December 2013 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: CAPE-2 CW over Brazil
by g0mrf＠aol.com 02 Dec '13

02 Dec '13

Hi Nick. Yes, can hear what I believe is CAPE-2 in London. But still don't know the sequence of transmission. 14.11 Carrier on 145.824 - did not hear the modulation (below the city rooftops) pos interference. 14.12 Good CW signal - S5 very easy copy. Frequency low and pulled by CW (chirp) 14.14 Single 1200 packet burst. 14.16 More CW from below roofline. In CW mode on IC706 this was best received on 145.920 Could be that you are a couple of KHz low of 825. Keps used are: CAPE-2 1 39380U 13064A 13334.93341659 .00001167 00000-0 59607-4 0 257 2 39380 040.5145 186.8069 0003506 014.0453 346.0304 15.21277316 1661 Regards David G0MRF

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AMSAT assigned Booth #62 - Atlantic City - August 28-29th
by Thomas Doyle 02 Dec '13

02 Dec '13

A well deserved thanks to John, David and James. http://www.tomdoyle.org/AtlanticCity-2.jpg http://www.tomdoyle.org/AtlanticCity-1.jpg W9KE Tom Doyle

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Re: AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations
by Mark L. Hammond 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

Hi Patrick, Quick response---the 500mW reference was mentioned for 2 reasons--first, you said it could work ;) and second, I suspect if you're using an Elk full duplex, you'll see some interaction at higher powers (whatever that is...). So, you might be fine at 5W. Let us know how it works! 73 and have fun... Mark N8MH At 02:32 AM 12/2/2013 +0000, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote: >Hi Mark! > >Thanks for your e-mail. Since I do lots of satellite >demonstrations and get the questions about what it >takes to work satellites like the new AO-73, I figured >I'd put together some information in those videos and >my -BB posts. I'll use your message as the one I reply >to, but acknowledge the others who replied to my late- >night post on the -BB and in direct e-mails today. No >radio tonight, since I have to be in the office early >tomorrow, but I will probably be outside tomorrow night >for at least one of the AO-73 passes. > >AC0RA mentioned last night on the western AO-73 pass >that he could receive the transponder and use the >dashboard to receive telemetry at the same time. Wyatt >didn't go into detail on what he had to do on the laptop >on the air, but he mentioned he used HDSDR with the >dashboard software. I may follow Hector's (CO6CBF) >suggestion of working the transponder and recording >everything during a pass, then run that through the >dashboard using whatever configuration I need so that >the playback can be piped into the dashboard and decoded. >I may be able to work SSB/CW satellites without a computer >from almost anywhere I go, but the SDR stuff is something >I am trying to (quickly) learn. Especially when the >dongle's namesake is now in orbit and operational. :-) > >Since I will be at a hamfest on Saturday morning, I may >work on just using the dashboard by itself to copy the >telemetry, to have something else to show off at the >hamfest on AO-73's morning passes (if the transponder is >not turned on), then "worry" about trying to hear the >transponder and receive telemetry with the dashboard >later. > >You mentioned that I could work the transponder and >receive telemetry at the same time if I transmit at >500mW. This would be possible on higher passes based >on my tests in the past week, but is there a reason >why 5W would be too much with the Pro+ dongle and its >filtering along with a diplexer between the radios >and the Elk antenna? I'm not looking to run more power >than 5W, since I'm not planning to add an amplifier or >replace one of my FT-817NDs with something like an >FT-857 at this point. > >To those who suggested I modify one of my FT-817NDs to >have a panadapter interface and then use both the 817 >and dongle on the downlink, what advantages would I >have in doing that, instead of just using the dongle >as the downlink receiver? I apologize if this is a >silly question, but I'm wanting to learn more about >what I can do with this dongle, by itself or alongside >my existing gear. I'm looking forward to seeing N1JEZ's >article in an upcoming AMSAT Journal, and will look at >the link Mike suggested to learn more about this option. > >I haven't even started thinking about getting SatPC32 >mixed in with all of this SDR stuff, but know that I >could do that. I still need to get it working my two >FT-817NDs, something that remains on my satellite "to >do" list. > >73! > > > > > >Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK >http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > > >On Sun, Dec 1, 2013 at 2:12 PM, Mark L. Hammond <marklhammond(a)gmail.com>wrote: > >> >> Hi Patrick, >> >> Great sharing of your experiences---thanks! Nice to have AO-73 operations >> futher characterized. >> >> >> Regarding the Funcube Dongle Pro Plus (FCDP+)---you should enjoy the >> experience of learning how to use it! It's such a neat receiver. >> >> Some quick thoughts/pointers/questions: >> >> Are you planning to capture telemetry and work the transponder >> simultaneously during evening passes? It might work, depending on your >> antenna system, especially if you can get buy with only 500mW uplink. I'll >> be interested in your experiences with this... >> >> There is one thing to remember--you'll need two audio streams decoding at >> the same time. SDR-Radio V2.1 will do this, with "VFO A" and "VFO B". >> They each have separate audio out selections, so you can pipe the telemetry >> to something like VB Audio Virtual Cable into the Dashboard, and the other >> VFO and audio stream to your laptop speakers or headphone jack. SDR-Radio >> V2.1 also has built in satellite tracking for doppler correction, and you >> can record the pass at the same time! >> >> >> On the other hand----if you don't want to try to do telemetry and the >> transponder simultaneously, you have some more options... >> >> SatPC32 has great DDE support, and you can use that with either HDSDR or >> SDRSharp to tune your FCDP+ as a separate receiver. It works great, and >> it's pretty easy to do, if you want your receiver following the >> Doppler/frequency from SatPC32. >> >> Now, if you want to use your FCDP+ as a receiver AND be able to click on a >> frequency and have the transmit match it---that's another trickier setup >> involving HDSDR, SatPC32, and virtual comports. It works and is slick, but >> it's not for the faint of heart. You can read about that setup here: >> http://www.tomdoyle.org/FUNcube-SatPC32/FUNcube-SatPC32.html >> I did similar to that writeup by Tom, but found I could do 56k serial port >> speeds just fine. >> >> Have fun! >> >> 73, >> >> >> >> >> So, lots of options.. >> >> >> >> >_______________________________________________ >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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Re: AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations
by Mark L. Hammond 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

