Re: [amsat-bb] 432 10-13 -Element Antenna?

[Jim Jerzycke]

Hi, Les

I've been using an M2 420-50-11 for satellite use for years now, and it 
works great.


Not as much gain as the old KLM 30-element CP antenna I have, but then 
it's not 10' long either!


Check it out at the M2 website:

http://www.m2inc.com/index.php?ax=amateur&pg=103

73, Jim  KQ6EA



On 07/21/2014 04:18 AM, Les Rayburn wrote:
I'm limited to indoor antennas for all my amateur operations, 
including satellite operation. Right now, I'm running a 6 element 2 
Meter yagi, along with the 7 element 432 beam (part of an arrow 
antenna). I have room to rotate a larger, and longer 432 antenna, and 
I'd love to have more gain.


Most of the commercial antennas seem to be either small and portable, 
like the Arrow or much longer intended for weak signal operations. Is 
anyone aware of something in between, such as a 10 to 13 element 
antenna available commercially. No time or interest in homebrewing one 
right now.


Even better, does anyone have one that is surplus to their needs that 
they'd like to sell?






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Re: [amsat-bb] Fodtrack Serial rotor controller on HamLib

[Jim Jerzycke]

I would suspect it's using the Yaesu GS-232 protocol.

Jim  KQ6EA


On 06/22/2014 06:08 PM, Greg D wrote:

Hi folks,

So all this talk about Gpredict got me to look at updating my own 
setup, which pre-dated the modern Gpredict capabilites.  But being so 
archaic, I need some help connecting the dots...


I have Gpredict / Hamlib talking to my Yaesu FT-736R radio for Doppler 
tracking just fine, but the rotor is a problem.  My controller is 
home-brewed, and emulates the subset of the "Yaesu serial protocol" as 
output from the original DOS version of FODTrack.  The syntax is the 
letter "W" followed by the Azimuth, a space, the Elevation, and 
terminated with a carriage return (hex 0d).  Both the Az and El are 
whole decimal integers.  When I moved to Linux and Predict (the 
ncurses version) in 2002, I modified the software to copy that same 
syntax, and all was fine.


Tab forward over a decade to my question:  What model "Yaesu 
controller" was FODTrack thinking it was talking to?  I need to find 
an equivalent model for Hamlib's rotctl daemon, and none of the 
choices seem to match.  They all seem to want to talk to a single 
rotor (Az or El, not both).  Is there an equivalent model, Yaesu or 
otherwise, that accepts "Waaa eee\n" for Az + El positioning?


Thanks,

Greg  KO6TH

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Re: [amsat-bb] Ubuntu software advice

[Jim Jerzycke]

GPredict will work just fine, although I suggest you download the manual 
and study it, as it's got a few arcane functions in it.


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 06/18/2014 02:27 AM, Richard Lawn wrote:

In an effort to resuscitate an older pc running windows XP (R.I.P.) I'm
trying to get acquainted with Ubuntu. I made some headway today with FlDigi
but need advice regarding a substitute for SatPC32 that will run under
Ubuntu and handle CAT control,of my FT-847. Any other Ubuntu ham programs
like logging, digital modes etc. that anyone can recommend us appreciated.

73
Rick
W2JAZ
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Re: [amsat-bb] Where did everyone go?

[Jim Jerzycke]

Yep, got all my stuff sorted out and staged, and just reserved the 
little U-Haul trailer I rent every year.


I'll be running the K6AA satellite station, so look for us!

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 06/18/2014 01:14 AM, Gary wrote:

Mighty quiet around here...
  
Anyone getting ready for Field Day?
  
73,

Joe kk0sd

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Re: [amsat-bb] receiving APT on 137 MHz

[Jim Jerzycke]

I have several ways to do it.

I have one of the old Hamtronix R139 crystal controlled receivers I 
built from a "kit".


It wasn't what I'd really call a kit, more like a box of parts with some 
instructions. It works fine once you get it operating.


I also have an old Radio Shack scanner I "converted" by pulling out the 
IF filter and replacing it with a fixed capacitor. It also works "OK", 
and considering I have about $5 in it, it's winner in the 
"Bang-for-the-buck" category.


And lastly, I have several of the USB "dongles", including both versions 
of the FunCube dongle.


They all work fine using an M2 2 Meter eggbeater with an SSB Electronic 
2 Meter preamp mounted at 20'.


Yes, I know I'm using the antenna and preamp way "out of band", but it 
doesn't seem to hurt. I get solid copy from when the APT birds are above 
10*, and that's plenty good for me.


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 06/14/2014 03:00 AM, Lizeth Norman wrote:

Hi all!
What are people using to receive APT on 137 MHz?. Since I do have an az el
rotator, was possibly looking for a homebrew yagi design. What say you??
Norm n3ykf
Currently very bored in Lima, Peru.
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[amsat-bb] Re: Yaesu G-5500 Wiring

[Jim Jerzycke]

From the manual:


Connect each wire to the terminals on the
rear panel of the controller, making sure to
match the numbers on the pins..

So, yes, it's 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, etc

Jim



On 04/20/2014 11:30 PM, David Rush wrote:
I've got a used set of Yaesu G-5500 az/el rotors, and the plugs that 
attach to the rotor housings.  I need to build cables to connect them 
to the Yaesu controller.


Page 3 of the instruction manual shows some info about the wiring, but 
doesn't explicitly say which screw terminal on the controller goes to 
which pin on the rotor plugs.


Is it simply 1-1, 2-2, ... 6-6?

David, ky7dr
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[amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

[Jim Jerzycke]

The original article said it didn't matter, but I put a 50 Ohm load on 
mine just on "General Principles".


I HATE seeing a port like that unterminated!

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 01/20/2014 10:06 PM, Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL wrote:

At 07:09 PM 1/19/2014 +0000, Jim Jerzycke  wrote:

Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article:


http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/

I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes 
them 90* to each other.


Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the 
coupling, and desense, down quite a bit.


73, Jim  KQ6EA



One thing I've always wondered about this is, would one what to
put a 50 ohm non inductive resister on the 2M output of the
diplexer? or shouldn't that make much difference.

KB7ADL



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[amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

[Jim Jerzycke]

Well, from my experience, every little bit helps.

I first had the two antennas mounted horizontally on the cross boom, and 
had some interference/desense. Then I installed the diplexer, and it 
lessened. Then I put the 2 Meter bandpass filter on the transmitter, and 
it improved some more. Then I mounted the two antennas at 45* to the 
boom, making them 90* to each other, and it went down some more.


Short of hanging huge cavity filters on the antenna, and using a 20' 
cross boom, I don't think there's much more I could do!


73, Jim


On 01/20/2014 04:54 AM, Greg D wrote:
The more I read about it, the more I expect that the right answer 
depends on one's particular receive-side hardware.  If it's already 
got good out of band filtering, then the hi-pass filter offered by the 
posted diagram won't help, since it's aimed at reducing the 2m 
fundamental overload.  For that, you need to use the 2m port on the Tx 
side (Tx to Common, 2m port to antenna, leaving the 70cm port 
unconnected).


On the other hand, if the receiver pretty wide open, then the 2m 
fundamental is the main problem, and the posted receive-side design 
will eliminate it before it hits the receive chain.


Yes?

Greg  KO6TH


Jim Jerzycke wrote:
Since I use a very good 2 Meter bandpass filter on my 2 Meter output, 
I use the diplexer AT the antenna, ahead of the preamp.


Jim  KQ6EA


On 01/20/2014 03:41 AM, Greg D wrote:
I know this has been answered before, but I forget.  Given one 
Diplexer, is it better to put it on the Tx side to limit the 3rd 
harmionic going out, or better on the Rx side to limit the VHF 
fundamental coming in?  Tony's diagram shows the later; I would have 
thought the former would be more effective (hitting the problem at 
its source).


Greg  KO6TH


Jim Jerzycke wrote:

Yep, been using one of those for years!

I have a Sinclair Labs unit that provides 100dB rejection outside 
of the 2 Meter band.


Jim  KQ6EA


On 01/19/2014 07:32 PM, w4tas wrote:

I would also suggest a low pass filter on the two meter transmitter.
A diplexer will work well for this also.
This will reduce the third harmonic which is causing your problem.

Good luck,




-Original Message- From: Jim Jerzycke
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:09 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article:


http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/

I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes
them 90* to each other.

Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the
coupling, and desense, down quite a bit.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 01/19/2014 06:56 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote:

Hi all,

I have a coupling problem in my station when trying to work 
FO-29.  My 2m
signal is completely blocking the 435 MHz downlink, and so I 
can't hear my
signal off the satellite. I guess it must be something related to 
the
distance between the two yagis. (I use the terrestrial horizontal 
yagis you
can see at http://www.dxmaps.com/jm19hn.html ). With mode-B 
satellites there
is no problem.  I have tried it with two different 435 receivers, 
and it's

exactly the same.

Anyone has had this problem o have an idea of the possible 
reason?  And what

is more important, of some way to solve it?

Thanks for any possible help.

73. Gabriel - EA6VQ
_
Web-Site: HTTP://www.dxmaps.com
VQLog 3.1 (build 78): HTTP://www.vqlog.com
_


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[amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

[Jim Jerzycke]

Since I use a very good 2 Meter bandpass filter on my 2 Meter output, I 
use the diplexer AT the antenna, ahead of the preamp.


Jim  KQ6EA


On 01/20/2014 03:41 AM, Greg D wrote:
I know this has been answered before, but I forget.  Given one 
Diplexer, is it better to put it on the Tx side to limit the 3rd 
harmionic going out, or better on the Rx side to limit the VHF 
fundamental coming in?  Tony's diagram shows the later; I would have 
thought the former would be more effective (hitting the problem at its 
source).


Greg  KO6TH


Jim Jerzycke wrote:

Yep, been using one of those for years!

I have a Sinclair Labs unit that provides 100dB rejection outside of 
the 2 Meter band.


Jim  KQ6EA


On 01/19/2014 07:32 PM, w4tas wrote:

I would also suggest a low pass filter on the two meter transmitter.
A diplexer will work well for this also.
This will reduce the third harmonic which is causing your problem.

Good luck,




-Original Message- From: Jim Jerzycke
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:09 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article:


http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/

I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes
them 90* to each other.

Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the
coupling, and desense, down quite a bit.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 01/19/2014 06:56 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote:

Hi all,

I have a coupling problem in my station when trying to work FO-29.  
My 2m
signal is completely blocking the 435 MHz downlink, and so I can't 
hear my

signal off the satellite. I guess it must be something related to the
distance between the two yagis. (I use the terrestrial horizontal 
yagis you
can see at http://www.dxmaps.com/jm19hn.html ). With mode-B 
satellites there
is no problem.  I have tried it with two different 435 receivers, 
and it's

exactly the same.

Anyone has had this problem o have an idea of the possible reason?  
And what

is more important, of some way to solve it?

Thanks for any possible help.

73. Gabriel - EA6VQ
_
Web-Site: HTTP://www.dxmaps.com
VQLog 3.1 (build 78): HTTP://www.vqlog.com
_


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[amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

[Jim Jerzycke]

Hi, Paul

I use that antenna as my "Field Day" antenna, as it's much easier to 
transport.


At home I use an M2 2M7 and a 420-450-11 with SSB preamps.

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 01/19/2014 11:21 PM, Paul wrote:

Hello Jim,

Do you still use the GulfAlpha 'Easy Sat' antenna?
I'm looking for any advice on improving performance.
I have already installed the diplexer as shown in the article below but it
seems I'm getting no good signal on the 70cm uplink.

Paul Delaney - K6HR
http://k6hr.dyndns.org:8080
  
  
-Original Message-

From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Jim Jerzycke
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 11:09 AM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article:


http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/

I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes
them 90* to each other.

Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the
coupling, and desense, down quite a bit.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 01/19/2014 06:56 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote:

Hi all,

I have a coupling problem in my station when trying to work FO-29.  My 2m
signal is completely blocking the 435 MHz downlink, and so I can't hear my
signal off the satellite. I guess it must be something related to the
distance between the two yagis. (I use the terrestrial horizontal yagis

you

can see at http://www.dxmaps.com/jm19hn.html ). With mode-B satellites

there

is no problem.  I have tried it with two different 435 receivers, and it's
exactly the same.

Anyone has had this problem o have an idea of the possible reason?  And

what

is more important, of some way to solve it?

Thanks for any possible help.

73. Gabriel - EA6VQ
_
Web-Site: HTTP://www.dxmaps.com
VQLog 3.1 (build 78): HTTP://www.vqlog.com
_


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[amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

[Jim Jerzycke]

Yep, been using one of those for years!

I have a Sinclair Labs unit that provides 100dB rejection outside of the 
2 Meter band.


Jim  KQ6EA


On 01/19/2014 07:32 PM, w4tas wrote:

I would also suggest a low pass filter on the two meter transmitter.
A diplexer will work well for this also.
This will reduce the third harmonic which is causing your problem.

Good luck,




-Original Message- From: Jim Jerzycke
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:09 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article:


http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/

I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes
them 90* to each other.

Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the
coupling, and desense, down quite a bit.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 01/19/2014 06:56 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote:

Hi all,

I have a coupling problem in my station when trying to work FO-29.  
My 2m
signal is completely blocking the 435 MHz downlink, and so I can't 
hear my

signal off the satellite. I guess it must be something related to the
distance between the two yagis. (I use the terrestrial horizontal 
yagis you
can see at http://www.dxmaps.com/jm19hn.html ). With mode-B 
satellites there
is no problem.  I have tried it with two different 435 receivers, and 
it's

exactly the same.

Anyone has had this problem o have an idea of the possible reason?  
And what

is more important, of some way to solve it?

Thanks for any possible help.

73. Gabriel - EA6VQ
_
Web-Site: HTTP://www.dxmaps.com
VQLog 3.1 (build 78): HTTP://www.vqlog.com
_


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[amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink

[Jim Jerzycke]

Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article:


http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/

I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes 
them 90* to each other.


Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the 
coupling, and desense, down quite a bit.


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 01/19/2014 06:56 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote:

Hi all,

I have a coupling problem in my station when trying to work FO-29.  My 2m
signal is completely blocking the 435 MHz downlink, and so I can't hear my
signal off the satellite. I guess it must be something related to the
distance between the two yagis. (I use the terrestrial horizontal yagis you
can see at http://www.dxmaps.com/jm19hn.html ). With mode-B satellites there
is no problem.  I have tried it with two different 435 receivers, and it's
exactly the same.

Anyone has had this problem o have an idea of the possible reason?  And what
is more important, of some way to solve it?

Thanks for any possible help.

73. Gabriel - EA6VQ
_
Web-Site: HTTP://www.dxmaps.com
VQLog 3.1 (build 78): HTTP://www.vqlog.com
_


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[amsat-bb] Prolific Chipset Driver Issues

[Jim Jerzycke]

The problem with using a cable with a "Prolific" chipset, is that many 
of these cables have counterfeit chips in them. What happens is you get 
them set up with the included drivers, the cable and program work 
properly, and then Windows Update replaces the driver with a newer 
version, and the cable stops working.


Prolific has changed their drivers to include some checking steps, and 
if the driver software detects a non-genuine "Prolific" chipset, it 
won't load, causing the cable to not work.


AFAIK, FTDI chipsets have  not been counterfeited, and will continue to 
work after Windows Update makes changes in your system.


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 01/18/2014 08:56 PM, K4FEG wrote:

Scott,
Frank, K4FEG here, I do not know if this would applicable to your 
situation, but while I was having control issues with my Icom Ic-910H 
and SatPC32, I reached out to Erich (writer of SatPC32) about the 
issues and he told me that some of the cables and other interface 
modules (USB/Serial adapters) need to have the /*FTDI chip set*/ in 
them, /*I had to search for a specific type of USB/Serial adapter that 
had the FTDI chip set in it.*/


Once I got this adapter, and plugged it in on my Windows 8 and 7 PC's, 
both operating systems instantly recognized the device and loaded the 
proper driver to make the adapter work. /*Erich explained that the 
PROLIFIC chip set, which is common in North America seems to have an 
issue with his program.*/


Another note is that there may be a firmware update for you Kenwood. I 
have had others tell me that their TS-2000 would not properly control 
with SatPC and when they got the various firmware updates for their 
specific model radio, it helped to resolve their control issues.


I do not know if this information is of help or not  but I thought 
that it might, you may post your question on my BB, Star-COM.net, if 
you like. My bb tries to cater more to real life situations and 
operations on the satellites and working with operators and rovers to 
facilitate working new grids on the "birds" you are most welcome to 
come visit there if you wish.

73 & best regards,
Frank
K4FEG
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[amsat-bb] Re: Almost There

[Jim Jerzycke]

Getting rid of the diplexer will reduce the loss, but not improve the 
gain. The gain is dependent on the design of the antenna.


73, Jim  KQ6EA

Adding a preamp at the antenna is always a good idea for satellite use.


On 01/05/2014 12:42 AM, Joel Black wrote:
After a rocky start to my Christmas Vacation (I fell off a ladder 
while pruning limbs from a tree - nothing broken, just banged up and 
bruised), I almost have my satellite station back on the air.


After doing some selling and horse-trading, I am back in possession of 
my FT-847 that I sold to my dad.


After cleaning out my storage building, I found a couple of fairly 
long runs of LMR400UF. I need to measure them, but I think it is more 
than enough to get me outside and up the mast.


I also have a U-100 control box thanks to someone on the list.

I operate an iMac with Mac OS X 10.9.1 so, for now, I am using SatPC32 
on my virtual machine. I have played around with MacDopplerPro, but it 
locks up on my computer continuously. I don't know if it has something 
to do with the USB-to-serial converter (I *do* have a null modem cable 
between the USB-to-serial converter and the FT-847), or if MDP is just 
limited in the unregistered version. The USB adapter works fine with 
my K3.


