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CX2SA > SATDIG 23.07.20 00:10l 1031 Lines 35486 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Is This AMSAT's Future? (Joe Leikhim)
2. Re: HEO (David Worboys)
3. Re: Is This AMSAT's Future? (W3AB/GEO)
4. Slack vs. eMail -- The medium is the message (Joe Leikhim)
5. "Walking and chewing gum at the same time" (David Reinhart)
6. Re: Is This AMSAT's Future? (W3AB/GEO)
7. Fwd: [50MHzandUp] Fwd: Fw: COVID-19 Microwave Inactivation
Research - Parts needed (W3AB/GEO)
8. Re: HEO (Mark L. Hammond)
9. Re: HEO (David Worboys)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 15:23:57 -0400
From: Joe Leikhim <rhyolite@???????.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: [amsat-bb] Is This AMSAT's Future?
Message-ID: <71bb88dd-3289-fcbc-38aa-19b9347c7573@???????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
There are a myriad of regional clubs that cater to weak signal operations
from VHF into microwave bands. SBMS, SVHFS and FLWSS are some I am aware of.
The technology for microwave experimentation is as older than ARRL itself.
J.C. Bose 60 GHz experiments in the 1890s.
I guess what I am saying is that there is no big leap to build or acquire
microwave gear suitable for satellites. Perhaps some folks in the weak
signal OPs are already
AMSAT members or could be enticed.
"I'd like to learn more about microwave ham radio.
Bob W7OTJ"
--
Joe Leikhim
Leikhim and Associates
Communications Consultants
Oviedo, Florida
JLeikhim@???????.???
407-982-0446
WWW.LEIKHIM.COM
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 15:28:17 -0400
From: David Worboys <kg4zlb@??????.???>
To: AMSAT <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HEO
Message-ID: <11BF644E-F02B-46CD-83C4-A18406685D42@??????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Following on from Patrick?s post (below), I just got home and checked to
find that the first AO-92 pass for me is at 23:13 edt tonight which, as I
have to get up at 3.15am for work, is a definite no-no!
What is the reason for L/U to be only switched on for just a 24 hour period
and during the work week? Is it automatically switched back or does the
command station do it? If that latter, can it be left on for say, 48 hours
to give operators a better chance of working L band or moved to a weekend
slot? What with the non activity last week I think its been about three
weeks since the last time I could use Mode L and whilst I appreciate that
there are a lot of people who want to use that mode, opening up the ability
would give a greater number of operators the opportunity.
If the 24 hour period is the maximum available to preserve the health of the
satellite then I understand but I would be interested in knowing the
rationale!
Many thanks
73
David
KG4ZLB
On Jul 22, 2020, at 1:30 PM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) via AMSAT-BB
<amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
Hi Andrew!
I am all for a variety of satellites. When we had AO-51 in the 2000s, I
found the pieces to work its V/S FM repeater as I started working
satellites. Doppler at 2.4 GHz made tuning those downlinks an almost
constant thing on those passes, but it was fun. We have the sort of
transponder you mentioned in your post with AO-92's L/V FM repeater
right now. We are only permitted to use the 1.2 GHz band for satellite
uplinks, not downlinks.
Many satellite operators now have the 1.2 GHz uplink capability with
the IC-9700, but the only time AO-92 L/V is available appears to be
inconvenient for many who might want to try it right now (Tuesday
evenings and Wednesday mornings in North America). We were told that
the switch from a Sunday UTC activation (Saturday nights and Sunday
mornings in North America) last year was not going to be a permanent
change. I think there would be more new call signs heard on AO-92 L/V
with those IC-9700s and other radios, if that mode was available at a
more convenient time for those who have work or school commitments
during the week. It isn't like we lack V/U or U/V FM satellites right
now.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @?????? or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 4:46 PM Andrew Lazenby via AMSAT-BB <
amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
> Hello EveryoneI recently joined Amsat because I felt like a bit of a
> hypocrite for complaining about things, and not doing my part to change
> them. One thing that does bug me is the HEO satellites having microwave
> uplinks and downlinks. I think that will greatly limit the clientele that
> will be able to use these.
