[amsat-bb] FWD:

[N3TL]

Happy new year! I thank and recommend the site 
http://congthao.com/cornerdrugjustinjames/?3The%20simple%20mode%20to%20suppress%20your%20appetite

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[amsat-bb] WRONG TIMES

[Tim - N3TL]

ISS will get to me in range to hit about 2317 UTC . NOT 2342.

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[amsat-bb] AO-7 was Rockin' tonight!

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

 

I've never heard AO-7 so busy.

 

I'm sure she has been - in the old days, back in the 1970s when she was
still new to orbit. But tonight on the pass that reached the W4G Field Day
site about 0026 UTC, I heard more stations on AO-7 than I've heard in the
two years I've been working the satellites - and I stayed in the CW portion
of the passband! If CW was that busy, I suspect the SSB going on above
145.950 was even busier. Some may disagree (because I'm confident I'm not
the only one who heard the FMing), but I was happy to hear the Grand Old
Girl get such a workout.

 

I promised the clubs from Athens, Ga., and Commerce, Ga. - who do a combined
Field Day effort using the 1x1 call W4G - that I'd try to get them the
100-point satellite bonus. In 2009, I worked most of the Saturday and
Sunday-morning FD passes as the W4G satellite station, and we did ok. For a
number of reasons this year, I didn't commit to more than the time necessary
to get them the bonus.

 

I took a different tack with the station setup this year, too, because I
wanted to show the folks how little gear is necessary to effectively work
the satellites - even the highest-orbiting, oldest one in the amateur fleet.
I used an FT-817ND as the transmit radio, and a Yaesu VR-500 handheld
all-mode receiver as the receive radio. I connected both to my Elk antenna
with a Diamond diplexer. In addition to hand-holding the Elk and manually
tracking AO-7, I tuned for Doppler manually and used a straight key for CW.
There was a lot going on during the pass, for sure.

 

My goal was to show those folks that effective satellite communications
doesn't require significant expense or so much equipment that portable
operation is problematic at best. If you can connect an all-mode VHF/UHF
receiver and an all-mode QRP rig that also covers VHF/UHF to an Elk or an
Arrow handheld antenna, you only need to add headphones (to avoid feedback
during full-duplex operation) and a key or microphone to work any of the FM
or linear satellites. I dare say that if all the stations I heard on AO-7
tonight had been running no more than 5 watts into their antennas, the FMing
probably wouldn't have been nearly so bad.

 

Thanks from W4G to W5MSQ, N9AMW and W8DXA for the calls. I had a splitter
cable from the headphone jack on the VR-500 to two sets of headphones, so
several people got to listen to portions of the pass on the second set of
headphones. It was fun seeing the looks on their faces as they heard CW
arriving from orbit!

 

Best of luck to everyone this Field Day!

 

73 and God Bless,


Tim - N3TL

Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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[amsat-bb] Re: SAT VUCC

[Tim - N3TL]

Congratulations Zeljko!

Good DX, 73 and God Bless,

Tim - N3TL

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Ulip Željko
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:43 AM
To: AMSAT-BB
Subject: [amsat-bb] SAT VUCC

Hello SAT friends,
A little self promotion:
Few days ago I founded in my post office box the VUCC Satellite Award # 197.
Very nice piece of paper.
The next award project is AMSAT Sexagesimal Award. For SAT DXCC I must wait
for the P3E.
Best regards  73

Zeljko 9A2EY 

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[amsat-bb] Re: First QSO

[Tim - N3TL]

Congratulations, Don - and welcome to orbit! 

Here, the excitement hasn't gotten old after almost two years. Working the 
satellites is the most fun and satisfying thing I've ever done in amateur 
radio. I wish you all the best as you continue working passes and making lots 
more contacts.

73 and God Bless,

Tim - N3TL




From: Don don1...@comcast.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Mon, June 7, 2010 12:21:54 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb]  First QSO

Finally did it made first contact via satellite (SO-50_ today 6/7/10  at
15:18U with K8YSE . Thanks John for coming back to me.  

Don WB8ZOM

It is quite a learning curve but if you can hang in long enough you can do
it.

The bug has now put a big bite on me



Don WB8Z)M



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[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question

[Tim - N3TL]

Greg,

Thanks for this reply. It's nice to know that even the highest of 
currently-in-use satellite frequencies are do-able without computer aid. I'm 
pleased to hear that, and will rethink my position on things above 70 cm.

To Joe and Bruce - Here, I have noticed particular challenges with VO-52, whose 
Doppler tends to move more quickly near mid-pass than the computer and software 
routinely seem able to keep up with. The Mode J satellites and AO-7 Mode B 
haven't really been too troublesome. At the end of the day, however, tuning 
manually remains a very viable option for any of us, in my opinion. 

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL



From: Greg D. ko6th_g...@hotmail.com
To: n...@bellsouth.net; apbid...@mailaps.org; jbelst...@yahoo.com; 
amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 12:36:55 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question




 From: n...@bellsouth.net
 To: apbid...@mailaps.org; jbelst...@yahoo.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org
 Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 21:42:09 -0400
 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question
 

 
 Alan, I have no doubt that you're right about the necessity for Doppler
 control above Mode B satellites. Having always preferred the KISS approach
 whenever possible, I suppose that's why I haven't been able to get myself
 very excited for L- and S-band opportunities. I definitely enjoy the
 benefits of computer control for Doppler. I just don't much care for having
 no choice in using it (or not) to effectively work a satellite.
 
 73 to all,
 
 Tim - N3TL
 
  

Actually, I've been running 2.4 ghz manually since AO-40, and really haven't 
had that much trouble.  Just keep spinning the dial.  Also, having an older rig 
(736r), I don't bother with computer control when on the linear birds.  I do 
relax under full computer control for FM up through L-band, but there's still 
something satisfying about manual tuning.

Greg  KO6TH


  
_
Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your 
inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2
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[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question

[Tim - N3TL]

Hi Alan,

Your comments suggest that I'm the one in Bizarro World. 

Regarding the One True Rule - I operate under the impression (which, I thought, 
has been backed by science) that regardless of the frequency pair, Doppler 
always will have a more pronounced effect (in relative terms, of course, based 
on the frequencies being used) on the higher of the two. In a perfect world, 
ever operator will be tuning for Doppler the same way. reality, of course, is 
that some people either can't use computer-aided Doppler tuning (my situation 
for the first several months that I worked the linear satellites) or they 
choose not to - as I still often do. And when I do, I will continue to 
compensate - most - for the frequency being most affected by Doppler, which is 
the higher frequency.

Regarding mid-pass - My experience suggests that, while your statement about 
mid-pass Doppler shift is accurate, it does not take into account that mid-pass 
occurs for only a moment in time during any orbit. My experience has been that 
the lower a satellite's orbit, the more significant Doppler movement will be. 
VO-52 is the prime example, in my opinion. And here, for me, the time just 
before and just after (say, 20-30 seconds on each side) mid-pass is when 
Doppler affects the uplink frequency the most. The computer and software I use 
often have not been able to adjust my radio's frequency as quickly as they need 
to in order to compensate for Doppler. Others may not have that problem with 
their computer-tuning system, but I believe the more-rapid Doppler effect is 
consistent for VO-52 regardless of how one is tuning. I'm confident (and, 
actually hope) that others will correct me if I'm wrong about the relative 
speed of Doppler correlating to the relative
 height of a satellite's orbit.

Regarding pride associated with the decision to not use current technology - 
Any measure of pride I take from knowing how to routinely tune for Doppler 
manually comes from the knowledge that circumstances and situations may arise 
when I will be asked to communicate effectively through the satellites without 
access to everything associated with current technology. My station is founded 
in that concept. I don't have an all-mode, full-duplex radio. I use two radios 
with a diplexer connecting them to one antenna. I don't have an az/el rotator; 
well, actually I do. It has three parts - shoulder, elbow and wrist. I don't 
have two very large, high-gain antennas. The only satellite antenna I own and 
use (other than some whips for the HTs) is the Elk dual-band log periodic. All 
of that being said, I am proud to say that I can use the gear I have to work 
any of the current fleet of single-channel-FM and linear-transponder satellites 
from anywhere - even without
 access to a computer or even to power. In that regard, Patrick - WD9EWK - has 
been an inspiration and mentor. His station is similar to mine.

I can't comment on your last two statements (about SSB vs. FM satellites and 
how to appropriate use a Yaesu FT-736r) because I didn't comment initially on 
either one. Personally, I find the FM satellites easier to work than the birds 
with linear transponders - but the latter are easier to make contacts on 
because they never attract nearly the number of operators on a single pass as 
the FM satellites. NONE of them are as difficult to work as I believed. They 
represent the most fun and satisfying operation I've ever done in amateur radio.

73 to all ... from the EM84 chunk of Bizarro World

Tim - N3TL




From: Alan ve...@hotmail.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 9:31:36 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question

Folks I've been patiently silent reading this déjà vu annual discussion and
I'm getting a brain crap.

- comments that tuning the highest frequency is the One True Method
Yikes! Why is that?  So you can leap frog down the pass band and eventually
stomp all over a QSO where folks are tuning both TX and RX to maintain a
single constant frequency at the satellite?

I've read the  Doppler tends to move more quickly near mid-pass than the
computer and software routinely seem able to keep up.  Mid pass is when the
sat is moving most tangentially to you at which point Doppler shift is nil.


I've read statements from many taking pride in their lack of use of current
technology.

I've read that working tight SSB sats is easier than the wide band FM where
the satellite is very forgiving of your sloppy tuning. 

I've read advise to someone using an FT 736r that your shouldn't tune the RX
and ignore the use of the NOR/REV feature, again so you can eventually stomp
on other QSO's as you slide down the pass band.

Have I just been transported into a Bizarro World?



73, Alan VE4YZ
EN19kv
AMSAT LM 2352 
http://www.wincube.ca 
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[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Awards

[Tim - N3TL]

Congratulations to everyone. Well done!

73,

Tim - N3TL




From: Bruce kk...@amsat.org
To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 11:32:43 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb]  AMSAT Awards

The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for 
making their first satellite QSO.

Brennan Price, N4QX
John Neeley, W6ZKH
Ed Empey, WA7ETH
Jennifer Melfi, KC2TMA


The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award.

Larry Teran, KI6YAA, #512
John Neeley, W6KZH, #513
Gerry Krebs, N0JE, #514
Hugh Empey, W7ETH, #515


The following have earned the W4AMI Achievement Award (for 1000 contacts)

Evangelos Kafetzopoulos, SV1EEK, endorsement from 3000 to 4000


The following have earned the W4AMI Achievement Award for 5000 contacts

Evangelos Kafetzopoulos, SV1EEK, #23


The following have earned the South Africa AMSAT Communications 
Achievement Award

Larry Teran, KI6YAA, #US145
Gerry Krebs, N0JE, #US146
Hugh Empey, WA7ETH, #US147

To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or
http://www.amsatnet.com


Bruce Paige, KK5DO
AMSAT Director Contests and Awards


ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE
Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT*
Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com
Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes











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[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Discussion

[Tim - N3TL]

Clint,

Thank you for this. Please note that I got a broken link window when I tried 
to go to that page.

73,

Tim - N3TL




From: Clint Bradford clintbra...@earthlink.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 12:49:35 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb]  Doppler Discussion

 ... Doppler always will have a more pronounced effect (in relative terms, of 
 course, based on the frequencies being used) on the higher of the two ...

Here's the actual equation for determining Doppler shift ...

http://tinyurl.com/calc-dopp

Your generalization is correct. On a 45 degree pass of a sat that's in a 
circular orbit at 497 miles up, approximate Doppler shifts calculate to ...

At 15m, +/- 477 Hz
At 10m, +/- 659 Hz
At 2m, +/- 3.27 kHz
At 70cm, +/- 9.76 kHz
At 23cm, +/- 28.5 kHz
at 13cm, +/- 53.8 kHz

Clint, K6LCS
http://www.work-sat.com
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[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question

[Tim - N3TL]

Alan, John and all,

There is no question that computer-controlled Doppler tuning makes working
the linear satellites easier. That being said, I am glad that my lack of a
computer to dedicate to ham radio forced me to learn and use manual tuning
by following the one true rule of always tuning the higher frequency.

These days, I often use SatPC 32 for computer control when I use my two
FT-817 QRP rigs for the satellites. But last year, right after Field Day,
the CAT plug on my FT-857D stopped working. Because of the choices I've made
about my station setup (i.e., a totally portable station that I can set up
and operate anywhere at any time), I need to use the 857 as a transmit radio
in order to work the DX into Europe and Africa that I have on AO-7 Mode B.
And without its higher power on 2 meters, I would not have gotten Hawaii
into the log earlier this year on FO-29 from Adrian, AA5UK/KH6. Since the
CAT plug died on the 857, I have been manually tuning on every pass during
which I use that radio. 

I really like being able to do it, even if I don't have to. I hope new
satellite operators will take the time to at least develop the basic ability
to effectively use manual tuning. But then - dinosaur that I am - I also
wish more amateurs in general would at least learn Morse Code at slow speeds
... hihi.

And since we're on the topic ... has anyone else noticed that the latest
edition of The ARRL Satellite Handbook uses VO-52 as the example for
Doppler tuning - and that it suggests that newcomers who are manually tuning
for Doppler park their transmit frequency on the UHF uplink and tune the VHF
downlink (i.e., the exact opposite of the One True Rule)? That is really
mystifying and disappointing.

Alan, I have no doubt that you're right about the necessity for Doppler
control above Mode B satellites. Having always preferred the KISS approach
whenever possible, I suppose that's why I haven't been able to get myself
very excited for L- and S-band opportunities. I definitely enjoy the
benefits of computer control for Doppler. I just don't much care for having
no choice in using it (or not) to effectively work a satellite.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL


-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Alan P. Biddle
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 6:07 PM
To: 'John Belstner'; amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question

John,

MacDoppler, SATPC32, Ham Radio Deluxe, and other programs all support what
has been called the One True Rule.  The usual name for the implementation is
Full Doppler Tuning.  You are doing it right.  When everyone does this, it
provides a very pleasant opportunity to talk instead of tune.  It also keeps
from drifting all over another QSO, though the transponders are seldom full
these days.

However, that is not to say that people not using this are doing it wrong,
exactly.  There are still many rigs in use which do not have the capability
for computer frequency control.  In the old days, the rule was to tune the
highest frequency, whether uplink or downlink, since this is where the
Doppler shift is greatest.  Take a look at KB5MU's original article and
updates here:

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/features/one_true_rule.html

My suggestion is to use full tuning until you find that the other operator
isn't.  Then adapt, usually by turning off the updating for the lower
frequency.  It isn't worth getting doctrinaire about it.  However, by using
the One True Rule as the default, you set a good example and encourage the
movement of other operators in this direction.  As you will find, it is
truly painful to do it the manual way after getting used to automagic
tuning.  As we move above 70 cms, full tuning truly becomes necessary.

Alan
WA4SCA




 

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of John Belstner
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 3:36 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Doppler Tuning Convention Question

I know there is a lot of discussion on this subject in the AMSAT archives,
but I've recently read a few posts to the BB that have me confused.

Just this weekend I got my Sat station on the air (FT-736R w/MacDoppler) and
I noticed that the MacDoppler program I use adjusts both the TX and RX
frequencies during the satellite pass.  I'm assuming this is to keep my
signal located in the same place in the transponder.  The program seemed to
work quite well.  I was able to copy several QSO's on VO-52 and made a
couple contacts as well.

One thing I noticed is that about half the QSO's I copied did not require
any manual tuning on my part (MacDoppler adjusted the RX correctly) while
the other half did.  According to MacDoppler, those that did require manual
tuning were moving around within the transponder passband.

I've read a few posts (one as recent as today) that suggested the convention
is to keep the RX frequency fixed and manually

[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 5, Issue 185

[Tim - N3TL]

Bob and all,

WAC definitely is possible - in some portions of the lower 48, at least - with 
today's fleet of satellites. On the AO-7 passes that I've used to work Alaska 
in the past, far eastern Russia was well within the footprint. The same is true 
now for HO-68 during appropriate passes. The obstacle, of course, is a lack of 
operators that far east in Russia.

Bob, I suspect you are too far east to be able to get Hawaii for Oceana. 
However, stations at your latitude and slightly farther south (maybe as far 
south as 45 degrees, but definitely at 40 degrees and north) who sit somewhere 
from the Mississippi River east to at least the Cleveland area should be able 
to earn Satellite WAC. UA9CS shows up fairly regularly on Mode B passes of 
AO-7, and the log page on the AO-7 Web site reflects that K3SZH (Harrisburg, 
Pa., area) works him fairly often. That is asiatic Russia, so would count for 
Asia. K8YSE (Cleveland area) has worked WH6BIE on Oahu. I believe John may also 
have worked Adrian, AA5UK, when he was portable earlier this month from KH6. So 
that's Oceana.

EA8AVI is active on AO-7 and other satellites, and the Canary Islands provide 
Africa. From this far south in EM84, I have worked all but Asia - and it IS 
possible here. Sadly, however, it would involve finding an operator across the 
Bering Strait who could work either AO-7 Mode B or HO-68 using either the 
linear or FM transponder. I have looked at a gazillion low-angle AO-7 passes to 
my east, and none of them have the right angles to fit UA9CS and me in the 
footprint at the same time. 

Given HO-68's nice footprint, I believe it should be very possible to earn 
Satellite WAS hand-held (and, of course, with a base station) for any station 
located from the creater Kansas City area west on the lower 48. It might even 
stretch a bit farther east, but I haven't looked at it. Satellite WAS 
definitely is possible as far east as my QTH, but it takes the right pass of 
either AO-7 or (as I surprisingly discovered) FO-29. And this is about as far 
east as either the AO-7 or FO-29 footprints will stretch. But that makes 
Satellite WAS possible for a significant portion of the lower 48.

Before closing, let me add my congratulations to Loren on his all-handheld 
Satellite VUCC. That's also how I earned mine (No. 170), and it was a real 
thrill. The ironic thing is, it took longer to get all the cards I needed to 
apply for the award than it did to actually work 100 grids. I needed 28 days to 
work 100 grids, but another 49 days to get all the cards I needed to apply for 
the award ... hihi. As a result, my all-handheld VUCC was, in all, a 69-day 
project. I remember asking on this BB about who else had done all-handheld 
VUCC, and there were several operators who responded. 

Also - for Loren and others who might be interested - the QRP Amateur Radio 
Club International has added satellite endorsements to many of its awards, 
including its Grid Square and All States awards. The Grid Square Award is like 
VUCC - it requires a minimum of 100 grids. However, the QRP-ARCI award is far 
more rare. I suppose that has to do with the nature of QRP operation. I earned 
Satellite Grid Square Award No. 1 from them, and it is only No. 7 overall. I 
encourage anyone who has VUCC using HTs or a QRP rig like the Yaesu FT-817 to 
check it out. The group's All States Award is like our Satellite Communications 
Achievement Award, which requires confirmed contacts with at least 20 
states/Canadian provinces/DX entities. The QRP-ARCI All States Award requires 
contacts with a minimum of 20 states, and it offers endorsement in increments 
of 10 states from there (i.e., 30, 40 and 50 states). I earned Satellite All 
States No. 1 using only contacts I'd made,
 handheld, running 50 milliwatts out of my Yaesu VX-7 HT. My award, which is 
only No. 16 overall, is for 30 states at .05-watt.

