June 2007 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: shuttle rebroadcast
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

There was a question posted of how to receive the shuttle rebroadcasts in the space coast area. I was hoping a local would respond but this information follows from W4UFL, a club member who is staff here at UF in Gainesville. I plan on using the info since as luck would have it I depart on a cruise from Port Canaveral about two hours before the launch. I'll bring along a HT and videocamera. If there is not a delay we'll have an ocean view! Jay, AA4FL Faculty Advisor, Gator Amateur Radio Club at UF, club station W4DFU Visit our Website at www.gatorradio.org <http://www.gatorradio.org/> and listen for us on the birds <<Last time I was there, it was on 146.910 or 146.940 but I'm not really sure what the current freq. is. Several repeaters usually carry it. I have heard it is on UHF as well as VHF. Scanning has a good chance of getting it since the launch coverage is usually active. There are some web sites but I don't know how fresh they are. http://home.cfl.rr.com/scanner/brev1.htm 146.940 146.340 103.5 NASA Select Audio - Space Shuttle Rebroadcast - Merritt Island If you have ATV, you can even pick up NASA-TV rebroadcast over Amateur Television. http://viaoz.com/lisats.org/ You can hear the NASA Select Channel on a "radio scanner" of the type sold at Radio Shack. Tune to 146.940 MHz for the Merritt Island ham radio repeater where John K4GCC has a line into the Space Center. A backup frequency is 147.135 MHz. The Titusville "chat" frequnecy is 146.910 MHz, and if you're a ham operator yourself, call N4SCY on 146.970 MHz, and I'll be happy to talk you into a good viewing site. http://spacelaunchinfo.com/countdown.html>>

1 0

AO7B
by k3szh＠netzero.net 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

Congratulations to Terry, G1WPR, for making his 2000th contact on AO7B on 6/5/07. He is the steady beacon in the UK. Thanks for our daily QSOs Terry. Joe K3SZH Amsat 3788

2 1

Re: Satpc32
by George Henry 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

I don't know anything about Vista, but if you're trying to edit Doppler.sqf while SatPC32 is running, I'd suggest editing it with Notepad (or whatever text editor Vista offers) instead, without SatPC32 running. Vista may be locking the file while it's in use by SatPC32.... George, KA3HSW -----Original Message----- >From: Don Blachura <haircutter(a)verizon.net> >Sent: Jun 5, 2007 2:44 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Satpc32 > >Hello folks. >I am going to use Satpc32 in the QRP settings. I am using "Vista". And when >I add a line to the "Doppler.sqf. >It won't Let me save the changes. Trying to put in the starting freqs for >uplink/downlink so software will track. >Anyone know how to save the change in "Vista". In "XP" it was simple, just >clicked on save and the change was there. > >Thanks > >Don...w2xb

1 0

Fw: Satpc32
by Don Blachura 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

Oops, I forgot to say it was for AO-51 in the qrp mode. Don...w2xb -------Original Message------- From: Don Blachura Date: 06/05/07 15:44:17 To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Satpc32 Hello folks. I am going to use Satpc32 in the QRP settings. I am using "Vista". And when I add a line to the "Doppler.sqf. It won't Let me save the changes. Trying to put in the starting freqs for uplink/downlink so software will track. Anyone know how to save the change in "Vista". In "XP" it was simple, just clicked on save and the change was there. Thanks Don...w2xb

1 0

Re: ISS & Amateur Voice Comms (R)
by Eric H Christensen 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

