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March Schedule for AO-51
by Andrew Glasbrenner 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Copied from: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php Update: March 1, 2008 Last month we concentrated on L uplinks and S downlinks. This month we'd like to concentrate on U band downlinks. In response to recent discussions on amsat-bb, we are going to try two separate weeks of dual repeaters. Unlike the QRP restrictions we have had in the past, this time the only special restrictions are that regular users yield for university stations that will be active on March 4th and 27th. Please limit contacts those dates to QSOs involving at least one university station. If the second repeater is not utilized, we may revert to digital operations. The 435.150 repeater and 2401.200 downlinks may be temporarily suspended for WOD telemetry download without notice. Generally this will only be for one pass per day. Regarding the graphic schedule...the software that does the schedule will not allow for the proper display of some of the current modes or any detailed information on special purposes. Please refer to this page for mode change information. March 2008 AO-51 (AMSAT Echo) Schedule March 1 until March 31, subject to modification March 1 - March 2 FM Repeater, V/US Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlinks: 435.300 and 2401.200 MHz FM March 3 - March 9 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM FM Repeater, V/U (March 4th please yield to university stations) Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM March 10 - March 16 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM 9k6 Digital L/U BBS and Telemetry Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM March 17 - March 23 FM Repeater, V/US Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlinks: 435.300 and 2401.200 MHz FM March 24 - March 31 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM FM Repeater, V/U (March 27th please yield to university stations) Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Ops

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Incorrect log entries.
by John Hackett 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Gentlemen, PLEASE !!!!! refrain from putting 'CQ' in the QSO pane of the AO-7 log ... it just makes the statistics page incorrect. If you have an actual QSO - by all means log it - but please *DON'T* put CQ there. 99.9% of the operators can do it correctly - (the instructions are clear enough) - with a little bit of 'extra' effort even *YOU* could do it too. Please don't be a sheep and put CQ because some other clown did it first. SV1BSX asked politely, and was ignored - the actual QSO's determine the statistics ... which is the whole point of the log. We *DON'T* need to know you called CQ on a particular date and time. Thank you. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Re: Iowa / Louisiana cubesat
by G0MRF＠aol.com 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

If you join the GENSO network, you'll be able to remotely access the satellite from many Universities and amateur stations in different continents. _http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMQM953R8F_index_0.html_ (http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMQM953R8F_index_0.html) _www.genso.org_ (http://www.genso.org) Thanks David In a message dated 02/03/2008 10:13:52 GMT Standard Time, quadpugh(a)bellsouth.net writes: Hi Amsaters The Universities at Auburn, Iowa and Louisiana are apply for a grant to build a cubesat and we need some one to host a ground station in the southern hemisphere at latitudes > 55 deg S. The orbit will be a polar orbit and locations in the higher latitudes will be in the foot print more time per day that us in the middle latitudes. We supply the hard ware for a fully automated station I.E. Icon 910, M2 antennas, rotator and a computer and we need a volunteer to get it in operation for us and connected it to the internet. We expect the life of the sat to be a year or two. If you have a interest please contact me off line thanks nick

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AUTO-MATE Coupler
by Farrell Winder 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Does anyone have specs on a AUTO-MATE Coupler Model 6006-T used for in line RF sampling? The unit I have was manufactured by Automatic Metal Products Corp, Brooklys, NY. Thanks any info. Farrell Winder, W8ZCF

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Global Satellite ground station system
by Bob Bruninga 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

> The Universities at Auburn, Iowa and Louisiana.. > need... a ground station in the southern hemisphere... Contact AMRASE organization in Brazil. They are building a an amateur satellite called CAMOES that may also support the APRS digiepating mission with either an uplink or a downlink on the 145.825 frequency. The more satellites and the more ground stations we accumulate, the closer we get to full-time round-the-clock hand-held communicatinos from anywhere on the globe. The beauty of having more ground stations is that they can operate with OMNI antennas and do not have any moving parts. They can link everything heard into the APRS global internet system for connectivity to anyone on the planet in real time. See our next satelite in this constellation: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/buoy.html Bob, Wb4APR

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Re: AO-7 Log
by John Hackett 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Hi Ron, Rgr ... Bob's a mate of mine ... like me, he's no computer geek so a bit of finger trouble is to be expected - no big deal. I administer and correct the log for a number of years but stopped several months ago - it was taking up too much time ... I was just pointing out that the ensuing accumulative errors over time will ensure the statistics page will be incorrect. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> Homepage <http://www.observations.biz> From: Rm2642(a)aol.com Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 00:37:10 -0500 Subject: AO-7 Log To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org Hi John: Just to comment about your post on amsat-bb about W7LRD and N6PAA QSO. There should be one log entry for our 01-Mar-08 QSO on AO-7. I don't know what Bob was thinking with the 3 log entries a few minutes apart. 73 and Thanks, Ron n6paa Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

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(no subject)
by Nick Pugh 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Hi Amsaters The Universities at Auburn, Iowa and Louisiana are apply for a grant to build a cubesat and we need some one to host a ground station in the southern hemisphere at latitudes > 55 deg S. The orbit will be a polar orbit and locations in the higher latitudes will be in the foot print more time per day that us in the middle latitudes. We supply the hard ware for a fully automated station I.E. Icon 910, M2 antennas, rotator and a computer and we need a volunteer to get it in operation for us and connected it to the internet. We expect the life of the sat to be a year or two. If you have a interest please contact me off line thanks nick

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Re: recent AO-40 efforts?
by G0MRF＠aol.com 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Hi Auke / Don I believe in the case of AO-40, there is potential damage from a corrosive fuel 'leak'. Regarding battery protection. For smaller satellites an optically switched solid state relay between the battery and the satellite bus looks to be a good idea. Any time the battery has an EMF of greater than 2 volts the relay is 'on' and its MOSFETS connect the battery to the system. If the battery volts go below 2V then the relay goes 'open' and the battery is disconnected from the satellite allowing power from the BCR to go directly to the payloads. You could also send a command to switch the relay back on to recharge the battery at a later date. Would be nice to try all this some day. Several years of normal operation followed by several years of daylight only sounds good to me. Talking of daylight only....Hopefully only 6 weeks to the Delfi3c launch! 73 David Someone else my be able to correct my understanding if I have misunderstood the AO-40 design. Hopefully those who designed the power system have moved on and we now have some better insight. Don In a message dated 02/03/2008 04:06:59 GMT Standard Time, sparkycivic(a)shaw.ca writes: I presume that they are in a fail-close arrangement, because if they were fail-open, they should have already done-so due to the shunted power system. Also, could the solar panels have fuses that have opened? could such fuses be re-settable? I would be interested to hear what knowledge there exists about the present status of AO-40, especially what "google" couldn't fetch.

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ANDE-DeOrbit project closed: donation made to P3E
by Henk, PA3GUO 02 Mar '08

02 Mar '08

Now our ANDE-DEORBIT project has come to an end, and all requested certificates (up to now 51) have been shipped, we would like to make up the promise we made: "All of the left-over money to be spend on an AMSAT project". Many of the participants donated much more as the required printing & shipping cost. We have rounded the amount and made a donation of 150 Euro to P3E. Soon you should see the three new pixels "MAA" appear on the P3E website: http://www.p3e-satellite.org We would like to again say "thank you" to all that participated in the project. It was a great experience and we have made many new friends world-wide, that's HAM SPIRIT ! 73 and THANKS ! Mike, DK3WN Henk, PA3GUO http://www.ande-deorbit.com

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Wanted: Elevation Rotor
by Bert, VE2ZAZ 01 Mar '08

01 Mar '08

Wanted: Elevation Rotor in good shape. Kenpro or Yaesu. Please contact me direct at ve2zaz_AT_amsat.org. Thanks, Bert, VE2ZAZ Connect with friends from any web browser - no download required. Try the new Yahoo! Canada Messenger for the Web BETA at http://ca.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php

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When you've made as many mistakes as La2qaa ...
by John Hackett 01 Mar '08

01 Mar '08

Hi Bob, When you've made as many mistakes as me !! mate ... he he ... Just pointing out that the 'statistics' will be somewhat 'off' over time but hey!, it's no big deal. Have a good weekend Bob mate. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Unreliable Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 17:33:43 +0000 Yep, I made a mistake! 73 Bob W7LRD -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: John Hackett <archie.hackett(a)hotmail.com> > > Hello to the group. > > The AO-7 log resource statistics page has now become a farce thanks to a *LOT* > of sloppy and incorrect entries - (don't people look !! at what they enter?). > > W7LRD with tripple entries for N6PAA at 02:17, 02:19 and 02:21... > > (the instruction page *DOES* explain how to correct a false entry) > > KN2IF reporting the transponder as OFF while others are working through it, > DM9LSB's double entries - (all on the same day too). > > Such sloppy entries ensure that the statistics are *NOT* correct ... which of > course defeats the object of the exercise ... in other words ... it's a complete > waste of time if you don't take the trouble to fill in th e log correctly. > > 73 John. > _______________________________________________ > 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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FW: Unreliable
by John Hackett 01 Mar '08

