Hi Rob,

I agree. Today morning I tried at 08:02 - 08:10Z, Orbit #2252, excellent pass for my location.

As you pointed out, I also heard the beacon with a true 559 on CW (Hi Hi DELFI-C3), however it was impossible to access the transponder.

So, your note is correct.

73, Mak SV1BSX

----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Hardenberg PE1ITR" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:13 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Status DO-64?

Hi All,

Er there station making qso's on DO-64? Last 2 weeks I tried serveal times but I can't hear my signal on the transponder. It looks like the transponder receiver is not working. I can hear the beacon and transponder noise very well.

73 Rob PE1ITR http://www.pe1itr.com

---

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Hi Ib,

tks for reply and informative note. However I wondering about the DO-64 ! If you "shoot" the satellite with 2x19 el and 70 W, I suppose the ERP from a similar system is 2-3 KWatts. In case you had not easy access to satellite with this power, I wondering what is changed, as I remember that during the first weeks of transponder's activation the satellite was accessible, even if somebody was using 200-300 Watts ERP (that is my max power and I managed a lot of QSOs).

Anyway, too bad if the satellite-uplink is not enough sensitive any longer. I can't imagine ....5-10 KW ERP uplink-power for a good enough access. This way is a non-usable object for the majority of amateur satellite operators.

73, Mak SV1BSX

----- Original Message ----- From: "OZ1MY" [email protected] To: "SV1BSX" [email protected]; [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 12:46 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Status DO-64?

Hi Mak and Rob, I just had a pass here over Copenhagen with max elevation of 86 degrees. I were able to hear myself using 70 W to my normal 2x19 element antenna - but very faint. I also heard a CW station. Conclusion - it is on but very difficult to use unless you have a lot of power for the uplink (more than I have). Have a nice weekend all 73 OZ1MY Ib ----- Original Message ----- From: "SV1BSX" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:33 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Status DO-64?

...

Hi Rob,

I agree. Today morning I tried at 08:02 - 08:10Z, Orbit #2252,

excellent

...

pass for my location.

As you pointed out, I also heard the beacon with a true 559 on CW (Hi Hi DELFI-C3), however it was impossible to access the transponder.

So, your note is correct.

73, Mak SV1BSX

----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Hardenberg PE1ITR" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:13 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Status DO-64?

...

Hi All,

Er there station making qso's on DO-64? Last 2 weeks I tried serveal

times

...

...

but I can't hear my signal on the transponder. It looks like the transponder receiver is not working. I can hear the beacon and transponder noise very well.

73 Rob PE1ITR http://www.pe1itr.com

---

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program!

...

...

Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Hi all,

The attitude of Delfi-C3 is changing slowly. The attitude with respect to your station defines the polarization of the up- and downlink signal, so this could lead to a change of polarization needed to uplink into Delfi. Please also try to uplink if the downlink seems weak, because the uplink might be very good at that time. Needless to say that when using circular polarized beams, you should be able to change between LHCP and RHCP, but the mentioned stations all have that capability to my knowledge.

When I get back to the Delfi-C3 groundstation I'll try a pass myself.

Regards,

Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG Delfi-C3 Team

On Sat, Sep 27, 2008 at 2:12 PM, OZ1MY [email protected] wrote:

Hi Mak, Yes I have made QSOs as well. Last time was 9th of September. In the start of the life of the transponder it was much easier.

I do not know what is different - but one thing could be the attitude of DO-64. If that is the course I would expect the effect to change from orbit to orbit ?

One thing that is sure is that it is on the receive side. Even without a preamplifier I can hear the noise floor of the transponder. May be something has gone wrong - only time will show.

Perhaps someone from Delfts knows ?

73 OZ1MY Ib ----- Original Message ----- From: "SV1BSX" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 1:04 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Status DO-64?

...

Hi Ib,

tks for reply and informative note. However I wondering about the DO-64 ! If you "shoot" the satellite with 2x19 el and 70 W, I suppose the ERP from a similar system is 2-3 KWatts. In case you had not easy access to satellite with this power, I wondering what is changed, as I remember that during the first weeks of

transponder's

...

activation the satellite was accessible, even if somebody was using 200-300 Watts ERP (that is my max power and I managed a lot of QSOs).

Anyway, too bad if the satellite-uplink is not enough sensitive any

longer.

...

