• AMSAT-BB-digest V14 294 (1/2)

    From CX2SA@21:1/100 to SATDIG on Thu Aug 1 07:50:02 2019
    R:190801/1037Z 34320@N3HYM.MD.USA.NOAM BPQ6.0.18
    R:190801/1039Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM #:11164 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:AMSATBB14294

    From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
    To : SATDIG@WW

    Today's Topics:

    1. Re: AMSAT website? (skristof@???????.????
    2. Re: AMSAT website? (Paul Stoetzer)
    3. Satellite Challenge (ka3hdo@?????.????
    4. Re: Satellite Challenge (Robert MacHale)
    5. Just expanding on my previous thoughts about AMSAT
    perception.... (Michael)
    6. Re: Radio chest pack (Don KB2YSI)
    7. Re: Transponders For Rent??? (Kenneth P Alexander)
    8. Re: Just expanding on my previous thoughts about AMSAT
    perception.... (Kenneth P Alexander)
    9. Re: Transponders For Rent??? (Ev Tupis)


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Message: 1
    Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 20:56:07 -0400
    From: skristof@???????.???
    To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT website?
    Message-ID: <e23b3e8ea51bec4732592c1d9d04be56@???????.???>
    Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

    Thank you for the update!

    A couple more questions for the group. Is the downlink for BO-101
    (CAS-7B) 435.600 MHz? Is a tone needed for the uplink?

    Steve AI9IN

    On 2019-07-31 8:48 pm, Paul Stoetzer wrote:

    I think there is some work going on at the moment. Some software upgrades
    are necessary as we prepare to deploy some much-needed enhancements over the next month or so.

    73,

    Paul, N8HM

    On Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 8:41 PM AI9IN via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    wrote:

    Anyone else having trouble getting into the AMSAT website or is it just
    me?

    Steve AI9IN
    _______________________________________________
    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: 2
    Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 21:02:32 -0400
    From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@????.???>
    To: Steve Kristoff <skristof@???????.???>
    Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT website?
    Message-ID: <CABzOSOqpbtUWqTgEZcH0byS7H7b8Ety=AcdsX6AMKDWPpTderw@????.?????.???> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

    BO-102 downlink is 435.690 MHz. No tone is needed on the uplink, but the receiver seems to be a little insensitive. With 30 watts, I struggled to
    get in except at higher elevations, but your mileage may vary.

    By the way, the website instability is due to a software upgrade.
    Everything seems functional, if a bit slow. However, the Updates section
    with recent posts seems to not be populating at the moment.

    73,

    Paul, N8HM

    On Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 8:58 PM AI9IN via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    wrote:

    Thank you for the update!

    A couple more questions for the group. Is the downlink for BO-101
    (CAS-7B) 435.600 MHz? Is a tone needed for the uplink?

    Steve AI9IN

    On 2019-07-31 8:48 pm, Paul Stoetzer wrote:

    I think there is some work going on at the moment. Some software
    upgrades are necessary as we prepare to deploy some much-needed
    enhancements over the next month or so.

    73,

    Paul, N8HM

    On Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 8:41 PM AI9IN via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    wrote:

    Anyone else having trouble getting into the AMSAT website or is it just
    me?

    Steve AI9IN
    _______________________________________________
    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: 3
    Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 21:21:30 -0400
    From: <ka3hdo@?????.???>
    To: <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    Subject: [amsat-bb] Satellite Challenge
    Message-ID: <0a1f01d54807$732bd100$59837300$@?????.???>
    Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

    All,



    Many of you probably were not at Hamvention when we announced this at the
    ARISS forum and the AMSAT forum, but if you want a *real* challenge, AMSAT
    and ARISS are working on the design of a ham radio system for the Lunar Gateway.



