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CX2SA > SATDIG 26.06.09 16:17l 980 Lines 34202 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Today's Topics:
1. VO-52 W4IY on FD (Stu2)
2. Circular switching techniques (Frank Woolfe)
3. AO-51 (Jeff Yanko)
4. Re: AO-51 (Dacia & Warren Brandt)
5. AO-51 (Rodney Waln)
6. Re: AO-51 (Andrew Glasbrenner)
7. Re: AO-51 (n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx
8. AJ9K on FM birds from KL7 (2-11 July) (dlittel tds.net)
9. AO-51 power levels (Gould Smith)
10. Re: AO-51 power levels (Jeff Yanko)
11. ISS Field Day configuration? (Jeff Yanko)
12. Re: ISS Field Day configuration? (n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx
13. ISS Field Day information (n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx
14. AO-51 L/U (David - KG4ZLB)
15. Re: ISS Field Day configuration? (Alan P. Biddle)
16. ISS information for Field Day - second posting
(n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx
17. Re: ISS Field Day configuration? (jeff kb2m)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:37:16 -0400
From: Stu2 <stu@xxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] VO-52 W4IY on FD
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4A43EE0C.2060906@xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Woodbridge Wireless will be on VO-52 (HAMSAT.) Looks like the Indian
Transponder is active. Hope to work you guys. Should be fun. We're going
to try omnis, Ham Radio Deluxe and a TS-2000.
73's
Stu2
W7IY
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:14:19 +0930
From: "Frank Woolfe" <frankwoolfe@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Circular switching techniques
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <200906252244.n5PMiJkk001462@xxxxxx.xxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
All, has anybody had any real success with the switching method described in
the ARRL Antenna Handbook using one coaxial relay and a length of 93 ohm
line to switch from LHCP to RHCP on crossed yagi?s? I have tried this
method several times and there appears to be very little difference in
signal level. I seem to think that the 93 ohm cable is close enough to 75ohm
and becomes a transformer instead of the delay line that the idea is trying
to achieve. I also seem to think that for this idea to work properly that
the delay line impedance should be in the vicinity of 110-125 ohms. I have
seen many methods using two relays, and yes that would have to be the surest
method of accomplishing this. However, for ease of construction I like the
single relay method. I have constructed these to the letter using only one
velocity compensated ? wave length of coax on the 75ohm transformers and on
the delay line, that?s were I thinking that the transformer sections and
delay lines should perhaps be long odd multiple of a ? wave length, i.e.;
3/4 , 5/4 etc to see a better impedance match. Any ideas from past
experience would be appreciated.
Best 73?s Frank VK5KV
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:10:05 -0700
From: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <289B4A42C41A443BADA9AE977C59E2C7@xxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Wondering if AO-51 is operating? Just listened for the 2357z pass and
nothing received. The last time I checked the status of the bird it shows
that the 435.300 downlink was active. I also listened for the 435.150 to no
avail.
73,
Jeff WB3JFS
Las Vegas, NV
DM26
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:23:42 -0500
From: "Dacia & Warren Brandt" <wabrand@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <00fe01c9f5fc$be8aa210$3b9fe630$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
It just passed over me a couple of hours ago. The signal is very weak
compared to last Saturday. I could tell the satellite was there, but
couldn't make out what anyone was saying.
Warren - KC0U
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Jeff Yanko
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:10 PM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51
Wondering if AO-51 is operating? Just listened for the 2357z pass and
nothing received. The last time I checked the status of the bird it shows
that the 435.300 downlink was active. I also listened for the 435.150 to no
avail.
73,
Jeff WB3JFS
Las Vegas, NV
DM26
_______________________________________________
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!
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------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:25:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rodney Waln <kc0zhf@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <610789.91324.qm@xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
it was on abit week for a 53 el pass,
but?heard a few stations working,
?
Rodney kc0zhf
?
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:40:29 -0400
From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51
To: "Dacia & Warren Brandt" <wabrand@xxxxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <8384AAA34B1D4879A790440BDCF3DEF6@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
It's on, but the power on 435.300 is less than a third of what it was last
Saturday, since we are running two repeaters for Field Day. We are also in
the really inefficient part of the transmitter power curve. AO-51 is five
years old this month, and her age is beginning to show. Power levels will
start to go back up soon, as we reenter continuous illumination before the
end of July.
