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Re: Funny translation on spoetnik webpage
by Tony Langdon (ATC) 12 Dec '06

12 Dec '06

> Then I read some "painfull" translation of Leika, the > dog that was launched into space... Better be carefull > with those online translations :o) Hmm, I don't see a problem, since a female dog is correctly termed a "bitch". Normally that term is used among breeders and vetinary people, and less used in the general public.

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mfj 270 lightning surge protector
by Mr Jeffrey L.Ross 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

hi all, i know this is off topic hope no one minds, but on the mfj 270 there is a in and a out, does anyone have one of these and know if the rig goes to the in or does the antenna? I wrote mfj but prob will take days to hear back from them and am in kind of a hurry, so trying here. thank you all, kc8gkf

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Dissertation Survey - low cost autonomous sat tracking
by Marc Vermeersch 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Hi All, I am an MSc. student starting work on my final dissertation. My dissertation topic is: "A low cost autonomous satellite tracking system". The intention is to build a tracking system with roughly the following specifications: - PC independent - microcontroller based - (car) battery powered - SGP/SDP tracking algorithms - Time and position acquisition possible via serial port from GPS receiver - Transceiver control over serial port - Tracking HW control loop for Azimuth and Elevation - Ethernet connection to acquire TLE's - the idea here is to collect TLE's and store them for later mobile/portable use. To complete my understanding on what is out there I have the following questions: Which PC based tracking SW are you using? Which non-PC based tracking SW are you using? Which PC connected tracking HW are you using? Which non-PC connected tracking SW/HW are you using? Are the above specifications sufficient? What else would you suggest? Thanks for all and any input, Best 73 -- /\/\arc ON4AMV Amsat LM2304

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pacsat
by Pedro Cruz 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

hi to all Any one has information about pacsat´s or where i can find it? Best 73 ! Pedro Cruz - cu2jx

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Funny translation on spoetnik webpage
by William Leijenaar 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Hi AMSATs, I was reading some articles on AMSAT-F webpage about the Spoetniks. My French is not so good, so I click on the "English" button to get the English translation. Then I read some "painfull" translation of Leika, the dog that was launched into space... Better be carefull with those online translations :o) Read it here: http://perso.orange.fr/fr5fc/radio/angfoto2.html 73 de William --- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com

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Re: Dissertation Survey - low cost autonomous sat tracking
by Achim Vollhardt 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Dear Marc, I guess you are looking for something like the LVB Tracker Mark II: http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/LVBTracker2/index.htm Don't hesitate to contact the designer Howard, G6LVB.. he will answer your questions. 73s Achim, DH2VA

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Re: ANDE and Amateur Astronomers?
by G0MRF＠aol.com 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Hi Bob. That sounds very interesting. I and several friends have laser reception equipment and telescopes to go with it. What is the modulation or switching frequency of the lasers? What is the divergence of each beam? If they are switched on and off at an audio frequency you can detect very low levels using an audio analysis programme such as Spectran or Argo from _www.weaksignals.com_ (http://www.weaksignals.com) . This may be a good opportunity to increase my 'best dx' from 76km e.g. _http://www.g0mrf.freeserve.co.uk/laser5.htm_ (http://www.g0mrf.freeserve.co.uk/laser5.htm) I understand that the laser experiment on AO-40 had a station equipped to receive it on the island of Teneriffe. Regards David G0MRF In a message dated 08/12/2006 21:59:55 GMT Standard Time, bruninga(a)usna.edu writes: The next Amateur Satellite, ANDE, to be launched any day now will have six lasers on board that we can turn on at any time. But the lasers are each dispursed over at least 45 degrees so the actual illumination is no brighter than a common red LED. I doubt anyone will be able to see it, so don't bother trying. However, there are a few very dedicated amateur astronomers that have the high precision tracking capability that have taken photos of the Shuttle and the ISS. They might want to take a crack at it. I'm looking for someone with a foot in that camp to be a focal point of contact for such an effort. It would not be soon after launch, but a little while after they have developed a really good track on it. Bob Bruninga, WB4APR

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Re: GO-32's BBS services
by Mineo Wakita 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Today, only BEACON every 30 seconds. 435.225MHz, 9600bps, FSK > [2006-12-11 19:40:09] TechSat-V9.2 > [2006-12-11 19:40:39] TechSat-V9.2 > [2006-12-11 19:41:09] TechSat-V9.2 --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 11, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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great photo - Shuttle launch
by Nate Duehr 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Had to share. http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/12/09/science/ 10shuttle_boats.jpg -- Nate Duehr - WY0X nate(a)natetech.com

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JeneSat-1 postponed
by Mineo Wakita 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

> Posted by RCC on 2006-12-11 at 01:34:40 EST > The launch of the Minotaur 1 rocket from Wallops Island has been > scrubbedfor today due to a problem with the TacSat-2 satellite. > No word at this time on a new launch date. More information will > be available this afternoon. http://www.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/ --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 11, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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GO-32's BBS services will be return up to start of next week .
by roni waller 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

to Radio-Amateur's community, Techsat1b/go-32 almost finished its tests, so it is going to re-supply its BBS services up to start of next week.. We hope everything will be alright and you keep on working with it . regaeds, 4X6EM / 4Z7DFC Techsat's Ground Control Station http://www.technion.ac.il/ASRI 4X6EM / 4Z7DFC Techsat's Ground Control Station http://www.technion.ac.il/ASRI --------------------------------- Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on Yahoo! Answers.

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Re: New to the Birds
by Dave Johnson 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

Hello, I too am new to the birds. I've been a ham for about 2 1/2 years, and have tried making contacts over the past year or so. Until recently, I was having no luck, although I could receive the satellites (mainly AO-51 and occasionally ISS) easily enough. However, thanks to an early Christmas present from my wife - an Arrow antenna - I've been happily successful over the past few weeks, making an average of 2 contacts on the passes I've tried. Tonight's 01:30 UTC pass was really fun, as there were only a few operators on it at the time of the pass. This was the first time I also tried using the Arrow mounted on a tripod - I was able to better maintain the signals than I have been while using it handheld. The tripod allows me to concentrate on working the HT and recorder, without losing aim. It's wonderful how the satellites have opened up a new avenue for me, at least until I learn code and upgrade from a Technician license. Until then, I'm going to try having as much fun as possible using the birds with my simple setup - an Alinco HT (5 watts) and the Arrow antenna. 73, Dave KC9GHA

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Re: ANDE and RAFT Two-Line-Elements
by Bob Bruninga 11 Dec '06

11 Dec '06

> I take it that MARSCOM was not part of the payload? No, its a naming thing. MARScom will use the packet call of NMARS and so we call it both... Bob >

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ANDE and RAFT Two-Line-Elements
by Robert Bruninga 10 Dec '06

10 Dec '06

Ken Ernandes N2WWD has calculated these TLE's for ANDE, RAFT and MEPSI. MEPSI is not an amateur payload but it does have its very weak downlink in the 900 MHz ISM band, and someone might be interested in trying out their dish at 900 MHz? RAFT DEPLOY 1 99996U 06055B 06354.00425926 .00000000 00000-0 75127-6 0 05 2 99996 51.6317 309.4879 0022786 355.5701 331.0310 15.79983089 08 ANDE Deploy 1 99997U 06055C 06354.82113426 .00000000 00000-0 80952-6 0 07 2 99997 51.6301 305.2569 0023271 358.3253 297.8304 15.80009479 01 MEPSI Deploy 1 99998U 06055D 06353.92692130 .00000000 00000-0 87344-6 0 04 2 99998 51.6299 309.8896 0022956 355.6419 250.7656 15.80006930 01 Bob Bruninga, WB4APR USNA Satellite Lab

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UT1FG/M operating via FO-29
by i8cvs 10 Dec '06

10 Dec '06

Hi, All Just worked UT1FG/M in SSB via FO-29 orbit 50928 at 17:53 UTC maritime movable in HO92 Good signals and good operator ! 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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RAFT/ANDE deploy on Dec.20
by Mineo Wakita 10 Dec '06

10 Dec '06

RAFT DEPLOY: 20 Dec 00:05 UTC ANDE DEPLOY: 20 Dec 19:42 UTC http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html Shuttle Mission TV Schedule --> View PDF --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 10, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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Discovery id 29647 2LINES
by jean-claude.aveni 10 Dec '06

10 Dec '06

Hello fellow For optical trackeurs and SWL 2Lines Discovery orbital's parameter : STS-116 1 29647U 06055A 06344.26974816 .00281518 41598-4 60911-3 0 36 2 29647 051.6439 359.7965 0066800 332.1308 093.9373 15.93770764 38 From SpaceTrack USA. 88/73 -- *Jean-Claude Aveni* Tel portable : *06 80 92 38 79* Courriel prime : jean-claude.aveni(a)wanadoo.fr '' alternate : aveni(a)lma.cnrs-mrs.fr Site web à l'URL : http://astro-notes.org Call radio amateur : TK5GH

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Re: L/U Mode USB
by Clare Fowler 10 Dec '06

10 Dec '06

At 15:00 UTC I again had a QSO with Ed N8BBQ. This AO-51 pass was to the West of me with a max elevation of 33 degrees. The down link carrier was very much quieter with only a bit of impulse QRN. Both Ed's and my audio was very low and exchange of info was marginal. Another observation is that I can get into the bird down to about 15 degrees elevation as it moves away from me as apposed to about 30 degrees on the approach. Clare VE3NPC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/580 - Release Date: 12/8/2006

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Re: Brace for impact!
by Joe Krepps 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Sooo, does this mean my FT-817ND @ 5w, mobile, will work Australia on 20m or it's better suited as a paperweight 'till it's over? I had a blast this summer working Germany and Romania while QRP mobile! Not exactly a satellite question but it _sounds_ like it won't be a good time for working the birds. 73, Joe WB3CFN, FM19

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Re: Lunar Architecture Moon Base
by James R Miller 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

On Dec 04, Pat, KA9SCF wrote: > With the amount of libration on the moon, what's the maximum antenna gain > per band that you can get before it becomes too much of an issue. http://www.amsat.org/amsat/articles/g3ruh/110.html Perhaps this should be in the Amsat FAQ =%-) 73 de James G3RUH -- ========================================================================== James R Miller WWW/PGP: http://www.jrmiller.demon.co.uk/ Cambridge, England Stardate: 2006 Dec 05 [Tue] 0804 utc ==========================================================================

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Re: ANDE and Amateur Astronomers?
by Bob Bruninga 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Bob, will this be a LEO? The reason I ask is to get some kind of guesstimate of how fast the telescope would have to slew. I've got a ham friend who's into astronomy pretty heavy, and that's the first thing he'd ask. Jim KQ6EA Yes, 10km below the ISS. Bob, Wb4apr

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Re: ANDE and Amateur Astronomers?
by G0MRF＠aol.com 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

In a message dated 09/12/2006 00:04:00 GMT Standard Time, bruninga(a)usna.edu writes: Yes. They are pulsed at different rates so the ranging station can tell which one they are seeing. The rates are between 1 to 6 flashes per second or so... Simply ON/OFF. Bob Ahhhh.........I suspect that's going to be Vy difficult. 100 to 600Hz would have been much easier. Good luck David G0MRF

