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latest AO-7
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 16 Oct '07

16 Oct '07

This morning I worked AO-7, it was clipping quite alot with absolute minimum power. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle

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Re: how about an amsat moon mission?
by Ric Letson, NB2E 15 Oct '07

15 Oct '07

"It also seems the cost of hardware (HD cameras, still cameras, video transmission hardware...) and getting there would eat up a bunch of that prize money." Kenneth - N5VHO I see some huge obstacles that would need to be overcome before an undertaking like this could be even considered. Then again, amateurs are well known for being able to overcome obstacles set before them. The first obstacle I see is whether you can land the craft on the moon, perform necessary diagnostics and then complete all the required tasks during a single lunar day (14.5 days on earth). More specifically you should be aiming for completing the tasks in the early part of the lunar day when the sun is at a low angle. Temperatures vary from 138C during the peak of the lunar day to -153C during the dead of lunar night. I don't even want to think about a temperature swing 14 days long with a variation of ~290C. (I'd stay away from aiming for that $5Million bonus based on surviving lunar night and just say that if it happens then we surpassed our own expectations) The second obstacle is the selection of individual components. What electrical storage device (NiCd, NiMH, LiIon, Capacitors, etc) are you going to use that will survive the temperature and hard vacuum of the moon? What capacitors, resistors, IC's and other components are going to be durable enough to perform? The vacuum present on the moon is many times greater than that present at Low Earth Orbit, so great that there are few vacuum chambers on earth that can even come close (10e-15 atm or 7.6 × 10e-12 torr). At this level of vacuum plastics & rubbers degrade fairly fast due to outgassing, this includes the materials that our components would be made from. I'm sure AMSAT has engineers that handle component selection based upon environmental conditions (or lack of environment, hi hi) but it's still something to take into account. The mooncast that is required for receiving the grand prize includes transmission of High Definition video from the moon to be received here on earth. Even if we aimed to provide the lowest of the HDTV resolutions (720p) we're looking at a real-time data rate of 7-15MBps. I think this part of the requirement is feasible only because there's no requirement for the video to be transmitted in real-time, so we could theoretically store the video locally and retransmit it at a lower data rate. (Anyone want to discuss data rate vs. required RF bandwidth? Available frequency bands, or the square inverse law and the power necessary to get the signal to earth?) There is a separate requirement for near real-time video but it doesn't specify that it has to be in color nor does it specify a frame rate. Wonder if they'd consider a black & white stream at 2 or 4 frames per second to be "video". The 360 degree panorama of still photographs could be taken with the same camera that's being used for the HD transmission. Just pull stills at specified intervals as the camera and / or craft does a 360 on the surface. In order to cut this post short and summarize my opinion, yes I think that the goal is attainable and within the realm of possibility considering the experience that the various AMSAT teams possess but it would monumental even compared to the launch and operation of Eagle. Ric Letson, NB2E nb2e(a)amsat.org

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RS-22 Loud and Clear
by Keith N4ZQ 15 Oct '07

15 Oct '07

Excellent slow CW telemetry signal on 435.352 (+/- Doppler) from RS-22 this morning at 13:16 UTC on the east coast of the states. Not sure what the output power is from the satellite, but the copy was very easy on a 19 inch 2 meter whip. RS22 UBS 138 IBS 22 USUN 0 ISUN 0 ITXA 0 ITXB 0 TTXA 108 TTXB 107 TNAP 107 TCTR 108 TSBA 105 TSBB 86 MODB 129 MODC 6 MTX 163 MRX 32 RS22 UBS 139 IBS 20 USUN 147 ISUN 81 ITXA 0 ITXB 0 TTXA 109 TTXB 107 TNAP 108 TCTR 108 TSBA 106 TSBB 86 MODB 129 MODC 6 MTX 163 LOS Anyone direct me to a web page or program that will decode the telemetry into some meaningful information ? The AMSAT page does reference any under Satellite Detail. GL Keith N4ZQ FN33

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Re: Gray vis-a-vis Grey
by Ronald Long 15 Oct '07

15 Oct '07

Trevor, M5AKA wrote: >Now my Colour Pallete says Grey, I'm running Microsoft Windows in England so >it must be the right spelling hi. A belated check of my dictionary confirms that you are correct and I am embarrassed. So it's greyline or grayline, British or American, or your choice. ron w8gus

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...and the good news is ...
by John Hackett 15 Oct '07

15 Oct '07

Ladies & Gentlemen, The good news is that AO-7's mode-B transponder was "almost" back to normal this morning. That is to say, signals were *MUCH* stronger than they have been for the last 7 days "outings" in mode-B ... though I did experience some clipping. Presumably, AO-7 has 'also' been suffering from a bout of influensa ... it being that time of year and all ... (It's all that spacedust in the bronchial 'tubes'.....GM1SXX). Of course, it has absolutely nowt! to do with the fact that the old girl was plodding along the "right" side of the blue "Weggie" line. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Help using WISP and Pkunzip
by K7WIN - Jeff 15 Oct '07

15 Oct '07

I don't know if this is the right place for asking for help using WISP. If not please let me know. I have WISP installed and working properly except I cannot seem to get pkunzip to unpack files after downloading them from GO-32. 1. I have verified that the WISP working directory (in my case d:\WISP) is in autoexec.bat 2. I have verified that the pif files are in the WISP working directory. 3. Pkunzip.exe, pkzip.exe are both in WISP working directory 4. I have checked the pif files and the working directory is blank, cmd line is pkunzip.exe I am not sure what else to check and any help is surely appreciated. 73, Jeff - K7WIN

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Ham Radio Video You Don't See Every Day
by JoAnne Maenpaa 15 Oct '07

15 Oct '07

Hi Everyone, While not satellite related per se, a fun ham radio video is at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBGIdf0VjQ4 -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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FW: Corrected URL!
by John Hackett 14 Oct '07

14 Oct '07

From: allan_gm1sxx(a)hotmail.com To: archie.hackett(a)hotmail.com Subject: Corrected URL! Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2007 13:49:11 +0000 http://www.observations.biz/Joint_Observations/Observations_14_10_2007.htm Cheers, Al. Play Movie Mash-up and win BIG prizes!

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Possibly !!!.
by John Hackett 14 Oct '07

14 Oct '07

When I first lanced my greyline "theory" last week to try to explain some of the anomolies we're experiencing on AO-7 mode-B lately while it dragged itself along ther greyline, I was fully expecting to be publicly flogged at the very least, possibly lined up against the nearest wall and shot but at the very least ridiculed and hung out to dry. Imagine my surprise therefore when several stations actually agreed that this "theory" was a possibility ... my main point ... (in the original mail) ... was that the greyline is actually *NOT* a flat line on the globe to make HF software look good. (For the "stick-in-the muds", these ovservations are, like the originals that were published in Oscar News and The Amsat Journal, very much "tongue-in-cheek" ... with attempt at making an otherwise boring subject paletable to the potential newcomer ... or ... to alleviate some of the pomposity sometimes found in 'technical' organisations ... yes, I know, the regulars have heard asll this before ... but hopefully, Amsat can still pull in an odd recruit or three. Long time readers of the original 'Observations from Norway' ... (pre-internet) ... will recall that I always professed to having two (2) activer braincells and that my partner-in-crime, the illustrious GM1SXX ... (hereafter known as "The twisted Pair" ... had three. However, judging by his latest missive ... (below) ... he now only has two but hey! that's still 1200% more than me since my two have deteriorated to one. This makes sed GM1SXX 300% ... (you work it out) ... more coherent than I .,.. therefore, I invite ya'll to read GM1SXX's ramblings rather than my own ... (see below). Anyone being a "sucker" for punishment may peruse our webpage at <http://www.observations.bix> I hope this will appease those gentlemen ... (old timers all) ... who requested more of the same. To the stick-in-the-muds, I profoundly apologise ... though I believe I'm *NOT* treading on anyones toes since the bb professes to be in the land of the free. I can thoroughly recommend that newcomers read Commander John Brennegan's 'SATGEN' bulletins, archived on our *Observations* site, curtesy of GM1SXX. With respect. 73 John. <http://www.observations.biz/Joint_Observations/Observations_14_10_2007.htm> <http://www.observations.biz/>

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Gray vis-a-vis Grey
by Ronald Long 14 Oct '07

14 Oct '07

Famous Book: Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body by Henry Gray, 1918. USA TV Show: Grey's Anatomy (perhaps they didn't know any better) Radio: Grayline Propagation Color Palette: Gray Bad Spelling on this web site and probably many others: http://dx.qsl.net/propagation/greyline.html ron w8gus

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Re: [hpsdr] Allen Array goes online today (Thursday Oct 11)
by Robert McGwier 14 Oct '07

14 Oct '07

Philip Covington wrote: > ***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List ***** > > <http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/8209> > > <http://www.seti.org/> > > 73 Phil N8VB > _______________________________________________ http://n4hy.smugmug.com/gallery/3634776 and a great time was had by all. 73's Bob N4HY -- AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair “An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?” Descartes

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Re: LEO in Europe
by Wayne Estes 14 Oct '07

14 Oct '07

Bob Stewart wrote: I'll make one or two and then I'm done. Wayne W9AE replies: On FM birds I usually initiate only one contact. But afterwards 4 or 5 people call ME because I'm in a "rare" grid. It's kind of fun to be the pursued instead of the pursuer. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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Using the D700 on GO-32 mobile
by Bob Bruninga 14 Oct '07

14 Oct '07

D700 Operating tips on GO-32: The D7 and D710 APRS radios have a menu setting for IGNORE DCD which is needed to both TX and RX on GO-32 while it is beeing heard. The D700 does not. So the D700 will not TX while it can hear the GO-32 downlink. This is not too much of a problem, becuse it can only hear 1 out of every 3 passes anyway. And if you are just making a periodic report, then your UPLINK packets even on the main high pass will be successful for the first and last 5 minues of the pass while your receiver still cannot hear the downlink. But if you are sitting there watching all the packets fly by on the PMON display, and want to TX, then it is easy to do. Just set TX MODE to PTT instead of AUTO. Then you can force a POSITION report by kerchunking the PTT button for an instant. TIP NUMBER 2: Remember, if you send a MESSAGE from any of these radios, you must QSY the uplink to 145.85. If you are only sending up your POSTION/STATUS then you must be on 145.93. I forgot this this morning and wondered why my message never got diigipeated... TIP NUMBER-3A: So you can read all the mail, add the wildcard * to your message list. But then clear out old messsages or you will fill up fast. TIP-3B: If you send a message, do not send it to an individual call, send it to ALL. Then everyone can see it no matter what their setting of their message list. You can mention somoeone else's call in your message to ALL. The D710 is much easier to QSO with messages. The MSG menu has an EDIT button. So you can call up an old message and just edit it. A GREAT application for this is QSL's. Just watch the downllink, and eveyrone you want to QSL, you can just edit their new call onto the end of a previous message to ALL that lists all the calls you are QSL'ing in one message. I think each new edited message becomes a new one, so be sure to CLEAR the older ones. Bob Wb4APR Bob, Wb4APR

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Re: LEO in Europe
by Bob Bruninga 14 Oct '07

14 Oct '07

If you are fed up with LEO FM repeaters, then try something new. You have eveyrthing you need. Just change freqeucnies! > the use of LEO's... is more frustration than satisfaction. > I feel like willing to dive into the deep abysm. > Crash my Arrow antenna and my TH-D7 and say goodbye. > I quit. The D7 is 100% ready to go for two-way LEO Packet satellite QSO. The arrow will make it work very well. See how: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/GO32-ops.html No congestion, lots of room. Good luck.

