[amsat-bb] Fwd: [CubeSat] Announcement from George Washington University - On-orbit Micropropulsion eXperiment Program (OMXP)

[Samudra Haque [GWU]]

[Hi, I am sending this note to all local mailing lists I am a part of, to
allow small satellite enthusiasts / experimenters to take advantage of our
research work at GWU. Perhaps you could forward it to your friendly
neighborhood educational institution and affiliate looking for a method to
put up long duration missions in space - and in most probability head past
Low Earth Orbit within a decent time frame - referrals requested -  Samudra
N3RDX ]

3/10/2014

On behalf of the Micro-propulsion and Nanotechnology Laboratory, and Dr.
Michael Keidar, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at George
Washington University, I am attaching the formal announcement of OMXP.

I hope all of you will consider making use of this innovative program from
our laboratory to enable your institution's CubeSat projects to include one
or more channels of small form, efficient and safer electric propulsion
subsystem at very low cost.

If you are interested to know more details, or wish to discuss specialized
applications of (electric) micro-propulsion in CubeSats, please follow the
contact instructions in the attached PDF. We are in the process of setting
up an online application portal soon.

Regards to all.

-- 
Samudra Haque
Ph.D Student
Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
George Washington University
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[amsat-bb] Re: Kick motors on Oscars: How does attitude control work?

[Samudra Haque]

Which cubesat project ?


On Sun, Sep 22, 2013 at 5:49 PM, Daniel Schultz  wrote:

> >I just want to ask a question:  If you have a motor of a few hundred
> >Newtons, how to you keep the attitude stable during the burn?  For that
> >matter, how do you get the attitude correct for the start of the burn?
>
> Simple question, simple answer: You use the magnetotorquers to point the
> spin
> axis in the right direction, check and check again to make sure you got
> that
> right, then use the magnetotorquers again to spin up the satellite at a
> high
> angular rate (maybe 20 RPM). The angular momentum of the spinning satellite
> keeps it stable while the motor is firing. The motor thrust must of course
> be
> well aligned with the spin axis, but if the thrust vector is not perfect,
> the
> spinning satellite tends to even out the small deviation.
>
> One of the recent Cubesats carried high power model rocket engines to try
> an
> experimental orbit adjustment. They forgot to spin the satellite and the
> Cubesat tumbled wildly as a result of the motor burn. Some of these groups
> are
> really lacking in basic physics knowledge (and we are not talking about wet
> behind the ears students in that case.)
>
> Dan Schultz N8FGV
>
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: newsletter

[Samudra Haque]

are school affiliates of AMSAT sent a newsletter?

Samudra N3RDX, also K3GWU


On Thu, Aug 15, 2013 at 4:17 PM, Glen Zook  wrote:

> Remember, to err is human.  However, it takes a computer to really foul up!
>
> I definitely was aware that the problem was not caused by AMSAT.  Since
> the printer has several months before attempting the addressing again, I
> sincerely hope that they can get a handle on their software.
>
> Glen, K9STH
> AMSAT 239 / LM 463
>
>
> Website:  http://k9sth.com
>
>
> 
>  From: Alan 
> To: 'Glen Zook' ; amsat-bb@amsat.org
> Cc: SAREX-BB 
> Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2013 3:02 PM
> Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] newsletter
>
>
> Glen,
>
> The problem was not in the information provided by AMSAT.  That is
> correct.  The problem was the
> printer did not properly read the data, resulting in the fields for the
> name and other information
> being offset from the address fields.  They were most apologetic, and have
> assured us that "We have
> put safeguards in place to double check labels before they are printed in
> the future."
> ___
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>
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[amsat-bb] Re: Path to HEO

[Samudra Haque]

Hello,
Perhaps my recent work may stimulate discussion in this thread, though it
has not been proven in Space yet, but ...

my George Washington University MAE dept. micropropulsion subsystems for
small spacecraft was highlighted in the September 3 issue of the School of
Engineering and Applied Sciences newsletter. If you have the time, please
see the following web video that shows the first ever firing of three
simultaneous microthrusters. These subsystems were developed under Dr.
Michael Keidar, and are products of the GWU  Micro-Propulsion and
Nanotechnology Lab. It should play well in all web browsers, PC, Mac or
Mobile.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzYYl-b0DOFWZ1U0RFBYdU93NW8/edit?usp=sharing

Thrust range is 1-50 uNs (impulse-bits, variable, programmable) per
channel. Different clustering/arraying/firing sequences possible. Available
2013. Looking for a ride to Space for qualification to higher TRL. We are
at TRL5+ now.

73 de Samudra/N3RDX

newsletter excerpt:

*The Micro-propulsion and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MpNL),* led by* Prof.
Michael Keidar (MAE), *participated in the 27th Annual AIAA/USU Conference
on Small Satellites, held August 10-15 in Logan, UT.  *MAE doctoral student
Samudra Haque p*resented dual operational prototype hardware examples of
his research focus,* “Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster (µCAT) Subsystem for
In-space Propulsion of Small Satellites,” *and explained to audiences its
applicability for space missions and its technology readiness level for
testing in the 2013 GWU/NASA Ames Research Center investigative project,
“Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster PhoneSat Experiment.”

*Micro-propulsion and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MpNL) *students have
successfully completed, for the first time ever, a full integration and
testing of a prototype 3-channel Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster (µCAT)
subsystem at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC).  This was specifically
engineered for the ARC Center Innovation Fund 2013 award project,
“Micro-Cathode Arc Thruster PhoneSat Experiment.”  The project was intended
to explore the viability of enabling the innovative Google Nexus
SmartPhone-powered series of small spacecraft to have full attitude and
orbit correction capabilities.  Three of these spacecraft were flown and
operated in space in April 2013 onboard the Antares launcher by Orbital
Sciences from Wallops Flight Facility, VA.


On Fri, May 3, 2013 at 1:56 PM, M5AKA  wrote:

> Can't remember if the links on the work of N1BCD were posted earlier:
>
> Video of presentation at
> http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/22959312/highlight/267762
>
> Slides
>
> http://icubesat.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/icubesat-org-2012-c-1-1-_presentation_brandon_201205231623.pdf
>
> IARU Coordination
> http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/formal_detail.php?serialnum=305
>
> 73 Trevor M5AKA
>
>
>
>
>
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[amsat-bb] Cubesat 2013 Summer Workshop live video stream

[Samudra Haque]

FYI, I'm at Cubesat workshop @USU.. Link for live video stream is provided
below.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubesat-summer-workshop-2013?utm_campaign=www.cubesat.org&utm_source=15530551&utm_medium=social

Samudra Haque, Ph.D Student
Dept of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
George Washington University
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[amsat-bb] Re: Amateur Satellites and the emergency on tornadoin Oklahoma and Texas

[Samudra Haque]

i8CVS Domenico, I found this news article showing satellite remote sensing
photos of the affected area:
http://nation.time.com/2013/05/23/before-and-after-the-tornado-satellite-shots-of-moore/?hpt=hp_bn18

The key issue is that this was taken with a space asset having a sensor
(imaging device) of a particular focal length and resolution that would
allow such images. Not all small satellites, or cubesats, have that
capability - but they can be developed and launched fairly quickly. The
bigger question is, can it be done with a GEO platform, as opposed to a
vastly more challenging LEO platform, in the time required for "damage"
assessment or "search and .." rescue, and "search and .." recover
operations, given that not all LEO spacecraft are  in the correct orbit
when they are required. And even if we assume a spacecraft had the ability
to change orbit, which only a select few have, the coordination of that
change may be impossible to arrange. ... that is, unless one were dealing
with a constellation (e.g., walker) of remote sensing platforms that could
be tasked with imaging from various orbital planes ... So the problem is
complex, and the answer, as always, unfortunately ... is ... "it depends".

That doesn't mean future missions will don't have a way. My own research
will produce affordable microthrusters for small satellites soon, which
will allow limited mobility if a program manager so desires, so ask me in a
few months. It would be great to hear from managers who have an idea of
what thruster performance levels they require (time/duration/delta
vee/mode) so we could investigate definition of  common requirements, at
George Washington University's Micropropulsion Lab.
https://www.mpnl.seas.gwu.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=16&Itemid=124;
Questions? Ask me directly.

And Domenico, thank you again for your help in past years in modeling sat
comm projects.


73 de N3RDX
Samudra
Washington, DC


On Thu, May 23, 2013 at 10:31 PM, Stefan Wagener  wrote:

> Nice!
>
> Point well made.
>
> Stefan, Ve4NSA
>
>
> On Thu, May 23, 2013 at 8:43 PM, JoAnne Maenpaa  wrote:
>
> > > subject matter for a journal or symposium paper
> >
> > It's a bit dated now since I wrote it in 2008 for a Symposium paper
> > and it was reprinted in CQ VHF magazine ... I wrote a paper about
> > satellites in EMCOM:
> >
> > I still have a copy stashed at:
> > http://home.comcast.net/~k9jkm/CQVHF_Eagle_ACP_Emcomm.pdf
> >
> > This paper assumes a few things like we have an Eagle Phase IV GEO
> > satellite. It is written to tie multiple components of a national
> > level incident command system response up to being able to allow
> > several incidents to communicate with a unified command at a national
> > level. While the intrepid ham with HT and go=pack is key to local
> > emergency response a GEO satellite wasn't what was needed to call in
> > tornado reports within the county.
> >
> > Now Clayton can really sleep better after reading this! Probably fall
> > asleep reading it, but ahem, I digress ...
> >
> > --
> > 73 de JoAnne K9JKM
> > k9...@amsat.org
> >
> >
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> >
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[amsat-bb] wish to source (used) TNC for amsat ops

[Samudra Haque]

I am seeking to buy TNC hardware for the new K3GWU station (Foggy Bottom
Campus - George Washington University).

I'm limited to a small budget at this moment, and do appreciate those kind
hams that have donated racks, radios, antennas, cables, and so forth. But
now, I need a packet radio modem/TNC for digital communication needs!

We have an Icom 706 (original) and a FT-857 (original) in working condition
now, and a few midland commercial radios reprogrammed for ham radio fixed
frequencies.

I've read about Signalink USB and also see the various Kamtronics and
Timewave products. Any tips for for AMSAT packet use? for ISS packet use?
TNC-X ?

//Samudra N3RDX
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: [CubeSat] 10th Annual CubeSat Developers' Workshop Live Streaming and Useful Links

[Samudra Haque]

FYI, might be of interest to some in the satellite / amateur satellite
communities.

//Samudra N3RDX

-- Forwarded message --
From: Cal Poly CubeSat 
Date: Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 2:06 AM
Subject: [CubeSat] 10th Annual CubeSat Developers' Workshop Live Streaming
and Useful Links
To: "CubeSat @ CubeSat.org" 


Hi All,

Similar to past years, we will have live streaming of the workshop
available for viewing.  You may access the stream using the link below.

*Live Stream:*
http://mediasite01.ceng.calpoly.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/pages/catalog.aspx?catalogId=36b100d1-069a-4bac-b7e3-8a9512655e78

Below are also a few more useful links for your convenience:

*Directions, Parking, and Registration Location:*
http://cubesat.org/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops/2013-spring-workshop/directions

*Directions to Madonna Inn Expo Center:*
Link
*Note:* Expo Center is located past Madonna Inn Hotel.  Drive past hotels
and go through gates.

Please visit the CubeSat Workshop webpage for any further information at:

http://www.cubesat.org/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops/2013-spring-workshop

We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning!

Regards,
Derek Nelson

-- 
CubeSat Program Workshop Coordinator
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
cubesat.works...@gmail.com
Lab: (805) 756-5087

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[amsat-bb] Fwd: PhoneSats are already in space

[Samudra Haque]

IF any hams have picked up the beacons, please update the amsat-bb list
when you can.

73 de N3RDX

-- Forwarded message --
From: Tintore Gazulla, Oriol (ARC-TH)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
(SGT Inc.)] 
Date: Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 5:29 PM
Subject: PhoneSats are already in space
To:


Dear PhoneSat trackers,

** **

Our 3 satellites are already in space! Please visit our website to get the
TLEs and track the satellites.

Thanks a lot for all your help, 

** **

The PhoneSat team

** **
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: Re: Fwd: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz

[Samudra Haque]

Update: If launch is successful, deployment will be in T+10 or so, a fairly
rapid deployment! First transmissions shortly thereafter! I think that
means a lucky radio station over which the spacecraft will be flying
(possibly, Pacific Rim/US West Coast) will be getting first transmission
shortly (in five/six hours) from now.
http://spaceflightnow.com/antares/demo/launchtimeline.html Remember the
birds are sequenced: I love their names, Alexander Graham Bell

Google's search on Alexander Graham
Bell<https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&gs_rn=9&gs_ri=psy-ab&tok=h_X6SRYSBLG9YQDcKj46Sg&cp=21&gs_id=24&xhr=t&q=alexander+graham+bell&es_nrs=true&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=alexander+graham+bell&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45368065,d.dmQ&fp=35a609f5c41a95ed&ion=1&biw=1280&bih=899>


The two PhoneSat 1.0 satellites, Graham and Bell, transmit with a
> periodicity of respectively 28 seconds and 30 seconds. The PhoneSat 2.0
> beta satellite, Alexander, transmit with a periodicity of 25 seconds.


73 de N3RDX

Tip: Register your ham station/radio station at http://www.phonesat.org
also a tip from the Phonesat team:

You need to decode the sound to Ascii first. If you can do this, then use
> the decoder from the website.
> If not, just send us the Audio and we will do it.
> The Phonesat Decoder is accessible online from the website, nothing to
> download.



-- Forwarded message --
From: Samudra Haque 
Date: Sun, Apr 14, 2013 at 10:58 AM
Subject: Fwd: [amsat-bb] Re: Fwd: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th!
437.425MHz
To: Amsat-bb 


Hello AMSAT community

some hams have requested information about the upcoming Phonesat mission
telemetry format. This is a challenging objective for those who can track
and monitor: there are 3 satellites being deployed from the same P-POD and
will be released within moments of each other. The systems are timed to not
overlap individual station transmissions, so in a single pass, all three
should be heard.

For any technical questions, please contact the POC, Oriol Tintore of
Phonesat. His contact info is below.

73 de N3RDX

 Oriol Tintore
> Aerospace Engineer
> PhoneSat Project, NASA Ames Research Center
> c: 650-215-0376
> o: 650-604-2710
> oriol.tintoregazu...@nasa.gov



>>
>> -- Forwarded message --
>> From: Wolfe, Jasper Lewis. (ARC-RD)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
>> (SGT Inc.)] 
>> Date: Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 3:05 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz
>> Cc: "Guillen Salas, Alberto (ARC-SST)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
>> (SGT Inc.)]" , "Tintore Gazulla, Oriol
>> (ARC-TH)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)]" <
>> oriol.tintoregazu...@nasa.gov>
>>
>>
>> Hello CubeSats and Amateur Radio Operators!
>>
>> The very first PhoneSat’s will be launching aboard the Antares  on April
>> 17
>> th at 1700 EDT (launch window to April 19th possibly further). We have
>> manifested 2x PhoneSat 1.0 and 1x PhoneSat 2.0 Beta.
>>
>> ** **
>>
>>
>> Our orbit is very low (270km x 300km 51.6deg) and we’ll only be up there
>> for 2 weeks! So we’re looking for as many people as possible to help with
>> tracking our satellites!
>>
>> ** **
>>
>>
>> If any of you are interested in tracking the satellite please let myself
>> (+the cc’d team) know – your help will be greatly appreciated! 
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> All three satellites will be transmitting on *437.425MHz* and TLE’s + more
>> info can be found at www.phonesat.org – consolidated info sheet
>> attached.***
>> *
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Feel free to tune-in and submit packets to www.phonesat.org 
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Cheers!
>>
>> PhoneSat Project
>>
>> NASA ARC
>>
>> ** **
>>
>>
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[amsat-bb] Re: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

An updated website with telemetry info is now available. Please note the
launch date/time may change. I hope others will consider taking up the
challenge to track 3 satellites operating on the same frequency and flying
extremely close to each other.

http://www.phonesat.org/packets.php

73 de NRDX


On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 12:04 AM, Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X <
n3...@amsat.org> wrote:

> I am forwarding a request from NASA ARC Phonesat project, relevant to my
> mail earlier yesterday. This is a 3-for-1 special for amsat community.
>
> 73 de N3RDX
>
> -- Forwarded message --
> From: Wolfe, Jasper Lewis. (ARC-RD)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
> (SGT Inc.)] 
> Date: Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 3:05 PM
> Subject: Re: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz
> Cc: "Guillen Salas, Alberto (ARC-SST)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
> (SGT Inc.)]" , "Tintore Gazulla, Oriol
> (ARC-TH)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)]" <
> oriol.tintoregazu...@nasa.gov>
>
>
> Hello CubeSats and Amateur Radio Operators!
>
> The very first PhoneSat’s will be launching aboard the Antares  on April 17
> th at 1700 EDT (launch window to April 19th possibly further). We have
> manifested 2x PhoneSat 1.0 and 1x PhoneSat 2.0 Beta.
>
> ** **
>
> Our orbit is very low (270km x 300km 51.6deg) and we’ll only be up there
> for 2 weeks! So we’re looking for as many people as possible to help with
> tracking our satellites!
>
> ** **
>
> If any of you are interested in tracking the satellite please let myself
> (+the cc’d team) know – your help will be greatly appreciated! 
>
> ** **
>
> All three satellites will be transmitting on *437.425MHz* and TLE’s +
> more info can be found at www.phonesat.org – consolidated info sheet
> attached.
>
> ** **
>
> Feel free to tune-in and submit packets to www.phonesat.org 
>
> ** **
>
> Cheers!
>
> PhoneSat Project
>
> NASA ARC
>
> ** **
>
> This time attached :D
>
> ___
> Earthstation mailing list
> earthstat...@cubesat.org
> http://lists.cubesat.org/mailman/listinfo/earthstation
>
>
>
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: Re: Fwd: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz

[Samudra Haque]

Hello AMSAT community

some hams have requested information about the upcoming Phonesat mission
telemetry format. This is a challenging objective for those who can track
and monitor: there are 3 satellites being deployed from the same P-POD and
will be released within moments of each other. The systems are timed to not
overlap individual station transmissions, so in a single pass, all three
should be heard.

For any technical questions, please contact the POC, Oriol Tintore of
Phonesat. His contact info is below.

73 de N3RDX

Oriol Tintore
> Aerospace Engineer
> PhoneSat Project, NASA Ames Research Center
> c: 650-215-0376
> o: 650-604-2710
> oriol.tintoregazu...@nasa.gov



>>
>> -- Forwarded message --
>> From: Wolfe, Jasper Lewis. (ARC-RD)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
>> (SGT Inc.)] 
>> Date: Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 3:05 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz
>> Cc: "Guillen Salas, Alberto (ARC-SST)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
>> (SGT Inc.)]" , "Tintore Gazulla, Oriol
>> (ARC-TH)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)]" <
>> oriol.tintoregazu...@nasa.gov>
>>
>>
>> Hello CubeSats and Amateur Radio Operators!
>>
>> The very first PhoneSat’s will be launching aboard the Antares  on April
>> 17
>> th at 1700 EDT (launch window to April 19th possibly further). We have
>> manifested 2x PhoneSat 1.0 and 1x PhoneSat 2.0 Beta.
>>
>> ** **
>>
>>
>> Our orbit is very low (270km x 300km 51.6deg) and we’ll only be up there
>> for 2 weeks! So we’re looking for as many people as possible to help with
>> tracking our satellites!
>>
>> ** **
>>
>>
>> If any of you are interested in tracking the satellite please let myself
>> (+the cc’d team) know – your help will be greatly appreciated! 
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> All three satellites will be transmitting on *437.425MHz* and TLE’s + more
>> info can be found at www.phonesat.org – consolidated info sheet
>> attached.***
>> *
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Feel free to tune-in and submit packets to www.phonesat.org 
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Cheers!
>>
>> PhoneSat Project
>>
>> NASA ARC
>>
>> ** **
>>
>>
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

I am forwarding a request from NASA ARC Phonesat project, relevant to my
mail earlier yesterday. This is a 3-for-1 special for amsat community.

