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CX2SA > SATDIG 06.09.12 05:45l 901 Lines 31123 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: AO40 replacement !!! (Diane Bruce)
2. Re: AO40 replacement !!! (Gordon JC Pearce)
3. AO-40 Replacement (Armando Mercado)
4. Re: AO-40 Replacement (Mark L. Hammond)
5. Re: AO-40 Replacement (Kevin Muenzler)
6. Re: AO-40 Replacement (Kevin Muenzler)
7. Re: AO-40 Replacement (Alan P. Biddle)
8. Sept. VHF Contest - EM35 (Rick - WA4NVM)
9. Fwd: [CubeSat] NASA RFI for CubeSat Launch Requirements
(Samudra Haque)
10. KL7AA BP51 operational (AL4S - Rich)
11. Re: satellite activity and future sats... (Michael Adams)
12. Kennedy Space Center Visit (Larry Koziel)
13. HamsatDroid - Choices (David Johnson)
14. Thursday 9/6 from BL02 - late addition (Tom Deeble - KA6SIP)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 14:05:20 -0500
From: Diane Bruce <db@xx.xxx>
To: Gordon JC Pearce <gordonjcp@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!!
Message-ID: <20120905190520.GA56974@xxxxx.xx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
On Wed, Sep 05, 2012 at 07:35:22PM +0100, Gordon JC Pearce wrote:
> On 05/09/12 16:48, Trevor . wrote:
>
> >Getting CubeSat's to MEO or HEO will depend on developing propulsion,
> >fold-out solar panels, and even CubeSat directional antennas - I
> >wonder could a 2m 2 ele Yagi be incorporated into a 3U CubeSat ?
>
> As a first-order approximation, my HB9CV is just about 260mm between
> elements, or a little shorter than a 3U cubesat. So it seems to me that
> you could make a two-element "tape measure" beam with the elements
> wrapped around the can at opposite ends and ensure it always points
> driven end downwards. The rest is just standard pyro to unwrap the
> aerial elements.
Piece of wire driven by some electricity works well enough. No need
for big pyro explosions.
>
> --
> Gordon JC Pearce MM0YEQ
> _______________________________________________
> 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
Diane Bruce VA3DB
--
- db@xxxxxxx.xxx db@xx.xxx http://www.db.net/~db
Nowadays tar can compress using yesterdays latest technologies!
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:30:33 +0100
From: Gordon JC Pearce <gordonjcp@xxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!!
Message-ID: <5047B669.4000701@xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
On 05/09/12 17:15, Kevin Muenzler wrote:
> What I meant was that it could be launched as so many have been
> launched -- from the shuttle cargo bay. But, no more shuttles...Mr.
> Obama gave them all away. :(
Much as I love the Space Shuttles, they were long overdue for their
final voyage to the mixed metals yard.
There is absolutely no reason why NASA is wasting time and money on
routine flights to the ISS - it's a delivery, get DHL to do it. Maybe
they can spend some money on a more suitable delivery vehicle, instead
of patching together the spacegoing equivalent of a rusty 1981 Ford Transit.
--
Gordon JC Pearce MM0YEQ
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 16:49:51 -0400
From: "Armando Mercado" <am25544@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-40 Replacement
Message-ID: <A3D5967CC50146FDAEE7877786997F24@xxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 11:15:35 -0500
>From: "Kevin Muenzler" <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!!
>Message-ID: <003101cd8b81$ae8e3610$0baaa230$@xxx>
>I can understand that!
>What I meant was that it could be launched as so many have been launched --
from the shuttle cargo bay. But, no more >shuttles...Mr. Obama gave them
all away. :(
-------------------
Hello,
Nothing like an AO-40 discussion to liven up the mail list.
Not to get into politics, but the above statement is incorrect.
Jan. 14, 2004, President Bush gave a speech on America's new vision for space
exploration, In part he said...
"...The Shuttle's chief purpose over the next several years will be to help
finish
assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the Space Shuttle --
after
nearly 30 years of duty -- will be retired from service..."
The shuttle last flight was July 8,2011, after the current administration
approved the
flight of STS-135, using the last flight ready SRB's and external tank.