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ANDE Voice today (Sunday) ON 15:50 UTC/17:50 CET
by Henk, PA3GUO 14 Oct '07

14 Oct '07

Due to the success of yesterday we will repeat the ANDE Packet to Voice mode event today (Sunday Oct 14) during the 15:50 UTC / 17:50 CET pass. Wait until you hear ANDE saying "Welcome to Textspeech", then: 1) Set in your TNC U APRS VIA ARISS 2) Get your TNC in CONV mode and type :TALK :Hello and you should hear ANDE saying "XYZ says Hello" Henk, PA3GUO

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More on the Greyline theory.
by John Hackett 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

Gents, Don't give up on my "hare-brained" Greyline theory just yet. Remember ... it's not just a "flat" line on the globe we're talking discussing here. For all intents and purposes "space" is 3 dimensional. Thomas's point is IMPORTANT ... regarding illumination. Half of the satellite may be illuminated while the other half isn't, much depends on the attitude in relation to the sun ... but some tracking software doesn't always predict these parameters and those that do hardly ever agree with eachother. So which is correct? ... don't ask me !!!. As long as the signals have been "booming" in nobody has bothered much about minor details and possible small perbutations. Now may be the time for a bit more study. The following is a mail from Ken GW1FKY, with a *VERY* good suggestion for a beacon. I think we should support it ... coupled with my previous suggestion for a redundancy back-up system for a beacon ... it's a great idea. We are now seeing now just how important the beacon is. Interestingly, IMHO, AO-7 has taught more people more things about satellite operating than AO-51 ever will. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> From: GW1FKY(a)aol.com Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:10:38 -0400 Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] The laws of physics. To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org Hi John, Many thanks for your interesting observations and experiences with the operation of AO-7. I was wondering whether what you stated about the "Footprint " & the "Greyline" information is perhaps the key factor. As we are using software to predict the relative position against what might be the real point that the satellite sees illumination, is it perhaps a factor of error in the modelling that is used? Just a thought and it would be useful if could confirm the accuracy with future satellites if they had a beacon which did switch on as a result of solar illumination and not as a function of software or a timer. Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat- UK Amsat -NA

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ANDE Voice results still good !
by Henk, PA3GUO 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

ANDE works still good in VOICE mode ! A test on October 12th showed that on side A (ANDE-1) signals are still good. Notice that (on purpose) the audio downlink is weaker as the digital downlink: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/voice_ande_pa3guo_12oct07.mp3 A test on October 13th showed that on side A (ANDE-1) users can easily use voice mode. Mike, DK3WN, created six (!) voice messages which were loud & clear: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/voice_ande_dk3wn_13102007_15… More details on: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/voice.html Let me know if you want me to enable it again over Europe. Henk, PA3GUO http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo

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07
by Dave Guimont 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

Hi John, You are certainly the focal point on this one sooooo....... I was idly listening to AO7 on this computer, and a few people on, but didn't have my xmit computer on so I just ambled across the band, listening and hear a weird whining noise (as near as I can describe it). About in the lower third of the band.. The noise weakened and disappeared as soon as it went over the horizon so pretty sure it came from the bird.... I'll have to fire up the transmitter, and xmit on the noise to see what happens... Anyone else notice this?? 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Re: LEO sats in Europe
by John Marranca, Jr 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

I think Bob, AE6RV has the right attitude about it: "One and I'm done." A few mornings ago, SO-50 was EMPTY. Quiet. I made a QSO, and was able to say Good Morning, name here is John, etc. As soon as a local in FN12 ID'd, I was off. Possibly e-mailing the offenders, or contacting the local AMSAT coordinator might help. But don't give up. Don't give up something you love because of the "selfish few". 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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LEO in Europe
by Paulo Pinto 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

Hi, I don't know exactly how is the experience of the use of LEO in other parts of the globe. All I can say is that in this part of Europe it is more frustration than satisfaction. Stations calling without listening. Stations calling during a QSO. Stations making satellites their private phone. I find myself and my portable setup near the edge. I look down and I feel like willing to dive into the deep abysm. Crash my Arrow antenna and my TH-D7 and say goodbye. I quit. What can I do to change this behaviour? If I say something to them they will acuse me of being something I'm not. Let's keep supporting AMSAT and wait for a better future. CT1ETE, Paulo Pinto AMSAT President's Club member

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SATme for mobile phones
by aflowers＠frontiernet.net 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

The recent thread on "easy satellite prediction" led me to resurrect a project I started last spring: a satellite prediction program that will run on a mobile phone called "SATme". I have a beta version on my local computer that is free for anyone to download. I am particularly interested in who can and can't get the program to run on his or her device. This tends to be a device- and carrier-specific process, but I would like to collect some data so that I can come up with a relatively trouble-free method of deployment for the greatest number of people. Eg, I'm looking for what problems people had when installing and how they worked around it if they could. Anyone on the Sprint network should be able to download it with their phone's browser, provided that their phone meets the device requirements. I don't know about other carriers, but it should be a similar process to installing a game. Here's the download page, which has links to the device requirements and screenshots of SATme running on a few different models. Since this isn't yet running on a full time server, it may dissappear occasionally as the computer needs to free up some memory for other things. Be patient with the website since it wasn't designed as a webserver! http://74.74.189.168:8084/SATme/ I would prefer to have any correspondance regarding this project by direct email so that we don't tie up the reflector, so please be careful when hitting the "reply" button. I haven't yet decieded on what license terms I'll release it, etc, but this is an invitation for anyone who is interested to give it a try. Andy K0SM

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AO-51 Status?
by John Marranca, Jr 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

Hello Satellite Jockeys! Anyone have any idea as to when AO-51 will be returned to Operational Status??? Its silence is very sad, to say the least. 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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ANDE VOICE Saturday 15:50 UTC Over Europe
by Henk, PA3GUO 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

All, No promise, but the plan is that I will enable VOICE on ANDE today (Saturday) during the 15:50 UTC / 17:50 CET pass. Maybe (!) also the next pass (17:25 UTC). When you hear 'welcome to text-speach' it's on ! See for details how to operate VOICE: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/voice.html Henk. PA3GUO ANDE Command Station The Netherlands http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo

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Easy Predicting ECHO AO-51
by Robert Bruninga 13 Oct '07

13 Oct '07

Wow, predicting ECHO is even easier. It repeats every 5 days. Here is the peak pass plan for Washington DC area and all points north and south. Times are EDT. Day1 day2 day3 day4 day5 day1 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 0850 0950 0910 0830 0930 0850 1005 2000 2100 2020 1940 2040 2000 2120 12 October is day5. 13 Oct is day1, etc. The above passes are your highest passes. There will be a lower pass that will require a hand-held beam 100 minutes earlier and 100 minutes later on each day (except where two low passes are shown). Cut it out and put it on your dashboard. Monitor ECHO while mobile. The above peak passes you should hear the center of the pass on your mobile if you are lucky. I do not recommend transmitting because you will just be a LID because you cannot hear well enough to know if you are stepping on anyone. Don't do it. Pull over and use a beam. Bob, WB4APR

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GO-32 digi off
by Ken Swaggart 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

If anyone has been trying the 9600 baud digi with GO-32 it appears that it is in a recovery mode the last two days. Remains off as of 10 Oct 1611Z. 73, Ken, W7KKE

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Sats via echolink
by Robert Turlington 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

Hi All Stations in Japan have asked me for qso's with GB5OSO via SO50 and echolink which I am pleased to undertake. If there is any one out there who wishes to do the same please let me know and I will see what I can do so long as you are in a country that is outside the mutual footprint of the current bunch of birds.Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ Feel like a local wherever you go. http://www.backofmyhand.com

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2M1EUB /P QRV N.E. SCOTLAND
by paul robinson 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

Hi gang just to let the bb know that ill be qrv from north scotland from 13.10.07 for 7 days on the birds! using the call 2M1EUB/P ...qsl route is via home call 2E1EUB...73 de paul --------------------------------- Yahoo! Answers - Get better answers from someone who knows. Tryit now.

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Re: Satellite IOTA Award
by Eric H Christensen 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

Just wanted to pass on the results of my message to the IOTA Manager. While he seemed to like the idea of an IOTA Satellite award they are in the middle of a software roll-out that will manage a lot of the IOTA QSO checking in the future. That software took the rules that were in effect three years ago into consideration. Adding satellites to the rules now would only delay the roll-out of that software. I have posted the entire message at <http://eric-sparks.blogspot.com/2007/08/official-iota-satellite-award-petit…> (scroll down towards the end). If you would like to add your name to the petition please do so. I think it is important to keep this idea alive and not let it die. 73s, Eric Christensen, W4OTN AMSAT Area Coordinator - Southeastern Virginia USA AMSAT Member 35360 http://www.ericsatcom.net >After having some e-mail issues with the IOTA staff I think I have >finally found an e-mail address that works. I have submitted a letter >to the IOTA Manager requesting that satellites be added to the IOTA >(Islands on the Air) program. If you haven't signed the petition please >do so now. You can find the petition at ><http://eric-sparks.blogspot.com/2007/08/official-iota-satellite-award-petit… >.html>. > Comments are moderated but all will be posted (as long as there isn't >any bad language, etc). > >73s, >Eric Christensen, W4OTN >AMSAT Area Coordinator - Southeastern Virginia USA >AMSAT Member 35360 >http://www.ericsatcom.net > >Donate to the Eagle Fund - http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php?donate=eagle > > > >Eric H Christensen wrote: >> I've been considering petitioning the IOTA board to make a special award for >IOTA contacts made via satellite. Right now their rules >(http://www.rsgbiota.org/rules/rules.pdf, Para C.3.10) do not allow satellite >contacts for any award. >> >> Are there others here that would support such a petition? >> >> 73s, >> Eric W4OTN >_______________________________________________ >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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FS - Primetec PSC
by Dave Aitch 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

Primetec Prime Sat Controller. http://www.primetec.pt/products.php?sec=2&cat=3&prod=12&lang=en As new, hardly used. Asking £150:00 Prefer UK sale. Cheers, Dave.

