LVB Trackers - building !!!

Well sorta... I'm building one tracker to see how long it takes. AMSAT takes a volunteer time audit at years end and I want an accurate time for build. This time may not be entirely accurate because I build everything in assembly line fashion. I will say that building one board is more fun than building 20. And since I ran out of lcd displays I'm trying out some of the optional displays that are laying around. Now using a red on black display that looks real cool straight on but at an angle the black background washes out. Here's the red display we're looking at. The pictures don't represent the actual color of the display. But I spent so much time with it I decided to let it run.

The following image is from the Matrix Orbital web site and is how the red on black display should look!

Above is the display we've used for 99% of all trackers built. I think it is probably the best choice but I really like the blue on white but I don't have an example of that.

Spent way too much time on this blog...

Later... 73's

LVB Tracker - I'm working satellites!

Hi everyone!

It's the day after Christmas.... The best day of the winter holiday season.

Several things happening! I'm on a TWO WEEK Christmas vacation! First time in 40 years since my senior year in High School. Last year I took a week but this year was able to finagle two. Two weeks ago I finished setting up my satellite station that got taken down two years ago so I could support LVB Tracker demos at Hamvention.
When the Chinese launched Hope-1 I had to hook up the TS-2000 and hear it and WOW does it talk. So in the process I've worked most all the satellites on FM and SSB. Still learning how to set up doppler but did have a couple ssb qso's on HO-68 the other night. And hoping to install a preamp on the tower before going back to work. So I'M HAVING FUN ON THE BIRDS!!!

Also, we ran out of some LVB Tracker parts. This came at a bad time cause we are still behind 11 orders. This project has become way too successful. So, last Sunday I ordered all the parts I needed for 100 more trackers, and then some! Hoping the demand drops cause this project takes a lot of time. I try not to cut corners on this project, using connectors throughout drives the assembly time way up but I'm building every one the way I like it! Unfortunately the Matrix Orbital lcd displays may not be in till after new years. But there is lots to do to prepare for that and I just hope I can get some of that done. Having too much fun working satellites and improving the station. Got some badly needed repeater work to do too! I JUST GOT TOO MUCH TO DO! Just checked my email and there is not shipping notification from Matrix Orbital so we will not have displays until after new years. So no trackers will ship till the second week of January. Deepest apologies to those waiting... ITS ALL MY FAULT! I just take on more than I can do.

More updates to follow. You can email me at wb8cxo@amsat.org

LVB Tracker - Good/Bad news

The good news is we were able to ship the last 10 of a 20 unit build a week or so ago. The bad news came from an email from Martha at the. AMSAT office that there were 11 unfilled orders. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I'M OUT OF PARTS!!! Displays, button assemblies, display cables, pics, buttons, din cables, USB modules, crystals, pots, ic sockets, 7805's and just 11 pcb' s left go figure.

Today ordered parts for at least 110 trackers. Tomorrow we'll order the LCD's from Matrix Orbital. Many thousands of dollars spent but it will be made back and then some. But a lot of time and work will happen to get there.

So amongst all the Christmas festivities and the days interruptions we will be stuffing boards as much as we have parts for. The holidays may delay the arrival of parts recently ordered. Sorry if a tracker was to be a Christmas gift for someone. Were building them as fast as we can.

Best of the season!

LVB Trackers - 10 shipping today!

I'm just glad to say that TEN LVB TRACKERS ARE SHIPPING TODAY! Not as many as I hoped and a day late but it's the best
I can do an I'll just hafta be happy with that. Back to the bench tonite as we are still behind.