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CX2SA > SATDIG 25.07.08 15:33l 892 Lines 32726 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. May/June AMSAT Journal (Ed Long)
2. Re: Operating Preferences Survey - RESULTS (Nate Duehr)
3. Florida AMSAT Net (David J)
4. Re: Delfi-C3 (DO-64) Transponder Expected To Be Turned On for
AMSAT-UK Colloquium!! (i8cvs)
5. Re: Cost of an HEO launch (Lee McLamb)
6. for sale: TH-7D/G MINT (D. Craig Fox)
7. Presentations on P3E and the Mars Orbiter P5A (Trevor)
8. Re: VHF UHF Rig (Bruce Robertson)
9. Re: Digital modes with a handheld (Bruce Robertson)
10. Re: mobile satellite operation... (Bruce Robertson)
11. for sale:TH-D7A/G (D. Craig Fox)
12. Re: mobile satellite operation... (Gould Smith)
13. Re: VHF UHF Rig (Sebastian)
14. Re: VHF UHF Rig (Dave hartzell)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:11:39 -0400
From: "Ed Long" <wa4swj(AT)hotmail.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] May/June AMSAT Journal
To: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Message-ID: <BAY107-DS4F63179538725761E499A83870(AT)phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Everyone,
I just uploaded the May/June issue of The AMSAT Journal to the printer. It is
very late yet again. I apologize for that. I did not have enough content until
a few days ago. It should be in your hands in a couple of weeks.
I am PAST DUE for articles for the next issue. (I can't even get ahead.) If
you have an article you would like to submit to the Journal please send it to
me right away at either this address or at:
journal at amsat dot org.
Thanks very much for your patience. I hope you enjoy this issue.
73,
Ed Long
WA4SWJ
Editor, The AMSAT Journal
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:41:01 -0600
From: Nate Duehr <nate(AT)natetech.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Operating Preferences Survey - RESULTS
To: Bill Ress <bill(AT)hsmicrowave.com>
Cc: AMSAT-BB(AT)amsat.org
Message-ID: <4888E8DD.20900(AT)natetech.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Bill Ress wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I have closed the survey. Thanks to the 164 people who took the survey.
Bill,
I think another interesting number would have been "How much time have
you operated via Amateur Satellite in the last year?" "Last month?"
And...
How much (as a percentage) of your Amateur radio activity is via Amateur
Radio Satellite?
Might be enlightening as to both who's responding to the survey, and
also what the spreads are...
To be fair, my answers are:
Year? 1 hour.
Month? None.
Percentage: Less than 2%.
I mostly hang out on AMSAT-BB because Satellite work is very similar to
terrestrial weak-signal VHF+ work, which is my true passion... and I
really have have hopes of someday finding enough time to get my EME/WSJT
setup going at my home QTH... but wishes are not fishes.
The reality is, unless I take some time off from work, the antennas
aren't going to put themselves up!
Nate WY0X
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:00:49 -0400
From: "David J" <n4csitwo(AT)bellsouth.net>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Florida AMSAT Net
To: <amsat-florida(AT)amsat.org>
Cc: amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org
Message-ID: <000801c8edd0$5a5e0230$0202a8c0(AT)DHJ>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Due to technical problems, the N4HHA Orlando repeater will not carry the
Florida AMSAT Net this evening. Any stations that normally check-in through
this repeater can join us through the NI4CE system of repeaters located in the
west central Florida area (see www.ni4ce.org) or through echolink via KG4YZY-R
at node # 4429.
73s,
Dave, AA4KN
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:53:57 +0200
From: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(AT)tin.it>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Delfi-C3 (DO-64) Transponder Expected To Be
Turned On for AMSAT-UK Colloquium!!
To: "Bill Ress" <bill(AT)hsmicrowave.com>, "AMSAT BB"
<amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Message-ID: <001f01c8edcf$64fa5640$0201a8c0(AT)tin.it>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Ress" <bill(AT)hsmicrowave.com>
To: "AMSAT BB" <amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:04 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Delfi-C3 (DO-64) Transponder Expected To Be Turned On
for AMSAT-UK Colloquium!!
> Hello All,
>
> This weekend we should should have a new linear transponder when the
> Delfi-C3 (DO-64) transponder gets turned ON!! Yeah!!
>
> Check out the link to the AMSAT-UK web site...............