    To make this happen we are leveraging the work and expertise of the
    world-wide AMSAT organizations and the international ARISS community in this endeavor. We have an international team working this and are meeting 2x a month to mature the concept. In May we presented our solid concept to NASA
    and got great, positive feedback. This was followed up a few weeks later at the ARISS-I meeting at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in Montreal where we received great feedback from the CSA Gateway Program Manager after he saw
    our presentation.



    The AREx (Amateur Radio Exploration) team have done some really good work.
    The challenge for each of you will be on the order of a 30 dB signal path
    loss as compared to LEO. But the link margins on our design seem to close.



    I just wanted you all to know that AMSAT NA, UK & DL and ARISS-together--are working this phenomenal ham radio challenge. Come to the AMSAT-NA Symposium
    in DC to hear more.



    73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO

    ARISS International Chair

    AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs



    -----------------



    From: Michael <mat_62@???????.??? <mailto:mat_62@???????.???> >

    To: amsat-bb@?????.??? <mailto:amsat-bb@?????.???>

    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 14, Issue 292 (HEO's,

    AMSAT perception)

    Message-ID: <a285ca79-e3af-048c-9d8b-85d8345cb2e9@???????.??? <mailto:a285ca79-e3af-048c-9d8b-85d8345cb2e9@???????.???> >

    Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed



    Just from the outside looking in...



    AMSAT APPEARS only to be interested in hoisting flying repeaters and

    PACSAT/APRS and showing the average ham how "easy" it is to work sats

    with a handheld and a simple antenna. I guess that's all well and good

    but I didn't get in the sat end of the hobby for "easy".? I wanted a new

    challenge. I was too late for A0-40 because of lack of funds for a

    station but I did have fun for awhile chasing AO-51, FO-29, AO-7 etc.

    with a TS-2000X and a homebrew rotator and antenna system.

    Unfortunately, life got in the way and I needed family funds so the

    Kenwood hit Ebay and I'm inactive on the birds now. I sometimes consider

    buying a couple of Baofengs (you should ALWAYS operate full duplex but

    that's another thread) and getting back in on the cheap, I even recently

    bought a beat up old telescope with a computer tracking tripod system I

    spotted at Goodwill, but honestly, the challenge isn't there to give me

    motivation.



    Before everyone flames me, as I said, this is from the outside looking

    in and just one man's opinion. I really wish AMSAT would do something,

    anything, to change my perception. Seems to me I saw something about a

    YL running for the board who's interested in open sourcing stuff.? Her

    candidate statement was IMHO, a much needed breath of fresh air but I'm

    no longer a member and don't keep up so no idea if she got elected. If

    AMSAT wants my membership and donation dollars back, they need to change

    perception and I suspect there are many out here in the community who

    feel the way I do.



    73,



    Michael, W4HIJ







    --------------------------------------------

    Frank H. Bauer

    FBauer Aerospace Consulting Services (FB-ACS)

    Phone: 301-804-0173

    Cell: 301-873-0890

    NASA E-mail: <mailto:Frank.Bauer@????.???> Frank.Bauer@????.???

    FB-ACS E-mail: <mailto:fhbauer@???????.???> fbaueraerospace@?????.???





    ------------------------------

    Message: 4
    Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2019 01:54:04 +0000 (UTC)
    From: Robert MacHale <robert.machale@?????.???>
    To: amsat-bb@?????.???? <ka3hdo@?????.???>
    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Satellite Challenge
    Message-ID: <870669925.588825.1564624444577@????.?????.???>
    Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

    That sounds GREAT!!!
    Are there any plans for an APRS digipeater on the moon?
    I am happy to help and will plan to attend your upcoming events.
    73
    Robert MacHale. KE6BLR Ham Radio License.?http://spaceCommunicator.club/aprs?
    . Supporting Boy Scout Merit Badges in Radio, Robotics, and Space Exploration



    On Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 06:23:23 PM PDT, Frank Bauer via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    All,



    Many of you probably were not at Hamvention when we announced this at the
    ARISS forum and the AMSAT forum, but if you want a *real* challenge, AMSAT
    and ARISS are working on the design of a ham radio system for the Lunar Gateway.?



