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CX2SA > SATDIG 05.05.10 18:15l 837 Lines 29570 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
(Alan P. Biddle)
2. Re: Starter antennas (John Ronan)
3. Re: USB to Serial Converters (Bill Dzurilla)
4. Re: USB to Serial Converters (John Neeley)
5. Re: [eu-amsat] Re: Re: Indian Small Satellite Systems
Conference -1 (Thomas Frey)
6. Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option (Jeff KB2M)
7. Re: USB to Serial Converters (Larry Gerhardstein)
8. Re: Starter antennas (Josh Smith)
9. Re: Field Day mode for AO-51 (Luc Leblanc)
10. Re: SSB/CW bird (Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL)
11. Re: USB to Serial Converter (Ron Miles)
12. KB9BIT in DM80 (Thomas Laskowski)
13. Re: USB to Serial Converters (Sebastian)
14. Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option (Mike Benonis)
15. Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
(Angelo Glorioso)
16. Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
(Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 07:49:35 -0500
From: "Alan P. Biddle" <APBIDDLE@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
To: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <FD32CB82D39A49B39CC623B7945C33F1@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
One thing I would like to see tried, perhaps for one FD as a test, would be
to relax the restrictions on FM mode contacts where one or both of the
frequencies is above 70 cm. That would certainly encourage people to try
L/U or V/S. Based on last year's numbers, every L/U station could have
worked every other station easily, given the shortness of a FD QSO.
Considering that people manage to work these modes portable, and in the case
of N5AFV, mobile, it is relatively easy to get on. The mode-S downlink is
truly loud, easily overcoming the general 2.45 GHz QRM/QRN.
Alan
WA4SCA
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 14:03:03 +0100
From: John Ronan <jpronans@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Starter antennas
To: AMSAT-BB BB <AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <F74DD506-6B3F-48D2-A5EC-10F6928F879D@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:
> Ron,
>
> I really like your message, "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun".
Thinking along those lines
Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view. I saw on here (I
think) that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current
schedule. I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof. I also have
a 2m/70cms pre-amp near the antenna. On a pass yesterday morning, I could
hear AO-51 reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I
dropped my call-sign into a small gap. 4 contacts later (and one on the
next pass), I'm still smiling.
Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF.
Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA. Any pointers for a simple to
construct antenna?
Regards
de John
EI7IG
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 07:38:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: USB to Serial Converters
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <304484.37574.qm@xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> Is anyone using a USB to Serial converter successfully to
> control a FT847??
>
>
>
> Frank VK5KV..
>
Yes, I am. No problems here (knock on wood) with an eBay cheapie (just $2
shipped) and a Dell Optiplex running Windows XP.
73, Bill NZ5N
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 07:40:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Neeley <w6zkh@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: USB to Serial Converters
To: Frank Woolfe <frankwoolfe@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>, amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <292086.39777.qm@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Frank, I am using the USB to Serial cable/software from Gigaware I got at
Radio Shack for my FT-847 and works fine with my old Dell XP Laptop for
running SatPC32.
John W6ZKH
________________________________
From: Frank Woolfe <frankwoolfe@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Sent: Wed, May 5, 2010 1:09:41 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] USB to Serial Converters
Is anyone using a USB to Serial converter successfully to control a FT847??
Frank VK5KV..
_______________________________________________
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
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 11:05:46 +0200
From: Thomas Frey <th.frey@xxxxxxx.xx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: [eu-amsat] Re: Re: Indian Small Satellite
Systems Conference -1
To: eu-amsat@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4BE134EA.8030001@xxxxxxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Luc Leblanc schrieb:
>
>>
>>> Hi All
>>>
>>
>>> Amsat India has 2 linear tranponders ready and we Amsat India are asking
>>> ISRO for a higher orbit to cover a larger foot print and longer pass
>>> duration.
>>>
>>> Best regards
>>> Pop
>>> VU2POP
>>> Dir Technical
>>> Amsat India
>>>
>> Hi Pop, VU2POP
>>
>> I am very happy to know that AMSAT India plan to launch a new
>> satellite with 2 linear transponders in a higher orbit covering a
>> larger foot print in comparison of the actual VO-52
>>
>> VO-52 continually operating with its linear transponders during all
>> available orbits is a reliable satellite for the amateur radio satellite
>> communications and as well for educational purposes.
>>
>> Congratulations to Amsat India and to ISRO
>>
>> 73" de
>>
>> i8CVS Domenico
>>
>>
>>
>>
> With a little more "push" is it possible to have just a slightly
elliptical orbit? I don't know what brand of batteries they put in VO-52
> but they probably put a small pink rabbit in it as they don't seems to
bother too much with their power budget...