Transcript of the speech can be found at:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/54868main_bush_trans.pdf
73 Armando, N8IGJ
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 17:01:38 -0400
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Armando Mercado <am25544@xxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-40 Replacement
Message-ID:
<CAPRXzypca5PTjkehTYknBO9kAhwPLu4OR2G540vmnYMSNGFjBA@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Reading on a bit in that transcript...
"Our second goal is to develop and test a new spacecraft, the crew
exploration vehicle, by 2008, and to conduct the first manned mission
no later than 2014.
The crew exploration vehicle will be capable of ferrying astronauts
and scientists to the space station after the shuttle is retired. But
the main purpose of this spacecraft will be to carry astronauts beyond
our orbit to other worlds. This will be the first spacecraft of its
kind since the Apollo command module.
Our third goal is to return to the moon by 2020, as the launching
point for missions beyond."
So where do we stand on those goals, and to whom is credit/blame placed?
This is almost fun ;)
Mark N8MH
On Wed, Sep 5, 2012 at 4:49 PM, Armando Mercado <am25544@xxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>>Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 11:15:35 -0500
>>From: "Kevin Muenzler" <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>>To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>>Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!!
>>Message-ID: <003101cd8b81$ae8e3610$0baaa230$@xxx>
>
>
>>I can understand that!
>
>>What I meant was that it could be launched as so many have been launched
-- from the shuttle cargo bay. But, no more >shuttles...Mr. Obama gave them
all away. :(
>
> -------------------
>
>
> Hello,
>
> Nothing like an AO-40 discussion to liven up the mail list.
> Not to get into politics, but the above statement is incorrect.
>
> Jan. 14, 2004, President Bush gave a speech on America's new vision for
space
> exploration, In part he said...
>
> "...The Shuttle's chief purpose over the next several years will be to
help finish
> assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the Space Shuttle --
after
> nearly 30 years of duty -- will be retired from service..."
>
> The shuttle last flight was July 8,2011, after the current administration
approved the
> flight of STS-135, using the last flight ready SRB's and external tank.
>
> Transcript of the speech can be found at:
>
> http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/54868main_bush_trans.pdf
>
> 73 Armando, N8IGJ
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
--
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 16:06:59 -0500
From: "Kevin Muenzler" <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-40 Replacement
Message-ID: <005701cd8baa$63d9c610$2b8d5230$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
...it was a joke...
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Armando Mercado
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 3:50 PM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-40 Replacement
>Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 11:15:35 -0500
>From: "Kevin Muenzler" <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!!
>Message-ID: <003101cd8b81$ae8e3610$0baaa230$@xxx>
>I can understand that!
>What I meant was that it could be launched as so many have been
>launched -- from the shuttle cargo bay. But, no more >shuttles...Mr.
>Obama gave them all away. :(
-------------------
Hello,
Nothing like an AO-40 discussion to liven up the mail list.
Not to get into politics, but the above statement is incorrect.
Jan. 14, 2004, President Bush gave a speech on America's new vision for
space exploration, In part he said...
"...The Shuttle's chief purpose over the next several years will be to help
finish assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the Space
Shuttle -- after nearly 30 years of duty -- will be retired from service..."
The shuttle last flight was July 8,2011, after the current administration
approved the flight of STS-135, using the last flight ready SRB's and
external tank.
Transcript of the speech can be found at:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/54868main_bush_trans.pdf
73 Armando, N8IGJ
_______________________________________________
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, 5 Sep 2012 17:04:36 -0500
From: "Kevin Muenzler" <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-40 Replacement
Message-ID: <000001cd8bb2$70cfab70$526f0250$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Can you imagine a 34/94 repeater on the moon?
Kevin Muenzler, WB5RUE
Grid EL09uf
Eagle Creek Observatory
http://www.eaglecreekobservatory.org
I have not yet begun to procrastinate!
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Mark L. Hammond
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 4:02 PM
To: Armando Mercado
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-40 Replacement
Reading on a bit in that transcript...
"Our second goal is to develop and test a new spacecraft, the crew
exploration vehicle, by 2008, and to conduct the first manned mission no
later than 2014.