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AO-51 PBBS OPEN !
by Mineo Wakita 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

I confirmed that AO-51 PBBS ON now. > PACB-1>AMSATN-1 [10/11/07 21:00:47]: > PBBS open with 1268.700 uplink only. > 73 de AO-51 Command Team, 10 OCT 2007. de JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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AO-7 Weak signal
by John Meeks 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

Hi All, The last few passes of AO-7 (Mode B) have been extremely QRP. I have not even been able to discern the the usual peak noise nodes on the passband. Anyone else have similar observations? Perhaps related: the beacon has not been heard for several weeks. Hoping for the best. 73 John Meeks KC8ZFN

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AO-51 is down
by Andrew Glasbrenner 12 Oct '07

12 Oct '07

At 1848Z over Europe today, the software on AO-51 crashed, shutting down both transmitters. Subsequently the repeater and BBS will be down for several days while the command stations reload. Sorry for any inconvenience. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA Vice President of Operations

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XE2BSS from DM32, today (11 October)!
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Hi! Sorry for the short notice... Alex XE2BSS just called me, saying he is heading toward DM30 but will make a quick stop in DM32 this afternoon along Mexico highway 2 south of the Arizona border. He plans to be on the AO-27 pass at 2147-2154 UTC and possibly the SO-50 pass at 2204-2218 UTC from somewhere in DM32. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Re: AO-7 sleuthing
by John Hackett 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Hello James, A pleasure to meet you my friend. Yes, AO-7 *can* be fully illuminated ... (depending on it's position and direction) ... before the ground-based "Greyline" prediction occurs at a particular QTH at AOS. The opposite can also be true ... you're right !!!, celestial mechanics are very! interesting. Mode-C is a QRP version of mode-B. Originally with 2 watts from the transponder but that was in 1974 !!!. One can only assume that after 31 years od space dust "decorating" the solar array this power would be rather optimistic ... but that is speculation because recently the old girl was! producing a bit of power in mode-B ... but a lot less in mode-A. Of course, nobody knows the *actual* power because there are so many variables with prediction software/power budget calculating software etc. You mentioned radio astronomy ... I have the dubious distinction of being born within spitting distance of JODRELL BANK, when I was a kid, the world's largest radio telescope (and the first to command to Sputnik 2) ... so don't let the LA callsign fool you ... I'm a senile old Limey !!! ... ex: Signals c/o Her Majesty's Service ... and ex: NATO ... which is why I ended up on Frei Island, Norway. I hope you don't mind me putting this on the Amsat-bb, I was asked particularly by several people on your side of the pond to keep "you lot" posted on developements. My own "theory" is that two alligators several days ago "knocked" AO-7 into a mode-A/C switching sequence. The "usual" mode-B winter/mode-A summer switching has gone off track ... (I did warn about this several weeks back but got shot down). As I mentioned preiously, to fully understand AO-7's "case history" one needs to read all of it ... not just selected pieces. It's an interesting story ... and one I'm surprised Amsat have not taken more interest in since there are so many "firsts" for AO-7 and the old girl is *STILL* producing a few surprises. Have a good day! Jim and thank you for your mail, a pleasure!. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> AO-7 Log Admin: <http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php> Homepage: <http://www.observations.biz/> .................................................................................. > Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:11:20 -0400 > From: jhjipping(a)ameritech.net > To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org > Subject: AO-7 sleuthing > > John: > > You are quite a sleuth. And having fun at it. > > You have me interested in doing my own watching/listening. A comment > and question. > > When the footprint crosses the grey line, the "footpint" is on the > ground, but Ao-7 is in orbit. It is possible for the bird to be full > sunlight before it's footprint crosses the greyline. Depending, of > course, it's dirrection of travel. What do you think ??? > > What is mode "C" ?? I know mode "A" and "B" but ======= "C" ?? I, too > worked AO-7 in the early days when she was but a youngster. Not with > the same gear I have now, but with lots of success and , now, fond memories > > By the way, your approach and activities in watching AO-7 reminds me of > what, I believe to be one of the most exiting science ---- radio > astronomy. > > Jim Jipping, W8MRR > AMSAT 5512 (small number , old geezer)

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Interesting !!!.
by John Hackett 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Well Mak, I use less than 50w EIRP so there's more to this than meets the eye. I hope !!!!! I'm wrong when I remind you about the two stations I mentioned 14 days ago with their *EXTREME* power. One thing's for sure, that kind of power is *NOT* good for AO-7 and could well have "knocked" the satellite into a mode-A/C switching period ... this *IS* possible. You may remember I did warn a couple of months ago, when I first noticed the imminent changing of the transponder modes about what *could* happen with excessive power abuse. I fear it has now happened ... though I sincerely hope I am wrong and it's just a passing phase ... (pardon the pun). Time will tell. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsdat.org> To: eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com From: sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr Date: Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:39:19 +0300 Subject: Re: [eu-amsat] The laws of physics. ...yes indeed gentlemen, it's a very interesting theme. I wonder also several times about that. Thomas, because I'm using NOVA for several years, the "Visible" is always when the satellite is illuminated. Without light, how is possible to be visible? Simply impossible. Therefore, NOVA has 3 states: 1)Visible (illuminated Satellite) 2)Sun ( "" "" 3)Eclispe (NON illuminated Sat) But I complete agree with: "if a satellite is sunlit or not has nothing to do with greyline and sunlight/night on our Earth". .. and I remember dozens evening & night's asceding passes of AO-7 from East-South to North during last months, where the AO-7 was over the dark side of planet's surface, but it was "ON". However, NOVA always under this case wrote: "Visible" or "Sun". *************************************************************** John, about your note I have to say that: definitely the latest behavior of AO-7 has to do with Grey-Line's crossing. I agree. Just I diversify with your note about the crossing-timing of footprint with Grey-Line. I think, the Satellite is "turned-ON" when is about 1000-2000 Km behind of Greyline (over the dark area) and is mooving forward to the Daylight. At that time, a part of footprint is already into Daylight. Today evening, I noticed about just the same. Asceding orbit 50572, 15:55 Z -16:04 nothing heard. Probably was OFF. At 16:05 Z I heard (suddenly) 2,3 signals on CW, but very weak. I can't explain also this unusual, strange ECHO on Downlink-signals ! It's always here, when the Downlink signal is very weak. (That remembers to me the "HF propagation", when the signal is received from Short & Long path the same time !) Another observation: it's obvious my Power is not enough anylonger for accessing of AO-7. I say that because, tonight even if I heard clear somebody to call CQCQ, it was unable to access the Satellite with my 50 Watts ERP in order to answer to him. It's obvious that, AO-7 needs much more Uplink Power now. Desensitization of AO-7's receiver ? Bad power-budget? I don't know... I have no any comment here. 73, Mak SV1BSX ----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas Frey" <th.frey(a)tiscalinet.ch> To: <eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2007 12:40 Subject: Re: [eu-amsat] The laws of physics. > John Hackett schrieb: >> >> NB. >> >> It's interesting to note that when the *footprint* crosses the grey >> line ... (a phenomenon I've monitored for several days now) ... the >> solar panels are in full illumination ... (theoretically !!!) ... but >> the transponder appears to be OFF and switches ON just as the >> footprint crosses the line. >> >> A coincidence? ... I think not, but I don't have a "sensible" >> explanation. >> >> Explanations are invited to EU-Amsat. >> >> 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> >> > Hello John > > Where come the info from, that the solar panels are in full illumination ? > In general if a satellite is sunlit or not has nothing to do with > greyline and sunlight/night on our Earth. This is a widespreaded > mistake. I heard the 2m-beacon from AO-7 also in the night and it was > in full sunlight. I calculate eclipses with James' G3RUH's PLAN-13 > software. You can find it here: > http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles/g3ruh/111.html > > There are also programs, which calculates the "visibility" which > indicates, if the satellite is visible by eye. This has also nothing > to do with an illuminated satellite. > > I hope, my explanations are correct. This is a very interesting theme > and I'm open for further discussions and corrections. > > > Mit freundlichen Grüssen, Regards, 73 > Thomas Frey, HB9SKA > __________________________________________________________ > > Thomas Frey, Holzgasse 2, CH-5242 Birr, Tel. + Fax: 056 444 93 41 > http://home.datacomm.ch/th.frey/ > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000780-0, 10/09/2007 > Tested on: 10/11/2007 12:49:59 > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000780-0, 10/09/2007 Tested on: 10/11/2007 20:40:30 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (0) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Members | Calendar Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity 2 New Members 1 New Links Visit Your Group Yahoo! Groups Moderator Central Connecting a world of moderators. Sell Online Start selling with our award-winning e-commerce tools. 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GO-32 Mobile Receive Success
by Robert Bruninga 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

