[amsat-bb] AMSAT at Dayton Hamvention/Volunteers Needed

[Barry Baines <bbaines@xxxxxxx>]

The 2004 Dayton Hamvention is quickly approaching (May 14-16).  This 
memo outlines AMSAT’s activities at Hamvention and provides an overview 
of how you can help make Hamvention a successful weekend for AMSAT.  
Dayton is a three-day ‘marathon’ with an immense amount of activity.  
Despite the challenges presented by the economy and added security for 
travel, we expect Hamvention to remain the premier amateur radio 
gathering of the year in North America.

For those planning to use GPS to Hamvention, Hara Arena’s location in 
degrees/decimal minutes is:
N 39 49.223
W 84 15.335

I. AMSAT Booth Activities
AMSAT will be in the same booth location as previous years: Booth 
spaces 445-448. Our focus this year is on membership and OSCAR-Echo.  
We expect to have a very busy booth this year with a variety of updated 
and new items:
a. New golf shirt, t-shirt, and hats will be available this year.  Come 
see the latest in satellite fashions!
b. An updated laminated AMSAT Frequency Guide (thanks to N1JEZ) with 
the latest satellite information.
c. An updated “Amateur Satellite Resource Guide” (thanks to N1JEZ) will 
be available at the booth and provided to new members.
d. A new book on Echo written by Gould Smith, WA4SXM, is planned for 
Dayton.
e. 30th Anniversary AO-7 QSL Cards
f. Once again, AMSAT expects to offer the ‘Arrow Antenna” at the booth 
this year.
Please note that AMSAT expects to handle this antenna at Hamvention 
ONLY and will not necessarily be available from AMSAT following 
Hamvention. This is the antenna that many individuals are using to work 
the LEO FM satellites utilizing their dual-band HT’s.
g.  AMSAT will be distributing MacDoppler Pro from Dog Park Software.  
This is the premier satellite tracking program for the Macintosh 
platform and will be available at a discount.
h.  AMSAT will be distributing NOVA at Hamvention this year while 
Northern Lights Software will not be present.  Software is on CD-ROM.  
SATPC32, SCRAP (A new program), and Instant Trak will also be 
available.
i. All of the current AMSAT publications will be available.
j As in the past, software demonstrations will be conducted at the 
booth.
k.  Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA and Steve Diggs, W4EPI will be conducting 
satellite demonstrations.

Commercial hours on Friday are 0900-1800.    The commercial hours on 
Saturday are 0800-1700 and 0800-1300 on Sunday.  Overall, the AMSAT 
booth will be open for 23 hours over the weekend.

II. AMSAT Membership Drive
AMSAT will once again offer a ‘membership incentive’ at Hamvention in 
order to encourage new members to join and have current members renew 
during the Dayton Hamvention.     The membership theme is “Join the 
Future in Space Communications—AMSAT.” An AMSAT benefactor has offered 
to cover the cost of a providing a complete Mode- S and Mode-L system!  
   This includes antennas, Mode-S downconverter, Mode- L transverter, 
and Mode-L amplifier.  The user will need to provide an appropriate 
SSB/CW transceiver to serve as the exciter/receiver.   The package 
iincludes:
S-Band Downlink:  Phillips-Tech barbeque antenna with SSB UEK3000SAT 
receive converter
L-Band Uplink:  Down East Microwave 2324YRM (24 elements/6 foot boom) 
with Down East Microwave 1268-144TX transmit Converter.  This unit 
features 15+ watts output from .1 to 10w input on two meters.

For an individual to be eligible for the prize drawing, the following 
criteria must be met:
a.  An individual must cover the cost of a membership to AMSAT-NA.  
Annual basic cost of US membership is $39.00 while cost to personnel 
residing in Canada or Mexico is $45.00 and memberships for all others 
is $50.00.
b.  Both new memberships and renewals of existing memberships at the 
suitable level are eligible for the drawing.
c.  New membership/renewals must be done at the AMSAT booth at Dayton 
Hamvention.
d. Only one membership per individual will qualify.  This means an 
individual who elects for a multi-year membership receives one chance 
just as an individual who selects a one year membership.
e. Individuals who currently hold a Life Membership may elect to donate 
to AMSAT the equivalent of one year’s membership ($39.00 US).