Hi Patrick, Great sharing of your experiences---thanks! Nice to have AO-73 operations futher characterized. Regarding the Funcube Dongle Pro Plus (FCDP+)---you should enjoy the experience of learning how to use it! It's such a neat receiver. Some quick thoughts/pointers/questions: Are you planning to capture telemetry and work the transponder simultaneously during evening passes? It might work, depending on your antenna system, especially if you can get buy with only 500mW uplink. I'll be interested in your experiences with this... There is one thing to remember--you'll need two audio streams decoding at the same time. SDR-Radio V2.1 will do this, with "VFO A" and "VFO B". They each have separate audio out selections, so you can pipe the telemetry to something like VB Audio Virtual Cable into the Dashboard, and the other VFO and audio stream to your laptop speakers or headphone jack. SDR-Radio V2.1 also has built in satellite tracking for doppler correction, and you can record the pass at the same time! On the other hand----if you don't want to try to do telemetry and the transponder simultaneously, you have some more options... SatPC32 has great DDE support, and you can use that with either HDSDR or SDRSharp to tune your FCDP+ as a separate receiver. It works great, and it's pretty easy to do, if you want your receiver following the Doppler/frequency from SatPC32. Now, if you want to use your FCDP+ as a receiver AND be able to click on a frequency and have the transmit match it---that's another trickier setup involving HDSDR, SatPC32, and virtual comports. It works and is slick, but it's not for the faint of heart. You can read about that setup here: http://www.tomdoyle.org/FUNcube-SatPC32/FUNcube-SatPC32.html I did similar to that writeup by Tom, but found I could do 56k serial port speeds just fine. Have fun! 73, So, lots of options.. At 12:46 AM 12/1/2013 -0800, Patrick STODDARD \(WD9EWK/VA7EWK\) wrote: >Hi! > >Over the past few nights, I've been working the new AO-73 >satellite from my back yard. Most of the time, I have been >using my normal portable all-mode satellite station - two >Yaesu FT-817NDs, Elk handheld 2m/70cm log periodic >antenna. Last night, I replaced one of the FT-817NDs with >a Kenwood TH-F6A - using its all-mode receiver to copy the >downlink. Tonight, I used an Icom IC-R20 receiver for the >downlink. I have used these radios in the past on other >satellites, and for some hamfest demonstrations on VO-52 >I have used the FT-817ND/TH-F6A combination. I have >made a series of videos (satellite audio combined with >slideshows) from several AO-73 passes I've worked this >week, and those are available at: > >http://www.youtube.com/va7ewk > >One of the AO-73 videos I recorded contains audio from two >passes, and is about twice as long as the others which have >audio from a single pass. > >After working these passes, I am convinced that this new >satellite performs as well as VO-52, for both its uplink and >downlink. This is a very good thing! AO-73 hears very well, >as long as I'm careful to match the polarization of the satellite's >antennas. The downlink is strong enough to allow me to use >any of these radios as the receiver on higher passes. For >lower passes, I would probably use my second FT-817ND for >the downlink receiver. It is good to know that, at least on the >higher passes, there are lots of options for a downlink receiver. >On the same higher passes, I know that I can cut my power >down from 5W to 1W and even 500mW. High power is not >necessary to be heard through the transponder. > >Next project for me with this satellite: using a FUNcube Dongle >Pro+ that I have had for a few months as the downlink receiver, >for both the transponder and telemetry, while working the >transponder with an FT-817ND as my transmit radio. I reinstalled >HDSDR and its ExtIO DLL for the Pro+ dongle on my 64-bit >Windows 7 laptop, and it is working well. I have downloaded the >FUNcube-1 dashboard software, and need to get that installed. >I also have an old netbook with Linux on it, and am curious to >see how the dongle works with that operating system. I am >hoping to be able to use the dongle and a laptop as the downlink >receiver, without being wiped out by the 5W signals from an >FT-817ND. > >If this is successful, I may have a new combination for my all- >mode satellite station I can use for upcoming demonstrations. >Using the dongle and dashboard software during daytime AO-73 >passes at hamfests would be something different, and a great >thing to show off to the hamfest crowds. > >Thanks, again, to all who worked on getting this satellite built >and launched. Even with the transponder on only for the nighttime >passes, it has been fun to be on a new satellite so soon after >its launch. Time for bed... 73! > > > > > >Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK >http://www.wd9ewk.net/ > > >_______________________________________________ >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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Use of Elecraft K3 or KX3 with satellite sw
by Edward R Cole 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

