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Rocket Lab Launch postponed again
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 27 Aug '20

27 Aug '20

The weather at the launch is not looking very good for today or tomorrow. See: https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1299090222462808064 New launch date Sunday 30th August . See: https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1299090967568330752 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

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ElectroSense Up/Down Converter board for 0-6 Ghz
by Mike Hoblinski 27 Aug '20

27 Aug '20

I read this on the RTL-SDR web site and thought it might be of some interest. It's a converter board being developed for a spectrum monitoring project. Its a low cost converter board to be used with a RTL-Sdr dongle and a Raspberry pi board and it may be capable of working up to 13 Ghz. https://www.rtl-sdr.com/testing-the-electrosense-up-downconverter-expansion… ElectroSense Project and Board website. https://electrosense.org/#!/ Mike N6IMF

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TS-2000x PROGRAMMING
by William Herzberg 27 Aug '20

27 Aug '20

HELLO ALL… Ive been using a TS-2000x for over 3 years now… Ive been using it for both normal HF as well as the satellites… Ive found it an excellent satellite rig… The only problem with it is that its only got 10 pre-programmed memory channels… But it does have 300 main memory channels… I programmed it with all the frequencies used by W1AW… That give me an excellent indication as to which bands are open… I often checked the upper HF frequencies to see if the bands are open… Over the last several weeks, there have been afternoons and evenings when I was able to hear the broadcasts all the way up to 10 meters…. Usually the broadcasts cut off above 17 meters…. Ive found that Its easiest to program the analog sats into the satellite memories… That leaves the main channels to program the FM birds… It does mean that if I am trying to access the FM birds, I have to program at least 2 channels for each FM satellite… One channel for uplink, the other for downlink… It works quite well….. Ive made 300 contacts through both the FM and the Analog satellites this way… It also works to monitor the beacon satellites… I can copy LO-19 quite well…. That satellites been up for more than 30 years… It sends a steady carrier…. But its got a really good signal… Ive recently acquired an ICOM IC-9700… It does work quite well… But I still think my Kenwood works a bit better… BTW… Im using the rigs barefoot…less than 80 watts…into an Eggbeater on top of the roof… I have a UHF preamp…. It kicks things up by almost twice the signal strengths… Ive got to return a 2 meter preamp because it doesn’t work…. But that should boost up the 2 meter signals… Good luck all… Hope to see ya on the birds… I made my first qsos on the 9700… Im hoping the new upgrades will boost things up a bit… 73… de Bill, AA8WH… Sent from Mail for Windows 10

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Roving DM07/08 gridline
by Bob Keating 27 Aug '20

27 Aug '20

I will be on vacation next week in the Eastern Sierra and plan to work AO-91, AO-92 and PO-101 from the DM07/08 gridline on a holiday schedule from Wednesday, Sept. 2 to Saturday, Sept. 5. I will post more info once we arrive. Hope to work you on the birds. 73, Bob N6REK

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APRS Messaging QSOs
by Robert Bankston 27 Aug '20

27 Aug '20

It's a shame that their are not more APRS messaging satellite QSOs being done via ARISS and other satellites. Is this because... * Lack of equipment? * Erratic operational schedules? * Proliferation of non-attended stations (beacons)? * Too much button pushing? Most ops you an HT and very few of those have APRS messaging capability. Those HT's that do (including mobiles) are a bit clunky and require fast thumbs to complete all of the necessary steps to complete a QSO. Of course the more you do it, the more second nature it becomes, but that circles back to the erratic scheduling. One solution could be to develop an app or software with prescribed message formatting and QSO automation, similar to similar FT8. (click on target call in station list) * [Target Call] [My Call] [My Grid] * [My Call] [Target Call] (Target Grid] * R [Target Grid] * RR [My Grid] (click on log QSO) Single board computers could easily handle the task (even the Pi Zero), for those worried about keeping their station small. Only thing left would be a microarduino TNC or soundcard and a couple cables to the HT mic and earphone jacks. Just a thought. 73, Robert KE4AL

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APRS Messaging QSOs
by Stephen DeVience 26 Aug '20

26 Aug '20

I regularly try making APRS QSOs with my TH-D72 and a yagi, and I'm occasionally successful. I find the ARISS digipeater is difficult to get into with that setup. I'm not sure if it's an equipment issue or if the station blocks the antenna somehow. Hopefully they get the upgraded system going soon. The automatic beacon stations also don't help, since they just cause collisions. I put "live" in my beacon message so ops know they can try to QSO with me. PSAT is easier, but the APRS is barely ever on. Falconsat seems more reliable, but with fewer operators on it. Finally, I've found even terrestrial APRS to require more power than FM voice in order to work reliably. -Stephen, N8URE

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Rocket Lab Launch postponed until Saturday UTC
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 25 Aug '20

25 Aug '20

Weather forecast for the next couple of days is not so good so launch is postponed until Saturday 29th UTC. See: https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1298342523203592192 Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

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Help with programming TS-2000 for satellites.
by Gerald Payton 25 Aug '20

25 Aug '20

I need help programming my Kenwood TS-2000 for satellites. I bought the R T System's software hoping that would do the trick, but NOPE. I've been told that Ham Radio Deluxe allows programming the satellite frequencies, but I cannot find anything regarding that. If I may please, I'd like to solicit help or advise please reply directly rather than tie up the BB 73. Jerry AB5R

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DMR TG 98006 & Fusion US-AMSAT links being disrupted by what appears to be two hotspots on the same freq.
by Steve Nordahl 24 Aug '20

24 Aug '20

I'm sure some of you who use either DMR Talk group 98006 or the Fusion US-AMSAT links have noticed over the last couple days, both the DMR TG98006 & Fusion US-AMSAT links are currently unusable & being disrupted by what appears to be a couple hotspots that have been activated by someone on the same frequency at one location. Basically repeating what ever they hear non-stop until the link times out. Steve NS3L

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ANS editors wanted
by Mark Johns, K0JM 24 Aug '20

24 Aug '20

Are you the sort of ham who may not have the skills to put together a satellite, but who does a pretty good job of putting *WORDS* together? The AMSAT News Service (ANS) prepares and distributes weekly news bulletins about the world of amateur satellites, and ANS is in need of additional rotating editors. Editors take turns putting together the weekly bulletins, one week each month, more or less. They also help one another out by seeking news items to pass along to the editor of the week, and proofreading. Online training and mentoring is provided. Time commitment is usually 4-6 hours per month, once trained and up to speed. This is a great way for wordsmiths to contribute to AMSAT and to serve your fellow amateurs. Contact k0jm [at] amsat.org with questions or to volunteer. -- Mark D. Johns, KØJM AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd ----------------------------------------------- "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain

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