[amsat-bb] Re: Icom AG-35 Preamp Question
Hi All, Somebody please clarify---I may be wrong, but I thought the Icom preamps did the following with Icom radios: In receive, 12V is powered up the coax. Device is powered, preamp is ON. In transmit, the 12 power feed is stopped. Device is not powered, and it's bypassed during xmit. If this is the case, it complicates greatly the use of Icom preamps on non-Icom radios (means there isn't a typical RF-sensed bypass circuit, which means it would be easy to blow in a non-Icom radio). Am I remembering this wrong? Mark N8MH At 09:30 PM 8/11/2012 -0700, Art McBride wrote: Rick, I suggest you use a VOM or DMM to measure the current drawn on 12 volts going to the power injector. If everything is connected correctly It will draw 30-200 mA. Confirm that you have continuity in your coax. Some lightning arrestors have a DC block built in. It is best to test it with a short run of coax between the preamp and the power injector at the radio while listening to a local repeater to see if the signal increases when you apply power to it. If it operates then you can proceed to determine if there are problems with the coax to the antenna, not carrying the 12 VDC. 73 Art, KC6UQH -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Lawn, Richard Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 3:30 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Icom AG-35 Preamp Question I bought an Icom AG-35 preamp about a year ago. The fellow ham advertised it as virtually brand new and it was/is. I planned to use it this summer with a TS-2000 which doesn't supply 12v voltage to the coax to power a preamp as other xcvrs do. I used a Mirage KP2 unit to inject power to the coax to drive mast mounted the preamp. When I turn the power on there seems to be little or no noticeable difference in background noise and worse than that I cannot here any signals on FO-29 downlink, and I know the bird has been active. Any suggestions? Is the preamp fried? I can't even get the weather proof case off to trouble shoot, not that I'd know what to look for. Any suggestions on repair? TNX 73 Rick W2JAZ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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-BB@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-BB@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: Icom AG-35 Preamp Question
You are unfortunately correct and this was not clear in any manuals, at least to me, when I began to use an icom preamp for 435 on my TS-2000. Hence, a blown preamp! There is a guy I found on eBay that sells a switching box that plugs into the external control port on a TS-2000 and gives you a relay control RCA out cable for each of the VHF/UHF bands, even 1.2 if you have it. You can control either amps or preamps. I may look into this, once I figure out how to repair the preamp if it is even repairable, but I think it is. Thanks for all the input everyone. At the end of the day I wish I had my 847 as I feel it may be a more user friendly rig for sats at least for controlling external preamps. Rick W2JAZ Sent from my iPad http://RickLawn.com On Aug 12, 2012, at 8:39 AM, Mark L. Hammond marklhamm...@gmail.com wrote: Hi All, Somebody please clarify---I may be wrong, but I thought the Icom preamps did the following with Icom radios: In receive, 12V is powered up the coax. Device is powered, preamp is ON. In transmit, the 12 power feed is stopped. Device is not powered, and it's bypassed during xmit. If this is the case, it complicates greatly the use of Icom preamps on non-Icom radios (means there isn't a typical RF-sensed bypass circuit, which means it would be easy to blow in a non-Icom radio). Am I remembering this wrong? Mark N8MH At 09:30 PM 8/11/2012 -0700, Art McBride wrote: Rick, I suggest you use a VOM or DMM to measure the current drawn on 12 volts going to the power injector. If everything is connected correctly It will draw 30-200 mA. Confirm that you have continuity in your coax. Some lightning arrestors have a DC block built in. It is best to test it with a short run of coax between the preamp and the power injector at the radio while listening to a local repeater to see if the signal increases when you apply power to it. If it operates then you can proceed to determine if there are problems with the coax to the antenna, not carrying the 12 VDC. 73 Art, KC6UQH -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Lawn, Richard Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 3:30 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Icom AG-35 Preamp Question I bought an Icom AG-35 preamp about a year ago. The fellow ham advertised it as virtually brand new and it was/is. I planned to use it this summer with a TS-2000 which doesn't supply 12v voltage to the coax to power a preamp as other xcvrs do. I used a Mirage KP2 unit to inject power to the coax to drive mast mounted the preamp. When I turn the power on there seems to be little or no noticeable difference in background noise and worse than that I cannot here any signals on FO-29 downlink, and I know the bird has been active. Any suggestions? Is the preamp fried? I can't even get the weather proof case off to trouble shoot, not that I'd know what to look for. Any suggestions on repair? TNX 73 Rick W2JAZ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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-BB@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-BB@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: Icom AG-35 Preamp Question