    To make this happen we are leveraging the work and expertise of the
    world-wide AMSAT organizations and the international ARISS community in this endeavor.? We have an international team working this and are meeting 2x a month to mature the concept.? In May we presented our solid concept to NASA
    and got great, positive feedback.? This was followed up a few weeks later at the ARISS-I meeting at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) in Montreal where we received great feedback from the CSA Gateway Program Manager after he saw
    our presentation.



    The AREx (Amateur Radio Exploration) team have done some really good work.
    The challenge for each of you will be on the order of a 30 dB signal path
    loss as compared to LEO.? But the link margins on our design seem to close.



    I just wanted you all to know that AMSAT NA, UK & DL and ARISS-together--are working this phenomenal ham radio challenge.? Come to the AMSAT-NA Symposium
    in DC to hear more.



    73,? Frank Bauer, KA3HDO

    ARISS International Chair

    AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs



    -----------------



    From: Michael <mat_62@???????.??? <mailto:mat_62@???????.???> >

    To: amsat-bb@?????.??? <mailto:amsat-bb@?????.???>

    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 14, Issue 292 (HEO's,

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ? AMSAT perception)

    Message-ID: <a285ca79-e3af-048c-9d8b-85d8345cb2e9@???????.??? <mailto:a285ca79-e3af-048c-9d8b-85d8345cb2e9@???????.???> >

    Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed



    Just from the outside looking in...



    AMSAT APPEARS only to be interested in hoisting flying repeaters and

    PACSAT/APRS and showing the average ham how "easy" it is to work sats

    with a handheld and a simple antenna. I guess that's all well and good

    but I didn't get in the sat end of the hobby for "easy".? I wanted a new

    challenge. I was too late for A0-40 because of lack of funds for a

    station but I did have fun for awhile chasing AO-51, FO-29, AO-7 etc.

    with a TS-2000X and a homebrew rotator and antenna system.

    Unfortunately, life got in the way and I needed family funds so the

    Kenwood hit Ebay and I'm inactive on the birds now. I sometimes consider

    buying a couple of Baofengs (you should ALWAYS operate full duplex but

    that's another thread) and getting back in on the cheap, I even recently

    bought a beat up old telescope with a computer tracking tripod system I

    spotted at Goodwill, but honestly, the challenge isn't there to give me

    motivation.



    Before everyone flames me, as I said, this is from the outside looking

    in and just one man's opinion. I really wish AMSAT would do something,

    anything, to change my perception. Seems to me I saw something about a

    YL running for the board who's interested in open sourcing stuff.? Her

    candidate statement was IMHO, a much needed breath of fresh air but I'm

    no longer a member and don't keep up so no idea if she got elected. If

    AMSAT wants my membership and donation dollars back, they need to change

    perception and I suspect there are many out here in the community who

    feel the way I do.



    73,



    Michael, W4HIJ







    --------------------------------------------

    Frank H. Bauer

    FBauer Aerospace Consulting Services (FB-ACS)

    Phone:? 301-804-0173

    Cell:? 301-873-0890

    NASA E-mail:? <mailto:Frank.Bauer@????.???> Frank.Bauer@????.???

    FB-ACS E-mail:? <mailto:fhbauer@???????.???> fbaueraerospace@?????.???



    _______________________________________________
    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: 5
    Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 21:56:37 -0400
    From: Michael <mat_62@???????.???>
    To: amsat-bb@?????.???
    Subject: [amsat-bb] Just expanding on my previous thoughts about AMSAT perception....
    Message-ID: <598ce4d3-4774-805c-5a03-df2e461e3181@???????.???>
    Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

    ?Expanding on my previous thoughts pasted at bottom...

