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CX2SA > SATDIG 22.07.14 01:46l 884 Lines 31528 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: [Starcom-bb] 432 10-13 -Element Antenna? (Brad Smith)
2. Re: An exciting afternoon on the birds!!! (Eric H. Christensen)
3. Re: Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
(Hector Luis HLMS. Martinez Sis)
4. Re: going digital (Phil Karn)
5. Re: An exciting afternoon on the birds!!! (Michel F6GLJ)
6. Re: going digital (Phil Karn)
7. Re: Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace (Rich/wa4bue)
8. Re: Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace (D. Craig Fox)
9. Re: going digital (Gus)
10. Re: going digital (Paul Stoetzer)
11. Re: going digital (Jim Sanford)
12. Re: going digital (Jim Sanford)
13. Re: going digital (Gus)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:07:36 -0500
From: Brad Smith <corlissbs@xxx.xxx>
To: "les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx <les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Star-Com BB <starcom-bb@xxxxxxxx.xxx>, AMSAT Mailing List
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] [Starcom-bb] 432 10-13 -Element Antenna?
Message-ID: <44727244-777C-4B79-AF9F-F04AFD203C88@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Have you looked at the Myers quadrifilar helix from US Antennas? I use one
exclusively for 70 cm receive and am installing one in the garage for winter
sat operation.
Brad KC9UQR
Sent from Brad's iPod
On Jul 20, 2014, at 11:18 PM, Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> I'm limited to indoor antennas for all my amateur operations, including
satellite operation. Right now, I'm running a 6 element 2 Meter yagi, along
with the 7 element 432 beam (part of an arrow antenna). I have room to
rotate a larger, and longer 432 antenna, and I'd love to have more gain.
>
> Most of the commercial antennas seem to be either small and portable, like
the Arrow or much longer intended for weak signal operations. Is anyone
aware of something in between, such as a 10 to 13 element antenna available
commercially. No time or interest in homebrewing one right now.
>
> Even better, does anyone have one that is surplus to their needs that
they'd like to sell?
>
>
>
> --
> --
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> 121 Mayfair Park
> Maylene, AL 35114
> EM63nf
>
> 6M VUCC #1712
> AMSAT #38965
> Grid Bandits #222
> Southeastern VHF Society
> Central States VHF Society Life Member
> Six Club #2484
>
> Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
>
> _______________________________________________
> Starcom-bb bulletin board
> Starcom-bb@xxxxxxxx.xxx
> http://lists.star-com.net/listinfo/starcom-bb
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 10:54:01 -0400
From: "Eric H. Christensen" <eric@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xx>
To: "Hector, CO6CBF" <co6cbf@xxxxxx.xx.xx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] An exciting afternoon on the birds!!!
Message-ID: <20140721145401.GC3676@xxxx.xxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
On Sun, Jul 20, 2014 at 09:37:05PM -0400, Hector, CO6CBF wrote:
> It was an exciting afternoon on the birds! First, I worked Patrick, WD9EWK
> on SO-50 in a new grid for me (FN56). Patrick, thanks very much for the
> great QSO and new grid!
>
> Then, I had my first contact on satellites with France. Michael, F6GLJ in
> IN94qs and I completed a great QSO on FO-29. We had a maxim elevation of 0.5
> degree at our ends. I believe it is the first contact between Cuba and
> France on FO-29! It is a 7508 Km contact!
>
> Our first attempt was on July 18 but Michael was not able to get a solid
> copy of my signal. Fortunately, FO-29 offered us another opportunity, we
> made a schedule again and I decided to use the ELK antenna instead of the
> ARROW which I used in the first attempt.
Congratulations on your contacts! That's awesome work!
73,
Eric W4OTN
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 12:38:46 -0500
From: "Hector Luis HLMS. Martinez Sis" <hmartinez@xxx.xxx.xx>
To: "Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]" <wmy@xxxx.xxx.xx>, "BB, AMSAT"
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, AMSAT-INDIA <amsatindia@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>, VUHAMS
<vuhams@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "HAMS, ISRO" <isrohams@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
Message-ID:
<B8ECE3EE47655043B2CF7597E0D8B6206E66E46E7D@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
It is very sad news!!
