| |
CX2SA > SATDIG 27.11.16 21:56l 777 Lines 32619 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : AMSATBB11378
Read: GUEST
Subj: AMSAT-BB-digest V11 378
Path: IW8PGT<CX2SA
Sent: 161127/1951Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM #:58886 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:AMSATBB11378
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: Great White North Grid Expedition - Sunday Schedule
(Ken Alexander)
2. Re: AMSAT Symposium at Sea (Devin L. Ganger)
3. Satellite Antennas for Sale (Paul Andrews)
4. Posted on QRZ (Gerald Payton)
5. Saturday night fun with 70cm ISS packet
(Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
6. Re: Saturday night fun with 70cm ISS packet (Scott)
7. Re: Saturday night fun with 70cm ISS packet
(Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
8. How to avoid Black Friday, working satellites... (long)
(Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
9. Sunday Schedule Update (k.alexander)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 26 Nov 2016 21:41:59 -0500
From: Ken Alexander <k.alexander@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Great White North Grid Expedition - Sunday
Schedule
Message-ID: <11bfc106-cafe-092a-449b-9508fc0e4f47@xxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
Closer examination reveals an additional scheduling conflict. Therefore,
please delete AO-7 at 1731 and delete AO-85 at 1914 UTC.
Thanks,
Ken
VE3HLS
On 2016-11-26 9:26 PM, Ken Alexander wrote:
> Today's activities got cut short due to snow. It started coming down
> heavy and I had a long drive so I cut out early. Tomorrow I make up
> for the lost day when the highway was closed. Schedule below.
>
> FN07
> SO-50 13:31
> FO-29 14:20
> AO-73 14:25
>
> EN97/98 & FN08
> FO-29 16:03
> AO-07 17:31
> AO-85 17:33
> AO-85 19:14
> AO-07 19:20
> AO-07 21:15
> XW-2C 21:45
> XW-2F 22:34
> XW-2C 23:19
> XW-2A 23:30
>
> FN07
> AO-73 01:23
> AO-73 03:01
> SO-50 03:47
>
> Note: I will give priority to AO-85 at 1914 and miss part or all of
> AO-7 at 1920 if need be.
>
> There are some roads around the junction of the four grids that may
> allow me to cover three of them without moving around a lot. If it
> doesn't work out then I have to do some extra driving and will miss
> one or two of the passes in the middle group. However, this time I'll
> be able to post updates to Twitter so stay tuned.
>
> 73,
>
> Ken
> VE3HLS
> _______________________________________________
> 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: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 08:01:45 +0000
From: "Devin L. Ganger" <devin@xxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Symposium at Sea
Message-ID:
<DM5PR01MB2442AA932572A3C50250F05ACA8B0@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hello, all.
My name is Devin (WA7DLG) and I'm a 44 year-old IT professional and new ham.
I got my Technician license in August 2015 to help encourage my daughter in
the practical side of her pursuit of astrophysics in college, and got Extra
this past June. I write science fiction and pretty much love all things space.
I'm one of the new hams and satellite enthusiasts you may be targeting.
While AMSAT wasn't the first club I joined, it didn't take me long. I'm
saving my pennies for a bigger steerable antenna installation for my home
station, but in the meantime I'm jumping into electronics and Arduino
experimentation to work on a tracker/controller for my handheld Elk antenna.
I plan on going back to school to get a physics degree focused on space
studies, and maybe beyond.
My wife and I SERIOUSLY talked about going on the cruise to attend this
year's AMSAT Symposium. The only reason we didn't was due to job schedule
conflicts. Otherwise, that would have been a very enticing entry into the
AMSAT community for both of us. I don't know what I'm going to find -- will
the sessions be too technical for me, will there be the kind of bickering
and politics I've seen the past couple of days on this list? If so, a cruise
offers me and my wife a great way to easily escape for a time.
If you do another one, we'll probably see you all there.
