| |
CX2SA > SATDIG 01.12.13 16:56l 924 Lines 32394 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : AMSATBB8432
Read: GUEST
Subj: AMSAT-BB-digest V8 432
Path: IZ3LSV<IK2XDE<ON4HU<IW0QNL<JH4XSY<JE7YGF<7M3TJZ<CX2SA
Sent: 131201/1448Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SA #:1068 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:AMSATBB8432
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SA
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. SpaceX Might Try Launching Monday (B J)
2. Nova For Windows (Kelley Shaddrick)
3. As new VHF & UHF CP Antennas for sale (Clayton Coleman)
4. ICube-1 reception reports wanted (Andrew Garratt)
5. ANS-335 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins (Lee McLamb)
6. AO-73 now on oscar.dcarr.org (David Carr)
7. Re: AO-73 now on oscar.dcarr.org (John Fickes)
8. AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations
(Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK))
9. CAPE-2 CW over Brazil (Roland Zurmely)
10. Re: AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations (Mike Seguin)
11. Re: AO-73 now on oscar.dcarr.org (Mark L. Hammond)
12. Re: AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations (Mark L. Hammond)
13. Any k3 users? (Lawn, Richard)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 20:09:00 +0000
From: B J <va6bmj@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] SpaceX Might Try Launching Monday
Message-ID:
<CAP7QzkN+h6=bZzQ4KNHyTM-y1vDDyCVB5dp8quzLUNn0ZVHAew@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/11/30/spacex-aiming-falcon-9-launch-attempt-m
onday-evening/
73s
Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 15:25:55 -0600
From: Kelley Shaddrick <kshaddrick@xxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Nova For Windows
Message-ID: <529A57E3.906@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I've owned Nova for a number of years but recently had to reload it when
I upgraded my PC. For some reason, the maps don't seem to look the same
as they used to. Is there a separate download for better maps? I've been
to the website, but can't seem to find anything.
Thanks,
Kelley
--
Kelley - W?RK
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 16:38:36 -0600
From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] As new VHF & UHF CP Antennas for sale
Message-ID:
<CAPovOwc9MTE7ca6sObRsS6AS_vPPSygNCih+mGA279kYuyS_7g@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I purchased two antennas from Gulf Alpha and waited many months for
delivery from the manufacturer. The craftsmanship and assembly is
exceptional. However, I have changed my station and will not be
putting these antennas into service.
These antennas have been assembled but have never seen "the light of
day." I have pictures available upon request. I will disassemble and
pack as neatly as they were sent to me.
The VHF antenna is a circularly polarized 5x5. The UHF antenna is a
circularly polarized 8x8.
Detailed specifications are below.
For sale only as a pair. $400 FIRM shipped CONUS. I will ship
international however the price will be adjusted to compensate for
tax, duty, and additional handing. Willing to deliver anywhere
between Dallas and Houston, Texas on I-45 at same price assembled.
73
Clayton
W5PFG
VHF
Model No. 2M-5ELSat
Boom Length-92"
Boom dia. -1 1/4" dia.
No. of elements-5 vertical 5 horizontal
Freq. range-145-146.5 MHZ
Feed Point Impedance-50 Ohms
Power Handling-400 watts
Forward Gain-8.30 dbdc
Front to Back ratio-24 db
Beamwidth Azimuth @ 3db- 52.0 degrees
Beamwidth Elevation@ 3db-67.0 degrees
UHF
Model No. 70CM-8ELSat
Boom Length-67"
Boom dia. -1 1/4" dia.
No. of elements-8 vertical 8 horizontal
Freq. range-430-438 MHZ
Feed Point Impedance-50 Ohms
Feed Connector- type N
Power Handling-400 watts
Forward Gain-11.40 dbdc
Front to Back ratio-53 db
Beamwidth Azimuth @ 3db- 40.0 degrees
Beamwidth Elevation@ 3db-43.6 degrees
Mast mounting dia.-1 1/4" to 2" dia.
