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CX2SA > SATDIG 02.09.10 14:44l 873 Lines 26747 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Today's Topics:
1. Two Chinese Sats ... (Clint Bradford)
2. Re: Two Chinese Sats ... (Jim Jerzycke)
3. APRS on AO-10?? (Zachary Beougher)
4. Re: Two Chinese Sats ... (Ted)
5. Re: Two Chinese Sats ... (jmfranke)
6. Re: Two Chinese Sats ... (Clint Bradford)
7. GPS for dx-expedition (KE4KOL)
8. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Clint Bradford)
9. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Andrew Glasbrenner)
10. UO-11 telemetry (Joe Veldhuis)
11. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
12. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Rick Tejera)
13. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Rick Tejera)
14. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
15. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Ted)
16. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Greg D.)
17. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Jeff KB2M)
18. Re: GPS for dx-expedition (Roger Kolakowski)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:06:26 -0700
From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Two Chinese Sats ...
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <8BD653A6-0BBE-47EC-B126-0640320F2BB5@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
China's Secret Satellite Rendezvous 'Suggestive of a Military Program
http://feeds.wired.com/~r/wired/index/~3/-1HfERcgJaA/
A pair of Chinese satellites have met in orbit. It's either a sign of
China's increasingly sophisticated space program or a sign of its
increasingly sophisticated space warfare program.
Clint
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:30:39 +0000
From: Jim Jerzycke <kq6ea@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Two Chinese Sats ...
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4C7EA9DF.5010704@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On 09/01/2010 07:06 PM, Clint Bradford wrote:
> China's Secret Satellite Rendezvous 'Suggestive of a Military Program
>
> http://feeds.wired.com/~r/wired/index/~3/-1HfERcgJaA/
>
> A pair of Chinese satellites have met in orbit. It's either a sign of
China's increasingly sophisticated space program or a sign of its
increasingly sophisticated space warfare program.
>
> Clint
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
>
Or Both!
Jim KQ6EA
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:06:20 -0400
From: "Zachary Beougher" <zack.kd8ksn@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] APRS on AO-10??
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <SNT111-DS43932EBCFD163DA9836B6B38B0@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I encountered a guy this morning that wanted to know if AO-10 had an APRS
beacon (see http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?t=262274 for the whole
story). I checked Amsat and it does not show any indication of APRS. I
have never had any sort of experience with AO-10, so I thought I could get a
good answer here.
Feel free to answer on the QRZ forum.
73,
Zack
KD8KSN
EN80sd
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:59:49 -0700
From: "Ted" <k7trkradio@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Two Chinese Sats ...
To: "'Clint Bradford'" <clintbrad4d@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>,
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <000001cb4a3a$253c79b0$6fb56d10$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
IMHO starting to have political commentary on this forum is going down the
wrong road and inappropriate
Ted
K7TRK
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Clint Bradford
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 12:06 PM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Two Chinese Sats ...
China's Secret Satellite Rendezvous 'Suggestive of a Military Program
http://feeds.wired.com/~r/wired/index/~3/-1HfERcgJaA/
A pair of Chinese satellites have met in orbit. It's either a sign of
China's increasingly sophisticated space program or a sign of its
increasingly sophisticated space warfare program.
Clint
_______________________________________________
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, 1 Sep 2010 21:15:16 -0400
From: "jmfranke" <jmfranke@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Two Chinese Sats ...
To: "Ted" <k7trkradio@xxxxxxx.xxx>, "'Clint Bradford'"
<clintbrad4d@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <E18614838C934CD9B80C95CF3A318911@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I agree, especially since China expressed the fact that they will be
orbiting a space station soon and rendezvous and docking is a necessary
technology. These are exciting times, more space projects and more orbiting
technology.
John WA4WDL
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Ted" <k7trkradio@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 8:59 PM
To: "'Clint Bradford'" <clintbrad4d@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>; <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Two Chinese Sats ...
> IMHO starting to have political commentary on this forum is going down the
> wrong road and inappropriate
>
> Ted
> K7TRK
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
> Behalf Of Clint Bradford
> Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 12:06 PM
> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Two Chinese Sats ...
>
> China's Secret Satellite Rendezvous 'Suggestive of a Military Program
>
> http://feeds.wired.com/~r/wired/index/~3/-1HfERcgJaA/
>
> A pair of Chinese satellites have met in orbit. It's either a sign of
> China's increasingly sophisticated space program or a sign of its
> increasingly sophisticated space warfare program.
>
> Clint
> _______________________________________________
> 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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 18:25:51 -0700
From: Clint Bradford <clintbrad4d@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Two Chinese Sats ...
To: Ted <k7trkradio@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <7252F388-58C7-46BF-9CB3-502143012E2D@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>> ... IMHO starting to have political commentary on this forum is going
down the wrong road and inappropriate ...
