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CX2SA > SATDIG 13.03.11 06:05l 984 Lines 35560 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Weak Signal on AO-51 (Zachary Beougher)
2. Re: Weak Signal on AO-51 (Mark L. Hammond)
3. K4ACK? (Michael J. Wolthuis)
4. What an interesting coincidence (Michael J. Wolthuis)
5. Re: Weak Signal on AO-51 (Zachary Beougher)
6. Re: K4ACK? (Stephen Davis)
7. Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below the horizon?
(Bill Dzurilla)
8. Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below the
horizon? (Andrew Rich)
9. Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below
thehorizon? (John Geiger)
10. Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below the
horizon? (Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF)
11. Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below the
horizon? (Stan, W1LE)
12. LVB cabling? (zach hillerson)
13. 1 Year on the birds (Michael Elliott)
14. Re: LVB cabling? (Dee)
15. Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below the
horizon? (Andrew Glasbrenner)
16. Re: 1 Year on the birds (Mark L. Hammond)
17. ANS-072 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins (Lee McLamb)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:33:48 -0500
From: "Zachary Beougher" <zack.kd8ksn@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Weak Signal on AO-51
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <SNT111-DS24A481DFA157C21BF4FE69B3CA0@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hi!
The last few AO51 passes I have been on over the last few days have seemed
to have a very weak signal. I can usually acquire the bird at about 2-3
degrees when it comes up from the S, but I was having a hard time hearing it
at 10. Max elevation of the last pass was 23 degrees, and I could barely
hear it then. It seemed like the polarization was all over the place too ?
clear one minute and gone the next.
I was wondering if the transmitter power is lower than it has been ? I have
not seen anything on the BB regarding any mode change. Hopefully it is not
something up with my antenna.
73!
Zack
KD8KSN
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:58:59 -0500
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Weak Signal on AO-51
To: "Zachary Beougher" <zack.kd8ksn@xxxxxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <JNz21g00256cfur05Nz2uu@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi Zach,
We've gone from 500 mW down to about 460 mW over the last week or
thereabouts, so I don't think that would be fully explain what you're
seeing...
It's a big difference from when we were running 1-1.5 watts, but we haven't
been at that power level since Feb 26th or so.
The bird is spinning pretty slowly, making 1 revolution around every 10 mins
or so. If it happens to have a bad attitude (heh) relative to you, it might
make one pass better than the other.
73,
Mark N8MH
At 05:33 PM 3/12/2011 -0500, Zachary Beougher wrote:
>Hi! The last few AO51 passes I have been on over the last few days have
seemed to have a very weak signal. I can usually acquire the bird at about
2-3 degrees when it comes up from the S, but I was having a hard time
hearing it at 10. Max elevation of the last pass was 23 degrees, and I
could barely hear it then. It seemed like the polarization was all over the
place too ? clear one minute and gone the next. I was wondering if the
transmitter power is lower than it has been ? I have not seen anythinng on
the BB regarding any mode change. Hopefully it is not something up with my
antenna. 73! Zack KD8KSN _______________________________________________
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: 3
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 18:37:58 -0500
From: "Michael J. Wolthuis" <wolthui3@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] K4ACK?
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4D7C03D6.70208@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Did I mess up a typo on the callsign? I copied down K4ACK - el82 on the
last AO-51 pass. No QRZ entry though. Anyone know?
mike
kb8zgl
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 18:47:59 -0500
From: "Michael J. Wolthuis" <wolthui3@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] What an interesting coincidence
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4D7C062F.5070705@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Made my contact #500 today on AO-51. I couldn't be more surprised
putting it in the log that it was no8dx/20 with John. I couldn't
believe it. There 20 years being honored and my #500 contact. Thanks
John for being there, this will be a VERY special QSL card!!! It has
been a fun, I can't wait to see what happens on the next 500 on AO-51!!!
73s, and see you all on the birds tomorrow.
Mike
kb8zgl
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 18:49:01 -0500
From: "Zachary Beougher" <zack.kd8ksn@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Weak Signal on AO-51
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <SNT111-DS4B001FBB7734B827F2E44B3CA0@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Thanks Mark,
I guess I will just ride it out... ;-) I have been through this before, and
it has gradually gone away. I would say it was weather related with all of
the extremes we have had lately, but that shouldn't affect it.
73!