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 22:53:11 +0000
From: Andrew Garratt <nerdsville@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] ICube-1 reception reports wanted
Message-ID:
<CANGEmwbNbE_dcxqSH1efntFnaNOszVtBBX0dArA+Xdv9pCR10g@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I have been messaging with Khurram Khurshid the manager of the ICube-1 team
and they are struggling a little
".. we received icube for a couple of days using FunCube / HumSat TLE's but
not anymore we are looking for our own TLE's but haven't been able to track
icube for the past few days"
They may officially ask for assistance but after unexpectedly making the
first signal report back on the 21st November, I thought I was just ask if
anyone could keep an ear out.
ICube-1 was released as part of the UNISAT-5 payload and if still
functional is in CW mode on 145.947MHz and the message is "First Cubesat of
Pakistan"
Some info/links
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/25/unisat-5-mission-update-november-24/
http://nerdsville.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/im-famous-and-icube-1-move-and-velox.
html
The ICube-1 facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ICUBE1
Thanks
Andrew Garratt M6GTG
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 2013 21:54:00 -0500
From: Lee McLamb <ku4os@xxx.xx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] ANS-335 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
Message-ID: <DA.A6.25023.7D4AA925@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-335
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* November/December 2013 AMSAT Journal is Ready
* Commands for WREN SSTV Released
* FUNcube - AO73 Data Warehouse
* South Africa ZACube-1 Now Named TshepisoSat
* AMSAT in the Press
* AMSAT SKN ON OSCAR 2014 IN MEMORY OF W2LV
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-335.01
ANS-335 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 335.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 1, 2013
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-335.01
November/December 2013 AMSAT Journal is Ready
The November/December 2013 issue of the AMSAT Journal is complete
and has been sent to the print shop. It should be on the way to your
mailbox during the coming weeks.
Here are some highlights of what you will find in this issue:
+ AMSAT Announcements
+ Apogee View by Barry Baines, WD4ASW
+ Cubesat De-orbits in Hampton Roads by Richard Siff, W4BUE
+ Low Cost DVB-S Receivers Suitable for HAMTV Reception
by Bill Ress, N6GHZ
+ November 19 Minotaur ELaNa Cubesat Frequency Summary
+ AMSAT at Texas Ham-Com 2013
+ AMSAT Field Activities Summer 2013
+ Part 1 - Fox-2 Maximum Power Point Tracker Series
by Brenton Salmi, KB1LQD and Bryce Salmi, KB1LQC
+ EMike McCardel, KC8YLD Appointed AMSAT Vice President-Educational
Relations
+ November 21 DNEPR Launch Cubesat Summary
+ The Gizmo - A Homebrew Equatorial Antenna Mount
by Arthur Payne, VE3GNF
+ Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK Named New Vice President Field Operations
+ KA6SIP Portable Satellite Grid Expedition by Tom Deeble, KA6SIP
with observations from John Papay, K8YSE about The USA Lower 48
Worked all 488 Grids non-Award
The AMSAT Journal is a membership benefit AMSAT-NA. For more infor-
mation on how to join see: http://ww2.amsat.org/?page_id=1095
We'll help you get your article about your projects, trips,
hamfests, operating into the Journal. For more information see:
http://ww2.amsat.org/?page_id=1709 for tips on how to get started!
[ANS thanks the Journal Editor JoAnne, K9JKM; and Journal Editorial
team: Mike, K4ERA; James, K3JPH; Bernhard, VA6BMJ, and Douglas,
KA2UPW/5 for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Commands for WREN SSTV Released
It is believed that the SSTV PocketQube WREN is currently in a mode where it
beacons on 437.405 MHz for 1.6 seconds then listens for 6 minutes on that
frequency for any commands. If none are received it goes to sleep for 2
minutes
before transmitting the beacon again.