--
Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG)
email:?devin@xxxxxxxx.xxx
web:?Devin on Earth
cell:?+1 425.239.2575
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On Behalf Of Chad Phillips
Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2016 5:54 PM
To: Frank Westphal <k6fw1@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Symposium at Sea
Well stated Frank. I for one would certainly vote to host a Symposium on a
cruise ship again. Not next year but maybe within the next few? In any event
it was truly enjoyable experience. I learned so much from the presentations.
The passion of those behind the scenes with AMSAT-NA was inspiring.
Thank-you to Clayton for taking the chance and stepping outside of the box
with this event.
chad
kg0mw
> On Nov 26, 2016, at 1:14 AM, Frank Westphal <k6fw1@xxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
> I had a fantastic time at the AMSAT Symposium at Sea. I would go again
next year if a cruise is offered. How about a cruise out of a Florida port.
I learned a lot, had a great time meeting operators face to face that I had
only talked to on the birds. Had fun in Progresso. Made a dozen QSO's from
rare grids to make the operators who stayed home happy.
>
> I went to the Baltimore Symposium two years ago and spent at least as much
money as the cruise trip all expenses included. I enjoyed the Baltimore
trip, but there was more opportunity to get to know the other AMSAT members
on the cruise and exchange ideas.
>
> A big thank you to Clayton, W5PFG, and his symposium committee and the
AMSAT Board of Directors for believing in the idea and backing it.
>
> As far as furthering the fund raising for AMSAT the venue of the symposium
has minimal impact on attracting additional dollars. I have to believe a
symposium on a cruise ship costs AMSAT less that at a tradition hotel.
>
> Attracting additional members will of course increase the income. Getting
hams exciting about working the satellites will increase membership.
>
> The funding model for most large dxpeditions is half from the operators
going on the expedition and the other half from fundraising from the ham
community and corporate sponsors. AMSAT is working on the corporate donors.
If every AMSAT member was a member of the President's Club at what ever
level they can afford that would sure help the deficit. No hobby is
inexpensive. Have you checked on the cost of a golf membership lately.
>
> I for one think AMSAT is a terrific organization and hope the future is
bright.
>
> Frank
> K6FW
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 3
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 08:58:08 -0500
From: Paul Andrews <w2hro.fn20@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Satellite Antennas for Sale
Message-ID:
<CAOsf+NQfE=k_P3esivmAxaJUoa9sddnJP4oAnMr4hcG7c-qOLQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Satellite Antennas for Sale - New and Assembled.
Ready for local pickup or I can deliver within 100 miles.
M2 - 2MCP22, 144-148 MHz, Circular Polarization
M2 - 436CP42UG, 420-440 MHz, Circular Polarization
73 - Paul - W2HRO
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 15:43:14 +0000
From: Gerald Payton <gp_ab5r@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Posted on QRZ
Message-ID:
<MWHPR11MB195293684CAAEAB1D116CFD2D08B0@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxxxxxx.xx
x>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
This is posted on QRZ if anyone interested:
http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/shack-clearing.545760/#post-4049505
73,
Jerry AB5R
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 16:48:00 +0000
From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Saturday night fun with 70cm ISS packet
Message-ID:
<CAN6TEUcwBUfUK1fwkKbDCpVd=GwdMV1wcf+_wCAgMnW_ZndP4w@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi!
With the recent change to the UHF radio for the ISS packet digipeater,
this has disappointed some - and made others happy. I enjoyed working
stations through the 145.825 MHz digipeater, but working packet on
437.550 MHz has been fun, and bringing new challenges. Last night,
with 3 ISS passes over Arizona, was a great time for that...
The first of the 3 passes came just before 0130 UTC. Using my TH-D74A
HT and Elk handheld log periodic, I was able to get my position packets
retransmitted on this 9.9-degree pass to the southeast. Unfortunately,
I made no QSOs, and only heard one other station being retransmitted
before my LOS. Although this pass was a bust in terms of adding to my
logbook, the next couple of passes would be more successful. On to
the 0300 UTC pass...
