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CX2SA > SATDIG 16.10.09 20:17l 833 Lines 30793 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: RES: Re: What Are Others Using (Dave Aitch)
2. 2M1EUB/P UPDATE important DXwindow (paul robinson)
3. Re: The Beef Frank is in the east (Bruce Robertson)
4. Re: wonder if a transponder could go on this? (tosca005@xxx.xxxx
5. Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then? (tosca005@xxx.xxxx
6. Re: What others are doing. (WILLIAMS MICHAEL)
7. Why is AO-27 not available in the Southern Hemisphere ?
(Allan Saul)
8. Re: The Beef Frank is in the east (Rocky Jones)
9. Why do hamsats? (Rocky Jones)
10. Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then? (Rocky Jones)
11. AO-51: Rest of October schedule posted (Mark L. Hammond)
12. When was GO-32 last heard? (Mark L. Hammond)
13. Re: Why do hamsats? (Jeff Davis)
14. OT: USB - RS-232 Adapter (Josh Smith)
15. Re: Why do hamsats? (Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF)
16. More on imaging statellites... (Mark VandeWettering)
17. Re: RES: Re: What Are Others Using (Elan Portnoy)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:08:52 +0100
From: "Dave Aitch" <dave@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: RES: Re: What Are Others Using
To: "'amsat-bb'" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <000b01ca4e61$cf42b490$6dc81db0$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Have a look at HalloSat too.
www.hallosat.de
I cant fault it. Been using it for a few years.
Dave. G1OCN.
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:09:38 +0000 (GMT)
From: paul robinson <pushbiker2004@xxxxx.xx.xx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] 2M1EUB/P UPDATE important DXwindow
Cc: Amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <862643.55827.qm@xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi guys as you know im /p in NE Scotland (io87mc) and thanks to all that
have already worked me,this qth is difficult for low angle ,so ill be making
the trip to a large hill @ 2700' to hope to give every one a bite at
me....this is a one off ! please be quick on the mark as im trying to work
as many stations as poss ..and give everyone a go...of course it will depend
on wx coditions as well...action starts this sunday 18th mid morning to late
afternoon (gmt) all birds i can hit and ao7 !!! around .950usb on ao7 and if
the qrp repeater is on on ao51 then 435.150 fm more info on qrz.com 73 de paul
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:43:16 -0300
From: Bruce Robertson <ve9qrp@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The Beef Frank is in the east
To: Rocky Jones <orbitjet@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<49657a760910160643x31f9c05cp7bcdbf6fa3efe5a5@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 12:14 AM, Rocky Jones <orbitjet@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> 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.
I find it terribly frustrating, Rocky, that you keep repeating your
entirely bleak assessment of Suitsat, in light of the number of
letters I've sent in reply that indicate that the educational aspect
of that mission was, in my experience, quite successful. As a sample
of these, see, http://www.mail-archive.com/amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx
I know and respect that you do not value that mission as much as other
aspects of the amateur satellite program, but to make an honest
assessment of Suitsat, you need to do it on its own terms, and, as I
understood it, education and outreach was a large part of it.
That said, there were problems with the original suitsat which, were
they to appear in ISSSat, would make it difficult (but not impossible,
I'd venture) for it to fulfill its missions. However, the reasoning
that you ascribe to JPL space scientists seems to suggest that the
ISSSat people are unable to learn from these past problems, an
attitude that I would think might make their day job very depressing
indeed. I rather hope that the majority of space engineers take a more
optimistic view of their field; but a discussion at a birthday party
is nothing like a survey, of course, so 'consensus' above is an
over-statement.
Finally, I'd add that even if your 'less than 10%' assessment were
knowable and correct, I would say that AMSAT is right to take this
opportunity. We have put a lot of effort into SDX on the ground, it is
a very attractive technology, and a free launch opportunity for this
is too good to pass up. Moreover, I suspect there are many things
being learned along the way in integrating this technology in the
spaceframe, which will help us know more. I'm also not sure that the
stakes are as high as you suggest: in your assessment, SS1 was a
failure, yet we still have been allowed to do SS2. Perhaps the ISS
folks recognize other benefits that your assessment does not.
> But Just think, if it works you can tell me I was wrong! ?Wont that be fun?
I'm sorry to say this, but the above quotation displays a very poor
attitude to the efforts of this organization. If I were a betting man,
and the bookies would take odds on satellite launches, I'd bet against
just about every amateur satellite launch effort. This isn't because
we are bad at what we do, it is because space is hard, we often have
to get rides on less-than-proven launches, and we try new things. But
I want to be part of a group that beats the odds, that does something
spectacular, that makes people young and old say, "That's cool!". When
it succeeds, a healthy organization does not use this fact to turn on
the detractors within its ranks because it is too busy enjoying
success; but equally, detractors should not take any pleasure in
failures, but rather work hard to give specific advice about how best
to find success.
