[amsat-bb] FWD:
Happy new year! I thank and recommend the site http://congthao.com/cornerdrugjustinjames/?3The%20simple%20mode%20to%20suppress%20your%20appetite ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] WRONG TIMES
ISS will get to me in range to hit about 2317 UTC . NOT 2342. ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] AO-7 was Rockin' tonight!
Hey everyone, I've never heard AO-7 so busy. I'm sure she has been - in the old days, back in the 1970s when she was still new to orbit. But tonight on the pass that reached the W4G Field Day site about 0026 UTC, I heard more stations on AO-7 than I've heard in the two years I've been working the satellites - and I stayed in the CW portion of the passband! If CW was that busy, I suspect the SSB going on above 145.950 was even busier. Some may disagree (because I'm confident I'm not the only one who heard the FMing), but I was happy to hear the Grand Old Girl get such a workout. I promised the clubs from Athens, Ga., and Commerce, Ga. - who do a combined Field Day effort using the 1x1 call W4G - that I'd try to get them the 100-point satellite bonus. In 2009, I worked most of the Saturday and Sunday-morning FD passes as the W4G satellite station, and we did ok. For a number of reasons this year, I didn't commit to more than the time necessary to get them the bonus. I took a different tack with the station setup this year, too, because I wanted to show the folks how little gear is necessary to effectively work the satellites - even the highest-orbiting, oldest one in the amateur fleet. I used an FT-817ND as the transmit radio, and a Yaesu VR-500 handheld all-mode receiver as the receive radio. I connected both to my Elk antenna with a Diamond diplexer. In addition to hand-holding the Elk and manually tracking AO-7, I tuned for Doppler manually and used a straight key for CW. There was a lot going on during the pass, for sure. My goal was to show those folks that effective satellite communications doesn't require significant expense or so much equipment that portable operation is problematic at best. If you can connect an all-mode VHF/UHF receiver and an all-mode QRP rig that also covers VHF/UHF to an Elk or an Arrow handheld antenna, you only need to add headphones (to avoid feedback during full-duplex operation) and a key or microphone to work any of the FM or linear satellites. I dare say that if all the stations I heard on AO-7 tonight had been running no more than 5 watts into their antennas, the FMing probably wouldn't have been nearly so bad. Thanks from W4G to W5MSQ, N9AMW and W8DXA for the calls. I had a splitter cable from the headphone jack on the VR-500 to two sets of headphones, so several people got to listen to portions of the pass on the second set of headphones. It was fun seeing the looks on their faces as they heard CW arriving from orbit! Best of luck to everyone this Field Day! 73 and God Bless, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: SAT VUCC
Congratulations Zeljko! Good DX, 73 and God Bless, Tim - N3TL -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Ulip Željko Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:43 AM To: AMSAT-BB Subject: [amsat-bb] SAT VUCC Hello SAT friends, A little self promotion: Few days ago I founded in my post office box the VUCC Satellite Award # 197. Very nice piece of paper. The next award project is AMSAT Sexagesimal Award. For SAT DXCC I must wait for the P3E. Best regards 73 Zeljko 9A2EY ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: First QSO
Congratulations, Don - and welcome to orbit! Here, the excitement hasn't gotten old after almost two years. Working the satellites is the most fun and satisfying thing I've ever done in amateur radio. I wish you all the best as you continue working passes and making lots more contacts. 73 and God Bless, Tim - N3TL From: Don don1...@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Mon, June 7, 2010 12:21:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] First QSO Finally did it made first contact via satellite (SO-50_ today 6/7/10 at 15:18U with K8YSE . Thanks John for coming back to me. Don WB8ZOM It is quite a learning curve but if you can hang in long enough you can do it. The bug has now put a big bite on me Don WB8Z)M ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question
Greg, Thanks for this reply. It's nice to know that even the highest of currently-in-use satellite frequencies are do-able without computer aid. I'm pleased to hear that, and will rethink my position on things above 70 cm. To Joe and Bruce - Here, I have noticed particular challenges with VO-52, whose Doppler tends to move more quickly near mid-pass than the computer and software routinely seem able to keep up with. The Mode J satellites and AO-7 Mode B haven't really been too troublesome. At the end of the day, however, tuning manually remains a very viable option for any of us, in my opinion. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: Greg D. ko6th_g...@hotmail.com To: n...@bellsouth.net; apbid...@mailaps.org; jbelst...@yahoo.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 12:36:55 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question From: n...@bellsouth.net To: apbid...@mailaps.org; jbelst...@yahoo.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Mon, 31 May 2010 21:42:09 -0400 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question Alan, I have no doubt that you're right about the necessity for Doppler control above Mode B satellites. Having always preferred the KISS approach whenever possible, I suppose that's why I haven't been able to get myself very excited for L- and S-band opportunities. I definitely enjoy the benefits of computer control for Doppler. I just don't much care for having no choice in using it (or not) to effectively work a satellite. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Actually, I've been running 2.4 ghz manually since AO-40, and really haven't had that much trouble. Just keep spinning the dial. Also, having an older rig (736r), I don't bother with computer control when on the linear birds. I do relax under full computer control for FM up through L-band, but there's still something satisfying about manual tuning. Greg KO6TH _ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question
Hi Alan, Your comments suggest that I'm the one in Bizarro World. Regarding the One True Rule - I operate under the impression (which, I thought, has been backed by science) that regardless of the frequency pair, Doppler always will have a more pronounced effect (in relative terms, of course, based on the frequencies being used) on the higher of the two. In a perfect world, ever operator will be tuning for Doppler the same way. reality, of course, is that some people either can't use computer-aided Doppler tuning (my situation for the first several months that I worked the linear satellites) or they choose not to - as I still often do. And when I do, I will continue to compensate - most - for the frequency being most affected by Doppler, which is the higher frequency. Regarding mid-pass - My experience suggests that, while your statement about mid-pass Doppler shift is accurate, it does not take into account that mid-pass occurs for only a moment in time during any orbit. My experience has been that the lower a satellite's orbit, the more significant Doppler movement will be. VO-52 is the prime example, in my opinion. And here, for me, the time just before and just after (say, 20-30 seconds on each side) mid-pass is when Doppler affects the uplink frequency the most. The computer and software I use often have not been able to adjust my radio's frequency as quickly as they need to in order to compensate for Doppler. Others may not have that problem with their computer-tuning system, but I believe the more-rapid Doppler effect is consistent for VO-52 regardless of how one is tuning. I'm confident (and, actually hope) that others will correct me if I'm wrong about the relative speed of Doppler correlating to the relative height of a satellite's orbit. Regarding pride associated with the decision to not use current technology - Any measure of pride I take from knowing how to routinely tune for Doppler manually comes from the knowledge that circumstances and situations may arise when I will be asked to communicate effectively through the satellites without access to everything associated with current technology. My station is founded in that concept. I don't have an all-mode, full-duplex radio. I use two radios with a diplexer connecting them to one antenna. I don't have an az/el rotator; well, actually I do. It has three parts - shoulder, elbow and wrist. I don't have two very large, high-gain antennas. The only satellite antenna I own and use (other than some whips for the HTs) is the Elk dual-band log periodic. All of that being said, I am proud to say that I can use the gear I have to work any of the current fleet of single-channel-FM and linear-transponder satellites from anywhere - even without access to a computer or even to power. In that regard, Patrick - WD9EWK - has been an inspiration and mentor. His station is similar to mine. I can't comment on your last two statements (about SSB vs. FM satellites and how to appropriate use a Yaesu FT-736r) because I didn't comment initially on either one. Personally, I find the FM satellites easier to work than the birds with linear transponders - but the latter are easier to make contacts on because they never attract nearly the number of operators on a single pass as the FM satellites. NONE of them are as difficult to work as I believed. They represent the most fun and satisfying operation I've ever done in amateur radio. 73 to all ... from the EM84 chunk of Bizarro World Tim - N3TL From: Alan ve...@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 9:31:36 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question Folks I've been patiently silent reading this déjà vu annual discussion and I'm getting a brain crap. - comments that tuning the highest frequency is the One True Method Yikes! Why is that? So you can leap frog down the pass band and eventually stomp all over a QSO where folks are tuning both TX and RX to maintain a single constant frequency at the satellite? I've read the Doppler tends to move more quickly near mid-pass than the computer and software routinely seem able to keep up. Mid pass is when the sat is moving most tangentially to you at which point Doppler shift is nil. I've read statements from many taking pride in their lack of use of current technology. I've read that working tight SSB sats is easier than the wide band FM where the satellite is very forgiving of your sloppy tuning. I've read advise to someone using an FT 736r that your shouldn't tune the RX and ignore the use of the NOR/REV feature, again so you can eventually stomp on other QSO's as you slide down the pass band. Have I just been transported into a Bizarro World? 73, Alan VE4YZ EN19kv AMSAT LM 2352 http://www.wincube.ca ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA
[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Awards
Congratulations to everyone. Well done! 73, Tim - N3TL From: Bruce kk...@amsat.org To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 11:32:43 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Awards The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club for making their first satellite QSO. Brennan Price, N4QX John Neeley, W6ZKH Ed Empey, WA7ETH Jennifer Melfi, KC2TMA The following have earned the AMSAT Communications Achievement Award. Larry Teran, KI6YAA, #512 John Neeley, W6KZH, #513 Gerry Krebs, N0JE, #514 Hugh Empey, W7ETH, #515 The following have earned the W4AMI Achievement Award (for 1000 contacts) Evangelos Kafetzopoulos, SV1EEK, endorsement from 3000 to 4000 The following have earned the W4AMI Achievement Award for 5000 contacts Evangelos Kafetzopoulos, SV1EEK, #23 The following have earned the South Africa AMSAT Communications Achievement Award Larry Teran, KI6YAA, #US145 Gerry Krebs, N0JE, #US146 Hugh Empey, WA7ETH, #US147 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Discussion
Clint, Thank you for this. Please note that I got a broken link window when I tried to go to that page. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Clint Bradford clintbra...@earthlink.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tue, June 1, 2010 12:49:35 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Doppler Discussion ... Doppler always will have a more pronounced effect (in relative terms, of course, based on the frequencies being used) on the higher of the two ... Here's the actual equation for determining Doppler shift ... http://tinyurl.com/calc-dopp Your generalization is correct. On a 45 degree pass of a sat that's in a circular orbit at 497 miles up, approximate Doppler shifts calculate to ... At 15m, +/- 477 Hz At 10m, +/- 659 Hz At 2m, +/- 3.27 kHz At 70cm, +/- 9.76 kHz At 23cm, +/- 28.5 kHz at 13cm, +/- 53.8 kHz Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question
Alan, John and all, There is no question that computer-controlled Doppler tuning makes working the linear satellites easier. That being said, I am glad that my lack of a computer to dedicate to ham radio forced me to learn and use manual tuning by following the one true rule of always tuning the higher frequency. These days, I often use SatPC 32 for computer control when I use my two FT-817 QRP rigs for the satellites. But last year, right after Field Day, the CAT plug on my FT-857D stopped working. Because of the choices I've made about my station setup (i.e., a totally portable station that I can set up and operate anywhere at any time), I need to use the 857 as a transmit radio in order to work the DX into Europe and Africa that I have on AO-7 Mode B. And without its higher power on 2 meters, I would not have gotten Hawaii into the log earlier this year on FO-29 from Adrian, AA5UK/KH6. Since the CAT plug died on the 857, I have been manually tuning on every pass during which I use that radio. I really like being able to do it, even if I don't have to. I hope new satellite operators will take the time to at least develop the basic ability to effectively use manual tuning. But then - dinosaur that I am - I also wish more amateurs in general would at least learn Morse Code at slow speeds ... hihi. And since we're on the topic ... has anyone else noticed that the latest edition of The ARRL Satellite Handbook uses VO-52 as the example for Doppler tuning - and that it suggests that newcomers who are manually tuning for Doppler park their transmit frequency on the UHF uplink and tune the VHF downlink (i.e., the exact opposite of the One True Rule)? That is really mystifying and disappointing. Alan, I have no doubt that you're right about the necessity for Doppler control above Mode B satellites. Having always preferred the KISS approach whenever possible, I suppose that's why I haven't been able to get myself very excited for L- and S-band opportunities. I definitely enjoy the benefits of computer control for Doppler. I just don't much care for having no choice in using it (or not) to effectively work a satellite. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Alan P. Biddle Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 6:07 PM To: 'John Belstner'; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Doppler Tuning Convention Question John, MacDoppler, SATPC32, Ham Radio Deluxe, and other programs all support what has been called the One True Rule. The usual name for the implementation is Full Doppler Tuning. You are doing it right. When everyone does this, it provides a very pleasant opportunity to talk instead of tune. It also keeps from drifting all over another QSO, though the transponders are seldom full these days. However, that is not to say that people not using this are doing it wrong, exactly. There are still many rigs in use which do not have the capability for computer frequency control. In the old days, the rule was to tune the highest frequency, whether uplink or downlink, since this is where the Doppler shift is greatest. Take a look at KB5MU's original article and updates here: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/features/one_true_rule.html My suggestion is to use full tuning until you find that the other operator isn't. Then adapt, usually by turning off the updating for the lower frequency. It isn't worth getting doctrinaire about it. However, by using the One True Rule as the default, you set a good example and encourage the movement of other operators in this direction. As you will find, it is truly painful to do it the manual way after getting used to automagic tuning. As we move above 70 cms, full tuning truly becomes necessary. Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of John Belstner Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 3:36 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Doppler Tuning Convention Question I know there is a lot of discussion on this subject in the AMSAT archives, but I've recently read a few posts to the BB that have me confused. Just this weekend I got my Sat station on the air (FT-736R w/MacDoppler) and I noticed that the MacDoppler program I use adjusts both the TX and RX frequencies during the satellite pass. I'm assuming this is to keep my signal located in the same place in the transponder. The program seemed to work quite well. I was able to copy several QSO's on VO-52 and made a couple contacts as well. One thing I noticed is that about half the QSO's I copied did not require any manual tuning on my part (MacDoppler adjusted the RX correctly) while the other half did. According to MacDoppler, those that did require manual tuning were moving around within the transponder passband. I've read a few posts (one as recent as today) that suggested the convention is to keep the RX frequency fixed and manually
[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 5, Issue 185
