October 2008 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

AO-51 L/U
by Mineo Wakita 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

AO-51 is working now as L/U mode. But we can not digipeat via PACB-1. Well, can you access PBBS using WiSP via PECHO-11? Fm PACB-1 To TIME-1 <UI pid=F0 [DAMA] [EAX25] Len=64 >[09:24:56] PHT: uptime is 012/05:30:18. Time is Tue Sep 16 09:25:58 2008 Fm PECHO-11 To PBLIST <UI pid=F0 [DAMA] [EAX25] Len=11 >[09:24:56] PB: Empty. Fm PACB-1 To TLMS-1 <UI pid=F0 [DAMA] [EAX25] Len=35 >[09:24:57] C0:0D C1:44 C2:76 C3:2F C4:04 C5:01 Fm PACB-1 To TLMD-1 <UI pid=F0 [DAMA] [EAX25] Len=74 >[09:24:57] WOD:2 ATP:0 BMW:1 BMS:0 CTS:1 CTN:120 CTL:109 CTE:Sat Sep 20 23:22:21 2008 Fm PACB-1 To LSTAT <UI pid=F0 [DAMA] [EAX25] Len=46 >[09:24:57] I P:0x13A8 o:0 l:27314 f:27325, d:1 st:6 e:0d JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Delfi-C3 / DO-64 Status update October 9th 08:00 UTC
by Wouter Jan Ubbels 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Hi all, Delfi-C3 / DO-64 has now been in orbit for 164 days, and we regularly command the satellite back to BPSK telemetry mode during passes over our groundstation, after which the satellite reboots in linear transponder mode after the next eclipse. Since the satellite does not transmit any telemetry when in transponder mode, switching to BPSK telemetry mode allows us to monitor housekeeping values and hence assess satellite health. Since we would like to gather longer datasets of housekeeping telemetry, we will switch the satellite permanently to BPSK telemetry mode during the coming days, i.e. the satellite will boot in this mode after every eclipse. Our first opportunity is at approx. 10:00 UTC on Oct. 9th (today), switching may take a couple of passes due to the command sequence which is required to set this mode. We will switch the satellite to "basic mode" in which an AX.25 frame containing housekeeping telemetry is transmitted approx once every 4-5 secs, the rest of the transmission is filled with idle flags. Downlink frequency for this mode will be 145.930MHz, modulation is 1200bit/s BPSK. Telemetry can be captured using the RASCAL software and forwarded to our central servers just like during the first three months of science mission, this would be greatly appreciated by the team. At this moment, we do not know how long the satellite will be in this mode, but it will at least be a couple of weeks. We'll keep you informed on both our mission operations page at http://www.delfic3.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=93&Itemid=1… and via the AMSAT-BB. Best 73 on behalf of the Delfi-C3 /DO-64 team, Wouter Jan Ubbels PE4WJ

