[amsat-bb] Re: Wouxun KG-UV8D
Which current HT models do perform full duplex without any desense on the receive side? 73 John AF5CC - Original Message - From: Clint Bradford clintbra...@earthlink.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2014 5:03 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Wouxun KG-UV8D If Alinco couldn't get true, full-duplex ops for working the U/V - V/U birds right at the $250 price point, I am not holding my breath for release of the new Wouxun. Wouxun brought a couple demo models to IWCE last month. They slapped FCC ID numbers on them from another radio ... The only dealer on the planet that I would personally purchase anything Wouxun is Powerwerx.com. Rn by hams, and they care. And they have the clout with Wouxun to get things done (like firmware updates, cosmetic and other improvements). The fact that they - at least at this time - are not excited about this ris in interesting. And, of course, I do not see this rig on the FCC's OET site for certification for anything. Clint K6LCS http://www.hamradioprogramming.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: ROCKET MAN
Clint, Guess we also forgot 2 songs by the Grateful Dead off of their Built to Last Album Standing on the Moon Picasso Moon The Rolling Stones have Moonlight Mile And some horrible song that my daughter listens to, which has the line Starships were meant to fly John AF5CC - Original Message - From: Gordon JC Pearce gordon...@gjcp.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 9:49 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ROCKET MAN On Tue, Mar 18, 2014 at 02:41:48AM -, John Geiger wrote: Clint, You forgot Pink Floyd's Interstellar Overdrive and anything by Jefferson Starship or Starship. Also, Neil Young's Harvest Moon 73 John AF5CC Nick Drake - Pink Moon -- Gordonjcp MM0YEQ/A ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: ROCKET MAN
Clint, You forgot Pink Floyd's Interstellar Overdrive and anything by Jefferson Starship or Starship. Also, Neil Young's Harvest Moon 73 John AF5CC essage - From: Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.com To: AMSAT BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 2:09 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ROCKET MAN OK, Les, YOU started this ... (grin) Here's my partial PlayList from my Yuri Gagarin party ... The Beatles, Across the Universe Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Bad Moon Rising” Elton John, “Bad Side of the Moon” Emerson, Lake and Palmer, “Black Moon” Marcels, “Blue Moon” Ella Fitzgerald, “Blue Moon” Diana Krall Fly Me to the Moon Pink Floyd, “Dark Side of the Moon” Jamiroquai, “Cosmic Girl” Dinah Washington, “Destination Moon” The Byrds, “Eight Miles High” Duran Duran, “Electric Barbarelle” Neil Young, “Falling Off the Face of the Earth” Sinatra, “Fly Me to the Moon” The Doors, Moonlight Drive Duran Duran, Electric Barbarella ELO, Ticket to the Moon Jimi Hendrix, 3rd Stone from the Sun Elton John, Rocket Man Led Zeppelin, Stairway to Heaven Julie London ,Fly Me to the Moon The Marcels, Blue Moon Louis Philippe, Yuri Gagarin Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon The Police, Walking on the Moon Will Smith, Men in Black Richard Strauss, Also Sprach Zarathustra, theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey Feist, “My Moon, My Man” Van Morrison, Moondance” Dinah Washington, Destination Moon John Williams, “Theme to Star Wars” Zager and Evans, In the Year 2525 Elton John, “Rocket Man” (a live version) Nick Reece’s NEW album, “Gagarin - Son of the earth” Clint ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FS: Jetstream 9913F 50 feet coax with PL259s
In case anyone needs some coax for their satellite antennas-I have for sale a 50 foot role of Jetstream 9913 flex low loss cable with PL259s on each end. Never used, still in its package. I am asking $52 shipped and can take paypal/check/MO. 73 John AF5CC ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Mode A activity
My current radio is an Icom 706MKII which is a HF/6/2m rig so my satellite activity would be limited to AO7 Mode A. What is the currently activity level on Mode A? I am working on improving my 10 meter antenna to receive AO7 better. 73 John AF5CC ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Kenwood TM251 memory battery replacement
I have a Kenwood TM251A FM radio I use on the FM satellites, and the memory battery is going to need to be replaced. I figure sending it to Kenwood for replacement is going to cost more than the radio is worth. The only thing the manual says about it is to send it to Kenwood for replacement. Does anyone have more information on replacing it yourself? How hard of a job is it, and is the battery avaiable? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Wyatt AC0RA, a skilled and dedicated operator
I have worked Wyatt many times on the FM sats but didn't know he was doing the SSB sats until recently when I saw his posting looking for Hawaii on AO7 or FO29. Do you know what he is using for a satellite radio on those sats? 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Clayton Coleman W5PFG kayakfis...@gmail.com To: AMSAT amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 4:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Wyatt AC0RA, a skilled and dedicated operator Wyatt Dirks AC0RA is very passionate about his satellite operations. Having started with a home brew antenna, he has experimented with several portable station configurations including LPDA’s, commercial Arrows, and recently added a 13-element M2 beam. Just today, January 28, he made a 6,941km contact with ON4HF using AO-7 mode B. While this is several hundred kilometers below the distance record for mode B contacts, it is important to note that Wyatt performed this feat completely portable, without a set of cross-polarized beams, without automated antenna tracking, and more importantly – out in the cold Iowa weather. He’s recently been making contacts with other stations in Europe. This does not come easily in a portable setting from the mid-USA states.Many folks who have been around for a long time, who have “been there and done that,” may not see this as much of an accomplishment. I assure you if we had satellites capable of greater distance contacts, Wyatt would be on them pushing the limits of their capabilities with minimal equipment. Not only does Wyatt posses the right equipment, he demonstrates skill and dedication, something uncommon in young men his age just shy of 20 years old. We should encourage operators of this caliber as they will be our future engineers and friends in the space frontier. 73, Clayton W5PFG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: SumbandilaSat beyond repair
Thanks for the info Trevor. That is sure too bad to hear. It was a nice satellite while it lasted. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Trevor . m5...@yahoo.co.uk To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 7:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] SumbandilaSat beyond repair South Africa’s second satellite, SumbandilaSat, is no longer fulfilling its main purpose due to technical problems and is essentially beyond repair, its maker SunSpace says. http://www.uk.amsat.org/4076 73 Trevor M5AKA ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Getting Cheep ...
I do think we need to be careful that we don't send the message that you must have a complex (and expensive) station to work the FM sats. I wouldn't want someone interested in the sats to give up because they thought they needed circularly polarized yagis, elevations rotors, mast mounted preamps, and computer control for doppler shift. My current FM satellite station cost me right around $200. I spent $99 for a used Kenwood TM251 FM rig, which has the most sensitive UHF receiver that QST has reviewed, $45 for a dualband Arrow antennas J pole, and $45 for a 50 foot run of 9913flex coax. I already had a power supply so I didn't figure that into the total cost. Is it the best satellite station one could assemble? Not by a long shot. But I can hear most of every pass, with some fades, and still have a good time on the sats while making lots of QSOs. I do miss AO51, though. 73s John AA5JG On Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 12:28 PM, Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.comwrote: ... I wish some of the self-proclaimed experts would tell these people that if they cannot hear themselves on the downlink that does not mean that they are not keying the satellite. I know of no self-proclaimed expert who is teaching anything other than working full-duplex on the FM LEOs is the preferred method of operation ... And I am still finding audiences who appreciate knowing that they already own most of the equipment necessary to successfully work these birds. One of the very first reception reports of the ARISSat-1 project was from a gentleman using a handheld radio - and its stock antenna. I know of MANY self-proclaimed experts who advise that that is not the best way to go ... (grin) I am very proud of the on-the-air operations that I hear here on the West Coast. I mean, I am in the most-populous region of the nation's most populous state - so the potential for poor operating methods are greater. But we're doing quite fine. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Very Interesting Radio - Possible Sat Use
You can find them for $46 shipped on ebay. 73s John AA5JG On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 12:22 PM, KP4TR (Ramon Gonzalez) kp4tr.ra...@gmail.com wrote: Looks like a knock off of Yaesu VX-3. For $65 not bad Sent from my iPhone On Jan 12, 2012, at 12:49 PM, Clayton Coleman W5PFG kayakfis...@gmail.com wrote: Excellent idea and post, Tom. I have posted two YouTube videos of the Baeofeng UV-3R being used for satellite work. I would suspect performance of the UV-X4 to be similar in nature. AC0RA and I have made a few Baofeng to Baofeng contacts to test the performance on several of the LEO FM satellites. Timing and antenna orientation is key and I would recommend two the radios be used for full-duplex, as in your suggestion Tom. Here's a video of receiving AO-27 using the stock rubber duck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYZyC_vkew0 here's a video of receiving AO-51 using an Arrow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRN4uJXvnK0 (I did make a contact on this AO-51 pass, though I wouldn't recommend it because of the semi-duplex limitation) 73, Clayton W5PFG On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 9:49 AM, Thomas Doyle tomdoyle1...@gmail.com wrote: This may have been discussed previously but just in case it has not. I purchased an interesting radio that might be an inexpensive way to operate full duplex on the FM sats. The radio cost $65 including shipping and all accessories. It runs 2W on both 2M and 70cm. It has almost all the bells and whistles you would expect on a dual band handi. 99 memories - tone squelch ... In addition to the low cost the radio is very small. See pic - I have fairly normal size hands so you can see how small it is. http://www.tomdoyle.org/UV-X4.jpg I purchased it expecting the worst. Much to my surprise it actually works quite well. The menu system is the most intuitive I have found on any radio. The only negatives I could find were - no channel lockout when scanning - I put the local weather station in one of the memories. Since it is always on you can not use the scan function. - I fully expected a radio of such a small size would not have adequate sound from the speaker. In fact the sound from the speaker is really loud. Everything is set using a rotary digital switch with detents. This works great for selecting channels and using the menu functions. There are only 9 detent positions for the volume. The lowest volume setting is mute, one click up and it is loud and it keeps getting louder as you go up. There was nothing wrong with my radio - they all do it. - no DTMF pad None of these negatives affect the use of the radio with an FM sat. You could buy a pair of these for $130 including shipping. Add a diplexer and Elk/Arrow antenna and I think you would be good to go with a very compact low cost full duplex portable FM station. I bought mine from http://www.maintradingcompany.com and received excellent service. In case you were wondering what the goofy looking LED between the switch and the antenna is - it is for the flashlight function the radio offers as a feature. The flashlight feature is invaluable :-) Sent from my computer. W9KE Tom Doyle ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Icom 451 questions
A local friend here has an Icom 451A 70cm all mode which he might sell me. What is the typical selling price for these rigs? It is in good physical condition with the mic and power cord. Are there any typical problems that show up with these rigs as they age, that I should be looking out for? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Enhance your Easy Sat Experience!
And the V7A has an excellent receiver in it! QST measured it as more sensitive on UHF than most dualbanders. I miss the one I had, and wouldn't mind finding another. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, January 06, 2012 2:16 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Enhance your Easy Sat Experience! If it hasn't been mentioned, the Kenwood TM-V7A, the starting point of all the D7XX family, also works well on full duplex. I have had a few Mobil QSOs using a poor, for satellite ops, antenna. The only problem is that the original display tends to fade and develop lines, which eventually render it unusable. At one point, Kenwood fixed them free, and the replacement in mine is still excellent after 10 years. 73s, Alan WA4SCA ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Enhance your Easy Sat Experience!
