[amsat-bb] FS: FT-847, FC-20 tuner, inrad VOX, DTMF mic
Selling my FT-847 and all accessories (see subject - FC-20 tuner, VOX, DTMF mic) to get caught up on bills that must be paid by Friday. Price of $921.37 +ship (or local southern california delivery good 'till Friday 12JUN2009 12:01 AM pacific standard time. After that I may hold out for more. Anyone want to help out and get a good deal. I've seen a package like this go for as much as $1300. To sweeten the deal I'll even throw in a computer and tracking software complete with display if you buy before the end of the week. Eric AF6EP ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Another satellite-receiver option
I use a Hamtronics R139 Weather fax Receiver with a QFH antenna that I built for receving and decoding images from the weather birds such as NOAA 18. I never had any luck with any of my other receivers such as my Icom R20, being to narrow for this purpose, although I know of guy's who have modified receivers successfully for just this purpose. My set up may be seen on my website: www.stormchaser.cjb.net click on: Quadrifilar Helix Antenna. The page needs to be upgraded, as I use a newer laptop than the one shown. Jerry VE6AB www.ve6ab.blogspot.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] CW is still alive and well
I thought I'd check for activity on a late evening FO-29 pass tonight as I hadn't listened for quite sometime. I heard two 9 land stations who had the pass entirely to themselves. They were obviously good friends as one of them indicated his spam filter had probably eaten the other station's email who had sent pictures. They agreed to go to the Land Line after the pass indicating they probably lived fairly close to each other. I did wonder though where everyone else was on tonight's pass. I probably should have tuned around more and may have missed some other QSO's. Anyway, it was great hearing CW being utilized. The doppler however kept me quite busy at that frequency as I'm not using software. Just two ears and a pencil. I've got to cobble something together and get on the air soon. Especially since I know there are some good CW ops such as the two fine gentlemen I heard tonight. 73, Gary -K8KFJ- AMSAT #32574 Sat VUCC #125 **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221322977x1201367197/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd= JunestepsfooterNO62) ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Another satellite-receiver option
Hi James, The Kenwood TH-F6 (see Tim's message earlier) will do all of its modes on 137mHz. For FM you get either the narrow kind (5 kHz, like we use on 2m) or wide (100kHz, like FM broadcast band). I don't believe there's anything in between. If you have enough antenna up front, the wide one might do it for you. There's also AM, SSB, and CW. Greg KO6TH > From: w8...@wideopenwest.com > To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org > Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 20:11:15 -0400 > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Another satellite-receiver option > > Will any of these receive the NOAA Polar Orbital Satellites in the > 137MHz range without modifications? I see the receivers do have a > Wide FM (W-FM) mode but is it wide enough? My PCR-100 can be set at > 50khz wide bandwidth to receive without modifying. > > James W8ISS > = > On Mon, 2009-06-08 at 17:22 -0600, Jerry Clement wrote: > > Hi Guy's > > > > It's been more than several years since I last posted to the bb's. I > > recently have become active on the sats again and must say that I am > > enjoying myself. I wanted to comment as to another radio that I have used > > in combination with my 817 for working the ssb birds. I use a Icon R20 for > > the downlink radio which is a terrific performer. Photos of me using this > > combination with a arrow antenna, may be seen on my website: > > www.stormchaser.cjb.net click on: handheld satellite. The other thing you > > will notice in these photos, is that I am using vox on the 817, which > > allows me a free hand for adjusting doppler on the 817. I am very pleased > > with this combination, although the R20 is a all band receiver only. > > > > Jerry VE6AB > > www.ve6ab.blogspot.com > > > > > > __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > > signature database 4139 (20090608) __ > > > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > > > http://www.eset.com > > > > ___ > > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _ Hotmail® has ever-growing storage! Don’t worry about storage limits. http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/Storage?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_Storage_062009 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] IC-910H low audio problem.
According to the IC-910H manual, pin number 8 at the mic connector is audio output (which varies according to af control). I connected a pair of headphones at the pin but the audio is way to low and cannot be used for listening. Is it normal? I thought that it was designed for this purpose. Am I missing something in the menus? Thanks in advance! 73 de SW1IXP, Kostas Ioannidis ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Kenwood TM-D710A - help needed!
