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CX2SA > SATDIG 08.06.09 16:21l 902 Lines 37156 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: CP-6 Decode (Alan P. Biddle)
2. AO-7 Seattle to UK (w7lrd@xxxxxxx.xxxx
3. Re: HF satellite? (George Henry)
4. Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes by
band? (Jim Reisert AD1C)
5. Re: Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes
byband? (Andrew Glasbrenner)
6. Re: Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes
byband? (Andrew Glasbrenner)
7. Re: Where can I find a current listing of satellitemodes
byband? (n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx
8. KENWOOD TS-790A with 1.2ghz for sell (R. Chastain)
9. Re: unknown packet signal (Bob Bruninga )
10. Another satellite-receiver option (n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxxx
11. Re: Another satellite-receiver option (Rick - WA4NVM)
12. Re: Another satellite-receiver option (Howard Kowall)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 14:34:57 -0500
From: "Alan P. Biddle" <APBIDDLE@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: CP-6 Decode
To: "'James Denneny'" <57jndenneny@xxxxxxx.xxx>, "AMSAT-BB"
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <58223145A4C145D5A626FD6BACDA201E@xxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Jim,
In reverse order, you will need to change the DSP-2232 modem to the "1200
baud VHF." Modem 12 if you are using radio port 1, Modem 22 if you are
using radio port 2.
Note that there are two transmitters which alternate, several bursts from A,
then B. Mike, DK3WN, estimates the center frequency for COMM A = 437.3655
MHz and COMM B = 437.3664 MHz. Also, there is a slight frequency drift as
the satellite cycles from eclipse to sunlight.
Finally, I have found that the data bursts are not quite as regular as
advertised. Sometimes they come within seconds, usually every minute or so,
and occasionally there may be only one or two in a 10 minute period.
Alan
WA4SCA
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 20:46:38 +0000 (UTC)
From: w7lrd@xxxxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-7 Seattle to UK
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<1695724138.1544451244407598712.JavaMail.root@xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxxx.xx.xxxx
.xxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hello
There is a short "window" between Seattle (CN87) and Northern Europe at
2212Z.? I will be on 145.958 +/- a little.? Make my day!
73 Bob W7LRD
CN87
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 16:22:53 -0500
From: "George Henry" <ka3hsw@xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: HF satellite?
To: <G0MRF@xxx.xxx>, "amsat bb" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <2830DDE21C33465391688E4685D4E721@xxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Last I saw, he said "...we have not made up our minds" on the HF-to-HF
transponder.
A couple of years ago, when we were all talking about "Toss-Sats"
(ready-built satellites that could be flown on a moment's notice and
hand-launched from the shuttle or ISS, like SuitSat), I was going to
actually throw a Mode A transponder together from an old Sonar commercial
VHF rig on 2M, and an old CB (converted to 10M), just to satisfy myself that
it could be done that cheaply. Never got around to it, though....
Yet...
George, KA3HSW
----- Original Message -----
From: <G0MRF@xxx.xxx>
To: <ka3hsw@xxx.xxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 1:18 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: HF satellite?
[snip]
>
> Hi George.
>
> Good plan. But if Bob's plan for PSK31 is the same as PC Sat 2 you need
> to
> demodulate the PSK31 into audio and then connect that to a 2m FM
> transmitter. (Didn't Bob change his mind about the 24M TX in a later
> mail?)
>
> Need more detail from Bob I suspect.
>
> Thanks
>
> David
>
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 14:38:57 -0600
From: Jim Reisert AD1C <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Where can I find a current listing of satellite
modes by band?
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<806a89db0906071338s123ead36lc11f580cda59b6ea@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes by band?
I searched the AMSAT.ORG web site but could not find a list.
I found an old FAQ from 1994 but it only has a half-dozen modes listed.
I want something like this:
Mode A - 2m up / 10m down
Mode B - 70cm up / 2m down
Mode J - 2m up / 70 cm down
I'm trying to help debug some logging software with ARRL LoTW and want
to make sure we have it all right.