73 de N3RDX

-- Forwarded message --
From: Wolfe, Jasper Lewis. (ARC-RD)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
(SGT Inc.)] 
Date: Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Tracking] PhoneSat launch April 17th! 437.425MHz
Cc: "Guillen Salas, Alberto (ARC-SST)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
(SGT Inc.)]" , "Tintore Gazulla, Oriol
(ARC-TH)[Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies Inc. (SGT Inc.)]" <
oriol.tintoregazu...@nasa.gov>


Hello CubeSats and Amateur Radio Operators!

The very first PhoneSat’s will be launching aboard the Antares  on April 17
th at 1700 EDT (launch window to April 19th possibly further). We have
manifested 2x PhoneSat 1.0 and 1x PhoneSat 2.0 Beta.

** **

Our orbit is very low (270km x 300km 51.6deg) and we’ll only be up there
for 2 weeks! So we’re looking for as many people as possible to help with
tracking our satellites!

** **

If any of you are interested in tracking the satellite please let myself
(+the cc’d team) know – your help will be greatly appreciated! 

** **

All three satellites will be transmitting on *437.425MHz* and TLE’s + more
info can be found at www.phonesat.org – consolidated info sheet attached.***
*

** **

Feel free to tune-in and submit packets to www.phonesat.org 

** **

Cheers!

PhoneSat Project

NASA ARC

** **

This time attached :D

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[amsat-bb] Re: [amsat-dc] inquiry about homebrew az-el systems (Samudra Haque)

[Samudra Haque]

Thanks Pat, I'm going to have to spend a bit of time after two weeks from
present to collate all the work done to date in a methodical analysis and
see if there is any trend, or benefit to a particular design and what the
options are for small batch kit form production.

73 de X


On Mon, Feb 25, 2013 at 2:09 PM, Pat Kilroy  wrote:

> Hi Samudra,
>
> Gosh, here are some of the oodles of plans
> out there for different az-el antenna pointing
> solutions to get you started. See below.
>
> I'm sorry I don't have info on motor suppliers
> or the other items you mention. Hope these
> might be helpful none the less to you and
> others.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pat Kilroy
> N8PK
>
> From ANS-020 released Saturday, January 19,
> mainly introducing our Workshop on Portable
> Satellite Ground Stations, but includes buried
> nuggets on antennas and az-el:
>
> Links for antenna ideas:
> http://arrowantennas.com/
> http://www.elkantennas.com/
> http://www.g6lvb.com/homebrewarrow.htm
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/faqs/crow/index.php
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/Az_El_Pos.pdf
> http://www.wa5vjb.com/references/Cheap%20Antennas-LEOs.pdf
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/downloads/iROTOR.pdf
> http://www.arrl.org/shop/The-ARRL-Satellite-Handbook/
> http://ac6v.com/antprojects.htm
> Links for software ideas:
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/software.php
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/
> http://www.moetronix.com/spectravue.htm
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/faqs/resguide.pdf
> http://sdrsharp.com/
>
> From ANS-048 released Saturday, February 16:
> http://www.vk3um.com and http://www.vk5dj.com/satellite.html and then
> derived:
>
> http://www.muratamems.fi/sites/default/files/documents/sca61t_inclinometer_datasheet_8261900a2_0.pdf
> and
> http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SCA61T-FA1H1G-1/551-1005-1-ND/751309
>
> The LVB Tracker Box by Howard Long, G6LVB:
> http://store.amsat.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=63
>
> From ANS-041 released Saturday, February 9:
> ANS Archives
> http://amsat.org/pipermail/ans/
>
> Me? I must be choosy on which wheels I re-invent,
> especially when I need proven/reliable operations
> out of a station component, such as Az-El motion.
> I use a heavy duty camera tripod to steer portable
> antennas, and I cheated and got the Yaesu G-5500
> combo ($730) for portable, semi-portable and fixed
> operations:
> http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-002765
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From:amsat-dc-requ...@amsat.org
> Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 03:00 PM
> To: amsat...@amsat.org
> Subject: AMSAT-DC Digest, Vol 8, Issue 13
>
> Send AMSAT-DC mailing list submissions to amsat...@amsat.org To subscribe
> or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-dc or, via email, send a message
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> the person managing the list at amsat-dc-ow...@amsat.org When replying,
> please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of
> AMSAT-DC digest..." Today's Topics: 1. inquiry about homebrew az-el systems
> (Samudra Haque)
> --
> Message: 1 Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2013 18:59:35 -0500 From: Samudra Haque To: "
> amsat...@amsat.org" , Amsat-bb Subject: [amsat-dc] inquiry about homebrew
> az-el systems Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hi,
> about two years ago, I started a design for a robotics class project of a
> AZ-EL rotator controller system, and a hardware package for the mechanism
> for rotating an antenna in any direction sub!
>  ject to mechanical stops. The system would have been able to handle
> regular and flip modes. I didn't do anything more than calculations, and
> moved on to building a classroom instructional robot then. Lately, as I am
> setting up (K3GWU, the George Washington University Amateur Radio Club and
> Research Station) I find that the price of az-el systems such as G5500 +
> Yaesu AZ-EL rotors are expensive, and are not typically available on an
> affordable basis on Ebay or eham.net etc. Well, of course, expensive is a
> relative term, for a student hobby organization, it's a lot, and I guess
> for small ham operators it is also moderately expensive. This may be a
> frequently asked topic: does any one have experienced with (tested) kit
> designs for AZ-EL rotors that can be made with parts from current suppliers
> ? I know there are a number of controller designs, but I am interested to
> know if there are any options for suppliers of the required gears/motors
>

[amsat-bb] Re: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems

[Samudra Haque]

I think these old articles are really informative. I had collected them
earlier, and re-read them just now. BTW Does anyone have any pointers to
phase array design tools for satellite antennas as a potential substitute
for multi-element yagi ?

73 de X




On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 11:03 PM, Samudra Haque wrote:

> hi, thanks for addressing this question. And I invite others to
> participate, or get in touch with me for a phone conversation, and discuss
> simple steps that can be taken IMHO within 50-100 USD. I suggest we adopt
> AMSAT friendly tips:
>
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/downloads/iROTOR.pdf (will need
> additional interface to PC, any kind)
>
> (cool idea, but only as concept)
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/Az_El_Pos.pdf
>
> http://dgg.gotdns.com/doc/XOX_rotor.pdf (Semi professional..)
>
> http://ka6puw.tripod.com/azimuth1.html <--- what do you think of this
> style? Looks simple enough.
>
> But I have only done a simple google search here. Any other projects worth
> investigating? Focus on the "mount" only now.
>
> -samudra
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 10:41 PM, Lizeth Norman wrote:
>
>> Samudra,
>> This is a good question for a first year engineering student like
>> myself: How does one bring home the best bang for the buck out of an
>> engineering dollar?
>>
>> Feel free to ask around. A few on the list have driven unusual devices
>> to get antennas moved.
>>
>> How does a project get into the hands of people who will actually do
>> it? A one off I can do for you in my basement. Probably with parts
>> from radio shack, a grinder and a few hand tools.. A reproducible
>> project 10 years from now? Hardly likely.
>>
>> I submit to you that irrespective of the metalwork this is a simple
>> project as you propose, however it must be reproducible. With a
>> student copy of SolidWorks, a circular saw, drill and the Arduino IDE
>> it could be prototyped by two people in a weekend. Refining it so that
>> a relatively new ham with a smidgin of technical ability could do it
>> might take a little longer. These days with the internet and cad, the
>> real issue is the tooling. How do you design/layout such that it can
>> be done with snips/file/saw/fill in the blunt instrument here..
>> 73 es have fun..
>>
>> Norm n3ykf
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 10:19 PM, Samudra Haque 
>> wrote:
>> > I hope it is evident, I am not focusing on the
>> > controller/microcontroller/computer interface/az-el controller/etc. The
>> real
>> > issue is how cheaply can an antenna be mounted on a kingpost somewhere
>> on a
>> > surface, with a view towards the sky, and how conveniently can that
>> mount be
>> > motorized, with a sensor to give feedback to the ground station.
>> > electronics, seem to be, (apologises to EE friends) a dime a dozen,
>> cheaper
>> > if made in hundreds, but the key drawback of any design is the
>> mechanical
>> > and electromechanical (can we use, mechatronics) system that serves as
>> the
>> > actuators. I am not referring to a hand held antenna assembly, but
>> rather
>> > something that we can all use in cold/hot weather and that can be put
>> > together by one / two persons on an average post.
>> >
>> > Comments welcome, I think the future holds bright for amsats and edu
>> based
>> > cubesats.
>> >
>> >
>> > -samudra
>> >
>> >
>> > On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 9:50 PM, Lizeth Norman 
>> > wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Gus and the group:
>> >> Lots of birds going up in the next year. Success rate not 100% as it's
>> >> rocket science oftentimes on a budget. Hopefully we'll get a few out
>> >> of it.
>> >> The Arduino IDE install supports PPM. The nice thing about that
>> >> platform is that configuration is doable for just about all forms of
>> >> hardware that you might drive with it and scaling can be done in
>> >> software for the various different bits of kit.
>> >>
>> >> I am sure that with the appropriate development environment and having
>> >> the hardware on hand IN a well equipped lab, it should be a weekend
>> >> project to get running.
>> >>
>> >> The hard bit in my opinion is how to mount the antennas to the az/el
>> >> clockwork. Will require a little woodwork/metalwork to finish.
>> >>
>> >> Everyone who does this will have a problem with some phase of it.
>> >> Needs to be simple and repeatable.
>> >>
>> >> Norm n3ykf
>> >> ___
>> >> 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
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems

[Samudra Haque]

I would like to clarify: this antenna project is going to be handled by
others ham operators who have contacted me. Where possible, I am
contributing some hardware/mechanical parts that I have in stock. The work
for the antenna is not for my Ph.D program. As I mentioned, it is for the
K3GWU project which will go on in parallel, and there are others at GWU who
will be involved. I have donated a lot of equipment to the K3GWU station,
and that can go on to connect with an antenna when ready.

On the other hand, the ECE dept and MAE dept has resources (motors, gears)
that they want to throw away ... and that they *have* to junk at some time
after 5-10 years.



On Sun, Feb 24, 2013 at 10:43 PM, Daniel Schultz  wrote:

> Samudra,
>
> Most of us could probably cobble together some sort of one-of-a-kind design
> using surplus motors and gears from Skycraft or other sources. Making a
> design
> that is reproducible and publishable, made from parts and components that
> will
> be available in quantity a year or two or three from now is another matter.
>
> I have experience making various antenna kludges for use on field day, with
> door hinges as elevation bearings, and ropes, pulleys and threaded rod as
> actuators. Everything but the motors came from Home Depot (but the small
> electric screwdrivers that they sell there could make great gear
> motors...) I
> never had any intention of leaving it up all year long or operating it
> unattended on a roof top. My design worked OK when the air was calm but the
> slightest breeze would back-drive the motors and blow it all over the
> place.
> When antennas start acting as sails in the wind, you need strong motors and
> big gear ratios, probably with brakes. You might perhaps take a look at the
> AlfaSpid design, which uses automobile windshield wiper motors to drive
> really
> big worm gears.
>
> Practically speaking, you will need a better workshop than just a grinder,
> a
> drill, a saw and a few hand tools. A lathe and a small bench-top milling
> machine are essential to any serious metal worker. You might be able to
> find
> these at a local "maker" shop in your town if there is one, or look at
> www.littlemachineshop.com, $1500 should get you a basic bench top machine
> shop, about the cost of an all mode satellite radio.
>
> Finally, Samudra, as a graduate student working on your PhD, is this really
> the best use of your time? In the end, that is the reason why most hams
> end up
> writing a check and buying a ready made rotor system, so they can get on to
> doing other things in their hobby and their life.
>
> 73
> Dan Schultz, N8FGV
>
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems

[Samudra Haque]

hi, thanks for addressing this question. And I invite others to
participate, or get in touch with me for a phone conversation, and discuss
simple steps that can be taken IMHO within 50-100 USD. I suggest we adopt
AMSAT friendly tips:

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/downloads/iROTOR.pdf (will need
additional interface to PC, any kind)

(cool idea, but only as concept)
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/Az_El_Pos.pdf

http://dgg.gotdns.com/doc/XOX_rotor.pdf (Semi professional..)

http://ka6puw.tripod.com/azimuth1.html <--- what do you think of this
style? Looks simple enough.

But I have only done a simple google search here. Any other projects worth
investigating? Focus on the "mount" only now.

-samudra






On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 10:41 PM, Lizeth Norman wrote:

> Samudra,
> This is a good question for a first year engineering student like
> myself: How does one bring home the best bang for the buck out of an
> engineering dollar?
>
> Feel free to ask around. A few on the list have driven unusual devices
> to get antennas moved.
>
> How does a project get into the hands of people who will actually do
> it? A one off I can do for you in my basement. Probably with parts
> from radio shack, a grinder and a few hand tools.. A reproducible
> project 10 years from now? Hardly likely.
>
> I submit to you that irrespective of the metalwork this is a simple
> project as you propose, however it must be reproducible. With a
> student copy of SolidWorks, a circular saw, drill and the Arduino IDE
> it could be prototyped by two people in a weekend. Refining it so that
> a relatively new ham with a smidgin of technical ability could do it
> might take a little longer. These days with the internet and cad, the
> real issue is the tooling. How do you design/layout such that it can
> be done with snips/file/saw/fill in the blunt instrument here..
> 73 es have fun..
>
> Norm n3ykf
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 10:19 PM, Samudra Haque 
> wrote:
> > I hope it is evident, I am not focusing on the
> > controller/microcontroller/computer interface/az-el controller/etc. The
> real
> > issue is how cheaply can an antenna be mounted on a kingpost somewhere
> on a
> > surface, with a view towards the sky, and how conveniently can that
> mount be
> > motorized, with a sensor to give feedback to the ground station.
> > electronics, seem to be, (apologises to EE friends) a dime a dozen,
> cheaper
> > if made in hundreds, but the key drawback of any design is the mechanical
> > and electromechanical (can we use, mechatronics) system that serves as
> the
> > actuators. I am not referring to a hand held antenna assembly, but rather
> > something that we can all use in cold/hot weather and that can be put
> > together by one / two persons on an average post.
> >
> > Comments welcome, I think the future holds bright for amsats and edu
> based
> > cubesats.
> >
> >
> > -samudra
> >
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 9:50 PM, Lizeth Norman 
> > wrote:
> >>
> >> Gus and the group:
> >> Lots of birds going up in the next year. Success rate not 100% as it's
> >> rocket science oftentimes on a budget. Hopefully we'll get a few out
> >> of it.
> >> The Arduino IDE install supports PPM. The nice thing about that
> >> platform is that configuration is doable for just about all forms of
> >> hardware that you might drive with it and scaling can be done in
> >> software for the various different bits of kit.
> >>
> >> I am sure that with the appropriate development environment and having
> >> the hardware on hand IN a well equipped lab, it should be a weekend
> >> project to get running.
> >>
> >> The hard bit in my opinion is how to mount the antennas to the az/el
> >> clockwork. Will require a little woodwork/metalwork to finish.
> >>
> >> Everyone who does this will have a problem with some phase of it.
> >> Needs to be simple and repeatable.
> >>
> >> Norm n3ykf
> >> ___
> >> 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
> >
> >
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems

[Samudra Haque]

I hope it is evident, I am not focusing on the
controller/microcontroller/computer interface/az-el controller/etc. The
real issue is how cheaply can an antenna be mounted on a kingpost somewhere
on a surface, with a view towards the sky, and how conveniently can that
mount be motorized, with a sensor to give feedback to the ground station.
electronics, seem to be, (apologises to EE friends) a dime a dozen, cheaper
if made in hundreds, but the key drawback of any design is the mechanical
and electromechanical (can we use, mechatronics) system that serves as the
actuators. I am not referring to a hand held antenna assembly, but rather
something that we can all use in cold/hot weather and that can be put
together by one / two persons on an average post.

Comments welcome, I think the future holds bright for amsats and edu based
cubesats.


-samudra


On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 9:50 PM, Lizeth Norman wrote:

> Gus and the group:
> Lots of birds going up in the next year. Success rate not 100% as it's
> rocket science oftentimes on a budget. Hopefully we'll get a few out
> of it.
> The Arduino IDE install supports PPM. The nice thing about that
> platform is that configuration is doable for just about all forms of
> hardware that you might drive with it and scaling can be done in
> software for the various different bits of kit.
>
> I am sure that with the appropriate development environment and having
> the hardware on hand IN a well equipped lab, it should be a weekend
> project to get running.
>
> The hard bit in my opinion is how to mount the antennas to the az/el
> clockwork. Will require a little woodwork/metalwork to finish.
>
> Everyone who does this will have a problem with some phase of it.
> Needs to be simple and repeatable.
>
> Norm n3ykf
> ___
> 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
>
___
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[amsat-bb] Re: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems

[Samudra Haque]

Thank you Greg and Art for your suggestions. I'm interested to pursue the
standard mechanism (AZ-EL rotors) but also want to inquire about any recent
 robotics work in this area ? A 2-link robot with a rotary joint
manipulator that would point an antenna , could be a candidate solution -
with no problems for normal/flip mode. I have some minor experience to use
in this area - any collaboration possibilities ?


On Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 7:58 PM, Greg D  wrote:

> Hi Samudra,
>
> See: http://home.wavecable.com/~**ko6th 
> <http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th>Near the top of the page, on the left, are 
> links to the design document and
> code source for what I created. It's not a kit, but rather a discusson of
> the various pieces needed to make such a controller, which you can adapt as
> needed to whatever hardware you can get your hands on. The Alliance U-110
> makes for a great Elevation rotor, and there are many Az rotors that can be
> had for very low cost. Alternatively, as long as you can supply a contact
> closure every 6-10 degrees of rotation, this system can be adapted to a
> variety of mechanical contraptions. Let the students and faculty get
> creative!
>
> Good luck,
>
> Greg KO6TH
>
>
> Samudra Haque wrote:
>
>> Hi, about two years ago, I started a design for a robotics class project
>> of
>> a AZ-EL rotator controller system, and a hardware package for the
>> mechanism
>> for rotating an antenna in any direction subject to mechanical stops. The
>> system would have been able to handle regular and flip modes. I didn't do
>> anything more than calculations, and moved on to building a classroom
>> instructional robot then.
>>
>> Lately, as I am setting up (K3GWU, the George Washington University
>> Amateur
>> Radio Club and Research Station) I find that the price of az-el systems
>> such as G5500 + Yaesu AZ-EL rotors are expensive, and are not typically
>> available on an affordable basis on Ebay or eham.net etc. Well, of
>> course,
>> expensive is a relative term, for a student hobby organization, it's a
>> lot,
>> and I guess for small ham operators it is also moderately expensive.
>>
>> This may be a frequently asked topic: does any one have experienced with
>> (tested) kit designs for AZ-EL rotors that can be made with parts from
>>   current suppliers ? I know there are a number of controller designs,
>> but I
>> am interested to know if there are any options for suppliers of the
>> required gears/motors etc.
>>
>> I have located several large AC motors / DC motors at my university
>> mechanical engineering workshop, but they are not all guaranteed the same
>> specs. I now realize if I do embark on a actual design process with my
>> model/simulation/hardware, it would be nice to build several of these all
>> at once to share the development cost over the production run, and ensure
>> those who want a cheap AZ-EL system can get one. Otherwise the production
>> cost of one heavy duty system is going to be quite high.
>>
>> I hope some of you may have suggestions for me, both (+) and (-) or
>> perhaps
>> (~) in nature. I thought amsat / amateur radio folks have a common need to
>> encourage homebrew activity to keep their brain cells in working
>> condition?
>>
>> I'm opening this question up to the national US audience, and welcome any
>> discussion on the challenges of making the ever-so-important
>> azimuth-elevation rotor. I've studied some of the alternatives: Alliance
>> U100 and Yaesu G-5500. I think we can do better in 2013. But ideally, to
>> allow the wide adoption of AMSAT ground stations, what price point would
>> the system have to be to make it worth building ?
>>
>> 73 de N3RDX
>> George Washington University
>> __**_
>> 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<http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>
>>
>
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[amsat-bb] inquiry about homebrew az-el systems

[Samudra Haque]

Hi, about two years ago, I started a design for a robotics class project of
a AZ-EL rotator controller system, and a hardware package for the mechanism
for rotating an antenna in any direction subject to mechanical stops. The
system would have been able to handle regular and flip modes. I didn't do
anything more than calculations, and moved on to building a classroom
instructional robot then.