>
> http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/658/68/
>
> Regards...Bill - N6GHz
>
Hi Bill, N6GHz
Delfi-C3 (DO-64) was still in science mode during orbit 1298 to day july 24
and the digital beacon at 145.930 MHz was very strong on RHCP
The Delfi-C3 team will present the satellite on saturday 26 at 08:05 UTC
during Colloquium in Surrey and since they plan to activate the transponder
before to fly to England I guess that probably they will switch ON the
transponder tomorrow 26 july.
The transponder power is only 400 mW pep and the CW beacon at 145.870 MHz
is 10 dB belove the transponder pep i.e. only 40 mW
Do you have any information about the maximum permittet EIRP ?
73" de
i8CVS Domenico
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:03:10 -0400
From: Lee McLamb <ku4os(AT)cfl.rr.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Cost of an HEO launch
To: Bill Ress <bill(AT)hsmicrowave.com>
Cc: amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org
Message-ID: <200807241703.10574.ku4os(AT)cfl.rr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
The last time I spoke with them they were pretty focused on getting their
Falcon-1 operation going. I will be talking with them again in August.
We're also keeping a keen eye on the Soyuz-ST developments in Kourou. In
short I try to look at every launch vehicle and payload adapter and see how
it might be useful to AMSAT. I also continue to look at non-GTO options such
as GPS-drift orbits and Geosync. That is how the Intelsat rideshare
opportunity came to my attention. As a famous scientist said, "We cannot
solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them". So
I try very hard to keep thinking out side the box (or ellipse in the case of
orbits) on how achieve our vision.
Lee-KU4OS
On Tuesday 22 July 2008 21:13:36 Bill Ress wrote:
> Hi Lee,
>
> Thanks for your input on SpaceX. Do you know if AMSAT has contacted any
> of the multi-manifest brokers working with SpaceX to try and flush out
> cost versus payload estimates on the multi-manifest payloads?
>
> Regards...Bill - N6GHz
>
> Lee McLamb wrote:
> > Yes, AMSAT has been closely watching the developments with SpaceX for
> > several years. I've also spoken with several people from the company.
> > Currently they do not have a launch vehicle capable of reaching GTO type
> > orbits. That will change as they bring the Falcon-9 on line. I think
> > the encouraging part is they are already accommodating secondary payloads
> > on Falcon-1 missions. What types of capabilities the Falcon-9 will have
> > are as yet unknown.
> >
> > My day job at the Eastern Range also happens to include working on the
> > Falcon program as SpaceX converts and activates Complex 40 for Falcon-9
> > launches.
> >
> > 73,
> > Lee-KU4OS
> > AMSAT Exec. VP
> >
> > On Sunday 20 July 2008 15:45:32 Bill Ress wrote:
> >> Hi Dave,
> >>
> >> While SpaceX only works with primary single manifest customers, but if
> >> those customers can't use the entire payload, then they can work with
> >> third party multi-manifest "brokers" and we in turn could work with
> >> these multi-manifest "brokers" for a piece of the payload. For sure,
> >> lots of negotiating required when and if we find that a primary manifest
> >> customer doesn't need the whole payload.
> >>
> >> I really don't know if AMSAT management has any activity pursuing this
> >> avenue of launch, but if they don't, they should!!
> >>
> >> Regards,,,Bill - N6GHz (AMSAT Board Candidate)
> >>
> >> Dave hartzell wrote:
> >>> David-
> >>>
> >>> Actually, the SpaceX Falcon 1 or 1e could put a spacecraft into HEO or
> >>> lunar transfer orbit:
> >>>
> >>> http://www.spacex.com/FalconLunarCapabilityGuide.pdf
> >>>
> >>> The stated cost for this is around $9m. Of course, they haven't
> >>> gotten a successful orbit yet from a F1....maybe the third time will
> >>> be the charm. Hitching a ride on a larger launch vehicle like the F9
> >>> is interesting, assuming there is capacity and the willingness to be a
> >>> guinea pig (and there WILL be a cost to anyone wanting a ride)...
> >>>
> >>> It will be interesting to see what launch opportunities will be
> >>> available in the next few years (if any)...
> >>>
> >>> Dave
> >>> AF6KD
> >>>
> >>> On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 4:40 PM, <G0MRF(AT)aol.com> wrote:
> >>>> The anticipated 'going rate' for this new vehicle is shown at the
> >>>> bottom of the page.
