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

aprs data stamped with date and time
by Abdeslam Salah 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

Hi All, In the page 15 of the book “KENWOOD Listen to the future – TH-D72A/E”. It is written: Step 1: Built in Clock APRS data will be stamped with date and time. Therefore, the built-in clock must be set. Since the time acquired via the GPS receiver is UTC, Time Zone must be configured. Can anybody tell me how the APRS data is stamped with date and time in the TH-D72 APRS Packet? Is there a new APRS Mic-Encoder Format that’s include time and date. If not how can I add time and date of the position measurement in the APRS packet? This is very important for me because I try to save the positions of a mobile periodically, and send them when the satellite is in visibility. The simple way is to use the field packet path. Since the communication is via satellite and we don’t need relay or wide… Have you any advise or elegant way to do this? I think it would be a good thing if the APRS Mic-Encoder Format take care of the date and time of position measurement. 73's CN8XS

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AO7 Mode A
by K4FEG 25 Apr '13

25 Apr '13

Hello Linear Satellite lovers! do any of the die-hard satellite operators want to work Mode A on AO7? If you want and un-congested satellite pass that will give you good distance and plenty of time on the "Bird", then Mode A is the mode/bird to try. Almost any type of an antenna will work, I am personally using a 3 element HyGain 10m monobander for my receive, it is not perfect but it will do the trick, I have managed a contact into the UK with Paul, 2E1EUB on AO7-a and I have also worked a few South American stations as well, Cuba which as frequency restrictions on 432Mhz cannot use AO7-b but they can work Mode A. If anyone is up for a try, I am willing to make a schedule or two. 73 Frank; K4FEG; EM55aj

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ISS pass in minutes...
by Ing. Pavel Milanes Costa 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

Anyone want to make a APRS packet? CO7WT will be QRV in 8 minutes on the ISS... 73

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PhoneSat Request From NPR
by JoAnne Maenpaa 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

This arrived via the ANS-Editor mailbox. Perhaps members on amsat-bb can be of assistance to NPR in regards to the Phonesats. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal From: ans-editor-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:ans-editor-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of gormil(a)aol.com Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 17:02 To: ans-editor(a)amsat.org Subject: [ans-editor] Fwd: Listening for phonesat Hi, Can someone in AMSAT help Goeff? See below. 73, Gordon, NQ4K -----Original Message----- From: Geoffrey Brumfiel <GBrumfiel(a)npr.org> To: nq4k <nq4k(a)arrl.net> Sent: Tue, Apr 23, 2013 1:04 pm Subject: Listening for phonesat Hi Gordon, I’m a reporter with NPR who’s working on a little story about some cell-phone satellites that were recently launched into space (Bud, one of the engineers here, sent me your way). Apparently, they’re transmitting to Ham radio operators around the world (see http://phonesat.org/). I’m trying to track down some people who’ve detected the satellites and received some data from them. Ideally, I’d like to talk to them on the phone or even by shortwave radio, if that could be arranged. There are callsigns on the phonesat.org website. Any idea how I’d find some of these people? Or are members of the sterling park amateur radio club involved? Any help appreciated, Geoff Geoff Brumfiel | Science Correspondent, National Public Radio | gbrumfiel(a)npr.org | desk: (202) 513-2446 | cell: (202) 495-8614

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Live Video Now from Spring CubeSat Workshop
by M5AKA 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

Live video of the Spring CubeSat Workshop taking place April 24-26 is available at http://mediasite01.ceng.calpoly.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/pages/catalog.aspx?ca… Details of the 10th Annual Spring CubeSat Workshop are at http://www.cubesat.org/ 73 Trevor M5AKA AMSAT-UK http://www.amsat-uk.org/ ----

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Fwd: [CubeSat] 10th Annual CubeSat Developers' Workshop Live Streaming and Useful Links
by Samudra Haque 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

