AMSAT-BB April 2010

198 participants
291 discussions

LVB Tracker USB serial port driver for Windows 7 x64?

by Bill Bordy, NJ1H

Has anyone located a driver for the LVB Tracker internal USB to serial port adapter on Windows 7 x64? If not, has anyone reverted to the serial port connection on LVB Tracker and used an external USB to serial port adapter successfully with SatPC32 on Windows 7 x64? I have an Edgeport multiple USB to serial port that has drivers for Windows 7 x64 that I will use if I have to. I would prefer using the LVB Tracker with its USB to serial adapter if someone has another solution. 73, Bill NJ1H

5 years, 1 month

Call for Papers--2007 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference

by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 26th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held September 28-30, 2007 in Hartford, Connecticut. These papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings (you do NOT need to attend the conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings). The submission deadline is July 31, 2007. Please send papers to: Maty Weinberg ARRL 225 Main St Newington, CT 06111 or you can make your submission via e-mail to: maty(a)arrl.org Papers will be published exactly as submitted and authors will retain all rights. 73 . . . Steve, WB8IMY ARRL

9 years, 6 months

Re: EggBeater

by Bill Dzurilla

Steve, I have both a commercial and a homebrew Eggbeater and am disappointed with both, especially in light of its rather high price. Connected to my IC-7000 via an ARR mast-mounted preamp, performance is far less than with an HT and an Arrow. Guess an omni can't cut it, at least not from my QTH. Maybe if I could get it up higher, clear of all roofs, it would do better. I can make contacts at relatively high sat elevations, but can do just as well with a $10 dual band ground plane. My friend has an Eggbeater and the same preamp at a clearer QTH, and he hears substantially better, down to 10 degrees elevation in some directions. Good luck and 73, Bill NZ5N > > Hi Steve, > > > > It is surprising to read that you are not hearing > anything. I have > > repeatedly used a 2m and 70cm Eggbeater for the sats > and have had no > > problem hearing things. No pre-amp. > > > > I was using a short cable (e.g. less than 10 meters). > The rigs I > > used were a FT-736r (deaf) and a FT-847 (so-so). > > > > 73, > > > > Dave

9 years, 8 months

FW: Re: The Moon is our Future

by Dave

We have met the enemy and they are us. WE need to do something. Yes, $15m is outta reach, but isn't there a cash prize for the first on-commercial moon landing? Dave DM78qd // KA0SWT If it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners.-- Johnny Carson +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jeff Davis Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:35 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The Moon is our Future On Thu, Jul 02, 2009 at 06:48:51AM -0600, Jack K. wrote: > communications anyway) and move forward... We can put up all the leos > we want, but until someone makes something like B. Bruninga's cell > concept work, we are only going to have more of the same, We don't > need more of the same! I couldn't agree more - we don't need more of the same. If I want to sit back and have a two hour rag-chew with someone on the other side of the planet I will use Skype or my cell phone! Dreaming about what *might* be in space is a fun exercise. Actually doing something about it requires sending things to LEO because reality has dictated that's as far as we can afford to go. How's about we use some of that frustrated *imagineering* to come up with interesting new concepts at LEO? We don't need any more FM repeaters buzzing overhead, but what about more cameras downloading HD images, scientific payloads that monitor the ongoing climate change, payloads to study the Earth's magnetic field, etc. etc. Our own 'Twitter' messaging network from space...? The Apollo 13 creed of "failure is not an option" has completely infected the brains at AMSAT and this list. You want something at HEO or on the moon, cut a check for $15 million dollars and let's get on with it. Been waiting since 1996 for another AO-13 and I am getting too old to keep waiting. AMSAT is becoming completely irrelevant as it strives without success for the impossible mission and exhibits a shocking amount of leadership malfesance as it stubbornly refuses to recognize and adapt to realities in the launch business. I know, I know maybe NEXT year someone rich will die and leave us a boatload of cash. Or the bankrupt US government will suddenly cough up a billion dollars for some orbiting emergency communication system. In the meantime we have to stifle the truth because it might blow yet another *secret* deal that's in the works and *almost* a done deal, so let's not complain publicly and ruin it. Heard the stories, heard the lies, got all the t-shirts and ball caps. Whatever. -- Jeff, KE9V AMSAT-NA member since 1994, Skeptic that we will ever go back to HEO since 2002 _______________________________________________ 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

