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AMSAT Orbit Magazines 1-4
by Phil Karn Jr, KA9Q 27 Nov '08

27 Nov '08

Thanks to Ralph, W0RPK, the first four issues of AMSAT Orbit magazine are scanned and online. ORBIT began publication shortly before the ill-fated Phase III-A launch in 1980. http://www.ka9q.net/newsletters.html 73, Phil

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Re: Help for Humber College Students with ISS Contact
by AJ9N＠aol.com 27 Nov '08

27 Nov '08

Hi all, Let me clear up a little bit of what ARISS wants for a school ground station. What you do for your own home contact is your business but here is what we want for an ARISS school contact: 1. We require two complete radio stations, each one 75 watt class or better (we actually prefer over 100). RF amps are OK. The radios should have the ability to go in frequency steps smaller than 5kHz so that the Doppler shift can be corrected (at 2 meters it goes about +/-3.5 kHz). 2. The primary radio is to have a circular polarized beam with azimuth and elevation control rotors. We prefer computer control of the rotors. 3. The backup radio is to have a vertical and/or eggbeater style antennas. Now for a short explanation of why for each: 1. The need for two complete radios is so that if one radio fails for any reason, the school contact can carry on (it is recommended each radio be on its own 120VAC circuit and UPS if possible). The reason for the 75 watt class is that we want to have as much signal to reach the ISS as possible. The ISS is actually pretty noisy and the radio footprint is very big and it picks up all sorts of interference. So it helps to have as much signal get to the astronaut. Throw in the fact that the ISS superstructure is so big now that we have had schools have the signal dropout to almost nothing and you can see that every little bit helps. 2. The circular polarized beam helps because the signal to and from the ISS can be bouncing off of the superstructure itself and in some cases the surrounding ground terrain. As I mentioned above, we have had some schools where the signal dropped out almost to zero. Luckily the signal (sometimes about a minute later) came back up as the ISS changed its orbital position relative to the ground station and thus some of the blockage was reduced. I have done 4 school contacts as control op and I use 5x2 LHCP and 10x2 RHCP circular polarized beams with an antenna switch. Most of the ARISS telebridge stations are using something similar. The ISS antennas are basically vertical antennas but the signal can be deflected all over the place because of the superstructure. I tend to run my contact on the RHCP beam (but I am ready to switch) but we at ARISS have had some reports where the signal did come up a bit when using LHCP. Those who are really into satellite work know that the RF pattern does change during a contact so it makes sense to be able to switch polarity. And don't forget the ISS radio is running maybe 25 watts (or maybe 5 depending on the radio used) and can not do any Doppler correction. 3. The backup radio is to have a non-directional antenna so that in case of rotor or computer failure, the contact can carry on although it will be with a shortened contact time and the quality may suffer. I have an antenna switch to switch between the 2 antennas during a pass as the RF pattern between the 2 antennas is completely different. The biggest reason for doing what some may think is overkill is this. The hams involved with a school contact are just the messengers. The school kids, teachers, and parents are the ones we have to satisfy and they don't understand this ham radio business. They do understand good audio and no screw ups on the part of the ham crew. I always tell the schools that I mentor to plan on 600 to 800 people-hours for 10 minutes of contact time. They usually think I am nuts until they do the contact and they often tell me that my estimate was too low. Think of a school contact as your worst case Field Day; not so much because of the equipment issues but because of the 600 or so kids watching. Hope this helps a little. 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS mentors In a message dated 11/26/2008 4:15:52 A.M. Central Standard Time, gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net writes: Ken Owen wrote: <snip> > From: Paul Je [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:17 PM > To: Ken Owen > Subject: RE: ISS contact > > Say Ken, we've set up our primary station just fine, but I was wondering if > I could ask for your advice. Well, you see, we've tested the transceiver > that we have (the ICOM IC-V8000), and we can transmit and receive just fine > with it on our circular-polarized HyGain 2m antenna. Also, we did a VSWR What kind of antenna? Anything more than a 3-element Yagi will be more trouble than it's worth. Bear in mind that I've successfully sent and received APRS with the ISS using a homebrew vertical. The higher the gain of your Yagi, the more directional it is, and the more accurately it needs to be pointed. I find that a 3-element beam is okay for handheld use when working portable, and has more than enough gain to hit the amateur satellites with 5W from an HT. > test and our loss is minimal with the 75W transceiver that the ICOM 75W sounds a bit much, especially into a very directional antenna. You're trying to talk to the ISS, not etch your name on the side. > produces. Ok, so here's the problem. Even with all the proper testing > done, we still can't seem to pick up or hear the 166MHz beacon that the ISS > produces. Are you using a 166MHz aerial for this? Are you sure the beacon is even transmitting when you think it is? Your high gain Yagi might well be very very deaf outside its intended band. Try making a simple dipole or even a two-element beam for 166MHz. With two elements, it will have a more-or-less cardioid pattern, so you shouldn't really even need to steer it much ;-) > My classmates and I are a bit worried/stressed out. I mean, just on last > Friday, we did a test and someone drove at least 5km away from out college > and heard us fine with the handheld radio he had. We had a signal strength > of 3+ out of 5. He could've drove out even further, but we felt that we did > enough testing to know that any attenuation losses were very minimal. The ISS is pretty much the classic case of line-of-sight. There's nothing in the way, and it's only 200 miles away. There's nothing to stop the signal anywhere. > Well, do you know what the problem could be? Have you heard the beacon? > What does it sound like? Maybe we should delay or advance the rotor by a > few seconds? We're using NOVA software, and it allows us to send our > transmission a few seconds ahead or behind. Use a wider beamwidth. > Ok, so we have a circular polarized HyGain antenna hooked up to our Yaesu > G5500. Uhm, this might sound dumb but do you know whether we should be > right hand circular polarized or left hand circular polarized? Is the ISS > right hand or left hand on 144.490MHz? This I'm not sure about. I thought about building a circular polarised antenna for ISS and amateur satellite work, but it seemed more trouble than it was worth. If you've got the polarisation wrong, it will be incredibly deaf! > I'm trying to research this, but I'm having the hardest time to find this > information out. Oh, also, since our antenna is circular-polarized, does > the way we set our antenna have an effect on our transmission? I know this > sounds confusing, but let me explain: > > If you looked at our antenna from the front so that you could see all the > dipoles/elements both vertically and horizontally to your view, well, should > they be perfectly aligned with one set horizontal and one vertical? Both > the vertical and the horizontal are perfectly 90degrees to each other, > however, instead of being a perfect cross to your view, the elements are > more like an "X" to your point of view (even though both are perfectly > 90degrees to each other). That shouldn't make much of a difference. Imagine the signal arriving like a big corkscrew - the key to the circular polarisation is that the signal arrives at one set of elements and then a quarter wavelength later arrives at the second. Now, let's imagine we've made our circular-polarised aerial by putting two dipoles on a boom, 1/4 wavelength apart, and connected them by two equal-length lines. The vertical one is at the "front" of the boom and the horizontal one is to the "back", and the up and left elements of the dipoles are "hot". Let's pause reality just as a "vertical" peak hits the vertical dipole. That dipole now has some signal. Using the single-Planck-time advance button on our Worldivo (it's like a Tivo for the fundamental nature of the Universe), we'll step through - tick, tick, tick, tick - until a quarter wavelength has passed. Now the vertical peak is somewhere above the centre of the horizontal dipole - it's picking up no signal - and there's a horizontal peak about the centre of the vertical dipole - no signal there either. Step forwards another quarter wave, and there's a vertical dip at the cold end of the vertical antenna, and the horizontal peak we just saw came in is at the hot end on the horizontal antenna. We now have a negative signal on the cold side of the antenna connection (remember, both dipoles are effectively in parallel) and a positive signal on the hot side of the antenna connection - loads of signal! If we reversed the direction of the corkscrew, or reversed the phase of *one* of the dipoles, then the two signals would cancel out almost completely. You can have two signals transmitted in left and right circular polarisation on the same frequency, and have *phenomenal* rejection between the two. I should point out that there's quite a lot in that explanation that's not entirely true, or at least terribly inaccurate. It's still a useful model for getting your head around what seems at first to be a very confusing polarisation mode. HTH, Gordon _______________________________________________ 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 **************Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW AOL.com. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Re: BBsat Call for ideas
by Bob Bruninga 27 Nov '08

27 Nov '08

> One idea that hasn't been floated yet, > is a 10m or 15m transmitter aboard bbSat. We looked at that, but the problem is the order of magnitude fewer hams that have SSB transceivers. We went with a 10m uplink to an FM downlink so that any technician with nothing but an HT could hear it. But then, you have gained nothing over the typical FM satellite b ecause of single-use. So that is why we went with PSK-31 on the 10m uplink so that the single 2m FM downlink would have as many as 30 ussers simultaneously (all sharing the 10 m PSK-31 3 KHz wide uplink. > I therefore think a transponder that > downlinked on these bands would be > likely to 'broaden our base', > I recognize that transmitting on > such a long wavelength from a 10cm > cube represents a technical challenge Yes, the 4 foot whip deployment on our RAFT cubesat is what failed, not due to the antenna deployment but due to an ejection anomoly that spun the spacecraft out of contorl (80 RPM) from which the 4' whip antenna deployment could not work. Receiving 10 meters on a terribly small and inefficient antenna is no big deal, because users on the ground would be uplinking with 25 watts, and being on 10m is 14 dB better link too, so uplink on 10m is easy. So that is my preference, 3 KHz of PSK uplink on 10 meters with a single FM downlink with up to 30 users at a time... full duples too! We flew this on PCSAT2 and on RAFT (though both had other problems leading to a lack of any meaningful success). see: www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/pcsat2.html www.ew.usna.eud/~bruninga/raft.html bob, Wb4APR Bob, Wb4aPR >challenge of mechanical engineering, not something that would run up >against the limited power budget. I also vaguely have the impression >that amplifiers, etc. are more efficient in the lower frequencies, so >that might be a plus. (Not to mention reduced path loss.) Perhaps the >effective power out would be so low that a directional antenna would >be required on the ground. In which case, I'd say it was a no-go, >since that would preclude too many of the new experimenters that we'd >be hoping to snare on these bands. >_______________________________________________ >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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AO7 log
by k3szh＠netzero.com 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

VE3DRT and K4JPC have the wrong date , it should have been 11/25/08 , see my log info for 11/25/08 and the sat was in mode "B". AO7 switched today at 20:58 utc to mode "A" They can correct it by deleting and start all over and put the correct info in for 11/25 you can change the date, time and mode in the log. Joe Amsat 3788 ____________________________________________________________ Don't risk your health! Click now for professional mold remediation! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/PnY6rx8pbGBZiKmojWMReIgdSsH0…

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AO7 orbit 55749, possible problem?
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