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Re: Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments.
by W.J. Ubbels 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Hi John, I know of at least one Dutch radio amateur, Jan Ottens PA0SSB who used his EME dish (one of the first in PA land to do EME back in those days) to receive the ALSEP packages. He still keeps audio tapes of these which I listened to a while ago... quite a thrill. He also used the dish to listen to the command module S-band transmissions, but he could only hear the subcarrier which they used, not enough gain / low NF to demodulate, but from the modulation you could clearly tell that an astronaut was talking. And, you could clearly distinguish the Doppler shift and hear the carrier drop out suddenly when it would go on the "flipside" of the moon. Makes me wish I was born a little earlier hi:) If you like, I can give you his contact details off-list. 73 Wouter Jan PE4WJ -- W.J. Ubbels MSc. Delfi-C3 project manager electronic systems and communications Faculty of Aerospace Engineering Delft University of Technology room 8.19 Kluyverweg 1 2629 HS Delft +31 (0)15-2784615 w.j.ubbels(a)delfic3.nl w.j.ubbels(a)lr.tudelft.nl www.delfic3.nl PE4WJ

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2E1EUB ACTIVE AS 2M1EUB/P FROM N.E.SCOTLAND
by paul robinson 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Ill be active from scotland on the birds from 10.dec to 14 dec 06 and some hf as time allows and if i can find a good location to set up ! its only a short visit this time .73 de paul 2E1EUB --------------------------------- All new Yahoo! Mail "The new Interface is stunning in its simplicity and ease of use." - PC Magazine

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Journal
by Ed Long 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you know that the Nov/Dec 06 issue of The AMSAT Journal was just uploaded to the printer. You should have it soon. Thanks to all the Journal contributors. Have a great holiday! 73, Ed Long WA4SWJ Editor, The AMSAT Journal

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Re: L/U Mode USB
by joseph Murray 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

>From someone I respect when I hear his words about operating L mode, finding QRN on the down link , I have to ask if there is something new causing the interference ? Thanks for your efforts with AO-51 Clair Joe K0VTY ========================= On Fri, 8 Dec 2006 21:38:00 -0500 "Clare Fowler" <lcfowler(a)magma.ca> writes: > That was me VE3NPC. At 01:16 I completed a QSO with > Ed N8BBQ. He was the only readable signal other than > myself I could copy. There were several that were very week/ > >From this QSO and my previous experinece on 3 L(ssb)/S(fm) > passes I have the following observations. > 1. With my approx 1500 watts ERP on L I can only get into > AO-51 with a good signal when it is above about 30 degrees > elevation wich corresponds to a range of about 1200 kilometers. > 2. The receiver seems to have a definite threshold below which > the signal comming back wanders around. > 3. We have a problem on L band. On the L//S mode there was > strong random impulse QRN which I concluded was local > LAN. However the same strong impulse signals were on > the U downlink. The L band ssb receiver is responding to > some very strong impulse signals over Eastern NA. This QRN > was not there for AO-40. This implies that the Eagle > team should have some sort of Noise Blanker on board. > > Clare VE3NPC > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "snyderb" <snyderb(a)cox.net> > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 8:28 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] L/U Mode USB > > > > BB > > > > This mode is a challange. During overhead pass up the east coast > this > > evening I could barely hear I believe call sign ending in NPC > calling on > > the 70cm D/L. I replied but don't know if anyone could hear me. > > Any other reports from the BB on this mode. > > > > 73 Bruce KG4YEV > > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/580 - Release Date: > 12/8/2006 > > _______________________________________________ > 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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L/U Mode USB
by snyderb 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

BB This mode is a challange. During overhead pass up the east coast this evening I could barely hear I believe call sign ending in NPC calling on the 70cm D/L. I replied but don't know if anyone could hear me. Any other reports from the BB on this mode. 73 Bruce KG4YEV

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Thanks
by w3vvp 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Thanks to every one who sent me information on where to download a Tech.Manual for my 736-R I now have several places to download from. I started one and ran out of Ink,File was saved,so tomorrow will get new cartridge.Again,many thanks for the help. George,W3VVP

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Re flex cable for rotor loop
by Steve Raas 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Alan , thanks for the info.. I may just stick with the 400UF then. My plan was to buy the CNT-400 for the 2m Antenna and use the 400UF for the loop. and run the 600/600UF for the 435 antenna. Im trying to keep my loss to under 1 dB pr/band and with an initial run from rig to preamp being a WHOPPING 35' (insert laugh here) I may just be able to run 400 all the way across the board. Would save me a lota cash that's for sure! If my math is right my 145 mhz system would have .525 dB Loss in just the main 35' feed line (CNT-400 @ .015 dB loss pr/foot), not including the AG-25 Preamp in which I'll take a guess at being probabally .5 - .75 dB then the 400UF @ 15' bring me up to close to if not slightly more than 1.5 dB.. and obviously more on 435.. I'll have to make some precise measurments with some 12ga wire and see what my actual feed length will be, I may be off quite a bit and in just eye balling it I may be able to have a main run from rig to pre-amp of 25', if that's the case I'll just use the CNT400 for both band as main feed and the UF for the rotor loop. I haven't been on the air in a few years.. and all this R.F. talk is making me feel like a kid in a candy store. Keep in touch -Steve Raas N2JDQ Steve, I use the 400UF as do many others, and it is an excellent choice. Unless you have an unusual situation, going to 600UF doesn't make a lot of sense up through mode L, and probably mode S. The run just isn't that long. Another good choice is the BuryFlex, which has only very slightly greater losses than the 400UF. Alan WA4SCA

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Flexible cable for Rotor loop
by Steve Raas 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Has any one had any experience with LMR-400UF and LMR-600UF cables within a rotor loop? Looking for feedback before I make any purchases. Thanks in advance! -Steve Raas N2JDQ

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Re: ANDE and Amateur Astronomers?
by Robert Bruninga 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANDE and Amateur Astronomers? > > Bob - Do the lasers have any modulation on them we might try to > receive? Yes. They are pulsed at different rates so the ranging station can tell which one they are seeing. The rates are between 1 to 6 flashes per second or so... Simply ON/OFF. Bob > >The next Amateur Satellite, ANDE, to be launched any day now > >will have six lasers on board that we can turn on at any time. > >But the lasers are each dispursed over at least 45 degrees so > >the actual illumination is no brighter than a common red LED. > > > >I doubt anyone will be able to see it, so don't bother trying. > > > >However, there are a few very dedicated amateur astronomers that > >have the high precision tracking capability that have taken > >photos of the Shuttle and the ISS. They might want to take a > >crack at it. > > > >I'm looking for someone with a foot in that camp to be a focal > >point of contact for such an effort. > > > >It would not be soon after launch, but a little while after they > >have developed a really good track on it. > > > >Bob Bruninga, 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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Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments.
by john heath 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

Hi Guys, Jason N1XBP raises an interesting question, did any non governmental organisation or amateur observer capture any transmissions from the ALSEP experimental packages which several Apollo missions took to the moon. I believe they used S band, pretty exotic for hams in the 1970's I guess. The snip below ABOUT alsepwas taken from from "answers.com" and was referenced back to Wikipedia The instruments were designed to run autonomously after the astronauts left and to make long term studies of the lunar environment. They were arrayed around a central station which supplied power generated by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) to run the instruments and communications so data collected by the experiments could be relayed to Earth. The central station was a 25 kg box with a stowed volume of 34,800 cubic cm. Thermal control was achieved by passive elements (insulation, reflectors, thermal coatings) as well as power dissipation resistors and heaters. Communications with Earth were achieved through a 58 cm long, 3.8 cm diameter modified axial-helical antenna mounted on top of the central station and pointed towards Earth by the astronauts. Transmitters, receivers, data processors and multiplexers were housed within the central station. Data collected from the instruments were converted into a telemetry format and transmitted to Earth. The ALSEP system and instruments were controlled by commands from Earth. The stations ran from deployment until they were turned off on 30 September 1977 due to budgetary considerations. 73, John G7HIA

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space weather
by Ronald Long 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

Check http://spaceweather.com/ Note that "By next week, Northern Lights could reach deep into the United States. Stay tuned. (And keep your fingers crossed.) " ron w8gus

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AO-51 Modes
by Clare Fowler 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

On the 1535 UYC pass with a max elevation of 17 degrees I had real difficulty getting into the bird with a good signal. I could hear myself just in and out of the noise. The SSB audio moved all over the place by as much as +/- 1000 Hz. Only other sig heard with most of NA in window was a very week CW note moving back and forth across the pass band. Clare VE3NPC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/579 - Release Date: 12/7/2006

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Re: [ao51-modes]
by Clare Fowler 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

On the 02:00 UTC first pass after the switchover one I found AO-51 was in L(ssb)/S and was able to tune myself in however did not have time to really check it out. This am on 14:00 UTC pass had good overhead pass and worked well. My FT-736R with 10 W out read an uplink freq of 12687015 for reasonable audio. However there is some change in freq of +/- about 100 Hz required to keep it right on. The audio level is low. I heard someone else trying but could not copy anything. My uplink is 4 x 27 turn helix array with a circumference of 1 wavelength and pitch angle of 12.5 degrees which according to published NEC modeling should not work nearly as well as they do. See my article in May/June 2006 AMSAT Journal. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "OZ1MY" > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule mode-L(SSB)/S > Hi all, > Just tried it and it works - but used a lot of power > on the L band uplink. > > Power at antennas approximately 15 W PEP > > Antennas are 2 19 turn helix types > > Downlink the usual BBQ Grill dish 60 by 90 cm linear polarisation > > Had to change the frequency in the SatPC32 doppler file > 1321 Hz up. I am using USB on the uplink. > > Now it is: > > AO-51,2401198,1268701.321,FM,USB,Nor,2256000,0,Voice L/S > > Heard one or two other stations trying to get on frequency. > > 73 OZ1MY > Ib > > -- Original Message ----- >> From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" > >> Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 4:02 AM >> Subject: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule >> >> >>There is a minor change in the schedule as published. Instead of >> switching >> to L SSB/U tonight, we ended up in L SSB/S. This will run through >> tomorrow >> evening, when we will change to the announced L SSB/U mode until >> 11DEC2006 >> at ~200Z when we go back to the normal V/U repeater and BBS mode. Sorry >>for >> the confusion, consider it a one day bonus mode! >> >> 73, Drew KO4MA >> AMSAT-NA VP Operations -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/579 - Release Date: 12/7/2006

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AO-51 schedule
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

There is a minor change in the schedule as published. Instead of switching to L SSB/U tonight, we ended up in L SSB/S. This will run through tomorrow evening, when we will change to the announced L SSB/U mode until 11DEC2006 at ~200Z when we go back to the normal V/U repeater and BBS mode. Sorry for the confusion, consider it a one day bonus mode! 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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Brace for impact!
by Alan P. Biddle 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