10 years, 10 months

Nanosatellite Launch Service 6 on PSLV-C15

by Daniel Kekez

Hi All, The Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) would like to announce the delivery of Nanosatellite Launch Service 6 (NLS-6) cluster payload to Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (SDSC-SHAR), Andhra Pradesh, India, for launch on board PSLV-C15. PSLV-C15 will be launching from the First Launch Pad at SDSC-SHAR into 637 km sun-synchronous orbit with 10:30 Local-Time of Descending Node. NLS-6 shares this launch with Cartosat-2B primary, Alsat-2A co-primary, and STUDSAT auxiliary payload. NLS-6 is the 6th launch by SFL. The NLS-6 cluster comprises of two nanosatellite: AISSat-1 and TIsat-1. NLS-6 launch updates are being posted to http://www.utias-sfl.net/NLS-6/ About AISSat-1 ------------------------------ AISSat-1 is built by SFL for the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI). It is intended to demonstrate a new maritime AIS receiver that has been developed by FFI. The AIS receiver will be used to monitor ship traffic in Norwegian waters. The design of AISSat-1 is based on SFL Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB). The spacecraft has a main structure measuring 20 cm by 20 cm by 20 cm and it is stabilized in three-axes using reaction wheels. It has a fixed 46 cm long VHF payload monopole antenna for the AIS receiver and four UHF uplink monopole antennas for the command receiver. The downlink in the S-Band. AISSat-1 has an overall dimension of 80 cm by 45 cm by 37 cm and an overall mass of 6.5 kg. AISSat-1 will be secured to the launch vehicle using the XPOD GNB separation system. AISSat-1 is not an amateur satellite and, as such, has coordinated appropriate frequencies. Its ground segment is located at Svalbard and its control centre is at FFI, near Oslo, Norway. More information on the spacecraft can be found at http://www.utias-sfl.net/nanosatellites/AISSat-1/ and http://www.spacecentre.no/?module=Articles;action=Article.publicShow;ID=513… About TIsat-1 ------------------------------ TIsat-1 is a 1 kg CubeSat of 10 cm by 10 cm by 10 cm and is built by students and staff at University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). The primary mission objective is to involve students in systems engineering, development and test with a very challenging project and to provide students and staff at SUPSI with space mission knowledge. TIsat-1 will monitor the durability of material probes exposed to space environment, will test a micro electromechanical device and will validate the redundant, fault tolerant hardware and firmware design of the bus. Two monopole antennas (VHF and UHF) will be deployed after separation. Housekeeping and payload data will be communicated to the ground as orbital data profiles. TIsat-1 will be secured to the launch vehicle using the XPOD Single separation system. TIsat-1 communicates over amateur radio frequencies, as coordinated through the IARU, and they have been working with radio amateurs in Switzerland during the spacecraft's development. They have a Morse Code and data beacons. More information can be found at http://www.spacelab.dti.supsi.ch/tiSat1.html Future Launches by SFL ------------------------------ SFL has signed its 7th launch contract with ANTRIX for NLS-7 in late 2010/early 2011. NLS-7 will launch the twin-satellite CanX-4 and CanX-5 formation flying mission. SFL will be signing its 8th launch contract for NLS-8 momentarily, for the launch of two astronomy nanosatellites: BRITE-Austria (CanX-3A) and UniBRITE (CanX-3B). NLS-8 will also launch one partner spacecraft. In addition, SFL is under discussion for NLS-9, NLS-10, and NLS-11 launches in 2011/2012 time frame, and would like to extend an invitation to spacecraft developers world-wide to join our launches. For further information, please contact: Freddy M. Pranajaya Manager, Advanced Systems Group UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory 4925 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M3H 5T6 +1-416-667-7890 Voice +1-416-667-7799 Fax freddyp(a)utias-sfl.net http://www.utias-sfl.net/ 73, -Daniel, VA3KKZ

11 years, 6 months

AO-7 is not OK

by ps8rf Piraja

Some days we are seeing very strange behavior in the AO-7. In some orbits can only hear the feedback on the downlink when the satellite is approaching my station at about 30 degrees elevation, before is impossible to hear any signal via AO-7. Using two pre-amplifier, one in the TS 2000x and the other with 0.6 noise with 20 dB gain. During the orbits we transmiting power with of 30 watts. The satellite does not respond. Tried with 15 watts It was then that we hear at certain points on the downlink audio too low. Its best performance is when the satellite is almost 90 degrees from my station. Yet it seems that the satellite is asking for help. This seems the batteries are not getting enough loads. Or maybe it's excessive use of power by the users of the satellite. Maybe it's time for the users of AO-7 rethink the best ways to keep QSO through it, such as the use of LOW POWER so that over time the satellite is stabilized. "Long live the AO-7" 73' Piraja, PS8RF The Amateur Radio is supportive and helpful in any circumstance. _________________________________________________________________ Você sabia que seu navegador te ajuda a ficar longe de vírus? Leia mais sobre isso. http://www.microsoft.com/brasil/windows/internet-explorer/?WT.mc_id=1500

11 years, 8 months

Hitting a southbound Moon

by Greg D.