Thanks & 73 - Jim AD1C
--
Jim Reisert AD1C/?, <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>, http://www.ad1c.us
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 17:37:13 -0400
From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Where can I find a current listing of
satellite modes byband?
To: "Jim Reisert AD1C" <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <A8107079EA8F428097F5DEBEB4C53CCE@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
There are only a few others that use the single letters that I can think of:
K was 15m up, 10m down
T was 15m up, 2m down
The current convention is to use the uplink and downlink bands in a two
letter combo with the uplink capitalized. Mode B would be U/v, J is V/u.
AO-40 operated primarily in LU/s in this format.
The laminated AMSAT frequency guides have the new mode on them, as well as
the old designation.
A=10m
H=15m
V=2m
U=70cm
L=23cm
S=13cm
C=6cm
X=3cm
K=1.5cm
Hope that helps.
73, Drew KO4MA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Reisert AD1C" <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 4:38 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes
byband?
Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes by band?
I searched the AMSAT.ORG web site but could not find a list.
I found an old FAQ from 1994 but it only has a half-dozen modes listed.
I want something like this:
Mode A - 2m up / 10m down
Mode B - 70cm up / 2m down
Mode J - 2m up / 70 cm down
I'm trying to help debug some logging software with ARRL LoTW and want
to make sure we have it all right.
Thanks & 73 - Jim AD1C
--
Jim Reisert AD1C/?, <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>, http://www.ad1c.us
_______________________________________________
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: 6
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 17:42:51 -0400
From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Where can I find a current listing of
satellite modes byband?
To: "Jim Reisert AD1C" <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <5F5C903D8768498FBBEF60AB714EFA04@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Try here too, found with the search tool under the Navigator page on
amsat.org
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/sats_faq.html#RTFToC5
73, Drew KO4MA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Reisert AD1C" <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 4:38 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes
byband?
Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes by band?
I searched the AMSAT.ORG web site but could not find a list.
I found an old FAQ from 1994 but it only has a half-dozen modes listed.
I want something like this:
Mode A - 2m up / 10m down
Mode B - 70cm up / 2m down
Mode J - 2m up / 70 cm down
I'm trying to help debug some logging software with ARRL LoTW and want
to make sure we have it all right.
Thanks & 73 - Jim AD1C
--
Jim Reisert AD1C/?, <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>, http://www.ad1c.us
_______________________________________________
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: 7
Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:10:17 +0000
From: n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Where can I find a current listing of
satellitemodes byband?
To: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>, "Jim Reisert
AD1C" <jjreisert@xxxx.xxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID:
<060720092210.13881.4A2C3AC90004AC6F0000363922228869349B0A02D2089B9A019C
04040A0DBF049BCC02@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Thanks for this Drew.
I've converted the HTML document to a PDF, and I'll be happy to email it to
anyone who's interested in a copy. The PDF is 12 pages, and just over 97k.
My call @ amsat.org if you'd like the PDF.
73 to all,
Tim - N3TL
-------------- Original message from "Andrew Glasbrenner"
<glasbrenner@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>: --------------
> Try here too, found with the search tool under the Navigator page on
> amsat.org
>
> http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/sats_faq.html#RTFToC5
>
> 73, Drew KO4MA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Reisert AD1C"
> To:
> Sent: Sunday, June 07, 2009 4:38 PM
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes
> byband?
>
>
> Where can I find a current listing of satellite modes by band?
>
> I searched the AMSAT.ORG web site but could not find a list.
>
> I found an old FAQ from 1994 but it only has a half-dozen modes listed.
>
> I want something like this:
>
> Mode A - 2m up / 10m down
> Mode B - 70cm up / 2m down
> Mode J - 2m up / 70 cm down
>
> I'm trying to help debug some logging software with ARRL LoTW and want
> to make sure we have it all right.