I very rarely post anything to this reflector, but I have a question that maybe someone has already has done and has answers. Shortly Elecraft will be offering a 2m module for its popular new SDR radio, the KX3. This will provide 2m multi-mode operation using this nice little HF/6m radio. Some years ago I sold my old satellite radios (FT-847 & FT-817) so am looking into a two radio configuration for cross-band duplex satellite operation. I have a K3 with 435-437 transmit capability using a Down East Microwave transverter and would be able to receive on 145 using the new KX3-2M combo. (I also still have my s-band downconverter and L-band up converter for if/when these bands are activated). What is unknown is if there is any sw support of the Elecraft radios on any satellite tracking sw? I am primarily interested in SSB thru transponders so frequency tracking under sw control would be "nice". I have both NOVA and SatPC32. I have a tracking interface to control antenna tracking using a B5400 Yaesu az-el rotator. Both these radios have computer control ports. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com dubususa(a)gmail.com "Kits made by KL7UW"

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FW: SATPC32 & AO73 question
by Ted 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

Any help appreciated 73, Ted -----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Ted Sent: Friday, November 29, 2013 2:23 PM To: 'AMSAT-BB' Subject: [amsat-bb] SATPC32 & AO73 question Hi all, In spite of my usual ineptness with this program, I have managed to have it talking to my FT-847, downloaded the keps for AO73 and appear to be tracking it!! However, I can't seem to get the radio to hold the up/dn frequencies in the proper VFO's. I start out with the uplink showing in VFOA, but after a min or so the frequencies swap and I have to use the a><b button to get them back. Am I missing a setting? Any help appreciated And Happy Thanksgiving to all 73, Ted K7TRK _______________________________________________ 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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Video: Commanding the WREN SSTV PocketQube
by M5AKA 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

