[amsat-bb] ARISSAT-1 CW beacon heard
Quickly dialed up 2 meter SSB/CW receiver this evening Heard ARISSAT-1 CW beacon (weak) -- 15 August, 21:15 CDT. Appeared to be in Lo Pwr mode, No BPSK telemetry or FM heard. Copied part of the CW beacon (some fading) the old fashion way -- no computers were used or harmed with this method. IHU 53C; CP 31C; Battery 35 C missed the current and then signal disappeared. == w9gb ___ 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] NO ARISSat-1 deployment today
Watching Live NASA TV . As reported by NASA and Russian spacewalkers ... one antenna is missing from KEDR/ARISSat-1 .. and the satellite will be returned to ISS. No launch today. greg w9gb == Message: 17 Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2011 07:11:25 -0700 (PDT) From: B J top_gun_can...@yahoo.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Live ARISSat Deployment EVA Video To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Message-ID: 1312380685.72069.yahoomailclas...@web30902.mail.mud.yahoo.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii It's available at: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html 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] Re: Yaesu 5500 rotor problem
Jeff - Yaesu G-5500 Owner / Operator's Manual -- Schematic Diagram on LAST Page. http://gatorradio.org/Manuals/Yaesu_G-5500_Operating_Rotor_Manual.pdf If you have the paper manual, you have the schematic. LINK to Electronic version provided above. Fairly straight forward, component level troubleshooting with a VOM/DVM (Logic probe useful). greg w9gb == Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:54:10 -0400 From: Jeff KB2M Subject: [amsat-bb] Yaesu 5500 rotor problem To: amsat-bb I'm having a problem with my 5500 after a thunderstorm. What is happening is that the rotor works manually, but doesn't display AZ and EL information on the control box. When I try to use computer control it goes all the way to stop in both azimuth and elevation. I'm thinking this might be in the control box, as both AZ and EL are doing the same thing, the control box being the single point of failure. Did anyone ever have this problem? How can I diagnosis what chip might be at fault without a schematic. I vaguely remember having this same problem after a close lightning strike with my prior AZ EL Yaesu box about 14 years ago, but don't remember what chip I swapped out, or how I determined which one was at fault. This getting old thing really sucks. Any help would be appreciated. 73 Jeff kb2m ___ 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: Replacement Yaesu G-5400B Controller Terminal Strips
I would keep the screw metric threaded --- likely that was an earlier problem. You can order the replacement terminal strips from Yaesu USA Parts. Vertex Standard USA, Inc. Yaesu Amateur Products Division 10900 Walker Street Cypress, CA 90630 t.fac...@vxstdusa.com Sales Dept: 714-827-7600 ext 1513 Parts Dept: 714-827-7600 ext 6800 w9gb == Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2011 17:00:55 -0400 From: William Liporace - WC2L Subject: [amsat-bb] Replacement Yaesu G-5400B Controller Terminal Strips To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Good Afternoon, I have a Yaesu G-5400B Controller with a couple of semi stripped set screw. I am wondering if someone has replacement terminal strips. Has anyone one come up with a decent replacement scheme? TNX Will WC2L ___ 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: Fixed! Re: Landwehr 70cm preamp device
FYI, parts for the Landwehr pre-amps Ted at Radio DAN still carries replacement Mitsubishi MGF1402 GaAsFET (discontinued) http://www.radiodan.com/ted_stuff/landwehr.htm RF Parts lists the Mitsubishi MGF series MGF1402 - was listed as $18.95 in 2007, currently (2011) you need to Call for Price. http://www.rfparts.com/transistors_2SKand3SK.html#bf Check with K0KN ... from an earlier AMSAT-BB posting -- he may have extra ! http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200701/msg00021.html PC Electronics carried the part in 2007, but they may have sold their remaining stock. http://www.hamtv.com/specials.html GH Engineering (UK) http://www.ghengineering.co.uk/prices.htm#Mitsubishi Greg w9gb Date: Thu, 2 Jun 2011 08:59:54 -0500 (CDT) From: n0jy Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Fixed! Re: Landwehr 70cm preamp device question? To: Mark L. Hammond Cc: K5OE I'm glad you shared this all here Mark, I have a 2M Landwehr that's been cranking along since 1993 or so, I've never looked inside but this thread is something I'll keep in case it gets flaky on me. 73, Jerry N0JY ___ 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: LF Satellite ideas?