> Tonight I finally remembered to set my D700 in > my van to the 435.225 GO32 downlink.... I was > not disappointed. Received over 150 packets > during the central 6 minutes of the pass. I have now plotted that data on the APRS GO-32 page: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/GO32-ops.html It clearly shows that the mobile link works at elevations above about 25 degrees and a quick look at GO32 passes reveals that they occur every day within an hour or so of 10 AM and 9 PM local DST time. (Your times may vary +/- 30 minutes from that depending on where you live relative to the center of your time zone. Bob, WB4APR > I was just making hash marks > on the back of an envelope while watching the packets fly by > on the front panel of the radio. I did tune 3 times for > Doppler since I was just sitting there with nothing else to do. > > This confirms that an unattended D700 or D7 hooked to a > simple OMNI antnena (and short coax) can make an excellent > APRS satellite gateway. With say a dozen of these across the > USA, then the APRS-Internet system should get a solid downlink! > > After the fact, I came in and looked at the pass on > Instantrack. Here is the nitty-gritty showing the elevation > angle versus number of packets received per minute. > > TIME EL PACKETS > 0933 30 18 > 0934 40 23 > 0935 46 36 > 0936 45 35 > 0937 36 24 > 0938 26 13 > > For an unattended ground station without Doppler tuning, my > guess would be that this station would have received the > center full 3 minutes of this 45 degree pass. > > So, what is your handy D7 doing sitting on your shelf turned > off? Hook it to a 19" vertical whip over a ground plane > outside your window and contribute to the National GO-32 > APRS downlink system! > > Ill get someone to write a simple turn-key APRS IGate > background application, so you don't have to hasssle with all > the other APRS stuff if you dont want to. This way, you can > just turn on the D7, hook it to a serial port, run this > application in the background, and you too will be a > contributor to the solid APRS downlink from GO-32! > > Oh, On the D700, I had pressed the PACKET MONITOR button so > that I was seeing all GO-32 downlink packets on the front > panel, not just the APRS ones. The D7 does not have the PMON > button, so you will only see the APRS packets. But I did > receive the 3 APRS downlink bulletins perfectly many times, > and every 30 seconds or so, I did receive the GO-32 TIME > STATUS report on the front panel of the radio. > > So, even if you are not going to Igate, just hook that D7 to > an outside 19" vertical whip (this serves as a 3/4 wave gain > vertical on the 435 downlink) through a short coax (Antnena > height does not matter, coax loss does!). You won't hear > anything below 30 degrees anyway... And just leave the HT on > all the time tuned to 435.230. Every morning and every > evening, you will receive GO-32 and any other APRS operators > playing that evening. > > When you hear good signals on 435.230, then 2 minutes later, > switch to 435.225 and so on. When the pass is over, set your > radio back to 435.230 for the next HIGH pass 12 hours or so later. > > You can leaave this on all the time, since it will not wake > you up. GO-32 PEAK passes are within an hour or so of 9 AM > and PM local time (maybe an hour later after the change back > to standard time).. > > Thousands of AMSAT folks have these D7's, and I bet that 99% > of them are not in use most of the time. All we need are a > dozen or so serving this space-diversity ground station function... > > Thanks! > > Bob, Wb4APR > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of > the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur > satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >

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Re: ANDE Voice Mode anyone ?
by Chris Bloy 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Hi Henk, Thank you for your reply, its not that I cannot decode the packets, I just cannot hit it with 5W from a TH-D7 and an 3 & 4 element beam.I can however with my 2m Vertical using 50w, but thats not as much fun as portable.. I will not be avaliable tonight as I play Rugby on Thursdays, so would saturday be possible?? I'll check the passes for Saturday and let you know. Thanks Chris P.S. the packets from ANDE are very strong on my beam, I may try my portable 7w & 30w amp? -----Original Message----- From: "Lauret & Henk" <hamoen(a)iae.nl> To: "Chris Bloy" <chris(a)photofuture.co.uk> Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:21:22 +0200 Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANDE Voice Mode anyone ? Hi Chris, For some old recordings look at: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/voice.html I use a 7 elements beam, and also find I need more than 5w for ande. do I understand your remark. The output power of ande is lower in voice mode, so if you can normally barely hear ande, so won't hear it in voice mode. Nevertheless, I can for example tomorrow do a try-out. would you like that ? Henk ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Bloy To: Henk, PA3GUO Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 12:18 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANDE Voice Mode anyone ? Hi Henk, I would certainly be interested in listening to a demo of the voice mode as I have found it very difficult to hit ANDE with my TH-D7 and my 3 ele beam.. I can recieve it ok, but just cannot get in, so if on mutal passes I could listen to some packets thats would be great for a demo and maybe next pass I'd try and hit it! Let me know your thoughts on this one? Chris -----Original Message----- From: "Henk, PA3GUO" <hamoen(a)iae.nl> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 21:54:13 +0200 (CEST) Subject: [amsat-bb] ANDE Voice Mode anyone ? Dear group, Next to the popular APRS mode, ANDE can also be put into voice mode (see http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/ande-ops.html). Basically anyone that feels comfortable using ANDE in APRS mode will be able to have ANDE also speak APRS messages, quite a lot of fun ! As this needs to be enabled each pass by a command station (it's by default off), simply let me know if you are interested in this and I can enable it during a pass over Europe. Henk, PA3GUO http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo email: pa3guo AT 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 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.14.5/1058 - Release Date: 08/10/2007 16:54

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AO-7 Events.
by John Hackett 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Here are the events for the 50576 pass. 08:37 ... AOS but nothing heard from the transponder. 08:38 ... Normally, I would have a strong downlink now but still nothing heard. 08:38:26 Very faint downlink signal. 08:39 ... S3 08:40 ... S3 for the entire pass. This time we can "assume" the satellite is in mode-C. Interestingly, once again, the solar array was (theoretically) in full sunlight but the footprint was 90% in darkness at AOS when the transponder is supposedly OFF. I have no logical excplanation for this. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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The laws of physics.
by John Hackett 11 Oct '07

11 Oct '07

Due to it's somewhat erratic behaviour this past week I have been monitoring AO-7 even more closely than usual. There has been some controversy as to which mode ... B, C or OFF ... AO-7 is in at certain periods in the same orbit. Here are a few points to ponder. This is a good opportunity to test your receiving system. Some stations report the satellite as being OFF when they can't hear their own downlink ... whereas others, at the same time/same orbit report it as being ON but in mode-C ... (low power) ... this is *NOT* a comment on SV1BSX's report of the satellite being OFF ... because I experienced exactly the same thing myself this morning at 11-10-07 at AOS. AOS ... nothing heard ... (and I gave *GOOD* antennas) ... but soon after the "footprint" crossed the grey line, in both IT and NOVA ... (I was monitoring both) ... my own downlink was audible AND INCREASED PROGRESSIVELY AS THE SATELLITE APPROACHED THE HORIZON (LOS)... that is to say ... the range increased and the signal became stronger. For obvious reasons, THIS DOES *NOT* SUGGEST MODE-C. The laws of physics *DON'T* change ... however, propagation and other parameters do. Mode-C. It is possible that the 30+ year old solar panels are producing enough power to run the transponder at 2 watts since they've been producing adequate power to run the transponder in mode-B ... whatever that power is these days ... (unknown) ... but it's still hyperthetical as to which mode the satellite is actually in at AOS. If anyone has any coherent explanations please share them with us because once again AO-7 is continuing to dish out surprises and the old girl can teach us all something valuable for future satellites. NB. It's interesting to note that when the *footprint* crosses the grey line ... (a phenomenon I've monitored for several days now) ... the solar panels are in full illumination ... (theoretically !!!) ... but the transponder appears to be OFF and switches ON just as the footprint crosses the line. A coincidence? ... I think not, but I don't have a "sensible" explanation. Explanations are invited to EU-Amsat. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Re: Foxhunting via satellite - additional
by Trevor 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

Also see Transmitter Hunting: Radio Direction Finding Simplified By Joseph D. Modell http://books.google.com/books?id=RfzF2-fHJ6MC&pg=PA308&lpg=PA308&dq=%22osca… 73 Trevor M5AKA --- Trevor <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > First demonstrated on OSCAR-6 see > > (WO/1999/041723) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATING MISSING PERSONS, ANIMALS, > AND OBJECTS > http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?IA=WO1999041723&DISPLAY=DESC > > "Animal tracking tags using Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Transmitters provide > long-range tracking through orbiting satellite receivers by using very low > data > rates. The low data rates allow the use of very narrow bandwidths to > communicate the animal's identification and to determine the animal's > position > by measuring the Doppler shift of the transmitter's carrier. This technique > was > first demonstrated using the OSCAR 6 amateur radio satellite and has been > used > to locate Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT) from downed aircraft and > hikers. > Unfortunately, narrow band systems can only service a limited number of > tags." > > 73 Trevor M5AKA > > > > > > > ___________________________________________________________ > Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good > http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html > ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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Foxhunting via satellite
by Gould Smith 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

I am giving a presentation about satellite tracking software to the local club next week. Their theme for the year is fox hunting. I thought I remembered that some time in the past there was talk of or an actual event that took place of doing a foxhunt via amateur satellite. I seem to remember something about transmitting a tone and using the shift to determine the location. Now this may be a couple of cross synapes and I am getting my stories mixed. If anyone knows of any such event or better yet participated in one, please let me know and pass along some of the particulars. Thanks, Gould, WA4SXM

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AO-51 PBBS ON, L/U mode
by Mineo Wakita 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

WiSP, Up 1268.700 MHz, Down 435.150 MHz, 9600 bps, KISS http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ao51pbbs.htm de JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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FS - ICOM IC-1271E 23cms multimode - UK Only please.
by Dave Aitch 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

All in working order, boxed, manuals, microphone, including service manual. Asking £495:00 Got SKYPE ? See it working ! Cheers, Dave.

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3Z50SPU celebrating the 50th anniversary of SPUTNIK-1
by Trevor 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

3Z50SPU celebrating the 50th anniversary of SPUTNIK-1 http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2007/3z50spu.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm --------------- ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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Sputnik at the NAtional Archives: Thurs 10/17
by Eric Rosenberg 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

For those in the DC area and (still) interested in Sputnik, this event (author talk) will be taking place at the National Archives here in DC. Enjoy! Eric W3DQ ------------- *Wednesday, October 17, at noon Jefferson Room /Red Moon Rising/* To mark the 50th anniversary of Sputnik, Matthew Brzezinski discusses his new book, /Red Moon Rising: Sputnik and the Hidden Rivalries That Ignited the Space Age. /Using original interviews and new documentary sources from both sides of the Cold War, Brzezinski tells how the Soviet Union created Sputnik in response to its inability to shoot down America’s U-2 spy planes that flew regularly over Soviet territory. The launch, on October 4, 1957, of an artificial satellite that would orbit the earth and cross American skies at will stunned the world. This is a story rich in the paranoia of the time, with combatants that include two future Presidents, survivors of the gulag, corporate chieftains, rehabilitated Nazis, and a general who won the day by refusing to follow orders.