According to my notes, the bird switches from MODE A to MODE B (or back to MODE A) at approx 2100 UTC every day. Today, it was supposed to be in mode A. According to the AO7 log, it made the switch to MODE A, but apparently switched back to mode B. http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php 26-Nov-08 23:37 55749 K4JPC EM73WU Mode B K3SZH, VE3DRT, W7LRD 26-Nov-08 23:33 55749 VE3DRT EN93RK Mode B WP4CNU, K4JPC, K3SZH, W7LRD 26-Nov-08 22:41 55748 EA8TX IL18QI Mode A K3SZH 26-Nov-08 22:41 55748 K3SZH FN10OG Mode A EA8TX 26-Nov-08 21:00 55747 AJ9K EN53EB Mode A 26-Nov-08 20:59 55747 AJ9K EN53EB Mode B DJ3AK 26-Nov-08 20:55 55747 DJ3AK JO52GJ Mode B F5APQ, K3SZH, G1WPR When the bird made a pass at my QTH around 0040 UTC, I did not hear a peep on MODE A or MODE B. Normally I hear LOTS of signals. Indication of a problem? Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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AO-51
by cpsvista 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Does anyone know if the QRP frequency is operational right now, everyday, on AO-51, I tried it a few weeks ago twice with nothing heard, two days ago, I tried the regular voice frequencies and with my 5 watt HT on my arrow, could not seem to get a word in edgewise over the traffic and I hate to keep calling and putting out noise, I could hear most everyone loud and clear but could not get a response............... Rich KI6RRQ

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AO-51 not heard Orbit # 23,180
by nader omer 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

AO-51 not heard over Africa Orbit # 23,180 15:25 - 15:38 UTC ?! other report that at http://oscar.dcarr.org/index.php I hope it's just a mild commom cold ! 73 de Nader -st2nh

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IC 471a and IC-251a
by D. Mynatt 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Hi group- Any one have one or both units for sale? My local dealer has a IC-471a and I'm looking for a comparison price. Dave//KA0SWT

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Re: soundcard modems for pactorIII
by George Henry 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Perhaps you are unaware that, even after you purchase an SCS Pactor modem, you must purchase a license to use the Pactor III protocol... and trying to circumvent the licensing requirement is probably illegal just about anywhere in the world, not just in the U.S. You *have* heard of intellectual property rights, haven't you? ----- Original Message ---- > From: David - M0ZLB <m0zlb(a)btinternet.com> > To: Gordon JC Pearce MM3YEQ <gordonjcp(a)gjcp.net> > Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 6:28:24 AM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: soundcard modems for pactorIII > > Developing one for personal use as an individual or between friends > without commercial gain would be ok! > > David > KG4ZLB/M0ZLB > www.kg4zlb.com > > > > Gordon JC Pearce MM3YEQ wrote: > > George Henry wrote: > > > > > > ... in the US. Not in most of the rest of the world ;-) > > > > Gordon

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Re: AO-51 Status
by Clint Bradford 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

If it helps "pinpoint" any potential problem, AO-51 sounded great on the 0209UTC pass on the 26th - which was 6:09PM Tuesday night in California. Clint -------------------------------------- Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666 - cell

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Office Closed
by Martha 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

The AMSAT office will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, Nov 27th and Friday, Nov 28th. We will reopen on Monday, December 1st at 10:00AM ET. -- 73- Martha

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Re: MMIC for LEO preamp? - DEM
by Rod Adkins 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Down East Microwave www.downeastmicrowave.com I have bought, & been fully satisfied with, both kits & fully built pre-amps from 220 to 2304 They go out of their way to be helpful in supplying components also Rod Adkins WI6M nr San Diego 17917 Lyons Valley Road Jamul, CA 91935 > [Original Message] > From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF <nigel(a)ngunn.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Date: 11/26/2008 1:03:03 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: MMIC for LEO preamp? > > What's a demi kit? > > Jim Sanford wrote: > > > > > You could do worse than a demi kit. > _______________________________________________ > 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 not heard
by Dale-KL7XJ 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

AO-51 not heard on the last two passes. Orbit 20,181 and 20,182 which is about to leave Alaska footprint. I tried both L/U and V/U. Both were on yesterday. Dale KL7XJ

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visual sighting of ISS
by Jim Danehy 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

You had someone direct you to Heavens-above for the passes for your location. They did not answer the question about "seeing" the ISS with naked vision. Usually the ISS has a magnitude of +1, in my viewing experience. It can vary but +1 is about normal for ISS. Viewing, as you may know has many variables. The biggest obstacle is the light pollution from the big city. If you can get to a "dark sky" location you can enjoy the sight. From a light polluted location : good luck. From my experience, it is normally on the horizon in the early evening which is not good. You have a chance from the suburbs when the elevation is over 10 degrees ( 90 degrees being overhead). All of the above is for naked eye viewing. You might want to have a pair of small binoculars handy to enhance your view. It moves quickly . . . . Heavens-Above is a good URL for getting info on ISS. It is fairly large (350' X 225' X 150') and up 200 miles. The sun will illuminate it very well. Good luck. Jim W9VNE

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I: AO-51
by Francesco Grappi 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Nothing heard this evening over Italy at 17:15 utc on both transponders A and B 73" Frank IW4DVZ. -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Per conto di TERRY BROMLEY Inviato: mercoledì 26 novembre 2008 17.51 A: AMSAT Oggetto: [amsat-bb] AO-51 I worked DC1KHB at 09:23 this morning 5/5 both ways. Terry G1WPR. _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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AO-51
by TERRY BROMLEY 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

I worked DC1KHB at 09:23 this morning 5/5 both ways. Terry G1WPR.

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Re: soundcard modems for pactorIII
by George Henry 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Pactor III is a proprietary protocol developed by SCS for the commercial market and is, I believe, patented, so developing a soundcard program to decode it would land one in legal hot water. So, short answer: No, there are no soundcard modems for Pactor III. George, KA3HSW ----- Original Message ---- > From: Mr Jeffrey L Ross > To: amsat > Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 1:44:21 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] soundcard modems for pactorIII > > hi folks, wondering if their are any soundcard modems for pactor III since I > see the modems are very expensive. Also wondering why they would be so > expensive just to change the mode. anyone running pactor III please contact > me offlist. thank you, kc8gkf > > p.s. sry my post is not all about satilites, but topic of modems here.

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Help for Humber College Students with ISS Contact
by Ken Owen 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Hi folks: A student from Humber College (Toronto) has asked me several questions regarding contacting the ISS. One has to do with receiving a beacon, and the other has to do with antenna polarization. I've urged him to join AMSAT and get on the listserv, but in the mean time, I wonder if anyone can help him out with his questions. Please reply directly to him (paul_je(a)hotmail.com) if you can help. Thanks! Ken, N6KTH From: Paul Je [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:17 PM To: Ken Owen Subject: RE: ISS contact Say Ken, we've set up our primary station just fine, but I was wondering if I could ask for your advice. Well, you see, we've tested the transceiver that we have (the ICOM IC-V8000), and we can transmit and receive just fine with it on our circular-polarized HyGain 2m antenna. Also, we did a VSWR test and our loss is minimal with the 75W transceiver that the ICOM produces. Ok, so here's the problem. Even with all the proper testing done, we still can't seem to pick up or hear the 166MHz beacon that the ISS produces. My classmates and I are a bit worried/stressed out. I mean, just on last Friday, we did a test and someone drove at least 5km away from out college and heard us fine with the handheld radio he had. We had a signal strength of 3+ out of 5. He could've drove out even further, but we felt that we did enough testing to know that any attenuation losses were very minimal. Well, do you know what the problem could be? Have you heard the beacon? What does it sound like? Maybe we should delay or advance the rotor by a few seconds? We're using NOVA software, and it allows us to send our transmission a few seconds ahead or behind. Ok, so we have a circular polarized HyGain antenna hooked up to our Yaesu G5500. Uhm, this might sound dumb but do you know whether we should be right hand circular polarized or left hand circular polarized? Is the ISS right hand or left hand on 144.490MHz? I'm trying to research this, but I'm having the hardest time to find this information out. Oh, also, since our antenna is circular-polarized, does the way we set our antenna have an effect on our transmission? I know this sounds confusing, but let me explain: If you looked at our antenna from the front so that you could see all the dipoles/elements both vertically and horizontally to your view, well, should they be perfectly aligned with one set horizontal and one vertical? Both the vertical and the horizontal are perfectly 90degrees to each other, however, instead of being a perfect cross to your view, the elements are more like an "X" to your point of view (even though both are perfectly 90degrees to each other). Well, hope to hear back from you. Paul

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GO-32
by John Hackett 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

Hello Folks, Prior to my setting up and modding old rigs for GO-32 9600bps operation I though it prudent to enquire whether anyone is actually using this satellite for message forwarding ??. Thank you, in anticipation of any replies. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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The passing of time...CW and satellites
by Roger Kolakowski 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

In the realm of CW... It is much regret that I received an email of the passing today of George S. Wilson III W4OYI, former president of the ARRL and staunch supporter of the value of CW in Amateur communications. If you could send it in CW, he could receive it... Roger WA1KAT Note from 2001... "...U.S. Astronaut Susan Helms KC7NHZ took the microphone of NA1SS aboard the International Space Station May 31, 2001 to respond to questions from students at Daviess County High School in Owensboro. The contact marked the 15th Amateur Radio on the International Space Station QSO and the second with a Kentucky school..." "...The audience of students and guests included ARRL President Emeritus George S. Wilson III W4OYI who lives in Owensboro..."

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soundcard modems for pactorIII
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 26 Nov '08

26 Nov '08

hi folks, wondering if their are any soundcard modems for pactor III since I see the modems are very expensive. Also wondering why they would be so expensive just to change the mode. anyone running pactor III please contact me offlist. thank you, kc8gkf p.s. sry my post is not all about satilites, but topic of modems here.

