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XF4DL on AO-51 @ 29 Oct 0315 UTC
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 29 Oct '06

29 Oct '06

Hi! I just got back in the house from working AO-51, and had a most pleasant surprise on that pass. The XF4DL DXpedition to Socorro Island (Revillagigedo) was on the satellite. At times, the pileup was just like on HF, but sometimes nothing was coming through the satellite with all the signals trying to make it through. In addition to a few XE stations, I heard KB5BOB and W6GMT also make contacts with the station after I made mine. Thankfully, my Sony digital recorder picked it all up, and I will hold onto this recording until that QSL card arrives from the DXpedition QSL manager. :-) :-) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Phoenix, Arizona USA http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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wanted KLM 20c and 22cx sat antennas
by Frank viggiano 29 Oct '06

29 Oct '06

I am looking for both the KLM 144 20C 2-meter crossed yagi beam and a 440-22CX 70 cm crossed yagi beam. In any condition willing to ship. Thanks Frank/kb2mvn

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Help Uni-Trac and keps
by Frank viggiano 29 Oct '06

29 Oct '06

I am getting my station back up and running after several years of dormancy. It's just been sitting so last I used it, all was fine. Yesterday I ran uni-trac and got a error about incorrect keps. I played with it for a while and got no ware so I reloaded the entire program from a zip file that had keps from 2003 and they work fine but if I update the keps file in unitrac it does not seem to like the new ones. I get error message. Did some thing change in the way two lines keps are written in the last few years? Any one else have this problem? Thanks for any help Frank/KB2MVN

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Re: KCT problem
by Roy 29 Oct '06

29 Oct '06

Dave, if you are using the DOS driver for the KCT, DRV.COM you may be having a problem with the KCT not sensing the rotor is turning which will then give the stalled message. There must be a changing voltage fed back to the KCT on pin 13 (Horizontal Analog Input) of the KCT DB25 plug within a designated time limit or the KCT will assume the rotor is stalled. Measure this voltage and see if it starts changing with the rotor movement. This problem can also occur when the rotor is set fully CCW and the sensed voltage is very low or zero. When the rotor starts turning it sometimes takes a few seconds for the rotor pot wiper to contact the wire wound resistance wire in the rotor pot causing the KCT to assume the rotor is stalled. This can be adjusted for in this case by setting the STALL timer value in the DRV.COM parameters. It defaults to a value of 18 which allows a two second time limit for the rotor to be found moving. See page 14(?) in the KCT manual. As of now there is no repair facility for the KCT. There are schematics for it on the AMSAT web site. Let me know what you find. -- Roy -- W0SL > Message: 8 > Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2006 18:19:34 -0400 > From: "Dave Marthouse" <dmart(a)pure.net> > Subject: [amsat-bb] KCT Problem > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Message-ID: <000c01c6fadf$2b7b7500$fadc2b0c@none> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > I am experiencing what may be a problem with my Kansas City Tracker card. I am using the latest version of N4HY's QuickTrack with the KCT and Yaesu rotator. The rotator works fine in all directions. The tracker card is seated tightly in its slot in the computer. The cable connecting the KCT with the rotator is firmly connected. When I boot up I get an indication that the kct is stalled in azimuth. That is what the cw readout tells me. Elevation works fine. I re installed the software driving the KCT and this doesn't seem to help. In addition I re installed Bob's software. I still get a stalled azimuth. This leads me to believe that the KCT has a problem. Does anyone have any ideas? Any information would be appreciated> > > I know LL Grace isn't in business and the KCT isn't manufactured. Does anyone know where a used one can be obtained? Is anyone involved in repairing the KCT cards? > > > Dave Marthouse N2AAM > dmart(a)pure.net >

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Re: KCT Problem
by Alan P. Biddle 29 Oct '06

29 Oct '06

Dave, It has been at least that long since I have had a KCT. However, there are a couple of things external to the KCT which could give you a stalled error. One is a loss of the azimuth reference signal. I dimly recall a test program which would let you read the ADC data. If so, see if both the azimuth and elevation are indicating correctly. If not, check the signal at the back for the rotator box, and at the DB-25 connector to the KCT. I would think that you would see the rotator run away in one direction or another, however. The other case is if there is a problem with the left/right controls. You should be able to check that at the same points by grounding the appropriate lines manually. Perhaps a solder connection has opened up. In any case, you can check this easily with a VOM and a jumper wire in a few minutes. If all that is working, then the KCT or software is the culprit. As I recall, there were not many chips there, so it may be possible to fix by substitution. It will, probably, be either an ADC chip or the control driver chips. I hope this will help a bit. I did the above exercise a couple of times, and both times found a bad connection in my work. With luck, somebody using the unit will have some more specific suggestions, and possibly the specific pinouts and chips. Alan WA4SCA

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KCT Problem
by Dave Marthouse 28 Oct '06

28 Oct '06

I am experiencing what may be a problem with my Kansas City Tracker card. I am using the latest version of N4HY's QuickTrack with the KCT and Yaesu rotator. The rotator works fine in all directions. The tracker card is seated tightly in its slot in the computer. The cable connecting the KCT with the rotator is firmly connected. When I boot up I get an indication that the kct is stalled in azimuth. That is what the cw readout tells me. Elevation works fine. I re installed the software driving the KCT and this doesn't seem to help. In addition I re installed Bob's software. I still get a stalled azimuth. This leads me to believe that the KCT has a problem. Does anyone have any ideas? Any information would be appreciated> I know LL Grace isn't in business and the KCT isn't manufactured. Does anyone know where a used one can be obtained? Is anyone involved in repairing the KCT cards? Dave Marthouse N2AAM dmart(a)pure.net

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UO-11
by Joca JN 28 Oct '06

28 Oct '06

Hi All, last 25th october, I has received UO-11 signals and I can record a nice pass over Natal HI24jd. I has used mixw to decode telemetry and results in a lot of text data, show after. using a yagi 4 elements the signal was constant but never over S-1 (only open SQL). today 28th the UO-11 pass in silent. who be interest I can send the total file with 40 telemetry frames or the audium file. 73, Joca PS7JN ---------------------------------------------------------- UOSAT-2 060=590033427 000000010001020002030003040004050005060006070007080008090009 100001110000120003130002140005150004160007170006180009190008 20000221000322000023000124000625000726000427000528000A29000B 30000331000232000133000034000735000636000537000438000B39000A 40000441000542000643000744000045000146000247000348000C49000D 50000551000452000753000654000155000056000357000258000D59000C 60800E615FC1620105633305644402651E0C662AC467000168000E69000F UOSAT-2 060=590033431 00000001000102000203000304000405000506000 070007080008090009 10000111000012000313000214000515000416000W170006180009190008 20000221000322000023000124000625000726000427000528000A29000B 30000331000232000133000034000S35000636000537000438000B 000A 40000441000542000643000704000045000146000247000348000C49000D 50000551000452000753000654000155000056000357000258000D59000C 60800E615FG1620105633305644402651E0C662AC467000168000E69000F --------------------------------- Yahoo! Search Música para ver e ouvir: You're Beautiful, do James Blunt

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2005 Financial Documents Posted
by Emily Clarke 28 Oct '06

28 Oct '06

The 2005 Annual Report, Audit and tax filings are now posted on the AMSAT website at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/AboutAmsat/documents/finance.php --------------------------------- N1DID formerly W0EEC - CM87tm Support Project OSCAR - http://www.projectoscar.net

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Re: CW from an FM HT
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 28 Oct '06

28 Oct '06

> > Key the PTT line of your UHF FM transmitter for a CW uplink. Turn the > > mic gain down or remove the mike all together. > > > It will chirp a bit, but it can be copied. > > If your HT does odd splits and has wide coverage, you might be able to reduce > or eliminate this. Generally, the VFO has to switch from receive to transmit > by the amount of the IF. That's probably where the chirp comes from. I have > not done this experiment with a service monitor to see exactly what happens, > but you might try an odd split such that the RX frequency has been shifted by > the IF frequency (you might have to try both +/- to see which works for your > rig). Then when you key the rig, the VFO doesn't have shift very far (if at > all) and that might make the chirp go away. If you try the experiment, please > let me know. I was doing some testing here at home with this. I used an IC-W32A and IC-T7H with a straight key plugged into the mic jack on each radio. Nothing fancy from the key, just an adapter to fit the 3/32" (2.5mm) jack, and I could key the transmitter. When I did this, listening on another radio, I could hear only the carrier. No audio was coming from the HTs' built-in mics. I might try this on FO-29 this evening, and maybe VO-52. One additional drawback with an HT for a CW transmitter is the fact that most HTs (including these two I tried this morning) have 5 kHz as the smallest tuning step. I also have an FT-817ND, but I only have one of those radios. Otherwise, I would be trying all of this with a pair of FT-817s and making some CW and SSB contacts. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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AO-50
by VE3CJE 28 Oct '06

28 Oct '06

Thanks to all for the keps AO-50. Norman.

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British Satellite Prospero heard ??
by john heath 28 Oct '06

28 Oct '06

Can anyone verify the reception of signals from this old satellite? The BBC TV programe Coast visited the Black Arrow test site on the Isle of White. This was the location for a static firing test site, part of the sucessful UK rocket program in the 1960's-70's On the programe they demonstrated reception of short pulses which were claimed to be from the satellite Prospero. Object number 5580. Is this genuine, or did they pick up something else which they attributed to Prosopero. An AOR scanner was shown but I was not quick enough to see the frequency display. Did anyone record it on video? The antenna was a small yagi hand held. The only reference to a recent reception report I can find on the net dates to 2002 and a frequency of 137.560. Element sets for Prospero are available from the Space-Track web site. (see the Space Page, RadCom January 2006. 73 John G7HIA PS/ I listened on numerous day light orbits early in the year and heard nothing.