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AO-7 weak signal.
by John Hackett 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

Quoting Mika OH8MBN ... a 6dB difference between mode-B and mode-C wouldn't show the difference between a S7/S9 and a barely audible signal. Quite right! Mika. I don't think the satellite was in mode-C at all, I believe it was in mode-B ... but creeping along the "grey line" and therefore *NOT* getting enough sunlight to power the transponder properly. Taking into account the age of the solar panels ... (31 years) ... it's a safe bet that they are *NOT* producing anywhere near what they did in 1974. It's anybody's guess exactly how many watts the mode-B transponder is producing these days. I'd estimate that mode-C would be totally inaudible these days unless you were using an EME class receiving system, however, I am open to debate on this particular point. I have been using QRP for 40 years now and am fully aware of what can be done with decent aerials but it should be remembered that AO-7 is *NOT* equipped with a large array when considering my comment re: power. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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AO-51 certificates for Sputnik
by wa6fwf 10 Oct '07

10 Oct '07

Hi All, I have started to receive the requests for certificates and I am working on getting them out as fast as possible. The response has been great so far but I would like to mention a couple reminders... 1)this is not a small QSL card, it is a certificate that is 8.5" x 11", so if you send a small envelope I will be forced to fold it... 2)make sure you have enough postage... 3)if you want to make sure it does not get bent, include a card board backer or use a heavier envelope 4)do not include money or stamps, I appreciate the gesture but it is not necessary, donations can be sent to Martha directly... based on the fact that my mailbox was full and the postman had to leave more at the front door I might need the couple weeks we said it might take! Glad you ALL enjoyed the Sputnik rebroadcast. 73 Kevin WA6FWF

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InstantTrack
by Dave Guimont 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

Amen on InstantTrack!! IT!!! I was fortunate enuff to be one of the beta testers, many moons ago. I use SatPC32 to control my rotors now, but I always parallel it with IT on another computer to do some of the things that PC32 does not do... I don't know how any serious satellite operator would be without either one, for the pittance they cost in comparison to what they need to do anything on any amateur bird!! Or if one has ANY interest in either the sun or the moon.... 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Re: Terrestrial QRM to FM satellites
by Bob Stewart 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

I thought I'd give a status, since we may be making some progress, and it might not do to have a bunch of people fighting the same battle and contacting the same people. On numerous AO-27 passes lately, there has been a CW ID followed by that squawk we discussed. Another lister, KA3HSW, has verified that he heard a signal on 145.850 and has volunteered to ask the Illinois Repeater Group to contact the person owning the call. Obviously, this will take some time, but hopefully it will end up with one less repeater on the AO-27/SO-50 uplink frequency. In the meantime we will probably continue to have periodic blocking/desensing of both satellites on the Central US passes. Bob - AE6RV

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DM30 on Friday/Saturday (12-13 October)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

Hi! A group of Mexican hams (XE2BSS, XE2S, XE2SNG, XE2TPJ, and XE2VAS - among others) will be on a hilltop north of Caborca, Sonora, for 24 hours starting at 1900 UTC Friday (12 October). They will operate a few HF stations along with a station for the FM satellites (AO-51, AO-27, SO-50) from this location near the USA/Mexico border, south of Arizona, in grid DM30. Good luck and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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ANDE Voice Mode anyone ?
by Henk, PA3GUO 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

Dear group, Next to the popular APRS mode, ANDE can also be put into voice mode (see http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/ande-ops.html). Basically anyone that feels comfortable using ANDE in APRS mode will be able to have ANDE also speak APRS messages, quite a lot of fun ! As this needs to be enabled each pass by a command station (it's by default off), simply let me know if you are interested in this and I can enable it during a pass over Europe. Henk, PA3GUO http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo email: pa3guo AT amsat.org

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ANDE Status 09 October 2007
by Henk, PA3GUO 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

ANDE Status Report 09 October 2007 1. APRS digipeating working fine, some examples: PD0RKC]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=5310.38N/00559.41E 2E0EXL]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=5122.97N/00012.77W-73' Via Satellite , Op: Phil , London . MD0MAN]CQ,ANDE-1*,WIDE,qAO,PA3GUO:=5410.08N/00431.24W-best wishes from the Isle of Man 73's :) F8CUY]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=/5^t.Nf`q- BPHG20003/Fred,Sacquenville,dpt27 2. Multiple SatGates active over Europe, some examples: DD6UBW DK3WN-1 EA4EKH-6 ON7EQ 3. Command up/downlink working fine (TE 1 command, setting beacon interval to 10 seconds) 20071009190837 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#019,236,050,052,050,214,11100001,504 20071009190827 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#018,607,175,102,004,037,00000010,504 20071009190817 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#017,005?1?Í009,004,004,0100000`,504 20071009190807 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#016,100?030,130,144,142,10101?00,504 20071009190800 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,DD6UBW:T#015,136,050,053,050,214,11100001,504 20071009190748 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#014,007,174,102,004,037,00000010,504 20071009190738 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#013,005,009,009,004,004,01000000,504 20071009190728 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#012,100,130,131,145,144,10101110,504 20071009190718 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#011,136,050,052,050,214,11100001,504 20071009190708 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#010,007,175,102,004,037,00000010,504 20071009190657 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#009,003,016,014,008,007,01000000,504 20071009190647 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#008,100,130,131,146,145,10101110,504 20071009190637 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAo,EA4EKH-6:T#007,136,050,052,050,214,11100001,504 20071009190628 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAo,EA4EKH-6:T#006,007,175,101,004,038,00000010,504 20071009190617 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#005,004,009,009,004,004,01000000,504 20071009190608 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#004,100,130,131,148,146,10101110,504 20071009190558 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#003,136,050,052,050,214,11100001,420 Henk, PA3GUO http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo

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Curiouser and curiouser ... Lewis Carrol.
by John Hackett 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

Mak, Terry, Mak reports AO-7 as OFF on orbit 50556, 3 minutes later Terry reports it in mode-B. Presumably, Terry heard his own downlink or he wouldn't have logged on. There is little doubt that some unusual things are happening lately, just like I predicted several weeks ago ... but unfortunately, my crystal ball has thrown in the towel so unless anyone goes up and checks it out first hand, we can only guess what is really going on. Now !!! would be the time to have a working beacon. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Future FM satellites?
by John Marranca, Jr 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

Hello all. After browsing through the AMSAT "Future Satellites" section, I see that Kiwi will have another FM transponder. Are there any others planned? Is FM going to be supported on 3E? 73 de KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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ANDE & FCAL
by Chris Bloy 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

Hi Bob and all, I see from Bob's website that ANDE is due to deorbit about December, which is going to be a sad day when this happens.. I enjoyed the APRS fun with ANDE greatly and will continue to use it with ISS and GO-32! All thanks to Bob's love for his hobby.. Although I can find loads of info about ANDE, and the much loved RAFT (BYE BYE), I am unsure as to the predicted deorbit of FCAL as I can weakly hear the beacon on a 7 element beam, but have never managed to decode it! I also find that finding sat status a little hard to keep up with? I know the AMSAT one has just been updated, but there are sats still active that arent on there for freq info? Like PO63 Pheunsat for example, has anyone heard this lately? Finally, thank you too all the suppport you gave me when i first joined the group, also Henk PA3GUO for his help with ANDE! I hope that my questions aren't too stupid and really am looking forward to perhaps working the European ham's on SO-50, A0-51 and AO-27 in the future once I have "plucked" up the courage to actually speak! Still waiting the delivery of my arrow!! Been using a dual band single plane yagi which is great, but not for FULL duplex.. Anyway, thanks for your understanding in these silly questions! Chris Bloy - M0DQO IO90KU - Fareham, UK

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Re: AO-51
by R P 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

I was wondering about that. If so I was going to submit that for next month. Also: George I saw that AO-27 had tried d-star, but have not seen if they were going to try that again. "It's been done on AO-27... see www.ao27.org for details. George, KA3HSW" -----Original Message----- From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 9:00 PM To: "Ron" <rondp(a)hotmail.com>, "amsat-bb(a)amsat.org" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-51 We don't really know yet. It depends on a few factors including any audio conditioning that happens in repeater mode. If more than one or two stations send in a request to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org, we can try to set aside a day next month to try Dstar on the repeater pair we normally use for QRP ops. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Ops -----Original Message----- >From: Ron <rondp(a)hotmail.com> >Sent: Oct 8, 2007 4:18 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 > >Hi all: > >Can AO-51 do D-Star mode? > >K5AI / Ron Porter > > >_______________________________________________ >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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GO32 Mobile Pass Predictor?
by Bob Bruninga 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

> Received over 150 packets from GO32 in the mobile! > ...just stand outside during the prime morning > or evening pass of GO-32 with your D7 HT set > for APRS 9600 baud ... For Maximmum Mobile Madness Messaging, we need a simple way for APRS mobiles to predict the peak pass in the morning and evening.. Can some old timers remember how we used to do AMSAT satellite predictions back when none of us had computers? I think all we needed was a reference time of asceding node, and then by simple addition, we could estimate for a week at a time...? Didnt we just add X minutes for our latitude and then Y minutes a day, and then we could always predict a pass... We only need to predict the PEAK passes over 30 degrees elevation... Someone want to make up this simple arithmatic tip? In fact, we could let GO-32 downlink this in an APRS message! Then all each mobile has to do is leave his rig parked on the GO-32 downlink, and every day, he will get an update of the ascending node info! In fact, my D700 display still has the LAST STATUS time stamp I received from GO-32 in its station list. This tells me the exact time that I last heard GO-32. 100 minutes later, I should hear it again (but for the D7 or D700) you won't decode anything, because you will only decode on the middle pass of the 3 each morning and evening. And so we need a simple 12 hour and 24 hour predictor. Neat project... Actually, since I did get decodes above 30 degrees, sometimes there are two passes that are near that elevation and not the single pass. Bob, Wb4APR

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GO-32 Mobile Receive Success!
by Bob Bruninga 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

