APRS system. Over the last 4 hours I see these IGates: qAS,KD8CAO-7 qAR,K7MT-1: qAR,K7OFT-10: qAS,PA3GUO: qAR,ST2NH: qAS,DF9CP: qAR,PD0RKC: After 7 years, PCSAT is not waking up as bright and chipper as before. For the third day, we got control, but this time, she did make it through a full orbit. Last telemetry packet was T#212 or 212 minutes of uptime. We have DIGI OFF while it recharges. BUT, as of this writing, we have not seen anything on its web page downlink for over 4 hours. Either we do not have enough Igates on 145.825 1200 baud, or it has crashed again. It is easy to see on http://pcsat.aprs.org. If the telemetry number is above 90 then it has run a full orbit since the last re-start. When we change the callsign from NODIGI back to PCSAT-1, then it will be open for digipeating. Details on www.aprs.org/pcsat.html When PCSAT returns to user service, please review the user-service-agreement on www.aprs.org/pcsat/contract.txt particularly we do not want to see any unattended beacons cluttering up the ISS/PCSAT channel on 145.825. Let the live users communicate. If any dual-hop opportunities arise, the best PATH to use is VIA ARISS,ARISS since both satellites support that alias, and both satellites will do their callsign-substitution if successful. The normal APRS path of WIDE2-2 will also work, but last time I tried it, the RS0ISS did not insert it's callsign, so you had no proof that it went via ISS. SO use ARISS,ARISS for possible two hops. Best place to look is at AOS on the west coast (if the one person in Hawaii is actually transmitting) and at LOS on the east coast if the geometery of a conjunction will get to Europe. Bob, WB4APR

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OLPC XO wireless connectivity
by Robert Bruninga 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Some of you have the One-Laptop-Per-Child (OLPC) XO laptop. Since this laptop is designed to be wireless, Jack Zielke, KG4GJY has written a small client app for it that will link it into the global APRS network whenever it is in range of WIFI. See the web page: http://aprs.org/APRS-OLPC.html This is just part of the Universal Amateur Radio Text Messaging initiative that suggests that all wireless devices, cell phones, palm devices and laptops, (basically any communications device in the hands of a ham radio operator), can be used for call-sign-to-callsign universal text messaging. See the www.aprs.org/aprs-messaging.html web page. This way any ham can text message any other ham anywhere, anytime using any device. A great way to provide connectivity when Hams need to communicate. We hope other authors will write other applications for other devices.. Sorry for the cross post, but I know hams on both lists that purchased the XO's and are wondering what to do with them. Bob, WB4APR

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VRS 2008
by Gunther Meisse 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

The Audit firm is going to start the 2008 Audit January 15, 2009 in an attempt to get it out in a more timely manner. To that end, I need to ask all of you to submit your VRS volunteer time reports to the web site prior to December 31 of this year. I have work to do on that data and need the first couple weeks in 2009 to get that done.. SO, PLEASE SUBMIT ANY UNREPORTED VOLUNTEER TIME SPENT FOR AMSAT ASAP... Thanks and have a great holiday season. Regards, Gunther Meisse AMSAT Treasurer.

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Re: AO-51 2300z pass
by Allen Vinegar 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

I picked up the Fire Dept as well. It is on my recording of the pass. Al W8KHP

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UK Moon mission gets green light + Sat Freqs
by Trevor 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

UK Moon mission gets green light http://www.southgatearc.org/news/december2008/uk_moon_mission_go_ahead.htm Cavtat 08 decisions on the Amateur Satellite Service http://www.southgatearc.org/news/december2008/satellite_service_cavtat_deci… 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm ---------------

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AO-51 uplink changed to 145.880 MHz
by Gould Smith 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

As of 2340Z, 9 Dec 2008 the 145.92 uplink to the main FM repeater on AO-51, has been changed. This change was due to interference on uplink frequency. V/U FM Repeater Uplink 145.880 MHz Downlink 435.300 MHz 73, Gould, WA4SXM for the AO-51 command team

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Re: 9600 baud+ sound card
by nader omer 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi Peter The audio isolation transformers (1:1) or the optical IC may be prevent flow of 9k6 baud data in some interfaces ( Notice I said may be). Use direct wires between radio data socket (pin 9600) to PC soundcard mike input or line input (I'm using mike input). Also take the sound (data!) direct from your PC to data pin. Make sure your radio at 9600 Key your rig using any interface (for sure use only the key line, Audio direct connected as mention above) Setup AWGPE for 9k6 UISS software doesn't want any additional setup Best 73 de Nader,st2nh www.st2nh.com

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Technical question regarding the long term performance of nylon in space
by Graham Shirville 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi all, I think this is a new one! It has been suggested that the nylon "fishing line" that is sometime used on space craft to retain a deployable item like an antenna or sensor will decay quickly in space due to radiation and out gassing destroying its structure. This might mean that the usual "hot" knife type cutter system could be redundant if quick release is not a mission requirement. Does anyone have any data on this or know if any research has been done? thanks Graham G3VZV

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Maritime Mobile in the Arabian Sea / Indian Ocean
by vq9jc＠gimail.af.mil 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Greetings all, I'm enroute on a merchant marine ship from the Persian Gulf to Diego Garcia (in grid MI62) and am QRV on AO-51 and SO-50 with a Kenwood TH-6FA and Arrow-2. I haven't heard any activity on these birds during the evening passes but given the region I'm in and the gear I'm using, that may not be all too surprising. Available SO-50 passes tend to occur during my work hours, so I can only try to be on for those. I should be in grid MK14 at the next available AO-51 pass at 11/1350Z. We're due to arrive at Diego Garcia around 16/0300Z. While I'm at Diego Garcia (scheduled to be there until April 2009), my ship will do various short term (1 to 3 days) events but should remain in grid MI62 or neighboring grids for most of the time I'm there. 73 for now, Jim, ND9M / VQ9JC

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Re: AO-51 L/U mode just fine
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Drew,Jim etc I will make an effort to be on L/U mode tomorrow (12/11) during the afternoon passes over the U.S. I have 70W on 1.2Ghz but current antenna is 22 el. yagi with no elevation ability. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > I was on a few minutes this AM...same thing. I did hear VE3NPC at the > beginning of the pass, but that was it. > > 73, Drew > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "DeYoung James" > To: "amsat-bb" > Cc: "Jim DeYoung" > Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 6:13 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 L/U mode just fine > > > > Greetings, > > > > Just a reminder for those with L/U capability the AO-51 control team put > > the second system in L/U mode again after the reset last month. I have > > been full quieting talking to myself two evenings in row using my 10-watts > > and 10-elem. cheap yagi on L-band. I sound really good, btw, hi, hi. L/U > > on through the 14th, hope to hear someone else... > > > > 73, N8OQ, Jim, FM18lu > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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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AO-51 2300z pass
by Dave Webb 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Toward the end of that pass I heard what sounded like a Fire Dept. doing a nightly test with an announcement, just wondering if anyone else could hear it. Dave KB1PVH

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AO-51 L/U mode just fine
by DeYoung James 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Greetings, Just a reminder for those with L/U capability the AO-51 control team put the second system in L/U mode again after the reset last month. I have been full quieting talking to myself two evenings in row using my 10-watts and 10-elem. cheap yagi on L-band. I sound really good, btw, hi, hi. L/U on through the 14th, hope to hear someone else... 73, N8OQ, Jim, FM18lu

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ISS on 9600baud
by Bob Herrell 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

I was finally able to digipeat thru the ISS today (AJ5C-3) using only my Kenwood D700 and a vertical antenna. I have not been able to decode anything using UISS and my IC-910H. 73, Bob Herrell, AJ5C

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AMSAT-BB Azimuth predictions true or magnetic north
by Call Sign 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

I have asked so many Hams, a few pilots and mariners, here locally and none of them know the answer to my question, I know this body will have it; First off, I know that the difference between magnetic north and true north is not that much and is not affecting my success on my hand held Arrow II antenna that much, as it probably has the least amount of directivity that a beam antenna can have. However, I have been using a compass, therefore using magnetic north and in the interest of better understanding what I am doing, I just want to know, for sure. So......... when we get these azimuth degrees in the pass prediction charts, saying where we will acquire the signal, its high point and the loss of the signal; do these degrees relate to magnetic or true north? Second part, are there any reporting birds that differ in which of those two, that are being used and is the answer the same for the International Space Station? Thanks in advance for your response! Rich KI6RRQ