> I have head many older hams gripe about LEO satellites and reflect back
> on how back in the day there would be passes up for hours! Many of them
> where using drifty transverters with terrible noise figures, turning
> antennas with tv rotators and no preamp! The argument that I have heard to
> move to mircowave uplinks and downlinks is lower noise, but if it worked
> with them back then, then what's changed?
> Something else to consider is that the microwave spectrum is under fire
> from commercial interest more and more. Why not consider like a U/L or L/U
> transponder? That would bring the envelope a little closer to where the
> average ham could operate with out investing in some serious equipment,
> while keeping the dream of HEO alive for the large percentage of satellite
> operators, and not just a handful?
> Forgive me if Im wrong, but I just wanted to put my 2 cents in the pot. If
> we all would learn to work together as much as we fuss we would be making
> some tracks. Thanks everyone, Andrew N4LAZ
>
>
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 13:05:12 -0700
From: W3AB/GEO <w3ab@?????.???>
To: Ev Tupis <w2ev@?????.???>
Cc: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Is This AMSAT's Future?
Message-ID: <ab366ee4-4f7d-487d-8f9a-8a3ae5b55c31@?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
??
?___
Sent from my two way wrist watch
73 de W3AB/GEO?
On Jul 22, 2020, 11:21, at 11:21, Ev Tupis via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
wrote:
>People will find money for the things they want to do.
>
>On the other hand, cost is a convenient scapegoat.? Lol.
>
>Ev, W2EV
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 01:19:30 PM EDT, W3AB/GEO via AMSAT-BB
><amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>Exactomento Zach. I'm a member of a local m/wave club and costs don't
>seem to be a detriment to getting on the air. Lots & lots of cheap
>commercial gear is available. A soldering iron & some parts tweaking &
>you've got a m/wave station.
>
>?___
>Sent from my two way wrist watch
>73 de W3AB/GEO?
>
>On Jul 22, 2020, 06:51, at 06:51, Zach Metzinger via AMSAT-BB
><amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
>>On 07/22/20 02:23, Clint Bradford via AMSAT-BB wrote:
>>>>> This could very well be. Tech changes over time. IMHO, Hams need
>to
>>change over time to keep the hobby viable.
>>>
>>> That required station is quite a jump from enjoying LEOs - and
>>getting involved in satellite communications for well under $200,
>>though.
>>
>>There will always be some cost to this hobby, part of which can be
>>mitigated by more home-brewing of equipment. However, if one doesn't
>>want scratch-build the entire system, there are rather inexpensive
>>solutions from commercial components.
>>
>>OZ1BXM has an overview of the 13cm (2.4 GHz) uplink / 3cm (10 GHz)
>>downlink system here:
>>
>>https://oz1bxm.dk/sat/QO100-rig.html
>>
>>Seems like the receive chain is quite simple and cheap. I recently
>>acquired a 10 GHz LNB, new in a box, from eBay for $20. The RTL-SDR is
>
>>about another $20, and a bias-tee is probably $10, if one can't cobble
>
>>it together from the junk bin.
>>
>>The transmit path requires a 2.4 GHz radio or converter, which is
>>likely
>>the most expensive part of the whole system.
>>
>>One could argue that this setup pushes new operators toward learning
>to
>>
>>track and listen before trying to transmit. This is probably a good
>>thing.
>>
>>The 10 GHz information will be useful for GOLF-1's microwave
>>capabilities.
>>
>>--- Zach
>>N0ZGO
>>_______________________________________________
>>Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
>_______________________________________________
>Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>_______________________________________________
>Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 13:12:50 -0400
From: Joe Leikhim <rhyolite@???????.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: [amsat-bb] Slack vs. eMail -- The medium is the message
Message-ID: <72621d9f-7a03-599b-ff3d-b38fab9afbea@???????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Something for the new BOD to consider. I have been monitoring/lurking
AMSAT-BB for years, and still have to go to the archives to read a
thread, cut and paste an e-mail to contribute. I still have not figured
out its clunkiness. It may be a barrier to new tech types. I am old
school and it seems archaic to me.