I found it totally relevant to the amateur satellite world. Hams are
involved watching/tracking these missions. And it makes for fascinating
reading.
" ... removing space debris, refueling satellites or repairing craft in
orbit ... " are what similar missions have accomplished in the past.
There's a in-depth review of the "occurrence" in The Space Review ...
http://thespacereview.com/article/1689/1
Heck, even they believe that "The perception of how this technology is being
developed, and what it is being used for, is extremely important.?
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:41:10 -0400
From: "KE4KOL" <KE4KOL@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] GPS for dx-expedition
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <3C493645D06D45398FB9933FD1C8E17A@xxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I am looking into purchasing a Garmin "eTrex Vista HCx" GPS to use for
dxexpeditioning in working different grids.
Has anyone got any reviews on this gps?
Does anyone suggest a better one to use for dx-expeditioning?
I appreciate all info and suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Jim
Ke4kol
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:49:17 -0700
From: Clint Bradford <clintbradford@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <C6684A04-9428-4188-8BD8-13AE22DB808E@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
My only hesitation is that it was released in 2007, I believe.
I would do a Google search for reviews on the unit before I'd purchase - to
see if you're missing out on anything that more current models offer.
AND make sure Garmin Maps are still completely compatible with it.
Clint, K6LCS
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:14:34 -0400
From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: KE4KOL <KE4KOL@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, Amsat-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <4C7F088A.6080302@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
KE4KOL wrote:
>
>
> I appreciate all info and suggestions.
>
>
Lately I'm all about reduction in pieces of gear. You can get a fairly
good GPS position out of most smartphones. I use a free app for my
Iphone to determine what grid I'm in, whereas I used to use a Garmin
2XL? purchased on one of my first grid trips to the midwest 10 years ago.
The Garmin Nuvi the wife had (before it's midnight liberation from my
rental car in Dayton) also would give you a lat and long if you knew
where to look in the menu. The minor inconvenience of having to convert
to the maidenhead coordinates was small compared to having a GPS that
was easy to use for highway navigation and finding Shoney's breakfast
buffets.
73, Drew KO4MA
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 23:02:33 -0400
From: Joe Veldhuis <jvn8fq@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] UO-11 telemetry
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <20100901230233.83a91ee7.jvn8fq@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
While working on some stuff around the shack, had the rig on scan and it
happened to catch UO-11. I was able to get about 2 minutes of telemetry
recorded just before LOS. If anyone's interested, I uploaded the recording to:
http://www.electroblog.com/uo11_20100902_0247z.zip
-Joe, N8FQ
Grand Haven, MI EN62wx
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:39:08 -0700
From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<AANLkTin35KnSd2PDtJ3=FQRP_jUSbUm2FMViWArGSMc1@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi Jim!
> I am looking into purchasing a Garmin "eTrex Vista HCx" ?GPS to use for
> dxexpeditioning in working different grids.
>
> Has anyone got any reviews on this gps?
>
> Does anyone suggest a better one to use for dx-expeditioning?
This looks like a viable GPS for grid expeditions. It has a
screen with both the latitude/longitude and the accuracy
figures, so it could be used to satisfy VUCC documentation
requirements. Maybe a little on the expensive side, but it
would work.
I use a Garmin GPSMAP 76S to find the grid boundaries.
I can quickly go between latitude/longitude and Maidenhead
locator, and can show that accuracy figure on the same
screen as the latitude/longitude or Maidenhead grid. It is
capable of having updated maps loaded on it, to augment
the base map it comes with - something I have not done
with mine. On the QSL cards you've received from me, you
see photos of the latitude/longitude display of this GPS. It
has been discontinued, but the GPS 72H is a successor to
my unit.
The GPS 72H doesn't have all the bells and whistles that
my unit has, but the price is not as steep as the unit you
are looking at. It does have the same sort of display as
my unit has, with the latitude/longitude and accuracy
figure on one screen. If I needed to replace my current
GPS for my grid expeditions, I would probably go with this
unit to avoid separating myself from more of my money to
get another GPS. With the mapping capabilities in GPS-
equipped smartphones, I do not see a huge need to have a
GPS with detailed mapping.
There is some advantage in making use of smartphone-based
GPS applications for reasons like those Drew mentioned, but
I still like having the GPS that will meet all requirements for
VUCC documentation. None of the GPS-related apps on my
two phones (Nokia N900, iPhone 4) nor my VX-8GR show
that accuracy figure. The VX-8GR will show a count of the
number of GPS satellites it is using to determine my location,
but I have not seen any documentation that could translate
the satellite count to an accuracy figure in feet or meters.