Zack
KD8KSN
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark L. Hammond
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 5:58 PM
To: Zachary Beougher ; amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Weak Signal on AO-51
Hi Zach,
We've gone from 500 mW down to about 460 mW over the last week or
thereabouts, so I don't think that would be fully explain what you're
seeing...
It's a big difference from when we were running 1-1.5 watts, but we haven't
been at that power level since Feb 26th or so.
The bird is spinning pretty slowly, making 1 revolution around every 10 mins
or so. If it happens to have a bad attitude (heh) relative to you, it might
make one pass better than the other.
73,
Mark N8MH
At 05:33 PM 3/12/2011 -0500, Zachary Beougher wrote:
>Hi! The last few AO51 passes I have been on over the last few days have
>seemed to have a very weak signal. I can usually acquire the bird at about
>2-3 degrees when it comes up from the S, but I was having a hard time
>hearing it at 10. Max elevation of the last pass was 23 degrees, and I
>could barely hear it then. It seemed like the polarization was all over
>the place too ? clear one minute and gone the next. I was wondering if the
>transmitter power is lower than it has been ? I have not seen anythinng on
>the BB regarding any mode change. Hopefully it is not something up with my
>antenna. 73! Zack KD8KSN _______________________________________________
>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: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:09:01 -0800 (PST)
From: Stephen Davis <davism294@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: K4ACK?
To: "Michael J. Wolthuis" <wolthui3@xxx.xxx>, amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <244367.51200.qm@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
K4ACK is listed in the FCC's ULS as being expired. It shows a cancellation
date
of 2-26-2010.
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/license.jsp?licKey=243611
73,
Steve
KJ4FEL
________________________________
From: Michael J. Wolthuis <wolthui3@xxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Sent: Sat, March 12, 2011 6:37:58 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] K4ACK?
Did I mess up a typo on the callsign? I copied down K4ACK - el82 on the
last AO-51 pass. No QRZ entry though. Anyone know?
mike
kb8zgl
_______________________________________________
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: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:25:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below
the horizon?
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <178291.80475.qm@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I was giving a presentation at our club meeting called Working DX on the
Satellites and afterwards someone had a good question: is it at all possible
that tropo, skip, or other form of enhanced propagation can enable a contact
via a satellite below the horizon?
It has never happened to me. Has it ever happened?
73, Bill NZ5N
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:30:41 +1000
From: Andrew Rich <vk4tec@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite
below the horizon?
To: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <0C37F2D2-05A6-4EA0-B27E-5EC814E807AC@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I work in radar and have seen radar go over the horizon
Sent from my iPhone
Andrew Rich
On 13/03/2011, at 10:25, Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> I was giving a presentation at our club meeting called Working DX on the
Satellites and afterwards someone had a good question: is it at all possible
that tropo, skip, or other form of enhanced propagation can enable a contact
via a satellite below the horizon?
>
> It has never happened to me. Has it ever happened?
>
> 73, Bill NZ5N
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:53:31 -0000
From: "John Geiger" <aa5jg@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite
below thehorizon?
To: "Bill Dzurilla" <billdz.geo@xxxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <3E760BD0BD104D8899C7AA530ED49A6C@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
It might have happened before on some of the Mode K satellites, due to F2,
but not sure if the other modes would work below the horizon, as getting the
conditions right on both bands would be pretty tough. Tropo wouldn't get
high enough into the air to get into the satellite. Has anyone heard AO7 in
mode A when it is below your horizon due to F2 skip extending your range of
the satelllite?
73s John AA5JG
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Dzurilla" <billdz.geo@xxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2011 12:25 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite below
thehorizon?
>I was giving a presentation at our club meeting called Working DX on the
>Satellites and afterwards someone had a good question: is it at all
>possible that tropo, skip, or other form of enhanced propagation can enable
>a contact via a satellite below the horizon?
>
> It has never happened to me. Has it ever happened?
>
> 73, Bill NZ5N
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 10
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:56:11 +0000
From: Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF <nigel@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite
below the horizon?
To: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4D7C162B.3060205@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
It's quite common.
On 13-Mar-11 00:25, Bill Dzurilla wrote:
> I was giving a presentation at our club meeting called Working DX on the
Satellites and afterwards someone had a good question: is it at all possible
that tropo, skip, or other form of enhanced propagation can enable a contact
via a satellite below the horizon?
>
> It has never happened to me. Has it ever happened?