73, Drew KO4MA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dacia & Warren Brandt" <wabrand@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 9:23 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51
> It just passed over me a couple of hours ago. The signal is very weak
> compared to last Saturday. I could tell the satellite was there, but
> couldn't make out what anyone was saying.
>
> Warren - KC0U
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
> Behalf Of Jeff Yanko
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:10 PM
> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51
>
> Wondering if AO-51 is operating? Just listened for the 2357z pass and
> nothing received. The last time I checked the status of the bird it shows
> that the 435.300 downlink was active. I also listened for the 435.150 to
> no
>
> avail.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Jeff WB3JFS
> Las Vegas, NV
> DM26
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 7
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:45:35 +0000
From: n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51
To: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<062620090145.13592.4A44283E000CE45F0000351822243651029B0A02D2089B9A019C
04040A0DBF049BCC02@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain
If I recall correctly from a post last week, the U/V pair is operating at
roughly 290 milliwatts RF out on transmit, and the L/U pair is at roughly 260
mW. In other words, each transmitter is operating on slightly more than SO-50
(250 mW) power levels.
I have had passes this week where the satellite was armchair copy on one pass,
and about like has been described this evening on another. I suspect the lower
power levels (half or less of what has been nominal for most of the past year)
and the inevitable mismatch (depending on the angle between the satellite and
a given ground station) of its circular-polarized antennas to many ground
stations' linear-polarized antennas are contributing to the reception
differences.
Drew (KO4MA) or Gould (WA4SXM) can comment - and I hope they will if this is
incorrect - but I suspect that AO-51 continues to operate as it has recently.
I appreciate very much their efforts to maintain the satellite. That being
said, it will definitely prove to be a challenge to work for many Field Day
stations.
I hope I can get the one contact on it that I can count for the club FD effort
I'll be a part of. And I hope that other stations will make their one allowed
contact and give other stations the same chance to get theirs.
Best of Field Day luck and 73 to all,
Tim - N3TL
-------------- Original message from "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>: ----------
----
> Wondering if AO-51 is operating? Just listened for the 2357z pass and
> nothing received. The last time I checked the status of the bird it shows
> that the 435.300 downlink was active. I also listened for the 435.150 to no
> avail.
>
>
> 73,
>
> Jeff WB3JFS
> Las Vegas, NV
> DM26
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:05:12 -0500
From: "dlittel tds.net" <dlittel@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AJ9K on FM birds from KL7 (2-11 July)
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<baaa707a0906251905y4d03d5fble38ba1e40449cb4a@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I will be on vacation in Alaska between July 1 - 11, and will try to be
active during a few passes during my stay. I will be using my 5w VX-5R HT
and AL800 whip on AO27, SO50 and AO51, if in mode J. Here's my schedule:
2 July2 BP51 Anchorage
3-4 July AO63 Dutch Harbor, Aleutian Isl
5-8 July BP64 Fairbanks
9-11 July BP42 Denali NP
While in transit, I may be able to fit in a few more grids. Since this is a
vacation, and I will have minimal control over my schedule (that's my
family's job, and I'm only a minority voting member...). I hope to be as
active as practical.
73,
Dan
AJ9K
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:25:33 -0400
From: "Gould Smith" <gouldsmi@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 power levels
To: <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>,
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <04304E0790594BE1994DD669C30179B1@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I am still trying to tweak the power levels to get through all the eclipes
during the day.
Tonight I changed TXA (L/U) to 210 mW and TXB (V/U) to 290 (as low as I can
get it without turning it off).
The eclipse I measured on one pass tonight was 16:05 minutes +- 5 sec. The
eclipse time should start to decrease over the next few days.
73,
Gould, WA4SXM
----- Original Message -----
From: <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>; <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 9:45 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51
> If I recall correctly from a post last week, the U/V pair is operating at
> roughly 290 milliwatts RF out on transmit, and the L/U pair is at roughly
> 260 mW. In other words, each transmitter is operating on slightly more
> than SO-50 (250 mW) power levels.