Bob and all, WAC definitely is possible - in some portions of the lower 48, at least - with today's fleet of satellites. On the AO-7 passes that I've used to work Alaska in the past, far eastern Russia was well within the footprint. The same is true now for HO-68 during appropriate passes. The obstacle, of course, is a lack of operators that far east in Russia. Bob, I suspect you are too far east to be able to get Hawaii for Oceana. However, stations at your latitude and slightly farther south (maybe as far south as 45 degrees, but definitely at 40 degrees and north) who sit somewhere from the Mississippi River east to at least the Cleveland area should be able to earn Satellite WAC. UA9CS shows up fairly regularly on Mode B passes of AO-7, and the log page on the AO-7 Web site reflects that K3SZH (Harrisburg, Pa., area) works him fairly often. That is asiatic Russia, so would count for Asia. K8YSE (Cleveland area) has worked WH6BIE on Oahu. I believe John may also have worked Adrian, AA5UK, when he was portable earlier this month from KH6. So that's Oceana. EA8AVI is active on AO-7 and other satellites, and the Canary Islands provide Africa. From this far south in EM84, I have worked all but Asia - and it IS possible here. Sadly, however, it would involve finding an operator across the Bering Strait who could work either AO-7 Mode B or HO-68 using either the linear or FM transponder. I have looked at a gazillion low-angle AO-7 passes to my east, and none of them have the right angles to fit UA9CS and me in the footprint at the same time. Given HO-68's nice footprint, I believe it should be very possible to earn Satellite WAS hand-held (and, of course, with a base station) for any station located from the creater Kansas City area west on the lower 48. It might even stretch a bit farther east, but I haven't looked at it. Satellite WAS definitely is possible as far east as my QTH, but it takes the right pass of either AO-7 or (as I surprisingly discovered) FO-29. And this is about as far east as either the AO-7 or FO-29 footprints will stretch. But that makes Satellite WAS possible for a significant portion of the lower 48. Before closing, let me add my congratulations to Loren on his all-handheld Satellite VUCC. That's also how I earned mine (No. 170), and it was a real thrill. The ironic thing is, it took longer to get all the cards I needed to apply for the award than it did to actually work 100 grids. I needed 28 days to work 100 grids, but another 49 days to get all the cards I needed to apply for the award ... hihi. As a result, my all-handheld VUCC was, in all, a 69-day project. I remember asking on this BB about who else had done all-handheld VUCC, and there were several operators who responded. Also - for Loren and others who might be interested - the QRP Amateur Radio Club International has added satellite endorsements to many of its awards, including its Grid Square and All States awards. The Grid Square Award is like VUCC - it requires a minimum of 100 grids. However, the QRP-ARCI award is far more rare. I suppose that has to do with the nature of QRP operation. I earned Satellite Grid Square Award No. 1 from them, and it is only No. 7 overall. I encourage anyone who has VUCC using HTs or a QRP rig like the Yaesu FT-817 to check it out. The group's All States Award is like our Satellite Communications Achievement Award, which requires confirmed contacts with at least 20 states/Canadian provinces/DX entities. The QRP-ARCI All States Award requires contacts with a minimum of 20 states, and it offers endorsement in increments of 10 states from there (i.e., 30, 40 and 50 states). I earned Satellite All States No. 1 using only contacts I'd made, handheld, running 50 milliwatts out of my Yaesu VX-7 HT. My award, which is only No. 16 overall, is for 30 states at .05-watt. I suspect that Loren and others have more than they need to earn one or both of these awards. They're not AMSAT awards, but neither is VUCC, WAS or WAC. For those of us who enjoy low power, however, I believe they are nice additions to the awards options we have. Information on those awards is available at www.qrparci.org. 73 all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha From: Bob DeVarney W1ICW w1...@myfairpoint.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Fri, April 23, 2010 10:00:52 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 5, Issue 185 Congrats, Loren. That's quite an accomplishment for a portable setup. Just as a yardstick, I got SAT VUCC # 64 back in November of 1996 so you are definitely in exalted company ;-) It's actually quite surprising there aren't more VUCCs done in that length of time. I wonder what the League's statistics are for the regular VUCC. Moreover, I wonder how many Satellite WAS or WAC awards have been issued since the 90s. I got sat WAS #299 in December 2004.. WAC is dated 1993, but I wonder if it can even be done now
[amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy
David and all, I copied them here at 432.0446 in CW using a Yaesu FT-817ND and Elk dual-band yagi with 6 feet of RG8X between the antenna and the radio, no preamp. I copied them in CW between 1958 and 2000 UTC here, then switched to my FT-857D (which will transmit 20 watts on 70cm instead of the 817's 5) just as they were switching to JT65B. When I heard the digital mode, I quickly set up my Acer netbook and SignaLink USB, and copied multiple contacts in the digital mode quite easily - again with just the Elk and no preamp. Congratulations to the stations I copied KP4AO working in JT65B this afternoon - UA4FRL, AF6O, W1ICW, SQ7DQX, SV2DCD, UR4UAR and SV2RM. I tried to reach them in JT65B, and threw all 20 watts at them, too ... hihi. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! What a thrill to hear and copy them on the QRP radio in CW and in the digital weak-signal mode. My congratulations and thanks to Joe Taylor, K1JT, and the KP4AO club for organizing and staging the event. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of David Barber Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 4:24 PM To: 'Idle-Tyme'; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy I found there to be little or no difference when rotating the polarity. I've also been asked what frequency I was listening on. The FT817 was in USB mode and the displayed frequency was 432.04340MHz David G8OQW -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Idle-Tyme Sent: 18 April 2010 21:05 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy have you peaked them in polarity also? The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 4/18/2010 2:37 PM, David Barber wrote: OK, I know nobody is going to believe this buton my life... I have been outside with an FT-817 connected via a very short piece of coax to a Diamond A430S10R (small 10 element beam modified for handheld use) and headphones and KP4AO was just audible on SSB. Signals were inconsistent but solid enough to copy their callsign and CQ calls around 19.00UTC and the odd information exchange thereafter. Now they've switched to CW copy is a good 80%. No signal strength showing on S-Meter of course but who cares. I would never have believed it had I not heard it with my own ears. Note: NO preamp was used. David G8OQW JO01FR ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy
I forgot to add earlier that signal readings during the JT65B operation were in the -20 dB range. One peaked at -18 dB; the others stayed between -20 dB and -22 dB. I sat on my patio and pointed the Elk at the sliver of the moon I could see at roughly 80 degrees elevation, just to my south. Radio - Yaesu FT-857D Power - Panasonc gel cell battery Antenna - Elk 2M/440L5 Coax - RG8X, 6-foot length Preamp - None Computer - Acer Aspire One netbook Interface - SignaLink USB Software - WSJT7 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net To: david.bar...@dbelectronics.co.uk; Idle-Tyme n...@mwt.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sun, April 18, 2010 6:06:32 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy David and all, I copied them here at 432.0446 in CW using a Yaesu FT-817ND and Elk dual-band yagi with 6 feet of RG8X between the antenna and the radio, no preamp. I copied them in CW between 1958 and 2000 UTC here, then switched to my FT-857D (which will transmit 20 watts on 70cm instead of the 817's 5) just as they were switching to JT65B. When I heard the digital mode, I quickly set up my Acer netbook and SignaLink USB, and copied multiple contacts in the digital mode quite easily - again with just the Elk and no preamp. Congratulations to the stations I copied KP4AO working in JT65B this afternoon - UA4FRL, AF6O, W1ICW, SQ7DQX, SV2DCD, UR4UAR and SV2RM. I tried to reach them in JT65B, and threw all 20 watts at them, too ... hihi. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! What a thrill to hear and copy them on the QRP radio in CW and in the digital weak-signal mode. My congratulations and thanks to Joe Taylor, K1JT, and the KP4AO club for organizing and staging the event. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of David Barber Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 4:24 PM To: 'Idle-Tyme'; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy I found there to be little or no difference when rotating the polarity. I've also been asked what frequency I was listening on. The FT817 was in USB mode and the displayed frequency was 432.04340MHz David G8OQW -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Idle-Tyme Sent: 18 April 2010 21:05 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo on Handy have you peaked them in polarity also? The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 4/18/2010 2:37 PM, David Barber wrote: OK, I know nobody is going to believe this buton my life... I have been outside with an FT-817 connected via a very short piece of coax to a Diamond A430S10R (small 10 element beam modified for handheld use) and headphones and KP4AO was just audible on SSB. Signals were inconsistent but solid enough to copy their callsign and CQ calls around 19.00UTC and the odd information exchange thereafter. Now they've switched to CW copy is a good 80%. No signal strength showing on S-Meter of course but who cares. I would never have believed it had I not heard it with my own ears. Note: NO preamp was used. David G8OQW JO01FR ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] AA5UK/KH6 operation from Hawaii
At 0331 UTC on April 3, AA5UK/KH6 and I made a quick CW contact on FO-29 – from his vacation location in BL02ic and my home in EM84ha. According to the Tiny Locator program from ON6MU (http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/tinylocator.htm), our contact covered 7,399 kilometers/4,621 miles. Adrian’s commitment to activate Hawaii – during a vacation trip with his significant other – enabled me to put state No. 50 in the satellite log. He did the same for several others – among them Rick, WA4NVM; George, WA5KBH; Alex, KC7MG; Damon, WA4HFN; Matthew, KC7EQO; and Dave, KN4OK. I believe I speak for all of them when I offer my sincere thanks to Adrian for what I suspect he found was a fun – but, ultimately, Herculean – effort. Thanks, too, to Domenico, I8CVS, for his April 2 post to the AMSAT-BB about FO-29 currently being at or very near apogee during passes from north to south. That prompted me to look into whether we might have a chance on this satellite. During the contact, Adrian had about 2 degrees elevation with the satellite rising at his location; I had 1 degree with the satellite descending here in northeast Georgia. We worked the contact like one in a DX pileup on HF – brief and to the point! We tried unsuccessfully on AO-7 during three different Mode B days. The elevations were roughly the same as what we had on FO-29. However, FO-29’s Mode J configuration enabled each of us to use higher power on the 2 meter uplink than we could on AO-7’s Mode B uplink, on 70 centimeters. I suspect that made the difference. Our stations were identical, and included Yaesu FT-857D radios for transmit; Yaesu FT-817ND radios for receive; and the Elk 2M/440L5 log periodic antenna. All four radios were battery-powered. Thanks again to Adrian for making the significant time and effort to activate Hawaii as much as he has on this trip. Thanks to Dale (KL7XJ), Craig (KL4E) and Joe (AL1F) for activating Alaska so often on FM and linear satellites. Thanks to all of the satellite operators in most of the lower 48 who make their states available so often. And thanks to the rovers who have activated lower-48 states that have proved tough (Delaware immediately comes to mind), and for so many rare grid squares. In particular, many of us owe significant debts of gratitude to Patrick, WD9EWK; John, K8YSE; and Jim, ND9M. Finally, thanks to everyone else who takes the time and makes the effort to activate so many places. 73, Tim – N3TL Athens, Ga. – EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Seeking Input - Possible North Dakota operation
Hey everyone, One person responded to my post from yesterday about operation from North Dakota this evening. Since his was the only feedback I got and was negative, I'm leaving the ham gear at home. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Seeking Input - Possible North Dakota operation
Hey everyone, I'll be making a quick trip to North Dakota tomorrow (Sunday, March 14), and have the possibility of operating portable from DN96. However, the only satellite pass that I know with certainty that I can work is the 0345-ish UTC Monday (Sunday evening in North America) pass of HO-68, which has a maximum elevation of almost 70 degrees to my location in DN96. Alan Kung has asked that the orbit in question be reserved for packet in his latest schedule - and this is where I'm writing to seek input from the operators who will be in the footprint during this orbit. First and most importantly - does anyone need North Dakota and/or DN96? Second - if there IS interest in FM voice contacts during that particular orbit, will any packet operators reading this please respond with your thoughts about having roughly 10 minutes of voice contacts - maximum - during that orbit? I am not checking luggage, so will be carrying only my HT and a whip antenna. Given HO-68's outstanding performance and the path of this pass, I believe I should be able to work the satellite consistently on that handheld station from roughly 0345 UTC to 0355 UTC. I will be happy to activate North Dakota and DN96 if there is interest, and if the packet operators who plan to use HO-68 are OK with this 10-minute window of FM voice operation on Sunday evening. I'll also be happy to avoid the pass if there are major concerns. There is one AO-51 pass, during the 1300 UTC hour on Monday morning, that I may be able to work - but I'm not confident that will be the case. I expect to be in meetings by then, which makes the HO-68 pass in question the only one I am certain I'll be able to work. Please post any input to the BB so that everyone can see any feedback I get. Thanks in advance for your time and thoughts. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] K4T on FO-29 at 2348 UTC this afternoon/evening
Hey everyone, On the 2130-ish UTC pass of AO-51, Mark, N8MH, was QRV from K4T and said he plans to work CW during the pass of FO-29 That he should get AOS for at roughly 2348 UTC. The satellite will be moving southwest from Europe. 73, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: current handheld
Hi Bob, The new Alinco is the only current-production HT that will operate full duplex; but like others, I hear rumblings about a TH-D7 replacement from Kenwood later this year. The D7 was full duplex. Posters here an elsewhere haven't given the Alinco high marks for its abilities to work the FM satellites. I haven't tried it, so I hope those who have some experience with it will respond to you. All of that being said, I would recommend the Kenwood TH-F6A from the group of currently available non-full-duplex radios for one major reason - its general coverage receiver is all mode. I borrowed one from a ham friend several months ago and, over the course of a weekend, use it as my receive radio with a FT-817ND as my transmit radio to make multiple contacts on all of the then-active linear satellites (AO-7 Mode B, FO-29 and VO-52). It performed very well as I worked all passes without a receive preamp for either VHF or UHF. It will work the FM satellites, while providing the bonus of giving newcomers a chance to copy AO-7, FO-29, HO-68 in linear mode and VO-52. I suspect that when they've heard a few passes of the linear satellites, they will be interested in trying to get on them. I hope this is helpful. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 2:10 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] current handheld I have been asked- what is the best current handheld for FM sats? What are we using? I have an old IC-w32a, no longer in production. 73 Bob W7LRD ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: success with 2E1EUB
Congratulations Bob and Paul! This is an outstanding accomplishement - regardless of any record - and yet another example of why so many of us think so much of Grand Old AO-7. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Bob- W7LRD w7...@comcast.net To: AMSAT-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thu, February 25, 2010 4:38:47 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] success with 2E1EUB We have been trying many weeks to have a simple QSO, with several near misses. At 2120Z via AO-7 I got a, you are 5/1 here. At 7504 km not a record, but a real fun effort. Next is Eric-PA1TNO, I may have to go portable on a nearby mountain. 73 Bob W7LRD CN87 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Elk antenna as carry on luggage?
The only time I've had to opportunity to take my handheld station along on a trip that required air travel, I didn't even try to carry on my antenna. I checked it, and carried on my HTs, spare batteries and an AL-800. I flew into International Falls, MN, from Atlanta. TSA in Atlanta breezed me through security on the way north. On the way home, however, TSA in International Falls totally unpacked my carry-on to inspect every radio-related item I had. Mark, I think you'll be OK checking your Elk. I'll do it the next time I fly. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com To: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF ni...@ngunn.net Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org; Mark L. Hammond marklhamm...@gmail.com Sent: Sat, February 20, 2010 5:00:02 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Elk antenna as carry on luggage? Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF wrote: As long as it fits inside your regulation size carry on bag. When have you last done this Nigel? Thats a good way to loose a not-so-cheap antenna at the whim of a TSA flunkie. Check it Mark. I've had to re-check an arrow, and had to get a supervisor to allow my AL-800 through inspection. 73, Drew KO4MA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Nice DX qso via A07 @7132KM
Congratulations Paul! Thanks for sharing news of your great DX contact with Kerry. I'm confident you'll be adding more contacts like this one to the log. 73, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha From: paul robinson pushbiker2...@yahoo.co.uk To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thu, February 18, 2010 3:01:27 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Nice DX qso via A07 @7132KM Althrough not a record nice contact on mode b last nite via ao7 i worked wc7v at a distance of 7132km...im always looking west coast dirrection please listen for me ...thanks again ao7 what a great bird ! de paul 2e1eub ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Thanks to the travelers
Thanks to Jim, ND9M, and Patrick, WD9WEK, for taking the time and making the effort to activate so many grid for satellite operators. Many of the grids they've worked passes from are fairly rare. Thank again guys, Safe travels! 73, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 DX
Congratulations to Joe and Francisco on another wonderful contact through Grand Old AO-7! Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha From: ps8rf Piraja ps...@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org Sent: Sun, January 24, 2010 7:01:02 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 DX Hello friends, Today in the 161.057 orbit of the AO-7 approximately 22:51 UTC our friend Joe, K3SZH, managed to maintain a short QSO with Francisco Ramirez, PY2OV. The distance between the two stations was 7738 km (4833 Miles). And with absolute certainty the QSO could be extended by a greater good distance. I have the recording of QSO. Soon I'll add the link to the video / audio. 73, Pirajá, PS8RF _ Sabia que você tem 25Gb de armazenamento grátis na web? Conheça o Skydrive agora. http://www.windowslive.com.br/public/product.aspx/view/5?ocid=CRM-WindowsLive:produtoSkyDrive:Tagline:WLCRM:On:WL:pt-BR:SkyDrive ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HT + HO-68 = NE Georgia to SE Alaska!
Thanks Rick! I don't have the industrial strength orbit stretcher here, so I won't be able to stretch HO-68 to Hawaii from here ... hihi. It'll have to be Grand Old AO-7, and I remain hopeful that will happen sometime. Thanks again. 73, Tim From: Rick - WA4NVM wa4...@comcast.net To: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net; amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org Sent: Sat, January 23, 2010 12:08:10 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HT + HO-68 = NE Georgia to SE Alaska! Way to go Tim! I heard the whole thing. You will have to put the orbit stretcher on HO-68 to work #50 on FM mode and QRP! Great Job! 73 all, Rick WA4NVM Hey everyone, At 0204 UTC on 23 January, KL7XJ and I had a quick contact on HO-68 in FM. At the time, the satellite was below 4.5 degrees and descending for me. I'm thrilled to put state No. 49 in the log with my handheld station - a Yaesu VX-7R and Elk dual-band log periodic. I never expected to get more than the lower 48 in my satellite log with the HT, so this is a very pleasant surprise. My thanks to AMSAT-China for HO-68, and to Dale for being there when it counted. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] HT + HO-68 = NE Georgia to SE Alaska!