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British Satellite Prospero heard ??
by Eric Rosenberg 28 Oct '06

28 Oct '06

When I was in the Regulatory Affairs group at Orbcomm from 1996-2001, we had an issue with Prospero occasionally showing up in the Little LEO downlink band of 137-138 MHz. I contacted some folks in Farnham who were involved with that satellite (launched from Woomera, Australia, if I'm not mistaken), and was able to collect some documentation on the satellite, long considered dead, and most of those involved retired. The long and short of it was that the problem went away, everyone was pleased, and I had some interesting documents. It's been some time since that happened; I've moved on twice (first to Iridium Satellite and am now with the US Government), and all that's left of Propero is the backup satellite and Black Arrow rocket, both of which which sit in the Science Museum in London. I haven' a clue where the documentation I had is -- it may be in the boxes of material I donated a couple of years ago to the Historic Electronics Museum outside Baltimore. If I get a chance, I'll sift through the debris in my basement and see if they rise to the surface. 73, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC

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Keps for SO-50
by VE3CJE 28 Oct '06

28 Oct '06

I have Nova for windows and can't seem to find the keps for SO-50 for down loading. Norman.

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Still having problems with the new kep format??
by Perry Yantis 27 Oct '06

27 Oct '06

Can anyone tell my why Celestian bbs changed it kep format from something simple and easy to use to something that don't work!!!! Again today I have downloaded the new keps, then in Word Pad deleted the satellites I don't want and the +-[] that I don't want and resaved the file. But once again my sat programs reject these new files. I may start using the Amsat keps that are in the NASAbare files as these are text without extra stuff. The problem with these keps are the sat names are different from what I have in my programs now (nova and Uni-trak) and as a result I will have to re enter all the satellites. As a result I am very ticked off that things were changed that cause all these problems. Why can't the sat keps be simple text files that all use the same names and no extra stuff. This should not be this much of a problem. Perry WB8OTH Perry Yantis pyantis(a)earthlink.net

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info
by w3vvp 26 Oct '06

26 Oct '06

I went through the keps that I receive each Friday and did not see vo-52 listed. Is it listed by another name. I can do 2&440 ssb and would like to try to work it. I have 22C & pair 18C's on az/el rotor. Thanks for any info. George

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FL AMSAT NET - REVISION
by David J 26 Oct '06

26 Oct '06

THIS IS A REVISION TO OUR LAST FLORIDA AMSAT NET BULLETIN FOR TONIGHT'S NET. DUE TO A GAP IN COVERAGE, CHECK-INS IN THE ORLANDO AREA CAN ALSO JOIN THE NET ON 444.125 MHz +5 MHz USING TONE OF 103.5 Hz. DAVE, AA4KN

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Re: VO-52 underused bird
by John W Lee 26 Oct '06

26 Oct '06

And turn off the P.L. It makes it sound awful on CW. I started out on Mode A with a Regency HR-2B with one crystal, keying the thing on CW and it worked great. 15 watts did the trick. Made hundreds of QSO's until I got a better rig. What got me started (this was in about 1974) was the local folks talking about OSCAR on the 2 meter repeater all the time. SO one day I tried just keying the mike and seeing if I could actually hear my own signal.. Lo and behold... it was there! The rest is history... I did the same with Oscar 10, using my old Heathkit HW-24, with only 10 watts and a 7 element beam I could actually hear myself coming back on the downlink! The CW signal was awful but I managed to work about 10 stations. So again, a better UHF radio and I was in business! 73, John K6yK On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:35:34 -0600 James Duffey <JamesDuffey(a)comcast.net> writes: > Key the PTT line of your UHF FM transmitter for a CW uplink. Turn the > > mic gain down or remove the mike all together. > > It will chirp a bit, but it can be copied. > >

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FLORIDA AMSAT NET
by David J 26 Oct '06

26 Oct '06

I received this information from N4HHA this afternoon. This concerns tonight's Florida AMSAT Net for all operators in the Central Florida area. _____ From: Michael Burke - N4HHA [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 2:41 PM To: 'David J'; AMSAT-FLORIDA Subject: 443.100 Repeater The 443.100 repeater will be down in Orlando for the AMSAT net tonight, 10/26/06. I regret the short notice. I've made arrangements for two other Central Florida repeaters to carry the net tonight. 442.100 + 103.5 I-Drive Orlando 444.450 + 103.5 Kissimmee The 443.100 EchoLink node will be on for those connecting via keyboard. 73, Michael Burke N4HHA n4hha(a)amsat.org

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VO-52 underused bird
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 26 Oct '06

26 Oct '06

Hello I never hear anyone talking about vo52. I was there aos to los cqing myself. The sat reminds me of the old rs 10 days. A good sized bandwidth and enough time for a couple short enjoyable qso's. See you there. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Please can you Help me?
by Vincenzo Mone 26 Oct '06

26 Oct '06

Hi to the list, I own a PacComm tnc to use at 9600 baud. I notice a problem always I switch it on. When I switch it on the leds called: PWR STA CON Are permanently on and no communication comes out on the terminal program. Any help please?

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CW from an FM HT [was: VO-52 underused bird]
by John Mock KD6PAG 26 Oct '06

26 Oct '06

> Key the PTT line of your UHF FM transmitter for a CW uplink. Turn the > mic gain down or remove the mike all together. > It will chirp a bit, but it can be copied. If your HT does odd splits and has wide coverage, you might be able to reduce or eliminate this. Generally, the VFO has to switch from receive to transmit by the amount of the IF. That's probably where the chirp comes from. I have not done this experiment with a service monitor to see exactly what happens, but you might try an odd split such that the RX frequency has been shifted by the IF frequency (you might have to try both +/- to see which works for your rig). Then when you key the rig, the VFO doesn't have shift very far (if at all) and that might make the chirp go away. If you try the experiment, please let me know. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) [Note: If i'm in your address book, please replace 'qsl.net' with 'amsat.org'.]

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Re: VO-52 underused bird
by Tony Langdon 25 Oct '06

25 Oct '06

At 06:56 AM 10/26/2006, w7lrd(a)comcast.net wrote: >Hello >I never hear anyone talking about vo52. I was there aos to los >cqing myself. The sat reminds me of the old rs 10 days. A good >sized bandwidth and enough time for a couple short enjoyable >qso's. See you there. RS-10, now there's a classic bird. That was the first satellite I ever worked, it was a load of fun. :) 73 de VK3JED http://vkradio.com

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(no subject)
by David J 25 Oct '06

25 Oct '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 join in. Dave, AA4KN

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ST2NH operation from Khartoum
by i8cvs 25 Oct '06

25 Oct '06

Hi, All Nader, ST2NH will end his operation from Sudan KK65GP on day 27 october and then he will be active again from El Rijadh Saudi Arabia as HZ1NH During our last QSO via FO-29 yesterday Nader infomed me that in about three weeks he worked 23 countries and made 105 QSO with different stations mostly in Europe using AO-7, FO-29, AO-51 and AO-52 73" de i8CVS Domenico

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dual L/S helix feed
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 24 Oct '06

24 Oct '06

Hello All I have completed though not tested as yet my dual band feed. If anyone would like to try the same or check out my efforts, I will foward a couple of pictures upon request off list. I will try this feed out on my four foot off center primestar dish in the coming weeks. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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WiSP DDE interface
by Andrew T. Flowers, K0SM 24 Oct '06

24 Oct '06

This one is for the programmers out there--can anyone tell me what DDE serivce, topic, and item to monitor for rotor and radio control in WiSP? I understand the data format is the same as SatPC32. -Andy K0SM/2

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L/S helix feed
by Joe Leikhim 24 Oct '06

24 Oct '06

Bob; I don't think the larger reflector will hurt S-band feed although the larger reflector will create some additional blind spot for the dish. This may not be a problem depending on the gain required. Could you share pictures or drawings of the concentric feed? I am very interested in all options for multiband dish feeds. Message: 3 Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:46:52 +0000 From: w7lrd(a)comcast.net Subject: [amsat-bb] L/S helix feed To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Message-ID: <102320062346.26698.453D546C00022FD80000684A22058861720B9D04C999(a)comcast.net> Content-Type: text/plain Hello Questions on my current L/S helix feed. I am building a dual L/S concentric helix feed for a 48x54 inch primestar dish. The reflector is cut for L band does that cause a problem with S band? Where can I find a good design for a notch filter for S band to reduce desense? Where does the focal point want to be on the helicies? Or is it pretty forgiving. Any other information is appreciated. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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L/S helix feed
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 24 Oct '06

24 Oct '06

Hello Questions on my current L/S helix feed. I am building a dual L/S concentric helix feed for a 48x54 inch primestar dish. The reflector is cut for L band does that cause a problem with S band? Where can I find a good design for a notch filter for S band to reduce desense? Where does the focal point want to be on the helicies? Or is it pretty forgiving. Any other information is appreciated. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Re: L/S helix feed
by Grant Hodgson 24 Oct '06

24 Oct '06

Charlie G3WDG has designed a dual, concentric helix feed and microstrip filters to reduce the de-sens to very low levels; details are on his website :- http://www.g3wdg.free-online.co.uk/dual.htm regards Grant G8UBN

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Is TH-D7AG the only widely available full-duplex HT??
by John Mock KD6PAG 24 Oct '06

24 Oct '06

I was trying to help out another ham get started with satellites, and just checked the on-line HRO catalog. They no longer list the Icom W32A, only its accessories. Does that mean that the TH-D7A[G] is the only HT being made today which works well on FM satellites??? Are there other vendors besides HRO to check? -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) [Note: If i'm in your address book, please replace 'qsl.net' with 'amsat.org'. I never send unsolicited binary attachments, and so if you receive anything purportedly from <kd6pag(a)qsl.net> that isn't signed with my callsign, then it probably isn't from me. There's a new worm/virus out there that appears to be sending infected messages with addresses it finds in their hosts' address books. If you getting strange 'failed mail' messages, that's what going on.]