    It seems to me that the 'easy" thing has run it's course. Again, just
    one mans opinion but I think if you had some sort of setup outside a
    hamfest with a card table and a folding chair, a sat rig and an Arduino
    based rotator controller running off a laptop or I-pad and antennas on a "WRAPS" ( I think?) type tripod tracking both Azimuth and Elevation,
    you'd attract the more technically savvy hams. Probably more youth too.
    I know in my model railroading hobby that the fact we can now run trains
    with a smart phone is a big draw. Back in the day, on the not so great
    passes, I would sometimes fire up the shack computer and my BASIC STAMP
    based Sabretrack homebrew rotor controller and walk outside and watch my
    old surplus OR-360 TV rotators moving my homebrew antennas to track the
    sat across the sky. To me there was a certain "coolness factor" in that
    which can't be matched by the guy holding the antenna in his hand and
    waving it about. In fact, my whole idea in buying the beat up telescope
    tripod was to sit outside at a table with a couple of HT's and my old
    notebook computer driving? the thing with a couple of light weight
    antennas on board. Yes, I know that I don't necessarily need to track
    elevation with an LEO but watching the antennas track both is awesome to
    me. I think we miss the boat sometimes by constantly harping on and
    touting the "easy" aspect of it. Sometimes complex and high tech is more attractive. Digital modes, SDR and computers have made HF radio hi tech
    and cool again, at least for me, yet the sat hobby seems to be bending
    over backwards to over simplify and make things BORRRING! Even model
    railroads are computer controlled these days! It doesn't have to be
    super expensive either. An Arduino and some DC motors and gears can be
    had for less than the cost of a meal for four at Mickey D's. All my
    OR-360's were was Mabuchi style hobby motors hooked to a gear train. You controlled direction by switching polarity of 12VDC sent up the line and
    they had position pot feedback. EasyComm format for AZ/EL. But hey, what
    do I know, I've only been in this hobby forty one years. Just my opinion anyway. That and five bucks will get you a "Venti" designer coffee at Starbucks.

    73,

    Michael, W4HIJ

    Just from the outside looking in...

    AMSAT APPEARS only to be interested in hoisting flying repeaters and PACSAT/APRS and showing the average ham how "easy" it is to work sats
    with a handheld and a simple antenna. I guess that's all well and good
    but I didn't get in the sat end of the hobby for "easy". I wanted a new challenge. I was too late for A0-40 because of lack of funds for a
    station but I did have fun for awhile chasing AO-51, FO-29, AO-7 etc.
    with a TS-2000X and a homebrew rotator and antenna system.
    Unfortunately, life got in the way and I needed family funds so the
    Kenwood hit Ebay and I'm inactive on the birds now. I sometimes consider
    buying a couple of Baofengs (you should ALWAYS operate full duplex but
    that's another thread) and getting back in on the cheap, I even recently
    bought a beat up old telescope with a computer tracking tripod system I
    spotted at Goodwill, but honestly, the challenge isn't there to give me motivation.

    Before everyone flames me, as I said, this is from the outside looking
    in and just one man's opinion. I really wish AMSAT would do something, anything, to change my perception. Seems to me I saw something about a
    YL running for the board who's interested in open sourcing stuff. Her candidate statement was IMHO, a much needed breath of fresh air but I'm
    no longer a member and don't keep up so no idea if she got elected. If
    AMSAT wants my membership and donation dollars back, they need to change perception and I suspect there are many out here in the community who
    feel the way I do.



    ------------------------------

    Message: 6
    Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 22:38:54 -0400
    From: Don KB2YSI <kb2ysi@?????.???>
    To: Roger - W7TZ <ai7rogerroger@?????.???>
    Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Radio chest pack
    Message-ID: <CAAJiE8NXJZ+-s-keB-XQ=k6e9n_c8f2jH0WbWGupzGSCmWQG0Q@????.?????.???> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

    The link did not come through, do you have the item title or can you
    attempt to send the link again?

