[amsat-bb] Ant in QST
Has anyone seen the antenna for 2m in this monthsQST p. 30. Its a omnidirection sorta a double diamond turnstile. I was wondering how this woould work for the LEO Sats?? Would think it would be simple to scale it down for 435?? -- Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota http://nr5abikeblog.blogspot.com/ http://nr5abeaconblog.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 I have used the Quadrifilar Helix Antenna on Satellites with great success, as suggested by David GOMRF. My antenna is here: www.stormchaser.cjb.net with a link for the plans. 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] Re: IF you had a choice...
Hi Norman, This is a topic that surfaces every so often and is not an easy one to answer. So my two penneth worth is this! If you are only interested in VHF and above, Satellites and terrestrial work - the 910 every time. If you want a shack in a box that can do (primarily) HF, then the TS wins the day! The reason I say primarily is that the TS exhibits a birdie right in the downlink frequency for SO-50 which renders use of that bird more or less impossible on that radio. Its like trying to compare apples with oranges. For sat work (for me) the 910. For HF work, the Icom 756 Pro series. :-D Others will give you different answers of course but the main factor for me if I was buying a radio now would be the SO-50 birdie issue. It may only affect one bird but there are not that many left up there and no plans to get any more up! 73 -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com Norman W Osborne wrote: Greetings to all. I am looking for owners and potential owners of the Icom 910H or Kenwood TS-2000. Opinions and thoughts of each radio appreciated. 73 Norman. ___ 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] Re: IF you had a choice...
On Jul 16, 2009, at 12:32 PM, David - KG4ZLB wrote: Hi Norman, This is a topic that surfaces every so often and is not an easy one to answer. The reason I say primarily is that the TS exhibits a birdie right in the downlink frequency for SO-50 which renders use of that bird more or less impossible on that radio. Add AO-27 to that list! Also, and this is something that I will never understand why they failed to do this; the 2000 can't send 12 volts up the coax line for preamps, the 910H can. While there are other methods of supplying voltage to preamps, it's nice to have it built in. 73 de W4AS Sebastian ___ 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: new satellites
It may only affect one bird but there are not that many left up there and no plans to get any more up! Whoa there hoss! :-) That's a little misleading. There are at least three microsat sized satellites completed or nearing completion with FM repeaters and/or transponders on them. Kiwisat, CAS-1, and SumbandilaSat. Sumbandila is set to launch in August after a several year delay. I think CAS-1 is ready to go this year as well if I recall correctly. I have no doubt Kiwisat will fly either, in fact I've personally donated directly to AMSAT-ZL to help make that happen. Historically, there have been times when we've had much less to choose from in orbit as well. It's not all doom and gloom. I'm going to be updating the Future Projects page on the AMSAT website over the next few weeks while on vacation. We'll get some newer information and current links up on these new sats then. Projects can send updated info directly to me at ko...@amsat.org . 73, Drew KO4MA ___ 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: IF you had a choice...
Drew just e-mailed me about my comment: / It may only affect one bird but there are not that many left up there and no plans to get any more up! / and that that might be misleading! I am happy to correct my statement by saying that what I was referring to was the easy sats, the FM voice, 2m up 70cm down or 70cm up 2m down, that everyone cuts their teeth on! Drew has pointed out that Sumbandilla is V/U FM, CAS is V/U FM and transponder both, and Kiwisat is U/V FM and transponder. According to the AMSAT website, Sumbandilla and Kiwisat are both awaiting a launch date and I have just heard that the other one is not up there either but all are slated for this year. On the basis that they actually make it to orbit (and that's a big *if* of course, no sure thing in the launch business!), there will be AO-51, SO-50, AO-27, AO-7, ISS, and the three to come. Throw in FO-29 and VO-52 (not strictly FM easy sats being as they are SSB birds) and we might have 10 usable voice birds. Take out the two birdie issue satellites from the *current* 7 usable easy sats and the TS can not work nearly 30% of the available easy sats. Factor in that AO-7 is getting old, ISS is rarely in cross band mode, and that brings the figures down to 5 working birds, three (or 60%) of which the TS *can* work. If Kenwood have fixed the problem (and I haven't heard that they have or how they could retrospectively) and you want to get into serious satellite work, don't hamper yourself with a radio that will not do the job. I am sure someone will say that my math is wrong but you get the point. (Standing by with helmet and flak jacket on :-D ) -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com David - KG4ZLB wrote: Hi Norman, This is a topic that surfaces every so often and is not an easy one to answer. So my two penneth worth is this! If you are only interested in VHF and above, Satellites and terrestrial work - the 910 every time. If you want a shack in a box that can do (primarily) HF, then the TS wins the day! The reason I say primarily is that the TS exhibits a birdie right in the downlink frequency for SO-50 which renders use of that bird more or less impossible on that radio. Its like trying to compare apples with oranges. For sat work (for me) the 910. For HF work, the Icom 756 Pro series. :-D Others will give you different answers of course but the main factor for me if I was buying a radio now would be the SO-50 birdie issue. It may only affect one bird but there are not that many left up there and no plans to get any more up! 73 ___ 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: IF you had a choice...