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Uni_trac and Vista
by John Price 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Has anyone been successful running the Uni_trac serial port version software with Windows Vista? The comport is not an issue with the Bifo BF-810 converter cable but the software that came with the Uni_Trac just crashes the laptop. No joy with that. 73's << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Internet N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 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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9600 baud+ sound card
by Peter 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Hi All, Has anyone had any success receiving 9600 baud using the Tigertronics, SignaLink sound card with AGWPE and UISS. I believe I have it configured correctly, the only problem might be the audio isolators in the sound card that might not allow the signal to pass. If this setup has worked for you, I would appreciate any insights, thank you. 73, Pete, WB2OQQ

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Re: Spacecraft Magnetic Attitude
by Clint Bradford 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

> www.aprs.org/attitudes.html Fascinating data! Clint Bradford P.S. - The very first phrase of the text, "Magentic Stabilization," had me looking for my scientific dictionary, Bob! (grin)

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Spacecraft Magnetic Attitude
by Robert Bruninga 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

To see a plot on the sky of the orientation of a magnetic stabilized satellite (PCSAT, ECHO, etc) see this page: www.aprs.org/attitudes.html This might be useful for those folks with hand-held antennas. I prepared it several years ago, but stumbled across it today while looking for the location of the Earth's magnetic pole. I found an interesting plot that shows the Earth's magnetic "dip pole" moving very fast these days, almost 5 degrees in 10 years! But unless you ever travel the arctic, I guess your boy scout compass will be good for the rest of your life anyway... Bob, Wb4APR

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soundcard is ok with ISS 9k6 packet
by nader omer 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

HI all I succeded to work ISS packet mode at 9k6 using AWGPE and UISS softwares and a soundcard for more info see my webpage link http://www.st2nh.com/internationalspacestation-iss Also see my experment with AO-51 9k6 telemetry and GO-32 9k6 telemetry by softwares and a soundcard http://www.st2nh.com/satellites 73,Nader,st2nh www.st2nh.com

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Re: AO-51 Uplink Frequency Change
by Clint Bradford 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Should we consider this a permanent change - or a temporary one? Clint Bradford -------------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666 - cell

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PCSAT little joy
by Robert Bruninga 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

PCSAT not useable. No joy today. Like yesterday, on the first ascending pass, we got a successful logon and restore commands, but they did not hold to the next rev. Again, I almost got in on the second pass, but a QRM packet took the energy I was hoping for. Third pass to the NW was too high in latitude so she was already dead. Will try again tomorrow. The only time we can get in is on an ascending pass, with some solar sun on the south panel, and this only occurs on an ascending pass, in the local morning in the Northern Hemisphere, in the winter, between the latitudes of about 30 to 40 deg and only when the orbit's ground track is in line with the terminator. Because PCSAT is magnetically stabilized, the angles work out just right only for a few minutes a day a few days per winter. Below that latitude there is not enough sun on the bottom panel (faces down in the southern hemisphere). Near that latitude there is some southern sun on this panel, but above that latitude, the best solar panel is pointing to space. Bob, WB4APR

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ESEO -The European Student Earth Orbiter - development gets underway
by Graham Shirville 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Hi all, The ESA Education website now has this interesting page concerning the ESEO satellite mission: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Education/SEMYQ2STGOF_0.html Slightly greater technical information is also available on the AMSAT-UK website here: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/677/68/ We are not able to be more precise at this time as detailed discussions about the communications sub-system have still to take place - hopefully we will have some firm decisions within a few weeks so that design, development and manufacture of the hardware can commence quickly. We promise to keep information about this project flowing as much as we can. best 73 from the AMSAT-UK team! Graham G3VZV

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Re: AO-51
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

KO4MA sez: > Notice the Doppler curve is different between the three on the right. As I see it, the one in the center of those three ( (435.881) indicated as almost exactly in position to translate via AO-51 to the 145.92 downlink..) is already more like ~2 min past TCA (at the base line). I would expect anything coming out of FO-29's transponder to show the same dopppler rate as the other signals, say the beacon at 435.795 ... Unless it was going thru yet another satellite first ..!.. Or possibly not going thru FO-29 at all, but heard direct from a 2nd bird. SO-50 was just ahead of AO-29 on that pass. Hummm... Even tho the AO-51 uplink has already been changed, I may try and grab a waterfall tonite centered on 435.850 ... Just to see if there are two different doppler rates again. Very Interesting . . . /;^) -- <- 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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SINAD Vs. Noise Figure Testing
by Stan W1LE 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Hello The Net: Upon the suggestion of Domenico, I8CVS, I conducted some tests to compare SINAD to Noise figure testing. Noise figure testing was performed using a HP8970B with 346 noise source on a ARR preamplifier, one of their switched units, model SP144VDG. Performance was optimized at 144 MHz. for a noise figure of 0.9 dB and gain of 25 dB. The preamp was added before the IC-910H, which was set to 144.000 MHz in a SSB (USB) mode. SINAD , SIgnal + Noise + Audio Distortion testing allows a complete receiver to be tested from the RF input port, thru the IF's and demodulation to audio. For SSB mode testing I injected a low level RF carrier, (~ -120 dBm), no modulation, into the preamplifer with RX. I tuned the RX frequency to 1000 Hz less than was actually injected. example: for a RF of 144.000 MHz, I tuned the RX, in a SSB (USB) mode, to 143.999 MHz. SINAD instruments use a 1000 Hz tone for further processing. Connecting the audio output to a SINAD meter, in my case a Helper Instruments, Inc. model Sinadder Linear 5, I was able to get a SINAD reading from the meter. While monitoring the SINAD meter, I tweaked the preamplifier tuning and could not improve the original SINAD measurement. Conclusion: If the noise figure is optimized, the SINAD measurement will also be optimized. An additional test was performed, adding a fixed 10 dB BNC attenuator after the preamplifier and before the RX. The SINAD measurement did not change. This indicated that at least 10 dB of excess gain was present and can be eliminated. It is always best to minimize system gains to maximize the ability to handle strong signals and to reduce higher order intermodulation distortion. Minimize system interstage gains until the system SINAD sensitivity or the noise figure is slightly degraded. In this example, if I was able to reduce 10 dB of excess gain, this would result in lowering the 3rd order intermodulation distortion by 30 dB . !!! I hope this helps folks to consider SINAD testing of their system, to verify performance. Stan, W1LE FN41sr Cape Cod

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ISS 9600 changed to 145.825MHz
by Mineo Wakita 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

ISS 9600 digipeat changed to 145.825MHz from 145.800MHz. JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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info
by w3vvp 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

I'm looking for a 903 transverter w/144 if. Dem is only place I have found one SSB does not have one. Does any one have one for sale or know of any place that sells them. I hope this is not to far out of line for the BB. Any info greatly appreciated. George

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ARISS Queries--Answered
by Frank H. Bauer 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

All, The ARISS team has had a number of queries on several topics. It is hoped that this e-mail will answer these for you. 1) 25th Anniversary of Ham in Space Special Event Certificate---Many have asked how to receive the special certificate and what qualifies you for the certificate. Qualification: Those that have had 2 way communications with the ISS on Voice, Packet (APRS), or through the voice repeater. And those that have heard the ISS from space in any of the ARISS operations modes (Voice, SSTV, School Contact, Voice Repeater, Digital). Valid dates to qualify for certificate: November 30 to January 15. Receiving the Certificate: A) Please note on your QSL the ARISS mode of operation (e.g. SSTV, voice, school, etc) and whether the contact with you was 1 way (receive only) or 2 way. B) Send your SASE to the normal ARISS QSL volunteer distributor in your area of the world. C) On the outside of the QSL envelope, please include the words "25th Anniversary Certificate" D) Make sure your envelope is big enough to accept an 8.5 by 11 inch certificate and includes the proper postage. E) Go to www.ariss.org if you do not know where to send your QSL and please use one of the standard international QSL distributors that are noted on the Web page. Important note: We will be sending your certificate to the volunteer distributors in bulk AFTER the event is over. (This saves workload and money). So do not expect to see it until 1-2 months after the event closes on January 15. 2) Richard Garriott QSL Card---there are have several queries about the final results of Richard Garriott's flight and how the QSL cards will be handled. QSO Results: Richard made over 500 voice QSOs during his flight, clearly more than any single ham has made on-orbit during a short duration mission. And he sent down about 1000 SSTV images during his flight. QSL Card: Those that had a QSO with Richard can receive an ARISS QSL card using the normal ARISS process. (See www.ariss.org). Richard Garriott is also planning a personal card which is in development. Once it is developed, they will be shipped to the ARISS international QSL distribution volunteers for distribution. The current plan is that those that have already sent in for an ARISS QSL card will also get a Richard Garriott personal card once it is available. If you made a contact with Richard, have not sent in your QSL, and would like Richard's personal QSL card, please stand by for QSL distribution instructions until the QSL card is ready. The distribution of this special QSL will parallel how we are distributing the 25th Anniversary Certificate. 3) SSTV Operations Web Site---The ARISS team appreciated the special web page support from UC Berkeley. They allowed us to use their server to support SSTV operations during the Richard Garriott's flight. This was a temporary solution. The web site is currently down while we move the web pages from the Berkeley site to the AMSAT server. This should be completed in the next few days. You will see a follow-on e-mail with details on connecting up to the SSTV Operations server. We thank you for your patience. On behalf of the ARISS International team of volunteers, I thank you all for your interest and participation in the ARISS Program. 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs ARISS International Chairman