Hey everyone, At 0204 UTC on 23 January, KL7XJ and I had a quick contact on HO-68 in FM. At the time, the satellite was below 4.5 degrees and descending for me. I'm thrilled to put state No. 49 in the log with my handheld station - a Yaesu VX-7R and Elk dual-band log periodic. I never expected to get more than the lower 48 in my satellite log with the HT, so this is a very pleasant surprise. My thanks to AMSAT-China for HO-68, and to Dale for being there when it counted. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards
Hello Luc, Your description is the one by which I have always operated QRP - that is, a maximum of 5 watts output CW and/or 10 watts PEP SSB regardless of the antenna. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Luc Leblanc luclebla...@videotron.ca To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tue, January 19, 2010 10:35:44 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards On 19 Jan 2010 at 21:39, Stan, W1LE wrote: Date sent: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:39:24 -0500 From: Stan, W1LE stanw...@verizon.net Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards To: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net Copies to: amsat-bb@amsat.org Hello Tim and The Net: This QRP only defines CW and SSB QSO's as eligible for participation in their awards. *QRP is defined by the club as 5 watts output CW and 10 watts PEP output SSB. *FM QSO's are not eligible. Did I miss something ? Stan, W1LE Cape Cod Did i read it correctly 5W OUTPUT and 10W PEP SSB no matter what type of antenna used? - Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards
Hey everyone, The QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP ARCI) has added satellite endorsements to many of its awards, which are available to all amateurs. Please visit the QRP ARCI Web site - http://www.qrparci.org/- and click on the Awards tab down the left side of the home page to see the various awards the group offers, and to get the guidelines for each award. I’m confident that many readers/posters here (especially those of you who, like me, enjoy the challenge of using a handheld station on the FM satellites and of using low power levels in general) probably can claim the Grid Square and/or All States awards right away – or, at least, very soon. Thanks to AMSAT and Bruce for its outstanding awards program, and thanks to QRP ARCI for giving us QRP addicts some other awards to shoot for with our satellite operations. 73 to all, Tim – N3TL Athens, Ga. – EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards
Hey Stan, I've forwarded your message to the folks at QRP ARCI. I'll let you and the BB know what I hear from them. 73, Tim - N3TL -Original Message- From: Stan, W1LE [mailto:stanw...@verizon.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 9:39 PM To: Tim - N3TL Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] QRP organization adds satellite endorsements to its awards Hello Tim and The Net: This QRP only defines CW and SSB QSO's as eligible for participation in their awards. *QRP is defined by the club as 5 watts output CW and 10 watts PEP output SSB. *FM QSO's are not eligible. Did I miss something ? Stan, W1LE Cape Cod Tim - N3TL wrote: Hey everyone, The QRP Amateur Radio Club International (QRP ARCI) has added satellite endorsements to many of its awards, which are available to all amateurs. Please visit the QRP ARCI Web site - http://www.qrparci.org/- and click on the Awards tab down the left side of the home page to see the various awards the group offers, and to get the guidelines for each award. ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] QRP QRCI Awards follow up
I've just looked through the awards section of the QRP ARCI Web site. Although FM is not specifically mentioned in the organization's definition of QRP, it is included on the awards application. The same is true for digital modes. The awards application is available on the site in PDF form here: http://www.qrparci.org/images/stories/GCR_Form.pdf I hope this is helpful. 73, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 Distance stretched again !
Well done, indeed! Congratulations guys! Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Andre' v Deventer Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 4:29 PM To: Amsat-Bb Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 Distance stretched again ! Congrats to Pierre ZS6BB KG43eu and Josep EA6SA JM19ir with their 7,788km contact via Ao-7B on 18 Jan 2010 at 17h27 UTC SSB. This amazing distance and on SSB ! Well Done guys ! 73 andre zs2bk ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat!
Hey Kerry, I couldn't agree with you more about AO-7 contacts. I feel very fortunate to have discovered the current fleet of amateur satellites in time to enjoy the Grand Old Girl. Congratulations on the wonderful contact. Here's to many more like it! 73, Tim - N3TL -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of kladuke1...@msn.com Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 10:52 AM To: Pierre van Deventer; 'Bob- W7LRD' Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat! Thanks to all who expressed an interest in the qso between WC7V and RN1NW on ao7b. I have hoped to make this contact for over 30 years. The fact that it happened is thanks to Oscar 7 and Ted, RN1NW was 559 even as ao7 approached his horizon. The satellite was ascending at my qth and at about 3 degrees at the end of our qso. The QSO took place on orbit #60960 at 16:08Z. I had heard RN1NW a couple of days prior but didn't make the contact. Because of ao7's history and bright future, I think any contact on this satellite is a record. Thanks again to RN1NW. 73 WC7V Kerry -- From: Pierre van Deventer pierr...@icon.co.za Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 11:01 PM To: 'Bob- W7LRD' w7...@comcast.net Cc: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat! Congratulations to Kerry WC7V and Fedor RN1NW for their QSO of 7,654 km according to Tiny Locator. Hope to hear more details of the QSO, was it with CW or SSB? It would be nice to listen to the MP3 audio clip if there is one made. 73, Pierre ZS6BB -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD Sent: 16 January 2010 21:40 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 feat! To break away from the current irrelevant thread. A momentous QSO from WC7V in DN45 to RN1NW in KP71 took place today on AO-7. The distance is about 7659 km. Great going guys! Stretching to foot print is always a challenge and fun. I now return you to the current round of bs. 73 Bob W7LRD Washington State AMSAT area coordinator ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Doppler correction - HRD 5.0 compared to SatPC32
Hi Jan, I have had consistently good success with the Doppler correction in HRD. I use it to guide either two FT-817NDs, or one 817 and a FT-857D. However, I have encountered issues with what I believe to be the load on the Atom processor in the Acer netbook I use. Even though Simon has noted here and elsewhere that the Satellite tracking program is now stand-alone in V 5.0, I cannot connect radios to it without first launching HRD and connecting to it. That appears to result in issues here. I have had the netbook lock up multiple times, including times when I was about to attempt some low-angle DX contacts on grand old AO-7. I continue to use SatPC 32 here because I don't have those lock-up issues with it. The program runs flawlessly for me, and I have seen posts here from other operators who have similar consistent success with SatPC 32 and the venerable FT-847. I continue to hope that some future version of HRD will, indeed, make it possible to use ONLY the satellite tracking program - without the need to first connect radios to HRD. It always has been possible for me to work digital modes through DM780 without launching HRD, so I hope that kind of independence will become part of the satellite tracking program in the future. 73, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of PE0SAT Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2010 5:04 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Doppler correction - HRD 5.0 compared to SatPC32 Hello, I would like to share an experience and ask this board if others have the same? I have used Ham Radio Deluxe for two years but have recently switched to SatPC32. The reason is that the Doppler correction of HRD with my Yaesu FT-847 always gave problems. It was a constant battle to stay on frequentie. I would like to continue using HRD but the Doppler correction compared to SatPC32 is just bad. Now I wonder, are there others that use HRD that share this experience or is it something only occurs in combination with the Yaesu FT-847 and is there maybe a solution. 73 Jan - PE0SAT ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Logging software
The Ham Radio Deluxe Logbook (V 5.0, Build 2356) includes fields for Satellite Name and Satellite Mode - but I don't know what you'll have to do to get LoTW to recognize them. 73, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Louis House Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 2:20 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Logging software hh, I need in for just a second, please.. Can someone tell me if there is a logging software that keeps track of QSO data and will produce the proper ADI file too include the SAT Name and Propagation mode. LoTW will not recognize my SAT QSOs for certificate credit. I prefer to not spend hours editing ADI files to include this needed information will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Louis, KD5GM CW ;-) The Original Digital Louis, KD5GM CW ;-) The Original Digital ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat!
Not too far north of you, Argentina is out of the question. I guess jealousy is in the grid square of the beholder -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Glasbrenner Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2010 3:11 PM To: Bob- W7LRD Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 feat! Bob- W7LRD wrote: To break away from the current irrelevant thread. A momentous QSO from WC7V in DN45 to RN1NW in KP71 took place today on AO-7. The distance is about 7659 km. Great going guys! Stretching to foot print is always a challenge and fun. I now return you to the current round of bs. 73 Bob W7LRD Washington State AMSAT area coordinator Nice work Bob! Was this on SSB or CW? I'm so jealous of you high latitude guys. 73, Drew KO4MA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Here a dit ... there a dit....
Heck . there were dits - and dahs - all over the place on AO-7 just now. That was really wonderful to hear - and it was a joy to work so many stations in CW on a single pass. Thanks to everyone for lighting up Grand Old AO-7 with your straight-key CW. I hope some of you can work Mode A tomorrow. It sure would be nice to have SKN contacts in the log here using both modes. 73 and Happy New Year to all! Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM94ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 beacon
Hey Andy, No disrespect ... but the Grand Old Girl has been in Mode A. I worked KC9ELU this morning and AA5PK after the AO-51 pass you mention in this email, both on Mode A. Thanks to you for the contact on AO-51. Happy New Year, and 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Andy MacAllister Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 6:31 PM To: 'AMSAT BBS' Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 beacon David, and other AO-7 watchers, I was hoping for Mode B or Mode A, but we got Mode D (435.1 MHz beacon only). Yes, I guess it just cycled into the 70-cm beacon mode for the last pass of SKN 2010! At least it was a nice strong carrier, and I got in some SKN QSOs via AO-51 just a bit earlier. TNX to AA5PK, N3TL and K2BMI for the AO-51 SKN contacts! 73 de Andy W5ACM - Original Message - From: David Giles vk...@amsat.org To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 4:38 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 beacon Hello and happy new year, I've just been listening to AO-7. The 10m beacon was off and I couldn't raise a signal through the transponder. But I did hear the 70cm beacon and it was only transmitting a constant carrier (no RTTY or CW this time). Any of the old hands know what would cause this? 73 de David VK5DG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Netbooks
Anthony, I read the responses from K6CDW and KB1PVH, and I agree with them. I also have used my Acer Aspire One to Doppler-tune two Yaesu rigs (either one FT-857 and one FT-817 or two 817s) using SatPC 32, and it works perfectly for me. You may be aware that there are offshore sellers on eBay who offer USB-to-Yaesu-data-plug cables that are inexpensive and work perfectly - here, at least. As noted, the Aspire has three USB ports. Best of luck with your station and a netbook! 73, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of ANTHONY JAPHA Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 4:46 PM To: amsat-bb Subject: [amsat-bb] Netbooks Hi All, Has anyone used SatPC32 with a netbook computer? I'd appreciate your comments. Which netbooks do best? What ports do netbooks come with? I just tried SatPC32 on AO-7 with an old Dell Inspiron 3800. It works well controlling 2 FT-817s in the shack. When outside, using a charged battery, it was very slow. I had to restart SatPC32 a couple of times, and, as a result, lost at least 2 QSOs with Europe. Maybe it's time for a change. Tnx and 73, Tony, N2UN LM 183 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: SO-67 21Nov09 1430z USA Eastern
Thanks again for posting the recording, John. Others trying to work SO-67 with handheld stations during passes over the U.S. should try timing their transmissions to coincide with the tail dropping. By doing that, I got in twice, briefly, on this pass between 3:35 and 3:50 into the recording, but not again until more than 10 minutes into the recording, when I worked AA5PK and N5AFV at 1.5 watts on a Yaesu VX-3R and Elk antenna. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: John Papay j...@papays.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 10:03:09 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-67 21Nov09 1430z USA Eastern Audio for the SO-67 eastern USA pass on 21Nov09 is on my webserver: http://www.papays.com/SO-67_21Nov2009_143116z.mp3 Now that it is understood that there is a 3 second tail after each transmission and audio will cut off after that time has expired, ways to get around the problem can be devised. I found that when called by another station, if you start transmitting before that station releases their transmitter, you will be able to answer and not be cut off after 3 seconds. This is because the tail never started. However, if this continuous transmission goes on for 30(?) seconds, the next timer will shut down the transmitter. Waiting for the tail to expire, when the bird is over the USA with many stations trying to get in, will not work. There will always be someone who keys up during the 3 second tail. Signals were loud as usual right down to the horizon. The extra transmitter power will enable many new users to get on this bird. Thanks to all of those who had a part in launching this satellite! 73, John K8YSE ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] CM87 to EM84 on 350mW
Hey everyone, At 2204 UTC on 20 November, KG6NUB and I completed another 2-way 50mW contact using our handheld satellite stations - this time on SO-50. KG6NUB was using his Kenwood TH-D7 HT and an Arrow antenna, and I was using my Yaesu VX-7R HT and an Elk antenna. Given SO-50's nominal transmitter power of 250mW, our total power budget for this contact was 350 mW. I don't believe it's possible for us to go lower unless the AO-51 control team configures one of that satellite's V/U transponders below 250 mW out. Speaking of AO-51, KG6NUB and I completed a 2-way 50mW contact on AO-51 at 0009 UTC on 21 November. KO4MA posted to the BB that the satellite is currently at 750mW on the V/U transponder, so our total power budget for that contact was 850mW. We now have completed three contacts from CM87 to EM84 running 50mW from each handheld ground station - one each on AO-27, SO-50 and AO-51 - and on the latter's non-QRP transponder. Based on the satellites' reported transmitter powers during these contacts, our total power budget for the three contacts is 1.8 watts. The SO-50 contact is especially gratifying because of the satellite's nominal quarter-watt out. It's our orbiting QRPp station. My thanks to KG6NUB for joining me on the low end of the power curve - even on busy passes. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: New Ham antenna to be installed on the ISS Columbus module tomorrow
Lou, Thank you for posting this. I'll definitely be watching. Congratulations to everyone involved. Here's hoping the EVA exceeds expectations - as they often have. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Louis McFadin w5...@mac.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Fri, November 20, 2009 8:42:24 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] New Ham antenna to be installed on the ISS Columbus module tomorrow There hasn't been much said on the various news outlets about the second ISS EVA tomorrow morning at 07:30 AM EST 12:30 UTC. During that EVA the first task is to install two antennas on the Columbus Module. One is for an experiment for the European Space Agency and the other is a dual band 2m/70CM antenna for ARISS (Amateur Radio on ISS) very similar to the antennas already on the Russian service module. If you have any way to watch, I am sure it will be exciting for any ham to watch. This is an example of what can be achieved by volunteer hams working closely with a space agency. This antenna project was funded entirely by AMSAT-NA and volunteers who built the antennas for both the experiment and for ARISS. That's not to take away from the tremendous contribution from ESA for the experiment, the launch and the EVA. I have no idea what that cost but you can be assured it was a lot more than the cost of the antennas. Once the antennas are in place we will be working to bring amateur radio to the Columbus module. I am very proud of all the teamwork and effort that has gone into this project. Lou McFadin W5DID ARISS US Hardware manager ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] SO-67 on Flea Power!!!!