I am using Groups.io and I am the owner/moderator of two mail lists over
there. ICOM-IC-970@??????.?? and ICOM-ICR-9000@??????.??.? (Welcome
aboard if interested)
This is a very flexible system and has both an e-mail and web interface.
It was designed to replace yahoo groups which declined into self
destruction by yahoo. For my purposes, they run themselves.
I recommend considering it for AMSAT-BB.
Initially there will be some noise from folks in bandwidth challenged
areas, but once they read the instructions and set their accounts
appropriately it will work fine.
My accounts are free. For a very large organization there may be a
subscription cost. It may be possible to have the archives converted and
embedded into the list. If not, they can be stored in the files area or
linked to their current location. If the change is made, be sure to
redirect or block new submissions to the old system so there is thread
continuity.
Feel free to subscribe to mine and check out the features.
--
Joe Leikhim
Leikhim and Associates
Communications Consultants
Oviedo, Florida
JLeikhim@???????.???
407-982-0446
WWW.LEIKHIM.COM
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 15:32:23 -0400
From: David Reinhart <wa6ilt@???.???>
To: db@??.???
Cc: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: [amsat-bb] "Walking and chewing gum at the same time"
Message-ID: <95ee3093-69b7-8a1f-a32a-c15667a78bdf@???.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
I put together an HEO station on the cheap. I even contributed an
article to the Journal on how I did it. If you take your time, shop
around, pick up some used gear, and do some work on your own, it doesn't
have to cost an arm and a leg.
One problem is we keep talking HEO vs LEO and we forget what used to be
in between. The RS birds were very easy to work. They had a much lower
Doppler shift than the FM birds and didn't even need a VHF antenna that
was steerable in elevation, just azimuth; or even an egg beater with
enough power. I used a G5RV and an ARR preamp in the shack along with my
HF transceiver for receive.
When I got my WAS OSCAR I worked my last state on an RS bird during a <1
minute pass! When I submitted my application for the award, I did some
analysis and figured out that over 50% of contacts were on RS birds,
mostly RS-10.
At a couple of the Symposia I brought up the idea of a VHF/10m satellite
built from two sets of multiple cubes, separated by the HF antenna made
of spring steel, like measuring tape, with the VHF antennas at the end
of one stack. The 10M transmitter in one stack, 2M receiver and control
in the other, batteries in both, solar cells all over. Nobody was
interested.
If you walk to talk price barriers, list price on a new MFJ 2M SSB
transceiver is $359, and a CW module is available, too. I used a used
Kenwood 2M multimode rig to start with.
I didn't contribute a fortune to AO-40, but I put in all I could afford
a bit more besides. Not only was I terribly disappointed when it died, I
was even more disappointed when everything but LEO seemed to vanish from
our goals. Whoever is on the board, I want to see that back!
David Reinhart, W4DSR (ex-WA6ILT)
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 13:30:44 -0700
From: W3AB/GEO <w3ab@?????.???>
To: Bob Hammond <propgrinder@?????.???>
Cc: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Is This AMSAT's Future?
Message-ID: <5b311efa-1c59-4d1d-8be8-8706f82e453f@?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Bob,
A good place, IMHO, to start would be to procure the International Microwave
Handbook,Second Edition. Published by RSGB and ARRL, Edited by Andy Barter,
G8ATD.
?___
Sent from my two way wrist watch
73 de W3AB/GEO?
On Jul 22, 2020, 12:31, at 12:31, Bob Hammond via AMSAT-BB
<amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
>I'd like to learn more about microwave ham radio.
>
>Bob W7OTJ
>
>On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 10:30 AM W3AB/GEO via AMSAT-BB
><amsat-bb@?????.???>
>wrote:
>
>> Exactomento Zach. I'm a member of a local m/wave club and costs don't
>seem
>> to be a detriment to getting on the air. Lots & lots of cheap
>commercial
>> gear is available. A soldering iron & some parts tweaking & you've
>got a
>> m/wave station.
>>
>> ?___
>> Sent from my two way wrist watch
>> 73 de W3AB/GEO?