The crew exploration vehicle will be capable of ferrying astronauts and
scientists to the space station after the shuttle is retired. But the main
purpose of this spacecraft will be to carry astronauts beyond our orbit to
other worlds. This will be the first spacecraft of its kind since the Apollo
command module.
Our third goal is to return to the moon by 2020, as the launching point for
missions beyond."
So where do we stand on those goals, and to whom is credit/blame placed?
This is almost fun ;)
Mark N8MH
On Wed, Sep 5, 2012 at 4:49 PM, Armando Mercado <am25544@xxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>>Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 11:15:35 -0500
>>From: "Kevin Muenzler" <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>>To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>>Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!!
>>Message-ID: <003101cd8b81$ae8e3610$0baaa230$@xxx>
>
>
>>I can understand that!
>
>>What I meant was that it could be launched as so many have been
>>launched -- from the shuttle cargo bay. But, no more >shuttles...Mr.
>>Obama gave them all away. :(
>
> -------------------
>
>
> Hello,
>
> Nothing like an AO-40 discussion to liven up the mail list.
> Not to get into politics, but the above statement is incorrect.
>
> Jan. 14, 2004, President Bush gave a speech on America's new vision
> for space exploration, In part he said...
>
> "...The Shuttle's chief purpose over the next several years will be to
> help finish assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the
> Space Shuttle -- after nearly 30 years of duty -- will be retired from
service..."
>
> The shuttle last flight was July 8,2011, after the current
> administration approved the flight of STS-135, using the last flight ready
SRB's and external tank.
>
> Transcript of the speech can be found at:
>
> http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/54868main_bush_trans.pdf
>
> 73 Armando, N8IGJ
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
--
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]
_______________________________________________
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, 5 Sep 2012 17:11:00 -0500
From: "Alan P. Biddle" <APBIDDLE@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-40 Replacement
Message-ID: <E5737044921442DE91B29F976BEC9425@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
You would definitely want a PL tone. :)
73s,
Alan
WA4SCA
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Kevin Muenzler
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 5:05 PM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-40 Replacement
Can you imagine a 34/94 repeater on the moon?
Kevin Muenzler, WB5RUE
Grid EL09uf
Eagle Creek Observatory
http://www.eaglecreekobservatory.org
I have not yet begun to procrastinate!
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Mark L. Hammond
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 4:02 PM
To: Armando Mercado
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-40 Replacement
Reading on a bit in that transcript...
"Our second goal is to develop and test a new spacecraft, the crew
exploration vehicle, by 2008, and to conduct the first manned mission no
later than 2014.
The crew exploration vehicle will be capable of ferrying astronauts and
scientists to the space station after the shuttle is retired. But the main
purpose of this spacecraft will be to carry astronauts beyond our orbit to
other worlds. This will be the first spacecraft of its kind since the Apollo
command module.
Our third goal is to return to the moon by 2020, as the launching point for
missions beyond."
So where do we stand on those goals, and to whom is credit/blame placed?
This is almost fun ;)
Mark N8MH
On Wed, Sep 5, 2012 at 4:49 PM, Armando Mercado <am25544@xxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>>Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 11:15:35 -0500
>>From: "Kevin Muenzler" <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>>To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>>Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 replacement !!!
>>Message-ID: <003101cd8b81$ae8e3610$0baaa230$@xxx>
>
>
>>I can understand that!
>
>>What I meant was that it could be launched as so many have been
>>launched -- from the shuttle cargo bay. But, no more >shuttles...Mr.
>>Obama gave them all away. :(
>
> -------------------
>
>
> Hello,
>
> Nothing like an AO-40 discussion to liven up the mail list.
> Not to get into politics, but the above statement is incorrect.
>
> Jan. 14, 2004, President Bush gave a speech on America's new vision
> for space exploration, In part he said...
>
> "...The Shuttle's chief purpose over the next several years will be to
> help finish assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the
> Space Shuttle -- after nearly 30 years of duty -- will be retired from
service..."
>
> The shuttle last flight was July 8,2011, after the current
> administration approved the flight of STS-135, using the last flight ready
SRB's and external tank.