Lately, as I am setting up (K3GWU, the George Washington University Amateur
Radio Club and Research Station) I find that the price of az-el systems
such as G5500 + Yaesu AZ-EL rotors are expensive, and are not typically
available on an affordable basis on Ebay or eham.net etc. Well, of course,
expensive is a relative term, for a student hobby organization, it's a lot,
and I guess for small ham operators it is also moderately expensive.

This may be a frequently asked topic: does any one have experienced with
(tested) kit designs for AZ-EL rotors that can be made with parts from
 current suppliers ? I know there are a number of controller designs, but I
am interested to know if there are any options for suppliers of the
required gears/motors etc.

I have located several large AC motors / DC motors at my university
mechanical engineering workshop, but they are not all guaranteed the same
specs. I now realize if I do embark on a actual design process with my
model/simulation/hardware, it would be nice to build several of these all
at once to share the development cost over the production run, and ensure
those who want a cheap AZ-EL system can get one. Otherwise the production
cost of one heavy duty system is going to be quite high.

I hope some of you may have suggestions for me, both (+) and (-) or perhaps
(~) in nature. I thought amsat / amateur radio folks have a common need to
encourage homebrew activity to keep their brain cells in working condition?

I'm opening this question up to the national US audience, and welcome any
discussion on the challenges of making the ever-so-important
azimuth-elevation rotor. I've studied some of the alternatives: Alliance
U100 and Yaesu G-5500. I think we can do better in 2013. But ideally, to
allow the wide adoption of AMSAT ground stations, what price point would
the system have to be to make it worth building ?

73 de N3RDX
George Washington University
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: [CubeSat] NASA RFI for CubeSat Launch Requirements

[Samudra Haque]

Hi,

I'm forwarding this note for encouraging input and generating wider
interest.

Samudra N3RDX
George Washington University
samu...@gwu.edu

-- Forwarded message --
From: Jeremy Straub 
Date: Sun, Aug 26, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Subject: [CubeSat] NASA RFI for CubeSat Launch Requirements
To: cube...@cubesat.org
Cc: larry.p.coo...@nasa.gov


Hi All,

NASA is currently soliciting input regarding the launch services needs of
the CubeSat/small satellite community.  This was discussed briefly at a
presentation at the end of the Small Sat Conference.  As I had not seen
anything about this go out to this mailing list, I wanted to make sure that
everyone that might be interested had an opportunity to respond.  Given the
stated topic of the presentation and the fact that it occurred as the
conference was wrapping up (after lunch on the last day), many of those
that might have otherwise been interested were not in attendance.

The RFI (which is located at the URL below), Dr. Larry Cooper (Program
Executive for Centennial Challenges) mentioned, will be utilized to shape
future competitions aimed at creating lower-cost, higher-frequency CubeSat
launch opportunities (including, possibly, propulsion-system-friendly
ones).  Given this, it seems that maximizing community input (to ensure a
proper balance with  launch service provider/vendor needs/etc.) is highly
desirable.

http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/sol.cgi?acqid=153002#Other%2001

Thanks,

Jeremy Straub
Ph.D. Student
University of North Dakota

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[amsat-bb] live video stream link for Cubesat Summer Workshop 2012

[Samudra Haque]

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubesat-summer-workshop-2012

Hi, from USU.

Samudra N3RDX
(202) 812-3325
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[amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater

[Samudra Haque]

I was actually reading up on Bob Bruninga's analysis (earlier in this
thread) of why a fixed elevation yagi would have more than adequate
performance for majority of the LEO passes, when you sent me the info
below. Thank you!

Comment: based upon what you sent in a separate message, the picture of a
"mean" looking in-service 5-element model, if the antenna is that small of
a mass, a second revolute joint for Elevation control with positioner could
be practical - if some parts from hobby robotics / class room robotics
projects were able to be used. Of course it would increase the cost
somewhat and complicate wiring - but would result in true elevation over
azimuth control.

73 de N3RDX

On Tue, May 29, 2012 at 4:49 PM, Ted  wrote:

> Hi Samudra, consider a better alternative to the 'egg beater':  Moxon
> turnstilemuch better performance. I will e-mail the article from qst.
> Also, consider an Elk 2m/440 yagi at a fixed elevation and on a Radio Shack
> rotor.
>
> GL, Ted, K7TRK
>
> -Original Message-
> From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On
> Behalf Of Samudra Haque
> Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 1:18 PM
> To: Edward Cole
> Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater
>
> Hello, can I ask a question related to this several-years old thread? At
> George Washington University, this fall we will be on the air and are
> buliding up an amateur radio club ground station from scratch. Currently we
> are collecting equipment, cables, etc., while we wait for the construction
> to begin on a new door in the interior of a third floor class room space to
> let us use that area as a "radio room" or something like that. At my home
> QTH, I'm testing out the radios we can use, and would like to both receive
> and transmit - with omni antennas (e.g., eggbeaters, QHA ) and later AZ-El
> yagis.
>
> Assuming an LNA is used at the antenna for the RX path,  would it be
> practical to use that same omni for uplink? What are the recommended power
> settings for such an uplink for any of the recent amsats?
>
> If there was a constraint (for the summer into fall) of operating in a
> limited visibility area, and approximately 50 sq. ft of open access (i.e.,
> 21 ft monopole mast with open  free area about 4 ft dia.) would that be
> adequate for any sort of uplink antenna? The good thing is that the
> ultimate location of the club station antenna farm is huge, but for now
> this is what we have. I'm open to AZ-El positioners but the mast loading
> limit is pretty small for now.
>
> Any suggestion welcome.
>
> Regards,
>
> Samudra N3RDX
>
> On Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 9:50 PM, Edward Cole  wrote:
>
> > Drew,
> >
> > Thanks for the document on this antenna.  I was going to try resizing
> > the 2m Lindenblad design of Tony's but this will be a snap for me.  I
> > have 1/8-inch rod elements from an old Cushcraft yagi that
> > disintegrated long ago and have some 1/2-inch sched-40 aluminum pipe
> > (7/8 inch OD) that will work fine for the vertical.  I can get the
> > PVC from my local building supply.  Only need to order ferrites from
> > Mouser.  Since I will place a 432 preamp at the antenna a short run
> > of RG-58 or mini-8 will suffice.  I probably will make some variation
> > in the materials used.  I did that on the 2m Lindenblad (not assembled,
> > yet).
> >
> > 73, Ed - KL7UW
> >
> > At 08:02 AM 4/16/2009, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
> > >Consider trying AA2TX's excellent parasitic lindenblad design. Unlike
> the
> > >overpriced eggbeater, it puts the gain on the horizon where it is
> needed,
> > >and is circular across the pattern. The parts mostly are from your local
> > >hardware store, and in Tony's typical fashion, it is simple to assemble
> > and
> > >works well.
> > >
> > >73, Drew KO4MA
> > >
> > >- Original Message -
> > >From: "Bill Dzurilla" 
> > >To: 
> > >Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 11:56 AM
> > >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > Steve,
> > > >
> > > > I have both a commercial and a homebrew Eggbeater and am disappointed
> > with
> > > > both, especially in light of its rather high price.  Connected to my
> > > > IC-7000 via an ARR mast-mounted preamp, performance is far less than
> > with
> > > > an HT and an Arrow.  Guess an omni can't cut it, at least not from my
> > QTH.
> > > >
> > > > Maybe if I could get it up higher, clear of all roofs, it would do
&g

[amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater

[Samudra Haque]

Yes, I considered LMR-400 and above, but due to the rigid bending limits of
those cables, I went down the scale to LMR-240 for this first install, the
cable is almost as flexible as RG-58/59 etc. ...

On Tue, May 29, 2012 at 4:55 PM, Kevin Deane  wrote:

>  *Hello, figured I would give my two cents... I have gotten in with many
> antennas and many radios. They say five watts is all you need with a
> directional ant. I have worked AO-27 with a hustler mag mount and a FT7900,
> only for a short time of course because it is not getting into the bird
> that matters, it is hearing it.*
> **
> *Whatever you use for receive make sure you have the best coax or
> something like 9913, or lmr 400, because I found out the hard way that the
> DB loss in bad or cheap coax will kill you bigtime. I have not tried an
> eggbeater, but have tried the log periodic, and yagis. Like I said the
> verticals, mag mount and base ant, work for closer passes for a few minutes.
> *
> **
> *If you can do full duplex that is the best way for sure, as you can hear
> yourself and not cause Qrm. Probly was not much help here but I have heard
> people have had great success with the egbeater. Maybe add a preamp at the
> receive ant mast...*
> **
> *Anyway good luck, and remember if you cant hear people clearly dont
> bother to transmit, everyone gets all bent out of shape.
>
> *
>
> *Kevin*
> *KF7MYK*
>
>
>
>  > From: samudra.ha...@gmail.com
> > Date: Tue, 29 May 2012 16:17:48 -0400
> > To: kl...@acsalaska.net
> > CC: amsat-bb@amsat.org
> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater
> >
> > Hello, can I ask a question related to this several-years old thread? At
> > George Washington University, this fall we will be on the air and are
> > buliding up an amateur radio club ground station from scratch. Currently
> we
> > are collecting equipment, cables, etc., while we wait for the
> construction
> > to begin on a new door in the interior of a third floor class room space
> to
> > let us use that area as a "radio room" or something like that. At my home
> > QTH, I'm testing out the radios we can use, and would like to both
> receive
> > and transmit - with omni antennas (e.g., eggbeaters, QHA ) and later
> AZ-El
> > yagis.
> >
> > Assuming an LNA is used at the antenna for the RX path, would it be
> > practical to use that same omni for uplink? What are the recommended
> power
> > settings for such an uplink for any of the recent amsats?
> >
> > If there was a constraint (for the summer into fall) of operating in a
> > limited visibility area, and approximately 50 sq. ft of open access
> (i.e.,
> > 21 ft monopole mast with open free area about 4 ft dia.) would that be
> > adequate for any sort of uplink antenna? The good thing is that the
> > ultimate location of the club station antenna farm is huge, but for now
> > this is what we have. I'm open to AZ-El positioners but the mast loading
> > limit is pretty small for now.
> >
> > Any suggestion welcome.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Samudra N3RDX
> >
> > On Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 9:50 PM, Edward Cole 
> wrote:
> >
> > > Drew,
> > >
> > > Thanks for the document on this antenna. I was going to try resizing
> > > the 2m Lindenblad design of Tony's but this will be a snap for me. I
> > > have 1/8-inch rod elements from an old Cushcraft yagi that
> > > disintegrated long ago and have some 1/2-inch sched-40 aluminum pipe
> > > (7/8 inch OD) that will work fine for the vertical. I can get the
> > > PVC from my local building supply. Only need to order ferrites from
> > > Mouser. Since I will place a 432 preamp at the antenna a short run
> > > of RG-58 or mini-8 will suffice. I probably will make some variation
> > > in the materials used. I did that on the 2m Lindenblad (not assembled,
> > > yet).
> > >
> > > 73, Ed - KL7UW
> > >
> > > At 08:02 AM 4/16/2009, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
> > > >Consider trying AA2TX's excellent parasitic lindenblad design. Unlike
> the
> > > >overpriced eggbeater, it puts the gain on the horizon where it is
> needed,
> > > >and is circular across the pattern. The parts mostly are from your
> local
> > > >hardware store, and in Tony's typical fashion, it is simple to
> assemble
> > > and
> > > >works well.
> > > >
> > > >73, Drew KO4MA
> > > >
> > > >- Original Message -
> > > >From: "Bill Dzurilla" 
> > > >To: 
> > > >Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 11:56 AM
> > > >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Steve,
> > > > >
> > > > > I have both a commercial and a homebrew Eggbeater and am
> disappointed
> > > with
> > > > > both, especially in light of its rather high price. Connected to my
> > > > > IC-7000 via an ARR mast-mounted preamp, performance is far less
> than
> > > with
> > > > > an HT and an Arrow. Guess an omni can't cut it, at least not from
> my
> > > QTH.
> > > > >
> > > > > Maybe if I could get it up higher, clear of all roofs, it would do
> > > better.
> > > > > I can make contacts at relatively high sat elevations, but can do
> ju

[amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater

[Samudra Haque]

Hello, can I ask a question related to this several-years old thread? At
George Washington University, this fall we will be on the air and are
buliding up an amateur radio club ground station from scratch. Currently we
are collecting equipment, cables, etc., while we wait for the construction
to begin on a new door in the interior of a third floor class room space to
let us use that area as a "radio room" or something like that. At my home
QTH, I'm testing out the radios we can use, and would like to both receive
and transmit - with omni antennas (e.g., eggbeaters, QHA ) and later AZ-El
yagis.

Assuming an LNA is used at the antenna for the RX path,  would it be
practical to use that same omni for uplink? What are the recommended power
settings for such an uplink for any of the recent amsats?

If there was a constraint (for the summer into fall) of operating in a
limited visibility area, and approximately 50 sq. ft of open access (i.e.,
21 ft monopole mast with open  free area about 4 ft dia.) would that be
adequate for any sort of uplink antenna? The good thing is that the
ultimate location of the club station antenna farm is huge, but for now
this is what we have. I'm open to AZ-El positioners but the mast loading
limit is pretty small for now.

Any suggestion welcome.

Regards,

Samudra N3RDX

On Thu, Apr 16, 2009 at 9:50 PM, Edward Cole  wrote:

> Drew,
>
> Thanks for the document on this antenna.  I was going to try resizing
> the 2m Lindenblad design of Tony's but this will be a snap for me.  I
> have 1/8-inch rod elements from an old Cushcraft yagi that
> disintegrated long ago and have some 1/2-inch sched-40 aluminum pipe
> (7/8 inch OD) that will work fine for the vertical.  I can get the
> PVC from my local building supply.  Only need to order ferrites from
> Mouser.  Since I will place a 432 preamp at the antenna a short run
> of RG-58 or mini-8 will suffice.  I probably will make some variation
> in the materials used.  I did that on the 2m Lindenblad (not assembled,
> yet).
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW
>
> At 08:02 AM 4/16/2009, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
> >Consider trying AA2TX's excellent parasitic lindenblad design. Unlike the
> >overpriced eggbeater, it puts the gain on the horizon where it is needed,
> >and is circular across the pattern. The parts mostly are from your local
> >hardware store, and in Tony's typical fashion, it is simple to assemble
> and
> >works well.
> >
> >73, Drew KO4MA
> >
> >- Original Message -
> >From: "Bill Dzurilla" 
> >To: 
> >Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 11:56 AM
> >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Steve,
> > >
> > > I have both a commercial and a homebrew Eggbeater and am disappointed
> with
> > > both, especially in light of its rather high price.  Connected to my
> > > IC-7000 via an ARR mast-mounted preamp, performance is far less than
> with
> > > an HT and an Arrow.  Guess an omni can't cut it, at least not from my
> QTH.
> > >
> > > Maybe if I could get it up higher, clear of all roofs, it would do
> better.
> > > I can make contacts at relatively high sat elevations, but can do just
> as
> > > well with a $10 dual band ground plane.  My friend has an Eggbeater and
> > > the same preamp at a clearer QTH, and he hears substantially better,
> down
> > > to 10 degrees elevation in some directions.
> > >
> > > Good luck and 73,
> > > Bill NZ5N
> > >
> > >> > Hi Steve,
> > >> >
> > >> > It is surprising to read that you are not hearing
> > >> anything.  I have
> > >> > repeatedly used a 2m and 70cm Eggbeater for the sats
> > >> and have had no
> > >> > problem hearing things.  No pre-amp.
> > >> >
> > >> > I was using a short cable (e.g. less than 10 meters).
> > >>  The rigs I
> > >> > used were a FT-736r (deaf) and a FT-847 (so-so).
> > >> >
> > >> > 73,
> > >> >
> > >> > Dave
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ___
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> author.
> > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> program!
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> >
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[amsat-bb] AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting in January, Orlando, FL

[Samudra Haque]

Hi, I have the privilege of presenting a technical paper at AIAA
Aerospace Sciences Meeting in January 2011, which is being held in
Orlando, FL.

If any of you are also going to this conference, I hope to see you
there! Please drop me a line, if you want to meet,  and I will try to
locate your whereabouts between January 4 and 7 inclusive.

My paper title:

A Broadband Multi-hop Network for Earth-Mars Communication using
Multi-purpose Interplanetary Relay Satellites and Linear-Circular
Commutating Chain Topology

Session:

"Space Exploration Vehicle and Mission Design and Mission Logistics"
session on the 5th of January, 2011

73 de N3RDX

Samudra Haque
George Washington University
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[amsat-bb] utility/educational electronic kits for sale cheap - source located (Kensington, MD)

[Samudra Haque]

Hi Amrad, Amsat folks. Some of you may appreciate picking up a few of
these utility electronic kits, for yourself, or your younger
generation SWL/DX and ham radio friends: they are all useful for your
radio shack. I am planning to pick up a few myself if I have the time.
Perhaps we could pool together a purchase lot?

Please contact the original seller, Robert Lavoie for purchase:

sale-r3rbj-2087904...@craigslist.org

Huge assortment of Velleman/CanaKit audio kits, factory fresh in
sealed original boxes, unopened. original buyer, perfect for audio
hobbyists or electronics minded. There are literally over 80 kits in
this assortment, everything from power supply kits to audio
amplifiers, led displays, etc. Retail value of these items today
exceeds $2000.00. Liquidation. Could make excellent XMAS gift(s).
Individual kits are available. Also available are numerous Radio Shack
black ABS project boxes, Calrad VU meters, potentiometers, Plitron low
voltage toroidal transformers, many values, lots and lots of stuff.
All negotiable Might be good for a school or laboratory for
electronics. All prices negotiable .

