Re: [amsat-bb] NO EJECTION MASS Propulsion
How can you tell? They've got enough 10-gallon words in the Abstract to propel mountains... Still, I've been wondering if we'll ever find a space propulsion mechanism that doesn't involve throwing parts of the spacecraft overboard. Greg KO6TH Robert McGwier wrote: I hope they aren't wrong because they clearly don't understand how it works!!! http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20140006052 Bob 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
Re: [amsat-bb] SatPC32 via Wine on Ubuntu
Hi Rick, Is the radio doing anything when you click on C- (going to C+) to enable the CAT system? If not, then you probably don't have the serial port side of things set up yet. When you boot the system, Linux will create a set of device files in the /dev directory. One of these, probably /dev/ttyS0, is your real serial port. Wine needs to know how to map the DOS / Windows Com ports to these device files, and does that with a set of links in ~/.wine/dosdevices. If you go to that directory and type ls -l, you should see something like this: lrwxrwxrwx 1 greg users 10 Dec 31 2011 com1 - /dev/ttyS0 lrwxrwxrwx 1 greg users 10 Dec 15 2013 com2 - /dev/ttyS1 lrwxrwxrwx 1 greg users 10 Dec 8 2013 com3 - /dev/ttyS2 lrwxrwxrwx 1 greg users 10 Dec 8 2013 com4 - /dev/ttyS3 If those files don't exist, you can create them with the command: ln -l /dev/ttyS0 com1 Restart SatPC32 and see if that gets some activity out of the radio. If the files do exist (and SatPC32 is configured to use the right one), then it might be that your user permissions don't allow you to access the serial ports. You can either run the program as root (not recommended), or change your user permissions to include dialout or UUCP in the list of groups (I forget which is the right one). Good luck, Greg KO6TH Richard Lawn wrote: Some of you may have been following my attempts to continue to use a vacation house P4 that had been running XP (still is but its painful to watch and wait). I've been trying to familiarize myself with Linux using Ubunbtu. I got FlDigi to work fine and WSJTX as well as a good log program called CQrlog. I got stumped though with my satellite operation. I tried with helpd to get GPredict running but it (or Hamlib) was still buggy on the FT947 even with the latest version. I then, with help, installed Wine and dowloaded my favorite program - SatPC32. To my surprise it worksalmost. I don't seem to have Frequency adjustment at the radio by using the CAT controls in the software. I also can't change the mode to CW through the software. Is anyone using SatPC32 on a Linux platform? If so I'd like to connect tap your brain. 73 and hope to see you on the birds from my portable location at FN21 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 ___ 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
Re: [amsat-bb] Ubuntu, GPredict and Wine
Hi Rick, I expect your P-III CPU is doing just fine. I had a similar problem with gpredict seemingly locking up during a pass when driving my rotor. The problem was apparently a lack of a response from my controller to a polling operation (which, being a home-brew device, I never bothered to implement). Changing the timeout to 1 effectively disabled that feature, with no apparent ill effects. You might be having the same problem, but with the rig control program. Try adding -C timeout=1 to the rigctl command line, and see if that works. Good luck, Greg KO6TH Richard Lawn wrote: A number of you have tried to help this Linux novice over recent weeks. I did successfully get HamLib, FlDigi and CQrLog all to run and talk to my FT847 using CAT. My attempts to get GPredict to work well though have failed even after compiling and installing the most recent version t A number of you have tried to help this Linux novice over recent weeks. I did successfully get HamLib, FlDigi and CQrLog all to run and talk to my FT847 using CAT. My attempts to get GPredict to work well though have failed even after compiling and installing the most recent version that addresses the earlier FT847 bugs. It now works, talking to the CAT port on my radio however the software locks up while trying to track a satellite pass. I'm thinking as some feared this old Pentium III may just not have enough horse power! I then tried Wine, thinking I might run it from within Ubuntu to then run theSatPC32.exe. I guess I don't know the correct language to fine the path and call up this exe from my Windows partition. Anyone have any suggestions in this regard? Thanks to all, I've learned a lot but may have to face the music and find a more modern computer. 73 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 ___ 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] Fodtrack Serial rotor controller on HamLib
Hi folks, So all this talk about Gpredict got me to look at updating my own setup, which pre-dated the modern Gpredict capabilites. But being so archaic, I need some help connecting the dots... I have Gpredict / Hamlib talking to my Yaesu FT-736R radio for Doppler tracking just fine, but the rotor is a problem. My controller is home-brewed, and emulates the subset of the Yaesu serial protocol as output from the original DOS version of FODTrack. The syntax is the letter W followed by the Azimuth, a space, the Elevation, and terminated with a carriage return (hex 0d). Both the Az and El are whole decimal integers. When I moved to Linux and Predict (the ncurses version) in 2002, I modified the software to copy that same syntax, and all was fine. Tab forward over a decade to my question: What model Yaesu controller was FODTrack thinking it was talking to? I need to find an equivalent model for Hamlib's rotctl daemon, and none of the choices seem to match. They all seem to want to talk to a single rotor (Az or El, not both). Is there an equivalent model, Yaesu or otherwise, that accepts Waaa eee\n for Az + El positioning? Thanks, Greg KO6TH ___ 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
Re: [amsat-bb] Fodtrack Serial rotor controller on HamLib
Ok, some progress. I went back to my modifications to predict to see what exactly I had done, and one of the mods was to set the serial port stop bits to 2. I recall now that the Basic Stamp that drives my controller logic isn't fast enough to parse the serial stream with only one. Setting -C stop_bits=2 on the command line brought the rotor to life! Now the next problem... I notice that Gpredict freezes while tracking is running. No GUI updates, though the tracking (both rig and rotor) keeps going. The rest of the system is fine, nowever, and top doesn't show anything stuck in a spin loop. Disengaging the rotor control (which takes a long time sometimes) brings things back. Feels like a timeout is at fault. I took a capture of the traffic on the serial port, and it appears that the program is polling the controller for its position (command C2). My controller doesn't support that command, so that's probably what's hanging things up. Poking around I find -C timeout=1 Ha! Now we're looking good... Final runstring: rotctld -r /dev/ttyS3 -s 9600 -m 603 -C stop_bits=2 -C timeout=1 Thanks again, Greg KO6TH Jim Jerzycke wrote: I would suspect it's using the Yaesu GS-232 protocol. Jim KQ6EA On 06/22/2014 06:08 PM, Greg D wrote: Hi folks, So all this talk about Gpredict got me to look at updating my own setup, which pre-dated the modern Gpredict capabilites. But being so archaic, I need some help connecting the dots... I have Gpredict / Hamlib talking to my Yaesu FT-736R radio for Doppler tracking just fine, but the rotor is a problem. My controller is home-brewed, and emulates the subset of the Yaesu serial protocol as output from the original DOS version of FODTrack. The syntax is the letter W followed by the Azimuth, a space, the Elevation, and terminated with a carriage return (hex 0d). Both the Az and El are whole decimal integers. When I moved to Linux and Predict (the ncurses version) in 2002, I modified the software to copy that same syntax, and all was fine. Tab forward over a decade to my question: What model Yaesu controller was FODTrack thinking it was talking to? I need to find an equivalent model for Hamlib's rotctl daemon, and none of the choices seem to match. They all seem to want to talk to a single rotor (Az or El, not both). Is there an equivalent model, Yaesu or otherwise, that accepts Waaa eee\n for Az + El positioning? Thanks, Greg KO6TH ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [amsat-bb] LituanicaSat-1 this evening
02:20z pass sounded like SO-50! Heard KO6TZ and a few others, and I think I worked NU6O / CN70 - the satellite crossed through North right at the time of the QSO and the rotor decided it had to spin around, so I lost his reply. Nice satellite! Greg KO6TH / CM98 Glenn Miller - AA5PK wrote: Worked KO6TZ, WØDHB, WA4NVM and KD8CAO on the 0045Z pass. Glenn AA5PK -Original Message- From: Bill Acito Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2014 7:53 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] LituanicaSat-1 this evening Nothing heard here on that pass. Were you on? Bill ___ 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 ___ 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
Re: [amsat-bb] LituanicaSAT-1 Transponder Off
CW Telemetry beacon, as decoded by FLDIGI here in CM98 on the 6/2 0600z pass. My rotor controller doesn't do flipped operation, so the 3rd frame got trashed by the rotor needing to swing around as the satellite passed through North. Some errors in the frames, but for the most part, during the frame itself, the signal was full quieting. It seemed like the very front of the frame (call sign?) was at a low power setting, then jumped up for the main part, and then at the end a few dits, seconds apart, at low power. This was my second attempt (first success) at copying the beacon. Hope this helps, Greg KO6TH TRETET W 3 1 S NS 3 E SS* EEEI I IV E ESITT S*EEHIEH**WAE*H ERESITVE * *I GI ZIEHTU IG Y 5 N V 4 6 4 4 3 1 3 7 8 7 4 C 0 1 7 0 1 2 4 T P 3 1 S 6 E AA EIH EET * *I T IEE THISI8 Y 5 N A ST EH * N1IM 7 8 7 4 C 0 1 7 0 1 2 4 T P 3 1 S 6 3 E SE ES SU T ET ERZ Y HE N V 4 6 E U 4 3 T 3 7 EE*EEE *III* 5HEN E G*G 0 0 N ATO AAW2 4 T P 3 I REDA E E5EI Paul Stoetzer wrote: Here is the telemetry frame decoded at about 0124Z in Washington, DC, USA (FM18lv): ly5n v 427 372 370 85 c 014 0124 t p 31 s 6 3 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Washington, DC (FM18lv) On Sun, Jun 1, 2014 at 9:29 PM, Paul Stoetzer n...@arrl.net wrote: Good evening, It appears that the LituanicaSAT-1 FM transponder was off over North America at 0121Z. Strong signals were heard from the FM morse beacon. I will listen to my recording and decode the telemetry. 73, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Washington, DC (FM18lv) ___ 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
Re: [amsat-bb] bounces
How? Greg KO6TH Paul Stoetzer wrote: FYI - With Gmail, you can set up a filter to prevent list messages from being sent to your Spam folder, which solves this problem. 73, Paul, N8HM On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 4:50 PM, Glen Zook gz...@yahoo.com wrote: I just got a similar E-Mail from the automatic responder for the AMSAT BB. Yahoo.com, as well as, I have been told, several other E-Mail clients made certain changes several weeks ago that results in certain, but not all, messages from a reflector bouncing. Frankly, I have been getting E-Mails from the AMSAT reflector every day including today. I participate in several reflectors and have gotten similar automatic letters about messages bouncing. The person, in charge of the reflector, contacted Yahoo, and the other E-Mail clients, to see what changes had to be made to the reflector so that messages will not bounce. There are a lot of amateur radio operators, as well as I, who use Yahoo, G-Mail, etc., for reflectors because, like it or not, reflectors seem to be a target of SPAM and the desire to keep such SPAM away from our primary E-Mail addresses. Glen, K9STH AMSAT 239 / LM 463 Website: http://k9sth.com On Tuesday, May 27, 2014 3:40 PM, Burns Fisher bu...@fisher.cc wrote: John, it completely depends on what your ISPs (or more specifically your email supplier's) policy is for email that comes marked as check that my address is correct). As I mentioned before, gmail puts it in spam rather than bouncing it. It's a pain in the neck for sure! 73, Burns W2BFJ On Tue, May 27, 2014 at 4:12 PM, John Becker w0...@big-river.net wrote: Just a guess but was there not something about this some years ago that had something to do with the posting of HTML message to a plain text list or am I thinking of something else. I myself have never had a problem. John W0JAB ___ 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 ___ 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 ___ 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: FUNcube/AO-73 - Now in Full time low power beacon/ Transponder ON mode
Hi Jim, Just listened to the Saturday 18:34z pass of FunCube over Northern California. Nice telemetry beacon, but I could not hear anyone (including myself) in the passband. Is it still in Transponder mode, or am I doing something wrong? Telemetry beacon was at about the predicted 145.935 +/-, and I was listening between 145.950 and 145.970 (and beyond both edges for Doppler) for other stations (none heard). While listening on 145.960 I tried transmitting around 435.140, +/- about 20khz; nothing returned. Antennae are Oscar class CP beams, with an RX preamp at the rotor, and full Az/El computer control. Radio tuning was manual. Not important for this pass, but I did notice that I could copy the beacon to -5 degrees (below the Southern horizon), with freshly updated keps. Greg KO6TH Jim Heck wrote: Hi Folks, At approx 21:12 UTC this evening, AO-73 was switched into continuous lowpower beacon/ transponder ON Mode for radio amateurs use during the weekend. We'll be going back to normal mode at the end of the weekend. Enjoy! 73s Jim G3WGM ___ 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: FUNcube/AO-73 - Now in Full time low power beacon/ Transponder ON mode
Ha! Working now... Nice contact with W9AE in Oregon. Low pass, so not super strong, but now I can start optimizing things... At the end of the contact, Rx was at 145.960, Tx was 435.155 (both dial readings on my FT-736r). Greg KO6TH Greg D wrote: Hi Jim, Just listened to the Saturday 18:34z pass of FunCube over Northern California. Nice telemetry beacon, but I could not hear anyone (including myself) in the passband. Is it still in Transponder mode, or am I doing something wrong? Telemetry beacon was at about the predicted 145.935 +/-, and I was listening between 145.950 and 145.970 (and beyond both edges for Doppler) for other stations (none heard). While listening on 145.960 I tried transmitting around 435.140, +/- about 20khz; nothing returned. Antennae are Oscar class CP beams, with an RX preamp at the rotor, and full Az/El computer control. Radio tuning was manual. Not important for this pass, but I did notice that I could copy the beacon to -5 degrees (below the Southern horizon), with freshly updated keps. Greg KO6TH Jim Heck wrote: Hi Folks, At approx 21:12 UTC this evening, AO-73 was switched into continuous lowpower beacon/ transponder ON Mode for radio amateurs use during the weekend. We'll be going back to normal mode at the end of the weekend. Enjoy! 73s Jim G3WGM ___ 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: K5UTD Is On The Air
Nice project! Just curious, what did you do for lightning protection? Greg KO6TH Andrew Koenig wrote: Hello Group! After about 6 months of work, I'm proud to say that the K5UTD Amateur Radio Club (University of Texas at Dallas) has finished setting up our satellite station. Typically it should take a weekend and a case of beer to get the job done, but this required a little more planning and involvement as we had to collect the parts from various people and build several components on our own; not to mention the fact that we get side-tracked like no other club. For example, an effort to get the rotor controller resulted in moving about four truckloads worth of gear. We're using an FT-847 for our primary radio, and a Kenpro G-5400 for our rotor system. We've interfaced the G-5400 to the computer using an Arduino. It works rather well with GPredict. The final bug in the system has to do with GPredict talking to the '847, but that should be easily fixed with an update. The antennas are on the roof of our Engineering and Computer Science building, about 20 feet off the roof, 70 feet above ground. Out of luck, we had a GlenMartin RT-936 and the associated non-penetrating mount just hanging out in our closet. Carrying the 50 cinder blocks up to the roof for that mount was not fun though. Coax wise, we have about 20 feet of Davis Bury-flex for our initial run, which then feeds some very nice ARR preamps. The final 200 foot run of coax to the shack is 1/2 Heliax. There are a few jumpers here in the shack too. I was able to make a few contacts through SO-50 today, and plan to be more active. With the help of DK3WN's SatBlog, I've had no trouble picking out some cubesats and listening to the beacons and telemetry. Telemetry collection is one of the primary goals for this station. Our other goals for this station, aside from having fun on the air, are to get club recognition on campus and to work with the William B. Hanson Center for Space Sciences on upper atmospheric projects. Station photos: http://imgur.com/a/6TGOJ Also, if you know a member of the former TI club, give them a hug (or handshake) on our behalf. None of the current K5UTD projects could have been possible without them. 73! Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB Vice President, K5UTD Research Assistant, Center for Space Sciences ___ 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: sat-com (figured I better change the subject)
Howie DeFelice wrote: I bet (a small bet anyway) my cell phone carrier doesn't save receive frequency data accurate enough to determine what direction I am driving though. You are probably right since the doppler shift is pretty small ( at least I hope it is :) ) on a cellphone. The satellite access is MA-TDMA so the burst timing and frequency offset need to be tracked. This is a useful performance metric when troubleshooting connectivity issues in a big network. - Howie AB2S If my math is correct, doppler shift for a car driving 60mi/hr directly towards a non-moving cell tower (not always a safe assumption in California) would have a Doppler shift of about 90 hz, assuming a cell frequency of 1 ghz. There's probably considerably more variation in your carrier frequency due to temperature, power supply factors, and component ageing, though I suppose with time these could probably be determined and backed out. Greg KO6TH ___ 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: SO-50 Over Europe
As others have said, it's a single channel bird, so with contention (even with perfect behavior on the part of the operators), the channel is going to be overloaded. I recommend to folks starting out with satellites to give SO-50 a try, but late at night when there are fewer people competing for the limited resource. Also, don't forget the PL tone needed to get in to this one. The good news is that you passed the first two major stumbling blocks - you figured out where and when the pass was, and you actually heard it, so you've got the downlink side nailed. Next is just a matter of the uplink frequency, PL tone, and timing on the PTT switch. Good luck! Greg KO6TH Peter Wilson wrote: To all in Europe. We have just had an overhead pass of SO-50 and yet again, not one successful QSO. I heard many stations trying to access the bird but not one station managed a two way contact. Can any experienced European operator explain to me what is happening. I thought the FM birds were supposed to be the easy ones? Peter G8KEK ___ 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: ROCKET MAN
Probably right. So I shouldn't mention he left out the whole of the Moody Blues' To our Children's Children's Children's album I suppose ten billion butterfly sneezes is considered the ultimate in QRO. Drifting back on topic, is Commander Chris Hadfield planning to do a sequel, perhaps as the Earth-side part with one of the current crew? Greg KO6TH Dave Webb KB1PVH wrote: You guys better knock it off. Someone might get their panties in a bunch because you aren't talking strictly about satellites. Dave-KB1PVH Sent from my Verizon Wireless Droid RAZR ___ 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: Listening on USB when operating CW
I think Patrick's comment about needing to use USB when operating CW is the key one. I also, for the very few times I have attempted CW on satellites, needed to use USB on the downlink so I could keep my return signal audible. CW in both directions, even with computer control, is more frustrating than it's worth, and our satellites aren't so weak as to need the narrowest of bandwidths to pull the signal out of the noise. I do agree that USB would definitely help with hearing what's going on around you, and I expect a nice dongle-based (waterfall) receiver would be even better. Greg KO6TH Clayton Coleman wrote: Hi Tim, I completely agree that different methods of Doppler shift correction yield slightly different results. The one true rule is a good source for guidance however some don't follow it -- even remotely. I do apologize if my generalization rubbed you the wrong way. Since your direct email indicated to me you adjust your transmit frequency on AO-7 mode B, that would indicate you are following a good practice of correction. Likely meaning you are NOT one of the stations who drift during their entire sequence of calling CQ for five minutes. Not everyone plays nice in the schoolyard. I've been known to screw up and probably am not immune from it in the future. I still wonder if the offenders listened on USB would they realize they've come onto a frequency being used by two or more stations engaged in a voice QSO? 73 Clayton W5PFG On Fri, Feb 7, 2014 at 3:45 PM, t...@n3tl.com wrote: I'm hoping this post makes it to the AMSAT-BB, although I have sent Mr. Coleman a longer response directly. I have to take issue with this statement, Mr. Coleman, which begins your second sentence in response to Mr. Ng: A station not adjusting properly for Doppler shift Computer-control stations and manual-control stations are adjusting for Doppler differently. I have done - and will continue to do - both. In my opinion, neither is incorrect; they simply differ from each other. 73 and God Bless, Tim - N3TL Evansville, Ind. - EM68 Original Message Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Listening on USB when operating CW From: Clayton Coleman kayakfis...@gmail.com Date: Fri, February 07, 2014 2:04 pm To: Ng, Peter peter...@bccdc.ca Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org amsat-bb@amsat.org Peter, That is correct and what I have attempted to describe. A station not adjusting properly for Doppler shift will appear to move across the passband into stations who are making corrections. (voice or CW) There are several categories for correction, as I see it by order of occurrence...(and there may be more) 1 - People who use full Doppler correction via software, adjusting both TX and RX to stay on the satellite's frequency. 2 - People who use half Doppler correction by tuning the higher of two frequencies. This is common for people who are portable or want the simplest method of staying on another station. In the mode, you will move slightly. I do this often in the field. It's not perfect. 3 - People who use TX only correction. I see this often and I believe it's an incorrect practice to always tune TX because sometimes that means on mode J you'll likely move across QSO's in progress. 4 - Probably the least common I observe, people who use full Doppler correction manually. I believe it is a little more difficult to do this on fast moving LEO's, especially on CW. My original email was trying to discover whether or not listening on USB while transmitting on CW might make it easier for CW drifters to know they are part of a problem. Occasionally when this problem occurs with USB voice, the perpetrating stations are not able to hear well enough to know they are causing a problem. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Fri, Feb 7, 2014 at 11:33 AM, Ng, Peter peter...@bccdc.ca wrote: Yes, the frequency in use by the CW station that is not adjusting for doppler will appear to be moving for stations that are adjusting for dopplerright? Peter ve7ngp -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of John Becker Sent: February 7, 2014 09:27 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Listening on USB when operating CW On 2/7/2014 11:18 AM, Ng, Peter wrote: Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't automatic doppler corrections dynamically change your frequency to compensate for doppler? Would this mean anyone engaging in doppler correction are actually drifting into a stable frequency? by stable do you mean a freq already being used? John, W0JAB ___ 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