    On Mon, Jul 29, 2019, 17:06 Roger - W7TZ via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    Holy cow, I had no idea. I don't need one myself. I came across one in the Daily Deal and thought I'd share the info. My apologies.

    73, Roger
    W7TZ
    CN83ia
    Grid Busters
    w7tz.webs.com


    On Mon, Jul 29, 2019 at 1:54 PM Jeff Moore via AMSAT-BB <
    amsat-bb@?????.???>
    wrote:

    So which one did you pick???? Over 3 dozen entries show up when you search Amazon. You didn't provide a link so we are left guessing which
    one
    you like.

    Jeff Moore -- KE7ACY

    On Mon, Jul 29, 2019 at 12:16 PM Roger - W7TZ via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    Recently someone asked about radio packs. I just discovered these on
    Amazon
    reg $23 on sale for $18.69 and free shipping with Prime.
    Tactical Chest Rig, Heavy Duty Radio Chest Harness

    73, Roger
    W7TZ
    CN83ia
    Grid Busters
    w7tz.webs.com
    _______________________________________________
    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: Thu, 1 Aug 2019 12:59:02 +0700
    From: Kenneth P Alexander <ve3hls@?????.???>
    To: Ev Tupis <w2ev@?????.???>
    Cc: AMSAT -BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Transponders For Rent???
    Message-ID: <CAPOM0dmHp6o9bSXuMXz=1W7uEoejOhOxsQvO66hBQBjOScRtaQ@????.?????.???> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

    "DVB-S2X down, FDMA up, single carrier, "

    Is this something I can do with a pair of FT-818s and my Arrow antenna?

    Ken (still VE3HLS)
    So Phisai, Thailand
    Blog: bueng-ken.com

    On Thu, Aug 1, 2019, 07:10 Ev Tupis via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    BRILLIANT! Way to go, Michelle! The potential here is astounding.
    We're sending you all the good vibes that we can!

    Ev, W2EV

    On Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 4:34:42 PM EDT, Michelle Thompson < mountain.michelle@?????.???> wrote:

    I got a call from a space industry contact who saw this post.

    DVB-S2X down, FDMA up, single carrier, reasonable rent, public safety partner. Money for a year's worth could be raised in a single campaign.

    I'll see what I can find out and draw up a proposal.

    -Michelle W5NYV




    On Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 3:53 AM Ev Tupis via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    This is interesting for sure, Michelle.
    Traditionally, amateur satellites (and symbiants) have been self-contained
    RX and TX systems.

    Conjecture follows...If DVB-S2 could be negotiated to provide the
    downlink, the missing component is an uplink within the amateur bands (just restating you).
    That means (if it can be negotiated), our work is cut in half because we
    are reduced to providing the uplink (RX) side and a pathway to the DVB-S2 downlink. Of course, this is an oversimplification because we would also need all of the things that make a symbiant palatable to the host system. Interesting thought experiment, though.
    Ev



    On Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 4:26:39 PM EDT, Michelle Thompson via
    AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    Since the potential rentable birds generally all use DVB-S2 as a downlink, then the work Phase 4 Ground is doing to bring that entire standard to open source amateur radio use would seem to be quite relevant.

    Different question is how to handle amateur uplinks, but there are some internet backhaul options there that would work very well as an
    intermediate step.

    Great question and discussion.

    -Michelle W5NYV

    On Tue, Jul 30, 2019, 13:04 Brad Smith via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    Yes, I would rent in a minute. This would be my solution for working the sats. in the Wisconsin Winter!
    Brad Smith KC9UQR
    <So, like "FM Tower for Rent", signs as seen all over the U.S., could we soon see "GEO TV Satellite transponder for rent" as well ?Maybe this
    could
    be an answer to a ham GEO transponder ?>

    _______________________________________________
    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


    _______________________________________________
    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: 8
    Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2019 13:14:57 +0700
    From: Kenneth P Alexander <ve3hls@?????.???>
    To: Michael <mat_62@???????.???>
    Cc: AMSAT -BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Just expanding on my previous thoughts about
    AMSAT perception....
    Message-ID: <CAPOM0d=YywZp0ayuuEsEOd_xpjy9m7MKy57ESAecjCBPdd0yfw@????.?????.???> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

    Hi Michael,

    I don't see anything wrong with "easy". Easy gets people to try new
    things. I never dreamed I would get into satellites until I read I could
    hear them with my HT and rubber duck. If not for that I probably wouldn't
    have followed up and got on FM satellites with a D72 and then linear
    satellites with a pair of FT-817s.