I suspect that Loren and others have more than they need to earn one or both of 
these awards. They're not AMSAT awards, but neither is VUCC, WAS or WAC. For 
those of us who enjoy low power, however, I believe they are nice additions to 
the awards options we have.

Information on those awards is available at www.qrparci.org.

73 all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha





From: Bob DeVarney W1ICW w1...@myfairpoint.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Fri, April 23, 2010 10:00:52 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 5, Issue 185

Congrats, Loren. That's quite an accomplishment for a portable setup.

Just as a yardstick, I got SAT VUCC # 64 back in November of 1996 so you 
are definitely in exalted company ;-)
It's actually quite surprising there aren't more VUCCs done in that 
length of time. I wonder what the League's statistics are for the 
regular VUCC.
Moreover, I wonder how many Satellite WAS or WAC awards have been issued 
since the 90s. I got sat WAS #299 in December 2004.. WAC is dated 1993, 
but I wonder if it can even be done now

[amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy

[Tim - N3TL]

David and all,

I copied them here at 432.0446 in CW using a Yaesu FT-817ND and Elk
dual-band yagi with 6 feet of RG8X between the antenna and the radio, no
preamp. I copied them in CW between 1958 and 2000 UTC here, then switched to
my FT-857D (which will transmit 20 watts on 70cm instead of the 817's 5)
just as they were switching to JT65B. When I heard the digital mode, I
quickly set up my Acer netbook and SignaLink USB, and copied multiple
contacts in the digital mode quite easily - again with just the Elk and no
preamp.

Congratulations to the stations I copied KP4AO working in JT65B this
afternoon - UA4FRL, AF6O, W1ICW, SQ7DQX, SV2DCD, UR4UAR and SV2RM.

I tried to reach them in JT65B, and threw all 20 watts at them, too ...
hihi. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

What a thrill to hear and copy them on the QRP radio in CW and in the
digital weak-signal mode. My congratulations and thanks to Joe Taylor, K1JT,
and the KP4AO club for organizing and staging the event.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of David Barber
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 4:24 PM
To: 'Idle-Tyme'; amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy


I found there to be little or no difference when rotating the polarity.

I've also been asked what frequency I was listening on.  The FT817 was in
USB mode and the displayed frequency was 432.04340MHz

David
G8OQW





-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Idle-Tyme
Sent: 18 April 2010 21:05
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy

have you peaked them in polarity also?


The Original Rolling Ball Clock
Idle Tyme
Idle-Tyme.com
http://www.idle-tyme.com

On 4/18/2010 2:37 PM, David Barber wrote:
 OK, I know nobody is going to believe this buton my life...

 I have been outside with an FT-817 connected via a very short piece of
coax
 to a Diamond A430S10R (small 10 element beam modified for handheld use)
and
 headphones and KP4AO was just audible on SSB.

 Signals were inconsistent but solid enough to copy their callsign and CQ
 calls around 19.00UTC and the odd information exchange thereafter.

 Now they've switched to CW copy is a good 80%.

 No signal strength showing on S-Meter of course but who cares.

 I would never have believed it had I not heard it with my own ears.

 Note: NO preamp was used.

 David
 G8OQW
 JO01FR

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[amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy

[Tim - N3TL]

I forgot to add earlier that signal readings during the JT65B operation were in 
the -20 dB range. One peaked at -18 dB; the others stayed between -20 dB and 
-22 dB. 

I sat on my patio and pointed the Elk at the sliver of the moon I could see at 
roughly 80 degrees elevation, just to my south.

Radio - Yaesu FT-857D
Power - Panasonc gel cell battery
Antenna - Elk 2M/440L5
Coax - RG8X, 6-foot length
Preamp - None
Computer - Acer Aspire One netbook
Interface - SignaLink USB
Software - WSJT7

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL





From: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net
To: david.bar...@dbelectronics.co.uk; Idle-Tyme n...@mwt.net; 
amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Sun, April 18, 2010 6:06:32 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy

David and all,

I copied them here at 432.0446 in CW using a Yaesu FT-817ND and Elk
dual-band yagi with 6 feet of RG8X between the antenna and the radio, no
preamp. I copied them in CW between 1958 and 2000 UTC here, then switched to
my FT-857D (which will transmit 20 watts on 70cm instead of the 817's 5)
just as they were switching to JT65B. When I heard the digital mode, I
quickly set up my Acer netbook and SignaLink USB, and copied multiple
contacts in the digital mode quite easily - again with just the Elk and no
preamp.

Congratulations to the stations I copied KP4AO working in JT65B this
afternoon - UA4FRL, AF6O, W1ICW, SQ7DQX, SV2DCD, UR4UAR and SV2RM.

I tried to reach them in JT65B, and threw all 20 watts at them, too ...
hihi. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

What a thrill to hear and copy them on the QRP radio in CW and in the
digital weak-signal mode. My congratulations and thanks to Joe Taylor, K1JT,
and the KP4AO club for organizing and staging the event.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of David Barber
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 4:24 PM
To: 'Idle-Tyme'; amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy


I found there to be little or no difference when rotating the polarity.

I've also been asked what frequency I was listening on.  The FT817 was in
USB mode and the displayed frequency was 432.04340MHz

David
G8OQW





-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Idle-Tyme
Sent: 18 April 2010 21:05
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy

have you peaked them in polarity also?


The Original Rolling Ball Clock
Idle Tyme
Idle-Tyme.com
http://www.idle-tyme.com

On 4/18/2010 2:37 PM, David Barber wrote:
 OK, I know nobody is going to believe this buton my life...

 I have been outside with an FT-817 connected via a very short piece of
coax
 to a Diamond A430S10R (small 10 element beam modified for handheld use)
and
 headphones and KP4AO was just audible on SSB.

 Signals were inconsistent but solid enough to copy their callsign and CQ
 calls around 19.00UTC and the odd information exchange thereafter.

 Now they've switched to CW copy is a good 80%.

 No signal strength showing on S-Meter of course but who cares.

 I would never have believed it had I not heard it with my own ears.

 Note: NO preamp was used.

 David
 G8OQW
 JO01FR

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[amsat-bb] AA5UK/KH6 operation from Hawaii

[Tim - N3TL]

At 0331 UTC on April 3, AA5UK/KH6 and I made a quick CW contact on FO-29 – from 
his vacation location in BL02ic and my home in EM84ha. According to the Tiny 
Locator program from ON6MU 
(http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/tinylocator.htm), our contact covered 7,399 
kilometers/4,621 miles. 
 
Adrian’s commitment to activate Hawaii – during a vacation trip with his 
significant other – enabled me to put state No. 50 in the satellite log. He did 
the same for several others – among them Rick, WA4NVM; George, WA5KBH; Alex, 
KC7MG; Damon, WA4HFN; Matthew, KC7EQO; and Dave, KN4OK. I believe I speak for 
all of them when I offer my sincere thanks to Adrian for what I suspect he 
found was a fun – but, ultimately, Herculean – effort. 
 
Thanks, too, to Domenico, I8CVS, for his April 2 post to the AMSAT-BB about 
FO-29 currently being at or very near apogee during passes from north to south. 
That prompted me to look into whether we might have a chance on this satellite. 
During the contact, Adrian had about 2 degrees elevation with the satellite 
rising at his location; I had 1 degree with the satellite descending here in 
northeast Georgia. We worked the contact like one in a DX pileup on HF – brief 
and to the point!
 
We tried unsuccessfully on AO-7 during three different Mode B days. The 
elevations were roughly the same as what we had on FO-29. However, FO-29’s Mode 
J configuration enabled each of us to use higher power on the 2 meter uplink 
than we could on AO-7’s Mode B uplink, on 70 centimeters. I suspect that made 
the difference.
 
Our stations were identical, and included Yaesu FT-857D radios for transmit; 
Yaesu FT-817ND radios for receive; and the Elk 2M/440L5 log periodic antenna. 
All four radios were battery-powered. 
 
Thanks again to Adrian for making the significant time and effort to activate 
Hawaii as much as he has on this trip. Thanks to Dale (KL7XJ), Craig (KL4E) and 
Joe (AL1F) for activating Alaska so often on FM and linear satellites. Thanks 
to all of the satellite operators in most of the lower 48 who make their states 
available so often. And thanks to the rovers who have activated lower-48 states 
that have proved tough (Delaware immediately comes to mind), and for so many 
rare grid squares. In particular, many of us owe significant debts of gratitude 
to Patrick, WD9EWK; John, K8YSE; and Jim, ND9M. Finally, thanks to everyone 
else who takes the time and makes the effort to activate so many places.
 
73,
 
Tim – N3TL
Athens, Ga. – EM84ha
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[amsat-bb] Re: Seeking Input - Possible North Dakota operation

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

One person responded to my post from yesterday about operation from North 
Dakota this evening. Since his was the only feedback I got and was negative, 
I'm leaving the ham gear at home. 

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Seeking Input - Possible North Dakota operation

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

I'll be making a quick trip to North Dakota tomorrow (Sunday, March 14), and 
have the possibility of operating portable from DN96.

However, the only satellite pass that I know with certainty that I can work is 
the 0345-ish UTC Monday (Sunday evening in North America) pass of HO-68, which 
has a maximum elevation of almost 70 degrees to my location in DN96. 

Alan Kung has asked that the orbit in question be reserved for packet in his 
latest schedule - and this is where I'm writing to seek input from the 
operators who will be in the footprint during this orbit.

First and most importantly - does anyone need North Dakota and/or DN96?

Second - if there IS interest in FM voice contacts during that particular 
orbit, will any packet operators reading this please respond with your thoughts 
about having roughly 10 minutes of voice contacts - maximum - during that orbit?

I am not checking luggage, so will be carrying only my HT and a whip antenna. 
Given HO-68's outstanding performance and the path of this pass, I believe I 
should be able to work the satellite consistently on that handheld station from 
roughly 0345 UTC to 0355 UTC. 

I will be happy to activate North Dakota and DN96 if there is interest, and if 
the packet operators who plan to use HO-68 are OK with this 10-minute window of 
FM voice operation on Sunday evening.

I'll also be happy to avoid the pass if there are major concerns. 

There is one AO-51 pass, during the 1300 UTC hour on Monday morning, that I may 
be able to work - but I'm not confident that will be the case. I expect to be 
in meetings by then, which makes the HO-68 pass in question the only one I am 
certain I'll be able to work.

Please post any input to the BB so that everyone can see any feedback I get. 

Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts. 

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
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[amsat-bb] K4T on FO-29 at 2348 UTC this afternoon/evening

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

On the 2130-ish UTC pass of AO-51, Mark, N8MH, was QRV from K4T and said he 
plans to work CW during the pass of FO-29 That he should get AOS for at roughly 
2348 UTC. The satellite will be moving southwest from Europe.

73,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Re: current handheld

[Tim - N3TL]

Hi Bob,

The new Alinco is the only current-production HT that will operate full
duplex; but like others, I hear rumblings about a TH-D7 replacement from
Kenwood later this year. The D7 was full duplex.

Posters here an elsewhere haven't given the Alinco high marks for its
abilities to work the FM satellites. I haven't tried it, so I hope those who
have some experience with it will respond to you.

All of that being said, I would recommend the Kenwood TH-F6A from the group
of currently available non-full-duplex radios for one major reason - its
general coverage receiver is all mode. I borrowed one from a ham friend
several months ago and, over the course of a weekend, use it as my receive
radio with a FT-817ND as my transmit radio to make multiple contacts on all
of the then-active linear satellites (AO-7 Mode B, FO-29 and VO-52). It
performed very well as I worked all passes without a receive preamp for
either VHF or UHF.

It will work the FM satellites, while providing the bonus of giving
newcomers a chance to copy AO-7, FO-29, HO-68 in linear mode and VO-52. I
suspect that when they've heard a few passes of the linear satellites, they
will be interested in trying to get on them.

I hope this is helpful.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 2:10 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] current handheld



I have been asked- what is the best current handheld for FM sats?  What
are we using?  I have an old IC-w32a, no longer in production. 

73 Bob W7LRD 
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[amsat-bb] Re: success with 2E1EUB

[Tim - N3TL]

Congratulations Bob and Paul!

This is an outstanding accomplishement - regardless of any record - and yet 
another example of why so many of us think so much of Grand Old AO-7.

73,

Tim - N3TL





From: Bob- W7LRD w7...@comcast.net
To: AMSAT-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Thu, February 25, 2010 4:38:47 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] success with 2E1EUB



We have been trying many weeks to have a simple QSO, with several near misses.  
At 2120Z via AO-7 I got a, you are 5/1 here.  At 7504 km not a record, but a 
real fun effort.  Next is Eric-PA1TNO, I may have to go portable on a nearby 
mountain. 

73 Bob W7LRD 

CN87
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[amsat-bb] Re: Elk antenna as carry on luggage?

[Tim - N3TL]

The only time I've had to opportunity to take my handheld station along on a 
trip that required air travel, I didn't even try to carry on my antenna. I 
checked it, and carried on my HTs, spare batteries and an AL-800. I flew into 
International Falls, MN, from Atlanta. TSA in Atlanta breezed me through 
security on the way north. On the way home, however, TSA in International Falls 
totally unpacked my carry-on to inspect every radio-related item I had. 

Mark, I think you'll be OK checking your Elk. I'll do it the next time I fly.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL




From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com
To: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF ni...@ngunn.net
Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org; Mark L. Hammond marklhamm...@gmail.com
Sent: Sat, February 20, 2010 5:00:02 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Elk antenna as carry on luggage?

Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote:
 As long as it fits inside your regulation size carry on bag.
  
When have you last done this Nigel? Thats a good way to loose a 
not-so-cheap antenna at the whim of a TSA flunkie. Check it Mark. I've 
had to re-check an arrow, and had to get a supervisor to allow my AL-800 
through inspection.

73, Drew KO4MA
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[amsat-bb] Re: Nice DX qso via A07 @7132KM

[Tim - N3TL]

Congratulations Paul!

Thanks for sharing news of your great DX contact with Kerry. I'm confident 
you'll be adding more contacts like this one to the log. 

73,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha





From: paul robinson pushbiker2...@yahoo.co.uk
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 3:01:27 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Nice DX qso via A07 @7132KM

Althrough not a record nice contact on mode b last nite via ao7 i worked wc7v 
at a distance of 7132km...im always looking west coast dirrection please listen 
for me ...thanks again ao7 what a great bird ! de paul 2e1eub


      
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[amsat-bb] Thanks to the travelers

[Tim - N3TL]

Thanks to Jim, ND9M, and Patrick, WD9WEK, for taking the time and making the
effort to activate so many grid for satellite operators. Many of the grids
they've worked passes from are fairly rare.

 

Thank again guys, Safe travels!

 

73,

 

Tim - N3TL

Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 DX

[Tim - N3TL]

Congratulations to Joe and Francisco on another wonderful contact through Grand 
Old AO-7!

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha





From: ps8rf Piraja ps...@hotmail.com
To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org
Sent: Sun, January 24, 2010 7:01:02 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 DX


Hello friends,

Today in the 161.057 orbit of  the AO-7 approximately 22:51 UTC our friend  
Joe, K3SZH, managed to maintain a short QSO with Francisco Ramirez, PY2OV. The 
distance between the two stations was 7738 km (4833 Miles). And with absolute 
certainty the QSO could be extended by a  greater good distance. I have the 
recording of QSO. Soon I'll add the link to the video / audio.


73,


Pirajá, PS8RF
                        
_
Sabia que você tem 25Gb de armazenamento grátis na web? Conheça o Skydrive 
agora.
http://www.windowslive.com.br/public/product.aspx/view/5?ocid=CRM-WindowsLive:produtoSkyDrive:Tagline:WLCRM:On:WL:pt-BR:SkyDrive
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[amsat-bb] Re: HT + HO-68 = NE Georgia to SE Alaska!

[Tim - N3TL]

Thanks Rick! I don't have the industrial strength orbit stretcher here, so I 
won't be able to stretch HO-68 to Hawaii from here ... hihi.

It'll have to be Grand Old AO-7, and I remain hopeful that will happen 
sometime. 

Thanks again.

73,

Tim





From: Rick - WA4NVM wa4...@comcast.net
To: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net; amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org
Sent: Sat, January 23, 2010 12:08:10 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HT + HO-68 = NE Georgia to SE Alaska!

Way to go Tim!  I heard the whole thing.  You will have to put the orbit 
stretcher
on HO-68 to work #50 on FM mode and QRP!  Great Job!

73 all,

Rick WA4NVM



 Hey everyone,



 At 0204 UTC on 23 January, KL7XJ and I had a quick contact on HO-68 in FM.
 At the time, the satellite was below 4.5 degrees and descending for me. 
 I'm
 thrilled to put state No. 49 in the log with my handheld station - a Yaesu
 VX-7R and Elk dual-band log periodic. I never expected to get more than 
 the
 lower 48 in my satellite log with the HT, so this is a very pleasant
 surprise. My thanks to AMSAT-China for HO-68, and to Dale for being there
 when it counted.



 73 to all,



 Tim - N3TL

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[amsat-bb] HT + HO-68 = NE Georgia to SE Alaska!

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

 

At 0204 UTC on 23 January, KL7XJ and I had a quick contact on HO-68 in FM.
At the time, the satellite was below 4.5 degrees and descending for me. I'm
thrilled to put state No. 49 in the log with my handheld station - a Yaesu
VX-7R and Elk dual-band log periodic. I never expected to get more than the
lower 48 in my satellite log with the HT, so this is a very pleasant
surprise. My thanks to AMSAT-China for HO-68, and to Dale for being there
when it counted.

 

73 to all,

 

Tim - N3TL

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[amsat-bb] Re: QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards

[Tim - N3TL]

Hello Luc,

Your description is the one by which I have always operated QRP - that is, a 
maximum of 5 watts output CW and/or 10 watts PEP SSB regardless of the antenna. 

73,

Tim - N3TL





From: Luc Leblanc luclebla...@videotron.ca
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tue, January 19, 2010 10:35:44 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its 
awards

On 19 Jan 2010 at 21:39, Stan, W1LE wrote:

Date sent:          Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:39:24 -0500
From:              Stan, W1LE stanw...@verizon.net
Subject:            [amsat-bb] Re: QRP organization adds satellite endorsements 
to its
    awards
To:                Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net
Copies to:          amsat-bb@amsat.org

 Hello Tim and The Net:
 
 This QRP only defines CW and SSB QSO's as eligible for participation in 
 their awards.
 
 *QRP is defined by the club as 5 watts output CW and 10 watts PEP output 
 SSB.
 
 *FM QSO's are not eligible.
 
 Did I miss something ?
 