Received over 150 packets from GO32 in the mobile! If you want to impress someone with handheld Satellite Communcications, just stand outside during the prime morning or evening pass of GO-32 with your D7 HT set for APRS 9600 baud receive on 435.230 (5 KHz high at the start of the pass) and watch the messages fly by... Switch to .225 and finally to .220 by the end for maximum packets. Tonight I finally remembered to set my D700 in my van to the GO32 downlink. Was out doing honeydoos around 7:50 PM and heard a few squelch breaks. This would be the first evening pass. So that told me to be out 100 minutes later for the prime pass of the evening. I was not disappointed! Received over 150 packes during the central 6 minutes of the pass. I was just making hash marks on the back of an envelope while watching the packets fly by on the front panel of the radio. I did tune 3 times for Doppler since I was just sitting there with nothing else to do. This confirms that an unattended D700 or D7 hooked to a simple OMNI antnena (and short coax) can make an excellent APRS satellite gateway. With say a dozen of these across the USA, then the APRS-Internet system should get a solid downlink! After the fact, I came in and looked at the pass on Instantrack. Here is the nitty-gritty showing the elevation angle versus number of packets received per minute. TIME EL PACKETS 0933 30 18 0934 40 23 0935 46 36 0936 45 35 0937 36 24 0938 26 13 For an unattended ground station without Doppler tuning, my guess would be that this station would have received the center full 3 minutes of this 45 degree pass. So, what is your handy D7 doing sitting on your shelf turned off? Hook it to a 19" vertical whip over a ground plane outside your window and contribute to the National GO-32 APRS downlink system! Ill get someone to write a simple turn-key APRS IGate background application, so you don't have to hasssle with all the other APRS stuff if you dont want to. This way, you can just turn on the D7, hook it to a serial port, run this application in the background, and you too will be a contributor to the solid APRS downlink from GO-32! Oh, On the D700, I had pressed the PACKET MONITOR button so that I was seeing all GO-32 downlink packets on the front panel, not just the APRS ones. The D7 does not have the PMON button, so you will only see the APRS packets. But I did receive the 3 APRS downlink bulletins perfectly many times, and every 30 seconds or so, I did receive the GO-32 TIME STATUS report on the front panel of the radio. So, even if you are not going to Igate, just hook that D7 to an outside 19" vertical whip (this serves as a 3/4 wave gain vertical on the 435 downlink) through a short coax (Antnena height does not matter, coax loss does!). You won't hear anything below 30 degrees anyway... And just leave the HT on all the time tuned to 435.230. Every morning and every evening, you will receive GO-32 and any other APRS operators playing that evening. When you hear good signals on 435.230, then 2 minutes later, switch to 435.225 and so on. When the pass is over, set your radio back to 435.230 for the next HIGH pass 12 hours or so later. You can leaave this on all the time, since it will not wake you up. GO-32 PEAK passes are within an hour or so of 9 AM and PM local time (maybe an hour later after the change back to standard time).. Thousands of AMSAT folks have these D7's, and I bet that 99% of them are not in use most of the time. All we need are a dozen or so serving this space-diversity ground station function... Thanks! Bob, Wb4APR

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Re: AO-51
by George Henry 09 Oct '07

09 Oct '07

It's been done on AO-27... see www.ao27.org for details. George, KA3HSW -----Original Message----- >From: Ron <rondp(a)hotmail.com> >Sent: Oct 8, 2007 3:18 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 > >Hi all: > >Can AO-51 do D-Star mode? > >K5AI / Ron Porter >

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Satellite IOTA Award
by Eric H Christensen 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

I've been considering petitioning the IOTA board to make a special award for IOTA contacts made via satellite. Right now their rules (http://www.rsgbiota.org/rules/rules.pdf, Para C.3.10) do not allow satellite contacts for any award. Are there others here that would support such a petition? 73s, Eric W4OTN

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Re: AO-51
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

We don't really know yet. It depends on a few factors including any audio conditioning that happens in repeater mode. If more than one or two stations send in a request to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org, we can try to set aside a day next month to try Dstar on the repeater pair we normally use for QRP ops. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Ops -----Original Message----- >From: Ron <rondp(a)hotmail.com> >Sent: Oct 8, 2007 4:18 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 > >Hi all: > >Can AO-51 do D-Star mode? > >K5AI / Ron Porter > > >_______________________________________________ >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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Quick wrap up on Sputnik night
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

I just wanted to thank everyone for what looks like a well received little special event. Special thanks to our participating uplink stations: VE3NPC, Clare N8BBQ, Ed KD8CAO, Doug WA6FWF, Kevin K7WIN, Jeff G1OCN, Dave IW4DTU, Fer Our chief AO-51 Command Op, WA4SXM, Gould, and my wife Merete for compiling and equalizing the audio. Remember, send a report to Kevin WA6FWF at his callbook address with a 9x12 SASE and we'll return a nice QSL certificate. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Ops

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Re: AO-7 Weak signal
by Mika Siira 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

> Hi John & Amsat's > > yes indeed, I agree with your note. > >Probably it wasn't Mode-B, but Mode-C. > >73, Mak SV1BSX > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "John Meeks" <jmeek(a)harbor.gaslightmedia.com> >To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 04:56 >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 Weak signal > > >> Hi All, >> >> The last few passes of AO-7 (Mode B) have been extremely QRP. I have not >> even been able to discern the the usual peak noise nodes on the passband. >> Anyone else have similar observations? Perhaps related: the beacon has >> not been heard for several weeks. >> Hoping for the best. >> >> 73 >> John Meeks >> KC8ZFN >> Hello Mak and bb-readers, Same observation here about yesterdays AO-7 signals, extremely weak. I heard your CQ and answered it but then lost your signal completely. That's why I didn't log the QSO to AO-7 website. Does anyone have any idea what could be the current TX power of AO-7 nowdays, as it uses only solar panels? I assume it is not anymore 8W on mode B/2W on mode C, the difference is 6dB and that shouldn't drop signal levels from "usual" S7-9 to barely heardable... You guys are much more experienced AO-7 users, feel free to correct me if I am wrong :) Mika, OH8MBN

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Harry Yoneda, ex-JA1ANG, SK
by RaySoifer＠cs.com 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Tak, JA2PKI, has asked me to forward the following very sad news on behalf of himself and JAMSAT: It is with deep sadness that I must report the passing of ex JA1ANG Harry Yoneda. Harry was a founding member of JAMSAT (Japan AMSAT) and he also served on the AMSAT Board of Directors. Harry passed away this morning, Monday October 8, due to pneumonia. He was 88. Funeral service at Setagaya Heian Church, 2-41-5 Shimouma, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0002 Japan, Phone +81-3-3421-4993 Fax +81-3-3421-4084 at 14:00JST (05:00UTC), Wednesday, October 10. If you wish to express your condolences to his family, please email them to me. I will forward them. 73, Tak Okamoto, JA2PKI JAMSAT

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FS: GR-5400B Pittsburgh
by Ronald Long 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

I am suggesting that someone who is driving to the Pittsburgh conference might be interested in this rotator. That would relieve me of packing and shipping. FS: GR-5400B: The AZ portion was outdoors for a short time but is in excellent condition. The G-500A EL has never been outside. It was used in the shop during testing of a hardware controller project. The EL has a terminal strip not the connector used on latest versions. The two rotators are mounted together with the usual U-clamp from Yaesu. The The control box is like new. Asking $385. ron long, w8gus

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Re: Landwehr 2m Preamp Help/Info & Manual Request
by Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

At 01:29 PM 10/7/07 -0400, dpapay(a)chartermi.net wrote: >I recently obtained a Landwehr 2m preamp which I plan to use for AO-7 >operation. The preamp did not come with any significant >documentation besides what is printed on the cover (and thats a bit faded). > >The preamp appears to be functional, except that it has a tendency to >switch back and forth between RX and TX by itself (when no RF is >present and the PTT is not connected). This has made the preamp >unusable. Does anyone have experience with this preamp and/or know >how this issue can be resolved? > >I am looking for any suggestions as well as any documentation >(manual/schematic) for this preamp that you might have. Your help is >appreciated. > >Thanks & 73, > >Doug, KD8CAO I have both the two meter and 70cm Landwehr preamps and the documentation for them. The only problem I've ever had is with the two meter preamp. I get desense on mode J whenever it's in line. So I leave it on the self in the shack. I really don't need it until we get another P3 bird or something else that has a weak two meter downlink. If you don't get a copy of the docs I'll scan and email it to you. Just email me and let me know. KB7ADL

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Re: AO51 L/U BB
by Mark L. Hammond 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Thanks for the very important correction, Colin! 73, Mark N8MH ----- Original Message ----- From: "Colin Hurst" <cjhurst(a)bigpond.net.au> To: "Mark L. Hammond" <n8mh(a)embarqmail.com> Sent: Monday, October 8, 2007 8:50:40 AM (GMT-0500) America/New_York Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: AO51 L/U BB Mark, Just a correction. Broadcast Callsign is PECHO-11 BBS Callsign is PECHO-12 Best regards, Colin VK5HI. > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]]On > Behalf Of Mark L. Hammond > Sent: Monday, 8 October 2007 8:36 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO51 L/U BB > > > Hi Bruce, > > It looks like you need to change your Wisp settings for > AO-51--both the Broadcast Callsign and BBS Callsign values need > to be PECHO-11. That will fix your "frames heard" issue, and > you should get some BB data. > > I haven't been able to get into the BBS on L band yet either; I > have about 1 watt at the antenna (20 turn helix) and with trees, > etc. it apparently hasn't been enough. > > I saw both WA4SXM and KO4MA in the queue, so it appears to be > working. We have reports of a few others' success, too. You > might do as I am--keep trying :) > > A lack of success has caused me to browse around for a 1.2GHz > amplifier; I see Down East Microwave carries nice amps; wonder > where else somebody might suggest looking? > > 73, > > Mark N8MH > > >Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 20:54:48 -0400 > >From: "Cox" <snyderb(a)cox.net> > >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO51 L/U BB > >To: "Amsat-bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > >Message-ID: <000701c80945$d3ea4c00$6701a8c0(a)mshome.net> > >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > >BB > > > > During the AO51 pass tonight most of the Wisp D/L data showed, frames > >heard PECHO-11. When it was just north of my grid, FM16vt, > KO4MA was able to > >get into the queue but no others including my station. > > > >73 Bruce KG4YEV > > > Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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GB5OSO works NA at last
by Robert Turlington 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Hi All GB5OSO has worked NA at last,I managed to work Jim VE1ZM at the start of an East bound pass of SO50 at 1402utc this afternoon after trying on AO51 and VO52 just need a few more of you to come up nowRegards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ The next generation of MSN Hotmail has arrived - Windows Live Hotmail http://www.newhotmail.co.uk

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ex JA1ANG Harry Yoneda Silent Key
by Tak Okamoto 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

It is with deep sadness that I must report the passing of ex JA1ANG Harry Yoneda. Harry was a founding member of JAMSAT (Japan AMSAT) and he also served on the AMSAT Board of Directors. Harry passed away this morning, Monday October 8, due to pneumonia. He was 88. Funeral service at Setagaya Heian Church, 2-41-5 Shimouma, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0002 Japan, Phone +81-3-3421-4993 Fax +81-3-3421-4084 at 14:00JST (05:00UTC), Wednesday, October 10. If you wish to express your condolences to his family, please email them to me. I will forward them. 73, Tak Okamoto, JA2PKI JAMSAT

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Landwehr 2m Preamp Help/Info & Manual Request
by Douglas C. Papay 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