Let me ask a question about the Arrow Antenna. Someone mentioned Elk 
Antennas and, while I'm sure it's a fine product, I am already in 
possession of the Arrow. I've done a lot of reading and without 
getting into the arguments about Arrow vs. Elk and length of elements, 
etc., element isolation, and published vs. unpublished gain amounts 
let me tell you what I'm thinking:


First, I'm going to eliminate the diplexer. I will not need it for one 
thing. For another, it's limited to 10 W max input. From what I have 
read, my gain will be increased quite a bit. I don't remember the 
exact amount, but it's quite dramatic.


Second, the feed on the Arrow is a gamma match. From my reading, and 
I'm no engineer, for a gamma match to work properly the element(s) (at 
least the driven element) needs to be grounded. That's fine and, 
again, I don't want to get into the "why's" I just want to make sure 
I'm correct. Therefore, my question is:


Is there any reason I cannot turn the driven element 90 degrees to 
allow for a better connection to the BNC connector? Maybe not even 90 
degrees, but enough to get to the BNC connector without the male 
connector on the cable touching the boom. I want to weatherproof those 
connections. What I'd like to do after I turn the gamma match is feed 
it with a very short length of LMR240 and then into a preamp. After 
the preamp, I'll have the LMR400UF to run to the FT-847. Most gamma 
matches I see on commercial antennas are on the side of the antenna - 
if horizontal, they're below (or above) the boom; if vertical, it's 
off to one side. The Arrow is the only antenna I've seen with a gamma 
match on which the gamma match is not to one side or the other of the 
boom. I hope I'm making sense.


Anyway, I wanted to let those folks who helped out know that I 
appreciate it and that I'm much closer to being back on the birds than 
I was a few weeks ago.


73,
Joel - W4JBB
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[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Preamp Question

[Jim Jerzycke]

It says right on the web store page that a 9V battery "works great".

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 12/16/2013 02:43 AM, Douglas Phelps wrote:

Will the preamp, being sold by AMSAT, suffer any degradation in performance id 
operated on a 9 volt battery?  If yes, how much?  I would like to make it a 
stand alone preamp by putting a 9 volt battery on the side of it.

Thanks,
Doug
K9DLP
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[amsat-bb] Re: new computer new controller?

[Jim Jerzycke]

Get an LVB Tracker from AMSAT.

Absolutely bullet-proof, easy to set up, and interfaces with SatPC32.

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 12/03/2013 09:27 PM, Scott Smith wrote:

Hi folks, Santa(me) has got me a new computer for Christmas, it has Windows 
8.01. I have been using my faithful Kansas city Tracker/Tuner for many years 
and would like to update my system. I have the Kenpro 5400a and would like some 
input as to which is the best system to use to control it with my new computer. 
Any help will be appreciated. 73 de Scott VE6ITV
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO 73

[Jim Jerzycke]

Go to the AMSAT-UK site where it explains how to add AO-73 to SatPC32.

I did it this morning, and it's not very hard. Just some "copy and 
paste" operations.


http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/23/adding-new-satellites-to-satpc32/

73, Jim  KQ6EA



On 11/24/2013 07:22 PM, Pat McGrath wrote:


Any files available for SATPC to track AO 73?


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[amsat-bb] Re: G5500/LVB Tracker question

[Jim Jerzycke]

Either control box will do what the program tells it to do.

SatPC32 will decide when to move the rotors, and issue the command to 
the control box, using either of two different methods.


One method will be to move the rotors after a set time elapses, and the 
other will move the rotors based upon how much the position of the 
satellite changes.


Both of these methods have adjustable parameters, which are set under 
the Setup/Rotor Setup/Optional Settings tabs reached from the tabs 
located at the top of the screen.


The defaults are either 15 seconds per update, or 5 degrees per update. 
Check your settings, and adjust as required.


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 11/13/2013 08:02 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVH wrote:

For the second time in three years, the my az rotor on my G5500 has stopped
working. I bought it brand new and I'm using an Easy Rotor Controller for
an interface. I noticed that when the rotor is swinging around after
reaching its stop that every time SatPC32 sends an updated position to it,
it will stop for about a second and then start moving again. I'm not sure
if this repeated start-stop is causing the problem. Does the LVB Tracker do
the same thing?

Thanks

Dave-KB1PVH

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid RAZR
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[amsat-bb] Re: Yaesu Rotor G5400B

[Jim Jerzycke]

The LVB Tracker from AMSAT is a true plug-and-play interface, as is the 
clone of it from Fox Delta.


I have both, and they work flawlessly.

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 10/11/2013 03:04 AM, Les Rayburn wrote:
Picked up a like new Yaesu G5400B Az/El rotor and controller tonight 
from a friend. I'm thrilled to add to the station, but need some 
advice on how to best interface this rotor for computer control 
working with SATPC32.


Any quirks, tricks, or other issues I should be aware of before 
installing? It's going inside the attic, so weatherproofing is a 
non-issue.
As always, grateful for the advice. The satellite community is one of 
the most generous with sharing information, and as a newcomer I'm 
thankful.




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[amsat-bb] Re: Falcon 9 Successfully Launched

[Jim Jerzycke]

Naw, not really.

Kinda looked like somebody a few blocks away lit off a firework. If you 
didn't know what it was, you wouldn't have looked twice at it.


Now a NIGHT LAUNCH from VAFB is really something to see!

Jim


On 09/29/2013 05:37 PM, B J wrote:

On 9/29/13, Jim Jerzycke  wrote:

I was able to see a bit of the contrail here in Long Beach.

That must have been an impressive sight.

Just after ignition, I thought the liftoff was rather slow but the
rocket certainly sped up after it cleared the tower.  Until that
happened, I thought that it wasn't going to fly at all or come
crashing down onto the pad.

All payloads have been successfully deployed:

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/09/29/falcon-9-launch-payloads-orbit-vandenberg/
http://www.americaspace.com/?p=43113

73s

Bernhard VA6BMj @ DO33FL



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[amsat-bb] Re: Falcon 9 Successfully Launched

[Jim Jerzycke]

I was able to see a bit of the contrail here in Long Beach.

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 09/29/2013 04:18 PM, B J wrote:

All indications are that everything went as planned, though the video
downlink was intermittent.  Deployment of payloads has apparently
started.

73s

Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL
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[amsat-bb] Re: Phase 3

[Jim Jerzycke]

Those must have been exciting times!

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 09/29/2013 03:27 PM, Robert McGwier wrote:

Ah yes and how many knew Martin Sweeting was involved in early design
meetings for P3A?  Sorry for leaving you out Sir Martin!


On Sun, Sep 29, 2013 at 11:14 AM, Robert McGwier wrote:


 From one of the great minds of our history.  Marty showed us how good the
kinds of writing he did would be for us..

The first photo is one of the first formal meetings where Karl,  Jan,
Marty Davidoff, Tom Clark and others discuss Phase 3A.  These were GLORIOUS
years for AMSAT.  No one denies this and no amount of back biting or rehash
of old incidents will fix it.  The tools they had were their brains, a
pencil, and SOME calculation engine.  The tools we have today allow many
more to play.  The achievements that Karl's GENIUS, Jan's system
engineering and the technical input and guidance from the rest gave
(including Marty) are unsung and poorly told songs of the indomitable
spirit of these free spirited thinkers...


http://n4hy.smugmug.com/AMSAT/Phase-3-A/001-Meetings-01-Technical/2053450_WkWbc9#!i=105550031&k=L7jf7FJ

  And this one even earlier (that's Rich Zwirko, K1HTV in coat and tie).
  If others can identify people (not including Tom, Marty, Karl, and Jan and
Rich) please let me know who they are.


http://n4hy.smugmug.com/AMSAT/Phase-3-A/001-Meetings-01-Technical/2053450_WkWbc9#!i=105550132&k=PqJ99cK

I almost could wish I was 15 years older or had a time machine.

Bob
N4HY



On Mon, Sep 23, 2013 at 6:35 PM, Paul Stoetzer  wrote:


I recently obtained a copy of the 1990 edition of Martin Davidoff's
Satellite Experimenters' Handbook and as I was browsing through the book,
I
came across a passage on page 4-9 about the difficulties with UO-11,
that's
very relevant to the ongoing debate about the lack of Phase 3 satellites:

"If there's a message here, it's that taking part in the amateur satellite
program is not for the faint-hearted. Setbacks and barriers will always be
part of the picture. And, the most rewarding successes will probably come
from employing ingenuity and tenacity to overcome the 'impossible'
hurdles."

73,

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Washington, DC (FM18lv)


On Sun, Sep 22, 2013 at 7:17 PM,  wrote:



Hi Dan,

OSCAR-10 (P3-B) used the same 400N engine as OSCAR-13 (P3-C)  and
OSCAR-40 (P3-D).
For P3-E we have a 200N motor from EADS Astrium, the  same one which is
used on the European ATV...

I was AMSAT P3-A  (planned to be OSCAR-9) which used a solid propellant
apogee  kick-motor.
It's under the water near the cost of french Guiana..   RIP

You can find an very good article  here:
http://www.ka9q.net/AMSAT-Tech-Journal-2.pdf
See page  8..15

Rest assured, the PFA and propulsion system was qualified according  to
highest commercial standards by commercial companies. Thus in no  way
there would be any risk to the launcher or other payloads. This  also
includes several levels of safety borders in the hardware design and  in
the software.   The launch agencies have there own specialized  personal
to review all the details...Without that, nobody would  have

launched

any of the P3 satellites !!!
What happened to  AO-40 later on after orbit injection and after
activating the systems is a  completely different matter and did not
present any risk to the launcher at  any time!



Michael R. Lengruesser, DD5ER

AMSAT-DL e.V.
-- International Satellites for Communication,
Science and Education --
mlengrues...@amsat-dl.org
http://www.amsat-dl.org



In einer eMail vom 22.09.2013 21:07:08 Westeuropäische Sommerzeit

schreibt

n8...@usa.net:


The apogee motors for OSCAR-10,and OSCAR-13 were solid  propellant
400 Newton trust motors donated to AMSAT-DL by the  Messerschmitt

Aerospace

Company in Germany.

Only Phase 3A  had a solid fuel motor. AO-10 and AO-13 had liquid fuel
bi-propellent  motors the same as AO-40. No matter how well designed

they

are,
they still  have the potential to blow up the entire launch stack if
something
goes  wrong. Since Dick Daniels is no longer with us, the knowledge has
been
lost  and we will not be launching any more of these in the future.

Dan  Schultz  N8FGV


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--
Bob Mc

[amsat-bb] Re: Odd Question

[Jim Jerzycke]

Since the path that the launch vehicle will take is very well defined 
(unless something goes wrong!), and the paths of most objects that would 
intersect this path can be predicted, it becomes a juggling act to get a 
time when the launch vehicle will have a clear path, and your ground 
assets are available.


Since it takes a certain amount of time to get the launch vehicle ready, 
you work "backwards" from when you know your path will be clear on your 
trajectory to determine when you start your countdown.


The launch provider I work for has several people who do nothing but 
plan things like this, in coordination with USSTRATCOM, NASA, the FAA, 
the European Space Agency, the Russian Space Agency, and all the other 
other launch providers.


In the 9 years I've been doing my part (Communications, Range, and 
Telemetry) we've only had one "external" hold, and that was caused by 
NASA having to move the ISS a bit because the ISS was going to have a 
close approach of some space junk.


It's called a COLA (COllision Avoidance) hold, and if everybody does 
their planning properly, doesn't usually cause a problem.


One of the things considered is the ascent speed of the launch vehicle, 
as it's going pretty fast during it's passage through various altitudes.


HTH!

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 09/24/2013 04:22 AM, MICHAEL wrote:

For the longest time I have been wondering how a satellite is placed in
orbit without hitting anything else? I have seen pictures of all the stuff
circling the Earth and it just baffles me how anyone can get anything in
orbit  without hitting anything. Can anyone explain this?

Mike/N8GBU

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[amsat-bb] Re: Phase 3

[Jim Jerzycke]

"The actual launch cost is in the hundreds of millions"

Not quite.

I work for a commercial launch provider, and the cost to put a large 
satellite (DirecTV or Intelsat) into GTO is $95~$110 million, inclusive.


You ship it to us, and we'll get it into space at the correct injection 
point.


Since we're always looking for new revenue streams, I specifically 
brought up the possibility of releasing cubesats or "other" secondary 
payloads before primary spacecraft separation, or after if better, as I 
know we have the capability to support it.


Top management replied (and knowing these guys personally I have no 
reason to doubt them) that they looked into it seriously, BUT.


Since we don't build the "Payload Accommodation" (launch adapter, 
satellite support structure, fairing, avionics, ordinance, etc), we're 
at the mercy of the contractor who does build it to add in the 
capability of multiple satellite deployments, and the cost figure they 
came back with made it "economically infeasible to offer a secondary 
payload deployment service".


So while you may see launch providers that say they have the capability 
to drop off secondary payloads on their way to GTO, once you start 
talking "How much?", you'll find the game changes rapidly.


73, Jim  KQ6EA
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[amsat-bb] Re: Downloading SatPC 32

[Jim Jerzycke]

*Anybody* can download the latest version. It's free

If you mean "Does my registration work with the new version?", then the 
answer is yes.


Just follow the directions for migrating to the new version, and 
everything will continue to work for you as it has in the past.


Jim  KQ6EA


On 09/14/2013 03:19 PM, george abbott wrote:

Hi All:Can registered users download the latest version?
  

Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 06:44:09 -0700
From: ccre...@pacbell.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Downloading SatPC 32

Thanks for the input all, I finally was able to download and install, I don't 
know what the problem was , but it finally worked out ok , now I have to set it 
up, and that does not look  like a trivial task,
Thanks again.
Carl



  From: Alan 
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2013 4:59 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Downloading SatPC 32
  


I also had no problem with the download, so it sounds like something local 
rather than the server.  No
idea what, unfortunately.

73s,

Alan
WA4SCA


-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf 
Of Gus
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2013 10:02 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Downloading SatPC 32

Download without a hitch here.

On 09/13/2013 07:19 PM, carl creamer wrote:

I have been try to download SatPC32 from  http://www.dk1tb.de/downloadeng.htm
North American Version and it starts to download a few mega bites and stops.
I have tried this over the past several days and the same result.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Carl
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--
73, de Gus 8P6SM
Barbados, the easternmost isle.

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[amsat-bb] Re: A0 40 replacement

[Jim Jerzycke]

I agree with John 100%!

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 09/04/2013 10:53 PM, tosca...@umn.edu wrote:
As long as AMSAT-NA needs to concentrate on 1U/3U/6U Cubesats for the 
immediatee future, I would really like to see the pursuit of linear 
transponders on them instead of single-channel FM repeaters. The way I 
see it, launch opportunities are so rare that we ought to fly the most 
capable equipment we can on those rare occasions when we can get a 
launch.


John Toscano
W0JT
Amsat-Na LM#2292

On Sep 4 2013, n0jy wrote:


Hi Michael,

I would not say that AMSAT has abandoned HEO.  Rather, launch 
opportunities that exist now are being utilized.  Would you rather 
sit dormant and let all existing birds fail or re-enter while waiting 
for an HEO opportunity?
And AMSAT is just learning to build cubesats.  For AMSAT-NA, Fox-1 is 
a first.  If we're going to fly HEO, we had better be good at 
building a reliable satellite in a cubesat (be it 1, 3, or 6U) 
format.  The first HEO launch opportunity is not the time to figure 
that out!
While HEO launch opportunities do not exist now, but that does not 
mean that AMSAT isn't pursuing them as Drew pointed out, nor that 
AMSAT would not build an HEO satellite when opportunities do come. In 
the meantime, we are making lemonade and preparing through practice.


Jerry
N0JY

On 9/4/2013 4:25 PM, Michael wrote:
I'm almost fifty one years old and I'm now convinced that we will 
not see another HEO in orbit in my lifetime...if ever.  The economic 
environment to do it just doesn't exist anymore. AMSAT has as much 
as told everyone that by abandoning their efforts and concentrating 
on LEO cubesats.  No one is going to come out and say that we 
absolutely will never have one, they like to keep that glimmer of 
hope alive but the writing is on the wall.   No one wants to be 
wrong more than I do but I'd bet you P3-E never flies.

73,
Michael, W4HIJ

On 9/3/2013 3:32 PM, John Becker wrote:

Anything new on a replacement.
Have not see a thing myself.

John


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[amsat-bb] Re: Field Day 2013 - Sats

[Jim Jerzycke]

It's one QSO /*per FM satellite*/.

You can make as many as you want on the linear birds.

Jim  KQ6EA


On 09/04/2013 02:36 AM, Clint Bradford wrote:

I thought that the Field Day rules (both ARRL and AMSAT rules) limited the 
number of contacts for each entrant/submission/club to one QSO per satellite.

Was that correct? Would there be any point in a club making, say, 20 contacts 
on Field Day? Would additional points be available for a club making more than 
one QSO per bird?

And as far as it is known, will the same sat rule be in effect for 2014?

Thanks.

Clint K6LCS

--
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
http://www.clintbradford.com
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[amsat-bb] Re: Winterization project

[Jim Jerzycke]

I've had NO difficulty getting primers, powder, bullets, and brass.

Yes, you'll pay more than a few years ago, but the pipeline for supplies 
is almost back to normal, you just have to search, and be ready to buy 
when you find a supplier who has what you want.


Jim


On 09/02/2013 04:17 PM, Roger Kolakowski wrote:
The Preppers for the Zombie Apocalypse...you can't find or afford 
primers or powder anymore either!


Roger
WA1KAT

On 9/2/2013 12:30 AM, Jim Jerzycke wrote:

Who is "they"??


On 09/02/2013 02:47 AM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:

almost all .22lr are unavailable, they're still hoarding them.
73 Bob W7LRD

- Original Message -
From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" 
To: "Jeff Griffin" , AMSAT-BB@amsat.org
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2013 6:41:06 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Winterization project


I was thinking Aguila Super Colibris, 20 grains of .22LR low noise, 
anti-squirrel CIWS.