I can't imagine ....5-10 KW ERP uplink-power for a good enough access. This way is a non-usable object for the majority of amateur satellite operators.

73, Mak SV1BSX

----- Original Message ----- From: "OZ1MY" [email protected] To: "SV1BSX" [email protected]; [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 12:46 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Status DO-64?

...

Hi Mak and Rob, I just had a pass here over Copenhagen with max elevation of 86 degrees. I were able to hear myself using 70 W to my normal 2x19 element antenna - but very faint. I also heard a CW station. Conclusion - it is on but very difficult to use unless you have a lot of power for the uplink (more than I have). Have a nice weekend all 73 OZ1MY Ib ----- Original Message ----- From: "SV1BSX" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:33 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Status DO-64?

...

Hi Rob,

I agree. Today morning I tried at 08:02 - 08:10Z, Orbit #2252,

excellent

...

pass for my location.

As you pointed out, I also heard the beacon with a true 559 on CW (Hi Hi DELFI-C3), however it was impossible to access the transponder.

So, your note is correct.

73, Mak SV1BSX

----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Hardenberg PE1ITR" [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:13 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Status DO-64?

...

Hi All,

Er there station making qso's on DO-64? Last 2 weeks I tried serveal

times

...

...

but I can't hear my signal on the transponder. It looks like the transponder receiver is not working. I can hear the beacon and transponder noise very well.

73 Rob PE1ITR http://www.pe1itr.com

---

Sent via [email protected]. 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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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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---

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Well I had been back on the birds for the last 3 months or so, and while I was getting ready for an AO-16 pass a few days ago, my elevation rotor on my Yaesu G-5400B stopped at about 10 degrees.

That's it. It won't go back down or up.

So I checked the wiring on the rotor, everything appeared fine. I removed the elevation rotor from the azimuthal, and took it inside. I made a small patch cord to go from the control box to the rotor, but no luck. All I get is the display of the elevation of about 10 degrees, and I hear a little hum when I attempt to move it up or down. This tells me that the potentiometer is probably good, and the motor is receiving power.

I've removed the small nameplate on the side, and there is no water inside, and I can see the ball bears; there doesn't appear to be any rust inside. I also removed the terminal assembly in case one of the wire had come loose, or had a cold solder joint, but I didn't find any problems there. Looking at the diagram of the rotor, there appears to only be a small 24 volt motor which turns this; along with numerous mechanical parts.

So the question is. Before I send this to Yaesu, has anyone had this problem before, is it a minor one (something that I could fix myself), or is best left to Yaesu? Before anyone mentions, Norm's no longer services these rotors. The four 'screws' that hold the two parts are impossible for me to loosen. I would have to use a vice, but I do have a friend with a motorcycle repair business who I'm sure could open it for me in 60 seconds. To me, this looks like a jigsaw puzzle by looking at the diagram.

The rotor was in service for about a couple of years back in the early 90s. It then sat inside without any use, up until a few months ago. If the consensus is to send it to Yaesu, should I bother to send in the azimuthal rotor, or should I follow the "don't fix it if it aint broken" rule?

Sebastian, I had a similar problem. In my case I found that the 24 volt motor had packed up. Since I had another Elevation Rotator with the faulty pot sitting on my bench for half a century, I swapped the motor and it worked. The motor is easily removed. Please remove the 4 screws that hold the motor and then try powering up and see if the motor works. I suppose you won't have a spare motor. I am trying to get the faulty motor rewired. Our local talent can do wonderful things.

You might consult Roy Welch who has a great knowledge on ailing Yaesu rotators. I am sure he has seen this mail and may have some valuable suggestions. Do share your experience if you manage to fix this problem.

Opening nuts is a big problem and your Motor Cycle workshop should be able to help. I got mine too opened that way.

73

Sangat, 9M2SS

2008/9/27 Sebastian [email protected]

Well I had been back on the birds for the last 3 months or so, and while I was getting ready for an AO-16 pass a few days ago, my elevation rotor on my Yaesu G-5400B stopped at about 10 degrees.

That's it. It won't go back down or up.

So I checked the wiring on the rotor, everything appeared fine. I removed the elevation rotor from the azimuthal, and took it inside. I made a small patch cord to go from the control box to the rotor, but no luck. All I get is the display of the elevation of about 10 degrees, and I hear a little hum when I attempt to move it up or down. This tells me that the potentiometer is probably good, and the motor is receiving power.