[amsat-bb] Re: G5400B calibration problems
It sounds to me like something is binding. These rotors run at 1 RPM; you could try running it for 30 seconds and verify that it moves 180 degrees. Then the same in reverse. If the motion is correct, then the pot is probably bad. If not, then check for anything that might keep the whole kit from moving, for example, antenna balance. Oh, also check the AC run capacitor. If it's weak, you will have a weaker motor. Good luck, Greg KO6TH Tim Goodrich t...@timgoodrich.com wrote: Hello All, I could use some help with the alignment/calibrating of my az/el rotor to my rotor controller. I followed the G5400B manual instructions and set the rotor and antennas to the full south position. The meter indicated full stop at the south position as well. I then depressed the azimuth control to bring the rotor around 360 degrees back to south. The first 5-10 seconds, the antennas moved and the meter needle was not moving. However, when the rotation was complete, although the antennas were pointed south, the meter stopped just a couple degrees away from south, so I used the rear pot adjustment to zero it. I then swung the other way attempting to go back to my starting position. After the meter hit full stop at south in the original position, I looked at the antennas and they were about 45 degrees short of full south. According to the manual, I followed the steps correctly, but no matter what I do, I cannot get the meter to always accurately reflect where the antennas are actually pointing. Can anyone tell me what might be wrong? Thank you, Tim K6TW ___ 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 new toy; pls excuse tupos. ___ 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: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink
Hi Art, Yep, corrosion is a great source for harmonics. I had a similar problem with AO-40, only mine turned out to be the relay contacts on the 70cm antenna's RHCP / LHCP relay. Cycle them a few times and things quieted down. But I only heard the problem when I was aimed at the big oak tree behind our house, which was odd because the 70cm transmit antenna was literally a few inches away from the edge of the 2.4 ghz receive dish. Never heard of a tree acting as a diode before. Maybe the squirrels were up to something... Greg KO6TH kc6...@cox.net wrote: Greg, I had a problem with 70cm jamming 2401 down link many years ago. The problem turned out to be corrosion between the coax connector shell and the aluminum antenna element. Cleaning up the connection solved the problem. The corrosion acts like a diode and will make enough 3 order products to trash any receiver. Use liquid electrical tape or non-corrosive (doesn't smell like vinegar) silicon seal to keep these connections dry and clean. Art, KC6UQH -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of g0...@aol.com Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 1:23 AM To: ko6th.g...@gmail.com; kq...@verizon.net; w4...@gte.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink Hi Greg. Most decent VHF transmitters will already have a pretty good LPF on the output to reduce the harmonics. However, receivers these days tend to be DC-Daylight, so frequently need a filter to prevent 'blocking' by unwanted high level signals. In that case preventing the VHF coming into the UHF receiver can be important Thanks David -Original Message- From: Greg D ko6th.g...@gmail.com To: Jim Jerzycke kq...@verizon.net; w4tas w4...@gte.net; 'AMSAT Mailing List' amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 3:47 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink I know this has been answered before, but I forget. Given one Diplexer, is it better to put it on the Tx side to limit the 3rd harmionic going out, or better on the Rx side to limit the VHF fundamental coming in? Tony's diagram shows the later; I would have thought the former would be more effective (hitting the problem at its source). Greg KO6TH Jim Jerzycke wrote: Yep, been using one of those for years! I have a Sinclair Labs unit that provides 100dB rejection outside of the 2 Meter band. Jim KQ6EA On 01/19/2014 07:32 PM, w4tas wrote: I would also suggest a low pass filter on the two meter transmitter. A diplexer will work well for this also. This will reduce the third harmonic which is causing your problem. Good luck, -Original Message- From: Jim Jerzycke Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:09 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/ I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes them 90* to each other. Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the coupling, and desense, down quite a bit. 73, Jim KQ6EA On 01/19/2014 06:56 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote: Hi all, I have a coupling problem in my station when trying to work FO-29. My 2m signal is completely blocking the 435 MHz downlink, and so I can't hear my signal off the satellite. I guess it must be something related to the distance between the two yagis. (I use the terrestrial horizontal yagis you can see at http://www.dxmaps.com/jm19hn.html ). With mode-B satellites there is no problem. I have tried it with two different 435 receivers, and it's exactly the same. Anyone has had this problem o have an idea of the possible reason? And what is more important, of some way to solve it? Thanks for any possible help. 73. Gabriel - EA6VQ _ Web-Site: HTTP://www.dxmaps.com VQLog 3.1 (build 78): HTTP://www.vqlog.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 ___ 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
[amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink
I know this has been answered before, but I forget. Given one Diplexer, is it better to put it on the Tx side to limit the 3rd harmionic going out, or better on the Rx side to limit the VHF fundamental coming in? Tony's diagram shows the later; I would have thought the former would be more effective (hitting the problem at its source). Greg KO6TH Jim Jerzycke wrote: Yep, been using one of those for years! I have a Sinclair Labs unit that provides 100dB rejection outside of the 2 Meter band. Jim KQ6EA On 01/19/2014 07:32 PM, w4tas wrote: I would also suggest a low pass filter on the two meter transmitter. A diplexer will work well for this also. This will reduce the third harmonic which is causing your problem. Good luck, -Original Message- From: Jim Jerzycke Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:09 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/ I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes them 90* to each other. Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the coupling, and desense, down quite a bit. 73, Jim KQ6EA On 01/19/2014 06:56 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote: Hi all, I have a coupling problem in my station when trying to work FO-29. My 2m signal is completely blocking the 435 MHz downlink, and so I can't hear my signal off the satellite. I guess it must be something related to the distance between the two yagis. (I use the terrestrial horizontal yagis you can see at http://www.dxmaps.com/jm19hn.html ). With mode-B satellites there is no problem. I have tried it with two different 435 receivers, and it's exactly the same. Anyone has had this problem o have an idea of the possible reason? And what is more important, of some way to solve it? Thanks for any possible help. 73. Gabriel - EA6VQ _ Web-Site: HTTP://www.dxmaps.com VQLog 3.1 (build 78): HTTP://www.vqlog.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 ___ 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: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink
The more I read about it, the more I expect that the right answer depends on one's particular receive-side hardware. If it's already got good out of band filtering, then the hi-pass filter offered by the posted diagram won't help, since it's aimed at reducing the 2m fundamental overload. For that, you need to use the 2m port on the Tx side (Tx to Common, 2m port to antenna, leaving the 70cm port unconnected). On the other hand, if the receiver pretty wide open, then the 2m fundamental is the main problem, and the posted receive-side design will eliminate it before it hits the receive chain. Yes? Greg KO6TH Jim Jerzycke wrote: Since I use a very good 2 Meter bandpass filter on my 2 Meter output, I use the diplexer AT the antenna, ahead of the preamp. Jim KQ6EA On 01/20/2014 03:41 AM, Greg D wrote: I know this has been answered before, but I forget. Given one Diplexer, is it better to put it on the Tx side to limit the 3rd harmionic going out, or better on the Rx side to limit the VHF fundamental coming in? Tony's diagram shows the later; I would have thought the former would be more effective (hitting the problem at its source). Greg KO6TH Jim Jerzycke wrote: Yep, been using one of those for years! I have a Sinclair Labs unit that provides 100dB rejection outside of the 2 Meter band. Jim KQ6EA On 01/19/2014 07:32 PM, w4tas wrote: I would also suggest a low pass filter on the two meter transmitter. A diplexer will work well for this also. This will reduce the third harmonic which is causing your problem. Good luck, -Original Message- From: Jim Jerzycke Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:09 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 145 MHz signal blocking 435 MHz downlink Buy a diplexer, and connect it as shown in the linked article: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/ I also tilt both of my Yagis so they're 45* to the boom, which makes them 90* to each other. Yes, I lose some signal on terrestrial use, but ti helped cut the coupling, and desense, down quite a bit. 73, Jim KQ6EA On 01/19/2014 06:56 PM, Gabriel - EA6VQ wrote: Hi all, I have a coupling problem in my station when trying to work FO-29. My 2m signal is completely blocking the 435 MHz downlink, and so I can't hear my signal off the satellite. I guess it must be something related to the distance between the two yagis. (I use the terrestrial horizontal yagis you can see at http://www.dxmaps.com/jm19hn.html ). With mode-B satellites there is no problem. I have tried it with two different 435 receivers, and it's exactly the same. Anyone has had this problem o have an idea of the possible reason? And what is more important, of some way to solve it? Thanks for any possible help. 73. Gabriel - EA6VQ _ Web-Site: HTTP://www.dxmaps.com VQLog 3.1 (build 78): HTTP://www.vqlog.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 ___ 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: WEATHER EFFECT ON SATELLITE SIGNALS
Hi Peter, Congrats on working all the satellites - a very dedicated effort! Weather shouldn't be much of a factor for VHF and UHF communication; it's not until you get into the microwaves that I have had trouble, and even with the AO-40 (RIP) 2.4 ghz downlink it wasn't too noticeable. Foliage is also a factor there, and somewhat for UHF; were you aiming through any big trees? Most of the variation from one pass to another comes from the somewhat random orientation of the satellite's antennas compared to where the planet is, and the polarization of both station's antennas. Do you have linear or circularly polarized antennas? Greg KO6TH Peter Wilson wrote: Hi everyone, Firstly, thank you to the many people who have helped me over the last few days with getting started on the sats, you have all been very helpful. I have now worked all the current satellites, including AO-07 and managed to get the doppler shift sorted out with Satpc32. However, today I had a problem hearing both FO-29 and AO-52 - both were good passes. We had some very bad weather here in the UK so I was wondering if the cloud cover can affect the up/downlink. Peter G8KEK ___ 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: Setup Complications
Hi Joel, If you're into homebrewing something, instead of fixing a rotor controller by making a new antenna, why not make a new controller? The U1xx Rotor you have sounds like what I have. The controller is simply a mechanical counter that moves a wheel either left or right 10 degrees per click of the internal microswitch, stopping when the wheel aligns with the dial you set. This can be done with a simple micro-controller chip and a bit of software you can write. My controller does full Az / El control of a pair of rotors, with both manual and computer-controlled operation. A lot more than what you get with the original controller, but you don't need to go that far. Take a look at http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th at the top of the page on the left is a link to the design document. You can get a much more cost effective micro-controller chip these days, compared to what I used, but the principles are the same. Experiment and see what you can build. Have fun, Greg KO6TH Joel Black wrote: This is not going as smoothly as I had anticipated (does anything ever go as anticipated?). I had initially planned on using my Arrow II antenna without the diplexer and an old Alliance U-110 rotor. As you'll read below, that doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. Even though the group was helpful trying to get the Alliance U-110 rotor controller synced (sunc?) up, It does not work reliably. It will turn in one direction, but not the other. I do not have the money to send the controller off for repair and Norm doesn't repair the U-100's and -110's. I could buy one from him, but again, that's money that isn't in the budget. After this issue, I took the controller apart and after a couple of hours, I finally get it to step in one direction correctly, but I cannot get it to go in the opposite direction. Shorting the shaft to the contacts in the controller rotates the rotor correctly so I am fairly certain the rotor is good - I have a controller issue. The online diagrams show a blow-up of the parts, but not now to correctly put it back together (there is a tab on the back of the black dial face and I'm not sure where that or the contacts on the actual geared dial go. I'm going to reluctantly email Norm and ask him, but he does this as a business and I don't want to interfere with that. In the past, he has been nice enough to offer advice though. I'm still playing with it and it hasn't whooped me yet. For now, I do *not* have a rotor I can use. I am looking at purchasing another controller if I'm too stupid for Norm to help ;) . They're fairly cheap on the Bay of E. Without a reliable rotor, my pursuit has led me to QFH and Lindenblad antennas. Which of the two would be the better performer? I have found the pages with build instructions, but what do folks here think. I know they will be poor performers compared to CP yagis, I'm not looking for that comparison. I understand they're omni antennas with CP. I'm okay with that. I realize I'm not concentrating all of my RF in a narrow beam width. That's okay too. Yep, I will be disappointed. I'm disappointed now with the rotor controller. :) I had initially thought that I'd put whatever I got inside the attic. With an omni, that probably wouldn't be prudent. I have enough coax for two runs to the chimney about 60' away. So, any thoughts comparing the QFH to the Lindy? Again, thanks for all the help getting me going again. 73, Joel - W4JBB ___ 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: Adding AO-73 to SATPC32 and Nova for Windows
You can't believe everything you read on the Internet -- Abraham Lincoln Alan wrote: tel-new.txt tle-new.txt I read somewhere that almost 5 out of 2 hams are somewhat dyslexic. 73s, Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: Alan [mailto:wa4...@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 3:35 PM To: 'Ted'; apbid...@mailaps.org; l...@highnoonfilm.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Cc: 'CC' Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Adding AO-73 to SATPC32 and Nova for Windows Ted, Nothing of the sort!! You said: I'd like to keep it within the group of satellites that are in the amateur.txt Kep file if possible. It isn't possible right now, since AO-73 is still in the tel-new.txt file: Les, I usually copy the keps I want from the tle-new file and paste them into the amateur keps file. The only problem with doing it that way is that you will have to manually add it every time you update your keps. Dave-KB1PVH Other than that, you will need to set it up using the tle-new.txt source files until it is eventually moved over to the amateur.txt. I have a group I call New for such satellites, though most people use the existing Diverse category. 73s, Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: Ted [mailto:k7trkra...@charter.net] Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 3:15 PM To: apbid...@mailaps.org; l...@highnoonfilm.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Cc: 'CC' Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Adding AO-73 to SATPC32 and Nova for Windows Alan, Are you suggesting that SATPC32 cannot be updated with the various 'objects' that keep popping up, For example, the Funcube web site currently says they believe that AO73 is actually object 2013-066AE. Can that object be entered and selected in SATPC? (I suspect that these minor diffs between what is labeled as AO73 vs. 2013-066AE don't really make any practical difference when using SatPC32 to work the bird) Pls share your thoughts 73, Ted K7TRK -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Alan Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 5:39 AM To: l...@highnoonfilm.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Cc: CC Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Adding AO-73 to SATPC32 and Nova for Windows Les, Remember that the Keps are provided from CelesTrak. SatPC32 does not control which source file contains a particular satellite. New satellites normally move over to the regular categories in about 30 days. You can find a discussion of adding satellites to SatPC32 and NfW here: http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/23/adding-new-satellites-to-satpc32/ 73s, Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Les Rayburn Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 3:11 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Adding AO-73 to SATPC32 and Nova for Windows I've been off the air since before Thanksgiving, due to an impossible work and personal schedule. Things are slowing down now, and I'd really like to work some contacts through A0-73. Can someone walk me through adding A0-73 to SATPC32? I'd like to keep it within the group of satellites that are in the amateur.txt Kep file if possible. Ditto for adding it to Nova for Windows. I know that someone posted instructions like this shortly after the satellite was launched, but it appears that the object number and keps may be out of date now? I'd like to install the new bird with the latest information. Thanks for helping the newbie! -- -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz Light ___ 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 ___ 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: FT-736R Question
I get an error 500, which means a problem on their end. Perhaps try to back up in the URL to their main site and contact their webmaster? Good luck, Greg KO6TH Mike Seguin n1...@burlingtontelecom.net wrote: This is interesting. Is anyone able to get to the BatchPC site listed in the document? I get an Internal Server error. Mie On 11/17/2013 8:48 AM, Gregory Beat wrote: N6BIL developed a hardware widget (PIC and USB interface) for the Yaesu FT-736R to work as a FT-847 (Hardware Emulator). That address some issues. http://home.comcast.net/~tinkyr/736/N6BIL%20Hardware%20Emulator.htm -- 73, Mike, N1JEZ A closed mouth gathers no feet ___ 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 new toy; pls excuse tupos. ___ 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: FT-736
The lack of manual tuning when under computer control is a fundamental limitation of the rig. When it switches to CAT mode, the front panel is disabled. Nothing an external box can do to change this. For the FM sats, full computer control is still possible, since all you need is to stay on the single Doppler-adjusted frequency. It is definitely an annoyance when working the SSB/CW sats, however, but I find that operating the good old fashioned way (manually) still works well enough. Possibly easier than setting up two rigs, depending on your setup. The NORmal and REVerse tracking settings of the SAT mode switch really helps here. All you need to do is find yourself in some quiet part of the transponder passband, then switch to the tracking setting for your particular bird. (I believe they're all Reverse at the present time.) Then you can spin the knob to find a QSO, and join in. You'll remain close to the right tuning for a few minutes (except at TCA), and can adjust real-time once you start talking by taking it out of tracking and over to either Tx or Rx (generally whichever band is higher). Not too hard once you do it a few times. Good luck, and enjoy the rig, Greg KO6TH Tom Worthington wrote: Thanks for all the responses on the FT-736 and the pointers to the pic hardware emulator. Just to be clear, does the N6BIL emulator allow the manual tuning of the FT-736? It would seem that the lack of the ability to tune is a significant problem to making contacts. 73 and Aloha, Tom, NH6 Y ___ 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] FunCube Dashboard under Wine?
