- Amsat-dc (INACTIVE) - mailman.amsat.org

Meeting: Order of Start
by Pat Kilroy 16 Mar '08

16 Mar '08

HERE IS THE ORDER of things to start at our 2008 AMSAT-DC Meeting and Space Seminar tomorrow, Saturday, March 15. Please help me maintain this order since I could not get into the Pioneer Hall tonight as planned for an early set up ... 10:00 A.M. EDT. Doors open ONLY for volunteers with a task, and presenters. 10:30 A.M. Doors open for registration, name badge making, other set ups. 11:00 A.M. Call to order, welcome, housekeeping notes, order of Agenda. For early birds who do NOT have an ASSIGNED task to work on, PLEASE DO NOT VENTURE inside the Pioneer Hall door until after 10:30 A.M. Stay outside the door until called to the Registration table. (I will be direct and ask what you are doing there. Please help keep me nice.) Then please sign in at the registration table AND MAKE A NAME (and callsign) BADGE if you are not wearing one to the meeting. All types accepted. Thank you. We have the hall until 6:00 P.M., firm. Our day will be wonderful. Hpe to C U soon. Sincerely, Pat Kilroy N8PK AMSAT-DC Meeting Details: http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/

2 1

Bring Your Dual Band HT
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-568.0) 15 Mar '08

15 Mar '08

DON'T FORGET to bring your dual-band handheld transceiver to the AMSAT-DC gathering. And don't forget to remind yourself how to program a split offset before you leave home (check the manual). If you do this you may be glad. See again Tom K3IO's message below. TX 435.900 MHz FM RX 144.350 MHz FM C U soon, Pat N8PK http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/ >Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 01:11:51 -0500 >From: "Tom Clark, K3IO" <k3io(a)verizon.net> >Subject: [amsat-dc] Re: March 15 is the Date >To: AMSAT-DC <amsat-dc(a)amsat.org> > >Pat Kilroy wrote: >> Hi guys, >> >> We have about three weeks until our local >> AMSAT meeting and space seminar. Here is >> my status report. >> >In case you would be interested, I have a new project in the >works that enables a low-cost, accurate computer controlled >antenna positioner. > >This is NOT just another analog computer interface that uses >potentiometers inside the rotor --- all control is digital. I'm >getting about 1 deg accuracy in both az & el, and it is quite >suitable for small (~1m) dishes and/or small yagis. Not sure of >the final costs yet, but a 2-axis rotor system with controller >should cost <$250, with all the hard parts purchasable with >plastic over the internet. > >Also, I think we (N4HY, W2GPS & I) will be in the position to >demonstrate a functioning breadboard prototype of the Suitsat-2 >SDX transponder on the air. People should be prepared to TX on >70 cm (435.9) & RX on 2M (either 144.35 or 435.90 TBD). > >73, Tom > ----------------------------------------- Mr. Patrick L. Kilroy Flight Systems Integration and Test (I&T) Building 5, Mail Code 568 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 Phone: 301-286-1984 E-mail: Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov ------------------------------------------- LRO Project http://lro.gsfc.nasa.gov "Regarding Project Reviews, the nice thing about the truth is that it makes having to remember what you said so much easier."

2 1

Attends of the AMSAT-DC Meeting........
by Charles Heisler -K3VDB- 13 Mar '08

13 Mar '08

There will be 3X5 Cards available for you to advertise any Ham Radio Related 'Widgit' you might have FOR SALE. They will be displayed on a pin board. PLEASE DO NOT BRING FOR SALE ITEMS INTO THE MUSEUM OR DISPLAY THEM IN THE PARKING LOT as we don't have permission from the Museum to have a Hamfest. It is suggested interested buyers could be taken to the parking lot to see your 'widgit' and make the deal (or not) during a break or after meeting. TNX Charlie K3VDB

1 0

Something New
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-568.0) 12 Mar '08