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Re: SINAD Vs. Noise Figure Testing (Stan W1LE)
by RFI-EMI-GUY 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

Stan; Thank you for sharing your results for those of us who have SINAD meters but cannot afford a noise figure meter. I also thought your statement: "An additional test was performed, adding a fixed 10 dB BNC attenuator after the preamplifier and before the RX. The SINAD measurement did not change. This indicated that at least 10 dB of excess gain was present and can be eliminated. It is always best to minimize system gains to maximize the ability to handle strong signals and to reduce higher order intermodulation distortion." is very appropriate for radio system designers. I work in the land mobile radio field and many of the trunked systems use tower mounted preamplifiers with excess gain. The use of an attenuator between the preamplifier and the multicoupler to control IMD is often overlooked, misunderstood, and as you demonstrated may have a tremendous impact on the performance of a radio system. Thanks for sharing this. -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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Fw: AO-51 uplink changed to 145.880 MHz
by Raul Romero 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

its ok up 145.880 up 435.300 DW 73 Raul CA3SOC > "Are you still wasting your time with spam?... > There is a solution!" > > Protected by GIANT Company's Spam Inspector > The most powerful anti-spam software available. > http://mail.spaminspector.com > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Gould Smith" <gouldsmi(a)bellsouth.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 8:45 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 uplink changed to 145.880 MHz > > >> As of 2340Z, 9 Dec 2008 the 145.92 uplink to the main FM repeater on >> AO-51, has been changed. >> This change was due to interference on uplink frequency. >> >> V/U FM Repeater >> Uplink 145.880 MHz >> Downlink 435.300 MHz >> >> 73, >> Gould, WA4SXM >> for the AO-51 command team >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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Frequency Stabilized Local Oscillators
by Stan W1LE 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

Hello The Net: Steve Hicks, N5AC, is designing frequency stabilized local oscillators that can be used in the (Down East Microwave Inc.) DEMI transverters or RX only, block down converters. Frequency stability is achieved by locking to a external 10 MHz house reference standard which could be a GPS disciplined oscillator, a OCXO, or a compact Rb reference oscillator. The Trimble Thunderbolt GPSDO is a very popular 10 MHz reference. We could use your help in disclosing what RFs and IFs you are using for present and proposed satellite transponders. Then we can calculate the local oscillator frequencies needed for the DEMI transverters. This stabilized LO can be used in place of the DEMI standard MICROLO pcb. The MICROLO pcb is used on transverters 900 MHz and higher. Most will use a "low beat" RF/IF mixer scheme, but if you use a "high beat" mixer scheme, let us know. A new design by Steve will allow factory programming for 256 different frequencies, in memory. Just change the jumpers for the pre-programmed LO freq you need for your satellite application. The objective of this inquiry is to determine what those 256 programmed frequencies should be. The DEMI transverter uses 2 pcbs, the MICROLO pcb and the transverter pcb. The transverter pcb multiplies the LO from the MICROLO pcb then mixes it. The transverter pcb LO multiplier on the 2,304 band is X2, for 3,456 MHz band is X3, for 5,760 MHz band is X5, for 10,368 MHz band is X9 Examples: (low beat mixer scheme) 2,401.0 MHz RF, RX only, block down converter with a 145.0 MHz IF output, low beat, 2,401.0 - 145.0 = 2,256.0 MHz, divided by 2 = 1128.0 MHz 2,400.0 - 432.0 = 1,968 MHz, divided by 2 = 984.0 MHz 2400.0 - 50.0 = 2,350.0 MHz, divided by 2 = 1,175.0 MHz 2439.0 - 144 = 2,239.0 MHz, divided by 2 = 1,147.5 MHz 3,400.0 MHz RF downlink with a 144 MHz IF: 3400.0 - 144.0 = 3256.0 MHz, divided by 3 = 10.85.333 MHz 3,400.0 - 432.0 = 2,968.0 MHz, divided by 3 = 989.333 MHz 5,668.0 MHx RF uplink with a 144 MHz IF: 5668 - 144 = 5,524 MHz 10,451.0 MHz RF downlink with a 144 MHz IF, LO = 10,451.0 - 144.0 = 10,307.0 MHz, divided by 9 = 1145.222 MHz for a 432 MHz IF, 10,451.0 - 432.0 = 10,019.0 MHz, divided by 9 = 1,113.222 MHz 10,386.0 MHz RF for terrestrial ops, 145.0 MHz IF, 10,368 - 145 = 10,223 MHz, divide by 9 = 1,135.888 MHz 10,368.0 MHz RF with 144.0 MHz IF, 10,368 - 144 = 10,224 MHz, divided by 9 = 1,136.0 MHz Look to: http://www.n5ac.com/blog/?page_id=19 for the N5AC products Look to: http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/A32.htm for more details on the synthesized LO pcb I will summarized your RF/IF combinations. (Hopefully there are not too many typos here) Stan, W1LE FN41sr Cape Cod

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Re: PCSAT restoration maybe
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

WB4APR sez: > We restored PCSAT on the first orbit this morning at 1315z, but > it did not hold. On the next pass at 1500z, the one-good shot > at a restoration was consumed by someone still digipeating via > W3ADO-1 and his packet took all the power, and our logon was > unsuccessful. Looks like maybe a couple of 'unattended' beacons . . . Maybe someone has an email address or phone number for these guys .??. They obviously have not gotten the word. (raw packets via http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/pcsat.cgi?absolute=1 ) 20081209163914 : KB0VBZ]SYSWUS,W3ADO-1*,qAS,KC0WIF-1:`r[Rl `/]=SYSWUS 20081209163710 : KB0VBZ]SYSWUS,W3ADO-1*,qAR,WM5Z-1:`r[Rl `/]=SYSWUS 20081209163435 : KB0VBZ]SYSWUS,W3ADO-1*,qAS,W7XZ-6:`r[Rl `/]=SYSWUS 20081209163424 : W3ADO-1]BEACON,SGATE,qAS,W7XZ-6:T#002,138,136,136,137,214,11111111,0001,1 20081209163023 : W3ADO-1]BEACON,SGATE,qAS,W7XZ-6:T#001,030,089,055,028,214,11111111,0000,1 20081209145842 : W3ADO]APRS,W3ADO-1*,qAR,KI4HDU-2:Ping...# 1 20081209145645 : VE3FFR]APRS,W3ADO-1*,SGATE,WIDE,qAR,KI4HDU-2:=4416.01N/07629.01W- (UIV32N) 20081209145532 : KB0VBZ]SYSWUS,W3ADO-1*,qAR,NK8X-3:`r[Rl `/]=SYSWUS 20081209145437 : KB0VBZ]SYSWUS,W3ADO-1*,qAR,K9DRX:`r[Rl `/]=SYSWUS 20081209145131 : KB0VBZ]SYSWUS,W3ADO-1*,qAR,XE1KK-1:`r[Rl `/]=SYSWUS 20081209132317 : NODIGI]BEACON,SGATE,qAo,VE2DMA:T#020,159,160,061,209,214,00110111,0111,1 20081209132121 : PCSAT-11]BEACON,SGATE,qAR,KC2APG-1:T#005,136,054,056,063,215,00110111,0000,1 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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AO-51
by Michael Heim 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

For the last week or 2 there seems to be a constant carrier on AO-51. I'm hearing people getting into the bird, but I cannot, even when running 50 watts into my little 3 element yagi. Is someone trying to jam this thing ? Only notice it on AO-51. Mike, kd0ar Amsat 36924

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RE : seed II
by nader omer 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

HI Ed - KC9GWK I used Hamscope to decode CW ,HRD for Doppler correction with homebrew CI-V Then I decode the received TLM text by DK3WN's seed II decoder software http://www.dk3wn.info/sat/afu/sat_seeds.shtml You need to type the received TLM at input line to get the sat status. Take a look at my experiment at http://www.st2nh.com/satellites I hope this will help 73 -Nader - st2nh

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Re: ISS 9600 succeeded in digipeat
by Mineo Wakita 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

