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CX2SA > SATDIG 05.05.15 15:21l 924 Lines 33014 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Further Report EO-79 (GW1FKY@xxx.xxxx
2. Re: EO-79 Report (Peter Goodhall)
3. Re: Further Report EO-79 (wouter weggelaar)
4. Re: EO-79 Report (Alan)
5. Re: EO-79 Report (Peter Goodhall)
6. W5PFG/VE2 - FN35 & FN26 (Clayton Coleman)
7. Re: EO-79 Report (David G0MRF)
8. Cochise A.R.A. hamfest on 2 May 2015 - report
(Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
9. What preamp to use for SO-50 and Arrow II antenna?
(Bill ACITO, W1PA)
10. My New Mexico road trip, Saturday (2 May) afternoon/evening -
report (Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
11. EL84 Dry Tortugas (Clayton Coleman)
12. Re: Announcing EO-79 transponder testing for one full orbit
(Wouter Weggelaar)
13. Call for Papers (Ford, Steve, WB8IMY)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 06:21:17 -0400
From: GW1FKY@xxx.xxx
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx pa3weg@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Further Report EO-79
Message-ID: <d86dd.493e81e7.4278a21d@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Hi ,
Further report EO-79 from here in Wales 1000 hrs pass ( aprox) .
I hear Peter ( 2E0SQL ) and Mike ( G0MJW ) both 5/9 but again with noise.
As they checked out with one another at 1005 hrs zulu - Appeared to lose
any activity, I was not expecting to shut down on the transponder until
1010 GMT as per schedule.
Not able to get into the transponder for some reason. My gear is OK and I
am accessing AO-7 and FO-29.
Strange also using the same transponder frequencies as AO-73 ??
Well done once again to those involved.
Ken
GW1FKY
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 11:21:18 +0100
From: Peter Goodhall <peter@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Amsat <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
Message-ID:
<CAFvUairYY0toKF5uvhWuxi-pRjMFj3FWnmcpYa8Z=YzwXZ2YDQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
On the 10:00 UTC pass again worked Mike G0MJW who at 20 degrees was S5
then just before it was commanded off at 30 degrees was S9 without any
preamps using Wimo X-Quads.
Fading didn't seem too bad this pass however we both noticed that
there was a big frequency error 5kHz compared to earlier where it
wasn't so bad.
73,
Peter, 2E0SQL
On 4 May 2015 at 11:14, <alancresswell@xxxx.xx.xx> wrote:
> Worked Bill, ZL2AYZ at 0915 UTC with EO-79 in full eclipse. Signals quite
> variable and never particularly strong and at times somewhat marginal copy.
> We repeated the exercise on AO-73 at 0953 UTC with strong to very strong and
> consistent signals although it should be noted that the EO-79 pass was at 12
> deg. elevation while the AO-73 pass was at 35 deg. elevation.
> Thanks for the opportunity to try a new one.
>
> Alan
> ZL2BX
>
> -----Original Message----- From: GW1FKY--- via AMSAT-BB
> Sent: Monday, May 4, 2015 8:49 AM
> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> Subject: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
>
>
> Hi all,
> Report on EO-73 transponder operation 0830 hrs UTC 4/515 ( My location
> Wales -UK -IO81EM.
> At 0833 hrs UTC, I heard Peter 2E0SQL calling CQ on downlink frequency
> 145.964 Mhz.
> He was 5/9 but I could also hear some other burst of noise? - Due to my
> terrain and obstructions I could not get access into the satellite but will
> try again on the next pass which is a much higher elevation.
> Congratulation to the team and to Peter of course for his success.
> Ken Eaton
> GW1FKY
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
--
Peter Goodhall, 2E0SQL
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 12:24:42 +0200
From: wouter weggelaar <pa3weg@xxxxx.xxx>
To: GW1FKY@xxx.xxx
Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Further Report EO-79
Message-ID:
<CAKXf1rHT02uRzpp5NCFm7fVvZSCPKCmSpPOC7Npb+cM+0ap+9w@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your report. We believe the signal fading is higher on this
satellite as its spin is quite slow and it has a monopole antenna. So maybe
you have observed the antenna null. We can not be quite sure just yet.