In addition, AMSAT will offer memberships at various ‘premium levels’, 
which qualifies individuals to receive various incentives. For example, 
the newly updated laminated AMSAT Frequency Chart will be given to 
those who pay the basic membership fee while SAT PC-32 will be offered 
to those who pay at the “QRO 75” level ($75.00 in US, $81.00 in 
Canada/Mexico, and $85.00 elsewhere).  Again, each new member or 
renewal will qualify the new/renewing member for this drawing.

The drawing for the S-Band and L-Band satellite station equipment will 
be done at the AMSAT booth at 1200 on Sunday, May 16.  The winner does 
not have to be present to win and AMSAT will cover the cost of shipping 
the equipment to the member’s address as shown on the membership form.  
  If the winner is present at the drawing, the individual may take the 
equipment home directly (and save AMSAT the shipping costs).  In 
accordance with Federal Tax Code which requires prizes valued over 
$600.00 to be reported, AMSAT will prepare IRS Form 1099 covering the 
cost of the equipment so that the winner can include this information 
in their Year 2004 Income Tax Return.
This is a unique opportunity that is primarily designed to increase 
AMSAT membership.   While some may regret that we could not include 
renewals outside of Dayton, the logistics of such an option makes it 
impractical to extend the program beyond Dayton.  Keep in mind that the 
primary purpose of this incentive is to encourage new memberships from 
those who attend our Hamvention Forums and visit the AMSAT booth where 
they can meet members, obtain information, and be encouraged to join 
our hobby.

III. Echo Launch Campaign
“Give a boost to Echo” is the second theme for AMSAT at Dayton this 
year.  AMSAT is seeking donations to the Echo Launch Fund.  The launch 
window for Echo starts on June 29.  A key concern is generating the 
funds necessary to cover launch expenses.   In order to commit to this 
upcoming launch opportunity, AMSAT has basically borrowed against its 
future to cover the launch.  This means that we need to receive 
donations to ‘replenish the kitty’ so that AMSAT’s finances are back at 
an appropriate level to ensure the organization’s longevity and to be 
in position to tackle future projects, such as Eagle.  As of April 19, 
we are about $48,000 short of our campaign goal.
As an incentive to encourage donations to the Echo Launch Fund at 
Hamvention, we will have a separate prize drawing for those who support 
the launch fund. Individuals who donate at least $30.00 to the Echo 
Launch Fund will be eligible to win a Alfa Radio “Alfa Spid Az/El” 
rotator system which has been donated to AMSAT-NA by Alfa Radio.  This 
is a new product featuring high torque, digital system featuring high 
precision (1 degree).  Information on this system can be found at 
www.alfaradio.ca.
For an individual to qualify for this drawing, the following criteria 
must be met:

-A donation of $30.00 or more to the Echo Launch Fund.
-Donation must be made at the AMSAT booth by 1200 on Sunday, May 16.
-Only one donation per individual will qualify.

A receipt will be provided to the donor for documenting the donation to 
a qualifying 501-C-3 organization.

The drawing for the rotator will be done at the AMSAT booth at 1200 on 
Sunday, May 16 following the membership drawing.  The winner does not 
have to be present to win and AMSAT will cover the cost of shipping the 
equipment to the member’s address as shown either on the donation form 
or current FCC database based upon the callsign on the receipt.   If 
the winner is present at the drawing, the individual may take the 
equipment home directly (and save AMSAT the shipping costs).  In 
accordance with Federal Tax Code which requires prizes valued over 
$600.00 to be reported, AMSAT will prepare IRS Form 1099 covering the 
cost of the equipment so that the winner can include this information 
in their Year 2004 Income Tax Return.