We confirmed ISS 9600 digipeat over Japan. The frequency is 145.800MHz, not 145.825MHz ------------------------------------ ISS 145.800MHz simplex 9600bps G3RUH UNPROTO VIA RS0ISS-5 ------------------------------------ JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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San Diego plane crash was near us
by Phil Karn Jr KA9Q 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

That F/A-18 that went down in San Diego yesterday crashed about 870 m due west of us (Miramar is to the east). We're fine. I took some pictures of the area and put them on my website at http://www.ka9q.net/San_Diego_Fighter_Crash These are just of the surrounding neighborhood, not the site itself. But they give a sense of scale to this thing. I've never seen so many firemen, policemen and pieces of emergency equipment in one place before. 73, Phil

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PCSAT restoration maybe
by Robert Bruninga 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

PCSAT web page: http://www.aprs.org/pcsat.html We restored PCSAT on the first orbit this morning at 1315z, but it did not hold. On the next pass at 1500z, the one-good shot at a restoration was consumed by someone still digipeating via W3ADO-1 and his packet took all the power, and our logon was unsuccessful. We have one more command pass chance for today at 1640z. Please we ask all users to not use the W3ADO-1 digi callsign until we get in and get a positive power balance. We only get ONE chance per orbit, and it must be a morning orbit, if that one packet is unssuccessful, the big logon response from PCSAT if it is not successful on the very first packet, then there is not enough energy left for retries. It dies and we do not get to try again until the next orbit. Thanks Bob, WB4APR

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Newbie question about mounting Lindy's above HF Hex Beam
by Gordon Bousman 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

I'm beginning the construction of the 2 Meter and 70 cm EZ-Lindy antennas to get myself launched into working satellites. I'd like to mount them 3' to 5' above my HF Hex-beam in order to get them as high as possible (other mounting options such as a tripod & short mast on top of my garage do not get the Lindy's as high). I will mount the ICom 2 Meter & 70 cm pre-amps on the Lindy's as well. Does anyone see that exposing the pre-amps (or my new 910H) with as much 300-400 watts of near-field HF would be detrimental? Normally I would not operate HF and SAT at the same time however the 910H might be turned on and in receive mode during HF transmissions. Any thoughts about the wisdom (or not) of this proposed Lindy mounting? Thanks, Gordon, NW7D

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SEEDS II
by Ed Tump 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

Folks, I was able to receive and record some telemetry audio from SEEDS II (CO-66). I have the software now that will decode the "written" data but do not know how to process the audio. Has anyone done this before? Thank you, Ed KC9GWK

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Re: 9600 baud packet tests (ISS and PCSAT)
by ryan woods 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

hey bob its ok we all make mistakes i would love to try the uhf 9600 via pcsat. i have always wanted to try that from the time i have tried pcsat. it will be fun. 73 kd8atf Fort Ashby wv FM09om

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D-STAR repeater problems in Copenhagen
by OZ1MY 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

Hi all, During December and during the last large activity on the ISS, some of us here in Copenhagen have had problems with a D-STAR repeater on 145.7875 MHz. Do any of you have a measurement of the spectrum of the D-STAR transmissions ? The theoretic spectrum should be more than 60 dB down on 145.800 MHz,but that does not seem to be the case. Including doppler the downlink from ISS is 145.796 MHz, when it is going away from us to the East, which is the direction of the repeater :-( Personally I am just 6 km away from the repeater with no obstructions on the pass from it. To avoid flames - no I have nothing against D-STAR :-) 73 OZ1MY Ib

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ISS 9600 Success @ 10.52 UK Pass
by David Barber 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

I managed to get digipeated via the 9600 system during the 10.52utc UK pass. System is operating on 145.800MHz not .825 as publicised. Regards David G8OQW

2 1

AO-7 Mode A Antenna?
by Sebastian 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

I have a Yaesu FT-847 which is dedicated for satellite work, so I don't have any HF antennas connected to it. I'd like to know from those on the group who are (were) using AO-7 Mode A (10 meter receive), what type of antenna you are using? I really don't want to get a directional antenna for several reasons. Also, is it possible to receive Mode A without the use of an external preamp? 73 de W4AS Sebastian

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RECHERCHE TRANSISTOR...
by Tim Goodrich 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

Je pense que vous trouvez des informations ici. http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?t=178270 Tim KC2DDS -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 4:31 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 639 Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org You can reach the person managing the list at amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..."

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Re: D-STAR repeater problems in Copenhagen
by G0MRF＠aol.com 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

Hello Ib. Interesting allocation for D-Star. -60dB at 145.800 may sound suitable, but in practice what matters is how many dB down it is at 145.800 minus one half of the bandwidth of your IF filter. Ball park......... So -4kHz of doppler and -7.5kHz for a narrow FM filter gives your receivers bandpass down to 145.7885 MHz just 10k above the D-Star Which means the two are probably going to overlap. 73 David In a message dated 07/12/2008 20:34:56 GMT Standard Time, oz1my(a)privat.dk writes: The theoretic spectrum should be more than 60 dB down on 145.800 MHz,but that does not seem to be the case. Including doppler the downlink from ISS is 145.796 MHz, when it is going away from us to the East, which is the direction of the repeater :-( Personally I am just 6 km away from the repeater with no obstructions on the pass from it.

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Re: LOTW Satellite name for ISS ?
by Karl Sandstrom 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

The ISS is not a satellite. Satellite is an unmanned object the receives and retransmits but the ISS is manned. When you make a contact with them, your signal is not retransmitted. It terminates at the station. Seems like the crossband repeater would be an exception but I can find no evidence that it is. Karl R. Sandstrom, K5MAN Greenwell Springs, Louisiana

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Jamaica - FK18 and FK08 possibly on sat this coming weekend
by Bill Dzurilla 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

Listen for me from FK18 and (less likely) FK08 on 12/12-14 Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning. No promises, but I'll be there on business and will try to work a few AO-51 and SO-50 passes with an HT and Arrow antenna. 73, Bill NZ5N

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 638
by Tim Goodrich 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

Speaking of recording the passes on a digital recorder (MP3), can anyone recommend an inexpensive mp3 recorder that will allow you to record direct from an HT's audio output line? Thanks, Tim KC2DDS -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 4:13 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 638 Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org You can reach the person managing the list at amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..."

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ISS 9600 pass @ 12.27utc
by David Barber 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

First station seen via ISS 9600 packet. (Still on 145.800MHz) EB1GKS Regards David G8OQW

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Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50??
by Guy Brauning 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

Thanks for reading this. I am considering buying an HT for AO-51 and SO-50 as well as AO-27 (hopefully!). I have been using a Yaesu FT-817 and either an Arrow or Elk antenna and this has worked very well; however, an HT would be easier to carry around. I am looking for recommendations / warnings / etc. specific to the Kenwood TH-F6A. I would like some advice from those who have used the radio for satellite work before I shell out $320.00. I seriously considered a used IC-W32A on e-bay but it went for over $150.00 and I couldn't see paying that much for something that may or may not work properly. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Guy N3SCR Finksburg, MD

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Re: Your posting on AMSAT
by Dave Guimont 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

>I saw your posting on AMSAT-BB about building a quadfilar. I have >those files and have been experimenting with various omnis for SAT >work. So far diploes, verticals, turnstiles, and a moxon. The >quadfilar was next on my list. I even scored some copper clad coax >for the task. For 70 cm it seems pretty tough to do the bending and >get it right. May I ask how you did that (a tubing bender, pliers, >other) and if you heated the copper wire first like they suggest. Anneal the copper tubing for the three copper tubing filars, and it is very easy to shape, simply mark the dimensions on the tubing, and bend away...the length is much more important than the diameter of the bends. And make good solder joints...heat proof dialectric on the coax one,. of course....teflon, and there are some others... Pulling for P3E...