VO-52 was the satellite that brought me into the linear birds. I will
certainly miss her, good bye dear friend.
Thanks to all who helped fund, design, build, launch, command and operate
VO-52. It's 9+ year mission has been wonderful! It was fun!! Memories and
stories will be around forever.
Looking forward to FOX-1 and other AMSAT projects worldwide!
73!
Hector, CO6CBF / KF5YXV
________________________________________
De: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx En nombre de
Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS] [wmy@xxxx.xxx.xxx
Enviado el: lunes, 21 de julio de 2014 11:03 a.m.
Para: BB, AMSAT; AMSAT-INDIA; VUHAMS
CC: HAMS, ISRO
Asunto: [amsat-bb] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
Dear Friends,
With heavy heart, I sadly convey, that our little angel ?HAMSAT VO-52?
would no more be able to offer her services to the ?Amateur Radio
Fraternity. HAMSAT VO-52 succumbed in Space on 11th July 2014, while she
was on her 49,675th orbit, due to the failure of on-board lithium ion
batteries that have met their end of life.
Although her desires were to be at work with other systems and sub-systems
working normal as per the latest telemetry received, the on-board computer
recurring to ?Reset? mode due to the failure of batteries is preventing
her to do so. Hence, it is decided not to expect any more meaningful and
reliable services from HAMSAT VO-52.
Since 11th July, every best possible effort has been put in by the
spacecraft controllers here in ISTRAC Bangalore to revive her back to life
and to help her with work load, so she won?t be swamped when she returns,
but with no luck. Though it is hard, the HAMSAT VO-52 designers and
controllers insist that the time has come to let the little angel free in
space to go drifting on her own from their care and custody.
Thus, today 21st July 2014, ISRO have decommissioned 'HAMSAT-VO52'
officially.
We all here in ISRO do definitely hope that ?HAMSAT VO-52? worked
tirelessly and was a good friend to the ?Amateur Radio Fraternity?
around the World. We are sure that HAMSAT was loved by all who worked
through her. Though, we are deeply saddened by the loss of HAMSAT VO-52,
but she will never be forgotten and far from our hearts, minds and
memories.
HAMSAT VO-52 will always be remembered by all of us here in ISRO as one of
the greatest satellites of ours.
Dear ?HAMSAT?, looking at the sky, we all say ?Good Bye? to you.
You?ll be greatly missed. Rest in Peace.
Nevertheless, at this point of time, on behalf of the World Amateur Radio
Fraternity, we thank each and everyone who contributed to the great success
of ?HAMSAT?.
Particularly, our sincere thanks to the Chairman ISRO, Dr. K.
Radhakrishnan, past chairmen Dr. Kasthurirangan, Dr. G. Madhavan Nair,
Director-ISAC Dr. S.K.Shiva Kumar, past ISAC Directors Dr. P.S. Goel, Dr.
Shankara, Dr. T.K. Alex, Director-ISTRAC Shri. B.S. Chandrasekhar,
scientific secretary Dr. Koteshwar Rao, Project Director-Shri. J.P. Gupta,
Deputy project Directors, Mission Director-Shri. R.Suresh, Operations
Director-Shri. Parimalarangan and each and every person directly or
in-directly contributed.
At this point of time, we also thank AMSAT-India and in particular, late
Shri. Nagesh Upadhyaya-VU2NUD, Shri. B.S. Gajendra Kumar-VU2BGS, Shri.
Prathap Kumar-VU2POP, Air Commodore. Subramanian-VU2UV, Shri. V.P.
Sandlas-VU2VP, Dr.R. Ramesh-VU2RMS, Shri. Nitin-VU3TYG, Mr. Williams
Leijenaar PE1RAH and each and every member.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------
Pasted below is the message from Mr. R. Suresh, Mission Director:
HAMSAT, the first small satellite by ISRO has been Decommissioned after
nearly a decade of service to the World Ham community.
A true masterpiece among small satellites, designed for one year mission
life, but exceeded all expectations by serving for almost 10 years. A truly
autonomous satellite, with ?Zero maintenance? in terms of Mission
operations, it provided a springboard to test many new concepts such as
BMU. LI-ion based power system, automatic Spin rate control and Auto SAOC
for maintaining the Satellite attitude without any ground commanding.
