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CX2SA > SATDIG 26.01.14 18:55l 883 Lines 34145 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SA
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. G5400B calibration problems (Tim Goodrich)
2. Re: G5400B calibration problems (Lizeth Norman)
3. Funcube - data warehouse a bit of technical backgrounf
(David A B Johnson)
4. A0 73 Offset (Rich/wa4bue)
5. Re: G5400B calibration problems (Greg D.)
6. Re: status (Michael)
7. 2014 UK CubeSat Workshop (M5AKA)
8. Re: status (Andrew Glasbrenner)
9. Re: status (Clayton Coleman)
10. Re: status (Michael)
11. Re: status (n0jy)
12. Re: status (Michael)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 22:44:09 -0800
From: "Tim Goodrich" <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] G5400B calibration problems
Message-ID: <001b01cf1a62$04a23450$0de69cf0$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hello All,
I could use some help with the alignment/calibrating of my az/el rotor to my
rotor controller.
I followed the G5400B manual instructions and set the rotor and antennas to
the full south position. The meter indicated full stop at the south position
as well. I then depressed the azimuth control to bring the rotor around 360
degrees back to south. The first 5-10 seconds, the antennas moved and the
meter needle was not moving. However, when the rotation was complete,
although the antennas were pointed south, the meter stopped just a couple
degrees away from south, so I used the rear pot adjustment to zero it.
I then swung the other way attempting to go back to my starting position.
After the meter hit full stop at south in the original position, I looked at
the antennas and they were about 45 degrees short of full south.
According to the manual, I followed the steps correctly, but no matter what
I do, I cannot get the meter to always accurately reflect where the antennas
are actually pointing.
Can anyone tell me what might be wrong?
Thank you,
Tim
K6TW
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 02:14:38 -0500
From: Lizeth Norman <normanlizeth@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Tim Goodrich <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "<,amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxxxxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: G5400B calibration problems
Message-ID:
<CAJUhCTP0F4E9LedCtdhiQDiFr7ku+Q9RYH0wxiGa-dwrk37S5Q@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Tim,
A few possibilities exist.
1. The rotator is mechanically hosed. This includes the pot mounting an
gears and stuff inside that drive the pot.
IIRC the 5400b has no mechanical stops and relies on fuses to protect the
windings of the motors.
You can check this by moving the rotator and looking at the wiper arm of
the pot with regards to ground. Again IIRC the pot value is 450 Ohms.
2. The pot is just really dirty and needs some exercise.
I've got a good rotator with a bad control box here..
Norm n3ykf
On Sun, Jan 26, 2014 at 1:44 AM, Tim Goodrich <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> Hello All,
> I could use some help with the alignment/calibrating of my az/el rotor to
> my
> rotor controller.
>
> I followed the G5400B manual instructions and set the rotor and antennas to
> the full south position. The meter indicated full stop at the south
> position
> as well. I then depressed the azimuth control to bring the rotor around 360
> degrees back to south. The first 5-10 seconds, the antennas moved and the
> meter needle was not moving. However, when the rotation was complete,
> although the antennas were pointed south, the meter stopped just a couple
> degrees away from south, so I used the rear pot adjustment to zero it.
>
> I then swung the other way attempting to go back to my starting position.
> After the meter hit full stop at south in the original position, I looked
> at
> the antennas and they were about 45 degrees short of full south.
>
> According to the manual, I followed the steps correctly, but no matter what
> I do, I cannot get the meter to always accurately reflect where the
> antennas
> are actually pointing.
>
> Can anyone tell me what might be wrong?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Tim
> K6TW
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:14:25 +0000
From: David A B Johnson <dave@xxxxx.xx.xx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Funcube - data warehouse a bit of technical
backgrounf
Message-ID: <52E4E001.1080006@xxxxx.xx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi,
A bit more technical detail on the FC Data Warehouse for those that are
interested.
