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

Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op
by Bill Acito 28 May '13

28 May '13

Yeah, mine is a 8Fxxxx unit --- just missed it. I actually have the replacement uProcessor for it (bought years ago), but I won't get it soldered in in time. Anyone know if running the rig from the computer is "non-functional" or just "a bit crippled" if I don't have the bi-directional CAT link? When AO-40 was up, I ran 2002 FD with an 847, a primestar dish sitting on the ground, and a 432 11-element beam on a camera tripod... no computer, not even logging. Took a bit to get a system down, but it worked fine. Obviously, the doppler dynamics from a HEO 8 hour pass is a different animal than the doppler from a 8 minute LEO pass. The rotor control, even just single axis, will give me control in one sitting position -- the rotor control, VFO, RIT/XIT, mic and pen all in front of me; especially since it may be only me. That's all the real automation I need. As someone stated, I have certainly done enough hand-held FM LEO work with the Arrow and a FT530 to know it's a matter of practice and getting a system down. Bob, thank you for reposting. I had saved some of the articles as pdfs for my own reference years ago; good to see them back on line. Bill W1PA Date: Tue, 28 May 2013 18:51:39 -0500 From: kq6ea(a)verizon.net To: hawat1(a)yahoo.com; w1pa(a)hotmail.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op Guys, in his FIRST post he mentioned he had a very early FT-847. The early FT-847's did NOT support two-way CAT communication for frequency and mode. You could command the radio, but it lacked the capability to report the frequency back to the control software. Yaesu modified the radios, but that was a long time agao, and if the radio didn't get modified then, you're out of luck as there are no more parts. The change over point is somewhere in the 8G05xxxx range. 73, Jim KQ6EA

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Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op
by Bill (W1PA) 28 May '13

28 May '13

Let me ask this another way... Assuming minimal setup prior to each pass, can I track a LEO with a single rotor well enough for QSO’s? (single rotor control in one hand, VFO/Doppler on my other)

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Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op
by Andy Kellner 28 May '13

28 May '13

OK, must have missed his first post where he mentions the fact. But why does the report back mechanism has to work in order for doppler correction to work ? SatPC32 just calculates the correct frequencies based on satellite data and current position / relative movement. It then sends the set frequency command to the radio, regardless what it's current frequency is. It does that in adjustable intervals. So IMHO it wouldn't be necessary to read the current frequency back from the FT 847. In fact I am not sure if SatPC32 even does read the frequency from the radio, even if it can. Andreas - VK4TH ________________________________ From: "kq6ea(a)verizon.net" <kq6ea(a)verizon.net> To: hawat1(a)yahoo.com; w1pa(a)hotmail.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, 29 May 2013 9:51 AM Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op Guys, in his FIRST post he mentioned he had a very early FT-847. The early FT-847's did NOT support two-way CAT communication for frequency and mode. You could command the radio, but it lacked the capability to report the frequency back to the control software. Yaesu modified the radios, but that was a long time agao, and if the radio didn't get modified then, you're out of luck as there are no more parts. The change over point is somewhere in the 8G05xxxx range. 73, Jim KQ6EA On 05/28/13, Andy Kellner<hawat1(a)yahoo.com> wrote: FT 847 no computer assisted doppler ? Why ? My FT 847 happily gets its doppler correction from SatPC32 - all you need is a cable. Add a cheap tv rotor and a bit of homebrew software and you are all set ! ( http://evolution2enterprises.com/sat/sat.html ) This system works well for me for about 2 years now. Have since upgraded to higher gain antennas, though. Cheers, Andreas - VK4TH ________________________________ From: Bill (W1PA) <w1pa(a)hotmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, 29 May 2013 12:54 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] a cheap LEO tracker for single op Again, thinking to FD... - My FT-847 predates bi-directional CAT i.e. no computer assisted Doppler - I may be the only one at the station i.e. no helper to man the antenna (Arrow), so I may need to do everything. - assume the transponder LEO birds Has anyone tried this?: 1) mount a standard TV antenna horizontal 2) align the horizontal rotor axis 90 deg to the orbit tilt (inclination?) of the intended bird (so if the bird went directly overhead, a beam mounted on the mast would track) 3) but, mount the antenna on the horizontal mast such that it can be set tilted off the mast 0 to 90 degs to the mast axis (from horizon to zenith, and in practice set it to the maximum elevation of the intended pass) 4) operation: set the rotator (in 2) and aim the beam to the AOS point of the pass (in 3), pan the orbit remotely from the operator position. 5) the rotator axis and angle of the beam to mast would have to be set for each pass. Do-able? Bill W1PA _______________________________________________ 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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HamSatDroid 0.9
by David A B Johnson 28 May '13