>
> Thanks & 73 - Jim AD1C
>
> --
> Jim Reisert AD1C/?, , http://www.ad1c.us
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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: 8
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 15:50:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: "R. Chastain" <suenrod@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] KENWOOD TS-790A with 1.2ghz for sell
To: Amsat-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <67675.92256.qm@xxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Hi all,
?
I'm selling my Kenwood TS-790A with 1.2ghz, voice module, matching SP-31
external speaker, and (NIB) IF-232 computer module.
I'm basically selling most of my gear due to failing health.
?
The TS-790 is one of the best VHF/UHF radio's ever made. If you check the
reviews for this radio you will see what I'm talking about.
?
CTCSS/PL encode is built in?so getting into tone activated systems is a snap.
The radio does not have PL decoder modules but those are still available
through 3rd party makers if you need them. Most people don't.
?
I have the original box for the radio but I'm not sure if I have the speaker
box.
I do have the manual but it's a bit dog eared from use.
?
Sorry, but I will not seperate the package.
?
Cosmetically, I would rate the radio an 8+ on a scale of 10 only because of a
very small scratch on the far right side of the display. If you didn't know it
was there you wouldn't know it. It's really not worth mentioning but I trey to
decribe everything the best I can.
Also the plastic carrying handle on the side has been romoved by a previous
owner.
The screws are still there but the handle has been removed.
?
Electrically, the radio is a 10. NO problems whatsoever. It meets or exceeds
all manufacturers ratings.
?
Will sell all for $1300.00 plus shipping.
?
Thanks for looking,
RoD
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 20:47:02 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Bob Bruninga " <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: unknown packet signal
To: David J <n4csitwo@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID: <20090607204702.AJX11366@xxx.xxxxxxx.xxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> I'm in Orlando, Florida. Can someone let me know
> which satellite I just received around 20:54 UTC
> on 145.825 MHz running packet?
I am on a 1800 mile round trip too, and when I cant find anything else on 2m,
I let the radio sit on 145.825. Then when I hear ISS, then I know that I
will have passes 91 and 182 minutes later. Then for the rest of this trip, I
just remember that each day the pass is 23 minutes later or, every other day
the ground track repeates but 51 minutes earler each day, and I can always
predict when it will come over again.
When it does, I QSY the APRS side of my radio from 144.39 to 145.825 for the
pass, and I can work em. THen just remember when the next pass will be. You
dont need no PC... see http://www.aprs.org/MobileLEOtracking.html
So it was good to see ISS back on the air. There is a scientific team headed
to Mongolia and they hope to be able to communicate via APRS text message from
a handheld, and are dependend on ISS being on the air, and for ground stations
in Japan to hear them and IGate them into the APRS system.
Bob, WB4APR
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:07:19 +0000
From: n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Another satellite-receiver option
To: AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx
Message-ID:
<060820091307.2490.4A2D0D0700037A83000009BA22243651029B0A02D2089B9A019C0
4040A0DBF049BCC02@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hey everyone,
Over the weekend, I had a chance to do some more testing and experimenting ?
this time, with a Kenwood TH-F6A HT. My sincere thanks to Ed, N4ALE, who
loaned me his TH-F6A for the weekend. I picked it up Friday afternoon and
returned it Sunday afternoon, giving it a pretty good workout in the interim ?
well, part of it.
I can?t tell you how it performs on AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50 because I never
tried it with any of our FM satellites. In fact, I never keyed the radio?s
transmitter. Instead, I focused on its receiver.
The TH-F6A proved to be a capable receiver for use on AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52.
If you have an all-mode radio that will operate in CW and SSB on the UHF and
VHF bands, you can use the HT as your receiver for a full-duplex station that
will work our linear-transponder satellites. For the record, I believe the
current-production all-mode transceivers that are NOT full duplex include two
Icom models (IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000) and three Yaesu models (FT-817ND, FT-
857D and FT-897D). Anyone with one of these rigs and the Kenwood can do what I
did last weekend. Just add antennas, or a duplexer and a dual-band antenna.