There was a FT530 going for $50 today on QRZ.COM. That is one of the best full duplex HTs made. . You can usually find a W32A for $150 or so also. I have also seen lots of Alinco DJ-580s recently for good prices as well. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Gary Joe Mayfield gary_mayfi...@hotmail.com To: 'AMSAT' amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, January 06, 2012 5:28 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Enhance your Easy Sat Experience! There used to be a list of full duplex radios at http://thathamkid.com/fd_radios.html But that web seems to be dead. Many of the full duplex handhelds can be had for little more than a song on eBay. 73, Joe kk0sd -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Clayton Coleman W5PFG Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2012 9:43 PM To: AMSAT Subject: [amsat-bb] Enhance your Easy Sat Experience! Have you thought about upgrading your station to full-duplex capability? I realize that many amateurs jump into the satellite fray by utilizing an existing handheld radio and an antenna like the Arrow, Elk, or tape-measure beam. It's a great way to get your feet wet and make that first contact via the birds. Now, let's look at how we can do BETTER. Full-duplex has a very important purpose in the satellite world. It allows you, the ground station, to know that your signal is being received and retransmitted by the satellite. I'm not saying it is a mandatory but once you see its benefit, you may never want to go semi again. How do you really know you are being heard by the bird if you can't hear yourself? Answer: You don't. How do you know another station wasn't already being captured by the bird and in the middle of a QSO when you transmit? Answer: You don't. Let's talk about HOW to do full-duplex. First of all, you don't need base-station radios like the Icom IC-9100, IC-910, Kenwood TS-2000, or Yaesu FT-847. If you own two handhelds, chances are you have what you need! What you need is at least one radio capable of transmitting on the uplink and one radio capable of receiving on the downlink. For example using AO-27: 1. A 2m-only HT, set to the satellite's uplink, ~145.85 MHz. 2. A 70cm-only HT, set to the satellite's downlink, ~436.795 MHz. One added benefit is that while hearing the downlink, you can twist your handheld antennas (like the Arrow) to match polarity and peak your uplink. Technically you do not even need a radio capable of transmitting to hear yourself on the downlink. A scanner or pocket receiver works dandy! To get into full-duplex inexpensively, there are numerous options. You can buy a NEW Baeofeng UV-3R for about $50-60 USD, shipped. This radio could serve as an uplink or downlink radio, depending on your need. I'm not peddling these radios but using them as an example. If you have the Arrow with the built-in diplexer, simply bypass it by running a patch cord from each radio to the respective UHF and VHF beams. If you are running an Elk or tape-measure 2m beam, you will need an inexpensive diplexer to give you both 2m and 70cm feed points. One can be constructed easily or purchased from numerous vendors for $30-80. Give full-duplex a try. You will not only help the satellite community by eliminating unnecessary hetero-dyning tug-of-war, it will generally make you sound better on the birds! Oh, and use a pair of earphones or a headset when you give it a try to avoid feedback. 73, Clayton W5PFG Here are some more example full-duplex combinations: Wouxon HT - Downlink 2m only-HT - Uplink FT-60R - Uplink Baofeng - Downlink Handheld scanner - Downlink Dual-band HT - Uplink ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FO29 and Kenwood TH-F6A
Glad to hear that FO29 is back-now to get on it! Has anyone tried using a Kenwood TH-F6A HT to receive FO29, since it does receive SSB? I would be hooking it to an external antenna. Is it sensitive enough on SSB to hear the satellite? The QST review shows its sensitivity is a little down on HF and 6m SSB. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: K4FEG k4...@k4feg.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 11:52 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] FO29 Good to hear FO29 back operating over the US! Lets not forget that our flying friends are fragile and we need to keep looking to the future and the need for replacements. We may get another miracle and have one of the crippled birds come back to life in the future, but do we really want to depend on chance? This is a hobby and we will always be considered second banana when it comes to getting help to fund a launch. Write someone, call someone, offer to help or heaven forbid try and find an extra dollar or two to donate. I don't know where best to use anyone's talents or their monies but I do know this, if we do nothing there won't be someone come along and say, we need an amateur satellite, lets launch one! We need to take the initiative and get another satellite on the launch pad and then beg, borrow or steal a ride into space. A very Happy New Year to everyone and lets get behind some of these satellites and find a way to get them launched! 73's Frank K4FEG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: FO29 and Kenwood TH-F6A
Thanks to everyone for their comments on the F6A, and it is good to know that it will work, although maybe an in-shack preamp might help some. I would love a FT817 but it is a little out of the budget right now. A F6A would be nice because I want to keep an HT and it could replace the Wouxun I have now, as well as the Kenwood TM251A I am using for the FM satellites. Selling both of those could come close to the price for a used F6A. I would be hooking it to an outside antenna. I don't currently have a way to transmit on UHF, though, except with the Wouxun. I dont' have an adaptor to hook up its reverse SMA connector to the outside antenna. I do have an Icom 706 original I can use to transmit on 2m SSB/CW with, so FO29 would work if I have the F6A for receive. Maybe I could even key the F6A's PTT button to send CW on UHF to get on VO52 with it. Hope everyone has a nice 2012 and catches lots of satellite passes. See everyone tomorrow on AO27 and SO50. It will be weird having tomorrow be New Years Day but everyone celebrating it on Monday! 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat...@wd9ewk.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2012 12:29 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FO29 and Kenwood TH-F6A Hi John! Glad to hear that FO29 is back-now to get on it! Has anyone tried using a Kenwood TH-F6A HT to receive FO29, since it does receive SSB? I would be hooking it to an external antenna. Is it sensitive enough on SSB to hear the satellite? The QST review shows its sensitivity is a little down on HF and 6m SSB. I also have a TH-F6A. For higher FO-29 passes, this HT is OK. Not great, but it works. You are correct about its sensitivity being down in SSB. Especially when compared to its performance in FM. An FT-817 has a more sensitive receiver for 70cm SSB than this HT. Also, you'll probably want to set the SSB tuning step at the smallest setting (33 Hz). That's not as small as other radios, but small enough to get signals lined up in the receiver. If you can transmit CW or SSB on 70cm, why not try that HT on the 2m downlinks for AO-7 (mode B) and VO-52. Just like with FO-29, you'll probably want to only look at the higher AO-7 passes when using this HT. For VO-52, I do OK when the satellite is above 7 or 8 degrees elevation when using my Elk log periodic. VO-52's stronger downlink makes it a lot easier to hear on the TH-F6A compared to AO-7 and FO-29. I have not tried the TH-F6A on AO-7 mode A. It might be a tougher challenge, in that AO-7 mode A can be tough to hear without a good antenna setup for the upper end of 10m. Good luck, and 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: great pass
Does ARISS have a FM repeater on it, or only a linear transponder? I can't see to find the frequencies for the repeater if there is one, only the transponder frequencies. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: ld.lu...@frontier.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 8:14 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] great pass Driving to my daughters in Ironton Ohio on Sunday afternoon around 2015UTC I had my handheld Wouxun on my 5/8 antenna scanning and heard the ARRISAT 1 pass. Could not believe how clear it was, sorry did not have anything to write down the particulars to send in. Does anyone have the Azimuth and elevation of that pass on Sunday EM88 area? Just very curious about the particulars for that pass. THANKS Larry KD8JHW ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] UT1FG/MM
Which grid was Yuri in during the AO27 pass at 1950Z this afternoon? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: UT1FG/MM
On the AO27 pass today someone was saying they were in CN35. If they were, it must have been a /MM, so I thought it was him. This announcement looks like he was going the other direction, though. 73s John AA5JG On Wed, Dec 14, 2011 at 7:04 PM, JoAnne Maenpaa k9...@comcast.net wrote: Yuri is back?!?!?!?!?! Perhaps this info will help ... SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-331.09 Satellite Shorts From All Over AMSAT News Service Bulletin 331.09 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 27, 2011 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-331.09 + Yuri, UT1FG, will once again be traveling across the Atlantic Ocean and will be active from some Wet grids as UT1FG/MM be- tween November 25, 2011, through the end of May 2012. His first trip will be from the Panama Canal to Huelva, Spain. Yuri is reportedly a crew member on the ship, so activity will be dur- ing his free time. Operations are expected on all amateur radio bands, 160-2 meters, 70 cm, and also including the satellite. His activities will be mainly through the satellite, but also look for him on the HF bands. He will also be active on 6 meters, conditions permitting. QSL via his home callsign, direct (see QRZ.com), by the Bureau or to his QSL Manager UX0FY. SOURCE: Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1037 -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9...@amsat.org Editor, AMSAT News Service ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: 2 Meter TV Interference
Rock Island, IL, where I used to live, still has a channel 4 on VHF channel 4. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Charles Suprin hamaa...@gmail.com To: Bob Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org; Gordon JC Pearce gordon...@gjcp.net Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 9:48 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 2 Meter TV Interference I didn't think there were any vhf stations left. All the numbers on the channels now are virtual. All the tv antenna plans are for uhf bands. A quick look in the Boston market and the lowest channel is 19, channel 2@500MHz. Are there places that still use vhf? Charles On Dec 7, 2011 1:38 PM, Bob Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu wrote: HPF above 500 MHz? Then the TV would not be able to see anything but a few UHF channels. What is needed is a stub filter. Just a piece of open ended coax 13 long Ted into the antenna lead The 13 is about 66% of a quarter wave at 2 meters. Done Bob, WB4APR -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Gordon JC Pearce Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 3:02 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 2 Meter TV Interference On Tue, 6 Dec 2011 21:17:55 -0600 Wyatt Dirks wyattdi...@msn.com wrote: Just recently I have been having troubles with a neighbor while I am working the FM satellites(SO-50 and AO-27). The setup I am currently using is my mobile setup because I am unable to put a base station up for many reasons. I am using a FT8900 with 50 watts out into a 1/4 wave or 1/2 Larson mobile antenna.The 1/4 wave is mounted permanently via a hole in the roof of my truck an the 1/2 wave is mounted on a mount opposite the factory installed FM/AM radio whip. It doesn't seem to matter what antenna I use for the problem to occur. Then I use either the arrow antenna or my cju for the downlink. Use 5W into a hand-held Yagi. You'll get far better results. Today I had another local ham over at the request of the neighbor and his mobile Kenwood radio did the same thing to the neighbors tv when he transmitted on 2 meter with 50 watts out. He also recommended that they get a filter. I did not see the specs on the filter nor do I know what bandwidth it was for. What you want is a highpass filter that will lop off everything below 500MHz. The chances are that your TX output is clean enough but the little amplifier in the splitter for the TV is causing all sorts of intermod - and probably covers from broadcast VHF radio to the top of the TV band. -- Gordon JC Pearce MM0YEQ gordon...@gjcp.net ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HEO history question
I had forgotten about the RS satellites. Not sure if Wales would have been in the footprint from where I was at in Iowa at that time. I sure miss RS12/13. That was a great satellite to get on. Mode T worked very well. Wish they would put another one up like it. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: i8cvs domenico.i8...@tin.it To: John Geiger aa...@fidmail.com; AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 9:47 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HEO history question - Original Message - From: John Geiger aa...@fidmail.com To: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 8:58 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] HEO history question Back in late 1997 or early 1998 I was using a Kenwood TR9130 on 2m SSB. One morning I was tuning from the FM to the SSB portion of the band, and heard a station just below 146mhz. I tuned them in, and it was a station from Wales! Obviously going thru a satellite as the 2 meter conditions weren't that good that morning. I am now wondering what satellite it probably was. Hearing it was enough to motivate me to eventually get into satellite operations-that took a few years though. Anyways, what satellite was I probably hearing? I am guessing AO10 or AO13 but were they operational at that time? 73s John AA5JG Hi John, AA5JG OSCAR-10 was launched in 1983 and it started to get problems with the main computer in 1986 OSCAR-13 was launched in 1988 and reientered because of drag in 1996 Between 1997 or early 1998 OSCAR-10 was operating time to time with low level signals in Mode-B, 2 meters downlink while OSCAR-13 was died. If you are sure about the time of your reception back in late 1997 or early 1998 I guess that probably you was hearing or OSCAR-10 or mostly RS-12 a powerful LEO satellite in Mode-KT with uplink in 15 meters and downlink in two bands at the same time i.e.10 meters in the Mode-K and 2 meters in Mode-T exactly from 145.907 to 145.953 MHz BTW at that time 23 april 1996 OSCAR-10 was still well operational in Mode-B because I have the QSL card from i8KRO for a QSO made through two satellites OSCAR-10 and RS-12 The uplink on RS-12 for i8KRO was in 21 MHz and the uplink for me on OSCAR-10 was in 435 MHz while the downlink for both of us was in 145 MHz Nice to remember ! 73 de i8CVS Domenico ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FO29 status