Hi all, Before I try, does anyone know if the new FunCube Dashboard software will run on Linux under Wine? Except under unusual circumstances, the only windows in the shack are the glass kind... Thanks, Greg KO6TH ___ 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: D STAR is here to stay
B J wrote: On 11/13/13, Joen...@mwt.net wrote: I agree on that also. Now I'm not picking on them here. But I am a member of Four local Amateur Radio Clubs. And have been an Amateur since 1975 and have seen this Hobby change a lot through the years. And in all four clubs 90% of the newly licensed get into this Hobby now, through the Public service aspect of the hobby. IE: Skywarn, communications during disasters, support like in parades etc. While there is nothing wrong with this. But these newcomers do not seem to get the thrill of just getting on the air, and throw out a CQ just to see who comes back. Just for the thrill of the unknown. And that is sad. I feel that Amateur Radio is more to them as the Service part of the Amateur Radio Service. Not the experimenting and exploring part. I often get a similar reaction when I talk about amateur radio, particularly from younger people. They can't quite grasp why I'd want to put together a station and, perhaps, talk with someone when there are easier ways of doing that. Even if I don't have any contacts, I like to find out just what the hardware can do and how far my signal can go. It's fun to know that I can reach a satellite that's, say, somewhere over the Arctic Ocean north of Siberia putting only 5 W into my Arrow yagi. Don't give up hope. Not all of the next generation is a lost cause. I just got back from the 38th anniversary reunion of the original Homebrew Computer Club, a group from the '70's and '80's with similar objectives focused on learning, experimentation, and mentoring. The group was formed in 1975, and by a show of hands, the vast majority of those attending the sold out event weren't even born yet. But they were there, engaged, excited, and wanting to pick up the torch being symbolically passed to them. Cool to them has a lot in common with what it is to us - accomplishing something with skills and random parts in ways nobody thought possible. To me (an early member of the club), there's still nothing more amazing than being able to stand in the middle of nowhere with my TH-D7, and bounce a packet off the International Space Station as it zips by at 18,000 miles per hour, resulting in a PC elsewhere on the planet ding with a new bit of email. Then talking to a (younger) co-worker, as I did last week, explaining how I did that, and getting a genuine wow in reply. Hang in there. Initiatives such as what the FunCube team is doing will help get the word out, and the awareness up. And a new generation of Wows will be inspired. Greg KO6TH ___ 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: Spam through amsat.org
Hi Phil, Interesting idea. I think what you are suggesting is to turn the Amsat email forwarding service into an email lookup / reply service, where the sender of the original message would receive a means for contacting you (your contact email address) in a non-machine readable form. The original message would be discarded. They would then contact you via a second message, to that (human readable) address. Spam would be eliminated, and the legitimate people wanting to contact you would be enabled to do so directly. A few thoughts... 1. As has been noted by others, most folks aren't getting a lot of spam (I've received a couple over the past many years, but not nearly enough to be a problem), so the service as it stands seems to be working. If I recall correctly, there was a problem a few years ago, and that was corrected by switching providers or something like that. The folks maintaining the reflector seem to be on top of things. 2. The current service does hide your real email address from the as-yet unknown-to-you sender; your response to them can be from any email address you choose, or not at all, depending on your mood at the time. An automatic reply would disclose your address to someone unknown to you without your knowledge. Though the address could certainly be an address you specifically set up for this purpose, and the auto-responder could notify you of the attempt, the horse would have already left the barn. So, it is a bit of a security concern. 3. Machine-based Captcha response engines are reported to be getting pretty good, and in theory could be modified to bypass your gateway. It's probably not worth it, at least right now, but if your concept were deployed widely, and on sites with higher potential payback, the spammers attention might be directed to do the required engineering. Still, interesting. Greg KO6TH Phil Karn wrote: A significant fraction of the spam I get on my primary email account comes by way of the amsat.org email reflector; by my count, 18 of the 76 spam emails I've received in the last day. But I don't want to just shut it off; sometimes people I do want to hear from make contact that way. And I've used it to contact others whose email addresses I don't know, but who I know to be AMSAT members. I wonder if it would be possible to set up some sort of auto-responder on amsat.org so that instead of just forwarding email, returns a message to the sender with a non-machine-readable image of the user's actual email address, possibly accompanied with a sound file with the same information for anyone with impaired vision. Spammers couldn't handle it, especially since most don't even use valid return addresses. But any real human could resend his email directly to its destination. What do people think of this idea? How much of a problem is spam for everyone else here? Phil ___ 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: remailer
Hi Jim, A 550 response is usually because the remailer's spam filter (or more specifically, the service the remailer contracts with to provide that filtering function) thinks your email is coming from a source known to be a provider of spam. My experience with these filters is that they are incredibly crude, often rejecting all email from a particular provider, legitimate or otherwise. Yes, they block spam, but there's a lot of non-spam that gets swept up with it too. Not their concern, apparently, as they did block the spam... Often these lists get corrected without (additional) intervention, either because of the outcry from others, or an alert staff. If not, you will need to contact your provider and let them know that you are being blocked. They will need the email header information, where the specific spam filter contact information is usually located. I've not had much luck getting things cleared up with the filtering service on my own. Good luck, Greg KOO6TH Jim Sanford wrote: All: Anything up with the remailer? Just got a bounce on 2 emails I sent to somebody @amsat.org: host inbound.ucsd.edu[132.239.0.180]: 550 #5.7.1 Your access to submit messages to this e-mail system has been rejected. Thanks 73, Jim wb4...@amsat.org --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.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: New Satellite Segment in IARU Region 2 Bandplan
Interesting... Does anyone else find it odd (or possibly irresponsible) to put a satellite allocation right up against the band edge. Didn't they consider Doppler shift? That renders the lower 3+ khz of a 25 khz slice unusable. Or is this only for NSS use? Greg KO6TH M5AKA wrote: New Satellite Segment in IARU Region 2 Bandplan http://amsat-uk.org/2013/10/22/new-satellite-segment-in-iaru-region-2-bandplan/ ___ 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: D STAR AMSAT NET
It's still on weekly, on 20 meters. 14.282, 18:00z-19:00z for random checkins, bulletins at 19:00z. Net controls are Keith, W5IU and Larry, W7LB. Greg KO6TH Rob Roschewsk wrote: I remember the good ol' days when the amsat net was weekly on 75 meters (was it Tuesday nights?) and wa2lqq (sk) was net control ... On Sep 25, 2013 4:35 PM, Wayne Estesw...@charter.net wrote: WA4HFN wrote: How many satellite ops have D STAR radios ? Join us tomorrow night on REF 60B at 0100 utc W9AE replies: I've seen AMSAT net announcement messages for years, and NEVER understood them. The messages never specify a terrestrial frequency or an amateur satellite. This leads me to the conclusion that the AMSAT net doesn't use ham radio as the communications medium. What communications medium is used to conduct the AMSAT net? Is it on a 2-way channel on a commercial satellite? Is it on the Internet? What is REF 60B? If the AMSAT net doesn't use ham radio, why not? Please explain... Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA __**_ 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-bbhttp://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 ___ 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: Phase 3
Not to single out Michael on this, but I need to chime in. Realism has its place, but it also has its dangers. Too much of it, and you just might get your way. At work, several major programs were behind schedule. The teams were working hard, but cutting-edge work is never easy, and significant problems remained to be overcome. Our engineering manager sent out the following email, to remind us of our task: - There once was a bunch of tiny frogs who got together to arrange a competition to reach to the top of the highest tower in town. As the date for the competition was announced, the news spread everywhere and crowd in large numbers gathered around the tower to see this interesting competition and cheer on the contestants. The crowd did not really believe any of these little frogs were going to make it to the top of the tower. Yet they were curious… The competition began, the frogs quickly started to ascend and the crowd cheered! As a few moments passed, someone from the crowd shouted, Not a chance that they will succeed! The tower is too high! Another spectator said, Yes, they will never make it to the top. It's way too difficult! As the competition continued, some of the tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one… tired… exhausted… But the race continued… as those who still had the fight left, passionately continued to climb higher and higher… In the excitement and anxiety the crowd continued to yell, It is too difficult. No one will make it! More tiny frogs got tired and gave up. They all continued to give up one by one, until there was only ONE little frog left in the competition who continued to climb higher and higher and higher… This one wouldn’t give up! This one tiny frog who, after a big effort was the only one who reached the top! This little soul was the winner! He made it! He got the glory! Naturally, everyone wanted to know how this one tiny frog managed to pull it off when every other contestant gave up. Everybody wanted to know how this tiny frog had found the strength to reach this goal that everyone else thought it was impossible. So, they asked questions. It turned out that the winner was deaf. The Moral Of The Story Do not pay attention to what other people’s opinions are when it comes to your dreams and goals. Focus on your goal and march in confidence. People will always have opinions and generally – a negative one. Do not pay any attention to them. I am inspired. I am deaf. Are you listening :-D ? --- I believe the AMSAT organizations across the planet will launch and operate the best fleet of Amateur Satellites that can be launched. Variety, including HEO, is and has always been a goal. We collectively are a creative bunch, and I know that there are technologies and options out there that we have not yet developed or identified, that will move us towards our goal. And when the satellites come, I will use them, with thanks. Greg KO6TH p.s. The first of the above referenced products will begin Release Candidate testing on Monday... Michael wrote: Trust me, no one out there wants me to be more totally wrong about P3-E than myself but my guess is that it will never ever see space. I want to be wrong soo bad but I'm a realist. 73, Michael, W4HIJ ___ 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: so long
I made my first satellite contact in 1993, a year after I was first licensed. That first contact was due to a lot of elmering by Walt, KA6VNU, and the skill of Mel, KW7E, on the other end of the contact. Since then I have made countless contacts on my own, elmered others through their first contacts, and learned something from each and every one. New puzzles were answered by the many generous and knowledgeable participants in this bulletin board, including you. I've had an incredible experience, and it's not over yet. I hardly call that nothing. Greg KO6TH i8cvs wrote: Many years ago early in 1972 I joined AMSAT because they promised us to communicate worlwide much better than using the HF but things changed and our antennas are becaming rusty over the roof for very small or for nothingSorry ! ___ 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: S band LEO Sat tracking
Bob, for comparison, I used a 30 x 24 grill for AO-40. I found that moving the dish +/- one click on my controller (10 degrees) would make a just-audible difference in the received signal strength. So, I figure 10 degrees is the 3db beam width, not good enough, apparently, for the ISS TV... Greg KO6TH Bob- W7LRD wrote: When AO-51 used the S band downlink, I used a 18 inch TV dish with a 6 turn helix feed connected to a AIDC 3731 (K5GNA) down converter. I do not know the pointing accuracy as it was not used very much. On AO-40 (sobsob) I used a 4 foot primestar dish (heavy) with the same feed and dc. 73 Bob W7LRD - Original Message - From: michael luftmilu...@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, September 5, 2013 2:59:29 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] S band LEO Sat tracking What kind of positioning accuracy can be expected form amateur PC Software and Antenna Rotators? Or, in other words: What kind of S band antenna ( gain or dimensions) is needed to track a S band LEO Sat? 73 Michael ___ 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 ___ 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: ISS HamTV, yikes I am late
Robert C. Campbell kb3...@gmail.com wrote: 2.4 meter dish mounted on 8 foot tower section, with az and el rotors and home brew 12 turn 2.4GHz helical at focal point. Model 2400 High Siera HamTV-Down Converter 12 turns for the 2.4 ghz feed sounds a bit long. What is the focal distance for the dish? Greg KO6TH ___ 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: SO-50
B J wrote: On 9/3/13, Clint Bradfordclintbra...@earthlink.net wrote: ... As long as we have these self proclaimed Satellite Instructors neglecting the benefit of Full Duplex operation ... One thing I've noticed a few times on the linear birds is how some stations operate as if they're still on HF. They sometimes call CQ continuously without giving another station a chance to answer. Now, whenever I call CQ, I stop transmitting for several seconds. That way, if anyone wants to answer will have a chance without us talking over each other. 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL snip Of course, on the Linear birds, IF you are running Full Duplex, you actually CAN talk over each other and still be understood. On AO-40 (so doppler tracking wasn't a big problem) I would often just click in the MOX button on my rig. If I don't say anything (and it's otherwise quiet in the shack), no RF goes out. When I talk, it transmits. Nice and natural. But this only works with FDX, and only with SSB, and only if you have computer or physical (HEO) control of doppler. Oh, and be careful not to wake up Leila when you both talk at the same time too often... She considered it bad manners. Greg KO6TH ___ 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] Winterization project
Hi all, As I reported on the 20m Amsat Net (14.282mhz Sundays 18:00z - 19:00z) this morning, I noticed that my 2m antenna was listing slightly down-hill. Suspecting that the boom attachment screws had come loose, my project for the day was to go up on the roof and align and tighten them. The screws were a little loose. That's not why the antenna was drooping down. I discovered the real reason: Acorns. Apparently the local squirrels have been preparing for winter, such as it is around here, and had stuffed about a dozen plump acorns into the open end of the antenna boom. Besides their weight climbing out to the end, there was also the remaining weight of the acorns. So, the antenna ends have been taped over, but that's not going to prevent the squirrels from climbing out onto the antenna. Any suggestions on an effective squirrel deterrent? Greg KO6TH ___ 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: Antenna element and Boom material
Hi Mike, Yes, the length of the elements will be affected. Fatter elements look electrically longer, I think, so they may need to be shortened a bit to compensate for a shift in frequency. Impedance may be affected as well. You will also need to keep the same mounting scheme, as to whether the elements are insulated from the main boom or not. But, experimenting is what it's all about. Build it and see how it performs. Adjust. Do it again. You will end up with a good antenna, and a practical knowledge of how to build it, when you're done. Then let us know how you did it. Good luck, Greg KO6TH Mike Hoblinski wrote: I was looking at constructing a Log Periodic antenna and was wondering about useing square material instead of round elements. The plans call out 1/4 round hollow tube for the elements. I ran across some aluminum extrusion material from a company called Microrax http://www.microrax.com/ that sells small aluminum extrusion and brackets plus hardware. Their extrusions are 10mm square and come in legnths up to 35 inches. I was looking at going with some larger extrusion material for the boom. All of the extrusion material has nice channels cut into it that could be used for element spacing adjustment and easy mounting. My other thought was to tap the ends of the elements and add stainless steel screws to adjust the legnths. I am wondering about going from 1/4 inch tound elements to about 3/8 inch square would effect the performance of this antenna. Mike Hoblinski N6IMF ___ 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: Rotator Positioning questions
I forget... Do these kinds of motors change their current draw significantly when they stall? If they don't, a current probe may not be a reliable stop indicator. Also, regarding the challenge with 450 degree rotation... There's no requirement that you actually use all 450 degrees. Just stick to 0-359 and it will make things a lot easier to start with. Once it's all running, you can go for the fancy stuff. Good luck with the project, Greg KO6TH Ing. Pavel Milanes Costa wrote: The motor running/motor stop signal will be a current probe on the AC 24V motor feeding wires down the control, as when the motor reach 0o or 450o it automatically switch's off ___ 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: Non-mechanical Azimuth/Elevation Feedback Advice
Yes, indeed the fine art of pulse counting works very well. My rotor controller does the same with the clicker kind of rotors, where the contacts were intended to drive a solenoid ratchet switch mechanism for positioning. Instead of the Arduino, I used a Basic Stamp (this is pre-Arduino heritage), but the pulses are 6-10 degrees apart. 500 per 360 degrees would be too fast for this little squirrel. Good luck with your projects. Greg KO6TH Ing. Pavel Milanes Costa wrote: Yes, me to... I do have a old Japanese tracking camera mounting also with 24 AC motors here... 360 degrees azimuth with stop switch on 0 and 360 degrees and about 0 to 120 degrees of elevation (0 ~ horizon, 90 ~cenit) Pretty good construction, a ham here in Havana have one the uses to move 2 phased yaguis of 5 elements for 2m... the brake system is primitive but works fine... Pointing is by eye and as in your case no means of feedback... recently after completing some TODO-IN-THE-FUTURE projects with Jal/JalLib (Just Another Language and libs for PIC devices) and pics I get hands on this project A couple o months or so (maybe more) there was a thread on the list about this... I find the arduino project from K3NG, but no arduino here, only Microchip PIC (PIC18F4520) so I have to re-invent the wheel... I was thinking on gray encoding the position with 7 bits, but this is A LOT of cables to run.. Then I see on the specs of the arduino a feedback mechanism of pulse counting... and find on the internet a project from a polish? ham that uses this mechanism wit a ATMEGA MCU but with a trick... (I have the link on my work place... link will be tomorrow) I explain, he uses several magnets glued on the edge of an intermediate gear in the reduction mechanism... then get a magnetic switch (or a hal sensing device if you like) close to the edge where the magnets are... This mechanism do about 500+ pulses for each 360 degrees... pretty neat an simple... with only 2 cables... The only thing is you have to reset the mechanical position of the antennas at each power-on to reset the internal count in the pic/arduino/atmega MCU... I'm on the ideas-on-the-boad part of this project for making it 450 degrees instead of only 360 and how to deal in software with the 0 to 90 degrees restriction on the elevation part... Just another idea to the brain storm... 73 de CO7WT. PS: control will be serial emulating a RS232B protocol from Yaesu... El 07/08/13 09:58, Zach Leffke escribió: Hello Everyone, I recently came into possession of a Pelco PT170-24P tracking pan tilt pedestal designed to support large security cameras. My intent with this new acquisition is to repurpose it as a low cost (got it on Ebay for ~$75 + SH) alternative for an antenna tracking pedestal for amateur satellites. It uses 24VAC induction motors to move the azimuth and elevation assemblies, pretty much just like the G5500s that I'm sure so many of us are familiar with. It definitely cannot support the same amount of weight as the G5500, but I'm looking to construct a small, portable satellite ground station node and this thing is plenty beefy enough to handle a couple of Arrow style antennas. Here is the problem, it provides absolutely no feedback. My question to the group is does anyone know of a non-mechanical method for getting relatively accurate feedback for azimuth and elevation. I'm looking for an all electronic means that I can mount somewhere outside of the actual pedestal assembly (like perhaps on the cross-boom) that will be able to provide measurement of the az/el (or pan/tilt, or yaw/pitch, whatever you want to call it) position. I'm using an arduino microcontroller for the tracking controller. Originally I intended to find a way to mount potentiometers in inside the unit and simply use the ADCs on the arduino to read the position feedback voltage from the pots, however, there is barely enough space to mount an elevation feedback pot inside the unit, and there is virtually no space for an azimuth feedback pot. Hence I'm looking for a non-mechanical method. My first thoughts for the elevation feedback was to use the old potentiometer plus nice heavy weight method mounted out on the boom. This idea doesn't appeal to me very much as other factors can now affect the position feedback (such as high winds). I then thought of something along the lines of an accelerometer. I also tossed around the idea of a 2-axis gyro for both Az/El. My issue is I have limited experience working with these types of sensors, and was hoping to get advice from everyone in this group. I know for example that the gyro will provide rate of motion around an axis and thus I have to integrate over time to get the actual position. This becomes cumbersome because now I have to keep track of time in the Arduino while executing movement commands (certainly do-able, just more complicated than
[amsat-bb] Re: Help with 75 mtr Qrn problem
Hi Dave, If the noise came and went sharply (like someone turned something off for a week), and man made sounding, perhaps one of your neighbors put up a solar power array? Lots of diodes and the power inverter running during the day... Just a thought, Greg KO6TH Dave Larsen PhD wrote: I have called PGE and the guy came out with a 430 Rx with a beam saying it's not there problem - humm - The Lev stays at a S-7 and then when sun comes up it goes to a S-9 20 over both Ants were fine for 2 years .. then the QRN .. it did go away for about 1 week now back for 1 month Tnx for all responce . Dave - Original Message - From: K4FEG k4...@k4feg.com To: Dave Larsen PhD d...@volcano.net Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 3:50 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with 75 mtr Qrn problem On 8/2/2013 05:23 PM, Dave Larsen PhD wrote: I have 2 dipoles up at 60+ ft - one set running East-West other North South .. From 2.6 to 5 Megs I have a S-7 Qrn lev at 4 Am .. buy noon I have a 10-20 over QRN Lev .. I live on 10 acres and have turned off main power to house and still have QRN .. so not coming from anything in house .. This one has me stumped .. 6 moths ago my Qrn was a S-2 .. waiting for a G6 radio to try and track this down but does anybody else have any idea's ? Tnx Dave N6CO ___ 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 there is a possibility that you have a nearby electrical transformer that has a corroded connection on it, these connections can be a major source of noise and they will come and go with changes in humidity or precipitation. will it suddenly stop at times are is it a fairly constant level? your local utility company can find and repair these connections but they need a better idea of the direction it is from your QTH. Those are my thoughts on your problem Good Luck Frank; K4FEG ___ 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: Gospodin Murphy was right!