HAMSAT known as ?OSCAR-52? among the Amateur HAM operators has been
very popular because of its high sensitivity receiver and strong
transmitter. Indian Radio Amateurs on many occasions conveyed to us that
they have been greatly honored to share the adulations showered on ISRO and
INDIA by the International Radio Amateur for gifting this wonderful
satellite "HAMSAT".
I take this opportunity to applaud the HAMSAT teams at ISAC, ISTRAC and
other centre for their efforts and support, which has made ISRO proud
among the HAM users across the globe.
R,SURESH
MISSION DIRECTOR
HAMSAT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]
Secretary & Station-In-Charge
Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC
ISRO Satellite Centre
HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017.
Phone:(Office)91-80-25082598/25082054/25082192
Mobile: 91-9880 341 456
E-mail ID: wmy@xxxx.xxx.xx
vu2wmy_mani@xxxxx.xxx
isrohams@xxxxx.xxx
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_______________________________________________
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http://www.ecured.cu/
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:50:11 -0700
From: Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID: <53CD44C3.2010501@xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Since I think it so apropos to our discussion of old vs new technology
in AMSAT, I hereby quote in full today's "Borowitz Report" from the New
Yorker. Rarely does an item cause me to laugh and feel pain at the same
time, but this is one of those cases.
--Phil
[Picture of Buzz Aldrin saluting the flag on the moon during Apollo 11]
MINNEAPOLIS (The Borowitz Report)?Historians studying archival
photographs from four decades ago have come to the conclusion that the
U.S. must have believed in science at some point.
According to the historian Davis Logsdon, who has been sifting through
mounds of photographic evidence at the University of Minnesota, the
nation apparently once held the view that investing in science and even
math could yield accomplishments that would be a source of national pride.
While Logsdon has not developed a complete theory to explain the United
States? pro-science stance during that era, he attributes some of it to
the liberal views of the President at that time, Richard M. Nixon.
Source:
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/nation-apparently-believed-scie
nce-point
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 01:16:16 +0200
From: "Michel F6GLJ" <michel-f6glj@xxxxxx.xx>
To: "SAT-DX" <satdx-bb@xxxxxxxx.xxx>, "Satdx-bb" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] An exciting afternoon on the birds!!!
Message-ID: <006601cfa470$9bd677d0$d3836770$@xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hello Everybody.
I was very happy for this incredible QSO with Hector CO6CBF. Thanks Hector
for the precision of your calculation and yours instructions for frequency
and time of schedule.
I used my Icom IC-910 without preamplifier, with around 80w, and the
antennas was a 11 elements on 2 m and 19 elements on 70 cm, at 6 or 7 m high
on my roof. Fortunately the relief around me is very flat, about 50 km that
separate me from the Atlantic Ocean.
I am interested buy any others propositions of sked for DX QSO on AO-07B or
FO-29.
Thank you very much Hector for this very exciting experience !
73 qro from Michel F6GLJ
-----Message d'origine-----
De?: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx De la
part de Hector, CO6CBF
Envoy??: lundi 21 juillet 2014 03:37
??: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Objet?: [amsat-bb] An exciting afternoon on the birds!!!
Hello to all!
It was an exciting afternoon on the birds! First, I worked Patrick, WD9EWK
on SO-50 in a new grid for me (FN56). Patrick, thanks very much for the
great QSO and new grid!
Then, I had my first contact on satellites with France. Michael, F6GLJ in
IN94qs and I completed a great QSO on FO-29. We had a maxim elevation of 0.5
degree at our ends. I believe it is the first contact between Cuba and
France on FO-29! It is a 7508 Km contact!
Our first attempt was on July 18 but Michael was not able to get a solid
copy of my signal. Fortunately, FO-29 offered us another opportunity, we
made a schedule again and I decided to use the ELK antenna instead of the
ARROW which I used in the first attempt.
I was operating portable from a tall building (45m over the ground), I had a
great horizon visibility. I was running half - duplex with my FT-817nd, a
homebrew 50W power amplifier and a homebrew preamplifier. Everything was
supplied by a 12V 7A gel battery.
Michael, thanks very much for the great contact, new grid and new country!
73!