73, Drew KO4MA





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[amsat-bb] Re: Winterization project

[Jim Jerzycke]

Who is "they"??


On 09/02/2013 02:47 AM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:

almost all .22lr are unavailable, they're still hoarding them.
73 Bob W7LRD

- Original Message -
From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" 
To: "Jeff Griffin" , AMSAT-BB@amsat.org
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2013 6:41:06 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Winterization project


I was thinking Aguila Super Colibris, 20 grains of .22LR low noise, 
anti-squirrel CIWS.

73, Drew KO4MA

-Original Message-

From: Jeff Griffin 
Sent: Sep 1, 2013 8:41 PM
To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Winterization project

A 12 gauge full choke shotgun ?



73 Jeff kb2m



-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Greg D
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2013 6:52 PM
To: Amsat BB
Subject: [amsat-bb] Winterization project



Hi all,



As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) this
morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly down-hill.
Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, my project for
the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten them.



The screws were a little loose.



That's not why the antenna was drooping down.



I discovered the real reason: Acorns.



Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as it is
around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the open end of
the antenna boom. Besides their weight climbing out to the end, there was
also the remaining weight of the acorns.



So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to prevent
the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna.



Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?



Greg KO6TH



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[amsat-bb] Re: Winterization project

[Jim Jerzycke]

There used to be a company that sold hot pepper stuff in a caulking tube 
that you could put where birds would roost.


The birds would land, get a "hot foot", and leave.

Might be worth googling a bit to see if it's still available.

Unless, of course, your squirrels enjoy spicy food!

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 09/01/2013 10:51 PM, Greg D wrote:

Hi all,

As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) 
this morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly 
down-hill.  Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, 
my project for the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten 
them.


The screws were a little loose.

That's not why the antenna was drooping down.

I discovered the real reason:  Acorns.

Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as 
it is around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the 
open end of the antenna boom.  Besides their weight climbing out to 
the end, there was also the remaining weight of the acorns.


So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to 
prevent the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna.


Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent?

Greg  KO6TH

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[amsat-bb] Re: Space Track TLE Retriever 2 Error Message

[Jim Jerzycke]

On 07/17/2013 03:15 PM, Rick Walter wrote:

Just tried to download new Keplerian elements with Space Track TLE
Retriever 2 provided by CelesTrack and got an error message saying I should
check credentials. Anyone else getting this message? Don't know if they are
down or if I have a problem. I have been getting the latest Keps from them
for at least 15 years.

Rick
WB3CSY


They sent the following message out a week or so ago:

Dear Space-Track User,

FINAL NOTICE: Next Tuesday, 16 July 2013, at 1100 PDT (1800 UTC), the 
space-track.org  team will shut off all access 
to the legacy website (https://www.space-track.org/perl/***). If you 
have not already done so, please transition all scripts that 
screen-scrape or download text/zip files from the legacy website to the 
upgraded/new website (https://www.Space-Track.org/#/recent).


If you do not transition your scripts to use the new Application 
Programming Interface (API) on the upgraded site, they will not perform 
correctly after we shut down the legacy website.  Please visit 
https://www.space-track.org/documentation for specific API information 
and https://www.space-track.org/documentation/#/howto for assistance in 
transitioning your scripts.  We also provide several sample queries 
(https://www.space-track.org/documentation/api#sampleQueries) and a 
Query Builder (https://www.space-track.org/#queryBuilder) to help build 
your new scripts.


Thank you,
The Space-Track Team

Engage us on your favorite social media site:
http://space-track.tumblr.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SpaceTrack
http://www.twitter.com/SpaceTrackOrg
Google+ https://www.space-track.org/g
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[amsat-bb] Re: Rotor in need of overhaul

[Jim Jerzycke]

Do a Google search for "Yaesu Rotor Rebuild". There's several websites 
detailing how to do it, complete with pictures.


It's not hard to do, and sure beats paying over $700 for a new one!

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 07/13/2013 11:19 PM, Jim Bennett wrote:

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

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[amsat-bb] Re: Nigerian scam span purporting to be from W0SL

[Jim Jerzycke]

I didn't say I was "guessing", I said it wouldn't surprise me.

And I've been running Linux since I got on the Internet, so the hack 
didn't occur on my end.


Jim

On 06/29/2013 10:35 PM, Gregg Wonderly wrote:

Okay folks, look around you at the history of things.  For more than 2 decades now, 
Microsoft's software products have been at the top of the list of software having 
security problems in CERT ( goto http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CERT_Coordination_Center 
and search for Microsoft) alerts.  Viruses have, for the past two decades, routinely 
infected peoples computers, obtained complete lists of people email "friends", 
visited web sites, contents of files on your disk, trashed your disks, and otherwise 
wrecked havoc repeatedly.

Anyone on this list, who has participated in mail to and from this list, would provide such viruses 
access to email addresses which are supposed to be "restricted" to this list's members.   
There is no such thing as "security" when Microsoft's software is involved, and as soon 
as you are on a network, security becomes even more difficult to achieve.

"Guessing" that it might be an inside job is a little bit silly when there are 
countless ways that people on this list have exposed the list members by their use of 
insecure software systems and the downloading of virus laden content from the internet.

Accounts are being hacked, but as Phil notes, the "From:" headers of an email message tell you all you need 
to know to understand where it "did not" originate from.  The last secure SMTP sever will have recorded in a 
"From:" header, the location the "last" insecure server to have been involved in transmitting an 
email message.

Look over how the SMTP protocol works.  Authentication of "sending" email was not happening in the original design, and only 
recently, has that been "used" by ISPs and hosting companies interested in "not" supporting spam and other abuses of 
the email systems.  This means that certain "open" systems or "insecure" systems, can provide a link from the world of 
"spam" if they can be accessed.

That's what you need to focus on to understand whether your account was 
compromised.

SMTP allows email to be from anyone, and to anyone, if the servers don't 
authenticate the origination and secure the transmission of the content.  Until 
that happens, we will always have this kind of stuff going on…

Gregg Wonderly
W5GGW

On Jun 29, 2013, at 8:40 AM, Jim Jerzycke  wrote:


IIRC, Yahoo! took over for most of the Bells. My Pacbell.net account is now 
managed by Yahoo!, and I had a similar event happen last year, as well as a 
friend of mine who had her account with another Baby Bell compromised.

Considering how much support is off-shored these days, it wouldn't surprise me if it was 
an "inside job".

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 06/29/2013 08:42 AM, Phil Karn wrote:

On 06/26/2013 03:31 PM, Roy wrote:

Thanks Phil.  Yes, I'm not sure how it was done but the settings are
correct in my PC.  AT&T has helped me to assign a new password to my
account to shut this down.  They say it appears to have been hacked on
the AT&T web mail site.

Interesting. I saw no actual evidence in the scam mail itself that your account 
had been hacked.

This particular message was sent through Yahoo's webmail service. Anyone could 
subscribe to the amsat-bb list and see who its contributors are, so they would 
know who to send the scam spam to.

(Wait -- does Yahoo provide service for swbell.net?)

Without cryptographic authentication it's easy to forge email from anyone; SPF 
helps somewhat but it's often not implemented and is frequently ignored even 
when it is. In this case I perused the headers myself and saw the IP address 
41.71.175.195, which happens to be in Nigeria (look it up!)

It's somewhat trickier to intercept the replies. In this case they did it with 
a Reply-To: header to a fraudulent account (rdwel...@yahoo.com) that'd be easy 
to miss if you weren't looking for it.

I had theorized that they did this because they hadn't actually gotten into 
your swbell.net account, but it's possible they did it anyway so that they'd 
still get any replies from victims after your account had been secured or shut 
down. It would take a little longer to get rdwel...@yahoo.com shut down since 
it's at a different service provider.


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[amsat-bb] Re: Nigerian scam span purporting to be from W0SL

[Jim Jerzycke]

IIRC, Yahoo! took over for most of the Bells. My Pacbell.net account is 
now managed by Yahoo!, and I had a similar event happen last year, as 
well as a friend of mine who had her account with another Baby Bell 
compromised.


Considering how much support is off-shored these days, it wouldn't 
surprise me if it was an "inside job".


73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 06/29/2013 08:42 AM, Phil Karn wrote:

On 06/26/2013 03:31 PM, Roy wrote:

Thanks Phil.  Yes, I'm not sure how it was done but the settings are
correct in my PC.  AT&T has helped me to assign a new password to my
account to shut this down.  They say it appears to have been hacked on
the AT&T web mail site.


Interesting. I saw no actual evidence in the scam mail itself that 
your account had been hacked.


This particular message was sent through Yahoo's webmail service. 
Anyone could subscribe to the amsat-bb list and see who its 
contributors are, so they would know who to send the scam spam to.


(Wait -- does Yahoo provide service for swbell.net?)

Without cryptographic authentication it's easy to forge email from 
anyone; SPF helps somewhat but it's often not implemented and is 
frequently ignored even when it is. In this case I perused the headers 
myself and saw the IP address 41.71.175.195, which happens to be in 
Nigeria (look it up!)


It's somewhat trickier to intercept the replies. In this case they did 
it with a Reply-To: header to a fraudulent account 
(rdwel...@yahoo.com) that'd be easy to miss if you weren't looking for 
it.


I had theorized that they did this because they hadn't actually gotten 
into your swbell.net account, but it's possible they did it anyway so 
that they'd still get any replies from victims after your account had 
been secured or shut down. It would take a little longer to get 
rdwel...@yahoo.com shut down since it's at a different service provider.



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[amsat-bb] Re: AO7-b MODE??

[Jim Jerzycke]

I just heard it a few minutes ago in Mode B. Two stations on SSB, 
several CW, and a lot of FM'ing.


I could barely hear my downlink on a 60* pass, so not sure what's going 
on. I was able to get into FO-29 earlier today FB, so I know my station 
is working.


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 06/16/2013 03:52 PM, k4feg wrote:

Hello everyone,

I know it is fathers day, but I have a question for the BB'S, Can we 
check to see if AO7 is in Mode A today?


I have reports from Europe that it was not heard in Mode B but my 
compatriot in Europe does not have mode A capabilities.


I have been doing yard work this morning in advance of rain so I 
missed the morning passes over the USA, I will be on later to see if 
we have had a switch.


While during this Eclipse Cycle, AO7 has been coming up in Mode B 
since May 21, 2013, I have been advised that it is a purely random 
chance that it will come up in one mode or the other. There are 
periods of full eclipse lasting 9 or more minutes over Antarctica and 
maybe this was a random switch to Mode A.


I will be monitoring the 1852UTC pass over EM55aj84ta to see what I 
copy, it is a 2 degree pass for me so it is not my best pass, any 
reports would be appreciated.


73 All FRM
K4FEG
STARCOM DIV
GGHQ: EM55aj84ta
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO7-b MODE??

[Jim Jerzycke]

I'm testing my Field Day setup all day, and AO-7 is definitely on the 
list. If it's in the "wrong" mode for me, then I guess I'll get a chance 
to see how well my BuddiPole works as a satellite antenna on 10 Meters!


I'll let you know what I hear today.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 06/16/2013 03:52 PM, k4feg wrote:

Hello everyone,

I know it is fathers day, but I have a question for the BB'S, Can we 
check to see if AO7 is in Mode A today?


I have reports from Europe that it was not heard in Mode B but my 
compatriot in Europe does not have mode A capabilities.


I have been doing yard work this morning in advance of rain so I 
missed the morning passes over the USA, I will be on later to see if 
we have had a switch.


While during this Eclipse Cycle, AO7 has been coming up in Mode B 
since May 21, 2013, I have been advised that it is a purely random 
chance that it will come up in one mode or the other. There are 
periods of full eclipse lasting 9 or more minutes over Antarctica and 
maybe this was a random switch to Mode A.


I will be monitoring the 1852UTC pass over EM55aj84ta to see what I 
copy, it is a 2 degree pass for me so it is not my best pass, any 
reports would be appreciated.


73 All FRM
K4FEG
STARCOM DIV
GGHQ: EM55aj84ta
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[amsat-bb] Re: HRD 6.0 and Satellite Tracker

[Jim Jerzycke]

There are several different orbital prediction models in use, and I 
would guess that they are not using the same one.


SatPC32 gives you a choice in the setup options, but it's been so long 
since I've used NOVA, I don't remember if or where the oprion is located.


73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 05/24/2013 02:45 AM, Les Rayburn wrote:
Thanks to Dave, and many others who contacted me about the use of 
Satellite Tracker in HRD 6.0.

It was exactly the kind of input that I was hoping for.

A couple of other questions:

1.) I've noticed that Nova for Windows and SAT32PC display slightly 
different data regarding AOS, LOS, Azimuth and Elevation for a given 
satellite. This seems strange to me
since they're using the same KEP data, share the same PC clock which 
is synced every 12 hours, etc.


Anyone else notice these small differences? None of them have much 
effect on actual operation which is governed by the beamwidth of the 
antennas (pretty broad), objects

blocking the horizon, etc. but it does make me curious.

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




On 5/23/2013 4:20 PM, Dave WØDHB wrote:

Les

I'm using HRD 6.0 SAT Tracker/HRD Rotator as well as SATPC32, 
predominately

HRD SAT Tracker.
In fact, I was using SAT Tracker when you and I QSO'd  5/20  on SO-50 .

I use them in conjunction with my Flex 5000A  / EA4TX rotator 
controller/

G5500 rotator.

I am only using SAT Tracker and SATPC32 for TX/RX Doppler control as 
neither
product has adequate support for other Flex 5000 Rig control 
functions IMHO

.

I have written software which intercepts CAT commands coming from either
program and I only pass on doppler tuning info through to the Rig.
The same software allows me to do other required Rig control functions:
-TX
-TX/RX calibration for transponder satellites
-RIT
-Transmit power adjust
-Satellite specific controls-TX/RX mode, tones, reset SO-50 timer,
etc.
I also have provided support for my TS-2000 and IC-9100 in the software.
My preference for SAT Tracker is primarily because I like the user 
interface

better.

Some caveats on using HRD 6.0 SAT Tracker/HRD Rotator natively with any
supported rig:
HRD Rotator does not play nicely with Rotators with a south stop
(Yaesu-5400), you can make it work, but software azimuth readout is 
180 deg

off
HRD SAT Tracker does not support transponders of the "Non-inverting 
type"

(like AO-7 mode A)

Dave W0DHB




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[amsat-bb] Re: A viable FD satellite operation

[Jim Jerzycke]

Yep, it's about 13* here in SoCal.

Jim


On 05/22/2013 11:39 AM, Rolf Krogstad wrote:

Sorry, I forgot to say it makes a  difference because of Magnetic
Declination - the difference between magnetic north and true north.


On Wed, May 22, 2013 at 6:37 AM, Rolf Krogstad wrote:


Jim makes a good point.  Know where the points of the compass are.

And, depending on where you are located, that is not as simple as just
taking out a compass.
It can make a fair amount of difference if you are in the western states
of the US and not so much, if any, if you are in some place like Pensacola,
Florida.

NOAA has a calculator:  http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/#declination

73
Rolf   NR0T
EN34
Amsat-NA #38889


On Tue, May 21, 2013 at 11:39 PM, Jim Jerzycke  wrote:


You're definitely approaching it in the right way, Bill!

An FT-847 is an excellent satellite rig, and in combination with a small
gain antenna, will be an excellent station.

The 50 Watts the '847 provides is more than enough RF power, even with
the Arrow, or similar Elk, antenna.

A preamps are highly recommended, especially with a smaller antenna.

Use a diplexer "in reverse" to help get rid of desense. It's more
important than you'd think.

  
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-**new/articles/Mode-J/<http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/>

A few other tips to help you...

If you're going to be running tracking software, like SatPC32, make SURE
your PC has the correct time set!

An error of 10~15 seconds may not sound like much, but it can cause you
point your antennas wrong, and ruin a pass.

Same with your Lat/Lon. I use a GPS, which also supplies an accurate
clock to the laptop, but a lot of people get by with just using grid
squares.

Know precisely *WHERE* North, South. East, and West are at your station
location.

You'd be surprised how many people don't, and then can't find the sats as
they come up over the horizon.

Have a helper to point the antenna, as you'll be busy doing the "Doppler
Dance".

Again, if you run SatPC32, the Doppler correction is fed to the rig, and
it's one less manual operation to split your limited time amongst.

Keep the TenTec on the shelf, in the collection.

And as somebody else pointed out, get started setting up and practicing
NOW!!

If you wait until Field Day weekend, you'll wind up extremely frustrated,
with few or no contacts!

I know, as I used to do it that way every year. I think the best I ever
got was three contacts one year.

The next year I started two months early, and I made THIRTY FIVE contacts
that year, just because:

I didn't forget anything at home, requiring numerous unnecessary trips
back and forth (I also bought some Tupperware tubs to keep all the
satellite stuff in!)

Everything worked because I had six weekends to practice setting up and
operating before Field Day, ensuring all the bugs were worked out

I was a lot more comfortable using the station because I knew it all
worked, and the stress level was much lower.

Good luck, get going, and listen for K6AA on Field Day, and KQ6EA the
weeks before while I'm practicing!

73, Jim  KQ6EA



On 05/21/2013 08:09 PM, Bill W1PA wrote:


I may set up a Field Day satellite station for our local club. I haven't
done
this in a while my last experience with a non-FM bird was AO-40.

I'd like to avoid the futility of the FM LEO's on FD, and look to the
working passband birds, which I understand are AO-7, FO-29, and VO-52.

I have at my disposal a FT-847, an Arrow satellite antenna (V/U), and if
needed,
various preamps and poweramps for 2m and 432, as well as antennas with
more elements.

I also have a Ten Tec 2510 satellite unit that does not have the "extra
crystal board",
which I understand makes it a non-starter for the 3 birds I mentioned.

