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Accuracy?
by Stargate 25 Aug '06

25 Aug '06

I guess my question should be....How much accuracy is required for satellite communications? Thanks, RoD KD0XX

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Hotel Reservations
by Emily Clarke 25 Aug '06

25 Aug '06

At 06:17 PM 8/24/2006, Another member wrote with an excellent question >Emily, >I have looked and have not found the AMS discount code anywhere. I >have made my reservations through the web site as directed and got a >rate of $109. I made the reservation under my wife's name so that >she get the points under her priority club number. Is that the right amount? Yes (member), that is the correct amount. The AMS Code is automatically applied and can be found under the "Corporate, Group and IATA Identification (Optional)" field if you expand it by clicking on the Plus sign. AMS shows up in the "Group Booking Code" field. It's probably a good thing to check, but thus far there has been no problems with the 6 or 7 browsers I've tested. If you are calling the hotel or toll free number you need to mention the AMS code when you book. (In So Far As I Know) It doesn't matter who's points number you enter and I think in the last three years I've only been asked for my card once. But if you have any questions about that please contact the Intercontinental Hotels Group (Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, etc.) Priority Club customer service for specific information. Depending on your club membership (Member, Gold, Elite) that number is different - please consult your membership information. One thing I can tell you is that if your spouse has a Priority Club number, and you have a different one, you can combine points when you go to redeem them. 73, Emily --------------------------------- N1DID formerly W0EEC - CM87tm Donate to AMSAT at http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php Support Project OSCAR - http://www.projectoscar.net Personal Website - http://www.PlanetEmily.com

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[Updated] Important Information about Hotel Reservations
by Emily Clarke 25 Aug '06

25 Aug '06

After reviewing the hotel contracts we discovered that our members are also entitled to the discounted rate three days before and three days after the symposium dates. We contacted the hotel, and they have made further adjustments to the reservation system. You can now use the AMS discount code for any hotel reservations from the 1st of October through the 13th. The following is a corrected set of instructions. 73, Emily --------------------------- It seems like we are running into a similar problem with the Intercontinental Reservation system as we did in Washington and Lafayette. When this happens, people making reservations are told that there are no rooms available. After speaking with the hotel we know what is happening and why, and it is really a bug in the reservation software that affects both the online system and the system the customer service representatives use. It is important to understand how the discounted rate system works in order to reserve your rooms successfully. We have a block of rooms set aside from the 4th through the 10th of October, and the discounted rate code only applies during that period. If you book a room outside that range the reservation software will tell you (or a customer service representative) that there are no rooms available. Here are some additional steps that will guide you to a successful reservation: 1) Make a reservation for within the dates of October 1st through the 13th using the AMS discount code. 2) Make a second (or third if necessary) for dates before and after that range. If you have difficulties call the hotel directly at (650) 570-5700 or call at 1-877-2-CROWNE. Be sure to give them the AMS discount code and explain the reservations you need as described above. You must make your reservations prior to September 13 to qualify for the discounted rate! Please Note: The symposium rate is for a standard room - you can upgrade to an executive room or suite at a discounted rate. 73, Emily --------------------------------- N1DID formerly W0EEC - CM87tm Donate to AMSAT at http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php Support Project OSCAR - http://www.projectoscar.net Personal Website - http://www.PlanetEmily.com --------------------------------- N1DID formerly W0EEC - CM87tm Donate to AMSAT at http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php Support Project OSCAR - http://www.projectoscar.net Personal Website - http://www.PlanetEmily.com

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Re: Accuracy?
by Reicher, James 25 Aug '06

25 Aug '06

Enough accuracy to work the satellite. After all, this IS rocket science! :) 73 de N8AU, Jim in Raymore, MO -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Stargate Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 4:30 PM To: Amsat-Bb Subject: [amsat-bb] Accuracy? I guess my question should be....How much accuracy is required for satellite communications? Thanks, RoD KD0XX _______________________________________________ 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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Orbitron vs http://www.n2yo.com/
by Stargate 25 Aug '06

25 Aug '06

How much of a discrepancy should I see between Orbitron and the online tracker at http://www.n2yo.com/ ?? I notice the Lon/Lat of the ISS's location is a few minutes different between the two. Thanks, RoD KD0XX

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Just got a visual on the ISS!!!!
by Stargate 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

CoooooooL!!! I must have Orbitron set up correctly. I just watched the space station go overhead!!! One SMALL step for me:-) RoD KD0XX

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Important Information about Hotel Reservations
by Emily Clarke 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

It seems like we are running into a similar problem with the Intercontinental Reservation system as we did in Washington and Lafayette. When this happens, people making reservations are told that there are no rooms available. After speaking with the hotel we know what is happening and why, and it is really a bug in the reservation software that affects both the online system and the system the customer service representatives use. It is important to understand how the discounted rate system works in order to reserve your rooms successfully. We have a block of rooms set aside from the 4th through the 10th of October, and the discounted rate code only applies during that period. If you book a room outside that range the reservation software will tell you (or a customer service representative) that there are no rooms available. Here are some additional steps that will guide you to a successful reservation: 1) Make a reservation for within the dates of the 4th through the 10th using the AMS discount code. 2) Make a second (or third if necessary) for dates before and after that range. If you have difficulties call the hotel directly at (650) 570-5700 or call at 1-877-2-CROWNE. Be sure to give them the AMS discount code and explain the reservations you need as described above. You must make your reservations prior to September 13 to qualify for the discounted rate! Please Note: The symposium rate is for a standard room - you can upgrade to an executive room or suite at a discounted rate. 73, Emily --------------------------------- N1DID formerly W0EEC - CM87tm Donate to AMSAT at http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php Support Project OSCAR - http://www.projectoscar.net Personal Website - http://www.PlanetEmily.com

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Re: Drake 2880
by John Mock 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

Scott, i saved a link to this message just in case this happened to me. But that's the output transistor, not the front-end FET, so that this might not help. 73's -- KD6PAG http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200306/msg00159.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: [amsat-bb] Fried Drake Downconverter Fixed!! From: "Ken Swaggart" <k.swaggart@xxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2003 09:27:16 -0700 Thanks to those who provided the needed information, my fried Drake downconverter has been repaired. I replaced the final IF transistor pair, NEC 2SC3357, Mouser part# 551-85634 which are a 1.20 each plus shipping. (I ordered a few spares in case this happens again! The unit is working fine and is currently copying AO-40 telemetry. Now need to order one of those Protector or Safety Bias Tee devices... Interestingly, when I removed the old transistors the center pins on both of them (collector)had physically separated from the case, apparently occurring when I transmitted into it. Guess this protected the other devices upstream. 73, Ken, W7KKE ===============================================================================

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Helical antennae for VHF, UHF & Microwave
by Félim Doyle M3HIM 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

I'm considering constructing helical antennae for the VHF, UHF & Microwave satellite bands and would appreciate any advice on their suitability, design, construction and use. 73 de Félim M3HIM IO91ot Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK

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simple satellite tracking
by McGrane 24 Aug '06

24 Aug '06

Hi guys and gals thanks to brian, amir paul, and drew for the advice on a simple tracking program. Instanttrack looked pretty good but I chose not to use it as there is no demo version. I didnt want to buy without knowing if it worked on the handheld PC first. I found a little calculator program called Real95 in the archives that works very nicely on the Handheld PC. It only shows a tabular readout of elevation, azimuth, and range but thats fine. Thats all I need for portable operation. All the advice is greatly appreciated! 73, patrick N2OEQ

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