[amsat-bb] UK Space Agency to launch CubeSat

2010-07-25 Thread Trevor .
The UK Space Agency has announced its intention to design and launch a CubeSat 
and is running a competition for ideas for payloads. 

See 
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2010/ukube_1.htm 

AMSAT-UK Colloquium webstream July 31-Aug 1 
http://www.batc.tv/ - Click on Live Events 
Schedule (Times GMT+1) 
http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/713/284/ 

73 Trevor M5AKA
Daily Amateur Radio Email/RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/
Email Your News To: editor at southgatearc.org
Or Upload Using Form At: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news_1.htm








  

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[amsat-bb] Re: NO-44 working?

2010-07-25 Thread Gordon JC Pearce
On Sat, 2010-07-24 at 19:57 -0500, Rick - WA4NVM wrote:
 Gordon,
 
 Where is the ISS at the time you are hearing this signal?  It's been running
 packet quite often on that frequency.  Just a thought.
 
 73,
 Rick WA4NVM

Well south of the horizon.  NO-44 was at it again today (gpredict
confirmed an NO-44 pass, don't know why I didn't think of that
yesterday) but again too weak to decode.  Really busy, though.

Right, I'm off to make a preamp.  Maybe I'll get it next time around.
Unlike the ISS, I get nice high passes off NO-44.  The ISS rarely gets
above 30 degrees...

Gordon MM0YEQ

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[amsat-bb] LA4FPA/p

2010-07-25 Thread Bob- W7LRD

Picked up a new one this AM,  worked Erling on AO-7, at 6960Km not a record, 
but a fun challenge.  Thanks go to John-K8YSE for keeping the bb updated.  This 
stuff never gets old. 
73 Bob W7LRD 
Seattle
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[amsat-bb] Re: NO-44 working?

2010-07-25 Thread Douglas Quagliana
There is a webpage for PCSAT on findu.com.  The callsigns from the 
satellite
appear as W3ADO-1 and  PCSAT-11.

See   http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/pcsat.cgi

Douglas KA2UPW/5


Gordon JC Pearce wrote:
 It's not loud enough to copy with my dipole, because it's still pretty
 low in the sky to the north (shielded by hills a bit) - but NO-44 seems
 to be blorting away quite the thing on 145.825MHz.  At least, I can't
 see what else it would be, unless it's some local mobile (unlikely).

 Gordon MM0YEQ
   

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[amsat-bb] EN63 by Sked this Week

2010-07-25 Thread Doug Papay
All,

I am in EN63, west Michigan, this week (thru Saturday July 31st AM) on vacation 
 have the satellite gear w/me--this being said, I'm not planning to be active 
unless I have specific interest from those who need this grid. (Otherwise, I 
might be heard active from time to time via the remote @ my home QTH in EN62.)

Pse email me if you want to arrange a sked via FM sat.  We are on Lake Michigan 
and have an excellent view to the west which provides a good opportunity for me 
to work low angle passes for those in the western USA that might not yet have 
EN63 confirmed.

73,

Doug KD8CAO

Sent from my iPhone
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 0009z on or off?

2010-07-25 Thread Andrew Glasbrenner
Alan Cresswell wrote:
 Hi drew,

 I notice that when AO-51 comes over ZL/VK after coming out of eclipse (about
 5 minutes since eclipse) that after some use the transponder drops out and
 will not retrigger for 10 to 15 seconds.  This behavior continues right
 through to LOS.  I presume this is caused by the batteries still being only
 lightly re-charged and with use they drop below some cut-off level.  My
 question is to whether this is of concern and should usage in this part of
 the world be restricted for longer after eclipse.

 73
 Alan
 ZL2BX
   

Your presumption is correct. The power management software watches both 
eclipse state from the panel voltages, and battery voltages. Things are 
currently arranged so that eclipse or battery voltage below a VERY 
conservative set point reduces downlink power to zero.  A similar thing 
happens when a command station turns 435.150 on along with the regular 
downlink. As the battery sags, or the spacecraft turns and panel outputs 
fluctuate sometimes both transmitters will shut off for a few seconds. 
Of course when this happens the battery quickly rebounds and they pop 
back on.

Thanks for asking, but it is perfectly fine to continue use when this 
happens. Especially with the case of ZL, there is plenty of open ocean 
with no use for things to finish charging up.