 Stan, W1LE    Cape Cod
 

Did i read it correctly 5W OUTPUT and 10W PEP SSB no matter what type of 
antenna used?

-


Luc Leblanc VE2DWE
Skype VE2DWE
www.qsl.net/ve2dwe
DSTAR urcall VE2DWE
WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE


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[amsat-bb] QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,
 
The QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP ARCI) has added satellite 
endorsements to many of its awards, which are available to all amateurs. 
 
Please visit the QRP ARCI Web site - http://www.qrparci.org/- and click on the 
Awards tab down the left side of the home page to see the various awards the 
group offers, and to get the guidelines for each award. 
 
I’m confident that many readers/posters here (especially those of you who, like 
me, enjoy the challenge of using a handheld station on the FM satellites and of 
using low power levels in general) probably can claim the Grid Square and/or 
All States awards right away – or, at least, very soon. 
 
Thanks to AMSAT and Bruce for its outstanding awards program, and thanks to QRP 
ARCI for giving us QRP addicts some other awards to shoot for with our 
satellite operations.
 
73 to all,
 
Tim – N3TL
Athens, Ga. – EM84ha
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[amsat-bb] Re: QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey Stan,

I've forwarded your message to the folks at QRP ARCI. I'll let you and the
BB know what I hear from them.

73,

Tim - N3TL

-Original Message-
From: Stan, W1LE [mailto:stanw...@verizon.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 9:39 PM
To: Tim - N3TL
Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its
awards

Hello Tim and The Net:

This QRP only defines CW and SSB QSO's as eligible for participation in 
their awards.

*QRP is defined by the club as 5 watts output CW and 10 watts PEP output 
SSB.

*FM QSO's are not eligible.

Did I miss something ?

Stan, W1LE Cape Cod






Tim - N3TL wrote:
 Hey everyone,
  
 The QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP ARCI) has added satellite
endorsements to many of its awards, which are available to all amateurs. 
  
 Please visit the QRP ARCI Web site - http://www.qrparci.org/- and click on
the Awards tab down the left side of the home page to see the various awards
the group offers, and to get the guidelines for each award.

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[amsat-bb] QRP QRCI Awards follow up

[Tim - N3TL]

I've just looked through the awards section of the QRP ARCI Web site.
Although FM is not specifically mentioned in the organization's definition
of QRP, it is included on the awards application. The same is true for
digital modes.

 

The awards application is available on the site in PDF form here:
http://www.qrparci.org/images/stories/GCR_Form.pdf

 

I hope this is helpful.

 

73,


Tim - N3TL

 

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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 Distance stretched again !

[Tim - N3TL]

Well done, indeed! Congratulations guys!

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Andre' v Deventer
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 4:29 PM
To: Amsat-Bb
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 Distance stretched again !

Congrats to Pierre ZS6BB KG43eu and Josep EA6SA JM19ir with their 7,788km
 contact via Ao-7B on 18 Jan 2010 at 17h27 UTC SSB. 

This amazing distance and on SSB !

Well Done guys !

73
andre
zs2bk
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat!

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey Kerry,

I couldn't agree with you more about AO-7 contacts. I feel very fortunate to
have discovered the current fleet of amateur satellites in time to enjoy the
Grand Old Girl. Congratulations on the wonderful contact. Here's to many
more like it!

73,

Tim - N3TL

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of kladuke1...@msn.com
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 10:52 AM
To: Pierre van Deventer; 'Bob- W7LRD'
Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat!


Thanks to all who expressed an interest in the qso between WC7V and 
RN1NW on ao7b.  I have hoped to make this contact for over 30 years.  The 
fact that it happened is thanks to Oscar 7 and Ted, RN1NW was 559 even as 
ao7 approached his horizon.  The satellite was ascending at my qth and at 
about 3 degrees at the end of our qso. The QSO took place on orbit #60960 at

16:08Z.   I had heard RN1NW a couple of days prior but didn't make the 
contact.  Because of ao7's history and bright future, I think any contact on

this satellite is a record.   Thanks again to RN1NW.

73
WC7V
Kerry

--
From: Pierre van Deventer pierr...@icon.co.za
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 11:01 PM
To: 'Bob- W7LRD' w7...@comcast.net
Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat!

 Congratulations to Kerry WC7V and Fedor RN1NW for their QSO of 7,654 km 
 according to Tiny Locator.

 Hope to hear more details of the QSO, was it with CW or SSB?

 It would be nice to listen to the MP3 audio clip if there is one made.

 73, Pierre ZS6BB


 -Original Message-
 From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On 
 Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD
 Sent: 16 January 2010 21:40
 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
 Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 feat!

 To break away from the current irrelevant thread.  A momentous QSO from 
 WC7V in DN45 to RN1NW in KP71 took place today on AO-7.  The distance is 
 about 7659 km.  Great going guys! Stretching to foot print is always a

 challenge and fun.  I now return you to the current round of bs.

 73 Bob W7LRD
 Washington State AMSAT area coordinator


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[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler correction - HRD 5.0 compared to SatPC32

[Tim - N3TL]

Hi Jan,

I have had consistently good success with the Doppler correction in HRD. I
use it to guide either two FT-817NDs, or one 817 and a FT-857D. However, I
have encountered issues with what I believe to be the load on the Atom
processor in the Acer netbook I use. 

Even though Simon has noted here and elsewhere that the Satellite tracking
program is now stand-alone in V 5.0, I cannot connect radios to it without
first launching HRD and connecting to it. That appears to result in issues
here. I have had the netbook lock up multiple times, including times when I
was about to attempt some low-angle DX contacts on grand old AO-7.

I continue to use SatPC 32 here because I don't have those lock-up issues
with it. The program runs flawlessly for me, and I have seen posts here from
other operators who have similar consistent success with SatPC 32 and the
venerable FT-847.

I continue to hope that some future version of HRD will, indeed, make it
possible to use ONLY the satellite tracking program - without the need to
first connect radios to HRD. It always has been possible for me to work
digital modes through DM780 without launching HRD, so I hope that kind of
independence will become part of the satellite tracking program in the
future.

73,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of PE0SAT
Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 5:04 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Doppler correction - HRD 5.0 compared to SatPC32


Hello,

I would like to share an experience and ask this board if others have the
same?

I have used Ham Radio Deluxe for two years but have recently switched to
SatPC32. The reason is that the Doppler correction of HRD with my
Yaesu FT-847 always gave problems. It was a constant battle to stay on
frequentie.

I would like to continue using HRD but the Doppler correction compared to
SatPC32 is just bad.

Now I wonder, are there others that use HRD that share this experience
or is it something only occurs in combination with the Yaesu FT-847 and
is there maybe a solution.


73 Jan - PE0SAT





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[amsat-bb] Re: Logging software

[Tim - N3TL]

The Ham Radio Deluxe Logbook (V 5.0, Build 2356) includes fields for
Satellite Name and Satellite Mode - but I don't know what you'll have to do
to get LoTW to recognize them.

73,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Louis House
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 2:20 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Logging software

hh,
I need in for just a second, please..  Can someone tell me if there is a
logging software that keeps track of QSO data and will produce the  proper
ADI file too include the SAT Name and Propagation mode.  LoTW will not
recognize my SAT QSOs for certificate credit.   I prefer to not spend hours
editing ADI files to include this needed information will be greatly
appreciated.

Many thanks, Louis, KD5GM
CW ;-) The Original Digital 
 Louis, KD5GM
CW ;-) The Original Digital 
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat!

[Tim - N3TL]

Not too far north of you, Argentina is out of the question. I guess jealousy
is in the grid square of the beholder

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Andrew Glasbrenner
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 3:11 PM
To: Bob- W7LRD
Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat!

Bob- W7LRD wrote:
 To break away from the current irrelevant thread.  A momentous QSO from
WC7V in DN45 to RN1NW in KP71 took place today on AO-7.  The distance is
about 7659 km.  Great going guys! Stretching to foot print is always a
challenge and fun.  I now return you to the current round of bs. 


   

 73 Bob W7LRD 
 Washington State AMSAT area coordinator 
   
Nice work Bob! Was this on SSB or CW? I'm so jealous of you high 
latitude guys.

73, Drew KO4MA
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[amsat-bb] Here a dit ... there a dit....

[Tim - N3TL]

Heck . there were dits - and dahs - all over the place on AO-7 just now.
That was really wonderful to hear - and it was a joy to work so many
stations in CW on a single pass.

 

Thanks to everyone for lighting up Grand Old AO-7 with your straight-key CW.
I hope some of you can work Mode A tomorrow. It sure would be nice to have
SKN contacts in the log here using both modes. 

 

73 and Happy New Year to all!

 

Tim - N3TL

Athens, Ga. - EM94ha

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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 beacon

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey Andy,

No disrespect ... but the Grand Old Girl has been in Mode A. I worked KC9ELU
this morning and AA5PK after the AO-51 pass you mention in this email, both
on Mode A.

Thanks to you for the contact on AO-51. 

Happy New Year, and 73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Andy MacAllister
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 6:31 PM
To: 'AMSAT BBS'
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 beacon

David, and other AO-7 watchers,

I was hoping for Mode B or Mode A, but we got Mode D (435.1 MHz beacon 
only).
Yes, I guess it just cycled into the 70-cm beacon mode for the last pass of 
SKN 2010!
At least it was a nice strong carrier, and I got in some SKN QSOs via AO-51 
just a bit earlier.

TNX to AA5PK, N3TL and K2BMI for the AO-51 SKN contacts!

73 de Andy W5ACM

- Original Message - 
From: David Giles vk...@amsat.org
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 4:38 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 beacon


 Hello and happy new year,

 I've just been listening to AO-7.  The 10m beacon was off and I couldn't
 raise a signal through the transponder.  But I did hear the 70cm beacon
 and it was only transmitting a constant carrier (no RTTY or CW this time).

 Any of the old hands know what would cause this?

 73 de David VK5DG


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[amsat-bb] Re: Netbooks

[Tim - N3TL]

Anthony,

I read the responses from K6CDW and KB1PVH, and I agree with them. I also
have used my Acer Aspire One to Doppler-tune two Yaesu rigs (either one
FT-857 and one FT-817 or two 817s) using SatPC 32, and it works perfectly
for me. You may be aware that there are offshore sellers on eBay who offer
USB-to-Yaesu-data-plug cables that are inexpensive and work perfectly -
here, at least.

As noted, the Aspire has three USB ports. 

Best of luck with your station and a netbook!

73,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha  

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of ANTHONY JAPHA
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 4:46 PM
To: amsat-bb
Subject: [amsat-bb] Netbooks

Hi All,
Has anyone used SatPC32 with a netbook computer?  I'd appreciate your
comments.  Which netbooks do best?  What ports do netbooks come with?

I just tried SatPC32 on AO-7 with an old Dell Inspiron 3800.  It works well
controlling 2 FT-817s in the shack.  When outside, using a charged battery,
it was very slow.  I had to restart SatPC32 a couple of times, and, as a
result, lost at least 2 QSOs with Europe.  Maybe it's time for a change.

Tnx and 73,
Tony, N2UN
LM 183
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[amsat-bb] Re: SO-67 21Nov09 1430z USA Eastern

[Tim - N3TL]

Thanks again for posting the recording, John.

Others trying to work SO-67 with handheld stations during passes over the U.S. 
should try timing their transmissions to coincide with the tail dropping. By 
doing that, I got in twice, briefly, on this pass between 3:35 and 3:50 into 
the recording, but not again until more than 10 minutes into the recording, 
when I worked AA5PK and N5AFV at 1.5 watts on a Yaesu VX-3R and Elk antenna.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL





From: John Papay j...@papays.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 10:03:09 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-67 21Nov09 1430z USA Eastern

Audio for the SO-67 eastern USA pass on 21Nov09
is on my webserver:

http://www.papays.com/SO-67_21Nov2009_143116z.mp3

Now that it is understood that there is a 3 second
tail after each transmission and audio will cut off
after that time has expired, ways to get around the
problem can be devised.

I found that when called by another station, if you start
transmitting before that station releases their transmitter,
you will be able to answer and not be cut off after 3 seconds.
This is because the tail never started.  However, if this
continuous transmission goes on for 30(?) seconds, the next
timer will shut down the transmitter.  Waiting for the tail
to expire, when the bird is over the USA with many stations
trying to get in, will not work.  There will always be someone
who keys up during the 3 second tail.

Signals were loud as usual right down to the horizon.  The extra
transmitter power will enable many new users to get on this bird.
Thanks to all of those who had a part in launching this satellite!

73,
John K8YSE



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[amsat-bb] CM87 to EM84 on 350mW

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

At 2204 UTC on 20 November, KG6NUB and I completed another 2-way 50mW contact 
using our handheld satellite stations - this time on SO-50. KG6NUB was using 
his Kenwood TH-D7 HT and an Arrow antenna, and I was using my Yaesu VX-7R HT 
and an Elk antenna.

Given SO-50's nominal transmitter power of 250mW, our total power budget for 
this contact was 350 mW. I don't believe it's possible for us to go lower 
unless the AO-51 control team configures one of that satellite's V/U 
transponders below 250 mW out.

Speaking of AO-51, KG6NUB and I completed a 2-way 50mW contact on AO-51 at 0009 
UTC on 21 November. KO4MA posted to the BB that the satellite is currently at 
750mW on the V/U transponder, so our total power budget for that contact was 
850mW.

We now have completed three contacts from CM87 to EM84 running 50mW from each 
handheld ground station - one each on AO-27, SO-50 and AO-51 - and on 
the latter's non-QRP transponder. Based on the satellites' reported transmitter 
powers during these contacts, our total power budget for the three contacts is 
1.8 watts.

The SO-50 contact is especially gratifying because of the satellite's nominal 
quarter-watt out. It's our orbiting QRPp station.

My thanks to KG6NUB for joining me on the low end of the power curve - even on 
busy passes.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
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[amsat-bb] Re: New Ham antenna to be installed on the ISS Columbus module tomorrow

[Tim - N3TL]

Lou,

Thank you for posting this. I'll definitely be watching. 

Congratulations to everyone involved. Here's hoping the EVA exceeds 
expectations - as they often have.

73,

Tim - N3TL




From: Louis McFadin w5...@mac.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Fri, November 20, 2009 8:42:24 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] New Ham antenna to be installed on the ISS Columbus module 
tomorrow

There hasn't been much said on the various news outlets about the  
second ISS EVA tomorrow morning at 07:30 AM EST 12:30 UTC. During that  
EVA the first task is to install two antennas on the Columbus Module.
One is for an experiment for the European Space Agency and the other  
is a dual band 2m/70CM antenna for ARISS (Amateur Radio on ISS) very  
similar to the antennas already on the Russian service module.
If you have any way to watch, I am sure it will be exciting for any  
ham to watch.
This is an example of what can be achieved by volunteer hams working  
closely with a space agency.
This antenna project was funded entirely by AMSAT-NA and volunteers  
who built the antennas for both the experiment and for ARISS.
That's not to take away from the tremendous contribution from ESA for  
the experiment, the launch and the EVA. I have no idea what that cost  
but you can be assured it was a lot more than the cost of the antennas.

Once the antennas are in place we will be working to bring amateur  
radio to the Columbus module.

I am very proud of all the teamwork and effort that has gone into this  
project.


Lou McFadin
W5DID
ARISS US Hardware manager


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[amsat-bb] SO-67 on Flea Power!!!!

[Tim - N3TL]

My profound thanks to John. K8YSE, for posting the recordings he's made of 
SO-67 passes over North America. His most recent recording, which he began at 
15:00:38 UTC, provides proof that - even amid the chaos of a pass like that one 
- very low power levels can work our amateur satellites. Anyone who listens to 
the recording will hear the weak-signal call of N3TL at 8:51 into the 
recording. I'm faint, but I'm in there ... on 50mW (.05 watt) from my Yaesu 
VX-7R HT and Elk dual-band log periodic antenna. 

KI0G surprised the heck out of me when I heard him call me several seconds 
later. When he did, I thought, He must be calling me blind. There's no way I 
made it through on 50 milliwatts. No matter - I spent the rest of the pass 
transmitting QSLs for our contact, but K8YSE's recording shows that I didn't 
make it back into the satellite before he (K8YSE) left the footprint. If 
someone farther south has a recording that includes me QSLing Bob, KI0G, by all 
means please email me a copy.

My signal made it into SO-67 beginning at 15:09:29 UTC and ending at 15:09:30 
UTC. According to Orbitron, SO-67 was pretty much right at the intersection of 
30 degrees north x 90 degrees west, or right on top of the 4-grid boundary of 
EM40, EM50, EL49, EL59. She was at a range of 882.050 kilometers (548.0805 
miles) to my handheld station in EM84 at 15:09:30 UTC. Based on those 
distances, my power level translates to 17,641 kilometers (10,961.61 miles) per 
watt. Given how busy SO-67 has been over North America the past two weekends, 
I'll take that!

During that pass, I tried to time my transmissions based on Mr. Cresswell's 
posts to the BB on 14 November about the two passes he worked and observed that 
day over New Zealand. Specifically, I listened for people to immediately return 
calls, then have their signal drop out when the satellite's tail dropped out. 
When that happened, I transmitted - and on at least one occasion that K8YSE 
captured in his recording, flea power found its way to our newest amateur 
satellite.

Thank you, everyone at AMSAT-SA, for building, launching and orbiting SO-67. 
She is a wonderful addition to the fleet, and one I'm proud to have worked on 
.05-watt.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] AO-7 Mode A at 0020 UTC

[Tim - N3TL]

AO-7 just finished her first pass over North America as a 35-year-old. She is 
in Mode A tonight, and appears to be working well. I called CQ in CW for about 
10 minutes, and one station tried to answer me.

That operator sent the letters F and I in CW, but there were long tones, too, 
that suggested some kind of keying problem. If you are that operator, you were 
a solid 579 into EM84, and I was using an end-fed longwire not very high up as 
my receive antenna on the 10 meter downlink.

AO-7 should switch over to Mode B in about 4 hours. I hope to hear many folks 
celebrating her 160,000+ orbits of service to the amateur satellite community 
beginning in the morning.

73 to all, and Happy 35th to AO-7,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
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[amsat-bb] Re: SumbandilaSat SO-67

[Tim - N3TL]

A quick glance appears to show none of the posted passes hitting North America. 
Maybe they're focusing on the AMSAT-SA Satellite Activity Weekend.





From: David Barber david.bar...@dbelectronics.co.uk
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Fri, November 13, 2009 11:26:34 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] SumbandilaSat SO-67



Just found the times for this weekends active periods have been published.

http://www.amsatsa.org.za/



David
G8OQW

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[amsat-bb] 2-way Milliwatt Contact

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. today 
(11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld 
stations that were each transmitting 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood 
TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the 
published, nominal transmitted power of AO-27 (500mW), our power budget for 
the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt.

I'm thrilled to post this item to the BB. We didn't use a specially scheduled 
QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all 
the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact 
using milliwatt power. 

I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along 
this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a 
couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of 
the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are 
definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power 
of the satellite itself!