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Re: ISS 9600 succeeded in digipeat
by Mineo Wakita 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

> Just only setup 9600 bps , I still cannot monitoring ISS > in 9600bps use TASCO Modem EJ-50U. > it is a QRV power now ? QRV power is over 50W monitoring TASCO TNC-241 + TMB-965. It is only this one packet that I have digipeated then. > I succeeded in digipeat via ISS 145.825MHz simplex 9600bps G3RUH, > at 07:43:10 UTC (16:43:10 JST) 7Dec2008. > I noticed that there is no [*] via ARISS. > > JE9PEL>CQ,ARISS [12/07/08 16:43:10] <UI R>:Hello JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Re: AO-7 Mode A Antenna?
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

Hello Sebastian- Back in the days of the RS satellites I used a horizontal one wave length loop. I even hung a reflector 6 feet underneath it and I had a two element quad looking up. I tried dipoles, random wires. Currently I use my HF four element quad, BUT it receives better off the back at 29.45Mhz. The antenna is designed for about 28.4 and at 29.45 the reflector acts like a director. This same thing might be true with yagi type HF beams. A quarter wave ground plane would work good a low elevations. Good luck with your efforts, I'll look for you on AO-7. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: Sebastian <w4as(a)bellsouth.net> > I have a Yaesu FT-847 which is dedicated for satellite work, so I > don't have any HF antennas connected to it. > > I'd like to know from those on the group who are (were) using AO-7 > Mode A (10 meter receive), what type of antenna you are using? > > I really don't want to get a directional antenna for several reasons. > Also, is it possible to receive Mode A without the use of an external > preamp? > > 73 de W4AS > Sebastian > > _______________________________________________ > 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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WD9EWK at Mesa AZ hamfest (6 December 2008) - report
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Hi! The 2008 Superstition Amateur Radio Club hamfest, held yesterday at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, was a successful event. There was no rain, unlike last year, so the attendance was much larger. Many walking around, and many sellers. AMSAT had a table at the hamfest, and was a very good day. As in the past couple of years, I manned the AMSAT table with the help of Gerry Baker VE4GTB/KD7MDB. Although the hamfest did not start until 1300 UTC (6am local time), I had the AMSAT table ready and was able to start working passes starting with AO-51 around 1245 UTC. WD9EWK was heard on 7 different passes throughout the hamfest - 3 AO-51 passes, 2 passes on the ISS cross-band repeater, an SO-50 pass, and a VO-52 pass. As the morning progressed, the crowds for the demonstrations grew. The largest crowd I had was for my last demonstration, a pass with the ISS and its cross-band repeater, at 1910 UTC. WD9EWK logged contacts with stations across the USA, plus contacts with stations in 3 other countries (Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela!). Once again, I was able to include VO-52 along with the FM satellites (and the ISS) I used for demonstrations, to show the crowds something other than FM satellite operation. Thanks to all who called me, and I apologize if I did not have a chance to add your call to the WD9EWK log at the hamfest. I don't bother to keep track of how many people we talk to during a hamfest. The number would approximately be "a lot". Whether the questions related to my demonstrations or were general questions about satellite operation, many hams are curious about this corner of our hobby. Gerry is a great help, talking with people and answering questions while I am doing the demonstrations. Thanks to Gerry for his help at another hamfest. He allegedly retired from doing this, but he is always willing to help out. And thanks to Judy K7JLF and the Superstition Amateur Radio Club for allowing us to set up an AMSAT table once again at their hamfest. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50??
by Mike Ryan 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

have both the FT-817 and the THF6. I admit I use the F6 more often outside in the yard chasing FM because its smaller/lighter but I'd never exclude my FT-817 from sat operations. Here are my reasons: - If you ever consider SSB birds like vo52 and fo29, or even use ao16 that RX in DSB, the F6 cant transmit SSB and the SSB RX is very, very painful to fine tune for clear copy. - The 817 has more convenient cross band operation. With the F6 you have to flip between vfos/memories by hand during the pass. When its time to change for doppler, you have to flip VFOs, then flip back. Cant count how many times I forgot to do this and just Xmit on the downlink (duh). The speaker/mic makes this much easier because it has 3 soft buttons on top. Normally you set one for toggling between vfos, and the other two for channel up/down. Also lets you clip the HT to your tripod/shirt for convenience - 817 can do computer control (I've seen portable use via laptop and it works) - F6 not full duplex (nor is the ft-817) I do love my F6 though and if you can afford it, keep both. The nice-and-small F6 goes with me every time I take a business trip (especially post 9-11) because it can RX most anything including air traffic control, public service police/fire (except digital), AM/FM broadcast, and even TV audio (for now). The 817, on the other hand, is an awesome ham "all-mode/all-bander", rather like a QRP FT-857. I'm currently using two 817s when its too cold outside for full duplex SAT. BTW, good choices on the Arrow and Elk. I have both and love 'em. The Arrow is a total workhorse for portable ops. As an experiment, the Elk is temporarily sitting in the back yard on a sawhorse with a cheap rotor at fixed 20% elevation. With an outboard duplexor (comet cf-416) I can run two radios inside the house full duplex on it. A little cross talk going VU, but works great on UV (i.e. VO52). ----- Original Message ----- From: "Guy Brauning" <guyjeanbraun(a)comcast.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 12:06 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50?? > Thanks for reading this. I am considering buying an HT for AO-51 and > SO-50 > as well as AO-27 (hopefully!). I have been using a Yaesu FT-817 and > either > an Arrow or Elk antenna and this has worked very well; however, an HT > would > be easier to carry around. I am looking for recommendations / warnings / > etc. specific to the Kenwood TH-F6A. I would like some advice from those > who have used the radio for satellite work before I shell out $320.00. I > seriously considered a used IC-W32A on e-bay but it went for over $150.00 > and I couldn't see paying that much for something that may or may not work > properly. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Guy > > N3SCR > > Finksburg, MD > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:43:38 +0000 From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF <nigel(a)ngunn.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Question re rx/tx relays and diplexer To: Curt Nixon <cptcurt(a)flash.net> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <493C195A.9010004(a)ngunn.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

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ISS/MKS sending SSTV
by andy thomas 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Two pictures sent from ISS in last orbit, camera is evidently in the same location as it was for Monday's "Shadow" (plasma group) experiment. 73 de andy G0SFJ

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WiSP Load Keps
by Ron Miles 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

First time user of WiSP32. I've set AO-51 as my satellite of choice. However, a message pops up "GSC cannot find satellite AO-51 in Keplerian database". My question is how do I load my Celestrak file into the WiSP Keps database. Right now there's an empty folder for AO-51 in the Database. TIA 73, Ron AMSAT #23760

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AMSAT-BB Digest AO-51 & SO-50 Yaesu VX-7R
by ki6rrq 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

I am currently using a Yaesu VX-7R (not the best for satellites, also using it because that's what I had)for the ISS and the FM birds. I don't know if this will help anyone but I found using the memory tune feature is very helpful for working the Doppler, I don't know if your TH-F6A or many other HT's have it but I think it saves me a little time and hassle, when the receive frequency is on 2 meters, anyway. I know the FT-60's have it too. For AO-51, I save a memory channel with the 2 meter receive freq and then add the odd split or odd band split to the TX part of that memory and the pl where appropriate ... Then when I use it out in the field on my Arrow II, I bring up the memory and then select the memory tuning mode, which I guess is similar to the VFO mode but keeps the TX side in place and allows me to tune the RX frequency up and down to adjust for the Doppler and all I have to do is push the PTT when I make my call and the 2 meter TX frequency is automatically used. I don't even have to hold the radio, just get my fingers to the dial tuning knob, a few times during the pass. (tripod mounted radio, per my qrz.com) I haven't found its worth worrying about the Doppler on the 2 meter side, since the radio only does 5k at a time. After trying numerous methods, I found this to be easiest, with everything else you have to deal with on a mobile sat. operation; writing calls down, keeping the antenna on the bird, testing for polarity alignment, dealing with the dark, oh yea what was that guys call again... Its like an Apollo 13 rescue mission to get it all done... except its always a fun ride... LOL, I needed to simplify everything. Best Rich KI6RRQ ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 13:42:01 -0500 From: "Jim Leder" <k8cxm(a)fuse.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50?? To: "Amsat" <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org>, "Guy Brauning" <guyjeanbraun(a)comcast.net> Message-ID: <547D1F8574B04DDC801A1FD71EB224FE@Toshibalaptop> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original I have used my Kenwood TH-F6A along with an Arrow antenna, and IMHO it works just fine. You do need to get it programmed right and you need to get used to switching between VFOs as you track the satellite and the Doppler effect on frequency. It is NOT a full duplex radio like the W32A, and you will not be able to hear yourself, but I have never felt that's been a problem.. I programmed mine to transmit on one VFO (uplink) and be able to receive on several different frequencies (downlink) on the other VFO. On the transmit VFO, the squelch is closed all the way, while on the receive VFO, it's open all the way. So, VFO A is set for uplink of 145.920 on memory channel 150 and on memory channels 152-153 I have them programmed for 435.290 and 435.295 (downlink which is in VFO B). 154 is center frequency of 435.300 and of course 155 and 156 are set to 435.305 and 435.310. By switching between VFOs I can change downlink channels/frequencies to fit the Doppler shift. A little cumbersome, but that little radio works very well. You can follow a similar scheme on the QRP channel of AO51 (mine is 160-166) and SO50 (mine is 170-176-get the picture). I have made several contacts with it on the QRP channels but have had no luck on SO50, which is a lot more difficult satellite to hear. I'm using it because it's what I had, and I'm happy to say with a little use and practice you quickly get the hang of it. Of course, either the W32A or the Kenwood TH-D7A do FULL duplex, but both are no longer in production. Hearing yourself is nice, but not necessary. Jim Bob Buckeye AKA **** Jim Leder**** K8CXM since 1961 IBM retiree since 1999

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Cross Band Repeater Active
by David Barber 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Just in case you missed Curt's posting. Cross Band Repeater is active. Good luck.

