0 Command Team and Operations Group AO-51 News

Re posted from amsat.org 









November 29, 2011

It is with a heavy heart I report that AO-51 has ceased transmission and is not responding to commands. The last telemetry data indicated that the third of six batteries was approaching failure to short, and observations indicate the voltage from three cells is insufficient to power the UHF transmitters. The IHU may continue to be operative. Initial tests with the S band transmitter were also not positive, although more attempts are in order. We have tried leaving the satellite in an expected state where if voltages climb high enough, the 435.150 transmitter may possibly be heard.

The command team will regularly attempt communications with the satellite over the coming months (and years). There is always the possibility that a cell will open and we could once again talk to our friend while illuminated. Thanks to all who helped fund, design, build, launch, command, and operate AO-51. It's 7 year mission has been extraordinary. Please support AMSAT's Fox-1 project, and other AMSAT projects worldwide with your time and money.

For the AO-51 Command Team,

73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations



73's
Jon N5JLD

0 R.A.O.T.A. Recap 11/24/2011

Well it went sort of like this. KF5FEI and I showed up at the rest stop just before 5 am CST. 
We got set up and the noise from the lights lighting up the rest stop was horrible. 
Way to much for SSB even with DSB, oh well so I waited for daylight. Bill was setup for PSK31 and 
not having much better luck with all the noise. As daylight arrived the band started to wake up with 
it. Bill made a handful of contacts and I could hear a lot on phone but no one heard me.
I switched to Bill's antenna and spun the dial to 14.325 and called CQ. Well VK3LAA came back 
and answered my call. That's right VK. Problem was that he was not in Australia but off the coast of 
Mexico. In a boat, dead in the water and looking for help. Bill started looking on how to get a hold 
of the Coast Guard while I was talking to him getting to location and his current status. He was in a
35 foot sailboat but his motor was not working and he is adrift with no winds. Well Bill got a hold of
the USCG in California and we were relaying information back and forth. The USCG was trying to 
raise the Mexican Coast Guard as VK3LAA was having no luck on Maritime VHF. Bill then called
Scott McBain to see if we could find a club member with a base station and maybe a beam that might
be better suited, remember we were portable at a rest stop south of Fort Worth. Robert AD5VJ 
signed on and took over the lead as he was able to get with the folks over on 14.300 with the 
Maritime Mobile Net. They in turn got in contact with all their support personnel and got him the 
help he needed. I signed off with VK3LAA as he was in very good hands. I spun the dial again and 
made contacts with CA and MO. We then called it a day, packed up and headed for Turkey time.



     Just your average day and the rest stop...........


73's
Jon N5JLD

0 Burleson Rest Stop Activation 11/24/2011

N5JLD & KF5FEI

Will be activating the Burleson Texas Rest Area
as part of the Rest Stops On The Air

on 11/24/2011
The rest stop is located on Interstate 35W @ exit 31

• Grid Square = Em12il
• IH 35W - North Bound, South of Burleson
• Latitude = 32.4733 Longitude = -97.2719
• Milepost: 33

We will be in operation from 11:00 utc (5:00 am CST) until 17:00 utc (11:00 am CST)

We will be starting on 20 meters @ 14.290 +/- QRM

We may also try 10 meters @ 28.390 +/- QRM

And 40 meters @ 7.290 +/- QRM

QSL via LOTW, EQSL or direct via callsign

Follow N5JLD on Twitter for last minute updates and frequencies.

73's
Jon N5JLD

0 Steve Jobs

73's
Jon N5JLD

0 Bus Sized Satellite to Auger in to Earth

I just to do not get the warm and fuzzies about this.....

I can't wait until Friday



73's
Jon N5JLD

0 20 Meters

 I tried out my new 20 meter dipole the other day. Good SWR and also great audio reports. I'm sure band conditions had something to do with it . Made some good contacts , both coasts and Canada from my home QTH. This will be my field day setup.


73's
Jon N5JLD

0 I passed my Extra Class Exam

Well after months of study I passed on the first try. I arrived at the church about 6 hours early as there was a tech class going on at the time. A few of us went into a back room and studied some more. Then it was test time. I was so ready for phase angles and RC circuits and none were on the test.


Oh well, I'm still happy on the passing grade and allready filled out my VE paperwork.


Have fun...

73's
Jon N5JLD

0 Ham Radio Truth Video

This is funny and so true.

Have Fun.




73's
Jon N5JLD

0 4:1 Balun Video

Here is a great video on making your own 4:1 balun using a T130-2 Toroid.

18 magnet wire should handle up to 200 watts.

73's
Jon N5JLD

0 Pole Tower Tripod Mount

I picked up these poles at the Cowntown Hamfest last weekend and I always wondered how to really use them for a portable tower type setup. I had seen a tripod adapter that was selling for $40.00 and was really kind of bulky and did I mention $40.00. Well after a little CAD work and laser programming I came up with this little gem. All tube is .120 wall and the plates are .105 thick (12ga). Total production laser time for all cut parts was 78 seconds, about 10 minutes to TIG weld it up and then 1.25 hours to powder coat. (Phosphate wash, dry, coat and then cure). So it took longer to paint then anything else. This really makes a stable base and with the 12 pole kit that I bought, I should have enough for a 40 foot portable tower. I just need to make the antenna attachments. I'm thinking one for the 2 meter J pole, Ham Stick Dipole and then the OCF Dipole.....

 

73's
Jon N5JLD

0 Setup Solder Bench

Well I finally got around to setting up a small bench to solder and assemble stuff. I even melted a little solder already.

 
73's
Jon N5JLD

0 Rig Control Netbook and 857D

Well, that was easy. No really it was really that easy to connect the computer and 857D together and have it work. Here it is running HRD on XP in all its glory.

73's
Jon N5JLD