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AO-51 this evening over Europe
by OZ1MY 23 Oct '06

23 Oct '06

Hello in Europe, This evening there seems to be persons trying to block the satellite with interesting tones ! Please do not do that. I hope those of you who might know who is doing that will approach the person to make it stop. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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Re: SatWarn 1.0
by Wayne Estes 23 Oct '06

23 Oct '06

Gabriel EA6VQ wrote: I have made, mainly for my own use, a small program that communicates via DDE with the excellent DK1TB's SatPC32 satellite tracking program and gives a voice warning when a satellite rises above the horizon. Wayne W9AE replies: A voice AOS announcement feature will be in SatPC32 v12.6, planned to be released in November. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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SatWarn 1.0
by Gabriel - EA6VQ 23 Oct '06

23 Oct '06

I have made, mainly for my own use, a small program that communicates via DDE with the excellent DK1TB's SatPC32 satellite tracking program and gives a voice warning when a satellite rises above the horizon. In case someone is interested you can download it from http://www.vhfdx.net/satwarn.html 73. Gabriel - EA6VQ ===================================================== Web-Site: HTTP://www.vhfdx.net VQLog: HTTP://www.vqlog.com Realtime QSO maps: HTTP://www.vhfdx.net/spots/map.php =====================================================

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Looking for info on a SHF Systems BS2400
by am25544 23 Oct '06

23 Oct '06

Hello All, Does anyone have any info on a S-band downconveter made by SHF Systems model BS 2400? Thanks in advance. Armando, N8IGJ

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Re: OSCAR-11 Heard
by Mineo Wakita 23 Oct '06

23 Oct '06

Hello Douglas, Thank you for your detailed analysis of my wav file. I arranged and posted it on my HP: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/uo11dec3.htm Thank you. --------------------------------------------- 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: Oct 22, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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Re: AMSAT-BB Blocked
by John Mock KD6PAG 22 Oct '06

22 Oct '06

I've been receiving quite a few 'failed mail' reports for message i've never sent. I saw alot of this a year or two ago. As best as i could tell then, some form of 'malware' was harvesting my e-mail address from an infected PC's address book[s]. I then had my e-mail address intermittently blocked by a several ISPs. The problem mostly went away on its own, albeit i did report the problem to a couple of ISPs. I'm seeing similar reports in the past week or so. Also, no headers have been provided, so i can't diagnose this on my own right now. I also go copies of a couple of my own postings, and the 'From:' line in my message was "amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]]" (as i read the AMSAT-BB on-line due to its volume). I suspect the malware is thus also sending infected e-mail using 'amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org' and perhaps your ISP, legitimately on auto-pilot, is blocking messages from this Sender. The fix to this will probably vary from ISP to ISP. This is not a pretty picture and i see no easy fixes. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) [Note: If i'm in your address book, please replace 'qsl.net' with 'amsat.org'. I never send unsolicited binary attachments, and so if you receive anything purportedly from <kd6pag(a)qsl.net> that isn't signed with my callsign, then it probably isn't from me. There's a new worm/virus out there that appears to be sending infected messages with addresses it finds in their hosts' address books. If you getting strange 'failed mail' messages, that's what going on.]

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TLE data at celestrak.com
by Perry Yantis 22 Oct '06

22 Oct '06

I see that the Celestial bbs has now changed its format without notice ahead of time. While the keps still work in Nova OK, it does not work with Uni-track. So how do I fix it??? I have used the Celestial BBS for years because it was straight text, no compacting, or fancy stuff that caused problems with Uni-track. Why the change??? Perry WB8OTH Perry Yantis pyantis(a)earthlink.net

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TLE data at celestrak.com
by Perry Yantis 22 Oct '06

22 Oct '06

Thanks for all the information about keps. Perry WB8OTH Perry Yantis pyantis(a)earthlink.net

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UO-11
by Ronald A. Stunden 22 Oct '06

22 Oct '06

Heard here in CN89 (Richmond near Vancouver) very strong signal. from AOS at 00:06 until LOS at 00:15.. MaxE was 9.5 ..YC

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ICOM W32A
by VE3CJE 21 Oct '06

21 Oct '06

Ebay has the Icom W32A listed. New units Item number: 280018856289. Norman.

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Re: OSCAR-11 Heard
by Mineo Wakita 21 Oct '06

21 Oct '06

I heard UO-11 145.826MHz FM at 09:30 UTC, 21 Oct 2006. And I tried to decode it by using "UO-11 soundcard Demodulator". http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/uo11tlme.htm --------------------------------------------- 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: Oct 21, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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QRP Mode and JOTA
by Erik Jacobsen 21 Oct '06

21 Oct '06

Getting ready for JOTA, I just gave the QRP Mode a try. The satellite was difficult to copy on a 66.3 degree pass. Using my arrow antenna I had to compensate for deep fades. Plus, the squelch was open. Anyone else having the same experience? Thanks & 73 Erik Jacobsen, KB9BNY & W9W on 10/20-10/21.

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JOTA
by Brock Thomsen 21 Oct '06

21 Oct '06

W6GMT BROCK THOMSEN WINTER QTH SUMMER QTH 1721 MELODY LANE PO BOX 222 BAKERSFIELD CA MARCELL MN 93308 56657 I will be working the AO-51 passes and the VO-52 Pass Saturday AM from the Scout camp Here in Bakersfield Using the Club Call W6BAR also some HF 10,17,20.40 on the JOTA freq. 73 Brock

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AMSAT-BB Blocked
by Eric H Christensen 21 Oct '06

21 Oct '06

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Ever since the symposium, my e-mail server has been blocking all messages coming from this SIG (not the SAREX list). Has anyone else been experiencing this? Of course you probably would get this message if it were being blocked would you? 73s, Eric KF4OTN AMSAT Member 35360 AMSAT Area Coordinator Please donate to the Eagle project! http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php?donate=eagle -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.3 (MingW32) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iQIVAwUBRTluRsX5so7y5L2YAQJ4zhAAzGmbe6Y+pwsgtUM6Z4LVvBzu2HSykLo7 uLyHg4RlaViOb6TbbhDWEhgboYcUn/yhuhq+gcQskrLIL62vpX82vA0HPYzep1Zj Zb2d5HNrVgtNBbysbhO2P49X1/5sBXo5Jf7o3NCyeCSF/6xdoTH1/p2YqVuoOzhK LQQ32rdZSdn3oVQX6PxeikJmM+SdkRBgb0UXzlImr4DWRrabR2sH3+leQivQ85GJ eAtqD2IGjjOo1hP2mvbcKeN62ZCFeE+xrRPs6aojbxk2oLaP3fFsRKm/AoCqTPIN 3UvHqxyz3Fy+lF6gedJoF1lbe9F7gb1jKJ4TIoHpvf+mAmYvsGjsXJAWd8IAxNKI lJXQULI1raU+04a7Idm+1ZJeYHenbyVhQBm5NUpbd42mKmXTb8TI9L65eeKfu1IB smwYhgCwiqZF5NY0WAtCTKJAO3tNaY0+fEO5S1Ujwz563G5ppX2rFsVAioisaYbI buxtS4bqF6+tpjX6KErrYCOOWQc9YAPJ9oZaKxyyLJoI40QpervFrPLSGvwBeUQe ZjPXLGDXIMnihwNlZlwjVyrNgETa2yaoi1HXpovvc33p7RL6WA9h04JpsEC50zdt LSoriY3xHmTTahiWUFnxON4qePBUEqFUdF0LQht9RLAhYZewxXh85sIaPjv71feI 1ovpSraPPP4= =WlyW -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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GTO-Track
by Brad, K1GTo 20 Oct '06

20 Oct '06

I've started designing a simple Java application that will run on a Nextel phone (should actually run on any java phone) that will automate the frequency shifting necessary to have a QSO on a Linear/transponder satellite. I know that I'm nowhere near as experienced as most of the guys on here, so I wanted to run a few things by you, so you can tell me if it is a good idea, or how it might be improved. In the first Phase, the application will use an internet connection to connect to a running Predict server (that's the Linux satellite tracker program). The application that runs on the phone will interface to predict to obtain Doppler shift information about the satellite currently selected, based on the QTH coordinates programmed into Predict. As the satellite approaches and then departs, the application on the phone will, via an ICOM CI-V interface, shift the frequency such that the operator doesn't have to touch the dial (once its set where he wants it). In order to be most useful, I'm thinking that the operator should scan around on the RX frequency and find a spot, whether it's an open frequency for calling CQ, or a frequency where someone else is calling CQ and they want to respond. By selecting that RX frequency, the application will make calculations and properly adjust the receiver such that the correct input frequency is used. In effect, the application will pair up the correct TX and RX frequencies so that you transmit on the input frequency that corresponds to the output frequency, with Doppler, and everything else factored in. That was sort of question 1 there, is that how it ought to work? Then the next part of the question would be: Should the application leave the RX frequency constant, not adjusting it whatsoever for any Doppler, etc, and only adjust the input frequency?