>
> 73, Bill NZ5N
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
--
Nigel A. Gunn, 1865 El Camino Drive, Xenia, OH 45385-1115, USA. tel +1 937
825 5032
Amateur Radio G8IFF W8IFF (was KC8NHF 9H3GN), e-mail nigel@xxxxx.xxx
www http://www.ngunn.net
Member of ARRL, GQRP #11396, QRPARCI #11644, SOC #548, Flying Pigs QRP
Club International #385,
Dayton ARA #2128, AMSAT-NA LM-1691, AMSAT-UK 0182, MKARS, ALC,
GCARES, XWARN, EAA382.
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:57:56 -0500
From: "Stan, W1LE" <stanw1le@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite
below the horizon?
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4D7C1694.1000202@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hello Bill,
Simple answer is YES. The RS series were good examples.
I am sure I have done it on FMsats.
Enhanced propagation can extend your range both before normal AOS and
beyond LOS.
Most programs seem to only use "line of sight" (LOS) Az/El settings.
One difficulty is that satellite programs may not give you info on where
you could talk to, for negative elevations. Only positive elevations.
I would like to see tracking programs that could give me info for -10
degrees,
not to track in elevation, but to track in azimuth.
One way to make that "elusive DX" QSO.
Stan, W1LE Cape Cod FN41sr
On 3/12/2011 7:25 PM, Bill Dzurilla wrote:
> I was giving a presentation at our club meeting called Working DX on the
Satellites and afterwards someone had a good question: is it at all possible
that tropo, skip, or other form of enhanced propagation can enable a contact
via a satellite below the horizon?
>
> It has never happened to me. Has it ever happened?
>
> 73, Bill NZ5N
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 12
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 17:13:42 -0800 (PST)
From: zach hillerson <qstick333@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] LVB cabling?
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <602960.8640.qm@xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
I just ordered my LVB box from Amsat as one of the final pcs. necessary to
finish building my base station.? I know a CAT cable is needed from my 847
to the computer, but what is required from the computer to the LVB box and
from the LVB to the rotator control box?? For this installation, I plan to
use a Yaesu 450 for azimuth only movement along with a Gulf Alpha dual band
at a fixed 15* elevation.
73,
Zach/N4ERZ
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:17:40 -0500
From: Michael Elliott <k4moa@xxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] 1 Year on the birds
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<AANLkTi=aS-3YBQv10eRdHrFEC3nZh1GagL416t-86bUa@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hello everyone on the board,
Yesterday was celebration of my first year on the birds. I will never
forget that first QSO with K4T on SO-50 last year. I couldn't believe
someone actually heard me and came back. That was a real thrill. During
this first year I even made a couple of contacts with the Space Station
which again really surprised me. I have learned so much from you guys and I
am not going try to name specific operators because I am afraid I will leave
someone out - thank you all. I appreciate the patience you guys have shown
and continue to show me as I still make mistakes and continue to learn.
My wife still says I am strange for walking around in the yard with a
antenna and will ask from time to time if I contacted any aliens. If there
is any comfort in that, it is at least starting to get warm here in NC.
Along the same lines, I have co-workers who ask if I have found the tagged
wildlife yet. Luckily I have friends who understand...
I am hopeful that this second year will allow me to get on the transponders
and learn even more about this fascinating part of amateur radio.
I don't want to bore anyone with details, but I have confirmed 44 states and
worked a few more. As for total contacts which does include multiple
contacts from the same operators is a little over 700.
Anyway I just wanted to post a quick thank you to all of those who have
offered me such great advice and shown patience.
73's and thanks again,
Michael, K4MOA
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:24:53 -0500
From: Dee <morsesat@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LVB cabling?
To: "'zach hillerson'" <qstick333@xxxxx.xxx>, amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <A1F7E5E8665F43CBB39B03DA0C9CA552@xxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
LVB tracker requires a USB connection (or rs-232) what it comes wired as is
what you ordered- between computer and the LVB Box. If you had a standard
G5400 AZ-el ROTOR, IT HAS AN OUTPUT THAT PLUGS DIRECTLY INTO THE G5400 -
Please check WA4SXM's website for more details on how to hook up the LVB to
the rotor you have. Schematics are there. Good luck.
Dee, NB2F
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of zach hillerson
Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 8:14 PM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] LVB cabling?