IV. Hamvention Volunteers
Setup of the AMSAT booth will take place on Thursday, 13 MAY.  If you 
will be in Dayton during daylight on Thursday and can assist with 
setup, please contact me (wd4asw@amsat.org) so that we can coordinate 
your participation.   The Setup Team will meet in the lobby of the 
Hampton Inn, 2550 Parmouint Place, Fairborn, OH at 0830 Thursday 
morning before proceeding to the Arena.  If you will be arriving in 
Dayton later in the day, we can make arrangements for your entry to 
assist.  Don’t forget to bring proper identification.

We need AMSAT members to volunteer for a ‘tour of duty’ during a 
portion of the Hamvention. Volunteers will help handle the myriad of 
activities that typically occur at an AMSAT booth-handle transaction, 
deal with memberships and renewals, answer questions, and serve as a 
representative of AMSAT.  Prior experience in representing AMSAT at 
(any) hamfests is helpful but not required.

Please let me know if you can give us a hand during the Hamvention. 
Send me an e-mail (wd4asw@amsat.org) and include the following:
1. What hours are you willing to volunteer during each day that the 
commercial exhibits are open?  The commercial exhibits are open Friday 
0900-1800, Saturday 0800-1700, and Sunday 0800-1300. Please volunteer 
for one-hour periods or multiples thereof.  If you can help at various 
times during the Hamvention, please provide a prioritization as to 
which specified periods are best for you.
2. Include your name, callsign, and e-mail address in your message.
3. Indicate any special skills that would be helpful, such as 
familiarity with specific products available through AMSAT, 
particularly software such as  MacDoppler, SCRAP, SATPC32 and NOVA. 
While we are looking for volunteers to help with the ‘crush’ of normal 
exhibitor activities, it would be helpful to know who can assist in 
software demonstrations or answer particular questions about various 
aspects of our hobby during a particular shift.
4. If you have already sent me an e-mail offering to volunteer, please 
respond by e-mail to this request by

Note:  Even if you’ve previously sent me an e-mail indicating an 
interest in helping out, please respond to this request for volunteers 
by specifying the times that you are available to work.

If you can volunteer to assist, please let me know by Thursday, May 6.  
I intend to provide a tentative work schedule no later than Sunday 
evening, May 9 to those who have indicated a willingness to help. 
Please stop by the AMSAT booth when you arrive at the Hamvention to 
confirm your schedule or to change your work assignment if necessary.

As noted above, setup of the booth will take place on Thursday.  If you 
are available to help with booth setup please let me know.

V.  Other AMSAT Activities
1.  AMSAT members who are in Dayton on Thursday evening, 13 MAY, are 
invited to attend Third Annual pizza’n’suds get together at Marion’s 
Pizza in Beavercreek  starting at 1830.  Details are available on the 
AMSAT web site (www.amsat.org) under Dayton Hamvention.  Contact Dave 
Misek,, N8NPX at n8npx@arrl.net for more information and to let Dave 
know how many people will be in your group.   Directions to the 
restaurant are available on the AMSAT Website 
(www.amsat.org/amsat/activities/dayton/dayton04.html).

2.	Don’t forget the AMSAT dinner on Friday evening, 14 MAY, at the 
Amber Rose Restaurant in old North Dayton, which is the same location 
that we’ve used for the past six years. Doors open at 1800 (happy hour) 
with dinner served at 1930.  Cost including tax and tip (but not 
including cash bar) is $25.00.  Reservations are required.  Contact 
Nancy Makley, kc8gyw@amsat.org.  Confirmations will be sent via e-mail. 
  Directions to the restaurant will be available at the AMSAT booth.  
For GPS/APRS users, the restaurant’s location in degrees/decimal 
minutes is:

N 39 46.915
W 084 9.557
Maidenhead Grid Square EM79ws
	
3.  This year the AMSAT contingent will be staying at a new location: 
Hampton Inn, 2550 Paramount Place, Fairborn, OH 45324 (tel. 
937-429-5505).  AMSAT’s block of rooms are already booked, but you can 
try contacting the hotel to see if there any rooms available over 
Hamvention weekend.