Bob - I apoligize for the tardinesss of reply to your query. December is a busy time for me with projects finishing and planning for 2011 projects. I would suggest the University of Alaska's work with Red Sprites and Blue Jets. http://elf.gi.alaska.edu/ What are Red Sprites and Blue Jets? Red sprites and blue jets are upper atmospheric optical phenomena associated with thunderstorms that have only recently been documented using low light level television technology. The first images of a sprite were accidently obtained in 1989 (Franz et al. , 1990). Beginning in 1990, about twenty images have been obtained from the space shuttle (Vaughan et al. , 1992; Boeck et al. , 1994). Since then, video sequences of well over a thousand sprites have been captured. These include measurements from the ground ( Lyons, 1994; Winckler, 1995) and from aircraft (Sentman and Wescott, 1993; Sentman et al. , 1995 ). Numerous images have also been obtained from aircraft of blue jets ( Wescott et al. , 1995 ), also a previously unrecorded form of optical activity above thunderstorms. Blue jets appear to emerge directly from the tops of clouds and shoot upward in narrow cones through the stratosphere. Their upward speed has been measured to be about 100 km per second. Anecdotal reports of rocket-like and other optical emissions above thunderstorms go back more than a century (Lyons, 1994), and there have been several pilot reports of similar phenomena (Vaughan and Vonnegut, 1989). Possibly associated gamma ray bursts and TIPPS have also recently reported. Together, these phenomena suggest that thunderstorms exert a much greater influence on the middle and upper atmospheres than was previously suspected. Specific to your VLF capabilities on this satellite .. Look at the 1997 PhD disseration by Steve Cummer submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University: Lightning and Ionospheric Remote Sensing Using VLF/ELF Radio Atmospherics http://www-star.stanford.edu/~vlf/publications/theses/cummerthesis.pdf at Stanford University: Lightning and Ionospheric Remote Sensing Using VLF/ELF Radio Atmospherics http://www-star.stanford.edu/~vlf/publications/theses/cummerthesis.pdf This research was supported by the Office of Naval Research through grants N00014-93-1-1201 and N00014-95-1-1095, by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research through grant F49620-97-1-0468, and by the Air Force Phillips Laboratory through grant F19628-96-C-0149. That should get you started Bob. Greg w9gb -- Message: 16 Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:13:33 -0500 (EST) From: Bob Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu Subject: [amsat-bb] LF Satellite ideas? To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Message-ID: 20101211141333.agv57...@msan1.usna.edu Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Is 137 KHz possible from space? Our next Cubesat will have a 1100 meter long antenna (think tether satellite). It will ultimatelly be an electrodynamic tether but the first one will have NO ACTIVE ELECTRONICS connected to the tether. So I have asked them to make it 1100m long instead of a generic 1km tether to try to make it resonant in an amateur band. THe path loss at 137 KHz is 60 dB LESS than it is at 2 meters, so it shouldn't take much to communicate with an 1100m long antenna. I'm sorry I didnt think of this sooner, but I need a real SCIENCE justification for this. Maybe LF that low will never punch through the ionosphere, or maybe it will be completely absorbed. Can give good science on this idea? Bob, WB4APR -- Message: 16 Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:13:33 -0500 (EST) From: Bob Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu Subject: [amsat-bb] LF Satellite ideas? To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Message-ID: 20101211141333.agv57...@msan1.usna.edu Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Is 137 KHz possible from space? Our next Cubesat will have a 1100 meter long antenna (think tether satellite). It will ultimatelly be an electrodynamic tether but the first one will have NO ACTIVE ELECTRONICS connected to the tether. So I have asked them to make it 1100m long instead of a generic 1km tether to try to make it resonant in an amateur band. THe path loss at 137 KHz is 60 dB LESS than it is at 2 meters, so it shouldn't take much to communicate with an 1100m long antenna. I'm sorry I didnt think of this sooner, but I need a real SCIENCE justification for this. Maybe LF that low will never punch through the ionosphere, or maybe it will be completely absorbed. Can give good science on this idea? Bob, WB4APR ___ 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: LF Satellite ideas?