I recently obtained a Landwehr 2m preamp which I plan to use for AO-7 operation. The preamp did not come with any significant documentation besides what is printed on the cover (and thats a bit faded). The preamp appears to be functional, except that it has a tendency to switch back and forth between RX and TX by itself (when no RF is present and the PTT is not connected). This has made the preamp unusable. Does anyone have experience with this preamp and/or know how this issue can be resolved? I am looking for any suggestions as well as any documentation (manual/schematic) for this preamp that you might have. Your help is appreciated. Thanks & 73, Doug, KD8CAO

2 2

Question about doppler correction software
by Scott Wilson 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

I have a question regarding software doppler correction - in particular when using linear satellites. I am working on some control software that is a little more flexible than what I've used. I really like SatPC32 on Windows and Predict/gsat on Linux. I haven't yet fallen in love with any available software, but that's really a different story. I can imagine that doppler correction for an FM sat is rather easy in that you simply tune the transmitter/receiver to the published frequencies depending on the operating mode. I'm a little less sure how that would work for a linear satellite. As mentioned before, I do have a chart from AMSAT that lists channelized frequencies for them. If I can tune the transmitter such that the frequency at the satellite is one of the listed frequencies, how sure can I be that the receive is as published? Can I extend that to the point where I would be able to automatically determine frequencies (at the satellite) of the downlink for a given uplink and then compute doppler from there? It would then be fairly convenient to tune within the satellite's passband and let the computer do the 'thinking'. Thanks for any feedback. Scott NW2S

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Re: AO51 L/U BB
by Mark L. Hammond 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Hi Bruce, It looks like you need to change your Wisp settings for AO-51--both the Broadcast Callsign and BBS Callsign values need to be PECHO-11. That will fix your "frames heard" issue, and you should get some BB data. I haven't been able to get into the BBS on L band yet either; I have about 1 watt at the antenna (20 turn helix) and with trees, etc. it apparently hasn't been enough. I saw both WA4SXM and KO4MA in the queue, so it appears to be working. We have reports of a few others' success, too. You might do as I am--keep trying :) A lack of success has caused me to browse around for a 1.2GHz amplifier; I see Down East Microwave carries nice amps; wonder where else somebody might suggest looking? 73, Mark N8MH >Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 20:54:48 -0400 >From: "Cox" <snyderb(a)cox.net> >Subject: [amsat-bb] AO51 L/U BB >To: "Amsat-bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Message-ID: <000701c80945$d3ea4c00$6701a8c0(a)mshome.net> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > >BB > > During the AO51 pass tonight most of the Wisp D/L data showed, frames >heard PECHO-11. When it was just north of my grid, FM16vt, KO4MA was able to >get into the queue but no others including my station. > >73 Bruce KG4YEV Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Re: Mode-C ?
by John Hackett 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Mak, You're absolutely right ... the satellite *DID* start in mode-C but changed to mode-B when it came further into the sunlight ... the satellite has been running along the grey line at certain times on certain passes ... not really in eclipse and not completely in sunlight. This of course affects the transponder. I *PURPOSELY* made my own entries as mode-B yesterday so as not to completely confuse the newcomer in case he or she has been reading some of the comments on the various pages regarding AO-7 eclipse and modes information. To understand what is going on with AO-7 one has to read the *ENTIRE* history ... and most people don't do that ... they just assume that if "Joe Bloggs" says it's so and so ... it *MUST* be true ... (which it more often than not isn't!). 73 John. <amsat.org> AO-7 Resource Page Admin: Homepage: <http://www.observations.biz> From: sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr To: la2qaa(a)amsat.org Subject: Fw: Mode-C ? Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 21:23:10 +0300 John, forget it. I have already corrected it to Mode-B. It should be very big puzzle if we starting Mode-B & C. BTW Mika he didn't entry me on Log, I don't know why, the QSO was completed... I deleted also him ! However also the next pass was very weak. Difficult to copy myself on CW. 73, Mak ----- Original Message ----- From: SV1BSX To: LA2QAA Sent: Sunday, October 07, 2007 20:11 Subject: Mode-C ? Hi John, today afternoon during the usual AO-7's "good" pass for me, over W.Asia - E.Europe, I was wondering where is the Satellite! Nothing till 25 deg. Elevation, but after a carefully listening on Downlink I heard my CQ-CQ signal, very-very weak. After 2-3 mins, Mika OH8MBN he answered me. For first time it was difficult to copy both signals (Mika's and mine). A very strange ECHO also took place, it was also very difficult the Zero-Beat. BTW I didn't hear any other on this pass. If my receiver and my antenna are both in good shape, I wonder: was it "Mode-C" ? My entry in Emily's LOg is as Mode-C. If I am wrong, please correct it. 73, Mak Email: sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr URL : http://sv1bsx.50webs.com avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000778-4, 10/05/2007 Tested on: 10/7/2007 21:23:21 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software.

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(no subject)
by Sion Chow Q. C. (9W2QC) 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Dear All, We copied the following telemetry from NO-44 during the 08 October, 0657 Hours UTC over West Malaysia. Maximum elevation was 44 degrees. Fm PCSAT-11 To BEACON Via SGATE <UI pid=F0 Len=42 >[15:07:46] T#001,078,047,046,100,214,11111111,0000,1 Fm W3ADO-1 To BEACON Via SGATE <UI pid=F0 Len=42 >[15:08:46] T#004,162,162,045,208,213,11111111,0011,1 Just thought that I will post it out, in case it will be useful to some parties. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC. Operating 9M2RPN

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NO-44 Telemetry
by 9w2qc＠9w2qc.net 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Dear All, We copied the following telemetry from NO-44 during the 08 October, 0657 Hours UTC over West Malaysia. Maximum elevation was 44 degrees. Fm PCSAT-11 To BEACON Via SGATE <UI pid=F0 Len=42 >[15:07:46] T#001,078,047,046,100,214,11111111,0000,1 Fm W3ADO-1 To BEACON Via SGATE <UI pid=F0 Len=42 >[15:08:46] T#004,162,162,045,208,213,11111111,0011,1 Just thought that I will post it out, in case it will be useful to some parties. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC. Operating 9M2RPN

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AO51 L/U BB
by Cox 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

BB During the AO51 pass tonight most of the Wisp D/L data showed, frames heard PECHO-11. When it was just north of my grid, FM16vt, KO4MA was able to get into the queue but no others including my station. 73 Bruce KG4YEV

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Strange 9k6 packets?
by andy thomas 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

Hi, I've picked up the following on 9k6 here at IO92NL - qrg set at 435.23 main band but the sub band freq is 145.825. GO-32 not overhead at the time according to sts+ and latest keps. 6 October Fm X0N-2 To K-6 Via ,-7* <I R0 S0 pid=0>[23:25:47] 7 October Fm -10 To -14 <I R4 S6 pid=39 [DAMA] [EAX25] Len=3 >[10:07:00] f2} Fm ZJ To y Via S-7,M-6* <I R0 S0 pid=0 [DAMA] [EAX25]>[19:03:10] Ande-1 overhead and detected on sub band at this time. (19:03 utc) but not on others. Rig is ICOM IC910H with WIMO helix for 70cm fixed in azimuth about 230 degrees, elevation about 60 degrees. TNC is SYMEK TNC2H, newly installed. Plugged into the main abnd. Driven by AGWPE and UISS. DCD flickering on later pass of GO-32 after 19:03 utc packet, but no data. Anyone any ideas? 73 de andy G0SFJ ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/

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GO-32 APRS Receiving tests.
by Robert Bruninga 08 Oct '07

08 Oct '07

GO-32 is enabled for 9600 baud mobile APRS satellite experimentation. See: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/GO32-ops.html We have already shown that a D7 with a 19" vertical whip on an overhead pass can get a lucky packet in. A D700 mobile with 50 watts can get in every time (if no collision). Now we need to verify the performance of the downlink to mobiles (and Igates) with omni antennas. This downlink is about 20 dB worse because it is on UHF (- 9 dB) and because the satellite is using only a 4W? Downlink compared to the 50W mobile. But even if each omni antennna ground station only copies packets twice a day during the central 5 minutes of an overhead pass, then with enough such simple groundstations feeding the global APRS network, then most packets will be captured. So if you have a D700 parked in the open sky between 8 to 12 AM and PM local time and can set it for 9600 APRS, then let us know what you pick up. See the web page for details. You should get some packets in the middle of that time period... Bob, WB4APR

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Boat Anchor EPROM Programmer for sale
by Alan P. Biddle 07 Oct '07

07 Oct '07

Hi, In the dark recesses of my shack, I came across an old EPP-1F EPROM programmer. http://www.artbv.nl/products/programmers/index.htm It is in perfect condition, and almost unused. Unlike the newer USB units, it requires a parallel printer port. A USB-Parallel adapter _MAY_ work, but I have NOT verified that. It occurred to me that this might be useful for someone with an older shop computer who does a lot of digi programming. Included are the unit, power cable, and a good printer cable. The documentation and software are downloadable from the manufacturers web site, though I could put them on a CD if you need it. Asking $25 shipped CONUS, or I could deliver it to the AMSAT meeting in Pittsburgh. If interested, drop me a note off list at WA4SCA(a)AMSAT.ORG. Alan WA4SCA

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Icom UX-97 L-Band Module Manual Request
by Douglas C. Papay 07 Oct '07

07 Oct '07

I'm looking for the manual for the Icom UX-97 L-Band module. If you have one, or know where I can obtain a copy of one please contact me off list. Thanks & 73, Doug, KD8CAO

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8P6DR/G3RWL on now!
by RaySoifer＠cs.com 07 Oct '07

07 Oct '07

Richard, G3RWL, is on 18.081 from Barbados right now using his old call 8P6DR. 73 Ray W2RS

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pcsat32 error msg
by Dave Marthouse 07 Oct '07

07 Oct '07

Hi Gang, I am attempting to get pcsat32 up and running and get the following error message. OLE-fehler 8004031D What is the problem? I have no clue. Any help would be appreciated. Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmart(a)pure.net

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AO51 L/U BBS
by Cox 07 Oct '07

07 Oct '07

bb Interesting, could not get any tlmecho data on D/L or could not connect to BBS server on U/L. No call signs in Wisp window. Voice was active on 435.300 D/L 73 Bruce KG4YEV

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QuakeSat beacon
by Mineo Wakita 06 Oct '07

06 Oct '07

QuakeSat 21:42-21:56 UTC, 6 Oct 2007 06:42-06:56 JST, 7 Oct 2007 436.675 MHz, 9600 bps, KISS Max 38 deg [2007/10/07 06:51:42R] ...QuakeSat Sat Mar 12 11:48:07 1988..... [2007/10/07 06:51:53R] ...QuakeSat Sat Mar 12 11:48:17 1988..... [2007/10/07 06:52:04R] ...QuakeSat Sat Mar 12 11:48:27 1988.....