4.	The AMSAT Forum is scheduled on Saturday from 0815-0945 in Room 1.   
The following presentations are scheduled:

Barry BAINES, WD4ASW  Forum Moderator
Rick HAMBLY, W2GPS   "AMSAT OSCAR-Echo Project Spring 2004 Status 
Report"
Gould SMITH, WA4SXM "Echo-From an Operator's Point of View"
Frank BAUER, KA3HDO "AMSAT's Future Role in Human Spaceflight 
Exploration-ARISS, the Moon and Mars"

5.Satellite Demonstrations
Drew Glasbrenner, K04MA and Steve Diggs, W4EPI will be conducting 
satellite demonstrations during Hamvention.  The schedule for the demos 
will be available at the booth.

Date      AOS (EDT)	   LOS (EDT)	Duration  	AOS  Max    LOS

SO-50
5/15/04 	12:51:39	13:05:03	00:13:24	338°  22°    111°
5/15/04 	14:32:13	14:46:43	00:14:30	323°  56°    162°
5/16/04 	11:41:24	11:52:24	00:11:00	 44°  10°    82°

FO-29
5/15/04 	13:28:58	13:44:08	00:15:10	 18°  52°   182°
5/15/04 	15:14:42	15:27:43	00:13:01	357°  18°   237°
5/16/04 	12:34:44	12:47:49	00:13:04	 32°  16°   151°	
AO-7
5/15/04 	 9:55:25	10:17:14	00:21:49	22°  46°   178°
5/15/04 	11:48:22	12:09:34	00:21:12	11°  41°   226°
5/16/04 	 8:56:26	  9:15:08	00:18:42	32°  18°   149°
5/16/04 	10:48:17	11:10:40	00:22:23	16°  88°   201°
5/16/04 	12:41:50	13:00:29	00:18:39	 6°  21°   250°	

Note:  AO-7 demo is contingent upon the satellite being in Mode-B.  If 
the satellite is in Mode-A, then the demo will be receive only.

All times shown are local (EDT).

Hamvention attendees wishing to see these satellite demonstrations are 
invited to meet at the AMSAT booth 10 minutes prior to each pass that 
takes place during Hamvention Hours.

VI.  Summary
AMSAT’s activities at Dayton will be extensive and varied.  Along with 
offering updated information (books, frequency chart, and Resource 
Guide) and products that have been popular at Dayton in the past 
(Satellite tracking software for PC and Mac platforms, and the Arrow 
Antenna), there will also be ‘something new’ to look forward to as 
well.  These include:
-New AMSAT golf shirts, t-shirts, and hats
-New membership drive incentive featuring the opportunity to win a 
package designed to provide L-Band and S-Band satellite capability
-OSCAR-Echo materials in anticipation of launch later this summer
-OSCAR-Echo prize drawing featuring an Alfa Radio azimuth/elevation 
rotor system to encourage donations to the launch fund.
-Outstanding Forum presentations that will cover both near term and 
longer-term opportunities for AMSAT
-Satellite Demos all three days coordinated by KO4MA and W4EPI

Dayton is a unique opportunity to represent AMSAT to an extremely large 
number of people. If at all possible, please consider giving us a hand 
during this event.  If you will be attending Hamvention this year and 
are unable to help out, please stop by the AMSAT booth and say ‘hello’ 
and take advantage of what AMSAT has to offer at Dayton this year.


Barry A. Baines, WD4ASW
VP-Field Operations
AMSAT-NA

E-mail: wd4asw@amsat.org
704-788-8032 (home)
704-788-8042 (home-fax)


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