[amsat-bb] Ts2000 with external preamps
Can anyone recommend to me how they remove dc from the coax before rf hits my preamps and fry's them.? I see a box on eBay that a guy is selling but it seems to be a device that uses relays and is designed to key external rf amps using the din connector on the ts2000. I'm not certain however this will work for my needs. Rick W2jaz Sent from my iPad http://RickLawn.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Ts2000 with external preamps
I guess I need to better understand what preamps you have.. having DC on the coax might in fact key them up instead of harming them. If memory serves me, the SSB preamps have the option of being fed up the coax or via separate line. I chose the latter choice, only because at the time, the rigs I owned did not have the option to feed dc up the coax. What is the link for the box on eBay? My TS-2000 has the option to key external amps, but that's only a contact closure, one per VHF band, via the DIN connector. 73 de W1ICW On 8/24/2012 11:54 AM, Lawn, Richard wrote: Can anyone recommend to me how they remove dc from the coax before rf hits my preamps and fry's them.? I see a box on eBay that a guy is selling but it seems to be a device that uses relays and is designed to key external rf amps using the din connector on the ts2000. I'm not certain however this will work for my needs. Rick W2jaz Sent from my iPad http://RickLawn.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Ts2000 with external preamps
In the past I always used the DCW-15B sequencers. Just Google them. Stefan On Fri, Aug 24, 2012 at 10:54 AM, Lawn, Richard wrote: > Can anyone recommend to me how they remove dc from the coax before rf hits > my preamps and fry's them.? I see a box on eBay that a guy is selling but > it seems to be a device that uses relays and is designed to key external rf > amps using the din connector on the ts2000. I'm not certain however this > will work for my needs. > Rick > W2jaz > > > Sent from my iPad > http://RickLawn.com > > > > ___ > Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Ts2000 with external preamps
I suspect the issue with the Icom preamps and a TS-2000 is that the Icom preamp does not appear to RF-sense.. if there's DC on the coax, it's in line, if there's not DC on the coax, it's bypassed. I run the SSB SP-2000 and it can handle 200 watts RF-sensed. No sequencer necessary with the rig barefoot. The box you referenced on eBay protects the TS-2000 from amplifiers that need a lot of current from the radio to switch them, or have high voltage levels in the switching circuit ( bad design ) I did find this link which had a lot of useful info: http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?287072-ICOM-AG-25-amp-TS-2000-Questions On 8/24/2012 12:15 PM, Lawn, Richard wrote: I have an icom preamp and wish I didn't. I'll send you the eBay link separately. Rick ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] SPROUT SSTV Nanosat Jan 2013
SPROUT, a 20 x 20 x 22 cm amateur radio SSTV nano-satellite with a mass of 6.7 kg, plans to launch with the L-band (1236.5 MHz/1257.5 MHz/1278.5 MHz) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite ALOS-2 in January, 2013. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=9837 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium takes place Guildford Sept. 15-16 http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Ts2000 with external preamps
This link is very useful and one I didn't find when I searched. It seems that with the particular preamp and xcvr I have a sequencer is needed to ensure dx is removed from the coax before rf is introduced. I think the easiest solution is to get a different preamp once I get my icom repaired. I could also swap it with the mirage I'm using at home with the 847 which I think is immune to rf or is switched. Unless you have an icom xcvr their preamps are a bad purchase. Thanks everyone. Rick W2jaz Sent from my iPad http://RickLawn.com On Aug 24, 2012, at 12:43 PM, "Bob DeVarney W1ICW" wrote: > I suspect the issue with the Icom preamps and a TS-2000 is that the Icom > preamp does not appear to RF-sense.. if there's DC on the coax, it's in > line, if there's not DC on the coax, it's bypassed. I run the SSB > SP-2000 and it can handle 200 watts RF-sensed. No sequencer necessary > with the rig barefoot. > > The box you referenced on eBay protects the TS-2000 from amplifiers that > need a lot of current from the radio to switch them, or have high > voltage levels in the switching circuit ( bad design ) > > I did find this link which had a lot of useful info: > > http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?287072-ICOM-AG-25-amp-TS-2000-Questions > > On 8/24/2012 12:15 PM, Lawn, Richard wrote: >> I have an icom preamp and wish I didn't. I'll send you the eBay link >> separately. >> Rick >> >> >> > ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Ts2000 with external preamps
