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<DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3 bgColor=gray>
<TBODY>
<TR bgColor=#f0f8ff>
<TD noWrap align=middle colSpan=9><STRONG><FONT size=4><FONT
color=#191970><SPAN class=h4span>AMSAT Online Satellite Pass Predictions -
AO-51 to PORTUGAL(IM59wq)</SPAN><BR></FONT></FONT></STRONG><A
href="http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/predict/satloc.php?lang=en&satellite=AO-51">View
the current location of AO-51</A> </TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=lightyellow>
<TH class=small noWrap>Date (UTC)</TH>
<TH class=small noWrap>AOS (UTC)</TH>
<TH class=small noWrap>Duration</TH>
<TH class=small noWrap>AOS<BR>Azimuth</TH>
<TH class=small noWrap>Maximum<BR>Elevation</TH>
<TH class=small noWrap>Max El <BR>Azimuth</TH>
<TH class=small noWrap>LOS<BR>Azimuth</TH>
<TH class=small noWrap>LOS (UTC)</TH></TR>
<TR bgColor=white>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>17 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>17:06:13</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:10:21</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>105</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>9</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>64</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>14</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>17:16:34</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=gainsboro>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>17 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18:41:59</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:14:45</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>162</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>76</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>48</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>350</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18:56:44</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=white>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>17 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>20:22:59</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:11:31</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>219</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>11</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>259</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>323</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>20:34:30</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=gainsboro>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>06:50:53</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:12:59</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>26</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>25</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>85</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>164</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>07:03:52</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=white>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>08:29:40</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:13:08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>1</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>30</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>305</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>220</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>08:42:48</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=gainsboro>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>10:12:08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:03:04</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>322</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>1</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>309</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>296</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>10:15:12</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=white>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>16:30:31</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:04:46</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>71</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>1</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>58</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>32</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>16:35:17</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=gainsboro>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18:03:15</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:13:54</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>141</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>31</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>87</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>358</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18:17:09</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=white>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>18 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19:42:07</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:13:49</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>194</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>27</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>250</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>335</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19:55:56</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=gainsboro>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>06:12:28</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:10:23</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>40</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>9</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>81</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>138</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>06:22:51</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=white>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>07:50:06</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:13:51</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>11</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>76</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>305</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>198</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>08:03:57</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=gainsboro>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>09:30:19</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:09:29</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>345</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>8</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>303</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>258</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>09:39:48</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=white>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>17:25:21</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:11:53</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>118</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>14</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>58</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>8</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>17:37:14</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=gainsboro>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19:02:13</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:14:41</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>173</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>67</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>245</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>345</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19:16:54</TD></TR>
<TR bgColor=white>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>19 Oct 08</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>20:44:45</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>00:09:01</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>235</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>6</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>276</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>313</TD>
<TD class=small noWrap align=middle>20:53:46</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV><A
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<H1>AO-51 configuration to support Scouting JOTA</H1>
<P><FONT face=Verdana><STRONG>AMSAT-NA</STRONG> is supporting the 51st
<EM><STRONG>Jamboree on the Air (JOTA)</STRONG></EM> Scouting event by
dedicating AO-51 operation to the event. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>For October 18th and 19th, AO-51 will be configured as a
single channel V/U repeater.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>All users are requested to standby for JOTA
stations.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana> <BR>Please limit QSOs to those between or involving
at least one JOTA station during this weekend. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>The frequencies used for this weekend will be
<STRONG>145.880 FM uplink</STRONG>, and <STRONG>435.300 FM downlink</STRONG>,
<STRONG>no PL tone</STRONG> required.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana> <BR>The mode change should occur at ~00:00 UTC on
the 18th (Friday evening in the US) and run for approximately 48
hours.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>AMSAT wishes the Scouts good luck operating via the AO-51
satellite for the event. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>Reports of your JOTA operations should be sent to the
AMSAT-BB or directly to </FONT><A href="mailto:ko4ma@amsat.org"><FONT
face=Verdana>ko4ma@amsat.org</FONT></A><FONT face=Verdana>. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>Photo files up to 5 Mb total are also welcome for possible
inclusion in an upcoming AMSAT Journal article.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana><EM><STRONG>73, Drew KO4MA<BR></STRONG></EM>AMSAT-NA VP
Operations</FONT></P>
<P>
<TABLE cellPadding=8 width="100%">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top align=middle>
<H2>Suggestions for Success Working AMSAT-OSCAR 51 (Echo) <BR>on a
Handheld Transceiver</H2></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><IMG height=219 alt="" hspace=30
src="http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/images/echo_200.jpg" width=200
align=right vspace=16 border=1><I>[This was originally posted as 8
suggestions in a post on the AMSAT-BB. Several people wrote to me and
asked that I post it on the website, and a few were scratching their
heads. It was late after a midnight AO-51 pass when I wrote it, and after
reading my post the next morning I decided to add a few things and include
a few graphics. </I>
<P><I>I don't remember who told them to me (KK5DO perhaps) but I'd like to
thank all my elmers - you know who you are.]<BR></I></P>
<HR>
<OL>
<LI type=1>THE ONE TRUE RULE for HT success (and even for FM base
station users) - keep your SQUELCH OFF. If you ignore every other rule
in this list, don't ignore this one. Working satellites starts off as a
process of finding weak signals, so don't expect the satellite to be
anywhere as strong enough to break squelch like your local repeater. I
know it's noisy, but that's part of the process. Noise can also be an
aid in locating the satellite because when the frequency starts to
exhibit QUIETING, that's a sure sign that you are hearing the satellite,
and you should get ready.
