You guys are making me all teary-eyed! I loved that bird, especially for all the "challenges" it presented. Mike, I still have the 10 gHz downconverter I built for that never-used mode :-(
My first contacts were on 05 May 2001: W1BFN, KB2WQM (now KB2M), W7ID, N1JEZ, WL7BQM (first DX), and WC0Y--all in mode U/S. My last contact was K5VAS on 22 Nov 2003 using mode L/S. Later that weekend I took down my antennas to move to VK8. I took everything I needed to work AO-40 in Australia, including an 18" DSS dish with a dual-band feed, but by the time I moved and got into a penthouse apartment with a big deck looking north (why do you think I had to find a top floor with that view?), AO-40 died.
If it hadn't been for the launch of Eagle (AO-51), I would have never been able to use that L/S gear. I used it dozens of times to talk to myself on AO-51 as it orbited over the Indian Ocean :-) I used to do the same thing on ISS packet. From where I was located (Darwin, NT), there were no other population centers within the footprint of the LEOs (not even Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, or Singapore).
73, Jerry, K5OE
Those were fun days Clare!
My most challenging contacts were made using K band (24 GHz down). First contact was on 4/20/2002 with Jerry, K5OE.
http://www.burlingtontelecom.net/~n1jez@burlingtontelecom.net/index.html
I think the only mode I never got to try was 2.4 GHz up. I have the transverter sitting here in my shack, but AO-40 went bang before I got to use it. The plan was S/k.
73, Mike, N1JEZ AMSAT 29649 "A closed mouth gathers no feet"
----- Original Message ----- From: "Clare Fowler" clarefowler@rogers.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 contacts
I made over 1300 contacts on AO-40 during its 2 3/4 years of operation.
The first QSO was on 05/05/01 at 08:17 with Mike N1JEZ on U/S then at 08:39 worked Dom I8CVS, at 08:52 Fred CU8AO, and at 09:03 Frank DL6DBN.
I then fired up my FT-736R on 1.2 GHz and at 09:44 worked Steve KB8VAO with both of us making our 1st L/S QSO on AO-40 and then at 09:55 worked Mike N1JEZ for his first L/S contact.
On the 25th and 26th of Jan 2003 an AO-40 QSO party was held. 30 logs were submitted from 14 countries. I made 107 QSO's with 19 DXCC countries.
My last contact was on 28/01/04 at 20:39 with DG4DW. My next log entry was at 29/01/04 at 01:35 with Jerry W0SAT and my log note is "we talked about AO-40 gone"
In spite of the fact AO-40 had major problems and never operated near it's original design I think it was a very successful amateur satellite.
Bob (W7LRD); I guess all we can do now is remember the good old days and cry on each others shoulders. SOB SOB
Clare VE3NPC
----- Original Message ----- From: "Floyd Rodgers" kc5qbc@swbell.net Subject: [amsat-bb] AO40 contacts
Did anyone manage to bag any contacts off A040 before it's sad event?
Hi All,
You guys are making me all teary-eyed! I loved that bird, especially for all the "challenges" it presented.
Ughh.. this really hit's me hard and I'm getting very sentimental reading all email's to this topic. But it gives me also
The launch campaign in french Guiana, were I was staying in Kourou for more than quarter of the year, and the re-birth of AO-40 on Christmas were the most exciting days in my life.
I haven't made many contacts, I was more among the "listeners" and enjoyed the fun.
It's sometimes very frustrating to me that 10 years after the launch of AO-40 we still haven't got P3-E into orbit. We have been going to many up's and down's during this time, but we are not giving up. There are new challenges we are working on presently and some of them give us a good hope of success. Indeed and I'm sorry for that, It has been very quiet about the progress of P3-E in the last year. While most mechanical work is done, there was also progress on the electronics, mostly the IHU. However, one of the biggest challenges is indeed funding and a launch we can afford. That's where we a concentrating most of our efforts and time at the moment
Indeed, we need the support of the community. There will only a P3-E, if we all really want it..
If you want to support P3-E, than please visit http://www.p3e-satellite.org/?lang=en_EN and make a direct donation to the project - THANKS!
73s Peter, DB2OS
Peter Gülzow President AMSAT-DL
At 07:17 AM 2/4/2011, Peter Guelzow wrote:
Hi All,
You guys are making me all teary-eyed! I
loved that bird, especially for all the "challenges" it presented.