>>
>> On Jul 22, 2020, 06:51, at 06:51, Zach Metzinger via AMSAT-BB <
>> amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
>> >On 07/22/20 02:23, Clint Bradford via AMSAT-BB wrote:
>> >>>> This could very well be. Tech changes over time. IMHO, Hams need
>to
>> >change over time to keep the hobby viable.
>> >>
>> >> That required station is quite a jump from enjoying LEOs - and
>> >getting involved in satellite communications for well under $200,
>> >though.
>> >
>> >There will always be some cost to this hobby, part of which can be
>> >mitigated by more home-brewing of equipment. However, if one doesn't
>> >want scratch-build the entire system, there are rather inexpensive
>> >solutions from commercial components.
>> >
>> >OZ1BXM has an overview of the 13cm (2.4 GHz) uplink / 3cm (10 GHz)
>> >downlink system here:
>> >
>> >https://oz1bxm.dk/sat/QO100-rig.html
>> >
>> >Seems like the receive chain is quite simple and cheap. I recently
>> >acquired a 10 GHz LNB, new in a box, from eBay for $20. The RTL-SDR
>is
>> >about another $20, and a bias-tee is probably $10, if one can't
>cobble
>> >it together from the junk bin.
>> >
>> >The transmit path requires a 2.4 GHz radio or converter, which is
>> >likely
>> >the most expensive part of the whole system.
>> >
>> >One could argue that this setup pushes new operators toward learning
>to
>> >
>> >track and listen before trying to transmit. This is probably a good
>> >thing.
>> >
>> >The 10 GHz information will be useful for GOLF-1's microwave
>> >capabilities.
>> >
>> >--- Zach
>> >N0ZGO
>> >_______________________________________________
>> >Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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:
>https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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:
>https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>>
>_______________________________________________
>Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 13:38:03 -0700
From: W3AB/GEO <w3ab@?????.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: [amsat-bb] Fwd: [50MHzandUp] Fwd: Fw: COVID-19 Microwave
Inactivation Research - Parts needed
Message-ID: <7e48ba77-ea10-49eb-928a-493858954ca4@?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
This just came across the m/wave club's reflector. Nothing to do with
satcomms but it is amateur radio m/wave content.
?___
Sent from my two way wrist watch
73 de W3AB/GEO?
On Jul 21, 2020, 17:57, at 17:57, David Vieira <dpvieira@??????.???????.???>
wrote:
>---------- Forwarded message ---------
>From: David Vieira <dpv@????.???>
>Date: Tue, Jul 21, 2020 at 5:55 PM
>Subject: Fw: COVID-19 Microwave Inactivation Research - Parts needed
>To: David Vieira <dpvieira@??????.???????.???>
>
>
>
>
>----- Forwarded Message -----
>*From:* Michelle Thompson via Ground-Station
><ground-station@?????.????????????.?????????>
>*To:* Michelle Thompson via Ground-Station
><ground-station@?????.????????????.?????????>
>*Sent:* Tuesday, July 21, 2020, 05:51:20 PM PDT
>*Subject:* [Ground-station] Fwd: COVID-19 Microwave Inactivation
>Research -
>Parts needed
>
>If you can help Tony Long out, please get in touch with him.
>
>-Michelle W5NYV
>
>
>
>
>---------- Forwarded message ---------
>From: *Tony Long* <tonylong@?????.???>
>Date: Tue, Jul 21, 2020 at 5:13 PM
>Subject: COVID-19 Microwave Inactivation Research - Parts needed
>To: <sdmicrowave@????????????.???>, <sbms@?????????.???>
>
>
>Fellow microwavers - it is time to apply your hobby to help save lives!
>I'm part of a small consortium working to determine whether the
>COVID-19
>virus can be inactivated with RF energy. One of my colleagues
>published
>results a few years back with a different virus and it showed that the
>virus in question could be destroyed with a very reasonable field
>strength
>in the few Ghz range. Simulations show that the COVID-19 virus (which
>has
>a polarized, spherical shell) should resonate somewhere roughly in the
>8-12
>GHz range. We need to find the resonance(s) so we can build devices to
>destroy the virus.