I came across an interesting article on a major solar storm on its way in a Russian source: http://www.kommersant.com/p728532/r_530/Sun_Magnetic_Storm/ Pay attention to the recommendations for us ground dwellers at the end. They are "interesting!" Alan WA4SCA The largest electromagnetic energy emission in the last 30 years has been recorded on the Sun, the Shernberg State Astronomy Institute said on Thursday. This energy outburst may damage equipment of space satellites, the scientists say. Doctors warn that the emission is dangerous for those afflicted with cardiovascular illnesses as well as for healthy people. Scientists at the Shernberg Astronomy Institute of the Moscow State University have reported record-high emissions of electromagnetic energy on the Sun, the biggest since the 1970s. Over the past few days, the volume of sun radiation, or X9, has exceeded the normal level 1,000-fold. The scientists call this phenomenon an anomaly and say that the Sun is now in a stage when sunspots, sources of high electromagnetic radiation, are unusual. "Outbursts on the Sun like this have been extremely infrequent over the past 30 years," said Igor Nikulin of the Shernberg Institute. "What is more, we have never had a chance to observe such emissions with the sun at its minimal activity." Scientists say that the first indications of increased solar activity were recorded on Monday when four sunspots appeared on the eastern part of the visible side of the solar disk. First, the scientists observed flashes on the Sun which were classified as moderate. However, the flashes were followed on Tuesday by massive outbursts of electromagnetic energy. "Such a large cloud of hot plasma has been released into space that even electronic equipment on space satellites may be damaged," Vladimir Matveev at the Moscow Aviation Institute says. The Sun's electromagnetic anomaly has not reached the Earth yet. However, the Earth is expected to reach the sunspots quite soon. The encounter may happen this weekend, scientists at the Shternberg Astronomy Institute report. Igor Nikulin says: "If the area of the sunspots does not diminish in three or four days and the emissions continue, it may have a serious influence on the magnetic field of the Earth." A cloud of hot plasma from the sunspots will make the Earth's magnetic field vibrate and will cause a powerful magnetic storm." Doctors recommend their patients to keep to a special regime during the magnetic storm. People with cardiovascular illness are believed to be at a particular risk. However, quite healthy people should be on their guard as well. "One should not go overboard with drinking, going to the sauna or doing extra work," Vladimir Ryabinin, chief physician at the Sklifosovskiy Ambulance Institute, advises. Other doctors suggest that people pay close attention to their health conditions during the days of the magnetic storm and go to consult their doctors in case of any problem. Anna Geroeva

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I: Re: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule mode-L(SSB)/S
by Francesco Grappi 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

Hi Ib, thank you very much for your informations about AO-51, I tried to get through the transponder but without results. I'll try again this evening. 73" IW4DVZ Francesco > > -----Messaggio originale----- > > Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]]Per > > conto di OZ1MY > > Inviato: venerdi 8 dicembre 2006 10.16 > > A: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > Cc: ao51-modes(a)amsat.org > > Oggetto: [amsat-bb] Re: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule mode-L(SSB)/S > > > > > > Hi all, > > Just tried it and it works - but used a lot of power > > on the L band uplink. > > > > Power at antennas approximately 15 W PEP > > > > Antennas are 2 19 turn helix types > > > > Downlink the usual BBQ Grill dish 60 by 90 cm linear polarisation > > > > Had to change the frequency in the SatPC32 doppler file > > 1321 Hz up. I am using USB on the uplink. > > > > Now it is: > > > > AO-51,2401198,1268701.321,FM,USB,Nor,2256000,0,Voice L/S > > > > Heard one or two other stations trying to get on frequency. > > > > 73 OZ1MY > > Ib > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > > Cc: <ao51-modes(a)amsat.org> > > Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 4:02 AM > > Subject: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule > > > > > > > There is a minor change in the schedule as published. Instead > > of switching > > > to L SSB/U tonight, we ended up in L SSB/S. This will run > > through tomorrow > > > evening, when we will change to the announced L SSB/U mode > > until 11DEC2006 > > > at ~200Z when we go back to the normal V/U repeater and BBS > mode. Sorry > > for > > > the confusion, consider it a one day bonus mode! > > > > > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > > AMSAT-NA VP Operations > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Via the AO51-modes mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA > > > AO51-modes(a)amsat.org > > > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ao51-modes > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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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Floating Point Error - Nova
by Gregory Dober 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

I have been running Nova for 3 years and have run into this problem for the first time. It started with a floating-point error when I switched into frequency on the menu. After I restarted the program, the Nova window to launch would come up for a few seconds then about 100+ boxes of floating point errors came up. I noticed in the upper corner of Windows a small box popped up for auto track. I even deleted the program and reinstalled. As soon, as I hit launch the numerous boxes of floating point errors come up and I cannot get into Nova. I have to CTR-ALT-Del to close it. Anyone knows the fix. 73 Greg N3MVF

2 1

Receiving RAFT on 216.98 MHz ?
by Douglas Quagliana 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

A quick check around my radio shack confirms that none of my receivers will receive at or near 216.980 MHz. What were other amateurs planning to use to receive the pings from RAFT on 216.98? Is there a bargain-basement no-frills way to kludge something together to receive the signals? Douglas KA2UPW/5

4 3

shuttle audio?
by KD5MSS 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Shuttle Audio @ : IRLP: 9228 Echolink: 302324

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Beginer Antenna Selection Prt. 2
by Steve Raas 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

First I'd like to thank everyone for their input! In looking at all the ideas that have been tossed up in the air.. I may just go with the Potato Masher II x 2 ( 2m/435 ). Now for the hard part.. I see there are tones of home brew pages on how to construct these. I however have the construction abilities of a newt! Does any one make these commercially or as a side venture? I have looked @ the m2 eggbeater but I think the P.M. II has a bit better specs. -Steve

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Re: Beginer Antenna Selection
by Bruce Robertson 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Quoting Steve Raas <sraas(a)optonline.net>: > Well here is my 1st question. > > > > In researching what is needed for working sat's , I have found that I > am > looking for an antenna that has RHCP, although selectable RHCP & LHCP > is > avail.. I just cannot justify the added expense for a 5% probability of > an > improved signal. Steve: What an excellent question! My answers and advice below are based on some experience and on reading this list for the last couple of years. I hope those who are more knowledgeable will correct any errors. Antenna selection is partly determined by your rotation scheme. If you are using azimuth rotation alone, which I and many others would recommend and you suggest below, the following advice pertains. I would strongly recommend against *any* circular polarization to start. Use a linearly polarized antenna of modest length instead. If you do get a circularly polarized ones for 2m and 70cm, they should have switchable polarization. This is because different birds use different polarization for their antenna array, and in LEO they can end up reversing polarization. However, adding switchable circ. polarization adds enormously to the cost of the array or, in the case of homebrew, to the risk of muddling the thing up. > > That being said.. Are 'Typical' terrestrial SSB Yagis RHCP? I am > looking > at the following antennas for known performance vs. price: No, they're not. Yagis can produce circularly polarized signals if two of them at right angles are fed in proper phase. Thus, a yagi-like antenna that is circularly polarized will look like a combined vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented yagi. > > 2m - DPM144-5LVA (http://www.directivesystems.com/lva.htm) > > 430-440 - DSFO432-15RS (http://www.directivesystems.com/DSFO432-15.htm) Tuning on this band can be very touchy. If it says it is for 432, I'd give it a pass: you're going to be up at 435 MHz. > > You may wonder why I'm looking @ such small antennas and I will answer > that > My main coaxial run from rig to preamp may be at most 30'. These are not small antennas for LEO work. They are, in fact, too large if you are planning to use an azimuth-only rotation setup, which is really all you need (esp. with preamps on the mast). I'd go much, much smaller. As a sort of point of comparison, I'm upgrading from homebrew 8-el on 70cm and 4 el on 144 with fixed elevation (az-only) only in order to work the bottom 5 degrees of elevation and DX into W. Europe. That modest setup has garnered me hundreds of contacts and a world of fun. Like many on this list, I used the WA5VJB 'Cheap Yagi' design. It works. A recent pdf is at: http://portal.ucpel.tche.br/py3vhq/home/antenas/uhf-sw.pdf My guess is that any commercially-built array will be much more than the cost of a 2m/70cm SWR meter (you can even use a FT-817 as a poor-man's version!) plus the materials needed for a Cheap Yagi array. You might try some of the other designs that people have had success with, such as the Texas Potato Masher II. All of these are predicated on the fact that a longer boom yagi will make your (fixed az.) station *less* fun to work with. Greater gain comes at the cost of a narrower beamwidth, both vertically and horizontally. You'll therefore find worse nulls as the bird goes overhead, and you'll find the adjustment of the az. rotor will be unpleasantly touchy. There is a long-running debate about the optimal gain pattern for fixed el., but I'd say my 4-el. 2m antenna has a shade too little directionality for my liking. Still, I've used it for over a year now. The 70cm antenna is a champion in my books. I'm > probabaly > going to feed them both with an LMR-400 type cable, possibly LMR-600 on > UHF > but with such a short run and loss under 1.0db I don't know nor have > decided > if it would be worth it. Also I plan on mounting these ( or similar > yagis ) > @ a 30deg angle with a simple rotor as an AZ/EL rotor is not an option > at > this moment due to cost. So to sup up my initial statement I don't need > another 3dB of gain to make up for line loss, So in theory I can keep > the > antennas smaller. 30 deg. is pretty high, even with the short yagis (brutally so with long ones). Unless you will not get a signal to the lower elevations, due to foliage, houses, etc., I would experiment with 10 deg. to 20 deg. You've probably read that you need to put together the 'best receiving station you can'. You may also, as I did, fear that people will label you an alligator if you can't hear very well. In practice, folks on the birds are very understanding if you use modest power and are beginning. What's frustrating are the people who have been around for ages, put booming signals into the bird and don't seem to be able to hear anything but a signal equally booming. Because one can hear one's own signals, the problem is quite obvious to others. A last thought, which doesn't respond to your questions, but might be as much fun for you as it was for me: one of my first satellite antennas was a 70cm 1/4w groundplane. I just soldered some house hookup wire to a bnc connector: two for a groundplane, one for a vertical element. With a 6' run of RG-58 and a wooden roof, I can hear many birds in CW mode: LO-19 (booming!), the FM of AO-51 (listening in CW mode), GO-32. No rotating, no nothing. Granted, in my experience such an antenna doesn't quite suffice for two-way communication. But it reduces the number of variables in setting up a computer-aided station, if that's the way you want to go, and AOS prediction in any case. It is so cool to just listen to the bird come up, explore the elevation at which it is heard, listen to fading patterns, and observe doppler. Recreate the OSCAR 1 experience in about 5 minutes of antenna building! Later on, when something goes wrong with your outdoor array, you can always go back to this antenna as a baseline. In fact, when I lost my 70cm antenna to moisture in the feedline, I used this antenna a) to confirm the problem; b) to transmit up to VO-52! It's also a great way of testing an unknown receiver on 70cm: if LO-19 doesn't come in LOUD with the 1/4w groundplane, I'd say that receiver is useless for LEO work. Similarly, a three-element yagi on 2m will do a great job of picking up VO-52. I lashed one together, and pointed it by hand within my wood-frame house. Not R5 copy, mind you, but great fun and cheap. It will even copy AO-7. 73, Bruce VE9QRP ----- End forwarded message ----- -- Bruce Robertson, Dept. of Classics, Mount Allison University http://heml.mta.ca