73
Wouter
On Mon, May 4, 2015 at 12:21 PM, <GW1FKY@xxx.xxx> wrote:
> Hi ,
> Further report EO-79 from here in Wales 1000 hrs pass ( aprox) .
> I hear Peter ( 2E0SQL ) and Mike ( G0MJW ) both 5/9 but again with noise.
> As they checked out with one another at 1005 hrs zulu - Appeared to lose
> any activity, I was not expecting to shut down on the transponder until
> 1010 GMT as per schedule.
> Not able to get into the transponder for some reason. My gear is OK and I
> am accessing AO-7 and FO-29.
> Strange also using the same transponder frequencies as AO-73 ??
> Well done once again to those involved.
> Ken
> GW1FKY
>
>
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 05:41:58 -0500
From: Alan <wa4sca@xxxxx.xxx>
To: <peter@xxxxx.xxx>, "'Amsat'" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
Message-ID: <000501d08656$f55c4a00$e014de00$@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi Pete,
>> there was a big frequency error 5kHz compared to earlier where it
Was that compared to the pre-launch values? The frequencies which Wouter
gave were somewhat
different.
73s,
Alan
WA4SCA
<-----Original Message-----
<From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On Behalf Of Peter
Goodhall
<Sent: Monday, May 04, 2015 5:21 AM
<To: Amsat
<Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
<
<On the 10:00 UTC pass again worked Mike G0MJW who at 20 degrees was S5
<then just before it was commanded off at 30 degrees was S9 without any
<preamps using Wimo X-Quads.
<
<Fading didn't seem too bad this pass however we both noticed that
<there was a big frequency error 5kHz compared to earlier where it
<wasn't so bad.
<
<73,
<
<Peter, 2E0SQL
<
<On 4 May 2015 at 11:14, <alancresswell@xxxx.xx.xx> wrote:
<> Worked Bill, ZL2AYZ at 0915 UTC with EO-79 in full eclipse. Signals quite
<> variable and never particularly strong and at times somewhat marginal copy.
<> We repeated the exercise on AO-73 at 0953 UTC with strong to very strong
and
<> consistent signals although it should be noted that the EO-79 pass was at
12
<> deg. elevation while the AO-73 pass was at 35 deg. elevation.
<> Thanks for the opportunity to try a new one.
<>
<> Alan
<> ZL2BX
<>
<> -----Original Message----- From: GW1FKY--- via AMSAT-BB
<> Sent: Monday, May 4, 2015 8:49 AM
<> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
<> Subject: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
<>
<>
<> Hi all,
<> Report on EO-73 transponder operation 0830 hrs UTC 4/515 ( My location
<> Wales -UK -IO81EM.
<> At 0833 hrs UTC, I heard Peter 2E0SQL calling CQ on downlink frequency
<> 145.964 Mhz.
<> He was 5/9 but I could also hear some other burst of noise? - Due to my
<> terrain and obstructions I could not get access into the satellite but
will
<> try again on the next pass which is a much higher elevation.
<> Congratulation to the team and to Peter of course for his success.
<> Ken Eaton
<> GW1FKY
<> _______________________________________________
<> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
<> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
<> expressed
<> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
<> AMSAT-NA.
<> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
<> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
<> _______________________________________________
<> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
<> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
<> expressed
<> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
<> AMSAT-NA.
<> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
<> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
<
<
<
<--
<Peter Goodhall, 2E0SQL
<_______________________________________________
<Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
<to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed
<are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
<Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
<Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 12:39:31 +0100
From: Peter Goodhall <peter@xxxxx.xxx>
To: APBIDDLE@xxxxxxx.xxx
Cc: Amsat <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
Message-ID:
<CAFvUaioSkczopm45Ogr8XKbDK_n6Zd8scRaFg5ozTUkoOp9s9Q@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Yes Alan, thats probably why was using pre-launch freqs.