>
> I have had passes this week where the satellite was armchair copy on one
> pass, and about like has been described this evening on another. I suspect
> the lower power levels (half or less of what has been nominal for most of
> the past year) and the inevitable mismatch (depending on the angle between
> the satellite and a given ground station) of its circular-polarized
> antennas to many ground stations' linear-polarized antennas are
> contributing to the reception differences.
>
> Drew (KO4MA) or Gould (WA4SXM) can comment - and I hope they will if this
> is incorrect - but I suspect that AO-51 continues to operate as it has
> recently. I appreciate very much their efforts to maintain the satellite.
> That being said, it will definitely prove to be a challenge to work for
> many Field Day stations.
>
> I hope I can get the one contact on it that I can count for the club FD
> effort I'll be a part of. And I hope that other stations will make their
> one allowed contact and give other stations the same chance to get theirs.
>
> Best of Field Day luck and 73 to all,
>
> Tim - N3TL
> -------------- Original message from "Jeff Yanko"
> <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>: --------------
>
>
>> Wondering if AO-51 is operating? Just listened for the 2357z pass and
>> nothing received. The last time I checked the status of the bird it shows
>> that the 435.300 downlink was active. I also listened for the 435.150 to
>> no
>> avail.
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Jeff WB3JFS
>> Las Vegas, NV
>> DM26
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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: 10
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:21:39 -0700
From: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 power levels
To: "Gould Smith" <gouldsmi@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>,
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <D28AB1B51AD043A2BCAC02B157F97BA3@xxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response
Hi Gould!
Thanks for the update. I recalled seeing that the power has been dropped
because of the 2 transmitter setup for Field Day.
Apparently, what I am seeing is that if the bird is a low pass I have a hard
time receiving it because of the distance. A fairly high pass, 63 degrees
turned out alright though I did notice a number of station having poor audio
into the receiver. If the uplink was strong the downlink was strong. AA5PK
and myself were a good example tonight. We had the bird practically to
ourselves for the first 3 to 4 minutes of the pass. We could hear others
trying to get in but their audio was pretty bad and hard to understand.
The good news is once Field Day is over then the eclipses begin to get
shorter, though no connection between the two. :)
Again, thanks to you and Drew for keeping the bird healthy and the operators
happy. :)
73,
Jeff WB3JFS
Las Vegas, NV
DM26
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gould Smith" <gouldsmi@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>; "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>;
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:25 PM
Subject: AO-51 power levels
>I am still trying to tweak the power levels to get through all the eclipes
>during the day.
>
> Tonight I changed TXA (L/U) to 210 mW and TXB (V/U) to 290 (as low as I
> can get it without turning it off).
> The eclipse I measured on one pass tonight was 16:05 minutes +- 5 sec.
> The eclipse time should start to decrease over the next few days.
>
> 73,
> Gould, WA4SXM
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
> To: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>; <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
> Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 9:45 PM
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51
>
>
>> If I recall correctly from a post last week, the U/V pair is operating at
>> roughly 290 milliwatts RF out on transmit, and the L/U pair is at roughly
>> 260 mW. In other words, each transmitter is operating on slightly more
>> than SO-50 (250 mW) power levels.
>>
>> I have had passes this week where the satellite was armchair copy on one
>> pass, and about like has been described this evening on another. I
>> suspect the lower power levels (half or less of what has been nominal for
>> most of the past year) and the inevitable mismatch (depending on the
>> angle between the satellite and a given ground station) of its
>> circular-polarized antennas to many ground stations' linear-polarized
>> antennas are contributing to the reception differences.
>>
>> Drew (KO4MA) or Gould (WA4SXM) can comment - and I hope they will if this
>> is incorrect - but I suspect that AO-51 continues to operate as it has
>> recently. I appreciate very much their efforts to maintain the satellite.
>> That being said, it will definitely prove to be a challenge to work for
>> many Field Day stations.
>>
>> I hope I can get the one contact on it that I can count for the club FD
>> effort I'll be a part of. And I hope that other stations will make their
>> one allowed contact and give other stations the same chance to get
>> theirs.