A member of our radio club is familiar with the rocket, from some past work. He said that the sensors are not keyed, and the This side up label is in rather small print. Between that and Murphy, I wonder why this wasn't a more frequent occurrance... Greg. KO6TH Alan wa4...@gmail.com wrote: An interesting article on the recent launch failure of a Proton-M: http://preview.tinyurl.com/kt5x9hw The latest in a long line of bizarre, expensive errors in the world launch business. 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 - Sent from my new toy; pls excuse tupos. ___ 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: Gospodin Murphy was right!
Except that not all of them were inverted, according to one report. I also heard that on other rockets, these sorts of sensors can be tested by watching the rocket, mounted on the launch pad, move as the earth spins. This model sensor can't do that for some reason, and electrical tests, of course, would show everything is fine. So it wasn't until the rocket actually launched (by which time it was too late) that the error was detected. But fundamentally, I believe a device whose sole purpose it is to indicate direction should have no possibility of being mounted in any direction other than the one intended. Either that, or there should be a calibration step in the process somewhere to correct for this. In fact, now that I think of it, it should be a relatively simple test to look at the sensors immediately (milliseconds) after launch to confirm the orientation of the sensors, and flip them logically if necessary. Of course, changing flight software is a non-trivial task, as would a mechanical modification to key the sensor and mounting, so doing a video inspection of the sensors as the only remediation is not a surprise. Greg KO6TH Roger Kolakowski wrote: Maybe the un-assembled frame was oriented nose down when he installed them...so this side up made sense... Roger WA1KAT On 07/21/2013 12:46 PM, Greg D. wrote: A member of our radio club is familiar with the rocket, from some past work. He said that the sensors are not keyed, and the This side up label is in rather small print. Between that and Murphy, I wonder why this wasn't a more frequent occurrance... Greg. KO6TH Alan wa4...@gmail.com wrote: An interesting article on the recent launch failure of a Proton-M: http://preview.tinyurl.com/kt5x9hw The latest in a long line of bizarre, expensive errors in the world launch business. 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 - Sent from my new toy; pls excuse tupos. ___ 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 ___ 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: Tilting Yagi up 15 degrees above horizon
Most use a cross-arm to mount the antenna, even if the cross-arm is not rotatable in Elevation. Then you can attach the antenna in any elevation desired, and mount both a 2m and 70cm antenna, one on either side of the rotor for balance. I suppose bending the mast pipe would work too. I hadn't thought of that. Greg KO6TH Rick Walter wrote: With all the talk about tilting a Yagi 15 degrees above the horizon and using a rotor in azimuth only, I have a question. Since every Yagi I have includes mounting hardware to mount the antenna at a 90 degree angle to the mast, how do you tilt it 15 degrees? Do you put a bend in the mast pipe? Can you purchase hardware to allow the Yagi to tilt relative to the mast? Maybe everyone knows a simple answer but I will admit I do not. Thanks and 73, Rick - WB3CSY ___ 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: Better/best operating system for SatPC32?
And it's free. And that includes not having to pay for anti-virus software on top of paying for the O/S (though in this case apparently Win 7 is already there), or reboot for the ever-coming patches. And even if you use the free AV software, it still takes up valuable CPU and memory resources, which on a smaller machine can be a killer. Uptime on this PC, by the way, is currently 224 days. OpenSuSE 12.1, on an old 2 ghz AMD Sempron. I think I have 3gb of RAM installed, but it used to have a lot less 224 days ago (under a gig, if I recall). My PC at work is running OpenSusE 11.4, and it's been up for well over 200 days as well. I also run VMPlayer with Windows 7 inside, but it's up and down like a yo-yo with the corporate-driven patches that get applied. APRSIS/32, if you want to run APRS, works excellently in Wine on Linux, much better in my opinion than XASTIR. I have also run several of the Windows-based satellite tracking programs in Wine, if you need compatibility, though I prefer gpredict. Ubuntu is a very popular Linux distro, but I prefer OpenSuSE. The user experience is more main-stream (but without being too Windows-like), and all of the system configuration utilities are bundled into a single setup tool, so they're easy to find and have the same look feel. Greg KO6TH gordon...@gjcp.net wrote: On Sat, May 18, 2013 at 10:33:18AM -0400, Philip Jenkins wrote: The refurbs are pretty cheap, so I may get two and install XP on one and some flavor of Linux on the other (I'm the most familiar with Ubuntu (but that isn't saying much), but open to suggestions.) Does Linux still support serial ports? Yes, of course! There's the added advantage that you don't need additional drivers for USB-to-serial converters, too, which takes a bit more uncertainty out of things. If it ever was supported, it should be supported now. Okay, the kernel-mode soundmodem stuff has gone, but that was a stupid idea ;-) Remember those old floppy connector tape drives? They're still supported - if you can get a real genuine FDC to play with... ___ 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: Help Regarding working of RCI SE
BIOS setting? On most PCs, the parallel port can be configured in one of 3 modes. You might try the other settings... Greg KO6TH Nitin Muttin wrote: Aayush, ok noted. Centronics = LPT or parallel port Can you provide more information. 1. which tracking application you are using. 2. DDE Driver 3. Have you confirmed the parallel port is working fine. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG] From: Aayush Yadavaayushyadav...@gmail.com To: Nitin Muttinvu3...@yahoo.co.in Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.orgamsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, 17 May 2013 3:16 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Help Regarding working of RCI SE Nitin, nope actualy i am using it on the LPT port on my PC. and most probably i guess the problem is somewhere in my configuring the antenna with it. Aayush On Thu, May 16, 2013 at 4:46 PM, Nitin Muttinvu3...@yahoo.co.in wrote: Aayush, Are you using this with the centronics port on your PC. 73 Nitin [VU3TYG] ___ 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 ___ 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: Helical Antenna on 70 cm
Hi Rolf, My understanding is that the material used for center pole in a helix doesn't affect the antenna dimensions or performance much at all. So, feel free to use whatever material you have handy that will work mechanically and environmentally (e.g. ice load and sun exposure). I've never made a helix for 70cm, but that's about a low a frequency as I'd consider. They get kind of large and unwieldy as you go down in frequency, and a 6 coil on a 7' boom would be pushing it for me. A crossed yagi could be mechanically easier to build, and, to Bob's point, you could make it run either polarity. Good luck, Greg KO6TH Rolf Krogstad wrote: I am new to satellites and new to the design requirements for UHF and am looking for advice. I am looking to build a Helical antenna for the 70cm Band. I am considering the plans for such an antenna from the 2010 edition of the ARRL Satellite Handbook. The plans call for a 235 cm (7' 8) long, 2.5 cm (1) diameter center support made of either a wooden dowel which has been treated or a fiberglass tube. It also requires multiple 7.6 cm (3) spacers for the helical element. My question is would fiberglass rods made of Isophthlic Polyester Resin be a good choice of material at UHF frequencies? I hesitate to use treated wood because I plan to mount this on the top of a 15 meter high tower and it isn't very accessible. Thanks Rolf NR0T [EN34] ___ 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: Helical Antenna on 70 cm
Hi Rolf, I don't believe that's possible. It would be like asking for a screw that can be turned in either direction. L / R switching is done by switching between two antennas. Greg KO6TH Rolf Krogstad wrote: Thanks, Bob. Is there a commercial yagi available for 435 MHz which is R-L switchable? Rolf NR0T On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 8:21 PM, Bob- W7LRDw7...@comcast.net wrote: the helix is a nice antenna...however...once wound for either RHCP or LHCP there's no going back. So switching from R to L or L to R is out of the question. Unless of course the chosen polarity is always compatible with the satellite in use. Unless you have L and a R helix and switch between them, that can get a little involved. Many times it is very convenient to be able to switch between L or R during a pass, at times it can make the contact happen. This is of course is easy with a L/R CP yagi. I have used a helix for L band (1.2ghz ) as well as feeds for a 2.4ghz dish. They are a fine antenna with a fair amount of bandwidth. For a 16+ turn helix I have used stainless steel U channel for the center support. If Clair, VE3NPC is listening, he's the resident helix guy. Just my opinion, your mileage may differ. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- *From: *Rolf Krogstadrolf.krogs...@gmail.com *To: *amsat-bb@amsat.org *Sent: *Monday, May 13, 2013 9:22:57 AM *Subject: *[amsat-bb] Helical Antenna on 70 cm I am new to satellites and new to the design requirements for UHF and am looking for advice. I am looking to build a Helical antenna for the 70cm Band. I am considering the plans for such an antenna from the 2010 edition of the ARRL Satellite Handbook. The plans call for a 235 cm (7' 8) long, 2.5 cm (1) diameter center support made of either a wooden dowel which has been treated or a fiberglass tube. It also requires multiple 7.6 cm (3) spacers for the helical element. My question is would fiberglass rods made of Isophthlic Polyester Resin be a good choice of material at UHF frequencies? I hesitate to use treated wood because I plan to mount this on the top of a 15 meter high tower and it isn't very accessible. Thanks Rolf NR0T [EN34] ___ 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 ___ 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: ISS HamTV Frequencies
2 mhz? Yeah, that would be tough... Ok, DVB-S it is. Thanks all for the education. There's a swap meet coming up in a couple of weeks... Sounds like I have a now have a mission. :-) Greg KO6TH M5AKA wrote: --- On Mon, 13/5/13, Greg Dolkasko6th.g...@gmail.com wrote: Is there something about the DVB-S modulation that makes it astoundingly better for this application? For something that is intended to be widely received, they sure are making it difficult... DVB-S receivers are in use in hundreds of millions of homes around the world. Apart from DVB-S2, which is not yet so widespread, I'm not aware of any other standard that would deliver better performance in a 2 MHz bandwidth. 73 Trevor M5AKA ___ 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: ISS HamTV Frequencies
A dish like in the picture probably has a beam-width of 15-ish degrees. I used a 30 inch BBQ grill antenna for AO-40, and would notice a drop-off when mis-aimed by about that much. ISS moves VERY quickly compared to AO-40, so some sort of active positioning on both axis is going to be required. I need to get that dish back up on the rotisserie... Greg KO6TH Roger wrote: Anybody off the top of their heads know how many degrees a second swing are (is?) required for direct aim at the ISS? I know there are beam width tolerances, altitude variations and degree above horizon variations but I'm looking at Bob B's fixed antenna aiming of 15-20 degrees above horizon to evaluate swinging a dish without torque eating up the drive train... Roger WA1KAT On 5/12/2013 5:01 PM, M5AKA wrote: The AMSAT-UK page at http://amsat-uk.org/2013/05/12/hamtv-from-the-iss/ provides the links, they are: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Hamtvproject More information at http://www.amsat.it/Amsat-Italia_HamTV_brochure.pdf and http://www.amsat.it/Amsat-Italia_HamTV.pdf The HamTV.pdf gives the link budget, looks like there's 7dB of coax/connector losses to overcome between the ISS transmitter and the antenna. That document indicates a 90cm dish should be sufficient. I believe that it's going up on ATV 4 which is currently slated for June 5. 73 Trevor M5AKA ___ 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: ISS HamTV Frequencies
For the digital TV challenged, what means Any DVB-S Decoder which can decode a 1.3 MSym/s TV signal? How would I know if I have such a thing, or what I would need to get if I don't. Greg KO6TH I0ELE wrote: Certainly! You can find the nominal link budget on http://www.amsat.it/HAMTV_Link-budget-IARU.pdf and all the relevant information http://www.amsat.it/Amsat-Italia_HamTV_brochure.pdf. However * Recommended Antenna gain 25 dB * RHCP * Low noise down converter i.e. Kuhne LNC 25 or LNC 25 TM NF 0.7 dB * Any DVB-S Decoder which can decode a 1.3 MSym/s TV signal 73, Emanuele, I0ELE President AMSAT Italia ___ 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: ISS HamTV Frequencies
Hi Emanuele, Right. But what is that in terms of what normally gets described? For example, I have a Digital TV card for my computer (Pinnacle PCTV HD). It says it does ATSC digital TV (HDTV up to 1080i, and SDTV) and Clear QAM (unencrypted digital cable). Am I even close? Greg KO6TH I0ELE wrote: HAMTV stream will be transmitted at 1.3 MSym/s or at 2.0 MSym/s. Technical specs of the set-top box indicate the range of the decoded stream. Generally this range is from 2 to 45 MSym/s, therefore if you need to buy it, you should select one that can guarantee a range from 1 to 45 MSym/s. Emanuele I0ELE Il 13/05/2013 0.15, Greg D ha scritto: For the digital TV challenged, what means Any DVB-S Decoder which can decode a 1.3 MSym/s TV signal? How would I know if I have such a thing, or what I would need to get if I don't. Greg KO6TH I0ELE wrote: Certainly! You can find the nominal link budget on http://www.amsat.it/HAMTV_Link-budget-IARU.pdf and all the relevant information http://www.amsat.it/Amsat-Italia_HamTV_brochure.pdf. However * Recommended Antenna gain 25 dB * RHCP * Low noise down converter i.e. Kuhne LNC 25 or LNC 25 TM NF 0.7 dB * Any DVB-S Decoder which can decode a 1.3 MSym/s TV signal 73, Emanuele, I0ELE President AMSAT Italia ___ 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: ISS HamTV Frequencies
Ah, that is probably right. Model is PCTV-800i; it's definitely aimed at terrestrial stuff. Now I know what -S means... Would there, by chance, be a decoder for the FunCube Dongle (or other USB thingie)? Thanks for the help, Greg KO6TH I0ELE wrote: Hi Greg, I believe that your Pinnacle PC Card is not for DVB-S (Satellite networks) but for DVB-T (terrestrial networks). Please check on the web or give me the model of your card, so that I will check it. Emanuele I0ELE Il 13/05/2013 0.45, Greg D ha scritto: Hi Emanuele, Right. But what is that in terms of what normally gets described? For example, I have a Digital TV card for my computer (Pinnacle PCTV HD). It says it does ATSC digital TV (HDTV up to 1080i, and SDTV) and Clear QAM (unencrypted digital cable). Am I even close? Greg KO6TH I0ELE wrote: HAMTV stream will be transmitted at 1.3 MSym/s or at 2.0 MSym/s. Technical specs of the set-top box indicate the range of the decoded stream. Generally this range is from 2 to 45 MSym/s, therefore if you need to buy it, you should select one that can guarantee a range from 1 to 45 MSym/s. Emanuele I0ELE Il 13/05/2013 0.15, Greg D ha scritto: For the digital TV challenged, what means Any DVB-S Decoder which can decode a 1.3 MSym/s TV signal? How would I know if I have such a thing, or what I would need to get if I don't. Greg KO6TH I0ELE wrote: Certainly! You can find the nominal link budget on http://www.amsat.it/HAMTV_Link-budget-IARU.pdf and all the relevant information http://www.amsat.it/Amsat-Italia_HamTV_brochure.pdf. However * Recommended Antenna gain 25 dB * RHCP * Low noise down converter i.e. Kuhne LNC 25 or LNC 25 TM NF 0.7 dB * Any DVB-S Decoder which can decode a 1.3 MSym/s TV signal 73, Emanuele, I0ELE President AMSAT Italia ___ 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: Imagine RIT Festival May 4th - AMSAT Fox-2 Maximum Power Point Tracker Senior Design Project Exhibit
Bryce Salmi wrote:
Hello everyone,
I am a senior studying Electrical Engineering at the Rochester
Institute of Technology (RIT) and I am a member of a senior design group
that was sponsored by AMSAT to produce an engineering prototype *Maximum
Power Point Tracker* (MPPT) for the Fox-2 satellite. Most members of our
team are licensed radio amateurs and active members of the RIT Amateur
Radio Club K2GXT and have had quite the experience with this project! We've
worked extremely hard over the past 20 weeks to design and build a working
MPPT. We'd enjoy sharing this experience with anyone interested.