I've had phenomenal success with the SSB preamps over the last 25 years. I have one for both 2 meters and 70 cm and if I had anything worth mentioning on 6 meters for an antenna I would have one there as well. Prior to that I used Landwehr. For my EME station I am using a DB6NT receive-only, only because at the time the Deutschemark ( or Euro ) was cheap and I could get the DB6NT cheaper shipped from Germany than I could get an equivalent SSB receive only here. I have no regrets, the DB6NT is a thing of beauty as only German workmanship can make. I see that ARR is now making an rf-switched preamp that handles some power now too, but I'd stick with the SSB if I were you, only because they will handle up to 700 watts if you sequence them; 200 RF-sensed. On 8/24/2012 1:28 PM, Lawn, Richard wrote: This link is very useful and one I didn't find when I searched. It seems that with the particular preamp and xcvr I have a sequencer is needed to ensure dx is removed from the coax before rf is introduced. I think the easiest solution is to get a different preamp once I get my icom repaired. I could also swap it with the mirage I'm using at home with the 847 which I think is immune to rf or is switched. Unless you have an icom xcvr their preamps are a bad purchase. Thanks everyone. Rick W2jaz ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Exclusive New Product Launch at AMSAT-UK Colloquium
AMSAT-UK are delighted to announce that Howard Long, G6LVB, will be present at the Colloquium this year and will be launching a new "FUNcube Dongle PRO-PLUS" during his presentation. Full technical details have been embargoed until his talk and we are not permitted to steal his thunder by releasing further details of this new product in advance. Attendees at the Colloquium will therefore be the first to learn about Howard's latest development which will further advance the applications for SDR devices. The Colloquium is a truly international event and will include: Exclusive access to inspect the new SSTL clean room and integration facilities at the recently opened Kepler Building. If you have visited their previous facilities at the university campus, during previous Colloquia, you will be amazed by what is happening now. Presentations by experts from AMSAT-SA, AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DL on their current spacecraft projects. CubeSat presentations on UKube-1, STRaND-1, STRaND-2 and, of course the FUNcube-1 project. We will be including an exclusive roundup of a number of new live and potential spacecraft projects that are under investigation and/or development. Additionally a number of presentations are planned covering new communications techniques and similar futuristic topics. Plus all the usual networking opportunities, the gala dinner and auction/raffle, plus the opportunity to operate the sophisticated groundstation in the GB4FUN mobile demonstration module. The Colloquium takes place at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England, September 15-16. Rooms and Saturday’s Gala Dinner must be booked in advance at http://tinyurl.com/Colloquium-2012-Booking Further information http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] NASA tiny sats
NASA Preparing Mini-Satellites To Send Into Space Powered By The Nexus One and Nexus S posted on Aug 24th 2012 at 4:54am by Chris Chavez The boys at NASA have been making headlines after hitting the sand dunes of Mars with their mini go-cart, Curiousity, and it looks like they have a few more surprises in store. A team from NASA’s Ames Research Center has been hard at work developing miniature satellites — called a “PhoneSat” — powered by, none other, than the OG Nexus One and Nexus S. NASA has spent the last few years putting these PhoneSats and the devices inside through the paces, testing them in a variety of situations, destroying a few prototypes in the process. Currently, the team has 2 nanosatellite prototypes that will be sent up into space at different times. To see if something like this is even possible, the first will consist of a Nexus One, external batteries, external