There are plenty of workable options, including a good number of homebrew
antenna designs to consider.
I started out Friday evening just listening because I discovered I needed an
adapter to connect my headphones to the receiver jack on the radio, which
takes a 2.5 mm connector. Full-duplex contacts in SSB wouldn?t happen until I
had that, so I connected my Elk and configured the radio?s B-Band to receive
SSB in the 2 meter and 70 cm pass bands. It?s easy to set up, and the fine-
tuning feature permits tuning steps in CW or SSB as low as 33 Hz. I chose 100
Hz, which worked well. Switching from CW to SSB took only a few seconds.
Through the evening, I copied AO-7 on multiple passes to the east and west of
my location, and had reception below 4 degrees at the end of the passes, which
was encouraging.
Just before 03:00 UTC Friday evening, I had a VO-52 pass that reached a
maximum elevation of about 70 degrees here. I copied practically the whole
pass, hearing K8YSE work AA5PK and KB1PVH, and also clearly copying CW from
W8IJ. Here?s the fun part about that pass ? I was standing in my driveway,
using a Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip for an antenna. Having the ability to
copy pretty much the whole pass with just a whip helped me to see that the TH-
F6A probably would do OK as a satellite receiver.
After picking up the headphone adapter I needed Saturday morning, I started
working passes. Using an SMA-to-SO239 adapter, I connected the HT to the Elk
using a Diamond duplexer. I used either a Yaesu FT-857D or a Yaesu FT-817ND as
my transmit radio. The earliest afternoon pass of AO-7 hit 3.8 degrees maximum
elevation here, but I heard my CW signal and called CQ a few times with no
answer. The next pass of AO-7 was well over 30 degrees here, also to my east.
I worked N3TE in CW, then switched to SSB and moved up the pass band for a
voice contact with K3SZH. By then, AO-7 was descending to my north, so I
switched back to CW and started calling CQ ? primarily to see how long I could
hear myself through the HT on the downlink. I was thrilled when K4YYL called
me. When we finished that contact, AO-7 was at 2.6 degrees elevation according
to the computer.
I should mention here that I was manually tuning for Doppler throughout the
weekend, which also gave me a chance to use various software packages as my
?guides? for finding myself at the start of a pass. Ham Radio Deluxe?s
Satellite Tracker, Orbitron and SatPC 32 all proved very helpful. After
launching one of the programs and getting the Doppler tuning on screen, I just
followed their lead and found myself quickly, then stayed where I needed to be
? evening tuning up and down the pass band to call others I heard.
On the next pass of AO-7 (the last of Saturday evening for me), I worked K4YYL
again ? this time in SSB, and this time using an FT-817ND at 5 watts out for
my transmitter. Think about that ? a fully functional all-mode satellite
station that I could fit in a day pack with room to spare!
FO-29 later Saturday evening was frustrating only inasmuch as there weren?t
many folks around. The first pass here hit less than 20 degrees maximum
elevation to my east, and I called CQ in CW without a contact. The next pass
was about 70 degrees maximum elevation, and I talked to myself for the first
2/3 of the pass before switching over to VO-52, which was also in range at
about the same time. K9QHO and I had a nice contact in SSB.
Sunday morning, I only wanted to get some contacts on FO-29 because I promised
to return the radio that afternoon. I worked Dave, W8IJ, and Leo, W7JPI, in
SSB. Seven contacts in all, covering all three CW/SSB satellites and both
modes, and all of them using the Kenwood HT as my receive radio. I could have
made additional contacts if the satellites ? especially FO-29 ? had been
busier on the passes I worked.
