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

LVB Tracker USB serial port driver for Windows 7 x64?
by Bill Bordy, NJ1H 22 Dec '16

22 Dec '16

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

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Call for Papers--2007 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

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

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Re: EggBeater
by Bill Dzurilla 29 May '12

29 May '12

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

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FW: Re: The Moon is our Future
by Dave 15 Mar '11

15 Mar '11

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:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] 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

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AMSAT Journal
by Gary "Joe" Mayfield 10 Sep '10

10 Sep '10

What is the most recent AMSAT Journal? When did it show up at people's QTH? Thanks and 73, Joe kk0sd

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Guess the mystery noise
by Gordon JC Pearce 31 Aug '10

31 Aug '10

http://www.gjcp.net/~gordonjcp/weirdnoise.mp3 Recorded on 145.825MHz at around 20:57 BST, in IO75ww - I have no idea what it is. >From the way it faded up and down I'd guess it was something in orbit but I can't figure out what. It's not the ISS, it's not NO-44 - I know a couple of other sats use 145.825MHz but none of them seem to fit the bill either. Gordon MM0YEQ

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Transit satellites - I think I heard one
by Gordon JC Pearce 31 Aug '10

31 Aug '10

Listening on 149.990MHz and aiming by hand roughly at the part of the sky where gpredict told me there was one, I could hear what sounded like a slow MFSK mode with a distinctive rhythm, punctuated by odd "burbles". Is that what they sound like? Gordon MM0YEQ

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Re: Transit Satellites
by DOMINICK INTERDONATO 31 Aug '10

31 Aug '10

The SATNAV system is no longer operational. It takes an earth station to upload the correct data for a 24hr period(?) to be sent from the satellite to enable SATNAV units to correctly locate themselves. I worked on this system for many years on commercial ships as well as military. I bought through ebay a Magnavox SATNAV that still hears the satellites that are operational and it doesn't calculate any position. The purchase was to give a demo of SATNAV vs. GPS and what was available to a generation prior to GPS. They were the original "hurry up and wait" to see if the sat pass was going to calculate your position or not. All were polar orbits. Brings back memories. . . 73 Dee, NB2F On Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 12:04 AM, Glenn Little WB4UIV wrote: > It is my understanding that the transit system is inactive. > This was a Navy navigation system that used the approx 150 MHz and 400 > MHZ signals for determination of location. > I used this system while active duty in the USN submarine service. > I listened to the 149.985 MHz signal at home for many years, but, have > not heard it for at least 10 years. > The birds were known as OSCAR (for operational) by the Navy. > Here are some links to some information indicating that at least one > bird was transmitting in 1996. > > http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sda… > > http://sd-www.jhuapl.edu/Transit/ > > http://techdigest.jhuapl.edu/td/td1901/index.htm > > If you do hear a Transit satellite, and the satellite is operating > properly, you will hear a data burst, known as a Barker word. > This data burst occurs at every even 2 minute mark. > It can be used as an accurate time hack. > The assumption was that the unit using the system would have time that > was at least accurate to a minute and this could be used as a time > hack. > > > > Hope this helps > > 73 > Glenn > WB4UIV > > > > > At 06:49 PM 8/30/2010, Dave Marthouse wrote: >> With all this talk of the Transit satellites on 149.985MHZ, how are >> they listed in the keps. I checked for other satellites of interest >> on the kelso webpage and found navy navigation satellites. There are >> a few named transit. What Transit birds are we talking about. I >> want to see how strong their signals are on my scanner. Any >> information would be appreciated. >> >> >> Dave Marthouse N2AAM >> dmarthouse(a)gmail.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

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ARRL/TAPR DCC Early Registration Deadline September 1st
by Mark Thompson 31 Aug '10