>
> What's is funny is the commenting on the perf board model AMSAT-India was
showing couple of years before the launch of VO-52, some where
> commenting on the jumper wire perf board modelling as if it was not
something who will never be able to work...
>
> AMSAT-INDIA just doing an excellent and professional job on VO-52 they
even put 2 transponder in the same satellite "too strong never
> broke". I'm convince their new orbit will cover quite some area on earth..
>
>
> "-"
>
>
> Luc Leblanc VE2DWE
> Skype VE2DWE
> www.qsl.net/ve2dwe
> DSTAR urcall VE2DWE
> WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE
>
>
If you carefully read, AMSAT-India has 2 Linear-Transponders ready
and not a satellite. As you knows, the satellite VO-52 itself was built
and contributed by ISRO to AMSAT-India.
If you want a satellite in HEO then support Phase-3E from AMSAT-DL.
--
Best Regards, 73
Thomas Frey, HB9SKA
______________________________________________________________________
Thomas Frey, Holzgasse 2, CH-5242 Birr, Tel. + Fax: 056 444 93 41
http://home.datacomm.ch/th.frey/
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 10:54:07 -0400
From: "Jeff KB2M" <kb2m@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
To: "'AMSAT-BB'" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <001601caec62$d058c870$710a5950$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The trouble with V/S is that any clueless group trying to make a sat
contact will be blindly transmitting on the 2m uplinks. Since nothing is
being heard on the UHF downlink, they think the bird is open, so call CQ
even more. Their thinking mode V/U, it totally blows away the S band D/L.
This happened 3 or 4 years ago. The whole pass was people calling CQ FD
without listening to the mode s D/L. A disaster. I don't think I heard even
1 contact being made on several east coast passes I tried. We have to
remember there are a lot of groups trying to make a sat contact for the
points, that don't read this SIG, so they just try calling on the V/U
frequencies. I'm for L/U. It would be cool to try L/S, but I think I was
told it isn't possible because it wouldn't leave a channel for control?
73 Jeff kb2m
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Alan P. Biddle
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 8:50 AM
To: AMSAT-BB
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
One thing I would like to see tried, perhaps for one FD as a test, would be
to relax the restrictions on FM mode contacts where one or both of the
frequencies is above 70 cm. That would certainly encourage people to try
L/U or V/S. Based on last year's numbers, every L/U station could have
worked every other station easily, given the shortness of a FD QSO.
Considering that people manage to work these modes portable, and in the case
of N5AFV, mobile, it is relatively easy to get on. The mode-S downlink is
truly loud, easily overcoming the general 2.45 GHz QRM/QRN.
Alan
WA4SCA
_______________________________________________
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
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 09:01:24 -0600
From: Larry Gerhardstein <gerhardstein@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: USB to Serial Converters
To: John Neeley <w6zkh@xxx.xxx>, AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <4BE18844.4070109@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I used USB to Serial converters on a XP laptop successfully. But the XP
laptop died and I now have Windows 7 64-bit. I have had no luck with
USB to serial on this one. See the multitude of my posts to this list.
Larry W7IN
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 11:17:08 -0400
From: Josh Smith <juicewvu@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Starter antennas
Cc: AMSAT-BB BB <AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<l2vd3bf5a871005050817i6f34c3eep83f8fe2a091b6808@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I'll have to reiterate what others have said about having great luck
using my Arrow II and a camera tripod. It works great.
Thanks,
Josh Smith
KD8HRX
email/jabber: juicewvu@xxxxx.xxx
phone: 304.237.9369(c)
On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 9:03 AM, John Ronan <jpronans@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
> On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:
>
>> Ron,
>>
>> I really like your message, ?"if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun".
>
> Thinking along those lines
>
> Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view. ?I saw on here (I
think) that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current
schedule. ?I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof. ?I also have
a 2m/70cms pre-amp near the antenna. ?On a pass yesterday morning, I could
hear AO-51 reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I
dropped my call-sign into a small gap. ?4 contacts later (and one on the
next pass), I'm still smiling.
>
> Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF.
> Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA. ?Any pointers for a simple to
construct antenna?
