- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

DELFI-C3 transponder report 09:38
by Rob Hardenberg PE1ITR 27 Jul '08

27 Jul '08

Hi All, I saw the delfi-c3 command team on video from the uk amsat weekend sitting with the laptop while the sat was on AOS. My thought: They are switching on the transponder! And yes :-) wkd: DL1YDD, OZ1MY, IW5EJM and DG0ER Great signals! Sometimes Freq Modulaton on the downlink signals 73 Rob PE1ITR http://www.pe1itr.com

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 375
by James Whitfield 27 Jul '08

27 Jul '08

Peter Ellis, vk1kep: I hope that you will get "better" answers from others of the group that have practical rather than theoretical experiences with large parabolic reflectors. My only qualifications on this subject come from experience as a Geometry teacher and limited amateur astronomy, but for what it is worth, here are my thoughts. The simple answer to the necessary "flatness" is better than a quarter wavelength error. The general idea is that the radio waves you want to capture come to the "ideal" reflector and all of them bounce back to a focal point, and all of the waves reaching that point at the same time, that is "in phase". The error of the real surface translates into a phase shift. If a substantial surface area is a quarter wave behind the ideal and if an equal area is a quarter wave in front of the ideal, then the waves from the two areas will be half wave apart, causing full cancelation. The quarter wave error is used to indicate that the maximum error difference from a high point, relative to the ideal, to a low point is no more than a quarter wave. That way the wave error causes phase shift rather than cancelation. A greater error probably will provide some "gathering" of the signal, but if you want to have a parabolic reflector that all of its aperture is effective, then you need the surface to meet the quarter wave flatness. As with optics, the less the error, the better the "image" that can be resolved. As a practical matter on radio frequencies, trying to exceed quarter wave is not worth the effort. You did not state if the framework was in good enough shape to serve as a template for the ideal parabola. If it is not, I can give you a formula, but I will need more information about the dimensions of the dish. Best Wishes. James n5gui > Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:00:26 +1000 > From: Peter Ellis <vk1kep(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Dish surface 'flatness' > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID: <488A4CFA.6060703(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > I am now the proud owner of a very 'second-hand' 3m mesh-covered > skeleton dish. > > The mesh covering is metaphorical, rather than actual. I watched the > dish on its back while as a group of small children rolled the dish back > and forth and trampled holes in the mesh. That's the reason I was able > to ask for it. "Please take it away," was the manager's reply to my query. > > Now, I need to re-mesh the dish, but I need to decide what 'flatness' > ('true-ness') the surface should be. There has to be a formula, that > encompasses things like: frequency of operation, curvature or focus > distance, etc. > > I've done some looking online, but can't find it readily. > > Suggestions, and discussion, please? > > Please note: If you're going to also make product, brand name, or > supplier suggestions, then be generic as suppliers and products in VK > (Australia) will differ from where most list members will be sited. > > With thanks, > Peter > VK1KEP

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FO-29
by rm2642＠aol.com 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

Northerly pass?footprint was coast to coast but only three users?counting myself. FO-29 works?great on SSB. Thanks to JARL. Ron N6PAA

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ANS-209 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-209 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 *************************************************************** *** 2008 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting *** *** October 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia *** *** http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2008/index.php *** *************************************************************** In this edition: * AMSAT-UK Hosts Successful Space Colloquium * Delfi-C3 Amateur Radio Transponder Activated * AMSAT 2008 Field Day Summary * Cal Poly Requesting Beacon Capture Help * AMSAT Journal Update * Satellite Shorts From All Over * ARISS Status Report for the Week of July 21, 2008 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-209.01 AMSAT-UK Hosts Successful Space Colloquium AMSAT News Service Bulletin 209.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 27, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-209.01 A successful 23rd AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium was held at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England this weekend. Prof Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO Chairman AMSAT-UK, opened the Colloquium on Friday. This was followed by the keynote speech given by Dr Rob Gowen, Department of Space & Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London and Coordinator of the UK Lunar Penetrator Consortium) on "Science Penetrators for the UK MoonLITE mission". On Saturday the Delfi-C3 team gave a presentation on their exciting new satellite. Its SSB/CW 435/145 linear transponder will activated soon and is sure to prove popular with satellite enthusiasts world- wide. Saturday's Colloquium schedule also included presentations from AMSAT-DL on both the eagerly awaited P3E High Earth Orbiting satel- lite and the pioneering Mars Orbiter P5A. This will be the first private venture spacecraft to travel to the Red Planet providing Radio Amateurs with some true DX signals. A complete listing of the Colloquium Technical program can be found at: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/640/213/ The IARU Satellite Forum chaired by the IARU Satellite Adviser Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV also met during the Colloquium weekend. The main topic included Band planning for satellite operations on frequencies in the Amateur Service. The Colloquium included a live webcast of the proceedings via http://www.batc.tv/. There was a Live Chat page available to enable web viewers to post messages. [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA and AMSAT-UK for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-209.02 Delfi-C3 Amateur Radio Transponder Activated AMSAT News Service Bulletin 209.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 27, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-209.02 The Delfi team activated the Amateur Radio 435 to 145 MHz linear transponder onboard the satellite activated just before they left the Netherlands to attend the AMSAT-UK Colloquium which was held July 25-27 at the University of Surrey in Guildford, England. The Amateur Radio satellite Delfi-C3 (DO-64), built at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, was launched in April. Since then it has been collecting educational research data for use by the university students with the assistance of Radio Amateurs around the world. Members of the Delfi-C3 team gave presentations during the Colloquium about their exciting new Amateur Radio satellite. The transponder can be accessed with these frequencies: Transponder mode beacon: 145.870 MHz CW Linear transponder downlink: 145.880 - 145.920 MHz Linear transponder uplink: 435.570 - 435.530 MHz All frequencies are +/- Doppler shift that can be up to 3 kHz at 145 MHz. As it's an inverting transponder a LSB signal on the uplink would be translated to a USB signal on the downlink. The transponder mode was switched on during this weekend whenever it was within range of Europe and automatically switched back to science (telemetry) mode when it entered eclipse about 1 hour later. Rob, PE1ITR reported from the Netherland on Saturday, July 26, "Today I made my first QSO around 10:53UTC and worked HA2RD with 5x7 signals. I also heard F5ETM." Alan, ZL2BX said, "The transponder was on over ZL this morning 2036UT pass with weak signals from transponder downlink and beacon. It was active again on the 2212UT pass with very good signals from both trans- ponder downlink and beacon." More information on this satellite can be found at: Delfi-C3: http://www.delfic3.nl/ Delfi-C3 Videos on YouTube can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/user/DelfiC3 [ANS thanks the Delfi-C3 Team and AMSAT-UK for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-209.03 AMSAT 2008 Field Day Summary AMSAT News Service Bulletin 209.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 27, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-209.03 AMSAT Director Contests and Awards Bruce Paige, KK5DO, provided an executive summary of participation in the 2008 AMSAT Field Day. The results will be published in the July/August AMSAT Journal. This includes some really nice photos that were sent in. Detailed results will also be posted in an ANS bulletin. This year, we had 8 satellites used. There was even one QSO on AO-16. A total of 120 QSO's were reported and we had 17 stations submit scores. The most contacts were done on VO-52 this year. Behind that was AO-7. Here are some statistics from this year and previous years: 2005 2006 2007 2008 Satellites 8 7 5 8 QSO's 120 258 207 220 Stations 11 21 13 17 Watch your mailbox for your copy of the AMSAT Journal and standby for more Field Day news via ANS. [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-209.04 Cal Poly Requesting Beacon Capture Help AMSAT News Service Bulletin 209.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 27, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-209.04 Jason Anderson, KI6GIV, at California Polytechnic State University is requesting amateur radio operators worldwide to assist with capturing the telemetry of the Cal Poly CP4 satellite. Jason wrote, "We have seen some unpredictable behavior on our satellite, CP4. Since we only have contact with the satellite once every 12 hours, it would be extremely helpful if we could get some global support with collecting beacons to get a more complete picture of the the satellite's health." Please send any collected data (audio or decoded binary) via email to:, jander06(a)calpoly.edu Satellite Link Information ------------------------------ Frequency: 437.325Mz Modulation: FSK (but uses LSB cheat to make AFSK) Radio Mode: LSB (neccesary for LSB cheat) Baud Rate: 1200 Beacon rate: 1 beacon/minute (maybe change to 5 minutes if satellite changes mode) [ANS thanks Jason, KI6GIV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-209.05 AMSAT Journal Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 209.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 27, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-209.05 AMSAT Journal Editor, Ed Long, WA4SWJ reported that the next issue of the Journal has been delivered to the printer and will be on its way to your mailbox soon. Ed reminds members to get busy, "I am PAST DUE for articles for the next issue. If you have an article you would like to submit to the Journal please send it as soon as you can to: journal at amsat dot org." [ANS thanks Ed, WA4SWJ for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-209.06 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 209.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 27, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-209.06 + The European Space Agency has announced the commencement of payload selection for VERTA-1, the Vega second flight. The primary objective of the VERTA-1 mission is to demonstrate the multiple-payload capa- bility of the Vega launch system into a low-Earth, Sun-synchronous orbit in the 500-800 km altitude range. Payload opportunities are open to any private or public entity, without restriction as to nationality. For more information see: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Home/SEM3MKXIPIF_0.html + FO-29 has been only turned on over Japan for several months as the ground controllers worked on battery power managment to conserve this satellite for as long as possible. This past week several reports have been received that FO-29 has been heard over most of its orbit in other parts of the world. Frank, VK5MFW reported contacts with ZL2BX and ZL1BVA. Mak, SV1BSX reported a contact with SW1JGW and DL6HP. Users are encouraged to continue to be careful with this satellite's power budget and cease operation if the downlink signal weakens or experiences FM shifting. [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-209.07 ARISS Status Report for the Week of July 21, 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 209.07 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 27, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-209.07 1. School Contacts European Space Camp 2008 held at the Zanka Children and Youth Centre in Zanka, Hungary for the children of ESA employees. had an ARISS contact on Thursday, July 24. The Hungarian Astronautical Society (HAS) organized the event. The Radio Club of the Puskas Polytechnic (HA5KHC) provided equipment and support the contact. United Space School in Seabrook, Texas is slated for an ARISS contact on Wednesday, July 30 via the telebridge station ON4ISS in Belgium. These students come from around the world for a two week session, during which they stay with local host families while being mentored by astronauts, engineers, and scientists to design a mission to Mars as their team project. Class sessions are held at the University of Houston at Clear Lake. 2. Kuwait Science Club Contact Successful On Monday, July 14, youth attending the Kuwait Science Club participated in an ARISS contact via the telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii. Greg Chamitoff, KD5PKZ, answered 16 questions posed to him by 12 children and was answering the 17th question when the signal faded out. The audio from this event was fed into the EchoLink AMSAT (101 377) con- ference room server which received 11 connections from 3 countries. It was also fed into the EchoLink JK1ZRW (277 208) server and into the IRLP Discovery Reflector 9010. More information and the audio file may be found on the ARISS-Europe Web site. See: http://www.ariss-eu.org/2008_07_15.htm 3. ARISS TIM The ARISS team is meeting in Moscow this week for a Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM). The conference will be held July 21-23. [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, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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LVB Tracker
by Ronald A. Stunden 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

Great I just turned on the G5600 and LVB Tracker and getting "Warning Bad EPROM DATA", Can I try to reload the Eprom or do I have to order a new one?? Thanks Ron

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Presentations on P3E and the Mars Orbiter P5A
by Trevor 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

The Amateur Radio Mars Orbiter P5A and the High Earth Orbit (HEO) P3E will feature in presentations given by AMSAT-DL on Saturday July 26th, at the AMSAT-UK 'Satellite Weekend' which is open to all. The Amsat P5-A will be the first spacecraft built by Radio Amateurs to go to the Red planet and the first ever private interplanetary spacecraft. It will use frequencies in the Amateur Satellite Service allocations at 2.4 and 10 GHz. A video of P5-A 'With AMSAT P5-A to MARS' can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIJ548EyUME Pioneering spacecraft like these demonstrate the need for the both the Amateur Radio and Amateur Satellite Services to have access to Low Noise Floor allocations in the microwave spectrum so they can carry out weak signal experimentation. The P3E presentation by Peter Guelzow DB2OS takes place at 11:30 am (1030 GMT) on Saturday. He will followed by Achim Vollhardt DH2VA with the presentation on the Mars Orbiter P5A. Thanks to the BATC both presentations will be streamed live to the web at http://www.batc.tv/ New for 2008, it has been arranged with the University for "walkin" day visitors for £10 per day. For this, you do not get any meals, only attendance at lectures/beginners sessions. It does not entitle you to any other of the functions. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day. It would help if you could let us know in advance if you intend using this facility, please email g3wgm(a)amsat.org For further details see http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/ Programme: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/640/213/ Travel information: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/23/52/ A site map showing location of the Management Building and the adjacent main car park and conference visitors parking can be seen at http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/stories/uosmap6.jpg AMSAT-UK Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Join AMSAT-UK Online at: https://secure.amsat.org.uk/subscription/ Webcast: http://www.batc.tv/ AMSAT-UK Web: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ---- __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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Re crossed yagi question.
by Angus 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