The second of the three evening passes saw the ISS rise higher, to a
maximum elevation of just under 55 degrees. For those in California,
this was basically an overhead pass. After I worked a station on a
similar pass using my TH-D74A and a Diamond RH77CA long duckie antenna
just over a week ago, Mark KK6OTJ in southern California mentioned that
he wanted to try for a QSO where both of us use an HT and long duckie.
I suggested that this pass could work for us, and we went for it. Mark
has a TH-D72A HT, a BNC-to-SMA adapter on his radio, and a Diamond
RH77CA duckie antenna. Other than the radio, we had the same setup on
each end to make this attempt.
With the ISS coming up from the southwest, I thought we would have the
best chance to make this QSO earlier in the pass, certainly before the
midpoint of the pass. I prepared an APRS message for Mark's KK6OTJ-7
packet call sign with the text, "HT/duckie in DM43. QSL?" This is what
I started sending, once the ISS was up from the horizon. Watching the
clock and the AmsatDroid Free tracking app on my mobile phone, we went
through the first 5 minutes of the pass with nothing. Still sending my
APRS message with my grid locator, I saw an ACK come through the ISS
digipeater around 0307 UTC. Mark received my message, and his TH-D72A
sent an acknowledgement back to my TH-D74A. This was quickly followed
by Mark's APRS message, "QSL, Thanks & 73!" I sent a final "rgr" back
to Mark, completing the exchange and the QSO.
After the pass, Mark sent a photo of his TH-D72A's screen showing my
APRS message, and wondering if I had received his message. Apparently,
my radio's ACK for receiving his message didn't make it through the
ISS digipeater, but I had received his message. I tweeted a reply,
showing a listing of the messages - my message to him, then his message
to me, and the final message I sent him - along with a screenshot of
each message from that listing. Thanks for the QSO, Mark, and for the
challenge to do this.
After that high pass, there was still one more pass to work around
0440 UTC. Like the first pass of the evening, this was another shallow
pass - maximum elevation of just under 9 degrees, but to the northwest.
I was hoping to hear Kevin VE6QO in southern Alberta on that pass, and
maybe make a QSO with him. Kevin has been trying to work stations, but
the passes weren't helping me make a QSO. I have a line of thick trees
north of my house, which acts like a wall for the 437.550 MHz signals.
I went back to my Elk log periodic for this pass, knowing that the
Diamond duckie would not be a good antenna for a shallow pass. If I
was able to make an exchange with Kevin before the ISS was north of me,
it might be possible. And that's what we did...
I started sending my position packets once the ISS rose above the
houses west of me. I could see those packets being digipeated, and
then I saw "VE6QO" show up on the top of my TH-D74A's display. I knew
Kevin was there, even though his position wasn't being transmitted. I
made a very short APRS message to him - "dm43", my grid locator - and
started to send that. Kevin was also trying to send me his grid locator,
but the low pass was making this tough. While this was happening, I saw
two other stations showing up on my screen - VA7THO in British Columbia,
and W0JW in Iowa. Kevin and I kept at it, and finally I saw my "dm43"
APRS message being retransmitted. After that, I saw "TU and 73" come
from Kevin's end. I followed that up with a "73" to complete our QSO.
Thanks again, Kevin, for the QSO!
More stations are starting to find their way over to the 437.550 MHz ISS
digipeater. Unfortunately, this also includes the unattended beacons that
were all too common on 145.825 MHz. It appears we will have ISS packet
on 70cm for a while, given that a radio capable of VHF packet may not be
sent to the ISS until late next year. For many FM transceivers capable of
packet operation, using a group of 5 memory channels to compensate for
Doppler is the ticket to being successful working packet on 70cm. Think
of working the 70cm ISS packet digipeater like the combination of AO-85's
uplink and SO-50's downlink, all on one frequency. The uplink frequency
moves up as the downlink frequency moves down, and near the middle of the
pass the two frequencies are the same.
