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

70cm Mast mounted preamp
by Bill Bruno 28 May '08

28 May '08

SSB SP-7000 Mast mounted preamp for sale, with manual $190, and Bias T DCC-12, with DC cable $45. Specs can be found on ssbusa.com website. If interested please contact me off list. Bill KB2RC

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I: JUBILEE and other frustrations
by Francesco Grappi 28 May '08

28 May '08

..Yes Piero.. I agree with you... 73 Francesco IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Per conto di pcalvi(a)bluewin.ch Inviato: mercoledì 28 maggio 2008 21.24 A: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Oggetto: [amsat-bb] JUBILEE and other frustrations Honestly, if somebody has put a 45 kg amateur satellite into a 1,500 km plus orbit and has NOT included a transponder, then this hobby has really become a joke! What's the weight of a transponder module? And the cost? What's the problem in giving us something more like a "real" satellite? (and this is said with enormous love and affection for the old girl - which I use daily - and plenty of respect for HamSat). Yes - I am quite angry. We are kept in complete darkness as to real progress and launch opportunities for P3E - something I have repeatedly and completely uselessly complained about several times on this BB. I find this absolutely incredible. I have repeatedly said that I have the utmost respect for the work of AMSAT DL and I am quite keen to support it financially, bit I cannot see any reason for this total blackout on communication, which has been going on since the beginning of the project. I appreciate that AMSAT DL themselves must be quite uncertain, but the DO TELL US, for God's sake! Keep us informed on negotiations, progress, prospects. That fuels enthusiasm, attracts resources and somewhat cures frustration. We live on tiny bits of information - mostly speculations and rumours. How is this possible? And now, talking about frustration, somebody invest considerable resources to put a new bird in orbit and do not include a transponder? Tell me that's not true, PLEASE. 73. Piero ________________________ Piero Calvi-Parisetti MM0TWX currently also HB9DSU for music, Ham Radio and more visit http://www.chmusiq.com/ham _______________________________________________ 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

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WD9EWK from DM34 and DM25/DM35, 31 May
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 28 May '08

28 May '08

Hi! On Saturday, 31 May 2008, I will have an AMSAT table at the hamfest in Prescott, Arizona (grid DM34). More information about the hamfest is available from these links: http://www.w7yrc.org/ham_fest.htm http://www.vvara.org/hamfest.html During the morning, I will have on-air demonstrations using the AO-51 satellite. There is a nice pass to the east just before the start time for this hamfest (0800 local/1500 UTC) that I will be on, as well as the subsequent western pass, using my callsign WD9EWK. After the hamfest, I will drive toward Kingman in northwestern Arizona (on I-40 and old US 66) to find a good spot on the DM25/DM35 grid boundary near that city. I plan on being there for AO-51 passes Saturday evening (early Sunday, UTC) both to the east and west, for anyone interested in making a contact with those grids. I am not sure if I will be on for AO-27 or SO-50 passes during the afternoon or early evening on Saturday. I will review pass times for those satellites, to see if those passes work with my travel plans. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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1,2g ts2000 Module
by Pedro Cruz 28 May '08

28 May '08

HI to all I´m planing order the 1,2G for my TS2000 , any one as instal it and knows and problem on this instalation (in kenwood Dealer). Best 73 ! Pedro Cruz - cu2jx

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QuakeSat every 10 sec.
by Mineo Wakita 28 May '08

28 May '08

QUAKESAT Launched 30Jun2003 436.675 MHz, 9600bps, KISS Confirmed KISS signal every 10 seconds I cannot decode it any longer because of the weakness. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/quakesat.jpg

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Re: AO-51 2nd repeater operational
by Dennis Griffin 28 May '08

28 May '08

Thanks, Drew. I tried it on a straight overhead pass with my IC-W32 on high power, thru an Arrow II Satellite handheld antenna, but no joy. The squelch did open for a few minutes during the peak of the pass, but I was unable to discern any audio. 73 de Dennis KD7CAC Scottsdale, AZ On May 28, 2008, at 7:51 AM, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote: > 145.86 is the old 2m digital uplink. 145.88 is the 2nd repeater > voice uplink. > > 73, Drew > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dennis Griffin" > <eagleeyedennis(a)yahoo.com> > To: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:48 AM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-51 2nd repeater operational > > >> MacDoppler Pro has the tx as 145.860. Can you confirm which it is? >> A good pass coming up here in my area. >> >> 73 de Dennis KD7CAC >> Scottsdale, AZ >> >> >> On May 28, 2008, at 6:47 AM, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote: >> >>> Just a reminder that the 2nd repeater is active on AO-51, >>> 145.880 uplink and >>> 435.150 downlink. It is not restricted to QRP this time, but we >>> do ask that >>> only FM voice be used. Those that have been reluctant to use the FM >>> satellites should give it a try, there is no contention. Last >>> night on the >>> first east coast pass, there were only 3 stations the entire pass. >>> >>> 73, Drew KO4MA >>> AMSAT VP Operations >

