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UO-11 Back On
by K7XQ 26 Sep '07

26 Sep '07

Just a note that UO-11 was heard from the mobile on 145.825 with its very distinguishable telemetry audio signal on Sept 25th @ 0330 and @1530 UTC with full quieting signals while listening for PCSAT and Ande. K7XQ Jeff Atwater, CA. Grid: CM97qi EME, Satellites, Meteor Scatter CW and JT-65 ( WSJT ) 50 MHz: 2 X M2 6M7 1000 watts 2 X 3-500 144 MHz: 4 X XPOL M2 2MPX28 1500 Watts Single GS35b 222 MHz: 1 X M2 5 W.L. 350 watts Single 8930 432 MHz: 4 X M2 9 W.L. modified for XPOL 1200 Watts single GS35b 1296 MHz: 3.0 meter dish VE4MA circular feed 350 Watts at feed single GS15 water-cooled 2304 MHz: 3.0 meter dish VE4MA circular feed 200 watts at feed Spectrian SSPA ( under construction ) 10 GHz: early 2008 K7XQ Webpage: http://www.elite.net/~k7xq/k7xq.html

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help
by w3vvp 26 Sep '07

26 Sep '07

I am running Itrack. The visibility screen and map screen do not agree.Ao 51 was shown as visible for me at 00.00,the map screen showed it over Brazil.I have latest keps. What have I go set wrong? Any help greatlu appreciated. Thanks. George

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Re: Microwave link demos (and strange things)
by Robert Bruninga 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

> ... how do you know they were mexicans? I was afraid I would get into trouble for that... > Or was it because they were doing work that > [others] won't do because it's too hard? Actually, you are right, Because we all suspect that normally a government crew wouldn't be doing any work. They would be sitting around on break doing nothing but complaining waiting on someone else to do it. But the contractors (usually with mexican labor) actually drive up, do the job, and are gone. So I did not mean to sound prejudiced, except that when I used the word mexicans, I mean "something is about to get done, and fast" so watch out... In this case, they had the tree replaced in under an hour and left no trace... I was worried my transmitter would go to the dump with the dead tree. Bob, WB4APR > On 9/25/07, Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> wrote: > > Strange things happen... > > Was giving a satellite lab where we put two tiny "labsats" > (spysats) with 2.4 GHz cameras about 1/4 and 3/4 miles away and > then use a dipole with and without an 18" dish to show gain and > the difference in path loss. > > See the set-up in the right hand photo at the top of this page: > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/ea467.html > > My technician placed the cameras out at 7 AM before class (both > are across bodies of water, so the access distance is much > greater than the line of sight path). I was giving the demo > for the first group of Midshipmen and while looking at the image > from the one camera, we noticed it moving and then saw a face. > Looked out across the water (on the point of land right behind > the dish in the photo) and saw a truck load of mexicans closely > inspecting the camera. We were sure a full scale security alert > would follow, because the string of "D" cell batteries inside a > PVC pipe strapped to a dead tree sure looks like a pipe bomb. > > Then we noticed something even worse. The truck they were in > was carrying a NEW tree! > > Fortunately, as everyone who works on a government facility > knows, the diggers and the fillers are never the same crew. > They tossed the new tree off the truck and drove away. SO my > technician madly raced over to move the camera, while I madly > scurried inside to call the local security to put out any brush > fires... > > Fortunately, we got the camera moved to a nearby light pole > before the fillers got there and replaced the tree. Second lab > period began, new tree in place as if nothing had happened. No > security drill either.. > > The academy does things like that. Complete flower beds > replaced overnight so that there are no dead flowers and there > is always something in bloom. Oh, and no wonder all the trees > are in good health... If it ain't, then it is replaced! > > I was sure I was going to be spending the day chasing a > landscaping crew to the nearby landfill to retrieve my camera > and other goodies... > > Anyway, these little $75 cameras at 2.4 GHz are a great way to > bring microwaves and small dishes into the classroom. Just be > careful where you put them. Oh, and plan on seeing LOTS of > intereference from LANS. > > For clear links, choose some of the $75 wireless cameras on 1.2 > GHz which don't compete with LANS. But I think the FCC has cut > off the supply of these coming in from China... > > 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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UO-11
by Joaquim das Virgens-PS7JN 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Dear friends, yesterday I was drive with radio scanning when I listen the UO-11 satellite with strong signals. bad by I was driving and not have conditions stop and get the notebook and connect to radio to decode the telemetry. but it was listen good in september 24, 2007 22:36z from Teresina-PI Brazil (GI84OW / 5o 05´S 42o 47´W) 73, Joca PS7JN/PS8

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Packet Sats
by John Marranca, Jr 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Sil, et al: Thank you for the help. I see that a terminal program was necessary to UPLINK. Got it. I downloaded the UISS, and it seems VERY user friendly. I am actually excited to try this mode. I have noticed, as least as far as the ISS is concerned, that the signal is exceptionally strong for a "satellite". Even when I'm off frequency a bit, Packet Engine Pro can still copy the downlink. Finally, I just want to pass along my experience this morning. I wake up every morning at 0600 EST. As I was walking (rather...hobbling) down my stairs, I heard Orbitron give the beep-tone...letting me know that a sat was near. So, I sat in my chair, and turned the Vista Machine's monitor on. And...it was the ISS. Coming for an ALMOST 90 degree pass. So...hooked up the audio cable to the headphone jack....and copied the packet bursts. At almost 90....I ran outside, and I could see it fly across the sky, as the sun was coming up. THAT was really cool. Makes me proud that I have tried something new in Ham Radio that is SO MUCH fun. 73s all. 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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false positive YES
by andy thomas 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Set my ICOM 910H and Wimo 70cm helix to my TCA for 437 MHz CW; and at 20:07:13 utc (5 mins late on nominal keps) on 436.994.8 MHz detected with Spectran a weak intermittent 2kHZ tone: but unfortunately moved UP in audio frequency to 2k4, indicating local qrm, not doppler. Beware false positives! andy g0sfj andy G0SFJ ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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[Fwd: Re: Helping track YES2]
by David Johnson 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Hi, There may be part of the YES2 / MASS project still operating, please read the following. Any help would be appreciated. 73 Dave G4DPZ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Helping track YES2 Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:08:21 +0200 From: Roger.Walker(a)esa.int To: Neil.Melville(a)esa.int CC: Age-Raymond.Riise(a)esa.int, A.R.Bonnema(a)isispace.nl, david.johnson(a)blackpepper.co.uk, Fabio.De.Pascale(a)esa.int, gb4fun(a)rsgb.org.uk, g.shirville(a)btinternet.com, howard(a)howardlong.com, kk(a)karlos.dk, kresten(a)control.aau.dk, "Ubbels, W-J." <W.J.Ubbels(a)tudelft.nl>, fabio(a)fabiolinux.com Neil, The YES2 project very much appreciates the efforts of the GENSO community in its attempts to search for and track MASS. We estimate that the battery life would allow for about 10 hours of continuous telemetry transmission, so by now we can assume that MASS is no longer functioning. HOWEVER, the Fotino capsule should also be broadcasting data in orbit for the next 4-5 days, so the YES2 project would like to request the assistance of the GENSO community to search for and track Fotino. We estimate the Fotino orbit to be similar to Foton-M3 but with a lower perigee altitude of 230 km. Hence, we expect Fotino to be ahead of Foton-M3 in the ground track due to the slightly increased orbital period. Rough estimations are for Fotino to advance ahead of Foton-M3 by about 1 minute per orbit since capsule release on 07:22 Zulu today. Fotino should be transmitting data bursts of 312 bits (lasting 35 milliseconds) every 5 seconds at a frequency of 437 MHz (frequency separation 26 kHz). Every data burst starts with a sync word EB 90 (hex) and looks something like: EB 90 XX XX XX C0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX RR RR where XX bytes are not constant and the 2 last bytes (RR) the CRC checksum of the previous 296 bits of data. Data encoding is FSK, Manchester code. Any help from GENSO in finding Fotino would be greatly appreciated. Best regards, Roger. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Roger Walker Project Manager (YES2, ESEO and ESMO) Acting Head of Education Projects Activities Unit (LEX-EP) Education Office, European Space Agency Telephone: +31(0)71 565 3349 - Fax: +31(0)71 565 5590 ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1 - 2201 AZ Noordwijk - The Netherlands Neil Melville/estec/ESA To 25/09/2007 17:49 A.R.Bonnema(a)isispace.nl, david.johnson(a)blackpepper.co.uk, gb4fun(a)rsgb.org.uk, g.shirville(a)btinternet.com, kk(a)karlos.dk, kresten(a)control.aau.dk, "Ubbels, W-J." <W.J.Ubbels(a)tudelft.nl>, howard(a)howardlong.com cc Roger Walker/estec/ESA@ESA, Fabio De Pascale/estec/ESA@ESA, Age-Raymond Riise/esoc/ESA@ESA Subject Re: Helping track YES2(Document link: Roger Walker) Hi again everybody, Ok, I think that no-one heard anything on this pass. So perhaps the battery is already dead, or the tether drag has moved the orbit enough to confuse us. By the next pass the battery will almost certainly be depleted, so I think there is little point in any of you tracking it further. Thank you very much for your help on this. I know that the project team appreciate it. You can track the further status of YES2 on the ESA website: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMBBBC1S6F_index_0.html And also on the project website: http://www.yes2.info/ Kresten, thanks for being so quick off the mark. Abe and Wouter, reliable as ever - you'd started before I even called... Carlos, a star, thanks. I'm well aware that I still owe you presentation material - I haven't been in ESTEC for more than 5 mins since the colloquium, but I will be soon. Howard, Dave and Graham, sorry for disturbing you when you have other pressing non-ham related things to attend to. It was anyway a nice demonstration of the GENSO community and what we can do. I will send management a mail to that effect. I think >=3 stations with an hours notice is pretty good! If only it were all automated already... Many thanks again to all for trying. Cheers, Neil ___________________________________

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2.6m mobile satellite dish
by Stargate 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Hi all, I saw this today and thought someone here might be interested. It looks like the type that is used on mobile satellite vans. http://www.govdeals.com/eas/itmDisplay.cfm?itemID=80&acctID=979 73's RoD KD0XX A good friend will come and bail you out of jail, A TRUE friend will be sitting next to you saying..... "DAMN THAT WAS FUN"

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FW: [PNWVHFS] Complete Amateur Satellite Radio Station
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