73, Bruce
VE9QRP
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: 16 Oct 2009 09:28:50 -0500
From: tosca005@xxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: wonder if a transponder could go on this?
To: Rocky Jones <orbitjet@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <Prayer.1.0.16.0910160928500.4500@xxxx.xx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=ISO-8859-1
On Oct 15 2009, Rocky Jones wrote:
>
>http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0910/15dscovr/index.html
>
>Robert WB5MZO
Hmmm... from the article cited:
"designed to keep a constant vigil on the planet from the L1 libration
point a million miles away"
Gee, that's about 11 seconds for your echo to return, assuming you have
enough power, antenna gain, and receive capability to even hear an echo...
It would be quite a challenge to work. Certainly different than working a
LEO, anyway! I guess for those who want to try something "really
different", that would qualify. :)
But the point of the article was that NASA was struggling to find the funds
to launch the thing, so I don't see much point in speculating if we could
attach a transponder to it. :(
73 de W0JT
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: 16 Oct 2009 09:44:41 -0500
From: tosca005@xxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?
To: Edward Cole <kl7uw@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, samudra.haque@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <Prayer.1.0.16.0910160944410.4500@xxxx.xx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=ISO-8859-1
On Oct 15 2009, Edward Cole wrote:
>So, IF the battery un-shorts, IF the IHU boots
>and resets the beacon (S-band, I
>assume). Therefore, for the rest of us,
>occasional monitoring the beacon frequency would
>be good (using the current keps to estimate
>Doppler offset). IF detected, then commands
>could be attempted. Sounds like a lot of
>IF's. Is this a good reason to keep your S-band
>downlink equipment working? Think about it.
>
>Integrity of S/C is unknown, so its all a big guessing game.
>
>I remain available (when QRV on L-band with 865
>kW EIRP) for command attempts (lat=60.675N, Lon=151.316W).
>
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW
Perhaps my analogy to a comatose patient was a little bit off the mark, in
that I was trying to say that just having a command station turn on their
equipment, point their antennas, and give the command to release the solar
panels did not have a high probability of success.
What I neglected to say, since I had incorrectly assumed that everyone on
the list already knew it, was that ever since AO-40 went silent for the
last time, at least one command station has regularly been sending commands
to the old gal, not with the intent of releasing the solar panels, but with
the intent of at least getting her interacting with the command station and
doing things like turning on the S-band transmitter to get some telemetry,
etc.
Peter also mentioned in one of his recent posts that command station(s)
still do this on a regular, although perhaps less frequent, basis.
As has now been described, if the batteries STOPPED presenting a dead short
to the power bus, unlike AO-7 which simply came alive, AO-40 would probably
NOT automatically announce its re-birth, because the default beacon (2
meters) is not functional. It would take a command from a command station
to turn on the S-band transmitter for anyone (like a command station
operator) to know that she was capable of listening any more. So, even
though it is a low probability scenario, it is still worth sending the
appropriate commands to AO-40 on a regular basis just on the off chance
that she had emerged partly from her coma.
It's pretty inexpensive to simply send some RF with appropriate commands
her way, so there is very little downside to trying. I know that AMSAT
doesn't give out command information freely, for obvious reasons, but there
were several control stations active when she was alive, and adding one or
more staffed by reliable folks who can be trusted with the information
should be possible. . .
Do I hear someone volunteering? :)
73 de W0JT
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:24:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: WILLIAMS MICHAEL <k9qho6762@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: What others are doing.
To: jbblack@xxxxxxx.xxxx amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <650261.93767.qm@xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Joel.
?
For the 847, try this method to hear your down-link without?using?the CAT
menu.
?
With good reception of the satellite, pick a clear receive spot on the
transponder, i.e. 148.885 MHz on VO-52.
?
Put 847 in CW mode with SatPC32(select C+). Press "VFO/M" button ( this will
switch your up-link (transmit)VFO to the?center tuning dial. Hold the CW key
down and start tuning the Transmit VFO (Large dial) usually downward. You
should?hear your up-link signal cross the downlink frequency. When you find
it note the frequencies of both VFOs.
?
When you zero beat your downlink, usually the VFOs?are synced by the
software at this?point and your up-link and down-link will stay together for
the remainder of the pass.
?
Press "HOME" button on the 847. this will?move your receiver?to the large
dial. Send a test "V." If you can hear your signal you are good for the
entire pass. You can now tune your receiver anywhere in the pass band and
the software will?sync your receive/transmit with Doppler correction.