Many thanks to Jim (KQ6EA) and Kim (AC7YY) for responding with help! David KG4ZLB David - KG4ZLB wrote: > Hi everyone, > > If anyone in the group is using one of these radio's to send and > receive ISS and PCSAT packet, could they spare me some time with a > couple of e-mails (off board) in helping me set my radio up for this? > > Thanks in advance > > David > KG4ZLB > > > David > KG4ZLB > www.kg4zlb.com > > -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Another satellite-receiver option
Will any of these receive the NOAA Polar Orbital Satellites in the 137MHz range without modifications? I see the receivers do have a Wide FM (W-FM) mode but is it wide enough? My PCR-100 can be set at 50khz wide bandwidth to receive without modifying. James W8ISS = On Mon, 2009-06-08 at 17:22 -0600, Jerry Clement wrote: > Hi Guy's > > It's been more than several years since I last posted to the bb's. I recently > have become active on the sats again and must say that I am enjoying myself. > I wanted to comment as to another radio that I have used in combination with > my 817 for working the ssb birds. I use a Icon R20 for the downlink radio > which is a terrific performer. Photos of me using this combination with a > arrow antenna, may be seen on my website: www.stormchaser.cjb.net click on: > handheld satellite. The other thing you will notice in these photos, is that > I am using vox on the 817, which allows me a free hand for adjusting doppler > on the 817. I am very pleased with this combination, although the R20 is a > all band receiver only. > > Jerry VE6AB > www.ve6ab.blogspot.com > > > __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature > database 4139 (20090608) __ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Another satellite-receiver option
Hi Guy's It's been more than several years since I last posted to the bb's. I recently have become active on the sats again and must say that I am enjoying myself. I wanted to comment as to another radio that I have used in combination with my 817 for working the ssb birds. I use a Icon R20 for the downlink radio which is a terrific performer. Photos of me using this combination with a arrow antenna, may be seen on my website: www.stormchaser.cjb.net click on: handheld satellite. The other thing you will notice in these photos, is that I am using vox on the 817, which allows me a free hand for adjusting doppler on the 817. I am very pleased with this combination, although the R20 is a all band receiver only. Jerry VE6AB www.ve6ab.blogspot.com __ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4139 (20090608) __ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Kenwood TM-D710A - help needed!
Hi everyone, If anyone in the group is using one of these radio's to send and receive ISS and PCSAT packet, could they spare me some time with a couple of e-mails (off board) in helping me set my radio up for this? Thanks in advance David KG4ZLB David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Another satellite-receiver option
I usually work the FO-29 using a TH-F6 as the downlink receiver from mobile. See the video: http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com/Videos%20AMSAT/VIDEO_EB4DKA%20via%20FO29%20desde%20movil.html 73, Pedro EB4DKA http://eb4dka.laserenadigital.com - Original Message - From: To: Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 3:07 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Another satellite-receiver option > Hey everyone, > > Over the weekend, I had a chance to do some more testing and > experimenting – this time, with a Kenwood TH-F6A HT. My sincere thanks to > Ed, N4ALE, who loaned me his TH-F6A for the weekend. I picked it up Friday > afternoon and returned it Sunday afternoon, giving it a pretty good > workout in the interim – well, part of it. > > I can’t tell you how it performs on AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50 because I never > tried it with any of our FM satellites. In fact, I never keyed the radio’s > transmitter. Instead, I focused on its receiver. > > The TH-F6A proved to be a capable receiver for use on AO-7, FO-29 and > VO-52. If you have an all-mode radio that will operate in CW and SSB on > the UHF and VHF bands, you can use the HT as your receiver for a > full-duplex station that will work our linear-transponder satellites. For > the record, I believe the current-production all-mode transceivers that > are NOT full duplex include two Icom models (IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000) and > three Yaesu models (FT-817ND, FT-857D and FT-897D). Anyone with one of > these rigs and the Kenwood can do what I did last weekend. Just add > antennas, or a duplexer and a dual-band antenna. There are plenty of > workable options, including a good number of homebrew antenna designs to > consider. > > I started out Friday evening just listening because I discovered I needed > an adapter to connect my headphones to the receiver jack on the radio, > which takes a 2.5 mm connector. Full-duplex contacts in SSB wouldn’t > happen until I had that, so I connected my Elk and configured the radio’s > B-Band to receive SSB in the 2 meter and 70 cm pass bands. It’s easy to > set up, and the fine-tuning feature permits tuning steps in CW or SSB as > low as 33 Hz. I chose 100 Hz, which worked well. Switching from CW to SSB > took only a few seconds. Through the evening, I copied AO-7 on multiple > passes to the east and west of my location, and had reception below 4 > degrees at the end of the passes, which was encouraging. > > Just before 03:00 UTC Friday evening, I had a VO-52 pass that reached a > maximum elevation of about 70 degrees here. I copied practically the whole > pass, hearing K8YSE work AA5PK and KB1PVH, and also clearly copying CW > from W8IJ. Here’s the fun part about that pass – I was standing in my > driveway, using a Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip for an antenna. Having > the ability to copy pretty much the whole pass with just a whip helped me > to see that the TH-F6A probably would do OK as a satellite receiver. > > After picking up the headphone adapter I needed Saturday morning, I > started working passes. Using an SMA-to-SO239 adapter, I connected the HT > to the Elk using a Diamond duplexer. I used either a Yaesu FT-857D or a > Yaesu FT-817ND as my transmit radio. The earliest afternoon pass of AO-7 > hit 3.8 degrees maximum elevation here, but I heard my CW signal and > called CQ a few times with no answer. The next pass of AO-7 was well over > 30 degrees here, also to my east. I worked N3TE in CW, then switched to > SSB and moved up the pass band for a voice contact with K3SZH. By then, > AO-7 was descending to my north, so I switched back to CW and started > calling CQ – primarily to see how long I could hear myself through the HT > on the downlink. I was thrilled when K4YYL called me. When we finished > that contact, AO-7 was at 2.6 degrees elevation according to the computer. > > I should mention here that I was manually tuning for Doppler throughout > the weekend, which also gave me a chance to use various software packages > as my “guides” for finding myself at the start of a pass. Ham Radio > Deluxe’s Satellite Tracker, Orbitron and SatPC 32 all proved very helpful. > After launching one of the programs and getting the Doppler tuning on > screen, I just followed their lead and found myself quickly, then stayed > where I needed to be – evening tuning up and down the pass band to call > others I heard. > > On the next pass of AO-7 (the last of Saturday evening for me), I worked > K4YYL again – this time in SSB, and this time using an FT-817ND at 5 watts > out for my transmitter. Think about that – a fully functional all-mode > satellite station that I could fit in a day pack with room to spare! > > FO-29 later Saturday evening was frustrating only inasmuch as there weren’t > many folks around. The first pass here hit less than 20 degrees maximum > elevation to my east, and I called CQ in CW without a contact. The next > pass was about 70 degrees maximum elevation, and I talked to
[amsat-bb] Re: Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes by band?
Thanks to everyone for their help. I think I have a handle on it now. 'V/a' (A); SatUp: '2m' ; SatDown: '10m' 'U/v' (B); SatUp: '70cm' ; SatDown: '2m' 'V/u' (J); SatUp: '2m' ; SatDown: '70cm' 'H/a' (K); SatUp: '15m' ; SatDown: '10m' 'L/u' (L); SatUp: '23cm' ; SatDown: '70cm' 'U/s' (S); SatUp: '70cm' ; SatDown: '13cm' 'H/v' (T); SatUp: '15m' ; SatDown: '2m' 'L/s' (?); SatUp: '23cm' ; SatDown: '13cm' It appears that "L/s" is the only one that never had a single-letter mode. How much activity was there on the transponders that supported frequencies above 13cm (2400 MHz)? 73 - Jim AD1C -- Jim Reisert AD1C/Ø, , http://www.ad1c.us ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Dual Band (144/430) antenna.
Look at: www.cubex.com "Scorpion 88" 8el 2M, 8 El 70cm quad "Yellow Jacket -46" 4 el 2M, 6 el 70 cm quad Mike (K9QHO) AMSAT 33589 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Dual Band (144/430) antenna.