I've never been asked by ARRL to provide documentation
for my grid-boundary activities, but I want to be able to
meet those requirements if I am ever asked to provide the
photos and other proof I have.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:47:54 -0700
From: "Rick Tejera" <saguaroastro@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: "'KE4KOL'" <KE4KOL@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<20100902044936.TWOE3042.fed1rmmtao106.cox.net@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Jim,
I've had the Vista HCx for several years now and am quite happy with it. It
compact ( a plus when packing a lot of other gear) but quite functional. I
use mine for Geocaching & general navigation. I have Garmin city navigator &
Topo 2008 on it along with a free version of Arizona topo. Plenty of room on
the SD card for all the maps you can load. This model also has the magnetic
compass and barometric altimeter as well.
One nice thing I noticed when starting to work bird is that it has a datum
for maidenhead. You can read your grid square right off the screen.
My only beef with it is the screen is hard to see during the day without the
backlight on, which needless to say cuts into battery life.
I believe it's still in production and is a bargain if you get the bundle
from Cabelas. (GPS, Case, SD card, & Topo).
Hope this helps.
73
Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
Editor SACnews,
Public Outreach Coordinator
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
www.saguaroastro.org
saguaroastro@xxx.xxx
K7TEJ
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of KE4KOL
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 18:41
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] GPS for dx-expedition
I am looking into purchasing a Garmin "eTrex Vista HCx" GPS to use for
dxexpeditioning in working different grids.
Has anyone got any reviews on this gps?
Does anyone suggest a better one to use for dx-expeditioning?
I appreciate all info and suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Jim
Ke4kol
_______________________________________________
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: 13
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:56:16 -0700
From: "Rick Tejera" <saguaroastro@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<20100902045747.UKHE29852.fed1rmmtao104.cox.net@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Patrick,
>I have not seen any documentation that could translate the satellite count
to an accuracy figure in feet or meters.
The number of satellites isn't the main factor in accuracy, it's the sat
geometry. A position fix with 4 birds spaced evenly and at a higher altitude
will give a better position than 8 birds near the horizon bunched around the
same area of the sky.
That being said, once SA was turned off in 2000, I've rarely had a position
error greater than 20 feet, even with my older Garmin II+. My HCx, easily
get under 10' most times.
73
Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
Editor SACnews,
Public Outreach Coordinator
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
www.saguaroastro.org
saguaroastro@xxx.xxx
K7TEJ
_______________________________________________
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: 14
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 22:33:02 -0700
From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<AANLkTimzOgep1YJeucUnqSow4czbobALf9w5kvftVR+R@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Hi Rick!
> The number of satellites isn?t the main factor in accuracy, it?s the sat
> geometry. A position fix with 4 birds spaced evenly and at a higher altitude
> will give a better position than 8 birds near the horizon bunched around the
> same area of the sky.
I understand that. I was only stating that about the VX-8GR as a
reason why I don't use that device for establishing my location
when working on grid boundaries etc.
When I drove out to the DM23/DM24 grid boundary a couple of
weekends ago, I was able to easily get the VX-8GR and GPSMAP
76S to line up on the grid boundary line (34 degrees North). In fact,
my VX-8GR was chirping away with APRS data on the boundary as
I was taking the photos with the GPSMAP 76S sitting with my radios
for the VUCC documentation (and the QSL cards). I also have a
photo or two of the VX-8GR with 34 degrees North on its display, as
additional proof I was out there.
> That being said, once? SA was turned off in 2000, I?ve rarely had a position
> error greater than 20 feet, even with my older Garmin II+. My HCx, easily
> get under 10? most times.
You're right again. It should be easy to get that 20-foot accuracy,
and this is stated in the VUCC rules. If the GPS is in good
working order, and you're not concerned about having all the latest
bells and whistles, an older GPS is certainly capable of meeting
the VUCC documentation requirements. My GPSMAP 76S is 7
years old, and I don't have any need to replace it. Its firmware
has been updated to the final version released by Garmin before
it was discontinued, and the only thing I have to do with it is
periodically replace the 2 AA batteries that power it.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 23:11:23 -0700
From: "Ted" <k7trkradio@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <000001cb4a65$abd8de20$038a9a60$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Jeez, folks ...lets get a grip
I deleted the original guy's question, but my sense was that he was asking
for advice on buying a GPS that would tell him where he was when he hit a
sat. I don't recall that he asked how to build a watch when he just needed
the time !!
So, I'll pose my question along the same premise: Is there a 'ebay'/used/or
?? other unit that will give us a grid position that one can put on a qsl
card? Personally, I don't need to know the degrees between my mailbox and
the end of my driveway. Most of us in the VUCC hunt just need to give a GOOD
FAITH grid square for the other station. (Not there is anything wrong with
counting the number of steps btwn grid squares ...)
Ted, K7TRK
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 10:33 PM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
Hi Rick!