For those of you experienced with the bandpass birds, assuming an
outdoor,
clear sky access location, what should I bring? (i.e. will the FT-847
stock amp be sufficient?
How many elements do I need for uplink? pre-amp for downlink? etc)

I also may only be able to work overnight (in darkness) -- that rules
out AO-7, correct?

Bill W1PA
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[amsat-bb] Re: A viable FD satellite operation

[Jim Jerzycke]

You're definitely approaching it in the right way, Bill!

An FT-847 is an excellent satellite rig, and in combination with a small 
gain antenna, will be an excellent station.


The 50 Watts the '847 provides is more than enough RF power, even with 
the Arrow, or similar Elk, antenna.


A preamps are highly recommended, especially with a smaller antenna.

Use a diplexer "in reverse" to help get rid of desense. It's more 
important than you'd think.


 http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/

A few other tips to help you...

If you're going to be running tracking software, like SatPC32, make SURE 
your PC has the correct time set!


An error of 10~15 seconds may not sound like much, but it can cause you 
point your antennas wrong, and ruin a pass.


Same with your Lat/Lon. I use a GPS, which also supplies an accurate 
clock to the laptop, but a lot of people get by with just using grid 
squares.


Know precisely *WHERE* North, South. East, and West are at your station 
location.


You'd be surprised how many people don't, and then can't find the sats 
as they come up over the horizon.


Have a helper to point the antenna, as you'll be busy doing the "Doppler 
Dance".


Again, if you run SatPC32, the Doppler correction is fed to the rig, and 
it's one less manual operation to split your limited time amongst.


Keep the TenTec on the shelf, in the collection.

And as somebody else pointed out, get started setting up and practicing 
NOW!!


If you wait until Field Day weekend, you'll wind up extremely 
frustrated, with few or no contacts!


I know, as I used to do it that way every year. I think the best I ever 
got was three contacts one year.


The next year I started two months early, and I made THIRTY FIVE 
contacts that year, just because:


I didn't forget anything at home, requiring numerous unnecessary trips 
back and forth (I also bought some Tupperware tubs to keep all the 
satellite stuff in!)


Everything worked because I had six weekends to practice setting up and 
operating before Field Day, ensuring all the bugs were worked out


I was a lot more comfortable using the station because I knew it all 
worked, and the stress level was much lower.


Good luck, get going, and listen for K6AA on Field Day, and KQ6EA the 
weeks before while I'm practicing!


73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 05/21/2013 08:09 PM, Bill W1PA wrote:
I may set up a Field Day satellite station for our local club. I 
haven't done

this in a while my last experience with a non-FM bird was AO-40.

I'd like to avoid the futility of the FM LEO's on FD, and look to the
working passband birds, which I understand are AO-7, FO-29, and VO-52.

I have at my disposal a FT-847, an Arrow satellite antenna (V/U), and 
if needed,
various preamps and poweramps for 2m and 432, as well as antennas with 
more elements.


I also have a Ten Tec 2510 satellite unit that does not have the 
"extra crystal board",

which I understand makes it a non-starter for the 3 birds I mentioned.

For those of you experienced with the bandpass birds, assuming an 
outdoor,
clear sky access location, what should I bring? (i.e. will the FT-847 
stock amp be sufficient?

How many elements do I need for uplink? pre-amp for downlink? etc)

I also may only be able to work overnight (in darkness) -- that rules 
out AO-7, correct?


Bill W1PA
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[amsat-bb] Re: Better/best operating system for SatPC32?

[Jim Jerzycke]

The entire time I've been running SatPC32, I've been using a Keyspan 
4-port USB-to-serial converter.


I run my FT-847, my Fox Delta rotor interface, and my HP Z3801 
Timebase/GPS clock without ANY crashes.


People may complain that these adapters "cost too much", and then they 
buy multiple cheap adapters, with rotten drivers that don't "steer" the 
USB ports correctly, and blame the program they're trying  to run when 
things crash.


You pays your money and you takes your chances.

I'd rather pay more, and have solid equipment.

Jim  KQ6EA

On 05/18/2013 10:48 PM, James Luhn wrote:

I had numerous crashes with satPC32 until I followed the suggestion of several 
here on this list. What solved my crash issues was the replacement of the 
internal serial to USB adapter with a serial IC and then use an external USB to 
serial adapter. Since I have made this simple mod I have not had one problem.  
Before I made the change, my computer would lock up in less than an hour.  This 
is probably a driver issue.  Since everything works now, I probably will not 
pursue this issue.

73,
James
W5AOO

Sent from my iPad

On May 18, 2013, at 1:30 PM, amsat-bb-requ...@amsat.org wrote:


Better/best operating system for SatPC32?

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[amsat-bb] Re: Better/best operating system for SatPC32?

[Jim Jerzycke]

Same here.

I've had it running on XP and Win 7 64-bit for WEEKS at a time and 
_never_ had a crash.


Jim  KQ6EA

On 05/18/2013 04:26 AM, George Henry wrote:
Interesting.  I have NEVER had a SatPC32 crash, under XP or Win7, and 
I have left it running continuously for several days at a time.



George, KA3HSW


- Original Message - From: "Lizeth Norman" 


To: "Philip Jenkins" 
Cc: 
Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 10:55 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Better/best operating system for SatPC32?



None. Pick you poison. Satpc32 crashes using all operating systems. Good
for an hour or so. Then you get an OLE FEHER error. Tried this over all
operating systems (xp, win7, win8)
Grab a pc from the kerb and load up xp. cheap and simple.
As many problems as satpc32 has, it's far and away better than the
competition.



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[amsat-bb] Re: Fox and ISS Ham-TV

[Jim Jerzycke]

And IIRC, the downconversion is handled by the LNB (Low Noise Block 
Downconverter) mounted at the feedpoint of the dish.


Jim  KQ6EA


On 05/16/2013 01:03 AM, Stefan Wagener wrote:

Don't think so.

Most DVB-S receivers require input of 900 to 1600+ MHz or something like
that.


On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 7:43 PM, Bob- W7LRD  wrote:


Would the "K5GNA" Transystem downconverters work, the ones left over from
AO-40 (sobsob)?  Still have the L & S band stuff in moth balls, just
waiting, waiting & waiting.
73 Bob W7LRD

--
*From: *"Stefan Wagener" 
*To: *l...@highnoonfilm.com
*Cc: *"AMSAT BB" 
*Sent: *Wednesday, May 15, 2013 5:26:49 PM
*Subject: *[amsat-bb] Re: Fox and ISS Ham-TV


Hi Les and all,

I would not jump into any kind of advanced purchase or antenna assembly etc
on the ISS TV program at this point.

1. It will take considerable time to get the equipment up, installed,
tested, verified etc.
2. If the primary use is for ISS school contacts, you are limited to
scheduling, ISS visibility at your location etc.
3. Downconverter options are very limited right now since they have to
match the DVB-S receiver input frequency.
4. Limited choice of 1m+ dishes with LHCP antenna feeds tuned to the
proposed ISS frequencies.

All of this will change over time once more information becomes available
and folks/vendors are starting to look into this and more products/tools
become available. Also, there might be a more permanent feed of video not
just limited to school contacts. We will see.

Will be very interesting to see/hear what info is made available during the
Dayton AMSAT forum by Frank Bauer on ARISS.

73, Stefan, VE4NSA



On Wed, May 15, 2013 at 5:09 PM, Les Rayburn  wrote:


First of all congratulations to the entire Fox team. I know that everyone
is excited about the possibility of another FM bird in the near future.

As for Ham-TV, I agree that more information about the ground station
requirements would be most welcome. I just managed to win a TechnoTrend
S2-1600
HDTV satellite PCI Card on ebay ($60 bucks with shipping) so I hope this
is a good start on a complete station.

The next hurdle for me will be assembling a workable antenna and I assume
an AZ/EL rotor with automatic tracking? It does seem like information is
incomplete
considering how close to the go live date we are. I know that this type

of

digital TV is in wide use in Europe, so maybe some of these folks can

lend

the yanks
a hand?
--
--
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

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[amsat-bb] Re: adjusting for Doppler

[Jim Jerzycke]

Read this:

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/features/one_true_rule.html

It explains all you've heard, and more.

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 05/14/2013 07:47 PM, Rolf Krogstad wrote:

I am sure this has been hashed over in the past but as a novice to the
birds I am not sure how to proceed when operating one of the linear
transpondesr.

I looked at the latest editions of two ARRL publications:
ARRL Operators Manual, edition 9, copyright 1007-2011
ARRL Satellite Handbook, copyright 2010

Both are very clear about how one should allow for Doppler shift on the
linear transponders.

One clearly says find your spot and then use the downlink VFO to adjust for
Doppler shift, don't touch the uplink VFO after the initial setting of the
frequency.

The other clearly says find your spot and then use the uplink VFO to adjust
for Doppler shift, don't touch the downlink VFO after the initial setting
of the frequency.

Color me confused...

Rolf NR0T
Amsat #38889
EN34
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[amsat-bb] Re: Helical Antenna on 70 cm

[Jim Jerzycke]

M2 makes one, and I think Gulf Alpha antennas has one.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 05/14/2013 02:04 AM, Rolf Krogstad wrote:

Thanks, Bob.

Is there a commercial yagi available for 435 MHz which is R-L switchable?

Rolf   NR0T


On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 8:21 PM, Bob- W7LRD  wrote:


the helix is a nice antenna...however...once wound for either RHCP or LHCP
there's no going back.  So switching from R to L or L to R is out of the
question.  Unless of course the chosen polarity is always compatible with
the satellite in use.  Unless you have L and a R helix and switch between
them, that can get a "little" involved.  Many times it is
very convenient to be able to switch between L or R during a pass, at times
it can make the contact happen.  This is of course is easy with a L/R CP
yagi.  I have used a helix for L band (1.2ghz ) as well as feeds for a
2.4ghz dish.  They are a fine antenna with a fair amount of bandwidth.  For
a 16+ turn helix I have used  stainless steel "U" channel for the center
support.  If Clair, VE3NPC is listening, he's the resident helix guy.
Just my opinion, your mileage may differ.
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle

--
*From: *"Rolf Krogstad" 
*To: *amsat-bb@amsat.org
*Sent: *Monday, May 13, 2013 9:22:57 AM
*Subject: *[amsat-bb] Helical Antenna on 70 cm


I am new to satellites and new to the design requirements for UHF and am
looking for advice.

I am looking to build a Helical antenna for the 70cm Band.  I am
considering the plans for such an antenna from the 2010 edition of the ARRL
Satellite Handbook.  The plans call for a 235 cm (7' 8") long, 2.5 cm (1")
diameter center support made of either a wooden dowel which has been
treated or a fiberglass tube.  It also requires multiple 7.6 cm (3")
spacers for the helical element.

My question is would fiberglass rods made of "Isophthlic Polyester Resin"
be a good choice of material at UHF frequencies?
I hesitate to use treated wood because I plan to mount this on the top of a
15 meter high tower and it isn't very accessible.

Thanks

Rolf   NR0T
[EN34]
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[amsat-bb] Re: Newsky dongle?

[Jim Jerzycke]

You'll need to download the SDR# program, and possibly a driver for your PC.

They don't receive below about 70MHz, so shortwave is not an option.

http://sdrsharp.com/

73, Jim




On 01/12/2013 11:16 PM, Scott Smith wrote:

Hi folks, I now have one of those Newsky dongles and an mcx to bnc adaptor. 
What else do I need like software etc so I can receive shortwave radio?. Later 
I would like to use it for the satellites. Any help will be appreciated. 73 de 
Scott VE6ITV
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[amsat-bb] Re: G-5500 frozen

[Jim Jerzycke]

Even though we don't get real weather down here in SoCal, Bob, I put a 
small plastic trash can over mine.


I found one large enough to fit over the elevation rotor, and cut some 
holes in it that lined up with the cross-boom. Then I made some slots 
from the holes down to the edge of the trash can so I could slide it 
over the cross-boom.


To keep the rain off the azimuth rotor, I cut the square base off a a 
traffic cone, and opened up the top enough to slide over the mast.


Doesn't look real pretty, but it keeps the rain off!

73, Jim
.

On 01/12/2013 06:40 PM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:

For those waiting for the on going rotor drama at the LRD compound. Tipped 
tower over, removed all antennas, rotor etc. took in shop opened case, one big 
ice cube inside. The gears can not move through ice! I will clean it up, dry it 
out, does anyone have any experience with sealing this thing up, making gasket 
etc ? It is the Yaesu G-5500 elevation rotor. It does rain here a bit (Seattle) 
hihi
73 Bob W7LRD
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[amsat-bb] Re: JOTA and ISS

[Jim Jerzycke]

I'll be operating NI6BB from the USS IOWA in San Pedro, California DM03 
from 1700 UTC to 2300 UTC.


I'm planning on working FO-29 on the 1838 and 2033 passes, and AO-7 on 
the 2210 pass out here.


If AO-27 is operational, I'll try the 1943 and 2120 passes.

There are two ISS passes, at 2052 and 2227, but I don't know what "mode" 
the ISS will be in.


There are no VO-52 or SO-50 passes available during the 4 hour window we 
have.


Hope to hear some of you!

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 10/16/2012 09:41 PM, James Luhn wrote:
Besides HF, I hope to be able include some satellite contacts this 
weekend for the Boy Scouts Jamboree on the Air (JOTA).  I would love 
to hear from others who will attempt some satellite contacts for JOTA. 
I am just beginning to figure out what passes and satellites will work 
on Saturday, October 20.  I will be operating from Galveston State 
Park in Galveston, TX.


Also, does anyone have info on when the ISS will be in contact with 
the Boy Scouts in Irving, TX this weekend?  I understand they have a 
schedule set up and perhaps we can give a listen.  Perhaps on the next 
pass or so, they will consider a contact with others.


73,
-james
W5AOO
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO27 UPDATE!

[Jim Jerzycke]

That's good to hear.

*IF* it's operational for the JOTA event on Saturday the 20th, I'll try 
for a couple of contacts from the USS IOWA.


73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 10/15/2012 08:33 PM, K4FEG wrote:

THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE AO27 WEBSITE WWW.AO27.ORG

PLEASE CHECK THERE FOR FURTHER UPDATES!

Official AO-27 HomePage *Oct 15, 2012*
The command team has finished uploading the high level code to AO-27. 
EOS is now running and we are checking out the bird. The TOPR schedule 
will be on digital for the entire pass until we collect enough 
telmetry and finish the on-orbit checkout.

We hope to have normal operations back up by the weekend.
- Michael, N3UC


K4FEG, EM55
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[amsat-bb] Re: space rated thread lock

[Jim Jerzycke]

IIRC, LocTite makes some, but it's not a "commercial" product listed on 
their website.


Jim  KQ6EA


On 10/15/2012 02:23 AM, Howie DeFelice wrote:

Can someone suggest a thread locking liquid that can be used in space and 
possibly a source.
Thanks,Howie AB2S   
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[amsat-bb] Re: Skydiving Mission in Progress Now

[Jim Jerzycke]

He's down and safe.

Man, what a ride!

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 10/14/2012 05:43 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:

the record breaking skydive mission is currently in
progress. tune to: http://www.redbullstratos.com

Also tracking an object on APRS called STRTOS-11.
See http://aprs.fi/strtos-11
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[amsat-bb] Satellite Operation from the USS IOWA

[Jim Jerzycke]

Greetings, all

I'll be operating for the BSA JOTA event from the USS IOWA in San Pedro 
on 20 October from 1600 UTC to 2300 UTC.


We'll be using the callsign NI6BB.

Pass predictions indicate we can use FO-29, AO-27, and AO-7.

I'll concentrate mostly on the linear birds, as I "kinda sorta" don't 
want to expose the Scouts to the pandemonium of an FM satellite on the 
weekends.


I *will* listen, though, and if it doesn't sound too crowded, I'll try 
and make some FM contacts, too.


We also have a couple of great ISS passes, but I don't know what mode 
the ham station on the ISS will be in that weekend.


Hope to work some of you from the IOWA!

73, Jim  KQ6EA
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[amsat-bb] Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)

[Jim Jerzycke]

That would be the cost to fly as a secondary payload.

The bulk of the launch cost is paid by the primary payload, and that 
currently runs anywhere from 90 million to 130 million, depending on 
payload weight and desired orbit.


73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 09/24/2012 08:04 PM, Mark L. Hammond wrote:

At AMSAT-UK Colloquium last week, Peter said the current cost to HEO
for P3E or something like it is curently $10 Million (and the joke
was, pick your currency--it's about the same no matter what--US
dollar, Euros, GBP, etc.--BIG money)

So the number holds.

Mark N8MH

On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 3:47 PM, Barry Baines  wrote:

Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 7, Issue 312
From: Mark Spencer 
Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2012 13:26:45 -0700 (PDT)
Just out of curiosity what would a reasonable estimate of the launch costs be
for a P3E class satellite ?

Regards
Mark Spencer
VE7AFZ (long lapsed former AMSAT member (: )
Mark:

Back in 2008 when we last seriously looked at this, the cost of launching a 
satellite into a Geosynchronous  Transfer Orbit (GTO) of the size/weight of 
Eagle or P3-E was $8 million.  Today that figure is more like $10 million, 
though Peter, DB2OS (President of AMSAT-DL) probably has a more accurate figure 
than this.  Even so, the cost to launch is what makes things prohibitively 
expensive.  Raising that kind of money (plus the cost of the spacecraft itself) 
is not viewed as viable given the results of our past fund raising efforts.

The last HEO launch was for P3-D/AO-40.  Please keep in mind that the money that was passed through AMSAT-NA 
totaled over $2 Million for P3-D/AO-40, from 1993-2000 (seven years) with considerable help from individual 
donors, ARRL matching donor program, AMSAT-UK, etc.  Other organizations, such as AMSAT-DL and JAMSAT also 
had their own fundraising efforts as well in support of those aspects of the program that they were handling. 
  AMSAT also developed the SBS (Specific Bearing Structure) as part of P3-D program that became the 
"frame" that housed P3-D on the launch vehicle.  At that time, we believe we had pretty much 
"maxed out" what might be raised from within the amateur radio community in North America.  
Unfortunately, that considerable fundraising effort wouldn't get us 20% of the current launch costs.
Clearly, we must expand beyond the amateur radio community to raise funds of this magnitude, but to do so 
requires both a non-amateur radio "vision" to what a HEO !

s!

  at!

  ellite would provide (e.g. excite non-amateurs)  as well as a "Case for 
Support" that would attract major donors, such as foundations.  To date, we have not 
been able to put together a plan that would meet these expectations.

