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CX2SA > SATDIG 04.01.11 21:05l 375 Lines 13883 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Sent: 110104/2003Z @:CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA #:43256 [Minas] FBB7.00e $:AMSATBB68
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: Need Advice for SDR choice (Sebastian)
2. HO-68 comments. (John Hackett)
3. Re: ISS visable (John Floyd)
4. Re: HO-68 comments. (w4upd)
5. K5VGUs Portable EM67 Results (K5VGU Duane Vigue)
6. Satellite Presentation at Murray State University, KY
(Clint Bradford)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 10:07:06 -0500
From: Sebastian <w4as@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Need Advice for SDR choice
To: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>, amsat-bb
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <EA356622-7DEC-4A03-B9BE-056AA07D9E7A@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
For someone who already owns an Icom R-7000, a $20 Softrock kit with the
appropriate crystal for 10.7 MHz, connected to the IF output and a good
sound card, will be able to display a 96 kHz bandwidth. The Softrock in
this case would basically be a slave to the R-7000, whatever mode or
frequency the R-7000 can use, the Softrock would display on a monitor and
output the audio. A very inexpensive, yet very desirable addition to a
station.
There will soon (in a matter of weeks) be a UHFSDR available, which is a low
power TRANSCEIVER, at about the same price as the FCD, however that won't be
as simple as a plug and play USB device.
There is also a $74 Softrock HF 1 watt transceiver available; I have one on
my bench which will be my next project. And there are also inexpensive
(under $100) kits for amplifiers with around 20 watts output available from
TAPR.
Using these inexpensive devices, along with free software such as SDR-Radio
(by the same author of Ham Radio Deluxe) is an eye opening experience when
compared with many of today's expensive HF rigs.
There are also 'beta' Softrocks that cover up to 144 MHz. The near future
certainly holds a lot of promise for even better inexpensive SDR
transceivers. The FCD looks like a great deal, and I plan to order one when
they become available again.
73 de Sebastian, W4AS
On Jan 4, 2011, at 7:21 AM, Mark L. Hammond wrote:
> I think the most significant difference between the FCD and the Softrocks
is FREQUENCY, isn't it? Are there Softrocks that will do 64-1700 MHz?
>
> I don't remember for sure, but I thought the Softrocks are good only up to
30 or 50 MHz. The FCD is from 60-ish to 1.7GHz. That makes them apples to
oranges in comparison.
>
> So, if I have this right, I would need a Softrock and what---two or three
downconverters?--to cover just 2M, 70cm, and 23 cm. Oh, add a sound card.
That's more than the cost of a FCD shipped to the US...
>
> If you're using an IF of a receiver, you need the receiver!! and the
Softrock. And a sound card.
>
> I have three Softrock kits sitting on the bench right now, for those exact
reasons above. The FCD is a one piece, plug and play solution for the
bands I wanted to work (VHF, UHF). There really isn't a better option, far
as I can tell...
>
> 73,
>
> Mark N8MH
>
>
>
>
>
> At 05:19 AM 1/4/2011 +0000, you wrote:
>> He could go with a 10.7 MHz fixed IF Softrock for about $30 (with the
special crystal) instead of $175 for the FCD and maybe have a chance at
getting one sooner than later if he really wanted to use it with the ICOM.
>>
>> A soundcard is needed for a softrock, but I have used a $50 USB one in
the past from China no problem if he can't use the built in one (like on a
laptop).
>>
>> Fred
>>
>> Jan 3, 2011 06:26:01 PM, amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx wrote:
>>
>> ===========================================
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2011 14:26:55 -0700
>>> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
>>> From: vlfiscus@xxx.xxx
>>> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Need Advice for SDR choice
>>>
>>> At 06:25 PM 1/2/2011 -0500, marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm going to look into SDR. My Icom r-7100 has an IF out jack I could
feed
>>> into a unit.
>>>
>>
>> That was my first thought too, but R-7000 receiver's IF is at 10.7 MHz
and the FCD only goes down to 64 MHz.
>>
>> On the other hand, the R7000's tuning range isn't that different from the
FCD, and I bet the FCD has better specs, so why bother with the receiver?
>>
>> Greg KO6TH
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 10:50:05 +0100
From: John Hackett <archie.hackett@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] HO-68 comments.
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: eu-amsat@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <SNT104-W333FA36607B06BFBA42F0E91080@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Once again, I note the whinging about HO-68's orbit not being suitable for a
particular station ... or two.
I'd like to remind the gentlemen concerned that HO-68's on time is NOT
designed to favour one particular area. Please remember, it's a Chinese
satellite and we should abide by and respect their decision of when to
activate the transponder.
For my own use,the HO-68 late afternoon GMT 'on' times are optimum.
Conversly, I 'could' complain about the ISS orbit - (but I don't) -only
'seeing it at max 6 degrees for 90 seconds every 2 days - (read: unworkable
from my QTH), dirro SO-50, AO-27 and VO-52.
What may be poor for one operator could be optimum for another.
Please remember, the world consists of more than The United States Of
America and Southern Europe.
73 John. <la2qaa@xxxxx.xxx>
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 17:00:03 +0000
From: John Floyd <JFloyd@xx.xxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS visable
To: Jim Jerzycke <kq6ea@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<D779305FD025444BB0E13FCAE75E477E1DF5AA02@xxxxxxx.xxxx.xxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I have the same set-up and problem. I haven't tried it yet but a wise and
trusted friend told me the issue was a saggy power supply in the controller.