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Re XP
by Ronald A. Stunden 28 May '08

28 May '08

Thanks for all the reply's. not long after I sent the email I remembered what I was doing wrong.. also known as old age.. Cheers Ron

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AO-51 2nd repeater operational
by Andrew Glasbrenner 28 May '08

28 May '08

Just a reminder that the 2nd repeater is active on AO-51, 145.880 uplink and 435.150 downlink. It is not restricted to QRP this time, but we do ask that only FM voice be used. Those that have been reluctant to use the FM satellites should give it a try, there is no contention. Last night on the first east coast pass, there were only 3 stations the entire pass. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations

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SatPC32 12.8 released
by Wayne Estes 28 May '08

28 May '08

Erich Eichmann DK1TB has released SatPC32 version 12.8 which contains improvements for Windows Vista compatibility, CAT control of multiple radios, and CAT control of Icom half-duplex radios. A demo version may be downloaded from the author's web site: http://www.dk1tb.de/indexeng.htm Here are the changes listed in the 12.8 "What's New" file: 1. The 16-bit setup program has been replaced by the latest 32-bit Vista compatible version of Installshield Express. 2. The CAT steering functions of SatPC32 have been expanded: a. The program now supports Doppler tuning with a single ICOM IC-706MKIIG, IC-7000 and compatible radios, although these radios are not full duplex satellite transceivers. Previous versions of SatPC32 already support satellite operation with a single one of the Yaesu half duplex radios FT-817, FT-857, FT-897. With half duplex transceivers you can't hear your own signal on the downlink like you can with full duplex radios. However, the program automatically sets the uplink and downlink frequencies to the correct values. So, it allows voice operation over FM and SSB satellites and also digital operation. Read the "Hints for .... users of Icom radios" how to calibrate SSB frequencies when using a half duplex radio. The file can be opened from the SatPC32 menu "?" / "Hints for...". b. Full duplex satellite operation with 2 separate radios for uplink and downlink has been improved. Previously, one had to run the tool TxController (that came with SatPC32) to steer 2 separate radios. SatPC32 then steered the RX radio directly and TxController the second radio as the TX. Via DDE, TxController received the data calculated by SatPC32, using the data to steer the mode and frequency of the TX radio. A problem occured when the user switched between a V/U satellite (uplink on VHF, downlink on UHF, e.g. AO-51) and an U/V satellite (uplink on UHF, downlink on VHF, e.g. VO-52). With V/U satellites the VHF radio had to run as the TX and the UHF radio as the RX, with U/V satellites the situation was vice versa. Since TxController could only steer the TX radio, a second instance of SatPC32 and TxController and a program re-start were necessary when the user switched between such satellites. Now SatPC32 itself steers also the second radio directly. The configuration can be done in the "Radio 2" section of the menu "Radio Setup". Numerous devices can be combined, e.g. the Yaesu semi duplex transceivers with each other or with Icom semi duplex radios or single band radios or Icom radios with each other. With 2 Icom radios only a single serial port is required. Both radios can be connected in parallel to the CAT interface. When the user switches from a V/U satellite to a U/V satellite or vice versa the program will (optionally) exchange the roles of both radios as TX and RX. Example: With FO-29 a FT-817 (that is connected to the UHF antenna) runs as RX, an IC-706MKIIG (that is connected to the 2m antenna) runs as TX. When the user tunes the FT-817 with the VFO around the passband the program will automatically tune the frequency of the IC-706MKIIG to the correct uplink frequency and the user will immediately hear his signal on the new frequency. When the user switches to a U/V satellite the IC-706MKIIG will run as the RX on VHF. When the user tunes it's VFO the program will tune the FT-817 to the correct UHF uplink frequency. 3. The Vista compatibility has been improved. Previously the SatPC32 data files were stored in the SatPC32 program folder. They could be edited with Notepad. Under Windows Vista, however, this method causes problems if the new "User Account Control" (UAC) is activated (recommended by Microsoft). Then Vista inhibits changes of the original data files and creates copies with the changes instead. Vista saves these copies in a hard-to-find "compatibilty" folder. Therefore the SatPC32 data files are no longer stored in the program folder but in a sub folder 'SatPC32' in the system folder for application data. The program displays the path of this data folder in the bottom line of the menu 'Satellites'. 4. SatPC32 now includes a simple text editor that can alternatively be used besides Notepad to edit auxiliary files (data files, i.e. Doppler.SQF). In the file DivOptions.SQF the user can choose whether auxiliary files are to be opened with Notepad or with the built-in editor. 5. Further improvements: a. SatPC32 supports now the FMN (narrow FM) mode of the IC-910H. In the file Doppler.SQF enter FMN as the mode if this mode is to be set. b. With previous version the menu "CAT" needed to be closed when the satellite is changed. Otherwise the program could not update the frequency list. That has been changed. So, the CAT window can now be left open during operation. It should then be moved out of the main window. c. The program now shows the file date of the selected Keplerian data file in the bottom line of the menu "Satellites". So the user immediately knows whether the data should be updated. d. SatPC32ISS: CAT steering of the FT-736R didn't work reliably when the satellite's uplink and downlink frequency are the same, e.g. the packet frequency of the ISS on 145.825 MHz. This has been fixed. e. Some minor bugs have been fixed. "Registered" SatPC32 users may use their existing registration code to activate the downloaded new version. New users are encouraged to purchase a registration code from AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-DL, or AMSAT-UK. The online store is down at the moment but you may purchase a registration code by calling Martha at the AMSAT office at 888-322-6728. Version 12.8 will not be available on CD until the existing stock of 12.7 CDs is depleted. Erich Eichmann DK1TB has donated SatPC32 to AMSAT, so all proceeds support amateur satellite programs. Please support amateur satellites by registering your copy of SatPC32. Wayne Estes W9AE AMSAT Area Coordinator Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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LVB Tracker software upgrade
by Gould Smith 28 May '08