    My circumstances demanded that I operate portable, swinging an Arrow
    antenna around.

    Only now, a few years later, am I at the stage where I'm thinking "yeah, it would be cool to do this and that with an Arduino". Luckily, I'm retired
    and now have the time to (slowly) learn how to program one.

    My point is if people see that some new aspect of amateur radio is actually easy to get into they're more likely to give it a try. Then they'll see
    the opportunities to use neat tech to make the experience better. That's
    how I see things happening.

    73,

    Ken Alexander, VE3HLS
    So Phisai, Thailand
    Blog: bueng-ken.com

    On Thu, Aug 1, 2019, 08:58 Michael via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    Expanding on my previous thoughts pasted at bottom...

    It seems to me that the 'easy" thing has run it's course. Again, just
    one mans opinion but I think if you had some sort of setup outside a
    hamfest with a card table and a folding chair, a sat rig and an Arduino
    based rotator controller running off a laptop or I-pad and antennas on a "WRAPS" ( I think?) type tripod tracking both Azimuth and Elevation,
    you'd attract the more technically savvy hams. Probably more youth too.
    I know in my model railroading hobby that the fact we can now run trains
    with a smart phone is a big draw. Back in the day, on the not so great passes, I would sometimes fire up the shack computer and my BASIC STAMP
    based Sabretrack homebrew rotor controller and walk outside and watch my
    old surplus OR-360 TV rotators moving my homebrew antennas to track the
    sat across the sky. To me there was a certain "coolness factor" in that
    which can't be matched by the guy holding the antenna in his hand and
    waving it about. In fact, my whole idea in buying the beat up telescope tripod was to sit outside at a table with a couple of HT's and my old notebook computer driving the thing with a couple of light weight
    antennas on board. Yes, I know that I don't necessarily need to track elevation with an LEO but watching the antennas track both is awesome to
    me. I think we miss the boat sometimes by constantly harping on and
    touting the "easy" aspect of it. Sometimes complex and high tech is more attractive. Digital modes, SDR and computers have made HF radio hi tech
    and cool again, at least for me, yet the sat hobby seems to be bending
    over backwards to over simplify and make things BORRRING! Even model railroads are computer controlled these days! It doesn't have to be
    super expensive either. An Arduino and some DC motors and gears can be
    had for less than the cost of a meal for four at Mickey D's. All my
    OR-360's were was Mabuchi style hobby motors hooked to a gear train. You controlled direction by switching polarity of 12VDC sent up the line and
    they had position pot feedback. EasyComm format for AZ/EL. But hey, what
    do I know, I've only been in this hobby forty one years. Just my opinion anyway. That and five bucks will get you a "Venti" designer coffee at Starbucks.

    73,

    Michael, W4HIJ

    Just from the outside looking in...

    AMSAT APPEARS only to be interested in hoisting flying repeaters and PACSAT/APRS and showing the average ham how "easy" it is to work sats
    with a handheld and a simple antenna. I guess that's all well and good
    but I didn't get in the sat end of the hobby for "easy". I wanted a new challenge. I was too late for A0-40 because of lack of funds for a
    station but I did have fun for awhile chasing AO-51, FO-29, AO-7 etc.
    with a TS-2000X and a homebrew rotator and antenna system.
    Unfortunately, life got in the way and I needed family funds so the
    Kenwood hit Ebay and I'm inactive on the birds now. I sometimes consider buying a couple of Baofengs (you should ALWAYS operate full duplex but
    that's another thread) and getting back in on the cheap, I even recently bought a beat up old telescope with a computer tracking tripod system I spotted at Goodwill, but honestly, the challenge isn't there to give me motivation.