The WREN team have released the following information on their Facebook page
to
enable radio amateurs to activate the WREN SSTV transmitter.
BASIC COMMANDS
Commands to WREN are sent by toggling the carrier [of a FM transmitter]:
Carrier on/off: 1=long, 0=short, leave a noticeable silence between the bits.
? Activate/HK: 110011
? wait until answer [should be within 2 seconds]
? Camera ON: 11111
? wait until answer
? Snapshot & Thumbnail receive: 110
? decoder should display thumbnail picture 12*14 pixel can repeat this command
until something useable appears
? SSTV send: 110100
? martin-1 SSTV picture comes? in 320?240 pixels color
Wren should answer to the commands within two seconds.
Wait always at least two seconds after having received data before sending to
WREN
Notice:
Send the Activate/HK command first, else WREN won?t react to other commands.
When camera is OFF, a snapshot or SSTV command will send WREN into sleep mode.
ALWAYS SWITCH CAMERA ON FIRST BEFORE SENDING CAMERA COMMANDS.
WREN?s housekeeping data will show the status of camera power (ON or OFF).
The Telemetry Decoder and an Audio File of the beacon are available at
http://we.tl/TkWEuhIlnF
WREN on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/StaDoKo
WREN a Ham Radio Slow Scan TV PocketQube Satellite
http://amsat-uk.org/2013/10/24/wren-a-ham-radio-sstv-pocketqube/
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
FUNcube - AO73 Data Warehouse
Since the acquisition of the first signal by ZS1LS on Thursday 21st Nov. there
has been a steady
stream of data flowing in.
A few warehouse statistics as at 12:00 UTC, Nov. 28th 2013:
- over 12MB of unique data uploaded and stored
- 424 user registrations since 2013-11-17
- 319 users have have uploading data
- 41388 Real-time entries
- 11754 Whole Orbit Data entries
- 77940 High Resolution entries
Graphs of WOD and HighRes data are now on the web site:
https://warehouse.funcube.org.uk
Thanks go to all the individuals and groups who are helping to characterise
the
performance of the satellite by uploading the data. Please keep it coming and
spread
the word about how to get involved.
The main source of information is at: http://www.funcube.org.uk
There is also a support forum at: http://forum.funcube.org.uk
[ANS thanks Dave, G4DPZ, for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
South Africa ZACube-1 Now Named TshepisoSat
The South African Radio League posted this news in their SARL News
Sunday November 24 Bulletins:
On Thursday 21 November 2013 the French South African Institute of
Technology (F'SATI), at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology,
made history by being the first in South Africa, and indeed the first
in Africa, to launch a locally built nano satellite into orbit from a
site in Russia.
Deon Coetzee, ZR1DE, who represented SA AMSAT at a ceremony held in
the auditorium at the university campus reports that Vice Chancellor,
Prof. Vuyisa Mazwi-Tonga, paid tribute to all at the university who
made this achievement possible, and said she was immensely proud of
being part of it all.
Original known as ZACube-1, the satellite has been named TshepisoSat,
after a competition held for Grade 9 learners. Tshepiso is the seSotho
word meaning promise.
The launch was the culmination of five years' work after the first
proposal to build a small satellite as part of the engineering
curriculum was put forward by Professor Robert van Zyl in February
2008. Co-operation of the French Government made possible the forming
of F'SATI and the French Ambassador in South Africa, Elizabeth
Barbier, during a video address, promised continued support by France
for the programme.
ZACUBE-1 was one of fourteen cubesats aboard the thirty metre tall,
three stage rocket. All the cubesats were successfully released at a
height of 600 km above the Earth. TshepisoSat will circle the Earth up
to fifteen times per day in a polar orbit.
