September 2012 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

SatPC32 and ISS CubeSats to be deployed
by Mark L. Hammond 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Hi All, I've been preparing for the CubeSat release from ISS scheduled for tomorrow. Hope it happens!! For my simple brain, I've figured an easy way to get the frequency tracking/Dopper, etc entered into SatPC32. First, we can use the ISS Keps for tracking--at least for a few days probably, until Keps are released by Celestrak, etc. I already have that working (don't you?). So, no need to do ANYTHING with Keps--just make sure they are "fresh." Second, there is the matter of frequencies! So, I entered the following into my Doppler.SQF file: ISS,145980.0,437485.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,F1 1k2 AFSK packet ISS,437485.0,145980.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,F1 CW telem over FM ISS,437250.0,145980.0,CW,FM,Nor,0,0,FITSat1 CW telem ISS,437445.0,145980.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,FITSat1 1k2 AFSK packet ISS,437505.0,145980.0,FM,FM,Nor,0,0,WE WISH 1k2 AFSK packet Now, all I have to do is track ISS (in normal SatPC32--don't use SatPC32ISS!), and using the "CAT" menu select the frequency of the CubeSat I want to listen to. If you look at the text line at the bottom of the box, you'll see why I put the CubeSat name at the end of each line above... Easy to do, no need to worry about "launch Keps", etc. We have them already :) Remember, the "upper most" line is one that loads by default. For me, that's going to be the F1 1k2 AFSK FM packet signal. Also, after we DO get real Keps--all you have to do is edit the appropriate ISS with the name of the bird; make sure it's the same name used in the Keps (or get fancy and use the AmsatNames.SQF file). Hope that helps some of you... 73, -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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Sid May ET3SID / AB3OZ / G4CTQ Silent Key
by Trevor . 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Sid had recently contacted AMSAT-UK about an amateur radio CubeSat project he wished to start in Ethiopia. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10512 73 Trevor M5AKA ----

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Re: beep box help
by Andrew Glasbrenner 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

Let me add an additional recommendation. Learn to love the soundcard. Go into the back ACC socket on your radio, find the fixed level AF signal, and send it over to the line in on your PC soundcard. Now you can copy most of the digital modes with software like MixW or the programs provided by the owner of the satellite. SatPC32 set up to Doppler track, and tweaked for time and freq offsets, is invaluable. When you can decode a CW or AFSK beacon from AOS to LOS and not touch the VFO, now you've really done something! 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Stefan Wagener <wageners(a)gmail.com> >Sent: Sep 26, 2012 6:40 AM >To: Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> >Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: beep box help > >Hi Bob, > >I don't think we have any "beep boxes" out there. If that is what you call >cubesats, nano and picosats, I would highly discourage you to even look at >them. Now having said that, let's assume you want to receive data from >these satellites, there is NO one tutorial. On the other hand you could >write one :-) > >It is all about you doing your own homework, compiling information, >learning along the way and using resources like Mike Rupprecht's beautiful >website: http://www.dk3wn.info/satellites.shtml >for more information. > >What you do with the data is totally up to you. Many of us help these teams >and forward telemetry information to them. Some teams have developed >special software to decode the data and allow us to actively monitor the >status of the satellite and any experiments.That's the beauty of this hobby >that we can do some technical stuff, learning about the satellite etc. and >are not reduced to mindless rag chewing with someone who could care less >what my cats name is. Actually I only have a dog > >Regarding the keps, maybe you should look up all the great stuff that comes >out of Celestrack and look at: >http://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/cubesat.txt >and that is just one source (Google here I come....) > >Hope that helps, > >Stefan VE4NSA > > > > > > >On Wed, Sep 26, 2012 at 2:48 AM, Bob- W7LRD <w7lrd(a)comcast.net> wrote: > >> Where can I find a good tutorial on "how to" monitor/decode the many and >> ever increasing beep boxes up there. Then, what do you do with data? Also >> is there a place where the keps for these little gizzmos can be easily >> accessed and downloaded into Satpc-32 >> work them till they drop >> 73 Bob W7LRD >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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UKube-1 Cubesat books a ride on Soyuz-2 rocket
by Trevor . 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