Hector, CO6CBF / KF5YXV
El92sd
_______________________________________________
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: 6
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 10:00:38 -0700
From: Phil Karn <karn@xxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID: <53CD4736.3050509@xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
On 07/21/2014 06:00 AM, Gus wrote:
> Probably because they didn't design a satellite. They designed an
> entire system including ground station components as well as flight
> hardware. The ground system components were made available such that
> their target audience was able to upgrade their BUD installations with
> only reasonable expenditures of time, effort and money. But that's just
> a guess in my part.
Bingo!
> I'd love to chat with you on the new digital hamsat, but if it's going
> to require I spend $5k+ on hard-to-source, esoteric components and
> cobble them together with duct tape, then it'll be a while before I'm
> QRV. So, the first few days after launch those 60 DV channels may be a
> little quiet.
Next questions:
Does a DirecTV receiving station cost $5K? Are its components hard to
source or esoteric?
If not, what makes you think that a digital ground station for an AMSAT
satellite should be?
--Phil
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 13:13:24 -0400
From: "Rich/wa4bue" <richard.siff@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "Amsat BB" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
Message-ID: <CC394063207843B880AB21360E3A3D8C@xxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=UTF-8;
reply-type=response
SAD
A fine bird and almost made 50,000.
Rest in Peace VO 52
----- Original Message -----
From: "PE0SAT | Amateur Radio" <pe0sat@xxxxx.xx>
To: "Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]" <wmy@xxxx.xxx.xx>; "Amsat BB"
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2014 12:22 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
> On 21-07-2014 17:03, Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS] wrote:
>
> Hi Mani,
>
>> Dear Friends,
>>
>> With heavy heart, I sadly convey, that our little angel ?HAMSAT VO-52?
>> would no more be able to offer her services to the ?Amateur Radio
>> Fraternity. HAMSAT VO-52 succumbed in Space on 11th July 2014, while she
>> was on her 49,675th orbit, due to the failure of on-board lithium ion
>> batteries that have met their end of life.
>
>
> Sad news, it is one of my favourite satellites and she will be missed.
>
> I want to thank all the people that made and supported this Satellite for
> all
> there effort and hope as others already mentioned that maybe she will come
> back one day.
>
> 73 Jan PE0SAT
>
>
> --
> With regards PE0SAT
> Internet web-page http://www.pe0sat.vgnet.nl/
> DK3WN SatBlog http://www.dk3wn.info/p/
> _______________________________________________
> 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: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 11:40:34 -0700
From: "D. Craig Fox" <DFox@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
Message-ID:
<FE3B26F42CA36A4B976024BC0C5C57D60359FA7DE6@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
?Sad indeed. This is the satellite that also got me interested in the linear
birds, forced me to buy my TS2000, put up yagis and figure out SATPC. I had
hundreds of contacts through this bird.
Thank you VO52, RIP, and thank you to those responsible for putting her into
orbit and keeping her operational. What a terrific success story for an
amateur radio satellite.
Craig
N6RSX
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On
Behalf Of Rich/wa4bue
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2014 10:13 AM
To: Amsat BB
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
SAD
A fine bird and almost made 50,000.
Rest in Peace VO 52
----- Original Message -----
From: "PE0SAT | Amateur Radio" <pe0sat@xxxxx.xx>
To: "Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS]" <wmy@xxxx.xxx.xx>; "Amsat BB"
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2014 12:22 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Good Bye HAMSAT-VO52 - Rest In Peace
> On 21-07-2014 17:03, Mani [VU2WMY/KJ6LRS] wrote:
>
> Hi Mani,
>
>> Dear Friends,
>>
>> With heavy heart, I sadly convey, that our little angel ?HAMSAT VO-52?
>> would no more be able to offer her services to the ?Amateur Radio
>> Fraternity. HAMSAT VO-52 succumbed in Space on 11th July 2014, while she
>> was on her 49,675th orbit, due to the failure of on-board lithium ion
>> batteries that have met their end of life.
>
>
> Sad news, it is one of my favourite satellites and she will be missed.
>
> I want to thank all the people that made and supported this Satellite for
> all
> there effort and hope as others already mentioned that maybe she will come
> back one day.