-------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: KA0TP(a)aol.com To: PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com Cc: PDXHamInfo(a)topica.com Subject: [PNWVHFS] Complete Amateur Satellite Radio Station Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 10:48:10 +0000 Complete Amateur Satellite Radio Station Including 486 PC pre-installed with tracking software. Every desktop item is a "10" and the antennas, rotators, cables and coax are in excellent condition. This station is being offered as a complete package at this time. If by the next "Swap-toberfest" 2007 this station has not sold, it will be transported to the Rickreall Hamfair for sale. The seller will reserve the option to sell this package as a complete station, but when a reasonable time has passed on that morning, and there are no takers, this station will be parted-out. The following items have been priced separately with the assistance of three ham's using retail and e-Bay (high/low) for comparisons. Yaesu FT-736r (2m,440, 220, 6m) Yaesu MD-1 desk microphone Yaesu G-5400B Az-el rotator package w/controller Mirage A-1015g, 6 meter amplifier Mirage C-1020g, 220 MHz amplifier Mirage 2 meter pre-amp (mast-mount, pre-installed on coax) Mirage 440 MHz pre-amp (mast-mount, pre-installed on coax) 8-foot, aluminum, ridge-mount, "A" frame tower w/ turnbuckle guys and trust-bearing mounted azimuth Yaesu rotator. Elevation rotator has cross-boom pre-installed. Cushcraft 6 meter, 3 element, horiz-Yagi. Cushcraft 2m, A14B-20t X-Yagi. Cushcraft 440, 20 element, 14ft boom, X-Yagi. Cushcraft Ringo Ranger, 2 meter co-linear vertical Diamond X-510na Dual band vertical. Hy-Gain 14AVQ (10, 15, 20, 40) HF Vertical. 4 element 900 MHz band Yagi. Pansat BR-1000s with portable parabolic dish and canalized downverter. Again: All coax and cabling comes with this package. 486 PC, Panasonic printer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, tracking software (pre-installed), satellite tracking manuals, routing switch boxes, etc, etc. RS Pro-2006 Scanner, 400 channel (non-trunking). AOR AR-2500 mobile scanner. Icom IC-M2 Marine band HT. Various cordless phones, recorders, Motorola cell, flip-phone (early '90's). Misc. Handbooks and publications: ARRL Handbook ('92 hardbound) ARRL Antenna book (16th Ed.) ARRL Operating Man. (4th Ed.) "Radio/Tech Modifications" (Alinco, Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, etc.). Lightning/EMP and Grounding Solutions. "The Satellite Experimenter's Handbook" (2nd ed., K2UBC). "Beyond Line of Sight" (QST compilation, W3EP). "Police Call" radio guide. "Betty Bearcat" frequency directory. Complete station package price: $2,800. This equipment is for local pick-up only in the Beaverton, OR area. Appointments will be made to see this station. Call: 503.710.2317 (Leave voice mail if no answer. There is NO e-mail). This station is the property of an Amateur Extra Class license holder who had a 7.6 centimeter Hemangiopericytoma (large, cancerous brain tumor) removed from his left, frontal lobe. The sale of this station is an effort to help support his family during this time of recovery and no income. Although the prognosis is good this ham will be undergoing 6 weeks of radiation treatments, five days each week. We wish to thank you for consideration ________________________ I have posted this for a friend and will help deliver locally with advance arrangement. Tom Popp - KA0TP http://lists.topica.com/lists/PDXHamInfo - Portland region Ham news To Join: send an email to PDXHamInfo-subscribe(a)topica.com See what's new at AOL.com and Make AOL Your Homepage. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ ~The Voice of the Pacific NorthWest VHF Society~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNWVHFS" group. To post to this group, send email to PNWVHFS(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to PNWVHFS-unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/PNWVHFS -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

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Microwave link demos (and strange things)
by Robert Bruninga 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Strange things happen... Was giving a satellite lab where we put two tiny "labsats" (spysats) with 2.4 GHz cameras about 1/4 and 3/4 miles away and then use a dipole with and without an 18" dish to show gain and the difference in path loss. See the set-up in the right hand photo at the top of this page: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/ea467.html My technician placed the cameras out at 7 AM before class (both are across bodies of water, so the access distance is much greater than the line of sight path). I was giving the demo for the first group of Midshipmen and while looking at the image from the one camera, we noticed it moving and then saw a face. Looked out across the water (on the point of land right behind the dish in the photo) and saw a truck load of mexicans closely inspecting the camera. We were sure a full scale security alert would follow, because the string of "D" cell batteries inside a PVC pipe strapped to a dead tree sure looks like a pipe bomb. Then we noticed something even worse. The truck they were in was carrying a NEW tree! Fortunately, as everyone who works on a government facility knows, the diggers and the fillers are never the same crew. They tossed the new tree off the truck and drove away. SO my technician madly raced over to move the camera, while I madly scurried inside to call the local security to put out any brush fires... Fortunately, we got the camera moved to a nearby light pole before the fillers got there and replaced the tree. Second lab period began, new tree in place as if nothing had happened. No security drill either.. The academy does things like that. Complete flower beds replaced overnight so that there are no dead flowers and there is always something in bloom. Oh, and no wonder all the trees are in good health... If it ain't, then it is replaced! I was sure I was going to be spending the day chasing a landscaping crew to the nearby landfill to retrieve my camera and other goodies... Anyway, these little $75 cameras at 2.4 GHz are a great way to bring microwaves and small dishes into the classroom. Just be careful where you put them. Oh, and plan on seeing LOTS of intereference from LANS. For clear links, choose some of the $75 wireless cameras on 1.2 GHz which don't compete with LANS. But I think the FCC has cut off the supply of these coming in from China... Bob, WB4APR

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[Fwd: URGENT URGENT URGENT - Help Track YES2]
by David Johnson 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Hi, Please help if you can and send the results to: neil.melville(a)esa.int 73 Dave G4DPZ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: URGENT URGENT URGENT - Help Track YES2 Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:40:57 +0200 From: M_G_ESA_Neil <neil.melville(a)esa.int> Reply-To: neil.melville(a)esa.int Organization: GENSO Newsgroups: genso Hi all, YES2 is having some problems and is probably still in orbit. The TLE should be similar to Foton-M3, but if anything is a little BEHIND this one: FOTON-M3 1 32058U 07040A 07268.43934284 .00034557 00000-0 56812-4 0 03 2 32058 62.9324 147.8286 0015961 52.7201 307.5403 16.02282082 1776 They are transmitting on 437.000MHz (yes, exactly that). Please, if you can track that TLE, correct for doppler, and record the audio at at least 44KHz it would be GREATLY aprpeciated by the YES2 team. You should be able to see the signal... but the batteries will only last another 4 hours or so: scramble, scramble! Any updates here! Cheers, N -- 73 Dave G4DPZ www.g4dpz.me.uk AMSAT-UK Committee Member www.uk.amsat.org AMSAT_NA Life Member www.amsat.org

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Re: IT problem
by scott smith 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Tnx Paul, your idea worked great. I have also updated my amsat_bb etc. as i have a new e-mail address and "as usual", did something wrong, i'm receiving the messages in doubles. 73 Scott

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LA County Fair - Wrap-up
by Clint Bradford 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Just finished the third weekend at the Los Angeles County Fair. Last Saturday’s weather was, well, rather miserable. But Sunday’s weather was magnificent, and Fair attendance picked up quite a bit. The Amateur Radio Expo stayed fair-ly busy (pun intended). I picked up three club meeting presentations, and am scheduling three school presentations - so, personally, I was glad the effort was made to have AMSAT represented. (Arrive at 7am to set up, leave between 11:30pm - 12:30am each night after breaking it all down...) Successful AO-51 contacts were made every Saturday and Sunday nights, with the only exception being last Sunday night, when the sat was just too low to work at low power. Last Saturday, THREE COUNTRIES were worked on the evening AO-51 pass: Mexico, the U.S., and Canada! Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Packet Sats. Need help.
by John Marranca, Jr 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Hello all. I have been dabbling a bit with the Packet aboard the ISS. I was able to copy the downlinks for the past few days. BUT...what I don't understand is using Packet Engine Pro and my Athlon, how do I setup to transmit? I can't seem to find any place in the program to enter text, my callsign, etc. What else do I need to know??? Thanks John KB2HSH -- _______________________________

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High Altitude Balloon Launch
by Stephen Smith 25 Sep '07

25 Sep '07

Lots of fun with the Cross-band Repeater: Arizona Near Space Research (ANSR) is pleased to announce the flight of ANSR-39. This high altitude balloon flight will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 9:00 AM MST (1600 UTC). The launch site will be announced closer to the flight date and will be based on winds aloft, tentative site is Maricopa, AZ south of Phoenix, AZ. The balloon will be a 1200-gram weather balloon, filled with helium. The expected burst altitude will be 90,000 feet or more. The flight is anticipated to last about 2.5 hours from launch to touchdown. The flight will checkout new ANSR beacons and also have the voice cross-band repeater. Approximate coverage map: http://www.kd7lmo.net/ansr/ansr_repeater.html There will be a pre-flight net on Friday, February 18th at 7pm MST (0200 UTC) on the Sacaton Peak,AZ repeater, 447.725 MHz/100.0 Hz PL tone. Talk In Prior to launch / Tracking As required on same Sacaton Peak repeater. Look for Joe KB7RMZ and/or Louis W7LMW to publish regular flight path predictions over the next week. The following is the payload frequency plan: Cross Band NB-FM Voice Repeater Input: 145.560 MHz/162.2 Hz PL tone Output: 445.525 MHz Linked to IRLP Node 9255 APRS when repeater not in use on 445.950 MHz at 10, 20, 40, and 50 seconds UTC time via KD7LMO-11 Landing prediction after burst at 15 and 45 seconds UTC time via KD7LMO-0 Info: http://kd7lmo.net/pc.html New APRS Beacon Frequency and timing will be published before the flight. Info: http://kd7lmo.net/aprsbeacon.html New 900MHz Beacon Frequency and timing will be published before the flight. Exisiting ANSR Beacon APRS Frequency and timing will be published before the flight. Our mobile cross band Digipeater will repeat the APRS data to the 144.390 MHz standard APRS frequency and thus will be I-GATED to the Internet for out of area trackers. You can track the flight using either of the following links: http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/find.cgi?kd7lmo-11 http://map.aprsworld.net/kd7lmo-11 Forwarded by N8DEZ/6 Steve

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AO-51 mode requests for October
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

It's that time again! If you have any requests for the month of October, please submit them to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org as soon as possible. We already have several requests for the month, but will try to accommodate every one, as always. 73, Drew KO4MA

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SA won't be built into future GPS birds
by Nate Duehr 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

Just sharing a news snippet... (source AvWeb) Nate WY0X -------- No More Dumbing Down GPS The Department of Defense says its next generation of GPS satellites won’t come with an on/off switch for civilian users. Because the system was originally deployed as a military system, the military wanted the ability to degrade the accuracy of the signal or eliminate it entirely to prevent it from being used against them. But with GPS in everything from cellphones to tracking chips in store merchandise, the DoD long ago gave up any hope of keeping it a discretionary asset and effectively turned off the "selective ability" function in 2000. However, beginning with satellites deployed in 2013, even that capability won’t be included in the system, something that should calm the fears of some that their moving map could suddenly disappear without warning. "This action to permanently remove SA eliminates a source of uncertainty in GPS performance that has been of concern to civil GPS users worldwide for some time," DoD said in a news release. That undoubtedly means the military has something even better than GPS to run its own systems and it will be interesting to see what trickles down to the civilian market.