Hi Mark, That is the way they're supposed to work. +12v receive - 0v on xmit. It is fine with a Yaesu FT-736R using the built in preamp feed system - power up the coax. Just have to watch out for any DC block. It also would work with a Yeasu FT-847 if it had 1296. I had one for a while. I found I had to open it up and retune as it was set for the low end of the 23cm band?!? My biggest problem was that it was only good for about 15 watts. I had to use it after my DL2AM 80 watt amp Mike - Original Message - From: Mark L. Hammond marklhamm...@gmail.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Icom AG-35 Preamp Question Hi All, Somebody please clarify---I may be wrong, but I thought the Icom preamps did the following with Icom radios: In receive, 12V is powered up the coax. Device is powered, preamp is ON. In transmit, the 12 power feed is stopped. Device is not powered, and it's bypassed during xmit. If this is the case, it complicates greatly the use of Icom preamps on non-Icom radios (means there isn't a typical RF-sensed bypass circuit, which means it would be easy to blow in a non-Icom radio). Am I remembering this wrong? Mark N8MH At 09:30 PM 8/11/2012 -0700, Art McBride wrote: Rick, I suggest you use a VOM or DMM to measure the current drawn on 12 volts going to the power injector. If everything is connected correctly It will draw 30-200 mA. Confirm that you have continuity in your coax. Some lightning arrestors have a DC block built in. It is best to test it with a short run of coax between the preamp and the power injector at the radio while listening to a local repeater to see if the signal increases when you apply power to it. If it operates then you can proceed to determine if there are problems with the coax to the antenna, not carrying the 12 VDC. 73 Art, KC6UQH -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Lawn, Richard Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 3:30 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Icom AG-35 Preamp Question I bought an Icom AG-35 preamp about a year ago. The fellow ham advertised it as virtually brand new and it was/is. I planned to use it this summer with a TS-2000 which doesn't supply 12v voltage to the coax to power a preamp as other xcvrs do. I used a Mirage KP2 unit to inject power to the coax to drive mast mounted the preamp. When I turn the power on there seems to be little or no noticeable difference in background noise and worse than that I cannot here any signals on FO-29 downlink, and I know the bird has been active. Any suggestions? Is the preamp fried? I can't even get the weather proof case off to trouble shoot, not that I'd know what to look for. Any suggestions on repair? TNX 73 Rick W2JAZ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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-BB@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-BB@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-BB@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: Icom AG-35 Preamp Question
Sorry guys, thought you were talking AG1200, not AG35 73, Mike, N1JEZ AMSAT 29649 A closed mouth gathers no feet - Original Message - From: Mike Seguin N1JEZ n1...@burlingtontelecom.net To: kc6...@cox.net; 'Lawn, Richard' rl...@uarts.edu; amsat-bb@amsat.org; Mark L. Hammond marklhamm...@gmail.com Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 8:57 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Icom AG-35 Preamp Question Hi Mark, That is the way they're supposed to work. +12v receive - 0v on xmit. It is fine with a Yaesu FT-736R using the built in preamp feed system - power up the coax. Just have to watch out for any DC block. It also would work with a Yeasu FT-847 if it had 1296. I had one for a while. I found I had to open it up and retune as it was set for the low end of the 23cm band?!? My biggest problem was that it was only good for about 15 watts. I had to use it after my DL2AM 80 watt amp Mike - Original Message - From: Mark L. Hammond marklhamm...@gmail.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Icom AG-35 Preamp Question Hi All, Somebody please clarify---I may be wrong, but I thought the Icom preamps did the following with Icom radios: In receive, 12V is powered up the coax. Device is powered, preamp is ON. In transmit, the 12 power feed is stopped. Device is not powered, and it's bypassed during xmit. If this is the case, it complicates greatly the use of Icom preamps on non-Icom radios (means there isn't a typical RF-sensed bypass circuit, which means it would be easy to blow in a non-Icom radio). Am I remembering this wrong? Mark N8MH At 09:30 PM 8/11/2012 -0700, Art McBride wrote: Rick, I suggest you use a VOM or DMM to measure the current drawn on 12 volts going to the power injector. If everything is connected correctly It will draw 30-200 mA. Confirm that you have continuity in your coax. Some lightning arrestors have a DC block built in. It is best to test it with a short run of coax between the preamp and the power injector at the radio while listening to a local repeater to see if the signal increases when you apply power to it. If it operates then you can proceed to determine if there are problems