> >>>>
> >>>> _http://www.spacex.com/falcon9.php_
> >>>> (http://www.spacex.com/falcon9.php)
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Test flight anyone?
> >>>>
> >>>> David
> >>>>
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:55:29 -0700
From: "D. Craig Fox" <DFox(AT)rwglaw.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] for sale: TH-7D/G MINT
To: "Amsat-Bb \(E-mail\)" <amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Message-ID:
<A8E6E57AFA652D419A823F42AD6ACBDE02148B46(AT)RWGLAEXCH.RWG.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
So I bought this about a month ago from WD8BMP (check out his stellar seller's
history on QTH.com) to get into portable packet/APRS, have a great dual band
radio with digital capability, and maybe do some digital sat work. However, I
now have an opportunity to buy a nice TM-D710A from a SK estate for a good
price. I have done no more than run this radio through basic functions and
everything is properly functioning. It has not been far from the box. It comes
with the original PB-39 battery, wall charger, and rubber duck, and additional
items including 9.6v 1450maH and 7.2v 1800maH Batteries America batteries
(with belt clips), and programming cable. Taking an example from others, I
wanted to offer this nice radio to fellow AMSAT members/operators first before
going the usual route. I paid $350 plus 3% for paypal, and will take $300 plus
3% for paypal, or a postal money order. Price includes shipping via ground
UPS conus from socal. I will gladly provide photos and answe!
r any questions (as long as they are not too technical). Let me emphasize-
this radio looks brand spanking new. There is a wealth of info on the 'net
about these remarkable radios, as well as devoted websites and user groups.
Please reply directly to me at dcfox(AT)rwglaw.com. Thanks
73, Craig
N6RSX
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:55:01 +0000 (GMT)
From: Trevor <m5aka(AT)yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Presentations on P3E and the Mars Orbiter P5A
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Message-ID: <933047.79425.qm(AT)web27207.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
The Amateur Radio Mars Orbiter P5A and the High Earth Orbit (HEO) P3E will
feature in presentations given by AMSAT-DL on Saturday July 26th, at the
AMSAT-UK 'Satellite Weekend' which is open to all.
The Amsat P5-A will be the first spacecraft built by Radio Amateurs to go to
the Red planet and the first ever private interplanetary spacecraft. It will
use frequencies in the Amateur Satellite Service allocations at 2.4 and 10
GHz.
A video of P5-A 'With AMSAT P5-A to MARS' can be seen at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIJ548EyUME
Pioneering spacecraft like these demonstrate the need for the both the Amateur
Radio and Amateur Satellite Services to have access to Low Noise Floor
allocations in the microwave spectrum so they can carry out weak signal
experimentation.
The P3E presentation by Peter Guelzow DB2OS takes place at 11:30 am (1030 GMT)
on Saturday. He will followed by Achim Vollhardt DH2VA with the presentation
on the Mars Orbiter P5A.
Thanks to the BATC both presentations will be streamed live to the web at
http://www.batc.tv/
New for 2008, it has been arranged with the University for "walkin" day
visitors for ?10 per day. For this, you do not get any meals, only attendance
at lectures/beginners sessions. It does not entitle you to any other of the
functions. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day. It would help if
you could let us know in advance if you intend using this facility, please
email g3wgm(AT)amsat.org
For further details see
http://www.uk.amsat.org/Colloquium/
Programme: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/640/213/
Travel information: http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/23/52/
A site map showing location of the Management Building and the adjacent main
car park and conference visitors parking can be seen at
http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/stories/uosmap6.jpg
AMSAT-UK Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959
Email: g3wgm(AT)amsat.org
Join AMSAT-UK Online at: https://secure.amsat.org.uk/subscription/
Webcast:
http://www.batc.tv/
AMSAT-UK Web:
http://www.uk.amsat.org/
----
__________________________________________________________
Not happy with your email address?.
Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at
Yahoo! http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/ymail/new.html
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:00:46 -0300
From: "Bruce Robertson" <ve9qrp(AT)gmail.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: VHF UHF Rig
To: "Mike Miller" <mmiller(AT)nctc.com>
Cc: amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org
Message-ID:
<49657a760807241600yb188184nb2f7c2c1b1b8968(AT)mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 11:31 PM, Mike Miller <mmiller(AT)nctc.com> wrote:
> Thinking about selling 847.....Which rig is best for satellite..work.?