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CW on FM bird
by Bob Cutter 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

How are we sending CW on an FM bird? 73, Bob KI0G

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Re: CW lives
by herr＠ridgenet.net 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

Sounds great, count me in for a CW day. 73 Mike WA6ARA

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Re: CW lives - OSCAR Straight Key Night
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

Huh ... owning only a really neat Arizona Scorpion all-brass paddle I just picked up recently off eBay, I guess the straight key requirement leaves me out. And I guess using the up and down buttons on my Yaesu hand mic through the keyer wouldn't count either. Dang.... -------------- Original message from k9jkm(a)comcast.net (JoAnne Maenpaa): -------------- > > then we can pick a day and a BIRD and set a time and see how many can > > work each other on a certain pass > > Hello everyone, > There is also Straight Key Night on OSCAR. Below is the announcement that's in preparation for release in the ANS news bulletins and in the next issue of the > AMSAT Journal - now is a good time to get the word out also ... > SKN on OSCAR 2009 All radio amateurs, worldwide, are cordially invited to participate in AMSAT’s > Straight Key Night (SKN) on OSCAR 2009. Participating in SKN on OSCAR 2009 is easy. No rules, no scoring and no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR between 0000 and 2400 UTC on 1 > January 2009, using a straight hand key. In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, all participants are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for "Best Fist." Your nominee need not have the best fist of those you heard, just of those you worked. Please send your nomination to w2rs(a)amsat.org. A list of those nominated will appear in ANS > and The AMSAT Journal. > CU SKN! > Ray Soifer, W2RS > > -- > 73 de JoAnne K9JKM > k9jkm(a)amsat.org > Editor, AMSAT News Service > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: "Jim Danehy" > > > Mark > > > > Tnx for the reply . . . . I look forward to others responding as you did . . > > . then we can pick a day and a BIRD and set a time and see how many can > > work each other on a certain pass . . . that would be GREAT . . . > > > > How about it you CW addicts ? > > > > Jim W9VNE > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Mark Lunday, WD4ELG" > > To: "'Jim Danehy'" ; > > Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 11:25 AM > > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] CW lives > > > > > > > Jim > > > > > > Although new to the birds, sign me up for the CW Day! I am 95% CW, > > > > > > Mark Lunday > > > WD4ELG > > > wd4elg(a)arrl.net > > > http://wd4elg.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/ams at-bb

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bbsat ideas...
by Mark Vandewettering 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

Nice thought provoking question, Joanne. Here's an off-the-cuff idea. I haven't tried to work out any of the numbers, it's just some idle musing. It has occurred to me that we are in the midst of a minor revolution in amateur radio (which will undoubtedly be followed by a more major revolution). In the last 10 years, cheap computing and sound cards have caused a great deal of experimentation with "sound card modes" (the minor revolution), and will ultimately lead to the major revolution (widespread use of SDR). We have a kind of flexibility that we couldn't think of even a few years ago, a flexibility that we gain from Moore's law. So here's an idea: let's do away with the need for Doppler correction entirely. It's not like we don't have decent orbital elements for the satellites that we use. It's not like our ground stations don't have accurate timing information available to them. Even if we didn't, we could still output a (coded?) carrier that our soundcard modem could lock onto, and then transmit relative to that frequency. Given the relatively limited amount of power that we are likely to have in a cubesat, the question then becomes what is the best way to use that power? It seems unlikely that any kind of linear transponder will allow more than just a couple of users meaningful access. I'd suggest it might make more sense to do some kind of digital transponder. I'm imagining a satellite which monitors a chunk of spectrum roughly the size of a current SSB signal, say 2.4khz. Imagine that space was divided into (say) 10 channels, each 240hz wide. We could easily fit a PSK63 signal (or a similar FSK signal, pick your poison) in that space. You could use a bent pipe crossband transponder, or potentially do a simplex repeater (say the sat listens for 10 seconds, then re-echoes for 10 seconds) on the same uplink frequency. If you are a downlink station, you know what you sent, and can tell if your signal got collided with, and if so, you can switch to another of the 10 slots. In the mean time, you can easily monitor all of the other slots as well, and try to pick an unoccupied one. While it might be difficult for a power-efficient controller to actually _decode_ each of the 10 channels, it probably could determine which channels are busy itself by monitoring power in each of the channels. Maybe we can fill unused slots with telemetry? Or can we actually get enough DSP power into a cubesat to decode 10 channels of PSK (or some similar protocol), which would help a lot (the bird only transmits stuff, and what it transmits is free from noise/errors). If not 10 channels, then how 'bout 5? 2? Even one? Then, we basically have a simple digipeater, which can obviously be done, given the existance of 1200 baud modems based upon PIC microcontrollers. Just some lunacy... Mark KF6KYI

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CW lives
by Jim Danehy 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

I am a CW op. This morning I had a real treat to work Tony, K8ALM; Stan W3QBK and Mike, W8AB on FO 29 and VO 52 within a few minutes of each other. WOW . . . we missed the regulars : K9CIS and K9QHO. I think all of us are probably retirees. Need to get N3TE and AJ9K on there too. KE7ULS pounds some pretty good brass and when the footprint is out West that nationally known QST photographer, Bob , W7LRD pounds through. Just great to work these guys. Talk about QSK break in . . . .maybe we can have a large CW QSO on FO 29 . . . AO 7 suffers from old age. Just great to work these guys as often as I can . . .Maybe we can have a CW Day on the birds . . . 73 Jim W9VNE EM79tb

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Skeds on AO-07 mode B in CW.
by LU2DPW Juan Cralos 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

Hi Sat Fans!! I'm very interesting sked with Central America, Caribean and South Florida stations for possible DX contact on AO-07 Mode B on CW at night passes. I'm worked stations WP4CNU form Puerto Rico and AA4FL & W4DFU from FL,USA in good conditions. I work with minimal elements: FT-726R with 10 W input and my antennas are: a Quad Swiss for VHF and Vertical Diamond X-200 for UHF. Please contact with my e-mail address: lu2dpw(a)yahoo.com.ar Many thanks and see you on CW in this beatifull bird!! 73 all Juan LU2DPW GF05gi Yahoo! Cocina Recetas prácticas y comida saludable http://ar.mujer.yahoo.com/cocina/

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ICOM -820 repair :-(
by Alvaro de Leon Romo 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

Hi , after several years my IC820 have some problem , the radio not respond to instructions about to input the high and low power level and now not transmit :-( Some one here know what is the better way to fix this radio ? ICOM AMERICA is the best choice ?? I will fly to Tx so I need the info where to send the radio to reapair ... Is the cost too high ? Many thanks for your valious time Sincerely Al XE2AT _________________________________________________________________ Realiza búsquedas en Internet y llévate hasta ¡Un Auto! http://www.ganabuscando.com/Default.aspx

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another idea for a sat
by Eric Fort 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

What would you think of a sat that required no user frequency control for uplink or downlink and carried somewhere between 10 and 30 simultanious conversations? Here's how it can be done and it's a mode that I think deserves more investigation - ACSB, possibly with a twist. for those not familiar with ACSB, it's essentially SSB with a subaudable tone inserted. on recieve that subaudable tone of known frequency can be used for tuning and doppler adjustment. Taken a step further one could use the on sat beacon as the reference "tone" and simply maintain a frequency exactly a certain distance from that. come to think of it we could experiment with this now on the ssb birds we have now. anyone interested in trying this? has it been tried? what do you think? Eric AF6EP

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Re: bbsat ideas...
by k9jkm＠comcast.net 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

> Maybe we can fill unused slots with telemetry? Or how about designing a digital channel that features 16 or 32 "slots" accessible to both amateur radio communication and telemetry/control for the cubesat team? Our design could include something like a 50/50 split in bandwidth between amateur radio and the cubesat telemetry. A well-defined user interface document would give the cubesat team access to their bandwidth. By solving the radio problem for the cubesat team we become a part of the mission and we would have a reason for being aboard just about every cubesat in the future. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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SO-50 pass at 0728Z tonight
by Bryan Green 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

OK, you crazy satellite operators -- it's your newbie here. I shall be active on the 0728Z SO-50 pass tonight. I want to see how far East I can make it. Insomniac operators, have a listen for me, if you would please, and thanks in advance! -- bag KL7CN/W6 CM98fn

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Re: ICOM -820 repair
by Clint Bradford 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

> IC-820 repair... Icom hasn't had parts for this rig for over a decade. You are going to have to search the Web for repair people, and ask them how familiar they are with your radio. Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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viewing iss
by Eric Fort 25 Nov '08

25 Nov '08

on what passes should I be able to see ISS? does it need to be illluminated to see or can it still be seen in eclipse? what magnitude is needed to see it with bare eyes? Eric AF6EP

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AO7 MODE A ORBIT 55724 - Lots of activity!
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

Worked Ed, W0ODD, in Kansas on CW. Heard a bunch of SSB stations. Great signals on mode A. Nice to hear activity! Exciting!! Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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Re: thought for a neat product, anyone seen one?
by Mark Vandewettering 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

I have the same rig, and much the same idea. I haven't gotten very far along with this idea, but here's where my thinking takes me. I've implemented Miller's "Plan 13" algorithm in Python, and currently use it to plan all my satellite operations. On any reasonable laptop, it runs many times faster than real time, even while running in Python, so it seems like overkill to carry a laptop with you to do satellite operations. The laptop is expensive, bulky, and hard to use in the field while aiming an antenna by hand, has limited battery life, etc. Clearly, a more limited computer can do all that we really need. If you look at G6LVB's latest/ greatest antenna tracker: http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/LVBTracker2/index.htm you can see that he does all that you want using just a PIC microcontroller. My own personal bias is against the PIC though: I prefer the Atmel AVR chips, and in particular have been having a great deal of fun with the Arduino microcontroller board. I suspect that if I back ported my Python code into C and put it on the Arduino, I could still get an update rate approaching 1Hz, which should be good enough for the purposes we desire. The Arduino also has a nice little piggyback ethernet board. Here's what I imagine the usage is. While at home, you plug this thing into your home network. It then contacts celestrak or whatever, and automatically downloads the TLE for current amateur satellites. You can then disconnect the rig from your home network, and it's ready to carry into the field. A couple of buttons on the box allow you to cycle through satellites, giving the elevation and azimuth of the satellite. The Arduino also has a serial port which we can hook to the FT-817, and use it to control the 817 with doppler. It would be a pretty simple project, requiring three modules (arduino, ethernet shield and display) and a few extra buttons etc... Total cost probably around $100 or so. Could probably run off batteries for days. I probably won't get back to working on this until after the first of the year, but if anyone is interested, some enthusiasm might further motivate me to get the software working. Mark

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thought for a neat product, anyone seen one?
by Eric Fort 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

Interesting you mention gumstix, it was one of my first ideas for hardware to base something like this on. the nice thing about basing something like a tracker on gumstix is all the software is already written. It should run predict directly or most any other curses based linux app, or for that matter your favorite script interpreter, etc. I also found the lvb tracker 2 shortly after I asked but that seems not to have gone anywhere. It's probably the closest thing to what I'd be looking for but it seems a bit large to lug around as would be a laptop. mostly what I would be looking for is a small unit that I could directly use for frequency control but I'm realizing now that once there you've built that you are only a few transistors away from a full tracker. maybe amsat (or tapr) could do a gumstix refrence platform. Eric AF6EP On Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 5:06 AM, Ben Jackson <bbj(a)innismir.net> wrote: > Eric Fort wrote: > > I just thought of kind of a neat product for those of us that work sats. > > Has anyone seen anything similar? I have an ft-817 which has a cat > > interface and will operate both ssb and fm. Has anyone seen a little box > > that would adjust the radio frequency for both uplink and downlink while > > displaying azmuth and elevation data? It seems that it would be handy to > > have the frequency control take care of itself while providing data as to > > where I should point the arrow. What do those reading this idea think of > > it? It would seem to me to be quite useful especially for ssb. > > I think it was Mark VandeWettering, KF6KYI, who had a similar idea a few > months ago. Last I heard I think he was toying around with the idea of > using a Gumstix (http://www.gumstix.com/)device<http://www.gumstix.com/%29device>to be the "black box." - > There was a reason he didn't pursue it, but I forget why. > > This is a easily extensible system that can be hacked up to control > doppler and handle basic radio functions. One could probably have a > simple system banged out in an afternoon. As it gets more complicated > (external display to control satellite selection, etc) it gets a touch > harder to make, but still within the realm of possibility. The good part > about Gumstix is that you don't need to get the hardware first to start > working on the software, as it's all based on Linux. > > I think this idea has a lot of promise, and if I had a transceiver that > could computer control, I'd probably start designing it. :) > > -- > Ben Jackson - N1WBV - New Bedford, MA > bbj <at> innismir.net - http://www.innismir.net/ >