"At 11h13 the first signals from ZACUBE-1 were received amongst loud
cheers", Deon said. According to Francois Visser, ZS1CED, who was the
principal engineer and student mentor, the satellite was functioning
well. The satellite also includes a small camera which will be used to
monitor the releases of the 20 metre beacon antenna. The beacon will
operate on 14 099 kHz and will be used to characterise the Superdarn
antennas at the Antarctic which are used to study the ionosphere. A
UHF beacon operates on 437,345 MHz. Follow progress at
www.cput.ac.za/fsati and www.amsatsa.org.za
[ANS thanks the South African Radio League for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT in the Press
+ The Fall 2013 issue of CQ VHF published an article by George Carr,
WA5KBH. George wrote about his experiences as "Being the QSL Manager
for CO6CBF." The article begins on page 30.
+ The Fall 2013 issue of CQ VHF also includes the regular Satellites
column by Keith Pugh, W5IU. Keith writes about amateur radio's 30th
anniversary in manned space flight, the upcoming HAMTV experiment on
the ISS, and FUNcube. Keith's column begins on page 60.
[ANS thanks JoAnne, K9JKM, for the above information]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT SKN ON OSCAR 2014 IN MEMORY OF W2LV
You are cordially invited to participate in Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2014,
sponsored by AMSAT for all radio amateurs throughout the world.
Operate CW through any amateur satellite from
0001 through 2400 UTC on 1 January
2014, using a manual, non-electronic key. Note that bugs are now allowed, as
they are in similar ARRL and SKCC events.
There is no need to send in a log, but please nominate someone you worked for
Best Fist. Your nominee need not have the best
fist of those you heard, just of
those you worked. Send your nomination to w2rs@xxxxx.xxx.. A list of those
nominated will be published in early February.
This year?s event is being held in memory of Robert Morris (1902-1997), W2LV.
Bob?s amateur and professional career in radio literally spanned the era from
spark to satellite. One of the first to work across the Atlantic in 1923, he
also received Satellite DXCC No. 2 in 1979. Bob was featured in the PBS-TV
documentary, ?Empire of the Air.?
[ANS thanks Ray, W2RS, for the above information]
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the
President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining
donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.
Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Lee McLamb, KU4OS
ku4os at amsat dot org
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 00:06:40 -0600
From: David Carr <dc@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-73 now on oscar.dcarr.org
Message-ID: <59205D6F-6D99-4B29-8C1E-95BA954776EA@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I have been out of town for several days, but AO-73 should now be active on
oscar.dcarr.org. Please enjoy!
73s,
David Carr
KD5QGR
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 00:31:38 -0600
From: John Fickes <kc0bmf@xxxxx.xxx>
To: David Carr <dc@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-73 now on oscar.dcarr.org
Message-ID:
<CAG-+cOackHRq5=qVffnOdZJyi_94ZT=fBKkunrUvCeBwga9KGA@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
David
Thank you for all that you do. Question, I only listened to the telemetry
last pass,I didn't listen for the transponder, so I can list it as
downlinkonly but don't want to send the message that the transponder
may of not
been working. I wonder if a separate category for telemetry like the
ISSwould be beneficial ?
Thanks John KC0BMF
On Sun, Dec 1, 2013 at 12:06 AM, David Carr <dc@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
> I have been out of town for several days, but AO-73 should now be active
> on oscar.dcarr.org. Please enjoy!
>
> 73s,
> David Carr
> KD5QGR
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 8
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 00:46:49 -0800 (PST)
From: "Patrick STODDARD \(WD9EWK/VA7EWK\)" <amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations
Message-ID:
<1385887609.34010.YahooMailBasic@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hi!
Over the past few nights, I've been working the new AO-73
satellite from my back yard. Most of the time, I have been
using my normal portable all-mode satellite station - two
Yaesu FT-817NDs, Elk handheld 2m/70cm log periodic
antenna. Last night, I replaced one of the FT-817NDs with
a Kenwood TH-F6A - using its all-mode receiver to copy the
downlink. Tonight, I used an Icom IC-R20 receiver for the
downlink. I have used these radios in the past on other
satellites, and for some hamfest demonstrations on VO-52
I have used the FT-817ND/TH-F6A combination. I have
made a series of videos (satellite audio combined with
slideshows) from several AO-73 passes I've worked this
week, and those are available at:
http://www.youtube.com/va7ewk
One of the AO-73 videos I recorded contains audio from two
passes, and is about twice as long as the others which have
audio from a single pass.
