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CX2SA > SATDIG 18.02.16 01:17l 985 Lines 35334 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: Recent AO-85 Observations (Paul Stoetzer)
2. Upcoming ARISS contact with Oasis Academy Brightstowe,
Bristol, UK (n4csitwo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx
3. Re: Fw: Fwd: LVB tracker (Howie DeFelice)
4. Re: Recent AO-85 Observations (Howie DeFelice)
5. Re: Recent AO-85 Observations (Fernando Ramirez)
6. NP24 and DM28/DM29 (Lee Ernstrom)
7. Re: New AO7 Distance Record (Dave Swanson)
8. ChubuSat-2 and ChubuSat-3 Heard (Tony)
9. Re: Recent AO-85 Observations (PY5LF)
10. Re: Why 6 digit grid locator in Europe? (Dani EA4GPZ)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:13:40 -0500
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: Clayton W5PFG <w5pfg@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recent AO-85 Observations
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOqcSDhfL8vXzJG0nu8VRPg9+ik5VSGi0YMykYJ2Msjv+w@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Clayton,
I have observed the same. Over the past couple of months, on directly
overhead or ascending passes to the east, I could never get in until
about TCA using about 20 watts to an Arrow antenna. On overhead
descending passes or to the west, I could not get in after TCA.
Now, over the past few days, it's been much easier to work horizon to
horizon, but the fading is much worse throughout the pass and I am
constantly twisting to try to regain the downlink. Some times, neither
polarity works.
According to DK3WN's Illum program, AO-85 will be in constant sunlight
until 2/25. We'll see if it returns to it's previous patterns after
that.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 9:08 AM, Clayton W5PFG <w5pfg@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> For the past several days, I have observed the following:
>
> - On ascending passes, I can activate the transponder at AOS very easily.
> Either polarity V or H works.
>
> - Previously, I needed 10-15 degrees at times on ascending passes to
> activate the transponder. As I approached TCA, the challenge getting in
> always went away and I could get into the transponder easily.
>
> - Descending passes have never been an issue for me. I could access the
> transponder at AOS and activate the transponder as low as 0.1 degrees
> elevation.
>
> - Downlink receive polarity seems to flip almost constantly or be equal at
> times. I'm running a V or H antenna configuration (not RHCP or LHCP.)
>
> - Suspected reason is the spacecraft's spin rate has changed with it now in
> constant sun.
>
> - As a result I'm hearing some newer stations working AO-85 with handheld
> transceivers. I've worked 2 new stations in the last 2 days who emailed me
> directly after the pass stating they were seeing some success with an HT.
>
> Thoughts/comments?
>
> 73
> Clayton
> W5PFG
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 2
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 10:28:35 -0500
From: <n4csitwo@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <ariss-press@xxxxx.xxx>, "amsat-edu" <amsat-edu@xxxxx.xxx>,
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Upcoming ARISS contact with Oasis Academy
Brightstowe, Bristol, UK
Message-ID: <33676538F7ED43A78062261224A9C98E@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
An International Space Station school contact has been planned with
participants at Oasis Academy Brightstowe, Bristol, UK on 19 Feb. The event
is scheduled to begin at approximately 14:23 UTC. The duration of the
contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be
direct between GB1SS and GB1OAB. The contact should be audible over portions
of the UK and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in on
the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in English.
Oasis Academy Brightstowe is an independent Academy for 11 - 16 year olds,
located in Shirehampton, North Bristol. We opened in September 2008 in the
state-of-the-art buildings of the former Portway School. Our facilities here
are second to none, with an on-site restaurant, great sports facilities and
a well-stocked Library.
Oasis Academy Brightstowe was given ?1.8 million to develop a 21st century
ICT capability, so students here have access to the very latest technology;
including a fully equipped Library, access to Wi-Fi throughout the school,
and a Virtual Learning Environment, designed to give students access to
online learning provision.
The Academy has one of the highest computer-per-student ratios of any school
in the area (better than one between two students) and we encourage students
to be competent with the use of computers and the internet in their lessons.
The new technology is embraced by both staff and students and forms a key
part of lesson planning and delivery. Interactive whiteboards are a feature
of every classroom and teachers can instantly turn any workspace into an ICT
suite using one of our eight portable laptop trolleys.