Is there any hope for FO29 to come back to life, or is it dead for good? It was the only linear Mode J, and would be great to come back to life. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 end of mission
Yes, thanks for all of the great work with AO51. I do have a question, though. Please don't think that I am being critical of AO51, the design team, or the command team, because I am not. That have all done a great job. What I am curious about is this: AO27 has been going for 18 years and is still doing fine. AO51 made it around 6 years. What is the main difference between the 2 satellites that might explain the 300% difference in operational life? 73s John AA5JG On Tue, Nov 29, 2011 at 2:30 PM, Peter Portanova wb2...@verizon.net wrote: Drew, I first want to wish you and your growing family the very best for the Holidays! AO-51, has been one of my best satellite recruiting tools and I will certainly miss her, however she gave us many wonderful years of faithful service, good bye dear friend. Drew, it is also important to note that you and the control team, managed AO-51 in a manner that I believe extended her life, thank you. As you noted we all must continue to support AMSAT's Fox-1 project, and other AMSAT projects I believe thru Amateur Satellites we have found a potential path to excite the children today and continue the STEM initiative. 73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com __**_ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/**listinfo/amsat-bbhttp://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: satellite radios
Other than the TS2000, the only other satellite radio currently on the market is the Icom 9100. Looks like a great radio, though. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Jim White j...@coloradosatellite.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 9:48 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] satellite radios I would appreciate info on what the currently available satellite radios are. We have used the IC-910 and FT-736R for some time and now need to recommend a radio to a couple of groups building cubesats. The 736 is of course long gone but it appears the 910 is also no longer made. We recently helped a group who had bought a TS-2000 and I was not particularly impressed with it as a satellite radio. So what's current and what works well on V and U? Jim j...@coloradosatellite.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Kenwood TR9500
Has anyone used a Kenwood TR9500 70cm all mode on the satellites? I have found one for sale at a decent price, and am wondering how it would do in a satellite station-coupled with an Icom 706 original. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Trivia Question
180 On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 2:14 PM, Wyatt Dirks wyattdi...@msn.com wrote: If you on standing on the north/south pole how many grid squares are you in? 73 Wyatt AC0RA ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Trivia Question
There would be 360 degrees of longitude there, and each grid square is 2 degrees wide. 73s John AA5JG On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 2:19 PM, Wyatt Dirks wyattdi...@msn.com wrote: thats what i thought but try and find some proof other then manually doing the math -- Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 14:16:28 -0600 Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Trivia Question From: aa...@fidmail.com To: wyattdi...@msn.com CC: amsat-bb@amsat.org 180 On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 2:14 PM, Wyatt Dirks wyattdi...@msn.com wrote: If you on standing on the north/south pole how many grid squares are you in? 73 Wyatt AC0RA ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Falling Sat
Who cares if you can see it. What sort of meteor burn will we get off it? Should ionize the E layer for several minutes. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.com To: AMSAT BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2011 5:06 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Falling Sat ... Are we going to be able to see it or what? Where's Clint when you need him? NASA just Twitted ... Re-entry is expected between 11:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 12:45 a.m., Sept. 24, Eastern Daylight Time (3:45 a.m. to 4:45 a.m. GMT). The satellite should be passing over Canada and Africa, as well as vast areas of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. NASA will be updating this shortly ... Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Good mobile antennas to use
Thanks for the plots Bob. The 2m havewave appears to do well on 70cm above 30 degrees, and fairly poor below that elevation. The 70cm 1/4 wave appears to suffer from no real nulls except at the very high elevations. It is about 5 DB down from the 2m 1/4 wave, but is also much more usable on the below 30 degree passes. So, would a dualband that is 1/4 wave on each band cover things pretty well? It appears like it would. 73s John AA5JG On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 12:07 PM, Bob Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu wrote: Peter, I donno. The only 1/4 19.5 antenna I ever used I just drilled into the roof above the dome light and installed an NMO mount and simple whip. For conversion of an existing mount, if it is a 5/8's wave vertical (most mobiles are) then there is a matching network in the base. The little tiny micro whips are ideal, but most of them now are being made as dual band which then destroys their 7 dBi gain above the horizon. No easy answers here. Bob -Original Message- From: Ng, Peter [mailto:peter...@bccdc.ca] Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 12:47 PM To: 'Bob Bruninga '; AMSAT-BB Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Good mobile antennas to use snip But this is not what a 19.5 whip does. The 1/4 (3/4) wave 19.5 whip does not have gain on the horizon (so it is rarely used for terrestrial mobile) but its pattern is ideal for satellite work on high passes. It does NOT then have a null in its pattern that causes the crappy contacts, and it does have plenty of gain above about 25 degrees and it is a smooth pattern not like the multi lobes of a standard mobile gain antenna. /snip Hi Bob, This is off topic and didn't want to start something on the list... :), but can I convert my current magmount gain antenna simply by replacing the whip or is the gain stuff in the magmount itself? If so, would any thin steel rod do? I'd really like to give this a try! 73's Peter VE7NGP ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Good mobile antennas to use
I am looking to get on the FM satellites while mobile and activate some different grids. Can anyone recommend a good mag mount dual band antenna to use for satellite work? Does the MFJ 1/4 wave mag mount antenna do pretty good on the sats? I am guessing a 1/4 wave will cover more of the pass than a 5/8 wave would. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: CO6CBF VUCC Award
Hi Hector, Congratulations on the award. It is always a pleasure to work you on the FM sats. Thanks for getting out your grid to many of us. Now to get the VUCC endorsements. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Hector Luis Martinez Sis hmarti...@ucf.edu.cu To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 6:42 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] CO6CBF VUCC Award I want to take a minute to say thanks to the people who have helped me to discover the fantastic Ham satellite world and who have worked me on Sat. I have spent a fantastic time on Satellites. I really have enjoyed it. Yesterday, I received the grid confirmation number 100 in LotW from KD8CAO, Doug. Now, I am able to apply to the Satellite VUCC. It will be the first Satellite VUCC in my country, Cuba. Thanks a million for your help and the great QSOs on Sats. See you soon on the birds 73! Hector, CO6CBF EL92 *** Genius is one per cent inspiration, and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. -- Thomas A. Edison *** --- Free the Cuban Five! http://www.injusticia.cubaweb.cu/, http://www.antiterroristas.cu/ Participe en Universidad 2012, del 13 al 17 de febrero de 2012. Habana, Cuba. http://www.congresouniversidad.cu/ Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana: http://www.ecured.cu/ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: VUCC RULES
Hi Kevin, Not exactly. No two points can be more than 200km (124 miles apart). It isn't a circle around your QTH with a 124 mile radius, because many points would be more than 124 miles from each other. You could make some QSOs from a point 50 miles east of your QTH, and some other QSOs from a point 65 miles west of your QTH, because those points wouldn't be too far apart-50 + 65 = 115, within the 124 miles limit. 73s John AA5JG On Wed, Sep 7, 2011 at 8:42 PM, Kevin Deane summit...@live.com wrote: (e) Stations who claim to operate from more than one grid locator simultaneously (i.e., from the boundary between two grid locators or from the intersection of four grid locators) must be physically present in all locators to give multiple locator credit with a single contact. These stations should be prepared to validate their claim. For a mobile station, this means parking the vehicle exactly on the line or corner. For a portable station, this means that the total area occupied by the station's physical setup, including operating position(s), power source(s), and antenna(s), must occupy some portion of each of the two/four grid squares simultaneously. Operators of boundary/corner stations should be prepared to provide evidence of meeting the simultaneous occupation test if called upon to do so. Two photographs -- one showing the placement of the GPS receiver in the station setup, and a close-up legibly showing the GPS reading – are typically needed as evidence of compliance. Video footage showing an overview of the operating site and then, uncut and in real time, zooming in on the GPS display coordinates is even better (f) Grid boundary lines and grid corners must be established using a GPS receiver whose map datum is set to WGS84, the global default for current GPS receivers. The GPS receiver should be set to use WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) if so equipped, since this improves the error figure to as little as 5 feet. In no case may the GPS receiver show an error figure in excess of 20 feet. Any modern GPS receiver equipped with WAAS will easily meet this requirement, as will most older units without WAAS. 6. For VUCC awards on 50 through 1296 MHz and Satellite, all contacts must be made from locations no more than 200 km apart. For SHF awards, contacts must be made from a single location, defined as within a 300-meter diameter circle. SOOO I still dont see where it says I cannot OBTAIN a grid from down the street or whatever. The above says I can basicly make contacts 124 miles from my QTH. Right? Kevin KF7MYK ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: a051 frequencies
How much power is AO51 currently running? It sure sounded good on the 2200UTC pass yesterday-much more solid receive here than I was getting for AO27 or SO 50. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com To: Joe gjma...@optusnet.com.au Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 2:49 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: a051 frequencies Currently and for the foreseeable future we are on 145.88 up and 435.150 down. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations Sent from my iPhone On Aug 18, 2011, at 9:24 AM, Joe gjma...@optusnet.com.au wrote: I will be trying to work ao-51 during the ILLW this weekend (20-21Aug). I havent operated satellites since ao40, which is a little while ago... I will be using the usual an arrow antenna and ft60r. I am having problems finding the frequencies to tx and rx on. It seems that there have been some changes made and different sites give me different frequencies I should be using. I think the Tx is 145.880. I think the Rx frequency is 435.500. Can anyone please give me a definitive answer? I have only just got the antenna and radio working as a unit in the last 24 hours. I will be operating from Cape Schanck, just south of Melbourne Australia, under the callsign VK3EMF. Thanks Joe VK3BKI ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] WTB: 70cm all mode radio
I am looking for a 70cm all mode radio to use on VO52, AO7, and FO29. I have 2m already covered with an Icom 706 original, so just need something for the UHF side of things. Something like the FT780, FT790, FT790RII, TS811, TR851A, TR9500, TM455A, IC 451, IC 471, IC490.or FT726 with UHF module. I would also be interested in a yaesu FT100D or FT857D for the right price. It needs the mic and power cord. Any other accessories aren't really needed. Let me know if you have one for sale. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] WTB: Kenwood TM451A
I am looking for a Kenwood TM451A 70cm radio with 2m receive. Must be able to transmit in the 430-440 range as well as the repeater subband portion of 70cm. Anyone have one they are looking to sell? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] 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 ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Good 70cm all mode radios for satellites
What are some of the best 70cm all mode radios to use on the satellites? I am looking for a monoband radio, not one of the HF/VHF/UHF radios as I have the other bands covered already. I would like one that is plenty sensitive on FM as well to receive the FM satellites. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: OT: Off-topic posts [Was FM satellites]
As far I remember Japonese's bombed Pearl Horbor and not Germans ! No, The Japanese shot JFK! ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: OT: Off-topic posts [Was FM satellites]
This is one thing I have noticed that seems to be unique to ham lists-the reflector police who are worried about off topic posts. Not a shot at you Tom. Your question is just fine. However, I have been on quite a few reflectors where they get very upset about off topic posts. In the past I have belonged to some non-ham reflectors, and nobody ever cared if a thread got off topic. I was talking to a friend about this on 70cm yesterday and he thought the same thing. Just an interesting observation. Not sure why hams get more concerned about it than others. Shoot, this was off the topic myself. 73s John AA5JG On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 4:15 PM, Thomas Schaefer thomasmschae...@gmail.comwrote: Just a relatively new subscriber question…is this group always so off topic? I understand the source of this post but after a few emails it is clearly nowhere near the original posters comments on why he thinks he can use a satellite versus a cell phone. I have also witnessed many posts that rapidly get into all sorts of things far afield of satellite related things. I have subscribed to many lists and there is usually someone that herds the cats to stay on topic. That seems to be missing here. Of course, I realize I am welcome to unsubscribe but I do appreciate the nuggets of information actually related to satellites. Maybe I could respectfully suggest that a post like this last one that has devolved to having nothing to do with amateur satellites should have its subject changed to OT:Cell Towers so we all know to ignore the thing. Thanks, Tom NY4I On Jul 7, 2011, at 4:33 PM, Dee wrote: I meant when the towers fall-antennas and everything.. Power was NOT the problem on 9/11.. Good luck up North... Dee -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Gordon JC Pearce Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 12:06 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FM satellites On Wed, 06 Jul 2011 18:05:00 -0400 Jim Wright wa4...@amsat.org wrote: When the towers are damaged or the power fails to the cell site, cell phones don't even make good boat anchors. If the power fails to the cell site, it shouldn't make a difference. They're supposed to have 48 hours of battery backup. Up here at 58°N most cell sites cover a huge area and have no mains power, so they run on a diesel genny that gets filled up once a week or so. Gordon MM0YEQ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: FM satellites