12 Mar '08

ONE WEEK FROM TONIGHT, on March 14, I will be visiting Pioneer Hall at the Historical Electronics Museum at around 5:00 P.M. The task will be to decide how to set up tables and chairs for the AMSAT-DC gathering scheduled for the very next morning and then to do the set up work. IF YOU CAN MAKE IT to help set up the night before then that would be wonderful. Something new! That way, 75% of the work will be done the evening before, work that has in the past contributed to late starts. (Ugh!) I'd like to start on time, at 11:00 A.M. on March 15. Thank you, Pat N8PK http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/ P.S. Unfortunately, FYI, ... THINGS WE WON'T HAVE AT THE MEETING Talk-in (8 AM - 11 AM) Talk-in (11 AM - 1 PM) Greeters (3) for registration table, sign-in, name badges, etc. Sign maker and poster (2) for parking and welcome Video (2) w light, sound & editing as needed Notes/minutes (1 or 2), for meeting follow up for others Time keeper (1 or 2) Refreshment table keeper (1 or 2) Museum tour guides (2 min) For Sale board (1) and free 3x5 cards and other special touches we will be without, so far, due to no responding volunteers for these slots. ------------------------------------------- Mr. Patrick L. Kilroy Flight Systems Integration and Test (I&T) Building 5, Mail Code 568 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 Phone: 301-286-1984 E-mail: Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov -------------------------------------------

2 4

ALERT: Presenter Info Needed
by Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-568.0) 11 Mar '08

11 Mar '08

To all Presenters for this coming Saturday ... I am attempting to draft the final agenda and I need at least five bits of info from each presenter: 1. A working title for your talk. 2. Your full name (and callsign if available) and of each additional person appearing or presenting under your given title. 3. A time duration request. For most slots I am accepting slots -- including Q&A -- of either 10-minutes, 20-minutes or 30-minutes. If more time is needed then I ask two questions: Exactly how much more and, more importantly, Can you segregate your time in separate 10, 20 or 30-minute modules to give at different times? (I insist to keep the agenda moving quickly! Please note that I've been to plenty of professional symposiums where only ten minutes flat is given per presenter before the red light and HALT comes on!) 4. Will you have an accompanying demo for show 'n' tell? That is, do you need a half-table for Your hardware? Or how much more table space? 5. Will you make your slides available to me if I convert them to a PDF file (read only file) before posting or archiving to our amsat-dc web site? I will have a USB thumb drive with me. Sorry. Late responders go last if at all. ALERT Someone was working with a high school, TJHS, in northern Virginia. I have not heard from the teacher, Mr. Adam Kemp, in a long time. Does any one know if they are still interested in presenting? Was it you Bill W3HXFS, or Art W3ART, or David W2LNX? Can one of you get the above info from them to me by Friday? Else, no joy. Thank you! REQUEST I am looking for someone there on Saturday to offer their fast laptop PC, running either Windows XPP or Windows Vista, to let it serve as our PowerPoint PC and be plugged into my Toshiba LCD projector. Any takers for the first half of the day? Any for the second half? Thanks! Looking forward to a fine day on March 15. Cheers, Pat Kilroy N8PK ------------------------------------------- Mr. Patrick L. Kilroy Flight Systems Integration and Test (I&T) Building 5, Mail Code 568 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 Phone: 301-286-1984 E-mail: Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov ------------------------------------------- LRO Project http://lro.gsfc.nasa.gov "Regarding Reviews, the nice thing about the truth is that it makes having to remember what you said so much easier."

1 0

Re: Something New
by Bruce Semple 07 Mar '08

07 Mar '08

Hi Pat -- I have signed up to help setup (and clean up ) -- so I blocked out Saturday morning -- -- I can't make it Friday night @ 5:00pm I can be there as early as you need Saturday morning -- 9:00am If you want to just leave a diagram , instructions I can work on it SAT morning -- I can bring a laptop to take notes -- if no-one else wants to do it. and I can certainly sit on the registration table. Looking forward to it -- 73, Bruce WA3SWJ At 10:31 AM 3/7/2008, Kilroy, Patrick L. (GSFC-568.0) wrote: >ONE WEEK FROM TONIGHT, on March 14, I will be >visiting Pioneer Hall at the Historical Electronics >Museum at around 5:00 P.M. > >The task will be to decide how to set up tables and >chairs for the AMSAT-DC gathering scheduled for the >very next morning and then to do the set up work. > >IF YOU CAN MAKE IT to help set up the night before >then that would be wonderful. Something new! > >That way, 75% of the work will be done the evening >before, work that has in the past contributed to >late starts. (Ugh!) > >I'd like to start on time, at 11:00 A.M. on March 15. > >Thank you, > >Pat >N8PK >http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/ > > >P.S. Unfortunately, FYI, ... > >THINGS WE WON'T HAVE AT THE MEETING > >Talk-in (8 AM - 11 AM) >Talk-in (11 AM - 1 PM) >Greeters (3) for registration table, sign-in, name badges, etc. >Sign maker and poster (2) for parking and welcome >Video (2) w light, sound & editing as needed >Notes/minutes (1 or 2), for meeting follow up for others >Time keeper (1 or 2) >Refreshment table keeper (1 or 2) >Museum tour guides (2 min) >For Sale board (1) and free 3x5 cards > >and other special touches we will be without, so far, >due to no responding volunteers for these slots. > > >------------------------------------------- >Mr. Patrick L. Kilroy >Flight Systems Integration and Test (I&T) >Building 5, Mail Code 568 >NASA Goddard Space Flight Center >Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 >Phone: 301-286-1984 >E-mail: Patrick.L.Kilroy(a)nasa.gov >------------------------------------------- > > > >_______________________________________________ >Via the AMSAT-DC mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA >AMSAT-DC(a)amsat.org >http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-dc