On 4 May 2015 at 11:41, Alan <wa4sca@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> Hi Pete,
>
>>> there was a big frequency error 5kHz compared to earlier where it
>
> Was that compared to the pre-launch values? The frequencies which Wouter
gave were somewhat
> different.
>
> 73s,
>
> Alan
> WA4SCA
>
>
> <-----Original Message-----
> <From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On Behalf Of Peter
Goodhall
> <Sent: Monday, May 04, 2015 5:21 AM
> <To: Amsat
> <Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
> <
> <On the 10:00 UTC pass again worked Mike G0MJW who at 20 degrees was S5
> <then just before it was commanded off at 30 degrees was S9 without any
> <preamps using Wimo X-Quads.
> <
> <Fading didn't seem too bad this pass however we both noticed that
> <there was a big frequency error 5kHz compared to earlier where it
> <wasn't so bad.
> <
> <73,
> <
> <Peter, 2E0SQL
> <
> <On 4 May 2015 at 11:14, <alancresswell@xxxx.xx.xx> wrote:
> <> Worked Bill, ZL2AYZ at 0915 UTC with EO-79 in full eclipse. Signals
quite
> <> variable and never particularly strong and at times somewhat marginal
copy.
> <> We repeated the exercise on AO-73 at 0953 UTC with strong to very
strong and
> <> consistent signals although it should be noted that the EO-79 pass was
at 12
> <> deg. elevation while the AO-73 pass was at 35 deg. elevation.
> <> Thanks for the opportunity to try a new one.
> <>
> <> Alan
> <> ZL2BX
> <>
> <> -----Original Message----- From: GW1FKY--- via AMSAT-BB
> <> Sent: Monday, May 4, 2015 8:49 AM
> <> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> <> Subject: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
> <>
> <>
> <> Hi all,
> <> Report on EO-73 transponder operation 0830 hrs UTC 4/515 ( My
location
> <> Wales -UK -IO81EM.
> <> At 0833 hrs UTC, I heard Peter 2E0SQL calling CQ on downlink
frequency
> <> 145.964 Mhz.
> <> He was 5/9 but I could also hear some other burst of noise? - Due to
my
> <> terrain and obstructions I could not get access into the satellite but
will
> <> try again on the next pass which is a much higher elevation.
> <> Congratulation to the team and to Peter of course for his success.
> <> Ken Eaton
> <> GW1FKY
> <> _______________________________________________
> <> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> <> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions
> <> expressed
> <> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> <> AMSAT-NA.
> <> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
> <> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> <> _______________________________________________
> <> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> <> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions
> <> expressed
> <> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> <> AMSAT-NA.
> <> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
> <> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> <
> <
> <
> <--
> <Peter Goodhall, 2E0SQL
> <_______________________________________________
> <Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> <to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
> <are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
> <Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> <Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
--
Peter Goodhall, 2E0SQL
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 07:27:06 -0500
From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] W5PFG/VE2 - FN35 & FN26
Message-ID:
<CAPovOwf5ufHQyWPrgVD+cwV+sekbtaZYNKA2Xt4v0v=vug8S6g@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I'll be visiting Montreal, QC, Canada again in a couple of weeks.
Several individuals have asked me about operating satellites from grid
FN26. With those requests in mind, I will travel to FN26 for two
orbits of FO-29. I do not know the specific passes at this time.
There are a few others who are looking to have FN35 confirmed. I will
post about those operations on Twitter @xxxxx shortly before and
during the US Memorial Day Weekend Holiday.
Please email me off-BB if you are interested in the FN26 operation.
Thank you,
73
Clayton
W5PFG
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 11:21:50 -0400
From: David G0MRF <g0mrf@xxx.xxx>
To: alancresswell@xxxx.xx.xxx amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
Message-ID: <14d1f84dc0c-33c6-1985b@xxxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Alan / group.
Similar results here monitoring the passband.