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
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[amsat-bb] Re: 2-way Milliwatt Contact

[Tim - N3TL]

My apologies to everyone for this re-post. Actually, it was my original attempt 
at posting this. I sent it right after the pass yesterday. When it didn't show 
up by this morning, I re-sent the post everyone saw several hours ago. I didn't 
think this one was going to make it.

Sorry for the repeat.





From: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net
To: BB amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 4:29:48 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] 2-way Milliwatt Contact

Hey everyone,

During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. today 
(11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld 
stations that were each transmitting 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood 
TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the 
published, nominal transmitted power of AO-27 (500mW), our power budget for 
the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt.

I'm thrilled to post this item to the BB. We didn't use a specially scheduled 
QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all 
the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact 
using milliwatt power. 

I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along 
this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a 
couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of 
the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are 
definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power 
of the satellite itself!

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
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[amsat-bb] Want to email KG6NUB

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

Can anyone who is local to Sawson, KG6NUB, please ask him to drop me an email 
at my call at AMSAT dot org?

I'm interested in getting in touch with him for more than the few seconds of an 
FM-satellite contact.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Re: FT-897D - WFM

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey Randy,

Sorry to hear about the other issues you have on 137 mHz. Have you asked around 
to see whether anyone nearby you is receiving the weather satellites on other 
receivers and, if so, whether they have similar issues? It occurs to me that 
your interference issues may not be radio-specific, and might be worth checking 
out a little more before you sink money into another receiver and discover that 
it has the same issues.

My experiences with Yaesu have always been good. I get prompt answers that 
address my questions although, as in the case of using W-FM on the 857 and 817s 
I own, I don't always get the answers I hope for ... hihi.

73,

Tim - N3TL





From: Randy rswa...@twcny.rr.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 8:50:33 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FT-897D - WFM

That's exactly why I thought it would be capable of it, because its NOT in
the amateur band
And additionally, because the handhelds were capable of that. 
I have one of the handhelds,( VX6-R ) but it has aviation intermod on 137
along with some other kind of
Local burst data type interference, perhaps pagers or something. Although it
receives it, its
Not the best receiver for it in my humble opinion; though , I wish it was.

Do folks typically get prompt answers from yaesu?
I think I asked them a question once before and got an answer fairly quickly
.. 

Wasn't meaning to bash them ... Just a lil frustrated with no answer ..
But thanks for checking that out Tim..

I will probably just get that hamtronics receiver and be done with it.

Thanks everyone .. Your're the greatest !!

Randy - N2CUA

PS.  QST QST KB9QHO or K9CIS , I will be on VO52, 1420UTC pass  FN23 ..;-)
Lol

-Original Message-
From: Tim - N3TL [mailto:n...@bellsouth.net] 
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 8:10 AM
To: rswa...@twcny.rr.com
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] FT-897D - WFM

HI Randy,

The anawer - straight from Yaesu's tech department - is no. For the record,
my history of communication with Yaesu has been excellent. Please let me
know off the board if you do NOT get a timely answer from them.

Neither the FT-897 nor the FT-857 will operate in wide FM on the amateur
bands. Neither will the FT-817ND. It's seems strange to me because their
handhelds will go into Wide FM for use with the weather satellites in the
137 mHz band.

I'm sorry I don't have a better answer.

73,

Tim - N3TL




From: Randy rswa...@twcny.rr.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:31:11 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] FT-897D - WFM

If I have asked this question previously, I apologize.
( getting old sucks sometimes hi hi )

I would like to know if any of the radio guru's out there Know of a way to
persuade my 897D to receive in WFM on 137 Mhz?

The only place it does that now is on the FM Broadcast band .. 

I would R E A L L Y  like to do this .. 

I emailed yaesu with the question .. 
( I bet we all know the result of that )

Thanks in advance .. 

And a special thanks to Mike and Tim for helping me so much on The satellite
stuff .. Been working CW and SSB on VO-52 simplex ..and Its going great ..
Was quite the lil learning curve though. Now I just Need some a better
antenna system, preamp and duplexer. 

Randy - N2CUA


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[amsat-bb] Re: A small step back into things

[Tim - N3TL]

Congratulations Michael! I look forward to working you on the FM satellites 
again soon.

73,

Tim - N3TL

 




From: Michael Tondee mat...@netcommander.com
To: Amsat BB amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2009 6:44:23 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] A small step back into things

Those of you who have seen my post to this forum in the past know that 
I've unfortunately had to sell some of my gear on and off to make ends 
meet. I went from a TS-2000X to an IC-820 to no satellite stuff at all. 
Just recently I had to part with my HF rig as well.
I was determined though that I wasn't going to give up and an FM LEO 
capable station seemed feasible and better than not having anything at 
all so I have started pursuing it.
I just got my Yaesu VX-3R HT from the UPS man Friday, it is primarily to 
be my receive radio as I already have another 2 meter radio.
I have felt like a kid who couldn't play with his new toy though 
because my adapter to be able to hook up an external antenna to the SMA 
connector on the HT was back ordered. We have a few repeaters here but 
I'm out in the sticks and the rubber ducks on these little rigs are 
notoriously dreadful.
Anyway finally decided to step outside the house tonight about the 1800 
UTC pass of AO-51 and see if I could hear anything but noise.
Amazingly enough, even with just the stock rubber duck, I could hear 
stations. Everything was down in the noise and not really discernible 
enough to copy but I could tell people were there.
I don't think I really needed much more antenna and I probably would 
have had decent copy.
It was only a small step and there is much work to do but it did make me 
feel as if I had actually moved forward on getting back on the birds.
Just wanted to share,
73,
Michael, W4HIJ
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[amsat-bb] Re: Grid Square Map

[Tim - N3TL]

Tom,

I have a copy of the ARRL grid square atlas, and it's all black and white 
inside. It shows the entire world, which is helpful for some of the grids you 
can work on some satellites that are outside what a U.S. map would show. That 
being said, the grids are very tiny in the atlas. 

I have a black and white map I can email you. Contact me off the BB if you'd 
like it. It's a U.S. map.

73,

Tim - N3TL





From: Tom k...@cox.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:13:02 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Grid Square Map

Thanks to all that responded to my post

I'm looking for something along the size of the grid map that ICOM supplies
(12 X 7) but in black and white so confirmed squares could be colored in.
The 8 1/2 X 11 maps that I've found online seem too small and the
resolution is not good. And, although ARRL chose to show only the cover of
it's grid square book, I think the pages inside are in color(?). 

Tom, KØTW 


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[amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation

[Tim - N3TL]

I intended to reply both to Michael and the BB, but I see that I simply 
responded to him and not to all in my earlier note.

My sense from his original post is that he is looking only for 
current-production HTs, and I believe the Alinco is it when it comes to 
full-fuplex-capable HTs.

That being said, I have been doing some related research over the past several 
months. Some BB readers may recall a post I made a few months ago about the 
fully rechargeable satellite station. I have done some other things that I 
hope to include in an article for an upcoming issue of  The AMSAT 
Journal, and I have discovered something that, I believe, could benefit all of 
us who enjoy using handheld stations.

In addition to the TH-F6A HT from Kenwood, I have had an opportunity to use a 
Yaesu VR-500 handheld all-mode receiver. The general coverage receiver in the 
Kenwood is all-mode, as is the VR-500. Either also can serve as a receive radio 
for a station on the linear satellites, albeit with manual Doppler tuning. 

Most notable for those of us who enjoy using handheld stations for the FM 
satellites is the fact that the Kenwood's general coverage receiver and the 
Yaesu VR-500 each offer tuning steps down to 1 kHz and below, even in FM. As I 
recall, the Kenwood HT can tune as finely as 33 Hz. The VR-500 will tune as 
finely as 100 Hz. I routinely tune it in 1 kHz steps on the FM satellites. 
Doing so enables me to track Doppler on the UHF downlinks of our FM satellites 
much more accurately, and that has made a big difference in my ability to make 
handheld contacts. Those who choose to ignore the inarguable fact that high 
power isn't necessary for effective FM LEO satellite contacts still make things 
difficult for me and others who enjoy using handheld stations. I've accepted 
the fact that the situation won't ever change, which is disappointing. 

Nonetheless - from here, I believe that using a 2-radio full-duplex setup for 
the FM satellites that incorporates a receive radio capable of tuning in 1 kHz 
(or finer) steps actually represents the most effective option because of the 
improved receive capability the smaller tuning steps provide.

Many of us would like to see more HT manufacturers adopt full-duplex as a 
feature on at least one current-production model. I also would like to cast my 
vote for (1) general coverage receivers that, like the TH-F6A, are all-mode, 
and (2) tuning steps finer than 5 kHz for FM that will work on both transmit 
AND receive. 

I am thrilled with the news that AMSAT is moving forward with plans to build 
and launch a 1U cub sat with a U/V (Mode B) transponder. However, consistently 
hitting the uplink with HTs that tune no finer than 5 kHz will be a challenge. 
I learned that last winter when the ISS repeater was active in Mode B. When I 
used my FT-817 as a transmit radio and could use the main tuning dial to 
infinitely fine-tune the uplink, I had much better - and more consistent - 
success hitting the uplink than with my HT, which will only tune in 5 kHz steps.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha




From: Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net
To: Michael Chen michael.bd...@gmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 12:02:14 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation

Michael,

That is a good reference from JoAnne.  Most on the list will work well,
particularly the TH-D7 and the IC-W32A.  However, before you purchase one,
be certain to research how well it actually works for satellite ops.  For
instance, I have an Alinco DJ-G7 which has great specifications, but works
very poorly for satellite ops, though it is a nice general purpose unit.

Alan
WA4SCA


-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Michael Chen
Sent: 20 October, 2009 09:12
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] HT supports full duplex satellite operation

All,

Could anyone list the HT models (available today in the market) that
support full duplex satellite operation?
I know I can get connected with two HTs and portable cross Yagi. Just
need a simpler solution. IC-W23AT and TH-D7 are discontinued.

Michael Chen, BD5RV/4
Email: michael.bd...@gmail.com
MSN: bd...@jsdxc.org
Skype: michael-bd5rv
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[amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation

[Tim - N3TL]

Hi Drew,

My work-around (unless someone comes out with a finer-tuning HT between now 
and then!) is simple. I'm going to use a combination of the 5 kHz and 12.5 kHz 
tuning steps on my HT to program a set of memories that Doppller tunes the 
uplink in 2.5 kHz steps. That way, I'll be able to stay fairly close to the 
uplink throughout the pass. I'm confident the one true rule will still apply 
regardless of the receiver design. It has on AO-7 and VO-52 when I've worked 
passes using AFSK through an HT to send CW on those Mode B satellites. 

I'll use the same downlink in each memory because I've done just the opposite 
with our Mode J satellites - that is, use the same VHF uplink all the time and 
only Doppler-tune the downlink.

Please don't mistake my comments as any kind of criticism; they aren't intended 
that way at all. I'm looking forward to the challenge, and just hope others 
understand that one true rule and its impact on Mode B operations.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL





From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com
To: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net
Cc: apbid...@mailaps.org; Michael Chen michael.bd...@gmail.com; 
amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:20:17 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation


 
 I am thrilled with the news that AMSAT is moving forward with plans to build 
 and launch a 1U cub sat with a U/V (Mode B) transponder. However, 
 consistently hitting the uplink with HTs that tune no finer than 5 kHz will 
 be a challenge. I learned that last winter when the ISS repeater was active 
 in Mode B. When I used my FT-817 as a transmit radio and could use the main 
 tuning dial to infinitely fine-tune the uplink, I had much better - and more 
 consistent - success hitting the uplink than with my HT, which will only tune 
 in 5 kHz steps.
  
It's all in the receiver design. The ISS D-700 isn't designed as a satellite 
receiver, and has a narrow front end.

Think of it this way. With 5 khz steps you are always within 2.5 khz of being 
on frequency, right?

We operate the V/U FM satellites all the time without tuning the uplink, and 
that means we are up to 3 khz off, and everything works fine! So 2.5 khz will 
be a piece of cake too, plus folks will hear the 2m downlink much easier.

73, Drew KO4MA
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-07

[Tim - N3TL]

Vincenzo,

Here is the link to the AO-7 Log page, which should prove very helpful:

http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php?PHPSESSID=71f968d1c9db80c36565267171ae025b

On it, you should notice that the toggle between Mode A and Mode B seems to 
occur sometime between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC daily. I use 0600 UTC as my 
personal guide.

Based on the way that toggle has been occurring, the following rule of thumb 
should continue to apply until the Grand Old Girl decides to do something else 
on her own  hihi.

Using the calendar as a guide:

October 2009 - She will switch to Mode A between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC on 
odd-numbered days Ie.g., Oct.21, 23, 25, etc.). She will switch to Mode B 
between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC on even-number days (Oct. 22, 24, 26, etc.). 

November and December 2009 - She will switch to Mode A between 0400 UTC and 
0600 UTC on EVEN-numbered days (Nov. AND Dec. 2,4,6,etc.). She will switch to 
Mode B between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC on ODD-numbered days (Nov. and Dec. 1.3.5, 
etc.). 

Please note that for quite some time earlier this year, she remained in Mode B 
without a mode switch. Use the AO-7 Log Web page to confirm her mode whenever 
you are planning to operate.

I hope this is helpful.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL

 




From: Vincenzo Mone vim...@alice.it
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:17:16 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-07

Hi folks,
Please is there a schedule like the old AO-13 to understand on which mode is
The AO-7?
Every time I have the Ao-7 on my QTH I cannot hear it and cannot understand
if it is not in mode B
Or I have a problem.
Thanks

73 de Enzo IK8OZV
EasyLog 5 BetaTester
EasyLog PDA BetaTester
WinBollet BetaTester
D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania
Skype: ik8ozv8520




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[amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation

[Tim - N3TL]

I trust, Clint, that you noted in the full post you excerpted these comments 
from that I made a POINT of noting (1) that I use a 2-radio setup for full 
duplex operation here, and (2) that I was referring to the TH-F6A as my receive 
radio.

That being said, and for the record - NO HT currently in production from Icom, 
Kenwood or Yaesu offers full-duplex operation. 

73 to all, 

Tim - N3TL

 




From: Clint Bradford clintbra...@earthlink.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:29:20 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation

 ... looking only for current-production HTs, and I believe the  
Alinco is it when it comes to full-fuplex-capable HTs ...

And unless Alinco comes up with a miracle-of-a-firmware-release, that  
little rig is not suitable for working the FM birds.

 ... In addition to the TH-F6A HT from Kenwood 

Just so that there's no confusion, the TH-F6a is *not* a true full- 
duplex radio. Dual-receive, yes. But key the mic, and nothing is heard  
on the sub-band.

Clint Bradford, K6LCS
http://www.work-sat.com


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[amsat-bb] Re: QSL cards mailed today

[Tim - N3TL]

Patrick,

Thank you for your efforts to promote AMSAT and satellite operations. 

I appreciate them very much, and I know many others do, too.

Tim - N3TL





From: Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat...@wd9ewk.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:17:30 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] QSL cards mailed today

Hi!

After printing more QSL cards on Sunday and writing out almost 200
cards along with envelopes last night, I dropped a large batch of
envelopes at the post office this morning.  These cards cover my 
activity from the east coast around the recently-concluded AMSAT 
Symposium (Washington DC/FM18, BWI Airport MD/FM19, Bear DE/FM29),
as well as Saturday's activity - the Tucson AZ hamfest (DM42) in 
the morning, and at or just east of the Arizona/New Mexico state 
line (DM52) in the afternoon/early evening.  

Thanks to all who worked WD9EWK from these locations over the past 
couple of weeks.  I enjoy getting on the air from almost anywhere
I go, and the QSLing after the trip is an important part of that.  

73!





Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/


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[amsat-bb] Re: Quite an update about Sumbandilasat...

[Tim - N3TL]

I add my congraultions! Well-done, all!





From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com
To: Amsat-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 10:59:07 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Quite an update about Sumbandilasat...

posted at http://sumbandilamission.blogspot.com/ .

Congratulations to the SA-AMSAT team!

73, Drew KO4MA
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[amsat-bb] WD9EWK from DM52 tonight!

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

Patrick asked me to post the following, for any of you who need DM52 and/or New 
Mexico on the satellites.

He will work the following passes:

AO-27 at 2235 UTC from DM52 on the New Mexico-Arizona border.

AO-51 at 2318 UTC from DM52 entirely inside New Mexico.

AO51 at 0054 UTC from DM52 on the New Mexico-Arizona border.

He'll be in Hidalgo County, New Mexico for all three passes, and on it's border 
with Cochise County, Arizona, for the two state-line passes.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Re: The Beef Frank is in the east

[Tim - N3TL]

Mr. Oler,

I suggest you heed your own advice, as offered to Mr. Bauer in the last 
paragraph of you email - Find some manners, stop the internet flame postings 
and try and be a 'facts and data' kind of guy in deeds not just words you will 
get farther.

Otherwise, you'll remain boorish - and your posts wastes of band space. 

After seeing Mr. Bauer's post to the AMSAT-BB the other day, I correctly 
deduced that the silly and humorless title of this email was your attempt at 
being cute and clever in response. I did find irony in your metaphor, however - 
given the rancid filler that you encase in a vast majority of emails you post 
to this board. That alone helps me agree whole-heartedly with your assertion 
below that you are not a NASA know-it-all; I have believed the opposite to be 
true since the first post from you I read - and this one adds more validation 
to that belief.. 

Tim Lilley - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha




From: Rocky Jones orbit...@hotmail.com
To: ka3...@comcast.net; Amsat BB amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 11:14:49 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] The Beef Frank is in the east


Pasture...along with the milking cows, a few goats, and yes the chickens and 
ducks.  The Longhorn is there more or less for show (no tribute to George Abbey 
BTW)

Sorry for the late reply Frank.  My wife and I are pregnant so we spent the 
afternoon looking around The CLEAR LAKE Texas  and Santa Fe area for hospitals 
that are on either of our health insurance plans..  Then we took the in laws to 
dinner at The Aquarium in KEMAH (the boardwalk at Kemah) (it is the mother in 
laws birthday), after which we had some pleasant conversation.

I stress our itinerary because it tells the group what you must already know 
(since you are in the keyboard commando mode) that I live in the area of 
Houston that the JSC calls home. Running the call sign would have told you 
that.    The House is about 1.2 nm from the North gate of JSC just south on  
Space Center.  In normal times I jog the course there and back four times in 
the morning.  I've lived in  Clear Lake for quite a bit.  Still own the house 
there although after my latest DXpedition the housesitter wont be clear of it 
until Jan next year.  Fortunately we have the farm in Santa Fe.

Since I live in the area I  have quite a few 
friends/chums/associates/neighbors/etc who are current employees at NASA or the 
contractors.  They know I am interested in space policy, amateur radio (you 
should see the setup at the house in Clear Lake), and share things. That is one 
source of information and it is pretty good. It is good enough for the 
statement I made.  (I am amused that you ran me through the data base, but 
caution you that NASA watch pointed out how flawed that data base is...)