01 Mar '08

Quite right !! Mak. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> ................................................................................. > From: sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr > To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Unreliable > Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 16:40:03 +0200 > > ....another incorrect entry is the "CQ" into QSOs-field (right column). > > Thus, we generate a fake DATA into the database with a... "CQ" callsign > !!!!!!! > > Please, leave "BLANK" the QSOs-field if you have NOT a QSO with > a real station. No comments, nothing at all. > > > 73, Mak SV1BSX > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Hackett" <archie.hackett(a)hotmail.com> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 12:56 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Unreliable > > > > > > Hello to the group. > > > > The AO-7 log resource statistics page has now become a farce thanks to a > > *LOT* of sloppy and incorrect entries - (don't people look !! at what they > > enter?). > > > > W7LRD with tripple entries for N6PAA at 02:17, 02:19 and 02:21... > > > > (the instruction page *DOES* explain how to correct a false entry) > > > > KN2IF reporting the transponder as OFF while others are working through > > it, DM9LSB's double entries - (all on the same day too). > > > > Such sloppy entries ensure that the statistics are *NOT* correct ... which > > of course defeats the object of the exercise ... in other words ... it's a > > complete waste of time if you don't take the trouble to fill in the log > > correctly. > > > > 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > > > > --- > > avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. > > Virus Database (VPS): 080219-0, 02/19/2008 > > Tested on: 3/1/2008 13:20:38 > > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. > > http://www.avast.com > > > > > > > > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 080219-0, 02/19/2008 > Tested on: 3/1/2008 16:40:07 > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > >

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Ft-736 problem
by randy 01 Mar '08

01 Mar '08

When i key the mike the needle does not move forward to indicate the power output level but instead moves to the left and bottoms out. I have set the drive output to various levels but it still fails to indicate power. I know it's putting out power because i can hit repeaters but it won't indicate it by the needle going forward. It goes in the opposite direction to the left. Any help will be appreciated., Thanks, Randy

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Unreliable
by John Hackett 01 Mar '08

01 Mar '08

Hello to the group. The AO-7 log resource statistics page has now become a farce thanks to a *LOT* of sloppy and incorrect entries - (don't people look !! at what they enter?). W7LRD with tripple entries for N6PAA at 02:17, 02:19 and 02:21... (the instruction page *DOES* explain how to correct a false entry) KN2IF reporting the transponder as OFF while others are working through it, DM9LSB's double entries - (all on the same day too). Such sloppy entries ensure that the statistics are *NOT* correct ... which of course defeats the object of the exercise ... in other words ... it's a complete waste of time if you don't take the trouble to fill in the log correctly. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Re: Discrepancies between Prediction Programs?
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 01 Mar '08

01 Mar '08

Hi Kent, Apologies as it might seem as if I am pointing out something which you have checked out. Apart from the clock setting which has been mentioned two other main factors are common things that I have found users to have wrong. The kep set being accessed by the programme is not reading from the correct source in your set up. The location of the user has not been set identical for each programme and in some cases has even been the default setting! You will find slight very minor differences between software but not to the extent that you appear to be getting results for. To find out which programme is correct for your location try using the Amsat web page which will give you either live tracking or predictions for any amateur satellite. Again make sure that you do put in your correct location ( either LAT /LONG or grid square and convert this) Good Luck I am sure that it is something very obvious. Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat -Uk Amsat NA

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Discrepancies between Prediction Programs?
by Kent R. Frazier 01 Mar '08

01 Mar '08

I noticed something strange tonight... I was running Satscape version 8.2.17 beta and Orbitron 3.17 and I was getting two *VERY* different locations for AO-51. I had updated the keps for both programs tonight. Time: 03:22:19 UTC Saturday 1 March 2008 (Shown on both programs) AO-51 Location (Satscape 8.2.17 beta): Latitude: 007.7664 South Longitude: 117.0110 West Orbitron 3.17: Latitude: 69.5008 East Longitude: 42.5000 North -- Kent R. Frazier, K5KNT

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Re: Newbie Here AO-51 Questions.
by Bill Dzurilla 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Kent, I was on this morning for the pass you noted and made 3 contacts around 1350 UTC, there was plenty of activity and the signal from the bird was strong. So if you were listening at 435.3 mhz, plus or minus 10 for the doppler, and if your clock was correct, something must be wrong somewhere. Your antenna is not blocked by trees or anything, is it? And you are hearing local 70cm repeaters with no problem? 73, Bill NZ5N Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:40:19 -0600 From: "Kent R. Frazier" <k5knt(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Newbie Here AO-51 Questions. To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <7caa889a0802290640q4cec83a3qf5570ed3c8b27191(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 OOPS!! I listed the pass prediction for ISS, not AO-51. Here is the correct AMSAT Online Satellite Pass Prediction for AO-51 this morning: 29 Feb 08 13:58:51 00:13:47 20 44 110 179 14:12:38 I was trying to listen to both. I wanted to see if I could hear the ISS APRS digipeater. AO-51 was tuned on one band and ISS on the other. Nothing but noise from either. I'll concentrate on AO-51 now until I get a better understanding of what is going on. Kent ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

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Newbie Here AO-51 Questions.
by Kent R. Frazier 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Hello all, my name is Kent Frazier, K5KNT. I am just getting interested in working amateur satellites. I just joined AMSAT on Tuesday, 26 February 2008. My current hardware is an Icom IC2720 dual band in my personal vehicle with a Comet C767 dual band antenna. I also have an Icom IC-T22A 2-meter hand held with a Diamond RH77CA antenna. I've been trying to listen to passes of AO-51 over the last week. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to hear anything since Monday, 25 February at approx 01:04 UTC (Saturday 24 FEB 19:04 CST). At that time, I thought I heard the call W9CPV. I'm currently using Satscape as my tracking software. My Gridsquare location is DM91sk. Are there other satellites I could monitor with the above equipment? Any suggestions for making my first contact? 73, Kent R. Frazier, K5KNT -- This electronic message transmission contains information which may be Confidential and/or Privileged. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above. Any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information, is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy all copies of the original message.

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Re: Newbie Here AO-51 Questions.
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Hi John, Glad that you mentioned it - I was surprised that no one came up with this comment which of course is the key player at the root of any tracking programme. I use "Atom Time Pro" - a free version (unregistered use ) is available for those interested - - Yes I know that many other options are available for this function. Cheers Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat - UK Amsat NA

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Re: Configuring LUSAT-19 like AO-16???
by Mark L. Hammond 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Hello John, Thanks for your query about LO-19. Thanks to the good efferts of our AMSAT Operations VP, Drew KO4MA and his establishment of the right contacts, a few weeks ago I spent some time corresponding with the LUSAT/LO-19 team. They are a great bunch of hams, and they are (rightfully so) very proud of their "old" bird. We came to the conclusion that the failure mode of LO-19 is quite different from that of AO-16, and that any change from its current state of CW telemetry would either be impossible, or sufficiently risky that it was best to "leave well enough alone." So, I think we can expect that LO-19 will continue to report CW telemetry for a long time. It's a great bird and its 18 years of continous operations is an amazing feat. Drew KO4MA has been attempting contact with the WO-18 folks. DO-17 isn't such a likely candidate for doing much of anything... Other thoughts...you can include IO-26 as being "nearly the same" as the original microsats, Oscars 16/17/18/19. In fact, I have started some preliminary testing of IO-26. The testing is especially slow, and it will take some time to sort out its current state (what works and what doesn't). Once we know that, we can begin to consider what function(s) IO-26 might serve. While we have no idea at the moment if it's feasible, in theory its hardware could permit being reconfigured like AO-16. We just don't know what our options are for now. Rest assured, we're working on it :) 73, Mark Hammond N8MH _______ Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:20:07 -0500 From: "John Marranca, Jr" < KB2HSH(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Configuring LUSAT-19 like AO-16??? To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: < 8edcdb130802281420y10ef567djdb8f9f9fb7a8a466(a)mail.gmail.com > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Good Afternoon, Everyone. Last month, a question was posed about the possibility of reconfiguring LUSAT/Oscar 19 in the "bent pipe" style that AO-16 is currently in. As I am writing this, both AO-16 and LU-19 are overhead...and both have stellar signals. Is there any news/update as to whether or not this can be accomplished?? Upon reading the Satellite Handbook, it appears as though 16, 17, 18, and 19 were pretty much similar. If I am wrong, then I will stand as corrected, but if 16 could be converted in such a fashion, what prevents 19? Wishing for Spring! John KB2HSH -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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LVB Tracker Questions
by 9w2qc＠9w2qc.net 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Dear All, Greetings from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have built one LVB Tracker complete kit from AMSAT-UK, and am extremely pleased with it. Now I would like to build another unit, but this time from scratch. I have two questions about this tracker, which I hope someone can help me clarify. 1. Can someone kindly advice a suitable LCD panel for this tracker? Would the Powertip PC1602ARU-HWB-G be compatible with this tracker? (RS Part Number 466-6452) 2. I am also very interested into the Ethernet interface, but have no clue on how this works. I know a suitable unit is produced by Lantronix but that is about it. Could someone kindly advice what do I need to get the Ethernet interface going? Is there an evaluation kit readily available like the one from FTDI for the USB interface? Any help and advice is really appreciated. Thank you very much in advance. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC.