OK now that I have a crossed yagi in the X format, I must say I am very pleased with its performance. Here is the question with the yagi in the X format, does it perform as well when set with delay lines to horizontal polarity as a yagi with the same gain beam width etc set in the horizontal polarity? I ask this as I don't have a lot of test equipment and most of my results are a 'by ear' equipment. I just wonder if anyone (someone will have I am sure) has done any checking to see what if any difference there is between X set to Horizontal and a normal yagi set in horizontal? Thanks for allowing me to ask what might be some very daft/odd questions hi regards Gus M0IKB -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 1384 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len

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go-32 techsat1b
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

Hi folks. well did not capture anything but did get my sqelze to break and a sound from it. I think something is wrong with go-32. will check back later. kc8gkf 1049 am pass USA 73 Degrees max Michigan

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go-32 techsat1b
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

Hi folks, going to try again this am pass. I feel there is nothing coming from go-32 again but will give it another shot. I Have a good pass at 73 degrees over head. I Thought I would let everyone know that you can get a whole page of data without moving the antenna or the doppler. This information is good to know. I have done it before. At least from this sat. The address to write techsat1b was no good but will keep trying. (website) Looks like the last time they reached up to her was 2002. Hopefully not. Anyway wish me luck. USA pass is 1049 am. kc8gkf

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DELFIC3 Transponder report
by Rob Hardenberg PE1ITR 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

Hi all, Today I could make my first qso via the delfic3 transponder with good signals around 10:53UTC: - wkd ha2rd 57 signals - hrd f5etm - ssb signals where to weak at < 4 degrees el - I could hear my cw downlink to <0.5 degrees el Thanks to command team to switch the transponder on remotly from the amsat weekend in surrey. At the moment there is no full-turn of the transponder but that will soon happen. 73 Rob PE1ITR http://www.pe1itr.com

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FO-29
by Frank Woolfe 26 Jul '08

26 Jul '08

Great contacts with ZL2BX and ZL1BVA on FO29's 0200UTC pass from the centre of VK "PF88jt". It seems another "Blast from the past" has come back to life (well done fella's) Unfortunately when it got further north the same problem as always north of VK, the 2m Rx bombarded with every Pirate in Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia etc...Who would build an uplink on 2m these days stick to the tried and proven 70cm up 2m down, the only way to go... Frank VK5MFW

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FO-29 is back again !
by SV1BSX 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

Hello all, after Robert-G8ATE's report on Amsat-BB, this evening I tried together with my friend Dimitris, SW1JGW, a test on FO-29. Well, yes indeed, the Satellite is active again ! Just after the AOS we heard clear the Beacon, and then I had a nice QSO with SW1JGW (21:36Z) ! After that I changed my frequency a bit lower and I had a 2nd QSO with DL6HP (21:38 Z). Both, Dimitris and I, we were QRP ! 5 Watts for Uplink were enough for excellent return signals on Downlink. By using QRP we tried to avoid any overloading of the bird. The Satellite was really Booming, always 55 - 59 with "crystal audio". However, at 21:38 my return-signal rapidly decreased, but even much lower it was easily readable. After that I interrupted my TX and I return onto Beacon frequency. Q5 now, but still "clear" ! Later I noticed that on my tracking software, precisely at this time the Satellite came on a new Eclipse ! So, probably the old-Batteries are not strong enough in order to support the same Downlink-power in eclipse, like that on Sunlight. Also I observed some FMing at this point and I lost the signal before the LOS, but on this direction I have not "clear horizon" (but High buildings), so I can't say with accuracy if the Satellite was still "ON" or not. Sorry ! Anyway, the FO-29 is back again ! Great news ! CU on FO-29 ! 73 de Mak, SV1BSX Email: sv1bsx "AT" yahoo .gr URL : http://sv1bsx.50webs.com

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Vertical MOXON antennas for satellites
by WB2LLP 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

My somewhat porous memory says that L. B. Cebik wrote a couple of articles on using vertical Moxon antennas to create omni-directional 144 and 432 antennas for satellite frequencies. I can not find those articles in my shack. Is there someone with a better organized magazine collection who can tell me what magazine and issue.? TNX es 73 de WB2LLP Gene

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Delfi-C3 Tranponder now activated over Europe
by Trevor 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

Delfi-C3 Tranponder now activated over Europe The Delfi-C3 435 to 145 MHz SSB/CW transponponder has now been activated.. It will be switched on duing this weekend whenever it is within range of Europe and will automatically switch back to science (telemetry) mode when it goes into eclipse about 1 hour later. This means that only those within range of the European passes will be able to use it. The Delfi-C3 team will be giving presentations on their exciting new satellite during the AMSAT-UK Colloquium taking place at the University of Surrey, home of the Surrey Space Centre. The presentations start at 09:05 am (0805GMT) on Saturday July 26th and will will be streamed live to the web to a worldwide audience at http://www.batc.tv/ For more info see http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/658/68/ ---- __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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Re: Delfi-C3 Tranponder now activated over Europe
by G0MRF＠aol.com 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

In a message dated 25/07/2008 20:41:01 GMT Standard Time, dave(a)g1ocn.com writes: Did you actually hear anything at all during the last pass to the east of the UK Trevor ? Cheers, Dave. Heard a 2m beacon sending CW. " Hi de Delfi c3 " apx 9pm UK time That's new to me. Thanks David G0MRF

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DO64 and FO29 report
by Robert Turlington 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

Hi All did not hear DO64 on the 1007 pass over the UK this morning Glad to report that the FO29 beacon and transponder were active on the 1036 pass over the UK this morning Managed a QSO with PA1TNO at 1039 using low power (less than 5 w) both ways good news indead. Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ Find the best and worst places on the planet http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/101719807/direct/01/

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Verta 1 - a new opportunity to fly your spacecraft
by Graham Shirville 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

Hi all, Just spotted on the ESA website... http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Home/SEM3MKXIPIF_0.html Please form an orderly queue(line) 73 from Guildford Graham G3VZV

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AO-51 2nd repeater switched to telemetry for Sunday UTC
by Andrew Glasbrenner 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

For roughly 24 hours from 0000UTC to 2400UTC Sunday the 27th, we are going to switch AO-51's 435.150 transmitter from repeater to telemetry. This is in order to gather important WOD (Whole Orbit Data) to manage the satellite, and to honor a late request by AMSAT-UK to demonstrate the GENSO (http://www.genso.org/) system at the AMSAT-UK meeting. 73, Drew KO4MA

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GO-32/TECHSAT1B NO-GO
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

Hi, folks, nothing again from go-32, tryed to xmit up to it just in case it needed turned on or something. but nothin. will have to go back to the drawing board i feel. everything should be working here. mast mount pre-amp, antenna, rig, tnc @ 9600 baud. did not hear a thing. I had a good pass also, 74 degrees. The pass was at 1010 this am USA. Coming WNW From me. Not sure if I should give up or not. Is anyone getting the downlink from her? I know once in awhile she goes down. kc8gkf

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help
by Bob Nave 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

All My husband (wb9adt) passed away suddenly in January of this year, he was a huge ham radio collector and operator. I have found help in selling his radios, but now I need help in selling his anntennas. I was hoping there was someone in the Decatur, Indiana area that could maybe contact me off site at patcher@mchsi with maybe a little advice on how to sell them. I know nothing about them other than the fact that they worked when he passed away. Any help I could get would be greatly appreciated.

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Re: Cal Poly Satellite Keps error!
by Alan P. Biddle 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

In trying to copy CP4, I noticed that there is a discrepancy in the Keps being distributed. Jason's Keps give the object number as 31132. You get this from Space-Track, and it seems to give a good agreement. However, the Celestrak and those distributed by AMSAT give the object number as 31122. Close, but off enough that it makes automatic tracking nearly impossible. So when you do an automatic update of your Keps, be certain to go back in and put in the correct object. Alan WA4SCA

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re polarity control help needed
by Angus 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

To all those who have offered advice, very many thanks, very much appreaciated. I thank those who also sent private emails and info, very much appreaciated. The outcome is I am going to leave it well alone now hi thanks again regards Gus M0IKB -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 1364 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len

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Delfi-C3 report
by i8cvs 25 Jul '08

25 Jul '08

Hi Wouter , PA3WEG To day 25 july during orbits 1305 and 1306 in full sun illumination Delfi-C3 was OFF both in science mode and transponder mode. When do you plan to switch ON the transponder ? 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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for sale:TH-D7A/G
by D. Craig Fox 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

I really do need to take a remedial typing class, or at least do a serious proof read before posting on the board. The radio I have for sale and posted above is a Kenwood TH-D7A/G 2.0. This is the latest version and has all manuals including the additional manual for the "G" upgrade. Sorry for any confusion. 73's, Craig N6RSX NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you.

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Digital modes with a handheld
by Allen Vinegar 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

There are several good howto tutorials to help people get started on the FM birds with a handheld. How about one for digital mode using a Kenwood TH-D7AG? Or is it not practical to attempt digital mode with a handheld? I am new to the satellites and have much to learn. Thanks for any help you all can provide. 73, Al, W8KHP

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Cost of an HEO launch
by G0MRF＠aol.com 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

The anticipated 'going rate' for this new vehicle is shown at the bottom of the page. _http://www.spacex.com/falcon9.php_ (http://www.spacex.com/falcon9.php) Test flight anyone? David

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Florida AMSAT Net
by David J 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

Due to technical problems, the N4HHA Orlando repeater will not carry the Florida AMSAT Net this evening. Any stations that normally check-in through this repeater can join us through the NI4CE system of repeaters located in the west central Florida area (see www.ni4ce.org) or through echolink via KG4YZY-R at node # 4429. 73s, Dave, AA4KN

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for sale: TH-7D/G MINT
by D. Craig Fox 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

So I bought this about a month ago from WD8BMP (check out his stellar seller's history on QTH.com) to get into portable packet/APRS, have a great dual band radio with digital capability, and maybe do some digital sat work. However, I now have an opportunity to buy a nice TM-D710A from a SK estate for a good price. I have done no more than run this radio through basic functions and everything is properly functioning. It has not been far from the box. It comes with the original PB-39 battery, wall charger, and rubber duck, and additional items including 9.6v 1450maH and 7.2v 1800maH Batteries America batteries (with belt clips), and programming cable. Taking an example from others, I wanted to offer this nice radio to fellow AMSAT members/operators first before going the usual route. I paid $350 plus 3% for paypal, and will take $300 plus 3% for paypal, or a postal money order. Price includes shipping via ground UPS conus from socal. I will gladly provide photos and answer any questions (as long as they are not too technical). Let me emphasize- this radio looks brand spanking new. There is a wealth of info on the 'net about these remarkable radios, as well as devoted websites and user groups. Please reply directly to me at dcfox(a)rwglaw.com. Thanks 73, Craig N6RSX

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Delfi-C3 (DO-64) Transponder Expected To Be Turned On for AMSAT-UK Colloquium!!
by Bill Ress 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

Hello All, This weekend we should should have a new linear transponder when the Delfi-C3 (DO-64) transponder gets turned ON!! Yeah!! Check out the link to the AMSAT-UK web site............... http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/658/68/ Regards...Bill - N6GHz

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Operating Preferences Survey - RESULTS
by Bill Ress 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

Hello all, I have closed the survey. Thanks to the 164 people who took the survey. The results give rather clear insight regarding your operating preferences and should be helpful in future AMSAT "stategic" decisions. I'm going to link you to the actual SurveyGizmo results page so you can see the data compiled and see the results without any comment from me. But because I didn't format the graph text narrative more clearly, I'll need to help you understand it. Question 3 - The data shows "W" which stand for worldwide satellite coverage. "A" stands for coverage of the America's and Canada Question 5 - "INFO" is "need more information" Question 6 - "NO2" is NO - I'M NOT INTERESTED IN THIS MODE OF OPERATION and "NO" is NO - I DON'T HAVE ANTENNA RESTRICTIONS. The rest of the graph text should be clear. Here's the link: http://app.sgizmo.com/reports/18952/48864/4G6MMZP08F5CHHRFD5IFKRUG0SX47H/ I hope it works properly. Let me know if it doesn't. Thanks again for your time in taking the survey. Regards...Bill - N6GHz

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May/June AMSAT Journal
by Ed Long 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

Everyone, I just uploaded the May/June issue of The AMSAT Journal to the printer. It is very late yet again. I apologize for that. I did not have enough content until a few days ago. It should be in your hands in a couple of weeks. I am PAST DUE for articles for the next issue. (I can't even get ahead.) If you have an article you would like to submit to the Journal please send it to me right away at either this address or at: journal at amsat dot org. Thanks very much for your patience. I hope you enjoy this issue. 73, Ed Long WA4SWJ Editor, The AMSAT Journal

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GO-32-TECHSAT1B/data sat
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