So after conversation with the family and before responding to the post you put 
out I fed it through the USC internet flame war program that is standard US 
government affair and found out that both you and Jeff Hanley managed a email 
that touched all the internet flame war points.  Two peas in a pod I guess

Frank, I dont respond kindly to emails where the person sending puts up a claim 
that I didnt make (know all that is going on within NASA) and then starts 
his own rant with a question based on that premise (  And how
 are you all knowing???).  And does it all in public not in a private email.  
 People on the board have asked me what I do privately and I've been pleased 
 to give them chapter line and verse.  This time I'll be kind and just chalk 
 it up to you having gone zero impedance to ground over how things are going.

I did find the 
 Or are you using another alias besides Robert Oler or Rocky Jones? amusing.  

It is the weakest of the internet flame tactics you use and the most amusing .  
It is also even more nonsensical then the rest of the post from you.  I have 
signed everything on this BB and as best I can tell on the internets (to 
quote our last President) with my full name or my name that has some identifier 
with it so it is not just a Robert.  That is where the call sign comes in 
handy.  With me posting my call sign if you are confused, well that is your 
fault, not mine.  The line you use is a little above when did you stop beating 
you're wife in logical validity.

Finally..

As for 80 percent of suitsat 2 failing...actually that is the consensus among 
a lot of folks at the center.  I give Suitsat 2 less then 10 percent chance 
of working.  That didnt take oh several decades of dealing with complex 
programs or a bunch of US government schools or a lot of engineering degrees to 
figure out.  It is really not rocket science...Suitsat 1 was a bomb and it 
was much simpler.  Now they are trying something more complicated...  I am not 
even sure it deploys.  If it flops well it is hard to see a lot of ham radio 
traction on the space station after that.

But Just think, if it works you can tell me I was wrong

[amsat-bb] Re: On the possibility of imaging AO-40 with earth bound telescopes...

[Tim - N3TL]

Please see Page 19 of the May-June 2008 issue of The AMSAT Journal. 

Patrick Seitzer, WA4DSR, provided a photo of AO-40 taken by the University of 
Michigan's Curtis-Schmidt Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory 
in Chile. Following is information from a University of Michigan Web page about 
the telescope:

The Curtis-Schmidt telescope is a 0.61 meter aperture f/3.5 Schmidt telescope 
located at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, about 500 km north of 
Santiago, Chile. This telescope was originally installed at the University of 
Michigan's Portage Lake Observatory in 1950, and moved to the much clearer 
skies of north central Chile in 1966. 
It is named for Heber D. Curtis, Director of the University of Michigan 
Observatories from 1930 until 1942. 
The telescope is dedicated to optical studies of artificial space debris for 
NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office at the Johnson Space Center. Projects 
include optical surveys for debris and follow-up observations to determine 
orbits and photometric properties of recently discovered debris.
 
If you find the Journal photo, you'll see a field with dozens of blurred stars 
and one sharp litttle white dot, which is AO-40.  I believe it's safe to say 
that obtaining an image with the detail necessary to try assess damage is 
impossible.
 
73 to all,

Tim - N3TL





From: Mark VandeWettering kf6...@gmail.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 2:57:40 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] On the possibility of imaging AO-40 with earth bound 
telescopes...

 Has there been any serious attempt to take a photograph of the damaged
 bird using ground based optical telescopes while it is in sunlight ?

It's not going to work.  AO-40 just isn't big enough.  For fun,
let's worth through
some of the details.

 With modern telescopes such as
 http://www.refractortelescopes.co.uk/reviews/orion/orion-shorttube-80-a-refractor-telescope/
 or similiar and a modern digital camera and a known RA/DEC co-ordinate
 of the satellite at any point in its orbit, it should be possible get
 a fairly decent picture of what is still up there...

 Note RA / DEC are astronomy co-ordinates which should be able to be
 calculated from AZ/EL or TLE, but I may not be able to do it myself.

 We don't need to track it, but just to image it in several consecutive
 frames. From: http://www.emergentspace.com/pubs/AIAA_GNC_2002_AMSAT_A040.pdf

Table 1. Nominal Orbit Parameters for AO-40
Orbit Parameter Value
Semimajor Axis (km) 36,245
Perigee Height (km) 1,042
Apogee Height (km) 58,691
Eccentricity 0.797
Inclination (deg) 6.04
Period (hours) 19.1

Let's look at a couple of potential telescopes.  The short tube
refractor that you linked to has an 80 mm (roughly 3 inch) aperature.
According to the Rayleigh criterion, that scope should be able to
resolve angles as small as about 1.5 arc seconds.    At perigee, the
resolving power is 1042000 * tan(1.5 arc seconds), or about 7.5 meters
(or 25 feet).    To increase the resolution by a factor of 2, you need
to to double the  aperature.  To get resolutions down to 1/2 a foot,
you need an aperature 50x larger, or 150 inches.

This doesn't take into account any effects of atmosphere either.
it's actually fairly rare to get sub arcsecond resolution from any
earthbound telescope without using adaptive optics..  This limits the
practicality of high resolution imaging.

Impressive photos of the space shuttle, ISS and HST have been taken
using amateur equipment, but these objects are both closer and an
order of magnitude larger than AO-40.  While we might be able to
measure spin rate and the like by measuring the brightness curve,
actual imaging of the satellite isn't likely.

73 Mark K6HX
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[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web

[Tim - N3TL]

Mark,

Thank you for this thoughtful post. Like many others using today's current 
roster of available satellites, I wasn't around for AO-40 or many other 
satellites that are recalled her so fondly by those who were.

If I could build, launch and select the orbit for an amateur satellite, I 
believe it would be something along the lines of what we've been told about the 
Chinese satellite known as XW-1. As I recall, it has an FM repeater, a linear 
transponder and a flying mailbox. A satellite with those capabilities in an 
AO-7-ish (or, actually, slightly higher) orbit would be one I would really 
enjoy. 

Even that, however, will take significantly more fundraising than what we have 
before us now. I applaud the Board of Directors and AMSAT's officers for 
accepting the Engineering Task Force recommendations and moving forward. 

My interests - and the challenges and satisfaction I find - in the amateur 
satellites are different from many others'. I recognize that the Board and 
AMSAT-NA officers inevitably walk a tightrope when faced with decisions because 
they won't ever make everyone happy. Consider just what the AO-51 operations 
team faces regularly when scheduling various modes on her - that's a very small 
taste of the dynamic interests that AMSAT worldwide faces in considering - then 
acting - on how best to move forward for the future. 

Sumbandilla Sat operation is on the horizon. I presume plans continue to move 
forward to XW-1 to be in orbit and available in the not-too-distant future. We 
all hope FO-29 will be back to her old self in no more than a few months. We 
now have ARISSat-1, the 1U cube sat and the amateur communications package in 
the rideshare opportunity. Even excluding FO-29, that is a significant increase 
in operating opportunities on the way fairly soon. I find that very exciting.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL





From: Mark VandeWettering kf6...@gmail.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 3:54:31 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web

 The funding solution will go by an international funding campaign and by a 
 fixed minimal contribution per amateur who want's to have an
 HEO. I am member of a local marina and each new member should pay a one time 
 Dredging Fee of 250$. The marina is open here from May 15 to
 October 4 about 5 months. I can used a satellite 12 months am i willing to 
 pay 250$ a year YES and could be more if a sound international
 structure with well defined planning and objectives can demonstrate a serious 
 will towards the next HEO.

Well, it's nice that you have an amount in mind for how much you would
pay.  Frankly, I'd probably be willing to spend 4x as that much.  It
probably would take that level of funding to get purchase a launch.
As far as I know, the terms of the bid that Arianspace quoted AMSAT-DL
were never released, but we get hints of the it in presentations like:

http://mstl.atl.calpoly.edu/~bklofas/Presentations/AMSATUK2009/3b_Gulzow-P3E.pdf

which suggests that 20,000 euros per kilogram isn't absurd, and they'd
be lucky to get a launch for half that price.  This would yield a
price for P3E of only (!) 1.7 million euros, or 2.5 million dollars
U.S.  AMSAT-DL didn't think such a launch was feasible, and claims
that the costs were (in ttheir words) one order of magnitude too
expensive.    As they say, bitter reality of their funding efforts
is that the attractiveness of amateur radio has dropped significantly,
and that funding a P3 satellite from amateur resources alone seems
not to work now and probably never again?.  In light of this,
AMSAT-DL has pursued tax money from their covernment to pursue a 20M
euro effort to fund launches for P5A and P3E.  I wish them luck, but
in the current economic environment, as well as past experience, I
think there is some reason for skepticism, or at least, no expectation
for a quick resolution to this issue.

 There is already a lot of dedicated peoples around the amateurs radio 
 satellite business who are only making their own small things in
 their small backyard. Why not regrouping their energies and money towards 
 ONLY ONE SINGLE big project? In the amateur satellite world we
 called that a HEO satellite as AO-40  and as AO-07 AO-10 AO-13 generation who 
 where the first steps towards AO-40.

I think the reason against such a strategy is quite simple, and it is
absolutely personified in AO-40.  Yes, AO-40 was a remarkable,
amazing, revolutionary amateur satellite.  But radio amateurs put all
their eggs in one basket, and that basket had a hole in it, and all
the eggs tumbled out, and now we are left not only with no eggs, but
with an environment where people might (reasonably in fact) ask why
they should put all their eggs in one basket again, particularly
because these baskets have rocket motors filled with hydrazine and
nitrogen tetroxide inside.  Even if we could fund an HEO launch, I
still think it is a matter

[amsat-bb] Re: Let's Go!

[Tim - N3TL]

Amen!

Not only would it be cool, but today's crop of netbook computers would make it 
appeal to base and portable enthusiasts alike! 





From: Michael Tondee mat...@netcommander.com
Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:16:23 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Let's Go!

I'm getting back into FM LEO's and setting up a station. I will actually 
be using a 70cm HT to receive the downlink but I'll be in a base station 
configuration. I have no desire to operate portable or out in the yard 
with a hand held Arrow or similar antenna. The use of the HT is out of 
financial necessity. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against portable 
operation and I think the manufacturers should support it. It's just not 
for me.
What I would really like to see someone come out with commercially is 
something along the lines of the Genesis SDR HF radio kits. If you 
haven't seen them, it's a kit for an SDR all mode QRP 40 meter HF radio.
I'd like to see a kit for or even a prebuilt all mode 5 watt 2m/70cm 
SDR  satellite radio. That would be cool to me.
I know there are SDR groups out there. I wonder if anyone has anything 
like that in the works?
73,
Michael, W4HIJ
Jeff Davis wrote:
 I want to offer 'hearty congratulations' to the BOD for the courageous
 decisions made at the recent Space Symposium. I can think of no
 headline more appropriate and welcome for this organization than the
 declaration, We're going back to space.

 Perhaps this decision to move forward with what we can do will also be
 what was needed to get the manufacturers to quit sitting on their
 hands and INNOVATE!

 How many threads have been spawned on this BB by someone asking the
 question what handheld should I buy to use AO-51..?

 The fact that the pat answer is that there aren't any - you need to
 check eBay for a 20 year-old model speaks pitifully of the ham radio
 marketplace in the 21st century.

 Given the nature of LEO, portable operations are very common and going
 forward, will be even more so. Who among us wouldn't love a mobile
 sized transceiver that sported true simultaneous dual-band (VHF/UHF)
 operation and a continuously tunable VFO on FM in a 'satellite
 operation mode'?

 What would it be worth if that radio also could record all pass data -
 and had a USB port that supported a memory stick so that everything
 received during a pass could stored on it for offline extraction and
 study later when you're back in the shack. It wouldn't even require an
 internal TNC to download telemetry data - the audio file could simply
 be played back (offline) on a PC and the telemetry decoded there.

 There are bound to be hundreds of similar ideas and dreams of new
 gear, antennas, and interesting things to do at LEO - let's populate
 the BB with these sorts of things and look forward, not back.

 I'm more than ready to turn to a new chapter and get back to shaping
 the future of ham radio in space.

 Aren't you?

 73 de Jeff, KE9V
 AMSAT-NA 28350
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[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web

[Tim - N3TL]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your note. And, I suspect, when you entered the hobby back then, 
radios like the FT-817 weren't available - nor were effective portable antennas 
like the Elk and Arrow. 

As you recall, you and I had a contact on VO-52 not long ago that I emailed you 
about. I was using AFSK on a 1.5-watt Yaesu VX-3R HT, with a straight key 
connected to the mic jack. I just missed a contact on FO-29 before she went 
down. I intended to write up something for the Journal about a complete 
satellite station that would fit in a briefcase - with the ability to work all 
the FM satellites, all the linear satellites (granted, in CW only) and digipeat 
packets through the ISS digipeater. I still will write that story when FO-29 
comes back and I can get that contact. 

I surely don't begrudge you or anyone who operates from a high-quality, highly 
effective ground station. I continue to be disappointed by those who feel the 
need for the highest power available on the FM satellites because it's totally 
unnecessary and overkill. They keep others from enjoying the satellites as much 
as they because the lower powered stations don't have a chance. That's a moot 
point on the linear satellites, as we both know.

I apologize if my statements offended you. That surely wasn't my intent.

I hope all is well with you.

73,

Tim 





From: WILLIAMS MICHAEL k9qho6...@sbcglobal.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org; n...@bellsouth.net
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:48:47 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web


Tim N3TL said:
 
I also don't share your view of?satellite operation using a handheld or 
otherwise portable station, which is less than positive. Again, I mean no 
disrespect - but I find very little challenge and even less satisfaction in 
making a satellite contact running 50-100 watts into?a pair of long, 
multi-element yagis being controlled for az/el by computers - and using a radio 
being computer controlled for Doppler.? Of course, many more satellite 
operators share views closer to yours than mine - or, at least, it seems that 
way.
 
Point taken, but there are two ways to enter the satellite section of this 
hobby.
 
1. The linear satellite way (FO-29, AO7 and VO-52). This was the way I 
selected. My early goal was to operate AO-40, and the station was constructed 
for this AMSAT project.
 
2. The second way is via the FM satellites. 
 
Both ways are valid. It all depends which way a person came to make that first 
satellite contact. It's still a thrill either way.
 
Respectively
 
Mike (K9QHO)
AMSAT 33589
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[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web

[Tim - N3TL]

Hello Luc,

I have some questions. 

 1- What is the logical direction, in your opinion?
 2 - How much would that direction cost, in your opinion?
 3 - How would you propose paying for that direction?

I look forward to learning more so that I can more fully understand your 
positioin.

73,

Tim - N3TL





From: Luc Leblanc luclebla...@videotron.ca
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Cc: eu-am...@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 11:05:59 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web





The new AMSAT CubeSat's initial capability is planned to add to the popular 
low-earth orbit FM transponder fleet
allowing hams to continue to use their existing handheld and portable antenna 
systems. This also continues the accessible
entry path for new satellite operators to get started. The existing FM 
satellites are starting to show their age.

It was widely admitted that AO-51 was a mistake years ago as a transponder type 
satellite should have been chosen instead of a single 
channel satellite.

IMHO There ia already enough capabilities with the existing fleet SO-50 AO-51 
AO-27 ISS cross band repeater for an entry class satellite 
plus many cubes in the making as arisat-1. What we lack is a HEO or some AO-07 
like satellite with transponder who will make 
transcontinental QSO'S possible. Theses one channel satellite are a waste of 
money compare to a transponder type as many simultaneous QSO'S 
can be achieved at the same time.

But theses issues where widely discussed in the past and i'm guessing the AMSAT 
symposium attendance widely clapped at this announcement!!!

What AMSAT-NA will be in the next years  HANDHELD CLUB as written  to 
continue to use their existing handheld and portable antenna 
systems. 

Wrong direction again 180 degrees of the logical course again!

P..S. It is obvious this variation on the same subject proposal will have 
plenty of time to evolved or to be put in real service only to be 
replaced by other new proposals. it is  the dog running after his tails 
syndrome who prevail again. Bottom line is another deceptive 
unrealistic proposal IMHO.

Feel free to agree or disagree but the shrinking AMSAT-NA membership is 
probably what's is triggering theses proposals a king of safety 
buoy for the BOD to avoid drowning the whole crew and her ship.
-


Luc Leblanc VE2DWE
Skype VE2DWE
www.qsl.net/ve2dwe
DSTAR urcall VE2DWE
WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE



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[amsat-bb] AO-51

[Tim - N3TL]

In case anyone at all is interested - which doesn't appear to be the case - the 
QRP pair on AO-51 remains active at 145.880 up and 435.150 (+/- Doppler) down.

From here, it's a shame to hear the chaos on the other V/U frequency pair, but 
not have a single station respond to calls on the QRP pair during a 54-degree 
pass up the east coast of North America. This has proven to be the case on 
multiple passes this week.

Maybe someone will show up later tonight or in the morning. Or ... I'll keep 
talking to myself  hihi.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] AO-51/QRP

[Tim - N3TL]

My thanks to the AO-51 control team for this week's schedule, which includes 
activation of 145.880/435.150 for QRP operation. There is another week of this 
QRP Pair coming up later in the month. I hope more of you will take the time 
to see just how little power it takes for effective communication on AO-51 or 
any of the FM satellites, for that matter.

On the AO-51 pass here from roughly 22:30 UTC to 22:45 UTC, KD8CAO and I 
completed a contact using HTs with whip antennas. Doug was using a Pryme RD-98, 
and I was using the Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip. Anyone who has an HT with 
a general coverage receiver ought to check out the Diamond whip because it 
brings the shortwave broadcast bands alive on the radios from Yaesu (VX-3R and 
VX-7R) and Kenwood (TH-F6A) I've tried it with. In addition, it works extremely 
well on the satellites. I didn't pick up the RD-98 for satellite use, but it is 
comparable in performance to Pryme's satellite-popular AL-800 telescoping whip. 
Pryme, by the way, claims the same gain numbers for the RD-98 as for the 
AL-800. I had an AL-800, and my RD-98 performs at least as well as it did. I 
prefer the SRH-789, which has an SMA connector, because of its versatility - 
and it's more rigid than the RD-98 in use. Diamond also makes a BNC version of 
the antenna, the RH-789.

On the next pass of AO-51, which hits me beginning at about 00:10 UTC, I'll be 
back on the crappy ol' Elk dual-band log periodic - but I'll be running 50 
milliwatts out instead of the 5 watts I just used with the whip. I intend to 
run 50 mW and the Elk for the remainder of the weekend on AO-51. Experience 
suggests that I need at least 8 degrees of elevation to make the satellite on 
.05-watt, but I almost made it through the other day when AO-51 was below 7 
degrees. A good contact at that low angle will represent a new miles per watt 
record for me, and I hope to get there.

Thanks again to the control team for the QRP-pair activation. 

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] SumbandilaSat launch postponed!

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

I just found the following on the AMSAT-South Africa home page:

Due to high winds at the launch site and some telemetry issues on the rocket  
the launch has been delayed for 24 hours and will now take place on 16 
September at around 15:45 UTC
 
73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] AMSAT Field Day

[Tim - N3TL]

Congratulations to John, K8YSE, and Doug, KD8CAO, for their winning effort in 
the AMSAT Field Day competition - operating as W8DXA.