73, Drew KO4MA

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[amsat-bb] Playing with GPS

2010-07-25 Thread Lee Ernstrom
Hi Guys,
 
I have been playing around with my Garman NUVI GPS and comparing the
readings to Google Maps.  This is something you call try at home.  My
Garman says that the base of my HF tower is at 41.07430 N 112.03774 W.
When I punch in those coordinates in to Google Maps in the satelite view
mode the arrow points to a location about 30 feet away near the middle
of the lawn east of my driveway.  When I play around with the
coordinates a little through interpolation and punch them in to Google
Maps several times I arrive at what appears to be the true coordinates
of the base of my HF tower at 41.074329 N 112.037770 W.  I suppose that
is the significant difference that sixth decimal place makes.  Check
both of these coordinates on Google Maps to see what I mean.  Any
comments?
 
WA7HQD
Lee Ernstrom 
Syracuse, Utah DN31xb
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[amsat-bb] Re: Playing with GPS

2010-07-25 Thread Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF
Nobody guarentees your GPS to be accurate to within 30 feet and neither does 
Google maps.
My GPS usually claims around 10-12 feet accuracy provided it can see around 10 
satellites.
Leave your GPS on laying in your yard for a couple of hours plotting it's 
course and see how far it wanders.

On 25-Jul-10 22:55, Lee Ernstrom wrote:
 Hi Guys,

 I have been playing around with my Garman NUVI GPS and comparing the
 readings to Google Maps.  This is something you call try at home.  My
 Garman says that the base of my HF tower is at 41.07430 N 112.03774 W.
 When I punch in those coordinates in to Google Maps in the satelite view
 mode the arrow points to a location about 30 feet away near the middle
 of the lawn east of my driveway.  When I play around with the
 coordinates a little through interpolation and punch them in to Google
 Maps several times I arrive at what appears to be the true coordinates
 of the base of my HF tower at 41.074329 N 112.037770 W.  I suppose that
 is the significant difference that sixth decimal place makes.  Check
 both of these coordinates on Google Maps to see what I mean.  Any
 comments?

 WA7HQD
 Lee Ernstrom
 Syracuse, Utah DN31xb
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 No virus found in this incoming message.
 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
 Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3026 - Release Date: 07/24/10 
 18:36:00


-- 
Nigel A. Gunn,  1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA.  tel +1 937 
825 5032
Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF),  e-mail ni...@ngunn.net   www  
http://www.ngunn.net
Member of  ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548,  Flying Pigs QRP Club 
International #385,
Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691,  AMSAT-UK 0182, MKARS,  ALC, 
GCARES, XWARN.

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[amsat-bb] Re: Playing with GPS

2010-07-25 Thread Sangat Singh
Hi Lee,

Thanks for your observation.  I remember in those days when the accuracy
wasn't that  great, and the GPS were rather rare.  Showing his newly
acquired GPS and showing off the exact positon , well nearly.

OK I will tell you now where we are

We are on that hill pointing a mile away

Well in your case at least you could see your tower hi.

Happy hunting

73


Sangat, 9M2SS

On 26 July 2010 06:55, Lee Ernstrom iamsavedbygr...@q.com wrote:

 Hi Guys,

 I have been playing around with my Garman NUVI GPS and comparing the
 readings to Google Maps.  This is something you call try at home.  My
 Garman says that the base of my HF tower is at 41.07430 N 112.03774 W.
 When I punch in those coordinates in to Google Maps in the satelite view
 mode the arrow points to a location about 30 feet away near the middle
 of the lawn east of my driveway.  When I play around with the
 coordinates a little through interpolation and punch them in to Google
 Maps several times I arrive at what appears to be the true coordinates
 of the base of my HF tower at 41.074329 N 112.037770 W.  I suppose that
 is the significant difference that sixth decimal place makes.  Check
 both of these coordinates on Google Maps to see what I mean.  Any
 comments?

 WA7HQD
 Lee Ernstrom
 Syracuse, Utah DN31xb
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[amsat-bb] Re: Playing with GPS

2010-07-25 Thread Glenn AA5PK
Garmin claims 15 meters average accuracy on their Web site.
http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/

Glenn AA5PK

- Original Message - 
From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF ni...@ngunn.net
To: Lee Ernstrom iamsavedbygr...@q.com
Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 6:37 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Playing with GPS


 Nobody guarentees your GPS to be accurate to within 30 feet and neither does 
 Google maps.
 My GPS usually claims around 10-12 feet accuracy provided it can see around 
 10 satellites.
 Leave your GPS on laying in your yard for a couple of hours plotting it's 
 course and see how far it wanders.
 