Velleman K2637 Super Mini 2.5 watt audio amplifier (quantity 21)
current retail $12.50 Velleman MK 138 Thermostat (quantity 1)
Velleman K4001 7 watt audio amplifier (quantity 2) current retail 14.69
Velleman MK 105 signal generator (quantity 7) current retail $5.23
Velleman K2570 universal pwr supply 5-14 volts (quantity 6) current
retail $16.15
Velleman K2573 Stereo RIAA correction kit (quantity 3) current retail $14.73
Velleman KK4102 guitar preamplifier/headphone amp (quantity 7) current
retail $32.77
Velleman K2032 3 digit panle meter (quantity 3) current retail $55.90
Velleman K4900 telephone amplifier (quantity 4) current retail $14.15
Velleman K1823 1 amp pwr supply (quantity 1) current reail $12.31
Velleman K4003 2 by 30 watt stereo amplifier (quantity 2) current retail $28.00
Velleman K2579 stop/start timer (quantity 1) current retail $ 13.38
Velleman K6001 temperature sensor kit (quantity 1) current retail $22.92
Velleman K7203 3-30 volt/ 3 ampere pwr supply (quantity 3) current retail $43.54

Cana Kit UK 193 20 watt bridged audio amplifier ( quantity 2) current
retail $35.90
Cana Kit UK 205 mini sine wave generator (quantity 2) current retail $17.95
Cana Kit R 290 2 by 35 watt RMS audio amplifier (quantity 9) current
retail $70.00
Cana Kit CK 161 10 watt amplifer w.microphone preamplifer (quantity 1)
current retail $22.95
Cana Kit UK 3405 + -- 5 volts/300 and 100 ma pwr supply (qunatity 2)
current retail $10.00
Cana Kit CK008 dynamic microphone amplifier (quantity 2) current retail $13.95
Cana Kit R146 advanced stereo tone control (bass/treble.volume/pan)
(quantity 1) current retail $26.45
Cana Kit CK 104 SQ 5 led VU display (quantity 1) current retail $12.95
Cana Kit CK 151 2.5 watt microphone preamplifier (quantity 3) current
retail $17.95

73 de N3RDX
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[amsat-bb] Re: Icom W32 Box,

[Samudra Haque]

Hello where are you located? Interested!

73 de N3RDX

Sent on the road... If urgent call (202) 812-3325

On Nov 22, 2010, at 11:32 AM, John Henderson  wrote:

> If anyone needs a W32 Box I just found one cleaning out my shack closet. It
> has a cover for the rig and a  new Bp-170 in there. Fogot I had it.
>
>
>
> Can have for postage.
>
>
>
> John N4NAB
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: University of Texas Satellites may launch This Evening!

[Samudra Haque]

Hey, I was able to show everybody a live launch, and I think it was a
flawless launch?

-samudra


On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 7:04 PM, Samudra Haque  wrote:
> Wow the site supports iPhone video streaming as well. In HD it seems.
>
> Sent on the road... If urgent call (202) 812-3325
>
> On Nov 19, 2010, at 6:42 PM, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF  wrote:
>
>> Here's the video
>> http://www.livestream.com/spaceflightnow
>>
>>
>> On 19-Nov-10 23:19, Andy MacAllister wrote:
>>> New HAMSATS could go up This Evening!
>>>
>>> Check the specs, check the launch status, and watch it.
>>> Start here http://fastrac.ae.utexas.edu/index.php
>>>
>>>
>>> 73 de Andy W5ACM
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>
>> --
>> 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.
>>
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>

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[amsat-bb] Re: University of Texas Satellites may launch This Evening!

[Samudra Haque]

Wow the site supports iPhone video streaming as well. In HD it seems.

Sent on the road... If urgent call (202) 812-3325

On Nov 19, 2010, at 6:42 PM, Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF  wrote:

> Here's the video
> http://www.livestream.com/spaceflightnow
>
>
> On 19-Nov-10 23:19, Andy MacAllister wrote:
>> New HAMSATS could go up This Evening!
>>
>> Check the specs, check the launch status, and watch it.
>> Start here http://fastrac.ae.utexas.edu/index.php
>>
>>
>> 73 de Andy W5ACM
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
> --
> 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.
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: [sarex] Re: Re: ARISSat-1 and FOX social media fundraising

[Samudra Haque]

Can I ask how many solar panels will be unfurled from the 1U chassis
which has an internal dimension of approx. 87 x 87 mm? Will it be a
symmetric or assymetric arrangement? Will the antenna be embedded into
the extended solar panel?

73 de N3RDX

Samudra

On Thu, Nov 18, 2010 at 4:48 PM, Anthony Monteiro  wrote:
> Hi Trevor,
>
> The current plan is to use the same frequency for the FM downlink
> and the telemetry beacon. The IHU will have sufficient memory capacity to
> hold at least a days worth of data so the beacon would be turned on once
> a day for a telemetry dump and then back to transponder mode.
>
> And yes, we plan to use forward error correction on the beacon so
> that it will be bulletproof. It will likely be a different format
> than the one used on ARISSat-1 since we want a higher bit rate and Fox
> will be passive magnetic stabilized (like AO-51) so it will not suffer
> from tumble fading like ARISSat might and the interleave length does not
> need to be as long.
>
> Thanks for your interest!
> Tony AA2TX
> ---
>
> At 03:35 PM 11/18/2010, Trevor . wrote:
>>--- On Thu, 18/11/10, Andrew Glasbrenner  wrote:
>> >
>> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/images/fck_images/2010_President_Annual_Report%281%29.pdf
>> >
>> > Slides 14 through 17
>>
>>Hi Drew,
>>
>>Really glad to see that AMSAT-NA is going ahead with the FOX project.
>>
>> >From my point of view potentially the valuable part of FOX is the
>> deployable Solar Panels.
>>
>>This has never been done on a 1U CubeSat and should significantly
>>increase the power available. A space proven system to deploy panels
>>on a 1U sat will benefit not just AMSAT-NA for future projects but
>>the entire CubeSat community.
>>
>>Unfortunately I wasn't able to get to the symposium so perhaps you
>>could clarify one of the slides for me.
>>
>>Slide 16 mentions both a U/V FM transpoder and a V telemetry beacon.
>>Is the telemetry beacon on a seperate frequency from the transponder
>>so both can run at the same time ? Also is the beacon using the
>>robust narrow band, high efficiently, BPSK system developed for ARISSat-1 ?
>>
>>I look forward to the launch of ARISSat-1 in the New Year with its
>>first ever space deployment of a SDX linear transponder, with that
>>and the Slow Scan TV, its sure to be very popular.
>>
>>73 Trevor M5AKA
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: [amsat-dc] O/OREOS amateur radio beacon info

[Samudra Haque]

Possible answer to Keps question for O/OREOS, from NASA Ames:

>Best guess now is that the TLEs (Keplerian elements) will be posted within 
>about an hour of launch on the mission dashboard -- our ops team posts them 
>immediately when they are provided by the launch operator.  You can pass that 
>info along if you like.

73 de N3RDX
Samudra Haque

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[amsat-bb] Re: [amsat-dc] O/OREOS amateur radio beacon info

[Samudra Haque]

ok, Launch Video links as follows:

OREOS

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/smallsats/oreos/main/index.html
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/stps26/status.html


Here's the live video feed on Spaceflightnow.com:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/stps26/status.html

Keps requested.

73 de N3RDX

On Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 1:03 PM, Robb Hill  wrote:
> Samudra,
>
> How will keplerian elements be distributed?  That is always problem.  When
> something launches it doesn't always make it to hams very quickly.
>
> Also, is there a means for folks to monitor the launch?
>
> Thanks,
> Robb
>
>

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[amsat-bb] O/OREOS amateur radio beacon info

[Samudra Haque]

Hello AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DC,

I have been requested to spread the word to the amateur community for
the O/OREOS 3U cubesat  to be launched this Friday on a Minotaur IV
from Kodiak Island, relayed from Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund of The George
Washington University, Space Policy Institute.

AX.25 437.305 MHz Beacon decoding information:
http://beacon.engr.scu.edu/BeaconProcessingSystem/OOREOSBeaconDecoding.pdf

If you are able to capture the beacon telemetry, please take the time
to file a report at http://beacon.engr.scu.edu/Submission.aspx which
is an interface to the Beacon Data Processing System.

The O/OREOS project is co-sponsored by Santa Clara University, Ohlone
College and NASA

Note the same system is used for reporting beacon data from GeneSat,
PharmaSat and NanoSail-D.

I am interested to hear about your attempts, and discuss the results,
on the AMSAT-NA list.

73 de N3RDX
Samudra Haque
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: AMSAT at the NASM (Hispanic Heritage Month) - October 16, 2010, last call for volunteers

[Samudra Haque]

Hello all,

please note the upcoming special event on the 16th of October, 2010. I would
like to remind AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DC members I am still taking volunteers
for this event.

Please contact me directly for details, and any co-ordination for travel to
NASM, or if you have any items to contribute for the day, I can arrange for
a pickup.

Samudra Haque, N3RDX & S21X
Alexandria, VA 22310
(202) 812-3325
samudra.ha...@gmail.com

-- Forwarded message --
From: Samudra Haque 
Date: Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 3:55 PM
Subject: AMSAT at the NASM (Hispanic Heritage Month) - October 16, 2010,
First call for volunteers
To: Amsat-bb 


Hello AMSAT-NA and others,


if you are interested in volunteering for AMSAT outreach activities, please
consider the following event that is being organized by the National Air and
Space Museum in Washington, DC. The last event at the NASM was Space Day,
which included a live ARISS contact and AMSAT display stands with a variety
of equipment and presentations.


Event: Hispanic Heritage Month Family day—Argentina in Air and Space

Location: National Air and Space Museum

Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010

Time: 10 AM – 3 PM


I am volunteering to organize AMSAT's participation for the event. Please
contact me through e-mail if you are interested and able to participate in
any form. I will need to know:


* Can you volunteer any exhibition/display resources (pictures, posters,
etc.) ?

* Can you volunteer your time on October 16, 2010 for any portion?

* Can you provide any presentation materials relevant to Argentina in Air
and Space?

* Will you require transportation? etc. etc.


Additional info from NASM:


NASM is looking for AMSAT members who would be interested in talking to the
visitors about satellites.  Because the focus of the day is Argentina, we
are particularly interested in people with expertise in Argentinean
satellites.  Bonus points for members how can discuss Pehuensat-1 because
Pablo de Leon, who was the payload manager, will be a featured speaker at
the event.


Expectations: AMSAT members would set-up tables with equipment, posters, and
other items of interest to visitors.  These tables would be staffed
throughout the day by AMSAT members.  You are welcome to volunteer for a
couple of hours or the whole day.  Free parking will be provided all, and
lunch will be provided for people who volunteer the whole day.


This event will celebrate both the centennial and bicentennial of
Argentina.  For the centennial celebration we will focus on Jorge Newberry
and lighter than air.



For the bicentennial (which is this year) the focus will be on Argentina’s
accomplishments in space.  The linchpin of this portion of the program will
be Pablo de Leon.  He has been involved with a number of projects for the
NASA and CONAE.  Based on his accomplishments a special feature will focus
on space suit design, development and production—ILC Dover has agreed to
bring some of the people who make the actual suits.  I have already outlined
some of his involvement in satellites.  In addition to that, CONAE is
sending a large model of the SAC-D satellite and I am hopeful to have some
the Aquarius team involved as well.
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[amsat-bb] Sspi social event in Washington dc

[Samudra Haque]

Hi

Is anyone going to the SSPI social this evening in Washington DC? I
plan to be there.

73 de N3RDX

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[amsat-bb] AMSAT at the NASM (Hispanic Heritage Month) - October 16, 2010, First call for volunteers

[Samudra Haque]

Hello AMSAT-NA and others,


if you are interested in volunteering for AMSAT outreach activities, please
consider the following event that is being organized by the National Air and
Space Museum in Washington, DC. The last event at the NASM was Space Day,
which included a live ARISS contact and AMSAT display stands with a variety
of equipment and presentations.


Event: Hispanic Heritage Month Family day—Argentina in Air and Space

Location: National Air and Space Museum

Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010

Time: 10 AM – 3 PM


I am volunteering to organize AMSAT's participation for the event. Please
contact me through e-mail if you are interested and able to participate in
any form. I will need to know:


* Can you volunteer any exhibition/display resources (pictures, posters,
etc.) ?

* Can you volunteer your time on October 16, 2010 for any portion?

* Can you provide any presentation materials relevant to Argentina in Air
and Space?

* Will you require transportation? etc. etc.


Additional info from NASM:


NASM is looking for AMSAT members who would be interested in talking to the
visitors about satellites.  Because the focus of the day is Argentina, we
are particularly interested in people with expertise in Argentinean
satellites.  Bonus points for members how can discuss Pehuensat-1 because
Pablo de Leon, who was the payload manager, will be a featured speaker at
the event.


Expectations: AMSAT members would set-up tables with equipment, posters, and
other items of interest to visitors.  These tables would be staffed
throughout the day by AMSAT members.  You are welcome to volunteer for a
couple of hours or the whole day.  Free parking will be provided all, and
lunch will be provided for people who volunteer the whole day.


This event will celebrate both the centennial and bicentennial of
Argentina.  For the centennial celebration we will focus on Jorge Newberry
and lighter than air.



For the bicentennial (which is this year) the focus will be on Argentina’s
accomplishments in space.  The linchpin of this portion of the program will
be Pablo de Leon.  He has been involved with a number of projects for the
NASA and CONAE.  Based on his accomplishments a special feature will focus
on space suit design, development and production—ILC Dover has agreed to
bring some of the people who make the actual suits.  I have already outlined
some of his involvement in satellites.  In addition to that, CONAE is
sending a large model of the SAC-D satellite and I am hopeful to have some
the Aquarius team involved as well.


73 de N3RDX


 Samudra Haque

Alexandria, VA 22310

(202) 812-3325

samudra.ha...@gmail.com
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[amsat-bb] Re: TubeSats - DIY Satellites

[Samudra Haque]

I'm trying to find a concise report of the conference, or a better video
recording host website.. or better still, did anyone from Amsat attend the
conference, and would you share your conference experience please?

With regard to Interorbital Systems, did they give a presentation at this
conference?

Samudra, N3RDX

On Tue, Aug 10, 2010 at 4:10 AM,  wrote:

> In a message dated 10/08/2010 00:40:53 GMT Daylight Time, ka3...@att.net
> writes:
>
> On a  sort-of-positive note, Interorbital Systems' website shows that they
> currently have an open CubeSat slot on their December launch, at only
> $12,500.  Unfortunately, it is only to a 310 kM orbit.  A future  launch
> will
> carry payloads to 600 kM.  No price listed for that  launch yet...
>
>
> George, KA3HSW
>
> Re: Interorbital cubesat to 620km
>
>
>
> Sorry...That should be _www.cubesat.org_ (http://www.cubesat.org)
>
> Webstreaming was at
> _http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubesat-summer-2010-workshop_ (
> http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cubesat-summer-2010-workshop)
>
> There is a list of recorded presentations
>
> David
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[amsat-bb] Researching about PEHUENSAT-1 / OSCAR-63 / PO-63

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

Hi, for academic interest (project history/space systems engineering
topics) I'd like to correspond with anyone involved with Argentina's
pehuensat-1 project.

http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=118&retURL=satellites/frequencies.php

73 de Samudra, N3RDX / S21X
Alexandria, VA, USA
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 question

[Samudra Haque]

Hi does the spec specify the output power as EIRP or not?

If EIRP the antenna gain needs to be part of the equation and
therefore you need to reduce your transmission power to avoid desense
at the receiver on orbit. If the spec does not specify then there
should be a receiver senstivity figure already published which would
be useful in a link budget equation.

Sent on the road... If urgent call (202) 812-3325

On Jun 10, 2010, at 12:46 PM, Ron Overdrive
 wrote:

> One thing I always noticed is that its recommended to not exceed 5
> watts
> when operating on AO-7, but I'm not seeing anything about maximum
> gain to
> use. I have an Arrow II handheld yagi and on the 440 side supposedly
> it has
> a 10dbd gain which would give me effectively 50 watts output
> assuming no
> losses. So my question in a nutshell is, what is the maximum
> recommended
> radiated power recommended with this bird?
>
> ~73, KC2WQW Ron
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[amsat-bb] Music video for space hams.. (listen with speakers on..)

[Samudra Haque]

Hi,

perhaps you have already seen this music video from the ORBITER 2006
computer game community, good simulations nonetheless!

http://vimeo.com/9061682

If you wish, please circulate it to your colleagues elsewhere for bringing a
bit of enthusiasm to their jobs and hobby life.

Samudra N3RDX
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[amsat-bb] amazing video of robot for ISS

[Samudra Haque]

I wonder if a robot operator would make a 2-way QSO from the ISS using a ham
radio transceiver? See the video... amazing development:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY-SJyS18lA&feature=player_embedded

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17912_3-20002479-72.html


73 de N3RDX & S21X
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[amsat-bb] Re: seeking examples of frequency bands used in amateur spacecraft

[Samudra Haque]

Thank you for the information - I am getting now interested in this area to
research what type of modes were used to communicate and the
observed/reported characteristics of operation in those bands. Might come in
handy when choosing subsystems to fly on future
nano-satellites/pico-satellites.

Thank you also: Arthur and John for your detailed replies.

73

-samudra


On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 8:10 PM, David Giles  wrote:

> Hello Samudra,
> Here's some examples of OSCARS and RS-series that have used the bands (or
> at least flown transmitters/receivers to do so)
> 40m - UO-09
> 20m - UO-09
> 15m - UO-09, RS-12/13
> 10m - plenty including AO-7,AO-51
> 3.4GHz - none to my knowledge
> 5.8GHz - AO-40 receive, P3-E transmit (proposed)
> 10GHz - AO-40 (didn't work)
> 24GHz - AO-40 (heard this one in operation)
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> 73 de David VK5DG
>
>
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[amsat-bb] seeking examples of frequency bands used in amateur spacecraft

[Samudra Haque]

Hello with reference to the US FCC Part 97 and in particular section 97.207
"Space Station" available
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/news/part97/c.html#207

Have all of the frequency bands listed below been used in service through
the last four decades?

The following frequency bands and segments are authorized to space stations:



   (1) The 17 m, 15 m, 12 m and 10 m bands, 6 mm, 4 mm, 2 mm and 1 mm bands;
   and

   (2) The 7.0-7.1 MHz, 14.00-14.25 MHz, 144-146 MHz, 435-438 MHz, 1260-1270
   MHz and 2400-2450 MHz, 3.40-3.41 GHz, 5.83-5.85 GHz, 10.45-10.50 GHz and
   24.00-24.05 GHz segments.



What power limitations are stipulated for these bands?


Samudra, N3RDX & S21X
Alexandria, VA
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[amsat-bb] Any AMSAT members headed for the Cal Poly cubesat workshop 21-23 April 2010?

[Samudra Haque]

Hi, All - I'm making travel plans to attend the 2010 Spring CubeSat
Developer's Workshop (
http://www.cubesat.org/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops). This would
be my first time, and I would appreciate pointers on where to stay, how to
get around etc.

Regards,


Samudra Haque, N3RDX, S21X
Alexandria, VA
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[amsat-bb] use of PI in amsat development practice

[Samudra Haque]

Hi, Pi-Day is today (3/14/2010) also we just sprang forward by 1 hour.
(http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/12/pi.day.math/index.html?hpt=C2) and
apparently it's also Einsteins Birthday!
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein)

Wow a lot of key dates here.

My question is: in amateur satellite design/planning how many
significant digits are used to calculate the value of pi? Is there a
significant difference in results between (4 decimal poinits) and (3
decimal points).

In professional space missions, such as NASA, what is the practice
with regards to use of Pi ? Are there any published standards?

Using Excel, is there any way to generate a large range of pi ?

-samudra N3RDX
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: AMSAT, ITAR, More AMSAT-NA Volunteers & Such . . .

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

Resent from AMSAT address to AMSAT-BB list.. sorry if this is a duplicate
posting. Could someone confirm directly if I posted twice? 73 de N3RDX

-- Forwarded message --
From: Samudra Haque
Date: Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT, ITAR, More AMSAT-NA Volunteers & Such . . .
To: "Alex, N3SQ" 
Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org


Alex et. al, I would like to add in a comment that according to the latest
SBIR release from DoD (many organizations), ITAR compliant persons who are
not US Citizens can also be included in DoD funded commercial research
projects, as long as they are correctly registered and supervised under the
ITAR regulations. This means that if a student from a US university who is
NOT a US Citizen, but rather a US LPR green card holder or beneficiary of a
protected class of visitor able to be employed, can potentially:

* work as a student intern in a commercial company
* work in projects that require ITAR clearance subject to supervision
* work alongside with other US Citizens.