FYI, might be of interest to some in the satellite / amateur satellite communities. //Samudra N3RDX ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Cal Poly CubeSat <cubesat.workshop(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 2:06 AM Subject: [CubeSat] 10th Annual CubeSat Developers' Workshop Live Streaming and Useful Links To: "CubeSat @ CubeSat.org" <cubesat(a)cubesat.org> Hi All, Similar to past years, we will have live streaming of the workshop available for viewing. You may access the stream using the link below. *Live Stream:* http://mediasite01.ceng.calpoly.edu/Mediasite/Catalog/pages/catalog.aspx?ca… Below are also a few more useful links for your convenience: *Directions, Parking, and Registration Location:* http://cubesat.org/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops/2013-spring-works… *Directions to Madonna Inn Expo Center:* Link<https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=California+Polytechnic+State+University,…> *Note:* Expo Center is located past Madonna Inn Hotel. Drive past hotels and go through gates. Please visit the CubeSat Workshop webpage for any further information at: http://www.cubesat.org/index.php/workshops/upcoming-workshops/2013-spring-w… We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning! Regards, Derek Nelson -- CubeSat Program Workshop Coordinator Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo cubesat.workshop(a)gmail.com Lab: (805) 756-5087 _______________________________________________ CubeSat mailing list CubeSat(a)cubesat.org http://lists.cubesat.org/mailman/listinfo/cubesat

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SATPC32 and IC-910H
by Les Rayburn 24 Apr '13

24 Apr '13

I'm very new to satellite operation but have been having a blast for the past couple of weeks. Using an IC-910H with attic antennas that include a 7 element 432 Arrow antenna with an SSB Electronics pre-amp mounted at the antenna. 1/2" hardline makes the 70' run from the attic to the shack in the garage. 2 Meters shows a 6 element K1FO Yagi with an SSB Electronics pre-amp and 1/2" hardline. Rig is controlled by SATPC32 via the CI-V interface at 9600 baud. On SO-50, I have no problems with doppler correction as you would suspect. With the other birds, doppler is sometimes an issue. Sometimes I hear stations strongly but when I call them, I don't hear my own uplink and the other station obviously doesn't hear me either. On other passes, the difference is not so great, and I'll hear my own uplink, though usually slightly off frequency. I know its possible to adjust the uplink frequency in the software, and I've tried it during passes without much success. The translated help file from German isn't much assistance to me so far. Can someone on the list point me towards a better explanation on the web, or offer suggestions on how to correct the situation? Any help is greatly appreciated! -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

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Field Day Question
by Les Rayburn 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

Please tolerate another newbie question. I know that during the upcoming Field Day, participants are being encouraged to limit themselves to one contact on SO-50 or to use the linear birds when possible. I'm chasing grid squares towards Satellite VUCC and other awards. Is it acceptable and good operating practice for my station to make multiple contacts during FD on the linear birds? Seems like a great chance to pick up grids that would otherwise not be active on the birds, but I don't want to be a LID. What would be the best practice for an operator like myself during FD? I won't otherwise be participating in the contest. Again, my thanks for the advice and counsel of more experienced operators. Everyone on the birds has been great and helpful so far, especially K4FEG! -- 73, Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf 6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484 Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light

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Re: APRS/Packet on IC-910H
by Andrew Glasbrenner 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

I use MixW and a rigblaster for 1200 baud AFSK and BPSK, and a hardware TNC for 9600 baud. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: Les Rayburn <les(a)highnoonfilm.com> >Sent: Apr 23, 2013 3:53 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] APRS/Packet on IC-910H > >I'd also like to add digital capabilities to the IC-910H to allow some >digital contacts through ISS, or just to download telemetry on other >birds. Never worked packet before, and have only limited experience with >APRS. > >The IC-910H is equipped with a Signa-Link interface for soundcard modes, >and I've worked quite a bit of WSJT FSK and JT65A. I know that there is >a software >"solution" for APRS using AGWPE but I haven't tried it. > >What would be the recommendations of the group for equipping my station >for digital operation on the satellites? AGWPE and the soundcard >interface or a TNC? If so, >what TNC would be recommended? > >Did I say "Thanks" yet? Also appreciate the bandwidth on this >reflector--I know newbie questions can be annoying. >-- >73, > >Les Rayburn, N1LF >121 Mayfair Park >Maylene, AL 35114 >EM63nf > >6M VUCC #1712 >AMSAT #38965 >Grid Bandits #222 >Southeastern VHF Society >Central States VHF Society Life Member >Six Club #2484 > >Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light > >_______________________________________________ >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: Field Day Question
by Andrew Glasbrenner 23 Apr '13

23 Apr '13

>I'm chasing grid squares towards Satellite VUCC and other awards. Is it >acceptable and good operating practice for my station to make multiple >contacts during >FD on the linear birds? Make all you want on the linear birds! You'll no doubt hear stations and grids you normally won't, but I'll warn you, FD is chaos on the sats. FD stations can also be very difficult to get a QSL out of as well. 73, Drew KO4MA

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