1. From my research, I have found out that you are taking part in 265
experiments. Which one is the most important for us here on Earth?
2. In your opinion, will unmanned missions ever be equal to manned ones?
3. In a microgravity environment, can dust, debris and liquids cause a
danger, and if so how do you deal with it?
4. My aim is to be the first female Afghan astronaut. What would be the one
most important piece of advice that you have for me?
5. Were you told what experiments you had to do, or did you get to choose?
6. How many days supplies do you have on board should a resupply mission not
arrive as scheduled?
7. How did you build the confidence to go into space?
8. Why should we continue to fund expensive space missions when we have more
pressing problems on Earth?
9. If the world's leaders could see the earth from your current perspective,
do you think there would be a better consensus to sort out the problems
of the world?
10. Did anything in your previous career or experiences, prepare you for
space?
11. Why did you want to become an astronaut?
12. When you push on the wall of the space station behind you to move
forward, does the space station move backwards due to the principle of
conservation of momentum?
13. What do you think of NASA's planned one way Mars mission, and would you
go if given the opportunity?
14. Can you feel the ISS shake or wobble?
15. Being in a microgravity environment causes a decrease in muscle mass and
bone density. Other than exercise, what measures are you taking to
protect your health?
16. Considering that in space you are weightless and time has a different
value, do you age at a different rate?
17. Astronauts go through such lengthy and intensive training for their
journeys. Was there anything that you were not prepared for?
18. How are your experiments helping to save our Earth?
19. What do you miss about being on earth?
20. Other than the earth, can you tweet a picture of your favourite sight in
space?
PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES:
Visit ARISS on Facebook. We can be found at Amateur Radio on the
International Space Station (ARISS).
To receive our Twitter updates, follow @xxxxxxxxxxxx
Next planned event(s):
1. UAH Space Hardware Club, Huntsville, Alabama, direct via K4UAH
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN
Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-02-19 17:20 UTC
2. Istituto Sobrero, Casale Monferrato, Italy, direct via IK1SLD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled astronaut is Tim Kopra KE5UDN
Contact is a go for: Thu 2016-02-25 09:10 UTC
3. Norwich Schools, Norwich/East Anglia, UK, direct via GB2CNS
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be GB1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Timothy Peake KG5BVI
Contact is a go for: Fri 2016-02-26 14:43 UTC
ABOUT ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative
venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that
support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States,
sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American
Radio Relay League (ARRL), and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration
of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics by
organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard
the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education venues. With the
help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with
large audiences in a variety of public forums. Before and during these
radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about
space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see
www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.a
rrl.org.
Thank you & 73,
David - AA4KN
---
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------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 10:29:37 -0500
From: Howie DeFelice <howied231@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "APBIDDLE@xxxxxxx.xxxx <apbiddle@xxxxxxx.xxx>, 'W2JV'
<petew2jv@xxxxxxx.xxx>, "AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Fw: Fwd: LVB tracker
Message-ID: <BLU169-W99FBEF17EAE7B38A6E58D4E7AE0@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
The input to the AZ and EL A/D's are clamped to +5V by diodes as well so
this makes sense.
> From: wa4sca@xxxxx.xxx
> To: PeteW2JV@xxxxxxx.xxxx AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx
> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 06:26:40 -0600
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Fw: Fwd: LVB tracker
>
> Peter,
>
> It isn't shown on the schematic, but elsewhere in the rotator docs (page
5, External Control) it
> specifies 0-4.5V DC for the position sensing outputs. Depending on the
existing interface, a simple
> voltage divider would probably do. I don't have an LVB tracker, so I
can't comment on that end.
>
> 73s,
>
> Alan
> WA4SCA
>
>
>
>
> <-----Original Message-----
> <From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On Behalf Of W2JV
> <Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 7:30 PM
> <To: AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx
> <Subject: [amsat-bb] Fw: Fwd: LVB tracker
> <
> <
> <The Great South Bay, Amateur Radio Club, of which I?m a member wants to
put together a satellite
> <station.
> <They have an existing home made AZ EL power unit which works. They are
looking into interfacing an
> <LVB tracker with it.
> <and need to know what voltage level input is required for the feedback
loop. The unit currently puts
> <out 0-6.25vdc corresponding to 0-360 AZ and 0-180 EL. Looking at the
G5500 schematic they go
> <through an opamp arrangement but do not provide any voltage levels.