This is pretty good opportunity for all in my opinion. I am sure this would
be the same case for STTR opportunities as well. Some of these projects can
involve aerospace projects, or materials/processes useful for future
aerospace projects.

I quote from the SBIR preface at :
http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/sbir101/index.htm
*
Export Control.*  The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22
CFR Parts 120 through 130, and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR),
15 CFR Parts 730 through 799, will apply to all projects with military or
dual-use applications that develop beyond fundamental research, which is
basic and applied research ordinarily published and shared broadly within
the scientific community.  More information is available at *
http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar.html*<http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar.html>.
NOTE:  Export control compliance statements found in the individual
component proposal instructions are not meant to be all inclusive.  They do
not remove any liability from the submitter to comply with applicable ITAR
or EAR export control restrictions or from informing the Government of any
potential export restriction as fundamental research and development efforts
proceed.

Sample text from an SBIR:

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International
Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of
defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed
use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would
accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of
the solicitation


I would hope AMSAT-NA would consider teaming with universities to apply for
research grants like these.


-samudra N3RDX



On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:35 PM, Alex, N3SQ  wrote:

> Ladies & Gentlemen,
>
> Here's the main thing to think about ITAR. ITAR regulates OUTFLOW of
> information, it doesn't care about INFLOW of information. If you build
> or design it by a non-US Person (Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident)
> and you bring it INTO the US, ITAR does not care. So AMSAT-NA can use
> designs from P3E, but cannot design parts of P3E.
>
> So the logical thing to do is have all "major" future AMSAT spacecraft
> be AMSAT-NA managed spacecraft with design elements (camera systems,
> experiments, etc.) contributed by other AMSAT organizations. The only
> main technical interaction between the AMSATs would be via a standard,
> open-sourced, well-published-in-technical-journals interface
> specification. Money could be contributed from other AMSATs to fund
> launch & development costs.
>
> As for the mantra of "no one being able to develop the equipment in the
> US" . . . The volunteer base is not capped, just expand the size of the
> volunteer base and organize it better. None of the experienced engineers
> should be directly building hardware, we should all be supervising teams
> of engineering students who actually build the equipment. There are over
> 250 University Engineering programs in the US. Each of those programs
> have at least 50 students in each graduating class. Let's say that we
> can get 15% of the students interested in working on a satellite
> project  (my personal observations  are more like 75% of the students
> are interested).
>
> Let's do the Math:
> Worse Case: 250 Schools x 50 students per graduating class x 15% =  1875
>  POTENTIALLY INTERESTED STUDENTS IN THE US
> Best Case: 250 Schools x 50 students per graduating class x 75% =  9375
> POTENTIALLY INTERESTED STUDENTS IN THE US
> And this is just talking about COLLEGE SENIORS - EE's, ME's, CE's, CS's,
> SE's . . . double the number if you include the Juniors.
>
&

[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT, ITAR, More AMSAT-NA Volunteers & Such . . .

[Samudra Haque]

Alex et. al, I would like to add in a comment that according to the latest
SBIR release from DoD (many organizations), ITAR compliant persons who are
not US Citizens can also be included in DoD funded commercial research
projects, as long as they are correctly registered and supervised under the
ITAR regulations. This means that if a student from a US university who is
NOT a US Citizen, but rather a US LPR green card holder or beneficiary of a
protected class of visitor able to be employed, can potentially:

* work as a student intern in a commercial company
* work in projects that require ITAR clearance subject to supervision
* work alongside with other US Citizens.

This is pretty good opportunity for all in my opinion. I am sure this would
be the same case for STTR opportunities as well. Some of these projects can
involve aerospace projects, or materials/processes useful for future
aerospace projects.

I quote from the SBIR preface at :
http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/sbir101/index.htm
*
Export Control.*  The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22
CFR Parts 120 through 130, and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR),
15 CFR Parts 730 through 799, will apply to all projects with military or
dual-use applications that develop beyond fundamental research, which is
basic and applied research ordinarily published and shared broadly within
the scientific community.  More information is available at *
http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar.html*.
NOTE:  Export control compliance statements found in the individual
component proposal instructions are not meant to be all inclusive.  They do
not remove any liability from the submitter to comply with applicable ITAR
or EAR export control restrictions or from informing the Government of any
potential export restriction as fundamental research and development efforts
proceed.

Sample text from an SBIR:

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International
Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of
defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed
use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would
accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of
the solicitation


I would hope AMSAT-NA would consider teaming with universities to apply for
research grants like these.


-samudra N3RDX


On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 12:35 PM, Alex, N3SQ  wrote:

> Ladies & Gentlemen,
>
> Here's the main thing to think about ITAR. ITAR regulates OUTFLOW of
> information, it doesn't care about INFLOW of information. If you build
> or design it by a non-US Person (Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident)
> and you bring it INTO the US, ITAR does not care. So AMSAT-NA can use
> designs from P3E, but cannot design parts of P3E.
>
> So the logical thing to do is have all "major" future AMSAT spacecraft
> be AMSAT-NA managed spacecraft with design elements (camera systems,
> experiments, etc.) contributed by other AMSAT organizations. The only
> main technical interaction between the AMSATs would be via a standard,
> open-sourced, well-published-in-technical-journals interface
> specification. Money could be contributed from other AMSATs to fund
> launch & development costs.
>
> As for the mantra of "no one being able to develop the equipment in the
> US" . . . The volunteer base is not capped, just expand the size of the
> volunteer base and organize it better. None of the experienced engineers
> should be directly building hardware, we should all be supervising teams
> of engineering students who actually build the equipment. There are over
> 250 University Engineering programs in the US. Each of those programs
> have at least 50 students in each graduating class. Let's say that we
> can get 15% of the students interested in working on a satellite
> project  (my personal observations  are more like 75% of the students
> are interested).
>
> Let's do the Math:
> Worse Case: 250 Schools x 50 students per graduating class x 15% =  1875
>  POTENTIALLY INTERESTED STUDENTS IN THE US
> Best Case: 250 Schools x 50 students per graduating class x 75% =  9375
> POTENTIALLY INTERESTED STUDENTS IN THE US
> And this is just talking about COLLEGE SENIORS - EE's, ME's, CE's, CS's,
> SE's . . . double the number if you include the Juniors.
>
> Anywhere near this load of students would completely overload the
> current AMSAT-NA volunteer base. But talk about the potentially
> available volunteer base!
>
> With Binghamton University, I had 7 Hardware Engineering slots available
> on the team. There are 200 Hardware Engineers in the BU graduating class
> - about 168 of the students wanted to be on the Satellite Project Team,
> a 24x over-subscription. That's pretty impressive. I could have had more
> teams, but we need to crawl, the walk, then run with this activity -
> EVOLUTIONARY not REVOLUTI

[amsat-bb] Re: Satellites need to be open source

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

resend due to origin address snafu

On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 10:42 AM, Samudra Haque wrote:

> Actually, in the eyes of ITAR administrators, I am sure the act of a
> "foreign national" asking publicly for ""sensitive"" technology matters such
> as the details of construction for satellites could raise more than a few
> eyebrows.
>
> If an individual wishes to come to the US and obtain publicly available
> journals/research papers that is sold by an institution such as AIAA, IEEE
> which contains basic discoveries and CANNOT results that can be utilized
> directly in building satellites, ITAR actually allows that. For information,
> read the ITAR links I have posted earlier. However, for questions that
> specifically target "How do you"... the individual may want to be careful as
> not to get to become an interesting target of inquiry by a variety of
> agencies looking for moles.
>
> An example from another industry: If you go to visit UK as a US national,
> all is fine, no visa required. However if you are a foreign national living
> in the US, you have to go through a biometric investigation and a complete
> biography review (dad/mom/children/job) before a visa is issued and the data
> is kept for *10 years* and shared with other governments, regardless of the
> type of visit or duration (1 day to many days). I shudder to think if an
> international person were to be identified in a public way of being
> inquisitive and interested to obtain ITAR classified documents, and boasting
> about it publicly on an open website - what would happen if they were the
> target of U.S. Gov't action ?
>
>
> http://mae.pennnet.com/display_article/366108/32/ARTCL/none/EXCON/1/ITAR-compliance:-ignorance-of-defense-export-regulations-is-no-excuse/
>
> Luc, specifically, your questions may be answered by Page 17 onwards of the
> following presentation:
>
> http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=8&ved=0CCAQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rensselaer.org%2Fdept%2Ffinance%2Fdocs%2Fresearch%2FExportControls.ppt&ei=As7-Sru0M4nVlQe7leXeDA&usg=AFQjCNFBnvL3w7kFLP9yEdVeYU72Qxh7Vg&sig2=xd-u2jP9cmuJy_1a4j-8WQ
>
> However, if you insist that you want to know something now that is still in
> the laboratory R&D process and not yet published that is not going to help
> in the setup of an ITAR compliance system at AMSAT and I would like to ask
> you not to pursue that track. You can always subscribe to academic journals
> (AIAA, IEEE) to obtain the results of published, and ITAR cleared,
> research). AMSAT journals are only collated, and are not referred rigorously
> ! Hopefully they will change to a more peer reviewed model in the future.
>
>
> Samudra N3RDX
>
> On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 1:04 PM, John B. Stephensen wrote:
>
>> Since you are in Canada you don't have to worry about U.S. laws.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> John
>> KD6OZH
>> over
>>
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: Satellites need to be open source

[Samudra Haque]

Actually, in the eyes of ITAR administrators, I am sure the act of a
"foreign national" asking publicly for ""sensitive"" technology matters such
as the details of construction for satellites could raise more than a few
eyebrows.

If an individual wishes to come to the US and obtain publicly available
journals/research papers that is sold by an institution such as AIAA, IEEE
which contains basic discoveries and CANNOT results that can be utilized
directly in building satellites, ITAR actually allows that. For information,
read the ITAR links I have posted earlier. However, for questions that
specifically target "How do you"... the individual may want to be careful as
not to get to become an interesting target of inquiry by a variety of
agencies looking for moles.

An example from another industry: If you go to visit UK as a US national,
all is fine, no visa required. However if you are a foreign national living
in the US, you have to go through a biometric investigation and a complete
biography review (dad/mom/children/job) before a visa is issued and the data
is kept for *10 years* and shared with other governments, regardless of the
type of visit or duration (1 day to many days). I shudder to think if an
international person were to be identified in a public way of being
inquisitive and interested to obtain ITAR classified documents, and boasting
about it publicly on an open website - what would happen if they were the
target of U.S. Gov't action ?

http://mae.pennnet.com/display_article/366108/32/ARTCL/none/EXCON/1/ITAR-compliance:-ignorance-of-defense-export-regulations-is-no-excuse/

Luc, specifically, your questions may be answered by Page 17 onwards of the
following presentation:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=8&ved=0CCAQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rensselaer.org%2Fdept%2Ffinance%2Fdocs%2Fresearch%2FExportControls.ppt&ei=As7-Sru0M4nVlQe7leXeDA&usg=AFQjCNFBnvL3w7kFLP9yEdVeYU72Qxh7Vg&sig2=xd-u2jP9cmuJy_1a4j-8WQ

However, if you insist that you want to know something now that is still in
the laboratory R&D process and not yet published that is not going to help
in the setup of an ITAR compliance system at AMSAT and I would like to ask
you not to pursue that track. You can always subscribe to academic journals
(AIAA, IEEE) to obtain the results of published, and ITAR cleared,
research). AMSAT journals are only collated, and are not referred rigorously
! Hopefully they will change to a more peer reviewed model in the future.


Samudra N3RDX

On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 1:04 PM, John B. Stephensen wrote:

> Since you are in Canada you don't have to worry about U.S. laws.
>
> 73,
>
> John
> KD6OZH
> over
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: GWSS Small Satellites Panel: Updated Flyer

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

Reminder: Event is at 7:30 p.m. today, Thursday!

73, N3RDX

On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 1:48 PM, Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X  wrote:

> Attention all DC/MD/VA/DE Amsat members:
>
> Our own, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO and Chief Engineer, Exploration Systems
> Mission Directorate will be speaking at an event hosted by George Washington
> Space Society at the Elliot School of International Affairs on Thursday,
> November 12 at 1930 ET. See attached flyer!
>
>
> If you are going, hope to see you there..
>
> 73 Samudra, N3RDX
>
> RSVP or inquiries:
>>
>> Kirk Woellert, Research Assistant
>> Space Policy Institute
>> The George Washington University
>> 1957 E St., NW  Suite 403
>> Washington, D.C 20052
>>
>> email: kdwo...@comcast.net
>>
>> (703) 732-5339 (cel)
>>
>
>
>
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[amsat-bb] GWSS Small Satellites Panel: Updated Flyer

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

Attention all DC/MD/VA/DE Amsat members:

Our own, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO and Chief Engineer, Exploration Systems Mission
Directorate will be speaking at an event hosted by George Washington Space
Society at the Elliot School of International Affairs on Thursday, November
12 at 1930 ET. See attached flyer!


If you are going, hope to see you there..

73 Samudra, N3RDX

RSVP or inquiries:
>
> Kirk Woellert, Research Assistant
> Space Policy Institute
> The George Washington University
> 1957 E St., NW  Suite 403
> Washington, D.C 20052
>
> email: kdwo...@comcast.net
>
> (703) 732-5339 (cel)
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: SatMag - Thoughts On Satellite Filings

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

Ok, I should have looked for IARU links a lot earlier. Even in S21 we had a
lot of help, interaction for amateur radio service by the IARU, and without
them the Bangladesh Amateur Radio League (any amsat folks also BARL members,
I am also S21X) could not have opened up the ham radio license process.

73 de  N3RDX

On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 12:28 PM, W4ART Arthur Feller wrote:

> Hi, Samudra,
>
> AMSAT doesn't have the status to file anything with the ITU as that job is
> only for administrations, that is, the part of a national government with
> the task of meeting the country's obligations in telecommunication.
>
> For more information, suggest reading the articles available at:
> http://www.iaru.org/satellite.
>
> Let me know if you've got questions.
>
> 73, art.
> W4ART  Arlington VA
>
> On 9-Nov-2009, at 11:14 AM, Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X wrote:
>
> That was an interesting article. Are there any archives of previous filings
> by AMSAT groups for their space missions as it pertains to ITU at all ? If
> not directly to ITU, what organization does AMSAT-NA file with to get
> frequency allotment and orbit allocation ?
>
> Samudra, N3RDX
>
> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 10:28 AM, Trevor .  wrote:
>
> The November issue of the free SatMagazine has an article titled 'Thoughts
>
> On Satellite Filings' written by the husband of US astronaut Nicole Stott,
>
> KE5GJN.
>
>
> Chris Stott is CEO of ManSat LLC and the Isle of Man’s Honorary
>
> Representative to the Space Industry.
>
>
> SatMagazine also has an article on on Space Security which touches on ITAR.
>
> It can be downloaded from
>
>
> http://www.satmagazine.com/2009/SatMag_Nov09.pdf
>
>
> 73 Trevor M5AKA
>
> Daily Amateur Radio Email/RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ___
>
> 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
>
>
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>
>
>   *What we** **can** **do is to live out our lives as best we can with
> purpose, and with love, and with joy.  We can use each day to show those who
> are closest to us how much we care about them, and treat others with the
> kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves.  We can learn from our
> mistakes and grow from our failures. ** **And we can strive at all costs
> to make a better world, so that someday, if we are blessed with the chance
> to look back on our time here, we know that we spent it well; that we made a
> difference; that our fleeting presence had a lasting impact on the lives of
> others.*
> *** **  - Barak
> Obama, 29 Aug 2009*
>
>
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[amsat-bb] Re: SatMag - Thoughts On Satellite Filings

[Samudra Haque N3RDX & S21X]

That was an interesting article. Are there any archives of previous filings
by AMSAT groups for their space missions as it pertains to ITU at all ? If
not directly to ITU, what organization does AMSAT-NA file with to get
frequency allotment and orbit allocation ?

Samudra, N3RDX

On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 10:28 AM, Trevor .  wrote:

> The November issue of the free SatMagazine has an article titled 'Thoughts
> On Satellite Filings' written by the husband of US astronaut Nicole Stott,
> KE5GJN.
>
> Chris Stott is CEO of ManSat LLC and the Isle of Man’s Honorary
> Representative to the Space Industry.
>
> SatMagazine also has an article on on Space Security which touches on ITAR.
> It can be downloaded from
>
> http://www.satmagazine.com/2009/SatMag_Nov09.pdf
>
> 73 Trevor M5AKA
> Daily Amateur Radio Email/RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/
> 
>
>
>
>
>
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>
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[amsat-bb] Re: using a microsat as a potential high altitude VHFreflector

[Samudra Haque]

Domenico, I had no idea absolutely that you would have responded with
such relevant experience !!! It is an amazing story to hear. The
recent interest and work on "inflatable" antennas may be the most
interesting chapter yet (ref: JPL DESCANSO publications) in antenna
theory.

Thanks

-samudra


>
> Hi Samudra, N3RDX
>
> Early 13 august 1960 about 50 years ago I have received the ECHO 1A
> 45 mW beacons transmitting at 108.00 and 108.03 MHz and also I got an
> excellent visual of the big satellite balloon only looking at it in the sky
> with naked eye
>
> Receiving radio signals and looking at the orbiting satellite at the same
> time it was a very exciting experience and I newer forget !
>
> I was using a home brewed downconverter for 108 MHz with two low noise
> triodes 6AN4 in a front end grounded grid circuit.
>
> The second IF receiver tuned at 27.963 MHz was an Hallicrafters SX-28
> and the antenna was a qubical quad.
>
> By the way the NASA and GSFC ground stations where transmitting to the
> reflecting surface of the above passive satellite a  very very high EIRP at
> 960 MHz and 2390 MHz using big dishes.
>
> The experience gained with the passive ECHO satellites demonstrates that
> they are not convenient at all so that the project was soon abandoned.
>
> 73" de
>
> i8CVS Domenico

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[amsat-bb] using a microsat as a potential high altitude VHF reflector

[Samudra Haque]

Hi all,

I read with interest an article on the web "ECHO - America's First
Communications Satellite"  By John R. Pierce  which is available here:
http://www.smecc.org/john_pierce___echoredo.htm

I know ham radio operators love using their hand helds to communicate
using active transponders or active repeaters in space... no issue
with that.

were there any ham radio projects (either through amsat-na or abroad)
that implemented a passive reflector on an orbital vehicle like
Project Echo

I quote from 
http://www.satmagazine.com/cgi-bin/display_article.cgi?number=490218137

The Echo-1 Balloon Satellite as it sits, fully inflated, at a Navy
hangar in Weeksville, North Carolina. The spacecraft measured 100 feet
across when deployed, and was nicknamed a ‘satelloon’ by those
involved in the project. The mylar film balloon acted as a passive
communications reflector for transcontinental and intercontinental
telephone (voice), radio and television signals. Echo 1 re-entered the
atmosphere May 24, 1968.


What strikes me is the implications of a large large very large
antenna (reflector), if only it could be reflective on one side of the
sphere only  (any ideas?)

The Echo 2 was a 135-foot rigidized inflatable balloon satellite. The
satellite is shown undergoing tensile stress test in a dirigible
hanger at Weekesville. The satellite, 50 times more rigidized than
Echo I. When folded, the satellite is packed into the 41-inch diameter
canister shown in the foreground.

Did early amsat folks consider duplicating / adding to any of these
projects or launch their own 'satelloon' that did not carry an active
RF payload ? Could we outfit one of our future microsats to provide a
reflector to aid in Earth-LEO DXing like meteor-scatter ?