That's their mobile-antenna setup on the cover of the new issue of The AMSAT 
Journal, which arrived here today. 

It was nice to see an increase of entries this year. Here's hoping that trend 
continues well into the future. 

Thanks to Bruce, KK5DO, for taking the time to coordinate the AMSAT Field Day 
contest and for providing the article and final results to the Journal.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Re: handheld whip

[Tim - N3TL]

The Pryme RD-98 also works well, and it about the same price. My favorite of 
all, however, based on my testing (and I've used the AL-800, RD-98 and several 
others) is the Diamond RH-789 (BNC connector; SRH-789 with an SMA connector) 
telescoping whip. It's a bit less expensive than the AL-800, but is extremely 
wide band. In addition to performing well on the FM satellites, it really 
surprised me at how it performed on the shortwave broadcast bands on a variety 
of radios.

To Bob - I suspect the AL-800 is the one you're thinking of. It's probably the 
most popular and well-known, but there are others out there that also perform 
quite well.

The Smiley dual-band telescoping whip is another. Patrick, WD9EWK, sent me one 
to try out - and I wore out AO-27 on the first pass I used it ... hihi. Had 
seven contacts, which is good for an HT and a whip given the short window for 
27.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL





From: George Henry ka3...@att.net
To: amsat bb amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 7:19:12 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: handheld whip

Pryme AL-800?


- Original Message - 
From: w7...@comcast.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:01 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] handheld whip




 What is the 2/440 whip antenna that we can use on a handheld for AO-51, I 
 can't remember/find it.

 73 Bob W7LRD


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[amsat-bb] Re: broken links

[Tim - N3TL]

Glen, 

We have similar credentials, although I hit 1.000 bylined-and-published site in 
about 30 years ... hihi. Please email your article to me, for inclusion in the 
next issue of the Journal. 

It's my call AT amsat dot org. Also, please feel free to contact me off the BB 
if you wish.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha





From: Glen Zook gz...@yahoo.com
To: David Bate cfpm_cf...@scandesk.info; Bill Ress b...@hsmicrowave.com
Cc: List - AMSAT amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 9:10:29 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: broken links

Obviously there are those with the skills to fix the website.  However, most 
of the AMSAT members, including me, do not have those skills.  I do have skills 
in other areas, but I have enough to do just trying to keep my own website 
current and it is one of those websites for dummies types that Go Daddy has 
available.  Now they don't call it websites for dummies but that is what it 
basically is.

It is going to take more than an advertisement in the newsletter, which, I am 
almost certain many, if not most, of the members don't even notice, to get the 
volunteer help needed.  Basically, it is going to take a feature article and 
maybe even a headline on the cover.

I have been a member of AMSAT since the 2nd month of its creation and, over the 
years, I have seen people come and go as well as peaks and lows in the level of 
participation of the membership.  Like most organizations there are a 
relatively few people who do the majority of the work and, unfortunately, it is 
really up to those who are doing the actual work to ask for help.  Is this 
unfair?  To quote the old Laugh In TV show, you bet your sweet bippy.  
However, this is just one of the unfortunate facts of life in the volunteer 
organization world.

I have been a professional author for going on 50 years (have over 1000 
copyrighted articles, newspaper columns, etc.), albeit part time.  My articles 
have been published in 73 Magazine, CQ Magazine, Ham Radio Magazine, Electric 
Radio Magazine, Popular Electronics Magazine, and several other publications.  
I was also the first FM Editor of CQ Magazine from January 1971 until September 
1973.  In addition, for over 3 years I wrote a three times a week newspaper 
column for the Belo Corporation.  If desired, I can write such an article 
asking for help.  Let me know if this is desired and to whom the manuscript 
should be E-Mailed. 

Glen, K9STH
AMSAT 239/LM 463

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Tue, 9/8/09, Bill Ress b...@hsmicrowave.com wrote:

Hi David.Good suggestion but the same old problem. Whose going to do it???

Your Board knows the web site needs fixing . . . but whose going to volunteer 
to do the fixing. It was set up by volunteers who are no longer around to fix 
it.

We sure hear about the problems, and the web site has its share. All these 
great solutions but no one willing to part of those solutions. But then, it's 
so much easier to point out the problems than it is to try and fix then.

Now I understand it can be hard to find technical talent to volunteer to build 
a satellite but you would think it would be a whole lot easier to find a 
volunteer(s) that can handle web site management. But alas...it is not to be.

Oh well, lets keep hitting the Board up side the head, like that will surely 
solve the problem.

Any of this sinking in out there? You can bitch about the broken web site all 
you want but until we get a volunteer(s) to do the bloody work... well you know 
the story.

Here's a crazy idea. How about you folks putting a team together to share the 
work so that one person isn't overwhelmed with a commitment to fix the problem. 
Aah - who am I kidding. They'll be no response to that either.


      
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[amsat-bb] Re: 10.000 Activities in AO-7

[Tim - N3TL]

Piraja,

Thank you for posting this to the BB.

Congratulations, Joe!

73,

Tim - N3TL





From: ps8rf Piraja ps...@hotmail.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 8:00:33 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] 10.000 Activities in AO-7


Hello to all,


Our friend Josef,  K3SZH reached a numbers 10.000  in activities on satellite 
AO-7. In my calculations to mark the ten thousand orbits was marked with the 
Daniel, AJ9K. 

Congratulations Josef. 

73

Piraja, PS8RF.

_
Acesse seu Hotmail de onde quer que esteja através do celular. Clique aqui.
http://www.windowslive.com.br/celular/home.asp?utm_source=MSN_Hotmailutm_medium=Taglineutm_campaign=MobileServices200908
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[amsat-bb] Re: BoD Elections

[Tim - N3TL]

Tim and all,

This is an interesting post and - with no disrespect intended - one that should 
have been made when you first received your ballot.

It's interesting because I suspect you or I would get as many answers as the 
number of people we asked about what it will take to strengthen AMSAT. I have 
my own thoughts in that regard, and I'm confident you have yours. I suspect 
they would be at least inconsistent, if not quite divergent. That's not to 
suggest there's anything wrong with that; it's just to point out that being 
effective and strengthening AMSAT will - like many other things - be in the 
eyes of the beholders.

All of that notwithstanding. I've read the AMSAT Bylaws published on the Web 
site. It seems to me that doing what you're suggesting would take a Bylaw 
change because the specific voting deadline and the date of announcement of 
results are included in Article III-4 as Sept. 15 and Sept. 30, respectively. 
Article IV of the Bylaws defines the process of amending the bylaws, with such 
amendment not taking effect until 30 days after announcement by the Board (of 
its approval of a Bylaw change) has either been mailed to the membership by the 
Secretary or officially published in a publication of the corporation. And 
then, of course, objection by 10 percent of the membership to the Bylaw change 
would trigger a full vote by the membership. So the best-case scenario is a 
Board vote to change that is not challenged. That would take until the end of 
September to accomplish.

There's nothing sacred, I suppose, about the new Board being in place at the 
annual meeting, but it would be highly unusual for that not to be the case, in 
my opinion. It's virtually impossible for AMSAT to do what you suggest and hold 
an election before the annual meeting. I suspect you know that. You've taken 
the time to research the District of Columbia statutes for corporations like 
AMSAT. I'm confident that you also researched the applicable AMSAT Bylaws.

Finally, for what it's worth, it's also impossible to, as you write vote 
against all incumbents and for all challengers. Two of the five candidates 
are current directors. A third has served on the Board the past year as an 
Alternate. The other two candidates are not incumbents. We are asked to select 
no more than four. Since the is an odd-numbered year, the Bylaws require four 
Board positions to be filled in this election. It's not possible to avoid 
returning two current Directors (or one current Director and the current 
Alternate) to the Board, unless I'm missing something in the Bylaws.

Can you help me understand why you didn't make this post earlier, when there 
would have been enough time to act as you suggest without incurring the need 
for a Bylaw change? 

73 to all,

Tim Lilley - N3TL





From: Timothy J. Salo s...@saloits.com
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Cc: b...@amsat.org
Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:40:52 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] BoD Elections

Hi,

I still haven't returned my ballot for the AMSAT Board of
Directors election, in part because I don't feel that I
have really good information on which to make a decision.
I would like to vote for a Board that will be effective and
strengthen the organization.  It is particularly important
to select the best possible board because, in my view, AMSAT
is an organization in serious trouble.  But, I would prefer
to base my vote on the recent accomplishments, recent
positions during board meetings, and explicit near-term
objectives of the candidates.  I would prefer to not simply
use a blunt strategy of voting against all incumbents and for
all challengers. Unfortunately, I don't feel that I really
know much about the activities of the individual board members.

To remedy this, I suggest that the close of the BoD elections
be postponed until at least thirty days after the following
have been published:

o A list of all Board meetings held over the last year
o Minutes from all of these Board meetings
o Minutes from all AMSAT committee meetings of the last year

We can certainly have a discussion about the appropriate
level of transparency for the Board and its committees, and
whether the Board is meeting those objectives.  Here is what
the D.C. statutes under which AMSAT is incorporated have to
say on the matter:

  Each corporation shall keep correct and complete books and
  records of account and shall keep minutes of the proceedings
  of its members, board of directors, and committees having any
  of the authority of the board of directors; ... All books and
  records of a corporation may be inspected by any member having
  voting rights, or his agent or attorney, for any proper purpose
  at any reasonable time.

-tjs


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[amsat-bb] ARISS 25th Anniversary Certificate

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

Can someone who is or was involved with ARISS during the 25th Anniversary event 
please contact me off the BB?

I was excited to recive my 25th Anniversary Certificate today - until I opened 
it.

It confirms an SWL report, and I submitted proof of a 2-way contact with 
another amateur over the repeater. The certificate is very nice, but I'd like 
to inquire about getting a certificate that actually confirms what I claimed (a 
claim that included the other station's QSL and mine) - a 2-way contact.

Thanks in advance for any help.

73,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] PE1RAH Linear Transponder at JARL Ham Fair

[Tim - N3TL]

Hey everyone,

If you're interested in seeing the linear transponder that William, PE1RAH, 
displayed in Tokyo, you can see it here:

http://www.onjapan.net/2009/hamfair/img_3659.jpg

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Re: HRD software question

[n3tl]

Simon and all,

I have been using V 4.1 Beta for a few months, and my sense is that all of the 
multitasking HRD requires is taxing the processor on my Acer Aspire One netbook 
beyond its capacity. I may be wrong about that, but I suspect that's what's 
going on.

Simon, please correct me if this is wrong - but I believe that V 4.1 (beta) 
requires that radios be connected to the main HRD suite, and then also 
connected to the Satellite Tracker, in order to provide computer control for 
Doppler tuning. If that is, indeed, the case, I wonder whether it's possible to 
enable Satellite Tracker's radio-related functions without connection to HRD? I 
suspect that if I was able to connect my radios directly to Satellite Tracker 
without using HRD, that the netbook might be able handle the load.

I enjoy Satellite Tracker very much, but it has locked up my computer at the 
very worst of times (e.g., just a few seconds before acquisition of AO-7 when I 
had a schedule with EA8AVI in an attempt to add Africa to my continents-worked 
list). I chose the netbook for my ham radio use because of its size, and 
because it was bundled with Windows XP, not Vista. I fear that the decision has 
me comitted to a computer with a processor that may not have enough muscle to 
do everything HRD/Satellite Tracker asks it to do.

Regardless ... thank you so much for all of your work on HRD and Satellite 
Tracker. HRD is an amazing suite of software.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
-- Original message from Simon (HB9DRV) si...@hb9drv.ch: 
-- 


 Hi, 
 
 I guess it's something I've never really tried - will do so and fix. 
 
 Simon Brown, HB9DRV 
 www.ham-radio-deluxe.com 
 
 - Original Message - 
 From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF 
 
  Any idea why, if I select SHOW TRACKS/ALL the prog locks up when Orbitron 
  is capable of displaying the same number (85) of sats without slowing? 
  What is the maximun number we can sensibly display 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: HRD software question

[n3tl]

Hey Reid,

Thanks for your note. Using the same package here - V 4.1, Build 1985. 

And yes, you can access Satellite Tracker without connecting radios to it - but 
you can't connect radios to it without ALSO connecting them to HRD. Therein 
could lie the problem. 

DM780 is useable without connecting radios to HRD. I routinely do that when I'm 
working digital modes in HF. 

My only interest in computer connection for Satellite Tracker is Doppler 
control. I would like to be able to connect directly to it and use it as a 
stand-alone without HRD involved. I believe that could/would solve the issues 
I experience here.

73,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
-- Original message from w4upd upd...@bristor-assoc.com: 
-- 


 Which beta version of 4.1 are you using? I found that I had the same 
 problem until 4.1 build 1985. Satellite stuff can be accessed without a 
 rig hooked up. I did find that resources can really get eaten up by HRD 
 when doing satellite stuff. If the description of HRD V5.0 is correct, 
 it may ease up the overhead on computers by not trying to do so many 
 things at once (some of which you may not need). 
 
 Reid, W4UPD 
 
 
 
 
 n...@bellsouth.net wrote: 
  Simon and all, 
   I have been using V 4.1 Beta for a few months, and my sense is that all 
   of the multitasking HRD requires is taxing the processor on my Acer 
   Aspire One netbook beyond its capacity. I may be wrong about that, but I 
   suspect that's what's 
 going on. 
   Simon, please correct me if this is wrong - but I believe that V 4.1 
   (beta) requires that radios be connected to the main HRD suite, and then 
   also connected to the Satellite Tracker, in order to provide computer 
   control for Doppler 
 tuning. If that is, indeed, the case, I wonder whether it's possible to 
 enable 
 Satellite Tracker's radio-related functions without connection to HRD? I 
 suspect 
 that if I was able to connect my radios directly to Satellite Tracker without 
 using HRD, that the netbook might be able handle the load. 
  
  I enjoy Satellite Tracker very much, but it has locked up my computer at 
  the 
 very worst of times (e.g., just a few seconds before acquisition of AO-7 when 
 I 
 had a schedule with EA8AVI in an attempt to add Africa to my 
 continents-worked 
 list). I chose the netbook for my ham radio use because of its size, and 
 because 
 it was bundled with Windows XP, not Vista. I fear that the decision has me 
 comitted to a computer with a processor that may not have enough muscle to do 
 everything HRD/Satellite Tracker asks it to do. 
  
  Regardless ... thank you so much for all of your work on HRD and Satellite 
 Tracker. HRD is an amazing suite of software. 
  
  73 to all, 
  
  Tim - N3TL 
  Athens, Ga. - EM84ha 
  -- Original message from Simon (HB9DRV) : 
 -- 
  
  
  
  Hi, 
  
  I guess it's something I've never really tried - will do so and fix. 
  
  Simon Brown, HB9DRV 
  www.ham-radio-deluxe.com 
  
  - Original Message - 
  From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF 
  
  
  Any idea why, if I select SHOW TRACKS/ALL the prog locks up when Orbitron 
  is capable of displaying the same number (85) of sats without slowing? 
  What is the maximun number we can sensibly display 
  
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  No virus found in this incoming message. 
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.45/2285 - Release Date: 08/06/09 
 05:57:00 
  
  
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: HRD software question

[n3tl]

Thank you Simon!
-- Original message from Simon (HB9DRV) si...@hb9drv.ch: 
-- 


 Hi, 
 One thing I'm doing at the moment is reducing the load from HRD, especially 
 with 
 satellite tracking. 
 The redrawing of the screen is not as efficient as it should be, I'll sort 
 this 
 out soon, I've also seen very high CPU load. 
 I also have a netbook for testing - all this hardware I have to buy costs a 
 lot 
 but I hope it'll be worth it in the end. 
 
 Simon Brown, HB9DRV 
 www.ham-radio-deluxe.com 
 - Original Message - 
 From: n...@bellsouth.net 
 I have been using V 4.1 Beta for a few months, and my sense is that all of 
 the multitasking HRD requires is taxing the processor on my Acer Aspire One 
 netbook beyond its capacity. I may be wrong about that, but I suspect that's 
 what's 
 going on. 
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[amsat-bb] Re: FO-29 and VO-52

[n3tl]

Jean-Francois,

You are not asking too much. I have operated on ALL of the CW/SSB satellites 
using two FT-817NDs and SatPC 32. However, I also use a directional -albeit 
small - antenna. Specifically, I use the Elk 2M/440L5 dual-band log periodic. 

But, I do not have the antenna mounted outside. My shack, such as it is, is on 
the second floor of my home. I routinely operate on all of the CW/SSB 
satellites by hand-holding the Elk inside my home and manually tracking the 
satellites.

In your case, with the eggbeaters, I will suggest that you should expect 
consistent operations using two FT-817NDs only at higher (my rough guess is 20 
degrees elevation or higher) of the two satellites. You likely will be more 
effecitve on VO-52 because it performs so well. One evening here, when I was 
troubleshooting an issue with my station, I was able to hear myself on the 
VO-52 downlink with a strong and clear signal - and I had mounted to Yaesu 
duck antenna to my FT-817ND transmit radio! VO-52 will prove to be fun for 
you, I believe.

FO-29 also will be fun, but your station may not prove quite so effective on 
it. My best suggestion is to try! I believe you will be very pleasantly 
surprised.

FYI - when it is in Mode B, you also should be able to work Grand Old AO-7. My 
experience with my handheld Elk antenna, operating totally indoors, is that I 
need roughly 20 degree of elevation with 5 watts out to hear myself on the AO-7 
downlink. You may need slightly higher elevation.

I hope this is helpful, and I hope to hear you on these satellite very soon!

73,

Tim - N3TL
Athens, Ga., USA - EM84ha
-- Original message from Jean-François Ménard jf.va...@gmail.com: 
-- 


 Hi, 
 
 I would like to know if I'm dreaming, but will it be possible for me 
 to use these two satellites with my pair of FT-817 running on 
 SatPC32?? 
 
 Am I asking too much for my 5W only radios ?? I'm using 2 Eggbeater 
 antenna from M²... EB-144 and EB432 with AR² preamps on both antennas 
 feed with heliax. 
 
 73 
 
 -- 
 Jean-François Ménard 
 VA2SS 
 
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 
 AMSAT www.amsat.org / Member #37102 
 ARRL www.arrl.org 
 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 
 
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[amsat-bb] Kudos from K4DLG

[n3tl]

Hey everyone,

Dave, K4DLG, has asked me to post the following because he is unable to get 
posts through to the BB.

From Dave:


I just want to take a moment to thank a number of folks that have 
been adding much enjoyment to my satellite operations lately.