My profound thanks to John. K8YSE, for posting the recordings he's made of SO-67 passes over North America. His most recent recording, which he began at 15:00:38 UTC, provides proof that - even amid the chaos of a pass like that one - very low power levels can work our amateur satellites. Anyone who listens to the recording will hear the weak-signal call of N3TL at 8:51 into the recording. I'm faint, but I'm in there ... on 50mW (.05 watt) from my Yaesu VX-7R HT and Elk dual-band log periodic antenna. KI0G surprised the heck out of me when I heard him call me several seconds later. When he did, I thought, He must be calling me blind. There's no way I made it through on 50 milliwatts. No matter - I spent the rest of the pass transmitting QSLs for our contact, but K8YSE's recording shows that I didn't make it back into the satellite before he (K8YSE) left the footprint. If someone farther south has a recording that includes me QSLing Bob, KI0G, by all means please email me a copy. My signal made it into SO-67 beginning at 15:09:29 UTC and ending at 15:09:30 UTC. According to Orbitron, SO-67 was pretty much right at the intersection of 30 degrees north x 90 degrees west, or right on top of the 4-grid boundary of EM40, EM50, EL49, EL59. She was at a range of 882.050 kilometers (548.0805 miles) to my handheld station in EM84 at 15:09:30 UTC. Based on those distances, my power level translates to 17,641 kilometers (10,961.61 miles) per watt. Given how busy SO-67 has been over North America the past two weekends, I'll take that! During that pass, I tried to time my transmissions based on Mr. Cresswell's posts to the BB on 14 November about the two passes he worked and observed that day over New Zealand. Specifically, I listened for people to immediately return calls, then have their signal drop out when the satellite's tail dropped out. When that happened, I transmitted - and on at least one occasion that K8YSE captured in his recording, flea power found its way to our newest amateur satellite. Thank you, everyone at AMSAT-SA, for building, launching and orbiting SO-67. She is a wonderful addition to the fleet, and one I'm proud to have worked on .05-watt. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] AO-7 Mode A at 0020 UTC
AO-7 just finished her first pass over North America as a 35-year-old. She is in Mode A tonight, and appears to be working well. I called CQ in CW for about 10 minutes, and one station tried to answer me. That operator sent the letters F and I in CW, but there were long tones, too, that suggested some kind of keying problem. If you are that operator, you were a solid 579 into EM84, and I was using an end-fed longwire not very high up as my receive antenna on the 10 meter downlink. AO-7 should switch over to Mode B in about 4 hours. I hope to hear many folks celebrating her 160,000+ orbits of service to the amateur satellite community beginning in the morning. 73 to all, and Happy 35th to AO-7, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: SumbandilaSat SO-67
A quick glance appears to show none of the posted passes hitting North America. Maybe they're focusing on the AMSAT-SA Satellite Activity Weekend. From: David Barber david.bar...@dbelectronics.co.uk To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Fri, November 13, 2009 11:26:34 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] SumbandilaSat SO-67 Just found the times for this weekends active periods have been published. http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ David G8OQW ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] 2-way Milliwatt Contact
Hey everyone, During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. today (11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld stations that were each transmitting 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the published, nominal transmitted power of AO-27 (500mW), our power budget for the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt. I'm thrilled to post this item to the BB. We didn't use a specially scheduled QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact using milliwatt power. I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power of the satellite itself! 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: 2-way Milliwatt Contact
My apologies to everyone for this re-post. Actually, it was my original attempt at posting this. I sent it right after the pass yesterday. When it didn't show up by this morning, I re-sent the post everyone saw several hours ago. I didn't think this one was going to make it. Sorry for the repeat. From: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net To: BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wed, November 11, 2009 4:29:48 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] 2-way Milliwatt Contact Hey everyone, During the 2045-2046 UTC portion of the AO-27 pass over the western U.S. today (11 November), Sawson (KG6NUB) and I completed a two-way contact with handheld stations that were each transmitting 50mW (.05-watt) out. Sawson used a Kenwood TH-D7 with an Arrow, and I used a Yaesu VX-7R with an Elk. Including the published, nominal transmitted power of AO-27 (500mW), our power budget for the contact was 600mW, or .6-watt. I'm thrilled to post this item to the BB. We didn't use a specially scheduled QRP pair of frequencies to complete the contact. We were in the middle of all the other stations working the pass, and were able to complete a 2-way contact using milliwatt power. I especially hope our friends with AMSAT-South Africa will note and pass along this information in advance of their Activity Weekend, which is coming up in a couple of days. Their goal is to stimulate interest in and activity on all of the amateur satellites among South African amateurs. Our FM satellites are definitely reachable with handheld stations - even those running 1/10 the power of the satellite itself! 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Want to email KG6NUB
Hey everyone, Can anyone who is local to Sawson, KG6NUB, please ask him to drop me an email at my call at AMSAT dot org? I'm interested in getting in touch with him for more than the few seconds of an FM-satellite contact. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: FT-897D - WFM
Hey Randy, Sorry to hear about the other issues you have on 137 mHz. Have you asked around to see whether anyone nearby you is receiving the weather satellites on other receivers and, if so, whether they have similar issues? It occurs to me that your interference issues may not be radio-specific, and might be worth checking out a little more before you sink money into another receiver and discover that it has the same issues. My experiences with Yaesu have always been good. I get prompt answers that address my questions although, as in the case of using W-FM on the 857 and 817s I own, I don't always get the answers I hope for ... hihi. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Randy rswa...@twcny.rr.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 8:50:33 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: FT-897D - WFM That's exactly why I thought it would be capable of it, because its NOT in the amateur band And additionally, because the handhelds were capable of that. I have one of the handhelds,( VX6-R ) but it has aviation intermod on 137 along with some other kind of Local burst data type interference, perhaps pagers or something. Although it receives it, its Not the best receiver for it in my humble opinion; though , I wish it was. Do folks typically get prompt answers from yaesu? I think I asked them a question once before and got an answer fairly quickly .. Wasn't meaning to bash them ... Just a lil frustrated with no answer .. But thanks for checking that out Tim.. I will probably just get that hamtronics receiver and be done with it. Thanks everyone .. Your're the greatest !! Randy - N2CUA PS. QST QST KB9QHO or K9CIS , I will be on VO52, 1420UTC pass FN23 ..;-) Lol -Original Message- From: Tim - N3TL [mailto:n...@bellsouth.net] Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 8:10 AM To: rswa...@twcny.rr.com Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] FT-897D - WFM HI Randy, The anawer - straight from Yaesu's tech department - is no. For the record, my history of communication with Yaesu has been excellent. Please let me know off the board if you do NOT get a timely answer from them. Neither the FT-897 nor the FT-857 will operate in wide FM on the amateur bands. Neither will the FT-817ND. It's seems strange to me because their handhelds will go into Wide FM for use with the weather satellites in the 137 mHz band. I'm sorry I don't have a better answer. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Randy rswa...@twcny.rr.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 10:31:11 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] FT-897D - WFM If I have asked this question previously, I apologize. ( getting old sucks sometimes hi hi ) I would like to know if any of the radio guru's out there Know of a way to persuade my 897D to receive in WFM on 137 Mhz? The only place it does that now is on the FM Broadcast band .. I would R E A L L Y like to do this .. I emailed yaesu with the question .. ( I bet we all know the result of that ) Thanks in advance .. And a special thanks to Mike and Tim for helping me so much on The satellite stuff .. Been working CW and SSB on VO-52 simplex ..and Its going great .. Was quite the lil learning curve though. Now I just Need some a better antenna system, preamp and duplexer. Randy - N2CUA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: A small step back into things
Congratulations Michael! I look forward to working you on the FM satellites again soon. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Michael Tondee mat...@netcommander.com To: Amsat BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2009 6:44:23 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] A small step back into things Those of you who have seen my post to this forum in the past know that I've unfortunately had to sell some of my gear on and off to make ends meet. I went from a TS-2000X to an IC-820 to no satellite stuff at all. Just recently I had to part with my HF rig as well. I was determined though that I wasn't going to give up and an FM LEO capable station seemed feasible and better than not having anything at all so I have started pursuing it. I just got my Yaesu VX-3R HT from the UPS man Friday, it is primarily to be my receive radio as I already have another 2 meter radio. I have felt like a kid who couldn't play with his new toy though because my adapter to be able to hook up an external antenna to the SMA connector on the HT was back ordered. We have a few repeaters here but I'm out in the sticks and the rubber ducks on these little rigs are notoriously dreadful. Anyway finally decided to step outside the house tonight about the 1800 UTC pass of AO-51 and see if I could hear anything but noise. Amazingly enough, even with just the stock rubber duck, I could hear stations. Everything was down in the noise and not really discernible enough to copy but I could tell people were there. I don't think I really needed much more antenna and I probably would have had decent copy. It was only a small step and there is much work to do but it did make me feel as if I had actually moved forward on getting back on the birds. Just wanted to share, 73, Michael, W4HIJ ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Grid Square Map
Tom, I have a copy of the ARRL grid square atlas, and it's all black and white inside. It shows the entire world, which is helpful for some of the grids you can work on some satellites that are outside what a U.S. map would show. That being said, the grids are very tiny in the atlas. I have a black and white map I can email you. Contact me off the BB if you'd like it. It's a U.S. map. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Tom k...@cox.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:13:02 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Grid Square Map Thanks to all that responded to my post I'm looking for something along the size of the grid map that ICOM supplies (12 X 7) but in black and white so confirmed squares could be colored in. The 8 1/2 X 11 maps that I've found online seem too small and the resolution is not good. And, although ARRL chose to show only the cover of it's grid square book, I think the pages inside are in color(?). Tom, KØTW ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation
I intended to reply both to Michael and the BB, but I see that I simply responded to him and not to all in my earlier note. My sense from his original post is that he is looking only for current-production HTs, and I believe the Alinco is it when it comes to full-fuplex-capable HTs. That being said, I have been doing some related research over the past several months. Some BB readers may recall a post I made a few months ago about the fully rechargeable satellite station. I have done some other things that I hope to include in an article for an upcoming issue of The AMSAT Journal, and I have discovered something that, I believe, could benefit all of us who enjoy using handheld stations. In addition to the TH-F6A HT from Kenwood, I have had an opportunity to use a Yaesu VR-500 handheld all-mode receiver. The general coverage receiver in the Kenwood is all-mode, as is the VR-500. Either also can serve as a receive radio for a station on the linear satellites, albeit with manual Doppler tuning. Most notable for those of us who enjoy using handheld stations for the FM satellites is the fact that the Kenwood's general coverage receiver and the Yaesu VR-500 each offer tuning steps down to 1 kHz and below, even in FM. As I recall, the Kenwood HT can tune as finely as 33 Hz. The VR-500 will tune as finely as 100 Hz. I routinely tune it in 1 kHz steps on the FM satellites. Doing so enables me to track Doppler on the UHF downlinks of our FM satellites much more accurately, and that has made a big difference in my ability to make handheld contacts. Those who choose to ignore the inarguable fact that high power isn't necessary for effective FM LEO satellite contacts still make things difficult for me and others who enjoy using handheld stations. I've accepted the fact that the situation won't ever change, which is disappointing. Nonetheless - from here, I believe that using a 2-radio full-duplex setup for the FM satellites that incorporates a receive radio capable of tuning in 1 kHz (or finer) steps actually represents the most effective option because of the improved receive capability the smaller tuning steps provide. Many of us would like to see more HT manufacturers adopt full-duplex as a feature on at least one current-production model. I also would like to cast my vote for (1) general coverage receivers that, like the TH-F6A, are all-mode, and (2) tuning steps finer than 5 kHz for FM that will work on both transmit AND receive. I am thrilled with the news that AMSAT is moving forward with plans to build and launch a 1U cub sat with a U/V (Mode B) transponder. However, consistently hitting the uplink with HTs that tune no finer than 5 kHz will be a challenge. I learned that last winter when the ISS repeater was active in Mode B. When I used my FT-817 as a transmit radio and could use the main tuning dial to infinitely fine-tune the uplink, I had much better - and more consistent - success hitting the uplink than with my HT, which will only tune in 5 kHz steps. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha From: Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net To: Michael Chen michael.bd...@gmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 12:02:14 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation Michael, That is a good reference from JoAnne. Most on the list will work well, particularly the TH-D7 and the IC-W32A. However, before you purchase one, be certain to research how well it actually works for satellite ops. For instance, I have an Alinco DJ-G7 which has great specifications, but works very poorly for satellite ops, though it is a nice general purpose unit. Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Michael Chen Sent: 20 October, 2009 09:12 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] HT supports full duplex satellite operation All, Could anyone list the HT models (available today in the market) that support full duplex satellite operation? I know I can get connected with two HTs and portable cross Yagi. Just need a simpler solution. IC-W23AT and TH-D7 are discontinued. Michael Chen, BD5RV/4 Email: michael.bd...@gmail.com MSN: bd...@jsdxc.org Skype: michael-bd5rv ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author
[amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation
Hi Drew, My work-around (unless someone comes out with a finer-tuning HT between now and then!) is simple. I'm going to use a combination of the 5 kHz and 12.5 kHz tuning steps on my HT to program a set of memories that Doppller tunes the uplink in 2.5 kHz steps. That way, I'll be able to stay fairly close to the uplink throughout the pass. I'm confident the one true rule will still apply regardless of the receiver design. It has on AO-7 and VO-52 when I've worked passes using AFSK through an HT to send CW on those Mode B satellites. I'll use the same downlink in each memory because I've done just the opposite with our Mode J satellites - that is, use the same VHF uplink all the time and only Doppler-tune the downlink. Please don't mistake my comments as any kind of criticism; they aren't intended that way at all. I'm looking forward to the challenge, and just hope others understand that one true rule and its impact on Mode B operations. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com To: Tim - N3TL n...@bellsouth.net Cc: apbid...@mailaps.org; Michael Chen michael.bd...@gmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:20:17 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation I am thrilled with the news that AMSAT is moving forward with plans to build and launch a 1U cub sat with a U/V (Mode B) transponder. However, consistently hitting the uplink with HTs that tune no finer than 5 kHz will be a challenge. I learned that last winter when the ISS repeater was active in Mode B. When I used my FT-817 as a transmit radio and could use the main tuning dial to infinitely fine-tune the uplink, I had much better - and more consistent - success hitting the uplink than with my HT, which will only tune in 5 kHz steps. It's all in the receiver design. The ISS D-700 isn't designed as a satellite receiver, and has a narrow front end. Think of it this way. With 5 khz steps you are always within 2.5 khz of being on frequency, right? We operate the V/U FM satellites all the time without tuning the uplink, and that means we are up to 3 khz off, and everything works fine! So 2.5 khz will be a piece of cake too, plus folks will hear the 2m downlink much easier. 73, Drew KO4MA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-07
Vincenzo, Here is the link to the AO-7 Log page, which should prove very helpful: http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php?PHPSESSID=71f968d1c9db80c36565267171ae025b On it, you should notice that the toggle between Mode A and Mode B seems to occur sometime between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC daily. I use 0600 UTC as my personal guide. Based on the way that toggle has been occurring, the following rule of thumb should continue to apply until the Grand Old Girl decides to do something else on her own hihi. Using the calendar as a guide: October 2009 - She will switch to Mode A between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC on odd-numbered days Ie.g., Oct.21, 23, 25, etc.). She will switch to Mode B between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC on even-number days (Oct. 22, 24, 26, etc.). November and December 2009 - She will switch to Mode A between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC on EVEN-numbered days (Nov. AND Dec. 2,4,6,etc.). She will switch to Mode B between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC on ODD-numbered days (Nov. and Dec. 1.3.5, etc.). Please note that for quite some time earlier this year, she remained in Mode B without a mode switch. Use the AO-7 Log Web page to confirm her mode whenever you are planning to operate. I hope this is helpful. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: Vincenzo Mone vim...@alice.it To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:17:16 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-07 Hi folks, Please is there a schedule like the old AO-13 to understand on which mode is The AO-7? Every time I have the Ao-7 on my QTH I cannot hear it and cannot understand if it is not in mode B Or I have a problem. Thanks 73 de Enzo IK8OZV EasyLog 5 BetaTester EasyLog PDA BetaTester WinBollet BetaTester D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania Skype: ik8ozv8520 *** * GSM +39 338 9749786 * * SMS +39 338 9749786 * * FAX +39 328 7244294 * *** 2nd e-mail: vim...@tin.it *** *** ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation
I trust, Clint, that you noted in the full post you excerpted these comments from that I made a POINT of noting (1) that I use a 2-radio setup for full duplex operation here, and (2) that I was referring to the TH-F6A as my receive radio. That being said, and for the record - NO HT currently in production from Icom, Kenwood or Yaesu offers full-duplex operation. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: Clint Bradford clintbra...@earthlink.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:29:20 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HT supports full duplex satellite operation ... looking only for current-production HTs, and I believe the Alinco is it when it comes to full-fuplex-capable HTs ... And unless Alinco comes up with a miracle-of-a-firmware-release, that little rig is not suitable for working the FM birds. ... In addition to the TH-F6A HT from Kenwood Just so that there's no confusion, the TH-F6a is *not* a true full- duplex radio. Dual-receive, yes. But key the mic, and nothing is heard on the sub-band. Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: QSL cards mailed today
Patrick, Thank you for your efforts to promote AMSAT and satellite operations. I appreciate them very much, and I know many others do, too. Tim - N3TL From: Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat...@wd9ewk.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:17:30 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] QSL cards mailed today Hi! After printing more QSL cards on Sunday and writing out almost 200 cards along with envelopes last night, I dropped a large batch of envelopes at the post office this morning. These cards cover my activity from the east coast around the recently-concluded AMSAT Symposium (Washington DC/FM18, BWI Airport MD/FM19, Bear DE/FM29), as well as Saturday's activity - the Tucson AZ hamfest (DM42) in the morning, and at or just east of the Arizona/New Mexico state line (DM52) in the afternoon/early evening. Thanks to all who worked WD9EWK from these locations over the past couple of weeks. I enjoy getting on the air from almost anywhere I go, and the QSLing after the trip is an important part of that. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Quite an update about Sumbandilasat...
I add my congraultions! Well-done, all! From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com To: Amsat-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 10:59:07 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Quite an update about Sumbandilasat... posted at http://sumbandilamission.blogspot.com/ . Congratulations to the SA-AMSAT team! 73, Drew KO4MA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] WD9EWK from DM52 tonight!