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FW: QSO via ISS
by Eric H Christensen 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

Good news on the ARRL front... >Hi Eric. > >After review, ARRL will be permit contacts through the ISS (Earth - ISS >- Earth) to be counted towards satellite endorsement for WAS and DXCC. > >This applies to contacts made via the onboard repeater equipment >provided that the equipment does not hold and re-transmit information. > >Contacts with the ISS do not receive any award credit. > >Further information will be available on the LoTW website. > >Thank you for bringing this to light. > >73, > >Norm Fusaro, W3IZ >Assistant Manager, >Membership & Volunteer Programs Department >ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio >225 Main St. >Newington, CT 06011 > >w3iz(a)arrl.org >860-594-0230 >

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IT problem
by scott smith 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

Hi, i have installed InstantTrack on my new computer, and when i load the keps, they work fine until i exit and next time i get into InstantTrack quite a few of the keps are missing, and i have to reinstall the keps?. anyone know what's going on. ve6itv Scott

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Amateur radio and the ISS in a play in San Francisco
by Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

Hi all, The Magic Theatre in SF has a tradition of presenting plays that have significant amount of science in them, and the newest full play is of particular interest. It's called _Expedition 6_ and is about the team of astronauts and a cosmonaut that were on board the ISS when the Columbia exploded. One brief scene shows an amateur radio contact between NA1SS and club station N4ISS. I didn't think the show was an unqualified success but was pretty good. http://www.magictheatre.org/season0708/expedition.shtml And half-price tickets can be picked up at the Tix Bay Area booth at Union Square. 73, doug

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Re: Running Rotors on A/C Inverters ?
by Reicher, James 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

I've had good results running my HD73 rotor, using a 300W inverter, purchased from a big-box store discounter, for about $40. I bought it initially to run a 13" TV with a built-in VCR in the car for my harmonics when on long trips. It uses a lot more wattage (140 watts) than the rotor does and I've never had an issue with it cutting out or blowing a fuse. 73 de N8AU, Jim in Raymore, MO Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:24:23 -0500 From: "Rhett Duke" <rhettduke(a)gmail.com> Subject: [amsat-bb] Running Rotors on A/C Inverters ? To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <1ce2b74b0709231224p716e916bob520781d46a6044(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hello All, I have a old Alliance HD-73 azimuth rotor and a Kenpro KR-500 elevation rotor.At present time I cant set up at my home on a permanent basis but would like to run a setup on a spare utility trailer that I can work from in a field behind my house...problem is no A/C power.....I am curious what size a/c inverter would be recommended for this type of load......I'm currently taking the ARRL Analog Electronics course and am learning how to figure such things but I'm not comfortable making calculations for a real world situation that involves motors at this time. I am also aware that you have to be carefull with what "quality" of inverter you choose.....some of the cheaper units you buy at discount places are WAY overrated.....I'm looking for something thats a good VALUE....Thanks 73 KI4OVO AMSAT # 36579 -- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

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FS: G3RUH Dish Mount and Feed Mounts
by Eric H Christensen 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

I have an extra set of dish mounts and feed mounts for a G3RUH 60cm dish if anyone wants them. I'll sell them for what it costs if you bought them directly from James anyone needs them. 73s, Eric W4OTN

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ISS PBBS upload
by Mineo Wakita 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/iss_aprs.htm de JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Re: AO7 Info for kb2hsh
by Reicher, James 24 Sep '07

24 Sep '07

I've worked Mode A on AO7 with an 817 and had similar results. I added a 30 watt amplifier and it was enough. My suggestions are to add an amp and (if possible) upgrade your antenna to a yagi, at least 5 elements. BTW, I've got an RF Concepts RFC 2-23 available for sale... 2 watts in, 30 out, with built-in pre-amp. I don't have my 817 anymore so this is surplus to me. 73 de N8AU, Jim in Raymore, MO Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:35:47 -0400 From: "tjjapha(a)earthlink.net" <tjjapha(a)earthlink.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] AO7 Info for kb2hsh To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <380-220079413173547221(a)earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII You may have hit the nail on the head. I don't do Mode A, but that's what I found on Mode B. 5watts just didn't hack it (small antennas at even a great portable QTH) on Mode B. That was uniformly the case for me at a number of QTHs. I added a 20 watt amp. and it works great. The 817 was used in all cases. Nobody says I'm too strong with the 20 watts! Good luck, Tony, N2U

2 1

rotator brake release kills computer
by D. Craig Fox 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Problem solved. went back to basics, ran a ground buss connecting the rotor control case, radio case and computer case, and voila' no more USB disconnect. sheesh, thanks all 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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Re: Mounting antennas on a tower
by John Kopala 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Eric, Here is another approach to the problem. 1. You need a rotor base plate that can be mounted at any level in the tower. Basically, it should rest on and be secured to the cross braces between the tower legs. 2. Next use a thrust bearing at the top of the tower. 3. Your mast needs to be heavy enough to withstand whatever winds you may encounter from storms when extended several feet beyond the top of the tower. At least half of the mast will remain in the tower. 4. The mast can be positioned vertically within the tower using a pulley at the top of the tower and a rope secured to the mast near the base. Helpers on the ground use the rope to raise and lower the mast while a person on the tower guides and secures the mast at the desired height using the thrust bearing. 5. You then attach the elevation rotor with its cross boom and antennas in as many steps as required to do so. 6. Using the rope to control the mast height, loosen the thrust bearing screws and raise the entire structure so that the satellite antennas have the necessary clearance above the HF beam. 7. Secure the thrust bearing screws and attach the HF beam. 8. Again raise the mast so that he HF antenna is at the desired height plus about 1 foot and secure it in place. 9. Attach the rotor base and rotor to the tower just below the base of the mast. 10. Lower the mast to the top of the rotor and secure it in place. That is how I set up my current HF installation. Rather than having a satellite setup on top, I have an Cushcraft R-7 vertical which extends another 22 feet above the top of the mast and is spaced about 5 feet above my triband beam. You can put anything up there you want. I was not thinking satellites when I set this up many years ago, so my satellite antennas are on a roof mount. I prefer center mounted antennas because I can mechanically balance the entire antenna system. I have balanced it front to back, side to side, and up and down. Basically I mount my antennas on a fiberglass cross boom and adjust the antenna positions (with coax attached) so that the whole setup is balanced front to back. Then I use another pipe and clamps to determine the rotor position so that the setup is balanced from side to side. Finally, I mount the heaviest antenna on the bottom side of the crossboom and the remaining antennas on the top side to further eliminate imbalance as the antennas rotate vertically. The idea is to minimize the stress on the rotor gears and bearings. Ideally, the rotor is not lifting or supporting any extra weight when it moves the antennas. The antenna structure could be moved with one finger if the rotor was not holding it in place. With end mounted antennas, the rotor brake and gears must support and lift the entire weight of the antennas every time the antenna elevation changes. I'll also send you a picture of my current satellite setup. This is NOT the ideal setup because the rotor is not mounted in a tower section and there is no lateral support above the rotor for the mast. But it does give you a look at a setup with center mounted antennas on a cross boom with an elevation rotor all mounted above a 6 meter beam. The satellite antennas do rotate a full 180 degrees of elevation and clear the 6 meter beam. The longest antenna is an old KLM 2 meter circular polarized antenna that is 12 feet in length. Note that with the cables attached, the balance points move somewhat toward the rear of the antennas. Also, note the preamps just below the azimuth rotor. And DON'T FORGET the preamps. John Kopala N7JK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric Christensen" <eric(a)christensenplace.us> To: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 7:03 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Mounting antennas on a tower > I'm contemplating antennas and a tower at the new homestead and I have a > question. > > If I can figure out how to mount an elevation rotator at the top of a > pole and have the azimuth rotator rotating said pole from the tower > would I have any problems with putting a small HF tri-band beam on the > pole, below the elevation rotator, and then mount all my satellite > antennas to the elevation rotator's pole? Has anyone done a combination > like this? > > 73s, > Eric Christensen, W4OTN > AMSAT Area Coordinator - Southeastern Virginia USA > AMSAT Member 35360

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my rotator control killed my computer
by D. Craig Fox 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Greetings all. Thanks for all of the great info in this BB which has allowed me to get my sat station up and running. Now I have an odd problem. Just got CAT working on SATPC32 and was ready to make some contacts until I pressed the "brake release" lever on my CDE (az) rotor control box. Instantly disconnects or turns off the computer port to which the TS2000 is connected thru a USB/serial cable, and causes any number of port error messages. This "brake release" lever must be pressed before the antenna may be turned. When the lever is pressed, there is always a loud hum from the box and rotor which suggests to me that a very strong magnetic field around the rotor cable (which runs near the USB/serial cable), or the control box, is responsible for the computer and port problem. One other twist. Everything works perfect on my laptop, but want the larger desktop display. Has anyone experienced this have an idea for a fix? Thanks all! Craig N6RSX Amsat no. 36607

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[amsat-bb] NOVA, Labjack and accutator utility working in XP in realtime
by ok1vaw＠volny.cz 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Dear friends, Maybe this can help to somebody who is solving the problem of control of the antenna tracking as I was doing some time ago. On the beginning there was a wish to be able to work the satellites. I had a very old rotator with AC motor and pot (such as Kenpro, this was sold in Germany under the Conrad brand with name Commander around 1989), which works still well. Then I solved a problem to control the elevation. After refusing the possibility to buy and extra rotator for elevation due to the high cost and impossibility to be used in my conception, I have decided to use Accutator (Superjack). After the years of different hardware changes (PCs, Pascal to Delphi, Dos to XPs, A/D D/A card to Labjack U12) I have solution, which seems to work with DDE to Nova (NLSA) in the realtime. 1. A realtime utility tracks the DDE server of Nova and waits for a current change of elevation or azimuth. 2. The rotator pot for azimuth is measured by the Labjack (10bits resolution) and by use of simple relay circuits the PC by use of digital IO of Labjack controls the motor to right position. 3. The elevation control is much more sophisticated, because it must read the pulses of the reed contact of the Superjack in the realtime (about 5/sec) and recompute the pulse count for angle (quite non-linear complicated form). Although it is not so straightforward and fast (=terribly slow data reading due to using the XP about 100x lower) as it was in the DOS/Pascal environment, but it can be used and it works. 4. So after some development, there is a very rough (I like to have still the CRT type display by use of Wincrt unit for Delphi) program, which works with Nova in the realtime and tracks the sats. 5. If somebody wants to ask for some details,how it was done, I am ready to help. You can view my antenna farm on www.qsl.net/ok1vaw. Regards, Vojtech, OK1VAW. Sorry for my english.

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Running Rotors on A/C Inverters ?
by Rhett Duke 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Hello All, I have a old Alliance HD-73 azimuth rotor and a Kenpro KR-500 elevation rotor.At present time I cant set up at my home on a permanent basis but would like to run a setup on a spare utility trailer that I can work from in a field behind my house...problem is no A/C power.....I am curious what size a/c inverter would be recommended for this type of load......I'm currently taking the ARRL Analog Electronics course and am learning how to figure such things but I'm not comfortable making calculations for a real world situation that involves motors at this time. I am also aware that you have to be carefull with what "quality" of inverter you choose.....some of the cheaper units you buy at discount places are WAY overrated.....I'm looking for something thats a good VALUE....Thanks 73 KI4OVO AMSAT # 36579 -- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

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Mode-L/U takers at the East Coast of NA
by OZ1MY 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Hi in the East part of North America, I am looking for one or more QSO partners on the East Coast. I have never made a QSO with someone on the other side of the pond in this mode :-( I am in Copenhagen, JO65fr. Mode-L/U works very good and I can work down to 3 degrees of elevation. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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Lessons Learned in my first week of Sat work
by Rhett Duke 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Monday the 17th: Took Kenwood D7 H/T ,compass and arrow antenna out into a 10 acre field and waited for an AO-51 pass.....it was right where it was supposed to be and I was able to follow it with no problem.....heard QSO's for most of the pass....had somewhat of a sound similar to sideband transmissions.I'm excited.....just a week before I thought I would need a digital compass and inclination meter to pinpoint the bird all through the pass :) Tuesday the 18th: Went out again and thought I would try to make a contact myself.....tracked the bird ok threw out my call and grid square but never heard myself in the downlink.......after the pass I get on a local repeater with the same H/T and the guys say I'm having a hard time getting into the repeater.......I don't usually use the Kenwood for voice...its primarily my portable APRS radio......I've known since day one it didnt have the "range" my Yaesu H/T's did..... Wednesday the 19th I decide to check the power output on the Kenwood H/T.....1 watt on high on VHF...5-7 watts on UHF depending on battery or external power......Now I'm thinking this explains a lot....I bet the VHF was bad all along.....I'm just amazed how well it had worked for APRS the past few months with 1 watt. Thursday the 20th I use the Kenwood to receive on UHF and a Yaesu VX-170 to transmit on VHF.....bypass the duplever on the Arrow antenna but I just couldnt point the antenna hold both ht's....the mike cord....headphone cable and coax from both radios were more than a handfull :) Friday the 20th I set up on a camera tripod.....got the wire jungle a little more under control and was able to hear myself in the downlink.....no one came back to me....there were a lot of stations in the mix...... Cant wait to get the Kenwood D-7 back.....I think its gonna be a lot easier to get a contact under my belt with just one radio to contend with.......But all that said I'M EXCITED......Hearing my own voice in the downlink just proved that it can be done !!!!!!!!! 73 KI4OVO AMSAT # 36579 -- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