Video: Commanding the WREN SSTV PocketQube http://amsat-uk.org/2013/12/01/video-commanding-the-wren-sstv-pocketqube/ FUNcube-1 Update Nov 30 / Dec 1 http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/30/funcube-1-update-november-30/ TshepisoSat – You can help recording telemetry data http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/30/tshepisosat-you-can-help-recording-telemetry… PicoDragon team ask for reports http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/29/picodragon-team-ask-for-reports/ Firefly CubeSat Mission to Study Lightning http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/29/firefly-cubesat-mission-to-study-lightning/ ---- 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK website http://amsat-uk.org/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/AMSAT-UK/208113275898396 Twitter https://twitter.com/AMSAT_UK ----

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New Award from the Star Comm Group
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

The Star Comm Group has a new satellite award called Got Grids? that will be effective 1 Jan 2014. The award can be seen along with the rules at http://www.starcommgroup.org/gotgrids.html The rules for the 5in EM55 award have been changed to make it a little easier also. http://www.starcommgroup.org/5in55.html This award is open to the world with the new rules. Example you can work 5 stations that have the award anywhere, without working anyone in EM55 or any combination, say 2 stations in em55 and 3 stations that have the award from any other state or country. A 3rd award is in the planning stages , GRID MASTERS rules and design to come soon. These awards are free. Donations to Amsat are welcomed. Please note on your check STAR Comm Group Award. We hope to increase activity on the birds. Comments or questions contact wa4hfn(a)comcast.net Damon wa4nvm(a)comcast.net Rick

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Any k3 users?
by Lawn, Richard 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

I've had some frustrations lately with my current satellite stations and am looking for alternatives, but they must offer panadapter options. I was looking at the k3 since I have a kx3 and found it to be an excellent radio. But the question then becomes what tracking software supports the elecraft radios. Let me know of you are using any elecraft products. Rick W2JAZ Sent from my iPad http://RickLawn.com

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AO-73/FUNcube-1 videos, observations
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 01 Dec '13

01 Dec '13

Hi! Over the past few nights, I've been working the new AO-73 satellite from my back yard. Most of the time, I have been using my normal portable all-mode satellite station - two Yaesu FT-817NDs, Elk handheld 2m/70cm log periodic antenna. Last night, I replaced one of the FT-817NDs with a Kenwood TH-F6A - using its all-mode receiver to copy the downlink. Tonight, I used an Icom IC-R20 receiver for the downlink. I have used these radios in the past on other satellites, and for some hamfest demonstrations on VO-52 I have used the FT-817ND/TH-F6A combination. I have made a series of videos (satellite audio combined with slideshows) from several AO-73 passes I've worked this week, and those are available at: http://www.youtube.com/va7ewk One of the AO-73 videos I recorded contains audio from two passes, and is about twice as long as the others which have audio from a single pass. After working these passes, I am convinced that this new satellite performs as well as VO-52, for both its uplink and downlink. This is a very good thing! AO-73 hears very well, as long as I'm careful to match the polarization of the satellite's antennas. The downlink is strong enough to allow me to use any of these radios as the receiver on higher passes. For lower passes, I would probably use my second FT-817ND for the downlink receiver. It is good to know that, at least on the higher passes, there are lots of options for a downlink receiver. On the same higher passes, I know that I can cut my power down from 5W to 1W and even 500mW. High power is not necessary to be heard through the transponder. Next project for me with this satellite: using a FUNcube Dongle Pro+ that I have had for a few months as the downlink receiver, for both the transponder and telemetry, while working the transponder with an FT-817ND as my transmit radio. I reinstalled HDSDR and its ExtIO DLL for the Pro+ dongle on my 64-bit Windows 7 laptop, and it is working well. I have downloaded the FUNcube-1 dashboard software, and need to get that installed. I also have an old netbook with Linux on it, and am curious to see how the dongle works with that operating system. I am hoping to be able to use the dongle and a laptop as the downlink receiver, without being wiped out by the 5W signals from an FT-817ND. If this is successful, I may have a new combination for my all- mode satellite station I can use for upcoming demonstrations. Using the dongle and dashboard software during daytime AO-73 passes at hamfests would be something different, and a great thing to show off to the hamfest crowds. Thanks, again, to all who worked on getting this satellite built and launched. Even with the transponder on only for the nighttime passes, it has been fun to be on a new satellite so soon after its launch. Time for bed... 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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