Its a pair of Java Enterprise Web Applications using the following
technologies:
Spring 3, providing:
RESTful web services
Security
Model-View-Controller
JPA/Hibernate Integration
Mysql 5 Server running with a master and slave of two separate Virtual
Machines so that we can warm-start
HiCharts graphing libraries:
http://www.highcharts.com/
The Web Interface is written using a mixture of Java Server Pages and jQuery
Both services are running on a single Tomcat 7 / Java 7 instance on an
Ubuntu Virtual Machine hosted by clustered.net.
I'm pleased to announce that the sources are available at:
https://github.com/g4dpz/fcdw_data (the data processor)
and
https://github.com/g4dpz/fcdw_ui (the User Interface)
They are built using the Eclipse IDE.
This will probably be moved at some point when we host more of the
code to GitHub
If you want any more details, please let me know.
73
Dave, G4DPZ
FUNcube Warehouse Deseigner / Developer
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 07:45:14 -0500
From: "Rich/wa4bue" <richard.siff@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] A0 73 Offset
Message-ID: <F534AFBBD7BF448D905CE5F288A3E6FC@xxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1;
reply-type=response
I have over 100 emails saved on A0 73 and can not find the one I need, so
what is new.
Is it apx plus 10 khz or minus 10 Khz offset on the RIT to zero in on AO 73?
The pass last night around 0940 and could not find the combonation! heard
AC0RA (?) very strong.
Thanks guys for all your help.
God Bless
R
W4BUE
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 08:13:26 -0800
From: "Greg D." <ko6th.greg@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Tim Goodrich <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>, amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: G5400B calibration problems
Message-ID: <5d095480-fbab-49fa-a661-5aa4ec6da949@xxxxx.xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
It sounds to me like something is binding. These rotors run at 1 RPM; you
could try running it for 30 seconds and verify that it moves 180 degrees.
Then the same in reverse.
If the motion is correct, then the pot is probably bad. If not, then check
for anything that might keep the whole kit from moving, for example, antenna
balance. Oh, also check the AC run capacitor. If it's weak, you will have
a weaker motor.
Good luck,
Greg KO6TH
Tim Goodrich <tim@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>Hello All,
>I could use some help with the alignment/calibrating of my az/el rotor
>to my
>rotor controller.
>
>I followed the G5400B manual instructions and set the rotor and
>antennas to
>the full south position. The meter indicated full stop at the south
>position
>as well. I then depressed the azimuth control to bring the rotor around
>360
>degrees back to south. The first 5-10 seconds, the antennas moved and
>the
>meter needle was not moving. However, when the rotation was complete,
>although the antennas were pointed south, the meter stopped just a
>couple
>degrees away from south, so I used the rear pot adjustment to zero it.
>
>I then swung the other way attempting to go back to my starting
>position.
>After the meter hit full stop at south in the original position, I
>looked at
>the antennas and they were about 45 degrees short of full south.
>
>According to the manual, I followed the steps correctly, but no matter
>what
>I do, I cannot get the meter to always accurately reflect where the
>antennas
>are actually pointing.
>
>Can anyone tell me what might be wrong?
>
>Thank you,
>
>Tim
>K6TW
>
>_______________________________________________
>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 from my new toy; pls excuse tupos.
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 11:48:18 -0500
From: Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: status
Message-ID: <52E53C52.9000908@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I wasn't going to touch this as I've made my opinion about P3-E known
before but I can't be silent about some other things. I don't believe
it will ever fly because of the economic realities of today's world but
hey, stranger things have happened. Cubesats seem to be the wave of the
future as they are more affordable to get launched but if you ask me we
are still going in the wrong direction with them in a couple of areas.