I posted on this list and tweeted the chart I used for programming my HTs
to work the 437.550 MHz digipeater. That chart is also available from
You can get to the chart with this direct link:
http://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ISS
_Packet_Operation_on_70cm-20161113.pdf
This document, along with K9JKM's guide on ISS packet operation and more,
is available from AMSAT's Station and Operating Hints page:
http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=2144
If you previously worked the ISS packet digipeater on 145.825 MHz, working
the 437.550 MHz is not that different. Dealing with Doppler is a must, and
the higher frequency could lead to issues if your QTH has trees in the way
of your antenna(s), but there are stations looking to do more than transmit
beacons automatically. If you would like to attempt a QSO with me using the
70cm ISS packet digipeater, please e-mail me directly. There should be some
options for QSOs with stations across much of the continental USA, as well
as with many parts of Canada and Mexico.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @xxxxxx
Go AMSAT!
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 12:22:34 -0500
From: "Scott" <scott23192@xxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Saturday night fun with 70cm ISS packet
Message-ID: <9037EA5F1441447FA8E0221B6D0270BF@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Great report!
At least on the East Coast, timing of this switch to 70cm is fortunate in
that the leaves are mostly off the trees now. So, for a while, they won't
serve as too much of an obstruction.
Question - are you just holding the duckie antenna vertical?
Thanks!
-Scott, K4KDR
Twitter: @xxxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2016 11:48 AM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Saturday night fun with 70cm ISS packet
Hi!
With the recent change to the UHF radio for the ISS packet digipeater,
this has disappointed some - and made others happy. I enjoyed working
stations through the 145.825 MHz digipeater, but working packet on
437.550 MHz has been fun, and bringing new challenges. Last night,
with 3 ISS passes over Arizona, was a great time for that...
The first of the 3 passes came just before 0130 UTC. Using my TH-D74A
HT and Elk handheld log periodic, I was able to get my position packets
retransmitted on this 9.9-degree pass to the southeast. Unfortunately,
I made no QSOs, and only heard one other station being retransmitted
before my LOS. Although this pass was a bust in terms of adding to my
logbook, the next couple of passes would be more successful. On to
the 0300 UTC pass...
The second of the three evening passes saw the ISS rise higher, to a
maximum elevation of just under 55 degrees. For those in California,
this was basically an overhead pass. After I worked a station on a
similar pass using my TH-D74A and a Diamond RH77CA long duckie antenna
just over a week ago, Mark KK6OTJ in southern California mentioned that
he wanted to try for a QSO where both of us use an HT and long duckie.
I suggested that this pass could work for us, and we went for it. Mark
has a TH-D72A HT, a BNC-to-SMA adapter on his radio, and a Diamond
RH77CA duckie antenna. Other than the radio, we had the same setup on
each end to make this attempt.
With the ISS coming up from the southwest, I thought we would have the
best chance to make this QSO earlier in the pass, certainly before the
midpoint of the pass. I prepared an APRS message for Mark's KK6OTJ-7
packet call sign with the text, "HT/duckie in DM43. QSL?" This is what
I started sending, once the ISS was up from the horizon. Watching the
clock and the AmsatDroid Free tracking app on my mobile phone, we went
through the first 5 minutes of the pass with nothing. Still sending my
APRS message with my grid locator, I saw an ACK come through the ISS
digipeater around 0307 UTC. Mark received my message, and his TH-D72A
sent an acknowledgement back to my TH-D74A. This was quickly followed
by Mark's APRS message, "QSL, Thanks & 73!" I sent a final "rgr" back
to Mark, completing the exchange and the QSO.
After the pass, Mark sent a photo of his TH-D72A's screen showing my
APRS message, and wondering if I had received his message. Apparently,
my radio's ACK for receiving his message didn't make it through the
ISS digipeater, but I had received his message. I tweeted a reply,
showing a listing of the messages - my message to him, then his message
to me, and the final message I sent him - along with a screenshot of
each message from that listing. Thanks for the QSO, Mark, and for the
challenge to do this.