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FO-29 schedule Mar.2008
by Mineo Wakita 29 Feb '08

29 Feb '08

Mar. UTC 1 3:43 - 2 2:47 - 3 none 4 2:43 - 5 3:34 - 6 2:38 - 7 3:30 - 8 2:35 - 9 3:25 - 10 none 11 3:20 - 12 2:25 - 13 3:15 - 14 2:20 - 15 3:10 - 16 2:15 - 17 none 18 2:10 - 19 3:00 - 20 2:07 - 21 2:55 - 22 2:03 - 23 2:53 - 24 none 25 2:47 - 26 3:40 - 27 2:43 - 28 3:35 - 29 2:38 - 30 3:30 - 31 none

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SDR for satellites
by pcalvi＠bluewin.ch 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

Hello everybody. I was wondering if anybody has experimented with the FLEXI RADIO Software Defined Radios on satellites. I know the SDR 5000 can do dual receive, but can cross-band full duplex be done as well? Grateful for any wisdom. 73 Piero MM0TWX/HB9DSU ________________________ Piero Calvi-Parisetti MM0TWX currently also HB9DSU for music, Ham Radio and more visit http://www.qsl.net/hb9dsu

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Configuring LUSAT-19 like AO-16???
by John Marranca, Jr 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

Good Afternoon, Everyone. Last month, a question was posed about the possibility of reconfiguring LUSAT/Oscar 19 in the "bent pipe" style that AO-16 is currently in. As I am writing this, both AO-16 and LU-19 are overhead...and both have stellar signals. Is there any news/update as to whether or not this can be accomplished?? Upon reading the Satellite Handbook, it appears as though 16, 17, 18, and 19 were pretty much similar. If I am wrong, then I will stand as corrected, but if 16 could be converted in such a fashion, what prevents 19? Wishing for Spring! John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Re: Newbie Here AO-51 Questions.
by Clint Bradford 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

WELCOME, Kent, to this wonderful aspect of amateur radio! Because you did hear something earlier this week, tha means you're close to perfecting your setup. Check the ideas on my tutorial at... http://homepage.mac.com/clintbradford/Menu3.html ...and see if any of that helps. Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Todays passes
by Fred (VE3FAL) 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

Weird stuff today, I even checked my antenna to make sure it was up , frequency correct, but not nearing either PCSat or ISS today and last 2 passes were directly overhead. Fred VE3FAL --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080228-0, 28/02/2008 Tested on: 28/02/2008 1:26:11 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com

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Re: Newbie Here AO-51 Questions.
by Bill Dzurilla 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

Hi Kent, Welcome to the sats. I just started myself a few weeks ago. AO-51 is quite popular and there are usually many stations calling when it is on mode V/U (Friday through Monday UTC). So if you are not hearing anything, even on a high pass, there must be some problem with your receiver/antenna, or you are not tuned to the correct frequency, or your tracking program is off and you are not listening at the correct time, etc. There's a nice AO-51 operating guide at: http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/operatingAO51.htm The other sats you can work with FM-only gear are AO-27 (daytime only) SO-50 (a bit weaker than 51 and 27), and the International Space Station (although transponder is often turned off). 73, Bill NZ5N >>>Hello all, my name is Kent Frazier, K5KNT. I am just getting interested in working amateur satellites. I just joined AMSAT on Tuesday, 26 February 2008. My current hardware is an Icom IC2720 dual band in my personal vehicle with a Comet C767 dual band antenna. I also have an Icom IC-T22A 2-meter hand held with a Diamond RH77CA antenna. I've been trying to listen to passes of AO-51 over the last week. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to hear anything since Monday, 25 February at approx 01:04 UTC (Saturday 24 FEB 19:04 CST). At that time, I thought I heard the call W9CPV. I'm currently using Satscape as my tracking software. My Gridsquare location is DM91sk. Are there other satellites I could monitor with the above equipment? Any suggestions for making my first contact? 73, Kent R. Frazier, K5KNT ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

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Greater Houston Hamfest operations March 1
by Bruce 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

The Greater Houston Hamfest is Saturday, March 1. We will be on the satellites. Look for our demo station on the morning passes (especially AO-51 at 9am CST). 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 Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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S-band test gear.
by John Hackett 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

Certainly Kevin, <http:www.observations.biz> Observations From Norway, article 1 for 2008. ............................................................................................ 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> > From: kevin.j.smith(a)comcast.net > To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] S-band test gear. > Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:44:17 -0500 > > John, > > You may have been told this already but your attachment(s) was stripped off > before posting to the Amsat BB. It's a shame because would have liked to > see it(them). Do you have a website to see your pictures? - Kevin/N3HKQ > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of John Hackett > Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 6:23 AM > To: allan_gm1sxx(a)hotmail.com > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; Eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com > Subject: [amsat-bb] S-band test gear. > > > OBSERVATIONS FROM NORWAY. February 2008. > > Based on SV1BSX's comments about receiving a *THUNDERING* signal from > AO-51's S-band transmitter on a patch antenna 'without' a reflector - I > decided to chuck together a few components to see if somebody as 'thick' as > LA2QAA could manage it. > > The attached pic is the ... 'fruits of LA2QAA's labour'. > > Starting at the top right we have a silver covered brass plate 2.4Ghz patch > antenna (note the real gold SMA connector, folks) mounted 3mm over a (ditto) > groundplane, via a short length of high quality (fell off the back of a > North Sea Oil industry lorry) coax feeding the input of a 2.4G 70 70cm > converter ... the output of which goes to the IC-E91 dual mode handheld and > a pair of 'cans' ... (headphones, to you!). > > To the right of the IC-E91 is a Nokia N70 mobile phone - (not shown in this > pic because I was using it to take the picture) - with the 'SATme' tracking > software ... which is very !! useful for tracking S-mode signals from LEO > birds with the 'slight' doppler thus received. > > The phone also contains a compas as well as GPS software so there's no > excuse for ... 'but I can't find north' ... (not always easy in 3 feet of > snow, null visibility and cloudy conditions) ... and there's *NEVER* a > brownie or a girl guide around when you want one. > > S-band signals in those conditions? ... you'd be surprised - we don't all > live in satellite friendly climes you know. > > Mak (SV1BSX) is right. A 60cm dish is overkill for AO-51 mode-S ... though > of course, there are! those that think you need a personal Jodrell Bank to > hear anything above 70cm. >

1 0

Re: A0-51 "easy sat"
by Clint Bradford 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

> I just wanted to let you know that I called and called and called > CQ on AO-51 this morning with no takers... Uh, no you didn't. You simply keyed up and announced you were listening. How about trying to use the more preferred protocol of... Callsign phonetically. grid square, op mode Like... Kilo-Six-Lima-Charlie-Sierra, Delta Mike 13, handheld Use of the word, "listening," may be taken literally - you are on the air, LISTENING. I am assuming you were in the correct ops mode for the bird during this pass...were you? Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

10 11

New at the AMSAT Online Store - 2007 Symposium DVD
by Bruce 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

I just added the following item to the AMSAT online store. It is the long awaited 2007 AMSAT Symposium DVD. It is under CDROM's. This is a must for anyone that was not able to attend the 2007 AMSAT Symposium in Pittsburgh or those that attended who would like the Symposium on DVD. This DVD has all of the 2007 papers, PowerPoints and audio of the presentations. Additional features of this DVD are the Symposium papers from 2004 and 2005, ISS Columbus module video and much more. 73...bruce AMSAT Online Store Manager -- 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 Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

3 2

Re: Radio amateur calling protocol
by Bato, Andras 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

Gentlemen, In case we are rally corresponding about radio amateur calling and QSO protocol, Dave WB6LLO is quite right writing: "AO7, is what, 25 years old, none of those problems existed there, and still don't today..." Except for the sad fact that some feels it is compulsory to call like "CQ CQ CQ CQ AO7 satellite this is EE0LL (15 times) is standing by for any possible satellite call." During this time of a long call VO52 flyes across Europe and no QSO will be made at all! I was planning to write this list asking everyone to KEEP IT SHORT for the God's sake !!! I call like "HA6NN CQ" That's all. As somewhere someone told those who had not been experienced in RTTY contests, it is a general habit on that mode! Than there is no rule to tell QSP-partners even your name every time! Beside this, some tells everything about his equipment, the wx, etc. THERE IS NO TIME TO DO THAT ON SATELLITES! Learn the only sensible radioamateur QSO protocol what OH8MBN Mika or UA9CS Igor uses -not to mention K3SZH and some other regulars on AO7. > Blame those that encouraged and built AO51... That was one of the gratest mistake of the history of Amateur Radio. > Why was it built?? ...that is the question. gl de ha6nn Andras

4 3

IEEE Student High Efficiency Power Amplifier Design Competition
by Arthur Feller 28 Feb '08

28 Feb '08

This competition is open to all students and graduate students registered at an educational establishment. Competitors are required to design, construct, and measure a high efficiency power amplifier, at a frequency of their choice above 1 GHz, but less than 20 GHz, and having an output power level of at least 5 watts, but less than 100 watts. See: http://www.ims2008.org/publications/PA-POSTER08-RevA.pdf Go for it! 73, art..... W4ART Arlington, VA Life is short. Be swift to love! Make haste to be kind! - Henri Frederic Amiel, philosopher and writer (1821-1881)

1 0

Ham Log Grid Mapping Software, on http://ve2zaz.net
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Thanks to Bert, VE2ZAZ, for posting the link to his Website containing his Ham Grid Mapping Software on our listserv. I was easily able to download the software, install it, export my data from my DXkeeper logging program, and set up the bands description so the program could read the data. Great result for a first version! Took less than ten minutes to get it going...Thanks Bert. Jay, AA4FL, EL89wo

1 0

Patch Antenna
by Ronald A. Stunden 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

What effect is using a thicker plate have on the antenna. Say going from .010 to .032.