A lot of AMSAT members do demos for radio clubs and other groups from time to
time, and I decided to post this report on the TH-F6A with that in mind. I
know that many who do demos often schedule them to coincide with passes of the
FM LEO satellites ? and there?s nothing wrong with that. But AO-7 and AO-51
often make evening passes, for example, that are within 30-40 minutes of each
other. It occurs to me that letting folks hear satellite contacts in CW and
SSB over a satellite that has completed more than 156.000 orbits might be
pretty cool ? especially when you can note that anybody in the group who has
an HT like this one and an all-mode VHF-UHF radio can work AO-7 with the right
antenna(s) and a little practice.
I looked around on the Web after returning the HT to Ed, N4ALE, and learned
that Alinco, AOR, Icom and Yaesu all offer HT-style receive-only radios that
are all mode, like the TH-F6A. I suspect any of them could serve as an all-
mode satellite receiver, too, although I haven?t tested any of them. I hope
to have that chance moving forward. I like the TH-F6A because it also can
double as a full handheld station for the FM satellites, albeit in half-
duplex. I know that?s not the recommended way to go, but I and many others
are, collectively, proof that it can be done effectively and without totally
wrecking a pass. I hope all the manufacturers soon will have at least one
full-duplex-capable HT in their lines ? and that those radios will have all-
mode receive on at least one band, like this Kenwood.
In the meantime, I encourage those of you with this little radio to experiment
with it as a receiver for AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52. I suspect you?ll be satisfied
with its performance.
73 to all,
Tim ? N3TL
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 08:51:16 -0500
From: "Rick - WA4NVM" <wa4nvm@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Another satellite-receiver option
To: <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, <AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <8201D49B12D44E6391803B62598BAED8@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8";
reply-type=original
GM all on the BB,
Great little article Tim. I might add they were selling the Kenwood TH-F6A
for $239 at
Dayton Hamfest this year. If Tim had done this exercise a month ago, I
would have had
one in my collection. Keep up the testing Tim, I always wonder what's next
in your bag
of tricks!
73 all,
Rick - WA4NVM
> Hey everyone,
>
> Over the weekend, I had a chance to do some more testing and
> experimenting ? this time, with a Kenwood TH-F6A HT. My sincere thanks to
> Ed, N4ALE, who loaned me his TH-F6A for the weekend. I picked it up Friday
> afternoon and returned it Sunday afternoon, giving it a pretty good
> workout in the interim ? well, part of it.
>
> I can?t tell you how it performs on AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50 because I never
> tried it with any of our FM satellites. In fact, I never keyed the radio?s
> transmitter. Instead, I focused on its receiver.
>
> The TH-F6A proved to be a capable receiver for use on AO-7, FO-29 and
> VO-52. If you have an all-mode radio that will operate in CW and SSB on
> the UHF and VHF bands, you can use the HT as your receiver for a
> full-duplex station that will work our linear-transponder satellites. For
> the record, I believe the current-production all-mode transceivers that
> are NOT full duplex include two Icom models (IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000) and
> three Yaesu models (FT-817ND, FT-857D and FT-897D). Anyone with one of
> these rigs and the Kenwood can do what I did last weekend. Just add
> antennas, or a duplexer and a dual-band antenna. There are plenty of
> workable options, including a good number of homebrew antenna designs to
> consider.
>
> I started out Friday evening just listening because I discovered I needed
> an adapter to connect my headphones to the receiver jack on the radio,
> which takes a 2.5 mm connector. Full-duplex contacts in SSB wouldn?t
> happen until I had that, so I connected my Elk and configured the radio?s
> B-Band to receive SSB in the 2 meter and 70 cm pass bands. It?s easy to
> set up, and the fine-tuning feature permits tuning steps in CW or SSB as
> low as 33 Hz. I chose 100 Hz, which worked well. Switching from CW to SSB
> took only a few seconds. Through the evening, I copied AO-7 on multiple
> passes to the east and west of my location, and had reception below 4
> degrees at the end of the passes, which was encouraging.
