October 2014 - Amsat-dc (INACTIVE)

Seeking CubeSat Structure Sources
by Pat Kilroy 30 Oct '14

30 Oct '14

DOES ANYONE KNOW where I might get (purchase) one or more 1-Unit CubeSat structures for non-flight applications? I've been to the popular vendors at: http://www.cubesat.org/index.php/collaborate/suppliers but those are overkill (and way over $$), since my purpose is to build one or more simulators for demo, compatibility and education applications. Ideally, I'd like a non-flight structure that is "skeletonized" aluminum, but I would settle for something much less to start, perhaps even 3mm thick plexiglass. I would like the inside 1-liter volume to accommodate the PC-104 standard, although I won't use a PC-104 due to its high power requirements (and its throughput is overkill too). I just don't want to spend time re-inventing this particular wheel. Has anyone rolled their own, and perhaps one, two or three extra ones? Or do you have a recommendation of whom I should ask? Thoughts? Thanks, Pat N8PK Pat Kilroy pat(a)patkilroy.com

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Antares Launch: Tonight (Weds) from Wallops Island, VA @ 6:22 PM
by Eric Rosenberg 28 Oct '14

28 Oct '14

from NASA.GOV -----------------------Antares Launch Postponed to Oct. 28 Posted on October 27, 2014 at 6:47 pm The next launch attempt for Orbital Sciences’ Antares rocket carrying its Cygnus cargo spacecraft is scheduled for 6:22 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Oct. 28 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. There is a 10 minute launch window. Live coverage on NASA TV will begin at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Monday’s launch attempt was scrubbed because of a boat down range in the trajectory Antares would have flown had it lifted off. At last report, the weather forecast for Oct. 28 was 95-percent favorable. Arrival of the Cygnus spacecraft at the International Space Station would occur Nov. 2. › How to View the CRS-3 Launch: http://blogs.nasa.gov/orbital/2014/10/24/how-to-view-the-crs-3-launch/ >Maps of viewing locations: http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/MissionUpdates/Orb-3/Maps/default.aspx› > NASA's Orbital Website: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/orbital.html Should be quite a show from those of us in the mid-Atlantic area. Enjoy! 73, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC

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Local AMSAT-DC Contest Team to Form to Listen to the Moon?
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) 27 Oct '14

27 Oct '14

Background (1 of 2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_5-T1 Background (2 of 2) http://moon.luxspace.lu/receiving-4m/ THIS IS OUR KIND OF CONTEST! Still have time to enter and set up for this "4M" contest to listen to signals from the spacecraft now heading to the moon and back! The receive-only contest ends on October 30. To form a team we need up to six names nd callsigns. More details below and at the links given above. Are you in? Cheers, Pat N8PK Sykesville, Md. (FM19) o 4M transmits on 145.980MHz with 1W of RF power o The antenna gain of 4M has an average gain of -10dBi in all directions, with smooth peaks at +3dBi and some narrow deeps at -30dBi o 4M transmits its data using JT65B, which is basically a 65-FSK, modulating the carrier in SSB with tones approx.- imately comprised between 1200 and 1600Hz. o Tonight tracking example: at 0000z (7:00 PM EDT) Az=235.4 deg, El=10.2 deg. o Coordination on 146.835 MHz FM (EchoLink WA3NAN-R)

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Re: [amsat-dc] AMSAT at Mason-Dixon Hamfest this [past] Weekend
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) 27 Oct '14

27 Oct '14

https://www.facebook.com/groups/7828379515/?fref=nf HAD A GREAT TIME at the hamfest yesterday. See the photo and short short story on FB at the link given above. Got to chat with bunches of fellow AMSAT members while staffing the AMSAT booth. Yesterday was the most beautiful day of our entire autumn season to date and the cheerfulness showed through! Hope to see more of you soon. Cheers, Pat N8PK -----Original Message----- From: Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 Subject: AMSAT at Mason-Dixon Hamfest this Weekend I WILL BE PICKING UP a big banner and a box of goodies from Martha at AMSAT HQ this afternoon for the Mason- Dixon Hamfest this Sunday morning, as sponsored by the Carroll County ARC (K3PZN) in Westminster, Md! If any of you would like to join me (for all or only part of the time) then the more the merrier! Shoot me an e-mail message or just show up. If you would like to set up a demo of any of the hamsats then that would be awesome. Either way, hope to see you there! In the mean time, you can see a map and get directions trom the K3PZN Web site at http://www.qis.net/~k3pzn/ and click on HAMFEST. Cheers, Pat Kilroy N8PK pat(a)patkilroy.com

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AMSAT at CCARC Mason-Dixon Hamfest this Sunday!
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-5680) 24 Oct '14

24 Oct '14

I WILL BE PICKING UP a big banner and a box of goodies from Martha at AMSAT HQ this afternoon for the Mason- Dixon Hamfest this Sunday morning, as sponsored by the Carroll County ARC (K3PZN) in Westminster, Md! If any of you would like to join me (for all or only part of the time) then the more the merrier! Shoot me an e-mail message or just show up. If you would like to set up a demo of any of the hamsats then that would be awesome. Either way, hope to see you there! In the mean time, you can see a map and get directions trom the K3PZN Web site at http://www.qis.net/~k3pzn/ and click on HAMFEST. Cheers, Pat Kilroy N8PK pat(a)patkilroy.com<mailto:pat@patkilroy.com>

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W1AW/3 from the District of Columbia - Final Statistics
by Paul Stoetzer 07 Oct '14

07 Oct '14

Good evening, The W1AW/3 operation from the District of Columbia wrapped up just over an hour ago. On the satellites, 125 total QSOs were logged with 73 different stations. 55 grids, 30 states, and 6 DXCCs (United States, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, England, and Ireland) were worked. Total by satellite: SO-50 - 54 FO-29 - 45 AO-73 - 17 AO-7 Mode B - 9 The 73 non-dupe QSOs represent the fifth highest total among W1AW portable operations active on the satellites thus far. I enjoyed the event immensely. In addition to my satellite operation, I operated several shifts on HF from W3DQ's station in northwest DC and got the opportunity to work some massive pileups. It was quite something to call CQ once or twice and have what seemed like half the world come back to you at once! While the District of Columbia does not count towards the W1AW WAS certificate, those who earn the certificate will receive an endorsement sticker noting that you have worked the District of Columbia. QSLing will be done by the ARRL and via LoTW. See the website for details: http://www.arrl.org/centennial-qso-party Thanks to all for the QSOs! I look forward to working a few more states on the satellites over the last few months of this event. 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Washington, DC (FM18lv)

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