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RECHERCHE TRANSISTOR...
by F2lq＠aol.com 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Bjr , Je recherche un MRF286... 73's Guy F2LQ IN98eb

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Question re rx/tx relays and diplexer
by RFI-EMI-GUY 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

All the ones I have seen do not short the unused port. -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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ARISS downlink frequencies
by Ronald G. Parsons 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

ARISS currently has four modes, Packet Radio (1200 and 9600), Voice, Cross-band repeater, and SSTV. All modes use 145.800 MHz as the downlink frequency except Packet which uses 145.825. These last and next few weeks have (and will be) very exciting as all these modes are being used. I currently keep several programs running just in case a mode change occurs. I am using Ham Radio Deluxe for SSTV, AGWTracker for Packet, and SatPC32 and SatPC32ISS for frequency control for all modes with my Icom IC-910H. Why couldn't Packet operate on 145.800 simplex instead of 145.825? Then one could just listen to 145.800 and tell which mode is being used. Currently I must switch between 800 and 825 if no mode is apparent. Ron W5RKN

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BBsat Call for ideas
by JoAnne Maenpaa 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Ok folks, Its time for some fun ... how about we design and fly our own transponder via the amsat-bb? I propose BBSat (sounds better than AdHocSat). This is a call for ideas of a single board transponder in cubesat form factor ... what can we put on a 10cm ^2 circuit board? FM, SDR, packet? Initially there are only two rules ... 1) No griping 2) This is going to be an open source project Let us know what you think right here on the -bb ... -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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Re: Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50??
by Jim Leder 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Guy, I have an FT-857D in my car and an old Kenwood TM-G707A in the shack. While neither will do full duplex either, both do a nice job on cross band. The TH-F6A won't do cross band, but it still works just fine as I described the method I use. Good luck 73 ... Jim Bob Buckeye AKA **** Jim Leder**** K8CXM since 1961 IBM retiree since 1999 There are 10 types of people in this world -- those who understand binary and those who don't. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Guy Brauning" <guyjeanbraun(a)comcast.net> To: "'Jim Leder'" <k8cxm(a)fuse.net> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 2:16 PM Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50?? > Jim, > Thanks very much for the detailed information about the TH-F6A. It > sounds > like, based on your experience, it will work very well for my intended > use. > I have programmed my FT-817 in a very similar manner to that which you > described for the TH-F6A except that the 817 allows for split band memory > storage so you don't have to manually switch VFOs while switching from TX > to > RX to compensate for Doppler, you just step through the preprogrammed > memories which are set up for Doppler on both TX and RX frequencies. I > think I could get used to working the TH-F6A the way you have described. > (SO-50 is a lot tougher to work than AO-51.)Thanks a million! > > CUL, > Guy > > -----Original Message----- > From: Jim Leder [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 1:42 PM > To: Amsat; Guy Brauning > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50?? > > I have used my Kenwood TH-F6A along with an Arrow antenna, and IMHO it > works > > just fine. You do need to get it programmed right and you need to get used > to switching between VFOs as you track the satellite and the Doppler > effect > on frequency. It is NOT a full duplex radio like the W32A, and you will > not > be able to hear yourself, but I have never felt that's been a problem.. I > programmed mine to transmit on one VFO (uplink) and be able to receive on > several different frequencies (downlink) on the other VFO. On the transmit > VFO, the squelch is closed all the way, while on the receive VFO, it's > open > all the way. So, VFO A is set for uplink of 145.920 on memory channel 150 > and on memory channels 152-153 I have them programmed for 435.290 and > 435.295 (downlink which is in VFO B). 154 is center frequency of 435.300 > and > > of course 155 and 156 are set to 435.305 and 435.310. By switching between > VFOs I can change downlink channels/frequencies to fit the Doppler shift. > A > little cumbersome, but that little radio works very well. You can follow a > similar scheme on the QRP channel of AO51 (mine is 160-166) and SO50 (mine > is 170-176-get the picture). I have made several contacts with it on the > QRP > > channels but have had no luck on SO50, which is a lot more difficult > satellite to hear. > I'm using it because it's what I had, and I'm happy to say with a little > use and practice you quickly get the hang of it. > Of course, either the W32A or the Kenwood TH-D7A do FULL duplex, but both > are no longer in production. Hearing yourself is nice, but not necessary. > > Jim Bob Buckeye > AKA > **** Jim Leder**** > K8CXM since 1961 > IBM retiree since 1999 > > There are 10 types of people in this world -- those who understand binary > and those who don't. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Guy Brauning" <guyjeanbraun(a)comcast.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 12:06 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50?? > > >> Thanks for reading this. I am considering buying an HT for AO-51 and >> SO-50 >> as well as AO-27 (hopefully!). I have been using a Yaesu FT-817 and >> either >> an Arrow or Elk antenna and this has worked very well; however, an HT >> would >> be easier to carry around. I am looking for recommendations / warnings / >> etc. specific to the Kenwood TH-F6A. I would like some advice from those >> who have used the radio for satellite work before I shell out $320.00. I >> seriously considered a used IC-W32A on e-bay but it went for over $150.00 >> and I couldn't see paying that much for something that may or may not >> work >> properly. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> >> >> >> Guy >> >> N3SCR >> >> Finksburg, MD >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.15/1834 - Release Date: 12/6/2008 > 4:55 PM >

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Re: Kenwood TH-F6a
by Clint Bradford 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Do you need 220 capability? The TH-F6a is a great HT...but if you do not need 220, you can spend a lot less for a FM-bird-capable HT. I use the Yaesu FT-60R in my demos and presentations. Not because it's the "ultimate," but to show folks that they don't have to spend an awful lot to get into ham satellites. The FT-60 has a rather unique battery situation, too, compared to several other HTs: Add its optional AA alkaline case and populate it with either NiMH cells or alkalines, and you have the capability of working at FULL TX POWER. Add the optional AA case to the TH-F6a, and you're working at one-half of one Watt (alkalines only - no NiMH). And the rest of the features: 1,000 memories, 108-to-a-gig RX, bulletproof case design, strongest belt clip of ANY amateur HT chassis on the market... If you decide upon the TH-F6a, stick withthe stock antenna for local work. Although physically ugly, Kenwood put a lot of research time into that antenna, and it is quite a capable performer. Of course, a Smiley 270A ($16) or a Diamond SRH-320A ($50) will perform better - but work with the stock antenna for your local repeaters first before you shell out bucks for after-market antennas. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666 -------------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666 - cell

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PCSAT-1 Operations Guidelines
by Robert Bruninga 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

We are attempting to restore PCSAT-1 to full operation. Until we are successful, we need to ask all users to stop using the W3ADO-1 callsign. You may prepare for full operation with the PCSAT-1, ARISS and WIDEn-N digipeating aliases, and as soon as PCSAT is capable of supporting a user load, then your packets will get through. Today, we attempted to logon to do some preparation work, but the satellite was being beat-to-death literally by users. Of the many dozens and dozens of packets, W3ADO-1 could not successfully complete even a single packet without failure. It cannot support this kind of load until we get the batteires charged up, and we cannot restore PCSAT if we cannot get in a few good packets. So we request users to stop using W3ADO-1 until we activate the proper PCSAT-1 callsigns and digipeater. Oh, also, due to problems with outside access to the original PCSAT web page, we have moved it off-site to: www.aprs.org/pcsat.html But notice that all links are broken on this new site until we have time to re-direct them. In the mean time, though, that is where we will put CURRENT information. Thanks Bob, Wb4APR

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Re: Re Choppy ISS signals
by G0MRF＠aol.com 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Hi. If you look at the received signal strength on the downlink, the crew are saving the radios from overheating by having the squelch turned up. i.e. the radios get a big rest over the oceans. Unless you put in a fairly large signal then the squelch drops out and part of the transmission is lost. Result: It sounds 'choppy' David G0MRF In a message dated 06/12/2008 21:53:38 GMT Standard Time, n3tl(a)bellsouth.net writes: I believe it has to do with the relative position of the antenna(s) on the ISS and all the "stuff" connected to the station that run in different directions. I can see how the antennas might be blocked from out "line of sight" as this module or that solar array "gets in the way" on a given pass. Any other thoughts about it out there?