1 0

Re: Ham Log Grid Square Mapping Software
by Bill Dzurilla 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Bert, Just downloaded your program and uploaded my log. Seems to work OK, except that worked grids only show in bold print. I am not seeing the colored-coded by band boxes around each worked grid, as shown on your web page. I'm using an IBM Thinkpad T42 with Windows XP. Does the program show the total number of grids worked? Thanks much for the program, Bill NZ5N > > Hi Everyone, > > I've just finished developing WorkedGrids, a ham log > grid square mapping software. It is a freeware and > it runs under Windows. The program displays a map > showing the amateur radio grid squares > contacted and logged in using a third-party logging > program. WorkedGrids uses colors to display > information on a per-band basis. Up to four bands > can be displayed concurrently on the map. For its > input, the program reads the plain-text (ASCII) log > files generated by most logging programs. > > This project was initiated because I could not find > a logging program that provided the level of detail > and mapping quality that I wanted. The software is > directed towards the VHF andabove operators who > collect grid squares for contesting or awardpurpose. > It is designed to supplement a logging program and > itreplaces the pen and paper technique. > > Please visit http://ve2zaz.net for more details. > Your input is welcome! > > Best Regards, > > Bert, VE2ZAZ > > > > > > Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard > is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new > Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options in Mail and switch to > New Mail today or register for free at > http://mail.yahoo.ca > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:49:28 -0000 > From: "John B. Stephensen" <kd6ozh(a)comcast.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: power restriction in New > Mexico on 435 MHz > To: "Rick Mann" <rmann(a)latencyzero.com>, "Lee > McLamb" > <ku4os(a)cfl.rr.com> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID: > <00a401c87979$dde7aa50$0201a8c0@your6bvpxyztoq> > Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; > charset="iso-8859-1"; > reply-type=original > > Almost all amateur bands above 219 MHz are shared. > Most often this is with > the military and their use is usually radiolocation. > On 70 cm the military > has uses in specific areas of the country. The 3 > PAVE PAWS missile defense > RADAR sites also use this band. Along the Pacific > coast you can also hear > shipboard RADAR. > > 73, > > John > KD6OZH > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rick Mann" <rmann(a)latencyzero.com> > To: "Lee McLamb" <ku4os(a)cfl.rr.com> > Cc: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 08:23 UTC > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: power restriction in New > Mexico on 435 MHz > > > > > > On Feb 26, 2008, at 6:46 PM, Lee McLamb wrote: > > > >> 97.313 > >> (f) No station may transmit with a transmitter > power exceeding 50 W > >> PEP on the UHF 70 cm band from an area specified > in footnote US7 to > >> Sec. 2.106 of part 2, unless expressly authorized > by the FCC after > > > > > > Huh. I didn't know this. Why? > > > > -- > > Rick > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed > are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the > amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > ------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are > those of the author. > Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur > satellite program! > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 107 > **************************************** > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

1 0

Re: Radio amateur calling protocol
by James Whitfield 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

I respect the opinions each of you have voiced. With some, I disagree. It seems to me that the problem is not that there are too many FM satellites, or perhaps as some have suggested that they exist at all, but rather there are not enough FM satellites, and the ones that exist have too few channels. The situation is similar to terrestrial repeaters: When too many users try to access the limited resource, more repeaters get built. When you run out of bandwidth, new repeaters get built on other bands. Usually accompanied by lots of grumbling about the cost of additional equipment, but it shifts the load from over-used spectrum to under-used spectrum. Newcomers adapt, frequently in spite of insults and other forms of "un-welcome". If a system does not attract enough newcomers activity will eventually die off, which is fortunate. When bad operating practice and bad manners get mixed with heavy use, the control elements slap access limiters on the systems, knowing that if they don't, regulating agencies will shut them down completely. If someone doesn't like the way a system is operated, he or she is entitled to form another group of like minded people to establish and run another system as they see fit within the same regulatory, financial, and technical environment. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don't. As far as I am personally concerned, I don't operate satellite. But given the opportunity to help a someone or some group put on a satellite demonstration to a Scout activity or a school, I would do so. I have the professional background to know how aerospace vehicles are made; I understand some of the physics of launch vehicles, orbital mechanics, and attitude control systems; and I have an archaic romantic notion that it is possible to have fun while you are learning something important. This thread would take a lot of editing before I could use it to encourage youth. James n5gui

1 0

OLPC Sold
by Bruce 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Thanks to everyone that responded to my for sale email. The OLPC is sold (actually, if I had a stack of them I could have sold them all). 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 Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

1 0

power restriction in New Mexico on 435 MHz
by Robert L Lasso 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

I need clarification about the power restrictions in New Mexico on 435 MHz band for terrestrial and satellite communications. Can't seem to find the definitive answer by searching on the internet. Any help is appreciated. 73, Robert W6RQR

7 6

Ham Log Grid Square Mapping Software
by Bert, VE2ZAZ 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Hi Everyone, I've just finished developing WorkedGrids, a ham log grid square mapping software. It is a freeware and it runs under Windows. The program displays a map showing the amateur radio grid squares contacted and logged in using a third-party logging program. WorkedGrids uses colors to display information on a per-band basis. Up to four bands can be displayed concurrently on the map. For its input, the program reads the plain-text (ASCII) log files generated by most logging programs. This project was initiated because I could not find a logging program that provided the level of detail and mapping quality that I wanted. The software is directed towards the VHF andabove operators who collect grid squares for contesting or awardpurpose. It is designed to supplement a logging program and itreplaces the pen and paper technique. Please visit http://ve2zaz.net for more details. Your input is welcome! Best Regards, Bert, VE2ZAZ Be smarter than spam. See how smart SpamGuard is at giving junk email the boot with the All-new Yahoo! Mail. Click on Options in Mail and switch to New Mail today or register for free at http://mail.yahoo.ca

1 0

Swan Island DXpedition will be QRV on the LEOs
by Bill Dzurilla 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

I am pleased to report that HQ8R will be QRV on the satellites from Swan Island, grid EK87, from March 15-23. See http://www.hondurasdx.com/ I'll be taking my FT-817 and an Arrow antenna. Time permitting, I will also try to make a few contacts before and after the expedition from the Honduran mainland, EK55, EK65 and EK75. Weather permitting, we may also try to give out EK76 from the boat on the way to and from the island. 73, Bill NZ5N ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

1 0

S-band patch.
by John Hackett 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Mak, I can assure you the patch *IS* correct. The photo is taken from the rear, what you are seeing in the photo is the 'rear' of the reflector and the back end of the gold SMA connector. The radiator - (hidden by the larger reflector, in the photo) - is connected to the pip of the SMA connector and is mounted 3mm 'above' the reflector. The radiator is 'cut' for 2401Mhz and is made from silver plated brass sheet ... bas is the reflector. I think what may have fooled you is ... 1) Not realising you were looking at the rear of the patch. 2) The fact that my reflector is square, not round. The G3RUH design uses a round reflector, the K3OE uses square. As far as I can assertain there is no practical difference between the designs. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> 73 John. From: sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [eu-amsat] S-band test gear. Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:03:14 +0200 Hi John, I read your post but I am afraid that, your PATCH is not correct. Sorry if I am wrong, but due to non-clear photo I can see on the Left-UP part of photo ONLY the "drive element" of Patch (the square-piece with cut-corners ) without the "circular piece" behind of drive-element which acts as reflector. As I see also in your photo, the chassis-connector is mounted on this square piece and not to the circular reflector. If that is not my... illusion, that is not a correct Patch. I send you a clear photo to take a view how is the complete Patch by viewing that from the front-side. 73, Mak ----- Original Message ----- From: John Hackett To: allan_gm1sxx(a)hotmail.com Cc: sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr ; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org ; Eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:22 PM Subject: [eu-amsat] S-band test gear. OBSERVATIONS FROM NORWAY. February 2008. Based on SV1BSX's comments about receiving a *THUNDERING* signal from AO-51's S-band transmitter on a patch antenna 'without' a reflector - I decided to chuck together a few components to see if somebody as 'thick' as LA2QAA could manage it. The attached pic is the ... 'fruits of LA2QAA's labour'. Starting at the top right we have a silver covered brass plate 2.4Ghz patch antenna (note the real gold SMA connector, folks) mounted 3mm over a (ditto) groundplane, via a short length of high quality (fell off the back of a North Sea Oil industry lorry) coax feeding the input of a 2.4G 70 70cm converter ... the output of which goes to the IC-E91 dual mode handheld and a pair of 'cans' ... (headphones, to you!). To the right of the IC-E91 is a Nokia N70 mobile phone - (not shown in this pic because I was using it to take the picture) - with the 'SATme' tracking software .... which is very !! useful for tracking S-mode signals from LEO birds with the 'slight' doppler thus received. The phone also contains a compas as well as GPS software so there's no excuse for ... 'but I can't find north' ... (not always easy in 3 feet of snow, null visibility and cloudy conditions) ... and there's *NEVER* a brownie or a girl guide around when you want one. S-band signals in those conditions? ... you'd be surprised - we don't all live in satellite friendly climes you know. Mak (SV1BSX) is right. A 60cm dish is overkill for AO-51 mode-S ... though of course, there are! those that think you need a personal Jodrell Bank to hear anything above 70cm. __._,_.___ Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe __,_._,___ --- avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080219-0, 02/19/2008 Tested on: 2/27/2008 13:54:17 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com

1 0

For Sale
by Bruce 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

I am offering this up for sale here before I put it on eBay. I have an OLPC to sell. I am not a unix/linux guru and have no idea how to get the machine to do more than what comes pre-loaded. I connected to my home network but using it to surf the internet is just not something I need it for. The OLPC comes with the ac adapter and an instruction sheet. I will sell it for the $200 that it cost plus $20 shipping in continental U.S. only (2-day Fedex). **** Reply directly to me and not to the list **** 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 Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

1 0

Re: PcSat and UISS
by John Marranca, Jr 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Alan: Guy is usually pretty good at taking care or key requests. I had mine in a few days, as have others that started using UISS. Here is Guy's direct e-mail addresses: hams001(a)skynet.be on6mu(a)belgacom.net Good Luck. John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

3 2

Re: S-band test gear.
by Aldo Marchetto 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Really the S transmitter is very strong It's easy to receive even with a simple doublequad with reflector But the speed of the Doppler shift is amazing! Aldo IZ1ANT/HB9EFT

1 0

Working GO-32 with pb/pg
by Jeff Mock 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