>
> 73 Jan PE0SAT
>
>
> --
> With regards PE0SAT
> Internet web-page http://www.pe0sat.vgnet.nl/
> DK3WN SatBlog http://www.dk3wn.info/p/
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
_______________________________________________
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:00:15 -0400
From: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID: <53CD7F5F.6020408@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
On 07/21/2014 01:00 PM, Phil Karn wrote:
> Next questions:
>
> Does a DirecTV receiving station cost $5K?
Actually, DirecTV is not available for purchase in my neck of the
woods. I can get a system installed, but it wouldn't be my system to
fiddle with.
> Are its components hard to source or esoteric?
Well, I know where I could nick one, but I'd rather not. Otherwise, I
guess I could source one overseas, ship it in, then bow down before the
Customs & Excise godlings..... ham gear is 10 + 17.5% but there's no
way they'd pass that as ham gear, so probably 115 + 17.5% or worse.
That might satisfy Rx needs, but wouldn't include a transmitter....
Does that sound hard to source or esoteric?
> If not, what makes you think that a digital ground station for an
AMSAT satellite should be?
Phil, I'm not saying it /should/ be, but that if it is, you won't get
many users on the system. So, part of the system design for any such
bird had better include design of low cost, easy to find, simple to use
hardware that will allow me -- or any other doofus like me -- to get QRV
without too much hardship.
--
Gus 8P6SM
The Easternmost Isle
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:53:24 -0400
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOpqv4+3FFGZ7Yb+hUXemBN9bpj7PP6Q_LFr+frBjgxoRQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I'm not totally unsympathetic to Phil's ideas. They have quite a bit
of merit, but clearly AMSAT would also have to develop the ground
station equipment in order for it to get a user base that would make
it worthwhile. I know this was planned for Eagle, but that was for a
HEO which would have many hours a day of visibility for everyone. It's
difficult to rationalize spending money on equipment good for a single
LEO satellite at this point, especially one that would be as complex
as is contemplated here.
I am intrigued by digital operations. My current operating situation
prevents me from doing much in that field (I have to carry the radios
and hold the antenna, no more hands for a computer). I followed the
unsuccessful FreeDV via FO-29 trials between W0DHB and NX9G last year.
When the DSTAR parrot repeater that was recently launched is
activated, I will certainly borrow a DSTAR radio to try it out. Maybe
I'll even buy one!
AMSAT's limiting factors are money and volunteer time. Unfortunately,
neither money nor people's time grow on trees. I do think that
multiple launches by AMSAT-NA will lead to a resurgence of interest in
North America, especially when people realize just how easy Fox is
going to be to hear. The launches are also going to occur at a time
when solar activity is falling, those with limited antenna situations
might look to other aspects of amateur radio while conditions on the
higher HF bands are poor. Hopefully those factors will help to provide
the resources for more complex projects!
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Mon, Jul 21, 2014 at 5:00 PM, Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> On 07/21/2014 01:00 PM, Phil Karn wrote:
>
> > Next questions:
> >
> > Does a DirecTV receiving station cost $5K?
>
> Actually, DirecTV is not available for purchase in my neck of the woods. I
> can get a system installed, but it wouldn't be my system to fiddle with.
>
>
> > Are its components hard to source or esoteric?
>
> Well, I know where I could nick one, but I'd rather not. Otherwise, I guess
> I could source one overseas, ship it in, then bow down before the Customs &
> Excise godlings..... ham gear is 10 + 17.5% but there's no way they'd pass
> that as ham gear, so probably 115 + 17.5% or worse. That might satisfy Rx
> needs, but wouldn't include a transmitter.... Does that sound hard to
> source or esoteric?
>
>
> > If not, what makes you think that a digital ground station for an AMSAT
> satellite should be?
>
> Phil, I'm not saying it /should/ be, but that if it is, you won't get many
> users on the system. So, part of the system design for any such bird had
> better include design of low cost, easy to find, simple to use hardware that
> will allow me -- or any other doofus like me -- to get QRV without too much
> hardship.
>
>
> --
> Gus 8P6SM
> The Easternmost Isle
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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Message: 11
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:31:30 -0400
From: Jim Sanford <wb4gcs@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID: <53CD94C2.8020104@xxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Which is exactly what the FunCube guys did, and look at what they've
wrought!!