I cut my teeth on Oscar 6 and 7, 2M UP, 10M DOWN, SSB. David - KG4ZLB wrote: easy sats, the FM voice, 2m up 70cm down or 70cm up 2m down, that everyone cuts their teeth on! ___ 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: IF you had a choice...
you have old teeth :-D Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote: I cut my teeth on Oscar 6 and 7, 2M UP, 10M DOWN, SSB. David - KG4ZLB wrote: easy sats, the FM voice, 2m up 70cm down or 70cm up 2m down, ___ 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: IF you had a choice...
SSB for me too, F0-29 V0-52. Can't raise any consistent enthusiasm for FM birds with the exception of our friends up in the ISS. I can have the same abuse much more easily on the local FM repeater. :-) So the TS2000 has a birdie, OK, but for those that don't want all their eggs in one basket it is very good and it doesn't need another mortgage spent on a Hi-Stab LO to stop it roaming around on its own. Well at 1296MHz anyway! Retires to bomb shelter! David G8OQW -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF Sent: 16 July 2009 18:51 To: kg4...@gmail.com Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: IF you had a choice... I cut my teeth on Oscar 6 and 7, 2M UP, 10M DOWN, SSB. David - KG4ZLB wrote: easy sats, the FM voice, 2m up 70cm down or 70cm up 2m down, that everyone cuts their teeth on! ___ 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] Re: IF you had a choice...
I've had a TS2000 since 2005, and have never regretted my purchase. Sure, there is an unfortunate birdie that messes up SO50 and AO27, but so what. I resurrected an old Kenwood TM-G707A to deal with those two FM birds, and it works great. I also have an FT-857D which also does a nice job on those two birds. I would naturally expect the comments on this board to lean towards the IC-910H, and, indeed, it is a fine SATELLITE rig. But, my number one preference in operating is the HF bands, not satellite. Guess what I am saying is if VHF/UHF and satellite is your only operating preference, then the Icom might be a better rig. But, if you also like to do the HF bands with an occasional hop to the satellites, the TS2000 is pretty good. Is the TS2000 the best HF rig? Probably not, but it's the only one that offers pretty good HF operation AND reasonable satellite operation in the same box. Jim Bob Buckeye AKA Jim Leder K8CXM since 1961 IBM retiree since 1999 There are 10 types of people in this world -- those who understand binary and those who don't. - Original Message - From: David Barber david.bar...@dbelectronics.co.uk To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Cc: kg4...@gmail.com Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:02 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: IF you had a choice... SSB for me too, F0-29 V0-52. Can't raise any consistent enthusiasm for FM birds with the exception of our friends up in the ISS. I can have the same abuse much more easily on the local FM repeater. :-) So the TS2000 has a birdie, OK, but for those that don't want all their eggs in one basket it is very good and it doesn't need another mortgage spent on a Hi-Stab LO to stop it roaming around on its own. Well at 1296MHz anyway! Retires to bomb shelter! David G8OQW -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF Sent: 16 July 2009 18:51 To: kg4...@gmail.com Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: IF you had a choice... I cut my teeth on Oscar 6 and 7, 2M UP, 10M DOWN, SSB. David - KG4ZLB wrote: easy sats, the FM voice, 2m up 70cm down or 70cm up 2m down, that everyone cuts their teeth on! ___ 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 ___ 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: IF you had a choice...
At 03:50 AM 7/17/2009, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote: I cut my teeth on Oscar 6 and 7, 2M UP, 10M DOWN, SSB. For me, it was RS-10, where I had my first satellite contact in 1991. :) Again, 2m up, 10m down SSB. My first FM contact was much later, in 1999 on SO-35. I did try RS-12/13, but it didn't seem to be as potent as RS-10 was. Was using less effective antennas on RS-10 than later on RS-12/13. Mode A birds are another good beginner's satellite, because a lot of people have HF and 2m SSB radios, and Doppler is not too severe (easily handled by manual tuning of the uplink). 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.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: IF you had a choice...