{snip}
Ok, so be honest here... How far did you all have to read before you
realized he was NOT talking about the Microsoft Office application?
Bryce, this looks like an excellent and fun project, not to mention the
great potential for Dilbert cartoon fodder.
Greg KO6TH
___
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[amsat-bb] Re: Fermi Avoids Near Miss In Orbit
Um, the dates in the article are from 2012 (that be last year). Interesting stuff, but why is NASA posting it now? Greg KO6TH B J wrote: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/GLAST/news/bullet-dodge.html 73s Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL ___ 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: satellite los footprints
Further to what Gus writes, I think Method #3 will suffer from two assumptions, giving an impression of precision when less should be expected. First, you are highlighting the shadows that mountains and other terrain should give, but which are only applicable to visible light. Radio waves bend and knife-edge diffract over and around these things, so you're eliminating areas from being in serviceable view when they could be interesting to try, if not perfectly useful. Second, local obstructions such as buildings, trees, and other stuff that aren't represented on Google Earth can be a big factor in the success of any satellite pass, especially if / when we ever get back some microwave capability in orbit. I have a small video camera mounted on my Az/El rotor boom because I have this huge oak tree immediately behind my house, and it was critical to know where it was - one large limb in particular - compared to AO-40, in order to make a contact in that direction. That tree is big, but I suspect not sufficient to show up on Google Earth. My recommendation is that you go with simple and easy now, and update it later when you need something with more precision, for example, if / when we get a high orbit target to aim precisely at. Maybe we'll have a Google Backyard View by then. Greg KO6TH Gus wrote: I would suggest you go with #1 or #2. The added complexity of method #3 probably won't pay any significant dividends in practical terms. You could always implement #3 for version II. :-) Will you be considering squint? Frankly, I'm not sure any current satellites are using antennas where squint would play a part. Regards... On 03/25/2013 11:15 AM, Joseph Armbruster wrote: I can not decide how to implement ground footprints with my google earth satellite tracker. I figured, since I can't make up my mind, I should get a second (and third, and fourth) opinion. For this thread, I would like to discuss how satellite ground-footprints should be implemented. A quick brainstorm led me to three possible implementations (I am leaning towards 3). For each of these, I assume that a geographic line-of-sight footprint is desired with no RF characteristics taken into consideration: option 1 : assume a spherical earth model and project a polygon downwards towards the footprint - note: this is obviously the easiest approach but will result in the most error option 2 : assume an ellipsoidal earth model and project an irregularly shaped polygon downwards towards the footprint - note: this is arguably more difficult than option 1 and would result in less error option 3 : use a digital elevation model and an ellipsoidal model to cull-out regions that are not visible due to geographic features and project an irregularly shaped polygon downwards towards the footprint - note: In this case, our footprint polygon would have holes cut out for the regions that are culled out by mountain ranges, canyons / etc... Obviously, this would be the most difficult to implement but would likely be the best visual representation. The problem is, I would never dream of distributing DEMs for the entire Earth with my tool, even DTED0 would be absurd in my opinion. I could make the elevation queries accessible using a web-service, but then the user would be tied to the internet. The other option would be to allow the users to download their elevation data into a cache, then the tool would just load / use it. This way the user would only have to obtain the elevation data for their region of interest. Maybe that would be the best approach? I am open to suggestions! If you have any experience visualizing footprints, please let me know. I would be interested in hearing your lessons-learned. These are what the line-of-sight indicators look like right now: Google Earth Satellite Tracker - Line of Sight Update I am open to comments and suggestions, Joseph Armbruster ___ 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: inquiry about homebrew az-el systems
Hi Samudra, See: http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th Near the top of the page, on the left, are links to the design document and code source for what I created. It's not a kit, but rather a discusson of the various pieces needed to make such a controller, which you can adapt as needed to whatever hardware you can get your hands on. The Alliance U-110 makes for a great Elevation rotor, and there are many Az rotors that can be had for very low cost. Alternatively, as long as you can supply a contact closure every 6-10 degrees of rotation, this system can be adapted to a variety of mechanical contraptions. Let the students and faculty get creative! Good luck, Greg KO6TH Samudra Haque wrote: Hi, about two years ago, I started a design for a robotics class project of a AZ-EL rotator controller system, and a hardware package for the mechanism for rotating an antenna in any direction subject to mechanical stops. The system would have been able to handle regular and flip modes. I didn't do anything more than calculations, and moved on to building a classroom instructional robot then. Lately, as I am setting up (K3GWU, the George Washington University Amateur Radio Club and Research Station) I find that the price of az-el systems such as G5500 + Yaesu AZ-EL rotors are expensive, and are not typically available on an affordable basis on Ebay or eham.net etc. Well, of course, expensive is a relative term, for a student hobby organization, it's a lot, and I guess for small ham operators it is also moderately expensive. This may be a frequently asked topic: does any one have experienced with (tested) kit designs for AZ-EL rotors that can be made with parts from current suppliers ? I know there are a number of controller designs, but I am interested to know if there are any options for suppliers of the required gears/motors etc. I have located several large AC motors / DC motors at my university mechanical engineering workshop, but they are not all guaranteed the same specs. I now realize if I do embark on a actual design process with my model/simulation/hardware, it would be nice to build several of these all at once to share the development cost over the production run, and ensure those who want a cheap AZ-EL system can get one. Otherwise the production cost of one heavy duty system is going to be quite high. I hope some of you may have suggestions for me, both (+) and (-) or perhaps (~) in nature. I thought amsat / amateur radio folks have a common need to encourage homebrew activity to keep their brain cells in working condition? I'm opening this question up to the national US audience, and welcome any discussion on the challenges of making the ever-so-important azimuth-elevation rotor. I've studied some of the alternatives: Alliance U100 and Yaesu G-5500. I think we can do better in 2013. But ideally, to allow the wide adoption of AMSAT ground stations, what price point would the system have to be to make it worth building ? 73 de N3RDX George Washington University ___ 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: 2.4GHz broadband router on satellite?
Lee Maisel wrote: James French wrote: What are the possibilities of building a satellite that uses a Linksys WRT54GL router with a modified DD-wrt or HSMM-Mesh software as a store and forward BBS, to route a received request from one station to another station, or even to connect to a on board networked camera to receive images? What kind of uplink power would be needed from the home station? How fast could the speed(s) get theoretically? How big would the antenna have to be on the craft and for the ground station to even be able to do this adequately? Would the doppler be too much to even consider this? Would the space environment be too harsh for something like this? This is just something I was thinking about this morning and thought I would toss it out. James W8ISS ___ THAT is an AWESOME Idea! I don't see why it wouldn't work, I don't know if doppler is an issue though, it may not be if the modulation is FM. The antenna would not have to be big, it's 2.4Ghz Why don't you post this on the HSMM-MESH.org web forums and get ideas? 73 Lee W5LMM Hi James, Lee, If you are thinking of using standard Wi-Fi as the link protocol, be aware that the timers that drive the protocol don't well work over long distances (few miles). Something about the speed of light not being fast enough. Real bummer. These would need to be adjusted, though I think the implications for a point-point connection may not be too severe. Besides doppler shift, which could be a problem depending on how agile the ground station is, the modulation scheme (it's NOT simply FM) uses about 20 mhz of bandwidth, so you will need significant power to get the 20db S/N needed to decode anything halfway reliably. Remember, a typical AP runs 100mw on 2.4 ghz, and gets reliable communication over distances of 100's of FEET with omni antennas. Add some gain on both ends (so now you need attitude control on the satellite!), and you can go a few miles. But 100's of miles to orbit? I need someone to do the numbers, but I bet it's not too good. Greg KO6TH ___ 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: Getting back into Satellites
Hi Kevin, With SSB, pretty much required, in order to get your Tx and Rx aligned with each other and with the others you are talking to. It can be done by computer with half duplex, but the operator on the other end will probably need to work harder. With FM it's highly recommended, not so much for frequency control, but because it's so easy to step on someone else. Full duplex lets you know you're not the one controlling the channel, so you can back off and let the QSO occur. Hope to work you some day, Greg KO6TH Kevin Muenzler, WB5RUE wrote: 73/all Is Full Duplex really required or just nice to have? Currently my setup (which doesn't include an antenna at the moment due to storms) is a Yaesu FT-790(uhf) and FT-290(vhf). Both do FM and SSB at about 25 watts. I've used to use my 290 for the old RS-12/13 and RS-15 birds along with my FT-890 (RIP) for the 10 meter downlink so I do have full duplex but is it a necessary feature? I know it's nice to be able to hear yourself to know that you are even getting into the machine. 73/ Kevin Muenzler, WB5RUE Grid EL09uf Eagle Creek Observatory http://www.eaglecreekobservatory.org I have not yet begun to procrastinate! -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Glasbrenner Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 11:04 AM To: jeffrey.em...@gmail.com Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Getting back into Satellites There is only one currently operable FM satellite, and many of the sats due to be launched this year are transponders or FM/DSB repeaters. My suggestion would be to find a Yaesu 817 to get a toe into transponders, and add -any- UHF receiver for full duplex FM. The little Baofeng UV3s are like $45 and have good receivers in them. 73, Drew KO4MA Sent from my iPhone On Feb 7, 2013, at 10:26 AM, Jeffrey Embryjeffrey.em...@gmail.com wrote: Good Day all, After a few years hiatis, I am contemplating getting back on the birds. Because I currently live in an apartment, I plan on starting the easy route using an arrow antenna. My question is, since I sold my last HT about a decade ago, what is recommended for the current models of HTs that have full-duplex capabilities? 73es, -- Jeff Embry, K3OQ FM19nb ARCI #11643, FPQRP #-696, QRP-L # 67, NAQCC #25, ARS #1733 AMSAT LM-2263 -- Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. - Sir Winston Churchill ___ 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 ___ 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: Close encounters of the Asteroidal Kind
I wonder what 435kw at 28,000 km will do to the surface temperature on that rock? (Assuming it's an icy thing...) Greg KO6TH Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL wrote: At 09:01 AM 2/8/2013 +1100, Tony Langdon vk3...@gmail.com wrote: On 8/02/13 7:49 AM, Bob- W7LRD wrote: maybe asteroid bounce? (EAE) 73 Bob W7LRD Someone on the moonbounce reflector crunched the numbers and came up with a path loss figure something like 51dB worse than EME, if I recall. The small cross section area was the killer. -- 73 de Tony VK3JED Well from the original post: The Goldstone 70M dish will be running MAX QRO with 435 kW. That ought to be enough for EAE. H. CQ asteroid, CQ asteroid! KB7ADL ___ 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: G-5500 question
The thing that's suspicious is that 450 is the limit of rotation. I don't know which end of the movement potentiometer that represents, but you might have a loose position sense connection or dirty pot wiper. The controller would think it's not where it's supposed to be, and tries to move in that direction, eventually (hopefully) hitting the limit switch and stopping. Is it otherwise reliable in tracking a bird during a pass? No jumps or other erratic movement? Just a thought, Greg KO6TH Bob- W7LRD wrote: The 5500 goes up to 450 degrees in az. I use satpc-32, every once in awhile for no forseeable reason the rotor will park at 450 degrees. This is not what it is set for. It is a bit concerning as the coax is not the right length for that much rotation and it puts a strain on things. Any ideas?? 73 Bob W7LRD ___ 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: PrisonSat
The only problem is that all the boxes have people's license plate numbers embossed on the side. Greg KO6TH Jeff Yanko wrote: Geez, I hope this doesn't mean we have to start committing crimes to get our dreams built. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/06/15730738-san-quentin-inmates-building-satellite-hardware-for-nasa?lite 73, Jeff WB3JFS ___ 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: Allocations in L-band
I believe it was Oscar-7. Greg KO6TH Alan wrote: Someone years ago told me that one of the early amateur satellites had a mode-L beacon, but because the rules changed, it was never turned on. I haven't been able to verify or disprove this story. Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Trevor . Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 4:10 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Allocations in L-band --- On Mon, 19/11/12, Richard Ferrymang4...@btinternet.com wrote: Just curious - Can someone enlighten me as to why there is no allocation for satellite downlinks in L-band (at least in the bandplans I have seen). There are uplinks around 1267 to 1269 MHz. Is it due to possibility of interference with commercial/military/aeronautical systems? I believe it dates back to a WARC conference in about 1971. Prior to that the Amateur Service had I believe been able to use any Amateur Frequencies just as they can still do for that other form of Space Communication - Moon Bounce (EME). Wayne Green W2NSD does make references to the loss of satellite frequencies a few times in his column in 73 Magazine from that era, see 73 Mag archive at http://archive.org/search.php?query=73%20magazine Although a separate service, the Amateur-satellite Service, was created they were only given access a limited sub-set of the Amateur Service frequencies. For the UHF and Microwave bands the satellite segments were all remote from the terrestrial weak-signal segment meaning separate equipment had to be built to work satellites. Back in those days even 435 MHz would have seemed remote from the 432 MHz weak-signal area due to the use of 28 to 432 MHz transvertors that only covered a narrow 2 MHz segment of the band. We share 432-438 MHz with commercial SAR satellites but why in the 70's we weren't allowed to use the whole of 432-438 I do not know. Maybe no-one thought to ask for the whole segment ? The same with 1260-1270, why it's there I don't know perhaps someone can enlighten us. The band 1260-1300 MHz is used for wideband Global Positioning transmissions from Galileo, see http://www.southgatearc.org/articles/galileo.htm Do restrictions that were applied to the Amateur-satellite Service 40 years ago (but not to Moonbounce) still have any relevance today ? again I don't know. Ideally the Amateur-satellite Service should have access to the weak-signal segments of all the UHF and Microwave bands for both Earth-to-Space and Space-to-Earth so we would only need to build one set of equipment on each band for both terrestrial and satellite working. It would be good if IARU were to work towards that objective. 73 Trevor M5AKA ___ 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 ___ 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: Kansas City tracker on Ebay
If anyone is considering this, but is stopped because their PC doesn't have the required ISA slot, please let me know. I have one such motherboard sitting on my workbench, looking for a home. Greg KO6TH K R Yoksh wrote: Just FYI, the Kansas City Tracker auction on Ebay is ending in 2 days. It is going for $35.00 + $7.95 shipping to Continental US, but also has a best offer option. http://www.ebay.com/itm/170929470490?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 Thanks. 73 Kyle K0KN ___ 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: RE NO-44 worked with HT and Elk
Congrats, Betsy, If you want to take it to the next level, send an APRS message to email, with your email address as the first word, and watch it drop into your in-tray on the other end. That means that you can send email to anyone on the planet from anywhere on the planet, even if you're out backpacking far from civilization. It's great when civilization passes overhead several times a day, and you've got the technology and skills to access it. Did this through the ISS a few years back, standing on my front lawn with my Kenwood D7 and a whip antenna. Greg KO6TH transb...@gmail.com wrote: HI This is for Wayne, W9AE I apologize if I was a bit vague, but I was dancing around my living room and quite excited. I worked NO-44 by digipeating packet data to the satellite and got a confirmation on the sat board that it heard me. I can't seem to get a solid ack back from it so I did not send a message to another user. However, I saw that somebody sent me a message but it didn't come through...my radio never heard it. I am only working 5 watts with an HT. I hope this clears things up a bit. I'm new at this myself so that was my first NO-44 contact. Still dancing around and have made two more contacts since then. 73, Elizabeth (Betsy) K3ODX ___ 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: Congratulations Bob on QST plaque!!