Stanford University's VLF Research Group http://vlf.stanford.edu/research The Stanford University VLF Group investigates the Earth's electrical environment, its upper atmosphere, lightning discharges, radiation belts, and the ionized regions of upper atmosphere known as the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Much of our work involves the use of very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic waves which are generated by lightning discharges, by man-made transmitters and by energetic radiation belt electrons. We investigate the generation of these waves and the manner in which they propagate in and scatter from various regions of the upper atmosphere. We use VLF waves as diagnostic tools to investigate physical processes in the Earth's plasma environment. Under the direction of Professor Umran Inan , the VLF group carries out extensive observational programs at multiple sites around the world and on satellites. In addition, extensive theoretical modeling and interpretation work is carried out, on quantitative modeling of high-altitude optical emissions known as sprites, blue jets, and elves, on modeling the propagation and scattering of electromagnetic waves in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide, and on other related electromagnetic wave and plasma physics problems. VLF Data http://vlf.stanford.edu/vlfdata/ === w9gb - Original Message - From: G. Beat gregory.b...@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 7:23:44 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] LF Satellite ideas? Specific to your VLF capabilities on this satellite .. Look at the 1997 PhD disseration by Steve Cummer submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University: Lightning and Ionospheric Remote Sensing Using VLF/ELF Radio Atmospherics http://www-star.stanford.edu/~vlf/publications/theses/cummerthesis.pdf at Stanford University: Lightning and Ionospheric Remote Sensing Using VLF/ELF Radio Atmospherics http://www-star.stanford.edu/~vlf/publications/theses/cummerthesis.pdf This research was supported by the Office of Naval Research through grants N00014-93-1-1201 and N00014-95-1-1095, by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research through grant F49620-97-1-0468, and by the Air Force Phillips Laboratory through grant F19628-96-C-0149. That should get you started Bob. Greg w9gb -- Message: 16 Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:13:33 -0500 (EST) From: Bob Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu Subject: [amsat-bb] LF Satellite ideas? To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Message-ID: 20101211141333.agv57...@msan1.usna.edu Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Is 137 KHz possible from space? Our next Cubesat will have a 1100 meter long antenna (think tether satellite). It will ultimatelly be an electrodynamic tether but the first one will have NO ACTIVE ELECTRONICS connected to the tether. So I have asked them to make it 1100m long instead of a generic 1km tether to try to make it resonant in an amateur band. THe path loss at 137 KHz is 60 dB LESS than it is at 2 meters, so it shouldn't take much to communicate with an 1100m long antenna. I'm sorry I didnt think of this sooner, but I need a real SCIENCE justification for this. Maybe LF that low will never punch through the ionosphere, or maybe it will be completely absorbed. Can give good science on this idea? Bob, WB4APR -- Message: 16 Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:13:33 -0500 (EST) From: Bob Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu Subject: [amsat-bb] LF Satellite ideas? To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Message-ID: 20101211141333.agv57...@msan1.usna.edu Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Is 137 KHz possible from space? Our next Cubesat will have a 1100 meter long antenna (think tether satellite). It will ultimatelly be an electrodynamic tether but the first one will have NO ACTIVE ELECTRONICS connected to the tether. So I have asked them to make it 1100m long instead of a generic 1km tether to try to make it resonant in an amateur band. THe path loss at 137 KHz is 60 dB LESS than it is at 2 meters, so it shouldn't take much to communicate with an 1100m long antenna. I'm sorry I didnt think of this sooner, but I need a real SCIENCE justification for this. Maybe LF that low will never punch through the ionosphere, or maybe it will be completely absorbed. Can give good science on this idea? Bob, WB4APR ___ 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: Kenpro 500 parts?