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Re: New Preamp
by i8cvs 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Hi Tom, K5SAF I have sent to you two zipped files concerning the W1DTY article but they bounced back to me. Please send to me another email address. 73" de i8CVS Domenico ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Matthews" <tcm10(a)comcast.net> To: "'i8cvs'" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2007 4:56 PM Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: New Preamp > Domenico, I would love to have a copy of the article you mentioned. > > TNX & 73, > > Tom, K5SAF

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Worked Three Countries
by Clint Bradford 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

It didn't "hit" me until several hours later...I actually worked THREE COUNTRIES last Saturday night with demo'ing workin' the sats: On the 8:20pm AO-51 pass, we worked Mexico, the U.S., and a gentleman in British Columbia! I'll be working the 8:07pm Pacific time pass this evening again from the Los Angeles County Fair - It's about as great a pass as I could ask for...passing darned near over our event! Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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K3SZH / AO-7
by SV1BSX 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Hi again, well, just 2 days before I wrote about 3000 entries of Henri, F3ZD into Emily's AO-7 Log and today I noticed that another record took place: 4000 entries, by Joe K3SZH ! ( http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php ) Congratulations to Joe ! He he... great competition on AO-7! The "Grand Old Lady" should be very proud... after 33 years she is active, healthy, beautiful and extremely attractive among Hams ! Like the old, good French wine ! 73, Mak SV1BSX Email: sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr URL : http://sv1bsx.50webs.com --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000775-6, 09/22/2007 Tested on: 9/23/2007 17:03:57 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com

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New Preamp
by Bryant 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Thanks for all the comments to my questions about "New Preamps" both on the BB and off list. I have ordered two from AR2 and I'm not going to worry about signal attenuation by the nearby pine trees. v. 73 Bryant, W2RGG

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drafting sputnik-1 tle
by andy thomas 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

Looking at my previous posting I can see that the RAE data is different from the data on the SEESAT site as I am trying to put it into tle format. As suggested, it'll be great to run it as a simulation using contemporary keps exactly 50 years old. I remember some years ago writing a simple prediction program using some of the TLE data and getting a print out from NASA identifying the elements in the two line set, and now I see it's reproduced on the amsat'org website. But I do not know how to calculate the RAAN, the Mean Anomolay and the Checksum, and I make an assumption of zero drag. So far I have: SPUTNIK-1 1 000001U 57 1 A 57277.8 .CCCCCCCC 000000-0 000000-0 0 Z 2 00000165.1000 III.IIII 052000 58.000 MMMM.MMMM 14.92723492 Z The bits I don'tknow how to calculate are: .CCCCCCCC this is the drag factor - can it just be set to zero initially? III.IIII this is the infamous RAAN - I gather it is calulated from the Mean Motion and a reference time but don't know any more MMM.MMMM this is the Mean anomoly and again I wonder if it can't just be set to zero at least at first? Finally Z which is line checsksum - I don't easily understand the definition "the sum of all integer characters on a line plus a 1 for each negaitve sign - it's the modulo-10 of the sume ofthedigits and negative signs" (I might get there and will try when I've done the rest). Would appreciate it if amsatters who are better mathematicians than I am, could conclude the TLE, then I plan to use STS+ in time simulation mode to run it. 73 de andy G0SFJ ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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FW: ATF-54143 preamp for 70cm
by Don Ferguson 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

From: Don Ferguson [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 8:55 PM To: 'Kyle Yoksh' Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] ATF-54143 preamp for 70cm Kyle, Jim, W6PQL offers a kit for these preamps. Check out his site at this url. http://www.w6pql.com/l_%26_s_band_lna.htm I built this preamp and it went together well but I have not put it on the air yet. 73, Don Kd6ire -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Kyle Yoksh Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 10:19 AM To: amsat-bb Subject: [amsat-bb] ATF-54143 preamp for 70cm Hello, A while back someone was offering a kit for a 70cm preamp that uses an ATF-54143 PHEMT device. I have a few of these 54143s, but haven't found time to acquire the rest of the parts, etc. Please let me know if anyone offers a PCB or full kit. Thanks and 73, Kyle Yoksh K0KN Olathe, Kansas Amsat# 35249 _______________________________________________ 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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GO-32 APRS findu
by Mineo Wakita 23 Sep '07

23 Sep '07

4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL:>Sat Sep 22 23:36:44 2007 :UTC| Gurwin Techsat1B (V9.87) 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL:BBS(V9.87 beta) 2Users/8BCasts. 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL:Upl:145.89,145.93,1269.8,1269.9 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL::BLN1 GO32:Test APRS!!Use pth via 4XTECH 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL::BLN2 GO32:APRS msgs and clients use 145.85 Upl 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL::BLN3 GO32:D7&D700 posits use 145.93 4XTECH-12>STATUS,qAO,JE9PEL:>B:22976647 4XTECH-12>BBSTAT,qAO,JE9PEL:Open:AB1C23: 4XTECH-12>BBSTAT,qAO,JE9PEL:Open:AB1C23: 4XTECH-12>STATUS,qAO,JE9PEL:>B:22976771 4XTECH-12>STATUS,qAO,JE9PEL:>B:22976895 4XTECH-12>BBSTAT,qAO,JE9PEL:Open:AB1C23: 4XTECH-12>STATUS,qAO,JE9PEL:>B:22977019 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL:>Sat Sep 22 23:38:52 2007 :UTC| Gurwin Techsat1B (V9.87) 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL:BBS(V9.87 beta) 2Users/8BCasts. 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL:Upl:145.89,145.93,1269.8,1269.9 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL::BLN1 GO32:Test APRS!!Use pth via 4XTECH 4XTECH-12>BEACON,qAO,JE9PEL::BLN2 GO32:APRS msgs and clients use 145.85 Upl http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/raw.cgi?call=4XTECH-12

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Keps for Sputnik I
by Pughkeithd＠cs.com 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Does anyone have a set of Keplerian Data that would produce a reasonably accurate simulation of the initial flight of Sputnik I, launched on 4 October 1957? I would like to be able to use these Keps in any of the popular Satellite Tracking Programs to illustrate the initial orbit of Sputnik I. Of course the launch time for purposes of this set of Keps could be on the 50th Anniversary of Launch, 4 October 2007. 73 - Keith, W5IU

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GO-32 aprs
by ryan woods 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Is Go-32 aprs digi still enable 73 kd8atf fm09om see you on iss --------------------------------- Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

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Sputnik-1 orbit parameters
by andy thomas 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Following from the RAE table of earth satellites 1957-1980 Sputnik 1: 1957 a2 (a=alpha) launch date Oct 4.81 1957 Orbital determination - 1957 oct 4.8 Inclination - 65.1 (degs) Nodal period 96.2 mins Semimajor axis 6955 km Perigee height 215 Km Apogee height 939 Km Eccentricity 0.052 Arg of Perigee (deg) 58 1957 Oct 25.8: 65.1 95.4 6916 213 863 0.047 49 1957 dec 25.1 65.0 91.0 6702 190 458 0.02 23 descent date: 1958 jan 4 lifetime 92 days These look to me like Amsat type elements and I'm sure someone can turn them into standard nasa TLE's but i'm 3 mins away from a cubesat rx so 73 de andy G0SFJ ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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Re: Mounting antennas on a tower & Don't forget the PREAMP!
by John W Lee 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

I Agree with Steve, An Arrow antenna is about as end mounted as you can get, and look at all the success folks have had with them. I've made at least 1000 QSO's with my Arrow. Second comment: I've seen all the traffic regarding preamps, noise figures, etc etc etc. And the real bottom line is this: They help you hear better. No doubt about it. 73 John K6YK On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 12:56:31 -0400 Steven Raas <sraas(a)optonline.net> writes: > I can attest to the performance of end mount antennas! I have made > well over > 500 Sat contacts all with my end mount yagis. Photos and full > station > description avail on my website, the url is in the Signature of my > email. > > Any questions please feel free! > > 73 > > Steven J.Raas > QRV From FN20vg on 2/432 Terestrial-Sats-Digital-EME > Member of - ARRL & AMSAT > Supporter of N3FJP Software http://www.n3fjp.com > Home Page - http://n2jdq2007.tripod.com/ > >

2 1

ATF-54143 preamp for 70cm
by Kyle Yoksh 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Hello, A while back someone was offering a kit for a 70cm preamp that uses an ATF-54143 PHEMT device. I have a few of these 54143s, but haven't found time to acquire the rest of the parts, etc. Please let me know if anyone offers a PCB or full kit. Thanks and 73, Kyle Yoksh K0KN Olathe, Kansas Amsat# 35249

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Re: Mounting antennas on a tower
by Joe Krepps 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Do end mounted antennas have enough gain for satellite work? The few I've seen look a little on the small side. Just wondering. 73, Joe WB3CFN

2 2

APRS Satellite Status
by Bob Bruninga 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Status of APRS satellites: http://pcsat.aprs.org ANDE - yes. http://www.ariss.net ISS - yes GO-32 - yes. Downlink now has bulletins ECHO - not at this time. PCSAT - You will notice however, that our predicted return of PCSAT-1 did not happen. She is in full sun but the sun is not far enough into the southern Hemisphere for recovery. Next full sun period is first week of Novermber when she should recover. Bob, Wb4APR

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Special Call AM3MM
by EB3SA - Carles 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Hi to all During 22/23 September , It will be active: call: AM3MM grid: JN01WO AO-27, SO-50,VO-52, AO-51 (only V/U mode), and if is possible AO-7 (mode B) /The reason is the activation of the monastery of Montserrat located in Catalunya./ Please visit: http://www.qrz.com/callsign/AM3MM http://www.dxfun.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=1746 http://www.urb-ea3mm.org/ http://www.xtec.es/serveis/crp/a8903084/montserrat.htm http://www.muntanyamontserrat.net/ http://www.11setembre.org/index.php Thanks to all. -- Carles Roy eb3sa(a)eb3sa.com www.eb3sa.com

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W7 to JA
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

Hello JA's The last two orbits of AO-7 were in mode A. If it stays there the next orbit will have a short window from JA to W7. I will be on 29.450 cw at 0635-0640Z 9/22. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle

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Mounting antennas on a tower
by Eric Christensen 22 Sep '07

22 Sep '07

I'm contemplating antennas and a tower at the new homestead and I have a question. If I can figure out how to mount an elevation rotator at the top of a pole and have the azimuth rotator rotating said pole from the tower would I have any problems with putting a small HF tri-band beam on the pole, below the elevation rotator, and then mount all my satellite antennas to the elevation rotator's pole? Has anyone done a combination like this? 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

2 2

Re: Terrestrial QRM to FM satellites
by John Marranca, Jr 21 Sep '07

21 Sep '07

Hello all. I, too, have noticed this happen. I saw it first at the Rochester Hamfest this year when Rich N2SPI was giving his demo on the birds (...this is how I became interested in ham sats). During his excellent demo, two hams were chatting about pizza, and the like. I can recall this happening during the Mode K Russian sat days. Quite honestly, I think it's rude and selfish that any person would not follow a gentleman's agreement bandplan. (Reminds me of a local guy about 15 years ago that would talk to his buddies on 144.000 FM.) It's sad, really. John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Re: Terrestrial QRM to FM satellites
by dobarrows＠aol.com 21 Sep '07

21 Sep '07

This problem reminds me of a similar one we had with SO35.? But with SO35 the control ops could reverse the uplink and downlink freqs and give the QRMers a dose of their own medicine. -- Dave W8IJ ________________________________________________________________________ Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail! - http://mail.aol.com

