[amsat-bb] S band LEO Sat tracking
What kind of positioning accuracy can be expected form amateur PC Software and Antenna Rotators? Or, in other words: What kind of S band antenna ( gain or dimensions) is needed to track a S band LEO Sat? 73 Michael ___ 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] S band
Need a little help. First I'd like to thank everyone for your answers to my question concerning ISS beacon. I am all set to add L band to my station using my IC910 including Rohn 25 folder over tower to be mounted to the side of my house. While I'm at it I wonder if it would make sense to add S band as well, if so, should I add transmitting as well as receiving capabilitie? Should I use a two meter or a 70 cm radio knowing that two meter would provide less loss? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated & most likley I will have further questions as I get into this project. Thanks for any input. Jack WA1ZDV ___ 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] s-band crystal
Dear list, Does anyone have a 8.8125Mhz crystal they can part with? This does not seem to be a standard part for Mouser or Newark (not really surprising). I am converting a Cal. Amp Downconverter p/n 130016. The conversion instructions suggest going to ICM but their web site didn't seem set-up for buying one crystal worth less than a buck Thanks, Gary AB3ID Snow Hill, MD ___ 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] S Band
Hello, Is anyone using M2 SBAND21R Horn Antenna's; I'm curious to hear your comments on the it's performance, thank you. 73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.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
[amsat-bb] S-Band down converters
I am SOLD OUT. Tnx all I will get them shipped with conversion info[very easy] Bob WJ6T ___ 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] S-Band
Hi I have some California down converter #130016 I would like to sale. When AO-40 was working I sold and used them myself. I do not have eyes to set them up anymore. I am selling them for $10 each + Shipping. I do have Pay Pal My e-mail is w...@bak.rr.comPhone 661 829 5759 for more info. Bob WJ6T ___ 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] S band cavity filter test
With AO-51 in mode V/S i start to test a wave guide filter model ITS 1653C made by ITS corporation Mc Murry PA. The wave guide centered on 2401Mhz with a band pass covering 2400 to 2402Mhz with a very low insertion loss. The first test made on my last AO-51 pass confirm all the qrm out of the passband if effectively reduced a lot. More test will be needed to confirm if the filter effectively help my AIDC downconverter reception P.S. when i dismantle the antenna coax from the AIDC connector i saw the N female connector full of white rust. Even with a carefull taping only the antenna connector show this type of corosion. I suspect the N male adaptor and the is made of a different alloy than the AIDC N connector. After one year at the top of the tower the corrosion take his toll and it will a good thing to check your AIDC downconverter connector condition. I don't know how i was able to hear on 2401mhx with a so white powder rusted connector? "-" 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
[amsat-bb] S Band interference was RE: Re: Field Day mode for AO-51
Joe, My neighbors have several "wireless" devices that operate close enough to our frequencies to raise my noise level or produce a series of clicks and other noises. The worst offenders are a wireless network and a cordless phone. During the AO-40 era I bought a cordless phone from a neighbor that was very troublesome. I have since moved to a country location, and find it interesting that I can tell what direction town is by moving my antenna (pointed at the horizon) and listening to the noise level on mode S. 73, Joe kk0sd -Original Message- From: Joe v Murray [mailto:k0...@juno.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 10:43 PM To: gary_mayfi...@hotmail.com Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day mode for AO-51 Hi Joe Your comment about Mode S interference interests me I have not been on since AO-40 In those days there was no interference on mode S. Unless it was another Ham. Would you kindly explain? Thanks Joe K0VTY === On Tue, 4 May 2010 22:22:54 -0500 "Gary \"Joe\" Mayfield" writes: > I have L band gear. When the bird is in L/U Luc and I have a great > time > talking to each other. When the bird is in V/U I'll make half a > dozen or > more contacts in a pass. I voted for mode L, because I didn't > believe V/U > was an option and S band is becoming too full of interference. > > I have a couple questions: > > 1. The folks who can't eek out a contact with the handheld and > Arrow during > Field Day, have you practiced? It's how I have done it the last > couple of > years without that much trouble, patience and timing are the keys > :-). We > have a good Field Day location where I can see down to the horizon. > > 2. Has the single contact per FM bird rule really helped anyone? > In the > old days a couple big stations got on and essentially ran the bird. > Is it > fair? NO! but they handed out a lot of QSOs and we seemed to get > more AMSAT > Field Day entries as well. > > The one bird one contact has been a noble experiment, maybe it is > time to > examine the results. > > Hats off to the controllers for starting the discussion! > > 73, Just My Thoughts, > Joe kk0sd > > > -Original Message- > From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] > On > Behalf Of Andrew Glasbrenner > Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 4:33 PM > To: Ng, Peter > Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org; ao51-mo...@amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day mode for AO-51 > > Ng, Peter wrote: > > ...sorry, I meant to vote for V/U mode as I only have VHF/UHF > equipment! > > > > > Keep in mind there will likely be three or four transponders birds, > and > two to four other FM birds available that weekend! > > It's been my perception that a good portion of AMSAT's sustaining > members leave and breathe the highest tech they can manage. Eight > out of > eight satellites being V/U seems counter to that goal. > > Mark and Bob both make good points supporting at least one area of > refuge for this portion of the AMSAT population. Personally, I think > the > V/U FM experience on Field Day is a big turnoff to newbies, > especially > since so many under-prepared, over-powered and out of practice > once-a-year sat ops fail miserably to get those bonus points on FM. > > I bet someone in your area has 1.2 Ghz capability! > > 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 > > Penny Stock Jumping 2000% Sign up to the #1 voted penny stock newsletter for free today! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4be0eafed92c15962am03vuc ___ 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] S band Rx system for sale