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Re: TLE data at celestrak.com
by Isao SEKI 20 Oct '06

20 Oct '06

If anyone use the TLEs with SatTrack, you can do the below procedure to remove harmfulness. sed -e 's/^M//' -e 's/ \[.*\]//' amateur.tmp > amateur.txt Isao / JM1WBB > Message: 8 > >> From http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/master.asp > > > Status codes (where present): > [+] = Operational [-] = Nonoperational > [P] = Partially Operational [B] = Backup/Standby > [S] = Spare [X] = Extended Mission

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ICOM PCR 1500
by John Heath 20 Oct '06

20 Oct '06

Hi, I am thinking of buying and ICOM PCR 1500 receiver. Does anyone on the list use one for satellite, and can it be controlled for Doppler tunning with Nova, SatPcC32 or similar? Thanks John G7HIA

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Re: GTO-Track
by Brad, K1GTo 20 Oct '06

20 Oct '06

Thank you for your comments, Paul. I enjoyed reading your write-up on "the One True Rule". I notice that your stated goals were my original goals, until I really started to listen to how people used the satellites. I'm not trying to start a trend or do anything "the right way" because if I did, it would make it harder for other stations to maintain a QSO with me. I want to take the methods used by people today, and simplify it for myself, and anybody else who would like to use my app. You were a little hasty to shoot down the basis of the idea. If we think about it for a moment, how many people do you know with dual-band radios in their vehicle? Then think about how many people can full duplex between those bands. There are a few but most can't. My 706 can't, and that is what is driving me to write this application. People with a shack that includes a computer and all the doo-dads won't benefit from this application. They probably can't understand why I would go to so much trouble to write such an application. They already have what they need all in one place. It's the mobile guys like me, that don't have a shack back at home with a computer interfaced radio connected to prediction software. I have a java enabled phone, an interface cable, a 706, and it's all in my car with me when I'm operating. That's everything I need to operate a transponder sat, just like the guys at home with a PC, except my method will be a lot more lightweight. The application could use OTR, or any other method. The math is all quite simple with the assistance of Predict's GET_DOPPLER command. I just don't see any other practical way to drive down the highway and work a Transponder satellite. You must see by now that this is the very essence of what GTO-Track will do. Only one radio is needed, with a CI-V interface and a java-enabled phone, you're in business. As a side note, phase-2 of the project will let the user plug in key attributes (probably about 5 numbers) of an upcoming orbit, so they can work the sat without network connectivity. Even these calculations can be simplified enough to allow for a small phone to continuously tune the TX and RX freqs on the radio, or tune the TX after the user adjusts the RX. -----Original Message----- From: Paul Williamson [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 6:11 PM To: Brad, K1GTo Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] GTO-Track >In the first Phase, the application will use an internet connection to >connect to a running Predict server (that's the Linux satellite tracker >program). The application that runs on the phone will interface to predict >to obtain Doppler shift information about the satellite currently selected, >based on the QTH coordinates programmed into Predict. That's very cute, but not really all that practical in my opinion. It would probably require less code space and a lot less battery power to just do the calculations locally, and that would work even without network coverage. The days when orbital prediction calculations could be considered CPU-intensive are long gone. The phone can still use its network connectivity to get current elements and perhaps accurate date/time if it doesn't already have that. >That was sort of question 1 there, is that how it ought to work? Pretty much, yes. >Then the next part of the question would be: Should the application leave >the RX frequency constant, not adjusting it whatsoever for any Doppler, etc, >and only adjust the input frequency? The long version of my thoughts on this can be found at http://www.amsat.org/amsat/features/one_true_rule.html 73 -Paul kb5mu(a)amsat.org

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Re: TLE data at celestrak.com
by Keith N4ZQ 20 Oct '06

20 Oct '06

>From http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/master.asp Status codes (where present): [+] = Operational [-] = Nonoperational [P] = Partially Operational [B] = Backup/Standby [S] = Spare [X] = Extended Mission

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TLE data at celestrak.com
by Alexandru Csete 20 Oct '06

20 Oct '06

Greetings, I noticed today that in the TLE data at http://celestrak.com some sort of code has been added to the satellite names, for example: AO-5 [-] 1 04321U 70008B 06291.55431397 -.00000031 00000-0 10000-3 0 7492 2 04321 102.0681 269.7355 0027833 21.2403 338.9816 12.52147306679025 The codes I have seen are [+],[-],[P] and [B]. Moreover, ISS has been renamed to ARISS [+]. The TLE files at http://space-track.org does not have these codes, and ISS is still ISS. Does anybody have an idea of what is going on at celestrak? Can it be something indicating the operational status of the satellite? 73 Alex OZ9AEC

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Gifts to AMSAT via your local United Way
by Gunther Meisse 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

Often, AMSAT members have ask if they can make a contribution to AMSAT via their local United Way drive. I have spoken with Leslie J. Talley, Director, Community and Public Sector Workplace Campaigns at the National U-W office and was informed that there are NO national agencies within U-W. Every agency that wishes to be eligible to receive donations must go through that local U-W campaign office and seek approval. With that in mind, I would encourage anyone who wishes to make such a gift to call their local U-W director and ask if they will allow such a gift. AMSAT does not have the staff to canvas the country and establish these hundreds of relationships. One alternative is to just reduce your U-W gift and write a check to AMSAT. Both are tax deductible as charitable donations. (Check with you individual tax advisor to review your specific circumstances and deductibility). We do continue to be certified by the Combined Federal Campaign so Federal Employees can continue to make annual donations by listing AMSAT CFC #2944 on their pledge form. Regards, Gunther Meisse AMSAT Treasurer W8GSM

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Third Party questionnaire
by Ransom, Kenneth G. (JSC-OC)[BAR] 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

I could use a little help. I'm trying to get an idea of which countries permit third party traffic (communications by an unlicensed person while under the control of a licensed operator). It would appear that the full gambit exists. Some countries do not permit third party with any unlicensed individual. Some countries permit just a select list of countries that they have agreements with and others permit third party traffic with anyone (as long as the other party's country does not prohibit). So, could a few kind souls answer these questions to with accurate information about various countries regulations? 1. Does your country permit third party traffic between stations within your country? 2. Does your country permit third party traffic between your station and a station outside your country? 2a. If so, which ones? 3. Does your country have a link to the regulation regarding third party traffic (please provide)? For example, the answers for the USA would be: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Yes 2. Yes (just specific countries) 2a. Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom (special event stations with call sign prefix GB followed by a number other than 3), Uruguay, and Venezuela. The United Nations also has arrangements with the United States to permit an amateur station regulated by the FCC to exchange messages for a third party with amateur stations 4U1ITU in Geneva, Switzerland, and 4U1VIC in Vienna, Austria 3. http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=about_2&id=amateur#Third% 20Party%20Communications ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Of particular interest are countries that do not prohibit third party at all (like Canada and New Zealand). I'd like to compile a list of these countries in addition to identifying countries that do permit third party traffic with agreements and possibly try to add more countries to their list. This could be very helpful when supporting education events where unlicensed kids might participate. Kenneth - N5VHO

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OY8FT probably a pirate
by OZ1MY 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

Hi all, I have tried to find information about OY8FT, who was working portable from the Faroe Islands. Nobody seem to know him. Not the Faroe Islands "FCC" either. Also I have doubts about TF8A/M. I heard his call sometimes as FT8A/M - but I can not find him in the lists. By the way he spoke Danish. If anybody knows something please send an e-mail. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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OSCAR-11 Heard
by Clive Wallis 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

OSCAR-11 is back! It was first heard by Peter ZL3TC, at 06:23 UTC on October 18, and later by Paul KB5MU. It had been silent since August 26. Many thanks for those reports. Very strong signals today, 19 October, 07:28 UTC pass. If the watchdog cycle continues to operate normally, the 145.826 MHz. beacon should transmit until around 28 October. My website now has the latest telemetry captured 19 October the URL is - www.users.zetnet.co.uk\clivew\ I will now delay my usual monthly report until the end of the month. 73 Clive G3CWV Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK.

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Re: 10' dish radio astronomy?
by Tom Clark, K3IO 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

You might be interested in the SRT (Student Radio Telescope) activity initiated by the Haystack Observatory. Take a look at http://www.haystack.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/index.html. It is based on a 7' (or larger) TVRO dish and the web site contains technical details and suggested projects. About 100 high schools and colleges and a few intrepid amateurs have made SRTs. All the hardware and software for the SRT is open source. Also note the SRT bulletin board at http://www.haystack.mit.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/forum/. For folks who want to purchase SRT hardware, check out http://www.cassicorp.com/; however I note that the last time I checked with Cassi, their delivery times were ~6 months. CASSI makes a nice az-el antenna mount and Haystack has also used the Polish Alfa-Spid rotor (VE6JY and http://www.alfaradio.ca/alfaspid.html). Both use DC motors which provides for high torque at a slow, steady drive speed. You might be interested in the az-el positioning controller for ~24VDC motors -- just click on "Upgraded Ground Controller" at http://www.haystack.edu/edu/undergrad/srt/receiver/Downloadable_Resources.h…. While there, also pick up the Functional Block Diagram to get an idea of the scope of the project. By way of "truth in advertising", I have had a strong professional tie with Haystack and their projects for 35+ years -- especially in VLBI and Geodesy areas (see http://www.haystack.edu/), and I now serve on their Board of Trustees, so don't expect me say anything bad! 73. Tom

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Florida AMSAT Net
by David J 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '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 join in. Dave, AA4KN

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Re: AO-51 QRP channel
by DOBarrows＠aol.com 19 Oct '06

19 Oct '06

You had better luck than I did, Pat. Tried again 19 Oct 0140 pass and heard K3BSB but don't think he was hearing the downlink. I put out my call for most of the pass and finally worked VE3IGJ toward the end. For those of you on the list new to handheld operation, I would recommend putting a 70cm preamp in the receive side if you can. I used an Icom IC-R10 last week for receive and put in a SSB electronics SP-7000 preamp powered by two lantern batteries and it made a tremendous difference. I could hear AO51 and SO50 on high passes for a solid 7 or 8 minutes with the arrow antenna indoors in an upstairs room. This preamp is physically bigger than the R10 and the VX5R (uplink radio) put together. Tonight I toted up a FT-726R to receive on (doesn't do pl tones) and the VX5R to transmit with. Again heard a good 7 minutes or more solid with indoor setup. 73, Dave W8IJ In a message dated 10/18/2006 12:21:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, pagreen(a)gmail.com writes: heard 3 stations besides myself on the pass 2 hours ago and managed to use up the whole pass 'chatting' because of the lack of stations. I didn't hear many transmitters without ears on the pass either. I'll be more of the passes this week due to the lack of activity to "tune up" more JOTA stations. Hope to hear you on. 73 de Pat --- KA9SCF. Amsat 35741

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ECC Report 100 - 3.4 GHz Broadband Wireless Access
by Trevor 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

The draft European Radiocommunications Office (ERO) Report 100 on the use of 3.4 GHz for Broadband Wireless Access is now available from the ERO website. The report contains this paragraph: "The band 3400-3475 MHz is also allocated on a secondary basis to the Radio Amateur service in two CEPT countries through RR No. 5.431. Due to the limited use and the status of the allocation to the amateur service, no compatibility study was felt necessary." At the last count there were far more than two CEPT countries with this allocation. Replies to this Consultation must be sent to medeisis(a)ero.dk by the closing date of December 15th, 2006. ERO Consultations: http://www.ero.dk/consultation?frames=0 ERO Draft Report on 3400-3800 MHz http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2006/ero_draft_report.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm --------------- ___________________________________________________________ All new Yahoo! Mail "The new Interface is stunning in its simplicity and ease of use." - PC Magazine http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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big dish
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