>>
>> Best of Field Day luck and 73 to all,
>>
>> Tim - N3TL
>> -------------- Original message from "Jeff Yanko"
>> <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>: --------------
>>
>>
>>> Wondering if AO-51 is operating? Just listened for the 2357z pass and
>>> nothing received. The last time I checked the status of the bird it
>>> shows
>>> that the 435.300 downlink was active. I also listened for the 435.150 to
>>> no
>>> avail.
>>>
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Jeff WB3JFS
>>> Las Vegas, NV
>>> DM26
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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: 11
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:45:14 -0700
From: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS Field Day configuration?
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <119D3C83E0394AD8BDAE80E16567E697@xxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Hi all!
There might be a good possibility that the ISS will be active during Field
Day this year, like they have in previous years. Just wondering what
frequency split will they be using?
73,
Jeff WB3JFS
Las Vegas, NV
DM26
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:02:40 +0000
From: n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS Field Day configuration?
To: "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<062620091202.17234.4A44B8DF000E32280000435222230650629B0A02D2089B9A019C
04040A0DBF049BCC02@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain
The best thing to do will be to listen to the first pass that has yo in the
footprint, and to try to check out the VHF voice downlink (145.800) and the
packet downlink (145.825).
If you're hearing other Field Day stations on the voice downlink, the repeater
is in use and the uplink is 437.800 +/- Doppler. If it's packet, it'll be
simplex.
If you hear astronauts and do not hear the other side of the contact, they'll
be using split-VHF operation. For us here in North Amrerica, the uplink is
144.490, with the standard 145.800 downlink.
A note to anyone who hasn't used the ISS Mode B (U/V) repeater when it's been
operational - Doppler tuning is most critical on the uplink. I leave the
downlink parked at 145.800, but I definitely tune the uplink, starting on the
low side and tuning up. Start at 437.790 and tune up from there. You'll spend
the most time at 437.795, then 437.805.
Doppler tuning the ISS uplink will make a lot of difference in your ability to
get into the repeater.
I hope the ISS is active for FD in some configuration.
Best of Field Day luck and 73 to all,
Tim - N3TL
-------------- Original message from "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>: ----------
----
> Hi all!
>
> There might be a good possibility that the ISS will be active during Field
> Day this year, like they have in previous years. Just wondering what
> frequency split will they be using?
>
>
> 73,
>
> Jeff WB3JFS
> Las Vegas, NV
> DM26
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:15:02 +0000
From: n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS Field Day information
To: AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<062620091215.5439.4A44BBC60007AAB70000153F22230650629B0A02D2089B9A019C0
4040A0DBF049BCC02@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain
Hey everyone,
The president of the Athens Amateur Radio Club just posted this to our local
reflector. I'm confident it came from ARRL.
Possible International Space Station Contacts for Field Day 2009
This Field Day, astronauts aboard the International Space Station plan on
making contacts -- using club call signs as well as their personal call signs
-- with amateurs on the ground (as time permits). Will you be one of the lucky
ones who get an ISS QSO this Field Day? According to NASA ISS Ham Radio
Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, there is a good possibility that
groups participating in ARRL Field Day may be able to make a contact with one
of the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
"Some of the crew members of the International Space Station plan to make
contacts with operators on the ground during Field Day operations as time
permits" Ransom said. "Since the ISS now has a multinational crew representing
all five space agencies, the possible club call signs to be heard are RS0ISS,
NA1SS and OR4ISS. The crew could also elect to use their personal calls, as
well. In either case, they will be signing 1A (Alfa) ISS after the call sign."
ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, said he is excited about the
potential ISS participation: "In my 11 years heading up Field Day for the
ARRL, I can think of nothing that causes more excitement around a Field Day
site than the group completing a contact with the ISS. It is almost
electrifying!"
But Henderson exercised caution, saying that there is always the possibility
that circumstances on board the ISS will change and the astronauts will not be
able to operate during Field Day times. "We are pleased to have their
commitment to attempt it again this year," he said. "There is an ARISS contact
on the schedule for Saturday morning before Field Day officially begins, so
there is a good chance that on later passes, amateurs may get a chance to
experience a unique thrill."