AMSAT seems to be bent and determined to keep building and flying FM
repeaters even when ground based FM repeaters are slowly falling into
disuse and projects like Funcube AO-73 are showing how viable linear
transponder cubesats are. There also seems to be some continued
fascination with showing how we can all stand out in the frigid cold or
the blazing sun balancing an HT in one hand and a handheld yagi in the
other to work the flying repeaters....... YAWN!!! The novelty of that
has worn off just as quickly as it did on exchanging nothing but grid
squares and calls and calling it a sat QSO. The focus not only needs to
be on more linear transponder cubesats and developing new and efficient
ways to communicate with them but also on developing affordable ground
equipment like complete SDR transceiver systems along the lines of the
funcube dongle except maybe abandoning the "dongle" concept and going
more with a desktop "black box" approach. A computer driven SDR base
station with tracking and doppler correction and digital and CW as well
as voice mode communication is infinitely more interesting to me than
seeing some idiot balancing an antenna and an HT at a hamfest. Just my
opinion.... That and five bucks will get you a fancy Starbucks coffee
blend but I had to put it out there!
73,
Michael, W4HIJ
On 1/25/2014 2:44 PM, i8cvs wrote:
> Hi John, W0JAB
>
> At the moment there is no hope to see again a satellite like AO40
>
> If we are like in the future probably we will see P3E, a satellite
> similar to OSCAR-13 built by AMSAT-DL
>
> 73" de
>
> i8CVS Domenico
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Becker" <w0jab@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
> To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 8:01 PM
> Subject: [amsat-bb] status
>
>
>> Whats the status of a replacement for the likes of AO 40?
>>
>> I know I ask this from time to time but never seem to see anything.
>>
>> I for one would very much like to see this type the a boat load
>> of small FM only type while there is still a place to park one.
>>
>> John, W0JAB
>>
>>
>>
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 17:04:33 +0000 (GMT)
From: M5AKA <m5aka@xxxxx.xx.xx>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] 2014 UK CubeSat Workshop
Message-ID:
<1390755873.75173.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
The UK CubeSat Workshop, planned for Tuesday, May 13, 2014, will include
presentations on the amateur radio satellites FUNcube-1 and UKube-1, see
?
http://amsat-uk.org/2014/01/26/2014-uk-cubesat-workshop/
?
----
73 Trevor M5AKA
AMSAT-UK
website http://amsat-uk.org/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396
Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK
----
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:22:15 -0500
From: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: status
Message-ID: <58EED779-947F-43A4-8C3E-1920C604F927@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The last satellite AMSAT-NA built and flew was an SDR based linear
transponder. Fox-1 and RadFXsat are FM, and the comms capability got us the
launches for free. Fox-2 will be a SDR based transponder. At current count
AMSAT orgs have four operable transponder satellites, another in orbit
awaiting activation, one at the launch site, and one lonely FM satellite
built by the Saudis almost a decade ago.
That seems pretty balanced and forward thinking to me. Maybe your research
is faulty.
However, as one of the "idiots" routinely doing hamfest demonstrations and
volunteering way too much for the org, and a Life Member of AMSAT, your
opinion as a non-member means almost nothing to me.
73, Drew KO4MA
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 26, 2014, at 11:48 AM, Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
> I wasn't going to touch this as I've made my opinion about P3-E known
before but I can't be silent about some other things. I don't believe it
will ever fly because of the economic realities of today's world but hey,
stranger things have happened. Cubesats seem to be the wave of the future
as they are more affordable to get launched but if you ask me we are still
going in the wrong direction with them in a couple of areas. AMSAT seems to
be bent and determined to keep building and flying FM repeaters even when
ground based FM repeaters are slowly falling into disuse and projects like
Funcube AO-73 are showing how viable linear transponder cubesats are. There
also seems to be some continued fascination with showing how we can all
stand out in the frigid cold or the blazing sun balancing an HT in one hand
and a handheld yagi in the other to work the flying repeaters....... YAWN!!!