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Terrestrial QRM to FM satellites
by Bob Stewart 21 Sep '07

21 Sep '07

Today on passes of both SO-50 and AO-27, there were terrestrial QSOs going on. It was especially bad on AO-27 with a few people clearly unable to get through due to the strength of the QRM. It almost sounded like there was a repeater setup on 145.850 with Roger beeps happening. So, what is the "proper" thing to do in situations like this? Ignore it and talk to anyone who can overpower them? Stay off the air and hope you can hear callsigns that you can ask carefully to QSY? Something else? I'm pretty new to this stuff, and I'd like to do the right thing. Bob

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Fwd: Re: Terrestrial QRM to FM satellites
by Nate Duehr 21 Sep '07

21 Sep '07

Oops, I replied to Luc and not the list. Meant to send follow-up to the list. LOL! Begin forwarded message: > From: Nate Duehr <nate(a)natetech.com> > Date: September 21, 2007 12:42:19 AM MDT > To: Luc Leblanc <lucleblanc6(a)videotron.ca> > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Terrestrial QRM to FM satellites > > > On Sep 20, 2007, at 3:25 PM, Luc Leblanc wrote: > >>> There are apparently several stations. I heard a part of a call >>> "?A9??" on voice and at another time "/R" on CW on the 20:00Z >>> pass of AO-27 over the US. Someone else was complaining of >>> a strong unmodulated carrier for awhile. I guess I'll have to >>> set the computer up to start recording. I doubt it's malicious. >>> Hopefully it's just "I didn't know". But, as time passes, they >>> will perceive ownership of the frequency, of course. >>> >>> Bob >> On the 2000Z AO-27 pass i was on this pass and i hear 2 folks >> discussing about >> a hamfest and they seems to be on a trunking system as we can copy >> clearly the >> "trunking tone" at the beginning of their transmission. AO-27 was >> over the >> eastern side of NA. If someone is aware of an amateur trunking >> like repeater >> this can give a clue even if the path of AO-27 was covering near >> all North >> America... >> >> P.S. with 50W on a 14 elem cross yagi their signal capture mine!!! >> at a time!!! > > My previous note notwithstanding, this description sounds like it > might be a link transmitter for a voted receiver link on a large > repeater system. > > How high was the tone you heard Luc? 1950 Hz or 2175 Hz? Those > are the two most common voter "pilot" tones for receiver links, one > GE the other Motorola, typically. > > Hams don't use much trunking but in certain areas of the country, > voted receiver sites are heavily used, and they might be on VHF now > that Auxiliary Stations are allowed in VHF, meaning that repeater > links can also be allowed in VHF which wasn't allowable prior to > this year -- or the thing might be throwing a wicked spur or > something. > > Generally, but not always... voted systems tend to be in high- > population density areas, and the coasts and the eastern mid-west > are the most common places to see them used. As you get into the > Mountain West, the repeaters are high enough that voting receivers > may or may not be useful for anything other than small "blackout" > area fill-in coverage... > > But that's not saying a whole lot -- it could literally be anywhere. > > -- > Nate Duehr, WY0X > nate(a)natetech.com > > > -- Nate Duehr nate(a)natetech.com

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GO-32 & D7 successful
by F. R. Aragão - PT2TD 21 Sep '07

21 Sep '07

During a pass today afternoon (max elev 70 deg) I was able to repeat my posits easily using D7g + Arrow antenna on uplink 145.930 up 25deg elev. I received 3 bulletins from 4XTECH-12: Test APRS!!Use pth via 4XTECH D7&D700 posits use 145.93 APRS msgs and clients use 145.85 Upl I was able also to repeat a BLN msg on 145.85. I followed the very clear instructions from Bob Bruninga but I suggest to add: Set DATA BAND A:TX B:RX So DCD Sence was kept D or T BAND Francisco, PT2TD Brasilia, Brazil Flickr agora em português. Você clica, todo mundo vê. http://www.flickr.com.br/

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Re: Terrestrial QRM to FM satellites
by Tony Langdon 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

At 05:57 AM 9/21/2007, John Marranca, Jr wrote: >happening during the Mode K Russian sat days. Quite honestly, I think it's >rude and selfish that any person would not follow a gentleman's agreement Sometimes it's simple ignorance, and a bit of education can go a long way when this happens (and you might get a new satellite operator if you do it right :) ). >bandplan. (Reminds me of a local guy about 15 years ago that would talk to >his buddies on 144.000 FM.) Well that one is not only ignorant, it's illegal, as half of his signal is outside the band... 73 de VK3JED http://vkradio.com

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Re: Terrestrial QRM to FM satellites
by Tony Langdon 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

At 02:45 AM 9/21/2007, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote: >In the past, the non-ham stuff from Mexico had been identified and - with >lots of pressure - the Mexican authorities forced the taxis and Red Cross >ambulances to move their radios to other frequencies. Unfortunately, some >of the new frequencies were somewhere else in the 2m band, but at least >the satellite uplinks were free from those QRM sources. It took a lot of work >by some Mexican hams to find the sources of the transmissions, sending >the documentation to the Mexican "FCC", along with complaints from >outside Mexico showing the international impact of these illegal >transmissions before any action was taken. Well problems here are much more severe. The QRM on 2m is what sounds like thousands of long range cordless phones coming from Indonesia. When a satellite with a 2m uplink has Indonesia in its footprint, the uplink gets clogged with masses of phone calls. Not sure how one would clean that mess up. The same cordless phones have occasionally surfaced down here, but the local hams and the authorities together have been quick to jump on them. 73 de VK3JED http://vkradio.com

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New Preamp
by Bob Stewart 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

My new 70cm preamp came in today! I got the ARR mast-mount version. I wasn't sure I'd hear any improvement, but it's very noticeable. I was able to hear QSOs on SO-50 down to about 15 degrees tonight, whereas before, 20 was really stretching. I am using a turnstile in the attic with reflector elements at about 9.25" below the radiators. I can see that I'm eventually going to have to build more robust versions of my turnstiles and put them on top of the roof. My power supply is a bit odd, so maybe someone will get a kick out of it. I have an Atlas 210X left over from years ago, and the PSU will power either of my bricks. The 210X slides into the PSU which an SO-239 on the back of it. In order to get the power up to the preamp, I added a fused switchbox and sent the power through that SO-239. This allowed me to just screw on a Radio Shack 50 ft length of RG-58 without having to cobble up a connector on the rig end. Bob - AE6RV

10 23

F8ZS silent key
by Bernard Pidoux F6BVP 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

It is with sadness that I must inform our AMSAT colleagues, of the passing away of Jean Edmond Gruau F8ZS, President of Radio Amateur Club de l'Espace and Honorary President of AMSAT-France. Jean was the father of ARSENE radioamateur mini satellite, launched in may 1993. He retired a few years ago from its position as Inspecteur General of the french space agency (CNES) that he contributed to create as well as the European Space Center in Kourou, french Guyana. Jean F8ZS was a very kind man with always a lot of good stories to tell to his visiting friends about his large experience in radio transmissions and preventive failure security in space industry. 73 de Bernard F6BVP, AMSAT France founding President http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc… http://www.amsat-france.org/spipamsat/article.php3?id_article=61

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FW: GO-32, APRS, D700 and WinPack and more
by Alan 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

The GO32 header/beacon now shows uplink frequencies for the new modes. Thanks to ground control for this update and reminder for those of use using multiple modes on. WinPack Users: See the SCRIPT folder under \WINPACK or wherever you installed the program for a script TM-D700.TXT For GO-32, this file requires some editing; specifically "SEND UNPROTO change this from the variable $BBS to APRS VIA 4XTECH etc ", "SEND HB 9600", "SEND MYCALL change it from the variable $MYCALL to your hardcoded call" , and at the end you could optionally add "SEND CONV" You can also add 2 lines to the top of the script "HOTKEY F?" where ? is an unused F-Key in your WinPack scripts and a second line similar to "TITLE GO-32 APRS" so that you can initialize your TNC with a single F-Key. Perhaps someone using the D7 could post their working script for WinPack. ... from an olde packet user from the '80's who as found a new use for the olde MFJ1270C with the 9600 daughter board. Just dusted it off and it works great with the FT-847 and WISP32 too. See y'all on GO-32 ... Enjoy and 73, Alan VE4YZ AMSAT 35968 http://www.mts.net/~ve4wsc/ AMSAT A-485

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GO-32 and APRS working!
by Stefan Wagener 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

APRS is working on GO-32. Saw W3ADO sending text messages. Bob seemed to have fun :-) ................................................ "Fm W3ADO to APRS via 4XTECH* <ui pid=F0 LEN=40 > [18:27:41] > hello world. Bob just typing away... ............................................... Message was received with UISS. TNC was configured for 9600baud. TS2000 and cross yagi on RX and TX. Uplink was 145.850 (for APRS text messages). Worked for me also. ................................................ "Fm VE4NSA to APRS via 4XTECH* <ui pid=F0 LEN=6 > [18:32:00] > Test ............................................... Will try position data on 145.930 on the next pass. 73, Stefan VE4NSA

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GO-32 APRS digipeat
by Mineo Wakita 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

GO-32 19:18-19:33 JST, 20 Sep 2007 10:18-10:33 UTC, 20 Sep 2007 Max ele 55 deg UN APRS VIA 4XTECH Up 145.850, Down 435.225, 9600 bps, FSK TS-790S (KENWOOD) 4XTECH-12>BEACON [09/20/07 19:18:52] <UI R>: >Thu Sep 20 10:19:15 2007 :UTC| Gurwin Techsat1B (V9.87) 4XTECH-12>BEACON [09/20/07 19:18:53] <UI R>: Gurwin Techsat1B's BBS is active again,(version 9.87 beta) . 4XTECH-12>BEACON [09/20/07 19:18:53] <UI R>: u wellcome! 4XTECH-12>BEACON [09/20/07 19:18:53] <UI R>: 2 Users/8 Broadcasts , Uplink freq:145.890,145.850(AP),145.930, 1269.800, 1269.900 JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:19:57] <UI R>:Hello JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:20:19] <UI R>:Hello via GO-32 APRS JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:20:48] <UI R>:Hello via GO-32 APRS JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:22:35] <UI R>:Hello via GO-32 APRS de JE9PEL JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:23:15] <UI R>:Hello via GO-32 APRS de JE9PEL JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:26:01] <UI R>:test succeeded JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:27:40] <UI R>:hello JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:28:19] <UI R>:Digipeat Test Succeeded JE9PEL>APRS,4XTECH* [09/20/07 19:29:11] <UI R>:Digipeat Test Succeeded

2 1

FO-29 sked Sep.21~Oct.21
by Mineo Wakita 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

UTC Sep. 21 03:00- 22 03:50- 23 None 24 03:45-, 05:31- 25 02:52-, 04:35- 26 03:40- 27 04:30 28 03:36- 29 02:43-, 04:25- 30 03:30-, 05:17- Oct. 1 None 2 03:27-, 05:12- 3 04:17- 4 None 5 04:12 6 03:18- 7 04:08- 8 03:15-, 05:00- 9 None 10 03:10-, 04:55- 11 04:00- 12 None 13 None 14 03:00-, 04:45- 15 None 16 04:40- 17 03:45- 18 02:52-, 04:35- 19 03:41- 20 02:47-, 04:31- 21 03:37-

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Re: New Preamp
by k0vty＠juno.com 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