>
> ICOM 910 H
> Kenwood 2000
>
> opinions ....your 2 cents
I own a TS-2000. The birdie problem on SO-50 and AO-27 is quite real,
and there is no fix I know of. I find that the birdie is so bad that
even if I use a different receiver on UHF, I pick up the birdie on it
as well! So it is a worse radio regarding satellite work than the ICOM
if you care to work these birds. However, if you consider the fact
that a fine HF radio is thrown in at no extra cost, that there is
continuously adjustable filtering also at no cost, you might prefer
that trade-off. I'm reasonably pleased with mine.
However, if money were no issue, I would get the ICOM for satellite
work and a different HF radio with even better characteristics.
HTH,
73, Bruce
VE9QRP
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:12:21 -0300
From: "Bruce Robertson" <ve9qrp(AT)gmail.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Digital modes with a handheld
To: "Allen Vinegar" <tokens(AT)myranch.com>
Cc: amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org
Message-ID:
<49657a760807241612w42e54600h4ec19da25ec92727(AT)mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM, Allen Vinegar <tokens(AT)myranch.com> wrote:
> There are several good howto tutorials to help people get started on the FM
birds with a handheld. How about one for digital mode using a Kenwood TH-D7AG?
Or is it not practical to attempt digital mode with a handheld? I am new to
the satellites and have much to learn.
>
> Thanks for any help you all can provide.
>
> 73, Al, W8KHP
Al, that's a good question. I have found the AMSAT digital satellites
guide to be a very good read, though I don't think it provides exactly
what you want.
In lieu of a guide like you describe, I would recommend that you use
the FM guide to understand the tuning and reception issues and, at the
same time, experiment with similar terrestrial digital modes.If you
have a TH-D7AG, then start with APRS, since there is certain to be
traffic on that mode in your area, and it's really easy to see when
the ht is receiving data. Then combine the two skills to receive a
bird that is running APRS.
A more advanced skill is to use the tnc inside the Kenwood to talk to
a program on your laptop. Again, test that this is working
terrestrially first. Use 1200 bps at first, and test it using local
APRS signals and a terminal program on your computer. There are lots
of cubesats, etc that run this mode many of these projects provide
programs that decode their telemetry. When this is working, go up to
9600 baud and download from GO-32 and AO-51's telemetry.
If you can get your hands on a SSB radio, like a FT-817, give Delfi C3
a shot. Its software does soundcard demodulation of the telemetry
*and* provides a graphical display of the meaning of the telemetry
*and* uploads your frames to the folks in the Netherlands.
Flat-out-cool, and it sounds like pretty soon we won't be able to play
with this because the bird will become a communications satellite :-)
A severe warning, though: collecting digital information, especially
telemetry, can be quite an addicting activity. After all, the other
radio operator is on the ground, but the spacecraft's telemetry is all
about the conditions in that hostile and fearsome territory, outer
space.
73, Bruce
VE9QRP
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:46:57 -0300
From: "Bruce Robertson" <ve9qrp(AT)gmail.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: mobile satellite operation...
To: "Mark VandeWettering" <kf6kyi(AT)gmail.com>
Cc: Amsat-Bb <amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Message-ID:
<49657a760807241646u39620728yf8e636f77c8f1e1e(AT)mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=GB2312
On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 6:18 PM, Mark VandeWettering <kf6kyi(AT)gmail.com>
wrote:
>
> During one of the many recent discussions, somebody mentioned that
> Doppler tracking wasn't really that difficult, all one needed to do was
> download InstantTrack or whatever on some old, ancient PC, and that you
> would need to have a PC around to track the satellite anyway.