>
>Our test setup will involve two phases - first is spectral absorption
>measurement of a sample held between two horn antennas inside a
>bio-safety
>fume hood. We want to do this at very low power levels to avoid
>destroying
>the virus before it is characterized. Phase two will involve
>determining
>the energy density required to inactivate the virus.
>
>We are starting first with a similar, but non-human coronavirus and if
>it
>shows promise we will move to the COVID-19 virus in a bio-hazard level
>3
>facility at either UC Irvine or Duke University. The academic team is
>working to get fast track funding now.
>
>I would like to get a test setup going as soon as possible so that we
>can
>get this into the labs functional and with minimal intervention. To
>that
>end, this Friday, Rohde & Schwarz is dropping off a high performance
>VNA
>but I need some other loaner parts until we get budget to buy them. I
>imagine that among this community we can cobble together components and
>would love to have the amateur microwave community contribute to this
>important effort. I'll let you imagine how useful RF decontamination
>might
>be for a variety of scenarios.
>
>Here's the team we've assembled:
>
>Dr. Brian Wong <https://www.uclahealth.org/brian-wong> ? Pulmonary,
>Critical care at UCLA
>
>Dr. Matthew Brenner <http://www.bli.uci.edu/mattbrenner/> ? Professor
>of
>Pulmonary Medicine at UC Irvine
>
>Dr. Donald Forthal
><http://www.immunology.uci.edu/profiles/forthal-donald.asp> ? Professor
>in
>the Center for Virus Research at UC Irvine
>
>Fred Mohamadi <http://www.tialinx.com/> PhD. ? founder of Tialinx, Inc.
>
>Zhongping Chen <https://engineering.uci.edu/users/zhongping-chen> PhD.
>?
>Professor of Biomedical Engineering, UC Irvine
>
>Chi-Kuang Sun
><http://gipo.ntu.edu.tw/eng/e_p6student-5-detail2.php?sn=25&is_manage=0&title
_code=01>
>PhD. ? Distinguished Professor Photonics and Optoelectronics, National
>Taiwan University
>
>Tuan Vo-Dinh <https://bme.duke.edu/faculty/tuan-vo-dinh> PhD. ?
>Professor
>of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University
>
>Steve Stone ? Senior Technical Fellow, Northrop Grumman
>
>
>If you have the following equipment or know someone at a company that
>would
>like to loan equipment to the cause it would be greatly appreciated!
>
>
>Tony Long KC6QHP
>
>
>WR-90 15 dB standard Gain horn antenna (need two)
>
>WR-137 10 or 15 dB standard gain horn antenna (need two)
>
>WR-90 to N transitions (need two)
>
>WR-137 to N transitions (need two)
>
>A pair of quality test cables (unclear what sizes are needed but likely
>36
>inches), with N terminations
>
>~10 watt power amplifier covering 5-18 Ghz
>
>High power attenuator (18 Ghz, 30dB, 20 watts max)
>
>--
>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>Groups
>"SDMG" group.
>To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send
>an
>email to sdmicrowave+unsubscribe@????????????.???.
>To view this discussion on the web visit
>https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sdmicrowave/CA%2BcMJiuJsftHmg-ZTKGfER2dd74j
KN9NKjRu_Rfmnkb-7bCvTQ%40mail.gmail.com
><https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/sdmicrowave/CA%2BcMJiuJsftHmg-ZTKGfER2dd74
jKN9NKjRu_Rfmnkb-7bCvTQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
>.
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>_______________________________________________
>50MHzandUp mailing list
>50MHzandUp@?????.????????.???
>https://lists.altadena.net/mailman/listinfo/50mhzandup
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 17:16:54 -0400
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@?????.???>
To: David Worboys <kg4zlb@??????.???>
Cc: AMSAT <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HEO
Message-ID:
<CAPRXzypp20rMjgTEmFjfnzqRqmATpeVXcw6Uw3rnPwNpLjRwEQ@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Hi David,
The L-band receiver setup is on a 24 hour timer (unless the satellite
resets due to SAA or low battery voltage before the timer is up!).