Hi folks, nothing again. My passes were not very good though so maybe on the 84 degree pass friday I may catch something. I am using a pk 96 with a yaesu ft 8100 and mixw/pacterm 99. I have a 18 element klm for the 435.225 downlink with right or left hand pole. Using left hand for go-32 like before (energized) Tracking with satscape/jtrack/ and heavens above. I use to be able to bring it in everyday almost and we also had a satgate running from a Canada Station VE3KPG using go-32 for msg traffic hooked to our terristal packet network. Sure hope someday another sat will take its place and run for us. The ACP that they are building on the next sat seems way out of most of everyones price pocket. So I hope they don't decide to do that. We want to be able to use the gear we allready have. (that cost us a arm and leg allready). Anyway will keep trying to reach go-32. (the only one out there working, in reach I think) ' kc8gkf West Michigan USA

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Re: Cal Poly Satellite, CP4 Beacon Help
by Tim Tuck 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

Jason Anderson wrote: [snip] > Satellite Link Information > ------------------------------ > Frequency: 437.325Mz > Modulation: FSK (but uses LSB cheat to make AFSK) > Radio Mode: LSB (neccesary for LSB cheat) > Baud Rate: 1200 > Beacon rate: 1 beacon/minute (maybe change to 5 minutes if satellite changes mode) > > Hi James, Happy to help with this but I'm a little confused as to what I should set MixW to decode your data since I have 5 possible forms of 1200 baud to set it to which are.... Standard 1200/2200 Hz Zero Crossing 600/1200 hz Zero Crossing 1200/2400 Hz satellite PSK FX469: 1200\1800 Hz I'm new to telemetry gathering, and I 'm currently collecting packets of DelpiC3 with great success but they made it easy with their own program. regards Tim -- VK2XTT :: QF56if :: BMARC :: WIA :: AMSAT

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Satellite Weekend Webcast - GENSO
by Trevor 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

GENSO is a project to enable to automatic capture of telemetry from Amateur radio and educational satellites, see http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2008/genso_webcast.htm AMSAT-UK publish a Newletter OSCAR News which is full of Amateur Satellite information. Join online at https://secure.amsat.org.uk/subscription/ For further details contact Jim Heck G3WGM Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Web: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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Re: Cal Poly Satellite, CP4 Beacon Help
by Mike Rupprecht 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

Hi Tim, i think MixW isn't very useful for decoding CP4 telemetry. You can't see the real byte values with MixW (only ASCII chars). There are two ways to get the telemetry: 1. Use MixW with option TNC emulation (needs an driver to loop back on serial ports) -> see MixW documentation 2. Use an TNC in KISS mode an log the incoming data to a file It's not so easy to get the right frequency because CP4 is jumping around some times. If you use an TNC you must be very fast to adjust the correct receiving frequency. CP4 is sending a short CW sequence before the telemetry. Tune you receiver at this moment so that the audio frequency of this cw signal is 2200Hz.. The following two beacons should be now decoded with your TNC. If you record the beacons you can play around with MixW. There is an option - Custum AFSK - where you can set the two AFSK frequencies manually. 73, Mike DK3WN Betreff: [amsat-bb] Re: Cal Poly Satellite, CP4 Beacon Help Gesendet: Do, 24. Jul 2008 Von: Tim Tuck<tim.tuck(a)penrith.net> > Jason Anderson wrote: > > [snip] > > Satellite Link Information > > ------------------------------ > > Frequency: 437.325Mz > > Modulation: FSK (but uses LSB cheat to make AFSK) > > Radio Mode: LSB (neccesary for LSB cheat) > > Baud Rate: 1200 > > Beacon rate: 1 beacon/minute (maybe change to 5 minutes if satellite > changes mode) > > > > > > Hi James, > > Happy to help with this but I'm a little confused as to what I should > set MixW to decode your data since I have 5 possible forms of 1200 baud > to set it to which are.... > > Standard 1200/2200 Hz > Zero Crossing 600/1200 hz > Zero Crossing 1200/2400 Hz > satellite PSK > FX469: 1200\1800 Hz > > I'm new to telemetry gathering, and I 'm currently collecting packets of > DelpiC3 with great success but they made it easy with their own program. > > regards > > Tim > > -- > > VK2XTT :: QF56if :: BMARC :: WIA :: AMSAT > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > --- original Nachricht Ende ----

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Re: Field Day 2008 Totals
by Dave Guimont 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

>like how far back? I have them to 2002. how have you been? I for one >sure miss rag chewing on a heo. Yes, me to, Bruce, got my fingers crossed for P3E... No one has the original figures, when NSARC in San Diego won the very first contest on FD?? Bruce, how about listing some of the results on here from the first >>few FD's to make a comparison... > > > 73, Dave, WB6LLO > dguimon1(a)san.rr.com > > Disagree: I learn.... > > Pulling for P3E...

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Ao-27 Telemetry
by Robert Smith 24 Jul '08

24 Jul '08

Aloha Months ago I downloaded the AO-27 telemetry decoder for 1200 baud packet. I was unable to configure the decoder because I am using a sound card and packet engine for 1200 baud telemetry. Did, I miss something? Can the decoder be used with the AGWPE software? Mahalo. robert NH7WN in Honolulu

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PCSat and ISS
by Fred VE3FAL 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

Is anyone hearing anything from either of these birds? I have been monitoring 145.825 for over a week now and not a peep from them at all. I know the charging cycle (sun) is not favorable for PCSat but is anyone copying them? I know UISS is copying ok as I turn my mobile APRS rig on and it gets picked up by the program. Fred VE3FAL

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Field Day 2008 Totals
by Bruce 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

Field Day 2008 is over and I have just completed compiling the scores and writing the article. The results will be published in the next AMSAT Journal (not the May/June that is printing now) with some really nice photos that were sent in. At the same time, I will post the results through ANS. This year, we had 8 satellites used. There was even one QSO on AO-16. A total of 120 QSO's were reported and we had 17 stations submit scores. The most contacts were done on VO-52 this year. Behind that was AO-7. Here are some stats from previous years. 2005 2006 2007 2008 Satellites 8 7 5 8 QSO's 120 258 207 220 Stations 11 21 13 17 Watch your mailbox for your copy of the AMSAT Journal. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on SkyScanner Satellite Radio Network on Galaxy-25 @97° West, Transponder 23 (12115 Vert), Symbol Rate: 22425, APID: 1794 (DVB Free To Air) Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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go-32 techsat 435.225?
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

hi folks, is this the right freq for the downlink on go 32 techsat? 435225? 9600 baud packet. Having a hard time getting anything from this sat with the new rig, my dcd lite is blinking steady while nothin showing on the screen. I do know when the sat comes the dcd lite should stay on. Thanks in advance. kc8gkf

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Re: Yubileiny
by andy thomas 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

RS-30 transmits a CW beacon on 435.315 or .215 until she comes within the footprint of either the control station at Korolev north of Moscow or a station in Siberia responsible for the university experiments she carries. When within range of these stations she is switched to an FM AFSK stystem called DOKA-B. The grohjd sartation has DOKA-N. This is a direct FD modulation interface with the control board for the satellite. Looking at my recordings it's an 8 bit frequency division system idling at 40 bps with a synch frequency of 2400 Hz, which trips any wefax programme (but isn't wefax). I suspect it's just a PC WLAN system, frankly. I anticipate getting the decode sheet for the CW tlm "real soon now" and will post on the BB as soon as I get it. It is very similar to RS 22. (q.v.). I will be in Moscow over August 3/4 and will try and get further info about when she will switch mode to SSTV etc. 73 de andy G0SFJ __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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RS-30 Radio Sputnik 30 Yubileiny
by Frank Woolfe 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

Has anyone heard anything from this bird apart from the CW which I seem to receive on every pass over VK.. I thought this thing was supposed to TX SSTV and a voice Transmission of some description, if not what a waste of money!! Frank Woolfe VK5MFW

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FO29
by Robert Turlington 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

Hello all whilst monitoring the FO29 beacon frequency this afternoon I noticed a strange digital signal dopplering down. It was going from West to North ,observed LOS @ 14:21:10 utc, Due North ,435.780Mhz sounded very AO16 ish no other sat on my list was in range at the time but there again I don't have all of the sats in,I estimate the centre frequency as 453.900 Mhz.Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ Invite your Facebook friends to chat on Messenger http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/101719649/direct/01/

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re polarity control help needed
by Angus 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

Hi all, I have built a simple polarity control box to allow V, H, RHCP & LHCP off my 6 element homebrew crossed yagi. The yagi had an SWR of 1.1 to 1 on 145mhz on the 45degree and 135degree elements, so they are fine. The control box is a copy off the G6LVB website and the VHF/UHF manual 4th edition. The unit is basically 2 x 1/4waves of 75ohm coax to use as a matching unit and then relays to switch in or out 1/4 wave and a 1/2wavelength of 50ohm coax to give the different polarities. My small problem is although the SWR through all the modes is under 1.5 to 1 I would like to bring it down a little, but is it worth the effort? results: V polarity 144mhz 1.2 to 1, 145mhz 1.3 to 1, 146mhz 1.5 to 1 H polarity 144mhz 1.5 to 1, 145mhz 1.3 to 1, 146mhz 1.2 to 1 RHCP 144mhz 1.1 to 1, 145mhz 1.3 to 1, 146mhz 1.5 to 1 LHCP 144mhz 1.5 to 1, 145mhz 1.3 to 1, 146mhz 1.1 to Am I worrying over nothing or should I go and alter the unit to give a slightly better result, my head says 'leave lt alone or you will muck it up'. But I am also thinking a little shorter cable might be all it needs? Does anyone know by looking at the figures what cable needs to be altered (longer/shorter). Thanks for any advice regards Gus M0IKB -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 1298 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len

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Tuesday (22 July) activities from WD9EWK
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

Hi! Tuesday was another busy day, with another 459.6 miles/739.5km on the odometer and adding the 10th grid to the list of where I have operated from during this trip. Unlike the previous few days, this was the hottest day - driving through desert instead of mountains and higher elevations as I had done in the previous 5 days. As I was preparing to leave Las Vegas, I worked an SO-50 pass from the DM25/DM26 grid boundary. I only logged 2 QSOs from there. I set out for the Bullhead City AZ/Laughlin NV area south of Las Vegas, where I got lunch before an 85-degree AO-27 pass. For that pass, I parked south of Bullhead City on the Arizona side of the Colorado River, on the DM24qx/DM25qa grid boundary: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=15092323201430215166,35.00000… This was a nice pass, with 15 contacts in 7 minutes. Lots of activity, and not too much non-ham QRM except in the first minute or so of the pass. Many stations were able to talk over the QRM. It was hot outside, at 107F/42C outside, so I parked my truck to get as much shade as possible for this pass. Even with that, I was sweating a lot and drinking a lot of water to keep from dehydrating. I had thought about working later passes on AO-51 from somewhere else in DM24, or possibly DM23. The heat was the main reason why I didn't bother to make additional stops. In the summertime, the area I was driving through (along the Colorado River dividing Arizona and California) generally gets the hottest temperatures in the continental USA - and I wanted to get home. I will go back through my logs and notes, and post a better summary of the trip including the hamfest at the start of the group late last week. I can say that I drove 1603.5 miles (2580km) in 6 days, operated from 10 grids, and had fun despite the high prices of fuel along the way. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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AMSAT-UK Colloquium this weekend via the Web
by Gould Smith 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

The BATC (British Amateur Television Club) has announced that they will be broadcast the AMSAT-UK Colloquium live from Surrey University via web video. This will be on the weekend of July 26 and 27. All will be welcome to watch with no log in or membership requirements The Colloquium is a chance to listen to the satellite designers and builders, and get the most up to date information about on going satellite projects and techniques. The Live text will be working throughout the weekend so you can field any questions directly to the floor of the lecture hall. Their site is http://www.batc.tv . The AMSAT-UK Chairman, Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO will open the Colloquium Friday, July 25 at 1500 UTC. Thanks go to BATC for providing this service. Gould, WA4SXM

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go32 techsat/data sat
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

hi folks, no-go this am with the new rig, so am trying the old rig as i have a less dcd blinking with the old rig. I think it has to do with pkt mode, dig mode, lsb, usb, etc control on the new rig, the old rig has none of this, just 9600 baud/1200 baud. I have caught go-32 before with this set up so should be able to get it again. It's been awhile though. Was wondering if anyone got any data from the sat this am pass USA? Now if i could reach the mail box on this sat and leave mail for someone on the other side of the earth, now that would be sat comms. Would probley even send in more money. hi . To even download (a piece at a time) of a pic of earth, now that would be a treat. What year is it? 2008. And we can not do this yet, hmm. oh well waiting, For the USA Team to get one out there. Thanks Israel, Thank you AMSAT-NA for doing what you can. kc8gkf #32321

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Re: Bill Ress - N6GHz - Board Candidate - Operating Survey
by John Price 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