>
> But here's the thing: I _don't_ need a pc to track the sats. I operate
> handheld with my little TH-D7A in one hand, and my trusty Arrow in the
> other. Before each pass, I run a little Python satellite prediction
> program that I wrote to dump information about the pass, which looks like:
>
> AO-51 will be visible from grid CM87ux starting in 04:44:31 at 01:44:03
> 01:44:03 +0.0? 132.0? ? 18.8?N 102.4?W AOS
> 01:45:00 +3.3? 127.9? ? 22.3?N 103.2?W
> 01:46:00 +7.2? 122.4? ? 25.9?N 104.0?W
> 01:47:00 +11.4? 114.8? ? 29.5?N 104.9?W
> 01:48:00 +15.8? 104.4? ? 33.1?N 105.9?W
> 01:49:00 +19.8? 90.3? ? 36.7?N 106.9?W
> 01:50:00 +22.1? 72.7? ? 40.3?N 108.0?W
> 01:50:18 +22.3? 67.1? ? 41.4?N 108.3?W MAX
> 01:51:00 +21.5? 54.1? ? 43.9?N 109.2?W
> 01:52:00 +18.3? 37.9? ? 47.5?N 110.5?W
> 01:53:00 +14.1? 25.5? ? 51.1?N 112.0?W
> 01:54:00 +9.7? 16.5? ? 54.6?N 113.6?W
> 01:55:00 +5.7? 10.0? ? 58.2?N 115.6?W
> 01:56:00 +2.0? 5.2? ? 61.7?N 117.9?W
> 01:56:35 +0.1? 2.9? ? 63.7?N 119.4?W LOS
>
> At home, I know basically where the compass points line up, and for away
> from home contacts, I carry a little compass. With a tiny bit of
> practice and a reasonably accurate digital watch, you get pretty good at
> just tracking the antenna naturally over the course of a pass. With the
> FM birds, I just listen for the signal getting raspy, and tune down in
> frquency as needed.
>
> For me, I don't want to carry a PC. Or a laptop. I have my little FT-817
> that's actually pretty good to use on a strap around my neck, but if you
> have to sling a laptop and operate it all simultaneously, you're
> probably screwed.
>
> So, here's the idea: the Python library I wrote is actually pretty
> simple. It's a direct port of G3RUH's Plan 13 algorithm, and runs fast
> enough to be entirely useful. It also has the capability of doing
> Doppler translations at a reasonable rate, even on a fairly modest
> microcontroller. (In fact, the way I started on this project was noting
> that G6LVB's tracker implements the same algorithm to provide automatic
> antenna tracking). So, why not build a little battery powered
> microcontroller unit that provides Doppler tracking for the FT-817ND?
> You could load the orbital elements onto (say) and SD card on your PC in
> the house, and then jam the little thing into a smallish battery powered
> microcontroller, and it would provide automatic Doppler tuning. Then,
> truly mobile operation would be possible on the linear birds, without
> having to bring laptops or juggle with the reasonably fast Doppler of VO-52.
>
> Yes, the setup isn't quite ideal: you don't get full duplex, but in most
> other respects, it would be totally adequate.
>
> You could even use an off the shelf controller like:
>
>
http://gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=79&osCs
id=cb40b0a364041ad11ee9af494c9a518f
>
> which has a USB->host connection, two serial ports, and costs $129. This
> establishes a sort of greatest upper bound on how much such a project
> need to cost.
>
> What do people think? Will the lack of full duplex kill me in this
> endeavor? What am I overlooking?
>
> Mark "trying to turn ham radio into just button pushing" VandeWettering
> KF6KYI
>
Mark:
I've been thinking of something along these lines, too: a little pack
that plugs into the serial port of the FT-817, powers off its aux
power and does doppler correction using a PIC. The atmel ones have
floating point built in at a low cost, and I have one of these
breadboarded. Unfortunately, more pressing concerns have sidelined
this experiment.
My thinking is that the user interface would consist of a single
button and a speaker emitting CW so that one could select the proper
bird. It would have to have some way of connecting to a host computer
and get updated keps.
I suppose the smartest thing to do would be to build on G6LVB's code,
but I sorta' wanted to try out the atmel chips.
73, Bruce
VE9QRP
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:05:31 -0700
From: "D. Craig Fox" <DFox(AT)rwglaw.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] for sale:TH-D7A/G
To: "Amsat-Bb \(E-mail\)" <amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Message-ID:
<A8E6E57AFA652D419A823F42AD6ACBDE02148B4B(AT)RWGLAEXCH.RWG.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I really do need to take a remedial typing class, or at least do a serious
proof read before posting on the board. The radio I have for sale and posted
above is a Kenwood TH-D7A/G 2.0. This is the latest version and has all
manuals including the additional manual for the "G" upgrade. Sorry for any
confusion.
73's,
Craig
N6RSX
NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential
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------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:53:20 -0400
From: "Gould Smith" <gouldsmi(AT)bellsouth.net>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: mobile satellite operation...