After working these passes, I am convinced that this new
satellite performs as well as VO-52, for both its uplink and
downlink. This is a very good thing! AO-73 hears very well,
as long as I'm careful to match the polarization of the satellite's
antennas. The downlink is strong enough to allow me to use
any of these radios as the receiver on higher passes. For
lower passes, I would probably use my second FT-817ND for
the downlink receiver. It is good to know that, at least on the
higher passes, there are lots of options for a downlink receiver.
On the same higher passes, I know that I can cut my power
down from 5W to 1W and even 500mW. High power is not
necessary to be heard through the transponder.
Next project for me with this satellite: using a FUNcube Dongle
Pro+ that I have had for a few months as the downlink receiver,
for both the transponder and telemetry, while working the
transponder with an FT-817ND as my transmit radio. I reinstalled
HDSDR and its ExtIO DLL for the Pro+ dongle on my 64-bit
Windows 7 laptop, and it is working well. I have downloaded the
FUNcube-1 dashboard software, and need to get that installed.
I also have an old netbook with Linux on it, and am curious to
see how the dongle works with that operating system. I am
hoping to be able to use the dongle and a laptop as the downlink
receiver, without being wiped out by the 5W signals from an
FT-817ND.
If this is successful, I may have a new combination for my all-
mode satellite station I can use for upcoming demonstrations.
Using the dongle and dashboard software during daytime AO-73
passes at hamfests would be something different, and a great
thing to show off to the hamfest crowds.
Thanks, again, to all who worked on getting this satellite built
and launched. Even with the transponder on only for the nighttime
passes, it has been fun to be on a new satellite so soon after
its launch. Time for bed... 73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 03:30:55 -0800 (PST)
From: Roland Zurmely <py4zbz@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] CAPE-2 CW over Brazil
Message-ID:
<1385897455.33051.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
http://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/cape.htm
73 de Roland PY4ZBZ
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 07:39:53 -0500
From: Mike Seguin <n1jez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations
Message-ID: <9a2dcbcbfe001f70635a387af72e51f9@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
If you're using FT-817's, why not install a Panadapter interface and
then use both the 817 and a Funcube. I wrote an article for the AMSAT
BB, but it hasn't been published yet.
The article and boards for the project are available here:
http://www.w1ghz.org/small_proj/small_proj.htm
Scroll about half way down the page. Quite a few of us use the Funcube
and FT-817 for Microwave work.
Mike
---
73,
Mike, N1JEZ
"A closed mouth gathers no feet"
On Sun, 1 Dec 2013 00:46:49 -0800 (PST), Patrick STODDARD
(WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote:
> Hi!
>
> Over the past few nights, I've been working the new AO-73
> satellite from my back yard. Most of the time, I have been
> using my normal portable all-mode satellite station - two
> Yaesu FT-817NDs, Elk handheld 2m/70cm log periodic
> antenna. Last night, I replaced one of the FT-817NDs with
> a Kenwood TH-F6A - using its all-mode receiver to copy the
> downlink. Tonight, I used an Icom IC-R20 receiver for the
> downlink. I have used these radios in the past on other
> satellites, and for some hamfest demonstrations on VO-52
> I have used the FT-817ND/TH-F6A combination. I have
> made a series of videos (satellite audio combined with
> slideshows) from several AO-73 passes I've worked this
> week, and those are available at:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/va7ewk
>
> One of the AO-73 videos I recorded contains audio from two
> passes, and is about twice as long as the others which have
> audio from a single pass.