The novelty of that has worn off just as quickly as it did on exchanging
nothing but grid s!
quares and calls and calling it a sat QSO. The focus not only needs to be
on more linear transponder cubesats and developing new and efficient ways
to communicate with them but also on developing affordable ground equipment
like complete SDR transceiver systems along the lines of the funcube dongle
except maybe abandoning the "dongle" concept and going more with a desktop
"black box" approach. A computer driven SDR base station with tracking and
doppler correction and digital and CW as well as voice mode communication is
infinitely more interesting to me than seeing some idiot balancing an
antenna and an HT at a hamfest. Just my opinion.... That and five bucks will
get you a fancy Starbucks coffee blend but I had to put it out there!
> 73,
> Michael, W4HIJ
>> On 1/25/2014 2:44 PM, i8cvs wrote:
>> Hi John, W0JAB
>>
>> At the moment there is no hope to see again a satellite like AO40
>>
>> If we are like in the future probably we will see P3E, a satellite
>> similar to OSCAR-13 built by AMSAT-DL
>>
>> 73" de
>>
>> i8CVS Domenico
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "John Becker" <w0jab@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>> To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 8:01 PM
>> Subject: [amsat-bb] status
>>
>>
>>> Whats the status of a replacement for the likes of AO 40?
>>>
>>> I know I ask this from time to time but never seem to see anything.
>>>
>>> I for one would very much like to see this type the a boat load
>>> of small FM only type while there is still a place to park one.
>>>
>>> John, W0JAB
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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, 26 Jan 2014 11:37:35 -0600
From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: status
Message-ID:
<CAPovOweU5K5LoRH_iCrNKEH_-VtB0ixqz4WenJKfXTFokV6iaA@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hey Michael,
Insulting the many fellow radio amateurs who enjoy making contacts
outdoors with the stroke of one email is quite an accomplishment.
Momma must be proud.
It is obvious from your lack of knowledge on presently active and
future, planned satellites that you really are just hear to stir up
crap and not contribute anything but a whiney email. Unfortunately
W0JAB didn't live up to his promise back in September 2013 to leave
the BB. Maybe you'll pick up the slack?
73
Clayton
W5PFG
On Sun, Jan 26, 2014 at 10:48 AM, Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> I wasn't going to touch this as I've made my opinion about P3-E known
> before but I can't be silent about some other things. I don't believe it
> will ever fly because of the economic realities of today's world but hey,
> stranger things have happened. Cubesats seem to be the wave of the future
> as they are more affordable to get launched but if you ask me we are still
> going in the wrong direction with them in a couple of areas. AMSAT seems to
> be bent and determined to keep building and flying FM repeaters even when
> ground based FM repeaters are slowly falling into disuse and projects like
> Funcube AO-73 are showing how viable linear transponder cubesats are. There
> also seems to be some continued fascination with showing how we can all
> stand out in the frigid cold or the blazing sun balancing an HT in one hand
> and a handheld yagi in the other to work the flying repeaters....... YAWN!!!
> The novelty of that has worn off just as quickly as it did on exchanging
> nothing but grid squares and calls and calling it a sat QSO. The focus not
> only needs to be on more linear transponder cubesats and developing new and
> efficient ways to communicate with them but also on developing affordable
> ground equipment like complete SDR transceiver systems along the lines of
> the funcube dongle except maybe abandoning the "dongle" concept and going
> more with a desktop "black box" approach. A computer driven SDR base station
> with tracking and doppler correction and digital and CW as well as voice
> mode communication is infinitely more interesting to me than seeing some
> idiot balancing an antenna and an HT at a hamfest. Just my opinion.... That
> and five bucks will get you a fancy Starbucks coffee blend but I had to put
> it out there!
> 73,
> Michael, W4HIJ
> On 1/25/2014 2:44 PM, i8cvs wrote:
>>
>> Hi John, W0JAB
>>
>> At the moment there is no hope to see again a satellite like AO40
>>
>> If we are like in the future probably we will see P3E, a satellite
>> similar to OSCAR-13 built by AMSAT-DL
>>
>> 73" de
>>
>> i8CVS Domenico
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "John Becker" <w0jab@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>> To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 8:01 PM
>> Subject: [amsat-bb] status
>>
>>
>>> Whats the status of a replacement for the likes of AO 40?