08:30 start, heard Peter and Mike easily 55 / 57 but the elevation was only
13 ish degrees and range was never closer than around 1750km.
I could hear two distinct noise peaks from the transponder at apx 145.967
and 145.952 but I could also hear transponder noise across the passband.
The transponder background noise increased whenever the EO-79 beacon was
transmitting on 145.815, but that did not suppress the transponder QSOs.
Not sure about the sats attitude, but I think the signal level was slightly
better as the satellite travelled away from me to the North.
At the end of the orbit 90 mins later, when it approached London from the
south, the satellite switched off at 35 degrees elevation - range 1000km
-the signals from Mike G0MJW and Peter 2E0SQL were strong and the quality
was good.
Overall a very usable transponder but my first impression is it could be a
little weaker than AO-73. No Idea why that maybe but I note that AO-73 is a
1U with a dipole, while EO-79 has a monopole working against a 20cm long
structure.
If that is a factor, we'll know more when Fox-1 is launched.
Thanks
David
-----Original Message-----
From: alancresswell <alancresswell@xxxx.xx.xx>
To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Mon, 4 May 2015 11:14
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
Worked Bill, ZL2AYZ at 0915 UTC with EO-79 in full eclipse. Signals quite
variable and never particularly strong and at times somewhat marginal copy.
We repeated the exercise on AO-73 at 0953 UTC with strong to very strong and
consistent signals although it should be noted that the EO-79 pass was at 12
deg. elevation while the AO-73 pass was at 35 deg. elevation.
Thanks for the
opportunity to try a new one.
Alan
ZL2BX
-----Original Message-----
From: GW1FKY--- via AMSAT-BB
Sent: Monday, May 4, 2015 8:49 AM
To:
amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] EO-79 Report
Hi all,
Report on EO-73
transponder operation 0830 hrs UTC 4/515 ( My location
Wales -UK
-IO81EM.
At 0833 hrs UTC, I heard Peter 2E0SQL calling CQ on downlink
frequency
145.964 Mhz.
He was 5/9 but I could also hear some other burst of
noise? - Due to my
terrain and obstructions I could not get access into the
satellite but will
try again on the next pass which is a much higher
elevation.
Congratulation to the team and to Peter of course for his
success.
Ken
Eaton
GW1FKY
_______________________________________________
Sent via
AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
to all interested
persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed
are solely
those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not
an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________
Sent via
AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
to all interested
persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
are solely
those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
Not an
AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings:
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 10:08:02 -0700
From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Cochise A.R.A. hamfest on 2 May 2015 - report
Message-ID:
<CAN6TEUfQX7mqJryXeykhcayQ-METwpigh2RvbuGFL3CupWkLyQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi!
On Saturday, 2 May 2015, I had an AMSAT table at the Cochise Amateur Radio
Association's annual hamfest in Sierra Vista, Arizona. This hamfest is held
at the club's property on the edge of Sierra Vista, where there are a couple
of buildings, some towers, and an empty lot that was divided between parking
and space for sellers to display their equipment. In past years, the lot had
lots of empty space. This year, it was almost full. A good turnout for the
half-day event.
During the morning, I had satellite demonstrations on SO-50, AO-73, and the
packet/APRS digipeater on the ISS. There were good crowds for the passes I
worked - three on SO-50, two on AO-73, and one ISS pass. It is always nice to
have AO-73 available for daytime passes on the weekends, since that helped
to show the differences between working it and FM satellites - in particular,
equipment and operating techniques. Thanks to everyone who called and worked
WD9EWK during those passes. For the ISS, I was able to complete two quick
QSOs using APRS messages from my TH-D72A HT with KO6TZ in southern California
and N7NEV near Phoenix. I'm finding that there are some who actually are at
their keyboards/radios for ISS passes, beyond the automatic beacons that seem
to dominate the passes.