Needless-to-say, given today's costs, the launch economics is the major inhibitor, and 
not necessarily the cost of building the satellite itself (though that also costs 
"real money" depending upon size and features and whether major systems, such 
as propulsion are donated as was the case with P3-D).

So, let's look deeper into the launch cost environment to determine what AMSAT might be 
able to "afford" under current circumstances:

The cost to launch a "microsat" (e.g. a 9" x 9" x 9" structure such as AO-51) was estimated in 
2008 to be around $350,000.00.  That is why we opted for a 1u cubesat (4" x 4" x 4") back in 2008 as 
replacement satellite for AO-51-- we couldn't afford the launch of a microsat given our finances at the time and the 
concern about being able to raise the funds to pay for a launch that would likely increase in cost of time.

To put this further in perspective, as I recall,  back in 2008 the cost to launch a 1u cubesat was around $60-80K to 
place a cubesat in LEO.  The current cost is about $120K for 1 Kg of mass to LEO (a cubesat is 1.1 Kg). The doubling of 
launch cost is due in part to the significant interest in cubesats by the US Government, aerospace firms (Boeing, for 
example), and others who have "real money" to place cubesat payloads in LEO.  Clearly, as Tony, AA2TX  
(AMSAT's VP-Engineering) pointed out to me, the cubesat has evolved from a university "novelty" to a standard 
spacecraft specification.   This cost increase is the reason why AMSAT applied for an ELaNA grant in 2011 (we were 
selected in 2012) and where we will continue to apply for ELaNA grants in order to be able to "afford" 
launches.  Clearly, it make much more sense to focus on dollars donated to AMSAT for spacecraft development rather than 
launches if we can get "others" to support our launch costs.

BTW, "Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine" had a series of articles in the 30 JUL 
12 issue ("Small Satellites:  Doing More with Less") which highlights this evolution, 
including cubesats, such as TechEdSat that will be the first US cubesat to be deployed from the ISS 
using the same deployment scheme (JEM-SSOD or Small Satellite Orbital Deployer) as the Vietnamese 
student  F-1 cubesat that will be deployed this week.   Information abo

[amsat-bb] Re: Fox Delta SP-2

[Jim Jerzycke]

I'm also using an ST-2. NO problems at all with it.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 09/22/2012 10:50 PM, John / NS1Z wrote:
I have two ST-3 units, one was in kit form and the other was 
preassembled.
The assembled one has lost its PIC a couple of times, maybe due to rf 
(~50w)???

No other  complaints.


-Original Message- From: K&R Yoksh
Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2012 6:30 PM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Fox Delta SP-2

Hi,

I'm considering buying a Fox Delta SP-2 to control my rotators. Any
suggestions / reviews?

http://foxdelta.com/products/st2.htm

Thanks,

73

Kyle
K0KN


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[amsat-bb] Re: Antenna Polarization Question

[Jim Jerzycke]

I run linear polarization, and just live with the fades.

Saves a lot of complexity and headaches!

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 09/15/2012 06:47 PM, Thomas Doyle wrote:

I was listening to a couple of guys on FO-29 having a nice chat about
satellite antenna polarization. They were trying to figure out what
type of polarization FO-29 used. They looked at the picture of FO-29
on the AMSAT web site and decided that it was not circular. Someone
told me that it was circular so I started looking for information.
Found this page by WD0E which is quite nice.

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/faqs/pswitch.php

Is there a more current page that contains this type of information.

tnx W9KE Tom Doyle
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[amsat-bb] Re: Camera on an antenna

[Jim Jerzycke]

Greg, KO6TH, has done this.

I've got enough stuff to do it, and now that my antennas are down, I 
might add a camera to the cross-boom.


Here's Greg's website: http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th/

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 09/08/2012 05:22 PM, James Luhn wrote:
Please don't ya'll laugh too hard at me.  Has anyone ever mounted a 
camera on a beam?  Now I am not trying to see AO40, but I would like 
to simply double check the location of my beam for eme.  If anyone has 
mounted a camera on a beam, I would be interested in what you used.  
Yes, I know all about beam width vs the moon.  I just hate to call CQ 
with my beams pointed to the ground due to some Murphy type of failure.


73,
-james
W5AOO
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[amsat-bb] Re: Satellite Usage - 2012

[Jim Jerzycke]

Hello, Wouter

I think most American hams associate "cube sat" with "easy sat", which 
equals an FM satellite, like AO-51.


While these have their place, most of us are hoping for an HEO satellite.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 08/28/2012 06:53 PM, Wouter Weggelaar wrote:

Hi List,

If I may add to the conversation about linear birds, that Delfi-C3 (an
CubeSat!) has had a linear transponder which was used quite a lot.
Unfortunately, it was a short lived service, but it proves the point.

I'm not sure why people also keep saying that CubeSats are no good,
since linear transponders are perfectly possible and 6U and 12U
platforms are seen as the way forward there.

If we can not launch a fully fledged MicroSat or bigger, why not
launch some useful cubes in the mean time?

Typing this while working on FUNcube...

Wouter PA3WEG

On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 8:01 PM, Bill Ress  wrote:

Nicely put John and thanks for putting the time into composing and posting
it.

Regards...Bill - N6GHz


On 8/28/2012 10:10 AM, John Papay wrote:

The Funcube Dongle postings veered off into a
discussion of the current state of affairs with
the satellites that are still working. After reading
about how the activity on the linear birds was down, I
had to wonder a bit. It has not been my experience.

I really expected the activity on the FM birds to diminish when AO-51
died. We only get 7 minutes of AO-27 and that doesn't make
up for the much longer passes on AO-51. SO-50 has never been
off the air since I started in 2006 but it is the most difficult
to hear throughout the pass. For that reason, activity on SO-50
was fairly low. If you can't hear it, you can't work it. But
to my surprise, SO-50 activity dramatically increased when AO-51
went silent. Those who work the FM birds became determined to
work through this satellite despite the difficulties in hearing it.
Of course, if you are not full duplex, you don't know when you are
hearing the bird and that sometimes results in those who call but
cannot hear the responses. They might assume that there is no activity
on the bird when in fact there are many stations trying to make qso's.

I started using the ssb birds in late November 2007. There wasn't much
activity on AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52 at that time. But over the last two
years, activity on the linear birds has steadily increased. Much of the
increase can be attributed to the newer people who started on the FM birds
and quickly decided to get involved with the linear birds. I think the
availability of satellite capable radios has really helped. If you have
a TS2000 you can be on a linear bird without much effort. They are easier
to hear than an FM bird. Some are using a pair of radios to achieve full
duplex with great success. And I highly recommend SatPC32 which I have
used
now since 2006. It runs 24x7 on a Vista Quad machine and doesn't crash.
The
recordings on my website were made possible using the auto multi-satellite
tracking feature of this program. Recordings are made without any outside
intervention.

One of the things that powers DX on the HF bands are dxpeditions. Groups
spend large amounts of money to travel to destinations all over the world
so that others can put that country in the worked/confirmed column. With
satellites today it's the VUCC award that drives the activity. When
someone
shows up from a rare grid, the birds are sometimes overwhelmed. ND9M has
worked from hundreds of USA grids and has also worked from his ship on the
linear birds. UT1FG/mm has been very active over the past three
years and has created pileups on the ssb birds not unlike those on HF. To
say the activity is down on the linear birds in recent years is simply
incorrect. And more hams are operating satellites away from home than ever
before. You work with what you have and make the best of it, fm or linear.

The future of AMSAT and the satellite phase of our hobby is all about the
new people. When you hear someone new on the bird and it's a noisy signal
with an incomplete callsign, maybe without phonetics, call that station.
Giving out that first contact with a newbie far outweighs 100 contacts
with
those that you have worked many times before. Sometimes the effort doesn't
result in a qso, but maybe there is a possibility to follow up with an
email or postcard with an offer of help. Just remember we all started out
at some point with no experience. Most everyone can remember their first
contact and how important it was in terms of encouraging future operating.

So if you're reading the AMSAT-bb and are discouraged by the fact that
there
are no High Earth Orbit Satellites, don't be. Times change, technology
changes but we continue by using what we have to the max and working
towards
improving our situation where we can. AMSAT works very hard to explore
every possibility for building and launching new satellites. It's a
tremendous
effort that most of us don't realize is happening day after day. We all
need to support this effort. FOX I and II will be here 

[amsat-bb] Re: FUNcube + SatPC32 + SDR-Radio

[Jim Jerzycke]

Please explain how you would "Drag SatPC32 into the 21st Century"?

What don't you like about it? What makes it (for you) "almost unusable"?

I've been using it since 1999 or so, and have never found it to be 
particularly hard to use. Setup can be less than trivial, but yet I've 
found it to be FAR easier to set up and use than NOVA.


Just curious..

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 08/27/2012 11:29 PM, Ted wrote:

Tom, one thing that would help is dragging SatPC32 into the 21st Century. I
find it almost unusable. Too bad the sat program in HRD has problems
tracking the linears...

73, Ted, K7TRK

-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Thomas Doyle
Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 4:09 PM
To: Clayton Coleman W5PFG
Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FUNcube + SatPC32 + SDR-Radio

Clayton,

The activity level on the linear sats is very low and does not seem to
be getting any better. Not sure why. Perhaps it is cost or complexity
or problems putting up outside antennas. It is rather sad working
linear sat passes with no one else on them. At least I can hear my own
downlink signal and the beacon :-)

Unfortunately this sums it up.

AMSAT Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

"Satellite Operations Report by Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA

" ... The other FM satellites, AO-27 and SO-50, continue to be heavily
used. FO-29 when operative, and VO-52 work well, but have very little
use."

Hope to see you on FO-29.

73 W9KE Tom Doyle




On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 4:43 PM, Clayton Coleman W5PFG
 wrote:

Hello Tom,

I would like to understand the reason for your comment about the
future being limited to FM satellites.  It seems FUNcube, FOX-2 and
Phase 3E projects would prove otherwise.

73
Clayton
W5PFG

On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 4:18 PM, Thomas Doyle 

wrote:

The future of the hobby is FM sats so this is all probably irrelevant
but it is still fun and interesting.

tnx & 73 W9KE Tom





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[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Journal correction

[Jim Jerzycke]

I have to agree with Andy. Both Howard and Drew have done a LOT for our 
hobby.


Thank you BOTH!

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 07/24/2012 03:06 AM, Andy MacAllister wrote:
Thanks Drew for the correction, but THANKS to BOTH you and Howard for 
all that you do for AMSAT and amateur-radio satellites!

Andy W5ACM

FUNcube Dongle Pro #192

- Original Message - From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" 


To: "amsat-bb" 
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 9:50 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Journal correction



Hi All,

I must make a correction to the Symposium news article in the latest 
AMSAT Journal. On page 27, I am credited for the donation of a 
FunCube Dongle as a prize. This is not the case. The Dongle was 
generously provided by Howard Long, G6LVB. As I recall I merely did 
the asking, and all credit for the prize should rest with Howard. I 
just wanted to make sure ample credit was applied where amply due. My 
apologies for the confusion.


73, Drew KO4MA

PS If you don't have a FunCube Dongle, go get one now!


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[amsat-bb] Re: SatPC32 12.8b and Win7

[Jim Jerzycke]

OK, that's identical to the Fox Delta ST1 kit.

Have you calibrated it?

The procedure is here, on the Fox Delta page:

http://www.foxdelta.com/products/st1.htm

Scroll down to *Setup Guideline for SatPC & Nova for Windows**

*

On 07/14/2012 01:40 AM, Matt Severin wrote:

A Sat688 rotor interface.
Matt
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 9:13 PM, Jim Jerzycke <mailto:kq...@verizon.net>> wrote:


What rotor interface are you using?

Jim  KQ6EA


On 07/14/2012 12:02 AM, Matt Severin wrote:

While working with the 8 teachers at Teachers' Institute II, I
had a
variety of computer operating systems.  We had some odd
behavior with the
Win7 machines, but I am not sure if this was a fluke or a pattern.

We were using SatPC32 v12.8b with the SAEBRTrackBox setting in the
software, and the students with issues were running Win7.  The
G5500's did
not always respond as expected.  For example, if we commanded
it to move to
45 degrees elevation, it would, but if we manually entered 179
degrees it
would drop down to about 25 degrees.  The fix seemed to be to
set the
turning point of azim rotor under the 'Rotor Setup" to S
instead of N.  I
am running v12.8a and have not trouble with the exact same set
up and I am
set to 'N".

Has anyone else experienced this?  In my trouble shooting, I
believe I was
able to trace it back to the computers/software.  Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Matt, N8MS
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[amsat-bb] Re: SatPC32 12.8b and Win7

[Jim Jerzycke]

What rotor interface are you using?

Jim  KQ6EA

On 07/14/2012 12:02 AM, Matt Severin wrote:

While working with the 8 teachers at Teachers' Institute II, I had a
variety of computer operating systems.  We had some odd behavior with the
Win7 machines, but I am not sure if this was a fluke or a pattern.

We were using SatPC32 v12.8b with the SAEBRTrackBox setting in the
software, and the students with issues were running Win7.  The G5500's did
not always respond as expected.  For example, if we commanded it to move to
45 degrees elevation, it would, but if we manually entered 179 degrees it
would drop down to about 25 degrees.  The fix seemed to be to set the
turning point of azim rotor under the 'Rotor Setup" to S instead of N.  I
am running v12.8a and have not trouble with the exact same set up and I am
set to 'N".

Has anyone else experienced this?  In my trouble shooting, I believe I was
able to trace it back to the computers/software.  Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Matt, N8MS
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[amsat-bb] Re: Nova and Sat-PC32 on Windows 7

[Jim Jerzycke]

Hi, Jim

I'm running SatPC32 on a Windows 7 64-bit laptop, and it runs perfectly.

How do you mean "it doesn't work"?

Does it not start, starts but crashes, no display?

I also have Nova on it, but I'd much rather use SatPC32.

73, Jim

On 07/04/2012 08:20 PM, Jim Sanford wrote:

All:
My laptop finally died, and the replacement came with 64-bit version 
of Windows 7.  I installed (as administrator) both Sat-PC32 and Nova; 
neither works.  Does anyone have any idea or instructions on how to 
install?  Or are they known to NOT work, in which case, what are 
people using for 64-bit Windows 7?


Thanks & 73,
Jim
wb4...@amsat.org

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[amsat-bb] Re: VO-52 in Mode J?

[Jim Jerzycke]

There was a ton of Field Day activity on VO-52 this year. I had no 
problem making contacts for K6AA.

FO-29 also preformed very well this year on the passes I was on.
Poor old AO-7 was getting the daylights hammered out of her, and MANY 
station were running WAY too much power.
If I can get an S9 signal back running 5 Watts with modest antennas, why 
oh why do people run so much power the poor bird FM's?

Oh, well..

73, Jim  KQ6EA/K6AA


On 06/25/2012 03:03 AM, tosca...@umn.edu wrote:

On Jun 22 2012, Keith Baker wrote:



Is it me, my keps or my equipmentor did I hear VO-52 in Mode J 
this (Friday AM) in a pass over the USA?

73,
Keith BakerKB1SF / VA3KSF 


I dont't know, but I usually have zero trouble working VO-52 during 
Field Day, but this year I never heard even a peep from it on about a 
dozen passes that I tried. It felt almost as if the satellite was not 
there or the transponder was off. Probably an equipment problem on my 
end, but I was able to hear (but not work) AO-27 and FO-29 a few 
times, so I know I at least had my Android phone set up properly for 
making pass predictions, and they also matched the pass predictions on 
AMSAT.ORG online. So, unlike prior years, when I've done stupid things 
like not correct for Daylight Saving Time or updated the station 
coordinates, I know I at least had those major goofs prevented. But I 
was shocked and disappointed that I could not even hear the slightest 
bit of activity or signal return this past weekend. Like I said, this 
has always been an excellent, reliable linear transponder, so I was 
particularly surprised...


W0JT (for the W0BU Field Day effort)


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[amsat-bb] Re: *NIX tracking software?

[Jim Jerzycke]

I use GPredict on my Linux box, and it works *perfectly*.

It uses the Predict engine, and has a very nice GUI to manage it with.

http://gpredict.oz9aec.net/

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 04/01/2012 06:20 PM, Alan P. Biddle wrote:

Hi,

I have a query from someone in a university research environment, almost
exclusively LINUX, about open source tracking/tuning software.  Not my OS,
so I am not able to give first hand recommendations.  I did send some links
for PREDICT and GPREDICT.  Are there any others someone can recommend from
personal experience?  They have adequate resources to modify as needed.

73s,

Alan
WA4SCA


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[amsat-bb] Re: GPS Time observation

[Jim Jerzycke]

Ahhh, yes. "UTC". That's what I meant by "Earth Time".

Need...more...coffee...

73, Jim

On 02/02/2012 08:44 PM, jmfranke wrote:
The difference between GPS time and UTC is adjusted as necessary. The 
adjustments come in the form of leap seconds and are added when needed 
at the end of June or December. The difference between GPS time and 
UTC is currently 15 seconds. There will be a leap second added this 
coming June 30. What is being seen is the casual user GPS receiver 
software does not put a high priority on time display.


John  WA4WDL

------
From: "Jim Jerzycke" 
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 3:18 PM
To: 
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS Time observation


I think this has something to do with "GPS Time" vs "Earth Time".