    Before everyone flames me, as I said, this is from the outside looking
    in and just one man's opinion. I really wish AMSAT would do something, anything, to change my perception. Seems to me I saw something about a
    YL running for the board who's interested in open sourcing stuff. Her candidate statement was IMHO, a much needed breath of fresh air but I'm
    no longer a member and don't keep up so no idea if she got elected. If
    AMSAT wants my membership and donation dollars back, they need to change perception and I suspect there are many out here in the community who
    feel the way I do.

    _______________________________________________
    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: Thu, 1 Aug 2019 10:34:19 +0000 (UTC)
    From: Ev Tupis <w2ev@?????.???>
    To: AMSAT -BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Transponders For Rent???
    Message-ID: <1775694644.74287.1564655659756@????.?????.???>
    Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

    It isn't even a proposal yet, Ken (Michelle said, "I'll see what I can find out and draw up a proposal.").? Give it time to "bake". Lol.
    "Go, Michelle.? Go!" :-)

    Ev, W2EV


    On Thursday, August 1, 2019, 1:59:18 AM EDT, Kenneth P Alexander <ve3hls@?????.???> wrote:

    "DVB-S2X down, FDMA up, single carrier, "
    Is this something I can do with a pair of FT-818s and my Arrow antenna?

    Ken (still VE3HLS)
    So Phisai, Thailand
    Blog:? bueng-ken.com
    On Thu, Aug 1, 2019, 07:10 Ev Tupis via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    ?BRILLIANT!? Way to go, Michelle!? The potential here is astounding.? We're sending you all the good vibes that we can!

    Ev, W2EV

    ? ? On Wednesday, July 31, 2019, 4:34:42 PM EDT, Michelle Thompson <mountain.michelle@?????.???> wrote:?

    ?I got a call from a space industry contact who saw this post.?

    DVB-S2X down, FDMA up, single carrier, reasonable rent, public safety
    partner. Money for a year's worth could be raised in a single campaign.

    I'll see what I can find out and draw up a proposal.?

    -Michelle W5NYV




    On Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 3:53 AM Ev Tupis via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:

    ?This is interesting for sure, Michelle.
    Traditionally, amateur satellites (and symbiants) have been self-contained
    RX and TX systems.

    Conjecture follows...If DVB-S2 could be negotiated to provide the downlink,
    the missing component is an uplink within the amateur bands (just restating you).
    That means (if it can be negotiated), our work is cut in half because we are reduced to providing the uplink (RX) side and a pathway to the DVB-S2 downlink.? Of course, this is an oversimplification because we would also
    need all of the things that make a symbiant palatable to the host system. Interesting thought experiment, though.
    Ev



    ? ? On Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 4:26:39 PM EDT, Michelle Thompson via
    AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:?

    ?Since the potential rentable birds generally all use DVB-S2 as a downlink, then the work Phase 4 Ground is doing to bring that entire standard to open source amateur radio use would seem to be quite relevant.

    Different question is how to handle amateur uplinks, but there are some internet backhaul options there that would work very well as an
    intermediate step.

    Great question and discussion.

    -Michelle W5NYV

    On Tue, Jul 30, 2019, 13:04 Brad Smith via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
    wrote:

    Yes, I would rent in a minute. This would be my solution for working the sats. in the Wisconsin Winter!
    Brad Smith KC9UQR
    <So, like "FM Tower for Rent", signs as seen all over the U.S., could we
    soon see "GEO TV Satellite transponder for rent" as well ?Maybe this could
    be an answer to a ham GEO transponder ?>

    _______________________________________________
    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


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