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Re: Programming language recommendation?
by Clive Wallis 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Alan WA4SCA wrote - Hi, >I am tempted to say that I am looking for the current generation BASIC, but >I am want something a bit beyond that, though of course the ability to print >"Hello World" with less than 10 lines of code is a plus. ;) And it needs >to be something I can get into using a free or low cost compiler. I am not >much interested in spending a few hundred dollars. I can strongly recommend BBC BASIC for Windows. For many years I have been using this software for all new applications. The language is very powerful, with a very wide range of built-in functions, including access to MS Windows routines such as the API, DDE and COM/OLE. Assembler code is also supported. It is possible to write programs with a simple command line, type of user interface or with a Windows style graphical interface. Programs can be run in interpreted mode or compiled as stand-alone programs. The program contains an excellent help feature, covering the instruction set. This includes short code segments, which may be copied & pasted into your code. There is also a useful library of demonstration programs showing a wide range of possible applications, and a beginner's tutorial. In addition to the built-in help feature, there is a useful on-line WIKI http://bb4w.wikispaces.com . Further support is provided on-line by an active Yahoo discussion group http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/bb4w . The groups website also contains many program files & tutorials submitted by members. The author, Richard G4BAU, provides an unprecedented level of support for his software, directly by e-mail or via the BB4W Yahoo discussion group. A recent example of this level of support was the response to a request about interfacing to the DDE interface of SAT_EXPLORER. Richard very kindly wrote the code segment for me, and even tested it with the tracking program. BBC BASIC for Windows is available from Richard's website www.rtrussell.co.uk. The program costs 30 GBP, but a free trial version can be downloaded. This has all the features of the full program, except the compiler, and it is limited to short programs. Please note that I have no commercial interest in this software, other than being a very satisfied user. Recently I have been using the PICAXE range of micro controllers. They are available as 8, 18,28 & 40 pin devices. IMHO these wouldn't be suitable for Alan's requirement. The BASIC language (free download from PICAXE website) is very restricted in features, and for many tasks offers little more than assembler code. AFAIK it doesn't include floating point routines. However, it does include 'easy to use' routines for communicating with a wide range of peripherals, such as I/O ports, serial ports, single wire buses and the I2C bus. You don't need a special programmer for the PICAXE, as only three resistors are needed to connect to a serial port. However, a useful experiments board is available from the distributers, which includes these resistors, and various simple I/O devices. In the past I've used microcontrollers such as the popular 16F8, and found them to be very critical on hardware and lead length for programming. I've never had any problems with the PICAXE. Adding a PIXAXE to a PC running BBC BASIC for Windows produces a very powerful and versatile combination. -- 73 Clive G3CWV Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, UK.

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Re: Richard Garriott aboard ISS
by Will Marchant 09 Oct '08

09 Oct '08

Frank is going to post more comprehensive information very soon, Al. Garriott has an *extremely* busy schedule while he is on orbit. He wants to do general QSOs, as time permits. The plan is for SSTV to be downlink only. He may use his W5KWQ callsign for some activities, such as SSTV, and the other ISS callsigns will be used for the school events. 73, Will KC6ROL > Oct 12 is approaching. What exactly is the game plan? Is he going to > be communicating only with hams at schools or will we be able to make > individual contacts with him? Will SSTV transmissions be only one > way, from ISS to Earth or will there be 2-way SSTV communications. > What call sign will he use while aboard the ISS? > > Thanks for any clarification. > > 73 Al W8KHP

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

I am catching up with awards that were delayed due to hurricane Ike. If you don't see your name in this list, drop me an email as I might have lost an email or two. We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Cherouvim Christos, SW1EIX Joseph Seibert, AL1F David Worboys, KG4ZLB The following have earned the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award. Robert Netzband, NA2H #467 Allen Vinegar, W8KHP #468 Marc Sullivan, WA2S #469 Peter Carr, WW3O #470 Eddie Lawrence, KF4ZMT #471 David Gendle, K4DLG #472 Tim Lilley, N3TL #473 Dwight Fletcher, N1RCN #474 The following have earned the AMSAT South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement Award. Robert Netzband, NA2H #US123 Allen Vinegar, W8KHP #US124 Luc Leblanc, VE2DWE #US125 Marc Sullivan, WA2S #US126 The following have earned the AMSAT W4AMI Satellite Communications Achievement Award. Doug Papay, KD8CAO #52 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on SkyScanner Satellite Radio Network on Galaxy-25 @97° West, Transponder 23 (12115 Vert), Symbol Rate: 22425, APID: 1794 (DVB Free To Air) Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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SSTV on AO-51 this weekend
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