Ransom reminded US amateurs that talking to the crew on the ISS does not
qualify for satellite bonus points, "but it is anticipated that the crew will
have the crossband repeater active (437.80 up/145.80 down, no CTCSS), so any
contact you make with another ground station using his repeater can count for
the bonus. Of course, working an astronaut on Field Day has its own reward."
Remember that the ISS circles the Earth about once every 90minutes. As the
Earth turns, the orbit of the ISS does not always give US amateurs a good path
every orbit. "Some passes will favor some parts of the country while passes
will favor others," Henderson said. "There will be passes where the US itself
may not be in the 'footprint' of the ISS."
Henderson suggested that Field Day groups trying to contact the ISS visit the
AMSAT Online Satellite Pass Predictions Web site. To use the Pass Prediction
tool, first, select the ISS in the "Show Predictions for" box. Next, input
both your site's latitude and longitude -- or input your grid square -- and
the click the "Predict" button. From the predicted information you receive
back, you will want to look for orbits that occur within the Field Day
operating time beginning at 1800 UTC on Saturday, June 27 for the following
24-27 hours, depending on your group's operating window.
"You want to find a pass that has the highest maximum elevation," Henderson
said. "For example, the best Field Day pass at W1AW is going to be at 62
degrees of elevation beginning at 11:44:30 UTC on Sunday, June 28 that will
last for approximately nine to 10 minutes (AOS to LOS). Don't be discouraged
if you don't have a lot of passes that have outstanding elevations or
durations. And remember, if you don't complete a contact with the ISS, you can
use the same prediction tool to see what other amateur satellites you might
try to contact."
Best of luck to all,
Tim - N3TL
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:22:35 -0400
From: David - KG4ZLB <kg4zlb@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 L/U
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4A44BD8B.3020302@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
On the most recent pass (08:10 edt) was the bird in TLM mode? I heard
nothing throughout the pass until the bird was way down over Mexico (and
the angle would have been low for the command stations) when there was a
definite change in the received audio - I am assuming that the command
station then returned the bird to analogue mode before it was out of
their footprint.
Can someone confirm?
Many thanks
David
KG4ZLB
--
David
KG4ZLB
www.kg4zlb.com
------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:37:53 -0500
From: "Alan P. Biddle" <APBIDDLE@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS Field Day configuration?
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <3E8A0B76C1064CE893798B3131E15CED@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Jeff,
As always, a good but not definitive source is the ISS Fan Club site:
http://www.issfanclub.com/
In the upper left of the home page are reports on the various modes,
including where relevant the uplink and downlink. Checking between now and
FD start will give you a good idea, though last minute changes can and have
happened.
Alan
WA4SCA
------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:49:19 +0000
From: n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS information for Field Day - second posting
To: AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<062620091249.13170.4A44C3CF0009A7110000337222230704929B0A02D2089B9A019C
04040A0DBF049BCC02@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain
Hey everyone,
I thought I sent this 20 minutes ago. Maybe it hasn't posted yet. If this is,
indeed, the second copy to post, my apologies. I thought everyone would want
to know ASAP.
The president of the Athens Amateur Radio Club posted this to our email
reflector just a little while ago. I'm confident it came from ARRL:
Possible International Space Station Contacts for Field Day 2009
This Field Day, astronauts aboard the International Space Station plan on
making contacts -- using club call signs as well as their personal call signs
-- with amateurs on the ground (as time permits). Will you be one of the lucky
ones who get an ISS QSO this Field Day? According to NASA ISS Ham Radio
Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, there is a good possibility that
groups participating in ARRL Field Day may be able to make a contact with one
of the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
"Some of the crew members of the International Space Station plan to make
contacts with operators on the ground during Field Day operations as time
permits" Ransom said. "Since the ISS now has a multinational crew representing
all five space agencies, the possible club call signs to be heard are RS0ISS,
NA1SS and OR4ISS. The crew could also elect to use their personal calls, as
well. In either case, they will be signing 1A (Alfa) ISS after the call sign."