28 May '13

Hi, FYI, the app has been temporarily removed from the Google Play Store while I reload it with the new signing key. Should be back tomorrow. Will post another message when it's back. The info site is still up: https://sites.google.com/site/hamsatdroid/ 73 - Dave, G4DPZ

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AMSAT table @ Show Low AZ hamfest on Saturday (1 June)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 28 May '13

28 May '13

Hi! I will have an AMSAT table at the annual White Mountain Hamfest in Show Low, Arizona, this Saturday 1 June 2013. The hamfest will be at the Show Low City Hall, and is scheduled to run from 8am until 12 noon (1500-1900 UTC). More information about the hamfest is available at: http://www.kachina-arc.org/Page/Hamfest.html http://www.kachina-arc.org/forms/2013%20hamfest%20revised.pdf WD9EWK will be on the air during the morning, working whatever satellites are available from approximately 1300 UTC until the hamfest wraps up for on-air demonstrations. If you hear WD9EWK on a pass, please feel free to call and be a part of the demonstration. The hamfest site is in grid DM44. All QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest, and QSL cards will be available (just e-mail me QSO details, and I'll send you a card). 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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May/June 2013 AMSAT Journal is Ready
by JoAnne Maenpaa 28 May '13

28 May '13

The May/June 2013 AMSAT Journal is complete and at the print shop. See http://ww2.amsat.org/?p=651 for more details. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org Editor, AMSAT Journal

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(no subject)
by kb2cwn＠yahoo.com 28 May '13

28 May '13

Hello everyone. Just a quick note to anyone operating SO-50. I am extending my apologies in advance for my operating practices. I realize after listening to my videos that sometimes I May be talking over people unintentionally. I am new at this, and hopefully learning from my mistakes. SO-50 is so busy that sometimes I am not sure when a QSO has begun or ended, and working with my HT and Arrow antenna sometimes get confusing at times. Again, my apologies to everyone and hope to catch you on the satellite. Best 73...Frank KB2CWN EL88qL Sent from my HTC EVO 4G LTE exclusively from Sprint

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New version of HamSatDroid
by David Johnson 28 May '13

28 May '13

Hi, I'm just in the process of release version 0.9 of HSD. You will have to uninstall version 0.8 and re-install 0.9 because it has a new signing certificate. (I have taken over ownership) New features in this version; Support for phones and 4/7/10 inch tablets Landscape map for ground-track IARU (Maidenhead) location input The many other enhancements that people have suggested are coming out in version 1.0. - Dave

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packet and ISS
by jerry keeton 27 May '13

27 May '13

If You use UISS software for packet , You can click on the " help " option in the top menu line and then click on stations heard via IGATE . this will show if and when the packet was last active and also the call sign . Jerry WB5LHD

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Kinetics experiment using HO-68 beacon
by Hector Luis HLMS. Martinez Sis 27 May '13

27 May '13

Hello to all! Tomorrow morning, I will support a Physics class at my University (UCF). We will be using Doppler measurements on the HO-68 beacon to calculate satellite velocity and from that result, we will calculate orbit altitude. We know that there will be a potential source of error as we are not stationary but anyway we hope to get a reasonable approximation of satellite velocity and altitude. We will be running the Fun Cube Dongle with SDR Console V2.0 and ELK antenna. SDR Console allows remote network connection, so I will be tracking the satellite from a tall building but students and teachers will be able to see the experiment and collect data from the laboratory. FO-29 will be in range just after the 1510z HO-68 pass. I will switch frequencies and will try QRPp running just 3W to avoid desense in the Dongle. If you hear me, please give me a shout with your name, city, state etc. Students and teachers will be still listening. I have made some Demos before for them, so they are familiarized with Ham radio and satellites. 73! Hector, CO6CBF --- Consulte la Enciclopedia Colaborativa Cubana http://www.ecured.cu/

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