As I recall, we did a pretty good poll via social media (FB, Twitter if I
recall) and Wednesday UTC was the top pick.
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]
AMSAT Director and Command Station
On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 4:54 PM David Worboys via AMSAT-BB <
amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
> Following on from Patrick?s post (below), I just got home and checked to
> find that the first AO-92 pass for me is at 23:13 edt tonight which, as I
> have to get up at 3.15am for work, is a definite no-no!
>
> What is the reason for L/U to be only switched on for just a 24 hour
> period and during the work week? Is it automatically switched back or does
> the command station do it? If that latter, can it be left on for say, 48
> hours to give operators a better chance of working L band or moved to a
> weekend slot? What with the non activity last week I think its been about
> three weeks since the last time I could use Mode L and whilst I appreciate
> that there are a lot of people who want to use that mode, opening up the
> ability would give a greater number of operators the opportunity.
>
> If the 24 hour period is the maximum available to preserve the health of
> the satellite then I understand but I would be interested in knowing the
> rationale!
>
> Many thanks
>
> 73
>
> David
> KG4ZLB
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jul 22, 2020, at 1:30 PM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) via AMSAT-BB
> <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
>
> Hi Andrew!
>
> I am all for a variety of satellites. When we had AO-51 in the 2000s, I
> found the pieces to work its V/S FM repeater as I started working
> satellites. Doppler at 2.4 GHz made tuning those downlinks an almost
> constant thing on those passes, but it was fun. We have the sort of
> transponder you mentioned in your post with AO-92's L/V FM repeater
> right now. We are only permitted to use the 1.2 GHz band for satellite
> uplinks, not downlinks.
>
> Many satellite operators now have the 1.2 GHz uplink capability with
> the IC-9700, but the only time AO-92 L/V is available appears to be
> inconvenient for many who might want to try it right now (Tuesday
> evenings and Wednesday mornings in North America). We were told that
> the switch from a Sunday UTC activation (Saturday nights and Sunday
> mornings in North America) last year was not going to be a permanent
> change. I think there would be more new call signs heard on AO-92 L/V
> with those IC-9700s and other radios, if that mode was available at a
> more convenient time for those who have work or school commitments
> during the week. It isn't like we lack V/U or U/V FM satellites right
> now.
>
> 73!
>
>
>
>
>
> Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
> http://www.wd9ewk.net/
> Twitter: @?????? or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 4:46 PM Andrew Lazenby via AMSAT-BB <
> amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
>
> > Hello EveryoneI recently joined Amsat because I felt like a bit of a
> > hypocrite for complaining about things, and not doing my part to change
> > them. One thing that does bug me is the HEO satellites having microwave
> > uplinks and downlinks. I think that will greatly limit the clientele that
> > will be able to use these.
> > I have head many older hams gripe about LEO satellites and reflect back
> > on how back in the day there would be passes up for hours! Many of them
> > where using drifty transverters with terrible noise figures, turning
> > antennas with tv rotators and no preamp! The argument that I have heard
> to
> > move to mircowave uplinks and downlinks is lower noise, but if it worked
> > with them back then, then what's changed?
> > Something else to consider is that the microwave spectrum is under fire
> > from commercial interest more and more. Why not consider like a U/L or
> L/U
> > transponder? That would bring the envelope a little closer to where the
> > average ham could operate with out investing in some serious equipment,
> > while keeping the dream of HEO alive for the large percentage of
> satellite
> > operators, and not just a handful?
> > Forgive me if Im wrong, but I just wanted to put my 2 cents in the pot.
> If
> > we all would learn to work together as much as we fuss we would be making
> > some tracks. Thanks everyone, Andrew N4LAZ
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2020 17:24:55 -0400
From: David Worboys <kg4zlb@??????.???>
To: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@?????.???>
Cc: AMSAT <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HEO
Message-ID: <06F26EAB-E7C9-4DF0-88E3-879F998F66FE@??????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
OK, thanks Mark - so what would be the procedure to try and have this
changed? Petition the Board and have a Membership vote on it perhaps?