I wasn't the only satellite operator at the hamfest. Leo W7JPI had a table
set up to sell some old gear. John K8YSE was also at the hamfest, and he
worked WD9EWK from each of his stations (K8YSE in Ohio/EN91, K8YSE in
Arizona/DM43) using a laptop and a WiFi hotspot not far from my table. It was
fun - and funny - to point him out to the crowd ("Did you hear K8YSE/7 and
K8YSE on that pass? He's sitting over there, using each of his stations
remotely.").
Talking about the recent announcements for the transponders on all 5 Fox-1
satellites, plus the plans for a geosynchronous payload, made for great
conversation throughout the morning. With Fox-1A's launch approaching, the
Fox-1A flyer was a popular item at my table. My "job" is much easier with
all of these satellite projects to talk about. :-)
Thanks to Kurt Edelman KF7PDV and the Cochise Amateur Radio Association for
their hospitality. I have been making the trip to Sierra Vista and hosting an
AMSAT table at this hamfest since 2008, and it is nice to see the hams in
that part of Arizona every year. Thanks also to John K8YSE for using both of
his stations to work me during that SO-50 pass.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @xxxxxx
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 13:52:06 -0400
From: "Bill ACITO, W1PA" <w1pa@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] What preamp to use for SO-50 and Arrow II
antenna?
Message-ID: <BAY180-DS16C4A9B08F27BBDDF573FF98D20@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Late, but...
I have an ARR (Advanced Receiver Research) 432 RF-switched
pre-amp hanging from the UHF side of my Arrow
with its own 12V NiMH pack.
I went "switched" in case I do something stupid.
I wear a mic-headset (YH2) and run the FT-530 in my right
hand, and hold the Arrow in my left.
I've rigged up patch cables that run HT audio (thru a 60db
pad) into one side of my stereo digital recorder,
and ambient audio (from a mic) into the other so I can
isolate what I said and what I heard. Some of my log
recordings are a great argument for full-duplex; e.g. I can
hear clearly and immediately if a letter got lost
and I need to repeat my grid a second time --- especially
running 5W. The FT530 does not de-sense and I can
clearly hear my own downlink in the headset.
With the pre-amp, clean sky and polarization match, SO-50 is
full scale into the FT-530 RX. Where it helps is
when I have trees and a less than optimal horizon (pretty
common in New England).
I ran the same on AO-51 and AO-27 and could copy right down
to the horizon, easily working into Europe.
Bill W1PA
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 12:29:42 -0700
From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] My New Mexico road trip, Saturday (2 May)
afternoon/evening - report
Message-ID:
<CAN6TEUe-QP8bUUjDdP4ZO1xN2X+hQtncC2jqhtM9FZpff7cpWA@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hi!
After the Cochise Amateur Radio Association's hamfest wrapped up on Saturday
(2 May) morning, I made a stop for lunch and then proceeded on my plan to
work some passes from New Mexico. I had asked on Twitter for possible
destinations on my post-hamfest drive, and I had just visited two grid
boundaries in southeastern Arizona (DM51/DM52, DM52/DM53) in late March after
a hamfest in Tucson. One request was made - New Mexico. So I went there...
After stopping for lunch, it took about an hour and a half to make the drive
just over the Arizona/New Mexico state line. I stopped at the small "town" of
Road Forks, New Mexico. The name of the town says it all - it is where the
old US-80 highway makes a turn to the south, away from what is now I-10. Not
much is here - a small motel with restaurant, and a fireworks shop. I parked
at an abandoned truck stop across the road from those businesses, which was
in grid DM52mf. I worked two passes from there - FO-29 at 2115 UTC, and AO-7
at 2135 UTC. I worked 9 stations on the FO-29 pass, but was shut out of the
AO-7 pass. I could hear some loud and strong CW signals through AO-7, and
could occasionally hear my own 5W CW and SSB signals, but no contacts.
After those two passes, I got back on I-10 and drove another 63 miles (just
over 100km) in the next 50 minutes to reach a truck stop west of Deming at
exit 68. This truck stop is a few hundred yards/meters east of 108 degrees
West longitude, also known as the DM52xf/DM62af grid boundary. I parked along
the side of the south frontage road along I-10, and worked a few passes from
here before sunset (and a bad thunderstorm). I started on FO-29 at 2300 UTC.