>
> Just before 03:00 UTC Friday evening, I had a VO-52 pass that reached a
> maximum elevation of about 70 degrees here. I copied practically the whole
> pass, hearing K8YSE work AA5PK and KB1PVH, and also clearly copying CW
> from W8IJ. Here?s the fun part about that pass ? I was standing in my
> driveway, using a Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip for an antenna. Having
> the ability to copy pretty much the whole pass with just a whip helped me
> to see that the TH-F6A probably would do OK as a satellite receiver.
>
> After picking up the headphone adapter I needed Saturday morning, I
> started working passes. Using an SMA-to-SO239 adapter, I connected the HT
> to the Elk using a Diamond duplexer. I used either a Yaesu FT-857D or a
> Yaesu FT-817ND as my transmit radio. The earliest afternoon pass of AO-7
> hit 3.8 degrees maximum elevation here, but I heard my CW signal and
> called CQ a few times with no answer. The next pass of AO-7 was well over
> 30 degrees here, also to my east. I worked N3TE in CW, then switched to
> SSB and moved up the pass band for a voice contact with K3SZH. By then,
> AO-7 was descending to my north, so I switched back to CW and started
> calling CQ ? primarily to see how long I could hear myself through the HT
> on the downlink. I was thrilled when K4YYL called me. When we finished
> that contact, AO-7 was at 2.6 degrees elevation according to the computer.
>
> I should mention here that I was manually tuning for Doppler throughout
> the weekend, which also gave me a chance to use various software packages
> as my ?guides? for finding myself at the start of a pass. Ham Radio
> Deluxe?s Satellite Tracker, Orbitron and SatPC 32 all proved very helpful.
> After launching one of the programs and getting the Doppler tuning on
> screen, I just followed their lead and found myself quickly, then stayed
> where I needed to be ? evening tuning up and down the pass band to call
> others I heard.
>
> On the next pass of AO-7 (the last of Saturday evening for me), I worked
> K4YYL again ? this time in SSB, and this time using an FT-817ND at 5 watts
> out for my transmitter. Think about that ? a fully functional all-mode
> satellite station that I could fit in a day pack with room to spare!
>
> FO-29 later Saturday evening was frustrating only inasmuch as there weren?t
> many folks around. The first pass here hit less than 20 degrees maximum
> elevation to my east, and I called CQ in CW without a contact. The next
> pass was about 70 degrees maximum elevation, and I talked to myself for
> the first 2/3 of the pass before switching over to VO-52, which was also
> in range at about the same time. K9QHO and I had a nice contact in SSB.
>
> Sunday morning, I only wanted to get some contacts on FO-29 because I
> promised to return the radio that afternoon. I worked Dave, W8IJ, and Leo,
> W7JPI, in SSB. Seven contacts in all, covering all three CW/SSB satellites
> and both modes, and all of them using the Kenwood HT as my receive radio.
> I could have made additional contacts if the satellites ? especially
> FO-29 ? had been busier on the passes I worked.
>
> A lot of AMSAT members do demos for radio clubs and other groups from time
> to time, and I decided to post this report on the TH-F6A with that in
> mind. I know that many who do demos often schedule them to coincide with
> passes of the FM LEO satellites ? and there?s nothing wrong with that. But
> AO-7 and AO-51 often make evening passes, for example, that are within
> 30-40 minutes of each other. It occurs to me that letting folks hear
> satellite contacts in CW and SSB over a satellite that has completed more
> than 156.000 orbits might be pretty cool ? especially when you can note
> that anybody in the group who has an HT like this one and an all-mode
> VHF-UHF radio can work AO-7 with the right antenna(s) and a little
> practice.
>
> I looked around on the Web after returning the HT to Ed, N4ALE, and
> learned that Alinco, AOR, Icom and Yaesu all offer HT-style receive-only
> radios that are all mode, like the TH-F6A. I suspect any of them could
> serve as an all-mode satellite receiver, too, although I haven?t tested
> any of them. I hope to have that chance moving forward. I like the TH-F6A
> because it also can double as a full handheld station for the FM
> satellites, albeit in half-duplex. I know that?s not the recommended way
> to go, but I and many others are, collectively, proof that it can be done
> effectively and without totally wrecking a pass. I hope all the
> manufacturers soon will have at least one full-duplex-capable HT in their
> lines ? and that those radios will have all-mode receive on at least one
> band, like this Kenwood.