To: "Bruce Robertson" <ve9qrp(AT)gmail.com>, "Mark VandeWettering"
<kf6kyi(AT)gmail.com>
Cc: Amsat-Bb <amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Message-ID: <CEAD0DF62D484DCF80B9BDB36D2843AB(AT)GouldMainPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="GB2312";
reply-type=original
Hi Bruce ad Mark,
Howard's (G6LVB) Tracker 2 has the floating point code (using a PIC 18F620)
and uses the Plan 13 and the Predict code to calculate the pass information.
He has a stub for CW output. The choice of the 4 MHz crystal obviously
effects how valid the data is after a few days of service.
I have had a Tracker 2 running for months and been talking with Howard about
some upgrades and combining features. His code is open source and you can
download it from his web site.
I understand that some of the code is a little compiler dependent on timing
accuracy.
This new uC will fit in the same LVB Tracker board and can be programmed via
a real serial port on the board. I recommend this as a good place to work
from.
It was designed to be run from a battery as a handheld unit.
73,
Gould, WA4SXM
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Robertson" <ve9qrp(AT)gmail.com>
To: "Mark VandeWettering" <kf6kyi(AT)gmail.com>
Cc: "Amsat-Bb" <amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 7:46 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: mobile satellite operation...
> On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 6:18 PM, Mark VandeWettering <kf6kyi(AT)gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> During one of the many recent discussions, somebody mentioned that
>> Doppler tracking wasn't really that difficult, all one needed to do was
>> download InstantTrack or whatever on some old, ancient PC, and that you
>> would need to have a PC around to track the satellite anyway.
>>
>> But here's the thing: I _don't_ need a pc to track the sats. I operate
>> handheld with my little TH-D7A in one hand, and my trusty Arrow in the
>> other. Before each pass, I run a little Python satellite prediction
>> program that I wrote to dump information about the pass, which looks
>> like:
>>
>> AO-51 will be visible from grid CM87ux starting in 04:44:31 at 01:44:03
>> 01:44:03 +0.0? 132.0? ? 18.8?N 102.4?W AOS
>> 01:45:00 +3.3? 127.9? ? 22.3?N 103.2?W
>> 01:46:00 +7.2? 122.4? ? 25.9?N 104.0?W
>> 01:47:00 +11.4? 114.8? ? 29.5?N 104.9?W
>> 01:48:00 +15.8? 104.4? ? 33.1?N 105.9?W
>> 01:49:00 +19.8? 90.3? ? 36.7?N 106.9?W
>> 01:50:00 +22.1? 72.7? ? 40.3?N 108.0?W
>> 01:50:18 +22.3? 67.1? ? 41.4?N 108.3?W MAX
>> 01:51:00 +21.5? 54.1? ? 43.9?N 109.2?W
>> 01:52:00 +18.3? 37.9? ? 47.5?N 110.5?W
>> 01:53:00 +14.1? 25.5? ? 51.1?N 112.0?W
>> 01:54:00 +9.7? 16.5? ? 54.6?N 113.6?W
>> 01:55:00 +5.7? 10.0? ? 58.2?N 115.6?W
>> 01:56:00 +2.0? 5.2? ? 61.7?N 117.9?W
>> 01:56:35 +0.1? 2.9? ? 63.7?N 119.4?W LOS
>>
>> At home, I know basically where the compass points line up, and for away
>> from home contacts, I carry a little compass. With a tiny bit of
>> practice and a reasonably accurate digital watch, you get pretty good at
>> just tracking the antenna naturally over the course of a pass. With the
>> FM birds, I just listen for the signal getting raspy, and tune down in
>> frquency as needed.
>>
>> For me, I don't want to carry a PC. Or a laptop. I have my little FT-817
>> that's actually pretty good to use on a strap around my neck, but if you
>> have to sling a laptop and operate it all simultaneously, you're
>> probably screwed.
>>
>> So, here's the idea: the Python library I wrote is actually pretty
>> simple. It's a direct port of G3RUH's Plan 13 algorithm, and runs fast
>> enough to be entirely useful. It also has the capability of doing
>> Doppler translations at a reasonable rate, even on a fairly modest
>> microcontroller. (In fact, the way I started on this project was noting
>> that G6LVB's tracker implements the same algorithm to provide automatic
>> antenna tracking). So, why not build a little battery powered
>> microcontroller unit that provides Doppler tracking for the FT-817ND?