> The number of satellites isn?t the main factor in accuracy, it?s the sat
> geometry. A position fix with 4 birds spaced evenly and at a higher
altitude
> will give a better position than 8 birds near the horizon bunched around
the
> same area of the sky.
I understand that. I was only stating that about the VX-8GR as a
reason why I don't use that device for establishing my location
when working on grid boundaries etc.
When I drove out to the DM23/DM24 grid boundary a couple of
weekends ago, I was able to easily get the VX-8GR and GPSMAP
76S to line up on the grid boundary line (34 degrees North). In fact,
my VX-8GR was chirping away with APRS data on the boundary as
I was taking the photos with the GPSMAP 76S sitting with my radios
for the VUCC documentation (and the QSL cards). I also have a
photo or two of the VX-8GR with 34 degrees North on its display, as
additional proof I was out there.
> That being said, once? SA was turned off in 2000, I?ve rarely had a
position
> error greater than 20 feet, even with my older Garmin II+. My HCx, easily
> get under 10? most times.
You're right again. It should be easy to get that 20-foot accuracy,
and this is stated in the VUCC rules. If the GPS is in good
working order, and you're not concerned about having all the latest
bells and whistles, an older GPS is certainly capable of meeting
the VUCC documentation requirements. My GPSMAP 76S is 7
years old, and I don't have any need to replace it. Its firmware
has been updated to the final version released by Garmin before
it was discontinued, and the only thing I have to do with it is
periodically replace the 2 AA batteries that power it.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
_______________________________________________
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, 1 Sep 2010 23:22:15 -0700
From: "Greg D." <ko6th_greg@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: <ke4kol@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <BLU133-W205BCAD357AA038E8C7DE5A98C0@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I have one; what would you like to know about it (never having been on a
DXpedition myself)?
I find it is a very good all-in-one GPS. I use it in the car, on hikes,
etc. It's small enough to fit in my pocket, and big enough to see what's on
the screen when driving. I found that one of those big black spring clips
works well on the dash air vent, with the GPS back's clip carefully threaded
through the spring handle. Battery life is pretty good (I use 2450mah NiMH
batteries in it). I bought mine a number of years ago, swallowed hard and
bought the maps too; the base map that comes with it is NOT sufficient for
most navigation purposes. Recently I found an on-line site that has a
number of topo maps that work with it too, so it appears to be actively
supported by the community. Also a lot of "points of interest" that you can
download. There's a GeoCaching "app" built in, for those into that sort of
thing.
The interface to the outside world is USB only (no serial or bluetooth), so
that's a big downside if you want to do APRS with it. I decided that the
advantages of the unit far outweighed that negative, meaning I'd have to buy
another GPS something for APRS. (Ended up buying a little GPS module from
Sparkfun for APRS work with my D7).
The only problem I have with it is that the glue that holds the rubber band
that rings the unit has failed, and the rubber is sort of floating around
the outside. It seems to have stretched, though I have no idea why. Maybe
the rubber and the glue were incompatible. Oh, also the internal barometric
altimeter is great when it's calibrated, but the automatic calibration often
gets confused and puts me at some really wacko elevation. I wish the
priority went to the GPS Altimeter, with the analog one only coming into
play on request.
Enjoy the new toy,
Greg KO6TH
> From: KE4KOL@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:41:10 -0400
> Subject: [amsat-bb] GPS for dx-expedition
>
> I am looking into purchasing a Garmin "eTrex Vista HCx" GPS to use for
> dxexpeditioning in working different grids.
>
>
>
> Has anyone got any reviews on this gps?
>
>
>
> Does anyone suggest a better one to use for dx-expeditioning?
>
>
>
> I appreciate all info and suggestions.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Jim
>
> Ke4kol
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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------------------------------
Message: 17
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 06:33:33 -0400
From: "Jeff KB2M" <kb2m@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <004701cb4a8a$4b6a48b0$e23eda10$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I have a Garmin GPSmap 76 that is in excess to my needs. It displays Grid's.
It comes with a serial cable, and possibly a mounting bracket(if I can find
it). I will sell it for $120, which includes shipping. I will also donate
1/2 of my net from the sale to AMSAT.
73 Jeff kb2m
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Message: 18
Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:33:47 -0400
From: Roger Kolakowski <Rogerkola@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: GPS for dx-expedition
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4C7F99AB.8070508@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi Patrick...
For historical reference...somehow I don't think you would ever be
questioned about your locations ala the DXpeditions by Don Miller in the
1960's. Technology has come too far...
Roger
WA1KAT
Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote:
> Hi Jim!
> I've never been asked by ARRL to provide documentation
> for my grid-boundary activities, but I want to be able to
> meet those requirements if I am ever asked to provide the
> photos and other proof I have.
>
> 73!
> Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
> http://www.wd9ewk.net/
------------------------------
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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 5, Issue 365
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