The UK Space Agency has announced that UKube-1, which carries an AMSAT-UK 435/145 MHz linear transponder, has booked a flight on a Soyuz-2 rocket. See http://www.uk.amsat.org/?p=10497 73 Trevor M5AKA Join AMSAT-UK at http://tinyurl.com/JoinAMSAT-UK ----

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Daniel Schultz 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

We don't need anything so fancy as springs or rubber bands. Electric propulsion is a mature, safe technology, with many universities and organizations developing experimental thrusters that need to be tested in space. Some of them even use solid propellant so no need to do safety qualification on a high pressure gas cylinder. Nothing at all to explode. That is how we will get our next HEO satellite. Dan Schultz N8FGV ------ Original Message ------ > > And of someone wanted to try out a new propulsion system on a live > > satellite, I'm sure AMSAT would be more than happy to help with the > > comms side of things. > > One can understand the reluctance to allow an explosive kick-motor on a > launch vehicle. But is that the only way? > > What about a trebuchet? Springs? Rubber bands? Cylinders of > compressed gas? Gas produced when needed by mixing two stable chemicals > together? A motor that spins up an arm to 'throw' the payload? A > magnetic railgun that fires a slug down out of orbit, resulting in > recoil pushing the satellite up? Or the payload up, while deorbiting > the railgun? > > Surely someone smarter than I can come up with a scheme that might > actually work? And someone with a smoother tongue than I can persuade a > university that this is valuable research to be pursued by their space > science department? > > -- > 73, de Gus 8P6SM > The Easternmost Isle

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LVB Tracker & SAT32PC Help making them play nicely needed
by James Luhn 26 Sep '12

26 Sep '12

I think Bob, W7LRD, and I have a common block to some of our computer applications. I am in the process of getting my G-5500 rotor, LVB Tracker, and IC-910H to all play nicely with one another using SAT32PC software (v12.8). I am using a Panasonic Toughbook Computer with the serial port (com4) connected to the ICOM CT-17 level converter for frequency control of the IC-910. A USB port (com1) is used to talk with the LVB Tracker. Frequency control works terrific. I cannot make the rotor control work however. The LVB Tracker manually controls the rotor just fine. I can also control the rotor position by opening a terminal window and giving commands(which indicates to me commands are going down the USB pipe). When I give a park command via SAT32PC, nothing happens nor does the rotor respond to other movement commands from the SAT32PC software. I know I must be overlooking something very simple and perhaps a good nights sleep might help me to resolve my problem. Can someone share the "secret" of rotor control with me? Hopefully no secret handshakes or needed. Any help will be sincerely appreciated. 73, -james W5AOO soon to be an ex "one armed paper hanger" in the satellite arena

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Re: Launch Costs (was-re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol. 7, Issue 312)
by Andrew Glasbrenner 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

>Specific question. Has AMSAT approached SpaceX for a "good cause" launch? RGO WB5MZO Yes. We went to them, and they came to us to talk about DragonLab. Keep in mind both ARISSat and now Fox have had "good cause" launches provided, but strictly due to the educational component. 73, Drew KO4MA

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Out of Office
by Martha 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

I will be out of the office tomorrow. -- 73- Martha

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modified metaphor
by K4FEG 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

we have all heard the old expression: "there's no such thing as a free lunch!" the AMSAT version is: "There's no such thing as a free launch!" I always wondered why they had that digital burst at the end of the the AO27 timer? to help "soothe" us! What will they think of next? The wonders never cease! In the words of the famous philosopher Ted Turner: " Lead, Follow or get out of my way!" 73 all feg

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AO-7 OH5LK??
by Bob- W7LRD 25 Sep '12

25 Sep '12

I heard OH5LK cqing on AO7 could not find myself quick enough to pounce. He's not in qrz, anyone know? work them till they drop '73 Bob W7LRD

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