>
> Regards
> de John
> EI7IG
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 11:17:35 -0400
From: Luc Leblanc <lucleblanc6@xxxxxxxxx.xx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day mode for AO-51
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4BE153CF.26684.67C4F1@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
On 4 May 2010 at 22:22, Gary "Joe" Mayfield wrote:
Date sent: Tue, 04 May 2010 22:22:54 -0500
From: "Gary \"Joe\" Mayfield" <gary_mayfield@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day mode for AO-51
Copies to: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> 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.
>
L/U is a great mode but to have my setup Field Day ready it's another
question. I'm using a PCR 1000 as a way to measure my uplink
frequency on the PCR-1000 scope display, i should bring my transverter plus
my preamp who will be installed on the top of my satellite
tower at that time plus my FT-847 and 2 power supply. As i don't have a
second L-band antenna i can use a simple patch feed who i think
will not be enough to be able to reach AO-51.
Again i vote for L/U but not too sure if i will be able to make it. As a
suggestion Mode S/U can be challenging as downconverter are easy
to find and the S band antenna too. I don't remember if this configuration
has ever been used in the past but it will be something
interesting to work and this setup will be easy to build for field day.
"-"
Luc Leblanc VE2DWE
Skype VE2DWE
www.qsl.net/ve2dwe
DSTAR urcall VE2DWE
WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Wed, 05 May 2010 10:24:58 -0600
From: "Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" <vlfiscus@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: SSB/CW bird
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20100505095918.00bc9b58@xxx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
At 05:48 PM 5/4/2010 -0700, Dave Guimont <dguimon1@xxx.xx.xxx> wrote:
>Hi Pop,
>
>Great news on ur ssb/cw satellite!!
>
>FM users, find yourselves some real radios, and get in on the fun..
>
>I see loads of them on the various used markets, and at good
>prices...they don't have all the bells and whistles, but certainly usable...
>
>And now another satellite available...
>
>Continued successes, Pop....
>
>
>
> 73, Dave, WB6LLO
> dguimon1@xxx.xx.xxx
>
> Disagree: I learn....
>
> Pulling for P3E...
Hey Dave,
Let's do FO-29 tonite, or whenever you can get on. We haven't worked in a
while and I've always enjoyed the our chats. I'm sure others would like to
chat with you again too. :-)
73 KB7ADL
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 08:24:18 -0700
From: Ron Miles <
For transfer of digital data between radio ?CAT? ports and laptop I use the
Keyspan USA-19HS interface to an Ultra ULT33056 USB 7 port hub. Although I
have the FT 897D, this CAT interface may also work for the FT 847. The
laptop is Windows XP/Dell Inspiron. The hub requires it's own 12V source.
Hub:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=291
7705&CatId=4756
RS232 to Serial Interface:
http://www.amazon.com/Keyspan-Speed-Serial-Adapter-USA-19HS/dp/B0000VYJRY
This interface works great for both radios Yaesu FT 736R and FT 897D. The
hub and Keyspan works great with the G5500 rotor control. Software
application interface examples: SATPC32, Nova, UniTrac2003. Ham Radio
Deluxe/DM780 works great with the 897D.
Hope this example helps. 73
Ron n6paa
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 08:33:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: Thomas Laskowski <tmlask@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] KB9BIT in DM80
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <291200.6141.qm@xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I'm leaving Thursday, May 6 for my annual trip to West Texas to attend the
Texas Star Party near Ft. Davis, TX.? I plan to be active on SO-50 and AO-27
as much as possible from DM80 next week.? AO-51 won't be in V/U mode most of
next week so I won't be on that one.? I'll also plan to?activate DM70/80 a
few times since it's only two miles west of where I'll be.
I'm also going to try and activate some of the grids along the way from
Indiana to Texas, but it will be whenever I get a chance to stop and
operate.? I don't even know for sure which grids I'll be passing thru.?
There won't be any specific schedule for these grids on the way down or back.
If we work and you need a?card?drop me an e-mail.? [qrz.com]
73, Tom? KB9BIT
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 11:37:49 -0400
From: Sebastian <w4as@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: USB to Serial Converters
To: AMSAT BB <AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <7A0D8A8E-034C-4425-8359-543CD6D1898D@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The issue is not the USB to serial converter, the radio, or the brand of the
converter. The real issue is the software driver support for the operating
system being used.
73 de W4AS
On May 5, 2010, at 4:09 AM, Frank Woolfe wrote:
> Is anyone using a USB to Serial converter successfully to control a FT847??
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 11:50:00 -0400
From: Mike Benonis <mailinglists@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
To: BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <F30336B0-2E3C-4327-8F6D-DDD2E3E152F0@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I would vote for switching from L/U to V/U. I would love an opportunity to
work a satellite on L band, if only for the technical challenge of it. Mode
S would be harder to do, as I'd have to build a downconverter to hear it
(though such a project would not be totally out of the question).