I need a little help using pb/pg with GO-32 to upload/download files. I'm a linux guy, I have a linux machine running ax.25 software, talking to a TNC in KISS mode hooked up to my radio. Using the ax.25 utility 'listen -a' I can see GO-32 transmit packets when it passes overhead. I can sort of flail a bit with "pb" and it transmit some packets to GO-32 and even occasionally see GO-32 send back a packet with my callsign, so I'm pretty sure that the radio and low level link are at least sort-of working. Can someone give me a little guidance about how to use pb/pg to download a list of files, download a particular file, and upload a file. My aim is to upload a file, then download the file on a later pass, but I can't seem to figure it out on my own. thanks, jeff AD6EO

1 0

Re: AO-51 Ops
by Clint Bradford 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

.. the accepted term is "CQ" not "listening"... Accepted by whom? I have never heard that using a Morse Code code on a voice system was accepted by anyone of importance. I haven't seen any reason here yet to change the presentation I've been giving for years now...described on the amateur radio pages at... http://www.k6lcs.com Clint Bradford

3 2

Re: power restriction in New Mexico on 435 MHz
by Robert L Lasso 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

thanks to Lee for the definitive answer to my question and thanks to all that replied to my query. 73, Robert W6RQR

1 0

S-band test gear.
by John Hackett 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

OBSERVATIONS FROM NORWAY. February 2008. Based on SV1BSX's comments about receiving a *THUNDERING* signal from AO-51's S-band transmitter on a patch antenna 'without' a reflector - I decided to chuck together a few components to see if somebody as 'thick' as LA2QAA could manage it. The attached pic is the ... 'fruits of LA2QAA's labour'. Starting at the top right we have a silver covered brass plate 2.4Ghz patch antenna (note the real gold SMA connector, folks) mounted 3mm over a (ditto) groundplane, via a short length of high quality (fell off the back of a North Sea Oil industry lorry) coax feeding the input of a 2.4G 70 70cm converter ... the output of which goes to the IC-E91 dual mode handheld and a pair of 'cans' ... (headphones, to you!). To the right of the IC-E91 is a Nokia N70 mobile phone - (not shown in this pic because I was using it to take the picture) - with the 'SATme' tracking software ... which is very !! useful for tracking S-mode signals from LEO birds with the 'slight' doppler thus received. The phone also contains a compas as well as GPS software so there's no excuse for ... 'but I can't find north' ... (not always easy in 3 feet of snow, null visibility and cloudy conditions) ... and there's *NEVER* a brownie or a girl guide around when you want one. S-band signals in those conditions? ... you'd be surprised - we don't all live in satellite friendly climes you know. Mak (SV1BSX) is right. A 60cm dish is overkill for AO-51 mode-S ... though of course, there are! those that think you need a personal Jodrell Bank to hear anything above 70cm.

1 0

SuitSat-1 is still in the press ...
by JoAnne Maenpaa 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Folks still remember SuitSat-1: http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2008/02/suitsat-one--th.html -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

1 0

Radio amateur calling protocol
by Dave Guimont 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

The answer to all of these ridiculous arguments on calling protocol is, of course, quit building FM voice 2 user satellites, like AO51. AO7, is what, 25 years old, none of those problems existed there, and still don't today. Blame those that encouraged and built AO51.... A lot of us voiced our disapproval at the time it was proposed, mostly for that very reason....and lost... Why was it built?? 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

7 8

Re: Radio amateur calling protocol (easy Sats)
by Joe Krepps 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

Wake me up when we're done bashing AO-51....AGAIN...for the friggin' umpteenth time! I'm so tired of hearing it, I'm taking a nap! Joe WB3CFN <-an actual AMSAT member, sometimes wonders 'Why?'

1 0

AO7 last pass
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

This last pass I was trying to work a station that was a couple of db above mental telepathy. If that was you drop me a note and we'll try it again. Might have been in Europe (grin). -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle

1 0

Re: Radio amateur calling protocol (easy Sats)
by Bill Dzurilla 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

I share the frustration of everyone trying to work AO-51 and AO-27 on a busy weekend pass, but as a relative newbie I think the FM birds serve a purpose, in light of the huge cost difference between an FM only and an all-mode VHF/UHF rig. If it had not been so easy and inexpensive to work via AO-51, don't think I would have tried to work any sat. For me and probably many others, the good experiences on the FM sats led me to upgrade and work via AO-7 and VO-52, and I hope more like these are launched soon. Judging from the crowded state of the FM birds and the relative lack of activity on the sats with linear transponders, it seems that, for all their deficiencies, the FM birds are still a popular choice. Just need to keep teaching the need for brevity, clarity of speech, and proper power and antennas. 73, Bill NZ5N --- amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org wrote: >>>The answer to all of these ridiculous arguments on calling protocol is, of course, quit building FM voice 2 user satellites, like AO51. AO7, is what, 25 years old, none of those problems existed there, and still don't today. Blame those that encouraged and built AO51.... A lot of us voiced our disapproval at the time it was proposed, mostly for that very reason....and lost... Why was it built?? ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

1 0

RS0ISS-4 and RS0ISS-11
by Bob Cutter 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

What are the differences between these two? 73, Bob KI0G ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

2 1

ARISS operation for Field Day 2008
by Robert L Lasso 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

what kind of operations can I expect for FD 2008 with ARISS for demo and QSO purposes? 73, Robert W6RQR

3 2

Re: PcSat
by John Marranca, Jr 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

UISS....without question. It is THE most efficient and fastest way to digi through the APRS sats... And UISS in LAN mode is fantastic. John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

2 1

Re: need plans for 70 cm preamp
by G0MRF＠aol.com 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

In a message dated 26/02/2008 03:39:11 GMT Standard Time, rlasso(a)zianet.com writes: Need recommendations for plans for an easily constructed homebrew 70cm mast mount preamp with built in RF sense TR switch (VOX controlled). I will not be running more than 50 watts in New Mexico or possibly 100 watts in CA when I move there. thanks and 73, Robert W6RQR That's really tough Robert. Unless there is some sequencing going on inside your radio then any RF sensing circuit will mean that the relay contacts will be hot switched on transmit. A couple of seriesed limiting PIN diodes may help, but with 100W across them for a few 10s of milliseconds even that may not be enough to protect the Pre-amp. On the preamp side, the design that was published in the journal in August (2006?) works well and has a noise figure of 0.5dB and is a no tune design. Details are on g0mrf.freeserve.co.uk Thanks David

1 0

Fw: Space Station
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

-- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: "six toes" <w6toz(a)comcast.net> To: <Todd.Parsons(a)faa.gov>, "Steve Szombathy, W7UDI" <w7udi(a)comcast.net>, "Rich Rohweder" <row999(a)verizon.net>, "Peter Dahl" <pd_fus(a)mac.com>, <Paul.Miyake(a)faa.gov>, "Nick Sutton" <n7qor(a)comcast.net>, "N7VOE Dan Hrehov" <daniel.w.hrehov(a)boeing.com>, "Mike Sterba" <cwo.usnr(a)verizon.net>, "Marty (DSL) Berg" <m.w.berg(a)att.net>, "Marina Zuetell" <Zuetell(a)comcast.net>, "Mark McAlvey w7lmr" <w7lmr(a)verizon.net>, "Jon WR7JM Marcinko" <jon(a)wr7jm.com>, "Jon Carter" <carterhere(a)centurytel.net>, "Jim HALL N7OET" <trains(a)fidalgo.net>, "Jim Deavel" <jim.ctr.deavel(a)faa.gov>, "Eric Hansen" <ewh33_pcb(a)hotmail.com>, "Ed Hammond" <67sled(a)comcast.net>, "Dick Stafford" <ADCSRWS2(a)msn.com>, "Dick Miles K7RNZ" <dick_ellie(a)wavecable.com>, "Chaput, John A CIV NAVFAC NW" <john.chaput(a)navy.mil>, "CARLOS M SMITH" <aa7sb(a)msn.com>, "Calvin .ctr. Best" <calvin.ctr.best(a)faa.gov>, "bob WOW Roesner" <roesy77(a)netzero.net>, "Bob Johnson" <W7LRD(a)comcast.net>, "bob Edwards" <n7hxx(a)wavecable.com>, "Bill Home Baker" <wmal ba(a)comcast.net>, "Barbara Hansen" <bah.moose.junction(a)comcast.net>, "ARNIS ANN B DELMAGE" <ak04ncm89(a)verizon.net>, "Arnie Svendsen" <astrucking(a)aol.com>, "Arne Hansen" <achoo(a)comcast.net>, "Andy Barrett" <andy4439(a)msn.com> Subject: Fw: Space Station Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:48:55 +0000 This is a good one Go to the URL and watch the video - who says we've lost our touch at engineering!!! RHH ----- Original Message ----- From: svsullivan To: Dennis Brotherton ; Ernie Shorb ; Gary-Eileen Shellenbarger ; Hugh Hall ; Bill Harris ; Bob Schweitzer ; Dick Vance ; Earl-Barbara Palmer ; Jeannie Svennungsen ; Nancy Williams ; Nelson Spohnheimer ; Paul Gilmore ; Roger Hansen ; Vic Zumbrunnen Sent: Monday, February 25, 2008 8:20 PM Subject: Space Station Prepare to be amazed! I was. If you wondered what they have built at the space station...have a look .... This is a great animation showing all the segments of the Space Station,the modules and the international partners that have helped create it. Pass along to your friends and family to show them that this is what we've been flying the Shuttle for the past several years! http://www.tietronix.com/anim/MoviePlayer.asp?myMovie=movies/assembly640x36…

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need plans for 70 cm preamp
by Robert L Lasso 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

Need recommendations for plans for an easily constructed homebrew 70cm mast mount preamp with built in RF sense TR switch (VOX controlled). I will not be running more than 50 watts in New Mexico or possibly 100 watts in CA when I move there. thanks and 73, Robert W6RQR