3 2

3.4GHz Ionic amps now all sold
by jules＠g0nzo.co.uk 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Further to my email from a couple of days ago. The following was posted to the UK Microwave reflector: Jules ========================================================= Posted by: "g4bao" g4bao(a)ntlworld.com johnworsnop Wed Dec 6, 2006 1:38 pm (PST) Hi all, All 17 of my Power amps were snapped up in the first three days! Thanks to everyone, I obviously got the price just right!! I have a waiting list of 3 or 4 in case anyone drops out or does not pay or if I manage to find any more. I have one receive converter left if anyone is interested? 73 John G4BAO

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Re: help
by Reicher, James 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

George, I'm posting this to the BB because this site is a fantastic source of information: You can find almost any Yaesu manual on http://foxtango.ham-radio-op.net Manuals for rigs, etc. from the 60's all the way to the present can be found on this site. 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: Wed, 6 Dec 2006 16:13:38 -0500 From: "w3vvp" <w3vvp(a)atlanticbb.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] help To: "amsat-bb" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <001801c7197b$65e29b50$6401a8c0@George> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original I am in need of a service manual for a Yaesu 736-R. Does anyone have one for Sale? Is any one willing to make a copy and send it to me. I expect to pay for the copying and postage.Please reply off BB. e-mail:[email protected]. Tel: 410-364-5650 between 12 noon and 10 pm est. Thanks,George,W3VVP

2 1

Beginer Antenna Selection
by Steve Raas 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Well here is my 1st question. In researching what is needed for working sat's , I have found that I am looking for an antenna that has RHCP, although selectable RHCP & LHCP is avail.. I just cannot justify the added expense for a 5% probability of an improved signal. That being said.. Are 'Typical' terrestrial SSB Yagis RHCP? I am looking at the following antennas for known performance vs. price: 2m - DPM144-5LVA (http://www.directivesystems.com/lva.htm) 430-440 - DSFO432-15RS (http://www.directivesystems.com/DSFO432-15.htm) You may wonder why I'm looking @ such small antennas and I will answer that My main coaxial run from rig to preamp may be at most 30'. I'm probabaly going to feed them both with an LMR-400 type cable, possibly LMR-600 on UHF but with such a short run and loss under 1.0db I don't know nor have decided if it would be worth it. Also I plan on mounting these ( or similar yagis ) @ a 30deg angle with a simple rotor as an AZ/EL rotor is not an option at this moment due to cost. So to sup up my initial statement I don't need another 3dB of gain to make up for line loss, So in theory I can keep the antennas smaller. More to come in the future. -Steve Raas N2JDQ

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New to the Birds
by Steve Raas 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Just want to introduce myself, Steve Raas N2JDQ , As I am brand new to the Birds , yet a long time Amateur. I will be asking many questions Im sure and I am familiarizing myself with the AMSAT Community. I have just recently purchased a sat rig and will be slowly erecting a station in the near future. 73's for now. -Steve Raas N2JDQ

5 6

STS-116 and USBA/DARPA/ANDE/RAFT satellites launch
by Luc Leblanc VE2DWE 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

Could be of some interest on the next STS-116 mission. STS-116 to launch USNA/DARPA satellites Pretty much overshadowed by the main mission to the ISS, STS-116 will launch two U.S. Naval Academy Student Project satellites after undocking from the ISS. These satellites are called ANDE (Atmospheric Neutral Density Experiment) and RAFT (Radar Fence Transponder). The NRL science mission of ANDE is to measure the density of the upper atmosphere by precise tracking of the orbit decay by the Maui Laser Ranging Tracking Station. The Comm system provides important telemetry on the attitude and temperature of the spacecraft. The ANDE and RAFT satellites will carry amateur radio communications payloads (see frequencies below), but RAFT has something a bit extra. RAFT carries a 216.980 MHz receiver/transmitter to demonstrate self-location techniques when it flies through the Space Surveillance Network radar fence across the southern USA. When this experiment is activated, users will hear a 1 second ping when it flies through the fence. This is an excellent way to see how sensitive your radio installation is. Amateur Payloads: ANDE Side A: 145.825 MHz Digipeater up/downlink 1200 baud packet ANDE Side B: 145.825 MHz downlink (backup to side A only) RAFT System: 145.825 MHz Digipeater up/downlink 1200 baud packet RAFT PSK-31: 28.120 MHz HF PSK-31 uplink -downlink on 145.825 MHz You can get more information on these satellites at the following links: ANDE/RAFT Space Operations http://eng.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/ande-raft-ops.html ANDE (MAA) - Telemetry/Command and Comms http://eng.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/ande.html Various frequencies list http://www.monitoringtimes.com/ RAFT Satellite Project The MARScom satellite is suppose to launch with this mission, but nothing hs been mentioned in any of the official STS-116 paperwork about that Cubesat. While its mission fate is unknown as of this writing, according to a 13 October 2006 Chief of NAVMARCORPSMARS message the satellite is at KSC and ready for launch. You can view my complete description of the RAFT and MARScom payloads at MEMS-Based PICOSAT Inspector (MEPSI) http://exploration.nasa.gov/programs/station/STP-H2-MEPSI.html sources:http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/ :http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/ _ADDITIONNAL MESSAGES__OF INTEREST______________________________ R 131200Z OCT 2006 FM NNN0ASA VA TO NNN0ALL INFO ZEN/AAA9A AZ ZEN/AGA3C IL BT UNCLAS SUBJ: CHNAVMARCORMARS INFO BCST 48-06 - MARSCOM SATELLITE 1. BOB, NNN0APR, HEAD OF THE NAVAL ACADEMY SATELLITE LAB, HAS INFORMED ME THAT MARSCOM, THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS MARS SATELLITE, IS AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER AWAITING LAUNCH ON THE NEXT SHUTTLE ON ABOUT 5 DEC 2006. AT THAT TIME WE WILL HAVE OUR OWN SATELLITE IN ORBIT. WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER 50 DAYS TO DEVELOP A CADRE OF NAVMARCORMARS OPERATORS AND GROUND STATIONS. MORE INFO (INCLUDING A COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH) IS AVAILABLE AT (ALL LOWER CASE): HTTP://WWW.EW.USNA.EDU/(TILDE)BRUNINGA/MARSCOM.HTML 2. MARSCOM WILL BE DIFFICULT TO HEAR AND TO CONTROL DUE TO USING HF SSB FOR THE DOWNLINK AND THE DOPPLER SHIFT. THE DOWNLINK TRANSMITTER TURNED OUT TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER (ERP) OF UNDER 100 MILLIWATTS INSTEAD OF THE DESIRED 2 WATTS. WE ASSUME A 10 METER BEAM WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE COMMAND STATIONS. THE NAVAL ACADEMY HAS NO SUCH COMMAND STATIONS AT THIS TIME ... SO, WE NEED NAVMARCORMARS STATIONS THAT HAVE 148 MHZ FM UPLINK AND SSB 10M DOWNLINK, AND A 1200 BAUD TNC CONNECTED TO EACH. 3. MARSCOM, BECAUSE OF ITS LOW EARTH ORBIT, WILL DE-ORBIT IN UNDER SIX MONTHS. WE WILL NEED TO FIRM UP OUR PLANS ON WHAT WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH DURING ITS 6-MONTH LIFE. THE NAVAL ACADEMY WILL BE CONTROLLING A TOTAL OF FOUR SATELLITES ALL LAUNCHED AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME ON THE SHUTTLE AND AN ATLAS. THEY ASK THAT MARS VOLUNTEERS ACT AS MARSCOM GROUND STATIONS, NET-CONTROL OPERATORS AND MISSION PLANNERS. 4. BECAUSE OF THE SHUTTLE PROGRAM DELAYS, IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I INITIALLY REQUESTED VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS PROGRAM. THEREFORE, I AM SOLICITING VOLUNTEERS ANEW TO TAKE ON THE ROLES LISTED ABOVE. EXPERIENCE WITH SATELLITES IS DESIRED, BUT NOT MANDATORY. THE LOW ERP ON THE HF DOWNLINK WILL MAKE THIS A REAL CHALLENGE. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE ANTICIPATED SMALL FOOTPRINT OF THE MARSCOM SATELLITE. 5. TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE SUBMIT A REQUEST BY MARS MESSAGE TO YOUR STATE DIRECTOR, INFO YOUR REGION AND AREA DIRECTOR AND NNN0ASA VA. BE SURE TO INCLUDE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR SATELLITE EXPERIENCE. 6. NAVMARCORMARS: PROUDLY SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE. BT NNNN "-" The medium is the message...The content is the audience...;) Luc Leblanc VE2DWE WAC basic,CW,Phone,Satellite Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe

1 0

Florida AMSAT Net
by Robert Davies 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

The Florida AMSAT Net will meet this Thursday evening at the usual time of 19:30 ET, 23:30 UTC on the West Florida Group Ni4CE repeater system, the Orlando N4HHA repeater at 443.1 MHz, 103.5Hz tone, the N4LEM Cocoa repeater, 147.36 MHz +107.2 PL or connect by echolink to KG4YZY-R. The net's purpose is to provide a platform for hams with amateur satellite interest to meet and discuss topics of interest. All amateurs are invited to check in. -- KI4HXT EL97af Robert Davies AMSAT Area Coordinator AMSAT Member#35649 AMSAT President's Club Bronze Sustaining Donor IFC#2880

1 0

40 percent efficient solar cell breakthrough
by Dave hartzell 07 Dec '06

07 Dec '06

http://www.energy.gov/news/4503.htm

1 0

help
by w3vvp 06 Dec '06

06 Dec '06

I am in need of a service manual for a Yaesu 736-R. Does anyone have one for Sale? Is any one willing to make a copy and send it to me. I expect to pay for the copying and postage.Please reply off BB. e-mail:[email protected]. Tel: 410-364-5650 between 12 noon and 10 pm est. Thanks,George,W3VVP

1 0

3.4GHz PA offer to UK amateurs
by jules＠g0nzo.co.uk 06 Dec '06

06 Dec '06

All, With the forthcoming Eagle C band transponder in mind, and the current attempts to get a Satellite Service 3.4GHz allocation in Region 1. I saw this on the UK Microwave Group reflector. John G4BAO is offering a number of 3.4GHz PAs to UK amateurs. I believe that these are 15W units, requiring drive in the region of 1mW (but don't take my word for it!). John is offering these units at a very good price, with the intention of generating activity on the band (not to be stowed in the attic for a rainy day!) He can be contacted at g4bao(a)ntlworld.com , but they are going fast. Jules g0nzo

1 0

Superstition Hamfest @ Mesa AZ, last Saturday
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 05 Dec '06