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Soundcard 9600 GMSK application?
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

Is anyone aware of a soundcard application to emulate a GMSK 9k6 modem ? 73, Drew KO4MA

3 2

Re: Soundcard 9600 GMSK application?
by Jens Kirsten 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

Maybe this is what you are looking for... Multiplatform Soundcard Packet Radio Modem by Thomas Sailer, HB9JNX/AE4WA http://www.baycom.org/~tom/ham/soundmodem/ 73! de DL2FJK

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Re: thought for a neat product, anyone seen one?
by Mark L. Hammond 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

Sounds like the LVB Tracker II (or III? heh), in its highest evolved configuration! There was a similar TAPR device planned LONG ago, but it never went into production, sadly. 73, Mark N8MH ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:14:38 -0800 From: "Eric Fort" <eric.fort(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] thought for a neat product, anyone seen one? To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <2ad2af430811231914k141cccf1hbdb418ea63ade399(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 I just thought of kind of a neat product for those of us that work sats. Has anyone seen anything similar? I have an ft-817 which has a cat interface and will operate both ssb and fm. Has anyone seen a little box that would adjust the radio frequency for both uplink and downlink while displaying azmuth and elevation data? It seems that it would be handy to have the frequency control take care of itself while providing data as to where I should point the arrow. What do those reading this idea think of it? It would seem to me to be quite useful especially for ssb. Eric AF6EP

1 0

thought for a neat product, anyone seen one?
by Eric Fort 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

I just thought of kind of a neat product for those of us that work sats. Has anyone seen anything similar? I have an ft-817 which has a cat interface and will operate both ssb and fm. Has anyone seen a little box that would adjust the radio frequency for both uplink and downlink while displaying azmuth and elevation data? It seems that it would be handy to have the frequency control take care of itself while providing data as to where I should point the arrow. What do those reading this idea think of it? It would seem to me to be quite useful especially for ssb. Eric AF6EP

5 4

AO16 report
by Graham Shirville 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

Hi All, Just report that she is still working wonderfully! I have just had the pleasure of making my first transatlantic QSO for a long while with VE3NPC - thanks Clare! We had the satellite to ourselves and even tho it was a 4 deg max elevation pass here the downlink was really good for the whole pass - luckily most of the local trees have lost their leaves now. Work her while you can. 73 Graham G3VZV

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Re: Transcr Question
by George Henry 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

Actually, the CT-16 just couples two CI-V capable Icom radios for satellite operation, with no PC involved. The CT-17 (or a reasonable clone) is capable of controlling up to 3 radios at once, so the CT-16 is not needed with PC control. The CT-16 that I was using belongs to the local radio club, and is not for sale: they want to keep the ability to link the IC-275 and IC-475 together for satellite operations where I might not be available. 73, George, KA3HSW ----- Original Message ---- > From: D. Mynatt <dave(a)mynatt.biz> > To: George Henry <ka3hsw(a)att.net> > Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 9:19:47 AM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Transcr Question > > Thanks, George. I appreciate the insight. You also answered one of my > questions, and that being if I needed a CT-16. My limited knowledge says it > goes between the radios and PC; i.e., one PC and two radios connected to the > CT-16? > > Right? Wouldn't have a CT-16 for sale would you?? > > Dave/KA0SWT

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Re: thought for a neat product, anyone seen one?
by Anthony Monteiro 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

At 10:14 PM 11/23/2008, Eric Fort wrote: >I just thought of kind of a neat product for those of us that work sats. >Has anyone seen anything similar? I have an ft-817 which has a cat >interface and will operate both ssb and fm. Has anyone seen a little box >that would adjust the radio frequency for both uplink and downlink while >displaying azmuth and elevation data? It seems that it would be handy to >have the frequency control take care of itself while providing data as to >where I should point the arrow. What do those reading this idea think of >it? It would seem to me to be quite useful especially for ssb. > >Eric >AF6EP Hi Eric, InstantTrack with InstantTune V1.50 running on any laptop with a serial port. 73, Tony AA2TX

2 1

DL99 - KE5GDB
by Andrew Koenig 24 Nov '08

24 Nov '08

I'm headed out to dl99 (SW Texas) this weekend. I have FM equipment with me, so listen for me on AO51 and SO50. Hope to hear y'all on the birds! 73 de ke5gdb -- Andrew Koenig

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Sat Demo / Presentation in Pasadena, CA 11/25/08
by Clint BRADFORD 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

Just when you thought it couldn't get any more exciting... In addition to working AO-51 this Tuesday night at the Pasadena (CA) Amateur Radio Club meeting - and having a presentation on AMSAT - it's also W6KA's Annual Potluck Festival of Food night! AND - a Toys for Tots campaign receptacle will be there. SO...If you're in the area, check out the meeting announcement at.. http://www.qsl.net/w6ka/ ...Scroll down to just below the table with their repeater freqs for more info on the meeting. Tuesday, November 25, 2008 -AO-51 passes at 6:09pm -Meeting starts at 7PM. -Food and fun starts at 7:01pm -I'll give my presentation at about 7:30pm. They meet at the Walnut Center location of Kaiser Permanente, 393 E. Walnut Street. Enter at the northern entrance to the parking structure on Los Robles north of Walnut. Press the button and tell the security officer "Radio Club" to get the gate opened. Sign in at the security desk and follow the crowd to the meeting room on the first floor. Talk-in repeater is 145.180(-) 156.7 Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

1 0

AO-51 in L/U mode
by DeYoung James 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

Greetings, Heard myself above about 20-deg. elevation but only one other station was heard. KA9EAZ, it sounded most like, but that is not in any of the license databases so clearly I copied it wrong. Perhaps, there will be more L/U mode operators over the next week of L/U ops on AO-51. 73 Btw, the graphical scheduler I am/was looking for, see previous post, is in HAMRadio Deluxe. The only imporovement needed would be to make the pass lines thicker so they stand out better. James A. DeYoung (N8OQ), 3218 Wellington Road, Alexandria, VA 22302-2229, deyoung_james(a)yahoo.com

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Grid Expeditions
by Jim Danehy 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

Patrick, WD9EWK Your statement about reality is correct. I do hear folks getting on top of a rare grid operator and : "CQ CQ CQ" . . . . reality is one thing . . . . . . attempting to persuade others to a better way is something else . . . maybe we can make reality better, I hope so. Maybe by identifying yourself as a "Grid Expedition" during your transmissions will get a subtle message out there . . . well maybe not so subtle . . . .that was my point . . . I do not see a down side . . . sometimes people need a reminder . . . again, improvement is a j o u r n e y not a d e s t i n a t i o n. Patrick, thanks for all of your contribution to the Grid Hunting it is appreciated. Jim W9VNE

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TALKING FAST
by Jim Danehy 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

I worked KU8L and I don't know if I was his first satellite QSO but glad to welcome him. See his post on being new to the birds. . . . he indicated we talk FAST . . . well Sebastian, W4AS covered why we do . . . nice comment Sebastian . . . . it is very nice to see newcomers post with comments . . . we need more of that . . . . we also need to lead by example by using intelligent operating procedures . . . AO51 is a great satellite . . . as Sebastian has pointed out , you can rag chew for 10 minutes on AO 7, VO 52 or FO 29 on SSB . . . AO 16 although not with us much longer, also has some "group discussions" on it . . . . Keep up the good work . . . . when an expedition to a Grid Square is in operation PLEASE defer to that station who has put in a lot of time, effort and probably expense to give folks a new one . . . the operator of that new GRID should probably try to announce in some manner that he is operating a Grid Expedition so some who might not know will get the message . GRID EXPEDITION GRID EXPEDITION 73 Jim W9VNE

3 3

AO-51
by Peter Gibson 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

Been trying to work on the 9k6 digital side using Wisp Have had no data from AO-51. Can anyone help to get me to be able to use the sat Was able to work GO-32 thanks Pete