Hello Juan, Do not expect much from a vertical antena for sattelite, I had made some few QSO via ISS only and could not listen well other sattelites. But if you really want to try I can suggest the Dualband COMET GP-9N 3x5/8 wave lenght antena. 8,5db gain VHF and 12dbi gain UHF. Is a very good antenna, good quality and low SWR. Better you choose twice Eggbeaters V and U for sattelites. 73 Fabiano Moser CR7/PY5RX ARISS-PORTUGAL (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Representative at Teleconference and Portugal Telebridge Coordinator. AMRAD/AMSAT-CT AMSAT-LU http://www.amrad.pt/ "There is no great talent without great will. (Honoré de Balzac)" 2009/6/8 Juan Carlos > Hello. > > Am looking for information about vertical dual band (144/430 > mhz) antenna > to work some LEO satellites. > Something like a 6/8 (144) and 3x5/8 (430) like X-50 from > Diamond > or 1/4 (144) and 2x5/8 (430) like X-30 also from Diamond. > Or somthing like that. > > Thanks in advance. > Juan Carlos, CO8TW. > - > - > Juan Carlos Veranes Ferrer CO8TW > - > - > e-mail ju...@sssn.ciges.inf.cu > http://www.qsl.net/co8tw/ > Apartado Postal 8, Santiago de Cuba, CP 90100 > Work Phone 53-22-653949 and 653958 > - > - > > > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > -- ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Dual Band (144/430) antenna.
Hello. Am looking for information about vertical dual band (144/430 mhz) antenna to work some LEO satellites. Something like a 6/8 (144) and 3x5/8 (430) like X-50 from Diamond or 1/4 (144) and 2x5/8 (430) like X-30 also from Diamond. Or somthing like that. Thanks in advance. Juan Carlos, CO8TW. - - Juan Carlos Veranes Ferrer CO8TW - - e-mail ju...@sssn.ciges.inf.cu http://www.qsl.net/co8tw/ Apartado Postal 8, Santiago de Cuba, CP 90100 Work Phone 53-22-653949 and 653958 - - ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Proposed AMSAT-NA Symposium Paper
At 11:14 AM 6/8/2009, Bill Ress wrote: >Hi Dan, > >I will be submitting a paper entitled: > >"A Linear U/v Transponder for SuitSat2" > >Abstract: > >SuitSat2 will incorporate several advanced circuit functions which will >be directly applicable to the "modular" development program under way at >AMSAT-NA. One of the SuitSat2 modules, the linear U/v RF transponder, >uses the latest in solid state device technology to provide a very >efficient 1/2 watt 145 MHz transmitter and a low noise 435 MHz to 10.7 >MHz down converter. The design philosophy and circuit details will be >presented. Hi Bill, Excellent! Looks like we will have the whole RF system covered. 73, Tony AA2TX ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Proposed AMSAT-NA Symposium Paper
Hi Dan, I will be submitting a paper entitled: "A Linear U/v Transponder for SuitSat2" Abstract: SuitSat2 will incorporate several advanced circuit functions which will be directly applicable to the "modular" development program under way at AMSAT-NA. One of the SuitSat2 modules, the linear U/v RF transponder, uses the latest in solid state device technology to provide a very efficient 1/2 watt 145 MHz transmitter and a low noise 435 MHz to 10.7 MHz down converter. The design philosophy and circuit details will be presented. Regards...Bill - N6GHz ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Fw: Capitol Hill Briefing on Space Debris and Collisions (Wednesday)
Thanks Bob, I forwarded it to the b...@amsat.org list, as well as the officers list. 73, Drew KO4MA - Original Message - From: "Bob Bruninga " To: Cc: Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 10:18 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Fw: Capitol Hill Briefing on Space Debris and Collisions (Wednesday) >I wonder if some AMSAT VIP's in the DC area should go to this: > > *Coffee Briefing on Space Debris and Collisions* > *Wednesday, June 10, 2009* > *9:00am - 10:00am* > *2253 Rayburn* > *Keeping Our Space Assets Safe From > *an Increasingly Crowded Space Environment, > > If I was in DC, I would go to represent Student Satellites, but I am in > Alabama on travel. Our position should fully support the mitigation of > space debris, but we must make sure that the regulations are not overly > burdensome to the small guys. > > I reviewed a first draft that was ONLY written for the 100 Million dollar > Launch Provider. It placed an extrordinary burden of "tests" and > "reports" and bureaucratic processes that of course would be routine for > the Space COmpany with an army of lawyers in their employ, but there was > no provision for the small 1kg student payload for a simpler process. > > This meeting is not the place to speak up, but it is the place to learn > and to circulate and network and get a copy of what is being considered. > > Im far from my desk and so have none of my AMSAT contact info, to try to > get this to the AMSAT folks that might be able to get to the meeting. > > Maybe one of them will see it here and can see about an amsat presence? > > Bob, WB4APR > ___ > Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Fw: Capitol Hill Briefing on Space Debris and Collisions (Wednesday)