Wednesday I found an envelope in my mailbox with a  bunch of QSLs 
from Jim (ND9M) confirming QSOs in 13 different grid squares with 6 
of them new ones for me along the East coast from Delaware to 
Florida.  I recently logged 5 new squares with contacts with Patrick 
(WD9EWK) in AZ and UT.  A few weeks ago I received some QSLs from 
Doug (KD8CAO) providing me some new contacts into upper MI.  In 
addition there has been Gail (KB0RZD) adding to my collection in the 
midwest with many new grids, and John (K8YSE) with his trip to DE 
helping those that needed DE for WAS or just for an additional grid 
worked.  Rob (KD4ZGW) is always popping up somewhere in the US and 
always willing to provide a contact to anyone making the trip.  Last 
year Allen (N5AFV) provided me with some great contacts to some very 
wet grid squares while operating /MM from a cruise ship.  There have 
been others which I have missed, but none the less their efforts are 
appreciated.

These guys armed with their laptops, GPS units, handheld antennas, 
radios, and maps take off into remote country and areas to provide us 
with the enjoyment of working a new grid.  Then when they return they 
have to face a pile of QSL requests from folks like me wanting to 
confirm our new contacts.  They spend a lot of time and money with 
nothing in return except the thanks from those of us that have 
benefited from their efforts.

There have been other posts recently publicly thanking these guys but 
I just wanted to chime in and add my thanks for some great contacts 
with some great guys!

I just took a break from writing this note to go work AO-27.  I 
didn't expect much because of the short pass and the fact that it was 
a low pass to the East of me, however, much to my surprise and good 
fortune I made a contact with Nick (KB1RVT) working from FN54!  Thanks 
Nick, you made my day!

Guys, I just want to add my sincere thanks and appreciation to your 
efforts and desire to help enhance the amateur radio hobby for a 
great many of us that enjoy working the birds!

I hope someday the conditions will allow me to pack up a radio and 
trek off into some area where I also can provide some contacts in a 
new area and provide some QSLs for others.  However, in the meantime, 
thanks to those of you that are currently   spending time to better 
the hobby for all of us!

Thanks!

73,
Dave - K4DLG
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 A/B

[n3tl]

Hey Bob,

Since the Grand Old Girl went back to toggling between modes, it has seemed 
to me the switch has been occurring faiyl consistently between 0400 UTC and 
0600 UTC - but I do see the discrepancies you alliuded to, which suggest more 
inconsistencies lately. I'm going to continue to expect the change to occur in 
the window mentioned above until the log shows me more evidence that she has 
become really erratic.

73,

Tim - N3TL
-- Original message from w7...@comcast.net: -- 


 
 Does anyone have an idea when  we go from a to b or b to a?  Looking at the 
 log it seems not very consistant. 
 
 73 bob W7LRD 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FORW.A.SAWARD!

[n3tl]

Hey Adrian,

Great news! I hope you will be able to work AO-7 because she is the only 
satellite with a footprint big enough to stretch to EM84. 

If not, I'm confident that plenty of operators in the western U.S. will be 
excited to have you active from Hawaii on the FM satellites.

Rest assured ... I'll stay in touch!

Thank you again,

Tim
-- Original message from Adrian Engele aa...@yahoo.com: 
-- 


 Tim, 
 Your wish may come true. I was going to wait a few more months but I will let 
 the cat out of the bag now.;) 
 I am planning to go to Hawaii next March, 2010. I have not made travel 
 arrangements yet but current plans are to visit Oahu, Kauai and Big Island 
 for my annual scuba vacation. If I go, I should be there for about 2 weeks. 
 Possible Grids are: BL01, BL02, BL11, BL20, BK29 and time permitting with 
 some 
 nudging BK19. Sorry no Maui this time, I was there 2 years ago. 
 I would appreciate hearing back from anybody who has worked from these grids 
 or 
 any advice for this Dxpedition due to the short passes. I enjoyed so much 
 working from EK99 earlier in the year, that I am seriously 
 considering doing another expedition to some exotic grids like BL and BK. 
 
 73, Adrian 
 AA5UK 
 
 
 
 
  
 From: n...@bellsouth.net 
 To: amsat...@wd9ewk.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org 
 Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 7:37:45 PM 
 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FOR 
 W.A.SAWARD! 
 
 Hi Patrick, 
 
 I've been in touch with him to provide information on the stations I'm aware 
 of. 
 
 Congratulations on WAS Good for you. I doubt seriously there are too many 
 Satellite WAS awards earned via LEO satellites exclusively. That's quite an 
 accomplishment. 
 
 Speaking of which ... I'd like to formally request BK29 as one of your rare 
 grids to activate on the next expedition. ;-) 
 
 73 and congrats again, 
 
 Tim - N3TL 
 
 
 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: LEO QSO etiquette

[n3tl]

Hola Paulo,

We must continue to educate them, in my opinion.

Here in the USA, on the FM satellites, a couple of things continue to manifest 
themselves on passes I listen to and/or try to work.

1 - The most egregious involves operators who transmit just because their 
station is in the footprint, with no regard to whether they actually can hear 
the satellite. There is no doubt that the single most important step any 
operator can take to make his/her station the most effective it can be involves 
optimizing the receive side. Our FM satellites (because AO-51 currently is 
experiencing some power issues) all are transmitting signals at 500 milliwatts 
or less. We must teach satellite newcomers that (1) it is much easier to reach 
the satellite with a transmission than it is to hear the satellite's 
re-transmissions, and (2) that TX power levels do NOT affect the power the 
satellite uses to re-transmit. Using AO-27 as the example, since you mention it 
in this post - If you reach it with your transmitter set a 1 watt - or 5 watts 
- or 50 watts, it will re-transmit what it hears using a 500 mW transmitter. 

2 - This relates to No. 1 - it involves stations that call CQ incessantly 
when it is obvious that cannot hear the satellite. I and some friends like to 
say that those stations are suffering from CHS. It's not Can't Hear 
Saetllite, but it's close - only one word is different ... hihi. We must help 
newcomers to understand that, unlike a terrestrial repeater, the FM satellites 
rarely (if ever!) are quiet. If they are not hearing other stations, it is 
because they are not hearing the satellites - not because other stations are 
not there. The only exceptions to this could involve passes in the middle of 
the night. 

I believe it to be incumbent upon all of us who truly enjoy the amateur 
satellites to try to educate those who obviously are new to space radio. All of 
us were new at one time. I made many mistakes, but others who were interested 
in growing the ranks of amateur satellite operators contacted me and provided 
suggestions and guidance, which I appreciated very much. I try to do the same 
thing whenever I can.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
-- Original message from Paulo Pinto ct1...@gmail.com: 
-- 


 Hi, 
 
 After almost a year off the air, I tried a few minutes ago a contact in 
 AO-27. Things didn't change since my last QSO's. Stations keep making 
 satellite contacts as they were using repeaters. The QSO rate is so low that 
 I wish I stayed in the cool environment of my office instead of being inside 
 my car with almost 35 degrees celsius inside. 
 
 Why does an amateur radio operator succeed with a technical examination and 
 it's not able to understand some basic principles of satellite operation? 
 
 Is there anything we can do? 
 
 73 
 
 -- 
 CT1ETE, Paulo Pinto 
 MSN: pspi...@yahoo.com 
 http://www.ct1ete.net 
 http://transponderclubedeportugal.blogspot.com 
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[amsat-bb] Re: Election Bios

[n3tl]

Hi Alam

I would appreciate receiving a copy of the document you scanned. I never 
received the first mailing with bios of the Board candidates, although my 
corrected ballot arrived in today's mail.

Thank you!

Tim - N3TL
-- Original message from Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net: 
-- 


 I will second that. I got a message from someone who did not get the first 
 mailing. I scanned the bios and sent them to him. The latest on the web 
 site it for 2006. 
 
 
 Alan 
 WA4SCA 
 
 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FOR W.A.SAWARD!

[n3tl]

Hi Patrick,

I've been in touch with him to provide information on the stations I'm aware 
of. 

Congratulations on WAS Good for you. I doubt seriously there are too many 
Satellite WAS awards earned via LEO satellites exclusively. That's quite an 
accomplishment.

Speaking of which ... I'd like to formally request BK29 as one of your rare 
grids to activate on the next expedition. ;-)

73 and congrats again,

Tim - N3TL
-- Original message from Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 
amsat...@wd9ewk.net: -- 


 Hi! 
 
 Instead of commenting about the format of David's message, has 
 anyone contacted him about the *content* of his message? 
 
   HI ALL! MY NAME IS DAVID, KC7USS. I AM TRYING TO EARN THE ARRL 
  W.A.S 
   AWARD. I ONLY HAVE TWO MORE STATES TO GO! THE TWO I NEED IS MAINE 
  AND 
   RHODE ISLAND.IF YOU CAN HELP PLESE E-MAIL ME AT kc7...@gmail.com 
   THANKS ALL!!!  73 KC7USS 
 
 Maybe there's someone in those states, or someone who can quickly 
 drive to them, who can help him with his WAS award via satellite. I 
 know I have worked hams in both states over the past few months, 
 plus there are probably others that are not far away that could put 
 them on the air. Even for those who already have confirmations with 
 those states, the grids that come on the air from those places could 
 be of interest to others as well. 
 
 Thanks to two traveling hams, I was able to finally work Delaware 
 twice in the past few weeks after never hearing a peep from there in 
 almost 3 1/2 years on the birds. When I returned from my road trip 
 last week, I had a QSL in the mailbox for one of those two QSOs, 
 and I am off to meet a local card checker to review my application 
 for a satellite WAS award tomorrow evening. :-) 
 
 73! 
 
 
 
 
 Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK 
 http://www.wd9ewk.net/ 
 
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[amsat-bb] K5E by the numbers

[n3tl]

Hey Everyone,

Here is a more detailed summary of the K5E Satellite Special Event, which 
celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. 
 
Four operators made contacts over the course of the special event as K5E – 
AA5PK, K8YSE, N3TL and WA4NVM. We made 338 contacts with 182 different stations.
 
Those totals do not include two automated responses sent directly to K5E (being 
operated by N3TL) in response to direct packets sent to RS0ISS-3. The ISS radio 
confirmed a direct contact and generated its own direct response, but no one 
was manning the station aboard the ISS. Still, it was pretty cool to get a 
direct response from the ISS on two different occasions.
 
Here’s a look at how those 338 contacts occurred:
 
By Satellite – in descending order:
 
AO-51: 126
AO-27:   53
SO-50:51
FO-29:50
VO-52:   29
AO-7: 28
ISS:1
 
By Mode – in descending order:
 
FM: 230
SSB: 103
CW: 2
Cross Mode (one station used CW, the other used SSB): 2
Packet: 1
 
Geography
 
K5E logged contacts with stations in 42 states, four Canadian provinces and 
five additional DX entities.
 
States: It’s easier to list those K5E did NOT log – Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, 
Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Oklahoma. The other 42 
states are in the log.
 
Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
 
DX entities:  Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
 
Not all of the K5E operators logged the grid squares of the stations they 
worked. Here, specifically, I refer to myself (N3TL).  It’s safe to say that 
the operation made contacts with more than 100 grids among the 182 stations. 
There are 51 grids accounted for just in the states, provinces and DX entities 
worked. 
 
73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
K5E - The 40th Anniversiary Apollo 11 Satellte Special Event
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[amsat-bb] Re: Rare grid squares?

[n3tl]

Jeff and everyone,

Randy is doing well. I emailed him recently while researching the feature on 
Rob, KD4ZGW, that appears in the new issue of the AMSAT Journal, which has 
already hit a few mailboxes. Randy is the first to have earned the Central 
States VHF Society's Reverse VUCC Award on the satellites. Only one other 
operator - Allen, N5AFV - also has the award on the satellites. Congratulations 
to both of them. Those who know Randy may be interested in this update he 
provided, when I asked if he ever gets on the satellites these days:

I do listen on my way to work and did get back on for a few days last month.  I 
am going to help a school in Salt
Lake county with their ARISS contact which has not been given a date yet.   
When they get a date I will on the
satellites a lot more to get back in practice.They last few years I have 
been active doing EME on 2 meters and I have 107 grids confirmed via the moon.

You can check out http://emeshack.com/ for my latest status.

It was fun to give out all of those grid squares.  Feel free to use the map at 

http://www.xmission.com/~rkohlwey/images/fromgrid.gif

The map is current of August 3, 2006.  The dots are the locations I have worked 
a satellite from.  The dots that are not in a shaded area I was not able to 
complete a contact.  The grids with the grid square displayed are the ones that 
I did not send out a QSL card for. No one requested one.

Part of my motivation for giving out so many grids was to get help on working 
all of the grids in the 48 Continental
states.  I completed that on August 11, 2001. The blue dots on the following 
map are confirmed QSOs on satellite.

http://www.uglyfrog.com/n7sfi/images/usagrid.gif 

I completed a reverse WAS on September 12, 2008 but do not have QSL cards for 
all the states. 

Hope this helps,

Randy - WI7P

Moon VUCC! How cool is that?!

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL


-- Original message from Jeff KB2M k...@comcast.net: 
-- 


 Randy's call is now wi7p. I haven't heard Randy on the bird's since 2006, I 
 hope he is doing ok. The thing I remember most about Randy is that he 
 completed (to the my best of my knowledge) WAS in reverse. Another words he 
 worked someone on a satellite FROM every state! I thought that was quite an 
 accomplishment. He would travel somewhere for work and make sat contacts 
 from as many states as he could drive too while he was in that general area. 
 I remember him discussing this activity while we were having dinner at the 
 AMSAT symposium banquet in 2000 in Maine. There was another person involved 
 in doing this also, but I now forget who it was. 
 
 73 Jeff kb2m 
 
 
 -Original Message- 
 From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On 
 Behalf Of Gary Joe Mayfield 
 Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:58 PM 
 To: 'George Henry'; 'amsat bb' 
 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Rare grid squares? 
 
 DXers produce list of desired countries. Six meter operators have compiled 
 such a list of grid squares, I suspect our list would be similar. If you 
 have not read about the Fred Fish (w5ff) award, it is interesting. I think 
 Randy, n7sfi is probably our Fred Fish as I don't know of anyone else who 
 has all of the grids touched by the lower 48 states. 
 
 I would like to see two lists; one for Grids and one for States. Satellite 
 operations should make for an easy WAS, but I know it took me way longer 
 than I thought it should have. 
 
 A few years ago to spark interest QRP-L had a one state per weekend deal for 
 QRP ops. Maybe we should do a one state a weekend for satellite ops? 
 
 Anyway... I would be willing to help with such a project. I think a good 
 starting point might be a web site where folks could report what they have 
 or have not worked. It might even be enough to get me to update my grid 
 list :-) 
 
 73, 
 Joe kk0sd 
 
 
 -Original Message- 
 From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On 
 Behalf Of George Henry 
 Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:32 PM 
 To: amsat bb 
 Subject: [amsat-bb] Rare grid squares? 
 
 What are considered rare grid squares for satellite ops? 
 
 Maybe more of us could activate them, if we only knew where they were. 
 
 
 George, KA3HSW 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: Doug's (KD8CAO/P) recent road trip!

[n3tl]

You're right, Rick. My apologies to Jim and John for the brain fade involved 
with not including them in my post.
-- Original message from Rick - WA4NVM wa4...@comcast.net: 
-- 


 I'll give them all a pat on the back. Also, don't forget Jim - ND9M and 
 John - K8YSE 
 recent trips. Everyone's happy but the trees (all those great QSL cards) 
 
 Great job guys, 
 73 - Rick WA4NVM 
 
 
 
 
 I second David's comments! My cards arrived from Doug today, too. Thank 
 you! 
  
  Doug, Gail (KB0RZD) and David (KB0RZE) and Patrick (WD9EWK) continue to go 
  above and beyond to activate grids wherever they may be. Some are more 
  rare than others, but I appreciate every one of them. 
  
  Thank you guys, for going to the expense and making the effort necessary 
  to operate away from home. 
  
  73 to all, 
  
  Tim - N3TL 
  -- Original message from David - KG4ZLB 
  : -- 
  
  
  All, 
  
  I wanted to publicly thank Doug for going on the road recently and 
  activating grids that we might not see again for some time and more 
  especially for the QSL cards which he sent subsequently. Mine arrived 
  today, a card for each contact with full 6 character grid square 
  locators and County information - great for those of us that chase 
  these additional bits of information. 
  
  Many thanks Doug! 
  
  73 
  
  -- 
  David 
  KG4ZLB 
  www.kg4zlb.com 
  
  
  
  
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[amsat-bb] WD9EWK Update 23:00 UTC July 21

[n3tl]

Hey everyone,

Patrick just called to say that he will NOT be on the 23:18-ish UTC pass of 
AO-51. He has no visibility to the east in the area he's in.

However, he WILL be on the next orbit of AO-51, which covers much of the 
western U.S. That pass is about 00:58 UTC tonight.

He plans to post to the BB later this evening with his plans for Wednesday 
operations.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Re: Evidence of moon landings....!

[n3tl]

My aplogies, Mr. Kolakowski, to you personally and to everyone on the board. No 
real threats were intended. Apparently my sarcasm was not well-taken - at least 
not by you.

I remain open to anyone who can explain the reasons why the two issues I raised 
are as they are - and ask that such explanations be made off this BB.

Again, my apologies to all.
-- Original message from Roger Kolakowski rogerk...@aol.com: 
-- 


 Now it's not only off topic...it becoming personal and threatening... 
 
 (The moderator must be on vacation...) 
 
 Roger 
 WA1KAT 
 
 
  Leroy, 
  
  Should I wait until you're satisfied that the Apollo 11 mission and all 
 surrounding the Apollo program was NOT, collectively, a hoax before I mail 
 your QSL card 
 
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[amsat-bb] Update from WD9EWK

[n3tl]

Hey everyone,

Patrick, WD9EWK, checked in to report the following plans for passes today:

SO-50 at 16:40 UTC - from the DM46-DM47 grid boundary

SO-50 at 18:22-ish UTC, and also the afternoon AO-27 passes  - from the 
DM47-DM57 grid boundary.

AO-51 this evening - from the DM57-DM58 grid boundary.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Hoping to email WW3O

[n3tl]

Hey everyone,

I'm trying to contact WW3O by email, and I'm failing miserably. I tried two 
email addresses - the one listed on his QRZ.com page, and the one listed at the 
top of his article in the last AMSAT Journal. Both emails bounced back with 
permanent failure messages.

Peter - if you're reading this - please email me at the address this post is 
coming from.

Otherwise, if anyone has a good, current email address for WW3O, I would 
appreciate receiving it in a private email off the BB.

Thanks!

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event

[n3tl]

Hey everyone,
 
The special call sign K5E will go active on AO-7 at 13:32 UTC on July 16, 2009, 
and will remain active on the FM and CW/SSB satellites, NO-44 (if operational) 
and the ISS in packet or voice (if either system is active) through 16:50 UTC 
on July 24, 2009. 
 
Those dates and times coincide with the duration of the Apollo 11 mission to 
the moon, which began 40 years ago next Thursday (July 16). K5E seemed the 
perfect choice for a special event call sign to celebrate the 40th anniversary 
of “one small step for man … one giant leap for mankind.”
 
K - the 11th letter of the alphabet.
5 - the call district of Houston, location of Apollo 11 Mission Control.
E - Eagle, the Apollo 11 lunar module.
 