Thanks to Dom and Ed. >From you two gentlemen, a few words please on field proofing antenna systems using sun noise and a EME signal should add nicely to this discussion. Joe K0VTY Amsat #860 =========================== On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:18:32 -0800 Edward Cole <kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net> writes: > Thanks Domenico, > > I was about to insert my comments to Gary. > > I would challenge his belief that manufacturers achieve better NF, > as > the evidence shows the contrary. If you can show me a commercial > radio with 0.5 dBNF on the 150-MHz band, then I would love to know > it. Almost all commercial two-way radios have a sensitivity of > about > 0.15 to 0.25 uV at 15-KHz BW. This will result in about MDS of > > -124 dBm and a NF well over 3-dB. Commercial equipment is designed > > for immunity from high RF/noise urban environments and that trades > off noise figure in the process (commercial radios are designed for > > strong signals - hams* are the crazy weak-signal nuts!) *and a few > > weird radio astronomers, NASA engineers, .... > > My 2m eme station has a sensitivity of -147.5 dBm with 2.2 KHz SSB > BW; that is a receiver temp= 58K or NF=0.79 dB. This is assuming > 0.5 > dB loss ahead of the preamp. A good ham radio VHF satellite > receiver > will be about 100K or NF=1.2 dB with a sensitivity of -145 dBm at > 2.2 > KHz SSB BW. > > Now if you add sky noise, industrial noise, and antenna noise, the > system sensitivity (Te) will suffer: Te = Tr+Tsky+Tant+Tindustrial > e.g. using Tsky = 210K, Tant = 45K (very good low sidelobe eme class > > antenna), and no man-made noise (my situation): > Te = 313K, and Pn = -140 dBm (note no antenna gain is included in > this number) > so my environment cost me about 7.5 dB in sensitivity. Obviously if > > you have several hundred degrees of industrial noise then things do > > get worse which will minimize the advantage of the low NF > preamp. Here the use of well engineered filters may help. Preamps > > with better strong signal characteristics (though a bit higher NF) > may also help. > > Tradeoffs of NF vs gain are made in low noise amplifiers (preamps) > usually in favor of low NF. As long as there is sufficient gain to > overcome the higher NF of the following receiver the overall system > > will benefit. Usually this means a min of about 16 dB gain. This > will lower the noise contribution of the following circuits by > 1/40. > > For the majority, a good low-noise preamp mounted at the antenna > will > result in significant increase in hearing ability. > caveat emptor > > 73 Ed > > At 12:33 PM 9/18/2007, i8cvs wrote: > >----- Original Message ----- > >From: "Gary Memory" <gmemory(a)tks-net.com> > >To: "'i8cvs'" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it>; "'Amsat-BB'" > <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > >Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 8:26 PM > >Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: New Preamp > > > > > Domenico: > > > > > > Greetings once again. You sent me a note some time ago that > helped to > > > amplify my current belief concerning SNR. > > > > > > I am willing to bet two things. > > > > > > First, it is difficult (not impossible, just difficult) to > obtain a better > > > front end noise figure than what the original receiver > manufacturer has > > > created. > > > >Hi Gary, N7BRJ/DA1BRJ > > > >This is why we use a low noise preamplifiers antenna mounted. > >Make an example: > >The noise figure of a commercial receiver like a TS-736 is about > NF=6.5 dB > >corresponding to an equivalent noise temperature T1= 1005 kelvin > >If you add a low noise preamplifier antenna mounted with a NF= 0.5 > dB and > >if the overall noise figure of the system is degradated to NF= 0.7 > dB > >corresponding to T2 = 51 kelvin then using the same antenna the > improvement > >of S/N using the above preamplifier is: 10 log (1005/51) = 13 > dB > > > 10 > > > > Almost certainly the addition of an outboard amp will add more > > > noise. And this is not always a bad thing. > > > >In the above example the more noise that you see on your S-meter is > only > >apparent because the gain of the system probably is too great but > you can > >reduce the noise reading of the S-meter without reducing the S/N > ratio > >adding an attenuator and this is particularly easy to do if you use > a > >preamplifier + downconverter + attenuator + IF receiver > > > > > A preamp can be a great > > > addition despite the addition of more noise. > > > >If you get more noise degrading the S/N it meens only that the NF > of your > >preamplifier is greater then the NF of your receiver or its gain is > too low. > > > > > But then you get into a curve > > > of cost vs true value of gain. Is it worth it? Maybe so. > > > >Adding a low noise preamplifier with the capability of improving > the S/N > >ratio is always wortwhile. > > > > > Second, it is very unlikely that maximum signal strength will be > at the > > > same > > > point as maximum signal to noise ratio (SNR). > > > >The best noise figure NF of a preamplifier cannot correspond to the > maximum > >gain as the S-parameters of a device for the lowest NF are > showing. > > > > > Again, maybe this is not a > > > bad thing in any one individual case. Almost certainly the best > SNR will > > > be > > > at a point of gain somewhat less than maximum. > > > >The important of the point is that even if the lowest noise factor > F1 > >do not correspond to the maximum gain the gain G1 obtained from it > be > >sufficient to get a satisfactory overall noise factor Ft of the > system as > >the formula for more stages in series is showing: > > > > F2-1 F3-1 > >Ft = F1 + --------+ --------- + .................. > > G1 G1xG2 > > > > > I work with receivers and preamps that cost dozens of thousands > of > > > dollars. > > > Cost and receive noise figure is almost a logarithmic curve. > And it seems > > > that only with the very best front ends are SNR and gain at the > same > > > point. > > > >This is not strictly mandatory for as Radio Amateurs. > > > > > > > > Once you get the best receiver, coax and antenna you can afford, > that is > > > all > > > you can do....which seems like a dumb and obvious thing to say. > Beyond > > > that, true magic is hard to come by. And I am not knocking the > preamp. > > > Again, I own and use them all the time. > > > >Once I get the best receiver and the best antenna I must reduce the > thermal > >noise of the coax cable wich noise factor is F1 in the above > formula so that > >to improve the S/N ratio I have to add a low noise preamplifier in > F1 with > >the maximum possible gain in G1 > > > > > > 73! > > > > > > Gary, N7BRJ/DA1BRJ > > > > >Best 73" de > > > >i8CVS Domenico > > > > > > > >_______________________________________________ > >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 > > 73, > Ed - KL7UW > ====================================== > BP40IQ 50-MHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com > 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xpol-20, 185w > DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com > ====================================== > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > >

4 3

QSL Cards
by Clint Bradford 20 Sep '07

20 Sep '07

Anyone have a favorite QSL card printer...one with the AMSAT logo already ready to print? Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

5 4

More on the preamp
by Bob Stewart 19 Sep '07

19 Sep '07

I guess I'm being a bit noisy lately, but I'm kinda excited about the results I'm getting from the preamp. I switched the turnstiles out and put the crossed moxons back in the attic (it's a walk-in attic) and I managed a couple of contacts in the West at just over 10 degrees elevation on AO-27. I heard some of the guys trying to rustle up some contacts down to maybe 7 degrees. Good stuff! Bob

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REMINDER
by Martha 19 Sep '07

19 Sep '07

A reminder to make your room reservations for the 2007 AMSAT Space Symposium in Pittsburgh as soon as possible.Any rooms that have not been reserved by October 8th will be released to the hotel. For the reservation code, go to the AMSAT website and click on the left hand side - AMSAT Symposium. If you have any problems making a reservation, please call me (301-589-6062). -- 73- Martha

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Re: USB to RS232 Conv
by George Henry 19 Sep '07

19 Sep '07

Unfortunately, I really don't know. I put out a request on the RTTY list, and the only response I've received so far is for the Conceptronics brand, model CCSERU. The BAFO unit I have seems to work okay. The critical factor for use with SatPC32 is that it properly recognizes the CTS signal. You may also need to check that Flow Control for the serial port created for your adapter is set to "Hardware". George, KA3HSW ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stan,WA1ECF" <stanwa1ecf(a)verizon.net> To: <ka3hsw(a)earthlink.net> Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 11:35 AM Subject: USB to RS232 Conv > Can you tell us what brands are compatible with SatPC32 ? > > Thanks Stan, W1LE >

3 2

AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 19 Sep '07

19 Sep '07

Awards this week are: We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Richard Silva, WA6ES AMSAT Communication Achievement Award Jeffery Thomas, K7WIN, #454 Douglas Papay, KD8CAO, #455 South Africa AMSAT Communication Achievement Award Jeffery Thomas, K7WIN, #US112 Douglas Papay, KD8CAO, #US113 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on W0KIE Intelsat Americas, T1, 6.8Mhz Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com

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Fw: New Secretary for the IARU--Region 2
by Andrew Glasbrenner 18 Sep '07

18 Sep '07

Just saw this on another list, congratulations Ramon! For those who don't know, Ramon is an active satellite op, goes on many dxpeditions taking sat gear, and is an all around friend of AMSAT. 73, Drew KO4MA > Ramon Santoyo, XE1KK, was just elected to the new position of the > Secretary for the IARU---Region 2. I hope with his help things can improve > in the issure of licensure and operation in countries south of the > border...Who knows??? de YLZ

1 0

G5400 meter lamp mod
by charter 18 Sep '07

18 Sep '07

Hello...does any one have a copy of replacing meter lamps with LED's. Any help appreciated. Tks Bruce ke0lx Amsat #30873

2 1

Re: Subject: TS 790a 70cm. display
by Mark L. Hammond 18 Sep '07

18 Sep '07

Hi Scott, There are 2 small bulbs on the SUB band side of the TS-790--that is what you mean, right? The 70cm can be set to MAIN or SUB...the SUB is on the RIGHT side of the rig. I've had to replace the little bulbs in there several times. I found small 12V bulbs at Radio Shack and spliced them in...it's not a horrible task by any means. There are --------------------------- Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 23:07:24 -0700 From: scott smith <ve6itv(a)shaw.ca> Subject: [amsat-bb] TS 790a 70cm. display To: amsat <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <000601c7f9ba$321c0980$e8ec4118@VE6ITV> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi, for some reason (maybe old age) The 70cm display does not work. I have done a full reset but to no availe. Has anyone had this problem happen to them?, is there something i have not checked?, or should i just send it to Kenwood to fix or replace the diplay. Any help appreciated. 73 de ve6itv Scott -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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TS 790a 70cm. display
by scott smith 18 Sep '07

18 Sep '07

Hi, for some reason (maybe old age) The 70cm display does not work. I have done a full reset but to no availe. Has anyone had this problem happen to them?, is there something i have not checked?, or should i just send it to Kenwood to fix or replace the diplay. Any help appreciated. 73 de ve6itv Scott

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OCTOBER 9th PVRC Central (Washington, DC) Presentation By Jim Brown, K9YC
by Eric Rosenberg - W3DQ 18 Sep '07

18 Sep '07

The Potomac Valley Radio Club is proud to announce that renowned audio and RFI expert Jim Brown, K9YC, will be making a presentation to the PVRC at Capitol College in Laurel Maryland on Tuesday, October 9th, 2007. This a rare opportunity to learn about audio and RFI mitigation from one of amateur radio's most well-respected authorities on audio engineering, and RFI and its mitigation. K9YC is an active contester and DXer from his QTH in Santa Cruz, California, and currently serving on the Board of Directors of NCCC. He became interested in music and radio as a teenager, falling in love with jazz and Bach, and qualifying for an amateur radio license before his 14th birthday. Three years later he received Amateur Extra Class and First Class Radiotelephone licenses, and entered the Electrical Engineering program at the University of Cincinnati. He received the BSEE in 1964 and has worked in broadcasting and professional audio since 1960. Since 1985, his consulting practice has specialized in the design of sound systems for worship, performance, and sports facilities. More recently, his focus has expanded to include research and consulting on EMC issues. Jim is a Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society (AES), and a member of the Acoustical Society of America, the Society of Broadcast Engineers, and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, and has presented invited papers to all of those societies. He is a member of the AES Technical Committee on Acoustics and Sound Reinforcement, and the AES Standards Committee's Working Groups on Microphones, Intelligibility, Acoustic and Sound Source Modeling, Digital Audio Transmission, and Audio Connectors, and is Vice-Chair of the Standards Working Group on EMC and Chair of the AES Technical Committee on EMC. K9YC's excellent publications on audio and RFI can be found on his website: http://audiosystemsgroup.com/K9YC/K9YC.htm THIS PRESENTATION IS OPEN TO ALL! ---------------------------------------------- MEETING DETAILS: Date & Time: Tuesday, October 9, 2007, 7:30 PM Location: Avrum Gudelsky Memorial Auditorium Capitol College 11301 Springfield Rd Laurel, MD 20708 301-369-2800 / 800-950-1992 Directions From Washington, DC, and south of Laurel, MD: Take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Exit 22 North off I-95) to the Beltsville/Powder Mill Road exit. Turn left onto Powder Mill Road, then turn right onto Springfield Road. Follow Springfield Road for one mile. Capitol College is on the right. Directions From Baltimore and north of Laurel, MD: Take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Exit 7 South off I-695) to the Beltsville/Powder Mill Road exit. Turn right onto Powder Mill Road, then take the first right onto Springfield Road. Follow Springfield Road for one mile. Capitol College is on the right. Capitol College website: http://www.capitol-college.edu PVRC Contact Information: Eric Rosenberg, W3DQ (w3dq <at> arrl.net)