28 May '08

First, I would request that everyone that gets an LVB Tracker Box from AMSAT-NA to address any problems to Gould Smith, wa4sxm(a)amsat.org rather than to Howard. Howard is working on many other important projects for multiple AMSAT groups. Mike, WB8CXO and I will work with you to resolve any problems This email is to clarify the effect upon the LVB Tracker boxes delivered via AMSAT-NA arising from the release of software version 0.9 that Howard Long, G6LVB has announced. 0. The LVB Tracker boxes sold by AMSAT-NA have software v 0.7 when delivered. release 0.8 had a fix to make the board work better with the PREDICT software, v0.7 did work fine in our tests with PREDICT release 0.9 has a fix to make the 9600 bps communication bit timing better, the current timing in v0.7 & v0.8 should be adequate. Any bit timing problems should effect all tracking software communication, but will effect longer serial data strings more. 1. If you are not experiencing any problem communicating with your selected tracking program, this software upgrade probably is not necessary. 2. We are not shipping the MAX232CPE chip with the boxes because: a) you cannot/should not run both the USB and serial ports at the same time b) we couldn't rationalize the extra expense and time to adequately package a loose chip so it could be found when needed 3. We are in the process of packaging some MAX232CPE chips and will make them available at a reasonable cost through the AMSAT office within the next two weeks. 4. You cannot reliably re-program the box using the USB port. 5. To re-program the PIC processor using the main board you must: a) remove the LVB Tracker cover b) disconnect the LCD, pushbutton and rotor controller cable headers c) unscrew the four screws holding the main board to the case and gently remove the main board from the box d) very carefully remove the USB module from the 28 pin socket. There are surface mount parts on the bottom of the USB module, so use extreme caution when prying the module out of the socket. e) insert the MAX232CPE chip into its socket, making sure to orient it correctly f) follow the instructions for running the DOS program Howard wrote to program the PIC chip via a serial port. g) remove the MAX232 chip after a successful programming effort f) insert the USB module back into the 28 pin socket on the main board g) screw the main board back into the enclosure h) re-attach the LCD, pushbutton and rotor controller cable headers i) re-attach the cover j) go through the calibration procedure again (possibly) 6. We are testing the new software release and after successful testing will use this in our future LVB Tracker boxes. We are also testing the LVB Tracker 2, using a different PIC chip and new software. This chip will replace the one in the current box and with some proposed hardware additions will make a more versatile unit. There are still some changes/improvements that need to be made and additional tests run before we make this available. Each box is tested, calibrated and made to control a Yaesu rotor from SatPC32 or MacDoppler Pro before shipping. Mike Young, WB8CXO continues to take a great deal of pride in providing a quality box to those getting these units from AMSAT. 73, Gould, WA4SXM

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