Hey everyone, Patrick asked me to post the following, for any of you who need DM52 and/or New Mexico on the satellites. He will work the following passes: AO-27 at 2235 UTC from DM52 on the New Mexico-Arizona border. AO-51 at 2318 UTC from DM52 entirely inside New Mexico. AO51 at 0054 UTC from DM52 on the New Mexico-Arizona border. He'll be in Hidalgo County, New Mexico for all three passes, and on it's border with Cochise County, Arizona, for the two state-line passes. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: The Beef Frank is in the east
Mr. Oler, I suggest you heed your own advice, as offered to Mr. Bauer in the last paragraph of you email - Find some manners, stop the internet flame postings and try and be a 'facts and data' kind of guy in deeds not just words you will get farther. Otherwise, you'll remain boorish - and your posts wastes of band space. After seeing Mr. Bauer's post to the AMSAT-BB the other day, I correctly deduced that the silly and humorless title of this email was your attempt at being cute and clever in response. I did find irony in your metaphor, however - given the rancid filler that you encase in a vast majority of emails you post to this board. That alone helps me agree whole-heartedly with your assertion below that you are not a NASA know-it-all; I have believed the opposite to be true since the first post from you I read - and this one adds more validation to that belief.. Tim Lilley - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha From: Rocky Jones orbit...@hotmail.com To: ka3...@comcast.net; Amsat BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 11:14:49 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] The Beef Frank is in the east Pasture...along with the milking cows, a few goats, and yes the chickens and ducks. The Longhorn is there more or less for show (no tribute to George Abbey BTW) Sorry for the late reply Frank. My wife and I are pregnant so we spent the afternoon looking around The CLEAR LAKE Texas and Santa Fe area for hospitals that are on either of our health insurance plans.. Then we took the in laws to dinner at The Aquarium in KEMAH (the boardwalk at Kemah) (it is the mother in laws birthday), after which we had some pleasant conversation. I stress our itinerary because it tells the group what you must already know (since you are in the keyboard commando mode) that I live in the area of Houston that the JSC calls home. Running the call sign would have told you that. The House is about 1.2 nm from the North gate of JSC just south on Space Center. In normal times I jog the course there and back four times in the morning. I've lived in Clear Lake for quite a bit. Still own the house there although after my latest DXpedition the housesitter wont be clear of it until Jan next year. Fortunately we have the farm in Santa Fe. Since I live in the area I have quite a few friends/chums/associates/neighbors/etc who are current employees at NASA or the contractors. They know I am interested in space policy, amateur radio (you should see the setup at the house in Clear Lake), and share things. That is one source of information and it is pretty good. It is good enough for the statement I made. (I am amused that you ran me through the data base, but caution you that NASA watch pointed out how flawed that data base is...) So after conversation with the family and before responding to the post you put out I fed it through the USC internet flame war program that is standard US government affair and found out that both you and Jeff Hanley managed a email that touched all the internet flame war points. Two peas in a pod I guess Frank, I dont respond kindly to emails where the person sending puts up a claim that I didnt make (know all that is going on within NASA) and then starts his own rant with a question based on that premise ( And how are you all knowing???). And does it all in public not in a private email. People on the board have asked me what I do privately and I've been pleased to give them chapter line and verse. This time I'll be kind and just chalk it up to you having gone zero impedance to ground over how things are going. I did find the Or are you using another alias besides Robert Oler or Rocky Jones? amusing. It is the weakest of the internet flame tactics you use and the most amusing . It is also even more nonsensical then the rest of the post from you. I have signed everything on this BB and as best I can tell on the internets (to quote our last President) with my full name or my name that has some identifier with it so it is not just a Robert. That is where the call sign comes in handy. With me posting my call sign if you are confused, well that is your fault, not mine. The line you use is a little above when did you stop beating you're wife in logical validity. Finally.. As for 80 percent of suitsat 2 failing...actually that is the consensus among a lot of folks at the center. I give Suitsat 2 less then 10 percent chance of working. That didnt take oh several decades of dealing with complex programs or a bunch of US government schools or a lot of engineering degrees to figure out. It is really not rocket science...Suitsat 1 was a bomb and it was much simpler. Now they are trying something more complicated... I am not even sure it deploys. If it flops well it is hard to see a lot of ham radio traction on the space station after that. But Just think, if it works you can tell me I was wrong
[amsat-bb] Re: On the possibility of imaging AO-40 with earth bound telescopes...
Please see Page 19 of the May-June 2008 issue of The AMSAT Journal. Patrick Seitzer, WA4DSR, provided a photo of AO-40 taken by the University of Michigan's Curtis-Schmidt Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. Following is information from a University of Michigan Web page about the telescope: The Curtis-Schmidt telescope is a 0.61 meter aperture f/3.5 Schmidt telescope located at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, about 500 km north of Santiago, Chile. This telescope was originally installed at the University of Michigan's Portage Lake Observatory in 1950, and moved to the much clearer skies of north central Chile in 1966. It is named for Heber D. Curtis, Director of the University of Michigan Observatories from 1930 until 1942. The telescope is dedicated to optical studies of artificial space debris for NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office at the Johnson Space Center. Projects include optical surveys for debris and follow-up observations to determine orbits and photometric properties of recently discovered debris. If you find the Journal photo, you'll see a field with dozens of blurred stars and one sharp litttle white dot, which is AO-40. I believe it's safe to say that obtaining an image with the detail necessary to try assess damage is impossible. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: Mark VandeWettering kf6...@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 2:57:40 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] On the possibility of imaging AO-40 with earth bound telescopes... Has there been any serious attempt to take a photograph of the damaged bird using ground based optical telescopes while it is in sunlight ? It's not going to work. AO-40 just isn't big enough. For fun, let's worth through some of the details. 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 Let's look at a couple of potential telescopes. The short tube refractor that you linked to has an 80 mm (roughly 3 inch) aperature. According to the Rayleigh criterion, that scope should be able to resolve angles as small as about 1.5 arc seconds. At perigee, the resolving power is 1042000 * tan(1.5 arc seconds), or about 7.5 meters (or 25 feet). To increase the resolution by a factor of 2, you need to to double the aperature. To get resolutions down to 1/2 a foot, you need an aperature 50x larger, or 150 inches. This doesn't take into account any effects of atmosphere either. it's actually fairly rare to get sub arcsecond resolution from any earthbound telescope without using adaptive optics.. This limits the practicality of high resolution imaging. Impressive photos of the space shuttle, ISS and HST have been taken using amateur equipment, but these objects are both closer and an order of magnitude larger than AO-40. While we might be able to measure spin rate and the like by measuring the brightness curve, actual imaging of the satellite isn't likely. 73 Mark K6HX ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web
Mark, Thank you for this thoughtful post. Like many others using today's current roster of available satellites, I wasn't around for AO-40 or many other satellites that are recalled her so fondly by those who were. If I could build, launch and select the orbit for an amateur satellite, I believe it would be something along the lines of what we've been told about the Chinese satellite known as XW-1. As I recall, it has an FM repeater, a linear transponder and a flying mailbox. A satellite with those capabilities in an AO-7-ish (or, actually, slightly higher) orbit would be one I would really enjoy. Even that, however, will take significantly more fundraising than what we have before us now. I applaud the Board of Directors and AMSAT's officers for accepting the Engineering Task Force recommendations and moving forward. My interests - and the challenges and satisfaction I find - in the amateur satellites are different from many others'. I recognize that the Board and AMSAT-NA officers inevitably walk a tightrope when faced with decisions because they won't ever make everyone happy. Consider just what the AO-51 operations team faces regularly when scheduling various modes on her - that's a very small taste of the dynamic interests that AMSAT worldwide faces in considering - then acting - on how best to move forward for the future. Sumbandilla Sat operation is on the horizon. I presume plans continue to move forward to XW-1 to be in orbit and available in the not-too-distant future. We all hope FO-29 will be back to her old self in no more than a few months. We now have ARISSat-1, the 1U cube sat and the amateur communications package in the rideshare opportunity. Even excluding FO-29, that is a significant increase in operating opportunities on the way fairly soon. I find that very exciting. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: Mark VandeWettering kf6...@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 3:54:31 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web The funding solution will go by an international funding campaign and by a fixed minimal contribution per amateur who want's to have an HEO. I am member of a local marina and each new member should pay a one time Dredging Fee of 250$. The marina is open here from May 15 to October 4 about 5 months. I can used a satellite 12 months am i willing to pay 250$ a year YES and could be more if a sound international structure with well defined planning and objectives can demonstrate a serious will towards the next HEO. Well, it's nice that you have an amount in mind for how much you would pay. Frankly, I'd probably be willing to spend 4x as that much. It probably would take that level of funding to get purchase a launch. As far as I know, the terms of the bid that Arianspace quoted AMSAT-DL were never released, but we get hints of the it in presentations like: http://mstl.atl.calpoly.edu/~bklofas/Presentations/AMSATUK2009/3b_Gulzow-P3E.pdf which suggests that 20,000 euros per kilogram isn't absurd, and they'd be lucky to get a launch for half that price. This would yield a price for P3E of only (!) 1.7 million euros, or 2.5 million dollars U.S. AMSAT-DL didn't think such a launch was feasible, and claims that the costs were (in ttheir words) one order of magnitude too expensive. As they say, bitter reality of their funding efforts is that the attractiveness of amateur radio has dropped significantly, and that funding a P3 satellite from amateur resources alone seems not to work now and probably never again?. In light of this, AMSAT-DL has pursued tax money from their covernment to pursue a 20M euro effort to fund launches for P5A and P3E. I wish them luck, but in the current economic environment, as well as past experience, I think there is some reason for skepticism, or at least, no expectation for a quick resolution to this issue. There is already a lot of dedicated peoples around the amateurs radio satellite business who are only making their own small things in their small backyard. Why not regrouping their energies and money towards ONLY ONE SINGLE big project? In the amateur satellite world we called that a HEO satellite as AO-40 and as AO-07 AO-10 AO-13 generation who where the first steps towards AO-40. I think the reason against such a strategy is quite simple, and it is absolutely personified in AO-40. Yes, AO-40 was a remarkable, amazing, revolutionary amateur satellite. But radio amateurs put all their eggs in one basket, and that basket had a hole in it, and all the eggs tumbled out, and now we are left not only with no eggs, but with an environment where people might (reasonably in fact) ask why they should put all their eggs in one basket again, particularly because these baskets have rocket motors filled with hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide inside. Even if we could fund an HEO launch, I still think it is a matter
[amsat-bb] Re: Let's Go!
Amen! Not only would it be cool, but today's crop of netbook computers would make it appeal to base and portable enthusiasts alike! From: Michael Tondee mat...@netcommander.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:16:23 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Let's Go! I'm getting back into FM LEO's and setting up a station. I will actually be using a 70cm HT to receive the downlink but I'll be in a base station configuration. I have no desire to operate portable or out in the yard with a hand held Arrow or similar antenna. The use of the HT is out of financial necessity. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against portable operation and I think the manufacturers should support it. It's just not for me. What I would really like to see someone come out with commercially is something along the lines of the Genesis SDR HF radio kits. If you haven't seen them, it's a kit for an SDR all mode QRP 40 meter HF radio. I'd like to see a kit for or even a prebuilt all mode 5 watt 2m/70cm SDR satellite radio. That would be cool to me. I know there are SDR groups out there. I wonder if anyone has anything like that in the works? 73, Michael, W4HIJ 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 ___ 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 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.16/2435 - Release Date: 10/14/09 06:33:00 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web
Hi Mike, Thanks for your note. And, I suspect, when you entered the hobby back then, radios like the FT-817 weren't available - nor were effective portable antennas like the Elk and Arrow. As you recall, you and I had a contact on VO-52 not long ago that I emailed you about. I was using AFSK on a 1.5-watt Yaesu VX-3R HT, with a straight key connected to the mic jack. I just missed a contact on FO-29 before she went down. I intended to write up something for the Journal about a complete satellite station that would fit in a briefcase - with the ability to work all the FM satellites, all the linear satellites (granted, in CW only) and digipeat packets through the ISS digipeater. I still will write that story when FO-29 comes back and I can get that contact. I surely don't begrudge you or anyone who operates from a high-quality, highly effective ground station. I continue to be disappointed by those who feel the need for the highest power available on the FM satellites because it's totally unnecessary and overkill. They keep others from enjoying the satellites as much as they because the lower powered stations don't have a chance. That's a moot point on the linear satellites, as we both know. I apologize if my statements offended you. That surely wasn't my intent. I hope all is well with you. 73, Tim From: WILLIAMS MICHAEL k9qho6...@sbcglobal.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org; n...@bellsouth.net Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:48:47 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web Tim N3TL said: I also don't share your view of?satellite operation using a handheld or otherwise portable station, which is less than positive. Again, I mean no disrespect - but I find very little challenge and even less satisfaction in making a satellite contact running 50-100 watts into?a pair of long, multi-element yagis being controlled for az/el by computers - and using a radio being computer controlled for Doppler.? Of course, many more satellite operators share views closer to yours than mine - or, at least, it seems that way. Point taken, but there are two ways to enter the satellite section of this hobby. 1. The linear satellite way (FO-29, AO7 and VO-52). This was the way I selected. My early goal was to operate AO-40, and the station was constructed for this AMSAT project. 2. The second way is via the FM satellites. Both ways are valid. It all depends which way a person came to make that first satellite contact. It's still a thrill either way. Respectively Mike (K9QHO) AMSAT 33589 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web
Hello Luc, I have some questions. 1- What is the logical direction, in your opinion? 2 - How much would that direction cost, in your opinion? 3 - How would you propose paying for that direction? I look forward to learning more so that I can more fully understand your positioin. 73, Tim - N3TL From: Luc Leblanc luclebla...@videotron.ca To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Cc: eu-am...@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 11:05:59 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Symposium News Posted to the Web The new AMSAT CubeSat's initial capability is planned to add to the popular low-earth orbit FM transponder fleet allowing hams to continue to use their existing handheld and portable antenna systems. This also continues the accessible entry path for new satellite operators to get started. The existing FM satellites are starting to show their age. It was widely admitted that AO-51 was a mistake years ago as a transponder type satellite should have been chosen instead of a single channel satellite. IMHO There ia already enough capabilities with the existing fleet SO-50 AO-51 AO-27 ISS cross band repeater for an entry class satellite plus many cubes in the making as arisat-1. What we lack is a HEO or some AO-07 like satellite with transponder who will make transcontinental QSO'S possible. Theses one channel satellite are a waste of money compare to a transponder type as many simultaneous QSO'S can be achieved at the same time. But theses issues where widely discussed in the past and i'm guessing the AMSAT symposium attendance widely clapped at this announcement!!! What AMSAT-NA will be in the next years HANDHELD CLUB as written to continue to use their existing handheld and portable antenna systems. Wrong direction again 180 degrees of the logical course again! P..S. It is obvious this variation on the same subject proposal will have plenty of time to evolved or to be put in real service only to be replaced by other new proposals. it is the dog running after his tails syndrome who prevail again. Bottom line is another deceptive unrealistic proposal IMHO. Feel free to agree or disagree but the shrinking AMSAT-NA membership is probably what's is triggering theses proposals a king of safety buoy for the BOD to avoid drowning the whole crew and her ship. - Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe DSTAR urcall VE2DWE WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] AO-51
In case anyone at all is interested - which doesn't appear to be the case - the QRP pair on AO-51 remains active at 145.880 up and 435.150 (+/- Doppler) down. From here, it's a shame to hear the chaos on the other V/U frequency pair, but not have a single station respond to calls on the QRP pair during a 54-degree pass up the east coast of North America. This has proven to be the case on multiple passes this week. Maybe someone will show up later tonight or in the morning. Or ... I'll keep talking to myself hihi. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] AO-51/QRP
My thanks to the AO-51 control team for this week's schedule, which includes activation of 145.880/435.150 for QRP operation. There is another week of this QRP Pair coming up later in the month. I hope more of you will take the time to see just how little power it takes for effective communication on AO-51 or any of the FM satellites, for that matter. On the AO-51 pass here from roughly 22:30 UTC to 22:45 UTC, KD8CAO and I completed a contact using HTs with whip antennas. Doug was using a Pryme RD-98, and I was using the Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip. Anyone who has an HT with a general coverage receiver ought to check out the Diamond whip because it brings the shortwave broadcast bands alive on the radios from Yaesu (VX-3R and VX-7R) and Kenwood (TH-F6A) I've tried it with. In addition, it works extremely well on the satellites. I didn't pick up the RD-98 for satellite use, but it is comparable in performance to Pryme's satellite-popular AL-800 telescoping whip. Pryme, by the way, claims the same gain numbers for the RD-98 as for the AL-800. I had an AL-800, and my RD-98 performs at least as well as it did. I prefer the SRH-789, which has an SMA connector, because of its versatility - and it's more rigid than the RD-98 in use. Diamond also makes a BNC version of the antenna, the RH-789. On the next pass of AO-51, which hits me beginning at about 00:10 UTC, I'll be back on the crappy ol' Elk dual-band log periodic - but I'll be running 50 milliwatts out instead of the 5 watts I just used with the whip. I intend to run 50 mW and the Elk for the remainder of the weekend on AO-51. Experience suggests that I need at least 8 degrees of elevation to make the satellite on .05-watt, but I almost made it through the other day when AO-51 was below 7 degrees. A good contact at that low angle will represent a new miles per watt record for me, and I hope to get there. Thanks again to the control team for the QRP-pair activation. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] SumbandilaSat launch postponed!