with the coax to the antenna, not carrying the 12 VDC. 73 Art, KC6UQH -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Lawn, Richard Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2012 3:30 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Icom AG-35 Preamp Question I bought an Icom AG-35 preamp about a year ago. The fellow ham advertised it as virtually brand new and it was/is. I planned to use it this summer with a TS-2000 which doesn't supply 12v voltage to the coax to power a preamp as other xcvrs do. I used a Mirage KP2 unit to inject power to the coax to drive mast mounted the preamp. When I turn the power on there seems to be little or no noticeable difference in background noise and worse than that I cannot here any signals on FO-29 downlink, and I know the bird has been active. Any suggestions? Is the preamp fried? I can't even get the weather proof case off to trouble shoot, not that I'd know what to look for. Any suggestions on repair? TNX 73 Rick W2JAZ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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-BB@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-BB@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-BB@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-BB@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: How the Amateur Radio OSSI-1 Satellite Works
--- On Sun, 12/8/12, Vu Trong Thu th...@fpt.edu.vn wrote: With only 4 LEDs, I wonder how OSSI-1 compares to FITSAT-1 (NIKAWA) Hi Thu, I understand that due to the high power consumption of the FITSAT-1 LED's they will only be activated when FITSAT-1 is within range of the command station in Japan. I guess Việt Nam may also be in range at the same time. I am hoping that the lower power consumption of the fewer LED's on OSSI-1 will mean that it may be available to be seen in other parts of the world as well. 73 Trevor M5AKA OSSI-1 General Overview http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9600 ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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: How the Amateur Radio OSSI-1 Satellite Works
Hi Trevor, Thank you, it makes sense to me. However, with only 4 LEDs if OSSI-1 can be visible to the naked eye, or even to a digital camera with long exposure setting, that'll be incredible! I'll bring out my telescope and camera ready for both satellites :) 73, Thu -Original Message- From: Trevor . [mailto:m5...@yahoo.co.uk] Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 11:39 PM To: g0...@aol.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org; Vu Trong Thu Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: How the Amateur Radio OSSI-1 Satellite Works --- On Sun, 12/8/12, Vu Trong Thu th...@fpt.edu.vn wrote: With only 4 LEDs, I wonder how OSSI-1 compares to FITSAT-1 (NIKAWA) Hi Thu, I understand that due to the high power consumption of the FITSAT-1 LED's they will only be activated when FITSAT-1 is within range of the command station in Japan. I guess Việt Nam may also be in range at the same time. I am hoping that the lower power consumption of the fewer LED's on OSSI-1 will mean that it may be available to be seen in other parts of the world as well. 73 Trevor M5AKA OSSI-1 General Overview http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9600 ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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] live video stream link for Cubesat Summer Workshop 2012
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubesat-summer-workshop-2012 Hi, from USU. Samudra N3RDX (202) 812-3325 ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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: W1T - FN52 Grid Activation *UPDATES*
Yeah, but what are conditions on the lobster, quahog and corn on the cob front.. Sometime, ya just gotta have priorities Come to think of it, an Arrow might make a combo grill for that stuff Enjoy yer vacation Clayton...its 95 and smoky skies from forest fires here ! 73, Ted, K7TRK -Original Message- From: Clayton Coleman W5PFG [mailto:kayakfis...@gmail.com] Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2012 3:14 PM To: undisclosed-recipients: Subject: W1T - FN52 Grid Activation *UPDATES* Unfortunately the weather off Cape Cod in grid square FN52 did not cooperate. Instead, we operated from FN51 at the site of Marconi's 1902-1903 wireless station between Wellfleet and Eastham, Massachusetts. Several FO-29, SO-50, and AO-27 passes were worked. A major frontal boundary of low and high pressure systems was stalled along the coast, causing too much uncertainty. Waves were observed between 4-6 ft, winds a constant 15+ knots from the SW, and the U.S. Coast Guard had issued a SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY. The nice thing is that grids don't move. It'll be there for another day -- another activation. Thank you for all who worked W1T on this adventure. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Sat, Aug 4, 2012 at 9:21 AM, Clayton Coleman W5PFG kayakfis...