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Re: Who OWns the Moon?
by Reicher, James 18 Sep '07

18 Sep '07

I thought D.D. Harriman owned it! 73 de N8AU, Jim in Raymore, MO Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:15:52 -0700 From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d(a)earthlink.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] Who OWns the Moon? To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <2E047715-5D76-4B31-A571-6C9DCAB35ACE(a)earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed Article VI of the 1967 U.N. Outer Space Treaty, which was ratified and is currently in effect, clearly covers this subject: "States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty. The activities of non- governmental entities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty." You may read the entire text of the treaty on the United Nations website. Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

3 2

USB-to-Serial Converters
by Jim Jerzycke 18 Sep '07

18 Sep '07

I've had excellent results using KeySpan units, both the single-port, and four-port units, with both Windows and Linux. When I was using my rotators at Field Day, I used the 4-port unit with my Satellite Tracker Sr and FT-847. Now that I've gone to omnis, I just use a single-port "dongle" to control the '847. Never had a bit of trouble with them, and I've used them with other programs to control my scanners, and program my HT's. 73, Jim KQ6EA

1 0

Re: ISS Doppler with SATPC32ISS
by George Henry 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

The BAFO brand unit that I have seems to work okay. A RTTY list member also indicated that the Conceptronics brand adapter worked for him with Ham Radio Deluxe and an FT-897D. Have you checked whether Flow Control for the adapter's serial port is set to "Hardware"? For RTTY, you can use a program called EXTFSK with adapters that don't support 5-bit Baudot. It's available from the MM-Hamsoft web page. 73, George, KA3HSW ----- Original Message ----- From: <9w2qc(a)9w2qc.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 1:15 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS Doppler with SATPC32ISS Dear George, Thank you for the reply. Yes, in fact I face the same problem with RTTY FSK keying with the USB-Serial converters as you have mentioned. I have tried updating all the drivers and also tried a couple of converters that I have to the same effect. Anyhow, I guess I would just have to use a PC with physical serial ports for this operation. Once again, thank you for the kind reply. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC.

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Anyone using a quadrifilar helicoidal antenna on 2m for satellite APRS? How about mobile?
by KEVIN KIBBE 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Anyone know of a source for a QFH antenna that could be used on 2 meters? Kevin VA3SU

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Re: ISS a Satellite or an airplane?
by Edward Cole 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

At 10:11 AM 9/15/2007, Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] wrote: >We have this sort of discussion every year before field day. ARRL >permits contacts VIA the ISS for credit as a satellite but does not >count contacts TO the ISS crew for credit (though many are made just for fun). > >Since the ISS is a unique situation (currently being the only manned >satellite with amateur radio gear), the ARRL has some conflicting >rules to deal with. It is a satellite so contacts via it should be >legitimate. It is a manned craft not in contact with the Earth so it >does not count for contacts just like an aeronautical mobile contact >does not count. > >I personally do not think having the ISS declared a DXCC entity is a >good idea. The crew would be overwhelmed when on and the ISS is not >a permanent installation. > >On the other hand, what do you think the ARRL will do with manned >amateur radio locations on the moon? > >Kenneth - N5VHO Ken, In my opinion astronaut contacts at ISS should be regarded as satellite contacts. But then ISS and shuttle contacts are so unique they deserve their own recognition and a QSL from them is certainly one. I suppose a WWAS (worked all space shuttles) or WAA (worked all astronauts) might be considered? But we already had a space-race so do not need to repeat that with ham contacts :-) Regarding Moon contacts I would suppose the Moon would be set up with grids like earth, so each grid would suffice (exploration of the lunar landscape will probably dictate some demarcation scheme). I would guess that off-world radio contacts would not be included into the DXCC for the same reason as ISS. But as the Moon and planets are populated an ETDXCC would evolve. Of course this already exists as an award from the SETI-League. 73, Ed - KL7UW ====================================== BP40IQ 50-MHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xpol-20, 185w DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

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AO-27 Webpage Down?
by Eric Christensen 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

I just checked the AO-27 website (www.ao27.org) and found it down. It looks like the domain registration was changed today (maybe within the last hour?). Didn't know if anyone else was having problems accessing the site or if it was just me. 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 GPG Key Fingerprint: 4675 2BBE 666B 8FF7 A9A1 4D00 67F2 1E7A B685 F578

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New 9600 baud mobile APRS satellite Access
by Bob Bruninga 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

The GO-32 Satellite TECHSAT-1B team has asked me to announce experimental 9600 baud APRS access for mobile and tactical APRS on a not-to-interfere basis with the existing PACSAT BBS. The uplink is possible with 5 Watts on 2 meters, but the downlink is 9 dB worse to an omni antenna on UHF and requires tuning 10 to 20 KHz for Doppler. SO far, we are starting with zero permanent IGates to bring the downlink into the global APRS system, but we hope volunteers will surface with permanent satgates. So initally, do NOT expect to see yourself on FINDU.COM. Enjoy ham radio, Make a contact instead! Experimental testing shows that an APRS HT with a 19.5" whip can get a lucky shot into this satellite (but not when there is congestion on the uplink). With a handheld beam, it should be no problem for an HT, and the beam is needed on reception anyway. Fifty Watt mobiles should have no problem using a stock mobile whip. Due to the absence of APRS signals to date, we do not have good statistics on reception in a mobile yet... Operating on a 9600 baud FULL DUPLEX APRS satellite is MUCH different than ARISS, or any of the other 1200 baud APRS PCSATS, because the turn-around is so fast, that you cannot see your own digipeated packets on the same radio (usually)... Please read and understand this entire email before attempting to operate. The easiest way to get on GO-32 with 9600 baud APRS is to use a Kenwood D7, D700 or D710 radio. These radios since 1998 have been satellite 9600 baud ready, just waiting on a satellite!. Read these notes on how to operate GO-32 with a D7 or D700: Set APRS Baudrate to 9600 baud. Set A band to uplink on 145.93 Set B band to receive 435.225 +/- 10 KHz Set Path to be via 4XTECH Set MYCALL to a unique SSID Set TX method to AUTO Set TX RATE 1 min for HT. 2 min for D700 Put something useful in your STATUS text maybe describing your setup: "50W mobile, 1/4 wave, 2m rate" or "5W HT, long whip, 1m rate" Save in a PM for use anytime you are outside of the terrestrial APRS network. SATELLITE OPERATING NOTES: The GO32 uplinks and downlinks are for the PACSAT store and forward system and users. APRS is on a secondary basis and should not be operated unattended. If you see that the BBS PBLIST is full of other users, do not enable your APRS since the uplink will be busy. RIght now, the PBLIST is not in APRS format so you cannot see it unless you are running normal packet mode. But we will work on that... On the D700 you can press PMON on the front panel and see these packets... but they FLY by... ACCESS TIMES: GO-32 is sun synchronous and so it comes over everywhere three times between about 8 AM to Noon and again between 8 PM to midnight local sun time. During these two windows at least one pass each will be an overhead pass which might also work for an HT. The other passes will be lower to the East or West and will work fine for a 50W mobile. WHAT YOU HEAR: 9600 baud sounds almost exactly like open squelch, though the tuned ear can soon distinguish the difference. Before the pass, set your squelch normally to quiet the speaker. When you hear the satellite, the squelch will open and you may see up to 3 bars on your S meter. Tune to the "best sounding" noise. DOPPLER: Depending on how low to the horizon you can see, the satelite approaches 10 KHz high at 435.235 MHz... But it is maybe 3000 km away. As it gets higher, and 6 dB closer, it will be on 435.230 MHz, passing through 435.225 published center frequency at the middle point, and then drop down through 435.220 and ending at 435.215. But since it is 6 to 10 dB closer (and stronger) towards the center of the pass (800 km overhead), the mobile antenna is probably only going to hear the middle 435.230, .225, .220 portion easily. So I would start my receiption at 435.230... UPLINK CHANNELS: GO-32 allows two APRS uplinks. One is exclusive to D7/D700 tactical position reporting and the other exclusive to messaging. This is in hardware, not policy... 1) All APRS messaging (or fixed station non-Mic-E positions) must use the 145.85 uplink where GO32 only digipeats APRS packets with TOCALLs that begin with the usual "APxxxx". (Even the D7 and D700 use "APKxxx" for messages.) 2) All APRS Mic-E position uplinks (D7, D700 and D710s) must be on 145.93 MHz and they must have the position comment set to "Committed, Special or PRIORITY"... With those comment settings then the TOCALL first LATITUDE digit will be 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and only these will be accepted by GO32 for digipeating from 145.93. DATA CARRIER DETECT: The D700 and non(g) model D7's will NOT TX if they are hearing the downlink at the same time due to CARRIER DETECT. The D7(g) model has DCD IGNORE that *will* let it TX anyway. So use separate rigs for TX and for RX if you want to see yourself. Otherwise stick to the receommended TX rates and know that you are getting in if you stick to the protocol. Sticking to the recommended rates also keeps channel loading low, so that everyone gets in with less congestion. PERMANENT SATGATES: Here is a great place to use your D7 HT when you are not using it otherwise. Simply connect it to a 19" whip over a ground plane and to your APRS IGate system. The antenna does not even need to be high, since it cannot hear, nor will it be on frequency for low packets near the horizon 3000 km away. Set it to 9600 baud RX and tune to 435.230 (which is 5 KHz high). This Doppler setting will match the stronger signals. This 19.5" whip (3/4 wave on 435) does not need to see below 25 degrees, since its max gain (almost 7 dB) is between 30 to 70 degrees anwyay. This also protects your HT from lightning, since it can be low, below all of your other antnenas. Yes, your station will only see about 30% of all possible packets and only on the best two passes per day, but combined with dozens of other such unattended SATgates, all packets should be heard somewhere by someone and injected into the APRS Internet system. I hope to have an APRS-via-GO32 web page up in a few weeks, but in the mean time, use this message for deails. Here is a link to AMSAT's description of GO-32: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=14&retURL=/sate… Good luck! Bob, Wb4APR