IIRC, GPS time doesn't take into account the Leap Seconds that have 
been added to Earth time since the first GPS satellites have been 
launched. I think some of the newer receivers can compensate for 
this, but I'm not sure.


It's been about 14 years since I last worked in the GPS industry, and 
I'm a bit rusty on all the new stuff!


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 02/02/2012 04:57 PM, George and Cheryl Abbott wrote:
I'm not sure about GPS,but I have noticed that the clock on our 
cable box is off by up to 4 seconds at times.Customer service was 
not aware or concerned when I let them know.


-Original Message- From: Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 10:28 AM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] GPS Time observation


I have an old GPS unit, a Magellan explorist 210.  It's fairly accurate
determining position. After it has acquired about eight to ten 
satellites
the position error averages between 20 to 35 feet.   Now the 
question, the

other day I was looking at one of the information pages the unit can
display and on it, it gives the time in UTC. Just for fun I thought 
I would

see how close the time was to WWV.  I was surprised to see the unit was
between one to four seconds off over various tests compared to WWV.  IS
this typical of all GPS units or do some display the time of day more
accurately?

KB7ADL

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[amsat-bb] Re: GPS Time observation

[Jim Jerzycke]

I think this has something to do with "GPS Time" vs "Earth Time".

IIRC, GPS time doesn't take into account the Leap Seconds that have been 
added to Earth time since the first GPS satellites have been launched. I 
think some of the newer receivers can compensate for this, but I'm not sure.


It's been about 14 years since I last worked in the GPS industry, and 
I'm a bit rusty on all the new stuff!


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 02/02/2012 04:57 PM, George and Cheryl Abbott wrote:
I'm not sure about GPS,but I have noticed that the clock on our cable 
box is off by up to 4 seconds at times.Customer service was not aware 
or concerned when I let them know.


-Original Message- From: Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 10:28 AM
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] GPS Time observation


I have an old GPS unit, a Magellan explorist 210.  It's fairly accurate
determining position. After it has acquired about eight to ten satellites
the position error averages between 20 to 35 feet.   Now the question, 
the

other day I was looking at one of the information pages the unit can
display and on it, it gives the time in UTC. Just for fun I thought I 
would

see how close the time was to WWV.  I was surprised to see the unit was
between one to four seconds off over various tests compared to WWV.  IS
this typical of all GPS units or do some display the time of day more
accurately?

KB7ADL

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[amsat-bb] Re: VO-52 FM Operation???

[Jim Jerzycke]

I think they were encouraging it ONLY over India, where very few hams 
have multi-mode capability.


I STRONGLY agree with Domenico, PLEASE keep FM OFF VO-52, and use AO-27, 
or SO-50.


73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 12/03/2011 01:00 AM, Luciano Gasparini wrote:

Hello all!
I have been reading some posts mentioning that Amsat India would encourage FM 
work through VO-52.
Is that for real or the other way around?
I personally would like to keep her as a SSB one and use SO-50 for FM contacts.
Could some one clarify that?

73,

Luciano PT9KK


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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 Echo R.I.P.

[Jim Jerzycke]

Just sent them $25.

Jim  KQ6EA

On 11/30/2011 01:11 AM, E. Michael McCardel wrote:

In lieu of flowers make memorial contributions to Fox-1

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fox/

E.Mike, KC8YLD

Sent from my iPad
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[amsat-bb] Re: Geostationary Satellites

[Jim Jerzycke]

Numbers for just the cost of an Amateur payload, or numbers for the 
whole satellite?


A 'typical' satellite costs from 150 million to 300 million, depending 
on what hardware it carries.


The cost of a launch to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit ranges from 95 
million to 150 million depending on the launch provider.


Jim  KQ6EA

On 10/10/2011 10:41 PM, Tom Schaefer, NY4I wrote:

Has anyone run the numbers? Are we talking 20 million, 100 million?

Let's see, there are at best 5000 satellite ops. So, if it cost $20,000,000 we 
are each in it for $4000. I'm game. Now to convince 4999 of my friends. :)

Seriously, you think it gets boring talking to us same guys on AO-51 each day? 
Try that for a giant repeater in space. That would be wide area. I know we hear 
that something like P3D would just cost too much, but this is a lot of dough to 
talk to friends across the country at drive time. The wider orbits make for 
more interesting conversations. Not that I don;t want to talk to you every day 
:)


Tom


Tom Schaefer, NY4I
n...@arrl.net
EL88pb
Monitoring EchoLink node KJ4FEC-L 489389
DSTAR Capable  APRS: NY4I-15



On Oct 10, 2011, at 5:50 PM, Alan P. Biddle wrote:


Don,

Cost, which is enough to drop any other issues to noise level.  That is the
High Rent District, and given how much the commercial users pay, they would
not want to have an "amateur" satellite wandering around.  More practically,
it would be nice to have a package on a commercial satellite.  They provide
the power, pointing, and control.  We just provide the RF.  Again, cost,
though we have been looking for the right opportunity.

Another drawback is that a geosynch only provides coverage to _about_ a
third of the earth, and it is always the same third.  Birds like AO-13 and
AO-40 covered just about all of it over the space of a few days.  Did I
mention cost?  It is fun to think about having 3 which could be linked for
true global coverage.

Alan
WA4SCA


-Original Message-
From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
Behalf Of ka9qjg
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 4:23 PM
To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Geostationary Satellites

Hello Hope Everyone is doing Well, I know people say no such thing as a dumb
question So here goes What is the reason We do not have any Type of
geostationary Satellites. Is it because they are for World Wide Use and If
stationary one could Hit it 24/7 and Maybe park there butt on it and Run a
Beam and Amp and take it over



Thanks



73 De Don KA9QJG



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[amsat-bb] Re: ARISSat-1 Battery

[Jim Jerzycke]

Kind of a 2011 version of AO-7, but without the stable orbit!

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 08/14/2011 10:18 PM, Anthony Monteiro wrote:

Dear Friends,

This is speculation but it looks to me like we
have had a bit of good luck regarding the battery.

Looking at the battery voltage from deployment on...

Up until Aug 11, the battery seems to be deteriorating
"normally" with a slight downtrend in the max voltage
as expected. But on Aug 11, the battery voltage
suddenly rises up to 36 V max and the satellite
has started resetting in eclipse.

I think the explanation is that the battery experienced a
significant event on Aug 11 where it lost the electrolyte
in one or more cells. If this is true, the bad news is
that it will no longer hold a charge and will not operate
in eclipse any more.

But the good news is that without electrolyte,
it would also stop dendrite growth that causes
the eventual battery short circuit.

In our ground testing, our test battery failed in the
usual way with the battery load increasing until the
solar panels could not drive the power bus high enough to
run the satellite. But interestingly, several cells also
cracked and dumped their electrolyte during this testing.

If a cell on the flight battery cracked and dumped its
electrolyte BEFORE the shorts were formed, it should
stay that way and the satellite may very well continue
to operate in the sun until it starts to re-enter. We just
need some luck to avoid a bad solar angle that would cause a
reset in sunlight.

Keep your fingers crossed! :)

73,
Tony AA2TX



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[amsat-bb] Re: a little perspective

[Jim Jerzycke]

Phil, let me start by saying that I hold in the highest respect for all 
you've done for Amateur radio, and digital communications in particular. 
I appreciate your foresight in many areas, and rooted for you even when 
other people were griping about "That Crap Phil Is Pushing".

I've been involved in Amateur Radio for almost 50 years, so I'm no rank 
beginner, and I've been employed in the Aerospace industry for the last 
30 years. I've BUILT satellite components, and integrated them into 
spacecraft. Some of the Really Neat Things I built at Hughes Aircraft 
are still up there. For the last 7 years I've been employed by a company 
that launches satellites to GTO, and I'm extremely familiar with 
everything that goes into getting the customer's package into space.

We joke about "The rocket won't lift-off until the stack of paperwork is 
as high as the payload fairing".

This deployment was NOT done properly. To call it the rousing "success" 
that some are trumpeting out here is wrong.

A fully functional spacecraft was delivered to the launch service, and 
they screwed up.

A important part of the spacecraft was damaged, and the attitude was 
"Gee, it had another antenna thing on it? Well, we don't know what 
happened to it, and we really don't care, as this toy is interfering 
with our real work".

If this was such a now-or-never deployment because of the limited life 
of the batteries, then the deployment should have been carried out to 
the letter. To hear that nobody knows (or admits) what level of training 
the crew had is very disturbing.

To hear what amounts to "Don't worry, it was designed to be idiot-proof" 
is also disturbing as it clearly was not.

If "things" had to be attached to the spacecraft before deployment, 
there should have been a concise, detailed checklist, and the stowage of 
those items should also have been handled with care so they didn't get 
"lost".

I'm happy that it appears to be working, as I know a lot of sweat went 
into it. Everybody involved, except the ISS crew that deployed it, 
deserve a hearty pat on the back.

And as far as using a satellite to communicate with people "That could 
be done much more easily over the Internet" misses the whole point.

We're trying to get young people involved with Amateur RADIO; they 
already qualify as Internet Experts.
The allure to many young people is being able to do this *without* 
wires, and an ISP, and a monthly bill.

A piece of wire is just a wire, but radio is magic. It's what made it 
appealing to me 50 years ago, and a lot of other people, too.

And if the radio just happens to be whizzing by 250 miles above you, 
that adds to the magic.

I apologize if I came across as a bit cranky in my first few posts, but 
having "Ben There, Done That" with space hardware, I couldn't believe 
what I was hearing and reading.

These guys wouldn't last 30 days in a real company.

If they worked for Elon Musk, they probably wouldn't last 30 minutes.

73, Jim




On 08/05/2011 02:13 AM, Phil Karn wrote:
> On 8/3/11 8:21 PM, Jim Jerzycke wrote:
>
>> At least AO-40 had a usable life for some. This thing is just another
>> squawk box in space, like all the "student" satellites that are using
>> the Amateur Radio frequencies for a free downlink.
> Jim,
>
> With the successful transponder tests it would seem that you spoke too
> soon. Besides, I really like lemonade.
>
> As far as I'm concerned, educational satellites carrying student
> scientific experiments are a perfectly legitimate use of the amateur
> spectrum as long as licensed amateurs are centrally involved and the
> experimental data is in the clear and publicly documented.
>
> I certainly have no objection to two-way transponders for open ham use.
> I'm as delighted as anyone that the ARISSat-1 transponder seems to be
> working well despite its damaged 70cm antenna.
>
> But AMSAT has been flying linear transponders for over 40 years now, and
> you have to admit they're pretty old hat. When I became a ham in 1971,
> just hearing a satellite direct from space was pretty interesting.
> Actually talking through one was totally beyond cool. You just can't
> expect today's kids to feel that way when they already use the Internet,
> mobile phones, GPS, Sirius/XM and DirecTV every day.
>
> Ham radio can't possibly survive as a mere communications medium. We
> must emphasize all its other uses, some of which are still unique.
>
> At the top of that list is *EDUCATION*. Ham radio remains the only way
> for ordinary individuals to learn radio technology hands-on. If you just
> want to talk to people, mobile phones are great. But just try taking one
>

[amsat-bb] Re: a little perspective

[Jim Jerzycke]

I'm sorry, Bruce, but I'm not buying it.

It was a screw-up, plain and simple.

And we can't make lemonade out of it.

At least AO-40 had a usable life for some. This thing is just another 
squawk box in space, like all the "student" satellites that are using 
the Amateur Radio frequencies for a free downlink.

Jim


On 08/04/2011 12:20 AM, Bruce Robertson wrote:
> I wonder if I might hope that the outrage from us amchair cosmonauts
> will abate by tomorrow.
>
> Let's take a look at what we need and what we've got: as an
> organization, we need cheap rides to space; but we have some pretty
> find satellite-building expertise. The relationship with ISS will, if
> we are reasonable, give us cheap rides. The NASA-TV announcer
> repeatedly said that ARISSAT-1 was the prototype of a series of
> satellites! Already, we've had the opportunity to fly our first
> SDX.The cost of making more along the lines of ARISSAT-1 is minimal
> compared to the cost of the ride, so this is a crucial relationship.
>
> What does ISS want from our relationship? Probably, an increased sense
> of purpose: we get a ride, they get recognition, and perhaps a bit
> more TV time for the EVA, and a connection with student research.
> Here's where it counts for us to be polite in a difficult situation.
> Focusing on errors, nationalistic name-calling, and the rest, just
> diminish what they get out the bargain, and make things more difficult
> for those who work with us who have negotiated these waters.
>
> Besides, I think the criticisms underestimate the technical difficulty
> and novelty of what we've been part of. I've watched many EVAs, and
> the feeling that things are not exactly going by plan is pretty common
> (even when Americans are running the show :-) How do you most reliably
> ship and store a small satellite to an orbiting space station? How do
> you most safely jettison it during EVA? As a species we have very
> little experience with this, and didn't get it 100% this time. Surely,
> kudos is due to AMSAT for being part of the group that is trying to
> answer these questions.
>
> Anyway, I have more fun thinking of it that way. And I'm looking
> forward to downloading as much telemetry for Kursk as I can.
>
> 73, Bruce
> VE9QRP
>

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[amsat-bb] Re: Today's Success

[Jim Jerzycke]

OK, I missed it live. I was busy working on my procedures to launch 
Atlantic Bird 7 in September.

Was it deployed without the antenna?

The S/N ratio here on the BBS has me confused. It *sounds* like they 
deployed it without the antenna, which means it's 50% functional.

I fully understand about handling objects in microgravity. They might be 
"weightless" but they're certainly NOT "inertialess".

But to drag it outside WITHOUT  one of its critical pieces?

Didn't they set this up for deployment inside the ISS to be all ready to 
go before they even took it into the airlock?

Didn't they have a procedure to follow? You know, "Insert Tab "A" Into 
Slot "B""? "Big antenna on top, small antenna on the bottom"?

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 08/03/2011 11:23 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote:
> I'll try to keep this short"Whose Success?"
>
> If I were still a member of Amsat, I would be very upset with the
> handling of this project.  There is nothing for the contributions
> that ham radio members invested.  It ends up only glory for ARISS and
> the Russian's commemoration of Yuri Gagarin.
>
> I would vote to cut the relationship between Amsat and ARISS.  It
> isn't offering anything for ham radio.  Let ARISS raise their own
> funds and build their own educational satellites.  Those that want to
> contribute to that, go ahead.  Amsat was created to build satellites
> capable of ham radio communications (and be used by hams)...this
> education outreach was added, much later.
>
> But then I quit Amsat after 36-years.  You know what?  Keep this up
> and it could become a trend.
>
> Ed - KL7UW
> former #3212
>
> PS:  They were right about my proposal:  It would fail.  Now you have
> the evidence.
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: FT726 opinions

[Jim Jerzycke]

"Hamguy123" on eBay frequently has the modules for sale.

 From looking at his auctions, he appears to buy the radios (726/736) 
and sell the modules separately.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 07/30/2011 02:33 PM, Dee wrote:
> If it doesn't have the 430 module, I would pass it by...  You could
> look for months for one because most people sell it with the unit.
> Unless someone out there has one for sale in radio land
> Good luck,
> Dee, NB2F
>
> -Original Message-
> From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org]
> On Behalf Of John Geiger
> Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 12:09 AM
> To: Amsat-Bb@Amsat. Org
> Subject: [amsat-bb] FT726 opinions
>
> I am at a hamfest this weekend where there is a FT726R for sale in
> decent condition.  It has the stock 2m module, and the HF (15, 12,
> 10M0 as well as a tone encoder (with dip switches) installed.  The UHF
> module was pulled from it, and the owner didn't know if it has the
> satellite board or not, but I am guessing that it probably does given
> the module lineup where it would have covered Mode A, T, J and B when
> it had the UHF module in it.
>
> They are asking $200 for it which seems like a great price, and it
> even has the original service manual with it.  Are these still pretty
> good satellite rigs?  Is there much of a chance of finding a
> 430-440mhz module for it?  I already have a 2m rig as well as a HF
> rig, but would be nice to have a backup for each.  Are there many age
> related issues going wrong with the 726?
>
> 73s John AA5JG
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[amsat-bb] Re: Should I abandon full doppler correction?

[Jim Jerzycke]

I've run full Doppler the last 5 or so years for the K6AA Field Day station.
It's only been the past three years I've had decent antennas, though!

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 07/25/2011 03:16 AM, Stephen E. Belter wrote:
> As far as Field Day and full Doppler correction goes:
>
> > From listening and contacting them during FD, W5MSQ uses full Doppler 
> > correction.  Andy MacAllister, W5ACM could tell you for certain.  They 
> > finished first in 2007, 2008, and 2010.
>
> John Papay, K8YSE is part of the W8DXA satellite FD team, and they use full 
> Doppler correction.  They finished first in 2009 and third in 2010.
>
> I'm part of the satellite FD team for W9LDX, and we use full Doppler 
> correction.  We finished first in the AMSAT contest in 2006, and second in 
> 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  (The 2011 results have not been published yet.)
>
> So for the AMSAT FD contest, full Doppler is the norm for the teams near the 
> top of the standings.
>
> 73, Steve N9IP
> --
> Steve Belter
>
> -Original Message-
> From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On 
> Behalf Of Jim Sanford
> Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 5:51 PM
> To: Tom Schaefer, NY4I
> Cc: Amsat BB
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Should I abandon full doppler correction?
>
> All:
>
> For what it's worth, I think I prefer the manual doppler correction on the 
> highest frequency, which can be done manually.
> Full doppler essentially requires constant computer control of both tx&  rx 
> frequencies, AND a whole lot of accurate data.
>
> I've had similar experiences at Field Day, and was able to pick out the guys 
> doing full doppler, and rarely able to work them.
>
> For whatever my opinion is worth
> 73,
> Jim
> wb4...@amsat.org
>
>
> On 7/24/2011 5:17 PM, Tom Schaefer, NY4I wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I just tried a nice pass on FO-29. I heard K9CIS on CW and W5BK from Texas. 
>> In both cases, while I am using full doppler correction with my 9100 and 
>> MacDoppler, I suspect they are leaving the transmit frequency fixed as they 
>> both changed frequency. K9CIS on CW was quite extreme in the Doppler shift. 
>> I know that this is a by-product of me using full doppler to listen to 
>> stations that are not, but it seems that the majority of the stations I hear 
>> are NOT using flu doppler. I have asked this question before, but it seems 
>> to be happening more frequently.
>>
>> Should I abandon full doppler correction? Another less black-and-white step 
>> is that if I hear a station moving to adjust my settings so I am not doing 
>> full doppler.
>>
>> Has anyone ever taken a survey to see how many satellite users actually use 
>> full doppler. Am I assuming more guys use computers and anyone of the 
>> multiple ways to do computer control that have ben available for years? Does 
>> anyone ever talk about this in AMSAT circles? Sort of like the encouragement 
>> one gives to people afraid of LOTW to try it? "Computers in the 
>> shack...NEVER!" I exaggerate but it seems that way. Then again, being a 
>> computer person and having computer capable rigs I realize I am skewed in my 
>> expectations. I know there are guys working with old 271/471 pairs or even 
>> the old FT726 out there. Great radios and a simple way to do it, but even 
>> they have ways to do full doppler control and they have been out for 20 
>> years.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Tom
>> Tom Schaefer, NY4I
>> n...@arrl.net
>> EL88pb
>> Monitoring EchoLink node KJ4FEC-L 489389 DSTAR Capable  APRS: NY4I-15
>>
>>
>>
>>
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[amsat-bb] Re: 70cm Helicoil Good/Bad expensive?