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[ans] ANS-328 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-328 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: * New publication start up announced * Popular Magazine Acquired * PCSAT Recovery Successful * Nominations Due * AO-16 Groundstation Predicts Last Days of Operation * ARISS Status - 10 November 2008 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-328.01 New publication start up announced AMSAT News Service Bulletin 328.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 23, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-328.01 After the great success of ham-mag (french ham "E-magazine"), we have decided to make it in ENGLISH ! But to make this challenge we need the help of a lot of O.M's Everybody can send us informations, technical, homebrew, support, DX, expedition, sat infos, etc. The claim is to share all informations about radio. You can have a look on : http://www.ham-mag.com Best 73's Vincent F5SLD [ANS Thanks Vincent, F5SLD, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-328.02 Popular Magazine Aquired AMSAT News Service Bulletin 328.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 23, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-328.02 CQ COMMUNICATIONS ACQUIRES WORLDRADIO MAGAZINE (Hicksville, NY and Sacramento, CA, November 12, 2008) -- CQ Communications, Inc. has acquired WorldRadio magazine, CQ Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA and WorldRadio Publisher Armond Noble, N6WR, announced jointly today. CQ, based in Hicksville, New York, currently publishes CQ Amateur Radio, CQ VHF and Popular Communications magazines. WorldRadio, based in Sacramento, California, has been published monthly since July, 1971, with a primary focus on the human side of ham radio. CQ, a general-interest ham radio magazine best known for its support of DXing and contesting, has been in print since January, 1945. Armond Noble, N6WR, Publisher of WorldRadio, said that at the age of 74 the time had come for him to retire. "I wanted to be sure that WorldRadio found a good home, and that our readers would continue to be served by an independent voice in amateur radio," Noble said. CQ Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA, said, "WorldRadio has filled an important niche in our hobby for nearly four decades. We welcome WorldRadio's readers to the CQ family, and we look forward to meeting their needs for many years to come." Current plans call for WorldRadio to continue to be published online as part of the CQ family of magazines, with Editor Nancy Kott, WZ8C, continuing in that position. WorldRadio subscribers will also have their subscriptions transferred to CQ magazine. Readers will be notified of details as plans are finalized. [ANS thanks Rich, W2VU, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-328.03 PCSAT Recovery Successful AMSAT News Service Bulletin 328.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 23, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-328.03 PCSAT Recovery Successful, Full Sun Operations Begin December 9 Bob, WB4APR reports from the US Naval Academy Satellite Lab that PCSAT-1 should return to full operations on 9 Dec 08 when this sunlight-only veteran bird once again receives solar illumination for two weeks. Bob says "This should give a few weeks for some good 2 meter packet contacts and the opportunity to run a Satellite Simulated Emergency Test (SSET)". If the ISS is also operational on 145.825, there is the possibility for some lucky 2-hop DX contacts via both birds. Combined PCSAT and ISS 1200 baud packet operation on 145.825 MHz will give 12 opportunities per day for contacts without any change in your radio. Operating PCSAT-1 is just like any 1200 baud 2 meter packet repeater. Uplink and downlink are on 145.825 and the path is VIA ARISS. This path is identical to the ISS path so that you do not have to change anything between the two spacecraft. (Until PCSAT-1 is reloaded, however, its digipeating alias is its FCC call W3ADO-1.) You can hear it every day right now, but its packets die before completion because of poor power budget. Refer to: http://home.comcast.net/~k9jkm/ARISS_Packet_How_To/ for additional information to configure your TNC for 1200 baud satellite operation. Bob continues, "I just commanded PCSAT-1 this week and all functions are normal. All we need is the first full-sun orbit on the 9th of Dec to be able to do a full recovery, and then it should last for 2 weeks or more". Amateur Radio operators can make two-way contacts, send beacons and bulletins and send your position so you will show up on the PCSAT web page at: http://pcsat.aprs.org. Bob recommends everyone plan on testing their emergency E-mail capability during the time window of 12 to 15 December for everyone to try to send an E-mail via the PCSAT or ISS digipeater. Please see the Satellite Simulated Emergency Test information at: http://www.aprs.org/sset.html. You can use any packet system and no special software is required. [ANS thanks Bob, WB4APR for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-328.04 Nominations Due AMSAT News Service Bulletin 328.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 23, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-328.04 The Dayton Hamvention® now is accepting nominations for its 2009 Amateur of the Year, Special Achievement, and Technical Excellence awards. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 18, 2009. All amateur radio operators are eligible. The winners will be recognized at the 2009 Hamvention®, which runs May 15-17. The Amateur of the Year Award goes to an individual who has made a long-term, outstanding commitment to the advancement of Amateur Radio. The Technical Excellence Award is for the person who has made an outstanding technical advancement in the field of Amateur Radio. The Special Achievement Award honors someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of Amateur Radio, usually someone who has spearheaded a significant project. The Hamvention® Awards Committee makes the decision on all awards based in part upon the information it receives--and not on the number of nominations submitted. Documentation that informs the Awards Committee of a candidate's accomplishments may include magazine articles, newsletters, newspaper clippings, and even videos (these materials become the property of Hamvention® and will not be returned). Additional details on these awards and a nomination form are available on the Dayton Hamvention® Web site. Nominations also are accepted via US mail to Dayton Hamvention® Awards, PO Box 964, Dayton, OH 45401. [ANS thanks Henry Ruminski for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-328.05 AO-16 Groundstation Predicts Last Days of Operation AMSAT News Service Bulletin 328.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 23, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-328.05 AO-16 Groundstation Predicts Last Days of Operation AO-16 Groundstation controller, Mark, N8MH reminds amateur satellite stations that the time for contacts via AO-16 may be drawing short! AO-16 has been in continuous voice operations since commanded back ON and configured in voice mail on 15 Sept 2008 at 10:58 UTC. The control team's predictions regarding sustained activities seem have been right on the mark. Recording your observations about AO-16 at: http://oscar.dcarr.org has been, and will continue to be, very helpful to the AO-16 control team. Please keep this up, especially over the upcoming 4 weeks. Many of you will recall that the "best guess current model" is that a hardware timer in AO-16 is firing when the craft is at a certain temp- erature, currently around 15 deg C or cooler. When the space craft temperature is over 15 deg C, the hardware timer behaves and continuous operations are sustained. The craft temperature is dependent upon solar illumination. It appears that around 85% illumination is the "magic number." If the orbit puts AO-16 with less than 85% illumination, the watchdog timer restarts the satellite, and the transmitter shuts down. Illumination projections (and subsequent temperature predictions) suggest that we might be able to sustain operations until sometime in the window of November 22 until December 4, 2008. So, if you want to make some AO-16 contacts, you had better get them as soon as possible!!! Long term orbital projections suggest that if the satellite hardware remains fundamentally unchanged (i.e., no deterioration of components on-board), it will be nearly 10 years before AO-16 receives sufficient illumination to warm up the spacecraft enough to again support sus- tained operations! You can be sure that we'll continue to probe the craft with commands, in hopes that we something will change in a good way that will allow us to use the bird for operations of some sort. It is possible that the transmitter on AO-16 will turn OFF sometime in the next few days/weeks; this requires some commanding to get it running again, which means a pass over the Eastern US coast is required for a change in operational status. We expect that as the spacecraft cools down, transmitter shutdowns will become more frequent. Enjoy this grand old bird while you can! Current operational mode for AO-16: 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-328.06 ARISS Status - 17 November 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 328.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 23, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-328.06 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report November 17, 2008 1. Upcoming School Contacts Planning continues for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) school contacts. New approvals are expected this week. 2. Australian School Contact Successful On Monday, November 10, Anderson's Creek Primary School in Warrandyte, Victoria, Australia experienced a very successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact via telebridge station VK5ZAI in Kingston, South Australia. Ten students asked two questions each of astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT. An audience of over 230 witnessed the event including the mayor, sergeant, representative from Rotary, Bendigo Bank and the Warrandyte High School principal. There were also many representatives including the president from the local Wireless Institute. The majority of the teaching staff also joined in. The Herald Sun sent a photographer before and during the event and published an article in the paper and online. The Education Times, the Victorian Teacher newspaper, also conducted an interview and will publish a story in its next edition. The Victorian Space Science Education Centre published an account of the event in their emailed newsletter to teachers, and! a student was also interviewed on ABC 774 Melbourne radio station. The audio, which was fed into the Internet Linking Project (IRLP) Discovery Reflector 9010, received 6 connections. EchoLink received 16 connections from Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, England and the U.S. To view The Herald Sun article, see: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,24632605-2862,00.html The Wireless Institute of Australia published a story covering the contact: http://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2008/20081110-1/index.php The Victorian Space Science Education Centre also ran a short summary: http://www.vssec.vic.edu.au/resources/download/capcom/capcom30-1108.pdf 3. International Education Week - ARISS Contact Successful Students from Maryland, North Carolina and Ecuador participated in a joint Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Friday, November 14 as part of International Education Week (IEW). The contact was facilitated by telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii. The students asked 17 questions of Mike Fincke, KE5AIT. Enloe Magnet School had three television stations on site and had interviews with radio stations and the district PR personnel. NASA distributed a press release on this contact. See: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/releases/08-072.html On Tuesday, November 18, the schools will tie in to a videoconference for another IEW session with an expert panel. Former astronaut Don Thomas will talk about space exploration and ARISS Chairman Frank Bauer will give an ARISS overview. Amateur radio operators from around the world will also participate, giving talks about amateur radio and their countries. 4. Japanese Club Talks to ISS Astronaut Members of the Newcomers Club in Saitama, Japan participated in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Saturday, November 15. Mike Fincke, KE5AIT, answered all twenty questions posed to him by the 16 students, giving some answers in Japanese. Approximately 100 parents and guests attended the event. Media coverage included 3 newspapers, one television station and one radio station. To view the contact video, see: http://www.ariss.jp/Newcomers/video/Newcomers_contact.wmv 5. ARRL Publishes ARISS News The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) printed three Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) news items in its December issue of QST. The "Happenings" column (page 54) had a story with a photo about the first few days of Richard Garriott's mission as the magazine went to press. "This Just In -- In Brief" section (page 12) had a paragraph about Richard Garriott's mission. A paragraph and photo were printed (page 100) about a revolving display that is circulating in the San Diego Public libraries. The display is about ham radio and includes the topics of satellites, ARISS, packet, moonbounce, and other ham radio modes. 6. NASA Birthday Celebration Includes ARISS Students The Naples Daily News ran an article about a Florida school that was invited to participate in NASA's Digital Learning Network presentation of its 50th anniversary. Pine Ridge Middle, a NASA Explorer School, was one of ten schools to join in the celebration. Pine Ridge students took part in an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, in February 2006. The story may be found at: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/nov/13/local-students-have-blast-celebr… 7. NASA Cites Article on ARISS Students NASA Headquarters News Service picked up on an article about four students attending Humber College in Toronto who are building two communications systems to make contact with the space station. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Delegate Daniel Lamoureux was interviewed for the article. See: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jiaytfIhmwAy6LAnx0ey42_unrlg [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, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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WD9EWK @ DM22, Saturday afternoon/evening
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

Hi! Thanks to John K8YSE for the Friday evening activity via AO-51 from DM51 in southeastern Arizona. A new grid for my logbook, and I'm sure for several others. I was down in that part of Arizona in May 2008, and except that time and tonight I haven't heard DM51 on the satellites in the almost 3 years I've been on. John's trip earlier this week to DM31 in another part of southern Arizona was also a good time to put another rare Arizona grid into satellite logs. Nice to see others trying to activate unusual grids, allowing everyone a chance to put them in our logs. Tomorrow (Saturday, 22 November) afternoon and evening, into Sunday (23 November) on the UTC clock, I will be out in another corner of Arizona. I will go out to southwestern Arizona for grid DM22. My plans are still to work several passes there. I am planning to work one AO-16 pass, then two passes each on AO-51 and SO-50, hoping to put many stations in my log and a new grid (or, if I am on a grid boundary, possibly 2 new grids) in satellite logs across North America. DM22 has been on over the past few years. There were a couple of stations on from Yuma, Arizona, about a year ago working the FM satellites. Over the years, there has been some activity from Mexicali on the Mexican side of the border fence, across from Calexico and El Centro in California. Apparently DM22 has not been on enough for many to work, or to get confirmations for that grid, via satellite. As with many of my recent trips, it will not be necessary to send me a QSL card to get one of mine for DM22. Just e-mail me the details of our QSO(s) so I can check that against my log and audio recordings. If you are in the log, you'll get a card. And, after all my travels in 2008 up to now - at least 3000 miles/5000km by road plus a recent trip to Canada - portable satellite operating is still fun. :-) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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First week as a satellite newbie
by Bryan Green 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

Greetings, all: Bryan KL7CN/W6 here in CM98fn. A week ago, the used IC-W32A and Arrow 146/437-10WBP I purchased from N3PKC via QRZ.com arrived. Hurray! The very first night I stood in the back yard and waved the antenna above my head in one hand and held the IC-W32A in the other. I heard K6LCS on SO-50, but couldn't quite manage to get things aligned to get them to work. The next night I brought the gear to our local Sacramento Java Users Group meeting. It might seem like a funny association, but there have been a couple members of the group who very recently got their radio licenses and I wanted to share the satellite experience with them. So, later that night, Marnie KI6SXU and I stood on a darkened street corner between buildings in a business park in Rancho Cordova, and scanned the sky for SO-50 with the Arrow. Late-leaving workers and security guards made double-takes at us as they drove by, but then we heard him! Chris, KG7EZ in DN32! I stuttered through calling him back, and we made contact! Chris was very gracious and encouraging as we elatedly told him that he was our very first satellite contact! After the thrill of first contact was done, we packed up the gear and went inside to look up the call sign and grid square -- sure enough, there he was! We spent the next hour looking at Google Maps, AMSAT.org, and QRZ.com. We completely skipped the rest of the meeting! Marnie, who's had her license all of two months, concluded that this was actually fun and that she could imagine herself chasing satellites with her retired grandfather at his middle-of-nowhere cabin in Arizona. Since then, I've made 10 more contacts on both AO-51 and SO-50. It took a while to discover the mode schedule for AO-51; it sure started working better after the 17th when mode VU was turned on. I added an old tripod to the mix after watching K7AGE's excellent video tutorials which helps quite a bit. I've heard the ISS on 145.825 Packet but haven't heard anything else from them. This is fun. It's inspiring! I keep imagining the science curriculum that could be written around this! I want to show it to my high-school age cousins! Of course, I aspire to a lovely ground station with a wonderful computer-controlled high-power VHF/UHF transceiver and a fabulous antenna array mounted on rotors on a tower. But this manual operation makes it fun! I walk around outside on the sidewalk, moving the tripod so it has the best view of the pass. I make a complete fool of myself as I juggle the HT, the notebook with coordinates, the flashlight, and my cellphone to check the time. (Note to self: petition Icom to put a clock chip in their HTs -- obvious?) What a hoot! Thanks for listening; I'll hear you on the birds -- I'll be the fellow that sounds like a noob. -- bag

