[amsat-bb] Re: Lightning protection

2013-10-17 Thread Art McBride 
Surface area counts ten for lightning protection. Down conductor braid ,
copper pipe or strap 2-3" wide has the most conductivity. Coiling Coax in a
3" diameter at the base of the tower and placing a separate ground strap on
the coax before the coil to strip off the lightning currents will off some
degree of protection.
For ideas and knowledge visit  http://www.protectiongroup.com/Home 

Art,
KC6UQH

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of K5OE
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 11:45 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Lightning protection


K9STH wrote:
> Sorry, but NFPA NEC (National Electrical Code) definitely requires that
ALL 
> grounding electrodes MUST be connected together!  There are VERY good
reasons 
> for doing this...

Yeah, this is a requirement that has vexed designers of complex electrical
systems for years.
One solution, generally meeting this requirement, is to go ahead an utilize
separate ground rods
and tie the rods together with a (large) grounding cable--usually pvc
insulated cable for corrosion 
protection. In industrial installations these connections are often made so
they can be 
disconnected in the event of differential currents flowing and causing
problems with 
communication/signal systems.

Much like K8BL's recommendations, I too have used #10 AWG for the ground
from the rotor/mast
 to the ground rod, and hoped and prayed the lightning liked it (if ever
needed).  This is especially important
for a non-earthed installation like a tripod on a roof.  I have been
fortunate to never having to find out...

73,
Jerry, M0GOE
___
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: Yaesu G-5400B Rotor Update

2013-10-17 Thread John Fickes 
Les
  If your looking for a AZ EL rotor, there is an Alfa Spid on ebay now.
That has a very good price. This is the same one I have and it, in my
opinion, is a much better rotor than the Yaesu. The starting price is about
a third of a new one. And they state it's never been outside.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antenna-Rotator-RAS-1-/190933751489?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Antennas&hash=item2c7489d6c1

Good Luck 73
   John  KC0BMF


On Thu, Oct 17, 2013 at 3:24 PM, Les Rayburn  wrote:

> Update on the Yaesu G-5400B rotor. It turned out that only the rotor
> controller and cable was available. It appears that the rotor itself may
> have gone with the tower whenever it was disassembled during removal. It's
> from an estate sale, so hard to be sure.
>
> Any value to the rotor controller? Or perhaps someone has the rotor but is
> in search of a new box?
>
>
> --
> --
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> 121 Mayfair Park
> Maylene, AL 35114
> EM63nf
>
> 6M VUCC #1712
> AMSAT #38965
> Grid Bandits #222
> Southeastern VHF Society
> Central States VHF Society Life Member
> Six Club #2484
>
> Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
>
> __**_
> 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] D STAR net tonight

2013-10-17 Thread damon runion 
D STAR AMSAT users net tonight 01:00 utc on REF58A.   DX stations welcomed
Please join in and share any news you may have or questions.
 Thanks WA4HFN em55
Damon
___
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] Yaesu G-5400B Rotor Update

2013-10-17 Thread Les Rayburn 
Update on the Yaesu G-5400B rotor. It turned out that only the rotor 
controller and cable was available. It appears that the rotor itself may 
have gone with the tower whenever it was disassembled during removal. 
It's from an estate sale, so hard to be sure.


Any value to the rotor controller? Or perhaps someone has the rotor but 
is in search of a new box?



--
--
73,

Les Rayburn, N1LF
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf

6M VUCC #1712
AMSAT #38965
Grid Bandits #222
Southeastern VHF Society
Central States VHF Society Life Member
Six Club #2484

Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

___
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] NH6Y FO-29

2013-10-17 Thread Bob- W7LRD 
Any one looking for Hawaii? Just had a nice chat with Tom NH6Y on FO-29 his 
grid BL10. No one on but he and I, he also operates AO-7 
73 Bob W7LRD 
___
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] AO-7 N. Eu.

2013-10-17 Thread Bob- W7LRD 
shortly at 1831Z I will have a foot print to N. Eu. also a part of UK. from 
Seattle Wa. CN87. On about 145950 max el. 5* 
73 Bob W7LRD 
___
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] VE's attending 2013 AMSAT Symposium in Houston

2013-10-17 Thread Clayton Coleman 
If you are an ARRL or W5YI Volunteer Examiner attending this year's
symposium, please contact me off the AMSAT-BB.

We have the opportunity to test a foreign visitor.  I'd like to arrange a
test session that will fit into the symposium schedule.  Very likely it
would be early in the morning of Saturday or Sunday.

Thank you,
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] FUNcube

2013-10-17 Thread Graham Shirville 

Hi Rich,

The format is 1k2 BPSK so a Dongle or 2 metre SSB receiver will be needed to 
receive the signals.


The Dashboard software needed to decode and display the telemetry and Fitter 
messages will be released well before the launch with, hopefully, a full set 
of user notes!


cheers

Graham
G3VZV

___
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