I've removed the small nameplate on the side, and there is no water inside, and I can see the ball bears; there doesn't appear to be any rust inside. I also removed the terminal assembly in case one of the wire had come loose, or had a cold solder joint, but I didn't find any problems there. Looking at the diagram of the rotor, there appears to only be a small 24 volt motor which turns this; along with numerous mechanical parts.

So the question is. Before I send this to Yaesu, has anyone had this problem before, is it a minor one (something that I could fix myself), or is best left to Yaesu? Before anyone mentions, Norm's no longer services these rotors. The four 'screws' that hold the two parts are impossible for me to loosen. I would have to use a vice, but I do have a friend with a motorcycle repair business who I'm sure could open it for me in 60 seconds. To me, this looks like a jigsaw puzzle by looking at the diagram.

The rotor was in service for about a couple of years back in the early 90s. It then sat inside without any use, up until a few months ago. If the consensus is to send it to Yaesu, should I bother to send in the azimuthal rotor, or should I follow the "don't fix it if it aint broken" rule? _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. 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

Hi Guys,

My two cents worth. It looks like Sebastian has made all of the checks. I assume the rotor will not move in either direction. It's possible that something had fallen into the gear train, jamming the works but it does sound more like a bad motor. Have you measured all of the voltages and especially the resistance values on the motor leads as shown in the owner's manual? If the resistances all look good and the supply voltages are good then I would check the resistance from each motor lead to the metal case to see if there is a short circuit to the rotor housing. I'm not sure but in some countries RFI hash protection has been added to the rotor circuitry consisting of small RF chokes and capacitors mounted inside the rotor case. For example, my Emoto rotors don't have it but the versions sold in some European countries do have it. You might check to see if there is a similar thing in your rotor and that there are no failures there. I doubt that this is the problem however. Good luck.

Roy -- W0SL

Sangat Singh wrote:

Sebastian,

I had a similar problem. In my case I found that the 24 volt motor had packed up. Since I had another Elevation Rotator with the faulty pot sitting on my bench for half a century, I swapped the motor and it worked. The motor is easily removed. Please remove the 4 screws that hold the motor and then try powering up and see if the motor works. I suppose you won't have a spare motor. I am trying to get the faulty motor rewired. Our local talent can do wonderful things.

You might consult Roy Welch who has a great knowledge on ailing Yaesu rotators. I am sure he has seen this mail and may have some valuable suggestions. Do share your experience if you manage to fix this problem.

Opening nuts is a big problem and your Motor Cycle workshop should be able to help. I got mine too opened that way.

73

Sangat, 9M2SS

2008/9/27 Sebastian <[email protected] mailto:[email protected]>

Well I had been back on the birds for the last 3 months or so, and
while I was getting ready for an AO-16 pass a few days ago, my
elevation rotor on my Yaesu G-5400B stopped at about 10 degrees.

That's it.  It won't go back down or up.

So I checked the wiring on the rotor, everything appeared fine.  I
removed the elevation rotor from the azimuthal, and took it inside.  I
made a small patch cord to go from the control box to the rotor, but
no luck.  All I get is the display of the elevation of about 10
degrees, and I hear a little hum when I attempt to move it up or
down.  This tells me that the potentiometer is probably good, and the
motor is receiving power.

I've removed the small nameplate on the side, and there is no water
inside, and I can see the ball bears; there doesn't appear to be any
rust inside.  I also removed the terminal assembly in case one of the
wire had come loose, or had a cold solder joint, but I didn't find any
problems there.  Looking at the diagram of the rotor, there appears to
only be a small 24 volt motor which turns this; along with numerous
mechanical parts.

So the question is.  Before I send this to Yaesu, has anyone had this
problem before, is it a minor one (something that I could fix myself),
or is best left to Yaesu?  Before anyone mentions, Norm's no longer
services these rotors.  The four 'screws' that hold the two parts are
impossible for me to loosen.  I would have to use a vice, but I do
have a friend with a motorcycle repair business who I'm sure could
open it for me in 60 seconds.  To me, this looks like a jigsaw puzzle
by looking at the diagram.