> <
> <If anyone can the club with some info I'd sure appreciate it.
> <
> <Thanks,
> <
> <W2JV Peter
> <_______________________________________________
> <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: 4
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 10:42:03 -0500
From: Howie DeFelice <howied231@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>, Clayton W5PFG <w5pfg@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recent AO-85 Observations
Message-ID: <BLU169-W8866681E9DB53BFE600D77E7AE0@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
For what it's worth, I worked AO-85 for the first time this Saturday morning
while sitting in the car using a 19" whip and Yeasu 857. I could hear the
satellite almost at AOS but waited to transmit until sat was above 30 deg
elevation since the 19" whip was 3/4 wavelength at the uplink freq. Got in
the first time and made contact with N1JEZ. I never bothered to check SWR on
this antenna and from the radio display power is down considerably. I did
notice fading as well.
- Howie AB2S
> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:13:40 -0500
> From: n8hm@xxxx.xxx
> To: w5pfg@xxxxx.xxx
> CC: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recent AO-85 Observations
>
> Clayton,
>
> I have observed the same. Over the past couple of months, on directly
> overhead or ascending passes to the east, I could never get in until
> about TCA using about 20 watts to an Arrow antenna. On overhead
> descending passes or to the west, I could not get in after TCA.
>
> Now, over the past few days, it's been much easier to work horizon to
> horizon, but the fading is much worse throughout the pass and I am
> constantly twisting to try to regain the downlink. Some times, neither
> polarity works.
>
> According to DK3WN's Illum program, AO-85 will be in constant sunlight
> until 2/25. We'll see if it returns to it's previous patterns after
> that.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
>
> On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 9:08 AM, Clayton W5PFG <w5pfg@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> > For the past several days, I have observed the following:
> >
> > - On ascending passes, I can activate the transponder at AOS very easily.
> > Either polarity V or H works.
> >
> > - Previously, I needed 10-15 degrees at times on ascending passes to
> > activate the transponder. As I approached TCA, the challenge getting in
> > always went away and I could get into the transponder easily.
> >
> > - Descending passes have never been an issue for me. I could access the
> > transponder at AOS and activate the transponder as low as 0.1 degrees
> > elevation.
> >
> > - Downlink receive polarity seems to flip almost constantly or be equal at
> > times. I'm running a V or H antenna configuration (not RHCP or LHCP.)
> >
> > - Suspected reason is the spacecraft's spin rate has changed with it now
in
> > constant sun.
> >
> > - As a result I'm hearing some newer stations working AO-85 with handheld
> > transceivers. I've worked 2 new stations in the last 2 days who emailed
me
> > directly after the pass stating they were seeing some success with an HT.
> >
> > Thoughts/comments?
> >
> > 73
> > Clayton
> > W5PFG
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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: 5
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 08:56:04 -0700
From: Fernando Ramirez <framirezferrer@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recent AO-85 Observations
Message-ID:
<CAGHXx8i5WYrsupQSnA2uiMo6_zAgdA4Y8-aoigJY4p0rgBS-3Q@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I am experiencing the same.
I work the satellite strictly QRP and in the past couple of days I've been
able to get in pretty much from AOS to LOS with only 4 watts. Yesterday, I
worked 4 stations on a 7? descending pass to the east. Signal was weak at
the end but that is expected with low power.
The fading is noticeable on the downlink, but I don't need to twist the
Arrow antenna a complete 90 degrees to hear my own voice.
73
Fernando, NP4JV
On Feb 17, 2016 7:13 AM, "Paul Stoetzer" <n8hm@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
> Clayton,
>
> I have observed the same. Over the past couple of months, on directly
> overhead or ascending passes to the east, I could never get in until
> about TCA using about 20 watts to an Arrow antenna. On overhead
> descending passes or to the west, I could not get in after TCA.
>
> Now, over the past few days, it's been much easier to work horizon to
> horizon, but the fading is much worse throughout the pass and I am
> constantly twisting to try to regain the downlink. Some times, neither
> polarity works.
>
> According to DK3WN's Illum program, AO-85 will be in constant sunlight
> until 2/25. We'll see if it returns to it's previous patterns after
> that.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
>
> On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 9:08 AM, Clayton W5PFG <w5pfg@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> > For the past several days, I have observed the following:
> >
> > - On ascending passes, I can activate the transponder at AOS very easily.
