July 2010 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning microcontroller
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 26 Jul '10

26 Jul '10

Bruce, That would be cool, an HT that tells you where the bird is! Sign Me Up! Joe kk0sd -----Original Message----- From: Bruce Robertson [mailto:ve9qrp@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 7:23 AM To: Gary Joe Mayfield Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning microcontroller Thanks, Joe -- I guess an important distinction is that the trakbox did rotor control, and my project doesn't. Rather, it aims to be useful to a person in the field using hand-held equipment. In fact, ultimately, I'd like to see code like this built into the firmware of an HT like the TH-D7A. 73, Bruce VE9QRP On Mon, Jul 26, 2010 at 12:45 AM, Gary "Joe" Mayfield <gary_mayfield(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > Cool! Trakbox lives again!!! > > 73, > Joe kk0sd > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On > Behalf Of Bruce Robertson > Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 8:51 PM > To: AMSAT-BB > Subject: [amsat-bb] video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning > microcontroller > > Some of you know about my qrptracker project, which is aiming at a > compact, microcontroller-based doppler tuning device for use in the > field. My previous videos showed an FT-817 controlled by this device > and using a small speaker and CW to announce the bird. I've just > posted a video to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/VE9QRP that > demonstrates the program that is used to load TLEs into the > microcontroller, sync the tracker, etc. It also shows the > microcontroller tuning a TH-D7A handheld, and it shows a LCD display. > My goal now is to make an altoids-tin-sized package that connects to a > TH-D7A or an FT-817, has an LCD display and provides doppler tuning. > > In further developments in this project, I've worked on porting the > SGP4 algorithm to the ATMega644p. (Currently the project uses the > Plan13 algorithm.)It's not an exact port, since the 'double' data type > is not the same length, but with some careful hand-crafting, we're > getting accuracies down to 1/10th of a degree lat and long. > sub-satellite point. > > 73, Bruce > VE9QRP > > -- > http://ve9qrp.blogspot.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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > -- http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com

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Yaesu G-5400 vs G-5500
by David Wing 26 Jul '10

26 Jul '10

Is there any reason why the 5400 would be a very poor choice as opposed to the 5500? The Yaesu site no longer references the 5400.does anyone know when they stopped manufacturing them? If anyone has the manual for the 5400 in electronic format, could you send it to me? Thanks, David K6CDW

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AO-51 LA4FPA/p 1751z 26July
by John Papay 26 Jul '10

26 Jul '10

Short notice but LA4FPA will be listening for the East Coast on the AO-51 pass coming up at 1751z. It covers eastern Canada but only touches the far northeast of the USA. 73, John K8YSE

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IOTA ... (Islands On The Air).
by John Hackett 26 Jul '10

26 Jul '10

INFORMATION FOR IOTA HUNTERS. Normally, in a satellite exchange, I only give my locator (JP33WB) - but my QTH is in fact FREI ISLAND, IOTA EU 36, located at 63.02 degrees North and 7.48 degrees East. It's just too long winded giving the entire QTH designation on CW so for the IOTA hunters, please be aware that JP33WB is IOTA EU-36. I've lived on Frei Island for the past 21 years. Previous to that, my QTH was Gossen Island, IOTA 56. I've been involved with the IOTA program since it was started in the early 80's. I've worked the analogue satellites daily from and including RS-10 up to and including HO-68 - except for 1 year AWOL (hospital) in 1997 - 1998. The 'station' is still operated daily ... but in a much smaller capacity. Milliwatting now instead of QRP, skill over *BRUTE* force of 2 watts. 100mW ito an 'Arrow' is more than enough on HO-68. It still cracks me up thinking about K4***'s ... "You need at least 100w and a good antenna to work AO-7" ... you probably do - if you use a 50 ohm resistor as an aerial. Incidentally, just the other day I was chatting to a station who mentioned he was G-QRP 13,000 and something-or-other ... It made me realise how time flies, I was G-QRP nr 74. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Re: video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning microcontroller
by Bruce Robertson 26 Jul '10