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Re: A0-51 "easy sat"
by Ben Jackson 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Actually, on busy passes of AO-51, I find phonetics best because it is often quite hard to hear weaker stations over the "free for all" that can occur Not all stations are full quieting into the sat, nor does everyone always have a great signal on the receiving end. :) Just my $0.02 -- Ben Jackson - N1WBV - bbj(a)innismir.net - http://www.innismir.net >From my Cell Phone -----Original Message----- From: "Robert Bruninga" <bruninga(a)usna.edu> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: 2/25/08 4:36 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: A0-51 "easy sat" > How about trying to use the more preferred protocol of... > Callsign phonetically. grid square, op mode > Like... > Kilo-Six-Lima-Charlie-Sierra, Delta Mike 13, handheld On FM, in my opinion, there is no need for phonetics except for calls with troublesome letters. Most calls can be heard easily without using up time with phonetics. Bob _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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PCSAT-1 Full operations and SSET
by Bob Bruninga 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

PCSAT-1 has fully recoverd and is available for normal contacts on 145.825. See the downlink on http://pcsat.aprs.org And we encourage everyone with a D7 or D700 (or other packet station) to go out and send yourself an Email via any of the birds, PCSAT-1, ARISS, GO-32, or even ECHO. (though we may not have enough IGates always monitiring the GO-32 or ECHO downlinks). By participating in this Satellite Simulated Emergency Test, you are not only showing our AMSAT interest in supporting EMCON, but you are also refreshing your skills at being able to use just a simple ARPS radio to get an emergency message out of anywhere at any time (when one of these satellites comes over). See: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html PCSAT-1 may crash back to W3ADO-1. The generic digipeater path "VIA ARISS" only works when PCSAT-1 is showing. Otherwise, when it crashes back to W3ADO-1, you can only use that callsign. The callsign PCSAT-11 is only on the 144.39 downlink over the USA. If you see it on 145.825, then the satellite has crashed and should not be used until the two systems are again isolated (since it draws twice the power and will die). Bob, WB4APR

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Items for sale
by Stefan Wagener 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Hi Folks, A few special items need a new home. Please contact me directly if interested: 1. ICOM IC-PCR1000 plus installed UT-106 DSP module (+ manual, serial cable, telescope antenna, software). Excellent condition. Wideband coverage: 100 kHz - 1.3 GHz 2. TEN TEC 2m Transverter (for 10m transceiver). Complete T-KIT (# 1210) with Case and all Hardware and Manual. NEW! see: 3. 2.4 GHz Low Noise P-HEMT downconverter with 144 and 434 switchable output frequency. NEW! The first DUAL IF downconverter made by KEPS communication in Italy see: http://www.keps.it/it/i_sat_products/i_downconverter/i_downconverter.html Photos of all items are available. Thanks, Stefan VE4NSA

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Re: Orbits
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Also add RS-15 Bob W7LRD -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "ANTHONY JAPHA" <tjjapha(a)earthlink.net> > Greetings all, > Can someone explain why the only orbits ever discussed these days--and for the > past decade and more--are either very low or very high? What really happened to > the AO-7-type orbits that were prevalent in days of yore, and so useful? Why > aren't current day birds ever placed in these orbits? Are they incompatible > with today's launch vehicles or their intended orbits? > > Many thanks and 73, > Tony, N2UN > LM 183 > _______________________________________________ > 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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Orbits
by ANTHONY JAPHA 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Greetings all, Can someone explain why the only orbits ever discussed these days--and for the past decade and more--are either very low or very high? What really happened to the AO-7-type orbits that were prevalent in days of yore, and so useful? Why aren't current day birds ever placed in these orbits? Are they incompatible with today's launch vehicles or their intended orbits? Many thanks and 73, Tony, N2UN LM 183

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The gentlemans bird AO7
by paul robinson 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Congratulations to all involved in the many qso's on ao7 ! i have had great pleasure working joe and terry ,and indeed many more guys on this great old bird! for years now,and ive not been counting! the qso's ! Ao7 is truly a great bird ,and the guys that use the transponder are also! how we all miss 13,10 and 40 !!! its just a good job we can rely upon the past !!! that is amsat oscar 7 to get us over the water to chat with our friends !! SOMTHING THAT SAT BUILDERS SHOULD CONSIDER TODAY FOOTPRINT and RELIABLITY and a transponder !73 's PAUL 2E1EUB. amsat uk/na member! --------------------------------- Sent from Yahoo! Mail. A Smarter Inbox.

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AO-51 "easy sat"
by Charles Reiche 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

I know starting out can be tough and discouraging for our newer Amsaters, especially when trying to make QSOs on the "easy sats". I just wanted to let you know that I called and called and called CQ on AO-51 this morning with no takers, just an occasional keyup from someone here too on the east coast. Some of these morning passes I can make 2 or 3 nice contacts and even get a chance to learn their name or what the weather is like on the other end. I worked 2 new grids this weekend on the morning passes and heard the same alligators on the evening passes.... Wake up early and head ourside with your handheld or however you can access the satellites, Im sure you will discover what they orignially meant in the words "easy sat." Keep with it. Keep trying. Keep reading and studying. You can do it! Here is my recording of thins AMs "no takers" pass. http://www.n3crt.net/amsat/AO51/N3CRT_AO51_Feb_25_1140Z_CQCQ_NO_TAKERS.mp3 Good luck Charlie FN20

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3000 QSO's
by John Hackett 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Terry, I hate !!!!!! you ... and if I was back in Blighty you could bet your Sunday britches I'd cut your coax !!! ... but I can tell you now mate, you're wasting your time chasing Joe .. that's about as sensible as a one legged man kicking "botty". Congratulations !!! ... and one of these days I might even be able to afford a microphone!. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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G1WPR
by dcowden＠nc.rr.com 25 Feb '08

25 Feb '08

Congratulations Terry. Thanks for our contacts on AO-07 73 and Good DX Don,N8DDK

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G1WPR
by k3szh＠netzero.net 24 Feb '08

24 Feb '08

As a friend of many years , with whom I've had many many windy conversation's.I hold my TEA CUP high to congratulate you for your 3000 plus qso's on AO7. PS.Even John LA2QAA our gate keeper will be proud of you,hi hi 73 Joe Amsat 3788 _____________________________________________________________ Click for free info on online degrees and make up to $150K/ year. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4ugvZWAdBY2wthSRAyWYPY…

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[ans] ANS-055 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 24 Feb '08

24 Feb '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-055 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT Keplerian Data Approval * Current AMSAT Awards/AMSAT Journal * Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight * ARISS Status - 18 February 2008 * OSCAR-11 Report SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.01 AMSAT Keplerian Data Approval AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.01 I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's 2008-2009 request to re-distribute Keplerian elements from US Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Space-Track web site has been approved. Our USSTRATCOM Form 1 request to re-distribute the Keps was approved as of February 21, 2008. This means that AMSAT will continue to distribute the NASA verbose and the two line format keplerian data for another year. Thanks to AFSPC for their help. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.02 Current AMSAT Awards/AMSAT Journal AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.02 We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Keith Schlottman, KR7RK Kevin Hartley, VE7OVY Jim Sullivan, WB6TNF To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Also, The JAN/FEB Journal was sent to the printer on 2/22/08. Ed, WA4SWJ, does an excellent job of putting together this publication and we thank him for his continuing efforts. [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO & Ed Long, WA4SWJ, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.03 Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.03 Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight The European Space Agency (ESA) Education Office has the pleasure in issuing a Call For CubeSat Proposals to universities in ESA Member and Cooperating States to participate as an educational payload on the Maiden Flight of the Vega Launcher. The ESA Education Office recognises the growing importance of CubeSat projects as a key tool in providing university students with a valuable hands-on practical education across all space engineering disciplines from end-to-end through the complete space project lifecycle. The launch opportunity on the Vega Maiden Flight is offered free of charge for up to 6 CubeSats, with an additional 2 backup CubeSats on stand-by. Proposals are solicited from interested universities with CubeSat projects of sufficient maturity level to be able to meet the Vega Maiden Flight schedule (current target launch date of December 2008). Proposals (max. 15 pages) must be submitted via e-mail to: education(a)esa.int in PDF or MS Word format by the deadline of 17 March 2008. Proposals will be evaluated by the ESA Selection Board and the selected CubeSats will be announced on the ESA Education web portal by 15 April 2008. Details can be found on-line at: http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMSJ8QR4CF_index_0.html [ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.04 OSCAR-11 Report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.04 OSCAR-11 Copied But Signal Becomes Intermittent OSCAR-11 was heard from 22 January to 01 February and from 11 February to 15 February. Signals have been very variable in strength sometimes very strong, sometimes undetectable, even at high elevations. Low signal strength was particularly noticeable at AOS and LOS, and also towards the end of the transmission periods. OSCAR-11 is expected to switch back on under control of its on-board timer around 07 March. There should be a short period of transmissions before permanent eclipses start in mid March. After March it is unlikely that the satellite will support any sustained period of operation, and will only transmit for a short time, possibly less than a single orbit, every 21 days. Many thanks to Peter ZL3TC, Chris M0DQO, Tobias DG3LV, Edward BX1AD, Mark KU7Z, Gene WA4UKX, SWL Mark in CM87, Ron G4PGY, Julian WB9YIG and John KB2HSH for their reports. OSCAR-11 beacon frequency is on 145.826 MHz, AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry. See http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ for additional information. [ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.05 ARISS Status - 18 February 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.05 ARISS Status Report for the Week of February 18, 2008 1. Upcoming School Contacts Robespierre Elementary School in Rueil Malmaison, France had an ARISS contact on Thursday, February 21 at 14:21 UTC. Two hundred fifty-six students in grades 1-5 are enrolled at the school. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, participated in this contact which will was conducted in French. An ARISS contact is planned for College Reydellet in Saint-Denis, Ile de La Réunion on Monday, February 25 at 14:44 UTC. Approximately 550 students, ages 10-17, attend the school. Students contacted Victor Afanassiev on MIR from Tsup, Moscow in September 1999 and the College welcomed Victor Poliakov and Pavel Vinogradov who threw the space model from MIR, and Jean-Lou Chretien , Jean-Pierre and Claudie Haignere. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, plans to participate in this contact which will be conducted in French. 2. Shukor Debrief Scheduled An ARISS crew debrief has been scheduled with Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 9W2MUS, on Tuesday, February 26. The first Malaysian space visitor, Shukor participated in 5 ARISS contacts with students in Malaysia while onboard the ISS. 3. ARRL Covers Columbus News The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted a W1AW bulletin and a Web story on the Columbus module with the ARISS antennas. To view t he story, see: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/02/14/101/?nc=1 On Friday, February 15, The ARRL Letter also posted the article, "Astronauts Work on Columbus Lab on the ISS." See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/08/0215/ 4. Amateur Radio Newsline Articles on ARISS Amateur Radio Newsline's Report 1592, posted on February 15, 2008 ran two ARISS related articles: "Ham Radio in Space: ISS Repeater Contacts Good for JAMSAT Award," and "Ham Radio in Space: New ARISS Antennas Now on the ISS." To view these articles, go to: www.arnewsline.org. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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Spy Satellite Again - This Time With Video
by JoAnne Maenpaa 24 Feb '08