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ISS 9600 succeeded in digipeat
by Mineo Wakita 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

I succeeded in digipeat via ISS 145.825MHz simplex 9600bps G3RUH, at 07:43:10 UTC (16:43:10 JST) 7Dec2008. I noticed that there is no [*] via ARISS. JE9PEL>CQ,ARISS [12/07/08 16:43:10] <UI R>:Hello

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K5OE antenna projects
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

For those unable to locate the original K5OE web pages (thanks AOL)... I found this site today, apparently a sanctioned mirror. http://www.observations.biz/K5OE/ I have built and currently use both the 2m and the 70cm version of the Texas Eggbeater II. These are great omni antennae, suitable for use from the attic. They exhibit horizontal polarization on the horizon and become circular as elevation increases. Makes them useful for the VHF contests as well. Also easy to take and setup at Field Day. Even without a preamp, these are good enough for most LEO satellites. Thanks Jerry, I really like these ... /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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Amsat-BB Elliptical Orbit Satellites & the ISS
by ki6rrq 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

I'm a fairly new ham and been working AO-51 and the ISS, so far. Can anyone tell me which (if any) satellites, that we can work, have elliptical orbits that would give us prolonged passes for longer talk times? Lastly, I can hear lots of traffic on the ISS cross band but my 5 watt HT cant seem to compete. I have not been able to get a QSO on the ISS, in a dozen attempts. (Arrow antenna, got a bunch of SSTV pics from Richard Garriott but no voice) So I hope someone can respond to my call on the pass that begins about 2:01 UTC over Southern California, father away the better. (DM-13) Thanks! Rich KI6RRQ

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Re: K5OE antenna projects
by Bob Bruninga 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

> I have built and currently use both > the 2m and the 70cm version of > the Texas Eggbeater II.... > Even without a preamp, these are good > enough for most LEO satellites. I am very inerested in performance reports from omni leo antennas, so could you clarify "good enough" for us? Even a 1/4 whip is "good enough" for the middle 2 minutes when any satellite is above 30 deg.. But that is only 20% or less of all access times. And of course anything is good enough horizon-to-horizon for the ISS.. thanks Bob, Wb4APR

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Re: K5OE antenna projects
by Bob Bruninga 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

> Perhaps in the mean time I can come > up with some more meaningful methods > to measure the EggbeaterII performance. > Any suggestions or recommendations welcome. A very simple method for OMNI anennas is to simply monitor what you hear relative to elevation angle. Done. To gauge how well an omni antenna performs on a given satellite, you only need one number... that is, you can say a given satellite is generally "useable above elevation angle X on my antenna Y". That is all one needs to compare for any LEO. If you look at the plot of elevation angles and path-loss, shown on www.aprs.org/rotator1.html, you will see a table that shows how LOSS compares to elevation angle. EL CUM-% RANGE PATH-GAIN --- ----- ----- --------- 10 32 3030 0 20 67 2440 2 30 84 1827 5 40 92 1460 6 50 96 1190 7 60 98 1020 9 This shows that you get almost 9 dB of gain on an omni antenna depending on how close the satellite is, and that is simply proportional to elevation angle. The cumulative percent column shows the total access time BELOW that angle. Notice that signals above 30 degrees are 5 or more dB stronger, but you miss 84% of total access times. Above 45 degrees most LEO's are 6 or more dB stronger and can be heard on just about any antenna, but this only occurs less than 5% of the time. But anyway, it gives a universal single number comparison of omni antenna performance. Now of couse, what does "useable" mean is debatable as well. But most people can agree approximately. Of course there are nulls and fades, but I am not counting that. I am counting "mostly" useable as my criteria. Said another way, you can -never- hear some LEO's below some angle on an omni because there are very few things that can "enhance" a signal, though there are lots that can deminish it. So again, lowest-workable-elevation-angle is a pretty good discriminant for a given OMNI installation. Of course vertical gain-omni's can put more gain on the horizon (typical base-station antennas), but then at the expense of higher angle coverage. And since even a vertical gain omni antenna that is great for base station use might just barely hear some satellites low on the horizon, their nulls and poor performance at higher angles (where the satellite is MUCH stronger) is giving up the best part of the omni link to a spaceccraft, and why no one would use one for satelltie work. So as everyone is getting tired of hearing me say... my preferred antenna is a 19" whip over a ground plane (like the roof of my car) with short coax, that has 5 dBi gain on 2m and almost 7 dBi gain at UHF as a 3/4 wave vertical above 25 degrees or so. This combined with the 6dB of range improvement above 30 degrees for a LEO gives you almost 13 dBi gain performance (like a beam) for a simple omni (but only for the best overhead passes). But hey, it sure is simple, consistent and always works for high passes! An no moving parts, or tracking required, and usually, no doppler. I usually tune 5 KHz high for UHF birds so that I hear them the soonest that they get high-enough (and close enough) to be heard. But just fixed tuning at the center freq also works since you only hear the center few minutes of a pass anyway. Just something to consider. Bob, Wb4APR

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LOTW Satellite name for ISS ?
by Bruce Semple 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

Does one log contacts through the ISS repeater as a SAT contact? If so -- ISS does not appear to be one of the accepted names. tonights 23:49 UTC pass over East Coast -- the downlink was very choppy -- as if someone was keying their microphone on and off randomly but not saying anything -- was anyone else hearing the same?

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Compatible Radios
by RFI-EMI-GUY 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

