September 2011 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Two Questions
by Thomas Doyle 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

I have two questions that I have wondered about for quite a while. There was a gap in my satellite activity of 20 years or so. AO-10 was the last satellite I used a lot. Not sure what sparked my interest again but I have been having a great time on the satellites. Right from the beginning I noticed that things have changed a lot. I have made about 70 contacts on CW, SSB and FM. Most of the contacts have been on FM. Question 1 relates to activity levels. I have 270 something countries on HF so I have been in my share of DX pileups. What I find really strange is how there will be the usual horrific pile up on AO-51 and then when an FO-29 pass comes a short time later there will usually be no one on. I realize the emphasis is all on "keeping it simple" but wonder how this change occurred. Did it happen all at once - did it happen when the last HEO satellite died. Are the linear sats too complicated. Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore. Question 2 relates to the rest of the world. I notice that FO-29, which seems to be the best linear satellite, came from Japan. What is activity like in Japan/Europe and the rest of the world outside the US. Is it mostly just FM on V/U sats. I believe the current US effort is an FM only Fox with a linear sat in the "2015 time frame". Since the FO-29 activity is almost zero it would see strange to put up another US linear sat at any time. As old as I am the "2015 time frame" might be beyond my chicken little date so I wonder if there are there any LEO linear sats in the works in other parts of the world. I am not complaining I just wonder what happened and what the future holds. Feel free to reply directly. 73 W9KE tom ... AMSAT LM 0875

8 11

SSB, SatPC32 and Doppler (was Two Questions)
by Stephen E. Belter 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

This e-mail is my feeble attempt to provide a helpful response to how to set-up SatPC32 for Doppler correction when operating SSB. I'm not an expert, but I just went through this process because I'm migrating from Nova to SatPC32. Since I'm out-of-town, I don't have access to my satellite station, so I'm doing this from memory. I also deleted your original post, as I was hopeful that an expert would step forward to help you. Your station is fine, with the Kenwood TS-2000 (?) and SatPC32. Your success operating the FM satellites is a good proving ground. Here is the approach I took: (1) Install SatPC32, update the Keplarian elements, and synchronize the PC clock to a national standard like WWV/NIST. (2) Get your radio and SatPC32 communicating, and verify the operation (including Doppler correction) using the FM satellites (AO-27, SO-50, and AO-51). (3) Wait for a good pass of VO-52, for example 60+ degrees maximum elevation. I suggest VO-52 because it is the newest (compared to AO-7 and FO-29), it is more tolerant of using too much transmit power, and it has the smallest transponder correction. (4) Open the "CAT" window. You can move the Window so that it doesn't block access to the main SatPC32 window. Tune the radio above the center of the satellite passband to reduce the QRM to other users. Make sure you are in SSB mode on the radio ("C-" on SatPC32). (5) Using your call and "Test 1-2-3", listen for yourself while you are transmitting. You probably won't hear yourself at all, at least I didn't. Using the +100 and -100 buttons in the Transmit Correction part of the CAT window, try to find yourself. For VO-52, you should hear yourself within +/- 1500 hertz. (I think I was about +800, but that is from memory.) (6) Once you hear yourself using the +/-100 buttons, fine tune using the +/-10 buttons. (7) You can improve the tuning of your uplink/downlink using CW mode ("C+" on SatPC32). Zero-beat the Kenwood's CW sidetone with your received signal. (8) *Save* the result by using the "Save" button in the CAT window. When given the choice, save the transmitter correction. (9) Verify that things are working by working a few VO-52 QSOs. (10) Repeat using FO-29 and AO-7, in that order. You may need to search over a wider frequency range (+/-3000 hertz). (11) One other important change when moving from FM to SSB. Your power output is important! Learn how to reduce your power and use the minimum power needed to hear yourself on the satellite. If you use too much power, you'll trash other conversations on the satellite and your transmissions will be badly distorted! Good luck! 73, Steve N9IP --

3 2

Re: Two Questions
by Buckley, Jack 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

I love it :) Controversy that is! Real men use Linux/UNIX anyway (sorry couldn't resists and a bit of controversy is always fun ;) ). 73 Mike K5TRI Mike, I thought real men could use anything or rather make anything work including computer operating systems (OSes)? :O ;) :) Boy does a discussion regarding OSes open a can of worms or what? Around here it can get downright bloody FYI: W1AKN uses all the OSes (not by choice) Love the AMSATBB - great source of knowledge. Just had to chuckle and throw my nickel in the pot :( It is always nice to see someone chime in with a bit of humor. Thank you for the grin and laugh this morning Mike - --... ...-- Jack Buckley Callsign: W1AKN Locator: FN41mv - Cape Cod <;))))>< E-Mail: w1akn(a)arrl.net<blocked::mailto:[email protected]> The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail contains patient information, please contact the Partners Compliance HelpLine at http://www.partners.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly dispose of the e-mail.