?
This method can be used manually (without SatPC32) to find your down-link.
However, you will have to manually tune your up-link VFO (with the
Sub-Tune)?to maintain a constant down-link frequency.
?
But in?the end, the proper way is to use the CAT menu to sync your
up-link/down-link together. See the instructions how to do this, once this
is done, you are?set up?permanently no matter how many times your
computer?is booted or the 847 is turned off.
?
For SatPC32 to work properly, make sure your computer clock is accurate to
the exact time and your Keps are kept up to date.
?
If I can be of any help, please email.
?
Mike
K9QHO
AMSAT 33589
?
?
-------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:15:03 -0500
From: Joel Black <jbblack@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb]? What Are Others Using
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4AD7ACF7.6020806@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Years ago, when I first started operating the satellites, I used an
IC-821.? I "graduated" up to an FT-847.? I don't ever remember using
software to tune the rig (the IC-821 or FT-847) only software to steer
the antennas.
For the life of me, I cannot seem to find my downlink using the FT-847
and *any* tuning software with the linear birds (AO-7 and VO-52).? It
works fine with the "fixed" freq FM birds which, understandably, is
easier for it to track.? I am just wondering, does *anyone* use tuning
software with the linear birds or do you just tune it manually?
73,
Joel, W4JBB
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:04:52 +0200
From: Allan Saul <allan@xxxxxxxx.xx.xx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Why is AO-27 not available in the Southern
Hemisphere ?
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<693682E7994243418EFDBB1692138DAC01DD220BBB95@xxxxx.xxxxxxxx.xx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi,
Is there someone out there that can explain to me why
AO-27 cannot be made available to Radio Amateurs south
of the equator ?
There are a bunch of operators in South America, South
Africa, Australia and New Zealand amongst others who
would dearly like an opportunity to operate on this
satellite.
Is there some valid technical reason it cannot be made
available to us for a few days per month ?
Allan ZS1LS
South Africa
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:37:23 -0500
From: Rocky Jones <orbitjet@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The Beef Frank is in the east
To: <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, <ka3hdo@xxxxxxx.xxx>, Amsat BB
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <COL106-W114ACEF21249FA0749753CD6C40@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Tim Lilley - N3TL
Athens, Ga. - EM84ha
"
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."
obviously no one is going to slip something past you
When you drive into Hotlanta, have a Vasity Chili Cheese dog...(a dog
walkin...as I recall)...good for the heart (not so much but it is nice to
dream).
Great town Athens.
73 Robert WB5MZO
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222986/direct/01/
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:01:30 -0500
From: Rocky Jones <orbitjet@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Why do hamsats?
To: <ve9qrp@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <COL106-W3EADFC9F3F22F3E1218FCD6C40@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Bruce. I changed the title. I didnt like Frank doing what he did in public
and as far as I am concern the exchange is over.
I got three points from you're piece...and they are good ones.
First..the educational benefits of suitsat 1 and 2.
I have no doubt thanks to folks like you (and others) there was educational
value (and perhaps inspirational value) from the suitsat experience. No
doubt.
The other day when LCROSS was suppose to do the "plume" thing we had about
15 kids over (early in the morning) to "watch it" through the 12 and 4.5
inch tube. Santa Fe TX is a "semi rural" area with large "farms"...and the
kids are use to getting up early, but a bunch of neighborhood kids came over
with the invite of the 10 year olds...and we had eggs for breakfast and
models and some computer tracking programs running...and even though there
was nothing to be seen (turns out by almost anything!) there was a great
deal of fun, some good education opportunity and all that.
Problem is that the big question (the 80 million dollar question) still
remains...1) did the mission do what it was suppose to do and 2) was it the
best use of 80 million dollars to answer that question (as well as the
unique opportunity the launch provided). Those are answers that do not get
ameliorated by the educational value of what occurred.
Education is a good thing, but but unless it is the primary goal of whatever
was being done then the primary thing has to have value commensurate with
cost all on its own.
Ham radio is about communicating. If we want to turn its primary task into
"education" then it will look very very different.
Second the odds of success. I had let the topic drop until it was brought
up by someone else. It is to me depressing. AMSAT NA in particular seems
to be (at least in my view) on a high technology kamikaze mission. The
reason Oscars I through 13 were quite successful is that they each (might
have had problems) built on the success and knowledge of the last one.
They were robust, single focused (ie they were transponders and limited at
that). Todays efforts are "one gadget after another" in my view. Hence
the sat population is decreasing.