You might check with Piexx to see if this module will add CI-V capability to your IC-471. http://www.piexx.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=19 -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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ANS-342 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Lee McLamb 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-342 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: * AO-16 Requires Several Restarts * ARISS 25th Commemorative Event to Feature 9K6 Packet This Week * Sumbandilasat to be Launch from Baikonur * ARISS Status - 01 December 2008 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-342.01 AO-16 Requires Several Restarts AMSAT News Service Bulletin 342.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 7, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-342.01 AO-16 Command Station, Mark N8MH reported this week, "As expected, over the last few days AO-16 has started to again experience 'shutdowns'. So far I've restarted the bird three times, and each time it appears to stay up for a day or more. We can expect the situation to worsen, as the eclipse periods get longer and the satellite temperatures continue to go down. We've been warning you, get those AO-16 contacts in now!" Mark says he will try to restart AO-16 as long as possible when his schedule allows him. Satellite operator reports to the OSCAR Satellite Status page by KD5QGR at http://oscar.dcarr.org/ are very helpful. Mark continues, "If the birds is operational in voice mode, you should clearly hear the "not-so-repressed carrier" on the downlink. I have a special request - if you do not hear the carrier, please do not transmit to AO-16, as your transmissions make it difficult to command the satellite. And, if you hear the "hummmming" of the PSK transmitting, again please do not attempt to transmit to the bird; it's likely that I have restarted the bird and need to collect tele- metry before configuring it into voice mode. Thanks to all you faith- ful AO-16 operators!" Current operational mode for AO-16 (as available!): Mode FM Voice Repeater ( Downlink is DSB) Uplink : 145.9200 MHz FM Downlink 437.0260 MHz SSB [ANS thanks Mark, N8MH for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-342.02 ARISS 25th Commemorative Event to Feature 9K6 Packet This Week AMSAT News Service Bulletin 342.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 7, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-342.02 As promised by ARISS, the 25th Anniversary Commemorative radio event started operations from the ISS amateur radio station this week. Early in the week several amateur stations around the world were able to copy the slow-scan television (SSTV) pictures trans- mitted from the ISS. On Friday, December 5 the ARISS crossband FM repeater was enabled with several stations reporting excellent signals. When the crossband repeater is operational its uplink is on 437.800 MHz FM with its downlink on 145.800 MHz FM. Remember to adjust for doppler shift when operating in this mode. For the week of December 7-12 ARISS will run a test of 9600 baud packet operations on the simplex frequency 145.825 MHz. To celebrate our 25 years of amateur radio operations from space, the ARISS team has planned a set of special event opportunities during the month of December and part of January. A special certi- ficate is being developed for those who communicate with the ISS, either 2-way direct (with the ISS crew,the digipeater, or cross band repeater), or 1-way reception of SSTV or voice downlink. Several "surprises" planned over the month-long celebration. The surprises will be announced once ARISS is pre-positioned to accomplish them. ARISS reminds everyone that ISS flight requirements related to EVA and vehicle activity may require the radio to be off for some portion of this schedule. And school contacts and general QSO opportunities by the crew will also preempt this schedule for short periods of time. But remember that if you hear these, you still qualify for a commemor- ative certificate. [ANS thanks Frank, KA3HDO, AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs and ARISS International Chairman for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-342.03 Sumbandilasat to be Launch from Baikonur AMSAT News Service Bulletin 342.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 7, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-342.03 It is official! South Africa's second satellite, SumbandilaSat, will be launched from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome in the December to March time frame. SumbandilaSat has been unpacked and is undergoing testing at SunSpace in Stellenbosch before it will be shipped to Russia for integration with the launch vehicle. Engineers at the launch site are preparing a special adapter ring to accommodate the Sumbandila structure on the rocket. "Sumbandila" means showing or pointing the way. Freely translated into English "Pathfinder" The Amateur Radio Payload will be operating in conjunction with the University of Stellenbosch Software Defined Receiver project as it will share the VHF receiver and UHF transmitter used by the SDR project. SA AMSAT has designed and built a control system to facilitate the following operations: * V/U voice transponder with an uplink in the 2 metre band and a downlink in the 70cm band. * A parrot repeater (voice digipeater) * A voice beacon The control unit will command the various function of the transponder and handle the parrot and beacon messaging. On receipt of a tone from the VUCU VHF receiver, the CTCSS tone will be decoded and depending on the tone received the unit will command the VU transponder operation or the parrot repeater. In the transponder mode the satellite will act like a cross-band FM repeater and allow two way communications with other stations on the ground. If the tone received indicates parrot operation, the interface unit will record 20 seconds of audio on its VHF uplink receiver and replay the recorded audio on the UHF downlink. Should, for a predetermined period, there be no tones received, the controller will initiate a voice beacon, transmitting a pre-recorded message at regular intervals. This facility will offer many opportunities for educational projects. [ANS thanks SA AMSAT for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-342.04 ARISS Status - 01 December 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 342.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 7, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-342.04 1. Upcoming School Contacts An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with Ellis School in Belleville, Illinois on Monday, December 8 at 16:54 UTC. Space studies have been integrated into the school curriculum. Students have created solar system models, written reports and given presentations to their classes. They have designed rockets and given talks to the class about where the rockets will go and what they will do in space. They have planned space colonies and determined how the astronauts will travel, how they will obtain food and where they will live. They have also sampled space food. Students have learned about Expedition 18, the Space Shuttle, the international partners and the ISS and amateur radio. The class is currently growing seeds that were flown in space. An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled for Stephen F. Austin Elementary School in Richmond, Texas on Tuesday, December 9 at 15:43 UTC. Students have studied space and the identifying characteristics of objects in our solar system including the sun, planets, and moon. Each year the 5th grade students participate in a simulated space shuttle mission, performing tasks that would happen on a regular shuttle flight. Each grade level is involved in some manner with the various missions that occur throughout the day. The school has integrated the ARISS contact as part of this activity. The Istituto Comprensivo "Marco Polo," in Grado, Italy has been scheduled for an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Wednesday, December 10 at 10:08 UTC. An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with 2 Circolo Didattico San Giuseppe in Mola di Bari, Bari, Italy on Friday, December 12 at 14:14 UTC. Lesson plans have been developed for students that cover amateur radio and space missions. Newspapers, radio and television, both local and regional, will report on the event. 2. New Zealand Homeschoolers Experience ARISS Contact Wairarapa Home School Association students from Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Wednesday, November 26 via telebridge stations VK5ZAI and VK4KHZ, both in Australia. Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, answered all 15 questions asked. The audio was available on EchoLink and Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP). This was the second ARISS contact performed with New Zealand students. 3. Video of ARISS - International Education Week Contact Students from Poolesville, Maryland, Raleigh, North Carolina and Quito, Ecuador experienced a joint Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Friday, November 14 as part of International Education Week (IEW). A video of the participating students from North Carolina and Ecuador has been posted to YouTube. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d3D66DbBEo 4. CQ VHF Article on ARISS Meetings Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) member Keith Pugh, W5IU, wrote an article for the Fall 2008 issue of CQ VHF which covered the ARISS meetings held in Moscow during July 2008. An excerpt from the article may be viewed here: http://www.cq-vhf.com/Fall08Sat.html 5. ARISS Commemorative Event Twenty-five years ago, Owen Garriott, W5LFL, became the first amateur radio operator to talk to hams from space on the STS-9 Space Shuttle Columbia mission which was launched on November 28 and landed on December 8, 1983. To celebrate this event, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) commemorative event will be held during the month of December through early January. A special certificate is being developed for those who communicate with the ISS, either 2-way direct (with the ISS crew, the digipeater, or cross band repeater), or 1-way reception of SSTV or voice downlink. For more details, see: http://www.ariss-eu.org/2008_11_30.htm [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Lee McLamb, KU4OS ku4os at amsat dot org

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Re: Nothing heard from NO-44 (PCSat-1) Dec 6 23:27 UTC pass
by Bob Bruninga 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

> I heard absolutely no packets from NO-44... Day or night? PCSAT is always dead in the dark. BUT will return to full service in about 3 days when it returns to full sun. And it should be a fun time, if ISS is also doing APRS packets at the same time on the same freq while both support the same ARISS digi callsign. That will be 12 passes per day per location for making contacts on 145.825! If you are an old packet-pounder, get out that old TNC and make some contacts. (NOT CONNECTIONS) Communicate in UI CONVERSE mode only. People with APRS radios (D7, D700, D710 and the new VX-8R) are ready to go. I request that users do NOT use PCSAT over the next few weeks via its default W3ADO-1 callsign because that means it is not fully restored. When it is ready for user load, the callsign will be changed to PCSAT-1 and the usual generic APRS digipeating callsigns will be activated: PCSAT-1, ARISS, WIDEn-N Since it can support additinoal ones, the future callsigns of APRSAT and SATn-N will also be supported, but until there are more APRSat's or SATn-N digipeaters in space, its a moot point. If you ever see the callsign NODIGI, this means we have turned off the digi completely while allowing for the batteries to get fully charged. All it takes is one full orbit in the sun to be restorable, and then a few orbits before we will turn it over to users. Going green. PCSAT-1 is 100% solar powerd! Bob, Wb4APR

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Nothing heard from NO-44 (PCSat-1) Dec 6 23:27 UTC pass
by DeYoung James 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

Greetings, I heard absolutely no packets from NO-44, somewhat unexpectedly, as I heard lots of packets on November 29th. N8OQ, Jim

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AMSATNET url
by Bruce 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

sorry i did not post the url in my original message. had i been at home, it would have been in the signature. the new dns entry is active through my comcast and att providers. http://www.amsatnet.com 73...bruce Sent from my iPhone

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ICOM 910 owners
by Dave Guimont 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

I found my manual for the 910, but I am still having problems accessing Compass-1, and I think the problem is in my 910 settings... I'm using MixW, think I have the settings there in good order, but would sure appreciate a 910 owner sending me their phone number... Messaging is ok, but the slight stroke I had a while back makes the keyboard a little clumsy for me... 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Houston AMSATNET is changing DNS
by Bruce 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

This afternoon before leaving for work I changed the DNS entry for my web page. It should take between 24-48 hours for all servers worlwide to update the entry. Hopefully I have moved everything properly. If you experience a hiccup on the new site with any broken links, drop my a quick email so I can repair it. 73...bruce Sent from my iPhone

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iss cross band report
by Robert Coppock 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

HI ,,,, ,, iss just went by 54 deg west of california. heard only ve4wsc, but did not get a reply. thank you to all for the work in making all this happen. 437.800 -/+ doppler uplink 145.800 downlink 73 and happy holydays, Robert k-f-0-g cm97

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Re: cross-satellite opportunity
by Tom Williams 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

Would you have to go up on 435.23 to get the vo-52 145.92 downlink? Tom Williams 703 402 0869 On Dec 6, 2008, at 10:25, "Alan Sieg WB5RMG" <wb5rmg(a)somenet.net> wrote: I may be reading things wrong, but it appears that this next pass for VO-52 and FO-29 might offer cross-satellite contact... Check me. VO-52 uplink 435.270 -> downlink 145.920 AO-29 uplink 145.920 -> downlink 435.820 I might be a fool . I haven't studied this but a few minutes, but it might just be. Wish I was better prepared to try something. Maybe I'll get on VO-52 at 435.270, and someone else can listen for me on 435.820 ... or thereabouts /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.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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cross-satellite opportunity
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

I may be reading things wrong, but it appears that this next pass for VO-52 and FO-29 might offer cross-satellite contact... Check me. VO-52 uplink 435.270 -> downlink 145.920 AO-29 uplink 145.920 -> downlink 435.820 I might be a fool . I haven't studied this but a few minutes, but it might just be. Wish I was better prepared to try something. Maybe I'll get on VO-52 at 435.270, and someone else can listen for me on 435.820 ... or thereabouts /;^) -- <- Licensed in 1976, WB5RMG = Alan Sieg * AMSAT#20554 -> <- http://www.somenet.net * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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