When the motors were running there was less voltage to the end of the pot
for position information and when the motors stop more voltage and bang
position error that needs to be corrected. motors back on etc. He
suggested large electrolytics on the dc rail and smaller caps on the
position voltage. all external to the controller so easy to try but too busy
to play right now. Another alternative was additional voltage regulation on
the ends of the pots. If it works please let me know.
John
KN4GE
________________________________________
From: amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxx [amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx on behalf of
Jim Jerzycke [kq6ea@xxxxxxx.xxxx
Sent: 04 January 2011 00:03
To: gerhardstein@xxxxxxx.xxx
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS visable
What tracking program are you running? I know in the "Rotor Setup" of
SatPC32 there are parameters that you can adjust that will 'smooth out'
a lot of the start/stop jerkiness. You can command the rotor to move at
specified time intervals, or when the tracked object changes position by
an adjustable number of degrees.
You also have to consider the pattern of your antenna. If the 3dB points
of your antenna are 30*, it makes _no_ sense to move them every 5*. The
first time I ran a PC controlled Az/El setup I was using one of the
"Ultimate Charger" controllers, and I didn't think to 'open up' the
dead-band setting. I thought the antennas were going to shake themselves
(and the tower!) apart.
I don't recall the settings I'm using with SatPC32 and my Fox Delta LVB
'clone', but it tracks very smoothly. with little antenna shake.
Jim KQ6EA
On 01/04/2011 01:00 AM, Larry Gerhardstein wrote:
> My 5500 az/el does the same thing.
>
> Larry W7IN
>
> On 1/2/2011 6:53 PM, Bob- W7LRD wrote:
>
>> Happy New Year
>>
>> I just watched the ISS pass over Seattle. Always glad to help! I was
watching my satellite array track the ISS and noticed how "jerky" it is
every time it increments. I have a 5400 az/el with LVB tracker. Made me
wonder if I could get more life out of the rotors if there were a "soft
start" of sorts for the rotors. The bouncing back and forth with each
adjustment made me think the gears are getting a workout.
>>
>> 73 Bob W7LRD
>>
>> Seattle
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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@xxxxx.xxx. 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@xxxxx.xxx. 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: 4
Date: Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:23:46 -0500
From: w4upd <updwrb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HO-68 comments.
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <4D2357A2.4030209@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I resent being called a whinger! An observation was given and I
concurred. I have no problem with them doing what they want since it is
their satellite and I think everyone else feels the same. I stated a
fact, and may help others hoping to hear certain areas of the country on
the bird and not understand why they are not hearing them. We have many
other satellites to use and I endeavor to use them when I can.
Regards,
Reid, W4UPD
Amsat: 17002
On 1/4/2011 4:50 AM, John Hackett wrote:
> Once again, I note the whinging about HO-68's orbit not being suitable for
a particular station ... or two.
>
> I'd like to remind the gentlemen concerned that HO-68's on time is NOT
designed to favour one particular area. Please remember, it's a Chinese
satellite and we should abide by and respect their decision of when to
activate the transponder.
>
> For my own use,the HO-68 late afternoon GMT 'on' times are optimum.
>
> Conversly, I 'could' complain about the ISS orbit - (but I don't) -only
'seeing it at max 6 degrees for 90 seconds every 2 days - (read: unworkable
from my QTH), dirro SO-50, AO-27 and VO-52.
>
> What may be poor for one operator could be optimum for another.
>
> Please remember, the world consists of more than The United States Of
America and Southern Europe.
>
> 73 John.<la2qaa@xxxxx.xxx>
>
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2011 17:50:33 GMT
From: "K5VGU Duane Vigue" <k5vgu@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] K5VGUs Portable EM67 Results
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <20110104.115033.9422.1@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Just a small note to say a BIG thanks for all the contacts while I was on
vacation (working portable) in Kentucky for Christmas. I had a good time
and the bad weather held off until Christmas - we had a white Christmas on
top of it all.
I was able to work 5 passes on AO-27 and SO-50 combined ( four on 12/23 and
1 on 12/25 ) and successfully made 27 contacts. The pass on 12/25 was
straight TH-F6A HT and its Diamond SRH77CA antenna. The others were worked
via my "replica" arrow and mobile rigs in my truck.
Thanks to all operators that QSOd with me...I had a blast, as usual!
I have started sending out QSL cards for these contacts, so, IF you need
EM67, please email me the details of our QSO so that I can be sure not to
leave you out. Already have N8RO, AA5CK, and KE4KOL on my list.
Finally, I did NOT make it to EM68 this trip, but will be in EM67 several
times throughout the year, so I anticipate getting to EM68 at some point. I
will provide details when the time comes.
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL.
See you on the birds.
73 de K5VGU
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------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:47:11 -0800
From: Clint Bradford <clintbradford@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Satellite Presentation at Murray State
University, KY
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: ARISS-ops OPS <ariss-ops@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <F38B85E4-A511-43E7-8824-1045D7A9FC29@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
AMSAT area coordinator Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will be presenting his
"Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT" session at the February 1,
2011 meeting of the Murray State University Amateur Radio Club. ALL
are welcome to attend.
"MSUARC has been serving their region for fifty years," writes Clint.
"I am really looking forward to meeting the group!"
(Wait a sec - isn't Clint in California? What is he doing in
Kentucky? Too many frequent flier miles?)
Clint's out in Southern California - but has prepared a custom slideshow
for MSUARC, which will be displayed as Skype handles the session's
audio. "I'd much rather be there in person - but this arrangement has
worked quite successfully in the past. We'll have a great time!"
Attendees should visit Clint's Web site ahead of time at ...
http://www.work-sat.com
... and download the four-page .pdf tutorial. And he welcomes pre-
presentation questions - call him at 909-241-7666 (cell) or send
email to clint@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx .
/end/
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 6, Issue 8
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