[amsat-bb] Re: Antenna direction calibration
The North Star is the best. even tho it itself is a little off from exactly North also. But less than a degree. About 0.6 degrees or so. If that isn't accurate enough there are tables you can look up to learn what we call cumulation of Polaris. This is a time when Polaris (AKA The North Star) is directly above or below the pole. and then would give you an exact AZ setting, then 6 hours before or later Polaris would be east or west of the pole exactly and this would give you an exat elevation setting. Never use magnetic readings. depending where you live it can be a LOT off. Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 7/14/2013 11:01 PM, John Fickes wrote: Bob What I do ( and I'm not sure I'm right,but seems to work ) is to use the North star to calibrate. I live at 41.2* latitude, so if I crank my antennas to 41* elevation and point north 0* azimuth I should be pretty close. I also live at 1* magnetic declination, not much so I don't worry much about that. Now I don't do much EME as I don't have any power, but I've monitored EME and this seems to get me pretty close. I will also be glad to see what others do to calibrate. 73 John KC0BMF ___ 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: antenna direction calibration
Only if your program is accurate and operating correctly. The Sun is not a smooth mover, at say Noon, it is not due south in AZ all the time. Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 7/14/2013 11:06 PM, George Henry wrote: The sun is probably even better... George, KA3HSW - Original Message - From: "Bob- W7LRD" To: Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2013 10:29 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] antenna direction calibration You'd think I would have this figured out by now. I never paid very close attention to exact antenna direction until now. I mean the satellite was always within the beam pattern. I tried the SuM part of Satpc32. I am thinking of trying some EME, and I looked up the boom of the yagi' and I was about 8* high and maybe 10* to the right of the moon, still probably within the half power point of the beams. This is where the obsessive part comes along, should I use the moon as the "grand phooba" of calibration? Or compass true/mag. I mean the moon is "pretty" consistent. As always the collective thoughts of this bb are never wrong. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle ___ 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: antenna direction calibration
There's also the Heavens Above website, which will tell you exactly when local Noon is. The Sun will be at 180 degrees Az at that time. The disadvantage of this is that it will also be high in the sky, reducing accuracy. Unless you're at a high latitude... Bob wins on this one. Greg KO6TH Joe wrote: >Only if your program is accurate and operating correctly. The Sun is >not >a smooth mover, at say Noon, it is not due south in AZ all the time. > >Joe WB9SBD >Sig >The Original Rolling Ball Clock >Idle Tyme >Idle-Tyme.com >http://www.idle-tyme.com >On 7/14/2013 11:06 PM, George Henry wrote: >> The sun is probably even better... >> >> George, KA3HSW >> >> >> - Original Message - From: "Bob- W7LRD" >> To: >> Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2013 10:29 PM >> Subject: [amsat-bb] antenna direction calibration >> >> >>> You'd think I would have this figured out by now. I never paid very >>> close attention to exact antenna direction until now. I mean the >>> satellite was always within the beam pattern. I tried the SuM part >of >>> Satpc32. I am thinking of trying some EME, and I looked up the boom >>> of the yagi' and I was about 8* high and maybe 10* to the right of >>> the moon, still probably within the half power point of the beams. >>> This is where the obsessive part comes along, should I use the moon >>> as the "grand phooba" of calibration? Or compass true/mag. I mean >the >>> moon is "pretty" consistent. As always the collective thoughts of >>> this bb are never wrong. >>> 73 Bob W7LRD >>> Seattle >>> >> >> ___ >> 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 from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. ___ 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] AMSAT-UK Colloquium Programme
Hi, I'm pleased to let you know that programme is now complete. However, If you are bursting to share some info with us, I might be able to squeeze in two more 20 minute presentations, one each on Saturday & Sunday afternoons. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aq4J8y0gGRnkdG9uVks0Y3JJOGx4ODV4WU0xZHNsd3c#gid=0 73 Dave, G4DPZ ___ 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] apogee prediction?
Hello (again)...Is there a way (program) that one can predict when the apogee of a given satellite will favor a given grid square? Specifically FO29 varies from about 813 km to 1351km. One can potentially "stretch" the footprint when it is at apogee. 73 Bob W7LRD (sunny) Seattle ___ 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] Personalized CubeSats
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space-all-small-cheap-satellites-may-one-day-do-your-6C10488674 http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/07/15/cubesats-personalized-eyed-for-interplanetary-missions/ 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL ___ 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] US Towers TMM-433HD for sale
On the ground, heavy duty 33 ft. crank up tower with fold-over fixture. Ten ft. mast, four coax arms, inverted vee arm. Everything except anchor bolts. Pick up only in Holden, MA. Originally $2,500. Make offer. Contact Dave at wa6...@amsat.org. ___ 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] TNC-220 jumper info?
I know its an old tnc but does anyone have info on the jumper settings they can scan and email to me? Or how the com port speed is set? If I can use it to free up one of my newer tnc's for another use that would be great. Would be nice to locate newer firmware if possible. I have a burner, just need the file. I ask here because most of the info I found on the net dealt with hams using this tnc for Satellites. Thanks and 73, Mike kb5wbh ___ 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: [SPAM] TNC-220 jumper info?
On 7/15/2013 5:59 PM, Mike Nettles wrote: The jumper on my TAPR TNC may be marked for adjustment. I know its an old tnc but does anyone have info on the jumper settings they can scan and email to me? Or how the com port speed is set? If I can use it to free up one of my newer tnc's for another use that would be great. Would be nice to locate newer firmware if possible. I have a burner, just need the file. I ask here because most of the info I found on the net dealt with hams using this tnc for Satellites. Thanks and 73, Mike kb5wbh ___ 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: Rotor in need of overhaul
Just for every ones info, Norm doesn't do Yaesu. " yaesu prefers to handle their own service, you will have to contact them" From: Pete Rowe [mailto:ptr...@yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2013 7:50 PM To: Jim Bennett Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Rotor in need of overhaul Hi Jim You might check with Norm at: rotorservice.com He is a good guy and repairs many different rotors. Pete WA6WOA _ From: Jim Bennett To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, July 13, 2013 4:19 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Rotor in need of overhaul Has anyone got a reliable source to overhaul the Yaesu B5400 rotors? Or should I just replace with new? Or with the sats dying, should I even care to fix them? Thanks for any insite. Jim Ke4kol ___ 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