Good Morning Patrick, I couldn't help but reply to this... I can't believe that we have astronauts that can't use a D700 and us regular folk that can. You could use the PMs to make life easier on the ISS. PM 1 could be setup for earth-space communications when the astronauts have time to talk with us Earth-bound people. Then you could have PM 2 setup for packet, PM 3 setup for crossband repeat, PM 4 setup for APRS digi, PM 5 setup for... That would completely negate the thought process of having to change the settings and frequencies each time. I have my D700 setup similarly so when I go to PM 1 the radio reverts to a specific channel on each side, turns the TNC on and into APRS mode, and selects all the proper settings in the menus. I set this up via the software many months ago and everything works great. I no longer have to continuously swap my settings when I get out of the vehicle because going to PM 2 does my "Out of Vehicle" settings. PM 3 is setup for crossband repeat so when I get out of the vehicle to go hike it is already setup to go to my local repeater and a simplex frequency and I'm ready to go. This would seem to be the most efficient use of what that radio has to offer. 73s, Eric W4OTN >Hello Patrick, >Thank you very much for your comments on the Marex >Project proposal. We are always interested in hearing >pros and cons for all projects and welcome >constructive input. > >We believe in the slogan Keep It Simple (KIS). >When it comes to projects we sometimes Dumb them down >to make it easier for the ISS crew. Sure these guys >are very smart, but they do not have time to find and >read the manuals for the 50+ radio, etc on ISS. > >Examples: >On Mir Marex flew the Kenwood TM-D7A. This radio was >used to run the SSTV project and became the primary >Voice link. This and other Kenwood’s have a row of >Program Mode buttons (I call them function buttons). >They allow you to save different modes of operation >and can be very complicated. After reading the >manuals several times and testing the PM buttons, we >decided it would be too complicated for the crew to >understand these buttons, so we disabled them. >Actually I programmed all of the PM buttons to do just >the same two items, Go To Channel #1 and Set Transmit >Power to Low. That way if the crew hit a PM button >they did not have to worry about rebooting the radio >into a different configuration. > >Slow Scan TV: >On ISS, Silicon Pixels custom designed software just >for ISS. We chose them because they had the best >solution at the time for SSTV. However, there off the >shelf version of software “CPIX” wold have been too >complicated for the crew to understand. There were >many great features that the ISS crew just would not >have time to learn. The Silicon Pixels team developed >a Dumbed down version of software that had just the >basic features that the ISS crew would need. We tried >to make it as simple as possibly by deliberately >deleting features that were not needed. And we made >the Buttons big so the crew could hit them easily >while floating in Zero-G. > >For the new Dual band Radio proposal that Marex has >put forward, I wanted to again try to Keep it simple. >I wanted to avoid the problems associated with a true >Dual-Band radio, such as two volume controls, two >squelches and a Band switch etc. The ISS crews have >been having problems with figuring out a “Function >Button” radio verses a Channel knob radio. I wanted >to go back to 1 channel knob, 1 squelch and 1 volume >control. >The Icom ID-800 seems to meet most of our requirements >for Keeping it Simple. Once we program the radio on >the ground the ISS crew only needs to know the >following controls: > >Power Switch >Channel Knob >Volume Knob >Squelch knob. > >Instructions for changing frequencies, bands or Voice >Modes will be as follows. >Turn Channel knob to channel XYZ. > >Turning on Packet will be as simple as: >Turn Channel knob to channel XYZ. >Push power button on TNC and look for Green LED on >TNC. > >Believe me, it’s a lot simpler to use than what we >currently have in space. > >Digital Voice Modes: >The ID-800 does support digital voce modes and all >normal Analogue FM modes. Since our goal is to reach >as many people as possible, the primary mode will be >Analog FM voice. The digital modes wold most likely >be used for semi-private family communications, etc. > >Deliver Time Frame: >This project is not approved at this time. We only >have