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Gagarin Cup International DX Contest
by Brennan Price 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

There are several ways in which the Yuri Gagarin International DX Contest (CW only) is unique. One of them is that satellite QSOs count. While radiosport on satellites may seem concerning, the level of activity (at least in North America) is usually no more consuming than AMSAT CW Activity Day every New Year's Day, and certainly less consuming than Field Day (or a typical weekend FM pass). I feel it can conducted responsibly, and I am going to try this year. I invite you to join me. I plan to be QRV as time permits in this year's contest, which runs from 2100 UTC Saturday to 2100 UTC Sunday. Recommended CQ format is CQ GC de [call]. Exchange is RST (don't complicate things--599 means no more and no less than "I hear you" in the radiosport context, so send 599) and ITU Zone (8 for me). I will operate via the functional XW-2x satellites, the CAS-4x satellites, and EO-88. I will not try AO-7, as CW is more prone to cause a mode change, all other things being equal. I'll be toward the lower end of the passband when the satellite passes westish or northish from my back deck in FM18iv. I hope to work some of you. I commit to keeping my EIRP low and enjoying the passes with other users. 73 de Brennan N4QX

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Re: [amsat-bb] what is a good contact?
by Ev Tupis 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

This issue comes up with regularity. The answer is simple. If you want a direct answer...scroll to the last paragraph of this email. ----- Background ----- Let's play out a scenario from the point of a 3rd party listening to two sides of a valid QSO from the "old days" of voice-based meteor scatter communications: Man's Voice: CQ W2AAA CQ W2AAA CQ W2AAA Break Woman's Voice: W2AAA K0ZZ W2AAA K0ZZ W2AAA K0ZZBreak Man's Voice: K0ZZ W2AAA K0ZZ W2AAA K0ZZ W2AAA Break Woman's Voice: W2AAA S5 W2AAA S5 W2AAA S5 Break Man's Voice: Roger S5 S4 Roger S5 S4 Roger S5 S4 Break Woman's Voice: Roger S4 73 Roger S4 73 Roger S4 73 Break Man's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Woman's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Man's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Woman's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Man's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break Woman's Voice: Roger Roger Roger Break (silence) Unless you were part of the QSO or had engaged in this particular agreed upon protocol before, you would have no way to decipher what just happened. I could explain everything that happened (including the fact that the Man's side of the QSO didn't copy enough to agree that a QSO had occurred during the last exchange and required three repeats until their QSO Protocol was satisfied)... but ultimately, the point is: A QSO is "valid" when two parties agree to a protocol (or follow an events' established protocol) and follow it to their satisfaction. Doing so honorably is part of the hobby. Regards, Ev, W2EV Chairman, Rochester VHF Group The Rochester VHF Group

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AMSAT Freq Guide April 2019
by W0JW John 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

I came into this posting late so if this has already been shared sorry for the band width. But if not this site will give you a lot of information. 73 John W0JW EN31be http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/satslist.htm

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AMSAT Freq Guide April 2019
by Ron VE8RT 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

I rely a lot on the AMSAT frequency guide, to at least double check the software (GPredict). There are several satillites listed on the April 2019 (latest guide I have) that I have no data for, TLE's or transponder. Maybe if I'd been following this list more closely I'd be up to date. They are no longer in service, or would I find them identified as something else? My 475 CAT control worked very well on the latest pass of XW-2B, too bad I couldn't hear anyone else on the west coast. Ron VE8RT -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

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Re: [amsat-bb] what is a good contact?
by Roy Dean 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

> > I believe > most people use grids because then you are also elligible for all the > awards that go with grid collection. Of course, now that I think about it, if you use LotW or QSL cards, you pretty much get the grid for free no matter what - so honestly maybe grid exchange is popular just because it's quick and straight forward, and works best for people that are listening to ongoing QSOs and need specific grids? --Roy K3RLD

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Re: [amsat-bb] what is a good contact?
by Roy Dean 11 Apr '20

11 Apr '20

> > Grid squares are required, is there an alternative other than RST? > Ron VE8RT I think all you need to do is exchange ANY type of information (other than your callsign, of course - which IS mandatory). So, grid, first name, occupation, what you had for dinner, etc. I believe most people use grids because then you are also elligible for all the awards that go with grid collection. I also believe that using a recording (that you actually made yourself on the pass) is totally legit. Using a recording from a satnogs station 500 miles away - not so much. I'm not a grid-chaser, per se - so I'm sure somebody else will give you the official position on both questions. --Roy K3RLD

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Satellite station for sale
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

Posting for a friend. Contact Jerry directly if interested: n5rv (at) outlook.com The station consists of the following: Yaesu FT-847 (manual, mic., box, various cables) Yaesu FC-20 Tuner Yaesu SP-8 Speaker (Not in very good condition, may have been in smoking environment, I cleaned it up the best I could) Yaesu FP-1030a 30A power supply 2x Tigertronics SignaLink USB M2 SatPack1 VHF/UHF (egg beater) antennas with cross boom SatPC32 software package with key I would like $1300 for all, but will entertain cash+trades, offers. Willing to drive halfway within a reasonable distance. .

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Past Satellite Ham
by Brad Smith 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

Are there any "old timers" on the board (from around 2013), who remember Julia Gatti N2PPL? She used to be on SO-50 almost every day, with her Arrow and HT. I have not heard her for years. Just wondering. Brad KC9UQR

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Re: [amsat-bb] suggested audio recorder?
by Russ Kinner 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

I use an Olympus IEC JIS LR03 Which is also used to record classroom sessions. Its about the size of a small candy bar and holds about 22 hrs. in mp3 format. It has a built-in USB connector to get the files into a PC and a MIC micro phone jack along built in microphone. Any electronic recorder should work fine with these minimum features. I use Audacity to edit and change formats to get a file that can be emailed or placed on a file service such a Google or dropbox (there are several others if you record daily and need the space.) WD9EWK among several others record most passes on FM birds that are in range. He is only 25 miles away from me so hears the same passes as I do. Look for someone near you if you want to check what other stations hear. With receiver de-sense, you may not hear exactly what others do. There are resources to help on line if you do a little searching. There is no one place to check but Amsat is a good starting point as is this message service. I'm only 2+ months on the FM birds and I have a ways to go to have a good signal/operating practice but I'm much farther along due to on line info. Keep asking questions when you need help. Rusty. WA8ZID

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suggested audio recorder?
by Ron VE8RT 10 Apr '20

10 Apr '20

I should make a practice of recording my QSOs for logging. Any suggested recorders? Ron VE8RT DP22 -- Ron VE8RT <ve8rt(a)yknwt.ca>

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