At Dayton I ask the folks what there plan was and they said there was none. If it ain't right the horse lied. 73's << John On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 1:45 AM, Edward Cole <kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net> wrote: > At 02:34 AM 7/22/2008, you wrote: >> >> James, I wont be investing in 3 gig equipment. If I had plenty of >> money and lots of expertise all things would be possible. In the real >> world it just don't work that way. You are trying to sell Amateur >> Satellite service to the masses by offering them a chance to work >> something that they can't use or afford. The time and expense that is >> put into developing transponders that you can't buy a radio to work is >> not practical. Do you know that Yaesu has withdrawn from the satellite >> market? > > Where have you gotten this news? The FT-847 is out of production but that > does not mean they aren't working on new satellite rig. > > > ***************************************************** > 73, Ed - KL7UW BP40iq, 6m - 3cm > 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xp20, 185w > http://www.kl7uw.com AK VHF-Up Group > NA Rep. for DUBUS: dubususa(a)hotmail.com > ***************************************************** > -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Internet N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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Just finished the survey
by Michael Tondee 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

I have to say I'm in agreement with some of the comments already expressed here. I found some of the answer choices too limiting. For instance I'm like everone else in that I'd like to see an HEO launched, or a GEO if it's at all within the relam of possibility but I wonder if there shouldn't be a parallel pursuit of an LEO linear transponder bird. I just have this fear of putting all our eggs in one basket with an HEO only to find we will never be able to find a launch for it. I've already expressed the opinion that P3E will be finished at the end of this year and then languish in storage for God knows how long before a launch can be found. I do sincerely hope I'm wrong but suppose I'm right. What is the fallback plan? FO-29 is gone as far as North America is concerned and the venerable AO-7 probably can't sustain it's wonderful ressurection forever. That leaves VO-52 and Delfi -C3 when it comes to linear transponders. Tell me if I'm missing one. Unlike some here, I am one that enjoys the FM birds but doesn't AMSAT-NA need to be at least considering a linear transponder LEO? It may very well be the best we can do. 73, Michael, W4HIJ

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Bill Ress - N6GHz - Board Candidate - Operating Survey
by Bill Ress 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

Hello all, On August 10-11, the AMSAT Senior leadership will be holding a critical "strategy" meeting with the theme of "Can We? Should We?" launch a HEO satellite. As a board candidate, I feel it's essential that "strategic" decisions must consider the membership's opinions and desires. The last membership survey taken was in 2004 by Gunther Meisse, W8GSM. So, to get the current thinking of the membership, I invite you take the simple, anonymous, no cost (probably unscientific) survey that I have prepared to determine your operating preferences at . . . . . http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/55247/amsat-operating-preferences I will be using this simple, easy e-survey format to get membership opinion on future topics. This is my first go at it, so I hope that I selected the right buttons to make it work. Let me know if you run into any issues at . . . n6ghz(a)amsat.org I'll let the survey run for about a week and then I'll share the results here on the -bb with a copy of the results to the senior leadership. Regards...Bill - N6GHz

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Re: Bill Ress - N6GHz - Board Candidate - OperatingSurvey
by Ronald Long 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

I do not think this is helpful. IMHO a survey should come from the BOD, and of course the design should incorporate the thoughts of a number of persons - the BOD, of course, but also others that the BOD recruits. ron w8gus

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Re: Bill Ress - N6GHz - Board Candidate - OperatingSurvey
by Edward Cole 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

At 08:28 PM 7/21/2008, Dave hartzell wrote: >On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 9:52 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner ><glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> wrote: > > > >> > >> Obviously, the GEO is probably the most expensive, with HEO being > >> close to it, > > > > Not necessarily. A small package on Intelsat may be significantly more > > affordable than Eagle. On the other hand, putting everything from Eagle on > > Intelsat would likely be more expensive. There are also considerably > > different risks. Eagle has all the things we've been good about messing up > > previously, and a Intelsat rideshare has almost none. > >As much as I like the idea of an Intelsat ride share, I think there >will be too much non-satellite, non-ham stuff involved, e.g. legal >things and contracts. What kind of MOUs, memorandums, contracts, etc. >are going to be involved? Will hands be tied, due to some kind of >required assurance, from either Intelsat or its manufacturer? Will we >have to buy expensive insurance, so that if the payload malfunctions >and disruptions Intelsat operations, things are covered? What >commitments and assurances need to be put into place? > >No one knows at this point. Intelsat isn't going to be thrilled with >a low-quality product from us, so therefore AMSAT's costs go up, to >help minimize their risks. > > > As Bob B said earlier...there are several tradeoffs to consider, and let me > > say even the BOD doesn't have the full details to consider yet. > >So this is why attaching a "costs vs. benefits" analysis to a simple >survey is so difficult! > > > Personally, I'm in favor of doing whatever project gets us on station with > > long distance comms first, without breaking the piggybank, or too > much risk. > > It is, without a doubt, a very difficult and complicated decision. > >I'm glad we can agree on this! > >Honestly, thanks for chiming into the BB, Drew. It is my hope that >all the other directors are reading. > >73, > >Dave >AF6KD (ex n0tgd) The Intelsat should be much less expensive: 1-free ride 2-free power 3-free stabilization All you provide is RF, antennas, and a communication processor. But the location is specified by Intelsat so only one-third of the earth is covered. Which third do you chose for satellite #1. For whole-earth coverage you need rides to three locations 120-deg longitude apart. Far north latitudes will probably not get coverage due to low angles to GEO. For my location at 60.7 latitude the GEO path is 21 degrees elevation due south and is lower as you move east or west. So continuing with Eagle offers world coverage over a couple days of orbiting. GEO stays in one position. I will see you in Anchorage, Drew! ***************************************************** 73, Ed - KL7UW BP40iq, 6m - 3cm 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xp20, 185w http://www.kl7uw.com AK VHF-Up Group NA Rep. for DUBUS: dubususa(a)hotmail.com *****************************************************

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AMSAT NA
by Jim Danehy 23 Jul '08

23 Jul '08

I have been off the satellites for 25 years. I just spent a bunch of money for antennas and rotors to get back on. After listening to all of the belly aching I wonder if I should join AMSAT (again). Maybe I should try EME . . . . the moon will be there long after I am gone. I have listened on AO 7 and VO 52 to test my 2 mtr yagis. I should be QRV soon. Belly aching just looks bad even if it is warranted. I am not sure if it accomplishes much other than venting for the vanquished. Human nature ugh. Lighten up folks. Jim W9VNE Cincinnati, Ohio em79

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FW: Re: Mounting a Primestar Dish
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

-- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net To: "Reicher, James" <JReicher(a)hrblock.com> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Mounting a Primestar Dish Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:08:40 +0000 Hello Jim Attached are the some pictures of what I have done. I bolted an aluminum plate on the back of the dish and attached the angle iron brackets to it. It is balanced on the rotor. I have found the "sweet spot" for the location of the 5 1/2 turn helix is very forgiving. If you have any questions, just ask. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Reicher, James" <JReicher(a)hrblock.com> > I've got a G5500 rotor on its way to my QTH very soon, to become a part of my > station. I also have a Primestar dish, the really oblong one with a single feed > arm, that I want to mount on the rotor. I need some suggestions about how to > mount, balance, and calibrate the dish so I don't muck up the whole thing. > > Please reply off-list > > > > 73 de W0HV, Jim in Raymore, MO (ex-N8AU) > > Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until > you hear them speak. > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateu r satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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2.4Ghz satellites and signals ?
by Tim Tuck 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Hi all, Having just got my 2.4Ghz down converter going I was wondering if there is any signals space-side besides AO-51 and the lunar orbiter that I could go and listen for ? regards Tim -- VK2XTT :: QF56if :: BMARC :: WIA :: AMSAT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Scanned with Copfilter Version 0.84beta3a (ProxSMTP 1.6) AntiSpam: SpamAssassin 3.2.3 AntiVirus: ClamAV 0.91.2/7764 - Mon Jul 21 02:42:45 2008 by Markus Madlener @ http://www.copfilter.org

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Re: Bill Ress - N6GHz - Board Candidate - OperatingSurvey
by Ronald Long 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

I do not think this is helpful. IMHO a survey should come from the BOD, and the design should incorporate the thoughts of a number of persons - the BOD, of course, but also others that the BOD recruits. ron w8gus

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Re: BATC streaming TV of 2008 colloquium
by Graham Shirville 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Hi Steve, Good question... Web streaming shud start from 1300GMT on Friday 25th July until approx 1700GMT On Saturday 26th July from 0800 GMT until 1800GMT On Sunday 27th July from 0900 GMT until 1500GMT hope that helps all times are approximate and subject to alteration! cheers Graham G3VZV -----Original Message----- From: [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 22 July 2008 20:51 To: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Subject: BATC streaming TV of 2008 colloquium For those of us around the that will be watching...In GMT, what time will BATC be streaming realtime colloquium activities. None of the press on this event/coverage has said specifically what time we should begin to watch. Thanks, Steve K5PK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse Fantasy Football today.

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Off List Replies
by joe cassano aka jmario 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

All: Please view this post as a gentle request/suggestion - this post is most definitely not intended as a rebuke or flame ... This list serves a number of purposes. I think some of the most useful purposes of this list are to allow folks to learn from other folks experiences and to build a searchable collection of community knowledge (I've had more that a few Google searches lead back to the amsat bb). In order to share experiences and learn from other's experiences I suggest that the well intended phrase "please reply off-list" be used only when it is obvious that the information to be shared is not of general interest (such as replying to an item for sale or participating in a heated dispute). FWIW, I just happen to have a G5400 rotor pair and a Primestar dish sitting in the garage waiting to be installed in my back yard and am also interested in any responses to: > > I've got a G5500 rotor on its way to my QTH very soon, to become a part of my station. I also have a Primestar dish, the really oblong one with a single feed arm, that I want to mount on the rotor. I need some suggestions about how to mount, balance, and calibrate the dish so I don't muck up the whole thing. > > Please reply off-list > I suggest we view most of the questions asked on this list in the same manner that an instructor/teacher in high school or college might view a question from a student. If one student is asking a question the odds are that there are several folks who have the same question and can make good use of the answer(s). Regards, JoeC K3FMA

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Class 10, 000/100, 000 Clean Rooms Available Free of Charge
by Tim Tuck 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

ok... lets try things again.... -------------------------include message --------------------------- Class 100,000/10,000 CLEAN ROOMS FOR SALE - FREE OF CHARGE Location of Assets: Milton Keynes, UK Details: * 4.5m High * Panels circa 1m wide * 125 x Solid Panels * 42 x Part Glazed Panels * 6 x Pedestrian Doors * 5 x Double Doors * 2 x Airlocks * Air handling Equipment * Lighting * Extraction * Power Quantities from a single panel to the entire complex can be acquired (FREE OF CHARGE) on a first come, first served basis, no gimmicks, everything must go To arrange to view and reserve your lots, contact: +44 (0) 121 236 2880 and speak to Anna Renton or email: birmingham(a)go-dove.com Inspection: By appointment only Click here for more details and to register Contact Information: GoIndustry DoveBid United Kingdom Kevin Sutch Mobile: +44 (0) 7774 417 226 Fax: +44 (0)121 236 2890 Email: kevin.sutch(a)go-dove.com --------------------------end include message --------------------------- regards Tim -- VK2XTT :: QF56if :: BMARC :: WIA :: AMSAT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Scanned with Copfilter Version 0.84beta3a (ProxSMTP 1.6) AntiSpam: SpamAssassin 3.2.3 AntiVirus: ClamAV 0.91.2/7785 - Wed Jul 23 06:15:58 2008 by Markus Madlener @ http://www.copfilter.org

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AO-51 repeaters
by Alan P. Biddle 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Hi, The 145.880/435.150 repeater is up and working great. Unfortunately, nobody is using it. I talked to myself for an entire pass, rather like mode L/S. When 145.920/435.300 sounds like Field Day, give the other one a try. Alan WA4SCA ----------------------------------- There is something fascinating about science. One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture from such a trifling investment of fact. Mark Twain

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[Fwd: Class 10, 000/100, 000 Clean Rooms Available Free of Charge]
by Tim Tuck 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Hi all, I wouldn't normally forward commercial email to the list but this may be useful to any satellite builders looking for for a facility like this. regards Tim -- VK2XTT :: QF56if :: BMARC :: WIA :: AMSAT

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Volunteering
by mvm 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

And again... No reply.... Statistically spoken, I didn't expect one... Funny organization! Rick Hambly (W2GPS) schreef: > Luc, > > You and Dave are very creative. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you used your > creativity for something useful and positive? I'm sure there must be > something you can do that would help the Ham community you obviously > care so > much about. > > Rick > W2GPS > AMSAT LM2232 > > Rick, Interesting point!! What if I wanted to volunteer? On 3 occasions over the last 3-4 years I have filled out the volunteer questionnaire on the amsat website because I was motivated to volunteer, have many of the skills that are requested, a lot of free time and money to spend. I followed up with email also. I have NEVER received any feedback; not on the questionnaire, not on the follow up emails. Never got an answer when I asked why... BR, -- /\/\arc LM2304