Hey everyone, I just found the following on the AMSAT-South Africa home page: Due to high winds at the launch site and some telemetry issues on the rocket the launch has been delayed for 24 hours and will now take place on 16 September at around 15:45 UTC 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] AMSAT Field Day
Congratulations to John, K8YSE, and Doug, KD8CAO, for their winning effort in the AMSAT Field Day competition - operating as W8DXA. That's their mobile-antenna setup on the cover of the new issue of The AMSAT Journal, which arrived here today. It was nice to see an increase of entries this year. Here's hoping that trend continues well into the future. Thanks to Bruce, KK5DO, for taking the time to coordinate the AMSAT Field Day contest and for providing the article and final results to the Journal. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: handheld whip
The Pryme RD-98 also works well, and it about the same price. My favorite of all, however, based on my testing (and I've used the AL-800, RD-98 and several others) is the Diamond RH-789 (BNC connector; SRH-789 with an SMA connector) telescoping whip. It's a bit less expensive than the AL-800, but is extremely wide band. In addition to performing well on the FM satellites, it really surprised me at how it performed on the shortwave broadcast bands on a variety of radios. To Bob - I suspect the AL-800 is the one you're thinking of. It's probably the most popular and well-known, but there are others out there that also perform quite well. The Smiley dual-band telescoping whip is another. Patrick, WD9EWK, sent me one to try out - and I wore out AO-27 on the first pass I used it ... hihi. Had seven contacts, which is good for an HT and a whip given the short window for 27. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL From: George Henry ka3...@att.net To: amsat bb amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 7:19:12 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: handheld whip Pryme AL-800? - Original Message - From: w7...@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 6:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] handheld whip What is the 2/440 whip antenna that we can use on a handheld for AO-51, I can't remember/find it. 73 Bob W7LRD ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: broken links
Glen, We have similar credentials, although I hit 1.000 bylined-and-published site in about 30 years ... hihi. Please email your article to me, for inclusion in the next issue of the Journal. It's my call AT amsat dot org. Also, please feel free to contact me off the BB if you wish. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha From: Glen Zook gz...@yahoo.com To: David Bate cfpm_cf...@scandesk.info; Bill Ress b...@hsmicrowave.com Cc: List - AMSAT amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 9:10:29 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: broken links Obviously there are those with the skills to fix the website. However, most of the AMSAT members, including me, do not have those skills. I do have skills in other areas, but I have enough to do just trying to keep my own website current and it is one of those websites for dummies types that Go Daddy has available. Now they don't call it websites for dummies but that is what it basically is. It is going to take more than an advertisement in the newsletter, which, I am almost certain many, if not most, of the members don't even notice, to get the volunteer help needed. Basically, it is going to take a feature article and maybe even a headline on the cover. I have been a member of AMSAT since the 2nd month of its creation and, over the years, I have seen people come and go as well as peaks and lows in the level of participation of the membership. Like most organizations there are a relatively few people who do the majority of the work and, unfortunately, it is really up to those who are doing the actual work to ask for help. Is this unfair? To quote the old Laugh In TV show, you bet your sweet bippy. However, this is just one of the unfortunate facts of life in the volunteer organization world. I have been a professional author for going on 50 years (have over 1000 copyrighted articles, newspaper columns, etc.), albeit part time. My articles have been published in 73 Magazine, CQ Magazine, Ham Radio Magazine, Electric Radio Magazine, Popular Electronics Magazine, and several other publications. I was also the first FM Editor of CQ Magazine from January 1971 until September 1973. In addition, for over 3 years I wrote a three times a week newspaper column for the Belo Corporation. If desired, I can write such an article asking for help. Let me know if this is desired and to whom the manuscript should be E-Mailed. Glen, K9STH AMSAT 239/LM 463 Website: http://k9sth.com --- On Tue, 9/8/09, Bill Ress b...@hsmicrowave.com wrote: Hi David.Good suggestion but the same old problem. Whose going to do it??? Your Board knows the web site needs fixing . . . but whose going to volunteer to do the fixing. It was set up by volunteers who are no longer around to fix it. We sure hear about the problems, and the web site has its share. All these great solutions but no one willing to part of those solutions. But then, it's so much easier to point out the problems than it is to try and fix then. Now I understand it can be hard to find technical talent to volunteer to build a satellite but you would think it would be a whole lot easier to find a volunteer(s) that can handle web site management. But alas...it is not to be. Oh well, lets keep hitting the Board up side the head, like that will surely solve the problem. Any of this sinking in out there? You can bitch about the broken web site all you want but until we get a volunteer(s) to do the bloody work... well you know the story. Here's a crazy idea. How about you folks putting a team together to share the work so that one person isn't overwhelmed with a commitment to fix the problem. Aah - who am I kidding. They'll be no response to that either. ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: 10.000 Activities in AO-7
Piraja, Thank you for posting this to the BB. Congratulations, Joe! 73, Tim - N3TL From: ps8rf Piraja ps...@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 8:00:33 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] 10.000 Activities in AO-7 Hello to all, Our friend Josef, K3SZH reached a numbers 10.000 in activities on satellite AO-7. In my calculations to mark the ten thousand orbits was marked with the Daniel, AJ9K. Congratulations Josef. 73 Piraja, PS8RF. _ Acesse seu Hotmail de onde quer que esteja através do celular. Clique aqui. http://www.windowslive.com.br/celular/home.asp?utm_source=MSN_Hotmailutm_medium=Taglineutm_campaign=MobileServices200908 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: BoD Elections
Tim and all, This is an interesting post and - with no disrespect intended - one that should have been made when you first received your ballot. It's interesting because I suspect you or I would get as many answers as the number of people we asked about what it will take to strengthen AMSAT. I have my own thoughts in that regard, and I'm confident you have yours. I suspect they would be at least inconsistent, if not quite divergent. That's not to suggest there's anything wrong with that; it's just to point out that being effective and strengthening AMSAT will - like many other things - be in the eyes of the beholders. All of that notwithstanding. I've read the AMSAT Bylaws published on the Web site. It seems to me that doing what you're suggesting would take a Bylaw change because the specific voting deadline and the date of announcement of results are included in Article III-4 as Sept. 15 and Sept. 30, respectively. Article IV of the Bylaws defines the process of amending the bylaws, with such amendment not taking effect until 30 days after announcement by the Board (of its approval of a Bylaw change) has either been mailed to the membership by the Secretary or officially published in a publication of the corporation. And then, of course, objection by 10 percent of the membership to the Bylaw change would trigger a full vote by the membership. So the best-case scenario is a Board vote to change that is not challenged. That would take until the end of September to accomplish. There's nothing sacred, I suppose, about the new Board being in place at the annual meeting, but it would be highly unusual for that not to be the case, in my opinion. It's virtually impossible for AMSAT to do what you suggest and hold an election before the annual meeting. I suspect you know that. You've taken the time to research the District of Columbia statutes for corporations like AMSAT. I'm confident that you also researched the applicable AMSAT Bylaws. Finally, for what it's worth, it's also impossible to, as you write vote against all incumbents and for all challengers. Two of the five candidates are current directors. A third has served on the Board the past year as an Alternate. The other two candidates are not incumbents. We are asked to select no more than four. Since the is an odd-numbered year, the Bylaws require four Board positions to be filled in this election. It's not possible to avoid returning two current Directors (or one current Director and the current Alternate) to the Board, unless I'm missing something in the Bylaws. Can you help me understand why you didn't make this post earlier, when there would have been enough time to act as you suggest without incurring the need for a Bylaw change? 73 to all, Tim Lilley - N3TL From: Timothy J. Salo s...@saloits.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Cc: b...@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:40:52 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] BoD Elections Hi, I still haven't returned my ballot for the AMSAT Board of Directors election, in part because I don't feel that I have really good information on which to make a decision. I would like to vote for a Board that will be effective and strengthen the organization. It is particularly important to select the best possible board because, in my view, AMSAT is an organization in serious trouble. But, I would prefer to base my vote on the recent accomplishments, recent positions during board meetings, and explicit near-term objectives of the candidates. I would prefer to not simply use a blunt strategy of voting against all incumbents and for all challengers. Unfortunately, I don't feel that I really know much about the activities of the individual board members. To remedy this, I suggest that the close of the BoD elections be postponed until at least thirty days after the following have been published: o A list of all Board meetings held over the last year o Minutes from all of these Board meetings o Minutes from all AMSAT committee meetings of the last year We can certainly have a discussion about the appropriate level of transparency for the Board and its committees, and whether the Board is meeting those objectives. Here is what the D.C. statutes under which AMSAT is incorporated have to say on the matter: Each corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, board of directors, and committees having any of the authority of the board of directors; ... All books and records of a corporation may be inspected by any member having voting rights, or his agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time. -tjs ___ 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
[amsat-bb] ARISS 25th Anniversary Certificate
Hey everyone, Can someone who is or was involved with ARISS during the 25th Anniversary event please contact me off the BB? I was excited to recive my 25th Anniversary Certificate today - until I opened it. It confirms an SWL report, and I submitted proof of a 2-way contact with another amateur over the repeater. The certificate is very nice, but I'd like to inquire about getting a certificate that actually confirms what I claimed (a claim that included the other station's QSL and mine) - a 2-way contact. Thanks in advance for any help. 73, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] PE1RAH Linear Transponder at JARL Ham Fair
Hey everyone, If you're interested in seeing the linear transponder that William, PE1RAH, displayed in Tokyo, you can see it here: http://www.onjapan.net/2009/hamfair/img_3659.jpg 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HRD software question
Simon and all, I have been using V 4.1 Beta for a few months, and my sense is that all of the multitasking HRD requires is taxing the processor on my Acer Aspire One netbook beyond its capacity. I may be wrong about that, but I suspect that's what's going on. Simon, please correct me if this is wrong - but I believe that V 4.1 (beta) requires that radios be connected to the main HRD suite, and then also connected to the Satellite Tracker, in order to provide computer control for Doppler tuning. If that is, indeed, the case, I wonder whether it's possible to enable Satellite Tracker's radio-related functions without connection to HRD? I suspect that if I was able to connect my radios directly to Satellite Tracker without using HRD, that the netbook might be able handle the load. I enjoy Satellite Tracker very much, but it has locked up my computer at the very worst of times (e.g., just a few seconds before acquisition of AO-7 when I had a schedule with EA8AVI in an attempt to add Africa to my continents-worked list). I chose the netbook for my ham radio use because of its size, and because it was bundled with Windows XP, not Vista. I fear that the decision has me comitted to a computer with a processor that may not have enough muscle to do everything HRD/Satellite Tracker asks it to do. Regardless ... thank you so much for all of your work on HRD and Satellite Tracker. HRD is an amazing suite of software. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -- Original message from Simon (HB9DRV) si...@hb9drv.ch: -- Hi, I guess it's something I've never really tried - will do so and fix. Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com - Original Message - From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF Any idea why, if I select SHOW TRACKS/ALL the prog locks up when Orbitron is capable of displaying the same number (85) of sats without slowing? What is the maximun number we can sensibly display ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HRD software question
Hey Reid, Thanks for your note. Using the same package here - V 4.1, Build 1985. And yes, you can access Satellite Tracker without connecting radios to it - but you can't connect radios to it without ALSO connecting them to HRD. Therein could lie the problem. DM780 is useable without connecting radios to HRD. I routinely do that when I'm working digital modes in HF. My only interest in computer connection for Satellite Tracker is Doppler control. I would like to be able to connect directly to it and use it as a stand-alone without HRD involved. I believe that could/would solve the issues I experience here. 73, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -- Original message from w4upd upd...@bristor-assoc.com: -- Which beta version of 4.1 are you using? I found that I had the same problem until 4.1 build 1985. Satellite stuff can be accessed without a rig hooked up. I did find that resources can really get eaten up by HRD when doing satellite stuff. If the description of HRD V5.0 is correct, it may ease up the overhead on computers by not trying to do so many things at once (some of which you may not need). Reid, W4UPD n...@bellsouth.net wrote: Simon and all, I have been using V 4.1 Beta for a few months, and my sense is that all of the multitasking HRD requires is taxing the processor on my Acer Aspire One netbook beyond its capacity. I may be wrong about that, but I suspect that's what's going on. Simon, please correct me if this is wrong - but I believe that V 4.1 (beta) requires that radios be connected to the main HRD suite, and then also connected to the Satellite Tracker, in order to provide computer control for Doppler tuning. If that is, indeed, the case, I wonder whether it's possible to enable Satellite Tracker's radio-related functions without connection to HRD? I suspect that if I was able to connect my radios directly to Satellite Tracker without using HRD, that the netbook might be able handle the load. I enjoy Satellite Tracker very much, but it has locked up my computer at the very worst of times (e.g., just a few seconds before acquisition of AO-7 when I had a schedule with EA8AVI in an attempt to add Africa to my continents-worked list). I chose the netbook for my ham radio use because of its size, and because it was bundled with Windows XP, not Vista. I fear that the decision has me comitted to a computer with a processor that may not have enough muscle to do everything HRD/Satellite Tracker asks it to do. Regardless ... thank you so much for all of your work on HRD and Satellite Tracker. HRD is an amazing suite of software. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha -- Original message from Simon (HB9DRV) : -- Hi, I guess it's something I've never really tried - will do so and fix. Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com - Original Message - From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF Any idea why, if I select SHOW TRACKS/ALL the prog locks up when Orbitron is capable of displaying the same number (85) of sats without slowing? What is the maximun number we can sensibly display ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.45/2285 - Release Date: 08/06/09 05:57:00 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: HRD software question
Thank you Simon! -- Original message from Simon (HB9DRV) si...@hb9drv.ch: -- Hi, One thing I'm doing at the moment is reducing the load from HRD, especially with satellite tracking. The redrawing of the screen is not as efficient as it should be, I'll sort this out soon, I've also seen very high CPU load. I also have a netbook for testing - all this hardware I have to buy costs a lot but I hope it'll be worth it in the end. Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com - Original Message - From: n...@bellsouth.net I have been using V 4.1 Beta for a few months, and my sense is that all of the multitasking HRD requires is taxing the processor on my Acer Aspire One netbook beyond its capacity. I may be wrong about that, but I suspect that's what's going on. ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: FO-29 and VO-52
Jean-Francois, You are not asking too much. I have operated on ALL of the CW/SSB satellites using two FT-817NDs and SatPC 32. However, I also use a directional -albeit small - antenna. Specifically, I use the Elk 2M/440L5 dual-band log periodic. But, I do not have the antenna mounted outside. My shack, such as it is, is on the second floor of my home. I routinely operate on all of the CW/SSB satellites by hand-holding the Elk inside my home and manually tracking the satellites. In your case, with the eggbeaters, I will suggest that you should expect consistent operations using two FT-817NDs only at higher (my rough guess is 20 degrees elevation or higher) of the two satellites. You likely will be more effecitve on VO-52 because it performs so well. One evening here, when I was troubleshooting an issue with my station, I was able to hear myself on the VO-52 downlink with a strong and clear signal - and I had mounted to Yaesu duck antenna to my FT-817ND transmit radio! VO-52 will prove to be fun for you, I believe. FO-29 also will be fun, but your station may not prove quite so effective on it. My best suggestion is to try! I believe you will be very pleasantly surprised. FYI - when it is in Mode B, you also should be able to work Grand Old AO-7. My experience with my handheld Elk antenna, operating totally indoors, is that I need roughly 20 degree of elevation with 5 watts out to hear myself on the AO-7 downlink. You may need slightly higher elevation. I hope this is helpful, and I hope to hear you on these satellite very soon! 73, Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga., USA - EM84ha -- Original message from Jean-François Ménard jf.va...@gmail.com: -- Hi, I would like to know if I'm dreaming, but will it be possible for me to use these two satellites with my pair of FT-817 running on SatPC32?? Am I asking too much for my 5W only radios ?? I'm using 2 Eggbeater antenna from M²... EB-144 and EB432 with AR² preamps on both antennas feed with heliax. 73 -- Jean-François Ménard VA2SS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AMSAT www.amsat.org / Member #37102 ARRL www.arrl.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 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Kudos from K4DLG
Hey everyone, Dave, K4DLG, has asked me to post the following because he is unable to get posts through to the BB. From Dave: I just want to take a moment to thank a number of folks that have been adding much enjoyment to my satellite operations lately. Wednesday I found an envelope in my mailbox with a bunch of QSLs from Jim (ND9M) confirming QSOs in 13 different grid squares with 6 of them new ones for me along the East coast from Delaware to Florida. I recently logged 5 new squares with contacts with Patrick (WD9EWK) in AZ and UT. A few weeks ago I received some QSLs from Doug (KD8CAO) providing me some new contacts into upper MI. In addition there has been Gail (KB0RZD) adding to my collection in the midwest with many new grids, and John (K8YSE) with his trip to DE helping those that needed DE for WAS or just for an additional grid worked. Rob (KD4ZGW) is always popping up somewhere in the US and always willing to provide a contact to anyone making the trip. Last year Allen (N5AFV) provided me with some great contacts to some very wet grid squares while operating /MM from a cruise ship. There have been others which I have missed, but none the less their efforts are appreciated. These guys armed with their laptops, GPS units, handheld antennas, radios, and maps take off into remote country and areas to provide us with the enjoyment of working a new grid. Then when they return they have to face a pile of QSL requests from folks like me wanting to confirm our new contacts. They spend a lot of time and money with nothing in return except the thanks from those of us that have benefited from their efforts. There have been other posts recently publicly thanking these guys but I just wanted to chime in and add my thanks for some great contacts with some great guys! I just took a break from writing this note to go work AO-27. I didn't expect much because of the short pass and the fact that it was a low pass to the East of me, however, much to my surprise and good fortune I made a contact with Nick (KB1RVT) working from FN54! Thanks Nick, you made my day! Guys, I just want to add my sincere thanks and appreciation to your efforts and desire to help enhance the amateur radio hobby for a great many of us that enjoy working the birds! I hope someday the conditions will allow me to pack up a radio and trek off into some area where I also can provide some contacts in a new area and provide some QSLs for others. However, in the meantime, thanks to those of you that are currently spending time to better the hobby for all of us! Thanks! 73, Dave - K4DLG ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-7 A/B
Hey Bob, Since the Grand Old Girl went back to toggling between modes, it has seemed to me the switch has been occurring faiyl consistently between 0400 UTC and 0600 UTC - but I do see the discrepancies you alliuded to, which suggest more inconsistencies lately. I'm going to continue to expect the change to occur in the window mentioned above until the log shows me more evidence that she has become really erratic. 73, Tim - N3TL -- Original message from w7...@comcast.net: -- Does anyone have an idea when we go from a to b or b to a? Looking at the log it seems not very consistant. 73 bob W7LRD ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FORW.A.SAWARD!