73 de Samudra, N3RDX

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[amsat-bb] requesting help on a RF link solution (imaginary ka-band link!)

[Samudra Haque]

Hi, amsat-bb

CQ any satellite link budget expert !

I'm trying to do a calculation on my own based upon published specs
for the NASA MRO Ka-band experiment, but am getting some unexpected
results for a Ka-band simplex link with Temp=3000K (hypothetical),
operating with a Signal to Noise ratio (unitless) figure of 1.171
(representing 4.5 dB eb/no with a data rate of 1 Gbps and a bandwidth
of 2.4x10^9 Hz)

Question : is 1 gbps not 1x10^9 bps ?

Question : if both antennas are 3m parabolic (both are the same type)
with 56.4 dBi boresight gain, what would you think the furthest
distance the link can perform with SNR of 1.171. I have actually used
a padding of 3 dB Eb/No in my link budget, so am not worried about any
further signal loss at first (ok, I should be ..) For the exercise, I
am choosing a 10 Watt estimated output on an arbitrary basis.

So:

P_t = 10W

G_t = 56.4 dBi = G_r , can we assume the same gain for TX and RX on a
parabolic dish ?

T = 3000K at receiver

SNR = 1.171 required

f=32.2 GHz

B = 2.4E9 Hz, (bpsk, ldpc code 0.5)

DR = 1E9 bps

So, I am puzzled why this link budget says the range with these
parameters is equal to 4.644 x 10^9 Km -- that seems to be a long
distance ! What am I not able to conceptualize.


BTW, I know if I send this out, the answer will come to me soon
thereafter, but for education, I would like to know where the problem
in my understanding lies !


Samudra N3RDX
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[amsat-bb] Re: Hopefully - Some ITAR Clarifications.

[Samudra Haque]

With a forum, you can unclutter your mailbox, and also the forum
system can always tag messages according to a timeline/subject/thread
whatsoever, so if you are really busy (are we not all busy ... its a
hobby of course) then just wait to log on, and then when you do, the
system can show you (if desired) all of the unread messages in the
various topics you are subscribed to (Think: USENET Newsgroup style
focus) unless you wish to say "catchup" and then all is marked as
read.

In your current system of receiving messages from the "amsat-bb"
mailing list, unless you have a very large mailbox and never delete
your message pool, you are (we are..) all keeping separate message
copies for each and every reply, instead of just the delta's for each
message kept on a server somewhere. This method is not only bandwidth
inefficient, it also means YOU the user are responsible for tracking
your threads and keeping up to date. Would you not wish to lessen your
burden just a little bit by having the system keep track of where you
are in your hobby ?

If you like, the forum can also mail all relevant postings to you as
regular SMTP mail, so if you don't like the forum, that's ok too.

-samudra N3RDX

On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 6:06 PM, Tony Langdon  wrote:
> At 08:37 AM 10/27/2009, Samudra Haque wrote:
>
>> Yes, I usually take care to divide my correspondence amongst the
>> particular groups I am working with, and this is also the basis in
>> which I recently proposed moving to (a) moderated forum (such as
>> phpBB) or (b) sub-dividing the amsat-bb list into amsat-engineering
>
> If AMSAT goes to a forum, I'm out of here, I can't cope with the volume of
> messages on a forum, much easier in email.  Email lists can be moderated
> too, but the separation might be a good way to simplify ITAR compliance.
>
> 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL
> http://vkradio.com
>
>

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[amsat-bb] Re: Hopefully - Some ITAR Clarifications.

[Samudra Haque]

On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 5:24 PM, Bill Ress  wrote:
> But ALL US citizens and foreign permanent residents must be very careful
> about the more sinister part of ITAR called DEEMED EXPORTS. That's where you
> discuss certain ITAR controlled satellite hardware or technology issues with
> a foreign national, with which you do not not have a State Department
> technical exchange agreement, whether this foreign national is in this
> country or you contact them by phone, internet or other forms of
> communication. So while you can work on an AMSAT-NA satellite project that
> has aspects controlled by ITAR, because you are a legal permanent resident,
> you can't email your parents, if they are foreign nationals, to discuss
> those ITAR restricted subjects, whether they are in the US or a foreign
> country. If you do, it is "deemed to be exported" without ITAR approval and
> serious penalties can result.
>

Yes, I usually take care to divide my correspondence amongst the
particular groups I am working with, and this is also the basis in
which I recently proposed moving to (a) moderated forum (such as
phpBB) or (b) sub-dividing the amsat-bb list into amsat-engineering
(ITAR restricted) and amsat-user (open to all) lists. If moderation is
not possible, practical or simply open to all is the order of the day,
at least we can move the ITAR stuff (development centric stuff) to a
closed list format and ensure what is said and done is always in
compliance (i.e., track of who say what and documents are marked
restricted for circulation) etc.

The AMSAT-BB is the real funny way of becoming ITAR compliant (while
we are under ITAR, lets not forget we have responsibilities) so, until
the day that ITAR is not applicable to us, AMSAT-BB should be
restricted to open questions, user questions etc. no blanket mail
concerning tech details from the US side. However, for the specific
engineering stuff I suggest that whoever administers the list should
consider a security protocol and a secure file area for this
compliance issue, hopefully not on the same machine as amsat-bb to
avoid any chance of overlap.

Sorry if I ruffle a few feathers here, this an important issue for me too !

Samudra, N3RDX
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[amsat-bb] Re: ITAR is interesting to me

[Samudra Haque]

On Sun, Oct 25, 2009 at 8:38 PM, Bill Ress  wrote:
This continues to be a real sore spot with
> University research programs on things related to satellites or any of
> the areas subject to ITAR. It's get especially tricky when students,
> which are foreign nationals, try to become involved.
>

> Greg D. wrote:
>> I wonder if we could hook up with a university somewhere?  Become part
>> of their graduate program in Astro-something, even get some graduate
>> students to help with the design and manufacture...  What sort of
>> restrictions do they have on the definition of a "student"?
>>
>> Just a thought,
>>
>> Greg  KO6TH


Hi, I fall into that category (at present) - and did not have any
issue with my affiliation with AMU and recent contact with  JPL on
education matters etc. I beg to differ with the doom and gloom
everywhere I see at AMSAT, Bill.

Point: If you are studying at  US School, you are either a resident of
the USA or a visitor. All F-1, J-1 Visa holders are visitors. And they
should not be involved in any high technology subjects that are not
within the purview of a published syllabus by their academic
institution. Their academic advisors would need to arrange which
technologies they work with, and what restrictions they will fall
under.

* I don't think these students would be able to find time to join an
AMSAT hobby, but if so, why not, as long as they don't go near a
satellite tech project and stay limited to user mode.

Point: If you are a US Lawful Permanent Resident, ITAR applies and you are OK
Point: If you are a Citizen, ITAR applies and you are OK
Point: If you are a foreign citizen: please don't apply for any ITAR
job, and be *very* careful about what you get your hands on while in
the US borders.

Note: Universities may be able to obtain permission to incorporate
students into ITAR research areas, but that is probably because they
have a good reason to do so (academic campus, partnerships and so on).
This should have nothing to do with AMSAT ever.

What is left is that if we are (amsat-na) limited to sourcing talent
from USA citizens and USA residents, what is the problem here?
To be ITAR compliant, make a self-certification and have it reviewed
by the organisation wanting to work with you.

If it was the case that we could not find talent in the USA (hello...)
then I would be worried. Besides, I'm surprised that you are not
seeming to take any account of the numerous foreign students who come
to the US and obtain legal residency after they graduate, and then
they stay as an LPR for about 5 years, during which they are ITAR
compliant and can work with us.

So, why worry ?
http://mae.pennnet.com/display_article/366112/32/ARTCL/none/EXECW/1/ITAR-violations-have-produced-high-profile-defense-export-penalties/

If any AMSAT-xx body wants to help AMSAT-NA that is of course allowed
and welcome under ITAR, through a TAA; what is wrong with that ? They
can choose to divulge their technology or not, or give cash or not, as
long as the payload flies. For AMSAT-xx wanting help from AMSAT-NA,
then I don't see why they need to be given access to our tech, keeping
in mind the current ITAR regime, unless it was a for a joint
development where they have something, we have something. Then again
the big question is "where is the integration" taking place ? In the
US or abroad ?


Still the big question (for me) is can AMSAT encourage more to join
and volunteer/donate so that US ITAR folks (citizens and LPR) can fly
more missions !

Or, better still, is there a job market for ITAR compliant folks who
want to design spacecraft ?
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[amsat-bb] Re: antenna question

[Samudra Haque]

Hi, amsat-bb,

With regard to the very interesting subject of Antennas in Space (in
general), I hope some of you will be interested to  plan to take up a
design for a spaceborne antenna, sounds interesting! To help in that
process, I was very impressed to read (well, the non-technical bits!)
of the DESCANSO book :
http://descanso.jpl.nasa.gov/Monograph/series8/Descanso8_00_thru_acronyms.pdf

There are a wealth of information derived from JPL missions that I
believe we could take advantage of in the next 20 years of AMSAT
design projects.. other books in the series have a lot of information,
and who knows - a Mars project might not be that far off if we look at
it in a pragmatic way: small payloads will be sent to Mars for
validating a lot of the systems before Humans can go, and the Hams +
Amsat projects + Space Geeks + Space missions = public support =
public funding support formula is hard to ignore... IMHO

So, why not start a individual track on amsat-bb with a prefix [Phase
5] in the subject header, so that others who are not interested, for
now, can tune out.

Any ground rules ? Any publications we can get started on that would
add to a scholarly discussion on Phase 5 mission planning.

Samudra, N3RDX


On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 5:02 PM, Howie DeFelice  wrote:
>
> Some maritime TVRO antennas used a mechanical scan at the feed point. A motor 
> would either rotate an attenuator disk or offset the feed in a circular 
> motion. A resolver kept track of the feed location in relation to received 
> signal strength. The antenna was then slewed in the direction of best signal 
> in both AZ and EL. Sort of a poor mans monopulse system. This works OK for 
> antennas in the microwave region but would not work to well for VHF/UHF low 
> gain arrays. What might work well is to use a pair of antennas with a 
> "doppler scan" circuit that steered the rotor toward the estimated direction 
> of the signal.
>
> Howie
> AB2S
> _
> Windows 7: Simplify your PC. Learn more.
> http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen1:102009
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[amsat-bb] Re: antenna question

[Samudra Haque]

While searching for public text concerning Amateur satellites and
phased array antennas, I came across this gem from our very own Tom
Clark, K3IO
http://mysite.verizon.net/w3iwi/electronic_scanning_antennas.pdf,
"Electronic Scanning Antennas for Amateur Spacecraft". I wonder if
this knowhow could be utilized for ground stations to have antennas
that could rapidly switch between different birds by a software reload
function and a intelligent switching matrix ?

How many of you would prefer (if a command station) to have
multi-access to satellites as they pass during conjunction but use a
small antenna farm selectively to access them _simultaneously_.

On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 3:06 PM, Samudra Haque  wrote:
> Hi, Amsat-BB
>
> Are there any antenna designs that use predominantly rotating
> sub-reflectors and a reflector for tracking LEO birds, in contrast to
> rotating the main antenna structure on booms in the AZ-EL directions ?
> I am aware of multi-LNB antenna arrangements, thought it would be
> interesting to find out ways to keep a fairly large reflector constant
> on the ground and use a smaller steerable sub-reflector or horn feed
> to aim the beam ?
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Samudra N3RDX
>
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[amsat-bb] antenna question

[Samudra Haque]

Hi, Amsat-BB

Are there any antenna designs that use predominantly rotating
sub-reflectors and a reflector for tracking LEO birds, in contrast to
rotating the main antenna structure on booms in the AZ-EL directions ?
I am aware of multi-LNB antenna arrangements, thought it would be
interesting to find out ways to keep a fairly large reflector constant
on the ground and use a smaller steerable sub-reflector or horn feed
to aim the beam ?

Any ideas ?

Samudra N3RDX
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[amsat-bb] Fwd: SSPI Mid-Atlantic Evening Networking & Program: ITAR Reform

[Samudra Haque]

Is anyone on AMSAT-bb or AMSAT-DC interested to attend ITAR event of SSPI ?
I would like to attend, but will be unable to. $20 or $10 depending upon if
you are SSPI member or not.

73 de N3RDX

-- Forwarded message --
From: 
Date: Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Subject: SSPI Mid-Atlantic Evening Networking & Program: ITAR Reform
To: samudra.ha...@gmail.com


  SSPI Mid-Atlantic invites you to
*An Evening Networking & Program Event*

ITAR Reform: What does the future hold for ITAR and what will its impact be
on the satellite industry?

*10*

*22*

*09*
 * Moderator*

* John 
Ordway
*
 Partner,
 Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe,
L.L.P.

* Panelists*

 *Franceska Schroeder*

 Principal,
 Fish & Richardson, P.C.

* Kent 
Bossart
*
 Director of Trade Compliance,
 Intelsat
 *THURSDAY | Please join us this Thursday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m. to
network and hear a discussion on ITAR reform.*
**
*ITAR* is a hotly debated topic with discussion centering around U.S. export
reform to encourage competition and diversification.  Recently, several
satellite operators have joined forces in an attempt to influence
legislators that change is necessary. Join us to hear industry experts
provide their perspective on ITAR, the current effort that is underway to
influence change, and what ITAR's future may be for the satellite industry.

Join other satellite professionals for an evening of networking and
learning, all beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Bring your *questions* and *business cards*!
 Location
Intelsat
3400 International Drive NW
Washington, DC 20008
(*directions*
)

Time
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Cost
$10 members
$20 non-members
*Cash or check only, please.*
(*join 
now!*
)

RSVP 
by Tuesday, October 20, 2009

www.sspi.org
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[amsat-bb] Re: THE DMSP launch

[Samudra Haque]

Robert WB5MZO

> Are the people who are suppose to be the experts in building state of the art 
> satellites so thin skinned that a bulletin board
> slows their progress?  LOL

I want to remind you each and every time you write a message: AMSAT is
a volunteer run group of space-craft experimenters sharing a hobby and
a purpose: Ham Radio & Education. As you should know there is only one
paid employee of AMSAT at the headquarters and everyone else is just a
member.

With regard to the skill and qualification of the "experts" you refer
to in your e-mail, perhaps you have seem to have the expertise of
being a cynic and a critic  - in addition to being right on everything
you say, according to yourself - meanwhile, others are lending their
varied expertise in the areas they feel most comfortable electrical,
mechanical, thermodynamics, Solar PV etc. etc. and in certain cases,
actual donations to fund further R&D at their own cost. I am not sure
where you have found any documentation from AMSAT-NA that we have any
portion of capability or indeed requirement to build "state of the art
satellites".  All the bits of stuff that have been incorporated into
satellites so far are probably best described as hobby kits or more
exactly waste material from other projects.

Are you faulting AMSAT members for wanting to work  for $0.00 and
pursuing a dream of being creative - and to have  chance to tell their
children, look I built that and it is in Space ? Are you criticizing
the current activity and past activity and anything that they may come
up with in the future because, according to you, these AMSAT "experts"
don't have the right stuff ? Or are you just trying to get noticed ?

Ok then, assuming you want the spotlight and  are correct in your
conviction that you know what you are doing, what is your
recommendation for steps going forward ? Put your thinking cap on
instead of and submit a development plan that will use the annual dues
from about 1900 paying members and organize a working group amongst
your friends in the amsat community -- and build -- a satellite -- and
launch it into space. Or, you could start a campaign to get votes from
the members to become the next President of AMSAT-NA... coming up
soon.

BTW, you can write off your donation to AMSAT on your taxes, but then
you already knew that.

Looking forward to reading about  your development plans soon.

Samudra, N3RDX and S21X
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[amsat-bb] Re: Quite an update about Sumbandilasat...

[Samudra Haque]

Have they put in the request to be assigned a AMSAT callsign or has it
been approved already ?

On Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 10:59 AM, Andrew Glasbrenner
 wrote:
> posted at http://sumbandilamission.blogspot.com/ .
>
> Congratulations to the SA-AMSAT team!
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
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[amsat-bb] Re: ITAR is interesting to me

[Samudra Haque]

Bob, Bruce et. al.,

This is probably a very reasonable thread of discussion to follow,
compared to other snippy comments/jibes/frivolous remarks that I have
seen on amsat-bb recently. I have started up a separate private thread
to allow us to discuss a managed bulletin board to supplement the open
mailing list to accomodate:

+ potential need to have a closed community of registered members
discussing itar-covered topics

+ a searchable archive of topics, posts that users can leave in the
archive on a permanent basis and stop repeating ad nauseum

+ optional open-forums and closed-forums depending upon the
affiliation of a particular member. An example of this is the IEEE,
which as an organization provides the IEEE scanner publication to all,
but only the referred journals/publications to members who are part of
 a particular society. So, if you not a member of the AESS society,
you won't get the AESS Journal, but you may become a member (of your
choice) of any society that you wish. In my analog, amsat-bb will and
should be open for general users not involved in satops, satengg,
mission planning, but only using it as a hobby. Separately, if there
was an amsat-engineering or some other forum should in my opinion only
be open to those that have agreed to sign a volunteering agreement
with AMSAT agreeing to comply with a written policy, that is inclusive
of the ITAR regs for "U.S. Persons".

+ The key issue of course is that in the U.S.A, we must be in
compliance with all laws, and those "Federal" laws trump individual
association/non-profit laws that one may think of.

That said, I would like to submit to the amsat-bod through amsat-bb
(Hey, I don't have access, I am a newbie!)

Have you looked at:
http://www.research.ucla.edu/researchpol/memos/Memo_Ofac.htm and
considered the implications of adopting a restatement of our bye-laws
to reflect our current role as a fundamental research institution in
amateur space systems and potentially amateur rocketry as well ?

I urge all to review THIRD (A, B, F, G) once again from
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/AboutAmsat/documents/bylaws.php

But more importantly, Bob, or any other competent amsat member, we
must spend the time to read ourselves thoroughly
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/aprqtr/22cfr121.1.htm that
might offer the chance to request a WAIVER. The reason for this would
be based upon the following question:

Why should AMSAT Satellites with clearly defined specifications be
considered as SME (Significant Military Equipment) given that they
follow ARRL/IARU/ITU spec for frequency, and their systems are
composed of all non-military sourced components ? If there is an
opportunity to expand on this in a formal working group for AMSAT,
sign me up please !

I am not minimizing the effect of ITAR regs on foreign co-operation,
those will obviously have to be developed under a restricted TAA (Tech
Asst. Agreement) but perhaps this would be good in a way as it would
force AMSAT-NA to focus on increasing membership of domestic U.S.
persons and build satellites that are designed using local talent
(implying educating U.S. youth using mature workforce). Also, ITAR now
implies unrestricted publication of data/articles for ITAR covered
subjects are also restricted, even for a TAA:
http://portal.research.colostate.edu/itar/Export_Control_Brief.ppt


I quote: {please note, I am only copying, but do not know if this is
the current and valid version from congress ?}

Category XV--Spacecraft Systems and Associated Equipment

* (a) Spacecraft, including communications satellites, remote
sensing satellites, scientific satellites, research satellites,
navigation satellites, experimental and multi-mission satellites.

* Note to paragraph (a):
Commercial communications satellites, scientific satellites,
research satellites and experimental satellites are designated as SME
only when the equipment is intended for use by the armed forces of any
foreign country.