05 Dec '06

Hi! The AMSAT table at the Superstition Hamfest in Mesa AZ was successful. Lots of traffic by the table, sales, and good crowds for the two AO-51 demonstrations (1615 and 1755 UTC). I, along with Gerry VE4GTB/KD7MDB and Larry W7LB, had a great time with a real AMSAT table with AMSAT stuff along with the satellite demonstration(s) for the first time in at least a couple of years for a Phoenix-area hamfest. We also had some help from an AMSAT life member, George W7ON (my father-in-law), who lingered around the table striking up conversations and also answered questions from passers-by. AO-51 regulars Leo W7JPI and Ron W6ZQ stopped by throughout the morning; nice to see them make the drive from southern Arizona to the Phoenix area. The first demonstration was a great AO-51 pass, at 1615-1630 UTC. With the satellite up to 80 degrees elevation, it was good for us with lots of activity across North America (10 QSOs). The 1755-1805 UTC pass, a westward pass with maximum 9 degrees elevation, was pretty good (3 QSOs, plus I heard a Mexican station toward the end of the pass that I could not make a contact with). My station was an IC-2720H mobile radio at 15W into my Arrow Antennas handheld dual-band Yagi (using a Diamond duplexer, to handle the higher power output). From the radio's speaker jack, I strung an external speaker away from the radio for the crowd to listen in, along with a small earpiece so I could hear the radio and a Sony digital recorder to capture the activity on these passes (and log the contacts later). Larry W7LB listened to the activity with his FT-817 and Yagi, along with the crowd around the external speaker. I had thought about trying at least one VO-52 pass during the hamfest, but never got around to it. We were talking with people for much of the morning, I didn't get my FT-817 out and try to work that satellite like I saw during the AMSAT demos at Dayton earlier this year. There will be other chances to do that. We are looking to have an AMSAT table at 3 other Phoenix-area hamfests in the next few months, and we will try to do demos on AO-51 provided the schedule is compatible with our equipment. Maybe other satellites, if those passes are compatible with these hamfests and the equipment we have. I'll post more information in advance of those hamfests, and hopefully we'll hear you during those demonstrations or see you at the hamfests. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Phoenix, Arizona USA http://www.wd9ewk.net/

1 0

Sat-PC-32
by Jim K0SBH 05 Dec '06

05 Dec '06

Hi, Have question. I am using Sat-PC-32 V.12.4. When using with the IC-910H and turning off the 910H first the program closes with no problem. When I use it with the TS-2000X and turn off the radio, the program sometimes had trouble closing. With the 2000X turned on the program always closes perfectly. So am I missing something? Of course I always close the program first now. Just wondering Thanks, Jim, K0SBH

5 5

ISS packet on !!
by Mineo Wakita 05 Dec '06

05 Dec '06

I received two packets today, 13:26:25 and 13:30:25 UTC, as follows. (JST = UTC + 9) RS0ISS-4>CQ,SGATE [12/05/06 22:26:25] <UI R>: >ARISS - International Space Station (BBS/APRS on) RS0ISS-4>CQ,SGATE [12/05/06 22:30:25] <UI R>: >ARISS - International Space Station (BBS/APRS on) --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 5, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

1 0

Fw: Microwave Papers for IRU Region 1 Interim meeting
by Graham Shirville 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

Hi All, We, AMSAT-UK, are working with the RSGB on a proposal paper for the upcoming IARU Region 1 interim meeting next February. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate activity on the 3.4GHz band and also to seek to establish access to the 3400-3410MHz section for the Amateur Satellite Service. At present only Regions 2 and 3 have such an ITU allocation and here in Region 1, even terrestrial activity is only by footnote to the Radio Regulations or by national rule making. We have a list of Region 1 countries that do have such terrestrial access - see http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/3400region1.JPG (and note that Denmark already has access to the satellite service) however there is a question mark about whether or not Poland does. If anyone knows the answer or have any corrections/additions to the list could you let me know! Many thanks for your assistance. 73 Graham G3VZV

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SKN on OSCAR 2007 TO BE IN MEMORY OF K7RR
by Emily Clarke 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

What a wonderful sentiment - Cliff would be thrilled. Thanks Ray, 73, Emily >SKN In memory of K7RR > >AMSAT News Service Bulletin 337.06 > From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. >December 3, 2006 >To All RADIO AMATEURS >BID: $ANS-337.06 > > >SKN on OSCAR 2007 TO BE IN MEMORY OF K7RR > >All radio amateurs, worldwide, are cordially invited to participate >in Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2007. This year, the event is dedi- >cated to the memory of Cliff Buttschardt, K7RR. Cliff was an enthu- >siastic and longtime SKN participant on both OSCAR and HF, as well >as a perennial Best Fist winner. He will be sorely missed. > >Participating in SKN on OSCAR 2007 is easy. No rules, no scoring >and no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR >etween 0000 and 2400 UTC on 1 January 2007, using a straight hand >key. > >In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, all participants >are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for "Best Fist." Your >nominee need not have the best fist of those you heard, just of those >you worked. Please send your nomination to w2rs(a)amsat.org. A list >of those nominated will appear in ANS and The AMSAT Journal. > >CU SKN! > >73, > >Ray W2RS

2 1

STS-116, ANDE/RAFT Operations
by Mineo Wakita 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

ANDE Side A: 145.825 Digipeater up/downlink 1200 baud packet ANDE Side B: 145.825 downlink (backup to side A only) RAFT System: 145.825 Digipeater up/downlink 1200 baud packet RAFT PSK-31: 28.120 HF PSK-31 uplink -downlink on 145.825 http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/satstation.html http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/ande-raft-ops.html http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/news/2006/ans337.txt --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 4, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

1 0

TrakBox Interface to HAM-IV Azimuth Rotor
by John Kopala 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

Thanks Dom, Cool. I think I've got it. In summary, the Rotor wiper on terminal 1 becomes ground reference and terminal 3 becomes the indicator voltage. The resistor and pot are used to scale the voltage to the desired range. And no problems with a ground loop occur because the 0 reference voltage is the grounded wiper of the rotor. I can get the positive reference voltage from the Ken-Pro KR-500 for the A to D converter. Now why didn't I think of that? Pretty simple. Thanks a bunch. John Kopala N7JK > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> > To: "John Kopala" <jkopala(a)gmail.com>; "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006 12:11 PM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] TrakBox Interface to HAM-IV Azimuth Rotor > > >> Hi John, N7JK >> >> I don't know if the control box of your CDE HAM-IV is similar to my >> Tailtwister T2X but they should be similar. >> >> Since I am interested on this matter I have made some measurements to >> see if my T2X is a suitable rotator or not for a future automatic >> tracking >> system of my antennas. >> >> The above rotator has the wiper of a 500 ohm potentiometer mechanically >> coupled to the inside of the aluminum hood using a cogged >> copper-berillium >> spring to get it rotate by 360° when the hood rotates. >> >> Unfortunately going back and forth the mechanical coupling became >> too loose because of the aluminum wear and a big backlash between >> the actual position of the antennas and the indicated azimuth creates >> an error that make the above mentioned system less suitable for precise >> tracking purposes using this type of rotators. >> >> From the electrical point of view the wiper of the potentiometer is >> grounded >> by the aluminum hood and cannot be insulated. >> >> The negative terminal of milliamperometer ( I ) is connected to ground >> via >> a 5k calibrating pot. while the positive of it is connected to the >> positive >> of a power supply via a fixed 10 k resistor. >> >> Terminal 3 of the 500 ohm potentiometer is connected to the positive and >> terminal 7 is connected to the negative of a stabilized voltage and both >> terminals 3 and 7 are insulated from the ground. >> >> During operation when the wiper of the potentiometer is all the way to 3 >> the positive of the power supply is grounded and no current circulates in >> ( I ) >> >> When the wiper is all the way to 7 the negative of the power supply is >> grounded and the maximum positive voltage is available across ( I ) >> >> Connecting a voltmeter between the positive terminal 3 and the ground in >> 1 a positive voltage between 0 volt and about 13 volt is linearly >> available >> during 360° rotation. >> >> If you need 5 volt for your Trakbox you should connect to terminal 3 a 5 >> k >> resistor in series to a 5k potentiometer in order to get 10 k across >> terminals 3 and 1 and get + 5 volts from the wiper and ground i.e. from >> the >> wiper and terminal 1 >> >> The system works but because of the above mentioned problem rotators like >> Yaesu and Ken-Pro are better for tracking purposes. >> >> 73" de >> >> i8CVS Domenico >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "John Kopala" <jkopala(a)gmail.com> >> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >> Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006 12:11 AM >> Subject: [amsat-bb] TrakBox Interface to HAM-IV Azimuth Rotor >> >> >>> I am looking for a method to interface the TrakBox Azimuth Sense input >>> to >> the Azimuth indicator level from a CDE/Hy-Gain HAM-IV / CD-45-II Rotator. >>> >>> It would seem that without a circuit to isolate the grounded return to >>> the >> control box meter the likelyhood of a ground loop occuring is high. The >> TrakBox expects an Azimuth indicator voltage to vary between 0 (its local >> DC >> ground level) and the positive reference voltage for the rotors. >>> >>> I assume there are some TrakBox users using rotators other than the >>> Yaesu >> and Ken-Pro rotors who have encountered this problem and come up with a >> solution. There is no point in reinventing the wheel if there is already >> a >> suitable solution available that I can use. >>> >>> I did receive a suggestion to use an op-amp to convert the level. >>> >>> Any suggestions from TrakBox users? >>> >>> John Kopala >>> N7JK >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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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Advertising and Fundraising (was Re: Re: [bod] A web search tool...)
by Emily Clarke 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