approval to continue with the Kantronics KPC-9612 >Modem side the project. Back in the Old Mir days, the >longest it took me to Pitch a theory to Switch on was >15 months (SSTV Mir, Pitch theory September 1997, >Switch on December 1998). With ISS, it takes much >longer. I am tying to use a radio that will still be >in production when we go into space. > >The next project proposal demonstration is tentatively >planned for Moscow in Late 2007 or early 2008. > >Thanks for your input and support. > >Miles > >www.marexmg.org > > > >--- Patrick McGrane <N2OEQ(a)aceweb.com> wrote: > >> Hi miles- de patrick n2oeq- nice to see you thinking >> of the future. I miss the MIR >> days. I think there was a simple kenwood dual bander >> on the MIR. I looked at the icom >> ID800 and my first impression was that it was not a >> simple radio and I am not >> interested in buying a new digital radio to work the >> ISS. Since there is no rush, >> please consider other radio models of SIMPLE design. >> Within the past couple of years I >> purchased a very easy to operate Yaesu FT8800R dual >> band rig capable of cross-band >> repeat, 9600 baud packet, and narrow FM operation to >> name a few. I looked at several >> rigs before deciding on it. Of course, it was a >> personal preference and others may >> prefer other models but I found this to be my choice >> for satellite work etc. >> I think it would be safer to consider a rig that has >> been around a while that has been >> refined in production and proven in use. Most >> important is that it be as simple as >> possible so as not to be disinteresting to the crew. >> Well, its all academic since it >> has to be approved but I'm happy to see you working >> on it. Thank you!!!!! >> Take care, pat >> >> >> ------- Original Message ------- >> From : MM[mailto:[email protected]] >> Sent : 6/2/2007 7:46:10 PM >> To : sraas(a)optonline.net; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >> Cc : >> Subject : RE: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS & Amateur Voice >> Comms >> >> >> >> The Amateur Radio stations on board ISS have not >> been >> open to regular public access since August 2006. >> There have only be a few random days when the crew >> from ISS has been heard calling CQ since then. >> >> If you look back in the Amsat Archives, look for >> message from Ken Ransom for an explanation of the >> issues. >> >> The Marex team is working on proposals to replace >> the >> existing ISS ham system with a new simpler to use >> system. (We have found that on the Space Station Mir >> projects, some consumer grade ham gear seemed to >> only >> have a life span of 2-3 year in 24/7 service while >> orbiting in space. All of the ham gear on ISS is >> over >> 3.5 years old) >> The unapproved Marex proposals would be comprised of >> the following hardware if approved. >> >> Icom ID-800 Dual band >> Kantronics KPC-9212 TNC >> Slow Scan TV >> (Off the shelf VOX box, multiple brands are >> currently >> being tested for SSTV) >> >> Marex welcomes your support >> >> www.marexmg.org >> >> >> >> --- Steve Raas <sraas(a)optonline.net> wrote: >> >> > Has any one been lucky enough to work the ISS on >> 2m >> > voice as of late? I call >> > NA1SS on every pass that Im available to and so >> far >> > no dice. ( 3 days 4 or 5 >> > passes ) >> > >> > >> > >> > Thanks! >> > >> > >> > >> > N2JDQ >> > >> > Steven J. Raas >> > >> > Locator FN20vg >> > >> > QRV 2/432 , V/U U/V Sats & WSJT >> > >> > Home Page & Sked Requests @ >> > http://n2jdq2007.tripod.com/ >> > >> > AMSAT Member # 36396 >> > >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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 >> > >> >> >> >> >> >_______________________________________________________________________________ >_____ >> Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you >> sell. >> http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/ >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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 >> >> > > > > >_______________________________________________________________________________ >_____ >Luggage? GPS? Comic books? >Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search >http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=graduation+gifts&cs=bz >_______________________________________________ >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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