In terms of a small compact, SSB satellite station, you can work the SSB birds with a single FT817. It is more difficult than having full duplex, but it can be done. I have done it plenty of times with similar radios. 73s John AA5JG On Wed, Jul 6, 2011 at 10:54 AM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat...@wd9ewk.net wrote: Hi Ron! I have to disagree. Have you tried working one of the FM birds using a 2 watt ht and a whip antenna ? Unfortunately, the comments like I cannot see any difference in pushing a button on an FM bird than operating a cell phone (from WB6LLO's post in this thread) show up from time to time. If FM satellites were that simple to operate, then everyone who attempted to make an FM satellite QSO during Field Day should have been able to do so. People wouldn't show up in large numbers for the many demonstrations and presentations that AMSAT people put on for radio clubs, hamfests, etc. The FM birds are something I can work while traveling. Have been able to find a SSB setup that is compact enough to carry on a plane. This almost reads like you were trying to say Haven't been able to find a SSB setup that is compact . With the advent of smaller radios, you *can* carry an SSB satellite setup on a plane that allows all-mode full-duplex satellite operation. I travel with two FT-817NDs, and in recent times a TH-F6A (its all- mode receiver is a backup to the 817 I use as a receiver) also goes along, all in an old laptop bag. If you want computer control of the radios, you can use a netbook with software like SatPC32 - which could also fit in the same bag. Along with these 3 radios, I also take a TH-D72A. It is my APRS radio, and works well as a full- duplex FM satellite radio. That laptop bag also has room for more batteries, a GPS receiver, compass, and and other accessories. Unless you are using a long flexible whip, the antenna (directional antenna like a Yagi or log periodic, or a telescoping whip) may have to go in a checked bag due to security regulations. The higher-value parts of your station can go with you into the cabin, along with the accessories that are not considered dangerous for carry-on luggage. Look at this from an emergency perspective. If you only had an ht and couldnt access a repeater, you woul at least have a chance to get help on a satellite pass. Definitely! You'd have to be quick with your information, but that would be a possibility. Something I always kept in mind on my road trips around northern Arizona and southern Utah in 2009 and 2010, since there were many places without mobile-phone coverage up there. Know when the passes come by, and you can plan to show up on those passes to send and receive information in that sort of situation. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Active FM Sats
Belcom used to make (and might still make) all mode HTs that cover a wide variety of bands. Santec imported one as the LS202 in the 80s, it was an all mode 2 meter HT. I found one at a hamfest with 2 new battery packs a couple of years ago for $80! AEA imported the 10 meter version (and the 6m version but that doesn't help with the satellites) back in the 80s, calling it the DX Handy. Around 2000 Eagle made the Eagle 454 Spitfire which was a 10 meter all mode HT (mainly aimed at the CB and Freeband crowd), and another company has recently started marketing a 10 meter all mode HT again. Belcom also made a 70cm all mode HT. So, there are rigs out there in HT format that will work on the linear satellites, now the job is to find them! I have been waiting to comment on early threads on this post as well. While the linear satellites do hold more possibilities, they are more expensive to get on, and unfortunately in the States, there just isnt' that much activity on VO52 which is unfortunate since it is a such a great satellite. The FM satellites are just cheaper to get started on. For example: my FM satellite station consists of Kenwood TM-251A bought used for $99 Arrow Antennas dualband J Pole bought new for $40 50 foot run of 9913 knock off coax bought new for $38 So, for less than $200 I have a good FM setup. I already had the power supply, but if you need to buy a new one, figure $75 or so. I can do one linear sat right now-AO7 in Mode A-using my Icom 706 original. I bought the rig for $260, got a Mirage B108 amp for $40, and a 2M9SSB for $40 (plus the gas and tolls to pick it up). The light duty rotor was already up but it was about $80 new. The 9913 copy coax was $38. For the 10 meter downlink I already had a dipole up, but that would cost $30 or so to build-including coax. Overall, I got very good prices on this setup, it would usually cost more. I give both examples just to show the difference in setup costs. With my Icom HF/VHF setup I cannot work Mode B on the satellites, as I don't have a UHF transmitter (as of yet). 73s John AA5JG On Tue, Jul 5, 2011 at 10:43 AM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat...@wd9ewk.net wrote: Hi! Show me an all-mode HT that retails for the same sort of price and is the same sort of size as an FM HT and I might be interested. Otherwise, to get UHF and VHF SSB I'm stuck with an inconveniently large radio which is only really useful for the twenty minutes a day that a satellite is overhead. An all-mode HT doesn't exist at this time. Probably the closest you get in an HT would be a TH-F6/TH-F7 with its all-mode receiver, but still an FM transmitter. You could attempt transmitting CW by keying that transmitter, but it's not ideal with the 5 kHz tuning steps at FM on that radio (SSB tuning steps on a TH-F6/TH-F7 can go as small as 33 Hz) and no provision for computer control. Otherwise, an FT-817 gets close to the HT size, is an all-mode transceiver at HF and 6m as well as 2m and 70cm, and would qualify as a radio that can be used more than twenty minutes a day that a satellite is overhead. It does cost more than an FM HT, but FT-817s should be available on the secondhand market as they have been in production for a decade. Even two FT-817s as a portable all-mode full-duplex satellite station are not what I - or many - would consider inconveniently large. If you prefer computer control, the 817s have Yaesu's CAT port to allow for that. Not to mention the difficulty involved in tuning the radio and aiming the antenna. Doesn't the Doppler shift mean you need to constantly retune? How do you manage to do that, key the mike and point the aerial, *and* have enough brainpower left to make a contact? You are having to make minor adjustments to your frequency - or frequencies - when working SSB or CW via satellite. If you follow the so-called One True Rule, you're making the adjustments to one of the two frequencies (usually the higher of the two frequencies). Everyone had to work SSB/CW via satellite this way in the past, before the advent of computer-controlled stations, and it is still an option today even if some (many?) discourage it. If you've worked FM satellites, you already know about the key the mike and point the aerial part. Then just focus on the QSO in progress. Don't try to remember everyone you worked - leave that on an audio recorder, or recorder app for a mobile phone or iPod type of device or laptop/netbook, and play it back later to update your log. Pedro EB4DKA has posted a lot of useful information for working SSB via satellite. I read the writeups and watched the videos as I started out on the SSB birds. I don't operate using a mobile setup like Pedro does, but with one directional antenna (an Elk 2m/70cm log periodic) through a diplexer to my two-radio setup. I've uploaded some videos working those satellites at: http://www.youtube.com/va7ewk I used both
[amsat-bb] Re: I'm Missing Somethin'
I have been licensed for 31 years now. I have 8 band DXCC, 3 different VUCC awards on 6m, VUCC on 2m, 5 band worked all states, and 317 countries worked and confirmed, and I STILL get excited whenever I work a new grid on the FM satellites. Part of the fun is the challenge of getting thru the pileups on there. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.com To: AMSAT BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 2:00 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: I'm Missing Somethin' You wrote on the AMSAT-BB message server ... Other then very very easy to use what is the BIG deal about the FM sats? I must be missing something since having a very bad out come when I did (once) to use one. I have got to be missing something. I am not sure what you are expecting from the existing FM satellites. I am in my mid-50s as far as age goes, and still get excited at the wonderful technology that the FM birds exhibit. And although I have given my presentation entitled, How to Work the FM Ham Satellites With Your HT presentation more than 60 times to various clubs and audiences the past couple of years, I continue to find appreciative audiences for this aspect of this wonderful hobby. SO ... I do not completely understand where you're coming from as you tell us that thius might not be a big deal in the ham radio world. Yes, you and I know that workin' the FM sats is TRULY an example of the line of sight theory that we all read about while studying for our ham radio licenses. But as I make my presentations to clubs all over North America, I continue to find appreciative audiences, as others seem to not realize that with a mere Technician amateur radio so much more than just working stations across the valley or hitting those hilltop repeaters. SO ... What's the big deal? It's something that mere Technicians can do in this magnificent hobby - in addition to normal voice privileges - and a privilege that is, IMHO, a truly remarkable and exciting aspect of Amateur Radio. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: VUCC Satellite #217
I think the paperwork is sent separate from the certificate. I know they will send a list of the grids confirmed for this VUCC. Congrats on the great accomplishment. I am just getting back onto AO7 but only in mode A. That is still a fun sat, though! 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Chris Meyers kc0...@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org; Jeff Yanko wb3...@cox.net Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2011 2:09 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: VUCC Satellite #217 Congratulations on #217! They remembered to include the list of stations I worked, but I've heard that has been inconsistent. Chris KC0YBM #215 --- On Sun, 7/3/11, Jeff Yanko wb3...@cox.net wrote: From: Jeff Yanko wb3...@cox.net Subject: [amsat-bb] VUCC Satellite #217 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sunday, July 3, 2011, 12:55 AM Hi all, After 159 days since submitting the paperwork and couple follow up e-mails, I finally received my VUCC Satellite award. For some reason, I keep thinking I should've received some paperwork with the certificate and stickers. I thought they were suppose to have a copy of the grids already worked on a paper format. Maybe I'm thinking of something else. If anybody knows this to be true, please let me know. Maybe this wait isn't quite over yet. 73, Jeff WB3JFS ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: FD Mess
Of course it isn't a contest. The best evidence is that they print the scores in QST! 73s John AA5JG On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 2:09 PM, STeve Andre' and...@msu.edu wrote: Well, is IS a contest, no matter what the ARRL says. People see it as such. My first FD before I was a ham, looked like a contest to me and it was only later, reading all the ARRL books I could get ahold of that I realized it really wasn't one. All contests where you go outside are test runs for emergency stuff. Our club in Ann Arbor MI (Arrow Communication Association) does the summer vhf+ contests outside (6m-1296) and those have been a great way to figure out ways of doing stuff. I would argue that the ARRL needs to change the way they talk, and offer FD as both a contest and exercise in communications, and speak of the exercise opportunities at the other contests, especially those of rovers. --STeve Andre' wb8wsf en72 On 06/27/11 14:21, Nigel Gunn wrote: A bigger FD problem is that FD is advertised as a chance to demonstrate your emergency comms ability to Joe Public. FD is NOT a contest so why are points and bonuses involved at all? On 27/06/11 19:13, Bill Acito W1PA wrote: I think we have to let go of the mantra that “any use of the bandwidth is good use” with respect to “encouraging more satellite activity”. Wasn’t that the original intent of the “100 point bonus” items? To encourage specific activities – traffic handling, promotion, emergency power, etc. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: FD Mess
That is a good point. I am sure that if/when the big one hits and we need to pass emergency communications, we will have to do it under less than optimal conditions or rules including on the satellites. When such an occassion occurs, I doubt everyone will be limiting themselves to 5 watts or less, or only 1 QSO per satellite per day or weekend. I think most people will be trying to get through any way they can to pass traffic. We should get used to the pandamonium, that it what it will actually be like. 73s John AA5JG On Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 2:40 PM, Bob- W7LRD w7...@comcast.net wrote: Because, just maybe, one day you'll have to do it for real! ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: FD Mess
I wish it was treated like a major contest by my local club-I might attend their FD setup then. 73s John AA5jG - Original Message - From: Joe n...@mwt.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 11:22 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FD Mess I know the ARRL says it is not a contest. but if you believe that I have a lovely swamp in Arizona to sell you. I know many clubs that it is a MAJOR contest for them and some it's the onluy one they enter in. Joe WB9SBD The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 6/27/2011 1:21 PM, Nigel Gunn wrote: A bigger FD problem is that FD is advertised as a chance to demonstrate your emergency comms ability to Joe Public. FD is NOT a contest so why are points and bonuses involved at all? On 27/06/11 19:13, Bill Acito W1PA wrote: I think we have to let go of the mantra that “any use of the bandwidth is good use” with respect to “encouraging more satellite activity”. Wasn’t that the original intent of the “100 point bonus” items? To encourage specific activities – traffic handling, promotion, emergency power, etc. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Better work that HF DX while you can!