The rotor was in service for about a couple of years back in the early
90s.  It then sat inside without any use, up until a few months ago.
If the consensus is to send it to Yaesu, should I bother to send in
the azimuthal rotor, or should I follow the "don't fix it if it aint
broken" rule?
_______________________________________________
Sent via [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>. 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

-- Sangat Singh 53, Jln. Perdana National Planetarium 50480 Kuala Lumpur (MALAYSIA) Mobile: +60122838873 Office: +60322787388 FAX: +60322738873 Skype ID: sukhija

All

Here is my $.02. First smell the motor. If the motor has burnt windings you can smell them. mesureesure the resistance between the winding. If the resistance beteen the winding is roughly the same suspect the capastor in the control box. If something mechanical has failed a visually inspection will reveal it. There a lot of parts in there but is faitly intutive on how to assemble them.

good luck

nickly

-------------- Original message from Roy [email protected]: --------------

Hi Guys,

My two cents worth. It looks like Sebastian has made all of the checks. I assume the rotor will not move in either direction. It's possible that something had fallen into the gear train, jamming the works but it does sound more like a bad motor. Have you measured all of the voltages and especially the resistance values on the motor leads as shown in the owner's manual? If the resistances all look good and the supply voltages are good then I would check the resistance from each motor lead to the metal case to see if there is a short circuit to the rotor housing. I'm not sure but in some countries RFI hash protection has been added to the rotor circuitry consisting of small RF chokes and capacitors mounted inside the rotor case. For example, my Emoto rotors don't have it but the versions sold in some European countries do have it. You might check to see if there is a similar thing in your rotor and that there are no failures there. I doubt that this is the problem however. Good luck.

Roy -- W0SL

Sangat Singh wrote:

...

Sebastian,

I had a similar problem. In my case I found that the 24 volt motor had packed up. Since I had another Elevation Rotator with the faulty pot sitting on my bench for half a century, I swapped the motor and it worked. The motor is easily removed. Please remove the 4 screws that hold the motor and then try powering up and see if the motor works. I suppose you won't have a spare motor. I am trying to get the faulty motor rewired. Our local talent can do wonderful things.

You might consult Roy Welch who has a great knowledge on ailing Yaesu rotators. I am sure he has seen this mail and may have some valuable suggestions. Do share your experience if you manage to fix this problem.

Opening nuts is a big problem and your Motor Cycle workshop should be able to help. I got mine too opened that way.

73

Sangat, 9M2SS

2008/9/27 Sebastian >

Well I had been back on the birds for the last 3 months or so, and
while I was getting ready for an AO-16 pass a few days ago, my
elevation rotor on my Yaesu G-5400B stopped at about 10 degrees.

That's it.  It won't go back down or up.

So I checked the wiring on the rotor, everything appeared fine.  I
removed the elevation rotor from the azimuthal, and took it inside.  I
made a small patch cord to go from the control box to the rotor, but
no luck.  All I get is the display of the elevation of about 10
degrees, and I hear a little hum when I attempt to move it up or
down.  This tells me that the potentiometer is probably good, and the
motor is receiving power.

I've removed the small nameplate on the side, and there is no water
inside, and I can see the ball bears; there doesn't appear to be any
rust inside.  I also removed the terminal assembly in case one of the
wire had come loose, or had a cold solder joint, but I didn't find any
problems there.  Looking at the diagram of the rotor, there appears to
only be a small 24 volt motor which turns this; along with numerous
mechanical parts.

So the question is.  Before I send this to Yaesu, has anyone had this
problem before, is it a minor one (something that I could fix myself),
or is best left to Yaesu?  Before anyone mentions, Norm's no longer
services these rotors.  The four 'screws' that hold the two parts are
impossible for me to loosen.  I would have to use a vice, but I do
have a friend with a motorcycle repair business who I'm sure could
open it for me in 60 seconds.  To me, this looks like a jigsaw puzzle
by looking at the diagram.

The rotor was in service for about a couple of years back in the early
90s.  It then sat inside without any use, up until a few months ago.
If the consensus is to send it to Yaesu, should I bother to send in
the azimuthal rotor, or should I follow the "don't fix it if it aint
broken" rule?
_______________________________________________
Sent via [email protected] . 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

-- Sangat Singh 53, Jln. Perdana National Planetarium 50480 Kuala Lumpur (MALAYSIA) Mobile: +60122838873 Office: +60322787388 FAX: +60322738873 Skype ID: sukhija

-- Roy

---

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