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Re: Bill Ress - N6GHz - Board Candidate - Operating Survey
by Bill Ress 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Hi John, Sorry John, I typed John when I meant James. Thanks for your comments too! Regards...Bill - N6GHz John Price wrote: > What statements about your employment are you referring to Bill. I was > not responding to you but > to James and his comments concerning my post. Please explain. 73's << John N4QWF > > On Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 11:52 AM, Bill Ress <bill(a)hsmicrowave.com> wrote: > >> Hello John, >> >> Thanks for taking the time to express your views. >> >> Regarding your comments about my employment and as stated in the ballot >> statement, I run a RF.microwave components company. While some of the >> products can be used in satellite applications, I seriously doubt that could >> constitute any conflict of interest by my running for the board. >> >> Quite the contrary, I think AMSAT could benefit from having more folks like >> me with technology industry experience helping guide AMSAT's future. After >> all, a satellite is one big hunk of state of the art technology. >> >> Regards...Bill - N6GHz >> , >> John Price wrote: >> >>> James, I wont be investing in 3 gig equipment. If I had plenty of >>> money and lots of expertise all things would be possible. In the real >>> world it just don't work that way. You are trying to sell Amateur >>> Satellite service to the masses by offering them a chance to work >>> something that they can't use or afford. The time and expense that is >>> put into developing transponders that you can't buy a radio to work is >>> not practical. Do you know that Yaesu has withdrawn from the satellite >>> market? Kenwood offers the 1.2 gig module for there 2000 at a cost of >>> an additional $500.00 making that radio over $2000.00. That is it as >>> far as I know for off the shelf rigs for 1.2 gig. Downeast has a >>> upconverter for about the same cost as the Kenwood module. Now in the >>> real world that is a bunch to invest to add one band to your station. >>> >>> Your comment concerning appliance operators sure wont endear many new >>> hams to Amsat. I have no formal training in electronics. I spent 25 >>> years as a Deputy Sheriff and knew nothing >>> of ham radio or electronics when I got my ticket. Over the past 20 >>> years I have learned a little >>> thanks to a bunch of wonderful skilled hams. Together with one of my >>> friends a RF engineer who retired from GE we built a 1.2 gig station >>> for field day a year ago out of a old Master III and a >>> signal generator. Got the contact and was mighty proud. I have >>> listened on L/u a few times since and have worked three contacts. If >>> the 3 gig flys I might decide to do the same thing. My point >>> is how many of those "appliance operators" are going to be able to do >>> the same. We are going to have another satellite with a bunch of >>> electronics that might get used by 10 people. >>> >>> My since of adventure is tempered by my practicallity I guess. >>> >>> On Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 9:45 PM, James French <w8iss(a)wideopenwest.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>>> On Mon, 2008-07-21 at 19:00 -0400, John Price wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>>> I for one am very opposed to the 3 and 10 gig transponder. I have seen >>>>> little or no interest in the 1.2 uplink. Folks are not willing to >>>>> spend $500.00 to work a transponder that is mostly quite and >>>>> could go away over night like 2.4 did with AO-40. Did anyone listen to >>>>> the L/u AO-51 on Field Day. >>>>> While V/u was jammed I worked the first station I heard on L/u and >>>>> there were maybe 5 others on that pass. I don't maintain 1.2 gig >>>>> equipment here. It is not worth the investment. >>>>> >>>>> >>>> And what would be the trigger for you to invest in the equipment? There >>>> is NO GAURUNTEES that any of these new birds will get to orbit in one >>>> peice. Look at AO-40. She was a GREAT birds at the beginning, then >>>> something happened and all we had were a couple of uplinks with one >>>> downlink. >>>> >>>> Where is your sense of adventure with experimenting with something new >>>> and untested? How are you helping advance the Art of Amateur Radio and >>>> Satellites if we are STUCK back in the stone ages with 2m and 70cm and >>>> FM birds? >>>> >>>> I for one would and have invested in the higher bands as I am also using >>>> that equipment for Rovering and some contesting which I have found that >>>> I really like. I also use this equipment to talk around my area/state. >>>> This equipment with a little modification is can also be used for when >>>> we have a HEO or GEO satellite in orbit. >>>> >>>> I WANT more digital store-and-forward birds along with more Sideband >>>> voice birds on bands OTHER than 2mand 70cm. Right now there is no >>>> CHALLENGE in the current crop of satellites we have when all I can do >>>> MOST of the time is get on and have enough time to get a GRID SQUARE >>>> and a NAME/CALLSIGN of the person I am talking to. I want to be able >>>> to hold a net where I can talk to a NUMBER of people and find out more >>>> about everyone or ask for help and get it. I want to be able to send >>>> video via these new birds of my latest project or of the 'kids' as they >>>> operate. I want to be able to demonstrate what Amatuer radio is and can >>>> do that the internet can't. I want to be able to TINKER on these new >>>> birds with a new mode that I have either developed or have an interest >>>> in. I want to be able to use that new microwave transverter for things >>>> other than to talk to or see (video) locals. >>>> >>>> Where is EVERYONES sense of experimentation or did we as amateur radio >>>> operators/licenses leave that at the door when we got licensed or are we >>>> just content with what has been done and happy to sit on our laurels >>>> and let the world leave us behind as a group that WILL die out in about >>>> twenty/thirty years as we don't have any NEW blood to carry on with the >>>> experimentation, thinking, and tinkering? Are we going to let the >>>> INTERNET be the thing to determine how and where we go as a group? >>>> Everyone on here gripes about how the internet is taking away everything >>>> what about how we are making things interesting to entice these people >>>> in the hobby and into Satellites? Where is the challenge anymore? I >>>> want to be able to EXPERIMENT on thse new crop of birds, not just sit >>>> around on 2m and 70cm and make a couple quick qso's to exchange grid >>>> squares!!! >>>> >>>> Bill, I looked at your webpage and see that you MIGHT have a reason to >>>> have new birds up and running other than just as a member that wants to >>>> help out AMSAT through these trying times. I see no problem with that at >>>> all as AMSAT has had others like you on the BoD before and they have >>>> done a great job of not compromising their integrity as a Director. I >>>> just don't see anything saying if you are a owner or an employee of this >>>> company. Could you enlighten me and the others before I make a decision >>>> on which three candidates are the best? >>>> >>>> James W8ISS - a voting member that has issues with the current crop of >>>> APPLIANCE OPERATORS on the amateur 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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Re: 2.4Ghz satellites and signals ?
by K & R Yoksh 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Hello Roger, Thanks for posting this! I've got some tower work to do, and have been waiting to get my grid dish finished and tested before tilting the tower over. I've been waiting for AO-51's S-band transmitter to use as a test signal. However, the geostationary and Molniya birds should be much easier to track! I'd especially like to find one that is similar in ERP to AO-40 or P3E. I received this BBQ type dish a few years ago, and screened it with aluminum screen the night before AO-40 died. It did not have a feed or feed support, so I'll have to experiment with a few different designs. The dish looks like the Andrew grid dishes, possibly model 26? I haven't computed the focal length, or anything on this dish yet. I used a homebrew helix to feed my Primestar dish on AO-40, but might want to try a patch feed on this dish. I'm also not sure how I'm going to support the feed. I've read from folks that used angle channel mounted to the dish's center as a feed support, and have also noticed that my dish has holes drilled in each corner, possibly for feed support arms? I've also seen pictures of dishes where guys used 2x2 square wood through the dish, as both a feed support and also a place to hang counterweights. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this dish, and also perhaps someone on the list has found a satellite downlink suitable for testing an AO-40 quality groundstation? Thanks. 73, Kyle Yoksh K0KN Olathe, Kansas --- Original Message --- Message: 13 Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:34:03 -0400 From: "Roger Kolakowski" Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 2.4Ghz satellites and signals ? To: "Tim Tuck" ,"AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <003c01c8eb25$ae247000$0200a8c0@Tanguray> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Depending how wide your IF is...this list is fun: http://www.uhf-satcom.com/ Roger WA1KAT

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2225 Miles - AO-51
by Clint Bradford 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

I realize this doesn't set any records of any sort, but it sure impressed me: Contacted N3TL in Athens, GA this evening from Mira Loma, CA on AO-51. That's 2225 miles' distance on the ground. What a wonderful hobby.... Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Mounting a Primestar Dish
by Reicher, James 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

I've got a G5500 rotor on its way to my QTH very soon, to become a part of my station. I also have a Primestar dish, the really oblong one with a single feed arm, that I want to mount on the rotor. I need some suggestions about how to mount, balance, and calibrate the dish so I don't muck up the whole thing. Please reply off-list 73 de W0HV, Jim in Raymore, MO (ex-N8AU) Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

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WD9EWK for Tuesday (22 July)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Hello again! It's after midnight (0700 UTC)... not as much driving today (almost 400 miles/640km Monday, compared to over 500 miles/800km Sunday), but still a lot of activity from 5 grids (DM25, DM26, DM36, DM46, DM47) today on all 3 FM satellites. Thanks to all the stations calling me and making contacts with me so far (22 QSOs on one AO-51 pass tonight!). This morning, I was on from near Lake Powell (DM46fx/DM47fa) in Arizona just south of the Utah state line. Just before midday (local time), I stopped at grid DM36pu in northern Arizona (north of the Grand Canyon) for an SO-50 pass. Then a stop just off the I-15 freeway in northwestern Arizona (DM36at) for the first of two AO-27 passes followed by moving a few miles/km to park on the DM26xt/DM36at grid boundary for the second AO-27 pass. Then off to Las Vegas, parking on the DM25jx/DM26ja grid boundary on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip for the two AO-51 passes. For Tuesday, my main objective is to try to put DM24 on the air a couple of times before returning home. I have not decided if I will park on grid-boundary lines as I have done or just stop wherever I happen to be and get on from there. DM24 straddles Arizona and California, and this is one grid in 2 1/2 years I have never heard on the air. I will try to work both AO-27 passes from somewhere within this grid. Beyond that, I might try for one of the midday SO-50 passes and *possibly* the first (eastern) AO-51 pass as I'm driving back to Phoenix. As of tonight, I have driven about 1200 miles/2000km since leaving home on Thursday for the hamfest in northern Arizona last Friday and Saturday. I have transmitted from 9 different grids in and around Arizona in the past few days (DM25, DM26, DM35, DM36, DM45, DM46, DM47, DM56, DM57). Hopefully that grid count will go to at least 10, or maybe 11, depending on how tomorrow turns out. I've logged 152 QSOs since Thursday. Tomorrow will add at least 300 miles/500km driving to what I've done already, and more QSOs. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - currently in Las Vegas, Nevada http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Antenna near gas lines?
by Rick Mann 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Hi. Sorry for the somewhat off-topic post. I recently moved into a townhouse with a lovely homeowner's association. Rather than fight them putting up my antenna outside, I decided to just mount it inside my attic. I found a spot about 3 feet away from a vertical run of the gas line to the heater (also in the attic). My first choice as a location right next to it, 'till I realized it was there. Should I be concerned about creating an explosion hazard? My transmitter outputs a maximum of 100 W, and it's going into a Diamond X-30 antenna (http://www.diamond-ant.jp/ama2/eng_ama_2_2_3.asp). I wouldn't think it should be a problem, since it's metal pipe, and an RF energy is unlikely to go through the gas. But sadly, I don't remember what I learned when I took my test, if it even addressed this issue. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks! -- Rick

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AO-51 - 2225 Miles
by Clint Bradford 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

I realize this doesn't set any records of any sort, but it sure impressed me: Contacted N3TL in Athens, GA this evening from Mira Loma, CA on AO-51. That's 2225 miles' distance on the ground. What a wonderful hobby.... Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Antenna near gas lines?
by RFI-EMI-GUY 22 Jul '08

22 Jul '08

Resist any temptation to ground to the gas pipe. -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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FW: [PNWVHFS] Fw: [dxlab] Tower Dogs TV program
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 21 Jul '08