If we are headed towards a mini ice age, time to get rid of the hybreds and start burning more fossel fuels 73 John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Jeremy Bomkamp wa113...@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 11:44 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Better work that HF DX while you can! If this is true, the last thing I am worried about is DX, I saw a tv show that talked about the mini ice age in the 1800's and they mentioned the cause was a lack of solar activity. Time to be cutting a lot of wood and buying more blankets if this is going to go on for 2 decades. The show had to be on Discovery or History channel. I haven't googled this(yet), but there has to be a trend and when did the decline start(sunspots)? ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] VO52 and verticals
Has anyone had success getting into VO52 using a vertical, omnidirectional antenna on the uplink. I have a nice M2 2M9SSB for 2m but only have a dualband J pole to cover UHF with and wonder if I could get into VO52 with it for my uplink antenna. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: new sat
Remember, anything the Gov't or DoD does costs 10 times what private industry would cost. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Alexander Sack pisym...@gmail.com To: kq...@verizon.net Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 3:22 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: new sat On Wed, May 18, 2011 at 11:21 AM, kq...@verizon.net wrote: Commercial launches for the big comsats are anywhere from $90 million to $120 million depending on the spacecraft and launch vehicle. Wow! Alright, outside DoD and commercial, what does an AMSAT project typically cost? I had always thought it was less than a million dollars. -aps ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: VUCC Fees - Dayton Hamvention
If you can't make Dayton, the ARRL National Convention is at Hamcomm this year in Dallas. I am sure plenty of ARRL officials will be there. Let them know the inequities with the VUCC fees as well. An email campaign couldn't hurt either. I have held off applying for 6m and satellite endorsements until this gets figured out because I can't afford the endorsements at the current rate. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: John Papay j...@papays.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 3:02 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] VUCC Fees - Dayton Hamvention If you are planning on going to Dayton, please take some time to visit the ARRL area not far from the AMSAT booth. Seek out the highest ranking officials you can find and talk with them about the VUCC program and LOTW. The fee schedule for VUCC applications, both paper and LOTW, released back in mid January has not changed to my knowledge. Very little has been said about this issue to date. The fees were excessive and if continued, would have a negative impact on the VUCC program. You can talk about the high cost of an application but there is nothing like comparing it to the cost of a similar DXCC application. When you do that, it is apparent that something is not right. I prepared a one sheet comparison of three typical VUCC vs DXCC applications to give to ARRL officials at the Orlando Hamcation. Newington was not present at Orlando but the Florida Director was and got a copy. I have uploaded my comparison to my website. Please print some copies, put them in your hamfest bag and give them to those you talk with at the ARRL. The more League officials that see this, the better chance we have of getting these fees reduced and in line with DXCC application fees. Download the comparison at: http://www.papays.com/vuccfees2011.pdf There are many issues with the VUCC program other than fees. I made an application back in mid January, two days after the new few schedule appear on arrl.org. It was processed and my totals appeared on my LOTW page. Last week I received the endorsement stickers but have yet to receive the VUCC Grid Report which lists all of your confirmed girds on the left side of the pages and has space on the right side for you to list the new grids you are applying for credit. Without this sheet, you cannot file for another endorsement via an Awards Manager (card checker) or by sending them to the League. I know that they have been having problems with implementing VUCC in LOTW, but the lack of information about the status of the VUCC Program is troubling. The new website was supposed to help disseminate information faster but it is not working in the case. As ARRL members we should be kept informed of the VUCC issues, status and timelines. This is another great point to discuss with ARRL officials. Hope to see many of you at the Hamvention. 73, John K8YSE ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 WELCOME BACK
I listened to the 2140z pass today and didn't hear anything. Was it on then? 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Humberto González xe1...@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 10:08 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 WELCOME BACK AO-51 is back, was nice surprise see the bird active again on the QRP repeater. Heard several stations saounding like nice music to my ears. Congratulations to all AO-51 team and the stations whom participate in any way to achive the comeback of this nice bird. Bert / XE1FZE - DL80 ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51, on old friend.
Fortunately AO27 is still there when you need it, and has been around for longer and is still doing nicely. SO67 is nice also when it is turned on over your area, so there are still FM options. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net To: 'Clint Bradford' clintbradf...@mac.com; 'AMSAT BB' amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2011 1:07 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51, on old friend. Clint, AO-51 has been in many ways like a faithful old dog. Almost always there, and one you can trust with the kids. Every now and then it runs off for a few days, starts yapping and bothers the neighbors, or makes a mess on the rug. Still, just when you start to get annoyed, it gives you a big, wet kiss and all is forgiven. Sadly Dog Years and Satellite Years are about the same, and AO-51 is getting along. Others have lived longer, such as SO-50, and of course the magical AO-7, but few have given so much pleasure to so many with such simple equipment. Heck, even the critics have enjoyed grousing about Gridsats. I know I have. ;) When we finally lose an old dog, we mourn, but eventually we find a frisky new furry friend whom we learn to love, and eventually regard their quirks with affection, if not exactly delight. So it is with satellites. The Fox Project is getting into high gear, with a laundry list of lessons learned going into the engineering blender. Much like laws and sausage, the process is messy, but out will come a new, challenging satellite. We even have a new Fox PayPal contribution button on the AMSAT Fox page for you to exercise. ;) So lets remember AO-51 with affection, but look forward to the future. There is room there for LEO, MEO, HEO, and GSO. 73s, Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Clint Bradford Sent: Friday, May 06, 2011 4:50 PM To: AMSAT BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 Data ... you can't ... shouldn't ... don't go out any buy anything just for this ... Heavy sigh. It's just that this has been such a good friend ... Guess I picked the wrong week to stop drinking Pina Coladas. Long live AO-51. I have a 67 degree elevation pass coming up in 30 mins ... Clint, K6LCS ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 - Requiem
And you can still use the FM equipment you bought on AO27, SO50, and SO67. I spent less than $200 on my FM satellite setup this year. It consists of a used Kenwood TM251A for $99, an Arrow antennas dualband J pole for $50, and a 50 foot run of 9913 flex for $40. It is still working fine on the other 3 sats. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.com To: AMSAT BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, May 07, 2011 3:26 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 - Requiem ... because since 2004 when AO-51 was operational a lot of Hams invested a lot of money to buy FM hand held equipments, Arrow antennas and ELK antennas to work ... Huh? 2004 was the year the Yaesu FT-60R was released. For under $200. The Kenwood TH-D7 was available - always a battery hog, but expensive due to its TNC/APRS capabilities. To say that we blew our collective wads on hand held equipment for working FM birds doesn't make sense to me. And I was working at the US' largest ham radio equipment dealer then: that phenomenon did not occur. ... if AO-51 will be in trouble for a long time and if a similar satellite will not replace it than a lot of money all around the world has been invested in FM equipment for very small ... The equipment purchased to work the FM sats covers the two most popular voice bands in the US, if not the planet. There's no handheld equipment that is exclusively made for sat work. ... The situation for the linear satellite users is very bad as well because HO-68 was only activated for a limited numbar of orbits ... I do not understand why some folks are so hot for '68. Its primary mission was never going to be amateur radio. It is run by the Chinese, who could really care less about what we would like to see happen with it. (Sorry, my wife has been to Tibet three times in the past five years, and has some really illustrative stories on how obscenely the Chinese treat some very peaceful people.) The Chinese projects have little or no interest for me. ... I don't have any information about the Fox project ... Right at the top of the AMSAT-org Web site you will find ... http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/fox/ ... I wanted a HEO so bad! When I win the lottery, we'll have a geo-synchronous bird above North America ... Clint, K6LCS ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Question about radios
The Icom 9100 isn't overpriced at all considering all it does. If all you want to use it for is the satellites, there are cheaper alternatives. However, it also does true dual receive on HF (something the Yaesu FTDX5000 and Icom 7600 don't do), it has the roofing filter options for increased HF/6m performance, plus several other nice features. If you want a good, high performing HF/VHF/UHF rig, it is a great bargain. 73s John AA5JG On Tue, May 3, 2011 at 1:10 PM, K5OE k...@aol.com wrote: I can tell already this is an old thread that will go on for a while… Money is almost never “not an issue,” so fitting the radio to the user is always a matter of preferences and priorities. If you want HF + satellite in one rig, the TS-2000 and the FT-847 work, but not the IC-910. If you want 23 cm in the rig, the TS-2000 and the IC-910 work, but not the FT-847. If you want to power your preamp(s) without any external wiring, the FT-847 and IC-910 work, but not the TS-2000. If you want a built-in antenna tuner (HF), or a built-in TNC, or built-in voice recorder, then only the TS-2000 works. If you want lots of 3rd party software, then the FT-847 is your best bet. I agree with Ed, the IC-9100 seems priced outrageously for what it is—reminiscent of the IC-970H. Maybe I’ve just lost a sense for the market—look at the price of new cars! For a strictly satellite rig, an IC-821H is still a very good radio selling for half the price of a used IC-910 (and just a bit more than a FT-736—the FT-847 of a previous generation). A decade ago I bought a TS-2000 for a number of reasons, including the ability to work the HF satellites (RS-12/13 and AO-7) in one rig. I sold an FT-990 and an IC-820 and had money left over. I still consider it really good value. While I have never liked the controls as well as my Yaesu HF rig(s), I came to really appreciate the DSP functions and the CW features and had great fun with the TNC on the ISS, pacsats (especially UO-22, RIP), and APRS. I added 1.2 GHz when AO-40 was launched. I scored higher in HF contests with it than I ever had with the non-DSP Yaesu rig. I wasn’t bothered (too much) by the infamous birdie because I could tune around it with the combination of a high-gain UHF antenna and a preamp, but do consider it a fatal flaw to anyone considering the radio for use on AO-27 or SO-50 with a low-gain antenna system. I’ll end with an echo of Dee’s comment below: spend your time and money on the antennas, as almost any radio will work with a good signal. 73, Jerry, K5OE --- original message --- Having the FT-847 since early 1998 and observing the IC-910 I would recommend both over the TS-2000 or new IC-9100 on basis of bucks spent. I realize both the 847 and 910 are out of production but good used units are available for $900. The TS-2000 birdie issue is unforgivable for the money spent (Unless you are not interested in satellites which the FT-857/897 would then be my choice). The IC-9100 is outrageously expensive and would only be a choice if you have no HF equipment. It is still too new for a complete opinion (for what you spend you could have top notch transverters and a new K3*, or buy two FT-817 with amps for a lot less). *Note: the K3 is not able to do duplex at this time, but I have an idea how it could by using the dual receiver IF. My K3 with DEMI transverter is much superior to the FT-847 on 2m, but that is only for very weak-signal applications (satellites are on the strong side of weak-signal if you get my drift), and use on HF (which is not the question that was asked). 73, Ed - KL7UW At 06:46 AM 5/3/2011, Dee wrote: Andrew, Being in this end of the hobby for many years, I have learned that sometimes the choice comes down to what you can afford. While the TS2000 is a nice radio, with the birdie problem, it leaves a question. Ihave had 2 Icom 910's for many years and even have one of them adapted with the 1.2ghz module. Both have worked flawless and have been more than adequate. The new ICOM 9100 (which you ask about) is a bit pricey for the bands provided. I have been following the production of the 9100 and it has become out of an average hams price range. While the specs are very good, you can achieve the same effect with a TS2000 - Icom 910- Yaesu 847 and even the older icom 820 (?) - Once again, I have always advised sat ops to spend the money on the antennas and coax as this is where you'll find the most advantage for your operation. Good luck and go to the AMSAT website to obtain a truck load of info pertaining to satellite station construction and operating advice. 73, Dee, NB2F NJ AMSAT Coordinator -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Alvaro Gaviria Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 4:51 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Question about radios Hello all, Can someone