Tony - Unless you have access to a local machine shop and machinist, your only source for these Japanese manufactured parts is Yaesu USA. SOME of the KR-500 parts may be identical (common) to the current production Yaesu G-550 elevation rotator. Yaesu purchased the Kenpro Company which originated these designs. The individual azimuth and elevation rotators were KR-400 and KR-500. Later came the KR-5400, the KR-5400-A/B and the KR-5600-A/B. [i]After the purchase, Yaesu eventually changed these prefix designations to G from the earlier KR. DIY REPAIR SITES for the KenPro / Yaesu Rotators, Courtesy of the previous KenPro/Yaesu queries from QRZ and AMSAT-BB reflector (archives) Henk, PA3GUO (Netherlands) described the repair and cleaning of the KR400 and KR500 rotators (Photos). http://www.pa3guo.com/ KENPRO-YAESU ELEVATION ROTATOR MAINTENANCE This is a useful collection of articles compiled by longtime AMSAT member Ron Long W8GUS. Common faults of the KR-500 series elevation rotator and its derivatives are described. Instructions, hints and tips for disassembly, cleaning, and rebuild are included. ZIP File size 11.5K. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/kr_rot.zip W7KKE had a web page that demonstrated the rebuilding of his Yaesu G-5500 Az/Elev rotator, however that web page is now gone. : -( http://webpages.charter.net/k.swaggart/W7KKE/w7kke.html IF you need parts or desire to have the rotator repaired by Yaesu, you can contact the Yaesu service department in California that handles rotator repairs. Vertex Standard USA Attn: Amateur Repair 10900 Walker Street Cypress, CA 90630 For customer service, technical support or parts, please call: 714-827-7600 K6VLF in Fresno, CA started a repair business for older KenPro / Yaesu rotors --- Contact him for details! * Phone: (559) 264-0772 * Email: k6...@comcast.net * Web: http://yaesurotorrepair.com Talino, IZ7ATH has photos (belt) of his repair http://www.qsl.net/iz7ath/web/02_brew/13_rotor/english/pag07_eng.htm Full article http://www.qsl.net/iz7ath/web/02_brew/13_rotor/english/pag02_eng.htm His web site http://www.qsl.net/iz7ath/web/home_eng.htm KenPro KR-500 manual http://www.w4rp.com/KR500/index.html http://www.g4dmf.co.uk/rotatorinfo/rotators.html Yaesu G-550 manual http://www.yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?FileID=968FileCatID=155FileName=G%2D550.pdfFileContentType=application%2Fpdf Greg w9gb === Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:37:12 -0500 From: Tony, K2MO Subject: To: AMSAT-BB All, Can anyone tell me if the mounting hardware on the Yaesu G-550 is the same as the old Kenpro KR-500? Anyone other than Yaesu selling parts for these units? Thanks, Tony - K2MO ___ 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: Kenpro 500 parts?
Tony - REMEMBER -- ALL this hardware is METRIC. So use the proper parts and tools ! w9gb - Original Message - From: Tony d...@optonline.net To: G. Beat gregory.b...@comcast.net, AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2010 7:21:45 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Kenpro 500 parts? Greg, Wow! Thanks very much for that wealth of information on the old Kenpro. My old unit still works fine, but some of the hardware is rusted pretty bad. The G550 hardware looks identical so I may be in luck. I also need the terminal cover, but I doubt Yaesu has it since they don't use that type of wiring configuration anymore. Need to find some generic cover that fits. Thanks again Greg Tony -K2MO On 11/18/2010 4:58 PM, G. Beat wrote: Tony - Unless you have access to a local machine shop and machinist, your only source for these Japanese manufactured parts is Yaesu USA. SOME of the KR-500 parts may be identical (common) to the current production Yaesu G-550 elevation rotator. Yaesu purchased the Kenpro Company which originated these designs. The individual azimuth and elevation rotators were KR-400 and KR-500. Later came the KR-5400, the KR-5400-A/B and the KR-5600-A/B. [i]After the purchase, Yaesu eventually changed these prefix designations to G from the earlier KR. DIY REPAIR SITES for the KenPro / Yaesu Rotators, Courtesy of the previous KenPro/Yaesu queries from QRZ and AMSAT-BB reflector (archives) Henk, PA3GUO (Netherlands) described the repair and cleaning of the KR400 and KR500 rotators (Photos). http://www.pa3guo.com/ KENPRO-YAESU ELEVATION ROTATOR MAINTENANCE This is a useful collection of articles compiled by longtime AMSAT member Ron Long W8GUS. Common faults of the KR-500 series elevation rotator and its derivatives are described. Instructions, hints and tips for disassembly, cleaning, and rebuild are included. ZIP File size 11.5K. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/kr_rot.zip W7KKE had a web page that demonstrated the rebuilding of his Yaesu G-5500 Az/Elev rotator, however that web page is now gone. : -( http://webpages.charter.net/k.swaggart/W7KKE/w7kke.html IF you need parts or desire to have the rotator repaired by Yaesu, you can contact the Yaesu service department in California that handles rotator repairs. Vertex Standard USA Attn: Amateur Repair 10900 Walker Street Cypress, CA 90630 For customer service, technical support or parts, please call: 714-827-7600 K6VLF in Fresno, CA started a repair business for older KenPro / Yaesu rotors --- Contact him for details! * Phone: (559) 264-0772 * Email: k6...