> > Either polarity V or H works.
> >
> > - Previously, I needed 10-15 degrees at times on ascending passes to
> > activate the transponder. As I approached TCA, the challenge getting in
> > always went away and I could get into the transponder easily.
> >
> > - Descending passes have never been an issue for me. I could access the
> > transponder at AOS and activate the transponder as low as 0.1 degrees
> > elevation.
> >
> > - Downlink receive polarity seems to flip almost constantly or be equal
> at
> > times. I'm running a V or H antenna configuration (not RHCP or LHCP.)
> >
> > - Suspected reason is the spacecraft's spin rate has changed with it now
> in
> > constant sun.
> >
> > - As a result I'm hearing some newer stations working AO-85 with handheld
> > transceivers. I've worked 2 new stations in the last 2 days who emailed
> me
> > directly after the pass stating they were seeing some success with an HT.
> >
> > Thoughts/comments?
> >
> > 73
> > Clayton
> > W5PFG
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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: 6
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:34:38 -0700
From: Lee Ernstrom <lee.ernstrom@xxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] NP24 and DM28/DM29
Message-ID: <68F3A331-0110-4124-9E79-BA0C06D89904@xxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I will be on SO-50 and FO-29 beginning February 21 from a fairly rare grid
square within the Great Basin National Park and set up right on the grid
line. For times please see my QRZ.com page.
WA7HQD
Lee (Doc) Ernstrom
Sent from my iPad
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 13:24:42 -0600
From: Dave Swanson <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] New AO7 Distance Record
Message-ID: <56C4C8FA.8000206@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Steve,
I'm using my "Alaskan" Arrow ( 4 elements on 2m, 10 elements on 70cm)
held by hand running 10' pieces of LMR-240 into an Icom 821h, manually
tuned.
Everything is run from a LiFePo4 battery, and I pretty much exclusively
operate portable mountain-top with unobstructed horizon views in the
direction I'm planning to work.
73!
Dave, KG5CCI
On 2/17/2016 7:59 AM, Eduardo PY2RN wrote:
> Steve, at this side
> RX: Funcube pro plus + SDR# V.1430 (with great NB capabilities) + Yagi-Uda
11el CP + Mirage KP-2 pre-amp.
> TX: TS-2000x + Yagi-Uda 20el CPTracked by Satellite Tracking embedded into
SDR-RADIO V2 software suite + GS-232/G-5400
> Coax: RFS RGC213 15mts longAnd a clear view to my N / NW bound which
allows to hear a little after sat LOS most of times.
> Put together again an old P3 sat setup sitting in storage for many years,
just added the SDR fun to it.
>
> Tks & 73
> Eduardo PY2RN
>
>
> From: Stephen E. Belter <seb@xxxxxx.xxx>
> To: Eduardo PY2RN <py2rn@xxxx.xxx>; Dave Swanson
<dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>; "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 12:44 AM
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] New AO7 Distance Record
>
> Gentlemen:
>
> Congratulations!
>
> Would you describe your stations? Radios, antennas, coax, preamps,
> software?
>
> Thanks!
>
> 73, Steve N9IP
> --
> Steve Belter, seb@xxxxxx.xxx
>
>
>
> On 2/16/16, 8:46 PM, "AMSAT-BB on behalf of Eduardo PY2RN"
> <amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx on behalf of py2rn@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
>> Thanks Dave for the QSO and well done with all the persistence.
>>
>> It is always good to double check even when everything is saying that it
>> wouldn't be possible, even the computer shouting "satellite is not
>> visible!" over your signal :o)
>> 73s
>> Eduardo PY2RN
>>
>> From: Dave Swanson <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
>> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:14 PM
>> Subject: [amsat-bb] New AO7 Distance Record
>>
>> Satellite Friends and Colleagues,
>>
>> I wanted to share with everyone that on February 10th, at 2009UTC I made
>> a scheduled contact with Eduardo, PY2RN, using AO-7 Mode B, from
>> 'Shinnal Mountain' just west of Little Rock, Arkansas. My 10 digit grid
>> locator for the contact was EM34ST20SC, and Eduardo's station is located
>> at GG66LW77JQ in Vinhedo/SP, Brazil. Using the
>> http://no.nonsense.ee/qth/map.html website for reference, this equates
>> to 8030.895 km which we believe to be a new record for AO-7 Mode B. I've
>> been extremely busy this past week, but I had a few folks request that I
>> share a little background behind the contact, so here we go.