Hello I have this 12 foot dish waiting for "something". I want a dual L/S dish system. Given the beamwidth of a 12 footer would be small. What would happen if the feed were placed at a spot other than the focal point? I realize I would be not using the dish to it's full potential. Would that broaden the beam width? I also have a four footer which would be more applicable. I am planning for the next HEO and retirement in six months. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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2007 AMSAT SYMPOSIUM?
by Doug Kuitula 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

Hi All, I was not able to get out to the AMSAT Symposium in California last week. But I was wondering where it'll be held next year. I didn't see anything on the AMSAT web page. Hope to see a lot of folks at the AMSAT forum in Fort Wayne next month. 73 de Doug..............KA8QCU

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Re: big dish
by Anthony Monteiro 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

At 11:38 PM 10/17/2006, w7lrd(a)comcast.net wrote: >Hello >I have this 12 foot dish waiting for "something". I want a dual L/S >dish system. Given the beamwidth of a 12 footer would be >small. What would happen if the feed were placed at a spot other >than the focal point? I realize I would be not using the dish to >it's full potential. Would that broaden the beam width? I also >have a four footer which would be more applicable. I am planning >for the next HEO and retirement in six months. >73 Bob W7LRD >Seattle Hi Bob, All you have to do is under-illuminate the dish. Use a beamwidth on your feed that is smaller than the dish diamter. For example, if your feed only illuminates a 5-foot diameter part of your 12-foot dish, then the beamwidth (and gain) on your dish will be like a 5-foot dish. 73, Tony AA2TX

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AO-51 QRP channel
by DOBarrows＠aol.com 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

AO-51 is configured with a QRP channel for Jamboree on the Air (JOTA). JOTA doesn't get under way until this weekend, however, so the QRP channel is there for the rest of us until then, as long as we are running QRP as defined by the AO51 information page. I gave the QRP channel a try with my VX-5R at 5 watts and my arrow antenna indoors. I only made one contact with a VE3 on the 0115z pass and didn't hear anyone else on the channel. I was surprised at the lack of activity compared to the "main" channel. Dave W8IJ Camp Hill, PA

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Re: big dish
by joseph Murray 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

I'd just hang on to the 12 footer Never can tell when one of several events can occur with satellites I recall when the French put up theb Arsene satellite ( early 90's) The bird was up side down with all the antennas pointed away from earth. That was mode S and there was about 4-5 10 foot dishes in the US that could work that bird I doubt that the P5 mission has any use of a 12 footer but never can tell. As with AO-40 the 24 gHz freq was only turned on at apogee There was no pointing needed for that apogee location. Just let the bird run into the beam width Just thinking. Joe K0VTY ======================= On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 03:38:05 +0000 w7lrd(a)comcast.net writes: > Hello > I have this 12 foot dish waiting for "something". I want a dual L/S > dish system. Given the beamwidth of a 12 footer would be small. > What would happen if the feed were placed at a spot other than the > focal point? I realize I would be not using the dish to it's full > potential. Would that broaden the beam width? I also have a four > footer which would be more applicable. I am planning for the next > HEO and retirement in six months. > 73 Bob W7LRD > Seattle > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the > author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite > program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >

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Re: Third Party questionnaire
by Tony Langdon (ATC) 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

> Just to pointed out this peculiar rules section: > > 3. Frequency Bands and Qualifications > An operator of an amateur station may operate within the > frequency bands set out in the attached Schedules I, II and > III in accordance with the operator´s qualifications > identified for the > specified band. This is the way Australia has headed. The bands are listed with the allowed bandwidth for each band/licence class. There's no legal requirement to stick to specific modes, except in the case of Foundation licensees. For example, with an Advanced licence I can basically use (subject to restrictions in some areas, where interference to non amateur services is an issue - e.g. 6m in most of the country is limited by the presence of channel 0 TV). Bandwidth is defined as "necessary bandwidth" 160-12m - Any mode with bandwidth up to 8 kHz 10m - anymode up to 16kHz bandwidth 6m, 2m any mode up to 100 kHz bandwidth higher bands - any mode (within band limits) Mode segmentation is not legally enforced, but like Canada, they are maintained by the WIA in the form of band plans, which are essentially gentlemens agreements, which the vast majority stick to.

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JOTA and K2BSA/6
by Mike and Paula Herr 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

Our local club, Sierra Amateur Radio Club, will be activating K2BSA/6 on the birds on Saturday. Look for us and say hello. ...Mike WA6ARA

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2006 Symposium
by hans 18 Oct '06

18 Oct '06

Hi all If you did not attend the 2006 AMSAT NA symposium in San Francisco , you missed a lot. The presentations were varied and of a high standard. The organisation was great and the banquet speaker interesting and entertaining. All in all a great event. Thanks to AMSAT, Emily Clark and her team for an excellent and memorable weekend. Hans ZS6AKV

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Re: 10' dish radio astronomy?
by Steve kb9ups 17 Oct '06

17 Oct '06

There are a few around using the 10 footers and larger for EME and a radio telescope on 1420 MHz. Also for the Mars porbes on 8.4 GHz. Check out the (DSN) Deep Space Network and EME pages. Steve/kb9ups AMSAT area coordinator, Toledo, OH. AMSAT area coordinator, Streator, IL. www.qsl.net/kb9ups --- On Tue 10/17, Bob Bruninga < bruninga(a)usna.edu > wrote: From: Bob Bruninga [mailto: bruninga(a)usna.edu] To: ka8qcu(a)pasty.net, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:37:41 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [amsat-bb] 10' dish radio astronomy? > How would a dish this size work as an antenna for a radio > telescope? If so what frequency range would it be helpful?One simple thing I always wanted to do was to put two C-Band LNA's at the focal point, with one pointed to one half the dish and the other to the other half of the dish. Then simply connect the two together with equal length coax.Now then bring the combined output into a receiver. What you have is a pair of "RF" binoculars with a baseline between them of about feet or so?As you point it at the sun, or let the sun move through its focal point, you will get peaks and valleys as the RF from each LNA phases in and out. This then can be blotted and somehow used as an RF image of the sun's disk at C band.I dont know how to prcess it into the image map, but always thought someome coiuld tell us how...de Wb4APR, Bob_______________________________________________Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!

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10' dish radio astronomy?
by Bob Bruninga 17 Oct '06

17 Oct '06

> How would a dish this size work as an antenna for a radio > telescope? If so what frequency range would it be helpful? One simple thing I always wanted to do was to put two C-Band LNA's at the focal point, with one pointed to one half the dish and the other to the other half of the dish. Then simply connect the two together with equal length coax. Now then bring the combined output into a receiver. What you have is a pair of "RF" binoculars with a baseline between them of about feet or so? As you point it at the sun, or let the sun move through its focal point, you will get peaks and valleys as the RF from each LNA phases in and out. This then can be blotted and somehow used as an RF image of the sun's disk at C band. I dont know how to prcess it into the image map, but always thought someome coiuld tell us how... de Wb4APR, Bob

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Re: Third Party questionnaire
by Tony Langdon (ATC) 17 Oct '06

17 Oct '06

For Australia, the answers are as follows: > 1. Does your country permit third party traffic between > stations within your country? Yes > > 2. Does your country permit third party traffic between your > station and a station outside your country? > > 2a. If so, which ones? Yes.. Currently there are 5 countries * United States of America; * Canada; * Israel; * Honduras; and * Solomon Islands. > > 3. Does your country have a link to the regulation regarding > third party traffic (please provide)? http://www.acma.gov.au/ACMAINTER.852114:STANDARD::pc=PC_1255#Third_Party_Tra ffic We expect this to change in the not too distant future, with the final stages of a long licence review process yet to be implementd, which began shortly after the last WRC in 2003. There have already been two sets of changes as a result, which include the abolishing of the Morse requirement for all amateurs on Jan 1 2004, and the restructuring of the licence classes and introduction of the entry level Foundation licence in October 2005. A final set of changes, which is likely to include changes to third party traffic rules and reciprocal licencing arrangements (among a bunch of other things) are yet to be implemented.

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Re: 10' Dish available
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 17 Oct '06

17 Oct '06

Bob Perhaps my helix feeds would be applicable. Usually designed for off center dishes. With fewer turns you would have a wider pattern. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&v… 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Robert Bruninga" <bruninga(a)usna.edu> > > How does one build a feed to properly illuminate a pizza > slice-shaped > > reflector? Or is this a matter of 1/4 of a 10' dish being > still so > > over-kill that you only use the fat end, and under-illuminate > that? > > Well, presumably one will be using this on S-Band either for > 802.11 or other 2400 MHz purpose so one has to build his own > feed anyway. Probably a dipole over a splashplate. That is > typically a good feed for a typical .4 F/D dish? If that is so, > then when it is used to illuminate just 1/4th of the dish area, > then there is spillover and a few dB are lost. Maybe a good > feed for the 1/4 quadrant dish might be a dipole over a > splashplate with a director? > > Someone who is good on feeds might suggest the right answer > here... But in any case, one is not trying to illuminate the > tastey end tip of the pizza slice, but generally the center of > the crusty end... > > De WB4APR, Bob > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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HITSAT Oscar Number, HO-59
by Mineo Wakita 17 Oct '06

17 Oct '06

AMSAT-NA said HIT-SAT would henceforth be known as HIT-SAT-OSCAR-59 or HO-59. --------------------------------------------- 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: Oct 17, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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Trick for Kenwood TS 2000 firmware upgrade
by Martin Dannegger 17 Oct '06