@comcast.net * Web: http://yaesurotorrepair.com Talino, IZ7ATH has photos (belt) of his repair http://www.qsl.net/iz7ath/web/02_brew/13_rotor/english/pag07_eng.htm Full article http://www.qsl.net/iz7ath/web/02_brew/13_rotor/english/pag02_eng.htm His web site http://www.qsl.net/iz7ath/web/home_eng.htm KenPro KR-500 manual http://www.w4rp.com/KR500/index.html http://www.g4dmf.co.uk/rotatorinfo/rotators.html Yaesu G-550 manual http://www.yaesu.com/downloadFile.cfm?FileID=968FileCatID=155FileName=G%2D550.pdfFileContentType=application%2Fpdf Greg w9gb === Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:37:12 -0500 From: Tony, K2MO Subject: To: AMSAT-BB All, Can anyone tell me if the mounting hardware on the Yaesu G-550 is the same as the old Kenpro KR-500? Anyone other than Yaesu selling parts for these units? Thanks, Tony - K2MO ___ 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: muTek Limited FT-736 boards
Bob - Sadly, this is another example of an individual getting over his head in acquiring (or starting) a business product or enterprise for the amateur radio industry/hobby. A loss for the weak-signal, EME, microwave, and satellite segment of the hobby. The specific product you are asking about is the RPCB 736ub http://www.mutekrf.com/rpcb736ub.htm Chas Mackinnon, GM8LMA has not updated his web site since February 2004 (moved muTek inventory and records to Scotland) http://www.mutekrf.com/index.html • The physical move took much longer to complete than we thought. Loading and unloading the 7 tonne lorry was quite straightforward but resulted in 5 man months just to classify, catalog, index, sort and identify all the stores. • The development facilities have been finished, together with test and maintenance areas, leaving just production to be completed over the next few weeks. • Our admin area still looks a little green field - and the computer room does not exist but is scheduled to be completed over the next three months. • Production evaluation of the RPCB144ub and the SLNA290 is currently in progress. These two products were selected to be done first from the very high number of enquiries. I am not aware of a replacement board set, liek that offered by muTek Limited (UK). At this point in technology, many would advocate to forget about upgrades to this classic VHF/UHF platform due to its age (~20 years). The automotive industry went through an identical attitude period -- but ironically the classic automotive segment supports a number of after-market firms. Yes, Software Defined Radios (SDR) are the current state-of-the-art .. but they have issues .. as with any emerging technology. A new design using currently available components, micro-processing/controller capabilities, and surface mount production could significantly upgrade the capabilities of this platform. Jim, W6PQL shows you what is possible (and the talent in the hoby) -- using an FT-736R (and other radios) as an IF platform for microwaves http://www.w6pql.com/ http://www.w6pql.com/parts_i_can_provide.htm WA7TZY adapted the W6PQL relay seqeuncer to the FT-736R http://web.mac.com/sdt49/WA7TZY/Other_Components.html http://web.mac.com/sdt49/WA7TZY/Other_Components_files/sequencer_1.jpg Greg w9gb - Original Message - Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:43:51 -0500 From: Bob Schmidt bschm...@ecdentalspecialists.com Subject: [amsat-bb] muTek 736 boards To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Does anyone have a source for the Mutek RPCB 736 boards. I don't think they are being made anymore. If not, are there other options that are similar to these boards? TNX Bob, WA9JDR -- ___ 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] LightSail-1 back-up satellite announced
Louis Friedman, program director for LightSail-1, has announced that a back-up craft to LightSail-1 will be built, instead of an investment in insurance for an estimated cost of $ 200,000. As previously announced in July 2010 by AMSAT News Service (SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-206.08) LightSail-1 is planned to be launched in early 2011. LightSail-1 is a three Cubesat spacecraft (size of shoebox and proposed AMSAT Fox). It will use UHF frequencies for tracking and command control stations. California Polytechnic University is supplying the Cubesat bus, avionics and launch vehicle P-POD interface;. Georgia Tech University is leading the mission operations, Dave Spencer serving as mission manager; Stellar Exploration, Inc. led by Tomas Svitek is building LightSail-1; Jim Cantrell of Strategic Space Systems is project manager; and Louis D. Friedman is the LightSail-1 program director. The LightSail-1 program will be featured this weekend in Washington D.C. The USA Science Engineering Festival National Mall in Washington, D.C. October 23 24, 1010 10am to 5:50pm http://www.planetary.org/programs/projects/space_information/usa_science_festival_2010.html For further information on this Planetary Society program: http://www.planetary.org/programs/projects/innovative_technologies/solar_sailing/ greg w9gb ___ 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 Satellite Downlink?