This was another good pass, and I logged 9 QSOs with stations from coast to
(almost) coast. The AO-7 pass that came by a few minutes later was also good
for me at this location. Unfortunately, after a minute or two of some strong
CW, the mode B downlink shut off.
Just as the AO-7 downlink shut off, I was visited by a sheriff's deputy. The
deputy was curious about what I was doing with radios on the roof of my car,
waving an antenna skyward. I explained what I was doing, and the deputy told
me that this area was a common route for people after illegally crossing the
US/Mexico border south of that area. I told the deputy I had no plans on
staying out here into the night, and that satisfied him. He left, and I still
didn't hear AO-7 in the last couple of minutes of that pass.
There was an ISS pass coming over just before 0000 UTC, so I set up my Kenwood
TH-D72A to use that. I saw a few call signs coming through, and was able to
make one QSO. I was able to exchange APRS messages with Brad KG7NXH in the
Phoenix area. This was a bonus, although I am finding I can make a QSO or two
on many ISS passes with just my TH-D72A lately. One of these days, I will set
up my laptop or one of my tablets so I can use a larger keyboard and screen
for those passes. Until then, I'll have fun making packet QSOs with just the
HT and antenna.
After the ISS made its pass, I planned on working two SO-50 passes from here.
The first of the passes, around 0045 UTC, went across the northern and eastern
sky, covering the continental USA. I logged 8 QSOs on this pass, including one
with KG7NXH who I worked on the earlier ISS pass. After that, the later SO-50
pass around 0225 UTC that covered the west coast added 3 more QSOs. As this
later pass started, a strong wind and rain started. After logging the last QSO
on that pass, I quickly put my gear in the back seat of my car, and drove back
to the truck stop. I did a better job of stowing my gear, with the cover over
the gas pumps shielding me from the rain.
Including a stop for fuel and a late dinner, it took about 4 hours to drive
home from Deming. I was "treated" to a thunderstorm complete with strong winds
and rain for the first 30 minutes of the drive. I wish I had a video camera
running for this part of my drive, because the light show was awesome. By the
time I reached the Arizona state line, the rain and strong winds stopped.
Except for some road construction on I-10 as I reached the edge of the Phoenix
area, I was able to set the cruise control and make good time on the drive
home.
I have uploaded all of my QSOs from Saturday - at the hamfest, and from these
two locations in New Mexico - to Logbook of the World. If you worked me and
would like to receive a QSL card, please e-mail me off-list with the QSO
details. If you are in my log, I will gladly send a QSL card. No need to
first send me a card and/or SASE.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @xxxxxx
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 17:41:38 -0500
From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] EL84 Dry Tortugas
Message-ID:
<CAPovOweB6vUGtbg3+On1+Ex8PUydg52=hj3VXRYL93wEEXEW6Q@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
W4T has been heard making contacts on SO-50 and FO-29 this afternoon
from grid EL84. This is one of the rarer of the 488 grids needed in
all of the lower 48 states. He should be there another few days.
73
Clayton
W5PFG
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Tue, 5 May 2015 11:34:50 +0200
From: Wouter Weggelaar <wouterweg@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Announcing EO-79 transponder testing for one
full orbit
Message-ID:
<CAKXf1rFW6tZM_8ES2oBEC5QrSZxNKG2gfrFFB6zBWVeep5JnCw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi All,
Thank you for sending in your reports and observations. We are one step
closer to comissioning this transponder.
ISIS engineers are busy downloading Whole Orbit Data files of the
activation, but will have to do this on top of their normal work.
Preliminary analysis shows that the power budget is close to calculated but
there is insufficient data at the moment to make conclusions.
We can at this time not be sure when the next activation will be, and when
permanent activation may be considered. If there is more information
available, I will update the BB on this.