[amsat-bb] Re: Send Your Name to Mars
I have a few people I would like to send to Mars. How do I arrange that? 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Bob- W7LRD w7...@comcast.net To: Mark L. Hammond marklhamm...@gmail.com Cc: Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 5:06 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Send Your Name to Mars Hey Mark-What would the suggested ERP be? I can only imagine someday way in the future this may not be a joke! just dreaming 73 Bob W7LRD/M ars - Original Message - From: Mark L. Hammond marklhamm...@gmail.com To: Clint Bradford clintbradf...@mac.com, amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 9:46:12 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Send Your Name to Mars Or just point your array at Mars and send it in CWit'll get there faster :) 73, Mark N8MH At 08:59 AM 4/30/2011 -0700, you wrote: Place you name/call on a chip that will be sent to Mars later this year. http://marsparticipate.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/participate/sendyourname/ ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: New Sat Operators
AO27 was nice this afternoon also. A couple of Mexician stations on (one in EL10) and a few US stations, but no overcrowding. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: KM9U arsk...@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 8:52 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: New Sat Operators I'm often on the early morning passes of SO-50 and there are many times that I call CQ for the entire pass and don't hear any other stations. Not ALL of them are crowded ALL of the time. We shouldn't try to discourage newcomers...someday they might join AMSAT and donate money for P3E! Chuck, KM9U - Original Message - From: Clint Bradford clintbra...@earthlink.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 15:54 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: New Sat Operators ... gud luck FM birds are very over crowded. SSB birds would be alot better I hope you told them what to expect ... I live in the most populous region of the U.S.' most populous state, and have never had a problem demo'ing in front of audiences. Of course it is busy on the prime time passes. That's why they exist - for us to use them. I hope your comment was just tongue-in-cheek ... (grin) Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: searching advice on low hpass filter for 146 MHz
I believe DCI makes a 144-146 bandpass filter. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Werner Kullmann, HB9BNK hb9...@uska.ch To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 1:41 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] searching advice on low hpass filter for 146 MHz To improve the reception of the sats on 145.9xx MHz with my little yagi, I recently acquired a SSB-preamplifier SP-2000. To my dismay, the reception on my IC910H was intermittend heavily distorted. After a while I found, that a nearby located commercial transmitter (POCSAG) emitting bursts on 147.300 is so strong, that the frontend of the IC910H (or its AGC) practically quites the receiver on 145.900. When the bursts stop, reception resumes. Difficult to qso. I have experimented with a large cavity filter and found, that the impact of the bursts can be reduced, so that normal satellite work is possible again. Now I am looking for advice on how to build a steep low pass filter, eliminating everything above 146 MHz, to be mounted before the preamp on the mast. The filter must however be capable to accept the rf power, if I work in V/U mode. Thank you for any ideas ! Werner, HB9BNK ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] TW4000 modifications
Here is a question about a blast from the past. Can a Kenwood TW4000 be modified to receive from 430-440mhz to cover the satellite portion of the band? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Verticals and such on SSB birds
I have found firsthand that verticals, J poles, and the like work pretty good on FM satellites. How well do these same antennas work on the SSB satellites? Would they make VO52 usable? That seems to be the easiest of the SSB sats to get into. What about FO29? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Icom 9100
Has anyone on the list used the Icom 9100 yet? If so, what are you impressions of it? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: The Need for Phonetics
I have found that Japan works much better than Juliet for the letter J. People keep hearing Juliet as India. don't know why, they don't sound anything alike, but that is what happens. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Jim Shorney jshor...@inebraska.com To: amsat-bb amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 1:38 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The Need for Phonetics On Sun, 10 Apr 2011 17:52:37 -0700, Jeff Moore wrote: This is a bunch of baloney! Stick to the standard and it will work fine. Experience trumps experts. I have a friend who's name went into the log as Dred because a South American ham kept hearing Golf as Dog. So much for standards. I'll repeat my call several times to weak DX with the standard phonetics before switching to Geo name phonetics, which almost always get through in the first try. I'd rather be able to log the contact than please the standard bearers. Or maybe I should just use the amplifier more often 73 -Jim -- It's been said that if you give a million monkeys a typewriter each, one of them will eventually type Shakespeare. Thanks to the Internet, we now know this isn't true. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: -={Echo Madness}=-
I think part of the problem is that we are victims of our own success. There have been numerous articles and presentations about how easy it is to get on the FM satellites with just an HT or dualband FM rig (and mine isn't even a true dualband, it just receives on UHF), and this has been so persuasive, that everyone is now trying it. That is good, it gives us more activity, more new grid squares to work, etc. If the regulars want to get on and ragchew with each other you need to do that on the SSB satellites, as the FM satellites don't really support that activity. Anyways, as most of us who are using less than optimized circularly polarized beams with elevation and preamps can attest to, you get some decent fading from time to time on the received signal. I think this is what leads to much of the QRM. The satellite briefly fades out so some of the stations don't know that someone is already talking so they start making calls. I have heard quite a few stations more or less call CQ on the satellite and they must not hear it very well because I can hear several stations come back to them and they just keep CQing instead. 73s John AA5JG On Tue, Mar 29, 2011 at 12:37 PM, Zachary Beougher zack.kd8...@hotmail.comwrote: Hello Kevin and group, Back to the point, please let me know if you think I need any correcting, I would rather help not hinder. I really enjoy this HOBBY, but I dont know if there is a solution... At this stage in the game, there really is no solution per say. When there is 30-40 guys on ONE frequency trying to make QSOs, what else can we expect? Yes, there are some rude practices going on, but is that any different than what happens when we get in our car and jump on the freeway at rush hour? Or how about the grocery store? All you can do is to 1) make sure you are not part of the issue, 2) adapt to the situation, even if it means not making any QSOs and just listening, and 3) run full duplex if you can. I understand that there are some that might not be able to afford a second radio, and I am by no means slamming you for that. I would, however, put a second HT/full duplex rig on your list for future purchases. You will be amazed at the difference it makes - trust me! I thought full duplex sounded dumb until I tried it, now I don't know if I could do a pass without it. Most of all, don't complain about that situation (not that you were, Kevin). What happens on the road when you complain to the other driver about cutting you off? It usually ends up in something pretty ugly. No different here - it just fuels the fire. If you don't like it, do what you can to work around the situation and keep your expectations low, and if you really hate it, don't get on. Not all passes are bad - I was on a great afternoon pass of AO27 yesterday that covered all of the US, and it was great! We are talking of 1-2 crazy passes in the evening, and then the weekends obviously - not all passes. And I am referring to the FM sats - the SSB/CW birds are wide open. Regarding discussion of switching the uplinks randomly, and only notifying a select group... While this may be the easy way out of the issue (until everyone catches on), it definitely does not correspond with what Ham radio has at its roots - hams helping and mentoring other hams. I can only imagine how I would feel if I found out that us new hams were being shut out so the regulars could carry on a QSO without interference. The new guys and new guys to come have as much right to transmit as anyone else that uses them. Just keep in mind that pretty much everyone here that reads this was a newbie at one time, made their first QSO, stepped on someone for the first time and probably frustrated someone for the first time. There has been much discussion about the issue of operator rudeness/busy passes on the QRZ forums, here at the BB, and even during busy satellite passes comments have been made, but I am not seeing a big difference in operating practices - things are still crazy at certain times. As Clint stated, this does seem to be blown out of proportion a bit. Look at it mathematically: On a typical weekend AO51 pass there can be as many as 30 stations x 2 QSOs each (not many) = 60 QSOs during a 12 minute pass. That is 5 QSOs/minute - 1 QSO every *12* seconds. These are rough estimates, but when you think about all these stations on ONE frequency, it should not surprise anyone that is gets crazy. Just try to enjoy it for what it is - it is a really neat and challenging aspect of the hobby. If we have to put up with a bit of craziness on certain passes, I hate to say it, but that is just part of this aspect of the hobby. Again, we are talking about one satellite (mainly AO51) on a select few passes. This is not an issue spread across the board. There are still many quiet birds and passes, just take the time to find which ones work best for you. 73,
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 uplink
How long will AO51 continue to use the new uplink frequency? 73s John AA5JG' - Original Message - From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com To: Amsat-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org; AO51 Modes ao51-mo...@amsat.org; Mark Hammond n...@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2011 10:37 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 uplink The AO-51 repeater uplink was switched to 145.88 on the 2215 pass tonight. I realize there are multiple grid dxpeditions out and about, but that does not excuse some of the operating I heard tonight. If another station is in the middle of a QSO, stand by and let them finish. If you start to transmit and can't hear yourself, or you hear someone else in the downlink, stop transmitting and let them make the call. Finally, if you've worked that grid, or that station, or that country, how about taking a breather and letting someone else work it for a new one. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations, and AO-51 Command Station ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] EN96
Who was the EN96 on today on the 2200Z pass of AO51? I thought I copied it as VE3TYN but according to QRZ.COM that isn't correct. Just picked up a Kenwood TM-251A and it sure hears the sats great. Glad I got it to use on the FM birds. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below thehorizon?