(b) Ground control stations for telemetry, tracking and control of
spacecraft or satellites, or employing any of the cryptographic items
controlled under category XIII of this subchapter.
(c) Global Positioning System (GPS) receiving equipment specifically
designed, modified or configured for military use; or GPS receiving
equipment with any of the following characteristics:
(1) Designed for encryption or decryption (e.g., Y-Code) of GPS
precise positioning service (PPS) signals;
(2) Designed for producing navigation results above 60,000 feet
altitude and at 1,000 knots velocity or greater;
(3) Specifically designed or modified for use with a null steering
antenna or including a null steering antenna designed to reduce or avoid
jamming signals;
(4) Designed or modified for use with unmanned air vehicle systems
capable of delivering at least a 500 kg payload to a range of at least
300 km.
Note: GPS receivers designed or modified for use with military
unmanned air vehicle systems 

[amsat-bb] Re: ITAR is interesting to me

[Samudra Haque]

Hi,

if anyone is interested to investigate ITAR regulations further, they
will have to dig into the published documents at various Dept of
Commerce and other websites. However, here is a blank template in line
with http://pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar_official.html, just
in case, a US Lawful Permanent Resident wants to claim ITAR
self-certification in the field of amateur satellites:

{disclaimer, please check with the organization that you are asking
ITAR specific permission for, for any required supplementary
documentation}

{Warning: the penalty for mis-stating is quite severe}

TEMPLATE

Pursuant to the ITAR’s (International Traffic in Arms Regulations: 22
CFR 120-130) definition of a U.S. Person, 22 CFR 120.15, I {insert
name here} hereby certify that I am a U.S. Person.

Printed Name: __ {be sure this is official and
matches your records as well}

Address:  __

Phone:   ___

Alien Registration: __  {required if you are a US
LPR, not required if US Citizen}

Date:   

Signature:


  __

Affiliation:  Member

  ABC Corp

  Full Address


(Fax signed copy to: _)

Definitions

U.S. Person (22 CFR 120.15) U.S. person means a person (as defined in
section 120.14) who is lawful permanent resident as defined by 8
U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8
U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). It also means any corporation, business
association, partnership, society, trust, or any other entity,
organization or group that is incorporated to do business in the
United States. It also includes any governmental (federal, state or
local) entity.

8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) The term ''lawfully admitted for permanent
residence'' means the status of having been lawfully accorded the
privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant
in accordance with the immigration laws, such status not having
changed.

8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) ''Protected individual'' defined As used in
paragraph (1), the term ''protected individual'' means an individual
who - (A) is a citizen or national of the United States, or (B) is an
alien who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence, is granted the
status of an alien lawfully admitted for temporary residence under
section 1160(a) or 1255a(a)(1) of this title, is admitted as a refugee
under section 1157 of this title, or is granted asylum under section
1158 of this title; but does not include (i) an alien who fails to
apply for naturalization within six months of the date the alien first
becomes eligible (by virtue of period of lawful permanent residence)
to apply for naturalization or, if later, within six months after
November 6, 1986, and (ii) an alien who has applied on a timely basis,
but has not been naturalized as a citizen within 2 years after the
date of the application, unless the alien can establish that the alien
is actively pursuing naturalization, except that time consumed in the
Service's processing the application shall not be counted toward the
2-year period.

On Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 6:18 PM, Bob McGwier  wrote:
> k0...@juno.com wrote:
>> Greetings All:
>>
>> The Amsat BB is a great source of information we all know:
>> I have a few questions about ITAR that I thought might interest more than
>> I.
>> I tried to be careful of the words I used.
>>
>> 1.) Do all launched satellites that have US components or interests fall
>> under ITAR?
>>
> Yes
>> 2.) When does ITAR interest begin for a launchable Amateur satellite?
>>
> The minute you wish to discuss what is in it with someone who is not a
> US national or want to ship the thing overseas for launch.
>> 3.) Is software and firmware that is a part of a Amateur satellite at
>> launch fall under ITAR?
>>
> Most definitely
>> 4.) Who normally handles University Cube Sat ITAR issues when Amateur
>> frequencies are used?
>>
> Depends on who is going to do the launch but Cal Poly has been involved
> for sure.
>> 5.) Who normally handles US Military school Cube-Sat ITAR issues when
>> Amateur frequencies are use ?
>>
> U.S. government entities have a form of an exemption because they are a
> component of the U.S. government (and not a for profit company which
> might be tempted to sell intellectual property to the highest bidder)
> and those equities are handled differently.  Even then, ITAR only comes
> into play if non-U.S. citizens are involved in the program and/or an
> overseas launch is envisioned.
>> 6.) When is there no ITAR interest in a Amateur satellite?
>>
> There is interest.  That is what is causing us so much grief.  It has
> effectively ended the participation of AMSAT-NA in Phase 3E.
>> 7.) Did Suitsat one or two (ARISSaT-1) have any ITAR problems since they
>> are satellites
>>       using Amateur frequency?
>>
> NASA is able to work through different channels than AMSA

[amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?

[Samudra Haque]

I reached out today and talked to a professional astronomer, and here
is the response. Before we start a project to actually take a detailed
photo of the AO-40 in Space, could someone work with me directly to
determine the coordinates that we could provide as requested:

>>
Hi Samudra,

We would have to know the exact coordinates ahead of time, point the
telescope there, then start imaging as it flies through the field of
view.

Since we've never done it, I don't know how doable it actually is. I'm
pretty certain we don't have the cameras...

It's possible, but we would need more info and possible differetn equipment.

>>

The group I approached is a reputable one associated with their own
observatory, locally to the Washington DC area. If anyone is
interested to help out with the mathematics required, please contact
me directly at n3...@amsat.org. I know of two other groups who can be
approached locally, but we must given them all the details of
size/configuration etc. Could be an interesting intellectual challenge
while people are waiting for new sats to be designed.

-samudra


On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 5:30 PM, Peter Guelzow  wrote:
> Hi Robert,
>
> that's indeed the big question...   We do not know in which attitude the
> spacecraft is..  is it still spinning very slowly or tumbling?  What is
> the Solar-ß-Angel?
> If the S/C has a good orientation to the sun and the battery opens, than
> there should be enough power to operate the IHU and Beacon etc... do
> some magnetorquing to improve attitude.
> Something like this was done when AO-10 was hit by the last rocket
> stage, spinning the wrong direction with sun directly on top and almost
> no power...
> Unfolding the solar panels would give very high power only when they are
> oriented towards the sun.  With folded solar arrays, all panels around
> the satellite can still see the sun around it's spin axis.
> Only when it shines on top or bottom, we will have problems...
>
> 73s Peter
>
>
>
> Rocky Jones wrote:
>> Peter.
>>
>> In the current configuration (or the last known config) of the vehicle
>> does the vehicle have sufficient solar illumination to "spin" and
>> maintain the DC busses without a battery?
>>
>> Robert WB5MZO
>>
>> 
>> Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.
>> 
>
>

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[amsat-bb] Re: Off subject, but interesting

[Samudra Haque]

Well not interesting but very very very dangerous:

LIVE VIDEO: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/18205848/index.html

I hope there are smart SAR folks with net to snare the balloon before
it gets to high for the boy to breathe and stay conscious. I pray he
is ok !

-samudra


On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 2:49 PM, David H. Jordan  wrote:
> Tune into Fox now for a runaway balloon  situation. A child is reported 
> inside.
>
> Dave
> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
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[amsat-bb] Re: Let's Go!

[Samudra Haque N3RDX]

$100 now and $100 later is a nice idea. But to a project manager that
might mean "there is no guarantee that 2nd $100 will be available".
But it is a good start..

Should we expect a note from our AMSAT-NA treasurer with a "call for
donations" and a public website to monitor donations from members by
region and other statistics ? Those metrics will be desirable for
motivation to "pay up" and get recognition in the process. How has it
worked in the past ?

-samudra, N3RDX


On Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 7:45 AM, Jeff Davis  wrote:
> On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 3:42 PM, Samudra Haque  
> wrote:
>>
>> if a gross estimate of $200,000 is needed for a stand-alone cubesat
>> the average per capita support required from these active amsat-na
>> members would be: $200,000 divided by (50% of 3800)  = $200,000 / 1900
>> = $263 or so.
>
> Or perhaps a bit more realistically ... we need 1000 people to donate
> $100 this year, and $100 next year.
>
> Far and away the best bargain to come out of *any* AMSAT organization
> in the 21st century!
>
> 73 de Jeff, KE9V
>

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[amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?

[Samudra Haque]

There is no need for any specialised photo intelligence assets, simple
telescopes with enough F/D and gain will do, there are many amateur
astronomers who have imaged craters on the moon (e.g.., google
astrophotography) also see
http://www.footootjes.nl/Astrophotography_Lunar/Astrophotography_Lunar.html

Question is do we have any amateur astronomer who is also amsat enthusiast ?

On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 10:29 PM, Rocky Jones  wrote:
> The "national intellegence assets" which would be needed to get an image of
> AO-40 that "showed things" are probably there...but if you see the pictures
> they have to kill you (grin).


>
> I know amateurs who have imaged -40 and done so enough to measure the light
> curve from it.
>
Hope to hear from them if they are on the list..
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[amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?

[Samudra Haque]

Has there been any serious attempt to take a photograph of the damaged
bird using ground based optical telescopes while it is in sunlight ?
With modern telescopes such as
http://www.refractortelescopes.co.uk/reviews/orion/orion-shorttube-80-a-refractor-telescope/
or similiar and a modern digital camera and a known RA/DEC co-ordinate
of the satellite at any point in its orbit, it should be possible get
a fairly decent picture of what is still up there...

Note RA / DEC are astronomy co-ordinates which should be able to be
calculated from AZ/EL or TLE, but I may not be able to do it myself.

We don't need to track it, but just to image it in several consecutive
frames. From: http://www.emergentspace.com/pubs/AIAA_GNC_2002_AMSAT_A040.pdf

Table 1. Nominal Orbit Parameters for AO-40
Orbit Parameter Value
Semimajor Axis (km) 36,245
Perigee Height (km) 1,042
Apogee Height (km) 58,691
Eccentricity 0.797
Inclination (deg) 6.04
Period (hours) 19.1


On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 9:49 PM, Rocky Jones  wrote:
>
> I think both those things are accurate.
>
> Robert WB5MZO
>
>> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:31:30 -0400
>> From: mat...@netcommander.com
>> To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?
>>
>> I guess I need to go back and read the archives because what I remember
>> reading didn't give me any hope AO-40 would ever be back. Wasn't there
>> something about that they believed the spacecraft was leaking corrosive
>> fuel? Doesn't sound to conducive to any type of recovery of anything
>> where electronics are involved.. I also thought there was talk of a
>> "catastrophic explosion".
>> Michael, W4HIJ
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> _
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[amsat-bb] Re: Let's Go!

[Samudra Haque]

Sorry, that monthly figure should be $10.96 per month exactly.

On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 3:42 PM, Samudra Haque  wrote:
> On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 3:29 PM, Joseph Armbruster
>  wrote:
>> Andrew,
>> Is there any type of document around that provides a brief summary of all
>> current Amsat projects and the type of funding / support that is needed for
>> each?
>>
>> This was my first time at the symposium and I haven't made it through all
>> the pamphlets and papers yet, so forgive me if this was part of the package.
>>
>> Joe
>>
>
> Hi,
>
> if a gross estimate of $200,000 is needed for a stand-alone cubesat
> form mission, and there are "... about half are life-members..." of
> the 3,800 (re: Martha's estimate) of amsat-na members, that means that
> the average per capita support required from these active amsat-na
> members would be: $200,000 divided by (50% of 3800)  = $200,000 / 1900
> = $263 or so.
>
> If $263 is a difficult amount to pay up front, then think of it in 24
> monthly installments: $10 each month - not bad for a hobby compared to
> the price of a decent lunch at Burger King, KFC, Subway etc. The one
> thing I would need to know is this extra donation tax-exempt or not
> and would we get a receipt for it in time for U.S. taxes ?
>
> I am willing to pay a bit more than that as my own donation soon for
> supporting AMSAT-NA sponsored R&D.
>
> -samudra
>
>
>> On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 2:31 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner <
>> glasbren...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for the vote of confidence Jeff. I'll repeat what Bill said; this
>>> was a tough decision, but based on reality and part of a larger plan
>>> forward. We are also working multiple rideshare opportunities, most of
>>> which will likely involve transponders rather than repeaters.
>>>
>>> What we really need now is to raise the money we need to start design
>>> and construction, and get a launch contract in the works. The 1U cubesat
>>> is going to be a short fuse project if we can get the funding raised
>>> soon enough.
>>>
>>> Barry's presentation at the annual meeting lays out the level of funds
>>> we need, approximately 100k this year and again next year, to support
>>> the 1U, and one or more rideshares. Our membership dues only cover
>>> keeping AMSAT alive and running the office, journal, webstore, etc.
>>>
>>> Who'll be among the first to step up and pledge to support this project
>>> via the President's Club or other donations? Call Martha today at 1 888
>>> 322 6728 or donate via
>>> http://www.amsat-na.com/store/category.php?c=President%27s%20Club
>>>
>>> 73, Drew KO4MA
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jeff Davis wrote:
>>> > I want to offer 'hearty congratulations' to the BOD for the courageous
>>> > decisions made at the recent Space Symposium. I can think of no
>>> > headline more appropriate and welcome for this organization than the
>>> > declaration, "We're going back to space".
>>> >
>>> > Perhaps this decision to move forward with what we can do will also be
>>> > what was needed to get the manufacturers to quit sitting on their
>>> > hands and INNOVATE!
>>> >
>>> > How many threads have been spawned on this BB by someone asking the
>>> > question "what handheld should I buy to use AO-51"..?
>>> >
>>> > The fact that the pat answer is that there aren't any - you need to
>>> > check eBay for a 20 year-old model speaks pitifully of the ham radio
>>> > marketplace in the 21st century.
>>> >
>>> > Given the nature of LEO, portable operations are very common and going
>>> > forward, will be even more so. Who among us wouldn't love a mobile
>>> > sized transceiver that sported true simultaneous dual-band (VHF/UHF)
>>> > operation and a continuously tunable VFO on FM in a 'satellite
>>> > operation mode'?
>>> >
>>> > What would it be worth if that radio also could record all pass data -
>>> > and had a USB port that supported a memory stick so that everything
>>> > received during a pass could stored on it for offline extraction and
>>> > study later when you're back in the shack. It wouldn't even require an
>>> > internal TNC to download telemetry data - the audio file could simply
>>> > be played back (offline) on a PC and the tele

[amsat-bb] Re: Let's Go!

[Samudra Haque]

On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 3:29 PM, Joseph Armbruster
 wrote:
> Andrew,
> Is there any type of document around that provides a brief summary of all
> current Amsat projects and the type of funding / support that is needed for
> each?
>
> This was my first time at the symposium and I haven't made it through all
> the pamphlets and papers yet, so forgive me if this was part of the package.
>
> Joe
>

Hi,

if a gross estimate of $200,000 is needed for a stand-alone cubesat
form mission, and there are "... about half are life-members..." of
the 3,800 (re: Martha's estimate) of amsat-na members, that means that
the average per capita support required from these active amsat-na
members would be: $200,000 divided by (50% of 3800)  = $200,000 / 1900
= $263 or so.

If $263 is a difficult amount to pay up front, then think of it in 24
monthly installments: $10 each month - not bad for a hobby compared to
the price of a decent lunch at Burger King, KFC, Subway etc. The one
thing I would need to know is this extra donation tax-exempt or not
and would we get a receipt for it in time for U.S. taxes ?

I am willing to pay a bit more than that as my own donation soon for
supporting AMSAT-NA sponsored R&D.

-samudra


> On Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 2:31 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner <
> glasbren...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the vote of confidence Jeff. I'll repeat what Bill said; this
>> was a tough decision, but based on reality and part of a larger plan
>> forward. We are also working multiple rideshare opportunities, most of
>> which will likely involve transponders rather than repeaters.
>>
>> What we really need now is to raise the money we need to start design
>> and construction, and get a launch contract in the works. The 1U cubesat
>> is going to be a short fuse project if we can get the funding raised
>> soon enough.
>>
>> Barry's presentation at the annual meeting lays out the level of funds
>> we need, approximately 100k this year and again next year, to support
>> the 1U, and one or more rideshares. Our membership dues only cover
>> keeping AMSAT alive and running the office, journal, webstore, etc.
>>
>> Who'll be among the first to step up and pledge to support this project
>> via the President's Club or other donations? Call Martha today at 1 888
>> 322 6728 or donate via
>> http://www.amsat-na.com/store/category.php?c=President%27s%20Club
>>
>> 73, Drew KO4MA
>>
>>
>>
>> Jeff Davis wrote:
>> > I want to offer 'hearty congratulations' to the BOD for the courageous
>> > decisions made at the recent Space Symposium. I can think of no
>> > headline more appropriate and welcome for this organization than the
>> > declaration, "We're going back to space".
>> >
>> > Perhaps this decision to move forward with what we can do will also be
>> > what was needed to get the manufacturers to quit sitting on their
>> > hands and INNOVATE!
>> >
>> > How many threads have been spawned on this BB by someone asking the
>> > question "what handheld should I buy to use AO-51"..?
>> >
>> > The fact that the pat answer is that there aren't any - you need to
>> > check eBay for a 20 year-old model speaks pitifully of the ham radio
>> > marketplace in the 21st century.
>> >
>> > Given the nature of LEO, portable operations are very common and going
>> > forward, will be even more so. Who among us wouldn't love a mobile
>> > sized transceiver that sported true simultaneous dual-band (VHF/UHF)
>> > operation and a continuously tunable VFO on FM in a 'satellite
>> > operation mode'?
>> >
>> > What would it be worth if that radio also could record all pass data -
>> > and had a USB port that supported a memory stick so that everything
>> > received during a pass could stored on it for offline extraction and
>> > study later when you're back in the shack. It wouldn't even require an
>> > internal TNC to download telemetry data - the audio file could simply
>> > be played back (offline) on a PC and the telemetry decoded there.
>> >
>> > There are bound to be hundreds of similar ideas and dreams of new
>> > gear, antennas, and interesting things to do at LEO - let's populate
>> > the BB with these sorts of things and look forward, not back.
>> >
>> > I'm more than ready to turn to a new chapter and get back to shaping
>> > the future of ham radio in space.
>> >
>> > Aren't you?
>> >
>> > 73 de Jeff, KE9V
>> > AMSAT-NA 28350
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>> >
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[amsat-bb] Reminder of historical amsat-na archives available on KA9Q's website

[Samudra Haque N3RDX]

Hello all AMSAT-NA members, I had some curiosity in learning about
early AMSAT-NA projects and the people behind the early AMSAT
satellites that were built, launched, failed etc. I contacted Martha,
and she quickly pointed me in the direction of KA9Q's vast archive in
PDF format: http://www.ka9q.net/newsletters.html; Perhaps some of the
archives will be soon offered to collectors / researchers on a CD-ROM
to help AMSAT earn revenue from its publication archives !

Of particular historical note: Volume I, Number 1, with a note from
the "President's Desk" by Perry Kline, AMSAT-NA's Founder-President,
who was a great help to me at the symposium just completed and also
the very first Editorial by S.H. Durrani, reprinted through the magic
of Adobe PDF OCR below. I think newbie's (like me) exploring Amateur
Satellite as a hobby should be guided by their respective "elmer" to
read some of these early documents as they come up to speed on the
various fun stuff to do, and to gain an understanding of the past work
done by individuals they meet at conferences, events in this field !

[Following material (c) June 1969, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation, extracted from
http://www.ka9q.net/AMSAT-Newsletter-June1969Brev.pdf] - reproduced
for education purposes only!

FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
The Australis-OSCAR A satellite, which was delivered to AMSAT
on April 14, is currently undergoing a series of tests by AMSAT
members at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Jan King, K8VTR, who
has been designated AMSAT's Australis-OSCAR A Project Manager, has
been doing a superb job of coordinating all activities involving the
satellite hardware, including the test program.