>
> After working these passes, I am convinced that this new
> satellite performs as well as VO-52, for both its uplink and
> downlink. This is a very good thing! AO-73 hears very well,
> as long as I'm careful to match the polarization of the satellite's
> antennas. The downlink is strong enough to allow me to use
> any of these radios as the receiver on higher passes. For
> lower passes, I would probably use my second FT-817ND for
> the downlink receiver. It is good to know that, at least on the
> higher passes, there are lots of options for a downlink receiver.
> On the same higher passes, I know that I can cut my power
> down from 5W to 1W and even 500mW. High power is not
> necessary to be heard through the transponder.
>
> Next project for me with this satellite: using a FUNcube Dongle
> Pro+ that I have had for a few months as the downlink receiver,
> for both the transponder and telemetry, while working the
> transponder with an FT-817ND as my transmit radio. I reinstalled
> HDSDR and its ExtIO DLL for the Pro+ dongle on my 64-bit
> Windows 7 laptop, and it is working well. I have downloaded the
> FUNcube-1 dashboard software, and need to get that installed.
> I also have an old netbook with Linux on it, and am curious to
> see how the dongle works with that operating system. I am
> hoping to be able to use the dongle and a laptop as the downlink
> receiver, without being wiped out by the 5W signals from an
> FT-817ND.
>
> If this is successful, I may have a new combination for my all-
> mode satellite station I can use for upcoming demonstrations.
> Using the dongle and dashboard software during daytime AO-73
> passes at hamfests would be something different, and a great
> thing to show off to the hamfest crowds.
>
> Thanks, again, to all who worked on getting this satellite built
> and launched. Even with the transponder on only for the nighttime
> passes, it has been fun to be on a new satellite so soon after
> its launch. Time for bed... 73!
>
>
>
>
>
> Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
> http://www.wd9ewk.net/
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 11
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:53:26 -0500
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>
To: David Carr <dc@xxxxx.xxx>, AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-73 now on oscar.dcarr.org
Message-ID: <529b3f57.894aec0a.31fd.ffffc5cb@xx.xxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Thank you, David!! I've been wishing for this...
73,
Mark N8MH
At 12:06 AM 12/1/2013 -0600, David Carr wrote:
>I have been out of town for several days, but AO-73 should now be active on
oscar.dcarr.org. Please enjoy!
>
>73s,
>David Carr
>KD5QGR
>_______________________________________________
>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: 12
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 09:12:58 -0500
From: "Mark L. Hammond" <marklhammond@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxxx.xxxx amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations
Message-ID: <529b43eb.899eec0a.5b5c.3f0b@xx.xxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi Patrick,
Great sharing of your experiences---thanks! Nice to have AO-73 operations
futher characterized.
Regarding the Funcube Dongle Pro Plus (FCDP+)---you should enjoy the
experience of learning how to use it! It's such a neat receiver.
Some quick thoughts/pointers/questions:
Are you planning to capture telemetry and work the transponder
simultaneously during evening passes? It might work, depending on your
antenna system, especially if you can get buy with only 500mW uplink. I'll
be interested in your experiences with this...
There is one thing to remember--you'll need two audio streams decoding at
the same time. SDR-Radio V2.1 will do this, with "VFO A" and "VFO B".
They each have separate audio out selections, so you can pipe the telemetry
to something like VB Audio Virtual Cable into the Dashboard, and the other
VFO and audio stream to your laptop speakers or headphone jack. SDR-Radio
V2.1 also has built in satellite tracking for doppler correction, and you
can record the pass at the same time!
On the other hand----if you don't want to try to do telemetry and the
transponder simultaneously, you have some more options...
SatPC32 has great DDE support, and you can use that with either HDSDR or
SDRSharp to tune your FCDP+ as a separate receiver. It works great, and
it's pretty easy to do, if you want your receiver following the
Doppler/frequency from SatPC32.