I just ordered my LVB box from Amsat as one of the final pcs. necessary to
finish building my base station.? I know a CAT cable is needed from my 847
to the computer, but what is required from the computer to the LVB box and
from the LVB to the rotator control box?? For this installation, I plan to
use a Yaesu 450 for azimuth only movement along with a Gulf Alpha dual band
at a fixed 15* elevation.
73,
Zach/N4ERZ
_______________________________________________
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: 15
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:38:50 -0500
From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Is it 100% impossible to work a satellite
below the horizon?
To: Bill Dzurilla <billdz.geo@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4D7C202A.7060509@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
On 3/12/2011 7:25 PM, Bill Dzurilla wrote:
> I was giving a presentation at our club meeting called Working DX on the
Satellites and afterwards someone had a good question: is it at all possible
that tropo, skip, or other form of enhanced propagation can enable a contact
via a satellite below the horizon?
>
> It has never happened to me. Has it ever happened?
>
>
It was relatively commonplace with RS-12 on Mode K, 15m up, 10m down.
There was one guy in North Carolina I think that worked dxcc on
RS-12/13. He was my first satellite QSO in 1992 or so, and was always
on. I can't remember the call, but it was a 1x2 I think.
I imagine it would be at least possible on other birds and higher bands
with strong tropo. Jerry, KK5YY told me about doing that on AO-27 or
UO-14 from Alaska over the ocean. I've not experienced it though.
73, Drew KO4MA
------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:00:34 -0500
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 1 Year on the birds
To: Michael Elliott <k4moa@xxxxxxxx.xxx>, amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <JS0d1g00156cfur05S0dgy@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi Michael,
Happy Anniversary :) Grabbing K4T as your first is pretty awesome.
Hey, why don't you come to RARSFest and help me with the AMSAT table? Or do
a demo ;)
73!
Mark N8MH
At 08:17 PM 3/12/2011 -0500, Michael Elliott wrote:
>Hello everyone on the board,
>
>Yesterday was celebration of my first year on the birds. I will never
>forget that first QSO with K4T on SO-50 last year. I couldn't believe
>someone actually heard me and came back. That was a real thrill. During
>this first year I even made a couple of contacts with the Space Station
>which again really surprised me. I have learned so much from you guys and I
>am not going try to name specific operators because I am afraid I will leave
>someone out - thank you all. I appreciate the patience you guys have shown
>and continue to show me as I still make mistakes and continue to learn.
>
>My wife still says I am strange for walking around in the yard with a
>antenna and will ask from time to time if I contacted any aliens. If there
>is any comfort in that, it is at least starting to get warm here in NC.
>Along the same lines, I have co-workers who ask if I have found the tagged
>wildlife yet. Luckily I have friends who understand...
>
>I am hopeful that this second year will allow me to get on the transponders
>and learn even more about this fascinating part of amateur radio.
>
>I don't want to bore anyone with details, but I have confirmed 44 states and
>worked a few more. As for total contacts which does include multiple
>contacts from the same operators is a little over 700.
>
>Anyway I just wanted to post a quick thank you to all of those who have
>offered me such great advice and shown patience.
>
>73's and thanks again,
>
>Michael, K4MOA
>_______________________________________________
>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: 17
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 22:56:14 -0500
From: Lee McLamb <ku4os@xxx.xx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] ANS-072 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <10.8B.13137.F504C7D4@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-072
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America,
The
Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a
worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in
designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital
Amateur Radio satellites.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor@xxxxx.xxx
In this edition:
* AMSAT responds to HR 607 threat to 70-cm satellite operations
* GPredict Now Available for Windows
* OSCAR 11 Report 04 March 2011
* Middle School Students to Launch Near-Space Balloon
* ARISS Status - 7 March 2011
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-072.01
AMSAT responds to HR 607 threat to 70-cm satellite operations
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 072.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 13, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-072.01
Recently a bill, H.R. 607, the "Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011,"
was introduced by Rep. Peter King (R-NY). The bill addresses the creation
and maintenance of a nationwide Public Safety broadband network. This bill
is unique in that it provides for the reallocation of the 420-440 MHz block
of frequencies away from its current primary and secondary users. The
inclusion of most of the amateur 70-cm spectrum, and the entire spectrum
allocated for the Amateur Satellite Service, constitutes a major threat to
satellite operations. Almost all current and planned amateur satellites
include the use of 70-cm band. If the use of 70-cm is lost, there is no
reasonable replacement. The next available band, 23-cms, is restricted to
uplinks, and is coming under increasing pressure from global navigation
services. Likewise, 13-cms is rapidly becoming unusable due to terrestrial
noise sources from consumer devices. The passage and implementation of this
bill will effectively end the ability to use relatively cheap, readily
available amateur equipment for both amateur communications and university
research programs. More details can be found at WWW.ARRL.ORG as well as a
sample letter which may be edited for your use. There is information on
using the ARRL's legislative liaison to speed the delivery due to existing
security restrictions on direct mail. An AMSAT sample letter, stressing the
interests of amateur satellite users, will be available at WWW.AMSAT.ORG
next week.