Ditto K8CXM's comments. I have much less enthusiam for the FM sats than FO29, AO7 and VO52. Using SATPC, these are a piece of cake to regularly work with no crowds, big footprints and super doppler control. Also, notwithstanding the birdie, I have no difficulty working SO50 or AO27 once the doppler has moved the downlink away from the birdie. Obviously not as convenient as one would like, but still workable. But here is also what really sells me on the 2000. I also have an interest in HF and after discovering PSK and the other digital modes (thank you Signalink USB), I now run VHF packet and have fun dig'g over ISS. The full CW break-in is superior. I also am a new 6 mtr convert. If I am not mistaken (someone will correct me), based on the info in the current AES catalog, the 910 does not cover 6 mtrs. Finally, using the Kenwood TH-D7 HT, one can operate the 2000 remotely (haven't tried SkyCommand yet, but that is next.) FWIW to this discussion. 73s Craig N6RSX Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you. ___ 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] Central USA Cross Band Balloon Launch Saturday July 18
Hello everyone, This is making the e-mail rounds of mid-west ham radio circuits. Working a high altitude balloon launch might be interesting to AMSAT folks in the central portion of USA ... QSO Opportunity with High Altitude Balloon Flight Saturday, 18 July 2009 As part of SpaceJam-3 (www.spacejamboree.com), DePauw University (www.depauw.edu/acad/physics/base) will be flying a cross band repeater to allow the Scouts at the Jamboree to talk with ground stations from a large area of the central portion of the United States. Launch will occur at 13:50 UT (8:50 am Central Daylight Time) from Rantoul, IL (40.29 N, 88.14 W) The target ascent rate will be 1000 feet/min. APRS information will be sent over 144.39 MHz every minute under the call sign, W9YJ-11. The helium filled balloon will reach a float altitude of 7 feet (21.5km) about 15:00 UT and will attempt to float at this altitude for about three hours. During this time the balloon should travel slowly to the NW from about 40.0N 87.8W to 40.1 N 88.1 W. The descent will begin about 18:00 UT on a slowly deflating balloon with landing about 19:30 UT. The uplink frequency on the radio will be 144.36 MHz, and the downlink frequency will be 446.025 MHz. The Scouts will be using the call sign WB9SA. If you have a chance to contact the station, the Scouts will be thrilled to make the contact! You may also attempt to use the repeater for a long distance Earth-Balloon-Earth contact with hams from larger distances. Thanks to Howard Brooks, KC9QBN, Professor of Physics Astronomy at DePauw University, W9YJ for making this happen!!! If you are in the IL/IN area you might catch ATV from our first balloon going up (100,000 ft) at 8:20 AM CDT Saturday from Rantoul IL 430 Mhz, with a CW call DE WB9SA -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9...@amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service Copy Editor, AMSAT Journal ___ 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] WD9EWK from DM35/DM45 - Thursday, 16 July
Hi! I drove north from Phoenix this morning, and spent some of the afternoon working a pair of AO-27 passes followed by an AO-51 pass from the DM35/DM45 line. I parked on the side of old US-66 north of the I-40 freeway, about 20 miles/32km west of Flagstaff AZ. I have operated from this location many times over the past year or so. Much cooler weather up here in the mountains, compared to Phoenix in the desert. :-) On AO-27, the first pass I worked at 2000 UTC was the most productive of the afternoon - 12 contacts with stations across the US and Mexico. The next AO-27 pass at 2141 UTC put 8 more QSOs in the log, followed by 9 more QSOs on the 0100 UTC AO-51 pass that covered most of the continental US. A good day, with a total of 29 QSOs in the log. For tomorrow (Friday, 17 July), I will be on the air from the ARRL Arizona State Convention and Hamfest in Williams AZ. Williams is a small city along old US-66, about 10 miles/16km west of where I operated from today, and the starting point for the Grand Canyon Railway. I am planning to be on the air for the 1300 UTC AO-51 pass, as well as the later AO-51 pass. SO-50 will be going by, and I think I can get on for one of those passes, plus a VO-52 pass just before 1800 UTC (1100 local, the time of my presentation at the hamfest's exhibit hall). I should be able to get on AO-27 passes in the afternoon, as well as the first (eastern, for me) AO-51 pass a little past UTC. The hamfest site is in grid DM35vg. Again, there's no need to send me QSLs or SASEs to get QSL cards for any contacts made with WD9EWK over the next week. You don't have to e-mail me with every QSO; one e-mail sent after I return home on 22 July with all QSOs in it would be sufficient. If I find the QSO(s) in the log, I will be happy to send cards for each contact. And, as I've been doing since last year's Arizona/Utah/Nevada road trip, cards will clearly identify each location I operate from along with a picture of my GPS receiver's readout to show the latitude/longitude of the location. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Williams, Arizona http://www.wd9ewk.net/ ___ 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