>At 10:56 AM 2/14/2006, Woody wrote: >>Ed wrote: >Who gives a rip about what websearch tool or browser you use or whether you >like MicroSoft. People who give a RIP crop up when they find out companies who do this kind of marketing have violated their privacy. Then they get very angry, and in some cases that anger is unfairly directed at AMSAT. If you don't believe me, send me an email and I'll share emails that blame us for disclosing it or an equal amount that claim we are "too strict" on protecting personal information. We are committed to protecting all of your personal information and I personally will resign before I work as a volunteer for any organization who isn't committed to the protecting your information. There is no easy way for an organization that is volunteer led to develop the bandwidth to make sure we can endorse any such scheme. The alternative is to have your contributions and dues go to pay staff salaries rather than have that money go to build satellites. Unfortunately, if we were to grow that large, the trend is that non-profits are more likely to sell off your information to pay for overhead. At AMSAT, none of us are paid staff. I certainly am not. We barely get compensated for our out of pocket expenses, and Area Coordinators get paid nothing for gas and mileage (and in my case, transportation to give presentations in California, some of which are up to 500 miles away!) On the other hand I have been a long proponent, even before I joined the board and since joining the board, that we could ultimately raise at least $100K per year if we could advertise on our website. However even this is controversial and I have been shot down every time I have proposed it to the board, I think is going on three times now. But I respect the people who have been opposed, though I disagree and grow tired of the same arguments it is a board decision, and we must abide by the votes. To many of you, all of this including, the web search thing, must seem like a no-brainer. I can assure you that it isn't. If you think it is, ask yourself where someone doing targeting marketing to you got the information. Then ask yourself this question: Are you willing to allow AMSAT sell off your personal information to launch a new satellite? Certainly some of you may, I suspect most will not. A better way to deal with this is to consider this: Is it worth it to you for AMSAT to keep your personal information private? If you think so, go to the store and donate $10 - that's the same as a couple of thousand clicks or so. If you don't want to use the online store, call Martha at call 1-888-322-6728 (USA and Canada). Better still, pay for the call by dialing (301) 589-6062. You can also send a check or even (*gasp*) just send a holiday card with a $10 bill. It's all good, and if you want it to go to Eagle or P3E, tell us - we will make sure it gets there. 73, Emily, N1DID At 10:56 AM 2/14/2006, Woody wrote: >Ed wrote: > >>Who gives a rip about what websearch tool or browser you use or whether you >>like MicroSoft. Those that can utilize this search tool to help raise a >>few more bucks should. If you can't or won't use it....then send Amsat >>support some other way...geesh my delete finger is getting sore from this >>thread. > > >FINALLY! Someone had something intelligent to say about this thread. > >Thanks, Ed. > >73, > >Woody >KJ4SO > > >----- Original Message ----- From: "Edward R. Cole" <al7eb(a)acsalaska.net> >To: "G8IFF/KC8NHF" <nigel(a)ngunn.net> >Cc: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 6:40 AM >Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: [bod] A web search tool that costs you >nothing and generates donations to AMSAT > > >>At 10:43 AM 2/14/2006 +0000, G8IFF/KC8NHF wrote: >>>Who'se doing the insulting. >>>It's about time that the majority realised that Microsoft isn't the ONLY >>>way to go. >>>Some of us exersise the choice we've been given. >>> >>>If you're happy with Microsoft products, that's fine. I'm not. >> >>I thought this was about raising funds so we could launch satellites >>....Like Eagle? >>Who gives a rip about what websearch tool or browser you use or whether you >>like MicroSoft. Those that can utilize this search tool to help raise a >>few more bucks should. If you can't or won't use it....then send Amsat >>support some other way...geesh my delete finger is getting sore from this >>thread. >> >>ALL that I am going to say....don't bother to flame me...I will not >>respond...this is enough, already! >> >>Ed - KL7UW >>---- >>Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >>To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo(a)amsat.org >---- >Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo(a)amsat.org

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Please do not use too much power on the uplinks
by DeYoung James 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

Greetings, I have noticed since about 15 November 2006, for sure since 25 November my loopback frequency measurement values on FO-29 have changed and are more variable. Normally my loopback frequencies on FO-29 are stable at the several hundreds of Hz but lately they are variable with a peak range of 1.5-kHz--so far. Now I know why lately I am getting these loopback frequency changes from pass-to-pass and day-to-day. When the passband is saturated the frequency translation is non-linear. Additionally, distortion becomes a problem for all users when the passband is saturated. James A. DeYoung (KG4QWC), 3218 Wellington Road, Alexandria, VA 22302-2229, deyoung_james(a)yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com

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Please do not use too much power on the uplinks
by OZ1MY 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

Hi all (Europe) During this weekend I have heard a lot of stations using far too much power on the uplinks to VO-52 and FO-29. Some even say that they are using 80 to 100 W to relatively large antennas - that is not necessary. It is counterproductive and make it difficult for small (QRP) stations to work the satellites. NO - I do not want to be a police man but it makes a very bad impression on potential satellite users on ham meetings, where I have tried to make them active on the satellites. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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Up coming launch? Kiwisat
by G0MRF＠aol.com 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

Hello all. Here's an announcement that seems to have slipped under the radar. Kiwisat would appear to be a mainstream AMSAT spacecraft with a lot of interest for everyone. It appears to be on the Russian launch manifest for May 2007 _http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/russia-man.txt_ (http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/russia-man.txt) May 07 Denpr-1 KatySat 1, KiwiSat, AtmoCube, PolySat 3/4 (CP3/4), CubeSat RAFT, Funsat, UCISat 1, CAPE 1, Libertad 1, MAST 1-3 _http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~jpsl/Kiwisat_progress5.htm_ (http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~jpsl/Kiwisat_progress5.htm) - dated Jan 06 Thanks David G0MRF

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updating keps
by James Sanford 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

What should the IP adr for amsat keps be?? I just downloaded SatPC 32 V.12.6 and all my attemps at updating keps fail ( so says the pop-up box). Thanks Jim K8ZZU

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TrakBox Interface to HAM-IV Azimuth Rotor
by John Kopala 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

I am looking for a method to interface the TrakBox Azimuth Sense input to the Azimuth indicator level from a CDE/Hy-Gain HAM-IV / CD-45-II Rotator. It would seem that without a circuit to isolate the grounded return to the control box meter the likelyhood of a ground loop occuring is high. The TrakBox expects an Azimuth indicator voltage to vary between 0 (its local DC ground level) and the positive reference voltage for the rotors. I assume there are some TrakBox users using rotators other than the Yaesu and Ken-Pro rotors who have encountered this problem and come up with a solution. There is no point in reinventing the wheel if there is already a suitable solution available that I can use. I did receive a suggestion to use an op-amp to convert the level. Any suggestions from TrakBox users? John Kopala N7JK

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VRS 2006 Hour spent on behalf of AMSAT
by Gunther Meisse 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

Attention AMSAT Volunteers: It is that time of the year again. We need to be sure as many volunteer hours as possible have been reported to the VRS (Volunteer Reporting System) on the AMSAT web site. Over the last few years thousands of dollars of volunteer time have been reported and we are sure this year will be our largest given all the work that has done on Eagle. If you are already registered on the VRS site please take a few minutes and report these 2006 hours. If you have not reported before, please visit amsat.org, register, and help us keep track of this important aspect of the AMSAT mission. We'll keep the year open until the middle of January but hope you will take the time within the next couple weeks to update your report. You may combine your efforts for the entire year into one filing if that would make the process more convenient. Looking forward to your reports. Have a great holiday season. Regards, Gunther Meisse W8GSM AMSAT Treasurer

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FO-29 status Dec.3
by Mineo Wakita 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

HI HI A6 03 88 D5 8F F3 05 25 00 24 46 8F 74 48 92 8E 9C 78 80 7E 80 81 75 Decoded by fo29cwts.exe Solar Current 1137.3 [mA] Battery Current 588.8 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.7 [V] Middle Voltage 6.8 [V] Bus Voltage 15.3 [V] JTA Tx Power 681.9 [mW] Structure1 Temp 32.2 [C] Structure2 Temp 32.9 [C] Structure3 Temp 32.2 [C] Structure4 Temp 31.8 [C] Battery Cell Temp 36.4 [C] --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 3, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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AO-07 healthy CW Dec.3
by Mineo Wakita 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

I could hear AO-07 CW at 00:01 UTC, Dec 3, elevation 51 deg around 145.972 MHz. --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 3, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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I: Re: Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32
by Francesco Grappi 02 Dec '06

02 Dec '06

Yes I agree with you Michael, I read carefully everything about this matter, thanks Erich for your help! 73" Francesco IW4DVZ > -----Messaggio originale----- > Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]]Per > conto di Michael Hatzakis Jr MD > Inviato: sabato 2 dicembre 2006 17.07 > A: 'Erich Eichmann'; 'Dean Shutt' > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Oggetto: [amsat-bb] Re: Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32 > > > I want to take a moment to thank Erich for some impressive support of this > group, thanks, Michael K3MH > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On > Behalf Of Erich Eichmann > Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2006 3:03 AM > To: Dean Shutt > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32 > > Dean, > 1. to calibrate your 2 data lines for each SSB sat for SSB and CW do > the following (separately for the SSB and CW entry): > > While the satellite is audible calibrate the uplink frequency > until you hear > your own voice or CW signal with the best audio pitch. To fine tune the > uplink frequency use the "Upl. Calibr." controls in menu CAT > (these controls > leave the downlink frequency unchanged, so, they change the offset between > downlink and uplink frequency). > > Then click the button "Change/Store Data File". In the menu that > opens click > on "Store ...Uplink Calibration". This function saves the new > offset and at > next program start you should hear your own signal with the right audio > pitch or very close to it. > > Recently there was a discussion whether to use the button "Change/Store > .. TX/RX frequency data" to save the calibration. The purpose of that > function is another one, however, see below. > > The calibration procedure should be done with each SSB satellite, because > there are hardware depending frequency deviations between the > single radios. > So, the frequencies that come with the program can't be optimized for each > radio. Between my IC-821H and IC-910H, i.e., is a deviation of > about 1 KHz. > > The mode entry in Doppler.SQF (USB, LSB, CW) can be changed only manually > with Notepad, of course. > > 2. > To start CAT tuning immediately on the beacon frequency of a > satellite, i.e. > FO-29, do the following (after you executed the procedure above 1): > > While the satellite is audible tune the radio to the satellite's beacon > signal. That can be done with the VFO knob. > > In menu "CAT" click the button "Change/Store Data File" and in > the menu that > opens click on "Change/Store RX/TX Freq. Data". > > That will save the new uplink AND downlink frequencies (after eliminating > the actual Doppler shifts, of course) but leaves the offset unchanged. To > operate over the satellite you only need to tune off the beacon > frequency to > an unused frequency. > > (This feature was very helpful with the AO-40 S-band beacon. It allowed to > easily find the own downlink signal inspite of the daily > temperature changes > of the outdoor downconverter L.O.) > > 3.There is a detailed description of these functions in the manual in the > section regarding menu CAT. > > 73s, Erich, DK1TB > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Dean Shutt" <al7cr(a)amsat.org> > To: <erich.eichmann(a)t-online.de> > Cc: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 8:56 PM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32 > > > > Erich, > > > > Further to a recent question, it appears that I must change the > > doppler.sqf file to calibrate a cw beacon rather than use the > > "change/store data file" button. Is this correct? I have a seperate > > line for each SSB sat that tunes the beacon frequency in CW mode and was > > attempting to adjust for the offsets in my system. > > > > Thanks for the help. > > > > 73 de Dean, AL7CR > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur > satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32
by Dean Shutt 02 Dec '06

02 Dec '06

Erich, Further to a recent question, it appears that I must change the doppler.sqf file to calibrate a cw beacon rather than use the "change/store data file" button. Is this correct? I have a seperate line for each SSB sat that tunes the beacon frequency in CW mode and was attempting to adjust for the offsets in my system. Thanks for the help. 73 de Dean, AL7CR

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23cm tranceivers
by William Leijenaar 02 Dec '06

02 Dec '06

Hi AMSATs, Recently I was looking for some 23cm trx to use it for testing higher bands transponders. I can do 23cm on satellite band with a transverter to 2m, but this is very un-practical in mobile use... Another problem is that it has only 2MHz couverage, and I like something that can cover the whole 23cm band in all-modes. I found several types from several brands, but all of them seem to be old and no more available. Because I am not into all those old/new types it takes me long time to find out what is a good choice and the same time available. I prefer all-mode 23cm trx from ~1240...1300MHz. Size in the order of a mobile set, but no huge base-station as I need it for moving around. Output power in the order of 1W is enough (more is extra), as I have amplifiers available to gear this up. New or old is all welcome, my main interrest is good RF performance. The best I found is IC-1275, but it is no more available and very rare to find (I read on internet) 73 de William ____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index