21 Jul '08

This might be of interest, as most of us have one 73 Bob W7LRD -- -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: "Jeff Moore" <tnetcenter(a)gmail.com> To: "PNWVHFS" <PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com>, "COARL Group" <COARL(a)googlegroups.com> Subject: [PNWVHFS] Fw: [dxlab] Tower Dogs TV program Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:40:33 +0000 ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Turner Subject: [dxlab] Tower Dogs TV program Not topic-related exactly, but probably of interest to subscribers: "DATELINE" PRESENTS "TOWER DOGS" -- A NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN LOOK AT THE MOST DANGEROUS JOB IN AMERICA -- MONDAY, JULY 21 AT 10 PM (New York) - July 16, 2008 - An upcoming "Dateline Presents" takes a never-before-seen journey into the perilous world of the tower climbers who work on the frontlines of America's high-tech communications system. They scale heights of up to 2,000 feet, in all types of weather, to install, maintain, and upgrade cell phone, Internet, and broadcast towers coast to coast. And according to figures cited by OSHA, these so-called tower dogs have the highest death rate per capita of any occupation in the country. The hour-long broadcast goes up close and personal to give a no-holds-barred look at tower dogs' lives - up in the air and on the ground. We experience their on-the-job tension and watch them work hard, play hard, and mourn when they lose one of their own. In a twist on all the dangerous-job programs viewers have already seen, "Tower Dogs" follows an unusual subcontract crew boss: a woman named Nikki Collins, a single mom, former cheerleader, and the person keeping her tough-guy charges in one piece. There are approximately 9,500 tower climbers working at any given time, and they spend about 300 days per year on the road. A "Dateline" team worked with veteran tower dog Doug Delaney for four months documenting this group of tower climbers as they worked their way through 40 towns and cities in 24 states. During this time there were seven fatalities nationwide, including five deaths in a 12-day period in April. "Tower Dogs" airs on Monday, July 21st at 10:00 PM/ET. David Corvo is the executive producer. # Aliza Nadi Dateline NBC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos MARKETPLACE You rock! Blockbuster wants to give you a complimentary trial of Blockbuster Total Access. Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity 13New Members 3New Files Visit Your Group Biz Resources Y! Small Business Articles, tools, forms, and more. Best of Y! Groups Check out the best of what Yahoo! Groups has to offer. Yahoo! Groups Balance your life by learning how to make smart choices.. __,_._,___ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ ~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group. To post to this group, send email to PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to PNWVHFS-unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

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WD9EWK for Monday (21 July)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 21 Jul '08

21 Jul '08

Hi! A busy Sunday... I stopped in Kayenta AZ (DM46) for fuel and an SO-50 pass, followed by another SO-50 pass and an AO-27 pass from the DM56/DM57 line on US route 191 in Utah (missed the western AO-27 pass due to an electrical storm that erupted as the pass was starting), then an AO-51 pass from Lake Powell in northern Arizona (DM46/DM47). Lots of QSOs, and for many lots of new grids - plus about 500 miles/800km driving today. For Monday, I will try to work one of the AO-51 morning passes from DM46/DM47 before heading west toward St. George UT and the I-15 freeway. I will try to get on a couple of SO-50 passes around (local) midday, and hopefully reach the DM26/DM36 line in northwestern Arizona for the AO-27 passes. Then to Las Vegas for the evening AO-51 passes on the DM25/DM26 line. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Sats
by Fred VE3FAL 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

Been listening the last few days for both PCSat and AO-51 but have heard noting, even ISS is quiet. Are we in a low sun cycle currently and batteries are low for side of the earth. Or has my receiver gone by the way side? I read many web pages but some are way out of date (frequencies, modes etc..) and not sure what is on and is not. Fred VE3FAL Thunder Bay,Ontario

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Great Satellite contact
by John Price 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

I just works AO-07 a few minutes ago. It was my pleasure to work WA9WUA Andy. After the pass I was entering the contacts two by the way in the log and sure enough there was Andy from back in 1994 on AO-13. A thrill to work him again after all this time. The satellite was in fine shape this evening. You would never guess it is running on the panels only. Thanks to KC4UMO for the fine QSO also The new radio is working great. I did not get were your daughter is stationed in Virgnia. Let me know if you read this. 73's << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Internet N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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where all the users
by John Price 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

I have been reading about the need for HEO satellites and the reasons we don't have them. I wonder why the folks that wont the HEO's so bad never show up on AO-07 or VO-52. Most passes it is joe K3SZH and maybe two others at most on AO-07 and I hardly ever hear anyone on VO-52. The birds that have all the users are the FM sats. I would love to see a HEO built but if we are not going to use what we have what is the point. 73's << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Internet N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il >From the Foothills of the Blueridge *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"

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AMSAT-UK Colloquium to be Webcast by BATC
by Trevor 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

Thanks to the British Amateur Television Club (BATC) this years AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be streamed live to the web. Peter Blakeborough G3PYB, President of BATC, will be streaming video of the presentations live to the Internet so that Radio Amateurs and SWL’s can watch them from anywhere in the world. This service will be available at http://www.batc.tv/ As well as the live webcast BATC will also be providing a Live Chat web page enabling viewers to post messages. The 23rd AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England from Friday 25th until Sunday 27th July. Prof Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO Chairman AMSAT-UK, will open the Colloquium at 1400 BST (1300 GMT) on the Friday. This will be followed by the keynote speech given by Dr Rob Gowen, Department of Space & Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London and Coordinator of the UK Lunar Penetrator Consortium) on "Science Penetrators for the UK MoonLITE mission". On Saturday at 0905 BST (0805 GMT) the Delfi-C3 team will be giving presentations on their exciting new satellite. Its SSB/CW 435/145 linear transponder will activated soon and is sure to prove popular with satellite enthusiasts world-wide. Later that day at 1130 BST (1030 GMT) there will be presentations from AMSAT-DL on both the eagerly awaited P3E High Earth Orbiting satellite and the pioneering Mars Orbiter P5A. This will be the first private venture spacecraft to travel to the Red Planet providing Radio Amateurs with some true DX signals. On Saturday afternoon at 1500-1530 BST (1400-1430 GMT) Grant Hodgson G8UBN will be giving a presentation on 2.3/3.4/5.6GHz Signal Generator for Satellite Applications. The IARU Satellite Forum chaired by the IARU Satellite Adviser Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV will also take place on Saturday afternoon. 1600-1645 BST (1500-1545 GMT) Band planning for satellite operations on frequencies in the Amateur Service by Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV, President AMSAT-SA 1645-1800 BST (1545-1700 GMT) IARU Amateur Satellite Forum Chairman: Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV, President AMSAT-SA The Colloquium is open to all. New for 2008, it has been arranged with the University for "walkin" day delegates for £10 per day. For this, you do not get any meals, only attendance at lectures/beginners sessions. It does not entitle you to any other of the functions. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day. It would help if you could let us know in advance if you intend using this facility, please email g3wgm(a)amsat.org For further details see http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/ Programme: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/640/213/ Travel information: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/23/52/ A site map showing location of the Management Building and the adjacent main car park and conference visitors parking can be seen at http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/stories/uosmap6.jpg AMSAT-UK Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Web: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ Related URL’s British Amateur Television Club (BATC) http://www.batc.org.uk/ BATC Video website http://www.batc.tv/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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AMSAT-UK Colloquium to be Webcast by BATC
by Trevor 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

Thanks to the British Amateur Television Club (BATC) this years AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be streamed live to the web. Peter Blakeborough G3PYB, President of BATC, will be streaming video of the presentations live to the Internet so that Radio Amateurs and SWL’s can watch them from anywhere in the world. This service will be available at http://www.batc.tv/ As well as the live webcast BATC will also be providing a Live Chat web page enabling viewers to post messages. The 23rd AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England from Friday 25th until Sunday 27th July. Prof Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO Chairman AMSAT-UK, will open the Colloquium at 1400 BST (1300 GMT) on the Friday. This will be followed by the keynote speech given by Dr Rob Gowen, Department of Space & Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London and Coordinator of the UK Lunar Penetrator Consortium) on "Science Penetrators for the UK MoonLITE mission". On Saturday at 0905 BST (0805 GMT) the Delfi-C3 team will be giving presentations on their exciting new satellite. Its SSB/CW 435/145 linear transponder will activated soon and is sure to prove popular with satellite enthusiasts world-wide. Later that day at 1130 BST (1030 GMT) there will be presentations from AMSAT-DL on both the eagerly awaited P3E High Earth Orbiting satellite and the pioneering Mars Orbiter P5A. This will be the first private venture spacecraft to travel to the Red Planet providing Radio Amateurs with some true DX signals. The IARU Satellite Forum chaired by the IARU Satellite Adviser Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV will take place on Saturday afternoon (BST). 1600-1645 BST (1500-1545 GMT) Band planning for satellite operations on frequencies in the Amateur Service by Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV, President AMSAT-SA 1645-1800 BST (1545-1700 GMT) IARU Amateur Satellite Forum Chairman: Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV, President AMSAT-SA The Colloquium is open to all. New for 2008, it has been arranged with the University for "walkin" day delegates for £10 per day. For this, you do not get any meals, only attendance at lectures/beginners sessions. It does not entitle you to any other of the functions. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day. It would help if you could let us know in advance if you intend using this facility, please email g3wgm(a)amsat.org For further details see http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/ Programme: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/640/213/ Travel information: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/23/52/ A site map showing location of the Management Building and the adjacent main car park and conference visitors parking can be seen at http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/stories/uosmap6.jpg AMSAT-UK Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Web: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ Related URL’s British Amateur Television Club (BATC) http://www.batc.org.uk/ BATC Video website http://www.batc.tv/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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2820 in fullduplex
by jeff 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

I had to answer my own question about the Icom 2820H. I went out and bought one Friday. After I got home last night I started to familiarize myself with it. I found out the left antenna input is useless, except for diversity reception. After running the right side ant connecter through a duplexer and then out to my sat antenna array I was very happy to work AO-51 in full duplex mode. I just got off AO-51 and made 3 contacts with it. It's will be really nice setting up the 2820 to replace the D-700 I've been using for 8 years in my main travel road vehicle. So I will be building a TNC-X and HamHud for it ? I also noticed that there is no mention in the users manual of fullduplex, and also after browsing through the manual(I might have missed something) that there is no mention of satellite operation. Not even one paragraph in the 'Other Functions' section. I thought this a little strange as you don't see many full duplex radios being made anymore. Anyway it is working FB here.... 73 Jeff kb2m

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Lunar Probe frequencies
by john heath 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

Hi, does anyone have frequencies for the lunar probes Chang-1 and Kyuga (selene) Anyone recieving these, if so what antennas are being used. 73 John G7HIA

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ANS-202 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-202 ************************************************************** *** 2008 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting *** *** October 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia *** *********New Forms Online to register for this event********** ************************************************************** 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: * Satellite Shorts From All Over * Informational Changes * Executive Board Meeting * The UK Space Colloquium will be Webcast * ARISS Status - 14 July 2008 * NEW OSCAR Satellite Identities Issued SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.01 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-202.01 + NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft has created a video of the moon transiting (passing in front of) Earth as seen from the space- craft's point of view 31 million miles (50 million kilometers away. Quick Time version is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/epoxi_transit.html YouTube version is available at: http://www.universetoday.com/2008/07/17/an-alien-view-of-the-moon-transiting -earth/ + On-line video from the Dayton 2008 SDR Forum can be found at: http://www.hamsdr.com/dnld.aspx. Scroll down the list to the links labeled "Dayton_2008_Video". +If you like some ideas about what Satellites were like in the past, here is a link to a great puplication. I remember always having it around my shack to show people about various types and operating of satellites. http://www.amsat-dl.org/pic/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=7527 +Full programme at the AMSAT-UK Space Colloquium AMSAT-UK will be holding their 23rd International Space Colloquium at the University of Surrey, Guildford, from Friday 25th until Sunday 27th July. On Friday, in addition to the main lecture programme there will be a special Beginners Workshop to show newcomers how to use the many amateur satellites that are available. RSGB Amateur Radio Manager Carlos Eavis G0AKI will be giving a presentation about the plans for a brand new GB4FUN Radio Communications demonstration vehicle on Saturday 26th July. On Sunday morning, the IARU Satellite Adviser Hans, ZS6AKV, will chair the IARU Satellite Forum, which will be attended by the RSGB Microwave Manager Murray Niman, G6JYB. He will be available for questions on the papers relating to amateur satellite operation being presented by the RSGB to the IARU Region 1 conference at Cavtat in November. The event is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. It is planned to broadcast some of the proceedings live via the internet at www.batc.tv [Thanks Ian, G3ZHI] [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.02 Informational Changes AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-202.02 In the past weeks AMSAT's engineering department has experienced some difficult times. At the present time Rick Hambly, W2GPS is acting VP Engineering. In that role he will be the team leader of all active teams and he will be the arbiter of the guidance provided to engineering by the Board. Rick wants to thank Bob McGwier N4HY for his service as VP Engineering. He single handedly revitalized the department and brought on many new high quality volunteers to work on AMSAT new vision. He has also been the genesis of new concepts like the use of software defined radio concepts as the basis for our new high performance linear transponder design (SDX) and for the implementation of a better HELAPS transmitter design using modern digital techniques to control its linearity. Fortunately Bob is staying actively involved in AMSAT and in our engineering efforts. He will be a key asset as we continue our march toward achieving AMSAT Mission and Vision. Rick has also created an advisory committee to work on a new Engineering organization proposal. It is expected that this group will act quickly to provide an operational proposal for the next VP of Engineering to use in moving the engineering group toward meeting the goals of that group set a number of years ago. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.03 Executive Board Meeting AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-202.03 An AMSAT executive meeting is planned for board members and senior officers in mid August to discuss the current status and future direction of AMSAT. The outcomes and expected results will be presented to the membership at the AMSAT Symposium in Atlanta, Oct 24-26. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.04 The UK Space Colloquium will be Webcast AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-202.04 Thanks to the British Amateur Television Club (BATC) this years AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be streamed live on the web. Peter Blakeborough G3PYB, President of BATC, will be streaming video of the event live to the Internet so that Radio Amateurs and SWL’s can watch it from anywhere in the world. This service will be available at http://www.batc.tv/ As well as live video BATC will also be providing a Live Chat web page enabling viewers to post messages. The 23rd AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England from Friday 25th until Sunday 27th July. The Colloquium is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. An online booking service is available with PayPal, Visa and Master Card payments accepted. For further details see http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/ A site map showing location of the Management Building and the adjacent main car park and conference visitors parking can be seen at http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/stories/uosmap6.jpg Travel information: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/23/52/ AMSAT-UK Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Related URL’s British Amateur Television Club (BATC) http://www.batc.org.uk/ BATC Video website http://www.batc.tv/ [ANS thanks Trevor, M5AKA, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.05 ARISS Status - 14 July 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 14, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-202.05 ARISS Status Report for the week of July 14, 2008 1. Upcoming School Contacts An ARISS contact was held with the Department of Astronomy & Space Sciences (DASS) at the Kuwait Science Club in Safat, Kuwait on Monday, July 14 at 17:05 UTC. Telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii assisted with the contact. DASS aims to spread scientific awareness in the fields of astronomy and space sciences by actively engaging the public in exploring the cosmos. This educational activity will educate young people about space stations, satellites and ham radio. A national competition will be announced through Ministry of Education for all schools in Kuwait. The competition will encourage students to do research in space science. Four students will be selected from 3 levels (elementary, middle, high school) to ask questions of the astronaut. Extensive media coverage is expected from at least 3 television stations, several newspapers, magazines and radio stations. European Space Camp 2008 will be held at the Zanka Children and Youth Centre in Zanka, Hungary for the children of ESA employees. The camp has been scheduled for an ARISS contact on Thursday, July 24. The Hungarian Astronautical Society (HAS) is organizing the event. The Radio Club of the Puskas Polytechnic (HA5KHC) will provide equipment and support the contact. 2. Canadian Campers Participate in Successful ARISS Contact On Wednesday, July 9, youth attending the National Agriculture Museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada participated in an ARISScontact via telebridge station W6SRJ in Santa Rosa, California. Greg Chamitoff, KD5PKZ, answered 14 questions posed to him by 12 campers as an audience of approximately 120 watched. One television station, 2 radio stations, and one member of the press covered the event. The museum reported on the contact using its Web site. Radio station CFRA, which is the most listened to news radio station in Eastern Ontario, played the audio and interview throughout the day. 3. ARRL Article on ARISS Activities On Tuesday, July 8, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran an article on ARISS contacts which are taking place during the month of July. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/07/08/10202/?nc=1 The story is also available on The ARRL Letter: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/08/0711/ 4. ARISS Face to Face Meeting The ARISSteam is meeting in Moscow this week for its annual face to face meeting. The conference will be held July 17-18 and will be preceded by an Amateur Radio Working Group (ARWG) meeting July 14-16. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-202.06 NEW OSCAR Satellite Identities Issued AMSAT News Service Bulletin 202.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. July 20, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-202.06 Satellite CUTE-1.7 + APD II has been issued the OSCAR Number CO-65. This was at the request of Tokyo Institute of Technology. lss.mes.titech.ac.jp/ssp/cute1.7/index_e.html Satellite SEEDS II Has been issued the OSCAR number CO-66. This was requested by Nihon University. (http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp) [ANS thanks Drew, KO4MA, 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 at amsat dot org