On passes I work using the special call sign, I will ID as “Kilo 5 Eagle.”
 
Glade Schroeter, WA3MVQ, is donating high-quality full-color QSL cards, which 
will be used to confirm all contacts with K5E. Stations wishing to confirm will 
send their request to me with an SASE. The card will be standard QSL size. I 
encourage any of you who need QSL cards now or in the future to visit Glade’s 
Web site at www.gggraphicsstore.com.  I custom-designed the card, which 
features the Apollo 11 crew patch and a collage of photos representing 
highlights of the full mission, from liftoff to splashdown. I will have a 
lo-res copy of the card front posted to my QRZ.com page no later than Monday.
 
Work K5E one time to claim a special QSL card. There will be no endorsements of 
any kind, and only one QSL will be issued per valid amateur call sign. 
Remember, WA3MVQ is donating these high-quality cards. 
 
This special event and operation will occur ONLY on the amateur satellites. 
Another group has organized the Echoes of Apollo program and will have a number 
of HF stations on the air during the weekend of July 20th, the date of the 
lunar landing. They also held a special EME event over Field Day weekend.
 
I have no interest in creating any animosity with the Echoes of Apollo group. 
I’m just interested in giving us satellite operators the chance to celebrate 
the Apollo 11 mission and its 40th Anniversary. I hope as many of you as 
possible will join me.
 
I may contact some other operators around the U.S. and ask them to work a pass 
or two over the 9-day operation using K5E so we can cover as much ground as 
possible. 
 
Also, please note that the Canada Museum of Science and Technology will operate 
as VE3MOON from July 14-27, per a post earlier today to the AMSAT-BB
 
Thanks in advance to all.
 
73,

Tim – N3TL
K5E – The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event
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[amsat-bb] Re: How you do DOPPLER correction in Linear Transponders?

[n3tl]

Fabiano,

Are you using the Beta version of Ham Radio Deluxe - v 4.1, Build 1989? That is 
the version I have installed. In it, the bottom slider on the right side of 
the tuning bar will enable you to fine-tune the uplink and downlink. The top 
slider allows you to use HRD to tune up and down the passband, and the offset 
will not change.

I hope this is helpful.

Note to all - I tried tuning the downlink on FO-29 last night. It seemed 
awkward at first because I'd only been tuning the  uplink, regardless of 
whether it was the higher frequency. But literally after a minute or so, it was 
no problem. 

73 to all,

Tim
-- Original message from Fabiano Moser fabianomo...@gmail.com: 
-- 


 Dear friends, 
 Thank you very much for the answers, help me a lot and now I have better 
 idea how operators does. 
 Now I come back to other situation when I do doppler control automatic by 
 Hamradiodeluxe: 
 
 Let make an example at VO-52 using middle of transponder. 
 While the software is doing correction in the two VFO´s when I start to TX 
 my signal are always above or below the frequency suggested by computer, and 
 I need to put OFF uplink adjust at HRD and do by manual to go higher or 
 lower in Uplink to listen my self. Okay I know the UHF doppler is higher 
 than VHF, but I presume that HRD always adjust the better adjustment for UP 
 and DOWN. 
 
 At FM satellites this not happen 
 
 This make me confused becuase if I have new kepler downloaded, why my audio 
 always comes above or below the downlink who Hamradiodeluxe adjust on my 
 FT-847. 
 
 73 
 Fabiano Moser CR7/PY5RX 
 ARISS-PORTUGAL (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) 
 Representative at Teleconference and Portugal Telebridge Coordinator. 
 AMRAD/AMSAT-CT 
 http://www.amrad.pt/ariss.php 
 
 
 2009/7/2 i8cvs 
 
  - Original Message - 
  From: Fabiano Moser 
  To: amsat-bb 
  Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 6:19 PM 
  Subject: [amsat-bb] How you do DOPPLER correction in Linear Transponders? 
  
  
  Dear friends, 
  
  We know that some Satellite Operators use diferent system to doppler 
  control. 
  
  For Linear Transponder 
  1) Adjust uplink and downlink automatic by CAT? (Not always woks, some 
  times 
  I´m up or down from the computer adjust) 
  2) Adjust uplink and downlink manual 
  3) Keep Uplink fixed and adjust only the Downlink frequency. 
  
  What is the more indicate method to use? 
  FT-847 have knob to adjust Uplink without change downlink VFO, and I´m 
  using 
  it to keep my voice in downlink at same downlink much I can. 
  
  But I know some operators use fixed uplink. 
  
  How you do? 
  
  -- 
  
  Hi Fabiano, CR7/PY5RX 
  
  My preferred metod (from OSCAR-6 to AO40) is to adjust only the Uplink 
  frequency in order to keep my voice in downlink as clear as possible 
  exactly 
  as you actually do manually. 
  If the station in contact with me moves up or down I invite the operator to 
  move the VFO of his TX to come again in my constant receiving frequency. 
  
  73 de 
  i8CVS Domenico 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 -- 
 73 
 Fabiano Moser CR7/PY5RX 
 ARISS-PORTUGAL (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) 
 Representative at Teleconference and Portugal Telebridge Coordinator. 
 AMRAD/AMSAT-CT 
 http://www.amrad.pt/ariss.php 
 
 There is no great talent without great will. (Honoré de Balzac) 
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[amsat-bb] Re: Original 13 Colonies update

[n3tl]

Luc and all,

My apologies for not posting this sooner. Here is the full list of operators - 
NOTE that we only have 11 of the 13 colonies active. If there is ANYone in 
Connecticut or Delaware who can work some passes, please contact me off the BB. 
Thank you.

K2A-NY WB2OQQ
K2B-VANL7VX 
K2C-RIN1RCN 
K2D-CTNOT currently active on the satellites 
K2E-DENOT currently active on the satellites 
K2F-MD...WA3SWJ 
K2G-GAN3TL 
K2H-MAKB1PVH 
K2I-NJW4MPS 
K2J-NCND9M, operating as K2T - See note below
K2K-NHN1XED 
K2L-SC...K4YYL
K2M-PAN2AUO 
K2T/Mobile-NC (Will count as a contact for North Carolina on Certificate)

I hope this is helpful to everyone.

73 to all,

Tim 
 
 

-- Original message from Luc Leblanc luclebla...@videotron.ca: 
-- 


 On 30 Jun 2009 at 12:32, n...@bellsouth.net wrote: 
 
 Hey everyone, 
 I've just heard from Gary, N2AUO, who is interested in activating 
 Pennsylvania 
 on the satellites during the Original 13 Colonies special event this week. 
 That gives us 10 of the Original 13 Colonies that will be 
 active on the satellites during this event! Thanks to Gary for 
 his interest in participating. 
 At the request of the event's organizer (Ken. KU2US), those of us active on 
 the 
 satellites will be IDing with our own call sign/special event call. For 
 example, I will be IDing as N3TL/K2G. I'll add that I'm the 
 station in Georgia for the special event, just to be clear. 
 Ken also has advised that he is adding a special satellite designator to the 
 certificates for those who earn them via satellite contacts. 
 Thanks to him for doing this. 
 For the latest information on the Original 13 Colonies Special Event, please 
 go 
 to www.QRZ.com/ku2us. 
 
 The event begins at 1300 UTC July 1 and ends at 0359 UTC on July 5. 
 
 73 to all, 
 
 Tim - N3TL 
 
 On the 2145Z AO-51 pass i was able to get theses one below those with their 
 call 
 sign and heard those with a H 
 
 K2A-NY 
 K2B-VA 
 K2C-RIN1RCN 
 K2D-CT 
 K2E-DE 
 K2F-MD...WA3SWJ 
 K2G-GA 
 K2H-MAKB1PVH 
 K2I-NJW4MPS 
 K2J-NC 
 K2K-NH 
 K2L-SC...H... 
 K2M-PA 
 K2T/Mobile-NC (Will count as a contact for North Carolina on Certificate) 
 
 30% on the first shot! did a list exist with the satellite operator call 
 sign? 
 As a suggestion those available can post here which 
 satellite they will be listening and operate. 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 Luc Leblanc VE2DWE 
 Skype VE2DWE 
 www.qsl.net/ve2dwe 
 WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE 
 
 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: 13 colonies baloney

[n3tl]

Mr. McGrane,

As the operator who emailed the organizer of rhe 13 Colonies special event to 
request that he include satellites - and as the operator who solicited all of 
the satellite stations who are operating with a special call sign - you should 
direct your vitriolic comments to me, not to one of the stations who agreed to 
assist me in getting as many of the Original 13 Colonies on the air as possible.

I regret that you don't share my (and others') enthusiasm for this special 
event. I wasn't even able to work AO-51 last night because of all the stations 
trying to call others using special call signs from the colonies.

Please ... be angry and frustrated with me, not with anyone else. And please 
feel free to email me on or off this BB. I'll provide a phone number if you'd 
like to call and rip me by voice. Whatever.

And for what it's worth, I believe it was I who stepped on you to work W8MRR, 
not WA3SWJ - all the more reason to give me what for, I suppose

Sincerely,

Tim - N3TL/K2G (Georgia)
-- Original message from Thomas McGrane n2...@aceweb.com: 
-- 


 Mr. Semple 
 
 I could not be bothered logging into QRZ.com for your email address. 
 
 I did not appreciate being bumped off echo while trying to reach w8mrr. 
 Your lame excuse of celebrating the 13 colonies to hog the satellite was 
 inappropriate. 
 
 Please dont bump me again. 
 
 America is nothing like what fought the original revolution. 
 
 Who are you kidding, not me. pat n2oeq 
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[amsat-bb] Original 13 Colonies update

[n3tl]

Hey everyone,

I've just heard from Gary, N2AUO, who is interested in activating Pennsylvania 
on the satellites during the Original 13 Colonies special event this week. That 
gives us 10 of the Original 13 Colonies that will be active on the satellites 
during this event! Thanks to Gary for his interest in participating.

At the request of the event's organizer (Ken. KU2US), those of us active on the 
satellites will be IDing with our own call sign/special event call. For 
example, I will be IDing as N3TL/K2G. I'll add that I'm the station in Georgia 
for the special event, just to be clear. 

Ken also has advised that he is adding a special satellite designator to the 
certificates for those who earn them via satellite contacts. Thanks to him for 
doing this.

For the latest information on the Original 13 Colonies Special Event, please go 
to www.QRZ.com/ku2us.

The event begins at 1300 UTC July 1 and ends at 0359 UTC on July 5. 

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
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[amsat-bb] Re: Advice for transponder ops

[n3tl]

AMEN brother!

I called CQ multiple times on AO-7 in CW last night between 145.940 and 145.944 
(downlink), and NOBODY was tuning down that far. I found that very 
disappointing, as I did the close proximity of all the stations on FO-29 and 
VO-52. 

I believe a lot of us could have made a lot more contacts on the linear 
satellites if we'd just used the passband.

Thanks for this post Drew!

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
-- Original message from Andrew Glasbrenner 
glasbren...@mindspring.com: -- 


 I took this screen grab of this morning's eastern FO-29 pass, and what it 
 shows is in my opinion very illustrative of a problem that is getting worse 
 even on days other than Field Day. 
 
 http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q305/glasbrenner/radio/FO-29FDanotated.jpg 
 
 Spread out! There is no good reason that we should have a dozen operators 
 fighting over the center 15 kHz of a 100 kHz wide transponder. Remember the 
 gentlemen's agreement is the lower third is for CW, middle 1/3 is for mixed 
 ops, and the upper 1/3 is for SSB. There is nothing magic about the Doppler 
 shift at the very center of the passband that simple addition and 
 subtraction can't duplicate elsewhere. 
 
 Just my opinion, and please take it constructively. 
 
 73, Drew KO4MA 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: ISS Field Day configuration?

[n3tl]

Yes Luc ... the first satellite contact made will earn that ARRL entry the 
100-point bonus for a satellite contact.

It's also important to note that ARRL and AMSAT are only scoring one contact 
each on AO-27 and SO-50. AMSAT Field Day rules permit one contact each on each 
of the active transponders on AO-51. If the ISS is configured to be active both 
in FM voice and packet, AMSAT also will score one voice contact and one 
completed two-way packet contact.

ARRL Field Day rules stipulate only one contact per FM satellite will score.

I have sent you the 2009 AMSAT Field Day rules off the BB. I hope that proves 
helpful.

Best of luck to all this Field Day - and please listen for W4G on all of the 
satellites!

73,

Tim - N3TL (operating the W4G satellite station for Field Day)
-- Original message from Luc Leblanc luclebla...@videotron.ca: 
-- 


 On 26 Jun 2009 at 8:54, jeff kb2m wrote: 
 
  Right now the ISS is in 2m split mode? 145.825 up 145.800 down RS0ISS-3 
  packet. 
  
  73 Jeff kb2m 
  
 Over grid FN26 there will be 6 available pass starting 0122 EDT on June 28 
 most 
 of them will be on the night shift but some real good one 
 early morning the 28 until the last one 0919 EDT June 28 
 Just to remind that only ONE (1) satellite contact is required to have the 
 ARRL100 satellite bonus points. Never heard if AMSAT-NA will also have his 
 satellite field day but it's not helping the ARRL Field Day as 
 multiple QSO'S are allowed.on a very restricted satellite 
 aging fleet. 
 Not to mention there is about no rules who stands and it is not a friendly 
 QRP 
 area... The moto is the bigger and longer CQQQ ER. It will be 
 interesting to have some negative points for poor operating practice? 
 It's easy to spot and post but not too flattering for the 
 offending station. 
 
 Just to remind some offended virgin ARRL has his check log for numerous years 
 and no one complains. (Those on the check log could be...) 
 
 
 Happy field day it will be a whole week end of rain and heavy thunderstorm 
 here! 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 Luc Leblanc VE2DWE 
 Skype VE2DWE 
 www.qsl.net/ve2dwe 
 WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE 
 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51

[n3tl]

If I recall correctly from a post last week, the U/V pair is operating at 
roughly 290 milliwatts RF out on transmit, and the L/U pair is at roughly 260 
mW. In other words, each transmitter is operating on slightly more than SO-50 
(250 mW) power levels. 

I have had passes this week where the satellite was armchair copy on one pass, 
and about like has been described this evening on another. I suspect the lower 
power levels (half or less of what has been nominal for most of the past year) 
and the inevitable mismatch (depending on the angle between the satellite and a 
given ground station) of its circular-polarized antennas to many ground 
stations' linear-polarized antennas are contributing to the reception 
differences.

Drew (KO4MA) or Gould (WA4SXM) can comment - and I hope they will if this is 
incorrect - but I suspect that AO-51 continues to operate as it has recently. I 
appreciate very much their efforts to maintain the satellite. That being said, 
it will definitely prove to be a challenge to work for many Field Day stations.

I hope I can get the one contact on it that I can count for the club FD effort 
I'll be a part of. And I hope that other stations will make their one allowed 
contact and give other stations the same chance to get theirs.

Best of Field Day luck and 73 to all,

Tim - N3TL
-- Original message from Jeff Yanko wb3...@cox.net: 
-- 


 Wondering if AO-51 is operating? Just listened for the 2357z pass and 
 nothing received. The last time I checked the status of the bird it shows 
 that the 435.300 downlink was active. I also listened for the 435.150 to no 
 avail. 
 
 
 73, 
 
 Jeff WB3JFS 
 Las Vegas, NV 
 DM26 
 
 
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[amsat-bb] Re: Field Day Call Signs

[n3tl]

Very cool, David! Thanks!
-- Original message from David - KG4ZLB kg4...@googlemail.com: 
-- 


 W4F from Naples, Florida Tim! 
 
 -- 
 David 
 KG4ZLB 
 www.kg4zlb.com 
 
 
 
 n...@bellsouth.net wrote: 
  Hey everyone, 
   How about posting the call sign you'll be using over Field Day weekend 
   for 
 satellite contacts? 
   Here, I'll be providing the satellite station for the combined FD effort 
   of the Athens Amateur Radio Club and the Northeast Georgia ARC, and they 
   have 
 obtained the special 1x1 call W4G for Field Day. 
   I know many of us will be using club calls over Field Day, and I'm 
   interested 
 in know who will be who this weekend. 
   I'm also interested in CW contacts on AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52, so I hope 
   those of you who will be working those three will bring a key or paddle 
   along. If you do, please listen for W4G a few kHz below the middles of 
   theses satellites' 
 passbands. 
  
  73 to all, and enjoy Field Day! 
  
  Tim - N3TL 
  Athens, Ga. - EM84ha 
  W4G for Field Day 2009 
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[amsat-bb] Re: Field Day Call Signs

[n3tl]

Thanks Alan!
-- Original message from Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net: 
-- 


 N4FR will be operating from Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville. 
 
 Alan 
 WA4SCA 
 
 
 
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[amsat-bb] Special Event operation coming to the satellites!

[n3tl]

Hey everyone,
 
This time next week, at least nine of the Original 13 Colonies will be active 
on the amateur satellites as part of a special event organized by Ken, KU2US, 
in New York. Here is the Web site announcing the event, and the certificate 
available:
 
http://home.comcast.net/~dzabawa/ThirteenColonies.htm
 
You’ll also find updates on Ken’s QRZ.com page – look up KU2US.
 
When I saw an email about this special event, I contacted Ken and asked if he’d 
consider including satellite operations in the event. He responded with an 
enthusiastic yes – then told me to get everything organized as quick as I could 
because we were running out of time!  I’m glad to do it because this should be 
a fun event for us on the satellites.
 
As I write this, we have commitments from stations in nine of the original 13 
colonies, and they will be using the call signs for each that are listed on the 
special events page. For example, I’ll be operating as K2G daily during the 
special event. I intend to work at least one pass of every satellite as K2G, 
every day.
 
Listed alphabetically by Colony, here are the stations that have confirmed to 
date. The calls they will use are in parentheses:
 
Georgia – Tim, N3TL (K2G)
Massachusetts – Dave, KB1PVH (K2H)
New Hampshire – Rik, N1XED (K2K)
New Jersey – Marc, W4MPS (K2I)
New York – Peter, WB2OQQ (K2A)
North Carolina – Jim, ND9M (K2J)
Rhode Island – Fletch, N1RCN (K2C)
South Carolina – Art, K4YYL (K2L)
Virginia – Steve, NL7VX (K2B)
 
As of now, there are four of the original 13 colonies NOT scheduled to be 
active on the satellites:
 
Connecticut
Delaware
Maryland
Pennsylvania
 
Can anyone help with any of them?
 
The process is simple:
1 – Please email me off the BB to let me know of your interest.
2 – You can work as many or as few satellite passes as you like during the 
special event.  It’s supposed to be fun, not work!
3 – After the event, email your log(s) to KU2US, who will handle the 
certificates.
 
I’ll provide more information after hearing from anyone who wants to activate 
one of the four remaining colonies. 
 
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to work one or more of us on passes from 
July 1 through July 5. You only need to work one station to get the 
certificate, but the more the merrier!
 
73 to all,

Tim – N3TL
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