>From the reports we can conclude that the current ADCS mode the satellite
is in may provide some signal fading challenges. It also looks like the
frequency is off-nominal. Lastly, we observe that the signal passband has a
different shape than pre-launch. The transponder is definetely workable,
but we would need more time to establish the frequency relation and
passband shape.
Thanks again, best 73s
Wouter PA3WEG
On Mon, May 4, 2015 at 10:37 AM, Wouter Weggelaar <wouterweg@xxxxx.xxx>
wrote:
> Transponder activated at 0830UTC for 95 minutes.
>
> Wouter PA3WEG
>
>
> On Sun, May 3, 2015 at 8:52 PM, Wouter Weggelaar <wouterweg@xxxxx.xxx>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I can hereby confirm Tomorrows intended activation of the AMSAT-NL
>> FUNcube-3 transponder on QB50p1 / EO-79.
>> Date and time:Monday 4th of May, activation around 0830 UTC for one orbit.
>>
>> TLEs are in the normal repositories, COSPAR 2014-033-R, Object# 40025
>>
>> We would like people to try the following frequencies if possible:
>> DOWNLINK: 145.960 USB
>> UPLINK: Tune to match downlink +/- 435.065 LSB
>> The transponder is linear inverting, nominally 30kHz wide, and approx.
>> 500mW output.
>>
>> Also, If you find the transponder busy on those frequencies, feel free to
>> move around and use the entire transponder passband.
>> The passband seems to have a "dip" in the middle which is bigger than
>> expected, but we do welcome feedback about the usability. Also, please
>> limit your uplink power, as it looks like this transponder is as sensitive
>> as FUNcube-1. The spacecraft antenna is a monopole, so we would also be
>> interested in signal fading reports.
>>
>> The comissioning of the transponder done to date is very limited, three
>> activations for 5, 10 and 8 minutes respectively. So your reports are
>> greatly appreciated.
>>
>> We do understand this is a very short notice, but hope that some of you
>> will be able to participate.
>> This was a take-it-or-leave-it opportunity offered by the ISIS engineers
>> for our consideration, and we are again very grateful to ISIS and VKI to
>> give us this opportunity.
>>
>> Wouter PA3WEG
>> FUNcube team
>>
>> On Sun, May 3, 2015 at 12:28 AM, Wouter Weggelaar <wouterweg@xxxxx.xxx>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear all,
>>>
>>> I would like to inform you all that tomorrow, Monday 4th of may, there
>>> is a fairly high chance we will be allowed to test the AMSAT-NL
transponder
>>> for one full orbit.
>>>
>>> Details will be made available on short notice, but we are aiming for an
>>> activation starting at ~08:30 UTC and lasting until ~10:10 UTC.
>>>
>>> The aim is to characterize the power budget on board EO-79. So we
>>> encourage the usage of this new transponder. Please also report the QSOs
>>> and signal reports to pa3weg@xxxxx.xxx
>>>
>>> Wouter PA3WEG
>>> AMSAT-NL
>>>
>>
>>
>
------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Tue, 5 May 2015 13:09:45 +0000
From: "Ford, Steve, WB8IMY" <sford@xxxx.xxx>
To: RTTY Reflector <rtty-contesting@xxxxx.xxx>, AMSAT
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, "digitalradio@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx
<digitalradio@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Call for Papers
Message-ID:
<6BDF4F7F3613DC4E90A42F93921B47BD174D2363@xxxxxxxx.xxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Call For Papers: 2015 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
We're soliciting technical papers for presentation at the 34th Annual
ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference, to be held October 9-11 in
Chicago, Illinois. Papers will also be published in the Conference
Proceedings. You do not have to attend the conference to have your paper
included in the Proceedings. The submission deadline is August 17, 2015.
E-mail your submission to Maty Weinberg at ARRL Headquarters at
maty@xxxx.xxx<xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx>. Please to do not send zip files as
these will be rejected by our e-mail server.
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
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Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx.
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are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
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Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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------------------------------
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 10, Issue 131
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