[ANS thanks Alan, WA4SCA, for the above information]
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-072.02
GPredict Now Available for Windows
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 072.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 13, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-072.02
Alexandru has just made Gpredict 1.3 available free for all you Windows
operators at
https://sourceforge.net/projects/gpredict/files/Gpredict/1.3/
Of course, it's also available for Mac and Linux users.
[ANS Nigel, W8IFF, for the above information]
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-051.03
OSCAR 11 Report 04 March 2011
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 051.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
February 20, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-051.03
OSCAR-11 celebrated it's 27th birthday on 01 March! It was
designed, built and launched within a period of six months, using
commercially available 'off the shelf' components (COTS). Once
again, congratulations to Professor Sir Martin Sweeting G3YJO,
his team at the University of Surrey and groups of radio amateurs
who also contributed to the project. Unfortunately, the satellite
wasn't transmitting on its birthday, but resumed transmissions,
three days later.
This report covers the period from 31 January to 04 March 2011.
During this time the satellite has been heard from 10 to 21
February and from 03 March 2011. It is expected to switch-off
again 13 March until 23 March.
Excellent signals have been reported from stations located around
the world, and good copy obtained from decoded telemetry frames.
The satellite is now transmitting during eclipses, although
signals are weaker at those times. This indicates that there is
still some capacity remaining in the battery.
The on-board clock is now very stable.
The VHF beacon frequency is 145.826 MHz. AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry
At the present time, while OSCAR-11 is operating in a predictable
way, I no longer need direct reports or files by e-mail. However,
could all listeners continue to enter their reports on the
general satellite status website. This is a very convenient and
easy to use facility, which shows the current status of all the
amateur satellites, and is of use to everyone. Reports around the
expected times of switch-on and switch-off are of special
interest, especially for times 12:00 - 17:00 and 22:00 - 07:00
UTC, to when the satellite is out-of-range in the UK . The URL is
http://oscar.dcarr.org/index.php
A longer version of this report is available on my
website, and new listeners to OSCAR-11 should read this for
further information. The URL is www.g3cwv.co.uk/oscar11.htm .
This page contains a links to the longer report, a short audio
clip to help you identify the satellite and a file of the last
telemetry received. The website also contains an archive of news
& telemetry data which is updated from time to time, and details
about using a sound card or hardware demodulators for data
capture. There is also software for capturing data, and decoding
ASCII telemetry.
If you place this bulletin on a terrestrial packet network,
please use the bulletin identifier $BID:U2RPT154.CWV, to prevent
duplication.
73 Clive G3CWV xxxxx@xxxxx.xxx (please replace the x's by
g3cwv)
[ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV, for the above information]
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-051.04
Middle School Students to Launch Near-Space Balloon
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 051.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
February 20, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-051.04
A group of students from Olde Towne Middle School (OTMS) in
Ridgeland, Mississippi is preparing for a trip to space -- or as
close as they can get. The OTMS Radio and Technology Club, along
with the school's Science Team, are planning a near-space balloon
launch at 9 AM (CDT) on March 26 (the date and time are subject to
change depending on weather). The balloon -- nicknamed Titans in
Space -- will use the call sign KC5NXD and is expected to reach an
altitude of 94,825 feet.
The project is led by Bill Richardson, N5VEI, a past participant in
the ARRL Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, a professional
development program that is part of ARRL's donor-funded Education &
Technology Program. The school has also received several grants of
Amateur Radio station equipment from this program. Richardson is the
sponsor of the school's Radio and Technology Club.
The balloon will be equipped with instruments to track its exact
location and a camera that will take snapshots every 15 seconds. The
students will stay on the ground and analyze the data as it is
transmitted back to them from the balloon. "As far as I can
research, we are the first elementary, middle or high school to
launch a near-space balloon in our state," Richardson told the ARRL.