radio beacon, all inside a comfy 10x10x10cm shell. If the PhoneSat 1.0 is a success, the team will send up the PhoneSat 2.0 with the more powerful Nexus S inside and featuring a 2-way S-band radio, solar panels, and GPS receiver. At $3,500 to build, NASA’s goal is to launch the “lowest-cost satellites ever flown into space,” and plans to send ‘em on up later this year aboard the Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Antares rocket. With plans to send future PhoneSats to the moon, it shouldn’t be long before we see the Galaxy Nexus making an orbital space trip for itself, finally at home amongst the galaxies. http://phandroid.com/2012/08/24/nasa-preparing-mini-satellites-to-send-into-space-powered-by-the-nexus-one-and-nexus-s/ -- Bob McGwier Technical Director, Allied Communication, LLC Facebook: N4HYBob ARS: N4HY ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Space Track Beta Web site
It looks like it has some nice features including only downloading only updates instead of all the data and a nice systematic way of downloading decay information (which is new I think). The one thing I am trying to figure out how it works is downloading updates when one has multiple clients. Is the last login stored on the server or on the client? Will I need to create separate accounts for each piece of software or merely maintain a cookie file? On a related note, how widely available is space-track data? I realize amsat, celestrak, and others have agreements to redistribute data. But what do the restrictions to non-US persons look like? Charles AA1VS On Thu, Jun 7, 2012 at 9:22 AM, Steve Daniels wrote: > Space Track are beta testing a new website. It includes an API for element > downloads. > http://beta.space-track.org > > look under the docs section > > Steve Daniels > G6UIM > > ___ > Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] USB SDR DONGLE - Re: Exclusive New Product Launch at AMSAT-UK Colloquium
I have been working with some of the new low cost RTL2832U+E4000 dongles that are flooding the market. It appears that they are designed for the digital TV market in some countries outside the US. They cost about $20. They usually come with an antenna and a remote control. The antenna and remote are useless but the dongle does work. It has a PAL antenna connector which is not a problem since an adapter are available at Radio Shack. It takes a bit of digging around to find the drivers. There was some sort of license fight between a couple of "open source" developers which makes it a bit more difficult than it should be. I have one 'working' with HDSDR. It is still a little funky changing frequencies with the 'FreqMgr' but it is early days. The performance is the same as the FUNcube. There are quite a number of different chipsets in use so buyer beware. If you like hunting for working drivers and ExtIO programs and tinkering these E4000 dongles are for you. IMHO the FUNcube Dongle is still the best bet for the rest of us. My FUNcube has been sitting on the shelf for quite a while as it does not perform as well as my receiver even with the help of a SSB mast mounted pre-amp and cavity front end filter. I was talking with someone on FO-29 and they mentioned they use theirs as just a panadapter. I dug my FUNcube out and it does work well as a panadapter (no connection to the receiver required). Very handy on those rare occasions when there are more than zero people on the linear sats. SDR-Radio v1.5 works well with the FUNcube . Very nice work by Simon. I do miss the picture of him and his dog when the SDR-Radio program boots up. Very interested in seeing Howards "FUNcube Dongle PRO-PLUS". I hope the PLUS is not a price increase. In an attempt to find out what it is before the official release I searched the net and came up with this gem from 2010 on the http://www.funcubedongle.com 'Ordering FAQ' page. Be sure to check out the link. " admin says: October 26, 2010 at 2:21 pm I am working on a Pro Plus version http://www.proplus.co.uk/ to enable us to work 24/7 on the Dongle. " Thanks to all the Europeans who manage to keep out hobby alive and up to date. 73 W9KE Tom Doyle On Fri, Aug 24, 2012 at 1:09 PM, Trevor . wrote: > AMSAT-UK are delighted to announce that Howard Long, G6LVB, will be present > at the Colloquium this year and will be launching a new "FUNcube Dongle > PRO-PLUS" during his presentation. > > Full technical details have been embargoed until his talk and we are not > permitted to steal his thunder by releasing further details of this