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Re: GO-32 APRS over Europe
by Henk, PA3GUO 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Hi Chris (and others), Few things to take into account: - D7/D700/TS2000 built in TNC is not full duplex - When you use the TNC, you can't also compensate for doppler. So I could park my TS2000 on the center freq., but that would only work for a small period of time of the pass. Best would be to have a few stations eg +5 kHz and others -5 kHz, until we have enough IGates, and we all park on the center frequency. I will try during the next passes: - my antennas will follow GO-32 - my TS200 will monitor 435.230 MHz - Using Alogger, APRS may show up on findu, but no guarantee. (I can post the log files though) Give it a go, I may see your packet ! ps: there are Gxxxx stations that have their station cfg'ed for GO-32 already, if they read this they may be able to join ! Henk, PA3GUO >I will perhaps contact Henk PA3GUO to see if we can give it a go here in >Europe, although mine will have to be via HT in the garden with a Dual band >beam.. > >What do you say Henk to having a go perhaps over the weekend? > >Let me know, > >Thanks, > >Chris - M0DQO-13 - GO-32 APRS :)

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AMSAT at PacifiCon?
by Clint Bradford 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Is there an AMSAT presence at PACIFICON next month??? http://www.pacificon.org/ Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Crossed or not crossed is the question
by Chris Bloy 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Hi All, Ok, I have struggled to get my hands on an Arrow antenna for love nor money! So, I did get a Maldol non-crossed Yagi for playing with the birds. Its all on the same plane, and the 70cms starts at the 2m Driven element, its receive is excellent and cannot complain on this front. My question to you guy is, that after i bought this one, I thought that it would be hard to operate in full duplex mode as i almost get cross talk on the 70cm side. Does this not happen on a crossed boomed yagi like the arrow? Should i still invest in an arrow when i find one, as AMSAT UK doesn’t know when they will get any. All the best, Chris – M0DQO IO90KU No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.487 / Virus Database: 269.13.22/1013 - Release Date: 17/09/2007 13:29

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Crossed or not crossed is the question
by Clint Bradford 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

>>...I thought that it would be hard to operate in full duplex mode as i almost get cross talk on the 70cm side. Does this not happen on a crossed boomed yagi like the arrow? I am using the Arrow with the duplexer built into its handle, feeding different HTs and the Yaesu FT-817. I have not experienced any such "cross-talk" in any of my setups. Antenna Warehouse will ship one to you. They expect them to be in stock again next week. http://www.antennawarehouse.com/Amateur/Cross-Yagi.htm Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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Re: ISS APRS Down?
by Eric H Christensen 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Ahhh! See, that's what happens when you aren't in the know. I didn't realize they were doing operations today. Thanks Kenneth! Is this the Soyuz undocking going on? Eric W4OTN >Yes. The system is required to be powered down to support Russian >Vehicle (Soyuz and Progress) proximity operations (docking and >undocking). > > >Kenneth - N5VHO > >-----Original Message----- >From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On >Behalf Of Eric H Christensen >Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 12:58 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS APRS Down? > >I've been listening and watching the findU site >(<http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi>) and I haven't seen any >reports since twenty hours ago. Did the system get shut down? > >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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ISS APRS Down?
by Eric H Christensen 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

I've been listening and watching the findU site (<http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi>) and I haven't seen any reports since twenty hours ago. Did the system get shut down? 73s, Eric W4OTN

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Re: online article of interest
by i8cvs 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg D." <ko6th_greg(a)hotmail.com> To: <drjay(a)gatordental.com>; <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 8:49 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: online article of interest > > Great article! Anybody recall what frequency "P" band is? > > Greg KO6TH > Hi Greg, KO6TH P-Band Telemetry for Gemini was on 215-260 MHz. look at the following site: http://www.gatorradio.org then click on +satellite/space and then click belowe picture "UF Student Satellite Tracking Station CIRCA 1964" 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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New BOD
by Clint Bradford 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Looks like we're in good hands...Congratulations, gentlemen! -Barry Baines , WD4ASW -Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA -Rick Hambly, W2GPS -Gunther Meisse, W8GSM Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Who OWns the Moon?
by Clint Bradford 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Article VI of the 1967 U.N. Outer Space Treaty, which was ratified and is currently in effect, clearly covers this subject: "States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty. The activities of non- governmental entities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, shall require authorization and continuing supervision by the appropriate State Party to the Treaty." You may read the entire text of the treaty on the United Nations website. Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Board of Directors Election Results
by Martha 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

The following candidates were elected to the AMSAT Board of Directors: Barry Baines , WD4ASW Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Rick Hambly, W2GPS Gunther Meisse, W8GSM Lee Mclamb, KU4OS is the alternate A total of 871 votes were cast. -- 73- Martha

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AO-51 V/U SSB/FM Mode
by Steven Raas 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

I luckily have the day off of work tomorrow, and I will actively be trying this mode. AO-51 V/U SSB/FM Mode I have altered the Doppler.sqf file in sat PC32. I HOPE that this following Line is the correct paramaters ( we will see ) AO-51,435300,145880,USB,FM,Nor,0,0,Voice V/U Does any one see anything wrong with that? If so please let me know! See you on the new mode in a few hours! 73 Steven J.Raas QRV From FN20vg on 2/432 Terestrial-Sats-Digital-EME Member of - ARRL & AMSAT Supporter of N3FJP Software <http://www.n3fjp.com/> http://www.n3fjp.com Home Page - <http://n2jdq2007.tripod.com/> http://n2jdq2007.tripod.com/

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AO-51 USB/FM V/U Mode 'doppler.sqf settings'
by Steven Raas 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Looks like I answered my own question! The correct Doppler.sqf paramaters should be: AO-51,435300,145880,FM,USB,Nor,0,0,Voice V/U The previous one had the mode wrong! See you all on 51 soon! 73 Steven J.Raas QRV From FN20vg on 2/432 Terestrial-Sats-Digital-EME Member of - ARRL & AMSAT Supporter of N3FJP Software <http://www.n3fjp.com/> http://www.n3fjp.com Home Page - <http://n2jdq2007.tripod.com/> http://n2jdq2007.tripod.com/

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qso to JA
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 17 Sep '07

17 Sep '07

Hello- With AO-7 in mode A I have a short window to northern JA from Seattle Wa. If any JA's can be on the next 2 or 3 passes we could try to stretch the foot print. I will be on 29.450 CW downlink -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle

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Re: [fieldops] Re: Re: ISS a Satellite or an airplane?
by melachri＠speakeasy.net 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

> Just throwing this out there, but would the ARRL, (or any other governing > body for that matter), have any jurisdiction or authority on the moon? The answer is yes, but not the way you are asking it. The question is not whether they have jurisdiction over the lunar territory. It's whether they have jurisdiction over their own awards (DXCC, VUCC, etc) and contests (Field Day, etc). And the answer to that is clearly yes. Steve W3HF

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[Fwd: [Fwd: KR-5600]]
by Dee 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

Corrected Question.... Hi All, Anyone have a manual copy (schematic)of a Kenpro Controller KR5600?? I'm looking for the external connections via the DIN connector for future projects. Thanks, Dee, NB2F

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I'm off subject again.
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

OK, does anybody know what device is used in the Sears digital level? It would make a great home brew project for the Alliance U-110. Mike K9QHO AMSAT 33589

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any other S-band downlinks besides AO-51?
by Greg D. 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

Well, I figured out why my AO-51 LS results were so poor... My feed had fallen off its temporary mount, and was dangling by the coax below the preamp. Tape gave way. How embarrassing. So, Don KD6IRE, that was an amazing, if not short, QSO we had... Anyway, it's fixed now. And AO-51 is no longer in mode LS. Are there any other handy space-born S-band signals that I should try? And, before you suggest the Sun, I already tried that... Never had enough S/N, and still don't. Thanks, Greg KO6TH _________________________________________________________________ Get the device you want, with the Hotmail® you love. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/mobilehotmail/default.mspx?WT.mc_ID=…

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Re: article of interest
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

Some of the link for the article mentioned in the previous mailing was eliminated in the listserv. The page the article about the UF student satellite and spacecraft tracking station 1964-65 is from is: http://www.gatorradio.org/archives.html The link to the article is on the left of the page, just click on the photo or text link. Enjoy! Jay, AA4FL

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Symposium notes
by Jim Sanford 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

All: Our hosts are busy working on final details and arrangements for Symposium. Several items of interest: 1. The event coordinators, Pat (KC4WTT), Kevin (N3HKQ), our "A/V guy", and I visited the hotel on Friday. If you were there 2 years ago, it looks very different after the renovations. Our meeting room is huge and has an overhead speaker system, so nobody will get blasted out. A large hallway outside the meeting room will provide room for exhibitors, and Martha and registration will be in a separate room off the hallway. Our guest speaker, Sy Liebergot, will have a table in the hallway on Saturday afternoon, where copies of his book, "Apollo EECOM - Journey Of A Lifetime", will be for sale, and he will be signing copies. If you saw the movie "Apollo 13", you know who Sy is. See http://www.apolloeecom.com/ 2. Our Audio setup will be: AMSAT wireless mikes to the wireless receiver, thence to a mixing board provided by Dan, KB3HVN. The main output will go into the hotel audio system, monitor output will go into a computer which will make the echolink connection for the AMSAT General Meeting, and another output will go into two separate systems to record the proceedings. Dan will be doing a dry run of all this next weekend. NOTE TO PRESENTERS: If your presentation includes audio which you'd like played over the room sound system, please let me know ASAP, so we can configure and test another input from the display computer. 3. We have received requests for T-shirts in addition to the "nicer" shirts available on the web site. They are available and now on the web site. There's also a key chain. 5. There was an issue yesterday with the AMSAT block of rooms being full. Patti and Kevin discussed this with the hotel yesterday (while I was with the A/V guy and Chief Engineer) and there should now be more rooms in the block. I've received notification of at least one subsequent reservation, so I think this is OK, but Patti will verify on Monday morning. If you have a problem getting a room, please advise Martha, who will collect data and she and Patti will work on the hotel. 6. Exhibitors: I know of 4 exhibitors tables which need to be set up. If you want to set up a table and are not Flex Radio, AMSAT, Eagle, or the "Shirt Guy", please advise ASAP. Room is finite, but we'll do our best to accommodate. There appear to be plenty of outlets in the hallway, and we have defined a path to run feedlines from the 2m and 70cm antennas on the tower trailer for satellite QSOs and demonstration of the SDX. If you need anything weird or special, like 440 volt 3 phase at 4000 amps or broadband internet, please let me, Patti (kc4wtt(a)amsat.org), and Kevin(n3hkq(a)amsat.org) know ASAP. 7.. If you have special needs or questions not previously covered, please contact Patti & Kevin ASAP. 8. Presenters: You need to think about how you will get your presentation to us in advance, so that we can load on the display computer before presentations start. We don't want to lose time between presentations loading on the computer. A lot of people are working really hard to present a good Symposium. They, and I, look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh. 73, Jim wb4gcs(a)amsat.org

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online article of interest
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

An article of interest about tracking satellites and spacecraft from Gainesville, FL in the 1960's: http://www.gatorradio.org/Archives/UF_Student_Satellite_Tracking_Station_196 4-65.pdf >From Sven Grahn in Sweden: <<Wonderful that people track satellites in Gainesville. As you can understand from Dick's story I have been to Gainesville. In fact it turned out to be several times and we tracked satellites almost every time. The big adventure was Apollo-17, of course, but hearing cosmonauts talk from Salyut-5 as it swept past Florida and seeing the space station simultaneously from Dick's driveway was another great experience (this was in 1976). >> Jay AA4FL (Faculty Advisor, Gator Amateur Radio Club at UF)

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KiwiSAT - wiring.
by Fred Kennedy 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

Hi Guys, Starting to look seriously at wiring looms for KiwiSAT and need a reasonably priced, reliable, wire stripper capable of stripping PTFE hook-up wire - in short lengths! The Xcelite Auto stripper SAS3210T looks as though it would do the job and the price seems right/good. Anyone with experience of this stripper - or could recommend another that would be suitable? "Short lengths" are the key words. Current occasional use of PTFE wire is very tough on the fingers and finger nails! There must be a better way Thanks Fred ZL1BYP

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