[Jim Jerzycke]

A "Helicoil" is a threaded insert used to repair stripped threads.

I think you're asking about a HELICAL antenna.

They work very well, and are easy to build. They're very forgiving in 
construction errors, but have a few pitfalls you want to watch out for.

You do NOT want to wind one on PVC pipe for a support, as the dielectric 
constant of the PVC will throw off the antenna from the design numbers 
you use to wind the "coil".

This type of helical is called an "Axial Mode" antenna. A "Normal Mode" 
helical is how a rubber duck is made, and is not what you want.

The ARRL Antenna Handbook has several designs that work well, and 
there's a TON of information on the Web about building an "Axial Mode 
Helical Antenna".

They're fixed polarization, determined when you wind it, and the only 
way to switch between left-hand and right-hand is to have another 
antenna, and switch to it.

I've built several, and they work pretty well. They get pretty big at 2 
Meters, but are manageable (at least for me!) at 70cm and up.

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 07/12/2011 12:39 AM, Kevin Deane wrote:
> Hello all, whats the take on these antennas? I am sure someone on here has 
> used them and they certainly look cool but how do they perform?
>
> Dont you have to switch polerization on a cross polerized yagi?
>
> I know there is not a perfect antenna, just wondering about the Helicoil...
>
> Kevin
> KF7MYK
>   
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[amsat-bb] Re: G-5400/5500 Cross-Boom U-Bolts

[Jim Jerzycke]

Well, 54mm is so close to 2-1/8" that it wouldn't matter. Either would 
fit, and the 54mm muffler clamps I found also state they work for 2-1/8" 
pipes.

And I anti-sieze *everything8!

73, Jim

On 07/04/2011 01:07 AM, Stan, W1LE wrote:
> Hello Jim,
>
> I would go to Yaesu (Standard Vertex USA) parts to get the exact ones 
> needed.
>
> I have always had problems trying to find SAE u-bolts to fit a metric 
> device.
>
> Be sure to grease the threads when applying, so they do not rust up 
> and seize.
>
> Stan, W1LE
>
>
>
>
> On 7/3/2011 3:19 PM, Jim Jerzycke wrote:
>> Greetings, all
>>
>> I'm "improving" my elevation rotor setup, and I'm wondering what others
>> are using to secure the cross-boom inside the elevation rotor.
>>
>> I've been using stainless hose clamps, and they work kinda-sorta OK, but
>> have a tendency to slip.  I'd really like to get either some proper size
>> u-bolts, or the part numbers from the clamps Yaesu supplies with the 
>> rotor.
>>
>> They appear to be 54mm / 2-1/8" inside-the-legs, and I'm coming up blank
>> on searching for some.
>>
>> There are no part numbers for the clamps in the manuals I have for the
>> rotors.
>>
>> I have FOUR elevation rotors, and NO clamps!
>>
>> Seems like the clamps always get lost when people take these apart to 
>> sell.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> 73, Jim  KQ6EA
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>
>

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[amsat-bb] Re: G-5400/5500 Cross-Boom U-Bolts

[Jim Jerzycke]

Yep, I found some on eBay that are advertised as 54mm / 2-1/8" from a 
"Mini Shop" in England.
Since I live so close to Yaesu, I think I'll drive over there after work 
Tuesday and see if they have them in stock.

73, Jim


On 07/04/2011 01:30 AM, Gary "Joe" Mayfield wrote:
> Muffler clamps.  There are some that fit perfectly and work great!
>
> 73,
> Joe kk0sd
>
> -Original Message-
> From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
> Behalf Of Jim Jerzycke
> Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2011 2:20 PM
> To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
> Subject: [amsat-bb] G-5400/5500 Cross-Boom U-Bolts
>
> Greetings, all
>
> I'm "improving" my elevation rotor setup, and I'm wondering what others
> are using to secure the cross-boom inside the elevation rotor.
>
> I've been using stainless hose clamps, and they work kinda-sorta OK, but
> have a tendency to slip.  I'd really like to get either some proper size
> u-bolts, or the part numbers from the clamps Yaesu supplies with the rotor.
>
> They appear to be 54mm / 2-1/8" inside-the-legs, and I'm coming up blank
> on searching for some.
>
> There are no part numbers for the clamps in the manuals I have for the
> rotors.
>
> I have FOUR elevation rotors, and NO clamps!
>
> Seems like the clamps always get lost when people take these apart to sell.
>
> Thanks!
>
> 73, Jim  KQ6EA
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>

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[amsat-bb] Re: G-5400/5500 Cross-Boom U-Bolts

[Jim Jerzycke]

Great! I've always heard that the support for their rotors is spotty, 
but if they have them, I'll go that way.

I live in Long Beach, and they're not very far from here.

Maybe I'll swing by Tuesday afternoon when I get off from work.

Thanks!

Jim

On 07/03/2011 09:11 PM, John Becker wrote:
> Jim
> After moving 3 years ago I went and got all new from
> Yaesu Vertex. Since I was replacing with the right type
> as well as size I had no worry.
>
> John
>
>
> At 02:19 PM 7/3/2011, you wrote:
>> Greetings, all
>>
>> I'm "improving" my elevation rotor setup, and I'm wondering what others
>> are using to secure the cross-boom inside the elevation rotor.
>>
>> I've been using stainless hose clamps, and they work kinda-sorta OK, but
>> have a tendency to slip.  I'd really like to get either some proper size
>> u-bolts, or the part numbers from the clamps Yaesu supplies with the rotor.
>>
>> They appear to be 54mm / 2-1/8" inside-the-legs, and I'm coming up blank
>> on searching for some.
>>
>> There are no part numbers for the clamps in the manuals I have for the
>> rotors.
>>
>> I have FOUR elevation rotors, and NO clamps!
>>
>> Seems like the clamps always get lost when people take these apart to sell.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> 73, Jim  KQ6EA
>> ___
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[amsat-bb] G-5400/5500 Cross-Boom U-Bolts

[Jim Jerzycke]

Greetings, all

I'm "improving" my elevation rotor setup, and I'm wondering what others 
are using to secure the cross-boom inside the elevation rotor.

I've been using stainless hose clamps, and they work kinda-sorta OK, but 
have a tendency to slip.  I'd really like to get either some proper size 
u-bolts, or the part numbers from the clamps Yaesu supplies with the rotor.

They appear to be 54mm / 2-1/8" inside-the-legs, and I'm coming up blank 
on searching for some.

There are no part numbers for the clamps in the manuals I have for the 
rotors.

I have FOUR elevation rotors, and NO clamps!

Seems like the clamps always get lost when people take these apart to sell.

Thanks!

73, Jim  KQ6EA
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[amsat-bb] Re: A Proposal for ARISS

[Jim Jerzycke]

That's one of those stunningly simple "Why haven't we already done it?" 
type of ideas.

I'd GLADLY support a project like this with money.

Anybody else?

Jim  KQ6EA

On 07/01/2011 08:54 PM, Edward R. Cole wrote:
> After posting some thoughts a few days ago (RE: ISS, what the heck
> happened?), I have given the idea more consideration.
>
> Proposal (ARISS on ISS):
> 1)  Install a 100-KHz transponder unit on ISS, with usual digital
> beacon/engineering
> 2)  It would run mode-UV
> 3)  Installed internally in the ISS
> 4)  Replace most of the current ISS ham radio equipment
> 5)  Could be considered an upgrade/improvement to the existing ham radio on 
> ISS
> 6)  Use ISS power and existing ham radio antenna infrastructure (no
> solar panels)(no thermal requirements for space environ)(perhaps less
> radiation hardening)
> 7)  Use batteries for stand-alone operation (recharged from ISS power)
> 8)  Control commanded from ground (no intervention required by astronauts)
> 9)  Local access for use of astronaut-hams
> 10)  Provide emergency back-up comms for ISS (perhaps with a separate
> FM channel)
> 11)  (perhaps) Use of existing ham-radio handheld on ISS on low-power
> to dedicated receiver which would activate astronaut repeater channel.
> 12)  This FM channel could be used as FM ham repeater when not in use
> by astronauts  (means world-wide monitoring for the astronauts as
> well as normal Leo FM activity)
> 13)  Modular design for future upgrades and/or repair (easy
> installation by astronauts-plug*n*play)
> 14)  Segmented pass-band to allow packet/APRS digipeating
> 15)  Transmitters able to be shut down for eva and other critical
> missions either locally on ISS or from ground.
> 16)  Perhaps a special Rx/Tx on ISS eva channel for cross-band repeat
> in event of loss of atmosphere emergency (help to sell the concept to
> NASA as a comms back-up).
> 17)  No need for orientation (spin or de-spin), rad hardening,
> thermal structures (air-cooled), no propulsion, no launch requirements.
> 18)  Easily maintained by supply from ground (repairs or upgrades).
> 19)  Long-Life
>
> Re-direct of either Fox or P3E efforts?  (no launch requirement-rides
> as cargo to ISS)
>
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
> ==
> BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
> EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-?
> DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.com
> ==
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: ISS/TNC

[Jim Jerzycke]

On 06/30/2011 09:02 PM, Kevin Deane wrote:
> I finally get a TNC and get it working and they dont turn on the Digipeater 
> anymore...:(
>
> Kevin
> KF7MYK
>   
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That's a bummer!

I've bounced APRS packets through it using my TH-D7 and a Diamond SRH77CA.

Jim
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[amsat-bb] Re: FD Mess

[Jim Jerzycke]

"One-and-Done" is fine for the FM satellites. The (ONE!) guy I worked on 
SO-50 even said "Well, that's it on this bird!", and I got him later on 
AO-7.

We had a group of people who wanted to watch us work the satellites, so 
my son graciously surrendered his headphones, and several people 
listened as I ran AO-7 and VO-52.

They really enjoyed it, and now have a better understanding of what 
"Doppler Shift" is, and by watching the SatPC32 display, and the 
antennas, also have a basic understanding of satellite orbits, and why 
you need to keep moving the antennas.

I let them listen to some low passes of SO-50 and AO-51 that were mostly 
out over the Pacific, and as K6LCS said, the operators were well behaved.

I wouldn't dare let them listen to a pass over the middle of the 
country, as I'm sure they'd be discouraged!

73, Jim

On 06/28/2011 04:04 AM, Gary "Joe" Mayfield wrote:
> I can absolutely claim at least 3 satellite converts as a result of the old
> get on the air and hammer away method, but 0 converts since the one and done
> era.
>
> Joe kk0sd
>
> -Original Message-
> From:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org  [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
> Behalf Of Majdi S. Abbas
> Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 4:42 PM
> To: Diane Bruce
> Cc: AMSAT
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FD Mess
>
> On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 05:18:54PM -0400, Diane Bruce wrote:
>> Now hear me out before you hit that reply key. Field day operators
>> are interested in those bonus points, we (amsat) are interested in
>> promoting amateur radio sat operations. How many of these field day
>> operations actually result in new satellite operators? Where are the
>> surveys, stats? Does the extra massive battery use of our sats justify
>> the PR? Keep in mind the state of AO-51 and FO-29.
>>
>> Am I the only one? I'd be interested in a non-flame war discussion.
>   Sure, the person operating the radio is trying to collect the
> bonus points for their operation.
>
>   But most Field Day operations are a *group* effort.  Many of
> the hams present may never have operated a satellite, and if shown
> that they can get on the FM sats relatively easily, may give it a
> try.  There are typically dozens of people present besides the
> satellite operator, at least a few of which express some interest.
>
>   People who collect bonus points usually go for the public
> location/information table bonus as well, so you may be introducing
> possible future hams to satellite work.
>
>   If the argument is 'show me the data,' feel free to go collect it;
> the published FD scores is a good starting point for reaching out to
> the involved parties.  Or you could fund a survey.
>
>   It seems silly to demand that outreach be justified for you;
> without it, you won't need those satellites anyway.  Lack of outreach
> is a self correcting problem -- just add time, and there won't be any
> satellites left.
>
>   73,
>
>   Majdi, N0RMZ
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[amsat-bb] Re: FD and Sats?

[Jim Jerzycke]

On 06/26/2011 12:17 AM, Ted wrote:
> I thought there was a '1 contact per pass' agreement on FD?
>
> Did I miss the memo?
>
> Ted, K7TRK
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Even if the was a memo, nobody would heed it.
The FM birds are basically useless on Field Day. I only try them on a 
pass where most of the footprint is out over the Pacific.
We're up to 35 contacts on the linear birds so far, and we've shut down 
for the night.
I'll be back on early tomorrow as K6AA and try to make a few more contacts.
I really miss HO-68 this year. I can hear the beacon very well, but the 
transponders appear to be off.
Is the ISS running cross-band? Everytime it goes over, all I hear on the 
downlink is S-9+60 mexican music and mexican babble.
73, Jim
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[amsat-bb] Re: FO-29 ?

[Jim Jerzycke]

Uplink is LSB, downlink is USB as it's an inverting transponder.

"Tone" is NEVER used on linear birds.

On 06/18/2011 10:33 PM, Ted wrote:
> Is the frequency info on the amsat page accurate?
>
> Also, are both up/dn USB?  Any tone?   I just have no luck tuning that sat
> for some reason..
>
> Thank you,
>
> Ted K7TRK
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[amsat-bb] Re: Getting back into Sats- current state of affairs

[Jim Jerzycke]

Yep, AO-7 is one great "Old Lady".
Just bring her up in your tracking program, and marvel at how big the 
footprint is!

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 06/07/2011 02:48 AM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:
>
>
> Hi Tim
>
> By far the best (in my opinion) is AO-7!  It switches between mode A&  B at 
> about 2335Z each 24 hours.  There are  a interesting bunch of "characters" 
> that populate this satellite.  As opposed to the FM sats we can actually have 
> a conversation, in fact 3 or more in a round table as people enter and leave 
> the footprint.  Check out 
> http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/main.php?PHPSESSID=6dd58a40327b312b8178ae739709db09
>
>   and the log to see what mode it's on.  Keep in mind AO-7 is six years older 
> that you are, and this fine bucket of bolts is like a timex watch.  Follow 
> the guide lines when operating through it.  Your quadra filer helix antennas 
> might be a little iffy, however NL7VX uses omni antennas and I can work him 
> (on the east coast) from Seattle fairly good.  Will look for you.
>
>
>
> 73 Bob W7LRD
>
> Seattle
> - Original Message -
> From: "Tim Goodrich"
> To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
> Sent: Monday, June 6, 2011 12:28:27 PM
> Subject: [amsat-bb]  Getting back into Sats- current state of affairs
>
> Hi All,
> It's been a few years since I've posted here, but just bought a Yaesu 736R
> over the weekend and am back to experimenting with the birds. Looking at the
> AMSAT page, it's sad to see how few birds are operational, including the
> once stellar AO-51 and also HO-68 (which I never got to work).
>
> I did hear VO-52 and the APRS on ISS last night. However, this morning, I
> tried to activate SO-50 during the 9:07PST pass and I didn't hear anything.
> Is there a problem with this bird, is it too weak for me to hear, or was
> there just no activity? I should have been able to hear myself after
> activating it with the tones on full duplex, but didn't.
>
> Thanks,
> Tim
> K6TW (formerly KI6VBY)
>
> Yaesu FT-736R
> 2m and 70cm homebrew Quadralfilar Helixes, 50ft LMR-400
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: FO 29 help

[Jim Jerzycke]

There are some very good reasons to NEVER use FM on a linear 
transponder, especially FO-29 and AO-7.

Since FM is running a constant carrier, it sucks all the available power 
away from other users on the transponder, and makes the transponder run 
a full-carrier on the output.

This is VERY hard on the power system of a satellite that was never 
designed for it, and particularly hard on the batteries of an older bird 
like FO-29.

Since AO-7 is running entirely on its solar cells, forcing it to 
transmit a full carrier would drag the system voltage down to where it 
would probably reset the satellite, and possibly cause other damage.

If you want to run FM, stay on the FM satellites and keep off the linear 
birds!