new > product in advance. Attendees at the Colloquium will therefore be the first > to learn about Howard's latest development which will further advance the > applications for SDR devices. > > The Colloquium is a truly international event and will include: > > Exclusive access to inspect the new SSTL clean room and integration > facilities at the recently opened Kepler Building. If you have visited their > previous facilities at the university campus, during previous Colloquia, you > will be amazed by what is happening now. > > Presentations by experts from AMSAT-SA, AMSAT-NA and AMSAT-DL on their > current spacecraft projects. > > CubeSat presentations on UKube-1, STRaND-1, STRaND-2 and, of course the > FUNcube-1 project. > > We will be including an exclusive roundup of a number of new live and > potential spacecraft projects that are under investigation and/or development. > > Additionally a number of presentations are planned covering new > communications techniques and similar futuristic topics. > > Plus all the usual networking opportunities, the gala dinner and > auction/raffle, plus the opportunity to operate the sophisticated > groundstation in the GB4FUN mobile demonstration module. > > The Colloquium takes place at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, England, > September 15-16. Rooms and Saturday’s Gala Dinner must be booked in advance > at http://tinyurl.com/Colloquium-2012-Booking > > Further information http://www.uk.amsat.org/colloquium/twelve > > 73 Trevor M5AKA > AMSAT-UK > > > > ___ > Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb -- Sent from my computer. tom ... ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] FUNCube dongle for sale
Hi, Cleaning the shack, and I have a spare FCD Pro V1.0 SN 188 for sale. This is first generation and does not provide +5V on the antenna as do the V1.1 units. It is in perfect electrical and mechanical condition, and used only the shack. $80 including shipping to North America. Please contact me off list. 73s, Alan WA4SCA ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Office Closed
The AMSAT Office will be closed from Monday, August 24 - Tuesday, Sept 4th. -- 73- Martha ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] YW5B
I contacted the YW5B in 24.945 and they have problems to be on SAT, so will be in another expedition. Omar XE1AO DK89df M.C. Omar Alvarez Cárdenas Facultad de Telematica, U de C 316 1075 xe1...@ucol.mx omar...@hotmail.com ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
[amsat-bb] Re: Ts2000 with external preamps
I have been using external (mast mounted) preamps for 2m and 70cm from ARR with my TS-2000 for 2 years and quite happy with their performance. These RF-switched preamps just work always and they're weather proof so virtually no maintenance is needed. Note that they can only handle maximum 160W RF, which is good enough for me. http://www.advancedreceiver.com/page10.html Thu XV9AA -Original Message- From: Bob DeVarney W1ICW [mailto:w...@myfairpoint.net] Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2012 1:06 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Ts2000 with external preamps I've had phenomenal success with the SSB preamps over the last 25 years. I have one for both 2 meters and 70 cm and if I had anything worth mentioning on 6 meters for an antenna I would have one there as well. Prior to that I used Landwehr. For my EME station I am using a DB6NT receive-only, only because at the time the Deutschemark ( or Euro ) was cheap and I could get the DB6NT cheaper shipped from Germany than I could get an equivalent SSB receive only here. I have no regrets, the DB6NT is a thing of beauty as only German workmanship can make. I see that ARR is now making an rf-switched preamp that handles some power now too, but I'd stick with the SSB if I were you, only because they will handle up to 700 watts if you sequence them; 200 RF-sensed. On 8/24/2012 1:28 PM, Lawn, Richard wrote: > This link is very useful and one I didn't find when I searched. It seems that with the particular preamp and xcvr I have a sequencer is needed to ensure dx is removed from the coax before rf is introduced. I think the easiest solution is to get a different preamp once I get my icom repaired. I could also swap it with the mirage I'm using at home with the 847 which I think is immune to rf or is switched. Unless you have an icom xcvr their preamps are a bad purchase. > Thanks everyone. > Rick > W2jaz > ___ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