17 Oct '06

Some days ago I tried to upgrade my Kenwood TS 2000 with the newest firmware. I found some descriptions of problems during firmware upgrade like Perry's "ts2000 firmware NIGHTMARE!!" which he posted in the AMSAT BBS in Feb 2005. Nevertheless I decided to upgrade my TS 2000. But I made exactly the same bad experience. I received many error messages including "can't find TS 2000 error". It seems to be the upgrading was a mistake, but in the end it succeeded! I did it in the following way: After the start of downloading process the error messages came after 20% to 75% of downloaded data. Ten retries and about 2 hours later I stopped this. I thought it could have to do with WINDOWS XP multitasking and with interrupts because of the strange comment in the program's window not to touch keyboard and mouse during download and "don't worry about communication lost, just reconnect power supply and try again" in the other window. So I opened the Windows Task Manager looking for the task of the TS 2000 download program under "Processes". Then I clicked with the right mouse button on the task and gave it a higher priority. First I tried the maximum (Real Time) but immediately my Computer crashed. After reboot I could restart the download only be dis- and reconnecting power supply and restart of download program of TS 2000 without any problem. Than I gave it a "higher as normal" priority and miraculously the download runs until 100%. During the whole time I never (!) set the upgrade switch (s1) back to off and I made no new recognition process except after final and error free download! I don't know if this is an universal solution for the upgrade process and I understandably only tried it once. As a matter of course I can't accept responsibility if it doesn't work. Martin (DG6FDV(a)web.de) [mailto:[email protected])] Der WEB.DE SmartSurfer hilft bis zu 70% Ihrer Onlinekosten zu sparen! *http://smartsurfer.web.de/?mc=100071&distributionid=000000000066* [http://smartsurfer.web.de/?mc=100071&distributionid=000000000066]

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Cambodia
by Thailand Amateur Radio Satellites Corporate 17 Oct '06

17 Oct '06

Dear All Ham in Region III or All Ham country in Asia Zone TAMSAT Group and Siam DX Group will have a trip to Cambodia during 20-26 November, 2006. For this event, Ham Radio of Thailand is licence permission for on air in Ham frequency and will use callsign of Cambodia XU7 to on air from Seehanuview or Kumpongsom city in all mode and all band by using all the equipments from Thailand. For the QSO ,TAMSAT Group will use frequency 2m, and 70cm for communicating via Ham satellite FO-29, SO-50, AO-51, and VO-52 in mode CW, SSB, FM.We will emphasize on communicating with AO-51 in FM Repeator mode and VO-52 in Direct QSO as a secret code voice signal downlink in FM mode at frequency 145.900 MHz and there will be total 6 languages which are Thai, Cambodian, Malayu, English, Chinese, and Japanese for all Ham in Region III or all Ham country in Asia Zone to test and receive SWL XU7 QSL card in this time. and for Siam DX Group will QSO in HF frequency 160m, 80m, 75m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, and 10m, in CW, SSB, and RTTY mode. Therefore we would like to invite all the Ham in this area to involve in communication with our groups as the schedule and other information that will be announced on the website http://www.tamsat.org/bb or www.retry.net/bb. For all the HAM in this area can communicate and receive the signal from this satellite widely and efficiently. This will help developing the activities of HAM via satellite in this area very much and we do hope that you would kindly help Best Regards, Tanan Rangseeprom HS1JAN Head of TAMSAT Group Team _________________________________________________________________ Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search! http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/

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10' Dish available
by Gunther Meisse 17 Oct '06

17 Oct '06

With the coming of the next group of HEO satellites I am checking if there is any interest in a 10' Weingard mesh dish. It has been taken out of service by a local manufacturing company here in central Ohio and has been taken apart and will be created, ready to be shipped. If you have an interest, please contact me at gmouse(a)neo.rr.com Regards, Gunther Meisse W8GSM Gunther (Gog) Meisse WVNO / WRGM / WMFD 2900 Park Avenue West Mansfield, OH 44906 Ph: 419-529-5900 Cell: 419-544-8622 Fax: 419-529-2319 www.NorthcentralOhio.com

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Fw: Non-Technical Question
by MARTHA SARAGOVITZ 16 Oct '06

16 Oct '06

Would someone help Lucas? 73- Martha ----- Original Message ----- From: "AMSAT Website" <www(a)amsat.org> To: <martha(a)amsat.org> Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2006 4:42 PM Subject: Non-Technical Question > > This message originated from the AMSAT website > > Sender: lucas restrepo Email: lucasrg(a)hotmail.com > Host: 204.97.196.20 > > Subject: Non-Technical Question > > Message: > Hi, > > I received a am 800 receiver from a friend and i would like to get it to > work in Colombia south america, but i don´t have manual on how set it up. > > where can i get a manual or how can i download it. > > thanks > > Lucas Restrepo > > (end of message) > > > Problems with this message? Email to w0eec(a)amsat.org >

2 1

configuring Nova for auto download of Keps
by Joseph Trombino Jr 16 Oct '06

16 Oct '06

Can some kind Amsat soul assist me in configuring Nova for auto downloads of Keps from Celestrak or Space track. Been having a problem with the auto on-line downloading of Keps and can't figure out what the problem is. Many thanks for any assistance. 73, Joe W2KJ

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AO-51 mode change
by Andrew Glasbrenner 16 Oct '06

16 Oct '06

Hello Group, AO-51 has been switched to the dual repeater mode, with the QRP repeater on 435.150 reserved for JOTA contacts during this coming weekend. October 16 to October 23 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, No PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM FM Repeater, V/U QRP/JOTA users only! Uplink: 145.880 MHz, No PL Tone Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM The JOTA weekend is October 21st and October 22nd . The AO-51 Operations Group strongly supports the JOTA activities and we ask that all users of the QRP repeater yield to JOTA stations during the weekend. Normal QRP operation is encouraged during the week. (QRP users are 10 watts or less, handheld or omni directional antennas ONLY) Additionally, the PL tone on the uplink to the 435.300 repeater has been removed for 1 week. Reports and requests are always welcome to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org . Please feel free to disseminate unedited to all interested parties. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT LM2332

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Melbourne, Florida Hamfest
by Robert Davies 15 Oct '06

15 Oct '06

I want to thank all the stations who made contact with me KI4HXT on AO-51 at the Melbourne Florida Hamfest. We had a great weekend with a good crowd of people and made a wide range of contacts from North America to Mexico. 73 Rob -- KI4HXT EL97af Robert Davies AMSAT Area Coordinator AMSAT Member#35649 AMSAT President's Club Bronze Sustaining Donor IFC#2880

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Melbourne, Florida Hamfest
by Robert Davies 15 Oct '06

15 Oct '06

I want to thank all the stations who made contact with me KI4HXT on AO-51 at the Melbourne Florida Hamfest. We had a great weekend with a good crowd of people and made a wide range of contacts from North America to Mexico. 73 Rob -- KI4HXT EL97af Robert Davies AMSAT Area Coordinator AMSAT Member#35649 AMSAT President's Club Bronze Sustaining Donor IFC#2880

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Re: Rotator
by Dave Guimont 15 Oct '06

15 Oct '06

> > Yesterday I placed a new "no name" rotator for my Satellite antennas >on my 2nd QTH but unfortunately I noticed a very strong spark-noise during Hi Mak, I had a problem with the same rotor a while back... I took it apart and discovered the pots for the position indicator used rivets in the connections...they were loose, I soldered the connections and it solved the problem. Perhaps yours may have the same solution.. 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E... -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.4/476 - Release Date: 10/14/2006

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Help on Rotator Problem
by Vincenzo Mone 15 Oct '06

15 Oct '06

Hi to the list, I own an Azimuth Elevation rotator Yaesu G-5400B. Since a while I am having a problem: When I turn the azimuth Rotator I can see that the needle when it moves it does not move straight but often it makes a little flick backwards of the turning way. Sometime it seems that the needle stops for a moment. I've been with a friend on a roof and while turning the rotator I did not see any obstructions on the turning way of the rotator. This problem shows whichever way I turn the rotator CW or CCW. Anyone can tell me what could it happen and how to solve it? Any help will be rally appreciated. Thanks' in advance for any help 73 de Enzo IK8OZV EasyLog 5 BetaTester EasyLog PDA BetaTester WinBollet BetaTester D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania Skype: ik8ozv8520 *************************************** ***** GSM +39 338 9749786 ***** ***** SMS +39 338 9749786 ***** ***** FAX +39 328 7244294 ***** *** 2nd e-mail: vimone(a)tin.it *** ***************************************

4 3

Thanks to all on Help on Rotator Problem
by Vincenzo Mone 15 Oct '06

15 Oct '06

Hi to the list, i would like to thank to everyone who has replied to me about my problem. I have to pull down my antenna system due to change the Cable and see if I can also substitute or clean the potentiometer. By the way anybody has the value of the potentiometer? Thanks to all. 73 de Enzo IK8OZV EasyLog 5 BetaTester EasyLog PDA BetaTester WinBollet BetaTester D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania Skype: ik8ozv8520 *************************************** ***** GSM +39 338 9749786 ***** ***** SMS +39 338 9749786 ***** ***** FAX +39 328 7244294 ***** *** 2nd e-mail: vimone(a)tin.it *** ***************************************

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antenna manual needed
by Wade Grimes 15 Oct '06

15 Oct '06

we went to assemble our Gap EAGLE DX antenna, only to discover that the instruction manual is missing (new and just out of the box). Gap does not post PDF files of the their manuals; reaching them by phone, proved busy all day long, and they have yet to reply to email request. Wondering if any list subscribers would be able to direct me to a copy... either web posted on faxed (573 898 3625) At present time, Google, etc has been most unrewarding in this endeavor. In advance, thanks. Please contact direct. wgrimes04(a)earthlink.net. Needing antenna ready for school club roundup... next week. K0KID Clarance Cannon HRC Elsberry R-2 School District Elsberry, MO.