2 1

AMSAT Lab volunteers!
by Robert Davis 07 Mar '08

07 Mar '08

All volunteers, It appears we're within about 3 work days of completing the cleanroom at the AMSAT lab in Pocomoke, MD! This is good news for those of us that have spent a year cleaning, scraping, painting, etc. I have just returned from the Orlando Hamcation, where AMSAT had a booth, presentation, Board of Directors meeting and engineering meetings. The entire weekend was very productive. In my absence, J.C., Ray, Steve & Martin worked on the cleanroom. It is really starting to look complete now. Here is the Lab schedule for the next couple of weeks: Sat Feb 16 - Open 9-5. Mon Feb 18 - Open 9-5 (this is President's Day) Sat Feb 23 - Open 9-5. I'm hoping that these dates will conclude the cleanroom effort (which is dependent on us volunteers!). Then, we will begin the Eagle Engineering Unit. This is a flight-like structure we use to verify some things before we are messing with the expensive (and schedule driven) flight unit. It will be taken (incomplete) to the Dayton Hamfest in May. We also have a couple antennas we want to raise... Anyway, all volunteers are welcome! RSVP would be nice, but not required. For directions, map to this intersection: Broad St & Pocomoke Belt Pocomoke City, MD 21851 If you have any questions, email me at KF4KSS(a)amsat.org or call my cell 443-783-7794. 73 bob Robert Davis KF4KSS

1 3

Re: March 15 is the Date
by Pat Kilroy 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Hi Tom, Thank you for trying! I will look forward to seeing you on March 15 with the great demo stuff. I will have some of my stuff to demo from my balloon experiment of last July, so it will work out very good. Please remind me off-line if you also would like a 10-min, 20-min or 30-min time slot including QnA for a talk, and if you need a PC or LCD projector for the presentation. Thanks again! Cheers, Pat N8PK > -----Original Message----- > From: Tom Azlin, N4ZPT [mailto:n4zpt@cox.net] > Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:12 AM > To: pat(a)patkilroy.com > Cc: amsat-dc(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-dc] March 15 is the Date > > Hi Pat, > > Well, I messed that up. Printed them but at 5:45 AM forgot to pick up > the stack of fliers off of the printer. Was a good fest. We sold out on > tables, had a full tailgate areas, and more attendees than last several > years. (Last year we were snowed out.) > > The remains of the balloon, the parachute and the payloads were on > display. Got quite a few questions. > > Anyway, I will be there on the 15th. > > 73, Tom n4zpt > > Pat Kilroy wrote: > > Hi Tom, > > > > Thanks for your message. My e-mail was down on > > Wednesday, Feb 6 and did not come back up until > > 13 days later! > > > > Thank you for offering to pass out the fliers, > > that's great! Getting the word out is one > > of our greatest needs. > > > > As you can see from the flier and the official > > announcement blurb, we include high-altitude > > balloon experiments in the local AMSAT stuff. > > > > I'm not sure how late the amsat meeting will > > go; likely not passed 5 P.M. Then again, > > we may not have enough presenters to get > > us THAT far into the afternoon. But then > > again, in the past people have come come > > forward only in the few days before hand. > > So your offer is most appreciated this > > weekend! > > > > Have a good hamfest and thank you again > > for all your support (and all the cool > > ham activities you do in our area). > > > > Cheers, > > > > Pat > > N8PK > > > > http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc > > http://patkilroy.com/simsat