1 0

Re: ISS & Amateur Voice Comms (R)
by Nate Duehr 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

MM wrote: > We believe in the slogan Keep It Simple (KIS). > When it comes to projects we sometimes Dumb them down > to make it easier for the ISS crew. Sure these guys > are very smart, but they do not have time to find and > read the manuals for the 50+ radio, etc on ISS. The original GE MP/A that flew under SAREX missions with it's channelized user interface and simple BIG controls seems like a better choice than the "modern" Kenwood for being as simple as possible. Perhaps non-channelized rigs are not what to send to ISS at all, if all they do is cause the crews confusion. Nate WY0X

1 0

GO32
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 05 Jun '07

05 Jun '07

I tried copying GO32 during pass 46242 and did not detect a signal. Recent comments on our mailing list indicate excellent reception. Is this bird still in testing? Are our reports the only way of getting status reports? 73 from Hawthorne in the Gainesville, FL area Jay, AA4FL

1 0

Re: ISS & Amateur Voice Comms (R
by Thomas McGrane 04 Jun '07

04 Jun '07

Hi miles- just a short response- I no longer wait to hear the astronauts calling CQ and realize the future operation will be vastly independant of the crew. Considering the almost exclusive use of simple digipeating packet for several years, I have been pushing for cross-band repeater operation to liven things up. Does the digital radio have crossband capability??? Incidentally, the radio I mentioned can be used to monitor both VHF and UHF simultaneously. Whatever you do, please consider mostly unattended operation aside from use by the crew. I would rather be talking to fellow "space Cadets" on earth than waiting months for nothing. Thanks, pat On 6/4/07, MM <ka1rrw(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > Hello Patrick, > Thank you very much for your comments on the Marex > Project proposal. We are always interested in hearing > pros and cons for all projects and welcome > constructive input. > > We believe in the slogan Keep It Simple (KIS). > When it comes to projects we sometimes Dumb them down > to make it easier for the ISS crew. Sure these guys > are very smart, but they do not have time to find and > read the manuals for the 50+ radio, etc on ISS. > > Examples: > On Mir Marex flew the Kenwood TM-D7A. This radio was > used to run the SSTV project and became the primary > Voice link. This and other Kenwood's have a row of > Program Mode buttons (I call them function buttons). > They allow you to save different modes of operation > and can be very complicated. After reading the > manuals several times and testing the PM buttons, we > decided it would be too complicated for the crew to > understand these buttons, so we disabled them. > Actually I programmed all of the PM buttons to do just > the same two items, Go To Channel #1 and Set Transmit > Power to Low. That way if the crew hit a PM button > they did not have to worry about rebooting the radio > into a different configuration. > > Slow Scan TV: > On ISS, Silicon Pixels custom designed software just > for ISS. We chose them because they had the best > solution at the time for SSTV. However, there off the > shelf version of software "CPIX" wold have been too > complicated for the crew to understand. There were > many great features that the ISS crew just would not > have time to learn. The Silicon Pixels team developed > a Dumbed down version of software that had just the > basic features that the ISS crew would need. We tried > to make it as simple as possibly by deliberately > deleting features that were not needed. And we made > the Buttons big so the crew could hit them easily > while floating in Zero-G. > > For the new Dual band Radio proposal that Marex has > put forward, I wanted to again try to Keep it simple. > I wanted to avoid the problems associated with a true > Dual-Band radio, such as two volume controls, two > squelches and a Band switch etc. The ISS crews have > been having problems with figuring out a "Function > Button" radio verses a Channel knob radio. I wanted > to go back to 1 channel knob, 1 squelch and 1 volume > control. > The Icom ID-800 seems to meet most of our requirements > for Keeping it Simple. Once we program the radio on > the ground the ISS crew only needs to know the > following controls: > > Power Switch > Channel Knob > Volume Knob > Squelch knob. > > Instructions for changing frequencies, bands or Voice > Modes will be as follows. > Turn Channel knob to channel XYZ. > > Turning on Packet will be as simple as: > Turn Channel knob to channel XYZ. > Push power button on TNC and look for Green LED on > TNC. > > Believe me, it's a lot simpler to use than what we > currently have in space. > > Digital Voice Modes: > The ID-800 does support digital voce modes and all > normal Analogue FM modes. Since our goal is to reach > as many people as possible, the primary mode will be > Analog FM voice. The digital modes wold most likely > be used for semi-private family communications, etc. > > Deliver Time Frame: > This project is not approved at this time. We only > have approval to continue with the Kantronics KPC-9612 > Modem side the project. Back