It might have happened before on some of the Mode K satellites, due to F2, but not sure if the other modes would work below the horizon, as getting the conditions right on both bands would be pretty tough. Tropo wouldn't get high enough into the air to get into the satellite. Has anyone heard AO7 in mode A when it is below your horizon due to F2 skip extending your range of the satelllite? 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Bill Dzurilla billdz@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 12:25 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below thehorizon? I was giving a presentation at our club meeting called Working DX on the Satellites and afterwards someone had a good question: is it at all possible that tropo, skip, or other form of enhanced propagation can enable a contact via a satellite below the horizon? It has never happened to me. Has it ever happened? 73, Bill NZ5N ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] AO7 on Mode A
Has there been much activity on Mode A recently? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Belated Happy Birthday Oscar 11
Darn, I was hoping the news was that we were going to get Oscar 11A in 9 months. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Rich Dailey redail...@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 2:04 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Belated Happy Birthday Oscar 11 Oscar 11 launch date: Mar 1, 1984 I have a special place in my memory for Oscar 11. It was launched on the same day that my eldest daughter was born. Both have performed very well I think for the past 27 years. And last week mother and I were given the news that she (daughter, not UO-11) is expecting. So excuse the bandwidth - it's just my version of a happy dance. Rich, N8UX ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: IC-9100
Put it on Ebay, you will probably get 150,000 for it then. 73s John AA5JG On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 1:33 PM, Marc Vermeersch a...@skynet.be wrote: S^t, problem with PayPal.. -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF Sent: vrijdag 25 februari 2011 19:58 To: Alexandru Csete Cc: AMSAT -BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: IC-9100 Look further down the page, the remote control software is a penny less than ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars. On 25-Feb-11 18:06, Alexandru Csete wrote: On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 6:22 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVHkb1...@gmail.com wrote: HRO has the Icom 9100 on it's site now for the low low price of $3799.95 http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010763 Wow, when I first saw that radio some time ago I thought it was supposed to be some kind of discount radio since they didn't even include a color display. So, now I am wondering, what is the advantage of one IC-9100 for $3800 over two IC-7000 for $2400? 73 Alex OZ9AEC ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb -- Nigel A. Gunn, 1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA. tel +1 937 825 5032 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF 9H3GN), e-mail ni...@ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net Member of ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548, Flying Pigs QRP Club International #385, Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691, AMSAT-UK 0182, MKARS, ALC, GCARES, XWARN, EAA382. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: IC-9100
What are your choices for new? The TS2000 or the Icom 9100. Used, now there are many more options. Hard to find anything to fault about the Kenwood TS790, except that it doesn't do 6m. 73s Joyn AA5JG On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 1:48 PM, MM ka1...@yahoo.com wrote: So what is the best new Satellite Radio on the market today? or What's the best out of production Satellite Radio? --- On Fri, 2/25/11, Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1...@gmail.com wrote: From: Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1...@gmail.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: IC-9100 To: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF ni...@ngunn.net Cc: AMSAT -BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Friday, February 25, 2011, 2:16 PM That's quite a bargain! Dave - KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless DROID X On Feb 25, 2011 2:11 PM, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF ni...@ngunn.net wrote: Look further down the page, the remote control software is a penny less than ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars. On 25-Feb-11 18:06, Alexandru Csete wrote: On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 6:22 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVHkb1...@gmail.com wrote: HRO has the Icom 9100 on it's site now for the low low price of $3799.95 http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-010763 Wow, when I first saw that radio some time ago I thought it was supposed to be some kind of discount radio since they didn't even include a color display. So, now I am wondering, what is the advantage of one IC-9100 for $3800 over two IC-7000 for $2400? 73 Alex OZ9AEC ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb -- Nigel A. Gunn, 1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA. tel +1 937 825 5032 Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF 9H3GN), e-mail ni...@ngunn.net www http://www.ngunn.net Member of ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548, Flying Pigs QRP Club International #385, Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691, AMSAT-UK 0182, MKARS, ALC, GCARES, XWARN, EAA382. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: IC-9100
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 ni...@ngunn.netwrote: 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. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FS: Kenwood TM-V7A dualband radio
I have for sale a Kenwood TM-7A 2m/70cm dualband, dual receive FM transceiver. I bought this to use on the FM satellites and it has been working great on them so far. The dual receive capability makes it work very nicely for FM satellite use. I am only selling it because I replaced it with a HF/VHF/UHF radio so I can get on the SSB satellites as well. It also has a built in duplexer so you can run a dualband antenna with it into the single SO239 on the rear. It does 45 watts on 2m and 35 watts on 70cm, has PL tones built in, alphanumeric lables for the memory channels, and has 4 hypermemories for returning to a specific configuration at the push of a button. It comes with the mic, power cord, mobile bracket, and original box. It does not have the manual with it but you can find those on line. The display works fine on it. There is one line that appears from time to time on the display but it doesn't interfere with anything. I am asking $175 shipped and can take paypal/check/MO. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: A LITTLE HAM HUMOR for a change
My dream house wouldn't include a HOA in the first place. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: saguaroas...@cox.net To: Zachary Beougher zack.kd8...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org; Tony Langdon vk3...@gmail.com Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 12:52 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: A LITTLE HAM HUMOR for a change Here's Mine: You sell your dream house after getting licensed because the HOA has antenna restrictions. Tony Langdon vk3...@gmail.com wrote: At 07:21 AM 2/25/2011, Zachary Beougher wrote: You forgot a few. 1. When looking for a place to live you don't look for a nice neighborhood, you look for the highest spot in the county with no trees. Trees are important skyhooks for wire antennas! ;) Not so good for satellite operators though. 2. Every grommet in your firewall has a 1 bundle of wires coming through it. Hahaha, so true. ;) 3. After you finish converting a computer PSU into one that can power a radio, you unplug it from the 120VAC and plunge your hand into the PSU to make some adjustments, just to remember the function of the electrical component called a capacitor. (I have done that) Oops. ;) 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Radios in carry on luggage
I am planning a couple of grid expeditions that will involve commercial flights, and wonder what experiences others have had with taking radios in their carry on luggage. Does TSA get very involved in this? Did you have to take it out of the case? Demonstrate it? Was it a bunch of hoops to jump through, or very smooth sailing? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Considerate satellite operations behavior.
If you don't like the FM satellites, instead of complaining that we need more linear satellites (like I have seen suggested), HOW ABOUT USING THE ONES WE HAVE?? VO52 is an excellent satellite and it is hardly overcrowded, at least in the US. Many times there is only one or two stations on it. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: i8cvs domenico.i8...@tin.it To: Amsat - BBs amsat-bb@amsat.org; Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL vlfis...@mcn.net Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 11:23 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Considerate satellite operations behavior. - Original Message - From: Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL vlfis...@mcn.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, February 21, 2011 7:56 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Considerate satellite operations behavior. Turn Off all the FM birds. ;-) No, we told them a dozen times already. Stop building FM crap, and do a HEO or at least as minimums, LEO's with linear transponders and Vuala! Problem solved. But no, they are committed to Fox now, which mean more whining. Anyone remember this degree of whining back when there was a HEO? Hi Vince, KB7ADL To get an idea of the high technical quality QSO's on HEO satellites with not this degree of whining like novadays on the FM LEO birds I suggest to read the old AMSAT-BB messages available in the archive beginning from the early 2000 to 2004 when AO40 was alive and well. Here is the address: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/index.html Pulling for P3-E ! ! 73 de i8CVS Domenico ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Considerate satellite operations behavior.
This is exactly how I look at them-they are like a DX piluep. That sort of behavior occurs all of the time on HF, and you learn how to more effectively get through. There is very little way to change how operating is going to take place on a single channel FM satellite. That is what makes it challenging. If you got through all of the time, the challenge aspect would be gone, as would some of the excitement and fun. 73s John AA5JG On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 11:11 AM, Rocky Jones orbit...@hotmail.com wrote: A while back someone likened the FM birds to a DX situation and thats probably not all that bad. ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: FM birds
Bruce makes a very good point about the popularity of the FM birds. Many hams already have the equipment to get on the FM satellites but may not realize it. This is where a club presentation can be very useful in making them aware of this fact. Once they try out the FM sats and get hooked, then they can invest in the equipment for the linear sats. Very few people are going to drop the funds necessary for getting into SSB/CW sats without trying out the sats first. Another group to target is the VHF/UHF weak signal crowd. Many of them have the necessary equipment to get on AO7, FO29, and VO52, but might not know it, or know how to proceed. These birds will give them a chance to use their multimode rigs between band openings. 73s John AA5JG On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 11:06 AM, Bruce Robertson ve9...@gmail.com wrote: On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 12:31 PM, i8cvs domenico.i8...@tin.it wrote: - Original Message - From: Joe n...@mwt.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2011 7:25 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FM birds I agree, With the money spent on all those birds, and launch costs, they by now could have made at least one nice linear transponder bird. I'd love to see an old 2 meter up 10 meter down bird again! The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com Hi Joe, I agree with you. Yes a lot of money spent on all those FM birds for very small in satellite communications with a lot of QRM ! Dom -- I'm fond of linear transponder birds, too, and nobody likes hearing bad operating habits, either on a linear or FM bird. However, I think the comments above misunderstand the process by which satellites are funded and constructed. Would you begrudge the builders of SO-67 the opportunity to take part in their government's initiative? If you were able to, there's still no reason to believe that the funds and efforts expended to produce that bird could be pooled with other national groups'. I like OSCAR-7, VO-52 , and FO-29 and I hope and pull for P3-E The first three of these were built by a national group that considered its own interests and opportunities, just as the groups today that have recently built FM birds. Of course, there are others that are making linear birds. Let's not forget that one such has been delivered to the ISS and will be hand-launched for us. For all that, it should be said that the the difficulty of 'getting into' AO-51, for example, indicates that it is a constantly popular mode of satellite operation. Given that we are struggling to expand our ranks, I feel compelled to say that my abiding interest in satellite communications was kindled by AO-51. For me, and I suspect many who are worried about being branded glorified CB'ers, the FM birds provided a lower-expense means of entering what I consider the most interesting aspect of ham radio today. 73 de i8CVS Domenico 73, Bruce VE9QRP -- http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] First time on SO67 tonight
Caught my first pass of SO67 tonight and had a good time on it. Thanks to Glen, AA5PK, for informing me that it no longer uses a PL tone, as I had that turned on. I was really impressed with the strength of the downlink and can tell this is going to be a fun bird to work. Even picked up a new grid tonight-EM95. Let's do it again tomorrow on SO67! 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] HO68 status
Is there a webpage that shows the current on/off times for HO68? The one that you link to from the satellite status page on the AMSAT website hasn't been updated since December. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: LOTW VUCC Discussion
But that is for LOTW. For paper QSLs it is $12 annual up to 120 QSOs. For those same 120 QSOs on VUCC it is $24, and that is even if a card checker checks them and all the ARRL does is enter the data. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: John Papay j...@papays.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 10:08 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LOTW VUCC Discussion The cost for credits for LOTW DXCC filings is: 0-49 $.25/each 50-99 $.225/each 100-249 $.20/each 250-499 $.175/each 500- $.15/each LOTW for VUCC is $.16/credit no matter how many you submit. If you submit 100 credits for DXCC, it's $20 for the qso's. If you submit 100 credits for VUCC, it's $16 for the qso's. These numbers are for endorsements rather than initial applications. The debate as to the cost of DXCC vs. VUCC using LOTW is a good one. The Directors should look at that when they validate the fee schedule. 73, John K8YSE ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: VUCC costs
I WAS going to get an endorsement for my satellite and six meter VUCCs, but given that it would cost me around 35 dollars each to get an endorsement for an extra 150 grids, I don't think so. Hope this new insane fee schedule doesn't kill VUCC submissions. I think AMSAT awards will be getting much more popular. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: mlolms...@fuse.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 12:25 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: VUCC costs Nice explanation of the costs for VUCC in the Jeff Yanko blog. However, I did not see what happens with LOTW submisions. If the cost of awards keep going up, maybe the ARRL should offer award insurance as well as equipment insurance. Just a thought. :) Merle, AA4QE ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: VUCC costs