<LI type=1>LISTEN FIRST! Even though you only have 5 watts, it's
still possible to jam other stations. Expect to hear other stations
before you transmit. If you can't hear other stations and need to check
your uplink, don't call CQ, just transmit your callsign. If others hear
you, they will want to work you.
<LI type=1>Use a good antenna for your HT. A good gain whip antenna like
the AL-800 is very good. Using an <A
href="http://www.arrowantennas.com/146-437.html">Arrow dual-band</A>
handheld antenna is better, and if you prefer to homebrew your antenna,
Alex Diaz XE1MEX has an excellent <A
href="http://xe1mex.gq.nu/antenas/yagi.html">Yagi-Uda design.</A>
<LI type=1>When you identify yourself, always say your CALLSIGN followed
by "HANDHELD" - I've found most operators will give way to HT users if
they identify themselves that way. "Portable" is also good.
<LI type=1><IMG height=265 alt="AO-51 Doppler Correction" hspace=20
src="http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/images/AO-51_Doppler.gif"
width=400 align=right vspace=10 border=0>Set up your radio so you can to
tune for DOPPLER. If your HT only has 5KHz tuning steps, start listening
5 KHz above the center frequency - you will hear the satellite sooner
and clearer. When you hear the downlink signals get scratchy or
fuzzy, tune down 5KHz and it should be clearer. Follow the signal down
in frequency as the pass continues. (See the graphic to the right.) If
your HT doesn't allow you to use split frequencies in VFO mode,
consider programming a couple of memory channels in this way, then just
move to the next memory channel. For 5KHz tuning step radios it's
debateable whether or not tuning the transmit frequency is helpful. If
you have 1KHz or finer tuning steps it definitely helps.
<LI type=1><IMG height=200 alt="Facing the Satellite" hspace=20
src="http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/images/HT2.gif" width=120
align=right vspace=10 border=0><IMG height=200
alt="Back to the satellite"
src="http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/images/HT1.gif" width=98
align=right border=0>Don't hold your whip antenna upright. Vertical
antennas are not good, and a HT held upright isn't either. The satellite
isn't on the ground (which is what HT's and vertical antennas were
designed for). TILT IT about the same amount as the satellites
ELEVATION. This means that if you are FACING the satellite, tilt it down
towards the ground from HORIZONTAL an equal amount. If the satellite is
to your back, tilt it up an equal amount away from the satellites
position off the vertical. You will be surprised at the difference.
<LI type=1>Make sure you know where the satellite is. Even if you don't
have a palm sized computer running a tracking program such as PocketSat
or PetitTrack you can estimate this. If you know the AOS azimuth and the
satellite pass time, you can just estimate how much to move until you
find the satellite. On ASCENDING (South to North) with the satellite
EAST of you or DECENDING passes (North to South) and WEST of you, move
your body anti-clockwise (counter-clockwise for people in the US). If
the satellite is ASCENDING WEST or DECENDING EAST, move clockwise.
<LI type=1>HEADPHONES are very important, especially if you are working
full duplex. You are much better off listening with two ears than one.
If you have a full duplex HT like a Icom IC-W32A you can listen to your
own downlink (a good thing). Your brain is far better at discriminating
signals than most expensive DSPs.
<LI type=1>Know your gridsquare as that is a quick way of identifying
your location. Saying CM87 is much quicker than saying "San Francisco,
California". The ARRL and Icom have some dandy gridsquare maps, the
latter of which are free at most amateur radio stores. You can download
both from the respective websites.
<LI type=1>Map out a strategy for contacts. This isn't rocket science,
but close. So preparation and planning is important. Not every pass is
workable with an HT, so don't go after the 10 degree passes. Pick your
passes, and work the ones you know will give you the best chance. It's
not a battleground out there, but it's not a walk in the park either.
You are competing with other stations for a limited resource so it helps
to plan. If there are population centers (bright spots on the map) to
the east of you, work western passes. If they are south of you, listen
north. If you live on the coast, try passes out over the ocean.
<LI type=1>If you don't plan to write down your contacts, try to work
out someway to record them. You can hook a MP3 or Cassette recorder into
the headphone jack on the receive side to record your contacts so you
can review it later. On many HTs you can just use a simple "Y" cable
available from Radio Shack. Even if you don't make contacts, it helps to
accustom yourself to the callsigns, voices and personalities of the
other operators. When I first started out, I found it more valuable to
know which contacts I missed rather than the ones I made.
<LI type=1>Ask questions! Find an elmer or look up the AMSAT area
coordinator for your area. You can <A
href="http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/ac.php">locate an Area
Coordinator</A> on the AMSAT website. Posting specific questions on the
AMSAT bulletin board will also help you find answers. </LI></OL>
<P><B>Most of all - <A
href="http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/membership/">Join AMSAT</A></B>! It
will help you get plugged in to a very good organization, keep you
informed of the latest developments, and contribute to the success of
the amateur satellite program.</P>
<HR width="90%">
<P><I>Contributed by Emily Clarke W0EEC, <BR>AMSAT Area Coordinator, San
Francisco Bay</I></P>
<P> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></P></FONT></BODY></HTML>