>
> Transcript of the speech can be found at:
>
> http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/54868main_bush_trans.pdf
>
> 73 Armando, N8IGJ
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
--
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]
_______________________________________________
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: 8
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2012 17:29:55 -0500
From: "Rick - WA4NVM" <wa4nvm@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "AMSAT BB" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Sept. VHF Contest - EM35
Message-ID: <5CBB66E1371944C497B780182FA9D27B@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi All,
Our contest group is heading out to Mt. Nebo, AR (EM35) tomorrow morning to
work the Sept. VHF contest, or as we like to call it,
"the Mt. Nebo eating contest with a little ham radio." I will be using our
contest call NE5BO from Thursday evening until Monday morning.
I only plan to work the FM birds, but have taken over one of the TS-2000
radios and the beam antenna's for an SSB contact in the past.
If you want to work this grid, you can contact me by email on my cell phone.
wa4nvm@xxxxx.xxx We don't have wifi on the mountain.
Also, if we work and you need a card, just email me and I will get it in the
mail next week, no card needed from you.
Also, we would appreciate any contacts during the contest.
73,
Rick WA4NVM
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:36:56 -0400
From: Samudra Haque <samudra.haque@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Samudra Haque <samudra@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Fwd: [CubeSat] NASA RFI for CubeSat Launch
Requirements
Message-ID:
<CAJEM475YFwOeW-xuvX7JN7KVdQrLBCBfM=5n73TxzjwnB4axrQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi,
I'm forwarding this note for encouraging input and generating wider
interest.
Samudra N3RDX
George Washington University
samudra@xxx.xxx
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jeremy Straub <jastraub@xxxxx.xxx>
Date: Sun, Aug 26, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Subject: [CubeSat] NASA RFI for CubeSat Launch Requirements
To: cubesat@xxxxxxx.xxx
Cc: larry.p.cooper@xxxx.xxx
Hi All,
NASA is currently soliciting input regarding the launch services needs of
the CubeSat/small satellite community. This was discussed briefly at a
presentation at the end of the Small Sat Conference. As I had not seen
anything about this go out to this mailing list, I wanted to make sure that
everyone that might be interested had an opportunity to respond. Given the
stated topic of the presentation and the fact that it occurred as the
conference was wrapping up (after lunch on the last day), many of those
that might have otherwise been interested were not in attendance.
The RFI (which is located at the URL below), Dr. Larry Cooper (Program
Executive for Centennial Challenges) mentioned, will be utilized to shape
future competitions aimed at creating lower-cost, higher-frequency CubeSat
launch opportunities (including, possibly, propulsion-system-friendly
ones). Given this, it seems that maximizing community input (to ensure a
proper balance with launch service provider/vendor needs/etc.) is highly
desirable.
http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/sol.cgi?acqid=153002#Other%2001
Thanks,
Jeremy Straub
Ph.D. Student
University of North Dakota
_______________________________________________
CubeSat mailing list
CubeSat@xxxxxxx.xxx
http://lists.cubesat.org/mailman/listinfo/cubesat
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2012 12:49:19 -0800
From: AL4S - Rich <riotqontrol@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] KL7AA BP51 operational
Message-ID:
<CAJS77c6PdMa6S=5NYwWejQk00=NMrPfR6ZaOiaWFOomb1k-+Sw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Happy to report the Anchorage ARC's Earth Station at BP51be is operational.
The M2 VHF/UHF antennas are on a Glen Martin tower with non-penetrating
roof mount and pads. The Yaesu G-5500 az/el is driven by a ST-2 Sat Tracker
by various Software including SatPC32. The main rig in use is the ICOM
IC-910H with a MicroHAM MK2 interface. Next to be integrated is a KPC3+.
This station is available to members of the club and guests. We will also
participate with the genso.org project.
www.kl7aa.net
--
Rich Gillin - *AL4S*
907.884.1404
skype/ooVoo: rich.gillin
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:48:20 -0400
From: Michael Adams <mda@xxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: satellite activity and future sats...
Message-ID:
<CAPx5D1ozxp7=BGfrfnZbn-xrHwhO12xdOWK1+yGG1v=iEJmtEQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Despite my callsign, I am a relatively new ham....and I am very, very new
to the birds. I'm also new to the reflector, so please forgive any
na?vete I exhibit.