24 Feb '08

Spy satellite revisited ... computer simulation of the spy satellite shoot down ... http://www.agi.com/corporate/mediaCenter/news/videos/US_ASAT.wmv -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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[ans] ANS-055 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 24 Feb '08

24 Feb '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-055 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AMSAT Keplerian Data Approval * Current AMSAT Awards/AMSAT Journal * Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight * ARISS Status - 18 February 2008 * OSCAR-11 Report SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.01 AMSAT Keplerian Data Approval AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.01 I am pleased to announce that AMSAT's 2008-2009 request to re-distribute Keplerian elements from US Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) Space-Track web site has been approved. Our USSTRATCOM Form 1 request to re-distribute the Keps was approved as of February 21, 2008. This means that AMSAT will continue to distribute the NASA verbose and the two line format keplerian data for another year. Thanks to AFSPC for their help. [ANS thanks Ray Hoad for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.02 Current AMSAT Awards/AMSAT Journal AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.02 We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Keith Schlottman, KR7RK Kevin Hartley, VE7OVY Jim Sullivan, WB6TNF To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Also, The JAN/FEB Journal was sent to the printer on 2/22/08. Ed, WA4SWJ, does an excellent job of putting together this publication and we thank him for his continuing efforts. [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO & Ed Long, WA4SWJ, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.03 Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.03 Call For European CubeSats on the Vega Maiden Flight The European Space Agency (ESA) Education Office has the pleasure in issuing a Call For CubeSat Proposals to universities in ESA Member and Cooperating States to participate as an educational payload on the Maiden Flight of the Vega Launcher. The ESA Education Office recognises the growing importance of CubeSat projects as a key tool in providing university students with a valuable hands-on practical education across all space engineering disciplines from end-to-end through the complete space project lifecycle. The launch opportunity on the Vega Maiden Flight is offered free of charge for up to 6 CubeSats, with an additional 2 backup CubeSats on stand-by. Proposals are solicited from interested universities with CubeSat projects of sufficient maturity level to be able to meet the Vega Maiden Flight schedule (current target launch date of December 2008). Proposals (max. 15 pages) must be submitted via e-mail to: education(a)esa.int in PDF or MS Word format by the deadline of 17 March 2008. Proposals will be evaluated by the ESA Selection Board and the selected CubeSats will be announced on the ESA Education web portal by 15 April 2008. Details can be found on-line at: http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMSJ8QR4CF_index_0.html [ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.04 OSCAR-11 Report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.04 OSCAR-11 Copied But Signal Becomes Intermittent OSCAR-11 was heard from 22 January to 01 February and from 11 February to 15 February. Signals have been very variable in strength sometimes very strong, sometimes undetectable, even at high elevations. Low signal strength was particularly noticeable at AOS and LOS, and also towards the end of the transmission periods. OSCAR-11 is expected to switch back on under control of its on-board timer around 07 March. There should be a short period of transmissions before permanent eclipses start in mid March. After March it is unlikely that the satellite will support any sustained period of operation, and will only transmit for a short time, possibly less than a single orbit, every 21 days. Many thanks to Peter ZL3TC, Chris M0DQO, Tobias DG3LV, Edward BX1AD, Mark KU7Z, Gene WA4UKX, SWL Mark in CM87, Ron G4PGY, Julian WB9YIG and John KB2HSH for their reports. OSCAR-11 beacon frequency is on 145.826 MHz, AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry. See http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ for additional information. [ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-055.05 ARISS Status - 18 February 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 055.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. February 24, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-055.05 ARISS Status Report for the Week of February 18, 2008 1. Upcoming School Contacts Robespierre Elementary School in Rueil Malmaison, France had an ARISS contact on Thursday, February 21 at 14:21 UTC. Two hundred fifty-six students in grades 1-5 are enrolled at the school. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, participated in this contact which will was conducted in French. An ARISS contact is planned for College Reydellet in Saint-Denis, Ile de La Réunion on Monday, February 25 at 14:44 UTC. Approximately 550 students, ages 10-17, attend the school. Students contacted Victor Afanassiev on MIR from Tsup, Moscow in September 1999 and the College welcomed Victor Poliakov and Pavel Vinogradov who threw the space model from MIR, and Jean-Lou Chretien , Jean-Pierre and Claudie Haignere. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, plans to participate in this contact which will be conducted in French. 2. Shukor Debrief Scheduled An ARISS crew debrief has been scheduled with Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 9W2MUS, on Tuesday, February 26. The first Malaysian space visitor, Shukor participated in 5 ARISS contacts with students in Malaysia while onboard the ISS. 3. ARRL Covers Columbus News The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) posted a W1AW bulletin and a Web story on the Columbus module with the ARISS antennas. To view t he story, see: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/02/14/101/?nc=1 On Friday, February 15, The ARRL Letter also posted the article, "Astronauts Work on Columbus Lab on the ISS." See: http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/08/0215/ 4. Amateur Radio Newsline Articles on ARISS Amateur Radio Newsline's Report 1592, posted on February 15, 2008 ran two ARISS related articles: "Ham Radio in Space: ISS Repeater Contacts Good for JAMSAT Award," and "Ham Radio in Space: New ARISS Antennas Now on the ISS." To view these articles, go to: www.arnewsline.org. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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Re: sirius orbit name?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 23 Feb '08

23 Feb '08

>> The Sirius birds are in an "Inclined Orbit". > Is this type of orbit can be a solution for the next HEO? The reference to the Molniya orbit could be to recall the orbit of AO-13... slow high-altitude lingering Northern Hemisphere apogees, rotating ascending nodes about the globe to distribute coverage more evenly around the globe. Over the US, next over Europe, then over Asia. This was very popular at the time, and would likely be welcomed again. I would suspect that a 'tundra-inclined orbit', fixed over the US as the Sirius Radio Sats are, would not be as internationally well supported. /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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UT1FG ao27
by Alvaro de Leon Romo 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Hi guys who can heard the grid Yuri was in AO27 pass at 2215 today ??? A lot of noise here :-( Al XE2AT _________________________________________________________________ Participa en nanometrajes y gana grandes premios http://cine.prodigymsn.com/nanometraje

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AMSAT Journal
by Ed Long 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Hi Everyone, Just informing you that the JanFeb08 issue of The AMSAT Journal has been uploaded via ftp to the printer today. You should have the issue in your hands soon. The usual delays and one unusual delay kept it from being uploaded to the printer the first week of the month. Thanks for your support and thanks to all the authors for their work and contributions. 73, Ed Long WA4SWJ Editor, The AMSAT Journal

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Big brother some smaller now
by William Leijenaar 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Hi AMSATs, I have been off-air for some long time because of a holliday travel in Asia. Now in Hong Kong I've seen on HK-TV news that the Americans have distroyed one of their spy satellites. So "Big Brother" is a little smaller now hihi. To see more about the news I checked amsat-bb and seen that the satellite didn't lasted long. Snip: > Known by its military designation US 193, the satellite was launched > in December 2006. It lost power and its central computer failed > almost immediately afterward, leaving it uncontrollable. It carried a > sophisticated and secret imaging sensor. Maybe we hams are not that bad with making satellites hihi... I don't really understand why they use a milti-milion dollar rocket system to blow up some multi-miltion dollar satellite. Propably its more than only a damaged satellite. But I guess we will never know this. 73, William --- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

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Help - FT817 & Commander
by john heath 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Hi, The FT817 is a great rig for satellite working. I want to do some signal strength measurements on satellite downlinks. Can anyone tell me how to disable the AGC? Hidden menus perhaps? If I use Computer control for the rig with Commander will that give me a way to do it ?. 73 John g7hia

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usa-193 destroyed
by Juan Alberto Bulacio 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

http://pentagontv.feedroom.com/?fr_story=e453220d8ff9ae6ebb181c56793de7ca66…

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Tracking PCSat
by Fred (VE3FAL) 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

Are there any sights where I can track PCSat, my Nova for windows does not have this sat in its list. Fred VE3FAL --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080221-0, 21/02/2008 Tested on: 21/02/2008 4:24:59 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com

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Re: sirius orbit name?
by melachri＠speakeasy.net 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