Hi folks, Now that the Arecibo event is behind us, there is still one puzzle that I'd like someone to explain to me. How do I aim at the Moon? I'm on the US West Coast. Early in the pass on Saturday, both Predict and Orbitron told me that the Moon's azimuth from here should be slightly north of east. It was in the 80-ish degree range, with east, of course, being 90. But looking at Orbitron's map display, the Moon was clearly south of my latitude. As the pass progressed, the Moon moved westward on the map, making a sharper angle to the south of east from here. Both Predict and Orbitron's Az calculation increased too (eventually crossing 90 degrees), but always seemed to be north of where the Moon was. Why would I aim north to hit a southbound Moon? Greg KO6TH _________________________________________________________________ The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multiaccount&ocid=PID28…

11 years, 8 months

3 passes from DM52/DM53 this afternoon...

by Patrick STODDARD

Hi! I am at DM52/DM53, waiting for AO27 in a few minutes. It looks like I may have a couple of minutes on the AO51 pass at 2214 UTC that I can work. Around 2217 to 2220 should be the highest part of the pass from here, and I will stick around here for that pass - after the next two AO27 passes. For the east, the 2003 UTC AO27 pass will be the better option, if you have a choice between that and the AO51 pass. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - near Fort Thomas AZ http://www.wd9ewk.net/

11 years, 9 months

Out of the Office

by Martha

I will be out of the office today starting at 3:00 PM. -- 73- Martha

11 years, 9 months

Re: usb to serial adapter woes

by Larry Gerhardstein

Jim, et. al., Thanks for the advice. However, after installing the USA-49WG and driver install for Windows 7 with help from Tripp Lite technical support, my system still does the same thing. I plug the serial cables to both rotor and transceiver digital interfaces and then to the 49WG and the same thing happens. Azimuth meter drops to zero and there is no control. Further it is now working worse than before, as I have neither control of rotor or transceiver. If measure the voltage between metal shields of the two cables, there is about 2 volts there. It sure looks like a ground loop, but where and how. I have no idea at this point. In 56 years a ham operator, I've never run into anything like this. Maybe RS232 isolators would fix this??? Seems like overkill. Larry W7IN On 4/10/2010 6:01 PM, kq6ea(a)verizon.net wrote: > I bought one of the Keyspan 4-port boxes some years ago, and it's > never missed a beat. > I mostly use it on Field Day with my laptop so I can have SatPC32 > control my Ft-847, btu now that I've built both the Las Vegas Tracker > *and* the Fox Delta unit, I'll be using it to control the radio and my > Uaesu Az/El rotor. > They've not inexpensive, but then you always get what you pay for! > 73, Jim KQ6EA > > On Apr 10, 2010, *Larry Gerhardstein* <gerhardstein(a)montana.com> wrote: > > I hope someone can shed light. I'm using SatPC32, but that does not > affect this problem. > > Awhile back I was forced to recycle both of my older computers > that had > one built in 9-pin serial port. Then, I connected the built-in > port to > the GS-232B rotor interface. I also purchased some HL USB-RS232 > USB-to-Serial adapters, a cable with USB on one end and a 9 pin > RS232 on > the other end. I used this gadget to control my transceiver (which > is a > IC910H). > > Now I have a new computer which has no (zero) built in serial ports. > I'm trying to use two of the USB-to-Serial gadgets and have run into > trouble. If I disconnect all grounding back through the power, I can > get one of the two to work, either the rotor or the rig-control, > but not > both at the same time. Without disconnecting grounding, neither work. > It does not matter whether I'm plugging the USB ends directly into > the > computer, using a passive USB hub, or a powered hub--same result. > > All I have to do to get this to fail...is... Even if the USB ends are > not plugged into the computer and the rig control box is powered > off and > unplugged from power, if I just touch the metal shield on the USB > cable > going to the rig control onto the shield connection in the > computer or > hub, that causes the rotor control to fail. When it fails, The > azimuth > reading on the G-5500 drops all the way to zero. The elevation > meter is > unaffected. > > It acts like a ground loop somewhere, but where and how? I've tried > disconnecting the coaxes from the transceiver but no change. > > I'm thinking about scrapping these USB-to-Serial things and going > to a > 4-Port Keyspan box. > > HELP!! > > 73, Larry W7IN - DN27 in Plains, Montana > > _______________________________________________ > 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 >

11 years, 9 months

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AMSAT-BB April 2010