I wonder if some AMSAT VIP's in the DC area should go to this: *Coffee Briefing on Space Debris and Collisions* *Wednesday, June 10, 2009* *9:00am - 10:00am* *2253 Rayburn* *Keeping Our Space Assets Safe From *an Increasingly Crowded Space Environment, If I was in DC, I would go to represent Student Satellites, but I am in Alabama on travel. Our position should fully support the mitigation of space debris, but we must make sure that the regulations are not overly burdensome to the small guys. I reviewed a first draft that was ONLY written for the 100 Million dollar Launch Provider. It placed an extrordinary burden of "tests" and "reports" and bureaucratic processes that of course would be routine for the Space COmpany with an army of lawyers in their employ, but there was no provision for the small 1kg student payload for a simpler process. This meeting is not the place to speak up, but it is the place to learn and to circulate and network and get a copy of what is being considered. Im far from my desk and so have none of my AMSAT contact info, to try to get this to the AMSAT folks that might be able to get to the meeting. Maybe one of them will see it here and can see about an amsat presence? Bob, WB4APR ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HF satellite?
--- On Sat, 6/6/09, Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL wrote: > > Now that post brought back memories. :-) > There was a robot on RS 10/11 too. > KB7ADL > Here's a snippet from March 6, 1988 at 2039 UTC, 145.830 MHz up, 29.453 MHz down: http://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/rs11-robot.mp3 I was keying an FM rig to produce the uplink. The downlink was received using a converted Hy-Gain CB board (used for 10-meter FM operation in previous years) in concert with a 455 kHz ceramic resonator as a narrowband IF filter. 73, de John, KD2BD -- Visit John on the Web at: http://kd2bd.ham.org/ . . . . ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: 2009 AMSAT Annhual Meeting and Space Symposium - Call for papers
At 12:25 AM 6/1/2009, Daniel Schultz wrote: >This is the first call for papers for the 2009 AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space >Symposium to be held October 9 - 11 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel at the >Baltimore Washington Airport. Proposals for papers, symposium presentations >and poster presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur >satellite community. We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon >as possible, with final copy submitted by September 1, 2009 for inclusion in >the printed proceedings. Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, >N8FGV, at n8...@amsat.org. Hi Dan, Here is my proposed paper: Software Radio Technology on SuitSat-2 SuitSat-2 will be the first amateur satellite in orbit to rely on software radio technology. All of the radio signals will be generated via digital signal processing software including a CW beacon, an FM audio signal, a BPSK beacon, and a linear transponder. This paper provides an overview of the radio system and digital signal processing software developed for SuitSat-2. 73, Tony AA2TX ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Another satellite-receiver option
Hello to All Yes and also if you just want a small inexpensive all mode portable receiver The Yaesu VR-500 can be bought at a reasonable price theses days Howard VE4ISP - Original Message - From: To: Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 8:07 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Another satellite-receiver option > Hey everyone, > > Over the weekend, I had a chance to do some more testing and > experimenting – this time, with a Kenwood TH-F6A HT. My sincere thanks to > Ed, N4ALE, who loaned me his TH-F6A for the weekend. I picked it up Friday > afternoon and returned it Sunday afternoon, giving it a pretty good > workout in the interim – well, part of it. > > I can’t tell you how it performs on AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50 because I never > tried it with any of our FM satellites. In fact, I never keyed the radio’s > transmitter. Instead, I focused on its receiver. > > The TH-F6A proved to be a capable receiver for use on AO-7, FO-29 and > VO-52. If you have an all-mode radio that will operate