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Eagle U/V modes
by McGrane 14 Oct '06

14 Oct '06

Greetings Many thanks to the amsat directors for deciding to provide U/V transponder. I noted the website summary mentioned SSB, CW and ETC. Regarding ETC., could beginners use FM in a specific portion of the passband near perigee? I realize it is not as power efficient as SSB and CW but this capability might attract more beginning users. One could assign a voluntary single frequency for this use. Two further questions; Could someone please explain further the capabilities of the U/V text messaging mode. Would this incude the use of typical packet equipment? Could some old timers describe a typical AO-13 or AO-40 mode U/V station for my education and to help me build a station. Thanks for any replies, patrick n2oeq

10 16

TS-790 doppler compensation via CAT
by Gabriel - EA6VQ 14 Oct '06

14 Oct '06

I'm sure this question must have been posted before, but I 'm new to AMSAT-BB so I would appreciate your answers. Is there some software for the Kenwood TS-790 that is capable or compensating the doppler? I am aware of the PcSAT32, but it requires modifiying the rig, what is something I really would like to avoid. Anyone advice will be welcome. Many thanks! 73. Gabriel - EA6VQ ===================================================== Web-Site: HTTP://www.vhfdx.net VQLog: HTTP://www.vqlog.com Realtime QSO maps: HTTP://www.vhfdx.net/spots/map.php =====================================================

2 1

Melbourne Hamfest demos
by Andrew Glasbrenner 14 Oct '06

14 Oct '06

Just a quick note to keep an ear out for KO4MA and KI4HXT on Saturday and Sundays AO-51 and VO-52 passes. For AO-51 we plan to be on the 1343Z and 1523Z passes on Saturday, and the 1443Z pass on Sunday. VO-52 demos will be at 1539Z Saturday and 1558Z Sunday. We'll be portable at the Melbourne Hamfest and would appreciate a contact or two. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT LM 2332

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SO-50 under-utilized again
by John Mock KD6PAG 14 Oct '06

14 Oct '06

I've only heard one station in two of the past three SO-50 passes i've worked and most of them covered the East Coast. The last pass had no one else on at all and was 15 degrees elevation in New York City (8 degrees in California). I sent out a dozen QSL cards from my trip to CM99, and the majority were on SO-50, so there are usually people there to work (just not much in the past two days). On the other hand, AO-51 has been quite busy on the transcontinental passes and has been hard to get into. SO-50 isn't hard to work if you have an AZ- EL mount and works well hand-held with an Arrow (or equivalent), albeit a bit hard to find when it's so quiet. Both use a 67 Hz PL and there's often someone to turn it on if you don't know how (and it's not hard). 73's and catch you on the birds. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) [Note: I never send unsolicited binary attachments and if you receive anything purportedly from <kd6pag(a)qsl.net> or <kd6pag(a)amsat.org> that isn't signed with my callsign, then it probably isn't from me. There seems to be a new virus or worm around, so beware.]

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Re: 10' Dish available
by Steve kb9ups 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

Hello All, I also have "several" 8 and 10 foot dishes that anyone can "have"..All wire type and most in great condition. I have been collecting them as they are getting harder to find. Robert/w0lmd has many types of drive systems shown on his web pages and they helped me put my 12' dish up and it works great..Anyone wanting a 10' dish can contact me as well..I'm in the Toledo, OH. area just off the turnpike. Steve/kb9ups AMSAT area coordinator, Toledo, OH. AMSAT area coordinator, Streator, IL. www.qsl.net/kb9ups --- On Fri 10/13, Gunther Meisse < gogm(a)wmfd.com > wrote: From: Gunther Meisse [mailto: gogm(a)wmfd.com] To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:02:24 -0400 Subject: [amsat-bb] 10' Dish available With the coming of the next group of HEO satellites I am checking if thereis any interest in a 10' Weingard mesh dish. It has been taken out ofservice by a local manufacturing company here in central Ohio and has beentaken apart and will be created, ready to be shipped. If you have aninterest, please contact me at gmouse(a)neo.rr.comRegards,Gunther MeisseW8GSM Gunther (Gog) MeisseWVNO / WRGM / WMFD2900 Park Avenue WestMansfield, OH 44906Ph: 419-529-5900Cell: 419-544-8622Fax: 419-529-2319www.NorthcentralOhio.com _______________________________________________Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!

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FW: AO-51
by willmarbrowns＠peoplepc.com 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

_____ From: Thomas Lubbers [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 9:18 AM To: willmarbrowns(a)peoplepc.com Subject: AO-51 OM I have been trying to use the data mode on AO-51. I am using WISP3212 IC 910 Kantronics 9612+. The down link works fine. When it should be transmitting for a fill I see the STA light flicker but no PTT! The TNC will talk to another TNC at 9600 using HyperTerminal. I assume there is one more parameter that needs to be changed but I sure don't know what it is any hints? Is there something newer than WISP3212 out? Is there anything that will work with sound card packet? Know of any one who is using the 9612+ sucessfully? Saw Your call in the cue last night. 73 Tom K8TL Thomas Lubbers k8tl(a)earthlink.net EarthLink Revolves Around You.

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Re: 10' Dish available
by Jason White 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

My first AO-40 downlink antenna (or attempt at one) was a 16' foot TVRO dish I found on the side of the road in rural FL (couldn't beat the price, they were happy to see it go). Making a mount for it was no small accomplishment.With a small helix feed, an AIDC downconverter, and my TS-700A, I could hear the images from the IF in the sat! Well, for about 10 seconds, then I had to repoint the dish.. I had intended to mount the down converter at the feed point but it eventually occured to me that I had enough gain that my converter's LO might make a great transmitter, so fortunately I avoided that problem ahead of time. I eventually concluded the dish was much better for watching C-Band satellite TV and used a 90cm Primestar dish for AO-40 after that :) I used to have a picture of myself napping in the dish like it was a hammock on qrz.com.. It did lend a sort of "Green Bank" atmosphere to my yard as well. 73, Jason N1XBP P.S. - Gunther, you might consider that you've got 4 antenna's available as Bob suggested in an earlier post.. smaller, lighter, and easier to ship. John Champa wrote: > Wow, Gunther! That is a lot of antenna. How are you going point that > monster? Auto-tracking will be required, and when you do that, it had > better be right on the money, and update about every minute or so. > Well, whatever floats your boat. Enjoy! > > Remember, once you can hear the noise floor of the transponder, then > additional gain is, well, not needed very much, let's say (HI). > > I, on the other hand, plan to use the smallest antenna pair I can get > away with. I thought that was the advantage of satellite operating: > 140 foot towers with a stack of monobanders not needed? (HI). > > 73, > John - K8OCL > > > >> From: "Gunther Meisse" <gogm(a)wmfd.com> >> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >> Subject: [amsat-bb] 10' Dish available >> Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 11:02:24 -0400 >> >> With the coming of the next group of HEO satellites I am checking if >> there >> is any interest in a 10' Weingard mesh dish. It has been taken out of >> service by a local manufacturing company here in central Ohio and has >> been >> taken apart and will be created, ready to be shipped. If you have an >> interest, please contact me at gmouse(a)neo.rr.com >> >> Regards, >> >> Gunther Meisse >> >> W8GSM >> >> >> >> >> >> Gunther (Gog) Meisse >> >> WVNO / WRGM / WMFD >> >> 2900 Park Avenue West >> >> Mansfield, OH 44906 >> >> Ph: 419-529-5900 >> >> Cell: 419-544-8622 >> >> Fax: 419-529-2319 >> >> www.NorthcentralOhio.com >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >> program! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > >

1 0

test,
by Mr Jeffrey L.Ross 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

test

1 0

Matt Ettus
by Robert McGwier 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/oct06/4654 -- AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair "You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat." - Einstein

2 1

Matt Ettus N2MJI, IEEE Spectrum
by Robert McGwier 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

In the October issue of the IEEE Spectrum is a review of GnuRadio and the USRP and in the contents is a picture of Matt with his USRP and some attachments. The article by Stephen Cass is in the "Tools and Toys" section. It is quite favorable and points out what we all know. The software needs to be easier to install and maintain and as always, there needs to be better documentation. The one software module they mention as working is the FM Stereo demodulator I wrote so I am awfully glad we did it. He mentions that he got the TV demodulator going but that its rasterization was as yet, incomplete. We in the process of getting the digital subcarrier demodulated and decoded (RDS) at this moment. This is being done by someone else. This was a thoroughly written, and very positive review for Matt and GnuRadio, both important contributors to Eagle. Matt is the designer of the Advanced Communications Package and, with me, the co-proposer of the current Eagle mechanical concept. Congratulations to Matt of USRP and Eric Blossom of GnuRadio and part of the growing cadre of truly exceptional people working on our spacecraft. Bob N4HY -- AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair "You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat." - Einstein

1 0

2MCP22
by Steve kb9ups 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

Hello All, I have two used 2MCP22 beams and have found that the element lenghts on one are 1" shorter than on the other..Does anyone know if this is a problem or not? Some difference in boom but the same length over all. The elements do not look like they have been cut off..anyone have any clues to the difference? Steve/kb9ups AMSAT area coordinator, Toledo, OH. AMSAT area coordinator, Streator, IL. www.qsl.net/kb9ups _______________________________________________ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web!