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Last day to book for AMSAT-UK Colloquium July 25-27
by Trevor 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

There is just one day left to book a place for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium. The 23rd AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England from Friday 25th until Sunday 27th July. Prof Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO Chairman AMSAT-UK, will open the Colloquium at 14:00 BST (13:00 GMT) on the Friday. This will be followed by the keynote speech given by Dr Rob Gowen, Department of Space & Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London and Coordinator of the UK Lunar Penetrator Consortium) on "Science Penetrators for the UK MoonLITE mission". There will be presentations from AMSAT-DL on both the eagerly awaited P3E satellite and the pioneering Mars Orbiter P5A. This will be the first private venture spacecraft to travel to the Red Planet providing Radio Amateurs with some true DX signals. The Delfi-C3 team will be giving presentations on their exciting new satellite. Its SSB/CW 435/145 linear transponder will activated soon and is sure to prove popular with satellite enthusiasts world-wide. The IARU Satellite Forum chaired by the IARU Satellite Adviser Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV will take place during the Colloquium. The Colloquium is open to all. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. An online booking service is available with PayPal, Visa and Master Card payments accepted. For further details see http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/ Programme: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/640/213/ Travel information: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/23/52/ A site map showing location of the Management Building and the adjacent main car park and conference visitors parking can be seen at http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/stories/uosmap6.jpg AMSAT-UK Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Web: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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Re: Vanishing Hams
by Daniel Schultz 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

Various people wrote: >Ham radio may just evolve from technical whiz kids making coils out of >oatmeal boxes (those are disappearing too) to mere communicators that >know little about the technology inside. >The kids you are trying to impress with ham radio in general and APRS in >specific just roll their eyes and go back to their iPhones and PC's. >After all, ham radio is another name for AMATEUR radio. The world is no >longer impressed with amateur solutions to Telecommunications just as it >is no longer impressed with using horses for basic transportation. A lot of people still keep horses today because they love horses. There are more horses in the USA today than at any time in the past, we just don't use them for daily commutes to work (although with the price of gasoline we may be reconsidering them). Amateur radio is not comparable to cell phone service, it is not for basic communication but for people who love the technology and want to understand it and improve it. Don't try to appeal to the masses. Find the one kid in 100 (or is it one in 1000?) who wants to dig deeper and learn the technology. Robot competitions draw lots of kids who are interested in building and modifying technology. They are still around but they are getting channeled into robotics instead of radio. >Third, and this also can't be overcome by mentoring etc., is that amateur >radio has space and financial requirements that are beyond most young >people. Everyone on this list go look at your stuff right now and add up >what it cost in terms of currency as well as ndoor and outdoor space. >Sure, you *CAN* get into amateur radio with a used 2m HT picked up in >Dayton for $100. But let's face it the really cool stuff requires more >sophisticated (read: expensive) equipment, usually with antenna systems >that require space and more money. When you're a teen or a young person >just starting a family, it's a discretionary expense that is probably >just not high on your list. >As someone who was licensed at age 13, there are somethings that suck about >being a young ham. You don't have much money to spend on rigs and antennas. >You live in your parent's house so you are at their mercy for what antennas >you can put up. You have school and homework to compete for your time. You >go to college which greatly limits funds and time, and then you go into the >raising a family (I am there now) which greatly limits funds again, as well >as operating time. Someone proposed having internet "listen only" remote gateways so that newcomers could get a taste of satellite operation before obtaining their own equipment. We could go one better and devise a scheme that would allow transmit access to holders of valid amateur licenses. That would allow them to get on the satellites without a big investment in radio gear. Dan Schultz N8FGV

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How volunteerism works...
by Fred A Parker 20 Jul '08

20 Jul '08

My Experience working as volunteer for Amsat. In my opinion accomplished nothing. Over the time span of several years while working on the mechanical end of things for the Eagle project. There was nothing getting done, actually things seemed to be going backwards. What satisfaction does one get when one's work goes no where. With the loss of I believe his name was Jim Stanford. Every thing changed and all I seemed to get was unanswered Emails and phone calls. Unless Amsat had some special event coming up and needed some hardware for show and tell. I wish to not seem too negative. But there needs to be an analyses of what changes are needed. My first suggestion would be to set new goals that are achievable. My research tells me the days of free rides are over. Amsat needs to downsize its projects to a more realistic size that is with in there budget. When that happens I am prepared to burn the midnight oil. Fred A Parker KF0AK Itasca County RACES/ARES Logistic Officer

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WD9EWK's road trip, starting Sunday (20 July)...
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 19 Jul '08

19 Jul '08

Hi! I am about to start a 3-day road trip from the Williams (Arizona) hamfest, looking to do some sightseeing and operating from unusual grids in and around northern Arizona. All plans are subject to change without notice due to weather, road conditions, etc. - but I will try to keep you posted. At this moment, I am still in Williams, but will leave tomorrow morning for the DM56ex/DM57ea grid boundary in northeastern Arizona. I hope to be on the 2106 and 2247 UTC AO-27 passes from this spot. Please note that this grid boundary is just south of the Arizona/Utah border, so this will not be a QSO with two states simultaneously - just Arizona. After the two AO-27 passes, I will head west toward Page AZ, site of Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, and the DM46fx/DM47fa grid boundary. I will be on the one good Sunday evening AO-51 pass (0201 UTC Monday) from here. I may be on an AO-51 pass Monday morning, before leaving this area. According to my maps, at Page the grid boundary is also the Arizona/Utah state line. I will try to confirm this while I am in the area, so contacts from this location could be good for 2 states as well as 2 grids. On Monday, I will head west and try to be on AO-27 passes from either the DM36/DM37 or DM26/DM36 grid boundaries near the northwestern corner of Arizona. Then, down to Las Vegas and the DM25/DM26 grid boundary for the evening AO-51 passes. I might try for SO-50 passes during both of these days, around midday local time (1800-1900 UTC). For now, I won't post specifics related to those passes, other than to say I might give them a try. After Monday, I have not decided if I will stay along the Colorado River looking for SO-50 and/or AO-27 passes from grids like DM24 or make a more-direct return to Phoenix. I will try to post updates while on the road, if I have Internet access. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Frank, K9CIS 2000th AO-07 Contact
by dcowden＠nc.rr.com 19 Jul '08

19 Jul '08

Congrats Frank for reaching the 2K plateau. SATELLITE CW is definitely not dead. Enjoy our QSO's. Thanks for helping improve my CW skills. The 4-way ones are fun and challenging 73 Old Friend Don. N8DDK

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Re: where all the users
by John W Lee 19 Jul '08

19 Jul '08

I always thought that was what that big knob in the middle of the radio was for . 73, John K6YK On Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:47:46 -0400 "Michael Tondee" <mat_62(a)netcommander.com> writes: > I've never been able to get the doppler tracking quite right using > SatPC32. Snip > 73, > Michael,W4HIJ ____________________________________________________________ Live the good life! Click now for great retirement planning assistance! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3mK7BX3NXXyUPWzMDeuGtYU8O…

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Bill Ress - N6GHz - - - AMSAT Board Candidate
by Bill Ress 19 Jul '08

19 Jul '08

I’m Bill Ress, N6GHz, and I’m campaigning for a seat on the AMSAT Board. You will soon be getting your ballots for this year’s AMSAT Board election. The current dialog on the AMSAT-bb clearly indicates member dissatisfaction with AMSAT leadership on various levels. Well, now you have the chance to voice your concerns through your votes!! In my ballot statement, you will read that I’m disappointed with AMSAT’s lack of visible progress on a viable and sustainable satellite program, and with the lack of adequate communication and accountability. The engineering efforts are in a state of disarray. Hardly a screw has been turning on Eagle. AMSAT’s website, the primary “front” to the public, is in need of redevelopment after months of neglect. The vision statement has long been outdated. After being content to operate the birds, I thought I should do more. So, in 2006 I volunteered and started my very agonizing participation on the Eagle design team, designing and building a concept 3.4 GHz down converter and supporting the 70 CM receiver. That “fruitless” experience, along with what I've witnessed with the some of the AMSAT leadership, prompted me to run for the board, hopeful of being able to contribute in any way to making a positive improvement to a troubled situation. The inner circle of leadership goes back many years in AMSAT. They have put in many, many well meaning volunteer hours and we should recognize and appreciate that fact. Perhaps their long-term membership on the board led to inaction and complacency, which clouded judgments and prevented critical decisions from being made. The board (and subsequently the membership) will benefit from a “new” member who is critical of current performance, and is willing to be a vocal reminder of member concerns. You can help decide the future of AMSAT with your vote. Do I think I can change the current AMSAT culture overnight? Only a fool would think so, but I can tell you that I will try very hard to convey your legitimate concerns with the hope of influencing the board’s attitudes and decisions to support a process of positive change. AMSAT is at a critical crossroad right now brought on by ever increasing launch costs, lack of leadership and an unclear vision. I know the leadership has finally recognized this and is making a serious effort to address burning issues. I plan on offering to the board what I hope will be viewed as constructive inputs which will reflect many of your concerns. The AMSAT-bb is a great medium for communication, and I’m very keen on open lines of communication. I’ll be using it in the coming days, weeks and months to explain my position on the issues you want me to address. I am also preparing an online e-survey, a format I will use periodically, to get your opinion on various issues (and the results will be shared with you and the AMSAT leadership). To put this recurring criticism of “poor communications” to rest, we need to keep our web site active and current. If that doesn’t happen very soon, I would encourage the leadership to use the AMSAT-bb, or perhaps a “blog” to keep members informed. For my part, you’ll be hearing from me often using the AMSAT-bb, or perhaps my own blog. I was first licensed in 1957 as KN2HDG. That was the first step, which lead to my professional career in electronics. I graduated in 1968 from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a BSEL. From there, I went on to have a rewarding career in the RF/microwave industry with companies like California Microwave, Omni Spectra and Radian Technology, where I designed and built components for the satellite industry for companies like Hughes, TRW and Lockheed. I now run a new start-up RF/microwave components company. I am also a member of Project Oscar, ARRL, AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-ZL (Go KiwiSat!!!). I read the AMSAT-bb daily. I’m on the birds frequently but if we can’t hook up there, email me at n6ghz(a)amsat.org. Thanks and 73s!!… Bill – N6GHz