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GeneSat-1 preliminary TLE and first orbit events
by Ralph Wallio, W0RPK 02 Dec '06

02 Dec '06

The GeneSat-1 team provides the following preliminary TLE based on a nominal launch at 11Dec06 12:00UT: Preliminary GeneSat-1 1 99999U 06999X 06345.50694444 -.00000901 00000-0 -14127-4 0 04 2 99999 40.0194 072.9780 0008447 270.5318 220.8695 15.52687384 19 First orbit events based on this TLE: 12:00UT T0 Launch 12:20 T0+20 GeneSat-1 deployment - 437.075* beacon on-the-air 12:34 TCA South Africa 13:00 TCA Australia 13:31 TCA West coast North America 13:37 TCA Central North America 13:41 TCA East coast North America *Information sources have provided both 437.075 and 437.100 for the GeneSat-1 70cm downlink. TNX es 73 de Ralph Wallio, WØRPK W0RPK(a)netINS.net http://showcase.netins.net/web/wallio/ Hubbert's Peak - The Mother of all Perfect Storms

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AO-51 testing 2DEC2006
by Andrew Glasbrenner 02 Dec '06

02 Dec '06

The AO-51 Command Team will be running a short test tomorrow morning between the two morning passes of AO-51 over the eastern US. The BBS may be inaccessible, and the voice repeater may be off for a portion of the time after 1300Z and should be back by 1630Z. 73, Drew KO4MA VP Operations, AMSAT-NA

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Skywarn Recognition Day-W9S
by Erik Jacobsen 01 Dec '06

01 Dec '06

I am going to try to work the 2026 CST pass from the Romeoville, IL National Weather Servvice office (KLOT) using the W9S call sign. I have to drive an 66 miles through rush hour traffic 5-6 hours after a major snowstorm. Hopefully I will have a good notetaker. I will try to get Wish me luck Erik KB9BNY-Your EN51/EN52 Special Event Station Operator ;)

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sprint 2 tnc hooking dilemma
by nader omer 01 Dec '06

01 Dec '06

Hello all I need help to setup sprint 2 tnc from paccomm According to the manual I hooked up all the jumpers as it mention on the table at page 17 but nothing work The things confused me are 1- on page 6 the manual mention to operate a sprint-2 satellite model with same baud rate for uplink and downlink; ground the satellite selection line.J2 pin7 2- on page 15 mention ground pin 7 to (j2 to pin 6) to activate the dual speed feature 3- on page 30 SP5 is closed on all models except satellite model to work echo satellite I need same speed 9600 for both up and down links so what I should connect? I tried all the different ways of hooking the pins! but I got no print out from the satellite. the tnc can keying the radio and the dcd diode flickering ok please if anyone could give me the tnc setup i will be graceful 73 de nadir st2nh --------------------------------- Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta.

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CubeSat GeneSat-1 launch 11Dec06 with OSCAR telemetry downlink
by Ralph Wallio, W0RPK 01 Dec '06

01 Dec '06

Triple-CubeSat GeneSat-1 is scheduled for launch 11Dec06 12:00UT with TacSat-2 from NASA Wallops Flight Facility near Ocean City MD. AX.25 1200bps FM/AFSK telemetry transmissions on 437.075MHz will start immediately after deployment which will be at ~T0+20min. A GeneSat-1 web page will be available starting 06Dec06 via www.Genesat1.org with latest orbital and telemetry information. There will be a telemetry reception and reporting contest and electronic QSL cards. Current updated GeneSat-1 information is immediately available via http://showcase.netins.net/web/wallio/CubeSat.htm. TNX es 73 de Ralph Wallio, WØRPK W0RPK(a)netINS.net http://showcase.netins.net/web/wallio/ Hubbert's Peak - The Mother of all Perfect Storms

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IF-100 kit schematics
by sergej kindsvater 30 Nov '06

30 Nov '06

Can anybody help with the schematics for the IF-100 rotator interface please? I have got a used one recently on the eBay, alais no schematics. The serail/parallel connectors need to re-wired though... There is a document from Ricofunk on the amsat-dl.org site but it refers to a ready-made device, whereas mine apparently is a kit version. Appreciate any help, 73 -- Sergej Kindsvater DF6MU, W6MHZ Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet.

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Blockhouse photo at SLC-2A ?
by G. Beat 30 Nov '06

30 Nov '06

This photo inside blockhouse at SLC-2A ? (Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California). http://n4hy.smugmug.com/gallery/2053086/1/105530958 w9gb

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AO-7 launch picture
by Bob McGwier 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

If you want Tom's favorite in a little higher resolution: http://n4hy.smugmug.com/gallery/2053086/1/105531086 and be sure an check "O" for original size. What a great photo. Bob N4HY -- Robert W. McGwier, Ph.D. Center for Communications Research 805 Bunn Drive Princeton, NJ 08540 (609)-924-4600 (sig required by employer)

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Dates for AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2007
by Jim Heck 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

Hi Folks, Please make a note in your diaries, etc The dates for the 2007 AMSAT-UK Colloquium are 20 through 22 July 2007. We are holding it a week earlier than normal to avoid clashing with the Central States VHF Event. Venue is to be the University of Surrey, as per previous years. I hope that lots of you from the other side of the Pond will be able to make it! 73 Jim G3WGM Hon Sec AMSAT-UK

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Re: AO-07 Healthy CW]
by Tom Clark, K3IO 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

W9GB noted > > I can identify the lab equipment on the bench (looks like my high > school & college labs - 1970s) with the NiCad battery pak, EXCEPT for > the rectangular box with metal handles to the right of the NiCads. > > NiCad battery charger? Homwbrew power supply? Greg -- the high-priced hardware (HP+Tek) show NASA Goddard property labels. The cheaper power supplies in the back are Heathkits with AMSAT stickers. The box you are asking about has a yellow Goddard tag. I'm trying to recognize it, and to the best of my recollection it is a Coulomb-meter that measured (on the mechanical counter you see on its panel) the integrated charge/discharge current. Also my fuzzy memory tells me that the heatsink device on clip leads was a prototype BCR. Sil asked: > I guess there's a special "satellite design" reason that double wires > are used (instead of one thicker one) for the current carrying battery > leads? The twin wires go to a pair of pins on the DA-9 connector, with two pins providing greater current handling ability and redundancy. It also appears that the V/2 telemetry tap has a pair of whit wires even though it provided zero current. BTW -- the V/2 telemetry would be on 3B. > Leaving aside Geoff's (vk2tfg) point that the telemetry may be > irrelevant because of the doggy value in channel 6D, it would seem that > the five top cells (between half volt point and +12V - numbers 2,3,4,5,6 > counting clockwise) are being charged with a current of 80mA and have > reached a terminal voltage of 6.4 volts (8.8 - 2.4). This represents a > voltage of 1.28 per cell (6.4/5) and is thoroughly reasonable. This idea > is supported by the temperature of cell number 5 at 60.28 C. The top 5 cells are fed by the black wire and are the LOW voltage side. The 5 "high side" batteries terminate in the orange wire on the bottom, The thermistor on cell #5 is on the low voltage side. The thermal design of the s/c ended up with internal temps ~20°-30°C range (i.e. TLM values in the 40-50 range). I find it hard to believe that a valid interior temperature would ever be in the 60°C range. Regarding all the telemetry speculation -- AFAIK, there is no indication that the A/D converter is showing ANY valid data at all -- see also Jan's comments at http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/n7hpr/ao7_tlm.html. FYI -- the TLM and its associate Morse encoder system was built with discrete CMOS logic by John Goode, W5CAY in Texas. Memory fails me, but I believe that the TLM/Morse board is on the "back wall" in the photograph at http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/ao7/slideset/slide09.html even thought the photo only identifies the module as the command encoder. All the white IC's a early RCA ceramic 4000-series parts. AFAIK, Oscar-6 & -7 were the first CMOS users in space. AO-7, with much of this logic still functioning after 32 years and 2 weeks, certainly holds the longevity record! [In case you forgot, Nov.15th was AO=7's 32nd birthday -- my favorite picture of the launch is the "7-UP" contrail left by the Delta booster http://www.amsat.org/amsat/sats/ao7/slideset/slide18.html] 73, Tom

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Re: Offset Correction in SatPC32
by Alan P. Biddle 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

Michael, I have had that happen myself a couple of times myself, where I thought I was storing the correction, but instead it completely trashed the data, or lost it entirely. I just assumed operator error, and being the paranoid type just restored my most recent backup. It hasn't happened in some time, but I am always looking at the exact circumstances, offsets, transverters, etc, so if it happens again I can reproduce it. Alan WA4SCA

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Re: Dates for AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2007
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 29 Nov '06

29 Nov '06

Hi Jim, Re - Colloquium dates. I have just received my "GEO" publication form Francis Bell and the group. He has I am afraid published the dates for our next colloquium as July 27 -29, 2007 Perhaps he has assumed the same dates as last year? Kind of him to assist in marketing for us as he also states that GEO hope to be invited once again. The other note is that they are holding the "GEO" annual symposium at the NSC Leicester date: Saturday May 19th, 2007. Cheers Ken GW1FKY

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Offset Correction in SatPC32
by Michael Hatzakis Jr MD 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

I asked this before, but I probably wasn't very clear. I just installed SatPC32 and really like it. it is a very well written package. One feature I really like is that it is possible to fine-tune adjust the offset between uplink and downlink frequency. This is a very useful tool as, for me; I find that I need about +2kHz correction on my uplink to bring FO-29 right onto my downlink frequency. Problem is, once you close the program, this offset is lost. Is there a way to save that offset in the Doppler file or somewhere else so I don't need to keep entering it? Thanks, Michael K3MH

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Re: AO-07 Healthy CW
by gregory.beat＠comcast.net 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

Bob - Nice photos to see. I can identify the lab equipment on the bench (looks like my high school & college labs - 1970s) with the NiCad battery pak, EXCEPT for the rectangular box with metal handles to the right of the NiCads. NiCad battery charger? Homwbrew power supply? http://n4hy.smugmug.com/gallery/2053069/1/105529591 w9gb

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Re: AO-07 healthy CW
by Tom Clark, K3IO 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