in CW and SSB on > the UHF and VHF bands, you can use the HT as your receiver for a > full-duplex station that will work our linear-transponder satellites. For > the record, I believe the current-production all-mode transceivers that > are NOT full duplex include two Icom models (IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000) and > three Yaesu models (FT-817ND, FT-857D and FT-897D). Anyone with one of > these rigs and the Kenwood can do what I did last weekend. Just add > antennas, or a duplexer and a dual-band antenna. There are plenty of > workable options, including a good number of homebrew antenna designs to > consider. > > I started out Friday evening just listening because I discovered I needed > an adapter to connect my headphones to the receiver jack on the radio, > which takes a 2.5 mm connector. Full-duplex contacts in SSB wouldn’t > happen until I had that, so I connected my Elk and configured the radio’s > B-Band to receive SSB in the 2 meter and 70 cm pass bands. It’s easy to > set up, and the fine-tuning feature permits tuning steps in CW or SSB as > low as 33 Hz. I chose 100 Hz, which worked well. Switching from CW to SSB > took only a few seconds. Through the evening, I copied AO-7 on multiple > passes to the east and west of my location, and had reception below 4 > degrees at the end of the passes, which was encouraging. > > Just before 03:00 UTC Friday evening, I had a VO-52 pass that reached a > maximum elevation of about 70 degrees here. I copied practically the whole > pass, hearing K8YSE work AA5PK and KB1PVH, and also clearly copying CW > from W8IJ. Here’s the fun part about that pass – I was standing in my > driveway, using a Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip for an antenna. Having > the ability to copy pretty much the whole pass with just a whip helped me > to see that the TH-F6A probably would do OK as a satellite receiver. > > After picking up the headphone adapter I needed Saturday morning, I > started working passes. Using an SMA-to-SO239 adapter, I connected the HT > to the Elk using a Diamond duplexer. I used either a Yaesu FT-857D or a > Yaesu FT-817ND as my transmit radio. The earliest afternoon pass of AO-7 > hit 3.8 degrees maximum elevation here, but I heard my CW signal and > called CQ a few times with no answer. The next pass of AO-7 was well over > 30 degrees here, also to my east. I worked N3TE in CW, then switched to > SSB and moved up the pass band for a voice contact with K3SZH. By then, > AO-7 was descending to my north, so I switched back to CW and started > calling CQ – primarily to see how long I could hear myself through the HT > on the downlink. I was thrilled when K4YYL called me. When we finished > that contact, AO-7 was at 2.6 degrees elevation according to the computer. > > I should mention here that I was manually tuning for Doppler throughout > the weekend, which also gave me a chance to use various software packages > as my “guides” for finding myself at the start of a pass. Ham Radio > Deluxe’s Satellite Tracker, Orbitron and SatPC 32 all proved very helpful. > After launching one of the programs and getting the Doppler tuning on > screen, I just followed their lead and found myself quickly, then stayed > where I needed to be – evening tuning up and down the pass band to call > others I heard. > > On the next pass of AO-7 (the last of Saturday evening for me), I worked > K4YYL again – this time in SSB, and this time using an FT-817ND at 5 watts > out for my transmitter. Think about that – a fully functional all-mode > satellite station that I could fit in a day pack with room to spare! > > FO-29 later Saturday evening was frustrating only inasmuch as there weren’t > many folks around. The first pass here hit less than 20 degrees maximum > elevation to my east, and I called CQ in CW without a contact. The next > pass was about 70 degrees maximum elevation, and I talked to myself for > the first 2/3 of the pass before switching over to VO-52,
[amsat-bb] Re: Another satellite-receiver option
