Learning about AMSAT in Dayton
I have been interested in AMSAT operation for awhile but have not even began to put together a station for satellite work. I will be attending the Dayton Hamvention this weekend, and in doing so I am hoping to learn enough about satellite work to get on the air over the next few weeks.
With the large collection of AMSAT experts in Dayton, my question is what the group would recommend to a newcomer to try to get out of Dayton in learning some satellite basics. Should I make sure to go to the forum? Are there going to be demonstrations on software and station setup? Should I mainly try to make in-person resource contacts?
Mainly, where should I focus my efforts this weekend? I am hoping to learn as much as possible and hope to finally get involved in satellite operations in the next few months.
Thanks in advance,
Steve, W5IEM
Steve,
My recommendation is that you attend at least one of the satellite demos for an FM satellite (AO-27 or SO-50) *and* an analog satellite (AO-7, FO-29, or VO-52). The techniques and contacts are different for FM and SSB; you will learn from both types of contacts. Note that the ISS and HO-68 passes will be listening only, and won't involve 2-way QSOs. Take the time to talk with Keith, Roger and Mark who will be running the demonstrations just outside of the entrance to the Ball Arena.
I would also encourage you to attend the AMSAT Forum, but if your primary goal is to learn about assembling a station and operating the sats, the demonstrations are your best starting point.
I'd also suggest you buy a copy of Gould's revised Getting Started with Amateur Satellites book. It will be for sale at the AMSAT booth and is a great source of information for those questions you forget to ask at the demos. There will also be demonstrations of SatPC32 and MacDoppler at the AMSAT booth, so you can see how the tracking software works.
Here is the tentative schedule for the AMSAT demonstrations at Dayton this year:
AMSAT Dayton Demos 18-20 May 2012 N 39.820328 W 84.255224 Time Zone = UTC Elevation 296 M Minimum Elevaton = 10 deg
WinAos QTH: -84.3/39.8 T#: 12556 Sat.: 7 [Standard] ---------------------------------------------------------- Day Object AOS (U) LOS Period maxEl AZ ---------------------------------------------------------- 18.05.2012 VO-52 12:37 12:42 05 17 054 - 137 18.05.2012 ISS 12:50 12:53 03 13 319 - 020 18.05.2012 AO-07 13:30 13:40 10 20 348 - 263 18.05.2012 VO-52 14:12 14:19 07 37 355 - 218 18.05.2012 HO-68 14:22 14:33 11 27 040 - 153 18.05.2012 ISS 14:28 14:30 02 11 350 - 033 18.05.2012 ISS 16:04 16:09 05 28 327 - 090 18.05.2012 HO-68 16:09 16:22 13 55 007 - 216 18.05.2012 SO-50 16:44 16:53 09 71 202 - 036 18.05.2012 FO-29 16:58 17:01 03 12 074 - 115 18.05.2012 AO-27 17:11 17:13 02 11 071 - 040 18.05.2012 ISS 17:40 17:46 06 33 287 - 155 18.05.2012 HO-68 18:02 18:02 00 10 311 - 303 18.05.2012 SO-50 18:27 18:33 06 18 277 - 009 18.05.2012 FO-29 18:40 18:50 10 70 009 - 201 18.05.2012 AO-27 18:46 18:55 09 83 164 - 347 18.05.2012 AO-07 20:43 20:55 12 27 107 - 002
19.05.2012 AO-07 12:28 12:43 15 44 005 - 229 19.05.2012 VO-52 12:53 13:00 07 26 038 - 159 19.05.2012 ISS 13:34 13:35 01 10 353 - 018 19.05.2012 HO-68 14:06 14:15 09 20 049 - 141 19.05.2012 VO-52 14:30 14:36 06 24 342 - 236 19.05.2012 ISS 15:10 15:15 05 19 334 - 079 19.05.2012 SO-50 15:33 15:40 07 22 158 - 056 19.05.2012 HO-68 15:52 16:06 14 70 011 - 206 19.05.2012 ISS 16:46 16:52 06 68 303 - 135 19.05.2012 SO-50 17:13 17:21 08 46 235 - 022 19.05.2012 HO-68 17:42 17:49 07 14 333 - 275 19.05.2012 FO-29 17:45 17:54 09 36 033 - 165 19.05.2012 AO-27 18:17 18:27 10 47 143 - 356 19.05.2012 FO-29 19:31 19:39 08 27 347 - 234 19.05.2012 AO-07 19:48 19:53 05 11 060 - 023 19.05.2012 AO-27 19:58 20:05 07 20 221 - 317
20.05.2012 ISS 12:40 12:41 01 11 346 - 019 20.05.2012 VO-52 13:10 13:17 07 40 028 - 170 20.05.2012 AO-07 13:22 13:34 12 22 352 - 257 20.05.2012 HO-68 13:50 13:56 06 14 059 - 123 20.05.2012 ISS 14:16 14:20 04 14 347 - 062 20.05.2012 VO-52 14:48 14:53 05 16 328 - 248 20.05.2012 HO-68 15:35 15:49 14 83 016 - 197 20.05.2012 ISS 15:52 15:58 06 55 316 - 115 20.05.2012 SO-50 16:00 16:09 09 54 194 - 040
73, Steve N9IP -- -----Original Message----- I have been interested in AMSAT operation for awhile but have not even began to put together a station for satellite work. I will be attending the Dayton Hamvention this weekend, and in doing so I am hoping to learn enough about satellite work to get on the air over the next few weeks.