Australis-OSCAR A is an Australian-built satellite containing
two and ten-meter beacon transmitters. While the previous four OSCAR
satellites were launched by the Air Force, AMSAT has been discussing
with NASA the possibility of placing Australis-OSCAR A in the second
stage of a two-stage Thor-Delta vehicle along with another satellite.
Details on the design and operation of the satellite are described in
the July and August 1969 issues of QST. Be listening to W1AW for late
bulletins as the launch date approaches, and in the meantime, be sure
you have your equipment ready for receiving the satellite's beacons
on 144.050 and 29.450 MHz. At least 10 dB of antenna gain is
recommended to receive the 2-meter transmissions, but a dipole should
be sufficient for 10 meters.

Response to the introductory AMSAT article in the June 1969
QST has been very good and AMSAT membership has already passed the
one-hundred mark.

We are pleased to announce the receipt of a $150 donation from
Project OSCAR to assist with the expenses of Australis OSCAR A. We
are also pleased to announce the election of Captain Charles Dorian,
W3JPT, to the Office of Secretary by the AMSAT Board of Directors on
June 19. Chuck will replace Jim Puglise, W3CBJ, who in preparing to
leave the Washington area feels he does not have the time to handle
the responsibility competently. We wish to thank Jim for his
significant contributions to AMSAT from its inception in January.

One of AMSAT's more recent members, Reginald Atkins (C/O NASA
Tracking Station, Dan Dan, Guam 96910, USA), is interested in seeing a
synchronous satellite repeater constructed for the 1296 MHz amateur band
and has offered to assist with the project. Anyone interested in
undertaking this project, please contact us.

Perry Klein K3JTE

Editorial

INTRODUCING THE NEWSLETTER

With this, the first issue of the AMSAT Newsletter, we
are embarking on a new project to keep the membership informed
of what is going on in AMSAT. Actually, this is not quite the
first issue, because an embryonic newsletter was issued in May
by Geørge Kinal, our Engineering Vice President, in the form of
a one-page progress report. In it he described the current
AMSAT efforts to prepare the ham satellite Australis-Oscar A
for launch, and AMSAT's decision to participate in Project
"Moonray," which aims at placing a ham relay package on the
moon.

These are exciting activities — Oscar and Moonray
and amateur space communications in general — and AMSAT
is deeply interested in them. As our membership expands
and our involvement in various projects grows, so does
the need for a newsletter increase.

The main objectives of the Newsletter are to document
AMSAT activities and to report the progress on current
projects. In addition, the Newsletter will carry special
articles deemed to be of interest to the members. In the
beginning, these articles will be mainly concerned with
Australis-OSCAR, (which is our most important activity at
present) or with providing information to new members for
their orientation. Later issues will cover a wider field—as
wide as the members wish it to be and make it to be.

Did you wonder "why a newsletter?" Well, now you
know! And if you wondered what AMSAT is all about, and who
is responsible for what, we have the answers in this issue

[amsat-bb] Re: FM satellite operations again again over Europe

[Samudra Haque N3RDX]

I asked as I am still puzzled why in the US on local FM nets hams just
use "n,3,r,d,x" instead of "november three romeo david x-ray".



On Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 4:59 PM, Tony Langdon  wrote:
> At 07:30 AM 10/14/2009, Samudra Haque wrote:
>>
>> on a satellite QSO, is it traditional to say "A, B, C" instead of
>> "Alfa Bravo Charlie" for brevity when referring to call signs and grid
>> locators ?
>
> That can backfire and waste time, due to people not understanding the
> letters.  For example, my callsign under adverse conditions could be mis
> heard as (heard most of the following on terrestrial repeaters or
> IRLP/Echolink, let alone on the birds!):
>
> VK3JEB
> VK3JD
> VK3JB
> VK3JEV
> VK3JV
>
> And the list goes on ;)  The overhead in asking for clarification or
> getting a correction outweighs the overhead of using phonetics in most
> cases.  Once callsigns are confirmed, you can drop the phonetics (though
> usually by then, the QSO is over, so someone else can have a go ;) ).
>  Phonetics are also more likely to survive brief bursts of QRM or brief
> fades.
>
> 73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL
> http://vkradio.com
>
>

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[amsat-bb] Re: FM satellite operations again again over Europe

[Samudra Haque]

on a satellite QSO, is it traditional to say "A, B, C" instead of
"Alfa Bravo Charlie" for brevity when referring to call signs and grid
locators ?

On Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 2:24 PM, Eric Knaps, ON4HF
 wrote:
> Hello all,
> I found these nice rules from VK3JED:
>
>  1. First and foremost is to listen before and while (if possible)
>     transmitting, to ensure your transmissions don't drown out a weaker
>     station who may be on the edge of a pass or running QRP. Satellites
>     should be an alligator free zone. It is strongly recommended that you
>     set your station up so you can monitor the downlink while
>     transmitting, so you can hear how well you are accessing the satellite
>     and whether you accidentally clobbered someone else. Similarly, if you
>     can't hear the transponder, don't transmit. Do something else more
>     productive, such as realign your receiving antenna to improve
>     reception.
>  2. Be brief. Because the traffic levels can be quite high, contest style
>     (callsign/signal report/next station) operation is the most
>     appropriate for most situations. Many stations also exchange QTH and
>     first names, which is OK if time permits. If transponder activity is
>     low, you can have a brief chat, but the opportunities for this are
>     becoming rare now.
>  3. Take turns. If you've just worked a handful of stations, be polite and
>     hand the transponder over to someone else so they can work a few.
>     There may be an opportunity to call back in later during the pass and
>     work some different stations as the satellite passes over different
>     areas, and others will appreciate your courtesy.
>  4. When calling, a simple announcement (e.g. "This is VK3JED listening
>     SUNSAT" or even "VK3JED listening") will suffice, like it does on a
>     terrestrial repeater. Anyone within transponder range will hear your
>     call. A short CQ call ("CQ SUNSAT, this is VK3JED") is OK too. Long CQ
>     calls waste transponder time and frustrate everyone listening. Save
>     the long CQs for HF, where they're appropriate. Only call CQ when
>     there's a distinct lack of activity, such as at the very start of a
>     pass and sometimes late in the pass after everyone else has finished.
>     A well placed CQ call late in a pass might alert someone ahead of the
>     satellite that a pass has just commenced over their QTH.
>  5. Wait your turn. If a QSO is in progress, wait until it finishes before
>     putting in your call. Butting in too soon is rude and wastes precious
>     transponder time as the stations involved in the QSO have to repeat
>     themselves due to your QRM.
>  6. Don't tune up! Believe it or not, there are stations who test their
>     satellite access by dropping a carrier over the top of everyone and
>     perhaps announcing "Hello hello". Simply putting out a call at the
>     appropriate time will provide all the signal checks you need (and get
>     you a worthwhile contact! :) ), without annoying everyone else on the
>     transponder. If you're really that doubtful about your equipment,
>     perhaps connect your dummy load, test in the shack and try again
>     another day, rather than disrupting everyone else. If you just want to
>     hear your voice, well a tape recorder or a pair of walkie talkies will
>     do just as well...
>  7. Reward good operation. If you're answering a call, why not reward the
>     good operators and put the alligators last on your list of priorities.
>     If all satellite users favour good operators, perhaps everyone will
>     learn that good ops have the highest QSO rates and earn the most
>     satellite awards. :-) Peer pressure is a powerful motivating force, as
>     any teenager will know (but probably not admit to! :-) ).
>  8. Use the minimum power necessary. While power levels are not critical
>     on FM satellites (unlike linear transponders where an excessively
>     strong signal can affect other QSOs on the transponder), using the
>     minimum power necessary allows you to easier tell if you're 'doubling'
>     with someone else. For the South African SUNSAT satellite, you
>     shouldn't need more than 5 watts into a basic (1/2 wave handheld or
>     turnstile) antenna, perhaps a bit more if the antenna is setup for
>     terrestrial operation, to overcome radiation pattern limitations. As
>     an example of good operation, recently one station who had multiple
>     beams wound his power back to 20 mW. The signal into the bird was full
>     quieting, but it was still possible to tell if someone else was
>     underneath his signal. If he had run 100W, he couldn't have known if
>     he'd stepped on anyone else, due to the capture effect of FM.
>
> If everyone follows these simple guidelines (which are basically common
> sense and courtesy), then FM satellite operation can be enjoyable for
> everyone, regardless of whether you run a sophisticated satellite station
> or a couple of 

[amsat-bb] WTB: EZ-Lindenblad antenna

[Samudra Haque N3RDX]

Hello is there a commercial source of EZ-Lindenblad antennas for
mounting on a convention A-frame rooftop ? I have read AAT2X's paper
describing how to homebrew, but want to look at buying a pre-built
version to get started quickly with no need to rotate/elevate on the
RX side.

Regards,

Samudra, N3RDX
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[amsat-bb] Re: Amsat conference follow-up regarding Cubesats, Education and Experimental projects and ITU

[Samudra Haque]

Thank you for your response. I'll do a public search on USPTO.GOV and
see what I can find on the cubesat elements.
>
>> Does cubesat employ all open standards, free for use, free of any
>> copyright -or- patents ?
>
>  The answer to this is substantially yes, although especially with patents
> it is hard to ever know for sure.
>

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[amsat-bb] Amsat conference follow-up regarding Cubesats, Education and Experimental projects and ITU

[Samudra Haque N3RDX]

Hi all amsat-bb participants,

there were a number of good concepts that were floated at the 2009
AMSAT-NA Space Symposium and I highlighted the potential of using
AMSAT knowledgebase and experienced hobbyists to create relevant
course content for inclusion in a K-12 STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math) syllabus for various standards of learning. One
of the nearest examples I can give of such a similar program is the
aviation-technology centric STARBASE program which is a civilian
operated program affiliated and funded by the DoD,
http://www.dodstarbase.com/ and of those programs, I highlighted work
of a single one at the conference, http://www.starbasebeaufort.com

If you were at the conference and had any questions about my
presentation, please let me know by e-mail. For others, you may wish
to purchase the proceedings of the conference from Martha/Amsat at
your convenience as this years proceedings is very well organized.

I was interested to know a little bit about the history of
development/spread of use and launch technology available for the
P-POD and Cubesat technology as discussed in
http://thespacereview.com/article/1490/1. Morehead State University
had a very interesting presentation given by Undergraduate students
about their  Space Science program http://www.moreheadstate.edu/ssc/.

This lead me to think about what the cubesat platform is good for and
perhaps I could begin developing a cubesat proposal "with features" in
my future research plans.

But first a few questions:

Does cubesat employ all open standards, free for use, free of any
copyright -or- patents ?

Are there any alternative choices in the US ? I have heard at the
conference, a few years ago AMSAT-NA was initially against cubesats,
but now it is an accepted concept. Could someone provide a short
history of the discussion of that period ?

What types of missions have been completed using P-POD and Cubesat
type spacecraft at the current time ?

Is there an example of a cubesat with any kind of propulsion system
built in and put into service ? Any future candidates ?

What are the lifetime design goals of a cubesat system, and if they
deorbit in a finite time, can more than a few cubesats be deployed in
various stages in the same orbital plane and orbital track ?

BTW, I am curious, is there a certain orbital plane allocation for
cubesats/altitude ? Who regulates this ? Could a cubesat (small) be
launched into (e.g.) a fractional degree orbit .. e.g., 45.5 degrees
and separate from 45.7 degrees etc as they are very small, or are the
cubesats limited to separation in orbit by whole integer degrees
inclination ?

Also, with regard to the following ITU definition, can any one help me
locate an current  list of cubesats and their mission objectives if
published on a public website ? If there is no such list readily
available, what would be the best possible method to catalog the
cubesat launches in order to determine compliance with these two
clauses ? I am looking for more comprehensive information other than
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/cubesats.php


From: http://life.itu.int/radioclub/rr/art01.htm#Serv

1.56 amateur service: A radiocommunication service for the purpose
of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations
carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons
interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without
pecuniary interest.

1.57 amateur-satellite service: A radiocommunication service using
space stations on earth satellites for the same purposes as those of
the amateur service.



Regards from a radio amateur sat newbie,


Samudra, N3RDX
n3...@amsat.org
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[amsat-bb] 2nd Announcement AMSAT’s LCROSS “Lunar Bash ” Live Special Event

[Samudra Haque]

[I am requesting all to circulate this notice to a wide variety of
attendees, students, teachers - 73 de N3RDX/S21X]

Announcing AMSAT’s LCROSS “Lunar Bash” Live Special Event *
2009 AMSAT Space Symposium
Celebrating 40 Years in Space

*NEW: with an exhibit of NASA educational materials for the LRO/LCROSS
program suitable for K-12 students
*NEW: live updates of the mission progress from the Flight Directors Blog

Date: Friday October 9, 2009
Location/Time: 0600-0900 Crane A/B, Four Points Sheraton Hotel at BWI Airport
Hosted by Samudra Haque, N3RDX, n3...@amsat.org
Open to All 2009 AMSAT Space Symposium Attendees

Let’s Kick Up Some Moon Dust !

Join us in the Crane A/B rooms between at 0600 (event starts 0630)
with other early bird
AMSAT attendees for a Presentation and Live Simulcast of NASA’s Return
to the Moon – and an once-in-a-lifetime event of the Lunar CRater
Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) impact into the Cabeus
crater on the Lunar Surface estimated at 0730 EDT. The event will
showcase NASA documentaries on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
and LCROSS missions, the Music Video “Water on the Moon” by NASA
Deputy Project Manager John Marmie and will shift to the live video
stream with commentary from NASA TV shortly before the actual impact
event.

As the best viewing of the impact site from Earth will be available to
ground based telescope located in the Mid-West and points towards the
West Coast we hope to see pre-recorded images/video clips well after
the impact event as it is relayed from observing communities. If such
images are available, we will post them during our open session.
Educators and Students can obtain digital copies of the presentation
materials from the host and can review “On the Moon” Educators guide
which contains learning activities for Students.
*In collaboration with NASA

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[amsat-bb] Re: LLCROSS spacecraft

[Samudra Haque]

Martin

thank you for the clarification on the impact time.

Samudra, N3RDX


This announcement will go out soon:

Announcing AMSAT’s LCROSS “Lunar Bash” Live Special Event *
2009 AMSAT Space Symposium
Celebrating 40 Years in Space

Date: Friday October 9, 2009
Location/Time: 0600-0900 Crane A/B, Four Points Sheraton Hotel at BWI Airport
Hosted by Samudra Haque, N3RDX, n3...@amsat.org
Open to All 2009 AMSAT Space Symposium Attendees

Let’s Kick Up Some Moon Dust !

Join us in the Crane A/B rooms between at 0630 with other early bird
AMSAT attendees for a Presentation and Live Simulcast of NASA’s Return
to the Moon – and an once-in-a-lifetime event of the Lunar CRater
Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) impact into the Cabeus
crater on the Lunar Surface estimated at 0730 EDT. The event will
showcase NASA documentaries on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
and LCROSS missions, the Music Video “Water on the Moon” by NASA
Deputy Project Manager John Marmie and will shift to the live video
stream with commentary from NASA TV shortly before the actual impact
event.

As the best viewing of the impact site from Earth will be available to
ground based telescope located in the Mid-West and points towards the
West Coast we hope to see pre-recorded images/video clips well after
the impact event as it is relayed from observing communities. If such
images are available, we will post them during our open session.
Educators and Students can obtain digital copies of the presentation
materials from the host and can review “On the Moon” Educators guide
which contains learning activities for Students.
*In collaboration with NASA

On Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 8:58 AM, Davidoff, Martin  wrote:
> QST
>
>
>
> Anyone reading the agenda for the AMSAT conference next weekend may have
> noticed the LLCROSS event scheduled for Friday Morning
>
>
>
> 6:30-9 am LCROSS "Lunar Bash", LCROSS spacecraft crashes into
>
> a South Pole Lunar Crater
>
>
>
> This is a real-time live event.  Impact is scheduled for  7:31:30 a.m.
> EDT
>
>
>
> More info at http://www.spaceflightnow.com/lcross/091005preview/
>
>
>
> K2ubc
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ___
> 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
>

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[amsat-bb] Announcing a AMSAT's LCROSS "Lunar Bash" live event during 2009 AMSAT Space Symposium on Friday 0630 to 0900

[Samudra Haque]

[I am requesting all to circulate this notice to a wide variety of
attendees, students, teachers - 73 de N3RDX/S21X]

Announcing AMSAT’s LCROSS “Lunar Bash” Live Special Event *
2009 AMSAT Space Symposium
Celebrating 40 Years in Space

Date: Friday October 9, 2009
Location/Time: 0600-0900 Crane A/B, Four Points Sheraton Hotel at BWI Airport
Hosted by Samudra Haque, N3RDX, n3...@amsat.org
Open to All 2009 AMSAT Space Symposium Attendees

Let’s Kick Up Some Moon Dust !

Join us in the Crane A/B rooms between at 0630 with other early bird
AMSAT attendees for a Presentation and Live Simulcast of NASA’s Return
to the Moon – and an once-in-a-lifetime event of the Lunar CRater
Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) impact into the Cabeus
crater on the Lunar Surface estimated at 0730 EDT. The event will
showcase NASA documentaries on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
and LCROSS missions, the Music Video “Water on the Moon” by NASA
Deputy Project Manager John Marmie and will shift to the live video
stream with commentary from NASA TV shortly before the actual impact
event.

As the best viewing of the impact site from Earth will be available to
ground based telescope located in the Mid-West and points towards the
West Coast we hope to see pre-recorded images/video clips well after
the impact event as it is relayed from observing communities. If such
images are available, we will post them during our open session.
Educators and Students can obtain digital copies of the presentation
materials from the host and can review “On the Moon” Educators guide
which contains learning activities for Students.
*In collaboration with NASA

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[amsat-bb] Re: dreamer

[Samudra Haque]

IF dreaming season is now open.. :-)

has any amateur satellite mission been conceived (and implemented)
where the satellite is permitted/designed for in-orbit maneuvering
with other spacecraft ? Simple example: Sat A, flies in formation with
Sat B. Complex example: Sat A, changes orbit to rendezvous with Sat B.
Could be useful to avoid debris and other spacecraft, or could be very
useful in "joining" missions with additional tasks as Mission A Sat A
performs operations on/with Mission B Sat B.

concept: "operations" is flexible term: example: fix other spacecraft.

Since these "cubesats" or "microsats" are often launched in clusters,
I would have thought this should be a common topic by now? Any URLs
that describe the maneuvering tasks in-orbit for any class of amateur
spacecraft, please highlight them for education.

Thanks,

Samudra, N3RDX

On Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 3:07 PM, Jerry  wrote:
>       Hi :  I guess you could say I miss AO-10   . RS birds   AO-40
>
>               FO-20  .
>
>                 I could go on and on.
>
>              When I see all the cube sats launched and FM birds  I say to
>
>              Myself why didn,t they pull all the resources together to
> launch
>
>              One HEO.
>
>               I guess I will have to keep dreaming that this might happen.
>
>                     The Dreamer
>
>                       Jerry w0sat
>
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>

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[amsat-bb] AO-40 (R.I.P.) query

[Samudra Haque]

Hi, I was looking at some information from the 2005 Edition of the
ARRL handbook, which referred to AO-40 in some detail... but of
course, AO-40 is non-functional at present. The information I was able
to gather from web sources imply there is a "chance" the primary
battery may become open-circuit, and the secondary battery might
become operational if the panels are still charging.

Q: Was there any watchdog facility onboard the AO-40 that operated
directly off the charging bus prior to the battery ? If so, what was
the capability of the watchdog facility ?

Q: Is the bird still in orbit, or has it decayed or is decaying ?

Q: Under normal lifespan, what was the intention of the designers when
time came to have it shutdown ? Where there any deorbit plans ?

Q: If the AO-40 satellite is still up there, is anyone listening ?

Samudra, N3RDX
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