>
> In the meantime, I encourage those of you with this little radio to
> experiment with it as a receiver for AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52. I suspect you?ll
> be satisfied with its performance.
>
> 73 to all,
>
> Tim ? N3TL
> _______________________________________________
> 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: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 09:12:44 -0500
From: "Howard Kowall" <hkowall@xxxx.xx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Another satellite-receiver option
To: <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>, <AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx>
Message-ID: <001001c9e843$31cb7500$6701a8c0@xxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8";
reply-type=original
Hello to All
Yes and also if you just want a small inexpensive all mode portable receiver
The Yaesu VR-500 can be bought at a reasonable price theses days
Howard
VE4ISP
----- Original Message -----
From: <n3tl@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 8:07 AM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Another satellite-receiver option
> Hey everyone,
>
> Over the weekend, I had a chance to do some more testing and
> experimenting ? this time, with a Kenwood TH-F6A HT. My sincere thanks to
> Ed, N4ALE, who loaned me his TH-F6A for the weekend. I picked it up Friday
> afternoon and returned it Sunday afternoon, giving it a pretty good
> workout in the interim ? well, part of it.
>
> I can?t tell you how it performs on AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50 because I never
> tried it with any of our FM satellites. In fact, I never keyed the radio?s
> transmitter. Instead, I focused on its receiver.
>
> The TH-F6A proved to be a capable receiver for use on AO-7, FO-29 and
> VO-52. If you have an all-mode radio that will operate in CW and SSB on
> the UHF and VHF bands, you can use the HT as your receiver for a
> full-duplex station that will work our linear-transponder satellites. For
> the record, I believe the current-production all-mode transceivers that
> are NOT full duplex include two Icom models (IC-706MKIIG and IC-7000) and
> three Yaesu models (FT-817ND, FT-857D and FT-897D). Anyone with one of
> these rigs and the Kenwood can do what I did last weekend. Just add
> antennas, or a duplexer and a dual-band antenna. There are plenty of
> workable options, including a good number of homebrew antenna designs to
> consider.
>
> I started out Friday evening just listening because I discovered I needed
> an adapter to connect my headphones to the receiver jack on the radio,
> which takes a 2.5 mm connector. Full-duplex contacts in SSB wouldn?t
> happen until I had that, so I connected my Elk and configured the radio?s
> B-Band to receive SSB in the 2 meter and 70 cm pass bands. It?s easy to
> set up, and the fine-tuning feature permits tuning steps in CW or SSB as
> low as 33 Hz. I chose 100 Hz, which worked well. Switching from CW to SSB
> took only a few seconds. Through the evening, I copied AO-7 on multiple
> passes to the east and west of my location, and had reception below 4
> degrees at the end of the passes, which was encouraging.
>
> Just before 03:00 UTC Friday evening, I had a VO-52 pass that reached a
> maximum elevation of about 70 degrees here. I copied practically the whole
> pass, hearing K8YSE work AA5PK and KB1PVH, and also clearly copying CW
> from W8IJ. Here?s the fun part about that pass ? I was standing in my
> driveway, using a Diamond SRH-789 telescoping whip for an antenna. Having
> the ability to copy pretty much the whole pass with just a whip helped me
> to see that the TH-F6A probably would do OK as a satellite receiver.