This weekend AO-51 will operate in a special mode in anticipation of Richard Garriott's visit to the ISS. Richard's launch is currently scheduled for October 12th, with docking at the ISS on the 14th. Richard plans on being very active from the ISS ham station, including extensive operation with Slow Scan Television (SSTV). In preparation for this event, AO-51 will be configured with dual repeaters for the weekend of October 11th and 12th. The primary repeater on AO-51 will be configured with an uplink on 1268.700 FM and downlink of 435.300 FM, and will be designated for this period as an SSTV repeater. Users are encouraged to exchange SSTV images in ROBOT 36 mode, as an opportunity for others to practice receiving SSTV images from space before the ISS activity. Please keep the images transmitted to space-related themes, and to the ROBOT 36 mode. Polite and courteous operation among those sharing the uplink is crucial to the success of this mode. Concurrently, there will be a QRP voice repeater running on 145.880 FM uplink and 435.150 FM downlink. Users are asked to use 10 watts or less, and omnidirectional or handheld antennas only. Good luck receiving SSTV images this weekend, and from the ISS during Richard Garriott's flight. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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Schedule
by Martha 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

I will be out of th office tomorrow. -- 73- Martha

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Richard Garriott aboard ISS
by Allen Vinegar 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Oct 12 is approaching. What exactly is the game plan? Is he going to be communicating only with hams at schools or will we be able to make individual contacts with him? Will SSTV transmissions be only one way, from ISS to Earth or will there be 2-way SSTV communications. What call sign will he use while aboard the ISS? Thanks for any clarification. 73 Al W8KHP

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AO-51 L/U SSB mode
by Luc Leblanc 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Hi Something happen at 2300Z (1900EST) suddenly the audio level jump louder by a factor of 4 i have to reduce my volume level and i found my TX audio was also much too loud... Now AO-51 look like AO-16 audio and QSO are manageable. I succeed to have one with Clare VE2NPC and i also copy a lot of station but at the same floor level strength i used to have before my adjustment (see below). Only Clare VE3NPC signal seems to get over this curious bottom floor level?? To be clearer all the station coming out the satellite are equal in strength? Only Clare was louder as a kind of AGC treshold seems to be set too high making a kind of squelching effect? I just made some adjustment here at the end of the afternoon in a hurry and from an uplink signal very marginal it became near Q5!!! i'm not too sure what i done and if it is what i done who boost my uplink but i will have to make some test again as said something happen also on the satellite at the same time? More to come...and i was able to hear my downlink at LOS + 3'!!! "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Contribution
by Rob Redmon 08 Oct '08

08 Oct '08

Hello, I work and attend graduate school in Boulder, Colorado. My personal and professional interests include radio propagation, ionosphere dynamics and magnetosphere, ionosphere coupling. I am very new to these topics and still smell turnips. I am keenly interested in VHF beacons (e.g. VO-52), initially as a hobby. I've even borrowed an ICOM that I have yet to figure out. As part of my graduate curriculum, I am enrolled in an astrodynmics course. The course requires a course project. Until now, I have been dreaming up project ideas in nearly a vacuum. My day job is as a civil servant (ionosonde data manager) and through that role, I've become accustomed to asking scientific and engineering communities, "what is needed?". Thus, I would like to query this wonderful community similarly. What is needed? I'll proffer a starting line of questioning to get the ball rolling. Given my interest in VO-52 and other VHF beacon LEO satellites, I realize that accurate positioning is detrimental. I've been retrieving TLEs for two weeks now and in that window, VO-52 has had 2 updates with a 10 day cadence. Is ~10 days the usual tracking priority for such satellites? Are there already "good enough" techniques for filling the orbital element gaps? Are there more sophisticated public domain orbit propagation algorithms just waiting to be tried out? The dawn of a new solar cycle (24) is upon us. How does will already employed prediction techniques stand up to the next solar max? I'm happy to communicate off-line so as not to congest the mailing list traffic. Equally, I'd welcome the opportunity rub elbows with any locals. I have much to learn. Regards, Rob p.s. I wrote a small program (Ruby) to grab TLE's from AMSAT <http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasa.all> to slowly build my own archive. I could share if interested. -- Rob Redmon - Physicist - Ionosphere NOAA/NGDC 325 Broadway E/GC2 Boulder, Colorado 80305 Tel: (303) 497-4331 Fax: (303) 497-6513 Rob.Redmon(a)noaa.gov "Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get."

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