Jim  KQ6EA

On 04/23/2011 08:37 PM, Kevin Deane wrote:
>
>   Or he could just use FM since hardly anyone uses the SSB birds compared to 
> the other sats.
>
> Although I am sure there are a million reasons not to use FM. even though it 
> works just fine on the SSB birds. The feedback I got from the FO-29 Control 
> Team was that SSB was pretty much "the rule" or "band plan" if you will.
>
> I may be wrong in my opinion, but I dont see why we cant use FM other than to 
> keep usage down? I hope everyone dosent freak out, as this seems to be "Taboo"
>
> Kevin
> KF7MYK
>
>
>> To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
>> From: k...@aol.com
>> Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 15:08:12 -0400
>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FO 29 help
>>
>>
>> Ted,
>> It sounds like you are hearing a "reflection" of your signal, not the 
>> downlink from FO-29. This is a common malady associated with 3rd harmonic 
>> interference on mode J (V/U) satellites. Try this on a pass that will reach 
>> at least 30 degrees above the horizon:
>> 1. Turn HRD control of your TS2K off
>> 2. Set your uplink at 145.950 CW
>> 3. At AOS you should hear the beacon about 8-10 kHz above the beacon freq of 
>> 435.895 (about 435.904 MHz)
>> 4. Tune your receiver to 435.850 plus that same delta from beacon (about 
>> 435.859 USB). You should be able to tune your receive and hear your CW dits 
>> (clearly).
>> 5. Zero beat the CW dits on the low side, switch to LSB and you should be 
>> exactly on frequency and can turn on TRACE and go anywhere in the passband.
>>
>> If you have auto-Doppler turned on in HRD, your program should do the same 
>> thing as this manual procedure.
>>
>> You should be able to hear yourself. If not, Google the diplexer fix for the 
>> harmonic problem.
>>
>> > From the center of the passbands, whatever the UHF Doppler shift is, the 
>> > VHF Doppler will be approximately 1/3 in the opposite direction. This is a 
>> > helpful rule for finding your downlink manually.
>>
>> 73,
>> Jerry, K5OE
>>
>> -- original message --
>> Good morning,
>>
>> Since putting up the Elk on a rotor (fixed el +- 25 deg), I decided to try
>> some linear birds.
>>
>> I have tried FO 29 about 3x but seem to have some issues. I am using TS-2000
>> in SAT mode with HRD Sat program.
>> Up: 145.9 LSB
>> Dn: 435.8 USB
>>
>> I am clearly able to track the bird with doppler as I can hear the CW beacon
>> through the entire pass (switching back and forth). I can also TX into the
>> bird and hear my signal coming back duplex. However, what is coming back is
>> my voice signal but totally unintelligible. Also, I have heard no other
>> stations on these passes.
>>
>> Am I doing something wrong?
>>
>> Tnx for any help
>>
>> Ted, K7TRK
>>
>>
>>
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[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Logo

[Jim Jerzycke]

Hi, Zack

You can find logos of different sizes on the "original" AMSAT website. 
The ones with the "ai" file extension are "Adobe Illustrator" files, and 
will scale to any size you want. I used them to make some large signs I 
hang up at my station on Field Day.

http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/images/AMSATlogo/

73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 04/11/2011 03:50 PM, Zachary Beougher wrote:
> Does anyone have or know of anyone that has a good quality copy of the AMSAT 
> logo I can use on a Power Point presentation?  I have permission to use it, 
> but I can not find any good ones.  I found several that have the white 
> background behind them, but I need one that I can overlay on a (eg) grey 
> background and not have the white rectangular box around the logo.  I did 
> find one - http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/misc/logo/official-scan.gif - but 
> the graphics where really bad (very rough edges) when overlaid on a grey 
> background.  I see several on the AMSAT website, so I know there are some out 
> there.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Zack
> KD8KSN
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[amsat-bb] Re: Yaesu FT-736R interface for HRD

[Jim Jerzycke]

That's an amazing little box!
"Well Done!" to all involved.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 04/07/2011 06:53 PM, zdz eighty wrote:
> Yaesu FT-736R interface for HRD
>
> I finally finished a project to build an interface for the Yaesu FT736R so
> that it would work with Ham Radio Deluxe. It seems to be working well and
> i've sent it out to several testers and i haven't found any problems from
> the the interface. I had a pcb made and its available from batchpcb.com. It
> uses a PIC 18f14k50 microcontroller with a usb interface. The board has 3
> pads on it which you wire to a 6 pin Din plug. All the code is open sourced
> via the GPL.  You can see all the information for it at KA6BRB's website:
>
> http://home.comcast.net/~tinkyr/736/N6BIL%20Hardware%20Emulator.htm
>
> thanks,
> chuck
> n6bil
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[amsat-bb] Re: more antenna discussions....

[Jim Jerzycke]

+2 with what Drew says. I've been using my M2 2M7 and 420-50-11 like 
this for years.
When I first had them on the roof at my apartment, they were on a single 
mast, with azimuth only rotation. I had to carefully choose my passes 
for low elevation so the satellite didn't rise out of the pattern, but 
they worked fine.
Now I have them on a Glen Martin 9' tower mounted on a small Harbor 
Freight trailer, with a G5400 rotor set, and an unknown manufacturer 
fiberglass cross-boom. I use a Fox Delta ST2 controller, and SatPC32 
running the rotor and my FT-847. I can work the satellites even better, 
as I now have an SSB Electronic preamp on each antenna.
And I still get to do weak-signal work, though not as well, as the 
antennas are no longer on the roof of a large two-story commercial building.
Don't be afraid to try horizontally polarized antennas. Yes, you'll get 
some fades (sometimes), but if it's what you have, use it. You'll be 
surprised how well they work, regardless of what some people may say.
73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 03/18/2011 08:42 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
>
> On Mar 18, 2011, at 4:13 PM, Jeff Moore  wrote:
>
>> Horizontally polarized beams will not work very well for satellite use
> I disagree, at least for 2m. For several years I've used a 2m7 or cushcraft 
> 10 element horizontal yagi on 2m with fine results. Being horizontal allows 
> me to play on terrestrial as well as meteor scatter where the extra gain from 
> polarity makes a huge difference. Sat links are generally good enough that it 
> doesn't matter much at least on 2m. Obviously there is some compromise in 
> this setup, but it hasn't been a problem yet.
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
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[amsat-bb] Re: Using Preamps In Shack

[Jim Jerzycke]

Joe speaks wisdom when he says get a bigger one that you think you need.
I have a whole pile of those boxes in the garage because I thought they 
were "big enough" for the project I had intended to build in them.
73, Jim

On 03/14/2011 08:13 PM, Joe Leikhim wrote:
> Paul;
> Check the electrical departments at Home Depot and Lowes for inexpensive
> plastic boxes made by Carlton. These are fully weatherproof boxes
> without any knockouts that are excellent for weatherproofing
> preamplifiers.  You will probably need some type N bulkheads that have a
> long neck so that you can pass through the plastic plus whatever
> aluminum gauge ground plane you might want to bond your preamps to. I
> just got through rebuilding a wideband amplifier 25 MHz -1 GHz for my
> receiver, and I have a second one built at least 12 years ago for
> 240-270 MHz that although the box is pretty weathered, the electronics
> inside including a bandpass graph and notes on paper inside, look like
> new. Absolutely no water intrusion although outside for years. Get a
> bigger deeper box than you think you need. I used 6x6x5 inch boxes.
>
> For this one I used a Polyphazer "pickoff" to extract 15V DC from the
> coax to run a gasfet preamp and a WJ 28 dB gain T08 amplifier.
>
>
>
>

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[amsat-bb] Re: Off topics ( tsunami on the west coast of USA ? )

[Jim Jerzycke]

I live in Long Beach, and the surge was about 3' here, causing no problems.
73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 03/11/2011 07:45 PM, Ted wrote:
> Domenico,
>
> I have been watching Fox News all morning. The wave has reached the west
> coast and damaged boats and harbors in Crescent City, CA., Santa Cruz, CA
> and harbors and marinas in the LA area. The damage does not appear to go
> inland like it did in Japan nor do I see any indication of HUGE waves at
> sea. In fact, they are saying boats are better off if they are off shore
> somewhat instead of close to shore. Have not heard of it hitting Mexico, but
> the 'wave' seems to diminish as it goes south.
>
> Hope this helps. Maybe ND9M can give us some info from the San Diego area
>
> 73, Ted K7TRK
>
> -Original Message-
> From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
> Behalf Of i8cvs
> Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 11:11 AM
> To: AMSAT-BB
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Off topics ( tsunami on the west coast of USA ? )
>
> Hi All,
>
> I would like to know if after the terrific earthquake in Japan the tsunami
> reached the west coast of USA.
>
> I am worry about because my son is part of the crew on board the ship
> "SPIRIT" sailing the coast of California and Mexico 
>
> Tank you for any information.
>
> 73" de 
>
> i8CVS Domenico
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>   

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[amsat-bb] Re: ISS and Discovery - Final visible pass

[Jim Jerzycke]

Unfortunately, it's probably going to be overcast here in SoCal.
I just updated the Keps in GPredict, and I'll step outside when it's due
over, but we might not see anything tonight.
73, Jim  KQ6EA


On 03/08/2011 01:20 AM, Jeff KB2M wrote:
> We also are fortunate to have witnessed the last flight of Discovery...
>
> 73 Jeff kb2m
>
> -Original Message-
> From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
> Behalf Of John Magliacane
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 19:21 PM
> To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS and Discovery - Final visible pass
>
>   
>> Hi all,
>> Just had one of those rare opportunities with clear skies in the UK  and a
>> 
>   
>> wonderful sighting to remember..
>> 
> Just grabbed a couple of friends to witness a BEAUTIFUL double fly-by over
> New Jersey.  :-)
>
>
> 73, de John, KD2BD
>
> --
> Visit John on the Web at:
>
>   http://kd2bd.ham.org/
>
>
>
>   
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: Shuttle launch from a nearby airliner

[Jim Jerzycke]

One of the few things I can truly describe as "AWESOME, DUDE"!

73, Jim

On 03/06/2011 01:16 AM, Joseph Armbruster wrote:
> This video just made my evening.
>
> I work in Orlando and ran downstairs to watch it but I was only able to catch 
> a short glimpse of it between the clouds and above the trees.
>
> Thanks a ton for sharing this video, being on flight with a view like that is 
> a once in a lifetime opportunity.
>
> Joseph Armbruster
>
>
> On Mar 4, 2011, at 8:28 PM, Rick Tejera wrote:
>
>   
>> Thought some might find this interesting:
>>
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_USPTmYXM
>>
>> Sent from my iPod
>> Rick Tejera
>> Editor, SACnews
>> Saguaro Astronomy Club
>> www.saguaroastro.org
>> K7TEJ
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[amsat-bb] Re: RADAR QRM on FO-29 video on YouTube

[Jim Jerzycke]

Yow, that's pretty bad, Drew.
You're probably too far from Eglin, so you think maybe it's from MacDill?
Jim

On 03/01/2011 03:35 AM, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPSvVEjrTzY
>
> This is just a short video of the severe RADAR QRM I had today while 
> trying to work FO-29. This is about as bad as I've ever seen it here in 
> Central Florida. Please ignore my son coughing in the background (he's 
> getting better fast), along with one of my male cockatiels crooning to 
> the female one. :-)
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
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[amsat-bb] Re: fo-29

[Jim Jerzycke]

Actually it's the other way around. You transmit on the uplink in LSB so
you receive the downlink in USB.

Jim  KQ6EA

On 02/28/2011 02:07 AM, Kevin Deane wrote:
>  
>  
> so I know you all will laugh at me but what inverting means lsb down usb up 
> is this correct 
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[amsat-bb] Re: Cruise ship operation newbie questions

[Jim Jerzycke]

I have a couple of ham friends who wanted to take some HF gear on a
recent cruise.
They were told absolutely NO amateur radio operation was allowed on the
cruise line they had selected, I forget which one.
They also checked with several other lines, and were told the same thing.
Best thing would be to check directly with the cruise line you were
thinking of taking, as I believe they found one that would still allow it.
Jim  KQ6EA
On 02/28/2011 02:22 AM, Bryan Green wrote:
> Hello, all:
>
> Semi-active OSCAR user Bryan Green KL7CN/W6 here. I'm going on a cruise ship
> in about a month leaving April 3 on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas,
> cruising from San Juan to Barbados and back via a bunch of island nations.
>
> I would love to emulate Allen N5AFV and operate maritime mobile from the
> ship and from ports of call. However, I am not as knowledgeable as I would
> like to be about how to go about this... properly. I am certain that I am
> too late to obtain reciprocal licenses, but perhaps there are some places
> where I could operate. I have read Allen N5AFV's excellent and very detailed
> articles and I will attempt to obtain what I can for licenses. I also have
> decent equipment for FM operations already.
>
> Does anyone have any very recent experience, and perhaps in particular with
> this cruise line? Royal Caribbean specifically calls out Amateur Radio gear
> as prohibited, but I expect that with the proper permission it would be
> possible...
>
> Thank you in advance for any information! In any case I will be able to
> operate in San Juan KP4 when we are not on the ship, so I'm excited about
> that!
>
> -- bag
>
> Bryan Green, op. KL7CN/W6
> 408-836-7279
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[amsat-bb] Re: OT: NASA Website access?

[Jim Jerzycke]

Works OK here, but some video I had an embeded link to in my blog shows
as "Not Available".

Jim  KQ6EA

On 02/26/2011 06:11 PM, wb7...@usfamily.net wrote:
> Am I the only one having issues accessing nasa.gov?  It fails on Verizon and 
> Frontier Networks.  Google has no new news. It seems the entry is gone from 
> any DNS I can do a lookup on...
>
> Could very well be my cloud has turned against me
> Dave
>
> __
> Dave Donaldson
> HAM:WB7DRU
> Navy/MC MARS:NNN0AXK
> Burnsville, MN 
> Sent from my android device.
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[amsat-bb] Re: Shuttle Chasing ISS

[Jim Jerzycke]

Except that it'll be raining all night in SoCal!

Jim

On 02/26/2011 12:10 AM, Clint Bradford wrote:
> It appears (pun intended) that North America might be able to watch the 
> Shuttle chase the ISS this evening.
>
> For Southern California ... times n PST tonight ...
>
> Aos: 2011/02/25 22:33:45 329.8 0.0
> Max: 2011/02/25 22:38:24  37.413.4
> Los: 2011/02/25 22:42:29  92.4-0.0
>
> Aos: 2011/02/26 00:08:42 308.0 0.1
> Max: 2011/02/26 00:13:57 201.845.9
> Los: 2011/02/26 00:18:32 144.8-0.0
>
> Anticipating it being even brighter than Sirius.
>
> Clint, K6LCS
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[amsat-bb] Re: IC-9100

[Jim Jerzycke]

I have both an FT-847, and a TS-790. I prefer the FT-847 for satellite
work, and the TS-790 for weak signal work. It's mostly what I'm used to,
and the '847 seems to be easier to use for satellites.The TS-790 seems
to have a better receiver, and one of these days I'll use my IF-232 to
run it with SatPC32 to see how well it works on satellites.
They're both very nice radios.

73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 02/25/2011 08:01 PM, John Geiger wrote:
> But just because something is listed as a satellite radio, why only limit it
> to the satellite bands?  Satellite radios also make good VHF/UHF weak signal
> and contest radios.
>
> 73s John AA5JG
>
> On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 1:56 PM, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF 
> wrote:
>
>   
>> There aren't any satellites on 6M.
>>
>> There's always the "old fashioned" solution, an HF receiver, an HF
>> transmitter and a pair of converters or transverters.
>> They're still available for the microwave bands.
>>
>> There must be older 2M and 70cM multimode rigs available used ( IC211E,
>> TS700, IC202/404 etc) that will happily drive transverters for the higher
>> bands and amplifiers for their own band.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 25-Feb-11 19:51, John Geiger wrote:
>>
>> 
>>> Used, now there are many more options.  Hard to find anything to fault
>>> about the Kenwood TS790, except that it doesn't
>>> do 6m.
>>>
>>>   
>> 
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[amsat-bb] Re: Satellite Antennas

[Jim Jerzycke]

I agree with Mark 100%.
I've been using my 'terrestrial' M2 antennas on the satellites for
years.  The GulfAlpha "Easy Satellite" antenna I use for Field day is
also linearly polarized, and works very well.
Fades? Sure I get them, but most of the time it's only for a few
seconds, and while a bit annoying it's not a show stopper.
73, Jim  KQ6EA

On 02/22/2011 04:11 PM, Mark L. Hammond wrote:
> Hi Howard,
>
> Lucky  you :)
>
> Here is my personal opinion from 20 years of operations--if you cannot
> change polarity, don't use circular.   Linear works wonderfully.
>
> M2 yagis work great no matter what polarity the bird is in...I have
> installed mine vertically on a metal boom.  No regrets.  And they are
> quite  a bit cheaper!!
>
> My last setup purchase included three M2 yagis, and I love 'em!
>
> http://www.m2inc.com/products/uhf/70cm/44018.html
>
> http://www.m2inc.com/products/vhf/2m/2m7.html
>
> http://www.m2inc.com/products/uhf/23cm/23cm35ez.html
>
> Price those, and then compare the price to circular ones with polarity
> switching on the 2M AND 70cm, and you'll see one reason I went that
> route :)
>
> Other reasons include quality, balance on the rotors, gain, length
> (around 10'), durability, and simplicity, etc.
>
> Add a 2' dish on a 8' to 10' horizontal metal boom and you're good for
> four bands, and the standard Yaesu G5500 will do just fine with the
> whole mess.
>
> Don't get me wrong---circular is more of the ideal, but it gets a bit
> more complicated with polarity switching (not easily done remotely for
> example!), not to mention the expense.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Mark N8MH
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 10:06 AM, Howard Kowall  wrote:
>   
>> Good morning to all
>> Well my wife gave me the ok to get some new base satellite antennas.
>> I could really only find 2 manufactures of theses antennas in North America
>> M2 and GulfAlpha.Is there any others,and also can anyone recommend something
>> I would like to be able to use them for the FM sats and Transponders.
>> I would imagine that circular polarized would be the way to go(rhcp)
>> Any input would be much appreciated
>> Thanks to all who read and reply
>> Howard
>> VE4ISP
>>
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>
>
>   

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