Hey Adrian, Great news! I hope you will be able to work AO-7 because she is the only satellite with a footprint big enough to stretch to EM84. If not, I'm confident that plenty of operators in the western U.S. will be excited to have you active from Hawaii on the FM satellites. Rest assured ... I'll stay in touch! Thank you again, Tim -- Original message from Adrian Engele aa...@yahoo.com: -- Tim, Your wish may come true. I was going to wait a few more months but I will let the cat out of the bag now.;) I am planning to go to Hawaii next March, 2010. I have not made travel arrangements yet but current plans are to visit Oahu, Kauai and Big Island for my annual scuba vacation. If I go, I should be there for about 2 weeks. Possible Grids are: BL01, BL02, BL11, BL20, BK29 and time permitting with some nudging BK19. Sorry no Maui this time, I was there 2 years ago. I would appreciate hearing back from anybody who has worked from these grids or any advice for this Dxpedition due to the short passes. I enjoyed so much working from EK99 earlier in the year, that I am seriously considering doing another expedition to some exotic grids like BL and BK. 73, Adrian AA5UK From: n...@bellsouth.net To: amsat...@wd9ewk.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 7:37:45 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FOR W.A.SAWARD! Hi Patrick, I've been in touch with him to provide information on the stations I'm aware of. Congratulations on WAS Good for you. I doubt seriously there are too many Satellite WAS awards earned via LEO satellites exclusively. That's quite an accomplishment. Speaking of which ... I'd like to formally request BK29 as one of your rare grids to activate on the next expedition. ;-) 73 and congrats again, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: LEO QSO etiquette
Hola Paulo, We must continue to educate them, in my opinion. Here in the USA, on the FM satellites, a couple of things continue to manifest themselves on passes I listen to and/or try to work. 1 - The most egregious involves operators who transmit just because their station is in the footprint, with no regard to whether they actually can hear the satellite. There is no doubt that the single most important step any operator can take to make his/her station the most effective it can be involves optimizing the receive side. Our FM satellites (because AO-51 currently is experiencing some power issues) all are transmitting signals at 500 milliwatts or less. We must teach satellite newcomers that (1) it is much easier to reach the satellite with a transmission than it is to hear the satellite's re-transmissions, and (2) that TX power levels do NOT affect the power the satellite uses to re-transmit. Using AO-27 as the example, since you mention it in this post - If you reach it with your transmitter set a 1 watt - or 5 watts - or 50 watts, it will re-transmit what it hears using a 500 mW transmitter. 2 - This relates to No. 1 - it involves stations that call CQ incessantly when it is obvious that cannot hear the satellite. I and some friends like to say that those stations are suffering from CHS. It's not Can't Hear Saetllite, but it's close - only one word is different ... hihi. We must help newcomers to understand that, unlike a terrestrial repeater, the FM satellites rarely (if ever!) are quiet. If they are not hearing other stations, it is because they are not hearing the satellites - not because other stations are not there. The only exceptions to this could involve passes in the middle of the night. I believe it to be incumbent upon all of us who truly enjoy the amateur satellites to try to educate those who obviously are new to space radio. All of us were new at one time. I made many mistakes, but others who were interested in growing the ranks of amateur satellite operators contacted me and provided suggestions and guidance, which I appreciated very much. I try to do the same thing whenever I can. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL -- Original message from Paulo Pinto ct1...@gmail.com: -- Hi, After almost a year off the air, I tried a few minutes ago a contact in AO-27. Things didn't change since my last QSO's. Stations keep making satellite contacts as they were using repeaters. The QSO rate is so low that I wish I stayed in the cool environment of my office instead of being inside my car with almost 35 degrees celsius inside. Why does an amateur radio operator succeed with a technical examination and it's not able to understand some basic principles of satellite operation? Is there anything we can do? 73 -- CT1ETE, Paulo Pinto MSN: pspi...@yahoo.com http://www.ct1ete.net http://transponderclubedeportugal.blogspot.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Election Bios
Hi Alam I would appreciate receiving a copy of the document you scanned. I never received the first mailing with bios of the Board candidates, although my corrected ballot arrived in today's mail. Thank you! Tim - N3TL -- Original message from Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net: -- I will second that. I got a message from someone who did not get the first mailing. I scanned the bios and sent them to him. The latest on the web site it for 2006. Alan WA4SCA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: NEED CONTACT WITH MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND FOR W.A.SAWARD!
Hi Patrick, I've been in touch with him to provide information on the stations I'm aware of. Congratulations on WAS Good for you. I doubt seriously there are too many Satellite WAS awards earned via LEO satellites exclusively. That's quite an accomplishment. Speaking of which ... I'd like to formally request BK29 as one of your rare grids to activate on the next expedition. ;-) 73 and congrats again, Tim - N3TL -- Original message from Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) amsat...@wd9ewk.net: -- Hi! Instead of commenting about the format of David's message, has anyone contacted him about the *content* of his message? HI ALL! MY NAME IS DAVID, KC7USS. I AM TRYING TO EARN THE ARRL W.A.S AWARD. I ONLY HAVE TWO MORE STATES TO GO! THE TWO I NEED IS MAINE AND RHODE ISLAND.IF YOU CAN HELP PLESE E-MAIL ME AT kc7...@gmail.com THANKS ALL!!! 73 KC7USS Maybe there's someone in those states, or someone who can quickly drive to them, who can help him with his WAS award via satellite. I know I have worked hams in both states over the past few months, plus there are probably others that are not far away that could put them on the air. Even for those who already have confirmations with those states, the grids that come on the air from those places could be of interest to others as well. Thanks to two traveling hams, I was able to finally work Delaware twice in the past few weeks after never hearing a peep from there in almost 3 1/2 years on the birds. When I returned from my road trip last week, I had a QSL in the mailbox for one of those two QSOs, and I am off to meet a local card checker to review my application for a satellite WAS award tomorrow evening. :-) 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] K5E by the numbers
Hey Everyone, Here is a more detailed summary of the K5E Satellite Special Event, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Four operators made contacts over the course of the special event as K5E – AA5PK, K8YSE, N3TL and WA4NVM. We made 338 contacts with 182 different stations. Those totals do not include two automated responses sent directly to K5E (being operated by N3TL) in response to direct packets sent to RS0ISS-3. The ISS radio confirmed a direct contact and generated its own direct response, but no one was manning the station aboard the ISS. Still, it was pretty cool to get a direct response from the ISS on two different occasions. Here’s a look at how those 338 contacts occurred: By Satellite – in descending order: AO-51: 126 AO-27: 53 SO-50:51 FO-29:50 VO-52: 29 AO-7: 28 ISS:1 By Mode – in descending order: FM: 230 SSB: 103 CW: 2 Cross Mode (one station used CW, the other used SSB): 2 Packet: 1 Geography K5E logged contacts with stations in 42 states, four Canadian provinces and five additional DX entities. States: It’s easier to list those K5E did NOT log – Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Oklahoma. The other 42 states are in the log. Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. DX entities: Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Not all of the K5E operators logged the grid squares of the stations they worked. Here, specifically, I refer to myself (N3TL). It’s safe to say that the operation made contacts with more than 100 grids among the 182 stations. There are 51 grids accounted for just in the states, provinces and DX entities worked. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL K5E - The 40th Anniversiary Apollo 11 Satellte Special Event ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Rare grid squares?
Jeff and everyone, Randy is doing well. I emailed him recently while researching the feature on Rob, KD4ZGW, that appears in the new issue of the AMSAT Journal, which has already hit a few mailboxes. Randy is the first to have earned the Central States VHF Society's Reverse VUCC Award on the satellites. Only one other operator - Allen, N5AFV - also has the award on the satellites. Congratulations to both of them. Those who know Randy may be interested in this update he provided, when I asked if he ever gets on the satellites these days: I do listen on my way to work and did get back on for a few days last month. I am going to help a school in Salt Lake county with their ARISS contact which has not been given a date yet. When they get a date I will on the satellites a lot more to get back in practice.They last few years I have been active doing EME on 2 meters and I have 107 grids confirmed via the moon. You can check out http://emeshack.com/ for my latest status. It was fun to give out all of those grid squares. Feel free to use the map at http://www.xmission.com/~rkohlwey/images/fromgrid.gif The map is current of August 3, 2006. The dots are the locations I have worked a satellite from. The dots that are not in a shaded area I was not able to complete a contact. The grids with the grid square displayed are the ones that I did not send out a QSL card for. No one requested one. Part of my motivation for giving out so many grids was to get help on working all of the grids in the 48 Continental states. I completed that on August 11, 2001. The blue dots on the following map are confirmed QSOs on satellite. http://www.uglyfrog.com/n7sfi/images/usagrid.gif I completed a reverse WAS on September 12, 2008 but do not have QSL cards for all the states. Hope this helps, Randy - WI7P Moon VUCC! How cool is that?! 73 to all, Tim - N3TL -- Original message from Jeff KB2M k...@comcast.net: -- Randy's call is now wi7p. I haven't heard Randy on the bird's since 2006, I hope he is doing ok. The thing I remember most about Randy is that he completed (to the my best of my knowledge) WAS in reverse. Another words he worked someone on a satellite FROM every state! I thought that was quite an accomplishment. He would travel somewhere for work and make sat contacts from as many states as he could drive too while he was in that general area. I remember him discussing this activity while we were having dinner at the AMSAT symposium banquet in 2000 in Maine. There was another person involved in doing this also, but I now forget who it was. 73 Jeff kb2m -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Gary Joe Mayfield Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:58 PM To: 'George Henry'; 'amsat bb' Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Rare grid squares? DXers produce list of desired countries. Six meter operators have compiled such a list of grid squares, I suspect our list would be similar. If you have not read about the Fred Fish (w5ff) award, it is interesting. I think Randy, n7sfi is probably our Fred Fish as I don't know of anyone else who has all of the grids touched by the lower 48 states. I would like to see two lists; one for Grids and one for States. Satellite operations should make for an easy WAS, but I know it took me way longer than I thought it should have. A few years ago to spark interest QRP-L had a one state per weekend deal for QRP ops. Maybe we should do a one state a weekend for satellite ops? Anyway... I would be willing to help with such a project. I think a good starting point might be a web site where folks could report what they have or have not worked. It might even be enough to get me to update my grid list :-) 73, Joe kk0sd -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of George Henry Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:32 PM To: amsat bb Subject: [amsat-bb] Rare grid squares? What are considered rare grid squares for satellite ops? Maybe more of us could activate them, if we only knew where they were. George, KA3HSW ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Doug's (KD8CAO/P) recent road trip!
You're right, Rick. My apologies to Jim and John for the brain fade involved with not including them in my post. -- Original message from Rick - WA4NVM wa4...@comcast.net: -- I'll give them all a pat on the back. Also, don't forget Jim - ND9M and John - K8YSE recent trips. Everyone's happy but the trees (all those great QSL cards) Great job guys, 73 - Rick WA4NVM I second David's comments! My cards arrived from Doug today, too. Thank you! Doug, Gail (KB0RZD) and David (KB0RZE) and Patrick (WD9EWK) continue to go above and beyond to activate grids wherever they may be. Some are more rare than others, but I appreciate every one of them. Thank you guys, for going to the expense and making the effort necessary to operate away from home. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL -- Original message from David - KG4ZLB : -- All, I wanted to publicly thank Doug for going on the road recently and activating grids that we might not see again for some time and more especially for the QSL cards which he sent subsequently. Mine arrived today, a card for each contact with full 6 character grid square locators and County information - great for those of us that chase these additional bits of information. Many thanks Doug! 73 -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] WD9EWK Update 23:00 UTC July 21
Hey everyone, Patrick just called to say that he will NOT be on the 23:18-ish UTC pass of AO-51. He has no visibility to the east in the area he's in. However, he WILL be on the next orbit of AO-51, which covers much of the western U.S. That pass is about 00:58 UTC tonight. He plans to post to the BB later this evening with his plans for Wednesday operations. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Evidence of moon landings....!