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Re: First week as a satellite newbie
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

Way to go Bryan (& Marnie) !!! Great narrative ! Congratulations - and keep after the dream. It takes time, but it happens. Don't forget to submit contact info for your certificate : http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/awards/ You now qualify for the "Satellite Communicators' Club" . . . Enjoy /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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Graphical Satellite Pass Schedule Graphics?
by DeYoung James 23 Nov '08

23 Nov '08

Greetings, Does anyone know of a pass scheduler program that produces satellite pass times graphically for multiple satelites over say at least a day? A ficticous 1/2-day example of what I am looking for appears below. I know Bob's aprsdos does it but I don't run dos level programs anymore in Vista if I can help it. I built an Excel spreadsheet to kind of produce a graphical pass schedule but it is a painfully manual process to generate. Thanks. 0h 03h 06h 09h 12h AO-7 --- ---- FO-29 --- ---- --- AO-16 --- ---- VO-52 -- --- -- AO-51 --- ------ -- SO-50 --- ----- --- etc, etc. Jim, N8OQ

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Confusion over VUCC criteria
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

I checked the web page for VUCC, and it says no active satellites or repeaters can be used for the award. Whoops, maybe I misunderstood but I thought these SAT QSO's, once confirmed, would count towards VUCC. Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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Predict Voice Announcements?
by Scott Schmautz 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

Hi All: Anyone have any problems with the voice announcements with the Predict program? If I understand correctly, if you use an uppercase "T" command, you will get voice announcements periodically. Doesn't seem to want to work here, am I missing something? No big deal, just curious! Scott/WB2UZR -- Yogi Berra - "I never said most of the things I said."

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Ao16 is kicking
by Jim Danehy 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

I have to second the expressed opinions about the AO16 operation . . . there is a connection between AO16 and good operating techniques . . . could opine why but no need to do that . . . those that frequent that satellite really are the best ops I have come across in the satellite game . . . a pleasant experience with those guys on all of the birds . . . . Jim W9VNE

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AO16 is KICKING. 2030 UTC pass on 22 NOV
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

Three new QSO's in three minutes today: WA4NVM (Anderson), KC9ELU (Mike), WB2OQQ (Pete). All three gentlemen (and several others I heard after I was done), were polite, did not transmit on top of each other, and exhibited outstanding comms discipline. Sure taught this newcomer to AMSAT some good examples of how to work the bird like a professional! Thanks, OM's! Also, nice to see the old bird working FB! Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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UISS, GO-32 & 9600pbs
by John Hackett 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

Hello Nader, I was extreenly interested in your discovery that the UISS program decodes 9600 bps from GO-32 - (and AO-51). I lost interested in packet radio in 1990 when I moved to Frei Island. >From myQTH, surrounded by mountains, it was nigh on impossible to work the Pacsats in LEO and of course (for the same reason) the ISS was a non-starter for me, 'm too far north. However, I just checked - and I see that GO-32 'is' workable from my QTH occasionally. I know how to modify rigs for 9600 bps but my question is ... Is it possible to make some sort of relatively simple tuning indicator for 9600bps ??. Tone decoder, centre meter, LED's, old 1 inch tube type RTTY indicator, comparator system ... I can't find any information on the net. 1200 bps is easy but I believe 9600 bps is a different matter - (I am of course showing my digital ignorance here). Do you have any references to any circuit diagrams Nader ??. I know you can't actually *hear* 9600bps modulation, hence my request for an 'indicator'. I believe one way is that the white (background) noise goes quiet when 9600bps is being received. Confirmation - (or strong denials) - of this would be appreciated from the digital experts among us. Any advice, tips, references or relavant URL's would be greatly appreciated. to recap ... I'm looking for some sort of 'INDICATOR' for 9600bps signals ... (if it's possible). 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Satellites 9k6 with Soundcard
by nader omer 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

I succeded to decoded the AO-51 TLM and GO-32 TLM using UISS and AGWPE softwares with soundcard . 9k6 bps seem works fine with soundcard ! some where I have read ,It is impossible to decode 9k6 by soundcard ! but it seem ok with my RX experment from sat. And in shack TX experement was ok between 2 setup using a soundcard at one end and on the other end a TNC at 9k6 speed. for more info and snapshot see my weblink http://www.st2nh.com/satellites I wish if some one add a module to UISS for pacsat . so we can work PACSAT with soundcard!! Or if WISP work under AGWPE we can use soundcard for pacsat. 73 DE Nader , ST2NH www.st2nh.com

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Transcr Question
by D. Mynatt 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

Hi group, I still struggling through selecting a radio for 2m and 70cm satellite work. I already have a G-5500 and a 2m and 432 antenna from M-Squared, and the computer interface, and pre-amps. I'm thinking I'm starting okay but now the hard part -the Radio. A friend has a Yaesu FT-7800 unit he wants to sell me. I'm all atwitter thinking that two radios, one for each band, is better than one and need some insight. I can get some older ICOMs (471A and 271A) and was wondering what the group thought of (1) two radios versus one; (2) the Yaesu FT-7800; and (3) the ICOM 471 and 271 as my base station. I'm thinking I'll need CAT and I'm not sure the FT has it. What is one to do? Advice solicited! Dave/KA0SWT

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Re: Predict Voice Announcements?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

Scott sed: > Anyone have any problems with the voice announcements with the Predict > program? If I understand correctly, if you use an uppercase "T" command, you > will get voice announcements periodically. Doesn't seem to want to work > here, am I missing something? No big deal, just curious! Hummm, Guess I've been away a while also. Would this be the same 'predict' program I had set up many years ago on a linux webserver to generate pass predictions on demand ? Perhaps it has been updated to also do sound... Could have some interesting possibilities... Or maybe there is a Windows version these days ? "Only slightly more advanced then 'clueless'" ... /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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Re: TH-D7g Duplex operation question
by Henk, PA3GUO 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

Hi ! The 'D' indicates which band is selected for DATA (eg APRS), ... and has nothing to do with duplex mode :-) Regarding duplex: when you press duplex then the THD7 is immediately into duplex mode, eg band A 145.920 and band B 435.300 Mhz. Select band A (a/b) if you want to transmit on A. Select band B (a/b) if you want to transmit on B. While you transmit on A, you still hear sound, coming from band B. This way you can hear yourself back via eg AO51. (you may need either external mic or a headphone in this set-up) If you go to http://www.pa3guo.com, click on OTHERS in topmenu and then DOWNLOADS in left menu you get sat-memories for the THD7 which you can quickly donwload via a PC into the THD7. Success ! Henk, PA3GUO http://www.pa3guo.com

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TH-D7g Duplex operation question
by Jeff Yanko 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

Hi all! I bought this HT a few months ago and still trying to find the time to operate it! :) I have a question about the full duplex operation. From reading the manual, it describes how to set up the duplex operation. However, it doesn't describe how to set it up on crossband operation, 144/430. When I want to operate on AO-51 using the 144 up / 430 down setup, which band does the duplex occur, where the "D" is inserted next to the frequency? 144 or 430? 73, Jeff WB3JFS

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Re: Transcr Question
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 22 Nov '08

22 Nov '08

Hi Dave- I have used an IC 471A and a IC 251A for years. The only issue is with the older Icoms you need an outboard preamp for the mic and I don't believe they can interface for doppler, at least I never tried. They can be had very reasonably. 73 Bob W7LRD -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "D. Mynatt" <dave(a)mynatt.biz> > Hi group, I still struggling through selecting a radio for 2m and 70cm > satellite work. I already have a G-5500 and a 2m and 432 antenna from M-Squared, > and the computer interface, and pre-amps. I'm thinking I'm starting okay but > now the hard part -the Radio. > > A friend has a Yaesu FT-7800 unit he wants to sell me. I'm all atwitter > thinking that two radios, one for each band, is better than one and need some > insight. > > I can get some older ICOMs (471A and 271A) and was wondering what the group > thought of (1) two radios versus one; (2) the Yaesu FT-7800; and (3) the ICOM > 471 and 271 as my base station. > > I'm thinking I'll need CAT and I'm not sure the FT has it. > > What is one to do? Advice solicited! > > Dave/KA0SWT > _______________________________________________ > 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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K8YSE @ DM51 on AO-51 - 0130 UTC, 22 November
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 21 Nov '08

21 Nov '08

Hi! I just spoke with John K8YSE. He is currently in southeastern Arizona, and will head to a point around Bisbee in grid DM51 for one pass tonight (22 November, on the UTC clock). Look for K8YSE on the 0130 UTC AO-51 pass, which should cover most of North America. Good luck, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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More newsletters
by Phil Karn Jr, KA9Q 21 Nov '08

21 Nov '08

Ralph Wallio, W0RPK, has contributed pdf image scans of the 1975 and 1976 issues of the AMSAT Newsletter. Check them out and see just how young those of us who were around then all look! I've created an index page for all the files: http://www.ka9q.net/newsletters.html Many thanks to Ralph! 73, Phil

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Happy Birthday Alpha
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 20 Nov '08

20 Nov '08

A quick Happy Birthday to Space Station Alpha . . . http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/10th_anniversary.html While not exactly a 'ham-radio satellite' by some standards, this bird certainly gets ham radio some good press with the ARISS program. This article may have been pointed out here on the BB when it first came out - but it is well worth a repeat, as inspiration and recognition are always welcome. Check it out : http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/ariss.html Thanks /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://www.somenet.net ->

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WiSP registration ?
by Dave Aitch 20 Nov '08

20 Nov '08

Who is looking after the numbers for registering WiSP ? Installing to a new machine and my number is not accepted. 73, Dave. G1OCN AMSAT UK 5766

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Handbag Sat
by Chris Bloy 20 Nov '08

20 Nov '08

BODY { font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px; } Hi All, Anyone know if the new Handbag sat will be avaliable via keps? I guess it will be floating a while before reentry!? Thanks, Chris

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IC-Z1A and FM satellites?
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 20 Nov '08