GM all on the BB, Great little article Tim. I might add they were selling the Kenwood TH-F6A for $239 at Dayton Hamfest this year. If Tim had done this exercise a month ago, I would have had one in my collection. Keep up the testing Tim, I always wonder what's next in your bag of tricks! 73 all, Rick - WA4NVM > Hey everyone, > > Over the weekend, I had a chance to do some more testing and > experimenting – this time, with a Kenwood TH-F6A HT. My sincere thanks to > Ed, N4ALE, who loaned me his TH-F6A for the weekend. I picked it up Friday > afternoon and returned it Sunday afternoon, giving it a pretty good > workout in the interim – well, part of it. > > I can’t tell you how it performs on AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50 because I never > tried it with any of our FM satellites. In fact, I never keyed the radio’s > transmitter. Instead, I focused on its receiver. > > The TH-F6A proved to be a capable receiver for use on AO-7, FO-29 and > VO-52. If you have an all-mode radio that will operate in CW and SSB on > the UHF and VHF bands, you can use the HT as your receiver for a > full-duplex station that will work our linear-transponder satellites. For > the record, I believe the current-production all-mode transceivers that > are NOT full duplex include two Icom models (IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000) and > three Yaesu models (FT-817ND, FT-857D and FT-897D). Anyone with one of > these rigs and the Kenwood can do what I did last weekend. Just add > antennas, or a duplexer and a dual-band antenna. There are plenty of > workable options, including a good number of homebrew antenna designs to > consider. > > I started out Friday evening just listening because I discovered I needed > an adapter to connect my headphones to the receiver jack on the radio, > which takes a 2.5 mm connector. Full-duplex contacts in SSB wouldn’t > happen until I had that, so I connected my Elk and configured the radio’s > B-Band to receive SSB in the 2 meter and 70 cm pass bands. It’s easy to > set up, and the fine-tuning feature permits tuning steps in CW or SSB as > low as 33 Hz. I chose 100 Hz, which worked well. Switching from CW to SSB > took only a few seconds. Through the evening, I copied AO-7 on multiple > passes to the east and west of my location, and had reception below 4 > degrees at the end of the passes, which was encouraging. > > Just before 03:00 UTC Friday evening, I had a VO-52 pass that reached a > maximum elevation of about 70 degrees here. I copied practically the whole > pass, hearing K8YSE work AA5PK and KB1PVH, and also clearly copying CW > from W8IJ. Here’s the fun part about that pass – I was standing in my > driveway, using a Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip for an antenna. Having > the ability to copy pretty much the whole pass with just a whip helped me > to see that the TH-F6A probably would do OK as a satellite receiver. > > After picking up the headphone adapter I needed Saturday morning, I > started working passes. Using an SMA-to-SO239 adapter, I connected the HT > to the Elk using a Diamond duplexer. I used either a Yaesu FT-857D or a > Yaesu FT-817ND as my transmit radio. The earliest afternoon pass of AO-7 > hit 3.8 degrees maximum elevation here, but I heard my CW signal and > called CQ a few times with no answer. The next pass of AO-7 was well over > 30 degrees here, also to my east. I worked N3TE in CW, then switched to > SSB and moved up the pass band for a voice contact with K3SZH. By then, > AO-7 was descending to my north, so I switched back to CW and started > calling CQ – primarily to see how long I could hear myself through the HT > on the downlink. I was thrilled when K4YYL called me. When we finished > that contact, AO-7 was at 2.6 degrees elevation according to the computer. > > I should mention here that I was manually tuning for Doppler throughout > the weekend, which also gave me a chance to use various software packages > as my “guides” for finding myself at the start of a pass. Ham Radio > Deluxe’s Satellite Tracker, Orbitron and SatPC 32 all proved very helpful. > After launching one of the programs and getting the Doppler tuning on > screen, I just followed their lead and found myself quickly, then stayed > where I needed to be – evening tuning up and down the pass band to call > others I heard. > > On the next pass of AO-7 (the last of Saturday evening for me), I worked > K4YYL again – this time in SSB, and this time using an FT-817ND at 5 watts > out for my transmitter. Think about that – a fully functional all-mode > satellite station that I could fit in a day pack with room to spare! > > FO-29 later Saturday evening was frustrating only inasmuch as there weren’t > many folks around. The first pass here hit less than 20 degrees maximum > elevation to my east, and I called CQ in CW without a contact. The next > pass was about 70 degrees maximum elevation, and I talked to myself for > the first 2/3 of the pass before swit
[amsat-bb] Another satellite-receiver option