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Re: where all the users
by Edward Cole 19 Jul '08

19 Jul '08

At 08:25 PM 7/18/2008, Dave Guimont wrote: > >Yes puters do make it easyier, but not tottally absolutely necessary. > > > >in the old days we tracked the birds using something called math, > > > >Made little paper things with clear plastic overlays to simulate the > >birds path across the sky, > > > >Doppler? uhhhh, we tristed the vfo to keep it in tune, > > > >geeech, > > > >Joe WB9SBD > >Joe, > >I had exactly the same thoughts, but hesitated to say it for fear the >one who made the comment would not understand "twisting a knob"!!! > > > > > > 73, Dave, WB6LLO > dguimon1(a)san.rr.com > > Disagree: I learn.... > > Pulling for P3E... Yeah, maybe on 435-MHz but try doing that at 1268 or 2400 on the Leos! Not very easy/practical. One hand tunes the uplink, other moves azimuth, third the elevation, and fourth keys the mic...fifth keeps the log...uhuh. I find operating ordinary old mode-B or mode-J hard enough and think auto-tracking (at least) is made for the Leos. For AO-10/13/40 its non-issue, of course, Doppler rates and tracking rates are lower. Ed - KL7UW

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Grid JN00 on air
by Angel Peláez, EA4DUT 19 Jul '08

19 Jul '08

Hello everybody: I'm on holidays until next Monday 21st at Mediterranean coast on the mainly marine (but with a small land corner) JN00 grid. My operation is only on FM birds on afternoon, AO-27. QSL is OK via buro. Thanks and good luck. EA4DUT/5 Angel ______________________________________________ Enviado desde Correo Yahoo! La bandeja de entrada más inteligente.

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Re: Vanishing Hams - BBC News Report
by Trevor 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

Seeking Scotland's radio hams "Colin Wight of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) investigates why in the internet age there are still so many radio amateurs." http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2008/bbc_scotland.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm --------------- __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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NAMSATE AND EAGLE PROJECT ARE DEAD!!!
by Luc Leblanc 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

As usual AMSAT-NA is keeping the crowds unaware and uninformed on AMSAT-BB and on purpose...NAMASTE and EAGLE project are from my point of view literally dead! For those who are still believing on a HEO made by AMSAT-NA forget it they "HALTED" NAMASTE et fired out the EAGLE team leaders Here is some e-mails exchange... It seems obvious now that AMSAT-NA projects are collapsing NAMASTE is dead and EAGLE PROBABLY WILL BE HALTED TOO????? SEE BELOW THE FULL EXCHANGE AND PLEASE READ THE THREADS ON: http://amsat.org/pipermail/namaste-dev/2008-July/thread.html Here is an excerpt moving around the "Super duper" AMSAT-NA president on the NAMSATE reflector > At this time, all group leaders on the Eagle project > are relieved of their leadership duties. Rick W2GPS AMSAT LM2232 -----Original Message----- From: w8iss at wideopenwest.com [mailto:w8iss at wideopenwest.com] Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2008 12:36 AM To: Rick Hambly (W2GPS); 'namaste-dev' Cc: bod at AMSAT.Org; 'officers' Subject: Re: [Namaste-dev] AMSAT Engineering ---------- Original Message ----------- From: "Rick Hambly $W2GPS$" <w2gps at cnssys.com> To: <eagle at AMSAT.Org>, "'namaste-dev'" <namaste-dev at AMSAT.Org> Cc: bod at AMSAT.Org, "'officers'" <officers at AMSAT.Org> Sent: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:18:13 -0400 Subject: [Namaste-dev] AMSAT Engineering > > Any changes to fundamental Eagle goals will come from the Board and Senior > Officers team through me as engineering team leader. If anyone would > like to suggest new ideas for consideration you have free access to > express yourself either through your engineering team leader or > directly to the members of the Board and Senior Officers team (see > the links at http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/AboutAmsat/officers.php). So is Michelle STILL team leader? > At this time, all group leaders on the Eagle project > are relieved of their leadership duties. Are you NOT contradicting yourself here, Rick? Just some clarification here please. James W8ISS NO MORE EXCANGE BEYOND THIS POINT!!!!! AMSAT-NA is on a crashing course i doubt this group will survive up to the end of 2008! Sad news but could be under a new leadership things can still have some chance of success! P.S. I just hope i am dead wrong here? "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Re: AMSAT NA
by Stephen Melachrinos 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

>Geosyncrous (sp?) Geosynchronous. But actually, you probably mean geostationary. Geosynchronous just means that the orbital period is integrally related to one sidereal day, so the ground track repeats on a daily basis. There are lots of possibilities for geosynchronous orbits, but only a few are practical. Geostationary is a special case of geosynchronous, where the period is exactly equal to one sidereal day, the eccentricity is zero, and the inclination is also zero. The result is that the satellite does not appear to move (is "stationary") when viewed from an observer on the earth. That's the orbit typically referred to as a "GEO," and the one that's most in use for commercial and military communications satellites, direct broadcast satellites, and civil weather satellites. >Ok, how difficult is that weird orbit that a few of >the Russian Birds had, called something like Molylna, >or something like that? They semed awesome and the >best of both worlds, The Molniya orbit **is** a HEO, albeit a special one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Its characteristics: - Its apogee is over the North, so it spends most of its time (better than 80%) above the equator. - Its period is equal to one-half of one sidereal day, so its ground track repeats exactly each day. - Its inclination (63.4 degrees) is such that its argument of perigee doesn't shift (from 270 degrees) so the apogee stays over the North Pole. Because the apogee is so high (about 40,000 km), it's a relatively high-energy orbit, meaning it's expensive (fuel-wise) to launch. It's not quite as bad as GEO, but much worse than LEO. My rules of thumb put a factor of two between each of these. In other words, if you could launch 100 kg to LEO, you could have either: - a 100 kg spacecraft at LEO, or - spend 50 kg of fuel to put 50 kg into a Molniya-like HEO, or - spend 75 kg of fuel to put 25 kg into GEO. (Note that these are approximations. There are variations based upon the altitude of the LEO, the inclination of launch, the Isp of the propulsion system, and the accuracy of your orbital knowledge and execution of maneuvers.) Steve W3HF

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Re: Vanishing Hams - BBC News Report
by John W Lee 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

Mebbe it's because Amateur Radio and the internet are not the same thing. The internet is great for research but certainly is no substitute for real radio. A lot of Amateur radio operators don't seem to have figured this out yet. K6YK On Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:59:14 +0000 (GMT) Trevor <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> writes: > Seeking Scotland's radio hams > > "Colin Wight of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) > investigates why in the internet age there are still so many radio > amateurs." > > http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2008/bbc_scotland.htm > > 73 Trevor M5AKA >>> ____________________________________________________________ Click to shop and compare great deals on trucks. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3l1wbrQoASLvM2fR3OxL2Ut15…

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New schedule uploaded to AO-27
by George Henry 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

I just noticed that a new schedule was uploaded to AO-27 on June 29th... Users of the Java schedule lister will want to make sure that you have updated the TOPR.TXT and EPOCH.TXT files to the latest versions. 73, George, KA3HSW

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Re: Icom IC-2820
by Clint Bradford 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

Make sure SUB BAND AUDIO MUTE is OFF, and, yes, this is a true dual- receive - and complex! - mobile rig. >>... My dealer is clueless.... Then change dealers. Any dealer who wouldn't take the time to pull an owners manual or look it up on the manufacturer's Web ste for you doesn't care about its clients. Take your six hundred bucks elsewhere. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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Re: How volunteerism works...
by Ken Ernandes 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

Bob - good diplomatic explanation! 73, Ken Ernandes N2WWD -----Original Message----- >From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> >Sent: Jul 18, 2008 9:14 AM >To: AMSAT-BB(a)AMSAT.Org >Subject: [amsat-bb] How volunteerism works... > >Again we see lots and lots of ideas of what "needs to be >done"... And most of them are pointed at better "management"... >Or better "direction" of what is being done (by others)... > >The issue in an all volunteer organization is not "what" needs >to be done, but who will step forward and do it, not the >"management and direction" but the actual WORK. That requires >volunteers with the knowledge, skills, time and energy, and >thick skin, Especially under the hail of rocks and stones from >the peanut gallery... > >Counter productive to getting the work we need done (volunteers >we need) is the attitude from the peanut gallery about getting >in there and "kicking butt" and "better management"... You do >that in an all volunteer organization and soon there is nothing >left but managers and butt kickers and complainers. > >This happens in every aspect of ham radio all the way down to >the local clubs and all the way to the top. You'd think by now >that the old-fuds who clamour for more effort (from others) have >about 30 years of experience with how this does NOT work in ham >radio. Progress is made by self motivated individuals who see a >need and jump in to fill it. > > It is very simple! > >If you can contribute "work" then jump in and do it. Othwerwise >"get out of the way" and contribute money, food, encouragement, >and assistance to those that do. "Ankle-biting, naysaying, and >complaining" accomplish absolutely nothing forward. If you >don't like the direction things are going, then jump in and go >another way and see if you can find followers (workers, not >ditto-heads)... But get out of the way of those that are making >progress in their direction... That's the only way progress is >made in volunteer organizations... > >This is surely what this old-fud has learned in the last 30 >years... >Bob, WB4APR > >_______________________________________________ >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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Vanishing Hams
by K5GNA＠aol.com 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

Hi All, I read the article yesterday that Frank had referred to and forwarded it to a few friends. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I received this URL today. Read number 16. _http://www.walletpop.com/specials/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america?i_ (http://www.walletpop.com/specials/top-25-things-vanishing-from-america?i) cid=100214839x1205495530x1200282778 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Every time I go to an annual swapfest, the average age of attendees is one year older. We need to spend some time reaching out to a younger generation or #16 on the list will come true. Many years ago, it was in the national interest to have a cadre of trained radio operators. Today, with CB, Cell Phones, cordless phones, FRS, etc. -- everyone is a radio operator. Now, military communications is done with a keyboard or microphone -- pretty much universal skills now. As the article mentions, the airwaves are valuable property and we could lose them. Although the Amateur Radio Community shines when there is loss of communications during a disaster, with newer technology, even that could change. A few years ago at the 2002 AMSAT meeting in Ft. Worth, Tony, AA2TX was giving a talk on his antennas made from cardboard boxes and aluminum foil. There was a grade school class in attendance with their teacher. When the talk was over, the kids swarmed over the boxes and aluminum foil to make antennas with great enthusiasm. Very inspiring -- this is the kind of reaching out we need. Instead of our self serving pursuit of DXCC, WAS, VUCC, WAC and others, maybe the ARRL needs to sponsor an award for bringing new Hams into the community. Otherwise, someday, no one will remember what those letters even stood for. 73 & TNX, Bob K5GNA **************Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com! (http://www.tourtracker.com?NCID=aolmus00050000000112)

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WTB: Bird 4410-15 element
by Joe W2KJ 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

Still looking for a Bird 4410-15 element for my 4410A wattmeter. This 100W element covers 1.0Ghz to 1.8 Ghz. Anyone out there have a spare?? 73, Joe W2KJ

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AMSAT-UK Colloquium - Just 3 Days Left to Book
by Trevor 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

There are just 3 days left to place a booking for the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium. The 23rd AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium will be held at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England from Friday 25th until Sunday 27th July. Dr Rob Gowen, Department of Space & Climate Physics (Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London and Coordinator of the UK Lunar Penetrator Consortium) will give the keynote speech on "Science Penetrators for the UK MoonLITE mission". There will be presentations from AMSAT-DL on both the eagerly awaited P3E satellite and the pioneering Mars Orbiter P5A. This will be the first private venture spacecraft to travel to the Red Planet providing Radio Amateurs with some true DX signals. The Delfi-C3 team will be giving presentations on their exiting new satellite. Its SSB/CW 435/145 linear transponder will activated soon and is sure to prove popular with satellite enthusiasts world-wide. The Colloquium is open to all Radio Amateurs and SWL's. Either day passes or full packages comprising overnight accommodation and meals are available. An online booking service is available with PayPal, Visa and Master Card payments accepted. For further details see http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/ A site map showing location of the Management Building and the adjacent main car park and conference visitors parking can be seen at http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/stories/uosmap6.jpg Travel information: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/23/52/ AMSAT-UK Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Web: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA ---- __________________________________________________________ Not happy with your email address?. Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html

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where all the users
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 18 Jul '08

18 Jul '08

If the HEO is launched, they will come. Mike K9QHO AMSAT 33589

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