[amsat-bb] Re: AO51 Tracking Gadget
A while back I think Cliff suggested these handy Apple Tracking Apps. I use these on my iPod Touch. http://www.gosoftworks.com/GoSatWatch/GoSatWatch.html http://www.pocketsat.com/products/ps3iphone.php Star finder apps here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/starmap-pro/id309367681?mt=8 :) 73, ron n6paa ___ 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] (OT) DKIM Signature
Is it just me or does anyone else receive this tremendously long DomainKey Identified Mail (DKIM) Signature such as above for Subject line: K8E in EN57 and EN67. I guess its purpose is to limit spam, spoofing, phishing etc, but isn't DKIM overkill for AMSAT-BB purposes. Just thinking out loud 8-) Ron n6paa ___ Sent via amsat...@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 and L band suggestion
Hello Reid: If you don’t mind experimenting, connect one of these 2.4G MMDS grid antennas http://www.amazon.com/2-4GHz-24dBi-Outdoor-Antenna-Cable/dp/B001J1Y7IA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top to the downconverter taken from this antenna http://cgi.ebay.com/Yagi-MMDS-ITFS-AFN-High-Gain-Antenna-Downconverter-Used-/120541331846?cmd=ViewItempt=LH_DefaultDomain_0hash=item1c10d2c186 The downconverter IF output is given at 222-408 MHz. The noise figure which isn’t all that great is listed as 2dBi. I use a grid antenna because it has much less wind load than the solid surface of a TV dish. For my S Band downlink, I use the AIDC 3731 downconverter tuned to the 2M band. For test tuning purposes, I built one of these 2.4GHz source oscillators to locate the 2M IF output from the downconverter. http://ve2zaz.net/SigSourc/SigSourc.htm DC power to the downconverter is explained here for a Bias T. http://www.hamtv.com/pdffiles/biasT.pdf Finally, if you want Doppler frequency control, a program called SATPC32 explains how to write the Doppler.SQF file based on the downconverter Local Oscillator offset frequency. You can expect others with better suggestions. But, the above detail works well for me. Squelch quieting for AO-51 V/S band downlink often pushes the S meter full scale (there are also deep fades with AO-51). 73, Ron n6paa ___ Sent via amsat...@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: Transystem 3731 vs. 3733
Rich: Maybe you've seen these popular links already, here they are again regarding the 3731 and 3733 73, Ron n6paa http://www.k3roj.com/images/AIDC3733downconvtr.txt http://www.jrmiller.demon.co.uk/products/patfot.htm http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200110/msg00136.html http://128.54.16.15/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200104/msg00285.html http://www.jrmiller.demon.co.uk/products/patfot.htm ___ Sent via amsat...@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: USB to Serial Converter
Hi Bill: For transfer of digital data between radio “CAT” ports and laptop I use the Keyspan USA-19HS interface to an Ultra ULT33056 USB 7 port hub. Although I have the FT 897D, this CAT interface may also work for the FT 847. The laptop is Windows XP/Dell Inspiron. The hub requires it's own 12V source. Hub: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2917705CatId=4756 RS232 to Serial Interface: http://www.amazon.com/Keyspan-Speed-Serial-Adapter-USA-19HS/dp/BVYJRY This interface works great for both radios Yaesu FT 736R and FT 897D. The hub and Keyspan works great with the G5500 rotor control. Software application interface examples: SATPC32, Nova, UniTrac2003. Ham Radio Deluxe/DM780 works great with the 897D. Hope this example helps. 73 Ron n6paa ___ Sent via amsat...@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-51 V/S
On an earlier pass, worked Kerry WC7V and Dan KD6IRE, 59+ sigs. Thanks Ron ___ Sent via amsat...@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-51 V/S
Angelo and All: Equipment here similar to Angelo's and perhaps common to many other operators. For S band downlink, I use the grill dish and the K5GNA AIDC 3731 downconverter directly behind feed. Receive downlink at 145Mhz IF then feeds an FT897D. RG6 coax works fine through a bias T for 13.8Vdc. S meter will easily reach full scale. FT736R operates 2M uplink. SATPC32 for doppler tuning and Unitrack for rotor G5500 control. No desense issues or front end overload with this crossband operation. For AO-40, I had a 3', off-set dish with helix feed for S band operation. However, that size dish had too much wind load. Also, found in my brag file: I use Keyspan and Prolific serial to USB adapters as these products seem to handle data packet transfer better than other adapters I've used. An Ultra 7 port USB hub from Tigerdirect handles the above operations as well as CAT control for all radios and PK232 TNC packet and Morse code operation. 73, Ron, n6paa *** The equipment is very modest. A bbq grill dish 2x3 feet, the downconverter is the K5GNA with RG-6 running about 50 feet long. No additional preamp needed with the K5GNA downconverter. The noise level in the shack is about S3. I use two rigs when operating the V/S mode. With SatPC32, I have a second configuration setup. The IF is going to be rig #1 (Kenwood TS-2000) which is connected to the K5GNA downconverter. Rig #2 is connected to my ICOM 910 as the transmitter. SATPC32 also control the rotor system with the G8LVB tracker connected to the Yaesu G-5500. The dish and downconverter I paid if I recalled correctly was about 175.00 plus shipping for K5GNA. I do not know if he still makes the packages available anymore. I know he was waiting for Eagle or P3D to lauch before he goes back to selling them. Enjoy, 73 de Angelo ___ Sent via amsat...@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-51 L/S?
Yes, you have my vote. More frequent rotation of modes L/S, V/S or U/S. Ron n6paa On Sun, Oct 4, 2009 at 11:03 AM, Bob- W7LRD w7...@comcast.net wrote: Hello Gents I would like to request a somewhat consistent L and / or S mode availability on AO- 51. A recent post by John-K8YSE correctly explained that long term L/S availability is almost counter productive. If we define that by the number of operators to pass ratio. There are a few of us L/S holdouts mostly from AO-40 (sobsob). If we could plan that for say three days (or whatever) at a given date we can expect those modes, and be ready. Right now it appears to be a month to month variable decision with nothing definitive. If there were more availabilty and chit-chat about L/S modes it might inspire others to try it. AO-51 is the only testbed for varied L/S modes. The only way I have for tweeking my S band gear is to put a -35Dbm signal source at the end of my driveway and tweekingmy equipment and antennas. Real world evaluation is always the proof of success. 73 Bob W7LRD ___ Sent via amsat...@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...@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 Rotor Mounting
Hi Randy: Just to pass on an idea for putting together a satellite tracking antenna tower, you can see how I've mounted my G5500 if you check qrz.com for my call. The G5500 az rotor sits on a shelf plate below the top plate that is fitted with a thrust bearing. This is all assembled to a Rohn 10 foot top section tower bolted to a tilt-over base plate. The boom is 10 foot by 1/4 inch thick. The 2.4GHz dish and 23cm Yagi are mounted inboard from 2m and 440 Yagi's. Also notice the ring installed around the top plate. This is to prevent cables from snagging corners of the tower during 360 degree rotation of the antenna. Other antenna and rotor mounts will vary. Hope that helps. 73, Ron n6paa ___ Sent via amsat...@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] S Meter Lamp Replacement for FT736R
Any idea where I can find front panel disassembly instructions for a FT736R? Both S meter lamps are out. Also need a lamp part number as I think the originals are out of production. Help in this matter greatly appreciated. Ron n6paa. ___ Sent via amsat...@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