Now, if you want to use your FCDP+ as a receiver AND be able to click on a
frequency and have the transmit match it---that's another trickier setup
involving HDSDR, SatPC32, and virtual comports. It works and is slick, but
it's not for the faint of heart. You can read about that setup here:
http://www.tomdoyle.org/FUNcube-SatPC32/FUNcube-SatPC32.html
I did similar to that writeup by Tom, but found I could do 56k serial port
speeds just fine.
Have fun!
73,
So, lots of options..
At 12:46 AM 12/1/2013 -0800, Patrick STODDARD \(WD9EWK/VA7EWK\) wrote:
>Hi!
>
>Over the past few nights, I've been working the new AO-73
>satellite from my back yard. Most of the time, I have been
>using my normal portable all-mode satellite station - two
>Yaesu FT-817NDs, Elk handheld 2m/70cm log periodic
>antenna. Last night, I replaced one of the FT-817NDs with
>a Kenwood TH-F6A - using its all-mode receiver to copy the
>downlink. Tonight, I used an Icom IC-R20 receiver for the
>downlink. I have used these radios in the past on other
>satellites, and for some hamfest demonstrations on VO-52
>I have used the FT-817ND/TH-F6A combination. I have
>made a series of videos (satellite audio combined with
>slideshows) from several AO-73 passes I've worked this
>week, and those are available at:
>
>http://www.youtube.com/va7ewk
>
>One of the AO-73 videos I recorded contains audio from two
>passes, and is about twice as long as the others which have
>audio from a single pass.
>
>After working these passes, I am convinced that this new
>satellite performs as well as VO-52, for both its uplink and
>downlink. This is a very good thing! AO-73 hears very well,
>as long as I'm careful to match the polarization of the satellite's
>antennas. The downlink is strong enough to allow me to use
>any of these radios as the receiver on higher passes. For
>lower passes, I would probably use my second FT-817ND for
>the downlink receiver. It is good to know that, at least on the
>higher passes, there are lots of options for a downlink receiver.
>On the same higher passes, I know that I can cut my power
>down from 5W to 1W and even 500mW. High power is not
>necessary to be heard through the transponder.
>
>Next project for me with this satellite: using a FUNcube Dongle
>Pro+ that I have had for a few months as the downlink receiver,
>for both the transponder and telemetry, while working the
>transponder with an FT-817ND as my transmit radio. I reinstalled
>HDSDR and its ExtIO DLL for the Pro+ dongle on my 64-bit
>Windows 7 laptop, and it is working well. I have downloaded the
>FUNcube-1 dashboard software, and need to get that installed.
>I also have an old netbook with Linux on it, and am curious to
>see how the dongle works with that operating system. I am
>hoping to be able to use the dongle and a laptop as the downlink
>receiver, without being wiped out by the 5W signals from an
>FT-817ND.
>
>If this is successful, I may have a new combination for my all-
>mode satellite station I can use for upcoming demonstrations.
>Using the dongle and dashboard software during daytime AO-73
>passes at hamfests would be something different, and a great
>thing to show off to the hamfest crowds.
>
>Thanks, again, to all who worked on getting this satellite built
>and launched. Even with the transponder on only for the nighttime
>passes, it has been fun to be on a new satellite so soon after
>its launch. Time for bed... 73!
>
>
>
>
>
>Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
>http://www.wd9ewk.net/
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>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: 13
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 09:45:47 -0500
From: "Lawn, Richard" <RLawn@xxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Any k3 users?
Message-ID: <901FE061-46F2-4CB6-9586-EFECF2C80D46@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I've had some frustrations lately with my current satellite stations and am
looking for alternatives, but they must offer panadapter options. I was
looking at the k3 since I have a kx3 and found it to be an excellent radio.
But the question then becomes what tracking software supports the elecraft
radios. Let me know of you are using any elecraft products.
Rick
W2JAZ
Sent from my iPad
http://RickLawn.com
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
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 8, Issue 432
****************************************
Read previous mail | Read next mail
| |