Ughh.. this really hit's me hard and I'm getting very sentimental reading all email's to this topic. But it gives me also
The launch campaign in french Guiana, were I was staying in Kourou for more than quarter of the year, and the re-birth of AO-40 on Christmas were the most exciting days in my life.
I haven't made many contacts, I was more among the "listeners" and enjoyed the fun.
It's sometimes very frustrating to me that 10 years after the launch of AO-40 we still haven't got P3-E into orbit. We have been going to many up's and down's during this time, but we are not giving up. There are new challenges we are working on presently and some of them give us a good hope of success. Indeed and I'm sorry for that, It has been very quiet about the progress of P3-E in the last year. While most mechanical work is done, there was also progress on the electronics, mostly the IHU. However, one of the biggest challenges is indeed funding and a launch we can afford. That's where we a concentrating most of our efforts and time at the moment
Indeed, we need the support of the community. There will only a P3-E, if we all really want it..
If you want to support P3-E, than please visit http://www.p3e-satellite.org/?lang=en_EN and make a direct donation to the project - THANKS!
73s Peter, DB2OS
Peter Gülzow President AMSAT-DL
Peter,
Good to hear from Amsat-DL pertaining to P3-E.
I guess it is a forgone conclusion that Amsat-NA is stalled indefinitely for any Heo. So, it definitely appears that P3-E is our sole remaining hope for a Heo satellite in the heritage of AO-10, 13 and 40. I hear a "rally cry" to step-out and be counted in support of P3-E.
Peter, hopefully you have some better launch prospects than Amsat-NA has.
Could we get it hauled up to ISS and "kicked out the door" with orbital boost engine? I guess that would be a huge permitting battle?
73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 144-1.4kw*, 432-100w*, 1296-testing*, 3400-winter? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa@hotmail.com ====================================== *temp not in service
Could we get it hauled up to ISS and "kicked out the door" with orbital boost engine? I guess that would be a huge permitting battle?
Considering the interest in using the ISS as a launchpad for satellites and manned space craft have increased, depending on how Arissat-1 fairs it might be possible for other birds to piggy back a ride with a resupply to the ISS for a launch and with P3E being the testbed for the P5A Mars mission it might have enough leverage to go this route. I'd encourage both Peter and the rest of AMSAT-DL to at least consider inquiring about it.
With that said I missed out on the opportunity to work on AO-40 as it died before I became licensed, but when I found out about AO-40 I became hopeful P3E would get launched so I could experience working a HEO for myself.
~73, AC2RF Ron
----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Guelzow" peter.guelzow@kourou.de To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 5:17 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO40 contacts and P3-E
Hi All,
You guys are making me all teary-eyed! I loved that bird, especially for
all the "challenges" it presented.
Ughh.. this really hit's me hard and I'm getting very sentimental reading all email's to this topic. But it gives me also
The launch campaign in french Guiana, were I was staying in Kourou for more than quarter of the year, and the re-birth of AO-40 on Christmas were the most exciting days in my life.
I haven't made many contacts, I was more among the "listeners" and enjoyed the fun.
It's sometimes very frustrating to me that 10 years after the launch of AO-40 we still haven't got P3-E into orbit. We have been going to many up's and down's during this time, but we are not giving up. There are new challenges we are working on presently and some of them give us a good hope of success. Indeed and I'm sorry for that, It has been very quiet about the progress of P3-E in the last year. While most mechanical work is done, there was also progress on the electronics, mostly the IHU. However, one of the biggest challenges is indeed funding and a launch we can afford. That's where we a concentrating most of our efforts and time at the moment
Indeed, we need the support of the community. There will only a P3-E, if we all really want it..
If you want to support P3-E, than please visit http://www.p3e-satellite.org/?lang=en_EN and make a direct donation to the project - THANKS!
73s Peter, DB2OS
Peter Gülzow President AMSAT-DL
Hi Peter, DB2OS
In my opinion AO40 was the best satellite ever made by AMSAT-DL and it was very fun until lasted.
We all hope that AMSAT-DL will find a launch opportunity with ESA and a ARIANE-5 launcher with P3-E inside the SPELDA adapter as soon as possible.
Pulling for P3-E ! !