My feeling is this--with 7(?) other birds up there, variety is a good thing.
73 de Mike KI4RIX
On 05 May 2010, at 07:19, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
> No one is trying to limit the the usefulness. Exactly the opposite, the
> idea is to pick the mode that is the MOST useful. It's a quantity versus
> quality problem. On a typical V/U FM Field Day pass, very few contacts
> actually get made, and most of the pass (at least on the east coast) is
> nothing but a fragmented dogpile of pieces of calls, whistles, blowing
> in the mike, etc. Some people enjoy that, others walk away in disgust,
> and think "why would I want to be part of that mess".
>
> It's my contention that we pick a mode on AO-51 that provides a more
> challenging goal for the technically inclined portion of the hobby,
> encourages clubs to actively seek help from their local AMSAT types, and
> provides a more civilized environment on just one of the eight LEOs
> likely to be active that weekend. Think of it as showcasing what amateur
> satellites can be like on days other than Field Day. By limiting the
> accessibility, we improve the quality of the experience for those
> actively participating, and just listening. Again, AO-51 is one of many
> satellites. If it were just AO-51, we wouldn't even be having this
> conversation.
>
> One option that hasn't been floated is trying a mode switch on the early
> AM Sunday pass. We could go from L/U to V/U very easily. If we do this,
> I'd like to work with Bruce and actually count the number of QSOs
> reported per mode.
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
Best regards,
Mike Benonis
mike@xxxxxxx.xxx
KI4RIX
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 11:20:50 -0500
From: "Angelo Glorioso" <n5uxt@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
To: "AMSATBBS" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP80E360F29370FC7ED6BDF8EDF40@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
With other birds like AO-27 and SO-50 already in V/U FM mode and FO-29
VO-52 and possible AO-07 in SSB mode, I vote for L/U or V/S. The reason is
during FD, we end up with stations/operators that have NEVER worked
satellites before and end up adding to the already unusable uplink. It will
also add flavor to the mix for FD.
I feel that AO-51 during FD ends up being a contest of WHO HAS THE MOST
POWER! WHO CAN FIND THE BIG AMP. Those are the few stations that
end up making the contacts.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Benonis" <mailinglists@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "BB" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 10:50 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
>I would vote for switching from L/U to V/U. I would love an opportunity to
>work a satellite on L band, if only for the technical challenge of it.
>Mode S would be harder to do, as I'd have to build a downconverter to hear
>it (though such a project would not be totally out of the question).
>
> My feeling is this--with 7(?) other birds up there, variety is a good
> thing.
>
> 73 de Mike KI4RIX
>
> On 05 May 2010, at 07:19, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
>
>> No one is trying to limit the the usefulness. Exactly the opposite, the
>> idea is to pick the mode that is the MOST useful. It's a quantity versus
>> quality problem. On a typical V/U FM Field Day pass, very few contacts
>> actually get made, and most of the pass (at least on the east coast) is
>> nothing but a fragmented dogpile of pieces of calls, whistles, blowing
>> in the mike, etc. Some people enjoy that, others walk away in disgust,
>> and think "why would I want to be part of that mess".
>>
>> It's my contention that we pick a mode on AO-51 that provides a more
>> challenging goal for the technically inclined portion of the hobby,
>> encourages clubs to actively seek help from their local AMSAT types, and
>> provides a more civilized environment on just one of the eight LEOs
>> likely to be active that weekend. Think of it as showcasing what amateur
>> satellites can be like on days other than Field Day. By limiting the
>> accessibility, we improve the quality of the experience for those
>> actively participating, and just listening. Again, AO-51 is one of many
>> satellites. If it were just AO-51, we wouldn't even be having this
>> conversation.
>>
>> One option that hasn't been floated is trying a mode switch on the early
>> AM Sunday pass. We could go from L/U to V/U very easily. If we do this,
>> I'd like to work with Bruce and actually count the number of QSOs
>> reported per mode.
>>
>> 73, Drew KO4MA
>>
>> 73, Drew KO4MA
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>
> Best regards,
>
> Mike Benonis
> mike@xxxxxxx.xxx
> KI4RIX
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Wed, 5 May 2010 09:57:54 -0700
From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Field Day AO-51 configuration - another option
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<p2z2e18ad3e1005050957u41cce8adn636dda6ae3fa5056@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi Drew!