I wonder if what you're seeing is a generational shift, or at least a shift
in the direction by which new hams are finding their way into the hobby
(and the skills and interests they bring to the table), because there are
plenty of new hams out there.
Many of the new hams I've run into have either gotten involved in the hobby
for emcomm purposes, or at least found emcomm early on their path (the
latter is true for me). Some of them expand on from emcomm as they are
introduced to other aspects of the hobby. I fell into satellite work by
starting out playing with APRS and Winlink-over-packet. Then I learned
about the ISS digipeater...and I realized that the challenge of trying to
complete a contact during an 8-minute pass is kind of fun, and didn't
require any equipment that I didn't already have. Then at Field Day, I
got to see a demonstration of working AO-27. That looked like fun, so I
got an Elk, plugged it into my spare HT, and a few minutes later heard an
XE station calling as SO-50 rose above the horizon. That was cool, even
if the neighbors think I looked nuts standing in the driveway, juggling an
antenna, mic, and voice recorder, with an HT over-filling a shirt pocket.
I suspect that a sizeable proportion of the new ham population would be
considered "appliance operators", or at least they assemble and operate
their stations with more of a hacker's mentality, rather than following the
classic homebrew path. Personally, my fabrication skills suck, but I love
finding new ways to use/abuse computers and equipment that I find.
Building a tape-measure beam is certainly within my skillset, but building
a complete setup of satellite antennas, with az/el rotor...it wouldn't be
impossible for me, but I'd need a really strong incentive to do so (and
even then, I'd probably keep an eye out, looking to see if I could buy,
rather than build). When I look through what I'd need to do to be able to
move beyond AO-27, SO-50, and the ISS...it seems like a lot of work (or
expense), without too many opportunities to enjoy the effort. I'll
probably do it someday, assuming the satellites are still operational, but
there are plenty of items that are on my "to try" list that have a better
ratio of (probable fun):(erg of effort or dollar of expense).
Also, I trust you're aware of what transceivers are on the market. While
shack-in-the-boxes are not uncommon, there are only a couple of rigs being
sold new that look really good for non-FM satellite work, neither of which
really mesh well into the other-interests/budget decision-making process.
I dislike the TS-2000 for various reasons, and the IC-9100 is a lot of
money for the limited additional utility I'd get out of it. My starter
rig was an IC-7000, which does have VHF and UHF sideband, but it's
full-duplex machine, and working uplink-and-downlink doppler adjustments on
it is a pain. I think other entry-level VHF/UHF sideband capable rigs are
similarly challenged. I occasionally look around to see what's available
used....but here too the "how much will I have to spend, and what
additional fun will I get out of it" factor comes into play. I'm sure the
major manufacturers (or even some not-so-major manufacturers) would put new
gear on the market if there were demand...but where's the demand?
Add in the other complications at my location (an inconveniently-placed
hill, lots of trees, an XYL who has opinions about aesthetics), and I
percieve a big hurdle to move beyond the FM birds.
So; why do I mention all this?
First, count me among the "they" in "build it and they will come". None
of my station challenges are insurmountable; I just haven't had enough
motivation to tackle those challenges. Get a few more satellites up and
have activity on them, or put up something in a molniya orbit, and my
motivation level will increase significantly. I suspect other potentially
interested folks have similar views.
Second, consider the learning curve some of us new guys face, especially
those of us who (for better or worse) don't have the homebrew skills that
were more common in the past. There's plenty of simple, accessible
information available for getting initiated into working the FM birds, but
from the outside graduating to other satellite work seems daunting. Or,
when building "it", consider what equipment is commonly available these
days for "them" to come with. Perhaps this, in addition to the economics,
is influencing the direction being set for future birds.
Third, has someone considered putting together (as an example) a "VO-52 for
dummies" set of videos for online consumption; something that would show
the assembly of a minimally-suitable station, and working the satellite?
I'd love to be proven wrong about how much I'd need to do to be able to
work the linear birds. I plan on continuing to dabble even without such
hand-holding, but I wouldn't object to having that wonderful "A-ha! I can
do this!" moment accelerated.