Thanks
David
KG4ZLB
On Jul 22, 2020, at 5:16 PM, Mark L. Hammond <marklhammond@?????.???> wrote:
Hi David,
The L-band receiver setup is on a 24 hour timer (unless the satellite resets
due to SAA or low battery voltage before the timer is up!).
As I recall, we did a pretty good poll via social media (FB, Twitter if I
recall) and Wednesday UTC was the top pick.
Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]
AMSAT Director and Command Station
On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 4:54 PM David Worboys via AMSAT-BB
<amsat-bb@?????.??? <mailto:amsat-bb@?????.???>> wrote:
Following on from Patrick?s post (below), I just got home and checked to
find that the first AO-92 pass for me is at 23:13 edt tonight which, as I
have to get up at 3.15am for work, is a definite no-no!
What is the reason for L/U to be only switched on for just a 24 hour period
and during the work week? Is it automatically switched back or does the
command station do it? If that latter, can it be left on for say, 48 hours
to give operators a better chance of working L band or moved to a weekend
slot? What with the non activity last week I think its been about three
weeks since the last time I could use Mode L and whilst I appreciate that
there are a lot of people who want to use that mode, opening up the ability
would give a greater number of operators the opportunity.
If the 24 hour period is the maximum available to preserve the health of the
satellite then I understand but I would be interested in knowing the
rationale!
Many thanks
73
David
KG4ZLB
On Jul 22, 2020, at 1:30 PM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) via AMSAT-BB
<amsat-bb@?????.??? <mailto:amsat-bb@?????.???>> wrote:
Hi Andrew!
I am all for a variety of satellites. When we had AO-51 in the 2000s, I
found the pieces to work its V/S FM repeater as I started working
satellites. Doppler at 2.4 GHz made tuning those downlinks an almost
constant thing on those passes, but it was fun. We have the sort of
transponder you mentioned in your post with AO-92's L/V FM repeater
right now. We are only permitted to use the 1.2 GHz band for satellite
uplinks, not downlinks.
Many satellite operators now have the 1.2 GHz uplink capability with
the IC-9700, but the only time AO-92 L/V is available appears to be
inconvenient for many who might want to try it right now (Tuesday
evenings and Wednesday mornings in North America). We were told that
the switch from a Sunday UTC activation (Saturday nights and Sunday
mornings in North America) last year was not going to be a permanent
change. I think there would be more new call signs heard on AO-92 L/V
with those IC-9700s and other radios, if that mode was available at a
more convenient time for those who have work or school commitments
during the week. It isn't like we lack V/U or U/V FM satellites right
now.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/ <http://www.wd9ewk.net/>
Twitter: @?????? or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK <http://twitter.com/WD9EWK>
On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 4:46 PM Andrew Lazenby via AMSAT-BB <
amsat-bb@?????.??? <mailto:amsat-bb@?????.???>> wrote:
> Hello EveryoneI recently joined Amsat because I felt like a bit of a
> hypocrite for complaining about things, and not doing my part to change
> them. One thing that does bug me is the HEO satellites having microwave
> uplinks and downlinks. I think that will greatly limit the clientele that
> will be able to use these.
> I have head many older hams gripe about LEO satellites and reflect back
> on how back in the day there would be passes up for hours! Many of them
> where using drifty transverters with terrible noise figures, turning
> antennas with tv rotators and no preamp! The argument that I have heard to
> move to mircowave uplinks and downlinks is lower noise, but if it worked
> with them back then, then what's changed?
> Something else to consider is that the microwave spectrum is under fire
> from commercial interest more and more. Why not consider like a U/L or L/U
> transponder? That would bring the envelope a little closer to where the
> average ham could operate with out investing in some serious equipment,
> while keeping the dream of HEO alive for the large percentage of satellite
> operators, and not just a handful?
> Forgive me if Im wrong, but I just wanted to put my 2 cents in the pot. If
> we all would learn to work together as much as we fuss we would be making
> some tracks. Thanks everyone, Andrew N4LAZ
>
>
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.??? <mailto:AMSAT-BB@?????.???>. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
<https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.??? <mailto:AMSAT-BB@?????.???>. 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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
<https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@?????.???.
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 member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 15, Issue 291
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