ARRL Field Day Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, said he is excited about the
potential ISS participation: "In my 11 years heading up Field Day for the
ARRL, I can think of nothing that causes more excitement around a Field Day
site than the group completing a contact with the ISS. It is almost
electrifying!"
But Henderson exercised caution, saying that there is always the possibility
that circumstances on board the ISS will change and the astronauts will not be
able to operate during Field Day times. "We are pleased to have their
commitment to attempt it again this year," he said. "There is an ARISS contact
on the schedule for Saturday morning before Field Day officially begins, so
there is a good chance that on later passes, amateurs may get a chance to
experience a unique thrill."
Ransom reminded US amateurs that talking to the crew on the ISS does not
qualify for satellite bonus points, "but it is anticipated that the crew will
have the crossband repeater active (437.80 up/145.80 down, no CTCSS), so any
contact you make with another ground station using his repeater can count for
the bonus. Of course, working an astronaut on Field Day has its own reward."
Remember that the ISS circles the Earth about once every 90minutes. As the
Earth turns, the orbit of the ISS does not always give US amateurs a good path
every orbit. "Some passes will favor some parts of the country while passes
will favor others," Henderson said. "There will be passes where the US itself
may not be in the 'footprint' of the ISS."
Henderson suggested that Field Day groups trying to contact the ISS visit the
AMSAT Online Satellite Pass Predictions Web site. To use the Pass Prediction
tool, first, select the ISS in the "Show Predictions for" box. Next, input
both your site's latitude and longitude -- or input your grid square -- and
the click the "Predict" button. From the predicted information you receive
back, you will want to look for orbits that occur within the Field Day
operating time beginning at 1800 UTC on Saturday, June 27 for the following
24-27 hours, depending on your group's operating window.
"You want to find a pass that has the highest maximum elevation," Henderson
said. "For example, the best Field Day pass at W1AW is going to be at 62
degrees of elevation beginning at 11:44:30 UTC on Sunday, June 28 that will
last for approximately nine to 10 minutes (AOS to LOS). Don't be discouraged
if you don't have a lot of passes that have outstanding elevations or
durations. And remember, if you don't complete a contact with the ISS, you can
use the same prediction tool to see what other amateur satellites you might
try to contact."
73 to all,
Tim - N3TL
------------------------------
Message: 17
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:54:10 -0400
From: "jeff kb2m" <kb2m@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS Field Day configuration?
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <000301c9f65d$348b0fd0$9da12f70$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Right now the ISS is in 2m split mode? 145.825 up 145.800 down RS0ISS-3
packet.
73 Jeff kb2m
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 8:03 AM
To: Jeff Yanko; amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS Field Day configuration?
The best thing to do will be to listen to the first pass that has yo in the
footprint, and to try to check out the VHF voice downlink (145.800) and the
packet downlink (145.825).
If you're hearing other Field Day stations on the voice downlink, the
repeater is in use and the uplink is 437.800 +/- Doppler. If it's packet,
it'll be simplex.
If you hear astronauts and do not hear the other side of the contact,
they'll be using split-VHF operation. For us here in North Amrerica, the
uplink is 144.490, with the standard 145.800 downlink.
A note to anyone who hasn't used the ISS Mode B (U/V) repeater when it's
been operational - Doppler tuning is most critical on the uplink. I leave
the downlink parked at 145.800, but I definitely tune the uplink, starting
on the low side and tuning up. Start at 437.790 and tune up from there.
You'll spend the most time at 437.795, then 437.805.
Doppler tuning the ISS uplink will make a lot of difference in your ability
to get into the repeater.
I hope the ISS is active for FD in some configuration.
Best of Field Day luck and 73 to all,
Tim - N3TL
-------------- Original message from "Jeff Yanko" <wb3jfs@xxx.xxx>:
--------------
> Hi all!
>
> There might be a good possibility that the ISS will be active during Field
> Day this year, like they have in previous years. Just wondering what
> frequency split will they be using?
>
>
> 73,
>
> Jeff WB3JFS
> Las Vegas, NV
> DM26
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
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 4, Issue 296
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