> Strictly speaking, you can't have a truly geosynchronous orbit that's > elliptical (it must be circular). It must also have an inclination of > zero. Rick - You are confusing geosynchronous with geostationary. Geosynchronous simply means that the orbit period is equal to one sidereal day, so it's "synchronized" with the earth's rotation. As a result, it will always trace the same pattern on the earth's surface. The orbit shape can be just about anything as long as the period is 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4.1 seconds. A special case of geosynchronous orbits is the geostationary orbit, which as you point out, is circular with zero inclination. As its name indicates, it appears stationary to an earth observer, so the "pattern" on the earth's surface is simply the single sub-satellite point. Steve W3HF

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USA-193 destroyed
by Daniel Schultz 22 Feb '08

22 Feb '08

The 11pm TV news reports that the Navy sucessfully destroyed USA-193 tonight at about 10:30 pm EST, or 03:30 GMT February 21. I suggest you keep watching the predicted passes, you might see some nice meteors in the next few days as the debris falls back to Earth. The latest keps posted on heavens-above are: 1 29651U 06057A 08050.77400802 .00256405 00000-0 29678-3 0 02 2 29651 58.5208 31.8067 0009932 58.7181 301.4893 16.08191854 02 Epoch (UTC): 6:34:34 PM, Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Eccentricity: 0.0009932 Inclination: 58.5208° Perigee Height: 245 km Apogee Height: 258 km Right Ascension of Ascending Node: 31.8067° Argument of Perigee: 58.7181° Revolutions per Day: 16.08191854 Mean Anomaly at Epoch: 301.4893° Orbit Number at Epoch: 0 Dan Schultz N8FGV

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sirius orbit name?
by Auke de Jong, VE6PWN 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

Hi all, What, if any, is the name given to the type of orbit that the three "Sirius" broadcast satellites use? It shows as a figure-eight and altitude is between 24000KM, and 47000KM. Auke de Jong VE6PWN DO33go Edmonton, AB

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The moon is gone!
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

Nice lunar eclipse tonight. KB7ADL

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Just shot down by Navy!!Re: Re: Malfunctioning Navy Satellite
by W3NJ＠aol.com 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

...just heard it on news,details to follow I'm sure ************** Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-du… 002598)</HTML>

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Re: Malfunctioning Navy Satellite Elsets?
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

> Subject: [amsat-bb] Malfunctioning Navy Satellite Elsets? > From: Rick Mann <rmann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:36:56 -0800 > > Does anyone know the Space Track catalog ID for the Navy satellite > they're about to shoot down? I don't even know if they're available, > but if they are, I wanted to see the track before it's destroyed. There is a lot of interesting discussion and observation details to be found on the www.satobs.org/seesat mailing list. In particular, this post by Ted Molczan has a link to a chart he has made ... http://www.satobs.org/seesat/Feb-2008/0420.html This chart references the same element set others here mention. Should be an interesting event (or at least the press coverage thereof)... /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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Re: How to mount sat antenna on camera tripod?
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

Hi Bill, A quick fit solution that I have used on many demos is to use a plastic clip,the type used for fixing central heating copper pipe to a surface. The older type seems better (and stronger) - It is ready drilled with a central hole which in my case also simply self tapped onto the thread of the camera fixing bolt. The other option is to remove the camera fixing bolt and replace it of course with a nut and bolt long enough to fit the plastic clip. I used it with an Arrow antenna which is of course "square" tubing, it was not a secure fit. --- MY SOLUTION - was to fit a short piece of central heating copper pipe to the Arrow antenna "At the correct point of balance" . If you want to make it more secure a cable tie will help with this problem. Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat- UK Amsat NA

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Re: Cute sat telemetry (CO-55. CO-57, CO-58)
by Jeff Mock 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

Robert Smith wrote: > Aloha > > I have sent a lot of 57 and 58 CW to Japan over > the months and in my convervations with them they claim that the packets > are over Japan only. > So I guess it XIV and UT1 code CW groups are it for now. > > robert NH7WN Honolulu > Mahalo, That's about what I figured. It would be nice if they left the AFSK on, but I guess they are trying to converse the batteries. You might be able to catch some of the japan passes from Honolulu with a fancy antenna. jeff

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Cute sat telemetry (CO-55. CO-57, CO-58)
by Jeff Mock 21 Feb '08

21 Feb '08

I can clearly hear the beacons for CO-55, CO-57, CO-58, but I have been unsuccessful hearing any FM AFSK telemetry signals from these satellites (west coast of California). Are the telemetry transmitters disabled or are these just enabled during passes over Japan? thanks, jeff AD6EO

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PCSat
by Fred (VE3FAL) 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Another question for the gang: I run a Kenwood TMD700 in the truck for APRS. My home station consists of a 2 meter rig (Yaesu) and I use UI-View for APRS (I am a digistation) and WinPack AGW V6.80 and AGW packet Engine. I am unsure of how or what I need to work PCSat without changing a bunch of my settings in UI-View.. Is there another program to use with my radio that will allow me to work PCSat without playing with my settings? Fred VE3FAL --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080220-0, 20/02/2008 Tested on: 20/02/2008 5:00:07 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com

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Malfunctioning Navy Satellite Elsets?
by Rick Mann 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Does anyone know the Space Track catalog ID for the Navy satellite they're about to shoot down? I don't even know if they're available, but if they are, I wanted to see the track before it's destroyed. Thanks! -- Rick

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No CEPT Reciprocal Licences For Some Americans
by Eric Rosenberg 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

FYI... Eric W3DQ Washington, DC ------------ "From 4 February the US Technician and General class amateur licences are no longer valid for CEPT reciprocal licensing. At its January meeting, the CEPT's Radio Regulatory Working Group re-evaluated current United States licence standards against those of the other CEPT signatories. They found that the recently revised standards for Technician and General no longer have any equivalent in the European community of nations. Affected licensees will now have to apply for a formal reciprocal licence if they wish to operate in a CEPT country."

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How to mount sat antenna on camera tripod?
by Bill Dzurilla 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Anyone come up with an easy way to accomplish this? I have built a small sat antenna but cannot figure out an easy way to secure it to my camera tripod, which has the standard screw on top of the mount that goes into a hole on the camera. 73, Bill NZ5N ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Keith Schlottman, KR7RK Kevin Hartley, VE7OVY Jim Sullivan, WB6TNF To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE

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Shuttle
by David - M0ZLB 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Fantastic double sonic boom that shook the house as Atlantis flew in off the Gulf of Mexico and over the house - unfortunately I didnt see it but the ex-wife was up at 1100 feet in a Cessna at the time so maybe she did! David M0ZLB/KG4ZLB

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Re: Since We Are Off Topic Somewhat....
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Since We Are Off Topic Somewhat.... > From: Joe <nss@xxxxxxx> > Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:18:15 -0600 > > Does anyone have the actual speeds at each altitude > going up vs coming down? I tried to collect some notes of detail during this latest landing : Landing -20min : 44 miles altitude, 15,000 mph, 80degree roll left L -18min : 43 miles alt, 95 feet/sec descent rate L -16min : 38 miles alt, Mach17, 900 miles away L -13min : 33 miles alt, Mach12, 600 miles away, 64degree roll right (Cuba) L -10min : 200 miles away (Ft.Meyers), AOS MILA, TACANS L -8 min : 20 miles alt, 127 miles away (visible on tracking cam) L -6 min : 14 miles alt, 70 miles away L -4 min : Mach1 - sonic booms heard (heads-up pilot view showing clouds) L -2 min : 1,000 ft alt, thru the clouds L -0 min : touchdown L +1 min : rollout, wheel stop - Welcome home Atlantis and crew ! I somehow doubt that we'll enjoy such detailed commentary on tonite's "Spy-Sat smack-down"... 73 /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->

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SPECTACULAR NOAA SATELLITES IMAGES FROM EA4CAX SHACK
by Rodolfo 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Hi all, I have taken from NOAA satellites some spectacular images, some of them with 1 degree elevation from Spain in which you can see the east cost of Canada. I have also made some compositions with several images you can see at: http://personales.ya.com/ea4cax The WEB site is in Spanish, but the images have an universal languaje. Enjoy! Rodolfo EA4CAX 73s

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proposing a new gentleman's rule...
by Auke de Jong, VE6PWN 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

In light of hearing some stations calling "CQ" or "CQ Satellite" and then failing to reply to the terurn calls, I have realized that there is a need for a new procedure to be used when calling "CQ" on satellites. This is needed in order to address multiple satellites sharing a common uplink frequency, and having overlapping(or nearly-so) footprints. In particular, AO-51 and AO-16 are using 145.92 FM for their voice uplinks, and their footprints are presently seperated by only a few minutes. Perhaps the considerate operator should be naming the satellite that they are trying to use while calling, in order to avoid confusion or frustration when the operator's calls might be inadvertently received on multiple sats at once. Any thoughts? Auke de Jong VE6PWN DO33go Edmonton, AB

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Sat antenna fixed elevation -- how many degrees is the best?
by Bill Dzurilla 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

I've seen people with fixed elevations of 25, 30, 35 degrees, any consensus on which is the best? And how well, if at all, does an antenna with a fixed elevation of 30 degrees or so perform when the sat is higher than 60 degrees? 73, Bill NZ5N ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

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Re: How to mount sat antenna on camera tripod?
by Richard Limebear 20 Feb '08

20 Feb '08

Bill > Anyone come up with an easy way to accomplish this? I > have built a small sat antenna but cannot figure out > an easy way to secure it to my camera tripod, which > has the standard screw on top of the mount that goes > into a hole on the camera. Good camera stores usually hold clamps designed designed to hold binoculars on tripods. I use one for this sometimes. -- 73 Richard W L Limebear G3RWL g3rwl(a)amsat.org FOC # 1188 So many beautiful girls ... (sob) so little time

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