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AO51 L/U BBS
by Cox 06 Oct '07

06 Oct '07

BB I haven't seen anyone having much success in connecting to the BBS including myself. My rig IC910, L band U/L, Spirit-2 to L band 16 ele yagi beam vertical pol. So far I've tried straight 10W output and 40W output via amplifier. Correct me if I'am wrong but this seems to be the 1st ever attempt using this mode on AO51. So those who have had success pls tell us your secret. 73 Bruce KG4YEV

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GB5OSO active upto 31st October 07
by Robert Turlington 06 Oct '07

06 Oct '07

Hi All for all of those who missed out on the 50th Anniversary of Sputnik 1 on the 4th Oct activity day you still have a chance to work GB5OSO and get a special QSL card. Activity will concentrate on higher elevation orbits (+20) of SO50,VO52,AO51,AO27&AO7modeB in that order of priority. Activity is usually quite low on SO50 (spunikone50) so hopefully I can bring a few stations out of the woodwork. If anybody wants to arrange a sked on a particularly low DX orbit of any Analogue bird please let me know and I will see what I can do( I did try for some NA contacts on Thursday but no luck) Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ 100’s of Music vouchers to be won with MSN Music https://www.musicmashup.co.uk

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Hotel Rooms for AMSAT Symposium
by Martha 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

Just a reminder that the remaining rooms in the AMSAT block will be "turned in" to the hotel Monday night. If you haven't registered, it is time to do so. More info on the AMSAT website. -- 73- Martha

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Kid's Demo on AO-27 5 Oct
by Pughkeithd＠cs.com 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

I plan to be doing a demo to a group of Elementary School Kids from the Kid's Connection (an after school program of my church) in Fort Worth, TX, this afternoon during the 21:17 to 21:25 UTC time period. This is during the 21:11 to 21:26 pass over Fort Worth with a 72 deg peak elevation. This will be the "last act" of a Sputnik 1 Birthday Party that started earlier this week. Let's make a good showing. 73 - Keith, W5IU

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ARISS Packet is on the air
by Robert Bruninga 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

Was listening for ANDE on 145.825 and heard the ARISS packets also. So it is nice for all three packet digipeater satellites to be on the same frequency for easy capture by 145.825 APRS Igates and feed to the two web pages: http://www.ariss.net http://pcsat.aprs.org 145.825 downlink has ARISS, ANDE and PCSAT-1 (W3ADO-1 when operational) 435.225 has GO-32 at 9600 baud See: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/GO32-ops.html That's 25 passes per day for possible 2-way keyboard packet communications with simple packet equipment from anywhere on the planet. WB4APR, Bob

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AO-51 pacsat operations: mode L/U
by Mark L. Hammond 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

Hello AO-51 users, Please notice that AO-51 is running a test mode on the BBS package: L-band uplink! from: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php October 4 - October 14 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, No PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM 9k6 Digital, L/U, BBS and Telemetry, Experimental and subject to change! Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM, 9k6 PBP Digital The AO-51 Operations Team will be interested in your BBS results during this experimental period. Please send your comments about the BBS mode to: ao51-modes(a)amsat.org Thanks and 73, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Longwindedness
by John Marranca, Jr 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

I started in Satellites when the Mode K sats were popular. When they died, I lost interest. When Sunsat was popular, I tried...but soon found that working for a LARGE telecom demanded more from me than I could devote to radio. Maybe it's just me, but I have noticed in my 2nd incarnation on the Ham Sats that some users insist on attempting the LONG QSO. This, I feel, is rather unfair given the fact that these sats are not the Oscar 10 variety...allowing long QSOs. Rich, N2SPI, at the 2007 Rochester Hamfest said that they are like working a contest...because the passes are so fast. Today, as also noticed on many passes past, one ham in Michigan, relishes in being longwinded. I have complained to him directly...not on my behalf...but for the OTHERS I heard in FN02...03...and 12 trying to access SO-50. I'm not worried about my situation. But when I can hear locals with HTs trying to work the birds...and some INSIST on holding 80 meter style chats, I get a bit peeved. (I'm adding an amp to deal with THIS particular issue....) Am I being petty? I welcome the critiques, since I am new to sats. Don't hold back. I RESPECT the truth. Thanks. John KB2HSH

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N-type connectors for LMR-400 Ultraflex
by David J 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

As I recall, the last time I had to attach N connectors to LMR-400 Ultraflex coax, I had to cut off at least 2 strands of the cable's center conductor in order to make it fit into the N connector I was given. Can anyone recommend a preferred N connector plug that is designed to fit LMR-400 Ultraflex without having this problem? Dave, AA4KN

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share a room
by Nick Pugh 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

Hi AMSATTERS I have decided not to drive the RV to the symposium and would like to share a room. So if you have a interest to split the cost of a room please contact me off list. nick

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SPUTNIK 1 SPECIAL EVENT STATION GB5OSO
by Robert Turlington 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

HI ALL HAD A GOOD DAY OPERATING GB5OSO YESTERDAY, HAD 70+ OSO's ON AO27,SO50,AO51 & VO52 BETWEEN 0800 & 2200utc I WILL POST A LIST OF STATIONS WORKED IN DUE COURSE . Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ 100’s of Music vouchers to be won with MSN Music https://www.musicmashup.co.uk

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for sale
by Jim Randall 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

For Sale!! 1-AOR 5000 +3 and companion SDU 5000 Spectrum Display Unit.This Reciever covers 10kc to 3000mhz.Been used four times for site survey then put on the shelf collecting dust. 1-EMOTO EV700 AZEL Rotator with control box. Contact me off line for more details. Jim N3YDT jrand1(a)erols.com

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heard
by w3vvp 05 Oct '07

05 Oct '07

During the 1:55 pass of VO-52 I heard two stations talking. Due to dead preamp and bad hearing I was uable to get call signs. They know they talked,just wanted to let them know they were heard here on the Eastern Shore of MD.George

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Interference on the Downlink of SO-50
by Eric H. Christensen 04 Oct '07

04 Oct '07

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 I'm up in Alexandria, VA (FM18) and I just tried to use SO-50. I thought I had acquired the satellite but then realized that it was local noise. Didn't know if anyone else had noticed the same problem in the area. I was +5kHz where I noted the quieting. It seemed to be directional towards the east. 73s, Eric Christensen, W4OTN AMSAT Area Coordinator - Southeastern Virginia USA AMSAT Member 35360 http://www.ericsatcom.net Donate to the Eagle Fund - http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php?donate=eagle -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iQIVAwUBRwVl7VPETzpAxiDcAQIurQ//exkh4p2qsQsa46NNrK4CM0MzP7Bj/PTl Q2cIUWcWEfT/phPBj3GZ+rdUqSsB/65YveMG8E0g++DUI2L4zaKoXDhIQXOW/hOv +mZSwxURvMK6ly7jq/dNsG/8kajftjdK6MUGzpMCNRKssyixauLmSCRPoSYOT90L Ay7TJFihD4RFGJgJxrbwzajxvrmaJm46ykBLQp16B4SsTrB7yJoXWsaOD2fw47DA 9XB82lTgR6MdfqCGnDLYJ+SDVV0UTNtto5yxNGeb6f/BkwNwPLrmwKXW7kAuaG5X ZF2K0Gk8wtR1GnxPoQ8MC4jHsFjDXLYSbol7M8tWGDrXKTF7pz4WumRtMPIkEHv4 75iceaPEUuQhJxzGNzY3cJV5U7gBvFzB3q+4yMIfetIrNkh8ArYj20Bb7UT9dJyU 74N6ydCcNatdyl62m+gXUz7MZ0a/zTMl6Vc/RASEOhsaI69/YiLrA1w+zO0wmUqD eXHui7Vd/5Sf2Ds6WpM3l2Ovo6ONxlQOGX7HekaFMtGUh9Idx7PSBDfLgcRQ0Ny/ /vlse5y8aKFKG3dZkMK/FZhVrNLORGIi7dlKz5ijeRLD/2ZsxEF3t3qU2XV3Bl1X tO9FEPX2pzRyacbx0a4I3HWiDhsYeio7WhqdX2+rqWAVeYPTPo8GZFZ3mz+b0ano ESkT3LJUVl0= =YpXB -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Re: Sputnik-1
by G0MRF＠aol.com 04 Oct '07

04 Oct '07

Hi. Nice compromise here in Europe too. Rebroadcast of Sputnik with message of congratulation, interspersed with QSOs with GB5OSO on mode UV. Good job and thank you everyone. David G0MRF ======================================================= In a message dated 04/10/2007 20:37:08 GMT Standard Time, db(a)db.net writes: Hi, So midway into our OARC (http://www.oarc.net) club executive meeting, we all took a break out to the street to have a listen to the rebroadcast of Sputnik-1 with an arrow and HT. Mike VE3FFK got this recording. http://www.db.net/~db/SPUTNIK%2050%20ANNIVERSARY%20expanded.mp3 Present were Dave, VE3TLY, Janice VA3PAX, Mike VE3FFK, Alan VE3ZTU, Ian VE3IGJ and yours truly, Diane VA3DB. - 73 Diane VA3DB (Amsat coordinator)

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AO-51/Sputnik event
by D. Craig Fox 04 Oct '07

04 Oct '07

Thanks to the AO-51 crew for sending out a very nostalgic and historic message on the 8.25 PST or so pass I just listened to in SoCal- DM13. Very cool. I was 5 yrs old when that sound was first heard and the significance of Russia's accomplishment became significant only later in my life. Thanks again. Craig N6RSX AMSAT No. 36607 NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you.

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Sputnik-1
by Diane Bruce 04 Oct '07

04 Oct '07

Hi, So midway into our OARC (http://www.oarc.net) club executive meeting, we all took a break out to the street to have a listen to the rebroadcast of Sputnik-1 with an arrow and HT. Mike VE3FFK got this recording. http://www.db.net/~db/SPUTNIK%2050%20ANNIVERSARY%20expanded.mp3 Present were Dave, VE3TLY, Janice VA3PAX, Mike VE3FFK, Alan VE3ZTU, Ian VE3IGJ and yours truly, Diane VA3DB. - 73 Diane VA3DB (Amsat coordinator) -- - db(a)FreeBSD.org db(a)db.net http://www.db.net/~db

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