>
> After picking up the headphone adapter I needed Saturday morning, I
> started working passes. Using an SMA-to-SO239 adapter, I connected the HT
> to the Elk using a Diamond duplexer. I used either a Yaesu FT-857D or a
> Yaesu FT-817ND as my transmit radio. The earliest afternoon pass of AO-7
> hit 3.8 degrees maximum elevation here, but I heard my CW signal and
> called CQ a few times with no answer. The next pass of AO-7 was well over
> 30 degrees here, also to my east. I worked N3TE in CW, then switched to
> SSB and moved up the pass band for a voice contact with K3SZH. By then,
> AO-7 was descending to my north, so I switched back to CW and started
> calling CQ ? primarily to see how long I could hear myself through the HT
> on the downlink. I was thrilled when K4YYL called me. When we finished
> that contact, AO-7 was at 2.6 degrees elevation according to the computer.
>
> I should mention here that I was manually tuning for Doppler throughout
> the weekend, which also gave me a chance to use various software packages
> as my ?guides? for finding myself at the start of a pass. Ham Radio
> Deluxe?s Satellite Tracker, Orbitron and SatPC 32 all proved very helpful.
> After launching one of the programs and getting the Doppler tuning on
> screen, I just followed their lead and found myself quickly, then stayed
> where I needed to be ? evening tuning up and down the pass band to call
> others I heard.
>
> On the next pass of AO-7 (the last of Saturday evening for me), I worked
> K4YYL again ? this time in SSB, and this time using an FT-817ND at 5 watts
> out for my transmitter. Think about that ? a fully functional all-mode
> satellite station that I could fit in a day pack with room to spare!
>
> FO-29 later Saturday evening was frustrating only inasmuch as there weren?t
> many folks around. The first pass here hit less than 20 degrees maximum
> elevation to my east, and I called CQ in CW without a contact. The next
> pass was about 70 degrees maximum elevation, and I talked to myself for
> the first 2/3 of the pass before switching over to VO-52, which was also
> in range at about the same time. K9QHO and I had a nice contact in SSB.
>
> Sunday morning, I only wanted to get some contacts on FO-29 because I
> promised to return the radio that afternoon. I worked Dave, W8IJ, and Leo,
> W7JPI, in SSB. Seven contacts in all, covering all three CW/SSB satellites
> and both modes, and all of them using the Kenwood HT as my receive radio.
> I could have made additional contacts if the satellites ? especially
> FO-29 ? had been busier on the passes I worked.
>
> A lot of AMSAT members do demos for radio clubs and other groups from time
> to time, and I decided to post this report on the TH-F6A with that in
> mind. I know that many who do demos often schedule them to coincide with
> passes of the FM LEO satellites ? and there?s nothing wrong with that. But
> AO-7 and AO-51 often make evening passes, for example, that are within
> 30-40 minutes of each other. It occurs to me that letting folks hear
> satellite contacts in CW and SSB over a satellite that has completed more
> than 156.000 orbits might be pretty cool ? especially when you can note
> that anybody in the group who has an HT like this one and an all-mode
> VHF-UHF radio can work AO-7 with the right antenna(s) and a little
> practice.
>
> I looked around on the Web after returning the HT to Ed, N4ALE, and
> learned that Alinco, AOR, Icom and Yaesu all offer HT-style receive-only
> radios that are all mode, like the TH-F6A. I suspect any of them could
> serve as an all-mode satellite receiver, too, although I haven?t tested
> any of them. I hope to have that chance moving forward. I like the TH-F6A
> because it also can double as a full handheld station for the FM
> satellites, albeit in half-duplex. I know that?s not the recommended way
> to go, but I and many others are, collectively, proof that it can be done
> effectively and without totally wrecking a pass. I hope all the
> manufacturers soon will have at least one full-duplex-capable HT in their
> lines ? and that those radios will have all-mode receive on at least one
> band, like this Kenwood.
>
> In the meantime, I encourage those of you with this little radio to
> experiment with it as a receiver for AO-7, FO-29 and VO-52. I suspect you?ll
> be satisfied with its performance.
>
> 73 to all,
>
> Tim ? N3TL
> _______________________________________________
> 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 member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 4, Issue 265
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