After that high pass, there was still one more pass to work around
0440 UTC. Like the first pass of the evening, this was another shallow
pass - maximum elevation of just under 9 degrees, but to the northwest.
I was hoping to hear Kevin VE6QO in southern Alberta on that pass, and
maybe make a QSO with him. Kevin has been trying to work stations, but
the passes weren't helping me make a QSO. I have a line of thick trees
north of my house, which acts like a wall for the 437.550 MHz signals.
I went back to my Elk log periodic for this pass, knowing that the
Diamond duckie would not be a good antenna for a shallow pass. If I
was able to make an exchange with Kevin before the ISS was north of me,
it might be possible. And that's what we did...
I started sending my position packets once the ISS rose above the
houses west of me. I could see those packets being digipeated, and
then I saw "VE6QO" show up on the top of my TH-D74A's display. I knew
Kevin was there, even though his position wasn't being transmitted. I
made a very short APRS message to him - "dm43", my grid locator - and
started to send that. Kevin was also trying to send me his grid locator,
but the low pass was making this tough. While this was happening, I saw
two other stations showing up on my screen - VA7THO in British Columbia,
and W0JW in Iowa. Kevin and I kept at it, and finally I saw my "dm43"
APRS message being retransmitted. After that, I saw "TU and 73" come
from Kevin's end. I followed that up with a "73" to complete our QSO.
Thanks again, Kevin, for the QSO!
More stations are starting to find their way over to the 437.550 MHz ISS
digipeater. Unfortunately, this also includes the unattended beacons that
were all too common on 145.825 MHz. It appears we will have ISS packet
on 70cm for a while, given that a radio capable of VHF packet may not be
sent to the ISS until late next year. For many FM transceivers capable of
packet operation, using a group of 5 memory channels to compensate for
Doppler is the ticket to being successful working packet on 70cm. Think
of working the 70cm ISS packet digipeater like the combination of AO-85's
uplink and SO-50's downlink, all on one frequency. The uplink frequency
moves up as the downlink frequency moves down, and near the middle of the
pass the two frequencies are the same.
I posted on this list and tweeted the chart I used for programming my HTs
to work the 437.550 MHz digipeater. That chart is also available from
You can get to the chart with this direct link:
http://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ISS
_Packet_Operation_on_70cm-20161113.pdf
This document, along with K9JKM's guide on ISS packet operation and more,
is available from AMSAT's Station and Operating Hints page:
http://www.amsat.org/?page_id=2144
If you previously worked the ISS packet digipeater on 145.825 MHz, working
the 437.550 MHz is not that different. Dealing with Doppler is a must, and
the higher frequency could lead to issues if your QTH has trees in the way
of your antenna(s), but there are stations looking to do more than transmit
beacons automatically. If you would like to attempt a QSO with me using the
70cm ISS packet digipeater, please e-mail me directly. There should be some
options for QSOs with stations across much of the continental USA, as well
as with many parts of Canada and Mexico.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @xxxxxx
Go AMSAT!
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 17:32:12 +0000
From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Saturday night fun with 70cm ISS packet
Message-ID:
<CAN6TEUdS9AVeqKtrG8C7ouvUNC0EME=Z3mc=C9z7R_Je9VzG_Q@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi Scott!
I am moving the HT/duckie around, similar to how I would point
and twist a directional antenna. On higher passes, the antenna
approaches horizontal, while I move the HT around. It's more of
a challenge with the long duckie compared to a directional antenna,
but that's part of the fun.
Maybe we can make an ISS packet QSO during the next couple of
months, before those leaves become a problem for you again.
Timing would be important, along with finding a pass that is
reasonable for both of us.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @xxxxxx
Go AMSAT!