>>>
>>> I know I ask this from time to time but never seem to see anything.
>>>
>>> I for one would very much like to see this type the a boat load
>>> of small FM only type while there is still a place to park one.
>>>
>>> John, W0JAB
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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, 26 Jan 2014 12:40:43 -0500
From: Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: status
Message-ID: <52E5489B.2000108@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Drew,
I was once a member of AMSAT when I felt it was representing my
interest however I don't feel that way anymore so I now choose to spend
my hobby dollars somewhere else. That's my perogative. I "voted" against
some of the decisions made by spending my money elsewhere. Of course
when you express an attitude like you just did simply because someone
has a differing opinion on what the sat hobby should be about then that
doesn't exactly " warm" my checkbook towards AMSAT either. You guys
can't apparently can't take any criticism . You're all right and the
rest of us are wrong. Must be nice to live in such a black and white
world. I mean how dare us insignificant non members have the audacity
to doubt the all might AMSAT right?
Michael, W4HIJ
On 1/26/2014 12:22 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
> The last satellite AMSAT-NA built and flew was an SDR based linear
transponder. Fox-1 and RadFXsat are FM, and the comms capability got us the
launches for free. Fox-2 will be a SDR based transponder. At current count
AMSAT orgs have four operable transponder satellites, another in orbit
awaiting activation, one at the launch site, and one lonely FM satellite
built by the Saudis almost a decade ago.
>
> That seems pretty balanced and forward thinking to me. Maybe your research
is faulty.
>
> However, as one of the "idiots" routinely doing hamfest demonstrations and
volunteering way too much for the org, and a Life Member of AMSAT, your
opinion as a non-member means almost nothing to me.
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jan 26, 2014, at 11:48 AM, Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>>
>> I wasn't going to touch this as I've made my opinion about P3-E known
before but I can't be silent about some other things. I don't believe it
will ever fly because of the economic realities of today's world but hey,
stranger things have happened. Cubesats seem to be the wave of the future
as they are more affordable to get launched but if you ask me we are still
going in the wrong direction with them in a couple of areas. AMSAT seems to
be bent and determined to keep building and flying FM repeaters even when
ground based FM repeaters are slowly falling into disuse and projects like
Funcube AO-73 are showing how viable linear transponder cubesats are. There
also seems to be some continued fascination with showing how we can all
stand out in the frigid cold or the blazing sun balancing an HT in one hand
and a handheld yagi in the other to work the flying repeaters....... YAWN!!!
The novelty of that has worn off just as quickly as it did on exchanging
nothing but grid !
squares and calls and calling it a sat QSO. The focus not only needs to be
on more linear transponder cubesats and developing new and efficient ways
to communicate with them but also on developing affordable ground equipment
like complete SDR transceiver systems along the lines of the funcube dongle
except maybe abandoning the "dongle" concept and going more with a desktop
"black box" approach. A computer driven SDR base station with tracking and
doppler correction and digital and CW as well as voice mode communication is
infinitely more interesting to me than seeing some idiot balancing an
antenna and an HT at a hamfest. Just my opinion.... That and five bucks will
get you a fancy Starbucks coffee blend but I had to put it out there!
>> 73,
>> Michael, W4HIJ
>>> On 1/25/2014 2:44 PM, i8cvs wrote:
>>> Hi John, W0JAB
>>>
>>> At the moment there is no hope to see again a satellite like AO40
>>>
>>> If we are like in the future probably we will see P3E, a satellite
>>> similar to OSCAR-13 built by AMSAT-DL
>>>
>>> 73" de
>>>
>>> i8CVS Domenico
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "John Becker" <w0jab@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>>> To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>>> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 8:01 PM
>>> Subject: [amsat-bb] status
>>>
>>>
>>>> Whats the status of a replacement for the likes of AO 40?