26 Jul '10

Thanks, Joe -- I guess an important distinction is that the trakbox did rotor control, and my project doesn't. Rather, it aims to be useful to a person in the field using hand-held equipment. In fact, ultimately, I'd like to see code like this built into the firmware of an HT like the TH-D7A. 73, Bruce VE9QRP On Mon, Jul 26, 2010 at 12:45 AM, Gary "Joe" Mayfield <gary_mayfield(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > Cool! Trakbox lives again!!! > > 73, > Joe kk0sd > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On > Behalf Of Bruce Robertson > Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010 8:51 PM > To: AMSAT-BB > Subject: [amsat-bb] video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning > microcontroller > > Some of you know about my qrptracker project, which is aiming at a > compact, microcontroller-based doppler tuning device for use in the > field. My previous videos showed an FT-817 controlled by this device > and using a small speaker and CW to announce the bird. I've just > posted a video to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/VE9QRP that > demonstrates the program that is used to load TLEs into the > microcontroller, sync the tracker, etc. It also shows the > microcontroller tuning a TH-D7A handheld, and it shows a LCD display. > My goal now is to make an altoids-tin-sized package that connects to a > TH-D7A or an FT-817, has an LCD display and provides doppler tuning. > > In further developments in this project, I've worked on porting the > SGP4 algorithm to the ATMega644p. (Currently the project uses the > Plan13 algorithm.)It's not an exact port, since the 'double' data type > is not the same length, but with some careful hand-crafting, we're > getting accuracies down to 1/10th of a degree lat and long. > sub-satellite point. > > 73, Bruce > VE9QRP > > -- > http://ve9qrp.blogspot.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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > -- http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com -- http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com

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OL95 AS138 operation
by Michael Chen 26 Jul '10

26 Jul '10

Guys, We have setup our satellite equipment on Pingtan Island AS138 (OL95vk). This afternoon, several stations were worked on AO51. We are looking for possible DX contacts via satellite, Alaska, Europe, Western/central Asia, Oceania. Please look for us on the birds. If you wish to set a schedule, feel free to leave me a message. Equipment: 2m: 10ele Yagi * 2 70cm: 27 ele Yagi *2 (AZ/EL rotatable) Xcvr: IC910H Michael Chen, BD5RV/4 AMSAT-China: http://www.camsat.cn Email: michael.bd5rv(a)gmail.com MSN: bd5rv(a)jsdxc.org Skype: michael-bd5rv

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video: program to burn TLEs onto doppler-tuning microcontroller
by Bruce Robertson 25 Jul '10

25 Jul '10

Some of you know about my qrptracker project, which is aiming at a compact, microcontroller-based doppler tuning device for use in the field. My previous videos showed an FT-817 controlled by this device and using a small speaker and CW to announce the bird. I've just posted a video to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/VE9QRP that demonstrates the program that is used to load TLEs into the microcontroller, sync the tracker, etc. It also shows the microcontroller tuning a TH-D7A handheld, and it shows a LCD display. My goal now is to make an altoids-tin-sized package that connects to a TH-D7A or an FT-817, has an LCD display and provides doppler tuning. In further developments in this project, I've worked on porting the SGP4 algorithm to the ATMega644p. (Currently the project uses the Plan13 algorithm.)It's not an exact port, since the 'double' data type is not the same length, but with some careful hand-crafting, we're getting accuracies down to 1/10th of a degree lat and long. sub-satellite point. 73, Bruce VE9QRP -- http://ve9qrp.blogspot.com

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Playing with GPS
by Lee Ernstrom 25 Jul '10

25 Jul '10

Hi Guys, I have been playing around with my Garman NUVI GPS and comparing the readings to Google Maps. This is something you call try at home. My Garman says that the base of my HF tower is at 41.07430 N 112.03774 W. When I punch in those coordinates in to Google Maps in the satelite view mode the arrow points to a location about 30 feet away near the middle of the lawn east of my driveway. When I play around with the coordinates a little through interpolation and punch them in to Google Maps several times I arrive at what appears to be the true coordinates of the base of my HF tower at 41.074329 N 112.037770 W. I suppose that is the significant difference that sixth decimal place makes. Check both of these coordinates on Google Maps to see what I mean. Any comments? WA7HQD Lee Ernstrom Syracuse, Utah DN31xb

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K2BSA Special Event Station
by Andrew Koenig 25 Jul '10

25 Jul '10

This week, K2BSA will be operating on the satellites from the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. We expect to make most of the FM satellite passes that cover FM18 (Fort AP Hill, VA) in the evenings, and we will experiment with the linear birds too. Finally, we have an ARISS contact planned too. QSL cards for the 100th anniversary are available if you send a card, and SASE, to the QRZ K2BSA address. 73's de K2BSA -- Andrew Koenig

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AO-51 0009z on or off?
by John Papay 25 Jul '10

25 Jul '10

Is anyone copying AO-51 on the far western pass 25July 0009z? I am not hearing it. 73, John K8YSE

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