On Sun, Nov 27, 2016 at 5:22 PM, Scott <scott23192@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> Great report!
>
> At least on the East Coast, timing of this switch to 70cm is fortunate in
> that the leaves are mostly off the trees now. So, for a while, they won't
> serve as too much of an obstruction.
>
> Question - are you just holding the duckie antenna vertical?
>
> Thanks!
>
> -Scott, K4KDR
> Twitter: @xxxxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 19:18:17 +0000
From: "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] How to avoid Black Friday, working satellites...
(long)
Message-ID:
<CAN6TEUfD0P5eMXq4PQQPdfFO2Kj7E3nh+25owRQukezstC-DBQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi!
On Friday (25 November), I didn't want to stay home. I wasn't going to
visit stores or shopping malls, where I'd have to deal with crowds on
"Black Friday". With decent weather throughout Arizona, and especially
no snow on the highways in northern Arizona, I made a quick road trip
to operate from some rarely-heard grids. I also wanted to operate from
a national monument for another National Parks on the Air activation.
Even with the cool weather in northern Arizona, it was a fun day to
work satellites and do some sightseeing before the snow arrives.
I had originally planned to visit the Walnut Canyon National Monument,
east of Flagstaff along the I-40 freeway. I had been to this site in
June, trying to make a NPOTA activation then. I came up short of the
minimum number of stations I needed to work for an official activation
(10), but wanted to rectify that before the end of the year. Walnut
Canyon National Monument is in grid DM45, a rarely-heard grid on the
satellites, so a trip up there would satisfy operators on two fronts.
Then Steve N9IP mentioned on Twitter earlier in the week that he needed
grid DM44. I started looking at pass predictions, trying to see how I
could work a stop in grid DM44 along with working at least a few passes
from Walnut Canyon. Seeing that SO-50 would pass by in the morning, and
not be available later in the day at Walnut Canyon, I planned an early
stop in DM44 to make this happen.
After waking up to a 5am (1200 UTC) alarm clock, I was on the road by
1245 UTC. The first SO-50 pass was due to pass by around 1418 UTC, and
I could be in DM44 at a point about halfway up the I-17 freeway between
Phoenix and Flagstaff. With some hills to the east in this area, the
best spot to work from DM44 was actually on the DM34/DM44 grid boundary,
on a wide shoulder next to Cherry Road (AZ-169), just west of I-17. I
had about 20 minutes to find the spot I wanted to use, document my
location with photos, and set up for the SO-50 pass. I did all of that,
tweeted photos showing my location, and I was ready for SO-50. I also
had to change from a light windbreaker to a heavier jacket, as the
temperature was around 43F/6C at the start of the pass with a stiff
breeze.
The 1418 UTC SO-50 pass was a 16-degree pass to the northeast. Once I
heard the downlink, I started working stations across the USA, along
with Canada and Mexico. I have operated from both DM34 and DM44 earlier
in the year, but there is almost always someone looking for either of
these grids - or both of them. N9IP was the fourth of the 13 stations
I worked during this pass. After LOS, I quickly put the radio and
antenna back in my car, so I could finish my drive up to Walnut Canyon.
When I arrived at Walnut Canyon, I went to the same spot I used in June.
I parked just off the main road between the I-40 freeway and the visitor
center on the edge of the canyon. The national monument includes a strip
of land that connects the visitor center to the freeway, and the spot I
used has a Forest Service road that cuts through the national monument
about a mile north of the visitor center. It is also at 6600'/2011m, and
a bit cooler than it was at the DM34/DM44 grid boundary that was just over
4400'/1341m elevation. The temperature was down to 26F/-3C, something I
rarely see in the Phoenix area. The heavy jacket I put on for the earlier
stop was definitely necessary here.