>>>>
>>>> I know I ask this from time to time but never seem to see anything.
>>>>
>>>> I for one would very much like to see this type the a boat load
>>>> of small FM only type while there is still a place to park one.
>>>>
>>>> John, W0JAB
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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: 11
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 11:41:40 -0600
From: n0jy <n0jy@xxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: status
Message-ID: <52E548D4.6060207@xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Hi Michael,
I have to defend AMSAT-NA a bit here, the perception that the
organization is "bent and determined to keep building and flying FM
repeaters" is not quite accurate.
Fox-1 which is an "FM repeater" was underway over 3 years ago when AO-51
was failing. The purpose was to put up a quick replacement for AO-51's
popular "easy sat" HT/yagi accessibility.
In building such a project spares are necessary and hence there will be
4 Fox-1 type cubesats of which two are going to fly so far. They are
all the same design with the difference being what experiments are
loaded in order to get us that launch. The purpose of the spares is to
have a ready replacement should one of the flight units fail at the last
minute.
We may then have up to four "FM repeaters" launched someday, but it's
not because that's all we're pursuing.
So it's not like we just keep building more FM satellites, we are just
taking opportunities to fly what we have as the launches come up.
And don't overlook the contribution of the experiments to the value of
the satellite. While it may be an "FM repeater" they will carry some
very interesting experiments providing telemetry and pictures for
education and fun.
In the meantime, there are still plans underway for AMSAT-NA to build a
linear transponder SDR satellite as Fox-2 (series). That was the
original idea until AO-51 started having problems.
In my opinion and from the perspective of a participant in the Fox-1
project people way underestimate what it takes to build a RELIABLE and
ROBUST satellite what will last many years, projects being completely
done by VOLUNTEERS. There are many people spending all available spare
time, pushing the limits of matrimony and family, and essentially on a
shoestring budget due to limited finances (i.e. contributions,
memberships). Those limitations of available resources mean slow progress.
And the resource limitations also mean that nothing will probably happen
on the linear/SDR satellite until Fox-1 is done and launched.
Volunteers are not crawling out of the woodwork, and many who have
signed on have come and gone or had to regulate their participation due
to the need for real life as in jobs, family, and so on.
Opinion is entirely mine, and any misrepresentation of AMSAT-NA plans
that I may have stated is not intended.
73,
Jerry
N0JY
On 1/26/2014 10:48 AM, Michael wrote:
> I wasn't going to touch this as I've made my opinion about P3-E known
> before but I can't be silent about some other things. I don't believe
> it will ever fly because of the economic realities of today's world
> but hey, stranger things have happened. Cubesats seem to be the wave
> of the future as they are more affordable to get launched but if you
> ask me we are still going in the wrong direction with them in a couple
> of areas. AMSAT seems to be bent and determined to keep building and
> flying FM repeaters even when ground based FM repeaters are slowly
> falling into disuse and projects like Funcube AO-73 are showing how
> viable linear transponder cubesats are. There also seems to be some
> continued fascination with showing how we can all stand out in the
> frigid cold or the blazing sun balancing an HT in one hand and a
> handheld yagi in the other to work the flying repeaters....... YAWN!!!
> The novelty of that has worn off just as quickly as it did on
> exchanging nothing but grid squares and calls and calling it a sat
> QSO. The focus not only needs to be on more linear transponder
> cubesats and developing new and efficient ways to communicate with
> them but also on developing affordable ground equipment like complete
> SDR transceiver systems along the lines of the funcube dongle except
> maybe abandoning the "dongle" concept and going more with a desktop
> "black box" approach. A computer driven SDR base station with tracking
> and doppler correction and digital and CW as well as voice mode
> communication is infinitely more interesting to me than seeing some
> idiot balancing an antenna and an HT at a hamfest. Just my opinion....