>>
>> Back on January 24th, I was on an AO-7(B) pass looking for Gustavo,
>> PT9BM. While not a record distance, Gustavo's QTH is just shy of 7500km
>> away from me, so I was up on my mountain, specifically in a spot with
>> great a great southeastern view of the Horizon. As the bird came into
>> view, while scanning the passband, I heard Eduardo, PY2RN, calling CQ. I
>> tried to answer him, but his signal disappeared quickly after that, and
>> I went ahead and had a great QSO with Gustavo, and didn't think anything
>> else of it until later that night when I decided to look up the station
>> I had heard. To my astonishment, Eduardo was 8030km away, which was way
>> beyond the theoretical range AO-7, even with elevation assistance. I
>> promptly emailed Eduardo and we both agreed to try and make a contact,
>> even though the math said it shouldn't be possible.
>>
>> At this point the random luck that had let me hear Eduardo on the 24th
>> seemed to elude us. We attempted contacts on the 26th, 28th, and 30th
>> all to no avail. After recalculating windows, our next shot was on
>> February 8th. WinListen (from Sat32pc) calculated a 3 second window on
>> the 8th, followed by 5 seconds on the 10th. The day of the 8th came, and
>> we prepared for the attempt. Murphy once again seemed to haunt us
>> though, as we successfully heard the calls and grids of each other, but
>> strong CW QRM was hitting the bird so hard that the intelligibility was
>> low and, more importantly, neither of us had a camera running. We
>> decided to not count the QSO due to these reasons. The good news was
>> though, we both heard each other (the first time that had happened) and
>> our frequency coordination was spot on. We knew it could be done, we
>> just needed a little luck.
>>
>> Finally, on February 10th, we got a bit of a break. We had already
>> determined that 5 seconds was simply not enough time to do a proper "QSL
>> thanks for the grid, have a great day" type of chat, so we both agreed
>> to simply repeat 'your call / my call / grid / report' rapidly, much in
>> the same way a digital or contest contact is made. At 2009UTC, both
>> stations cleanly heard the others call and grid, completing the
>> contact. It was extremely rapid, and very weak, but clear. Eduardo's
>> side of the QSO turned out way better than mine did, and he has uploaded
>> a recording of it to youtube here: https://youtu.be/pTGSlaY7K7A
>>
>> After all my work towards low-elevation contacts from mountain-tops, I
>> think this is approaching the limits of what can be done on AO-7. This
>> was by far the hardest sked I've ever attempted, and with the contact
>> window measured in mere seconds, it leaves absolutely no room for error.
>> Had I not heard Eduardo's call at random on the attempt with Gustavo, I
>> doubt I would have even pursued this as something that was possible.
>> That said, wow.. what a rush
>>
>> Big thanks to Eduardo, PY2RN, for humoring my obsession with making
>> ultra long-distance QSOs on the birds, and for sticking with it until we
>> finally made it work. Good DX my friend. Also thanks to Gustavo (PT9BM)
>> for persuading me to point my arrow to the South, and Drew (KO4MA) for
>> acting as a spotter during one of the passes to see just how far apart
>> we were from each other. Appreciate it guys.
>>
>> If anyone has any questions or comments, I'm happy to field them. Until
>> then, catch you on the birds! 73!
>>
>> -Dave, KG5CCI
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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.
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> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:53:10 -0500
From: Tony <dxdx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "Yasutaka Narusawa (JR2XEA)" <jr2xea@xxxxxx.xxxxxx.xx>,
amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] ChubuSat-2 and ChubuSat-3 Heard
Message-ID: <56C4EBC6.1070406@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
All:
ChubuSat-2 and ChubuSat-3 CW beacons heard over New York - JJ2YPN / JJ2YPO.
Tony -K2MO
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2016 20:52:56 -0200
From: PY5LF <py5lf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx>
To: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: Clayton W5PFG <w5pfg@xxxxx.xxx>, AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recent AO-85 Observations
Message-ID:
<CAAy53m7kJ93mtKaZXE2mkouGevsPQS_D_Q-NSUbJ6kURXJ3hcQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi
I agree about the spin rate , but the RX sensibility still are the same for
me , I mean , only wit more than 20W to get a good return.