2 1

Re: Two Questions
by Ted 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

A statement/opinion like that is worthless without some solid data. You can't just malign the guy. Simon says he used David Taylor's open source satellite-tracking library to get started and wrote his own library, shipped as a dll with HRD and based on NORAD SGP4/SDP4 implementations by Michael F. Henry. I don't have a clue what all that means but it sounds like Simon's program was not just cobbled together. SATPC32 looks to me like an 80's dos program. Very unattractive. It is not logical to state that 'Everybody' in the entire sat community has problems with HRD's Doppler. I want more proof K7TRK _____ From: kq6ea(a)verizon.net [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 4:23 PM To: k7trkradio(a)charter.net; tomdoyle1948(a)gmail.com; AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Two Questions try SatPC32. *Everybody* I know who uses HRD has problems with the Doppler correction. Jim KQ6EA On 09/22/11, Ted<k7trkradio(a)charter.net> wrote: "Are the linear sats too complicated? Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore." Tom, speaking only for me, I have tried several times to work a linear. I have a TS 2000 with the sat function and HRD sat program which allegedly adjust the Doppler, 2m/440 SSB and a Elk on a rotor w/fixed el.. Try as I might, I cannot get the tx and rx to match so I can duplex. There just does not seem to be single primer that one can follow on how to accomplish the process. There are multiple opinions from individuals, but not much of a consensus on a good standard process. Admittedly, I have problem not given a fair amount of time on my technique as I was concentrating on VUCC. Now that that will go to the card checker tomorrow, I need to spend some time on the linear. I just wish there was a 'manual' 73, Ted K7TRK -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thomas Doyle Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 12:02 PM To: AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Two Questions I have two questions that I have wondered about for quite a while. There was a gap in my satellite activity of 20 years or so. AO-10 was the last satellite I used a lot. Not sure what sparked my interest again but I have been having a great time on the satellites. Right from the beginning I noticed that things have changed a lot. I have made about 70 contacts on CW, SSB and FM. Most of the contacts have been on FM. Question 1 relates to activity levels. I have 270 something countries on HF so I have been in my share of DX pileups. What I find really strange is how there will be the usual horrific pile up on AO-51 and then when an FO-29 pass comes a short time later there will usually be no one on. I realize the emphasis is all on "keeping it simple" but wonder how this change occurred. Did it happen all at once - did it happen when the last HEO satellite died. Are the linear sats too complicated. Do people not have SSB and CW equipment or are they just not interested anymore. Question 2 relates to the rest of the world. I notice that FO-29, which seems to be the best linear satellite, came from Japan. What is activity like in Japan/Europe and the rest of the world outside the US. Is it mostly just FM on V/U sats. I believe the current US effort is an FM only Fox with a linear sat in the "2015 time frame". Since the FO-29 activity is almost zero it would see strange to put up another US linear sat at any time. As old as I am the "2015 time frame" might be beyond my chicken little date so I wonder if there are there any LEO linear sats in the works in other parts of the world. I am not complaining I just wonder what happened and what the future holds. Feel free to reply directly. 73 W9KE tom ... AMSAT LM 0875 _______________________________________________ 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

3 2

How about DM 6,7,8
by Kevin Deane 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

These maybe? DM 6, 7, 8 Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

Cali Grids
by Kevin Deane 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

Would anyone be interested in Grids From Placerville Ca to Temecula Ca? I did not do that good (3 out of 5) on the last trip but practice makes more better. MOON that spells GRIDS. CM 96,97,98 DM 13,14 Kevin KF7MYK

1 0

Reverse VUCC Award Standings Updated for Satellites
by John Papay 23 Sep '11

23 Sep '11

The Central States VHF Society has just updated their website to reflect applications for VUCC-r, Reverse VUCC, filed some time ago. http://www.csvhfs.org This award is given to those who have operated via satellites in more than 100 grids away from their home grid. There are now four operators who have achieved this distinction. They are N7SFI-200 grids, N5AFV-109 grids, ND9M-325 grids, and KD4ZGW-100 grids. The rules require that applicants submit proof of contacts made from these away from home grids. So if you work someone signing "portable" (meaning they are operating away from home), please remember to include your grid as well as the grid they were operating from on your qsl. This will provide the proof of contact required by the Central States VHF Society. Congratulations to all of these operators and especially to the newest additions to the list, Jim ND9M and Rob KD4ZGW. Well done! 73, John K8YSE

2 1

PCSAT32 -Doppler.SQF
by Rob Styles 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

In the process of reading the manual for PCSAT32 but it would be nice to have up to date Doppler.sqf file until I i get around to changing my own , so If your willing to send me you file,thanks in advance send to m0tfo(a)m0tfo.co.uk Rob

1 0

Sounds of NASA
by Clint Bradford 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

THE SOUNDS OF NASA AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- Historic and interesting sounds and sound bites from NASA space missions are available for download as ringtones or on your computer for events, errors, alarms and notifications. The public now can hear the roar of a space shuttle launch or Neil Armstrong's, "One small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," every time they get a phone call. A new NASA web page now has a collection of more than 35 different sounds, each approximately 20 seconds. Examples include: - Apollo 13's John "Jack" Swigert commenting "Houston, we have a problem" - Crackle of the historic last launch of the space shuttle, STS-135 - Segments from President John F. Kennedy's historic moon speech - Sound wave conversions of the light curve waves created by stars discovered by NASA's Kepler mission and other sounds of planets and stars "NASA has been making historic sounds for over 50 years," said Jerry Colen, NASA App project manager at the agency's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. "Now we're making some of these memorable sounds easy to find and use." The NASA sounds are available in both MP3 and M4R (iPhone) files. NASA will update the collection as new sounds become available. To listen to and download the sounds, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/sounds The NASA App for Android allows users to easily preview and set the sounds as ringtones. To download the most recent version of the NASA App for Android, visit: https://market.android.com/details?id=gov.nasa -end- Clint Bradford clintbradford(a)mac.com

1 0

EM45
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

If work will allow, I will be on from em45 on AO27 today 9/22 WA4HFN

1 0