Suitsat 1 failed technologically (grin) even though it was a very simple
satellite. Prudent engineering doctrine would say "try it or something
slightly more complicated again" and get it correct before moving on to
something vastly more complicated. Instead it is "we cannot get people to
work on it if it is not something cool". as if getting a vehicle into space
that works shouldnt all on its own be something ...
The folks who are "in charge" have chosen this path...see how it works.
Third...I have no problem with them taking the opportunity
Many years ago we brought the airplane that is today the preeminent two
engine "heavy" into the old Denver Stapleton airport so the launch customer
could show it off. (it was pretty cool actually, even though the
"concrete" could handle the light weight of the big twin, the asphalt
covering couldnt and boards had to be put down to keep the trucks from
sinking). The launch customer (UAL) brought out a Boeing 247 for comparison.
One of the first things that they did was open the airplane(s) up for school
kids. They had pilots and flight attendants in current and period
outfits...the educational value was pretty splendid.
But it meant nothing if the Big Twin couldnt keep the wings on it (the
problem with its sister)....
Robert WB5MZO
PS...as for being sarcastic...I confess the end got the better of me. it
detracted from my point!
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:12:08 -0500
From: Rocky Jones <orbitjet@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Can we get them to fix AO-40 first then?
To: <kl7uw@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, <peter.guelzow@xxxxxx.xx>
Cc: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, samudra.haque@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <COL106-W33CA92FCA59B024A9A619BD6C40@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Ed. yeap a lot of ifs. The good news is that Peter confirms that there
(was anyway) power from solar cells all around the spin axis...hence it is
possible in theory that if the short clears then things could wake up (solar
angles etc).
Stranger things have happened. Many years ago we found an airplane that had
sat in a hanger for almost 20 years in "semi storage". took some modest
precautions "turning it on", got a ferry permit and the engine took us home
to Norfolk (that was home then)...
I bet if you went to the Moon and put fresh batteries in the lunar
rovers...they would turn on! (well 50 percent chance anyway)...
There is a better chance in my view that Oscar III will all of a sudden
start up...
73 Robert WB5MZO
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft?s powerful SPAM protection.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:12:38 -0400
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51: Rest of October schedule posted
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<5d8cecfe0910161012i61e4ededtcc7a38f6641d8a15@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
FYI from : http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php
October 12 - October 16
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM
FM Repeater, L/U
Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM
October 17 - October 18
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM
JOTA Only FM Repeater, V/U
Please give way to JOTA stations or QSOs with JOTA stations
Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM
October 19 - October 25
FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM
9k6 BBS, L/U
Uplink: 1268.700 MHz 9k6 FM
Downlink: 435.150 MHz 9k6 FM
October 26 - November 1
FM Repeater, V/US
Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.300 and 2401.200 MHz FM
On behalf of the AO-51 Command Team,
--
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:37:37 -0400
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] When was GO-32 last heard?
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<5d8cecfe0910161037n69135b72o11e51cca5b1f4b77@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Curious when anybody last hear GO-32. I've checked recently, and
don't think it is even transmitting short telemetry packets.
Does anybody have contact information for a control station?
73,
--
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:47:02 -0400
From: Jeff Davis <stuckbit@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Why do hamsats?
To: Rocky Jones <orbitjet@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <20091016174702.GA18601@xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 12:01:30PM -0500, Rocky Jones wrote:
>
> Ham radio is about communicating. If we want to turn its primary task
into "education" then it will look very very different.
>
If you were making this point to a bunch of 40m CW operators then they
would quite likely agree with you. I wouldn't respond at all except that
there are no doubt a few not thinking clearly who you may have persuaded...
Where you are missing the boat with your derision of projects that are
more educational is that AMSAT is a very, very special subset of amateur
radio. While we have plenty of communicators in our midst, by default
there have to be some space engineers or we don't exist.
Well, unless you assume we can raise a few million bucks and head on down
to the neighborhood satellite store to buy one whenever we need a new one...
Designing spacecraft is an entirely different thing that requires a wide
variety of engineering skills, some of which have absolutely nothing to
do with radio, antennas, or communication.
So one reason that we need a steady stream of students who give a flip
about what we are doing is that very soon all the folks who designed and
built the Phase 3 birds will be gone. Many of them already are.
And that says nothing at all about the general overall need for humans
to embrace science in order to survive. Your argument is a little like
the old folks who always complain about having to pay taxes that support
public schools even though they never had any kids... I'll bet they are
darned glad that someone got an education when they need that new hip or
knee -- or heart.
And besides, future projects of things that we sometimes get to play
with will come from Universities and while beggars can't be choosers,
wouldn't it be wonderful if we had a rosy relationship with an array of
students and educators around the globe who are going to space with or
without us anyway?