Hello Selling a "extra" complete S band rx system. Downconverter, feed, 18" dish, bias tee. Try here before ebay. Contact direct. 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
[amsat-bb] S band antenna & downconverter 4 sale
contact off list for details 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
[amsat-bb] S Band Activity 08/2009
Many of you have no idea what goes on when AO51 is in the S band downlink mode. Until this past week, I was in the dark as well. Who operates S band and what is it like compared to the more popular V/U mode? What kind of equipment does it take to get on S band. If you don't have S Band equipment, should you invest in some? Are you going to work anybody new or perhaps a new grid? After a week of making q's and listening to 29 passes of S band, there is some data and observations to share. A lot of people are using the K5GNA setup. My setup was quite different. The antenna used was a Hyperlink Technologies (now L-Com in Florida) 18dbi Wifi Panel Antenna. It is well made and comes with stainless mounting hardware including a 2-1/2" U-bolt that will fit most any mast. It's about 2" thick and 14"x9" rectangular. Price is $50, not bad for a well made weatherproof outdoor antenna. The Down East Microwave preamp kit and outdoor housing for it is about $85. The outdoor box is as expensive as the preamp kit itself. It was mounted on the antenna with a 7' 9913 pigtail. The 45' of coax into the shack is 3/8" Andrew Heliax. In the shack is a Drake 2880 down converter with a new crystal from G0MRF to get the output on 145 MHz. Both the preamp and the downconverter are powered through the coax so you need two power inserters. I used a second radio for the IF so that there was no chance of transmitting into the downconverter. Doppler is about =/- 55 KHz from horizon to horizon. You can see what it looks like on the tower on my qrz.com page. Click the image to enlarge. At first I was disappointed because I am used to hearing 435.300 down to the horizon in most directions. It didn't happen with S-band. But after listening to other stations, it was apparent that my setup was hearing better than most. There has been discussion about the slow roll of AO51 and that is certainly apparent, however, I could not hear much below 6 degrees, ever. Maybe a bigger antenna would help out, but those that were active didn't seem to have any better receive capabilities so it makes you wonder. Now for the activity data. Below is each pass that I operated or listened to and the stations I worked (with an asterisk) or ones that I just heard (no asterisk). 8/16/2009 2245Z (first S-Band mode pass) KC9ELU* KJ4MC KD8CAO* 8/17/2009 0036Z KC9ELU* N6PAA W7LRD 8/17/2009 1053Z KC9ELU* 8/17/2009 1234Z VE2DWE* KC9ELU* KD8CAO* KB2M* W8KHP N5ZNL* 8/17/2009 2359Z W8KHP* N5ZNL* VE2DWE* W7JPI* K5WH* W7LRD* K9QHO* 8/18/2009 1151Z WB8OTH* W7JPI* N5ZNL* W8KHP* 8/18/2009 1331Z K9QHO* W7JPI* 8/18/2009 2128Z WB8OTH* KC9ELU* W8KHP 8/18/2009 2305Z W7JPI* KC9ELU N0JY* W8KHP* N5ZNL K9QHO KD6IRE? XE2BHL 8/19/2009 1116Z KC9ELU 8/19/2009 1252Z WB8OTH* XE2BHL* KC9ELU* 8/19/2009 2230Z W8KHP* VE2DWE* 8/20/2009 0006Z N5ZNL/P* N5UXT* N0JY* VE2DWE* W8KHP* WB8OTH W7LRD* 8/20/2009 1213Z KC9ELU* KB2M* W8KHP* N5UXT* N5ZNL 8/20/2009 1353Z AI7W* W7JPI* KC9ELU WB6QVU? 8/20/2009 2153Z NO STATIONS HEARD 8/20/2009 2326Z W7JPI W8KHP K9QHO W7LRD WHISTLER 8/21/2009 0111Z 2 DEGREE PASS, NOTHING HEARD 8/21/2009 1145Z N5ZNL* KB2M* 8/21/2009 1314Z KC9ELU* N5UXT* W7JPI* 8/21/2009 2246Z KG4ZLB* WB8OTH* N0JY* W8KHP* AK5V* 8/22/2009 0029Z AK5V* KB2M N0JY* W7LRD* 8/22/2009 1053Z KC9ELU* KB2M* 8/22/2009 1234Z KC9ELU* W7JPI* K8KHP* 8/22/2009 2207Z KC9ELU* 8/22/2009 2347Z WA5KBH* WD9EWK* N5ZNL* XE2BHL* KC9ELU* 8/23/2009 1156Z W2NBJ* KC9ELU* WA4SCA* 8/23/2009 1332Z KC9ELU* W7JPI* N5UXT* XE2BHL 8/23/2009 2127Z KC9ELU* N1RCN* Mike, KC9ELU was on vacation this past week and was the most active station on S-Band. It was interesting to compare our reception and have airtime to discuss it. The only new guys I'm aware of were myself and N1RCN who got things working on the very last S-Band pass. Drew, where were you? Some have been asking for more S Band, but if you take a look at the activity, it pales in comparison to what we have in the V/U mode. The last AO51 V/U pass tonight (8/25/2009 0007Z max elevation 17 degrees to the west for me) had at least 23 stations on it. More were trying. It's a Monday night! I never heard more than 8 stations on any S-Band pass, and there were plenty with just one, two or three. If you have AO40 equipment laying around, you might be a good candidate for S band. But unless you are prepared for a very high dollar investment/qso, you probably won't be buying S-Band equipment to work the few stations that get on that mode. If you want to do L/S, there will most likely be even less activity since making noise on 1.2GHz is even more expensive. (When L/S comes on, I'll have another report.) My antenna system could be improved but there's not much point in spending more effort and putting more windload on the az/el rotor to hear down to the horizon. We need to balance the interests of everyone and that is understood. We need some V/S or L/S from time to time. I'm not sure, however, that an entire week should be devot