My aplogies, Mr. Kolakowski, to you personally and to everyone on the board. No real threats were intended. Apparently my sarcasm was not well-taken - at least not by you. I remain open to anyone who can explain the reasons why the two issues I raised are as they are - and ask that such explanations be made off this BB. Again, my apologies to all. -- Original message from Roger Kolakowski rogerk...@aol.com: -- Now it's not only off topic...it becoming personal and threatening... (The moderator must be on vacation...) Roger WA1KAT Leroy, Should I wait until you're satisfied that the Apollo 11 mission and all surrounding the Apollo program was NOT, collectively, a hoax before I mail your QSL card ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Update from WD9EWK
Hey everyone, Patrick, WD9EWK, checked in to report the following plans for passes today: SO-50 at 16:40 UTC - from the DM46-DM47 grid boundary SO-50 at 18:22-ish UTC, and also the afternoon AO-27 passes - from the DM47-DM57 grid boundary. AO-51 this evening - from the DM57-DM58 grid boundary. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Hoping to email WW3O
Hey everyone, I'm trying to contact WW3O by email, and I'm failing miserably. I tried two email addresses - the one listed on his QRZ.com page, and the one listed at the top of his article in the last AMSAT Journal. Both emails bounced back with permanent failure messages. Peter - if you're reading this - please email me at the address this post is coming from. Otherwise, if anyone has a good, current email address for WW3O, I would appreciate receiving it in a private email off the BB. Thanks! Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] K5E - The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event
Hey everyone, The special call sign K5E will go active on AO-7 at 13:32 UTC on July 16, 2009, and will remain active on the FM and CW/SSB satellites, NO-44 (if operational) and the ISS in packet or voice (if either system is active) through 16:50 UTC on July 24, 2009. Those dates and times coincide with the duration of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, which began 40 years ago next Thursday (July 16). K5E seemed the perfect choice for a special event call sign to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “one small step for man … one giant leap for mankind.” K - the 11th letter of the alphabet. 5 - the call district of Houston, location of Apollo 11 Mission Control. E - Eagle, the Apollo 11 lunar module. On passes I work using the special call sign, I will ID as “Kilo 5 Eagle.” Glade Schroeter, WA3MVQ, is donating high-quality full-color QSL cards, which will be used to confirm all contacts with K5E. Stations wishing to confirm will send their request to me with an SASE. The card will be standard QSL size. I encourage any of you who need QSL cards now or in the future to visit Glade’s Web site at www.gggraphicsstore.com. I custom-designed the card, which features the Apollo 11 crew patch and a collage of photos representing highlights of the full mission, from liftoff to splashdown. I will have a lo-res copy of the card front posted to my QRZ.com page no later than Monday. Work K5E one time to claim a special QSL card. There will be no endorsements of any kind, and only one QSL will be issued per valid amateur call sign. Remember, WA3MVQ is donating these high-quality cards. This special event and operation will occur ONLY on the amateur satellites. Another group has organized the Echoes of Apollo program and will have a number of HF stations on the air during the weekend of July 20th, the date of the lunar landing. They also held a special EME event over Field Day weekend. I have no interest in creating any animosity with the Echoes of Apollo group. I’m just interested in giving us satellite operators the chance to celebrate the Apollo 11 mission and its 40th Anniversary. I hope as many of you as possible will join me. I may contact some other operators around the U.S. and ask them to work a pass or two over the 9-day operation using K5E so we can cover as much ground as possible. Also, please note that the Canada Museum of Science and Technology will operate as VE3MOON from July 14-27, per a post earlier today to the AMSAT-BB Thanks in advance to all. 73, Tim – N3TL K5E – The 40th Anniversary Apollo 11 Satellite Special Event ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: How you do DOPPLER correction in Linear Transponders?
Fabiano, Are you using the Beta version of Ham Radio Deluxe - v 4.1, Build 1989? That is the version I have installed. In it, the bottom slider on the right side of the tuning bar will enable you to fine-tune the uplink and downlink. The top slider allows you to use HRD to tune up and down the passband, and the offset will not change. I hope this is helpful. Note to all - I tried tuning the downlink on FO-29 last night. It seemed awkward at first because I'd only been tuning the uplink, regardless of whether it was the higher frequency. But literally after a minute or so, it was no problem. 73 to all, Tim -- Original message from Fabiano Moser fabianomo...@gmail.com: -- Dear friends, Thank you very much for the answers, help me a lot and now I have better idea how operators does. Now I come back to other situation when I do doppler control automatic by Hamradiodeluxe: Let make an example at VO-52 using middle of transponder. While the software is doing correction in the two VFO´s when I start to TX my signal are always above or below the frequency suggested by computer, and I need to put OFF uplink adjust at HRD and do by manual to go higher or lower in Uplink to listen my self. Okay I know the UHF doppler is higher than VHF, but I presume that HRD always adjust the better adjustment for UP and DOWN. At FM satellites this not happen This make me confused becuase if I have new kepler downloaded, why my audio always comes above or below the downlink who Hamradiodeluxe adjust on my FT-847. 73 Fabiano Moser CR7/PY5RX ARISS-PORTUGAL (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Representative at Teleconference and Portugal Telebridge Coordinator. AMRAD/AMSAT-CT http://www.amrad.pt/ariss.php 2009/7/2 i8cvs - Original Message - From: Fabiano Moser To: amsat-bb Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 6:19 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] How you do DOPPLER correction in Linear Transponders? Dear friends, We know that some Satellite Operators use diferent system to doppler control. For Linear Transponder 1) Adjust uplink and downlink automatic by CAT? (Not always woks, some times I´m up or down from the computer adjust) 2) Adjust uplink and downlink manual 3) Keep Uplink fixed and adjust only the Downlink frequency. What is the more indicate method to use? FT-847 have knob to adjust Uplink without change downlink VFO, and I´m using it to keep my voice in downlink at same downlink much I can. But I know some operators use fixed uplink. How you do? -- Hi Fabiano, CR7/PY5RX My preferred metod (from OSCAR-6 to AO40) is to adjust only the Uplink frequency in order to keep my voice in downlink as clear as possible exactly as you actually do manually. If the station in contact with me moves up or down I invite the operator to move the VFO of his TX to come again in my constant receiving frequency. 73 de i8CVS Domenico -- 73 Fabiano Moser CR7/PY5RX ARISS-PORTUGAL (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Representative at Teleconference and Portugal Telebridge Coordinator. AMRAD/AMSAT-CT http://www.amrad.pt/ariss.php There is no great talent without great will. (Honoré de Balzac) ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Original 13 Colonies update
Luc and all, My apologies for not posting this sooner. Here is the full list of operators - NOTE that we only have 11 of the 13 colonies active. If there is ANYone in Connecticut or Delaware who can work some passes, please contact me off the BB. Thank you. K2A-NY WB2OQQ K2B-VANL7VX K2C-RIN1RCN K2D-CTNOT currently active on the satellites K2E-DENOT currently active on the satellites K2F-MD...WA3SWJ K2G-GAN3TL K2H-MAKB1PVH K2I-NJW4MPS K2J-NCND9M, operating as K2T - See note below K2K-NHN1XED K2L-SC...K4YYL K2M-PAN2AUO K2T/Mobile-NC (Will count as a contact for North Carolina on Certificate) I hope this is helpful to everyone. 73 to all, Tim -- Original message from Luc Leblanc luclebla...@videotron.ca: -- On 30 Jun 2009 at 12:32, n...@bellsouth.net wrote: Hey everyone, I've just heard from Gary, N2AUO, who is interested in activating Pennsylvania on the satellites during the Original 13 Colonies special event this week. That gives us 10 of the Original 13 Colonies that will be active on the satellites during this event! Thanks to Gary for his interest in participating. At the request of the event's organizer (Ken. KU2US), those of us active on the satellites will be IDing with our own call sign/special event call. For example, I will be IDing as N3TL/K2G. I'll add that I'm the station in Georgia for the special event, just to be clear. Ken also has advised that he is adding a special satellite designator to the certificates for those who earn them via satellite contacts. Thanks to him for doing this. For the latest information on the Original 13 Colonies Special Event, please go to www.QRZ.com/ku2us. The event begins at 1300 UTC July 1 and ends at 0359 UTC on July 5. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL On the 2145Z AO-51 pass i was able to get theses one below those with their call sign and heard those with a H K2A-NY K2B-VA K2C-RIN1RCN K2D-CT K2E-DE K2F-MD...WA3SWJ K2G-GA K2H-MAKB1PVH K2I-NJW4MPS K2J-NC K2K-NH K2L-SC...H... K2M-PA K2T/Mobile-NC (Will count as a contact for North Carolina on Certificate) 30% on the first shot! did a list exist with the satellite operator call sign? As a suggestion those available can post here which satellite they will be listening and operate. - Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: 13 colonies baloney
Mr. McGrane, As the operator who emailed the organizer of rhe 13 Colonies special event to request that he include satellites - and as the operator who solicited all of the satellite stations who are operating with a special call sign - you should direct your vitriolic comments to me, not to one of the stations who agreed to assist me in getting as many of the Original 13 Colonies on the air as possible. I regret that you don't share my (and others') enthusiasm for this special event. I wasn't even able to work AO-51 last night because of all the stations trying to call others using special call signs from the colonies. Please ... be angry and frustrated with me, not with anyone else. And please feel free to email me on or off this BB. I'll provide a phone number if you'd like to call and rip me by voice. Whatever. And for what it's worth, I believe it was I who stepped on you to work W8MRR, not WA3SWJ - all the more reason to give me what for, I suppose Sincerely, Tim - N3TL/K2G (Georgia) -- Original message from Thomas McGrane n2...@aceweb.com: -- Mr. Semple I could not be bothered logging into QRZ.com for your email address. I did not appreciate being bumped off echo while trying to reach w8mrr. Your lame excuse of celebrating the 13 colonies to hog the satellite was inappropriate. Please dont bump me again. America is nothing like what fought the original revolution. Who are you kidding, not me. pat n2oeq ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Original 13 Colonies update
Hey everyone, I've just heard from Gary, N2AUO, who is interested in activating Pennsylvania on the satellites during the Original 13 Colonies special event this week. That gives us 10 of the Original 13 Colonies that will be active on the satellites during this event! Thanks to Gary for his interest in participating. At the request of the event's organizer (Ken. KU2US), those of us active on the satellites will be IDing with our own call sign/special event call. For example, I will be IDing as N3TL/K2G. I'll add that I'm the station in Georgia for the special event, just to be clear. Ken also has advised that he is adding a special satellite designator to the certificates for those who earn them via satellite contacts. Thanks to him for doing this. For the latest information on the Original 13 Colonies Special Event, please go to www.QRZ.com/ku2us. The event begins at 1300 UTC July 1 and ends at 0359 UTC on July 5. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Advice for transponder ops
AMEN brother! I called CQ multiple times on AO-7 in CW last night between 145.940 and 145.944 (downlink), and NOBODY was tuning down that far. I found that very disappointing, as I did the close proximity of all the stations on FO-29 and VO-52. I believe a lot of us could have made a lot more contacts on the linear satellites if we'd just used the passband. Thanks for this post Drew! 73 to all, Tim - N3TL -- Original message from Andrew Glasbrenner glasbren...@mindspring.com: -- I took this screen grab of this morning's eastern FO-29 pass, and what it shows is in my opinion very illustrative of a problem that is getting worse even on days other than Field Day. http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q305/glasbrenner/radio/FO-29FDanotated.jpg Spread out! There is no good reason that we should have a dozen operators fighting over the center 15 kHz of a 100 kHz wide transponder. Remember the gentlemen's agreement is the lower third is for CW, middle 1/3 is for mixed ops, and the upper 1/3 is for SSB. There is nothing magic about the Doppler shift at the very center of the passband that simple addition and subtraction can't duplicate elsewhere. Just my opinion, and please take it constructively. 73, Drew KO4MA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: ISS Field Day configuration?
Yes Luc ... the first satellite contact made will earn that ARRL entry the 100-point bonus for a satellite contact. It's also important to note that ARRL and AMSAT are only scoring one contact each on AO-27 and SO-50. AMSAT Field Day rules permit one contact each on each of the active transponders on AO-51. If the ISS is configured to be active both in FM voice and packet, AMSAT also will score one voice contact and one completed two-way packet contact. ARRL Field Day rules stipulate only one contact per FM satellite will score. I have sent you the 2009 AMSAT Field Day rules off the BB. I hope that proves helpful. Best of luck to all this Field Day - and please listen for W4G on all of the satellites! 73, Tim - N3TL (operating the W4G satellite station for Field Day) -- Original message from Luc Leblanc luclebla...@videotron.ca: -- On 26 Jun 2009 at 8:54, jeff kb2m wrote: Right now the ISS is in 2m split mode? 145.825 up 145.800 down RS0ISS-3 packet. 73 Jeff kb2m Over grid FN26 there will be 6 available pass starting 0122 EDT on June 28 most of them will be on the night shift but some real good one early morning the 28 until the last one 0919 EDT June 28 Just to remind that only ONE (1) satellite contact is required to have the ARRL100 satellite bonus points. Never heard if AMSAT-NA will also have his satellite field day but it's not helping the ARRL Field Day as multiple QSO'S are allowed.on a very restricted satellite aging fleet. Not to mention there is about no rules who stands and it is not a friendly QRP area... The moto is the bigger and longer CQQQ ER. It will be interesting to have some negative points for poor operating practice? It's easy to spot and post but not too flattering for the offending station. Just to remind some offended virgin ARRL has his check log for numerous years and no one complains. (Those on the check log could be...) Happy field day it will be a whole week end of rain and heavy thunderstorm here! - Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51
If I recall correctly from a post last week, the U/V pair is operating at roughly 290 milliwatts RF out on transmit, and the L/U pair is at roughly 260 mW. In other words, each transmitter is operating on slightly more than SO-50 (250 mW) power levels. I have had passes this week where the satellite was armchair copy on one pass, and about like has been described this evening on another. I suspect the lower power levels (half or less of what has been nominal for most of the past year) and the inevitable mismatch (depending on the angle between the satellite and a given ground station) of its circular-polarized antennas to many ground stations' linear-polarized antennas are contributing to the reception differences. Drew (KO4MA) or Gould (WA4SXM) can comment - and I hope they will if this is incorrect - but I suspect that AO-51 continues to operate as it has recently. I appreciate very much their efforts to maintain the satellite. That being said, it will definitely prove to be a challenge to work for many Field Day stations. I hope I can get the one contact on it that I can count for the club FD effort I'll be a part of. And I hope that other stations will make their one allowed contact and give other stations the same chance to get theirs. Best of Field Day luck and 73 to all, Tim - N3TL -- Original message from Jeff Yanko wb3...@cox.net: -- Wondering if AO-51 is operating? Just listened for the 2357z pass and nothing received. The last time I checked the status of the bird it shows that the 435.300 downlink was active. I also listened for the 435.150 to no avail. 73, Jeff WB3JFS Las Vegas, NV DM26 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Field Day Call Signs
Very cool, David! Thanks! -- Original message from David - KG4ZLB kg4...@googlemail.com: -- W4F from Naples, Florida Tim! -- David KG4ZLB www.kg4zlb.com n...@bellsouth.net wrote: Hey everyone, How about posting the call sign you'll be using over Field Day weekend for satellite contacts? Here, I'll be providing the satellite station for the combined FD effort of the Athens Amateur Radio Club and the Northeast Georgia ARC, and they have obtained the special 1x1 call W4G for Field Day. I know many of us will be using club calls over Field Day, and I'm interested in know who will be who this weekend. I'm also interested in CW contacts on AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52, so I hope those of you who will be working those three will bring a key or paddle along. If you do, please listen for W4G a few kHz below the middles of theses satellites' passbands. 73 to all, and enjoy Field Day! Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha W4G for Field Day 2009 ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Field Day Call Signs
Thanks Alan! -- Original message from Alan P. Biddle apbid...@united.net: -- N4FR will be operating from Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville. Alan WA4SCA ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via amsat...@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Special Event operation coming to the satellites!
Hey everyone, This time next week, at least nine of the Original 13 Colonies will be active on the amateur satellites as part of a special event organized by Ken, KU2US, in New York. Here is the Web site announcing the event, and the certificate available: http://home.comcast.net/~dzabawa/ThirteenColonies.htm You’ll also find updates on Ken’s QRZ.com page – look up KU2US. When I saw an email about this special event, I contacted Ken and asked if he’d consider including satellite operations in the event. He responded with an enthusiastic yes – then told me to get everything organized as quick as I could because we were running out of time! I’m glad to do it because this should be a fun event for us on the satellites. As I write this, we have commitments from stations in nine of the original 13 colonies, and they will be using the call signs for each that are listed on the special events page. For example, I’ll be operating as K2G daily during the special event. I intend to work at least one pass of every satellite as K2G, every day. Listed alphabetically by Colony, here are the stations that have confirmed to date. The calls they will use are in parentheses: Georgia – Tim, N3TL (K2G) Massachusetts – Dave, KB1PVH (K2H) New Hampshire – Rik, N1XED (K2K) New Jersey – Marc, W4MPS (K2I) New York – Peter, WB2OQQ (K2A) North Carolina – Jim, ND9M (K2J) Rhode Island – Fletch, N1RCN (K2C) South Carolina – Art, K4YYL (K2L) Virginia – Steve, NL7VX (K2B) As of now, there are four of the original 13 colonies NOT scheduled to be active on the satellites: Connecticut Delaware Maryland Pennsylvania Can anyone help with any of them? The process is simple: 1 – Please email me off the BB to let me know of your interest. 2 – You can work as many or as few satellite passes as you like during the special event. It’s supposed to be fun, not work! 3 – After the event, email your log(s) to KU2US, who will handle the certificates. I’ll provide more information after hearing from anyone who wants to activate one of the four remaining colonies. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to work one or more of us on passes from July 1 through July 5. You only need to work one station to get the certificate, but the more the merrier! 73 to all, Tim – N3TL ___ 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