1 0

Re: March 15 is the Date
by Pat Kilroy 27 Feb '08

27 Feb '08

Hi Tom, Thanks for your message. My e-mail was down on Wednesday, Feb 6 and did not come back up until 13 days later! Thank you for offering to pass out the fliers, that's great! Getting the word out is one of our greatest needs. As you can see from the flier and the official announcement blurb, we include high-altitude balloon experiments in the local AMSAT stuff. I'm not sure how late the amsat meeting will go; likely not passed 5 P.M. Then again, we may not have enough presenters to get us THAT far into the afternoon. But then again, in the past people have come come forward only in the few days before hand. So your offer is most appreciated this weekend! Have a good hamfest and thank you again for all your support (and all the cool ham activities you do in our area). Cheers, Pat N8PK http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc http://patkilroy.com/simsat > -----Original Message----- > From: Tom Azlin, N4ZPT [mailto:n4zpt@cox.net] > Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 12:03 PM > To: pat(a)patkilroy.com > Cc: amsat-dc(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-dc] March 15 is the Date > > Hi Pat. > > I will print copies of the brochure and put them out at Winterfest and > put them on one of the Vienna Wireless Society tables. Probably next to > our VWS-5 and VWS-6 balloon display. > > I will be happy to stay and help with cleanup. Will have to get some > supper depending on how late that runs. > > And as I mentioned before I would be happy to bring our high altitude > balloon flight hardware and the remains of our last balloon as part of a > show and tell. Not a satellite, but perhaps if you have room. > > 73, Tom n4zpt > > Pat Kilroy wrote: > > Hi guys, > > > > We have about three weeks until our local > > AMSAT meeting and space seminar. Here is > > my status report. > > > > We have three speakers lined up and one > > demo. > > > > I have two (maybe three) volunteers lined > > up, but with a list of nearly twenty tasks > > not filled. The entire list is shown on > > the http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc web > > page. > > > > Are we okay with this? > > > > Your thoughts and advice will be greatly > > appreciated on this amsat-dc mail list. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Pat Kilroy, N8PK > > host > > > > > > Pat Kilroy > > pat(a)patkilroy.com

5 4

Re: AMSAT and Scouting
by Pat Kilroy 26 Feb '08

26 Feb '08

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ariss/ariss_news.php Hello Rob, Thanks for your message. I am copying this message to the local AMSAT mail list which serves the greater Maryland-D.C. area to check on such interest. HELLO AMSAT-DC! PLEASE SEE ROB'S MESSAGE BELOW. If you would like more info on the subject or would like to participate (presumably using Amateur Satellites but not necessarily) then please contact Rob N1FSK through his e-mail address robhoitt(a)gmail.com If you can offer any helpful advice, or know of any related activities that might be of value to him or the scouts, then please do contact Rob today. Thank you all! Sincerely, Pat N8PK > -----Original Message----- > From: Rob Hoitt [mailto:robhoitt@gmail.com] > Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 05:00 PM > To: pat(a)patkilroy.com > Subject: AMSAT and Scouting > > Pat; > > I wanted to take a moment and let you know about a great opportunity to > promote AMSAT that is coming up later on this year. The 51st Jamboree On The > Air, JOTA will be happening on the weekend of October 18th, 2008, and this > year, the National Capital Area (Boy Scout) Council will be hosting a JOTA > site at Camp William Snyder in Haymarket, VA. While JOTA is an annual event, > this year marks the first time in many years that the Washington, DC area > has had a JOTA site, and we hope that this will become an annual event here > in DC. > > What we are looking to do is have stations that the Scouts can visit and > learn about different facets of Amateur Radio and hopefully develop a > lifelong interest in Amateur Radio. I had the pleasure of helping out last > October at the AMSAT booth that was set up at the National Air and Space > Museum for the Sputnik anniversary, and that type of display was exactly > what would work well for this type of event. Camp Snyer has a beautiful > training facility that would be perfect for this purpose. > > Could you find out if there are folks in the area who would be interested > in volunteering for this event? I think the benefits that this event will > offer to both AMSAT and the NCAC will be well worth the time invested. > > Many thanks, and very 73! > > -- > Rob Hoitt, N1FSK > International Committee, NCAC > robhoitt(a)gmail.com >

1 0