> That and five bucks will get you a fancy Starbucks coffee blend but I
> had to put it out there!
> 73,
> Michael, W4HIJ
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 12:43:35 -0500
From: Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: status
Message-ID: <52E54947.30603@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Drew,
I was once a member of AMSAT when I felt it was representing my
interest however I don't feel that way anymore so I now choose to spend
my hobby dollars somewhere else. That's my perogative. I voted against
some of the decisions made by spending my money elsewhere. Of course
when you express an attitude like you just did simply because someone
has a differing opinion on what the sat hobby should be about then that
doesn't exactly " warm" my checkbook towards AMSAT either. You guys
can't take any criticism apparently. You're all right and the rest of
us are wrong. Must be nice to live in such a black and white world.
Michael, W4HIJ
On 1/26/2014 12:22 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
> The last satellite AMSAT-NA built and flew was an SDR based linear
transponder. Fox-1 and RadFXsat are FM, and the comms capability got us the
launches for free. Fox-2 will be a SDR based transponder. At current count
AMSAT orgs have four operable transponder satellites, another in orbit
awaiting activation, one at the launch site, and one lonely FM satellite
built by the Saudis almost a decade ago.
>
> That seems pretty balanced and forward thinking to me. Maybe your research
is faulty.
>
> However, as one of the "idiots" routinely doing hamfest demonstrations and
volunteering way too much for the org, and a Life Member of AMSAT, your
opinion as a non-member means almost nothing to me.
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Jan 26, 2014, at 11:48 AM, Michael <Mat_62@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>>
>> I wasn't going to touch this as I've made my opinion about P3-E known
before but I can't be silent about some other things. I don't believe it
will ever fly because of the economic realities of today's world but hey,
stranger things have happened. Cubesats seem to be the wave of the future
as they are more affordable to get launched but if you ask me we are still
going in the wrong direction with them in a couple of areas. AMSAT seems to
be bent and determined to keep building and flying FM repeaters even when
ground based FM repeaters are slowly falling into disuse and projects like
Funcube AO-73 are showing how viable linear transponder cubesats are. There
also seems to be some continued fascination with showing how we can all
stand out in the frigid cold or the blazing sun balancing an HT in one hand
and a handheld yagi in the other to work the flying repeaters....... YAWN!!!
The novelty of that has worn off just as quickly as it did on exchanging
nothing but grid !
squares and calls and calling it a sat QSO. The focus not only needs to be
on more linear transponder cubesats and developing new and efficient ways
to communicate with them but also on developing affordable ground equipment
like complete SDR transceiver systems along the lines of the funcube dongle
except maybe abandoning the "dongle" concept and going more with a desktop
"black box" approach. A computer driven SDR base station with tracking and
doppler correction and digital and CW as well as voice mode communication is
infinitely more interesting to me than seeing some idiot balancing an
antenna and an HT at a hamfest. Just my opinion.... That and five bucks will
get you a fancy Starbucks coffee blend but I had to put it out there!
>> 73,
>> Michael, W4HIJ
>>> On 1/25/2014 2:44 PM, i8cvs wrote:
>>> Hi John, W0JAB
>>>
>>> At the moment there is no hope to see again a satellite like AO40
>>>
>>> If we are like in the future probably we will see P3E, a satellite
>>> similar to OSCAR-13 built by AMSAT-DL
>>>
>>> 73" de
>>>
>>> i8CVS Domenico
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "John Becker" <w0jab@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>>> To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
>>> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 8:01 PM
>>> Subject: [amsat-bb] status
>>>
>>>
>>>> Whats the status of a replacement for the likes of AO 40?
>>>>
>>>> I know I ask this from time to time but never seem to see anything.
>>>>
>>>> I for one would very much like to see this type the a boat load
>>>> of small FM only type while there is still a place to park one.
>>>>
>>>> John, W0JAB
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
>> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 30
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