Hi Alan, I'm not even sure about the intellectually part. Hopefully just the exception, but a few years ago I had to gently guide a new ham to realize that they should not attempt to run their 12v rig off 120v and a lamp dimmer turned down... Oy. Greg KO6TH Alan P. Biddle wrote: Bob, Well done on the article! I will, slightly, sympathize with QST. In teaching license classes, and working with new hams, I find that for some there is truly a lack of appreciation of what high voltage can do. I am serious when I say that for some if it isn't a wall plug, it isn't dangerous. Intellectually they may understand, but somehow it isn't real. They are faded now, but I have some burn scars which make a good training aid. Alan WA4SCA -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Robert Bruninga Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2012 1:50 PM To: Robert McGwier Cc: amsat bb Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Congratulations Bob on QST plaque!! Thanks! The number of emails and letters I have received on that one alternative emergency power article has been 20 times what I have ever received before on any paper or article. The interesting thing is that it took 2 years before QST published it. In the original draft, I had indicated all kinds of ways to use the 300 to 500 VDC from ones home solar system, or the 300 to 500 VDC from their Hybrid or EV or the 330 VDC that is inside every modern electronics system or power supply to power all kinds of things during a power outage. But QST was concerned that publishing anything with voltages over 12 volts was too dangerous. I guess it is easy to forget 40 years ago when the cubscout manual had plans for every 8 year old to build a 2 tube radio set running on 150 VDC. ANyway, to me, this whole new system of high voltage DC that surrounds us and exists in EVERY modern electronics power supply is a field that is wide open for all kinds of new ideas about power, and without a SINGLE POUND of 60 Hz iron. It is still DANGEROUS, just like it was back in TUBE transmitters, but a resistor and capacitor across any HV switch solves the FIRE problem, and proper procedure solves the others. We should not hide from these dangers, but learn to embrace them and use them to our advantage. Such as reducing copper wire losses by a factor of 10 to 1 by simply running things (with univeral input supplies) directly on 330 VDC .. I ramble... See my rambling web page that begins here: http://aprs.org/APRS-SPHEV.html and then goes on to alternative energy and emergency Field Day power (from hybrids)... Bob, WB4aPR On Sat, Sep 1, 2012 at 2:29 PM, Robert McGwierrwmcgw...@gmail.com wrote: http://www.arrl.org/news/view/bob-bruninga-wb4apr-wins-august-qst-cover-plaq ue-award?utm_medium=twitterutm_source=twitterfeed -- Bob McGwier Ower and 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 ___ 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 ___ 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: Antenna
It's been done a number of times, though like most things, it's a compromise that will work better for some satellites than others. The thing about the Elk or Arrow that works well with their usual (hand-held) use is that they are linearly polarized, but mounted on a 3-axis rotor system (your wrist) which can compensate for Azimuth, Elevation, and also rotate to match the polarization of a linearly polarized satellite. Many satellites are linear right now, so a fixed mounting will mean you will get some deep fading as the satellite spins. It's not unworkable - I have an Az / El rotor system with a vertically polarized 2m beam (not an Arrow), and I've learned to adapt. The fixed Elevation is actually less of an issue. Put it at about 20 degrees up, and you should be good to go. Satellites spend most of their time NOT being directly overhead, and those antennas are not so sharp in their reception pattern anyway. And when the satellite is overhead it's also a lot closer, so that compensates a bit. The last tip is that I don't think either antenna were designed for extended outdoor use, so they may deteriorate faster than otherwise, depending on your particular weather patterns. But, as with most thing in this hobby, give it a try. The worst thing that will happen is that you will learn something. Greg KO6TH ld.lu...@frontier.com wrote: This may have been discussed before forgive me if it has I am new at this. I was wondering if an Elk or Arrow antenna mounted on a mast at an angle with a TV rotor would work as a base antenna for Satellite work. Has anyone done this and any tips on how you have been successful. If this does not work what would be the best antenna other than beams for under $200.00 to do this? Thanks for your information. ___ 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: Software must have list
Actually, the first thing I install on a new computer is Linux (OpenSuse, usually), then put Windows in the virtual machine, if I need it. But, to Drew's question, consider APRSIS32 for APRS use. There's even some satellite tracking capability, so you know what other APRS stations are within a satellite's footprint. Also, FLDIGI sound-card digital software, and MMSSTV for slow-scan TV. Oh, and the AO-27 schedule prediction software. Enjoy the new computer; I'm looking to do the same soon. Mine is getting senile (forgetting it has one of the disks)... Greg KO6TH Ronald Nutter wrote: Drew: Think about getting Virtualbox (www.virtualbox.org). If you can migrate your physical hard drive to a virtual one, you can run your XP environment almost forever. Also when you move machines in the future, the OS wont matter, all you need to do is move the virtual machine and you are done. Ron On 8/18/12 3:50 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote: So my 4 yr old XP shack computer is in critical care right now, and I have a new quad core Win 7 HP that I'm setting up today. So far I've downloaded and installed: SatPC32 (still working on the speech error problem) MixW 3 HDR 5.sumthing Spectravue next up is WSJT What must have ham radio programs, especially satellite/vhf/uhf, do you have and recommend? 73, Drew KO4MA ___ 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 ___ 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: US Virgin Islands Satellite Operator
Hi Mike, Generally, Sat operators don't call CQ, at least not like they do on HF. Especially on the FM birds, the general protocol is to throw your call sign in during a pause in the activity, when you can find one. It's more like working through a busy terrestrial FM repeater. The trick is to be able to tell the difference between a break in the traffic, where nobody's keyed up, and a double (or triple, or quadruple), where you'd just be adding to the confusion. If there's someone you want to work specifically, quickly injecting their call sign your call sign is most likely to fit. Spare the phonetics until you need to be precise; clarity with speed is the objective. If there's nobody on, or in a quiet part of an SSB/CW bird's bandpass, a brief CQ Satellite de call sign is needed to let people know you're there, and so they can get roughly tuned to you. Hopefully you have full duplex capability (being able to listen while you're transmitting), so you can tell if someone else is keying up. Satellite contacts tend to be fairly quick, since the passes are so short. Round-tables are possible on the SSB/CW birds, and even fun, but you need to keep things moving. Because SSB/CW doesn't have the capture effect that FM has, full duplex operation on an SSB/CW bird means you can even talk at the same time and be understood. As for arranging a scheduled contact, the neat thing about Satellite communication is that you can predict with mathematical certainty when the band will be open. Let us know when you'll be on, and on what bird, and I'm sure you'll have lots of company. Good luck, and enjoy! Greg KO6TH Michael Bales wrote: Hi all- I'm relatively new to sat operations/ but not ham radio(novice in 1987 then general in 1996), and noticed this message. I've been researching alot and now have suitable equipment for working birds. How would I go about finding someone(s) to schedule a few contacts with, as opposed to calling cq to no-one inparticular? Any info/help is greatly appreciated... 73 - Mike - k8mcb ___ 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: KCT Tracker Tuner
And if you don't have an old computer with an ISA slot, I have a spare motherboard if anyone wants it. (I have enough computer relics, and this one is too modern anyway...) Greg KO6TH Tom Lubbers K8TL wrote: I have a Kansas City tracker tuner. Cleaning off the Stuff not in use shelf. If you have an old computer with an ISA slot or just collecting Satellite relics make a reasonable offer. Original box, manual and the like. ___ 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: aprs iss freq: is there anyone out there? UHF works!
The easiest software I've seen to set up for iGating is APRSIS/32 (Lynn's software). iGate is enabled by default, and you just need to tell it what port to use for the radio (external KISS TNC is easiest) and what server on the Internet side. Done. Greg KO6TH Andrew Glasbrenner wrote: Hi Bob, I could easily set up an Igate, but every time I've looked into it I've been turned off by the complexity of the software setup. Is there a one program, easy to configure solution? Audio in would be best, but tnc decode is ok as well. 73, Drew KO4MA Sent from my iPhone On Jul 10, 2012, at 3:45 PM, Bob Bruningabruni...@usna.edu wrote: Unfortunately, 70cm UHF doesn't lend itself to unattended SatGate operations like 2m VHF does. I tried catching the ISS on UHF and only managed to hear, but not decode, one packet burst. I can't imagine anything short of a full satellite station with automatic azimuth/elevation control would capture many packets right now. Actually the problem is not antenna pointing but Doppler. With the 18 KHz of dopper shift, you are only going to capture packets in the center 1/3rd of the pass. But the good news is that the ISS is ten dB closer to you at that time. Yes, you will not get as many packets, but they can be strong. The problem is that very few people are using the UHF packet digipeater, so if no one is transmitting then there is nothing to hear. In fact, listening on UHF (for the center of the pass) can be just fine, especially on a 19 vertical whip. Here are the factors: 1) due to Doppler, you are only going to decode packets above say about 30 degrees (without tuning) 2) When it is above 30 degrees, the ISS is 10 dB closer than on the horizon 3) When it is above 30 degrees the antenna pattern of a 19 whip (normally used on 2 meters) acts as a 3/4 wave vertical for UHF and it has almost 7 dBi gain above 30 degrees So everything is going in your favor and even better link margins on UHF above 30 degrees and the packets should be plenty loud (assuming you minimize your cable loss). The only BAD news is that the ISS spends more than 70% of all inview time below 30 degrees. But the GOOD news is that such an IGate station can be natennteded, and with no moving parts and I t can be replicated by lots more people due to this simplicity. So instead of having only say 6 unattended APRS IGates on the 2m downlink to cover the USA, we simply need more stations. Then the APRS-IS system will still capture all packets, though any individual station will only hear their own smaller cone of strength.. So we simply need to encourage more IGates and lower individual expectations while the larger quantity of IGates raises the system expectations. Something like that. Bob, WB4APR On 7/10/2012 10:42 AM, Lizeth Norman wrote: Are there any stations in South America to gate aprs packets to the net from the uhf freq? How does one do this? I've got a few Byonics TT4's from a balloon project. The story: I'll be driving the Panamerica Sur from Lima to Nazca Peru and would like to have the ability to be seen via the net. Norm n3ykf ___ 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 ___ 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: U-110 Rotor Setup
Joel Black wrote: @KO6TH: I like your approach. Let me see if I got my head wrapped around your design - serial interface to the FODtrack board which then controlled your controller? That's pretty cool. Hi Joel, Well, sort of. FODTrack has two different Az/EL rotor interfaces which you can choose from. One uses a parallel port, and talks to a bit of custom analog hardware to directly sense the rotor position and turn on/off the motors. The other uses the serial port, and was intended to be used with the Yaesu controller of the day. What I did was to build my own controller that emulated enough of the Yaesu serial protocol for the FODTrack software to talk to it via the serial port. So, I wasn't using the analog FODTrack controller board hardware at all. A fundamental decision that needs to be made early on is what type of feedback your rotors give. There are two kinds - analog (potentiometer), and digital (index switch). The analog type can be controlled much more precisely, but the interface is more complicated. The digital types (which are what I have), have a resolution of around 5-10 degrees. Fortunately, 10 degrees is plenty accurate for most uses, so I went with what I had. Others have added Pots to their digital rotors, and I suppose one could add an index switch to an otherwise analog rotor too. Just decide which way you want to go up front, then work out the rest from there. By the way, I've long ago retired the FODTrack software, and now use Predict on my Linux box. I had to tweak the code a little (yea Open Source!), to output the same Yaesu commands as what FODTrack spit out. Alternatively I could have modified the controller. Either way, it's still working great. Good luck, Greg KO6TH ___ 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: full duplex w/ 2 HT's
So, all the on-line information seems to point to this solution - putting a diplexer (filter) on the 70cm side to tap off and absorb the incoming 2m signal. Isn't there also a design where one puts a filter on the 2m side, to tap off and absorb the 70 cm (3rd harmonic of 2m) signal? I would think that any (reasonable) 70cm receiver would have enough rejection for a signal so far out of band, but the in-band 3rd harmonic can only be taken care of at its source. At least, I think that's the logic. Is there anything worthy about the other design, or is the most common problem that our HTs can't possibly deal with a strong 2m signal on the 70cm side because of their DC to Daylight receivers? I've been on the mode-J birds without much of a problem with this sort of desense, though I did have a lot of trouble on AO-40 with reflected RF when aiming through a big oak tree behind the house. The 70cm uplink was interfering with the 13cm downlink, and I was pretty sure at the time that it was a 3rd harmonic sort of problem. Just curious, Greg KO6TH Ronald Nutter wrote: Robert: I have used a duplexer on the UHF side of my satellite ops for several years. I find that some radios have more of a desense problem than others. Here is a link to my website where I briefly talk about what I do on portable ops and using what is referred to as a Mode J filter - http://www.ka4kyi.com/satellite_gear/misc_equipment/ Ron Nutter KA4KYI AMSAT Area Coordinator for Missouri On 6/2/12 11:33 AM, Robert Coppock wrote: hola, i am trying to determine the best way to work full duplex on the birds with 2 HT's or radios. i cannot find any info so far on the web. my concern is to keep the transmit power out of the receive radio, i guess basically the difference between a diplexer and duplexer. since i am efficient (lazy) i thought i would just look for suggestions here while i am checking google also. what do i need, di/du/ plexer, and what is the correct wiring scheme ? i will be using the arrow antenna without the built in duplexer, from the 2 feeds (vhf/uhf) and 2 HT's for now. my picture of it so far, is to wire the vhf radio direct to the vhf feed port on the arrow, and have the uhf port on the arrow come into a duplexer, with the duplexer uhf port going to the uhf radio, and the duplexer vhf port terminated into a 50 ohm dummy load. also, any suggestions of specific duplexers would be appreciated. i think i started on this project a few years ago, but never got around to get! ti! ng it all together. grazie mille, Robert k f 0 g cn81 in the woodwork, literally, shasta/klamath national forests. ___ 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 ___ 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: full duplex w/ 2 HT's
If I understand your wiring, I think you have it correct. Is this what you are trying to do? http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/ Note that for mode-B satellites where you are transmitting on 70cm and receiving on 2m, this won't work. In my experience, the extra filtering is also not needed there. Good luck, Greg KO6TH hola, i am trying to determine the best way to work full duplex on the birds with 2 HT's or radios. i cannot find any info so far on the web. my concern is to keep the transmit power out of the receive radio, i guess basically the difference between a diplexer and duplexer. since i am efficient (lazy) i thought i would just look for suggestions here while i am checking google also. what do i need, di/du/ plexer, and what is the correct wiring scheme ? i will be using the arrow antenna without the built in duplexer, from the 2 feeds (vhf/uhf) and 2 HT's for now. my picture of it so far, is to wire the vhf radio direct to the vhf feed port on the arrow, and have the uhf port on the arrow come into a duplexer, with the duplexer uhf port going to the uhf radio, and the duplexer vhf port terminated into a 50 ohm dummy load. also, any suggestions of specific duplexers would be appreciated. i think i started on this project a few years ago, but never got around to get! ti! ng it all together. grazie mille, Robert k f 0 gcn81 in the woodwork, literally, shasta/klamath national forests. ___ 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: Dutch Transponder on-baord HAMSAT VO-52 'Turned On'
Hi Mani, Congratulations on the recovery of VO-52; it's great to have our friend back. I am curious if ISRO will be issuing some sort of report on what happened. I understand that they will have limits on what they can say, but if there is something the satellite community can learn from this, it would be good to not miss the opportunity. Greg KO6TH Mani VU2WMY wrote: Dear HAMSAT VO-52 users, The commands to 'Turn On' the transponder # 2 (Dutch transponder, made by Williams PE1RAH) on-board HAMSAT VO-52 was successfully sent during 14:00 UT 35 deg ascending Node pass over Bangalore, India. The sent commands were successfully received, acknowledged and confirmed by the telemetry. Subsequently, the transponder # 2 is now 'ON' and Williams CW message beacon was heard again after a gap of approximately 6 years 4 months. The beacon signal was heard loud and strong here at Bangalore. A detailed Initial reports addressed to: tpran...@istrac.org and a copy to w...@isac.gov.in would be greatly appreciated. 73 de Mani, VU2WMY Secretary Station-In-Charge Upagrah Amateur Radio Club VU2URC ISRO Satellite Centre HAL Airport Road, Bangalore-560 017. Phone:(O)91-80-25082054/2598/2192 Mobile: 91-80-98803 41456 E-mail ID: w...@isac.gov.in vu2wmy_m...@yahoo.com isroh...@yahoo.com -- Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. -- ___ 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: G5500 Azimuth Rotator Update
Hi Dave, How long does one have to stall the motor before the windings' insulation starts to degrade? I seem to recall it's not very long (less than minutes). With all that thermal mass, and the insulation from the heat shrink tubing, is the thermal switch really going to be effective mounted that way? I would have thought it needed to be buried in the windings themselves somehow (though I can't imagine getting good thermal contact there either). Great pictures, by the way. Greg KO6TH David Palmer KB5WIA wrote: Hi Everyone, Here's a quick update on my G5500 Azimuth rotator story. (Recall that three weeks ago I stalled the rotator after switching antennas.) Yaesu Parts USA is still backordered on the replacement motors, possibly some will arrive from Japan in a few more weeks (or possibly not). The company that I sent the motor to in LA (Eurton Electric) just gave me a quote today for the rewinding cost: $365. That's close to $3X what the motors go for new (if you can find one!), so at least with them it's not cost-effective to repair the motor. I'm having the motor shipped back, and I'll either try to rewind it myself, maybe someone else who can rewind it, or buy a replacement sometime in the future. To get the antennas back on the air, I decided last week that it would be good to have a spare -- so I ended up purchasing a replacement G5500 system and installing the azimuth rotator this last weekend. Everything's working great so far! I also added a thermal cut-out switch to the motor to prevent a similar stall-induced-motor-burnout in the future. If anyone is interested in how I installed the switch (or what a G5500 azimuth rotator looks like inside), I've added pictures to my blog at: http://kb5wia.blogspot.com/2012/03/az-el-antenna-system-new-70cm-yagi-and.html 73! Dave KB5WIA ___ 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: SMA connectors
Another $.02 from this neck of the woods... BNC connectors may generally be more robust than SMA, but BNCs are not totally free from problems. The center pin on my Alinco DJ-580 cracked away from the wire going to the PC board, and the cylinder came loose on its mounting (allowing it to twist), both of which required a deep dive through three layers of PC board for the repair. On the other hand, I've never had a problem with the SMA connectors on my TH-F6A or D-7AG, which I variously use the original SMA antenna, an extended after-market version, or a non-supported BNC adapter with my Diamond RH-77B. I am aware that SMAs wear out, so I try not to change them often, however. Greg KO6TH Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote: Hi, (name/call?)! My two cents worth- using an SMA to BNC adaptor does not address the mechanical problem of an antenna or a coax flexing the SMA chassis connector- especially the plastic HTs- I had to do a number on my VX5 which is a metal case HT. The original two-part SMA-to-BNC adapters had no plastic/rubber cushions to help lessen the stress on the SMA connector. There has been an adapter made by KC2BHO for some time, and now the Diamond adapter I referenced earlier, that have something to help with that. Putting the large AL-800 telescoping whip on these HTs, even with the better SMA-to-BNC adapters, is probably not wise. For the typical duckie antennas, smaller telescoping whips, or coax - these newer adapters are adequate for most hams. It is still possible to put too much stress on the SMA connector with this adapter and whatever is connected to the adapter. ___ 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: Seeking contact info for JA8TCH