The balloon will launch from the Madison County Career and
Technology Center in Gluckstadt. Preflight will begin at 90 minutes
before the scheduled launch. The preflight and launch will be
stream-cast live on the Internet at,
http://www.ustream.tv/user/kc5nxd. You can also follow along on
Twitter.
"Our students are busy with assembly and payload testing right now,
preparing for launch day," said OTMS Principal Allen Lawrence. "This
is really a great science experiment and they are all excited."
Richardson is encouraging radio amateurs to follow the balloon via
APRS on 144.39 MHz, on http://aprs.fi with the call sign kc5nxd-11
and via a 2 meter voice beacon on 146.565 MHz. A 20 meter beacon at
14.079-14.080.5 MHz will offer telemetry in four modes: Domino-ex16,
CW, RTTY and Hellschreiber.
According to Richardson, the group will be using a special
balloon-modified version of FLdigi, called dl-FLdigi. Ground
stations receive the balloon's telemetry via the program's soundcard
decoding software (available as a free download from
http://www.w1hkj.com). "In essence, you are creating your own HF or
VHF APRS-style network on the fly," he explained. "When a valid
frame is received by a ground station, it is then sent via dl-FLdigi
to a server that then plots the position onto a website dedicated to
high altitude ballooning." The website can be found at,
http://spacenear.us/tracker.
Richardson said that the students need help to grab data packets or
use the FLdigi to relay to packets to the network: "With the new
telemetry system, we will have a better data set for a final landing
spot, as well as research data."
The launch is in partnership with the Mississippi State University's
Bagley College of Engineering's aeronautical engineering program,
which has provided support and supplies to the students' efforts.
The project has already received national attention from The Sally
Ride Foundation, named after the first American woman to fly in
space. The foundation -- dedicated to supporting girls' and boys'
interests in science, math and technology -- sent the students a
letter of support and congratulations in advance of the launch. All
funding for the project has come from donations and fund raisers. The
project has received support from the local community, including the
Jackson (Mississippi) Amateur Radio Club.
[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-072.05
ARISS Status - 7 March 2011
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 072.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 13, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-072.05
1. Recent ARISS Contacts
On Wednesday, March 2 an ARISS contact was held
between on-orbit astronaut Paolo
Nespoli, IZ?JPA and Mackay State High School students in Queensland, Australia
via telebridge station VK5ZAI, Australia. All 16
questions were answered. One of
the approximately 200 people in attendance was
the mayor of Mackay who asked the
ARISS team to "keep up the good work - you are doing a great job inspiring our
students." He expressed his amazement on how well timed and extremely
enjoyable
the contact was. Three television stations
covered the radio hookup and snippets
of the event were broadcast on at least 2 regional TV channels all afternoon
following the contact. The Mackay Daily Mercury wrote a story on the event:
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2011/03/03/historic-link-to-space-mackay-
high-school/
Technological Centre for Innovation in Communications (CeTIC) in Las Palmas de
Gran Canaria, Spain experienced a successful
ARISS contact on Thursday, March 3.
Astronaut Paolo Nespoli, IZ?JPA answered all 20 questions posed to him by the
students. The contact supplemented lessons on orbit prediction, satellite
tracking and common communications systems.
Victory Primary School in Nelson, New Zealand participated in an ARISS contact
on Thursday, March 3 via telebridge station W6SRJ in California. Cady Coleman,
KC5ZTH answered 17 questions prepared by the students. One additional query
was
answered with the help of shuttle crew member Alvin Drew. The contact was the
culmination of a science curriculum focused on space and technology.
2. NASA Posts Article on Ten Years of ARISS Contacts
NASA posted a feature story on the 10th
anniversary of ARISS contacts to its Web
site. ?One Small Radio Call for a Ham? may be found on the following page:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/one-small-radio-call.html
3. Astronaut Training Status
A few exam review sessions were provided for Chris Cassidy this past week.
Astronauts Andre Kuipers, PI9ISS and Don Pettit, KD5MDT participated in
simulated ARISS contacts with students in Belgium and Canada, respectively on
March 3.
An ARISS introductory course is planned for Mike Hopkins on March 9 and a
refresher course for Chris Hadfield is scheduled for March 10.
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information]
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's
Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project
Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are
available from the AMSAT Office.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Lee McLamb, KU4OS
ku4os at amsat dot org
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
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!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 151
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