The sat has just passed over here and the spin rate is about 5-7 seconds
more or less.
73
2016-02-17 12:13 GMT-02:00 Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>:
> Clayton,
>
> I have observed the same. Over the past couple of months, on directly
> overhead or ascending passes to the east, I could never get in until
> about TCA using about 20 watts to an Arrow antenna. On overhead
> descending passes or to the west, I could not get in after TCA.
>
> Now, over the past few days, it's been much easier to work horizon to
> horizon, but the fading is much worse throughout the pass and I am
> constantly twisting to try to regain the downlink. Some times, neither
> polarity works.
>
> According to DK3WN's Illum program, AO-85 will be in constant sunlight
> until 2/25. We'll see if it returns to it's previous patterns after
> that.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
>
> On Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 9:08 AM, Clayton W5PFG <w5pfg@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> > For the past several days, I have observed the following:
> >
> > - On ascending passes, I can activate the transponder at AOS very easily.
> > Either polarity V or H works.
> >
> > - Previously, I needed 10-15 degrees at times on ascending passes to
> > activate the transponder. As I approached TCA, the challenge getting in
> > always went away and I could get into the transponder easily.
> >
> > - Descending passes have never been an issue for me. I could access the
> > transponder at AOS and activate the transponder as low as 0.1 degrees
> > elevation.
> >
> > - Downlink receive polarity seems to flip almost constantly or be equal
> at
> > times. I'm running a V or H antenna configuration (not RHCP or LHCP.)
> >
> > - Suspected reason is the spacecraft's spin rate has changed with it now
> in
> > constant sun.
> >
> > - As a result I'm hearing some newer stations working AO-85 with handheld
> > transceivers. I've worked 2 new stations in the last 2 days who emailed
> me
> > directly after the pass stating they were seeing some success with an HT.
> >
> > Thoughts/comments?
> >
> > 73
> > Clayton
> > W5PFG
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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: 10
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2016 00:05:47 +0100
From: Dani EA4GPZ <daniel@xxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Why 6 digit grid locator in Europe?
Message-ID: <56C4FCCB.6060009@xxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
El 17/02/16 a las 08:20, Juan Antonio Fernandez escribi?:
> I can?t understand it.
> My thinking:
> - Any award needs 6 digits
>
> - Time on SATs is limited, Why to waste it trying to understand something
> useless
>
> - Other places, such as USA, only use 4 digits from years
>
> - To wrap up, all are advantages
>
> Anybody knows some reason why should we follow using 6 digits?
>
> If there is not a strong reason, I think we should start using 4 digits
Dear all,
I would like to go even further. A valid contact is defined as one where
there has been exchange over the air of:
- Both callsigns
- The signal report
- A confirmation of the reception of these (usually a roger or 73 will do)
At least it's written that way in the IARU R1 VHF manager's handbook.
An exchange of grid locators is not required to make a contact valid.
I don't follow all the awards, but I'm not aware of any awards that
actually require grid locators to be exchanged over the air to make the
contact count for the award. Sure you need to track grid locators if you
are after VUCC, but you can get the grid locators by qrz.com/email/qsl
cards/etc. It's not needed that you get them on the air.
It bothers me especially on FM sats, where time is shared between all
the operators and many times people insist in repeating their 6 digit
locators several times because of difficult conditions. This is just a
waste of time.
Of course I want to put the grid locators on my logbook, but most of the
time the locators I get on the air are just the same that are listed on
qrz.com, so I could just get them there.
In especial conditions, such as if you're operating portable and the
satellite is not busy (read as only 3 or less people), then it may make
some sense to pass the 4 or 6 digit locator over the air. But please,
don't repeat it several times as you struggle to make a contact in
difficult conditions.
This is less of a problem in linear sats, because time is not shared
between all the operators. Still, the same reasons for not passing the
locator at all are valid.
So, my suggestion is: Please, don't pass the grid locator at all, except
in especial conditions.
73,
Dani EA4GPZ.
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
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Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx.
AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide
without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
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AMSAT-NA.
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http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 11, Issue 56
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