Hi Alan, I found the following listing in a 1982 Foreign Listings Callbook: (I knew I saved this for a reason...) JA8TCH Mori Seigi, 81-75 Taihei, Shinoro, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hkd 001 Now, that was from 30 years ago... presuming the call hasn't been re-issued, maybe a starting place? Good luck, and congrats to Seigi-san! Greg KO6TH From: apbid...@united.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org; sa...@amsat.org Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:29:55 -0600 Subject: [amsat-bb] Seeking contact info for JA8TCH Hi, I am looking for information, particularly an email address, for JA8TCH. He(?) was one of the last to receive telemetry from ARISSat-1. Unfortunately there is no listing in English sources such as QRZ.COM, though I got several hits from Japanese language sites, including an Echolink node. 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 ___ 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: QB50 Video
So, how are they going to compensate for Newton's 3rd Law when ejecting 50 3kg masses, one at a time? Greg KO6TH Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:14:57 + From: m5...@yahoo.co.uk To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] QB50 Video A visualization of the launch and deployment of 50 Cubesats in the QB50 project can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wds7nKVhjs4 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK@ http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ___ 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: pc sat
Hi Bob, Is this something where a West Coast command station would be more likely to succeed, given the satellite's West-to-East orbit. Catch it while it's still over the ocean, before the mass of home station beacons come in to view? That was our unfair advantage in making contacts with MIR / ISS astronauts... I recall having a nice chat with John Blaha on the MIR station years ago. Caught him just as he came up over the horizon, as I was driving west down the hill on my way in to work. Just a thought. Greg KO6TH From: bruni...@usna.edu To: jkb...@wildblue.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:44:05 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: pc sat are attempts still in the works for restoring pcsat ? Just came over and seen echo s from command-1 A couple other calls as well . Yes, I got in and got control, and that freed up power, but almost immediately several stations hit it with digipeats before I got the digi turned off. So it crashed on the next eclipse. Im going to try real hard to remember to try again on Friday. Bob, WB4aPR ___ 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: LOTW Satellites from the Old Days
Hi Joe, I believe the two sides of both of the satellites had different, fixed, frequency settings. So, you can tell which side it was by what frequencies you were using. Greg KO6TH From: gary_mayfi...@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 08:07:44 -0600 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LOTW Satellites from the Old Days Domenico, The recordings sound neat. I would have not known at the time of the QSO if I were talking on RS-10 or RS-11. As you know they were multiple satellites, but physically connected together as one orbiting object, they may have even had only one power bus. 73, Joe kk0sd -Original Message- From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On Behalf Of i8cvs Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 12:35 AM To: Gary Joe Mayfield; 'AMSAT' Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: LOTW Satellites from the Old Days - Original Message - From: Gary Joe Mayfield gary_mayfi...@hotmail.com To: 'AMSAT' amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 9:36 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] LOTW Satellites from the Old Days One of my winter projects is to get all of my OSCAR contacts back to 1989 in LOTW. Unfortunately, my older logs are not available. What are folks doing about contacts made on RS-10/11? My log book says RS-10/11 and LOTW wants either RS-10 or RS-11 and I really don't have a way to tell which? The same conundrum applies to RS-12/13, but it appears I logged most of them as RS-13 for some reason. Thanks and 73, Joe kk0sd Hi Joe, Beginning from OSCAR-6 up to AO40 I have all my QSO recorded on a professional tape recorder REVOX A77 using 1/4 tape winded in many and many big coils each 10.63 in diameter and so I can enjoy to hear time to time the voice of my old satellite friends and as well the CW ROBOT of the RS satellites.Before to start any QSO I mention on tape the name of the satellite the orbit numbar and the date, just for record along with the log on paper. 73 de i8CVS Domenico ___ 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 ___ 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: LOTW Satellites from the Old Days
Hi Joe, For RS-10/11, I'd recommend just using RS-10. I don't recall ever hearing the 11 side of that bird on during the several years that I worked it. They did a lot of switching around of RS-12 and 13, especially towards the end of its life, so that one will be harder to select. Greg KO6TH From: gary_mayfi...@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 14:36:05 -0600 Subject: [amsat-bb] LOTW Satellites from the Old Days One of my winter projects is to get all of my OSCAR contacts back to 1989 in LOTW. Unfortunately, my older logs are not available. What are folks doing about contacts made on RS-10/11? My log book says RS-10/11 and LOTW wants either RS-10 or RS-11 and I really don't have a way to tell which? The same conundrum applies to RS-12/13, but it appears I logged most of them as RS-13 for some reason. Thanks and 73, Joe kk0sd ___ 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: Looking for a G3RUH dish
Hi Doug, You might check out Lynn KJ4ERJ's APRSISCE/32 package. The development version can track satellites, and as an APRS App it's dynamically self-position aware by default. I don't think it currently outputs to anything that can drive an antenna or Doppler tracking, but the program is under active development and it's rumored that he can be bribed to make enhancements with suitable quantities of Mountain Dew. Even so, you will need to be creative in the lash-up. Greg KO6TH Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 06:39:29 + From: fa...@panix.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Looking for a G3RUH dish Speaking of which, can any of the available amateur software packages handle a moving ground station? I'd like to be able to automate the antenna tracking on a boat. 73, doug ___ 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: Looking for a G3RUH dish
Hi Bob, I'm trying to visualize you driving (bouncing) down the freeway at 70 mph with a square yard of curved (airfoil!) metal sitting at odd angles to the air flow, trying to aim it at a target you may not be able to see clearly, which is also moving at some rate in another direction, with an accuracy of +/- a half dozen degrees (which is what you get with a dish that size). I had a hard enough time aiming my 30 inch BBQ grill at AO-40, from my nearly stationary house (this is California, after all), with up to date KEPS, a rotor system calibrated earlier against the position of the Sun, NBS-sync'd clock on a Linux PC, and so forth. Even if you mount the dish inside a camper minivan with a fiberglass roof (think mobile Radome), I don't see how this is going to work. I've seen you do amazing things, but what are you thinking? The best use of the dish would probably be to catch the balloon payload as it falls from the sky... Greg KO6TH From: bruni...@usna.edu To: k...@aol.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 17:54:02 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Looking for a G3RUH dish Regarding your Cu wire dish... you might look at the Tek Sharp dishes as an easier alternative to rolling your own. We are after absolute minimum wind drag. I don't think the Tek dish would survive accurate tracking while driving along the interstate at 70 PMPH to catch a balloon. And we want it to be a good 3' by 4' dish... Need the gain for the tiny wifi video link... Bob I picked one up on ebay about a year ago and put it in my attic... waiting for amsat-dl :-) http://www.plumdragon.com/teksharp/hr_AO-40_products.htm Drew, I have a spare PF dish about 60 cm, but it is steel, not aluminum like the G3RUH. I used it on AO-40 for 24 GHz. Let me know off-list if you want it. 73, Jerry, K5OE previous message You probably have one of the K5GNA BBQ dishes. The G3RUH is a solid round spun dish. 73, Drew -Original Message- From: Bob Bruninga bruni...@usna.edu Sent: Jan 3, 2012 2:19 PM To: 'Andrew Glasbrenner' glasbren...@mindspring.com, 'amsat-bb' amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Looking for a G3RUH dish I'm looking for one of the 60cm G3RUH dishes Got one, (but not available). Questions: I measured reflector grid separation as .88 inches which works out to be about 0.18 wavelength. I always thought the grid had to be tighter than 0.1 inches to be an effective surface. Maybe the difference with almost double the spacing is not that significant? (especially for a steel one which would be quite heavy. Reason I am asking is that I also need another S band dish (at 70 MPH on the roof of a tracking van) and we are thinking about building one by using an old solid 6' TVRO dish as a form and laying in copper wire and soldering it to copper straps. With all that labor, I'd not want to get the spacing wrong. Bob, Wb4APR ___ 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 ___ 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: FO29 and Kenwood TH-F6A
I've heard FO-29 with my F6, though kind of barely. You definitely need an external antenna (more than just an extended whip), and another radio for the uplink since the F6 is FM-only on transmit (and it's not full duplex). Greg KO6TH From: aa...@fidmail.com To: k4...@k4feg.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2012 00:09:46 + Subject: [amsat-bb] FO29 and Kenwood TH-F6A Glad to hear that FO29 is back-now to get on it! Has anyone tried using a Kenwood TH-F6A HT to receive FO29, since it does receive SSB? I would be hooking it to an external antenna. Is it sensitive enough on SSB to hear the satellite? The QST review shows its sensitivity is a little down on HF and 6m SSB. 73s John AA5JG ___ 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] ARISSat-1 SSTV cameras
Hi folks, I just received an ARISSat-1 pass that crossed into eclipse about 80% of the way by. As expected, the FM signal dropped pretty much immediately upon entering eclipse. But that's not the reason for the post... I got a really neat SSTV picture of the Sun streaming into the camera, just a few seconds before the eclipse. Unfortunately it didn't show the planet below (ran out of picture), but it got me thinking: Did the design team do anything to protect the cameras when they're looking directly into the Sun? Were these special cameras, or are we counting on the satellite spin to keep them from getting too much of a sun tan and burning a hole in the sensor? I ask because the camera I mounted on my Az / El rotor is dying, and I need to replace it. I built a mechanical shutter to cover the lens when not in use, but I wonder if it's worth keeping that mechanical contraption when I get the replacement. Thanks, Greg KO6TH ___ 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: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1
Hi Zack, It sounds like you don't have a clear enough signal from the satellite. For a good picture, you will need to have full-quieting FM reception. How did the voice announcements sound, prior to the SSTV session? On good pass earlier today, I copied this picture: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/SSTV/uploads/6443.jpg It was nearly S9 on the meter. Just now there was a really low pass (maybe 5 degrees), and at most an S2 with the preamp turned on. The audio was good enough to copy most of what was being said, and MMSSTV was able to trigger on the SSTV image, but all I got for a picture was a rectangle of multi-colored snow. Same setup as the with the earlier picture. You will have to adjust the receive frequency a bit to account for the Doppler shift on most passes. That's just life with Satellites. Greg KO6TH From: inservice2...@hotmail.com To: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:59:02 -0600 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 On the latest pass, only about 17 degrees I had some success with a photo. It is in no way a clear photo but I can see call letters in the upper left hand side of the print. The rest of the pix seems to be that of a half globe or something like that...lots of noise present in photo. To accomplish this result I had to use the rit to adjust. Thanks for the help. I like to audio recorder idea. Tnx! N0KK From: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com To: inservice2...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:57:31 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 I had a similar issue when I first started downloading SSTV, and if I recall correctly I believe it was because I had the input audio set way too high (I cranked it down to just about no audio to get a clear pic). If you have downloaded pictures before from HF and have had success at your preset audio levels, then I doubt that is the issue. Zack KD8KSN From: kp hpjr Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 2:41 PM To: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com ; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 Zack and others. Yes, audio feed is direct as with all digi modes I operate. Just had a pass of ARRISat-1 of 45 degrees plus over head. The downlink into my M2 5 element yagi @ 35 degrees elevation was S-9 plus 10db. A very good (great) signal. 2 times during the pass the SSTV was transmitted. During neither of them did the program initialize and copy anything. Partway through the 2nd transmission I forced it into RX Robot-36. All that occured was for it to stop after about 5 seconds. Again nothing decodedfrustrating to say the least. I'd like to get 1 photo...HI. Using the exact same setting I have had several QSO's now on HF sending and receiving very clear photos. Not sure what else to try. N0KK, Kirk From: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com To: inservice2...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:48:57 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 Hi Kirk, Like Greg said, ARRISat-1 is Robot 36. I also found that I received the clearest pictures when I ran the audio directly into the pc versus letting it pickup the audio from a speaker. I imagine you are probably already doing this. 73! Zack KD8KSN -Original Message- From: kp hpjr Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 4:35 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 GA, All the talk about SSTV from this bird got me thinking I'd like to try! I downloaded MMSSTV and installed. What are the best settings to use in the setup page for decent copy of photos from ARRISAT-1? I did copy pix on 14.230 after setup as a test run...but on last pass of ARRISAT, had wonderful copy of voice beacon but no pictures decoded. So wonder what I might be doing wrong. Any help appreciated. Kirk, N0KK ___ 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 ___ 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.
[amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1
Yeah, sorry about that. My fingers didn't read carefully enough before springing into action. So, Nick, any luck? Greg KO6TH From: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com To: ko6th_g...@hotmail.com; inservice2...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:06:28 -0500 Hi Greg, I think you have me confused with Kirk, N0KK, the op experiencing the SSTV issues. I do agree, however, that your signal must have no static if you want to get a clear picture. S5-S7 sometimes doesn’t even cut it. I used the Arrow (no preamp), and I was able to get it to S7-S9 as long as I wasn’t in the trees. I posted some of my pics on my blog: http://kd8ksn.blogspot.com/2011/12/september-2011-in-effort-to-reduce.html Zack KD8KSN From: Greg D. Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 7:14 PM To: inservice2...@hotmail.com ; zack.kd8...@hotmail.com ; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 Hi Zack, It sounds like you don't have a clear enough signal from the satellite. For a good picture, you will need to have full-quieting FM reception. How did the voice announcements sound, prior to the SSTV session? On good pass earlier today, I copied this picture: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/SSTV/uploads/6443.jpg It was nearly S9 on the meter. Just now there was a really low pass (maybe 5 degrees), and at most an S2 with the preamp turned on. The audio was good enough to copy most of what was being said, and MMSSTV was able to trigger on the SSTV image, but all I got for a picture was a rectangle of multi-colored snow. Same setup as the with the earlier picture. You will have to adjust the receive frequency a bit to account for the Doppler shift on most passes. That's just life with Satellites. Greg KO6TH From: inservice2...@hotmail.com To: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:59:02 -0600 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 On the latest pass, only about 17 degrees I had some success with a photo. It is in no way a clear photo but I can see call letters in the upper left hand side of the print. The rest of the pix seems to be that of a half globe or something like that...lots of noise present in photo. To accomplish this result I had to use the rit to adjust. Thanks for the help. I like to audio recorder idea. Tnx! N0KK From: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com To: inservice2...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:57:31 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 I had a similar issue when I first started downloading SSTV, and if I recall correctly I believe it was because I had the input audio set way too high (I cranked it down to just about no audio to get a clear pic). If you have downloaded pictures before from HF and have had success at your preset audio levels, then I doubt that is the issue. Zack KD8KSN From: kp hpjr Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 2:41 PM To: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com ; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 Zack and others. Yes, audio feed is direct as with all digi modes I operate. Just had a pass of ARRISat-1 of 45 degrees plus over head. The downlink into my M2 5 element yagi @ 35 degrees elevation was S-9 plus 10db. A very good (great) signal. 2 times during the pass the SSTV was transmitted. During neither of them did the program initialize and copy anything. Partway through the 2nd transmission I forced it into RX Robot-36. All that occured was for it to stop after about 5 seconds. Again nothing decodedfrustrating to say the least. I'd like to get 1 photo...HI. Using the exact same setting I have had several QSO's now on HF sending and receiving very clear photos. Not sure what else to try. N0KK, Kirk From: zack.kd8...@hotmail.com To: inservice2...@hotmail.com; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:48:57 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 Hi Kirk, Like Greg said, ARRISat-1 is Robot 36. I also found that I received the clearest pictures when I ran the audio directly into the pc versus letting it pickup the audio from a speaker. I imagine you are probably already doing this. 73! Zack KD8KSN -Original Message- From: kp hpjr Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 4:35 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 GA, All the talk about SSTV from this bird got me thinking I'd like to try! I downloaded MMSSTV and installed. What are the best settings to use in the setup page for decent copy of photos from ARRISAT-1? I did copy pix on 14.230 after setup as a test run...but on last pass of ARRISAT, had wonderful copy of voice beacon but no pictures decoded. So wonder what I might be doing
[amsat-bb] Re: MMSSTV and ARRISat-1
SSTV pictures on HF are often in Scottie-1 mode, while the ARISSat-1 are in Robot-36. Perhaps you are receiving in the wrong mode? That's about the only thing I can think of that might be mis-matched, if HF works, since with the satellite's downlink being in FM mode, you can't be off in audio frequency. I presume you're seeing the audio in the waveform display. MMSSTV has an automatic mode detect which I have found to work very well. I just click on that, and off it goes. I think everything is default. Have you tried that? Good luck, Greg KO6TH From: inservice2...@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:35:39 -0600 Subject: [amsat-bb] MMSSTV and ARRISat-1 GA, All the talk about SSTV from this bird got me thinking I'd like to try! I downloaded MMSSTV and installed. What are the best settings to use in the setup page for decent copy of photos from ARRISAT-1? I did copy pix on 14.230 after setup as a test run...but on last pass of ARRISAT, had wonderful copy of voice beacon but no pictures decoded. So wonder what I might be doing wrong. Any help appreciated. Kirk, N0KK ___ 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: FAST1 Status?