 On 25-Jul-10 22:55, Lee Ernstrom wrote:
 Hi Guys,

 I have been playing around with my Garman NUVI GPS and comparing the
 readings to Google Maps.  This is something you call try at home.  My
 Garman says that the base of my HF tower is at 41.07430 N 112.03774 W.
 When I punch in those coordinates in to Google Maps in the satelite view
 mode the arrow points to a location about 30 feet away near the middle
 of the lawn east of my driveway.  When I play around with the
 coordinates a little through interpolation and punch them in to Google
 Maps several times I arrive at what appears to be the true coordinates
 of the base of my HF tower at 41.074329 N 112.037770 W.  I suppose that
 is the significant difference that sixth decimal place makes.  Check
 both of these coordinates on Google Maps to see what I mean.  Any
 comments?

 WA7HQD
 Lee Ernstrom
 Syracuse, Utah DN31xb
 ___
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 No virus found in this incoming message.
 Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
 Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3026 - Release Date: 07/24/10 
 18:36:00

 
 -- 
 Nigel A. Gunn,  1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA.  tel +1 937 
 825 5032
 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF),  e-mail ni...@ngunn.net   www  
 http://www.ngunn.net
 Member of  ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548,  Flying Pigs QRP Club 
 International #385,
Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691,  AMSAT-UK 0182, MKARS,  ALC, 
 GCARES, XWARN.
 
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[amsat-bb] Public information brochure

2010-07-25 Thread Scott Richardson
Has AMSAT, or any frequent satellite demonstrator, developed an information 
brochure or card that explains the basics of amateur radio with a focus on 
space programs? I sometimes attract attention while operating in public and 
would like to provide a take-away for people -- licensed or not -- who show 
some interest.

73, Scott N1AIA

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[amsat-bb] K2BSA Special Event Station

2010-07-25 Thread Andrew Koenig
This week, K2BSA will be operating on the satellites from the 2010 National
Scout Jamboree. We expect to make most of the FM satellite passes that cover
FM18 (Fort AP Hill, VA) in the evenings, and we will experiment with the
linear birds too. Finally, we have an ARISS contact planned too.

QSL cards for the 100th anniversary are available if you send a card, and
SASE, to the QRZ K2BSA address.

73's de K2BSA

-- 
Andrew Koenig
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[amsat-bb] Re: Playing with GPS

2010-07-25 Thread Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF
That's around 45 feet, I believe the owner of the GPS network only claims half 
that accuracy most of the time.

On 26-Jul-10 00:19, Glenn AA5PK wrote:
 Garmin claims 15 meters average accuracy on their Web site.
 http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/

 Glenn AA5PK
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[amsat-bb] video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning microcontroller

2010-07-25 Thread Bruce Robertson
Some of you know about my qrptracker project, which is aiming at a
compact, microcontroller-based doppler tuning device for use in the
field. My previous videos showed an FT-817 controlled by this device
and using a small speaker and CW to announce the bird. I've just
posted a video to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/VE9QRP that
demonstrates the program that is used to load TLEs into the
microcontroller, sync the tracker, etc. It also shows the
microcontroller tuning a TH-D7A handheld, and it shows a LCD display.
My goal now is to make an altoids-tin-sized package that connects to a
TH-D7A or an FT-817, has an LCD display and provides doppler tuning.

In further developments in this project,  I've worked on porting the
SGP4 algorithm to the ATMega644p. (Currently the project uses the
Plan13 algorithm.)It's not an exact port, since the 'double' data type
is not the same length, but with some careful hand-crafting, we're
getting accuracies down to 1/10th of a degree lat and long.
sub-satellite point.

73, Bruce
VE9QRP

-- 
http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com
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[amsat-bb] Re: video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning microcontroller

2010-07-25 Thread Gary Joe Mayfield
Cool!  Trakbox lives again!!!

73,
Joe kk0sd

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Bruce Robertson
Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 8:51 PM
To: AMSAT-BB
Subject: [amsat-bb] video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning
microcontroller

Some of you know about my qrptracker project, which is aiming at a
compact, microcontroller-based doppler tuning device for use in the
field. My previous videos showed an FT-817 controlled by this device
and using a small speaker and CW to announce the bird. I've just
posted a video to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/VE9QRP that
demonstrates the program that is used to load TLEs into the
microcontroller, sync the tracker, etc. It also shows the
microcontroller tuning a TH-D7A handheld, and it shows a LCD display.
My goal now is to make an altoids-tin-sized package that connects to a
TH-D7A or an FT-817, has an LCD display and provides doppler tuning.

In further developments in this project,  I've worked on porting the
SGP4 algorithm to the ATMega644p. (Currently the project uses the
Plan13 algorithm.)It's not an exact port, since the 'double' data type
is not the same length, but with some careful hand-crafting, we're
getting accuracies down to 1/10th of a degree lat and long.
sub-satellite point.

73, Bruce
VE9QRP

-- 
http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com
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