Thanks for your reply. Having this discussion out in the open is a good
thing.
> No one is trying to limit the the usefulness. Exactly the opposite, the idea
> is to pick the mode that is the MOST useful. It's a quantity versus quality
> problem. On a typical V/U FM Field Day pass, very few contacts actually get
> made, and most of the pass (at least on the east coast) is nothing but a
> fragmented dogpile of pieces of calls, whistles, blowing in the mike, etc.
> Some people enjoy that, others walk away in disgust, and think "why would I
> want to be roblems like that will occur. The same thing happens on HF during a
contest or trying to work a DXpedition. With cooperation, at least 40 or more
QSOs could be completed on a 15-minute AO-51 V/U FM pass. It is unfortunate
that some (many?) do not take the time to get familiar with satellite
operating
before Field Day weekend. In a less-than-perfect situation those operators
who
are able to complete the QSOs would be a great example of what the situation
could be if we were in an emergency situation instead of a weekend operating
exercise or "contest".
> It's my contention that we pick a mode on AO-51 that provides a more
> challenging goal for the technically inclined portion of the hobby,
> encourages clubs to actively seek help from their local AMSAT types, and
> provides a more civilized environment on just one of the eight LEOs likely
> to be active that weekend. Think of it as showcasing what amateur satellites
> can be like on days other than Field Day. By limiting the accessibility, we
> improve the quality of the experience for those actively participating, and
.... and possibly paint an inaccurate picture of amateur satellite operation
on
days other than Field Day, to someone listening to the activity?
If only a few dozen stations are going to be able to use an L/U configuration
throughout Field Day weekend, and even fewer an L/S configuration, is this
really what amateur satellites are like on days other than Field Day? Beyond
my own recordings of passes I have worked and listened to since early 2005,
K8YSE has an archive of MP3 recordings of FM satellite activity over the past
several weeks. Many passes that are not way out over an ocean will have more
activity than an L/U or L/S pass will be able to offer with the
current numbers of
stations capable of those configurations. Right now, it is a "chicken and
egg"
situation - with only one satellite with L or S capability, not many
will add these
to their stations unless there were more options to use the gear. S is easier
to deal with than L, with the strong downlink signals from AO-51 copyable with
downconverters and simple S-band antennas, but still a smaller number of
stations on S than V/U using FM, SSB, CW, etc.
Your response from earlier this morning included my comments about AMSAT
and its fundraising goals and increasing its membership. I appreciate that
you,
as one who wears many hats for AMSAT (director, officer, volunteer, and
probably a few others), picked up on that. AMSAT should be interested in
ensuring that it is an organization interested in building up its
membership. This,
in turn, will help in the fundraising efforts. Otherwise, catering to
a few dozen
stations for Field Day weekend may turn off more people from taking up
this part
of our hobby than a crowded pass might. Judging from the numbers of unique
callsigns in my log, I contend that the chaotic V/U FM passes during past
Field
Day weekends haven't kept people from getting out and trying the FM
satellites.
If the scheduling caters to that small number of stations that can work L/U or
L/S, this may cause some to think AMSAT is an elitist organization. I hear
that from time to time at the hamfests I attend, whether I'm talking with some
who were active in the days or AO-10, AO-13, or even in AO-7's first life in
the 70s.
> just listening. Again, AO-51 is one of many satellites. If it were just
> AO-51, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
Since AO-51 has the flexibility that the other satellites lack, we are able to
have this discussion regardless of the status of other satellites. If AO-51
was the only satellite, there would probably still be some discussion due
to this satellite's flexibility.
> One option that hasn't been floated is trying a mode switch on the early AM
> Sunday pass. We could go from L/U to V/U very easily. If we do this, I'd
> like to work with Bruce and actually count the number of QSOs reported per
> mode.
Now this would be interesting. There would need to be a command station
available during the weekend - either a west-coast station during the last
Saturday evening pass, or an east-coast station for the first Sunday morning
pass - to make this work. Could you please check with the command stations,
and see if this is something that you (or one of the other command stations)
could commit to? Let's see if this is even possible, before the discussion
shifts to which 2 modes will AO-51 have during Field Day.
Unfortunately, relatively few logs are submitted for AMSAT Field Day. Using
additional resources like recordings from passes like those K8YSE has archived
and information from stations that worked those passes would be useful.
Thanks for your time in having a discussion here on the -BB. I'm
looking forward
to seeing you in Dayton, and attending the AMSAT events over that weekend.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
------------------------------
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End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 5, Issue 205
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