Hey everyone, Over the weekend, I had a chance to do some more testing and experimenting – this time, with a Kenwood TH-F6A HT. My sincere thanks to Ed, N4ALE, who loaned me his TH-F6A for the weekend. I picked it up Friday afternoon and returned it Sunday afternoon, giving it a pretty good workout in the interim – well, part of it. I can’t tell you how it performs on AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50 because I never tried it with any of our FM satellites. In fact, I never keyed the radio’s transmitter. Instead, I focused on its receiver. The TH-F6A proved to be a capable receiver for use on AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52. If you have an all-mode radio that will operate in CW and SSB on the UHF and VHF bands, you can use the HT as your receiver for a full-duplex station that will work our linear-transponder satellites. For the record, I believe the current-production all-mode transceivers that are NOT full duplex include two Icom models (IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000) and three Yaesu models (FT-817ND, FT-857D and FT-897D). Anyone with one of these rigs and the Kenwood can do what I did last weekend. Just add antennas, or a duplexer and a dual-band antenna. There are plenty of workable options, including a good number of homebrew antenna designs to consider. I started out Friday evening just listening because I discovered I needed an adapter to connect my headphones to the receiver jack on the radio, which takes a 2.5 mm connector. Full-duplex contacts in SSB wouldn’t happen until I had that, so I connected my Elk and configured the radio’s B-Band to receive SSB in the 2 meter and 70 cm pass bands. It’s easy to set up, and the fine-tuning feature permits tuning steps in CW or SSB as low as 33 Hz. I chose 100 Hz, which worked well. Switching from CW to SSB took only a few seconds. Through the evening, I copied AO-7 on multiple passes to the east and west of my location, and had reception below 4 degrees at the end of the passes, which was encouraging. Just before 03:00 UTC Friday evening, I had a VO-52 pass that reached a maximum elevation of about 70 degrees here. I copied practically the whole pass, hearing K8YSE work AA5PK and KB1PVH, and also clearly copying CW from W8IJ. Here’s the fun part about that pass – I was standing in my driveway, using a Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip for an antenna. Having the ability to copy pretty much the whole pass with just a whip helped me to see that the TH-F6A probably would do OK as a satellite receiver. After picking up the headphone adapter I needed Saturday morning, I started working passes. Using an SMA-to-SO239 adapter, I connected the HT to the Elk using a Diamond duplexer. I used either a Yaesu FT-857D or a Yaesu FT-817ND as my transmit radio. The earliest afternoon pass of AO-7 hit 3.8 degrees maximum elevation here, but I heard my CW signal and called CQ a few times with no answer. The next pass of AO-7 was well over 30 degrees here, also to my east. I worked N3TE in CW, then switched to SSB and moved up the pass band for a voice contact with K3SZH. By then, AO-7 was descending to my north, so I switched back to CW and started calling CQ – primarily to see how long I could hear myself through the HT on the downlink. I was thrilled when K4YYL called me. When we finished that contact, AO-7 was at 2.6 degrees elevation according to the computer. I should mention here that I was manually tuning for Doppler throughout the weekend, which also gave me a chance to use various software packages as my “guides” for finding myself at the start of a pass. Ham Radio Deluxe’s Satellite Tracker, Orbitron and SatPC 32 all proved very helpful. After launching one of the programs and getting the Doppler tuning on screen, I just followed their lead and found myself quickly, then stayed where I needed to be – evening tuning up and down the pass band to call others I heard. On the next pass of AO-7 (the last of Saturday evening for me), I worked K4YYL again – this time in SSB, and this time using an FT-817ND at 5 watts out for my transmitter. Think about that – a fully functional all-mode satellite station that I could fit in a day pack with room to spare! FO-29 later Saturday evening was frustrating only inasmuch as there weren’t many folks around. The first pass here hit less than 20 degrees maximum elevation to my east, and I called CQ in CW without a contact. The next pass was about 70 degrees maximum elevation, and I talked to myself for the first 2/3 of the pass before switching over to VO-52, which was also in range at about the same time. K9QHO and I had a nice contact in SSB. Sunday morning, I only wanted to get some contacts on FO-29 because I promised to return the radio that afternoon. I worked Dave, W8IJ, and Leo, W7JPI, in SSB. Seven contacts in all, covering all three CW/SSB satellites and both modes, and all of them using the Kenwood HT as my receive radio. I could have made additional contacts if the s