73" de
i8CVS Domenico
Trying to find my AO-40 log book- I took it out to verify that I had made a first day QSO---Found my original combined pre-AO-40 logbook withFO-29, FO-20, AO-21, AO-27, AO-10, RS-12, AO-12(JAS-1), RS-10/11, & AO-13 QSO's in it. Wow-teary eyed yes---Many 60 minute + QSO's many Nets and other great contacts...Still looking for my AO-40 logbook- here somewhere... Keep the faith guys, there is bound to be something in the future that will allow us to enjoy HEO's again..we'll turn that corner soon... 73, Dee, NB2F Meanwhile, Go Giants (?) oops..didn't make it this year.
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of i8cvs Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 3:10 PM To: Peter Guelzow; Amsat - BBs Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 contacts and P3-E
----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Guelzow" peter.guelzow@kourou.de To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 5:17 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO40 contacts and P3-E
Hi All,
You guys are making me all teary-eyed! I loved that bird, especially for
all the "challenges" it presented.
Ughh.. this really hit's me hard and I'm getting very sentimental reading all email's to this topic. But it gives me also
The launch campaign in french Guiana, were I was staying in Kourou for more than quarter of the year, and the re-birth of AO-40 on Christmas were the most exciting days in my life.
I haven't made many contacts, I was more among the "listeners" and enjoyed the fun.
It's sometimes very frustrating to me that 10 years after the launch of AO-40 we still haven't got P3-E into orbit. We have been going to many up's and down's during this time, but we are not giving up. There are new challenges we are working on presently and some of them give us a good hope of success. Indeed and I'm sorry for that, It has been very quiet about the progress of P3-E in the last year. While most mechanical work is done, there was also progress on the electronics, mostly the IHU. However, one of the biggest challenges is indeed funding and a launch we can afford. That's where we a concentrating most of our efforts and time at the moment
Indeed, we need the support of the community. There will only a P3-E, if we all really want it..
If you want to support P3-E, than please visit http://www.p3e-satellite.org/?lang=en_EN and make a direct donation to the project - THANKS!
73s Peter, DB2OS
Peter Gülzow President AMSAT-DL
Hi Peter, DB2OS
In my opinion AO40 was the best satellite ever made by AMSAT-DL and it was very fun until lasted.
We all hope that AMSAT-DL will find a launch opportunity with ESA and a ARIANE-5 launcher with P3-E inside the SPELDA adapter as soon as possible.
Pulling for P3-E ! !
73" de
i8CVS Domenico
_______________________________________________ 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
To All, It takes more than 1000 LEO's to equal an HEO. I really enjoyed AO40 and All I had was a speaker tripod for my 13 cm dish and a 6' stepladder to support my 10 T helix. Art, KC6UQH
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of i8cvs Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2011 12:10 PM To: Peter Guelzow; Amsat - BBs Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 contacts and P3-E
----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Guelzow" peter.guelzow@kourou.de To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 5:17 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO40 contacts and P3-E
Hi All,
You guys are making me all teary-eyed! I loved that bird, especially for
all the "challenges" it presented.
Ughh.. this really hit's me hard and I'm getting very sentimental reading all email's to this topic. But it gives me also
The launch campaign in french Guiana, were I was staying in Kourou for more than quarter of the year, and the re-birth of AO-40 on Christmas were the most exciting days in my life.
I haven't made many contacts, I was more among the "listeners" and enjoyed the fun.
It's sometimes very frustrating to me that 10 years after the launch of AO-40 we still haven't got P3-E into orbit. We have been going to many up's and down's during this time, but we are not giving up. There are new challenges we are working on presently and some of them give us a good hope of success. Indeed and I'm sorry for that, It has been very quiet about the progress of P3-E in the last year. While most mechanical work is done, there was also progress on the electronics, mostly the IHU. However, one of the biggest challenges is indeed funding and a launch we can afford. That's where we a concentrating most of our efforts and time at the moment
Indeed, we need the support of the community. There will only a P3-E, if we all really want it..
If you want to support P3-E, than please visit http://www.p3e-satellite.org/?lang=en_EN and make a direct donation to the project - THANKS!
73s Peter, DB2OS
Peter Gülzow President AMSAT-DL
Hi Peter, DB2OS
In my opinion AO40 was the best satellite ever made by AMSAT-DL and it was very fun until lasted.
We all hope that AMSAT-DL will find a launch opportunity with ESA and a ARIANE-5 launcher with P3-E inside the SPELDA adapter as soon as possible.
Pulling for P3-E ! !
73" de
i8CVS Domenico
_______________________________________________ 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
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participants (7)
-
Art McBride -
Dee -
Edward R. Cole -
i8cvs -
K5OE -
Peter Guelzow -
Ron Overdrive