31 Aug '10

The ARRL/TAPR DCC (Digital Communication Conference) will be held in the Portland, OR area on September 24 - 26. ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Steven Bible <n7hpr(a)tapr.org> To: tapr-announce(a)tapr.org; hpsdr(a)lists.openhpsdr.org Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 9:06:53 AM Subject: [tapr-announce] DCC Early Registration Deadline September 1st The September 1st deadline to register for the DCC and get the best room rates is fast approaching. The DCC activities planning are in the final stages: - The DCC Proceedings is over 200 pages! See the list of papers below. - The speakers schedule is being planned. - Introductory talks. - Banquet Speaker - The Sunday Seminar on DSP Tools, Techniques, and Tricks presented by Rick Muething, KN6KB (see below for abstract) - Wonderful location at the Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, WA (http://www.heathmanlodge.com) If you have not attended the DCC, you are missing out on a lot of technical fun. Papers, presentations, demos, meeting like minded people. It is a great event. Ask anyone who has attended one! To register for the DCC go to http://www.tapr.org/dcc. Hotel registration information is also located there. Be sure to mention the DCC for the discounted rate. See you at the 2010 DCC! 73, DCC Planning Committee. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday Seminar DSP Tools, Techniques, and Tricks Rick Muething, KN6KB Time: Sunday Sept 26, 8 AM 12 Noon Prerequisites: An interest in Digital Signal Processing. Some experience in programming may be helpful. The only math you¹ll need is addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and some idea of what a sine wave is. Goals: The goal of the workshop is to encourage those peripherally interested in DSP to take the next step to learn what DSP can do and try some DSP design and coding. Each attendee will get a handout CD which will include all slides with links to useful references. The CD will also include some basic Windows VB.NET examples of operational code along with some useful DSP tools (demo versions). Sessions: Four sessions 45 min each with 15 minute breaks. 1) DSP Intro and Basics: what we are trying to do with DSP. Why is it better/different than analog. The cornerstone of DSP .the Fourier Transform and the FFT. 2) DSP Tools: What you need to see, interpret and understand signals. Basic waveform processing utilities. How do you setup a sound card to capture and play back audio with examples. How to design basic DSP Filters using common tools. 3) DSP Techniques: How do we use DSP to do those things needed in a radio. Mixing, Filtering, Modulation, Demodulation, FSK, PSK, Tone Detection, AGC etc 4) DSP Tricks: Tricks of the trade to make the impractical possible. Common and useful tricks to make significant reductions in computer demands, Single tone detectors, decimation, windowing, CIC Filters, IQ sampling. No seminar or workshop can cover this topic completely in a few hours but this workshop should remove some of the mystery of DSP and motivate those to learn what can be done and get more involved. Bio: Rick is a retired entrepreneur electrical engineer and has been a ham since 1962. After volunteering for the Winlink Development effort in 1998 he focused his efforts on programming and DSP. Rick was responsible for the SCAMP, WINMOR and V4 sound card protocols described in the DCC 2004, 2008 and 2010 proceedings along with several of the software components of the Winlink 2000 system. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Proceedings of 29th Annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference Mobile Fading; Sachin Dubey and Kanchan Cecil RF to Video Converter for Timex/Sinclair Computers; John M. Franke, WA4WDL Robotic Radio and CW Robot, a Building Block for Robotic Radio; Rob Frohne, KL7NA SDR Cube: A Portable Software Defined Radio Utilizing An Embedded DSP Engine for Quadrature Sampling Transceivers; George L. Heron, N2APB and Juha Niinikoski, OH2NLT A Simple SDR Receiver; Michael Hightower, KF6SJ Testing a Digital-ATV Station using DVB-S; Ken Konechy, W6HHC and Robbie Robinson, KB6CJZ Demand and Transmission of E-mail Reception Report in Digital Modes; Patrick Lindecker, F6CTE Technical Aspects of RS ID and Call ID and Use; Patrick Lindecker, F6CTE Simulation & Synthesis of Five Port Router; Swati Malviya and Anurag Jaiswal Five Port Router for Network on Chip; Swati Malviya and Anurag Jaiswal V4 and V4Chat: A Protocol and Client Optimized for Keyboard Radio QSOs; Rick Muething, KN6KB, AAA9WK WINMOR Phase 2: Demonstration to Deployment; Rick Muething, KN6KB/AAA9WK RMS Express A Multimode Winlink 2000 User Client Program; Victor Poor, W5SMM/AAA9WL Introducing APRSSpeak: An APRStt implementation; Douglas D. Quagliana, KA2UPW/5 A Comparison of Different TCP/IP and DTN Protocols Over the D-Star Digital Data Mode; John Ronan, EI7IG and Cathal O’Connor Bidirectional Low Frequency Transverter (Bi-LIF) Computer Interface for Demodulation and Modulation of Radio Signals; Alex Schwarz , VE7DXW An FPGA-Based Transceiver Module; John B. Stephensen, KD6OZH Terrestrial Link Budgets for Digital Communications; R. Swenson, KF4DII The Effects of Authentication on AX.25 Packet Radio Data Transmission Time; Paul D. Wiedemeier, Ph.D., KE5LKY

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Re: Symposium Refund
by Clint Bradford 31 Aug '10

31 Aug '10

>> ... Is the registration fee for the Symposium refundable ... I suggest that you register and pay - to make sure there is room for you. Then, if you cannot show up, contact Martha ASAP, and advise her that your registration is available to someone else. She will find a suitable recipient for your graciousness. YOU get a tax receipt ... and someone else gets the experience. EVERYONE wins. Clint, K6LCS

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