The first pass I worked from Walnut Canyon was a western SO-50 pass just
before 1600 UTC. This was a surprisingly busy pass, with 13 stations
worked - an official NPOTA activation, just with one pass! I didn't stop
with this pass. A few minutes after SO-50 went away, FO-29 came up a few
degrees to my east. The satellite went up to a maximum elevation of 8.6
degrees. Even with the low elevation, and trees around my location, I
logged 3 QSOs.
During the week leading up to this trip to Walnut Canyon, the 145.825 MHz
packet digipeater on NO-84 had been turned on. It was still on while I
was at Walnut Canyon, and made use of it. The first of two NO-84 passes
was a 28-degree pass. NO-84's digipeater has a weaker downlink than what
we used to hear from the ISS on the same frequency, so it is more of a
challenge to make QSOs. Fernando NP4JV and I made what was my only QSO
on this pass, near my LOS.
About an hour later, there was another pair of passes - FO-29, followed
by NO-84. It was also starting to warm up - the temperature went above
freezing, up to 37F/3C. This time, just before 1800 UTC, FO-29 was
passing very high over northern Arizona. I was able to work 7 stations
from coast to coast in the continental USA, and one Canadian station.
The NO-84 pass around 1820 UTC had a little more activity. I was able
to work both KG6FIY and KK6OTJ in southern California via APRS messages.
Thanks Endaf and Mark for those QSOs! For these trips, working the
orbiting packet digipeaters is just another satellite or two, and it
was fun to have a total of 3 QSOs via NO-84 from Walnut Canyon.
By midday (1900 UTC), the outside temperature had made it up to a
comfortable 53F/12C. The heavy jacket went in the car, and I put my
windbreaker on instead. I had two more passes I planned to work,
one more FO-29 pass at 1935 UTC followed by AO-85 just after 2000
UTC, before heading to Flagstaff for lunch and the drive home.
The 1935 UTC FO-29 pass favored the west coast, and I worked just 2
stations. The AO-85 pass just after 2000 UTC passed across the
continental USA, making for a busier pass. I worked 10 stations from
coast to coast, including AI6GS who was also at an NPOTA site in
southern California (Joshua Tree National Park). This pass would
have made an NPOTA activation by itself, and it has been fun to make
park-to-park QSOs during this year.
After AO-85 went away, I packed up for the drive to Flagstaff for
lunch, and then the drive home. It was a nice day to be in northern
Arizona, as there should be snow falling up there today or tomorrow -
and I don't like driving in northern Arizona snow. Road conditions
were good all day, even for the drive up in the morning with below
freezing temperatures. The only snow I saw was on the tops of the
San Francisco Peaks that overlook Flagstaff, and that's OK with me.
:-)
I made a total of 38 QSOs from Walnut Canyon National Monument: 13
QSOs on the SO-50 pass, 12 QSOs across 3 FO-29 passes, 3 QSOs on 2
NO-84 passes, and 10 QSOs on the AO-85 pass to wrap up this NPOTA
activation. Along with the 13 QSOs made from the DM34/DM44 line
earlier, a good day to be on the satellites.
All of the QSOs I made from the DM34/DM44 grid boundary, as well as
those made at Walnut Canyon, are in Logbook of the World. If anyone
who worked me wants a QSL card, please e-mail me directly with the
QSO details. If you're in my log, I'll send you a card. No card or
SASE required. Working from rarely-heard grids is always fun, and
NPOTA has added to that in 2016. I still hope to make it to one or
two other NPOTA sites in the last few weeks of the year.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @xxxxxx
Go AMSAT!
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2016 14:49:44 -0500
From: "k.alexander" <k.alexander@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Sunday Schedule Update
Message-ID: <if3be7pevbefcd126jjooei5.1480276184222@xxxxx.xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Please note the following changes:
FN08XW-2C at 2145XW-2F at 2234
Delete: ?XW-2C at 2319
EN97XW-2A at 2330AO-73 at 0123
FN07AO-73 at 0301SO-50 at 0347
73,
KenVE3HLS
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
_______________________________________________
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 member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 11, Issue 378
*****************************************
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