20 Nov '08

Hi! Does anyone know how well an IC-Z1A dual-band HT handles full-duplex satellite operation? Does it suffer from the same issues as many have reported with IC-W32A HTs? I know this is an older HT, a predecessor of the IC-W32A, and I'm trying to answer a question I received about this particular HT. Thanks in advance, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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way of satellite recovery?
by AB2VY 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Hi to everybody, after have reading this article about the possibility of bringing Vanguard 1 back to Earth http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23639980/ , an "unhealthy" idea has crossed my brain... , premise that Vanguard 1 is "3.25-pound (1.5-kilogram), 6.4-inch-wide (16.3-centimeter-wide)" so little.. , a program to recover/repair something of too bigger ( like... AO40 ?? ......) is possible ? if the answer is "yes" the costs are too bigger or too low than the launch costs (4.5 million to 15 million Euros to launch) explained by David G0MRF in the past message? Logically it is necessary that NASA has a similar mission to which rely... would be an interesting study on this possibility of recovery/repair a satellite like AO40 "dead" in space this message wants to be an open track for a discussion about "Satellite repair in Space" thanks for your attention and best 73 Giulio AB2VY (ex KC2OTB) c/o Toms River NJ AMSAT-NA member 36417 Posta, news, sport, oroscopo: tutto in una sola pagina. Crea l'home page che piace a te! www.yahoo.it/latuapagina

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Re: Arrow antenna
by Jim Leder 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Thanks for the positive feedback from all. I'm not looking for a 'killer' antenna, just something small but more efficient than the Cushcraft A270-6 that I am currently using. I have it fixed tilted at about 25 degrees atop my 33' foot 'pole tower'. I made some modifications to the feed part of it and retuned the gamma matches and it works OK, not great, but OK. I'd like to replace it with something with a little more gain on 435. It works very well on 145. I'm either going to clone the Arrow (VE2ZAZ's clone) or buy a bare Arrow and weatherize it. Got all winter to ponder it. And yes, Jim WA4IVM, guess we are a couple of old fogies... Looks like we both got our tickets in the same year, and got retired the same year. 30 years with IBM and 6 years in other places as a consultant was enough for me. Glad that part of my life is over. Thanks again for all the comments and 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: "Jim Wright" <wrightjrjr(a)verizon.net> To: "Jim Leder" <k8cxm(a)fuse.net> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 9:01 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Arrow antenna > Jim Leder wrote: >> I am a user of an Arrow II handheld yagi. I am also very impressed with >> it's performance. Has anyone attempted to weatherize it for permanent >> outside tower use? Seems a little Loctite on the element threads and some >> shrink wrap around the BNC connectors, pull the foam handle and mount it. >> Anyone try this? >> >> 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. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> >> >> > It is a nice antenna for portable use, but a bit skimpy in gain for use on > a tower with a lot of coax loss and no preamp. Don't forget about that > diplexer in the handle will need weather proofing. I own this antenna but > use M2 (M squared) longer antennae with preamps for a more versatile > ability to band hop with out blowing a preamp by mistake. My preamps have > a 100 watt rating before they should be damaged. > > If you can stand the loss in the coax, take a shot. The antenna is not > that expensive that you can't replace it if weather gets to it. > > 73, > Jim > WA4IVM since 1961 > Verizon (Bell Atlantic) retiree since 1999. > > Probably makes us a pair of old timers! > >

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Re: ISS transition across Moon
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Thanks Doug for that link, Looking at the SpaceWeather Home page shows us this article as well, http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2008-216 Which gives us more to think about in our own 'space-networking' quest ... Thanks /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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ISS transition across Moon
by Doug Kuitula 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Hi all, This is a bit off topic, but I thought I'd forward a link for this photo. It's an image, taken at the Beijing Planetarium, of the ISS crossing in front of the Moon. http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2008/19nov08/Xin-Li1.jpg?PHPSESSID=hr7bqr7… 73 de Doug KA8QCU

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Antenna Noise Temperature for U/V band Yagi
by Chiu-Teng Tsai 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Dear all, Is there any body know the antenna noise temperature for UB-7030SAT (30-element Yagi with gain 16.15dBi for UHF band) and VB-216SAT (16-element Yagi with gain 12.15dBi for VHF band) Or any data for similar antenna. I am calculating the link budget and need some data for reference. Thanks for your help! BM6ERA

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IC-910H/ Packet
by Peter 19 Nov '08

19 Nov '08

Hi All, I have an Icom IC-910H, and would like to operate 4800 and 9600 bps; I looked into the Kantronics KPC-9612, great TNC but very pricey! Has anyone set up packet for the abovementioned baud using a cheaper alternative, thank you. 73, Pete, WB2OQQ

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Arrow antenna
by Jim Leder 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

I am a user of an Arrow II handheld yagi. I am also very impressed with it's performance. Has anyone attempted to weatherize it for permanent outside tower use? Seems a little Loctite on the element threads and some shrink wrap around the BNC connectors, pull the foam handle and mount it. Anyone try this? 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.

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Re: First week as a satellite newbie
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Congrats Bryan, be aware this stuff is very habit forming <grin>. 73 Bob W7LRD -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: Bryan Green <bag(a)mac.com> > Greetings, all: > > Bryan KL7CN/W6 here in CM98fn. > > A week ago, the used IC-W32A and Arrow 146/437-10WBP I purchased from > N3PKC via QRZ.com arrived. Hurray! > > The very first night I stood in the back yard and waved the antenna > above my head in one hand and held the IC-W32A in the other. I heard > K6LCS on SO-50, but couldn't quite manage to get things aligned to get > them to work. > > The next night I brought the gear to our local Sacramento Java Users > Group meeting. It might seem like a funny association, but there have > been a couple members of the group who very recently got their radio > licenses and I wanted to share the satellite experience with them. > > So, later that night, Marnie KI6SXU and I stood on a darkened street > corner between buildings in a business park in Rancho Cordova, and > scanned the sky for SO-50 with the Arrow. Late-leaving workers and > security guards made double-takes at us as they drove by, but then we > heard him! Chris, KG7EZ in DN32! I stuttered through calling him back, > and we made contact! Chris was very gracious and encouraging as we > elatedly told him that he was our very first satellite contact! > > After the thrill of first contact was done, we packed up the gear and > went inside to look up the call sign and grid square -- sure enough, > there he was! We spent the next hour looking at Google Maps, > AMSAT.org, and QRZ.com. We completely skipped the rest of the meeting! > Marnie, who's had her license all of two months, concluded that this > was actually fun and that she could imagine herself chasing satellites > with her retired grandfather at his middle-of-nowhere cabin in Arizona. > > Since then, I've made 10 more contacts on both AO-51 and SO-50. It > took a while to discover the mode schedule for AO-51; it sure started > working better after the 17th when mode VU was turned on. I added an > old tripod to the mix after watching K7AGE's excellent video tutorials > which helps quite a bit. I've heard the ISS on 145.825 Packet but > haven't heard anything else from them. > > This is fun. It's inspiring! I keep imagining the science curriculum > that could be written around this! I want to show it to my high-school > age cousins! > > Of course, I aspire to a lovely ground station with a wonderful > computer-controlled high-power VHF/UHF transceiver and a fabulous > antenna array mounted on rotors on a tower. But this manual operation > makes it fun! I walk around outside on the sidewalk, moving the tripod > so it has the best view of the pass. I make a complete fool of myself > as I juggle the HT, the notebook with coordinates, the flashlight, and > my cellphone to check the time. (Note to self: petition Icom to put a > clock chip in their HTs -- obvious?) What a hoot! > > Thanks for listening; I'll hear you on the birds -- I'll be the fellow > that sounds like a noob. > > -- bag > _______________________________________________ > 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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PCSAT-1 Returns on 9 Dec
by Robert Bruninga 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

PCSAT-1 should return to full operations on 9 Dec 08. Plan on another Satellite Simulated Emergency Test. This should give a few weeks for some good 2m packet contacts and the SSET, and if the ISS is also operational on 145.825, then there is the possibility for some lucky 2-hop DX contacts via both birds. Combined, that is 12 opportunities per day for contacts without any change in the radio. Operating PCSAT-1 is just like any 1200 baud 2 meter packet repeater. Uplink and downlink are on 145.825 and the path is VIA ARISS. This path is identical to the ISS path so that you do not have to change anything between the two spacecraft. (Until PCSAT-1 is reloaded, however, its digipeating alias is its FCC call W3ADO-1.) You can hear it every day, but its packets die before completion because of poor power budget. I just commanded PCSAT-1 yesterday and all functions are normal. All we need is the first full-sun orbit on the 9th of Dec to be able to do a full recovery; and then it should last for 2 weeks or more. You can easily operate mobile using any of the APRS radios as is (D7, D700, D710, VX-8R, DR-135), or any other radio with an external TNC, or even any radio with no TNC if you use a sound-card packet application. You can make two-way contacts, send beacons and bulletins and send your position so you will show up on the PCSAT web page http://pcsat.aprs.org I'd suggest everyone plan on testing their emergency Email capability during this time. Lets set the time window of 12 to 15 December for everyone to try to send an Email via one of these birds. Please see the Satellite Simulated Emergency Test www.aprs.org/sset.html. You can use any packet system and no special software is required. Bob, WB4APR

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Re: Ft. Wayne Hamfest update
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

I'll second that. I've never noticed Gerd posting a message on this BB, but congrats to Gerd on a nice job and congrats also to his assistant. AMSAT's volunteers are doing a nice job. I'm still kicking myself on letting a 2.5 GHz Wavetek sweep/RF generator get away. I should have jumped. You would think I would learn after my many years at Dayton. Probably my only gripes is the $4.00 to park on an open lot and $3:00 for a bottle of water but hey it's a good hamfest. OK, I'm tight, isn't that a part of being a ham. I got to turn the knobs on a Ten-Tec Jupiter, which I can't even get close to at Dayton.. Mike (K9QHO) AMSAT 33589 (but not too tight not to be a member) KA8QCU said: Message: 3 Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:26:24 -0500 From: "Doug Kuitula" <ka8qcu(a)pasty.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Ft. Wayne Hamfest update To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <001401c9483a$5e4a4b00$5ec964d0@net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi all, Just got back from the Ft. Wayne, Ind. Hamfest and wanted to thank Gerd, WB8IFM, for his AMSAT forum. I also wanted to say thanks to Carl, K9LA, for his talk about amateur radio and amateur astronomy. That makes me wonder how many folks on this BB use their satellite gear for any sort of radio astronomy. I would think that if you're working any EME, the same setup may possibly be used for other ventures. 73, de Doug KA8QCU