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Retuning surplus 400 MHz Tubular Bandpass Filters in to 435 MHz
by i8cvs 13 Oct '06

13 Oct '06

Hi, All I got a surplus K&L MICROWAVE ,INC Tubular Bandpass Filters model 3B340-400/16-N75-SMA50 D.C.-8040 of the type described in the following URL http://www.klmicrowave.com/ecommerce/files/Tubular%20Bandpass.pdf The above filter was originally integrated in to a vertical dipole with a low noise preamplifier at 400 MHz and used for the Maritime Satellite MARISAT system between shore and shipboard terminals and the satellite. Many of this filters are still available in the surplus market Code Description 3 numbar of sections B bandpass filter 340 outside diameter 0.75" - 19.05 mm 400 center frequency (MHz) 16 3 dB bandwidth (16 MHz) N75 input connector (see note) SMA50 output connector D.C.8117 D.C. block Note:The input of the filter is fitted with a 75 ohm N female connector to be screwed directly at the dipole ( 75 ohm impedance) Just for curiosity I decided to unscrew both caps with connectors and pull off the filter from the tube in the hope to understand how a Tubular Filter works and I realized that this 3 sections Chebychev response filter is made by a teflon flexible rod in wich are slipped on in sequence coil-capacitor-coil-capacitor-coil The end coils are 2 turns of enameled nr 18 copper wire while the center coil is 3 turns Each concentric capacitor between coils is made with two brass disc as amature with inside a numbar of disc of low loss teflon foils for dielectric. The above filter is wrapped in to a single layer of low loss teflon foil and than it is pushed inside the aluminum pipe. The function of the teflon foil is not trivial because it represent the dielectric to form many small capacitors between each coil and each series capacitor with respect to ground as required by a bandpass Chebychev filter. The aluminum pipe has 3 longitudinal holes each 5.5 mm in diameter and the holes are drilled just in correspondence to the middle of each coil so that the turns are visible from the outside allowing the spacing adjustement possible during tuning at the factory. Since the difference between the original 400 MHz center frequency and our 435 MHz frequency band is very small i.e. between 1/12 and 2/12 of an octave higher i decided to see if spacing the turns a little bit it would be possible to shift the center frequency 35 MHz higher in frequency keeping as well the flatness of the bandpass as in the original filter. The N75 female connector was then removed and replaced with an SMA female connector and the filter was connected via 6 dB 50 ohm attenuators between a HP8444A Tracking Generator and a HP8555A Spectrum Analyzer A small tool made of insulating epoxy G10 for PCBs was shaped in the form and size of a hard and sharp-pointed toothpick with the copper removed from it and it was found to be OK to fine adjust the spacing of the coils. During retuning step by step it was observed that changing the spacing of the central coil it mainly shift up and down the whole band while adjusting the end coils mainly changes the flatness and the shape of the bandpass. In addition it was observed that introducing or removing the insulated tool in to the holes of the filter while spacing the coils it do not change at all the previously made adjustement. If the adjustement of the spacing in the coils is carefully made it will converge with easy to translate the original 400 MHz bandpass center in to the new 435 MHz center frequency with the same flatness in to the same 16 MHz bandwidth as in the original filter. Here are the results after retuning. Center frequency 435 MHz 3 dB bandwidth 16 MHz from 427 to 443 MHz Response 0.05 dB flat from 430 to 441 MHz Insertion loss center frequency 1.5 dB VSWR center frequency 1.5:1 Measured attenuations: MHz dB 270 -60 340 -50 380 -40 400 -30 415 -20 420 -10 427 -3 435 -1.5 (0.05 dB flat from 427 to 443 MHz) 443 -3 450 -10 460 -25 470 -30 480 -40 500 -50 535 -60 560 -70 580 -75 This low loss bandpass filter is very small can handle 40 watt CW continuously and can find many applications where low loss at 435 MHz and high rejection outside the 70 cm band is required. If you find one of this filter in your junk box do not throw this piece of cake out of the window. 73" de i8CVS Domenico

1 0

FCC Part 97 Report and Order - ISS
by Trevor 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

The recent FCC Report and Order (R&O) has a couple of changes relating to Amateur Radio and the ISS. ---- The FCC has issued a Report and Order (R&O) to amend Part 97 of the Amateur Radio Service rules, see http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-149A1.doc The changes to the Amateur Radio Service rules are: . revise the operating privileges of amateur radio operators to allow more spectrum in four currently-authorized amateur service HF bands to be used for voice communications; . permit auxiliary stations to transmit on additional amateur service bands; . permit amateur stations to transmit spread spectrum communications on the 1.25 meter (m) band; . permit amateur stations to retransmit communications from the International Space Station; . permit amateur service licensees to designate the amateur radio club to receive their call sign in memoriam; . prohibit an applicant from filing more than one application for a specific vanity call sign; . eliminate certain restrictions on equipment manufacturers that are no longer necessary; . permit amateur radio stations operating in Alaska and surrounding waters more flexibility in providing emergency communications; and . remove certain restrictions in the amateur service license examination system that are no longer necessary. ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm --------------- ___________________________________________________________ The all-new Yahoo! Mail goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

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Re: 2MCP22
by John Champa 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

Steve, Are the elements mounted differently? That could explain the change in length. If they are mounted in the same mechanical fashion, how about the baluns? Are they different? John - K8OCL >From: "Steve kb9ups" <kb9ups(a)excite.com> >Reply-To: kb9ups(a)excite.com >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] 2MCP22 >Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 11:34:35 -0400 (EDT) > > >Hello All, >I have two used 2MCP22 beams and have found that the element lengths on one >are 1" shorter than on the other..Does anyone know if this is a problem or >not? Some difference in boom but the same length over all. The elements do >not look like they have been cut off..anyone have any clues to the >difference? > > >Steve/kb9ups >AMSAT area coordinator, Toledo, OH. >AMSAT area coordinator, Streator, IL. >www.qsl.net/kb9ups > >_______________________________________________ >Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com >The most personalized portal on the Web! > > >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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PCSAT-1 (NO-44) Special Event Continues
by Robert Bruninga 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

PCSAT-1 remains fully operational as a digipeater on 145.825 up and down using the aliases of PCSAT-1, ARISS, RELAY, WIDE and WIDEn-N and TRACEn-N. Users are welcome to use it and we are seeing about 80 people a day. PCSAT-1 was resetting to W3ADO-1 a few times (the bad default power negative condition), but as long as the SIDE-B system does not reset at the same time, then PCSAT-1 is recoverable and useable. But as long as people do not use the W3ADO-1 path, but use the other ones above instead, then we should be able to keep PCSAT-1 alive for a few more weeks. Enjoy... http://pcsat.aprs.org And http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/pcsat.html de WB4APR, Bob > -----Original Message----- > From: aprssig-bounces(a)lists.tapr.org > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Bruninga > Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 7:43 AM > To: 'TAPR APRS Mailing List' > Subject: [aprssig] PCSAT-1 (NO-44) Special Event Thursday Morn > > PCSAT-1 Special Event (results) > > Thanks to you guys that participated. You may continue to > transmit unattended VIA PCSAT-1 as long as she stays up. The > students were like "wow"... The posits below were shortened by > cutting out the LAT/LONG but many show the statistics we were > after. > > > We'd like to demo PCSAT-1 to students on this Thursday 28 Sept > > at 0923 EDT and 1112 EDT over the eastern USA.... > > 1) Attended stations set posit rate to 2 minutes > > 2) Unattended stations set APRS posit rate to 5 minutes > > 3) Include ur name, TX power and ANT Gain > > RESULTS SUMMARY: Knowing the TX rate and EIRP, it is clear to > See that even 5W HT's can get in with a J-pole (3dB) > > 2 minute rate stations > 50W EIRP 5 hits > 150W EIRP 8 hits > 120W EIRP 4 hits > 10W EIRP 3 hits > > 5 min rate stations > 120W EIRP 2 hits end of pass > 10W EIRP 3 hits > 20W EIRP 1 hit > > Unknown rates > 50W EIRP 1 hit > 40W EIRP 6 hits > 90W EIRP 4 hits > > Here is the raw data W/O LAT/LONG to fit: > > 1 VE3FFR =281329z- (UIV32N) > 5 KC0RWZ-2 =281330z`Brian,2min,25w,3.7dBi,Hi Navy retired > 2 W3ADO-6 @281330zK000/000/TH-D7/M0/Off duty.. > 8 KB1GVR =281331z-2min 50W 5.5dBi omni. Nice work! > 3 WA4AEJ =281331zyDale in Niceville, FL {UISS50} > 4 W1CGA-1 =281331zK_2min,10W,11dBiYagi CGA says Go MIDS > 1 N9IDH-7 @281331z[000/000/TH-D7/M2/In Service > 15N1XED =281331z-73, FROM RIK, FN44ch {UISS50} > 4 VE2FDA =281332z-Francois, 45W, 3db,Go boys {UIV32N} > 2 KI4LMR-3 @281332z>000/000/TH-D7/M0/Off duty../A=-00089 > 6 WA1KAT =281333z-Topsfield,MA 10W collinear > 3 N1CLV-8 =281335zCWayne, 2 min, 5W, 3dbi omni, Go CG! > 13W3ADO-15 /281335z->FM19sa/- unattended use 5 min rate. > 3 N1CLV-8 =281336zCWayne, 5 min, 5W, 3dbi omni, Go CG! > 2 N3ZLL-5 @281339zK000/000/D-700/C1/Custom 1 > 2 W1CGA-1 =281340zK_5min,10W,11dBiYagi CGA says Go MIDS > 1 KB2M-7 @281518zj000/000/D-700/M2/In Service/A=-00072 > 1 W4HFZ =281519z-Chas,25w,3db Omni,Subs Rule!{UIV32N} > 1 W8AAS /281519z]Dave,5min,10W, J-pole > ? N4ZQ-2 no posit > > > > _______________________________________________ > aprssig mailing list > aprssig(a)lists.tapr.org > https://lists.tapr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aprssig >

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Pseudo Keps for the moon
by Isao SEKI 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

Hello, I am using a satellite tracking software for tracking the moon but my pseudo keps was out of date. I'm looking for pseudo keps for the moon because MOONKEPS.EXE doesn't work well for year 2006. Does anyone have other making program or the pseudo keps for the moon? tia, Isao / JM1WBB

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Re: FCC Part 97 Report and Order - ISS
by John K9IJ 12 Oct '06

12 Oct '06

At 06:49 PM 10/11/2006, you wrote: >On 10/11/06, Trevor <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > > The recent FCC Report and Order (R&O) has a couple of changes relating to > > Amateur Radio and the ISS. > > ---- > > > > The FCC has issued a Report and Order (R&O) to amend Part 97 of the Amateur > > Radio Service rules, see > >Thanks for posting this Trevor! In addition to rebroadcast of ISS, >this finally makes Kenwood "SkyCommand" legal in the U.S. > >I note the document indicates "Adopted: October 4, 2006". Am I to >understand that this means these amendments to Part 97 are now in >effect, or is there a further step required by the FCC? This is only the Report and Order. The changes are effective 30 days after they are published in the Federal Register which usually takes some time after the R&O is issued. John - K9IJ - John Rice K9IJ k9ij(a)vx5.com Webmaster, Network Admin, Janitor http://www.k9ij.com http://www.suhfars.org http://www.vx5.com/~teampf

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