73,
Jim
wb4gcs@xxxxx.xxx
When DirecTV designed their satellite broadcast system, did they worry
>> about backward compatibility with the multitude (or so it probably
>> seemed) of existing C-band BUD (Big Ugly Dish) owners? All of whom were
>> then receiving analog FM, I might add.
>>
>> If not, then why are they still in business?
>>
>>
>
> Probably because they didn't design a satellite. They designed an
> entire _/*system*/_ including ground station components as well as
> flight hardware. The ground system components were made available such
> that their target audience was able to upgrade their BUD installations
> with only reasonable expenditures of time, effort and money. But
> that's just a guess in my part.
>
> I'd love to chat with you on the new digital hamsat, but if it's going
> to require I spend $5k+ on hard-to-source, esoteric components and
> cobble them together with duct tape, then it'll be a while before I'm
> QRV. So, the first few days after launch those 60 DV channels may be
> a little quiet.
>
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Message: 12
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:34:42 -0400
From: Jim Sanford <wb4gcs@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID: <53CD9582.2020509@xxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Look at what the FunCube guys did!
On 7/21/2014 5:00 PM, Gus wrote:
> On 07/21/2014 01:00 PM, Phil Karn wrote:
>
> > Next questions:
> >
> > Does a DirecTV receiving station cost $5K?
>
> Actually, DirecTV is not available for purchase in my neck of the
> woods. I can get a system installed, but it wouldn't be my system to
> fiddle with.
>
> > Are its components hard to source or esoteric?
>
> Well, I know where I could nick one, but I'd rather not. Otherwise, I
> guess I could source one overseas, ship it in, then bow down before
> the Customs & Excise godlings..... ham gear is 10 + 17.5% but there's
> no way they'd pass that as ham gear, so probably 115 + 17.5% or
> worse. That might satisfy Rx needs, but wouldn't include a
> transmitter.... Does that sound hard to source or esoteric?
>
> > If not, what makes you think that a digital ground station for an
> AMSAT satellite should be?
>
> Phil, I'm not saying it /should/ be, but that if it is, you won't get
> many users on the system. So, part of the system design for any such
> bird had better include design of low cost, easy to find, simple to
> use hardware that will allow me -- or any other doofus like me -- to
> get QRV without too much hardship.
>
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 19:42:35 -0400
From: Gus <gus@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] going digital
Message-ID: <53CDA56B.1080400@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
On 07/21/2014 06:34 PM, Jim Sanford wrote:
> Look at what the FunCube guys did!
Absolutely. Which is why I said in my initial post on this subject:
>> ...any new, digital satellite will have to be developed in parallel
with readily available
>> ground station modules (Funcube Dongle Deluxe?) that provide the
'average' ham
>> a path to participation.
Specifically referencing the FCD as an example. The proposal for Phil's
10GHz digital sat would best to include a suitable 10GHz module for
ground station use.
>
> On 7/21/2014 5:00 PM, Gus wrote:
>> On 07/21/2014 01:00 PM, Phil Karn wrote:
>>
>> > Next questions:
>> >
>> > Does a DirecTV receiving station cost $5K?
>>
>> Actually, DirecTV is not available for purchase in my neck of the
>> woods. I can get a system installed, but it wouldn't be my system to
>> fiddle with.
>>
>> > Are its components hard to source or esoteric?
>>
>> Well, I know where I could nick one, but I'd rather not. Otherwise, I
>> guess I could source one overseas, ship it in, then bow down before
>> the Customs & Excise godlings..... ham gear is 10 + 17.5% but
>> there's no way they'd pass that as ham gear, so probably 115 + 17.5%
>> or worse. That might satisfy Rx needs, but wouldn't include a
>> transmitter.... Does that sound hard to source or esoteric?
>>
>> > If not, what makes you think that a digital ground station for an
>> AMSAT satellite should be?
>>
>> Phil, I'm not saying it /should/ be, but that if it is, you won't get
>> many users on the system. So, part of the system design for any such
>> bird had better include design of low cost, easy to find, simple to
>> use hardware that will allow me -- or any other doofus like me -- to
>> get QRV without too much hardship.
>>
>
>
> ---
> This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus
> protection is active.
> http://www.avast.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
--
Gus 8P6SM
The Easternmost Isle
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 246
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