>> You could load the orbital elements onto (say) and SD card on your PC in
>> the house, and then jam the little thing into a smallish battery powered
>> microcontroller, and it would provide automatic Doppler tuning. Then,
>> truly mobile operation would be possible on the linear birds, without
>> having to bring laptops or juggle with the reasonably fast Doppler of
>> VO-52.
>>
>> Yes, the setup isn't quite ideal: you don't get full duplex, but in most
>> other respects, it would be totally adequate.
>>
>> You could even use an off the shelf controller like:
>>
>>
http://gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=79&osCs
id=cb40b0a364041ad11ee9af494c9a518f
>>
>> which has a USB->host connection, two serial ports, and costs $129. This
>> establishes a sort of greatest upper bound on how much such a project
>> need to cost.
>>
>> What do people think? Will the lack of full duplex kill me in this
>> endeavor? What am I overlooking?
>>
>> Mark "trying to turn ham radio into just button pushing" VandeWettering
>> KF6KYI
>>
>
> Mark:
>
> I've been thinking of something along these lines, too: a little pack
> that plugs into the serial port of the FT-817, powers off its aux
> power and does doppler correction using a PIC. The atmel ones have
> floating point built in at a low cost, and I have one of these
> breadboarded. Unfortunately, more pressing concerns have sidelined
> this experiment.
>
> My thinking is that the user interface would consist of a single
> button and a speaker emitting CW so that one could select the proper
> bird. It would have to have some way of connecting to a host computer
> and get updated keps.
>
> I suppose the smartest thing to do would be to build on G6LVB's code,
> but I sorta' wanted to try out the atmel chips.
>
> 73, Bruce
> VE9QRP
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> Sent via AMSAT-BB(AT)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:23:30 -0400
From: Sebastian <w4as(AT)bellsouth.net>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: VHF UHF Rig
To: AMSAT-BB BBs <AMSAT-BB(AT)amsat.org>
Message-ID: <3583675B-D67A-42DB-B84D-C34100ADAE54(AT)bellsouth.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Oh boy, and here I just bought a used dual band mobile on the cheap
(no transmit) to take care of the birdy problem.
Do you have any idea why the birdy would show up on a different
radio? Could it be a matter of a lack of shielding? It just doesn't
make any sense to me why a different rig would get that interference
on receive, and even when using a different antenna.
Others have suggested using a preamp on 440, and turning off the
2000's internal preamp and lowering the rf gain, therefore using the
preamp to get rid of most of the birdy.
But I guess I'll find out for sure when my other rig gets here.
73 de W4AS
Sebastian
On Jul 24, 2008, at 7:00 PM, Bruce Robertson wrote:
> On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 11:31 PM, Mike Miller <mmiller(AT)nctc.com>
> wrote:
>> Thinking about selling 847.....Which rig is best for
>> satellite..work.?
>>
>> ICOM 910 H
>> Kenwood 2000
>>
>> opinions ....your 2 cents
>
> I own a TS-2000. The birdie problem on SO-50 and AO-27 is quite real,
> and there is no fix I know of. I find that the birdie is so bad that
> even if I use a different receiver on UHF, I pick up the birdie on it
> as well! So it is a worse radio regarding satellite work than the ICOM
> if you care to work these birds. However, if you consider the fact
> that a fine HF radio is thrown in at no extra cost, that there is
> continuously adjustable filtering also at no cost, you might prefer
> that trade-off. I'm reasonably pleased with mine.
>
> However, if money were no issue, I would get the ICOM for satellite
> work and a different HF radio with even better characteristics.
>
> HTH,
>
> 73, Bruce
> VE9QRP
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB(AT)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
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:57:31 -0500
From: "Dave hartzell" <hartzell(AT)gmail.com>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: VHF UHF Rig
To: "Mike Miller" <mmiller(AT)nctc.com>
Cc: amsat-bb(AT)amsat.org
Message-ID:
<1c096fd70807242057p2c107516l2cef446bb0de5909(AT)mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I think the 847 is the best rig for satellite work! ;-) In fact, I
just bought one...
Want to buy a FT-736r?
Dave
On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 9:31 PM, Mike Miller <mmiller(AT)nctc.com> wrote:
> Thinking about selling 847.....Which rig is best for satellite..work.?
>
> ICOM 910 H
> Kenwood 2000
>
> opinions ....your 2 cents
>
>
> Mike Miller KA5SMA
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB(AT)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(AT)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 372
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