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WD9EWK from DM22 (22 November)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Hi! On Saturday, 22 November, I am planning a quick road trip to grid DM22 in southwestern Arizona. DM22 is another grid that is not heard very often on the satellites. I am planning to work the afternoon and evening passes on AO-51, SO-50, and - if it is still on the air - AO-16 from out there. I may try to park on a grid boundary to be in two grids simultaneously (DM22/DM23 or DM22/DM32), but the main focus of this road trip is to put DM22 on the air for a few passes. If you make a contact with WD9EWK from DM22 and want a QSL card, please e-mail me directly with the QSO details. If you are in my log, I will be happy to send you a QSL card. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: ISS/STS-126 Position?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Scott (& others), Whether you subscribe to elements, or your program auto-updates, you can usually look and see how 'fresh' your element set values are. Most tracking programs let you see the values in use for each particular satellite. Some have verbose descriptions, others show a compact format. Looking at an example 2-line element set from the Amsat.org website, you see the number 08318, in position as the "epoch" or the instant of validity. Any element set is just a snap-shot of one moment in an orbit. Future positions are just 'running the clock forward'. This 08318 means year=2008, day = 318, or the 318th day of 2008 (13 Nov) ISS \ / 1 25544U 98067A 08318.67148292 .00010913 00000-0 84099-4 0 6455 2 25544 051.6436 330.0973 0003809 346.3452 121.7147 15.72579683572054 So this data set for ISS was generated last week, but until something changes the 'status-quo' it should be fairly accurate. When the shuttle docks, there are slight changes, but generally that same data stays fairly accurate. However the shuttle significantly slowed down to dock. That old shuttle data set is no longer useful. At 17,500 miles/hour you may not notice right away the effect of ISS docking from the ground. Possibly a difference of seconds may show up eventually, but many of us don't keep our clocks set that close. By the time the next set of radar-derived keps for ISS show up, they will most accurately describe the current 'docked' configuration of the orbiting complex. For a quick tutorial on understanding Keplerian Elements by N6NKF: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/keps_detail.php P.S. Excellent viewing opportunity this evening for ISS/STS126. I use http://www.heavens-above.com for nice tables and sky charts. Hope your weather is clear - should be spectacular... The station complex has never been bigger, it should be really bright !!! Enjoy /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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Gulf Alpha satellite antennas
by Ollie Eisman 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

I just discovered that the Gulf Alpha circularly polarized 2m and 70cm satellite antennas are back in production! (Sorry if this is old news) The polarity switching units are available as well and, according to Gulf Alpha, will be shown on the website soon. http://www.gulfalphaantennas.com/ [I'm not in any way affiliated with Gulf Alpha - just a happy customer] 73, Ollie AJ1O

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Re: ISS/STS-126 Position?
by Armando Mercado 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Hi Scott, >Do the keps for the shuttle become in accurate at some point during a docking mission? >From launch to docking to the ISS, the shuttle does several engine burns. See the following URL: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP… Armando, N8IGJ

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Re: ISS/STS-126 Position?
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Hi all, Quite correct about this information -but you will notice that you can subscribe ( free of charge) and have these updates emailed to you during Shuttle Missions. However please also note that attention is drawn to the fact that you are not permitted to pass on the information without approval. - This could be the reason ( like myself) why no has responded with a posting of the updates. Cheers Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -UK Amdsat NA

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news from DM31 tonight...
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 18 Nov '08

18 Nov '08

Hi! John K8YSE showed up on AO-51 and SO-50 this evening from a campground at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona, in grid DM31. There has been very little satellite from that grid in recent years, especially considering that most of DM31 is in Mexico, and almost all of it is in a desert that is inhospitable in summer. I'm sure there are a bunch of satellite operators that appreciate his efforts to make DM31 a little less rare. I spoke to John after the AO-51 and SO-50 passes between 0030 and 0100 UTC tonight. As he announced previously, he will be down there through Wednesday morning's AO-51 passes. I asked him if he had any way to get on at least AO-16. John said that he does not have anything to receive SSB, so he will only be on the two FM birds. So, if you want to get DM31 in your log, John will be more than happy to make that contact with you. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Sat Demo / Presentation in Pasadena, CA 11/25/08
by Clint Bradford 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

AMSAT supporter Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will be giving his "How to Work AO-51 with your HT" multimedia extravaganza presentation at the W6KA Amateur Radio Club meeting in Pasadena, CA on 11/25. "We will meet on the roof for the 6:09pm pass," Clint reports. Then we'll conduct the regular-scheduled meeting and satellite presentation at 7pm." The W6KA ARC meets at the Walnut Center location of Kaiser Permanente, 393 E. Walnut St., Pasadena CA 91188. Enter at the northern entrance to the parking structure on Los Robles north of Walnut. Press the button and tell the security officer "Radio Club" to get the gate opened. Sign in at the security desk and follow the crowd to the meeting room on the first floor. Call Clint for additional information at 909-241-7666, or send email to clint(a)clintbradford.com The handout used for the presentation, as well as frequency programming charts for both AO-51 and SO-50, are available on the amateur radio pages at... http://www.k6lcs.com /end/

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Re: ISS/STS-126 Position?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

WB2UZR sed: > Do the keps for the shuttle become in accurate at some point .. ? Scott, The KEPs published before a shuttle launch are typically for orbital insertion at an altitude and velocity that allows them to 'catch up' to ISS in it's orbit. Once they match up, the shuttle has to 'slow down' a bit to keep from passing ISS. They are obviously perfectly matched when docking occurs. Once they are hard-latched together and properly oriented along the velocity vector - it becomes stable again and the old ISS KEP set will begin to drift from accurate as slight adjustments have been made. Look for a new set of ISS KEPs with a date 'after docking' to have the best positions during joint ops. Sometimes before the shuttle leaves ISS, they use 'shuttle power' to increase ISS altitude - again a new KEP is needed. In general, a KEP data set is only useful, until something changes . . . Enjoy /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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iss/ ST126 keps
by Jim Danehy 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

I have to disagree that the keps change when they start the engine . . . they change when the object moves off the ground Jim W9VNE

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ISS/STS-126 Position?
by Scott Schmautz 17 Nov '08

17 Nov '08

Hi All: Do the keps for the shuttle become in accurate at some point during a docking mission? My tracking programs show STS-126 on the other side of the world from the ISS now, even though they are docked. They were showing them approaching each other yesterday up to a point, then they began to diverge. I notice they are very far apart this AM with updated keps. The ISS position is the correct one, and it's not that big of a deal, just curious as to why this happened? Scott/WB2UZR PS Had a nice view of the launch the other night from the backyard! -- Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho Marx

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ao-51 mode
by Eric Fort 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

will ao-51 channel A in mode uv at 01:28 utc per schedule? Does a mode change require command team action? Eric Af6ep

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Re: Some doppler observations/questions
by mlunday＠nc.rr.com 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Thanks to all who replied! For HRD, how would I enter this offset? ---- Alan Cresswell <alancresswell(a)xtra.co.nz> wrote: > Hi Mark, > > Almost all the linear sats have some offset due to variations in frequency > of the internal oscillators etc. In the case of AO-07 the offset is > temperature related and varies slowly depending on the amount of sunlight > etc. (AO-07 at the moment is about 4.5kHz) The technique I use to determine > the offset at any time is to set my receiver to the centre of the satellite > downlink passband (+/- Doppler) and then adjust my transmitter frequency to > hear myself correctly on the downlink. The difference between my actual > uplink (+/- Doppler) and the nominal centre of the uplink passband is the > offset. I save this value and use it built into my Doppler correction until > any change warrants a re-calculation. > > Alan > ZL2BX > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of Mark Lunday, WD4ELG > Sent: Sunday, 16 November 2008 04:58 > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Some doppler observations/questions > > I am using HRD with Sat tracker module (thanks, Simon!) > > I notice that for the non-FM birds I am working (AO7, FO29, VO52) the > Doppler is never quite exact. Or I guess I should say there seems to be a > constant *offset* that needs to be included in the Doppler calc. Tonight on > AO7 mode B pass, my actual downlink frequency seemed to be about 4 kHz lower > than what it should be according to the Doppler. As the bird passed by, I > followed the "one true rule" and only adjusted the higher freq (uplink in > this case). It was consistently about 4 kHz lower. > > On FO29 pass, there seemed to be about a 2 kHz offset. When the bird passed > overhead, the Doppler "flipped" quickly and I had to find my signal again. > > How can I consistently determine this offset so I can include it in with the > Doppler correction? Or is it on a case-by-case basis? > > PS Thanks, Frank, K9CIS, for the nice CW rag chew on FO29 tonight. > > Mark Lunday > WD4ELG > wd4elg(a)arrl.net > http://wd4elg.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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Invitation for students to take part in the GENSO project.
by David Johnson 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hi, The Groundstation Educational Network for Spacecraft Operations (GENSO) is a system is aimed at CubeSat operators and Amateur Satellite users to enable more effective use of the devices by providing better wordwide opportunities for telemetry recovery. The ESA Education Office would like to invite students to apply to take part in the development of the system. More details can be found at http://www.genso.org and http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMSOC5KXMF_index_0.html The project is being sponsored by member agencies of ISEB. AMSAT-UK is participating in the project by providing equipment recommemdations, setting up reference ground stations, software for predictions and hardware driver. 73 Dave, G4DPZ AMSAT-UK 1267 AMSAT-NA LM-2268 GENSO Project Software Engineering Mentor

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Ft. Wayne Hamfest update
by Doug Kuitula 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hi all, Just got back from the Ft. Wayne, Ind. Hamfest and wanted to thank Gerd, WB8IFM, for his AMSAT forum. I also wanted to say thanks to Carl, K9LA, for his talk about amateur radio and amateur astronomy. That makes me wonder how many folks on this BB use their satellite gear for any sort of radio astronomy. I would think that if you're working any EME, the same setup may possibly be used for other ventures. 73, de Doug KA8QCU

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India on the moon
by Luc Leblanc 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Congratulations a new moon club member http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Nov14_2008.htm "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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MC1317x circuit
by Andy Brian 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hello all, I'm testing a few Motorola's MC13176 and MC 13175 for future cubesat UHF and VHF FM-voice transmitter, if anyone have good circuit for that way application I'll be very gratefull. I know that many of you tried this IC for cubesat but, on internet I found only PDF but no circuit which were used for cubesat like STENSAT, DARSAT etc.. Thanks for your help best regards, Andy

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trackbox for multiple rotor pairs?
by Eric Fort 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Does anyone know of a trackbox that will drive multiple pairs of rotors? Eric

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Yaesu GS-232A schematic?
by Dave hartzell 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hello all, Does anyone have a Yaesu GS-232A schematic? I had a bit of a power "burp" in my shack. I seemed to have burnt up L1003, a ferrite inductor immediately connected to the power reception. Other components look OK, including the 5v regulator. Anyone know the value? Thanks and 73, Dave AF6KD

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FO-29 Telemetry 16 Nov 2008 from FM18
by DeYoung James 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Greetings, The structure temperatures now decode as positive values rather than negative values. A sampling of FO-29 telemetry taken on 2008 November 16 16:35 TO 16:43 UTC hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 82 c2 94 96 f1 79 af ac ae af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 81 62 94 96 f0 62 af ac ae af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 09 24 01 00 81 62 94 96 f0 67 af ac ad af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 7d 62 94 96 f0 79 af ac ad af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 7a 62 94 96 f0 7d af ab ad af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 7a 62 94 96 f0 85 af ab ad ae af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 09 24 01 01 7f 62 94 96 f1 85 af ab ad ae af --------- Data 1 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1274.5 [mA] Battery Current 1802.4 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.6 [V] Analog Tx Power 688.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.1 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.3 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 2 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1264.7 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 538.9 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.1 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.3 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 3 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 0.0 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1264.7 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 571.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.1 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 4 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1225.5 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 688.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.1 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 5 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1196.1 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 714.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.5 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 6 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1196.1 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 766.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.5 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 14.3 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 7 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1245.1 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.6 [V] Analog Tx Power 766.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.5 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 14.3 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] N8OQ Jim FM18lu

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