Hi Carl,
Well, same results here. Success early in the week, but nothing since. I
wonder if our collective traffic has reset something up there?
However, on my last try (last night), I copied one beacon clearly - decoded and
forwarded to IS - but I also heard a few other weak packets by ear that were
not decoded. I could tell that they were not beacon packets (the long string
of G's is very distinctive), so either I was hearing somebody uplinking on the
downlink, or perhaps other satellite activity on 145.825.
There was also a portion of the pass where the FM noise would suddenly drop for
a second and then return a few times. I suspect that was 9600 baud traffic
from the satellite. I'm not set up to receive 9600 packet, but if that was the
case, perhaps we'll have more success digipeating at 9600. Of course, that
won't keep the transmitter as occupied - the packets are so much shorter - but
it would indicate that the satellite is still in active digipeat mode.
Greg KO6TH
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:31:54 -0500
From: w8...@w8krf.net
To: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] FAST1 Status?
Has there been a change to FAST1 since Thursday? During two passes on
Thursday, I was able to digipeat through it using AGWPE (set to 1k2),
UISS, and SatPC. I have included a portion of my log below. Both
yesterday (12/10) and this morning (12/11) I was not able to digi
through it although I was receiving the beacon.
[UISS Auto-Log date - Mode: Only Digipeated Packets - 12/8/2011]
{snip}
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[amsat-bb] Re: FAST1
Hi Kevin, It's FAST1, no dash. Good luck, Greg KO6TH From: summit...@live.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:42:34 -0800 Subject: [amsat-bb] FAST1 Sorry I meant the Stations Heard via ISS I know about logging in to the Maildrop. Did not get in on the pass I mentioned before, but I did hear some packets. Did not come through on my screen anyway. Can we get another clarifacation on the path? FAST1 or FAST-1? I saw KO6TH was trying and K8TL did get into the Maildrop and said also that he saw some unproto go through. I think it is almost as fun as voice when it is working good. Kevin KF7MYK ___ 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: Fast1
Interestingly, the last two attempts (two nights ago, and this evening) to
repeat this have failed. I briefly tried the other uplink frequency, 145.980,
tonight, without success either. I did hear 4 or 5 beacon packets from FAST1
(they're quite distinctive, with all the Gs in them), so everything else
seems to be in order. Most of them decoded, but I had APRSISCE/32 configured
to not pass beacons from RF-IS, so they didn't get posted. I believe there
were also couple of other packets from the satellite as well but they didn't
decode at all.
So, either I had incredible luck earlier with the packets that did go through,
or we now have a lot of other folks trying to uplink, with the result that the
satellite isn't hearing anything that can be retransmitted. I am concerned
that this weekend's attack on the satellite will be totally ineffective,
because an overloaded is nearly equivalent to one that is totally empty.
Neither full nor empty will accomplish the command team's objective of
increasing the Transmit duty cycle, to drain the batteries.
Anybody else having any success recently?
Greg KO6TH
Date: Thu, 8 Dec 2011 18:26:44 -0500
From: ldeff...@homeside.to
To: k...@earthlink.net
CC: amsat-bb@amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Fast1
Steve (G6UIM) and Greg (KO6TH) have been discussing this on the APRSISCE
Yahoo group (messages below). Greg confirmed Steve's comment that FAST1
is uplinking on 145.825 and downlinking on 437.345. He managed to
bounce a few packets through it as well as capture some telemetry (also
shown below).
Lynn (D) - KJ4ERJ - Author of APRSISCE for Windows Mobile and Win32
(Note: Times are Eastern US, UTC-0500)
2011-12-08 00:35:04
FAST1BEACON,qAR,KO6TH-13:F11G0211006311
022 019 020 022 024
2011-12-08 00:35:06 KO6TH-13APWW08,FAST1*,qAR,KO6TH-13::KJ4ERJ :Hi Lynn...
another try via FAST1{BM}
2011-12-08 00:38:20 KO6TH-13APWW08,FAST1*,qAR,KO6TH-13::KJ4ERJ :good
signal received on last tx. Yea!{BN}
2011-12-08 00:38:24 KO6TH-13APWW08,FAST1*,qAR,KO6TH-13::KJ4ERJ :good
signal received on last tx. Yea!{BN}
2011-12-08 00:38:40 KO6TH-13APWW08,FAST1*,qAR,KO6TH-13::KJ4ERJ :good
signal received on last tx. Yea!{BN}
2011-12-08 00:39:02 KO6TH-13APWW08,FAST1*,qAR,KO6TH-13::KJ4ERJ :You still
awake?
2011-12-08 00:39:04
FAST1BEACON,qAR,KO6TH-13:F11G0207105289
022 020 020 022 023
2011-12-08 00:42:04
FAST1BEACON,qAR,KO6TH-13:F11G0264006286
022 020 020 022 022
On Wed, Dec 7, 2011 at 10:45 AM, Steve Daniels
st...@daniels270.eclipse.co.uk mailto:st...@daniels270.eclipse.co.uk
wrote:
FAST1 is up on 145.825MHz and down on 437.345MHz according to their
recent news release.
Frequencies confirmed. I managed to bounce a few through FAST1 this
evening with these frequencies (with doppler shift factored in by the
computer).
Greg KO6TH
On 12/8/2011 10:08 AM, Tom Lubbers K8TL wrote:
Has anyone had any positive results?? I have beaconed with 1200 and 9600,
nothing.
After the 0330Z pass did copy RS0ISS on the same frequency pair, boy was my
element set off!!
Happy Holidays
Tom K8TL
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[amsat-bb] Re: AO-27 status
Exactly, an O/S thing. Windows (and its predecessor DOS) are case insensitive for file names. Linux (which I run) is case sensitive - EOPC.txt and Epoc.txt are two entirely different names - and the program had an awful time with the apparently missing file. I don't know what would happen on a Mac, but if you have trouble, that's one place to look. Greg KO6TH Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 09:52:26 -0600 From: n...@lavabit.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-27 status Interesting. I installed the program last night, and then downloaded and copied the epoch and topr files into that directory. Epoch is indeed all caps on the download, but the file in my directory from the install had just the capital e. Upon copying and choosing the replace option in Vista, the capital e is retained with the rest lower case, and the file works fine. I guess that is an operating system thing, then? 73, Jerry N0JY On 12/4/2011 12:52 AM, Greg D. wrote: Thanks for the update, George. One note... The Epoch.txt file is named in all upper case on the website, while the program expects it to have only an initial capital E. Some systems (e.g. Linux) are sensitive to this, and can't find the file. A simple rename, and all is well. Greg KO6TH ___ 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: AO-27 status
Thanks for the update, George. One note... The Epoch.txt file is named in all upper case on the website, while the program expects it to have only an initial capital E. Some systems (e.g. Linux) are sensitive to this, and can't find the file. A simple rename, and all is well. Greg KO6TH From: ka3...@att.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2011 18:41:17 -0600 Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-27 status Today I received the latest TOPR and EPOCH files for AO-27 from Mike Wyrick, NU3C, and have uploaded them to the AO-27 Satellite Scheduler website so that users of the Java scheduler program can update their files. Simply download them to the same folder that the Scheduler resides in. DO NOT use the Update Data option from within the program, as it will try to connect to the AO-27 website, which is still down. (They are working to get it back online.) George, KA3HSW http://sites.google.com/site/ao27satellitescheduler/ ___ 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: HEO history question
Many Hams used RS-12/13 when it was below their horizon (often without knowing it), due their HF uplink getting bounced and bent around by the ionosphere before hitting the satellite. So, it wasn't necessary for the other station to be in the traditional satellite footprint to be heard. Both RS birds (RS-10/11 and RS-12/13) were gems. I got infected with the satellite bug by RS-10. Fortunately, it's an incurable affliction. Greg KO6TH From: aa...@fidmail.com To: domenico.i8...@tin.it; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sat, 3 Dec 2011 03:53:44 + Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HEO history question I had forgotten about the RS satellites. Not sure if Wales would have been in the footprint from where I was at in Iowa at that time. I sure miss RS12/13. That was a great satellite to get on. Mode T worked very well. Wish they would put another one up like it. 73s John AA5JG - Original Message - From: i8cvs domenico.i8...@tin.it To: John Geiger aa...@fidmail.com; AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 9:47 PM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HEO history question - Original Message - From: John Geiger aa...@fidmail.com To: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 8:58 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] HEO history question Back in late 1997 or early 1998 I was using a Kenwood TR9130 on 2m SSB. One morning I was tuning from the FM to the SSB portion of the band, and heard a station just below 146mhz. I tuned them in, and it was a station from Wales! Obviously going thru a satellite as the 2 meter conditions weren't that good that morning. I am now wondering what satellite it probably was. Hearing it was enough to motivate me to eventually get into satellite operations-that took a few years though. Anyways, what satellite was I probably hearing? I am guessing AO10 or AO13 but were they operational at that time? 73s John AA5JG Hi John, AA5JG OSCAR-10 was launched in 1983 and it started to get problems with the main computer in 1986 OSCAR-13 was launched in 1988 and reientered because of drag in 1996 Between 1997 or early 1998 OSCAR-10 was operating time to time with low level signals in Mode-B, 2 meters downlink while OSCAR-13 was died. If you are sure about the time of your reception back in late 1997 or early 1998 I guess that probably you was hearing or OSCAR-10 or mostly RS-12 a powerful LEO satellite in Mode-KT with uplink in 15 meters and downlink in two bands at the same time i.e.10 meters in the Mode-K and 2 meters in Mode-T exactly from 145.907 to 145.953 MHz BTW at that time 23 april 1996 OSCAR-10 was still well operational in Mode-B because I have the QSL card from i8KRO for a QSO made through two satellites OSCAR-10 and RS-12 The uplink on RS-12 for i8KRO was in 21 MHz and the uplink for me on OSCAR-10 was in 435 MHz while the downlink for both of us was in 145 MHz Nice to remember ! 73 de i8CVS Domenico ___ 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: Etching a KLM RHCP/LHCP PCB
My first thought is to use candle wax, as long as your etching solution is used cold. Warm the board up and coat the one side and holes, let it cool, and then do your thing on the other side. I've made simple single-sided boards in the past by using a toothpick to scrape away a line between what becomes very wide traces. Saves a lot on etchant too, since you end up removing very little copper. The wax comes off easily with a paper towel and a little heat. Greg KO6TH Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 15:08:57 -0800 From: k9qho6...@sbcglobal.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Etching a KLM RHCP/LHCP PCB I've completed and etched one side#1 of the PCB with Press and Peel. Side#2 needs to be etched. the artwork is very basic and can be completed by hand and Rub-On Etch Resist. I had to drill 8 alignment holes to help line up the artwork to each side. Question #1: I don't want the etching solution to leach through the holes. I had some donuts to cover the holes, but they are so old that the glue is no good. Is there anything that can temporarily fill or cover the holes until side #2 is completed? Question #2: Has anyone used clear packing tape to cover the areas where the copper is to be protected or will the etching solution just eat it up with the copper? You have to admit this isn't a typical AMSAT-BB question. In projects before this, I just used side #2 as the ground plane. 73, Mike (K9QHO) ___ 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: Kansas City Tracker
I also have an old Motherboard with an ISA slot. Just the motherboard, processor (1ghz, I think), and memory. I do not have anything that needs the ISA slot anymore, so it's up for grabs. No reasonable offer will be refused. My wife insists... :-) Greg KO6TH Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 15:17:18 -0800 To: rwmcgw...@gmail.com; aloz...@copper.net From: kl...@acsalaska.net CC: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Kansas City Tracker I have my original PacardBell P100 desktop with win95 which has been gathering dust on a shelf. It has ISA slots and parallel port which would probably be ideal for running KC Tracker. I offer it for sale for $50-OBO (as-is with keyboard and mouse but no monitor) plus shipping (best to go parcel-post from my zip 99635). I kept it since these old machines have little or no residual value in case I wanted to run some old legacy sw. But I also have a IBM P90 Thinkpad with win95 for this purpose (I also use it for packet and a DOS cw keyboard program). 73, Ed - KL7UW At 12:35 PM 11/3/2011, Robert McGwier wrote: Since it has been a while since these have been up on the list, I want to remind folks that this requires an early early early generation slot, called an ISA slot. The drivers for the card are STRICTLY DOS 6.2 and earlier interrupt handlers and are zero likely to work on a modern windows machine. If you have an old machine with ISA slots, running DOS, this board was one of the engineering marvels of its time and should still work beautifully on Yaesu rotators today. You will need Quiktrak or IT to run it (again, DOS computer programs). Bob N4HY On Thu, Nov 3, 2011 at 4:09 PM, Al Ozias aloz...@copper.net wrote: Surplus KCT I have at my QTH a Kansas City Tracker board with a printed manual and a copy of the KCT.ZIP file. The owner of the board, George-WA5KBH, would like to find it a home. To acquire it contact me (Al-N7EQF) directly by email. The cost of acquiring the item is to pay for the shipping cost (flat rate priority mail envelope), commit a donation to AMSAT and promise not to ask me any questions concerning how to install, configure, or operate it (I do not know). The board is un-tested and may or may not work, no known reason to suspect it's condition. Thanks - Al - N7EQF __**_ 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-bbhttp://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb -- Bob McGwier 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 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 == BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.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: Gpredict
Hi Mike, I don't use it to control my radios, as I have a custom set of interfaces. I use predict (the text-based one) as the IP server for a homebrew CAT driver, and I modified the predict source so that it output the proper strings for Az/El control. Gpredict supports all the pass prediction and planning activities, and the graphical eye candy. Someday I'll combine things and use Gpredict for everything, but I haven't gotten to that yet. And even if I did, my radio is a Yaesu 736R, which has the annoying CAT interface that disables the rig's knobs and switches when it's engaged. So, I wouldn't be able to tell. Sorry, not much help on those points. Greg KO6TH From: msch...@creative-chaos.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 07:12:55 -0500 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Gpredict On Tue, 2011-10-04 at 22:36 -0700, Greg D. wrote: Easy to install? Yes. I use it on my Linux system, and it just works. Or in other words, it doesn't get in your way while operating. It doesn't override adjustments you make to the frequency on the radio unlike for example HRD. 73 Mike K5TRI www.k5tri.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: Gpredict
I use it all the time. See below. Let me know if you need any screen shots or have any additional questions. Greg KO6TH From: clintbradf...@mac.com Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 15:36:57 -0700 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Gpredict I need a couple user comments regarding Gpredict, please. A friend just told me it needed to be added to my TRACKING page at ... http://web.me.com/clintbradford/Work-Sat/Tracking.html ... and I just cannot devote time to play with it until late in the week. Easy to install? Yes. I use it on my Linux system, and it just works. Easy to enter current location? Yes. Edit-Preferences-Ground Station-New. Put in your Lat/Lon and you're done. Painless Keplerian data updates - and able to choose WHICH Kep data you want to use? Automatic update via Web, or manually read in text Keps file. Web fetch is configurable as to source. which element files to use, and when to update. MANY thanks! Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666 ___ 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: Width of the Earth's penumbra
The ISS isn't going straight through the Penumbra, top to bottom, but rather diagonally through it. Neglecting that the ISS isn't going in a straight line either (it's an arc), the 8-ish seconds are the hypotenuse of the triangle. We still don't know the height. I wonder if we can figure out more about the shape of the Penumbra by looking at the transit times for satellites at different elevations? Sorry, this is starting to make my head hurt, Greg KO6TH Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:17:08 +0100 From: g7...@btinternet.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Width of the Earth's penumbra This bb never fails to amaze me with how helpful folks can be. It was G0SFJ's postings about ARISSAt-1 MET time which set me thinking about the width of the half shadow (Penumbra) experienced by the satellite before and after eclipse. I was pointed to the simulation option in the satellite tracker Orbitron 3.17 which shows the selected satellites Eclipse condition No, Penumbra, Umbra. To activate this option click on the data tab at the bottom of the satellite listing. The simulation mode offers a variety of time steps down to 0.25 seconds. Selecting the ISS and stepping through an eclipsed part of the orbit tonight I estimated that it took the ISS 8.75 seconds to cross the Penumbra. If 7km per second is about right for the ISS then the Penumbra is 59.5 kilometres wide +/- about 1.75km. My workings may well be adrift but you get the idea. What an interesting utility, for us telemetry nuts it will add an extra dimension to solar panel data. Off to try it on some higher flying birds. 73 All G7HIA Happy Weekend ___ 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: ARISSat daylightpower recovery time
Based on posted observations, I have come to the conclusion that the satellite's MET comes up at either 0 or 1 when the satellite turns on, after the 10-or-so minute delay after entering sunlight. Depending on what mode it thinks it should be in, I suppose it's possible that it might in fact be in one of those power saving quiet periods at that time, and only be heard a few minutes later. Entering sunlight is not a knife-edged event in orbit; there's a short ramp in power, so (playing arm-chair engineer here) I expect it would be in low or emergency power mode for a short while. Greg KO6TH Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:49:36 +0100 From: andythomasm...@yahoo.co.uk To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ARISSat daylightpower recovery time Did not catch the second voice digit! MET is One shh But satellite is switched on. On 18 september the voice announced MET (19 and 21) equalled the time in sunlight, as I have calculated back using today's keps, within 1 minute. Allowing for keps 1 week old I think the MET is in fact announcing the time the satellite wakes up as she enters sunlight, but there are no fm transmissions at that time. The latency is up to 10 -19 minutes (if I had the second digit I could be more precise,hi!!) From: andy thomas andythomasm...@yahoo.co.uk To: amsat amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, 24 September 2011, 11:24 Subject: Re:ARISSat daylightpower recovery time I agree with this observation here at IO92NL. Arissat-1 does not switch on immediately when in sunlight, I have missed several passes this morning and in the last few days. I am just waiting for what the MET is announced (voice tlm) as at 1032 utc AOS (coming up) and will backtrack to how long she has been in sunlight. The difference ought to tell us the latency. 73 de andy G0SFJ ___ 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