in the Old Mir days, the > longest it took me to Pitch a theory to Switch on was > 15 months (SSTV Mir, Pitch theory September 1997, > Switch on December 1998). With ISS, it takes much > longer. I am tying to use a radio that will still be > in production when we go into space. > > The next project proposal demonstration is tentatively > planned for Moscow in Late 2007 or early 2008. > > Thanks for your input and support. > > Miles > > www.marexmg.org > > > > --- Patrick McGrane <N2OEQ(a)aceweb.com> wrote: > > > Hi miles- de patrick n2oeq- nice to see you thinking > > of the future. I miss the MIR > > days. I think there was a simple kenwood dual bander > > on the MIR. I looked at the icom > > ID800 and my first impression was that it was not a > > simple radio and I am not > > interested in buying a new digital radio to work the > > ISS. Since there is no rush, > > please consider other radio models of SIMPLE design. > > Within the past couple of years I > > purchased a very easy to operate Yaesu FT8800R dual > > band rig capable of cross-band > > repeat, 9600 baud packet, and narrow FM operation to > > name a few. I looked at several > > rigs before deciding on it. Of course, it was a > > personal preference and others may > > prefer other models but I found this to be my choice > > for satellite work etc. > > I think it would be safer to consider a rig that has > > been around a while that has been > > refined in production and proven in use. Most > > important is that it be as simple as > > possible so as not to be disinteresting to the crew. > > Well, its all academic since it > > has to be approved but I'm happy to see you working > > on it. Thank you!!!!! > > Take care, pat > > > > > > ------- Original Message ------- > > From : MM[mailto:[email protected]] > > Sent : 6/2/2007 7:46:10 PM > > To : sraas(a)optonline.net; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > Cc : > > Subject : RE: [amsat-bb] Re: ISS & Amateur Voice > > Comms > > > > > > > > The Amateur Radio stations on board ISS have not > > been > > open to regular public access since August 2006. > > There have only be a few random days when the crew > > from ISS has been heard calling CQ since then. > > > > If you look back in the Amsat Archives, look for > > message from Ken Ransom for an explanation of the > > issues. > > > > The Marex team is working on proposals to replace > > the > > existing ISS ham system with a new simpler to use > > system. (We have found that on the Space Station Mir > > projects, some consumer grade ham gear seemed to > > only > > have a life span of 2-3 year in 24/7 service while > > orbiting in space. All of the ham gear on ISS is > > over > > 3.5 years old) > > The unapproved Marex proposals would be comprised of > > the following hardware if approved. > > > > Icom ID-800 Dual band > > Kantronics KPC-9212 TNC > > Slow Scan TV > > (Off the shelf VOX box, multiple brands are > > currently > > being tested for SSTV) > > > > Marex welcomes your support > > > > www.marexmg.org > > > > > > > > --- Steve Raas <sraas(a)optonline.net> wrote: > > > > > Has any one been lucky enough to work the ISS on > > 2m > > > voice as of late? I call > > > NA1SS on every pass that Im available to and so > > far > > > no dice. ( 3 days 4 or 5 > > > passes ) > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > > > > N2JDQ > > > > > > Steven J. Raas > > > > > > Locator FN20vg > > > > > > QRV 2/432 , V/U U/V Sats & WSJT > > > > > > Home Page & Sked Requests @ > > > http://n2jdq2007.tripod.com/ > > > > > > AMSAT Member # 36396 > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > > Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you > > sell. > > http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/ > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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 > > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Luggage? GPS? Comic books? > Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search > http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=oni_on_mail&p=graduation+gifts&cs=bz > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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 >

1 0

Trip to CN79, CN69, CO70, and possibly CO60 in Canada.
by Patrick Green 04 Jun '07

04 Jun '07

These squares seem rare to me. I was wondering what the desire for them would be. I would have to make a special effort to hit CO60 but I would do it if there are a bunch of people that want it. Let me know. I would be operating FM sats and APRS packet with my HT and Arrow from these areas. 73 de Pat --- KA9SCF. Amsat #35741

1 2

GO-32 Wow
by John Price 04 Jun '07

04 Jun '07

Just checked the last pass of GO-32. Reminded me of the KO-23 days. Good strong 9600 baud signal. Lots of downlink strength. The BBS was open but I did not try a upload. Guess I will fire up Wisp32 and give it a go. Sure would be nice to have this to play with on Field Day. 73's << John -- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,FO-29,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52 Internet N4QWF(a)AMSAT.ORG Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on 51 #13 LON -79.25 LAT 37.45 Grid FM07 >From the Foothills of the Blueridge

2 1