Bob - Yes, the TRANSIT satellite appears to be designed for a low speed broadcast style service. An Internet entry/access page would permit an ease of UI for the creation of the message to be properly encoded, upilnked and then broadcast on the downlink. Application would require these characteristics: 1. Content would have to be tolerant of no more than 2 changes each day, no stock quotes! Electronic equivalent of the old morning and evening newspaper. What does a locl nespaper provide for content that is still relavent or desired? 2. Content woiuld have to be relavant to amatuer radio or educational / scientific community. 3. Contant needs to be global in nature -- regional or country specific would not appeal to the larger global audience. 4. Should be content that has highest value to a mobile/portable station (think of a lone person in South Pacific - small island or boat: Tom Hanks in Cast Away ). What daily global content wojuld be most useful for them to know?? Assume they have the radio to receive and laptop computer. 5. Due to infrequency, data / information has to be correct the first time -- retractions woudl take one or two days (reducing validity of service content) Some content ideas: a. Daily solar activity/propogation daily bulletins (also sent via ARRL and Internet accessilble) useful to amateur DX community b. Lunar information for Tidal predictions c. TLE of amatuer radio satellites and ISS d. Global short message/bulletin to amateur radio community -- beyong ARRL focus -- more along ITU / global scope e. Astronomical events of note --- northern and southern hemisphere. Plantes visible, rare alignments. f. Special events (scientific, radio, etc.) -- hemispheric or very wide audience Greg w9gb Message: 11 Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:27:00 -0400 From: Robert Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu Subject: [amsat-bb] New Satellite Downlink? To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Possible new AMSAT Application? We may have access to two old TRANSIT navigation satellites with a 50 baud downlink at 149.985 (and 400 MHz). (presently coming over in the mid afternoon). My problem is, coming up with any meaningful application to use them for communications that would capture the interest of students, hams or volunteers in support of education, public service or emergency comms or just plain fun... The downlink can be heard on an OMNI antenna (though I would suggest a 3/4 wave (55) vertical) and could be decoded by a simple software only application with a sound card. (someone has to write it)... The total useful message capability is about 500 bytes transmitted every 2 minutes (at 50 baud). The uplink is very specialized and can ONLY BE DONE from one (or two) very special command stations. These satellites of course were the original Navy Navigation satellite system (also called OSCARS) and so the message would be in-place of the normal navigation data. SO in a sense, this is a downlink BROADCAST application. Since ham radio is two way, I'm stumped for applications. The total message capability of 500 Bytes can contain one long ARRL bulletin, or 20 APRS position/status reports, or say 20 or so APRS text messages, or say 50 callsign exchanges or maybe even 1 thumbnail image... but what's the application? Even if we allow say, INTERNET link to the command station for anyone to contribute to the twice per-day upload, then everyone's receiver application can receive them... For what? So Im looking for ideas. All I can come up with so far is: 1) ARRL Bulletins? (I don't even know how often ARRL sends bulletins ...) 2) Navy/Army/AF MARS broadcast bulletins ... 3) Internet message in-to-command-upload-to message RF downlink. Two stations do this to each other and it counts as a two-way QSO? 4) ... Every scenario of interest usually begins with the much higher value of UPLINK from the individual field station, not downlink.. Hence I am stumped. HUMMH... Maybe purely educational? If the software can run on any PC with a sound card connected to any scanner... Then every school can use it as a satellite downlink signal of interest.. What kind of thumbnail image can fit in 500 bytes? Send in your picture and get it downlinked on a given day? Etc.. Will need a DSP volunteer to write the sound card decoder. Bob, WB4APR ___ 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: ICOM 471A Output N Connector replacement
Mike - Contact Scott Malcom, KA7MEF Technician and Lead Go'fer at MTS Repair. Scott worked for Icom Service, when this radio was new, and should be able to provide the necessary insight for your work. He also has access to some parts from junked/donor radios of that classic Icom era. Malcom Technical Support (MTS) 5130 Jackson Hwy Toledo, WA 98591-8680 Email: m...@toledotel.com Voice Mail: 360 864 8438 eHam.net reviews (126) scoring 4.9 out of 5.0 (excellent rating) http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1786 greg w9gb -- Message: 8 Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 06:16:31 GMT From: mike casey doomsdaym...@netzero.com Subject: [amsat-bb] ICOM 471A Output N Connector replacement To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Message-ID: 20100615.021631.2646...@webmail05.dca.untd.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Has anyone replaced the female N connector on the IC 471A, 25 watt tranceiver PA module? It seems as if the heat sink is trapped between the N connector barrel and the PA circuit board. Unless the connector barrel pulls off of the pin, I see no way of removing it, or the circuit board to get at the pin. I don't want to use to much force in pulling off the barrel. Perhaps heating the pin might release the barrel. Any suggestions? Should I send it to Icom and let them worry about it? ___ 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