--
*Michael D. Adams* (N1EN)
Poquonock, Connecticut | mda@xxxx.xxx
On Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 8:00 PM, Bob DeVarney W1ICW
<we1u@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>wrote:
> I am afraid you're right, Tom, and it pains me to admit it. I am not sure
> why activity has dropped off.. but I can say in my own case I lost interest
> in satellite operating after AO-40 died and have gone on to other things (
> EME ) to use the existing equipment I had.
>
> From northern Vermont I can work pretty much all the active satellite ops
> on the FM birds ( within my potential mutual footprint at least ) in a
> weekend's worth of passes, so there was little incentive for me to
> continue. I _have_ gotten back into sat operating recently, if only to work
> the cobwebs out of my station.
>
> I wonder how many satellite operators still have AO-10 or AO-13-class
> stations any more. I get the impression that many aspire to have a Yaesu
> FT-847, Icom 910, or TS-2000 and an Arrow antenna. If that much. I hope I
> am wrong.
>
> We as a community need to revitalize things.. the future does NOT lie with
> more Cubesats.. or if it does, then I want no part of it. We need to
> restore the legacy and primacy of AMSAT in space. I think if we could get
> another LEO bird in the air we would see activity increase dramatically.
>
> I've been an AMSAT member since 1980, albeit on and off, and been on the
> birds since 1987 give or take. Some of my most fun moments were working the
> Russian RS birds, believe it or not. I was also an AMSAT Area Coordinator
> for some years. I would love to participate in a dialogue of how to get
> folks interested in satellite operating again, and/or representing AMSAT at
> the local hamfests. But it might just echo the general lack of interest in
> ham radio in general that I have observed.
>
> Guess I need to make a point of getting back on FO-29 and VO-52 more
> often...
>
> 73 de W1ICW
>
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:25:51 -0400
From: Larry Koziel <k8mu599mi@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Kennedy Space Center Visit
Message-ID: <503FDA5F.4010406@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Does anyone have any further details on the visit to the Kennedy Space
Center planned for the Monday following the Symposium? Martha is away
for the holiday and unavailable.
I'm trying to make plans for that weekend and am trying to figure out
whether it's at all practical to try to pick a late return flight on
Monday. I'd like to take the tour, but I currently have only half the
vacation time that I had in my last two jobs. I'd rather not have to
spend an extra day traveling (and the extra hotel night and meals). Even
knowing that the bus will (probably) be back to the hotel at 6, that
just doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room for the logistics of retrieving
baggage left at the hotel and then taking a shuttle to the airport,
getting checked in and through airport security in a comfortable time.
Larry K8MU
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 11:58:12 +0100
From: David Johnson <dave@xxxxx.xx.xx>
To: Juan Ranuarez <jranuarez@xxxxx.xxx>, AmsatBB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>,
eu-amsat@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Cc: Wouter Weggelaar <w.j.weggelaar@xxxxxxxx.xx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] HamsatDroid - Choices
Message-ID: <50360CC4.8010407@xxxxx.xx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi,
To keep all the HSD users in the loop....
I'm looking at what the basic / paid release should be so that we can
get the
better navigation / API functions.
The problem occurs when it comes to phone v tablet
For phone, Android v2.3.3 is recommended
For tablet, Android v4.0.3 (or v4.1) to get the richness especially with
the release of the Nexus 7.
I'm tempted by the 4.0.3 for the paid version and upgrade from 1.5 to
2.3.3 for the base version.
What do you think?
replies here or hamsatdroid@xxxxx.xx.xx
73
- Dave, G4DPZ
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2012 00:43:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: Tom Deeble - KA6SIP <ka6sip@xxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Thursday 9/6 from BL02 - late addition
Message-ID: <8CF5A014CDAD031-17E4-196DB@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxxxx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Aloha,
Due to a change in schedule I will be able to operate on two passes on
Thursday. Sorry for the late notice.
Thursday 9/6/12
FO-29 2215-2220Z 12:15-12:20 HAST
AO-27 2225-2232Z 12:25-12:32 HAST
73's - Tom
Tom Deeble - KA6SIP
Mt. Diablo Amateur Radio Club Membership Chairman
ka6sip@xxx.xxx
PACIFICON - ARRL National Convention Oct 12-14
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 7, Issue 287
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