@gmail.com wrote: We're approximately one week away from my planned trip to FN52aa off the east coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts 11-12 August. SATELLITES: Operations will be on the AO-27, SO-50, and FO-29 satellites only. We will be operating QRP so please be conscious of this when you are trying to make contact via FO-29's linear transponder. I will be weak and the more power you run will be to the detriment of everyone on the pass. Please take this into consideration! TERRESTRIAL SSB PHONE: In addition to satellite activation we will run 6m SSB into a rotatable dipole. QRP. CALLSIGN: Special event call sign - W1T.There will be three hams on the boat (N1EZT, KD1OQ, and W5PFG.) If either of us call someone with our own call, do not return a call back if you are not being called. W1T will be the primary call sign. QSL: Self-addressed, stamped envelope to W5PFG. Non-US stations, please email me. I will upload Logbook of the World only upon request. WEATHER: At this time we are tracking coastal weather. Nothing major at the moment except for Tropical Storm Florence. Aside from Murphy, Weather is our biggest foe on this adventure. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: On game day, K4FEG will announce my presence of W1T on Twitter (@k4feg) and AMSAT-BB. Please do not re-post this information anywhere else. 73, Clayton W5PFG On Sat, Jul 28, 2012 at 12:50 PM, Clayton Coleman W5PFG kayakfis...@gmail.com wrote: In just a few weeks I will embark on a fishing excursion off of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. On board are 2 other operators and we intend to activate water grid FN52aa for several AO-27 and SO-50 passes. Possible use of VO-52 and FO-29 satellite passes. This will occur the afternoon/evening of August 11 and potentially into the morning of August 12. Some passes from FN51 might be worked during transit. The primary call sign used will be W1T. Please note I am not announcing this operation to the AMSAT-BB, QRZ, eHam, Twitter, or other distribution methods. Once we are *live* and making contacts that weekend, please feel free to post. All of this, of course, is weather permitting. FN52aa is on the Atlantic Ocean side of Cape Cod. We're departing from the Bourne Marina on the south side of Cape Cod Canal. We are considering pulling the boat out and towing it to Truro for put-in. That is dependent on whether or not Truro has room for us. If the commercial fisherman have tagged out on Stripers, we might put the boat in at Truro and save a lot of water travel time. I have hard commitments on August 13 so there is no chance of extending the operation. 73 Clayton W5PFG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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] Can anyone help identify this signal
I was getting ready for a pass today and heard a very disturbing signal in the 70 cm satellite band (435.84MHz). The signal was very strong. The signal was at least 500KHz wide (max range on spectrum scope). The the spectrum looked like FM but the recording was made with the receiver set to usb mode. I checked the signal on two different receivers (IC-7000 and IC-7600 with a 70cm converter) to make sure it was not a internal birdie of some sort. During the pass it wiped out the sat when it was on. Fortunately it went away after about an hour. I am fairly sure it was terrestrial as the signal level did not change over the hour. Since it was on for only very short periods of time it was impossible to point the beam at it. Any help identifying the signal type would be appreciated. http://www.tomdoyle.org/RX-8-12-2012-435.84MHz%20-%20USB.WAV tnx 73 W9KE Tom Doyle ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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: Can anyone help identify this signal
Military radar. It's a common occurrence here on the gulf coast. 73, Drew KO4MA Sent from my iPhone On Aug 12, 2012, at 6:29 PM, Thomas Doyle tomdoyle1...@gmail.com wrote: I was getting ready for a pass today and heard a very disturbing signal in the 70 cm satellite band (435.84MHz). The signal was very strong. The signal was at least 500KHz wide (max range on spectrum scope). The the spectrum looked like FM but the recording was made with the receiver set to usb mode. I checked the signal on two different receivers (IC-7000 and IC-7600 with a 70cm converter) to make sure it was not a internal birdie of some sort. During the pass it wiped out the sat when it was on. Fortunately it went away after about an hour. I am fairly sure it was terrestrial as the signal level did not change over the hour. Since it was on for only very short periods of time it was impossible to point the beam at it. Any help identifying the signal type would be appreciated. http://www.tomdoyle.org/RX-8-12-2012-435.84MHz%20-%20USB.WAV tnx 73 W9KE Tom Doyle ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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-BB@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] FP Saint-Pierre GN16
Hi, Will be operating from approximately 15Z 13-August-2012 and 16Z 14-August-2012. I'll try to specifically be on at least the 1652Z-1707Z SO-50 pass and AO-27 1711Z-~1720Z pass. Will have HF capabilities also. I suppose someone will spot me on the cluster when they hear me. Callsign will be FP/N8TLV. QSL via N8TLV either direct or LoTW. Weather may affect ability to operate, particularly if the ferry is delayed/cancelled. Meteo France is currently calling for a lovely day of fog and drizzle between 19 and 21 degrees. 73, Mark ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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