With the large collection of AMSAT experts in Dayton, my question is what the group would recommend to a newcomer to try to get out of Dayton in learning some satellite basics. Should I make sure to go to the forum? Are there going to be demonstrations on software and station setup? Should I mainly try to make in-person resource contacts?
Mainly, where should I focus my efforts this weekend? I am hoping to learn as much as possible and hope to finally get involved in satellite operations in the next few months.
Thanks in advance,
Steve, W5IEM _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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
Amen to this, Steve (both Steves actually ;) )
This year, we have a clear focus on trying to get youth and first time operators ON THE AIR. We want you to come to the microphone and make a contact!! Between passes, there is plenty of time for equipment review, discussions, inspections, etc. The SSB and FM birds are quite different, but once you have the gear up and running, the transition is pretty straight forward.
Thanks to Keith and Roger, I understand we'll have differing levels of equipment again (from very portable/simple, to stuff more complex resembling a fixed station with computer control of radio, etc.) So check it out!
Come out and get your feet wet (well, figuratively. We are hoping for no rain :0 ) Bring the kids...or grab some on the way...hi hi.
See you later this week!
73,
Mark N8MH AMSAT VP Educational Relations
On Tue, May 15, 2012 at 12:23 PM, Stephen E. Belter seb@wintek.com wrote:
Steve,
My recommendation is that you attend at least one of the satellite demos for an FM satellite (AO-27 or SO-50) *and* an analog satellite (AO-7, FO-29, or VO-52). The techniques and contacts are different for FM and SSB; you will learn from both types of contacts. Note that the ISS and HO-68 passes will be listening only, and won't involve 2-way QSOs. Take the time to talk with Keith, Roger and Mark who will be running the demonstrations just outside of the entrance to the Ball Arena.
I would also encourage you to attend the AMSAT Forum, but if your primary goal is to learn about assembling a station and operating the sats, the demonstrations are your best starting point.
I'd also suggest you buy a copy of Gould's revised Getting Started with Amateur Satellites book. It will be for sale at the AMSAT booth and is a great source of information for those questions you forget to ask at the demos. There will also be demonstrations of SatPC32 and MacDoppler at the AMSAT booth, so you can see how the tracking software works.
Here is the tentative schedule for the AMSAT demonstrations at Dayton this year:
AMSAT Dayton Demos 18-20 May 2012 N 39.820328 W 84.255224 Time Zone = UTC Elevation 296 M Minimum Elevaton = 10 deg
WinAos QTH: -84.3/39.8 T#: 12556 Sat.: 7 [Standard] ---------------------------------------------------------- Day Object AOS (U) LOS Period maxEl AZ ---------------------------------------------------------- 18.05.2012 VO-52 12:37 12:42 05 17 054 - 137 18.05.2012 ISS 12:50 12:53 03 13 319 - 020 18.05.2012 AO-07 13:30 13:40 10 20 348 - 263 18.05.2012 VO-52 14:12 14:19 07 37 355 - 218 18.05.2012 HO-68 14:22 14:33 11 27 040 - 153 18.05.2012 ISS 14:28 14:30 02 11 350 - 033 18.05.2012 ISS 16:04 16:09 05 28 327 - 090 18.05.2012 HO-68 16:09 16:22 13 55 007 - 216 18.05.2012 SO-50 16:44 16:53 09 71 202 - 036 18.05.2012 FO-29 16:58 17:01 03 12 074 - 115 18.05.2012 AO-27 17:11 17:13 02 11 071 - 040 18.05.2012 ISS 17:40 17:46 06 33 287 - 155 18.05.2012 HO-68 18:02 18:02 00 10 311 - 303 18.05.2012 SO-50 18:27 18:33 06 18 277 - 009 18.05.2012 FO-29 18:40 18:50 10 70 009 - 201 18.05.2012 AO-27 18:46 18:55 09 83 164 - 347 18.05.2012 AO-07 20:43 20:55 12 27 107 - 002
19.05.2012 AO-07 12:28 12:43 15 44 005 - 229 19.05.2012 VO-52 12:53 13:00 07 26 038 - 159 19.05.2012 ISS 13:34 13:35 01 10 353 - 018 19.05.2012 HO-68 14:06 14:15 09 20 049 - 141 19.05.2012 VO-52 14:30 14:36 06 24 342 - 236 19.05.2012 ISS 15:10 15:15 05 19 334 - 079 19.05.2012 SO-50 15:33 15:40 07 22 158 - 056 19.05.2012 HO-68 15:52 16:06 14 70 011 - 206 19.05.2012 ISS 16:46 16:52 06 68 303 - 135 19.05.2012 SO-50 17:13 17:21 08 46 235 - 022 19.05.2012 HO-68 17:42 17:49 07 14 333 - 275 19.05.2012 FO-29 17:45 17:54 09 36 033 - 165 19.05.2012 AO-27 18:17 18:27 10 47 143 - 356 19.05.2012 FO-29 19:31 19:39 08 27 347 - 234 19.05.2012 AO-07 19:48 19:53 05 11 060 - 023 19.05.2012 AO-27 19:58 20:05 07 20 221 - 317