N4HY sent this note: > There was one series string of Nicads as can easily be discerned from > this photograph: > > http://n4hy.smugmug.com/gallery/2053069/1/105529609 > > > > You can notice the series string starts at the upper left and works its > way right and then down to the lower string and back to the left. > > Bob > N4HY > Those are sealed, space-rated NiCd batteries built to NASA's specification. The package you see is the flight spare for the Radio Astronomy Explorer (RAE) satellites. They originally cost ~$2000 per cell. With later satellites, AMSAT found that we could "make our own" batteries that were better by carefully screening industrial-grade commercial batteries by following a recipe devised by the late Larry Kayser VE3QB/VA3LK/WA3ZIA. RAE-A = Explorer 38 (http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1968-055A), launched July 4th, 1968 flew in MEO. This satellite had a a pair of Vee-beam antennas which provided gravity gradient stabilization. With each Vee-beam being 750' long, the satellite's 1500' total length made it the biggest structure put into space. The antenna booms were made of flat beryllium copper tape that formed itself into a round tube after being unrolled. RAE-B = Explorer 49 flew June 15th, 1973 into Lunar orbit (http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1973-039A). It also had the same long Vee-beam antenna. The very lumpy lunar gravity field made for interesting problems with the gravity gradient booms! FYI -- I note with some pride that I came to Goddard in 1968 as a staff scientist working on RAE-A and then RAE-B. I migrated from low-frequency radio astronomy into Pulsar and VLBI work. FYI#2 -- In addition to the flight spare batteries, Oscar-8's 10M antennas owed their existence to the RAE project. 73, de Tom K3IO (ex W3IWI)

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ISS experiment E.T. shadow.
by Kevin Forbes 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

Hi all, just making a mention of this experiment again for anyone that missed it. I just received this. > >Dear friends! >Thank you for support of the space experiment "Shadow" on ISS. More than >200 claims have been registered, the experienced hams Gennady Tjapichev >(R3XB) and Guy Roels (ON6MU) presented the special tools for generation of >a short beacon, some groups of hams had conducted trial experiments "in a >ground" air for checkout of a methodology. The ground preparation of the >space experiment "Shadow" in a part of an amateur radio is practically >completed so that we could proceed to a following step, namely to "cold" >experiments in an orbit even an year ago. >However, fulfillment of the scientific programs on ISS was noticeably >quickened only with new flights of "Shuttles". >In order to begin with space experiment "Shadow", it was offered to conduct >a few auxiliary sessions of its cold phase in a digipeater mode. Sergey >Samburov (RV3DR), the employee of space-rocket corporation "Energia" which >is responsible for an amateur radio on ISS, explained that this mode is >already in use for available onboard amateur radio and allows to overcome >many formalities. >At the moment there is a decision to perform the first trial session on the >European measuring field as it is the most long and dense. Never the less >I'd like all to recollect all and look through the results of this European >session in order to be ready in your turn. >So I invite you to visit again our page >http://www.tsniimash.ru/Shadow/Next-eng.htm., check yourself in lists and >on maps, exam the section " Cold experiments " and other new materials and >further take part in the experiment as terms and requirements of its >realization will be additionally presented. Also I ask you to present this >invitation to your local BBS, the more participants the better. > >73, Valentin Strashinski, principal investigator, TSNIIMASH. > >æÏÔÏÐÅÞÁÔØ ÎÁ æÏÔÏ(a)Mail.ru - ×ÓÅÇÏ 2.5 ÒÕÂÌÑ ÚÁ ÏÔÐÅÞÁÔÏË 10È15! >http://r.mail.ru/cln3167/foto.mail.ru/catalog/photoprint.html or google E.T. shadow _________________________________________________________________ Advertisement: Fresh jobs daily. Stop waiting for the newspaper. Search now! www.seek.com.au http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fninemsn%2Eseek%2Ecom%2Eau&_…

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Question WISP BBS flight software
by William Leijenaar 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

Hi AMSATs, I am looking for some way to make a WISP compatible packet BBS, for full-duplex and high efficiency data communication. There have been many satellites with this system and I wonder if there is some kind of design/software free available for it. The modems and TRX is not a problem, as I have it available in transponder format :o) The problem is mainly the boardcomputer software that handles the messages and communcation protocols etc. what I am looking for. 73 de PE1RAH William --- ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com

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Re: AO-07 healthy CW
by Sil - ZL2CIA 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

Bob, and others, There seem to be 12 cells wired in series. It looks like there is a "tap" in the middle between 6 and 7 (two white wire). Cell 5 (counting clockwise from the top left) seems to have a temperature sensing element bonded to it. There are leads away between cells 1 and 2 and 11 and 12 (orange and black). In fact these look like they might even be the main supply leads, making the main supply only 10 cells in series. Looking closely you can see a "+" sign on one of the terminals post of each cell, so it looks like the two orange wires are the +ve supply and the black -ve (logically enough). Even when I look at the largest version of the picture, I can't see how the very first, and the very last cells are connected. One would seem to provide a "below" zero voltage and the other an above Vcc voltage. Thanks again Bob. I'll go back to the telemetry a see if I make any interpretations from this. Sil By-the-way. Both the comcast mail server Bob uses, and the server used by AMSAT have become very fussy about the senders email address. Both rejected my initial message (with an amsat.org reply-to address). Antispam measures, I guess.

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Re: AO-07 healthy CW
by Martin Gillen 28 Nov '06

28 Nov '06

I plugged that data into the AO-7 telemetry calculator and got: CH CHANNEL NAME Value == ============ ===== 1A Total Solar Array Cur 2360 ma. 1B +X Solar Panel Cur 370 ma. 1C -X Solar Panel Cur 370 ma. 1D +Y Solar Panel Cur 370 ma. 2A -Y Solar Panel Cur 930 ma. 2B RF Pwr. Out 70/2 1.8432 watts 2C 24 Hr. Clock Time 811.2 minutes 2D Batt Chg/Dischc Cur. 80 ma. 3A Battery Voltage 8.8 volts 3B Half-Batt Voltage 2.4 volts 3C Bat. Chg. Reg. #1 3.6 volts 3D Battery Temperature 60.28 C 4A Baseplate Temp. -46.28 C 4B PA Temp 2/10 Rptr -46.28 C 4C +X Facet Temp. -46.28 C 4D +Z Facet Temp. -46.28 C 5A PA Temp. 70/2 Rptr -4.84 C 5B PA Emit. Cur. 2/10 793.56 ma. 5C Modul. Temp. 70/2 -4.84 C 5D Instr. Sw. Reg. 66.76 ma. Input Cur. 6A RF Pwr Out 2/10 5907.69230769231 mw. 6B RF Pwr Out 435 956.6 mw. 6C RF Pwr Out 2304 377.856 mw. 6D Midrange Telemetry 0.96 V Typ.(0.50 +- 0.01) Calibration

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RE. K3SZH 2000 AO-7 QSO;s
by dcowden＠nc.rr.com 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Congrats Joe. The old bird can't work without your input. 73's Don, N8DDK

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Fw: AO-7 2000, K3SZH JOE.
by TERRY BROMLEY 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

----- Original Message ----- From: TERRY BROMLEY To: AMSAT Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 4:56 PM Subject: AO-7 2000, K3SZH JOE. Well done Joe, 2000 in the log on the old bird. 73 Terry G1WPR.

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Re: SuitSat 2
by Fred A Parker 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

SuitSat 2 is coming off from the drawing board to assembly. I just sent Lou a piece of hardware. Lou and his crew are working hard on this project. Lou hope's to have the flight hardware ready by June 07 for testing. Thank you all for the support. It is said the only difference between a man and boy is the cost of there toys. Fred

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AO-7 2000, K3SZH JOE.
by TERRY BROMLEY 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Well done Joe, 2000 in the log on the old bird. 73 Terry G1WPR.

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Fw: GO-32's BBS services shutdown for 2-3 weeks !
by roni waller 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

4X6EM / 4Z7DFC Techsat's Ground Control Station http://www.technion.ac.il/ASRI ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: roni waller <z7dfc4(a)yahoo.com> To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Cc: s4x1as(a)netvision.net.il Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 11:29:13 AM Subject: GO-32's BBS services shutdown for 2-3 weeks ! to Radio-Amateur's community, Due to a special test and to maintainance needs, Techsat1b/go-32 will stop its BBS services for 2-3 weeks starting 25/11/2006. We apologize for the inconvenience to all go-32 BBS's users . We will get back the services as soon as we can and let you know. regaeds, 4X6EM / 4Z7DFC Techsat's Ground Control Station http://www.technion.ac.il/ASRI

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IO-26 decoded !
by Mineo Wakita 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Sats. IO-26 Freq. 435.790MHz +/- 10kHz Mode 1200bps PSK(USB) Date 07:49-08:00 UTC, 26 Nov 2002 ITMSAT>MBLCTL [11/26/06 16:56:26] <UI>:..... ITMSAT>MBLCTL [11/26/06 16:56:27] <UI>:..... ITMSAT>MBLCTL [11/26/06 16:56:27] <UI>:..... ITMSAT>MBLCTL [11/26/06 16:56:28] <UI>:..... --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Nov 26, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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Superstition Hamfest, Mesa AZ, 2 Dec 2006
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Hi! I will be part of the AMSAT table at the Superstition Hamfest in Mesa, Arizona, this Saturday (2 December 2006). Along with Gerry VE4GTB and Larry W7LB, I will be out there manning the table and we will also do demonstrations on AO-51 and *possibly* VO-52. Since the ISS packet system has come back on, we may be able to monitor that as well. More information about the hamfest, including driving directions, can be found at: http://wb7tjd.org/hamfest/ Gerry and Larry have done these sorts of things before, but this will be my first time. If you hear one of our calls - most likely WD9EWK - please give us a shout. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Phoenix, Arizona USA http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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Tampa Hamfest this coming weekend, 2-3DEC2006
by Andrew Glasbrenner 27 Nov '06

27 Nov '06

Hi Everyone, Just a short note that AMSAT will have a booth at the upcoming Tampa Bay Hamfest in Palmetto, Florida. The dates are the 2nd and 3rd of December, and the hours are 8-5 Saturday and 9-5 Sunday. We'll have the full gamut of AMSAT supplies, and will sponsor a forum and question and answer session on Saturday from 1 to 3. We'll also have several live satellite demonstrations both days, and for the first time at this hamfest we will be demonstrating both the tuning and tracking capabilities of SATPC32 throughout the day with a Icom 910 and Yaesu rotor set. Keep an ear out for KI4HXT and KO4MA on the birds, both FM and SSB. Any AMSAT members that would like to assist with the booth, please drop me an e-mail at ko4ma(a)amsat.org. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Thanks: Need SatPC32 Doppler file
by Michael Hatzakis Jr MD 26 Nov '06

26 Nov '06

Thank you very much for all of you who took the time to respond to my request for a new Doppler file. I got the program back on the air and appreciate knowing about the "Cat_Data_Backup" folder. I wanted to mention that I got into this mess because I have been needing a consistent Uplink correction of between -1000khz to +1500khz depending on the satellite. I thought I would use the "Change/Store data file" function to in the CAT menu to try to capture this correction. But when I went on to "Store uplink calibration", in the process, the program deleted all entries for that satellite. Does anyone know how a.) to store the actual Corrections for future passes and b.) Is it some sort of software bug that lead to the deletion of the Doppler entries? Michael K3MH

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PACSATs
by Michael Hatzakis, Jr MD 26 Nov '06

26 Nov '06

I am interested in hearing a few people's experiences working with the PACSAT's... Which Sats are active; which are easiest and/or most interesting to work and who has integrated SatPC32 with WiSP? Are there easy ways to configure WiSP? Michael K3MH

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