--
Jeff, KE9V
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:53:23 -0400
From: Josh Smith <juicewvu@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] OT: USB - RS-232 Adapter
To: "AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, FT897@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<d3bf5a870910161053y15bf076ds1b1bbf59aa5f4b45@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Everyone,
I know this is slightly (mostly??) off topic but I am in the market
for a USB to RS-232 adapter for use with my radios (ft-897d and
th-d7ag). My main requirement be that it works with Linux. Can any
of you make a recommendation?
Thanks,
Josh Smith
KD8HRX
email/jabber: juicewvu@xxxxx.xxx
phone: 304.237.9369(c)
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:57:03 +0000
From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF <nigel@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Why do hamsats?
To: Rocky Jones <orbitjet@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <4AD8B3EF.5010609@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
According to my license, the primary reason for it's issuance is education.
Below are the first three sentences of BR68.
Conditions of use
Purpose
1(1) The Licensee shall use the Station for the purpose of self-training in
communication by radio telecommunications,
which use (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) includes
technical investigations.
1(2) The Licensee may use or permit the use of the Station, as part of his
self-training in communication by radio
telecommunications, during any operation conducted by a User Service
[defined in sub-clause 12(1) (o)] or during any
exercise relating to such an operation for the purpose of sending Messages
on behalf of the User Service to other
licensed amateur stations. It is recommended that the Licensee follows a
formal emergency communications training
scheme, details of which are available from the Radiocommunications Agency.
1(2A) The Licensee may use or permit the use of the Station, as part of his
self-training in communication by radio,
during any community event where the Licensee has been requested in writing
by a User Service [defined in sub-clause
12(1) (o)] to provide communication without pecuniary gain for the purpose
of sending Messages relating to the event to
other licensed amateur stations.
Rocky Jones wrote:
> Ham radio is about communicating. If we want to turn its primary task
into "education" then it will look very very different.
>
------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:57:20 -0700
From: Mark VandeWettering <kf6kyi@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] More on imaging statellites...
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<d8eb7a910910161057k5e003131m6df5f348b2f3b262@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> Getting an image is clearly possible, but only if you can get a certain
> agency known by its initials to do it. Recall that Skylab, circa 1973, took
> some damage on launch. Some amazing pictures were provided by said agency,
> among others, to assess what was needed for repair. Now imagine 35 years
> later. However, that is not going to happen, and in any case, there is
> little to be gained, though of course we are all curious.
I was interested in the details of this, and dug around on the web to
find some more information. It appears that on May 16, 1973, a KH-8
"Gambit" spy satellite was launched. These were apparently a "film
return" satellite, that would deorbit film cannisters. Their
resolving power was said to be about 1/2 a meter on the ground from
orbit. These satellites appear to operate in fairly low orbits (say,
between 220km and 350km), so let's take 300km as a reasonable orbit
height. That means that their resolving power was around .3 arc
seconds, which implies that their imaging optics were about 15 inches
minimum in aperature. (I am assuming a straight heads down imaging
geometry, if the resolution could be achieved at a different angle,
the imaging optics would have to be increased, and this didn't take
into account any atmospheric effects. The reality is that .3 arc
seconds is probably fairly challenging through the atmosphere no
matter what size optics you have, at least without adaptive optics).
A bit more research bears this out: the KH-8 carried a 44 inch optic
with a 77 inch focal length.
Anyway, Skylab launched on May 14th. The first crew launched on May
25th. So, an interesting question was what imaging opportunities
were there between the sats? Luckily, somebody else did all the
heavy lifting and made a nice webpage (thanks Ted Molczan!)
http://www.satobs.org/columbia/Skylab.html
Ranges as low as 138km were acheived between the KH-8 and Skylab. At
that range the nominal resolution of a 44 inch optic (which might be
achieved without atmpsheric effects) might approach just 7 cm.
Indeed, very good resolution.
Check out more info on Ted's webpage:
http://www.satobs.org/columbia/KeyHolesattosat.html
------------------------------
Message: 17
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Elan Portnoy <elanportnoy@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: RES: Re: What Are Others Using
To: "'amsat-bb'" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <102486.2752.qm@xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I can't find it--link is bad on download page.
--- On Fri, 10/16/09, Dave Aitch <dave@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> From: Dave Aitch <dave@xxxxx.xxx>
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: RES: Re: What Are Others Using
> To: "'amsat-bb'" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
> Date: Friday, October 16, 2009, 8:08 AM
> Have a look at HalloSat too.
>
> www.hallosat.de
>
> I cant fault it. Been using it for a few years.
>
> Dave. G1OCN.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx.
> Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur
> satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 545
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