20.05.2012 ISS 12:40 12:41 01 11 346 - 019 20.05.2012 VO-52 13:10 13:17 07 40 028 - 170 20.05.2012 AO-07 13:22 13:34 12 22 352 - 257 20.05.2012 HO-68 13:50 13:56 06 14 059 - 123 20.05.2012 ISS 14:16 14:20 04 14 347 - 062 20.05.2012 VO-52 14:48 14:53 05 16 328 - 248 20.05.2012 HO-68 15:35 15:49 14 83 016 - 197 20.05.2012 ISS 15:52 15:58 06 55 316 - 115 20.05.2012 SO-50 16:00 16:09 09 54 194 - 040
73, Steve N9IP
-----Original Message----- I have been interested in AMSAT operation for awhile but have not even began to put together a station for satellite work. I will be attending the Dayton Hamvention this weekend, and in doing so I am hoping to learn enough about satellite work to get on the air over the next few weeks.
With the large collection of AMSAT experts in Dayton, my question is what the group would recommend to a newcomer to try to get out of Dayton in learning some satellite basics. Should I make sure to go to the forum? Are there going to be demonstrations on software and station setup? Should I mainly try to make in-person resource contacts?
Mainly, where should I focus my efforts this weekend? I am hoping to learn as much as possible and hope to finally get involved in satellite operations in the next few months.
Thanks in advance,
Steve, W5IEM _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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@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
Without a single doubt, spend as much time out in the demo area with Keith and crew.
73, Drew KO4MA
Sent from my iPhone
On May 15, 2012, at 10:29 AM, Steve May steve.w5iem@gmail.com wrote:
I have been interested in AMSAT operation for awhile but have not even began to put together a station for satellite work. I will be attending the Dayton Hamvention this weekend, and in doing so I am hoping to learn enough about satellite work to get on the air over the next few weeks.
With the large collection of AMSAT experts in Dayton, my question is what the group would recommend to a newcomer to try to get out of Dayton in learning some satellite basics. Should I make sure to go to the forum? Are there going to be demonstrations on software and station setup? Should I mainly try to make in-person resource contacts?
Mainly, where should I focus my efforts this weekend? I am hoping to learn as much as possible and hope to finally get involved in satellite operations in the next few months.
Thanks in advance,
Steve, W5IEM _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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
Steve,
The answer to your questions is YES. For starting out, as Drew suggested, see as many passes worked in the demo area as you can. Likewise, at the AMSAT booth you can pick up some good intro books, and talk about software, hardware, etc with experienced operators. If everybody seems too busy to talk, swing back around in a few minutes. The Forum is oriented toward "big picture" issues rather than operational nuts and volts. You can get an idea how things are now, and how they will be different in a few years.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Steve May Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 9:30 AM To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Learning about AMSAT in Dayton
I have been interested in AMSAT operation for awhile but have not even began to put together a station for satellite work. I will be attending the Dayton Hamvention this weekend, and in doing so I am hoping to learn enough about satellite work to get on the air over the next few weeks.
With the large collection of AMSAT experts in Dayton, my question is what the group would recommend to a newcomer to try to get out of Dayton in learning some satellite basics. Should I make sure to go to the forum? Are there going to be demonstrations on software and station setup? Should I mainly try to make in-person resource contacts?
Mainly, where should I focus my efforts this weekend? I am hoping to learn as much as possible and hope to finally get involved in satellite operations in the next few months.
Thanks in advance,
Steve, W5IEM _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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
participants (5)
-
Alan P. Biddle -
Andrew Glasbrenner -
Mark L. Hammond -
Stephen E. Belter -
Steve May