Even at the 16 cent a QSO LOTW fee that sure is a jump up in price from what it used to be. I am afraid I won't be able to afford many endorsements. maybe AMSAT can offer their own version of a satellite VUCC. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: Jeff Yanko wb3...@cox.net To: John Geiger aa...@fidmail.com; mlolms...@fuse.net; Amsat-Bb@Amsat. Org amsat-bb@amsat.org; 'VHF REFLECTOR' v...@w6yx.stanford.edu Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 10:23 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: VUCC costs Hi John, It's funny how HQ never came out and stated there would be new fees beginning of the new year. Then again why would you want to scare away potential customers? In any case, I finally took my cards over to the local card checker to have him verify them for VUCC Satellite. My cost? $47.40. I understand it's a one time deal for the initial application, which this was, and there costs involved. Just the 20 cent per QSO fee cost me $27.40 alone. That's more than the award cost itself. Actually, more than twice of what the award cost. Doesn't make any economical or logical sense if you ask me. I don't believe I'll be doing many, if any, endorsements of VUCC at the current fees level. 73, Jeff WB3JFS - Original Message - From: John Geiger aa...@fidmail.com To: mlolms...@fuse.net; Amsat-Bb@Amsat. Org amsat-bb@amsat.org; 'VHF REFLECTOR' v...@w6yx.stanford.edu Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 6:07 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: VUCC costs I WAS going to get an endorsement for my satellite and six meter VUCCs, but given that it would cost me around 35 dollars each to get an endorsement for an extra 150 grids, I don't think so. Hope this new insane fee schedule doesn't kill VUCC submissions. I think AMSAT awards will be getting much more popular. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: mlolms...@fuse.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, January 24, 2011 12:25 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: VUCC costs Nice explanation of the costs for VUCC in the Jeff Yanko blog. However, I did not see what happens with LOTW submisions. If the cost of awards keep going up, maybe the ARRL should offer award insurance as well as equipment insurance. Just a thought. :) Merle, AA4QE ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FS: Kenwood TM-V7A 2m/70cm transceiver
I have for sale a Kenwood TM-7A 2m/70cm dualband, dual receive FM transceiver. The dual receive capability makes it work very nicely for FM satellite use. It also has a built in duplexer so you can run a dualband antenna with it into the single SO239 on the rear. It does 45 watts on 2m and 35 watts on 70cm, has PL tones built in, alphanumeric lables for the memory channels, and has 4 hypermemories for returning to a specific configuration at the push of a button. It comes with the mic, power cord, mobile bracket, and original box. It does not have the manual with it but you can find those on line. The display works fine on it. There is one line that appears from time to time on the display but it doesn't interfere with anything. I am asking $225 plus any shipping that is necessary for this rig. I can take paypal/check/MO and am always willing to entertain trades of other ham equipment. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Kenwood TM-V7A on FM sats
I am picking up a Kenwood TM-V7A later today and can't wait to get it on the FM sats. Anyone else using one on the satellites and care to comment on its performance. I know about the display issues with them. Ordered an Arrow Antennas dualband J pole from HRO today to go with it. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Vertically mounted beam question
What sort of radiation pattern (mainly elevation lobes) would a dualband beam, like the Cushcraft A270-6S or Elk Antenna, have when mounted for vertical polarization? Does it have useful elevation lobes for most LEO satellite work? I used to have a Cushcraft A270-10S mounted horizontally and whichever band was on the top of the boom had some very high lobes with nothing on the lower parts of the passes. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Elk dualband antenna experiences
How does the Elk Dualband yagi work as a satellite antenna in a base setup when you are not elevating it? Is it better to mount it for vertical or horizontal polarization to get maximum coverage of satellite passes? Still trying to figure out the best FM sat setup here after some station redesign. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Horizontal stacking distance question
I know that when stacking antennas for different bands on the same mast, the general rule of thumb is to space them at least 1/2 of the boom length for the higher frequency antenna. Does this rule also hold true for stacking 2 antennas on a horizontal crossboom? If I want to put a 2m and 70cm yagi on the same crossboom, how far apart should they be spaced? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Yaesu FTM-10R
Has anyone used the Yaesu FTM-10R on the FM satellites? Just from looking at the manual it looks like storing the uplink and downlink frequencies in a memory might be difficult, but I could be wrong. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Verticals on FM sats
I apologize if this topic has been covered recently, but I am asking again. I am in the middle of redoing antennas, and am looking to keep something up for the FM satellites. How well will a 1/4 wave dualband groundplane work on the satellites? I remember reading a review in QST in the past year or so about a dualband J pole,and the reviewer said he got into AO27 and AO51 just fine. What can I expect out of a 1/4 wave antenna? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FS: Icom Z1A full duplex HT
I have an Icom Z1A dualband (2m/70cm) HT for sale that does full duplex, making it perfect for the FM satellites. It is pretty much like the Icom W32A with one exception-you can remote mount the faceplate. That's right, it is like a mobile rig in that you can remote mount the face! It comes with the remote mount cable, and the display, keypad, mic, and speaker separate from the body of the HT so you have a speaker/mic in your had with the display and keypad. It also has the Icom dualband antenna with it (using a BNC connector for those of you who hate SMAs), a MAHA NiMH 9.6 volt battery for 5 watts out, and the manual. The battery will hold a charge but I can't guarantee for how long. I don't have the wall charger for it, but do have an Icom CP12 cigarette lighter cord, but this is missing the fuse and the metal tip on the end. You can replace the end, cut the end off and use it as a DC cord, and I will throw in a replacement cigarette lighter plug you can wire into it also. The HT will do dual receive, including dual receive on the same band. It is in good shape physically and works fine. I am asking $125 plus shipping for this HT. I can take paypal/check/MO/Cash. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: K8YSE QSL cards
Yes, Thanks for the 2 new grids John. It is great to see satellite ops send out QSLs unsolicited. Rarely see that in other aspects of the hobby. Just goes to show what a passion satellite operating is. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: w4upd upd...@bristor-assoc.com To: amsat...@amsat. Org amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, October 22, 2010 3:38 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] K8YSE QSL cards John, Received your cards in the mail today. Thanks a lot. They look great and I suspect you had a good time. I assume you didn't try doing the entire drive around with the antennas in their present position in the back Reid, W4UPD ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FS: Yaesu FT7800 dualband rig
If anyone is looking for a 2m and 70cm radio to get on the satellites with, I have a nice Yaesu FT7800 available. It does 50 watts on 2m and 40 watts on 70cm, CTCSS tones, DCS tones, and come with the mic, power cord, and original box. It doesn't have the manual, but you can find that on line. It is perfect for the Mode J satellites-AO27, SO50, AO51, and HO68 It doesn't do dual receive, but you can program it to transmit on one band and receive on the other which makes it fine for satellite use. I am asking $160 for it plus $10 shipping and can take paypal/check/MO. I will even program the satellite frequencies into memory for you. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] New PJs on the satellites
Does anyone know if the DXpeditions to the new PJ entities plan on any satellite operation? I figure they are busy with HF operations right now but getting on for a few satellite passes once they have worked down the pileups on HF would sure be fun for the sat operators. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: #200 VUCC
But remember, we don't have 40 years of QSOs to count towards VUCC. Only QSOs made January 1, 1983 and later count for VUCC. I was surprised when I got satellite VUCC back in 2003 or so that it was only #129. 73s John AA5JG --- On Fri, 9/24/10, Zachary Beougher zack.kd8...@hotmail.com wrote: From: Zachary Beougher zack.kd8...@hotmail.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: #200 VUCC To: apbid...@mailaps.org, 'Sebastian' w...@bellsouth.net, AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Friday, September 24, 2010, 4:05 PM Congrats Sebastian! What a coincidence to get that number. I too am surprised at the lack of satellite VUCCs I am going to be submitting my application here very soon. 73! Zack KD8KSN -- From: Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 2:04 PM To: 'Sebastian' w...@bellsouth.net; AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: #200 VUCC Sebastian, Congratulations! I recently spent a few days, off and on, copying my paper logs into electronic format. Reminded me of my spare time job years ago doing key punch work. Anyway, it was fun to see what was there. I need to ping a few people to finish up some awards, which I will do in the winter months. I uploaded to eQSL and LoTW my AO-10 and AO-13 contacts. I got exactly 2 hits out of several hundred. ;) Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Sebastian Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 12:57 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] #200 VUCC I guess that waiting around a couple of years or so to finally submit my cards for satellite VUCC paid off. I know there was some talk about this some time ago, as to who would get number 200. Well, the mailman came and that's the number on mine! Seems strange considering almost all the contacts on the FM birds are a grid exchange; guess many are either not collecting the 100 cards, or aren't submitting them. Having amateur satellites available for almost 40 years, and only 200 satellite VUCC awards, WOW. 73 de Sebastian, W4AS ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] ND9M on SO50
Which grid was ND9M for on the 2225Z SO50 pass today? 73s John AA5JG --- On Fri, 9/17/10, Zachary Beougher zack.kd8...@hotmail.com wrote: From: Zachary Beougher zack.kd8...@hotmail.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ND9M on the air ??? To: Rick - WA4NVM wa4...@comcast.net, Alvaro de Leon Romo xe...@hotmail.com, amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Friday, September 17, 2010, 1:54 PM ND9M was on AO27 yesterday afternoon from DN71 -- From: Rick - WA4NVM wa4...@comcast.net Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 11:29 AM To: Alvaro de Leon Romo xe...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ND9M on the air ??? Hi Al, Nothing heard from ND9M so far. 73, Rick WA4NVM Hi guys just back from work, was ND9M from DN73 this morning ? Thanks in advance Al XE2AT ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FS: Kenwood TT2000 HF/VHF/UHF satellite radio
I have for sale or trade a 2008 model Kenwood TS2000 that does 100 watts on HF, 6m, and 2m, and 50 watts on 70cm. I bought this radio used from Ham Radio Outlet at the beginning of June, so it has been checked out recently and found to work perfectly. Really like it but life things come up and I need to downsize the shack a bit. This radio has IF DSP so no optional filters are needed. It also has full duplex for the satellites, a built in TCXO, a 2m/70cm subreceiver for listening to the local repeaters while operating on the main receiver, and a built in TNC. It will also do crossband repeat so you can get on HF or 6m while walking around town with an HT-what a neat feature! It is in very good condition with a couple of light scratches on the top of the case (I doubt they would show up in a picture). It comes with the hand mic, power cord, and manual. I think I still have the original box but it is missing the stryofoam inserts, though. I am asking $1000 for it plus shipping, but can also meet for an inperson deal in the Southwest Oklahoma/OKC/North Texas area. You will not be disappointed with this radio-it does it all and does it all pretty well. 73s John AA5JG Lawton, OK ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Duplex HTs
A couple on his list are not full duplex, like the Icom 24AT, and I don't think the IC-32AT is either. 73s John AA5JG --- On Mon, 7/26/10, Glenn AA5PK aa...@suddenlink.net wrote: From: Glenn AA5PK aa...@suddenlink.net Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Duplex HTs To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Date: Monday, July 26, 2010, 7:21 PM From a previous discussion, same topic, an extensive list of full-duplex rigs may be found here: http://thathamkid.com/fd_radios.html - Original Message - From: Randy Hall listk7...@gmail.com To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 6:37 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Duplex HTs Hi I receive emails all time from guys looking for HTs to use on AO-51. Many want duplex HTs to allow them to hear themselves coming back from the satellite. So, what of the current HTs provide duplex operation? Which of the older HTs do duplex. I know my trusty FT-51 does! Plus as a bonus, any of these come with BNC connector anymore? I really do not like SMAs on my radios. Thanks Randy K7AGE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HfvmU_utI8 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Duplex HTs
I wasn't aware of that. Guess the fact that it didn't do dual receive or have dual displays fooled me. In that case, I think the Icom T21A would also work as it will do full duplex, but can't transmit on 70cm, but it would work in Mode J. Think the Kenwood TH28A is the same. 73s John AA5JG --- On Mon, 7/26/10, Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com wrote: From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Duplex HTs To: John Geiger aa...@yahoo.com, AMSAT-BB@amsat.org, Glenn AA5PK aa...@suddenlink.net Date: Monday, July 26, 2010, 9:05 PM -Original Message- From: John Geiger aa...@yahoo.com Sent: Jul 26, 2010 9:35 PM To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org, Glenn AA5PK aa...@suddenlink.net Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Duplex HTs A couple on his list are not full duplex, like the Icom 24AT, and I don't think the IC-32AT is either. 73s John AA5JG Check out page 3 of the IC-24at manual, page 6 of the PDF http://www.repeater-builder.com/icom/pdfs/icom-ic-24at-et-inst-manual.pdf I owned a 32AT for many years, it is also full duplex. 73, Drew KO4MA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] SO50/AO27 on Kenwood TS2000
Earlier today I caught a nice, high elevation pass on SO50. There was a posting a while ago suggesting that switching to FM-Narrow helps to get around the SO50/AO27 birdie on the radio and I can confirm that it works! I got on just before mid pass but was able to copy SO50 during the rest of the pass, even when the downlink was right on 436.800. For those of you wanting to do AO27 and SO50 with the Kenwood TS2000 give the FM Narrow mode a try, you will be surprised. My downlink antenna (as well as my uplink antenna) is a Cushcraft A270-10S dualband yagi with no elevation, no preamp, and horizontally polarized. Now if I can just get the SWR problem fixed on 2m. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] NO5X SK
For those of you who have worked NO5X on the sats, I am sad to inform you that he became a SK in the past couple of days. I met John twice in person back in May when buying some equipment from him, and he was a great guy. I will miss hearing him on the birds. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FS: Yaesu FT51 full duplex HT
I have for sale a Yaesu FT51R dualband (2m/70cm) HT in very good condition. This was Yaesu's top of the line HT when it came out. It does dual receive, so you can listen to both bands at once, crossband repeat, and it has a built in tone encoder for those repeaters that require tones. It also does full duplex, so it is perfect for the FM satellites. It also has a spectrum scope so you can see activity on other repeater frequencies. Does 5 watts on high power and also has a low power setting. It comes with a dual slot rapid charger, so you can charge 2 batteries at once, and has the proper adaptor cups for the FT51 batteries. It also comes with 2 battery packs. One is a MAHA NIMH pack, and the other one has been split open and rebuilt (I don't know what kind of cells were used). The batteries will take a charge but I don't know how much life they have left in them and I won't guarantee anything about battery life. The HT also comes with the rubber duck antenna, the manual, and the stock drop in slow charger-but this needs the AC cord for it, I don't have that. ALso has the belt clip attached. The HT is in very nice condition and works fine. I am asking $150 shipped for it in the US and can take paypal/check/MO. 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] TS2000 on dualband antenna (for sat work)
Has anyone on the list tried using a Kenwood TS2000 on full duplex satellite operatation using a dualband VHF/UHF antenna and a diplexer? Is it possible or is there too much desensitization thru the diplexer to make full duplex work? 73s John AA5JG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
