September 2014 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

SDR Play [ NEW SDR RECEIVER. 2 GHz, 8MHz bandwidth under $300 USD ]
by Les Rayburn 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

A few months ago, I sold my Perseus SDR and traded up to the Elad FDM-S2, which covers up to 160 MHz, and has a bandwidth of about 6 MHz. Haven't even had time to take it out of the box yet, but in the meantime, a new SDR receiver has hit the market. This SDR boasts 8 MHz of bandwidth, and covers from 100 GHz to 2 GHz. This would allow the user to monitor things like the NOAA Weather Radio band, amateur radio bands including 6 Meters, 2 Meters, 222, 432, 902, and 1296, etc. So far, I haven't seen any reviews from hams or dedicated DX'ers. But it's also half the cost of the Elad at only $300 USD. More information is available at: http://www.sdrplay.com/ Can't wait to read a review on this one, and find the time to get my Elad installed. Curious if any VHF operators have tried this one yet? -- -- 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 -- -- 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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icom rs-ba1 solved problem
by Bruce 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

i finally figured out how to get it to work on the remote computer. all is good. next is to install on the laptop. that should be a slam dunk. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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help with icom rs-ba1 remote software
by Bruce 09 Sep '14

09 Sep '14

i am trying to get the remote software to work in my house (first). after that i will try on a laptop and outside the house. i can not get it to do anything. it says connecting which according to the instructions it is connected. on the utility, i can connect in the radio tab and it shows full volume for the rx. when i try to run the remote control, nada. then loaded on another computer that would be the remote. with the remote utility running on the main computer, i cannot connect to it from the remote computer. it shows the radio and the correct ports but nothing again. i am missing something and need a bit of help from someone that has got it running on an ic-9100. please contact me off the list if you have a few moments to spare. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on Echolink - Conference *AMSAT* Also live streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Podcast at http://www.amsatnet.com/podcast.xml or iTunes Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org AMSAT on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amsat

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Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73
by Doug - k4gkj 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Has anyone had success in having a Icom 706mk2g working in SatPC32? What is the secret if so? Sorry.... Can't afford anything better as of yet. Doug Bennight K4GKJ 850-528-5772 850-926-2052 -------- Original message -------- From: Clayton Coleman <kayakfishtx(a)gmail.com> Date: To: "D. Craig Fox" <DFox(a)rwglaw.com> Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 If running SatPC32 and you keep your trigger finger on the +/- buttons on your keyboard, you can manually tweak the correction with decent performance, thus allowing you to leave computer control enabled. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 1:12 PM, D. Craig Fox <DFox(a)rwglaw.com> wrote: > For what its worth, I do not disable CAT control on satpc but I do increase the speed from x1 to x5 (or is it x10?). A0-73 does require constant adjustment but for me anyway it would be a lot tougher without satpc keeping me close. On almost every pass I hear many operators taking so much time just trying to find their downlink (and inadvertently QRM'g QSO's in progress). > > Craig > N6RSX > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 9:13 AM > To: Andrew Glasbrenner > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; Fraser Bonnett > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 > > I disable the computer control for frequency control and do it the old fashion way. I does take a bit of "work" almost constantly tweeking knobs, but it does work, and after a few efforts it is really quite easy and simple. > 73 Bob W7LRD > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > To: "Fraser Bonnett" <FraserBonnett(a)verizon.net>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Sent: Monday, September 8, 2014 7:20:51 AM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 > > >> >> >>If I don't use SAT mode, I'd be constantly switching between VFO's, >>pressing buttons and re-tuning constantly? >> >> >> >>So I guess, I need to find someone who is successfully working AO-73 >>with an IC-9100? >>suggestions would be appreciated. >> > > Forget SatPC32 for this one. When you switch to AO-73, let it initially set the frequency, then click the C button and shut SatPC32 tracking off. > > Find a clear freq or a station you want to call. One of the buttons ( I think main or sub, it's a bit different on my 910 or 821) will let you tune the uplink while leaving the downlink static. Do that, tune while transmitting until you hear yourself. Have QSO or call CQ, and every transmission tune the uplink the first 0.5 second to keep on your receive. If the station you are working moves on the downlink, lock the vfos back together, tune him in, then go back to just tuning the uplink. > > It sounds worse than it is, but this is the procedure for when you don't have computer control (or it doesn't work, like with AO-73). Give it a try, it's not hard. > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > PS This works for all the mode B birds. On Mode J, tune the downlink (the higher frequency). > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > 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. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > Click https://www.mailcontrol.com/sr/gzTZX2NwoAjGX2PQPOmvUqW!RI4xIDLr1HaaVWAe44s6… to report this email as spam. > > > NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you. > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > 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. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. 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: [amsat-bb] SO-50 & frequency stability as of late
by Dave Swanson 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Twice during the 1655Z pass just now I actually had to shift UP in frequency to hold the downlink. Right at AOS I picked up the signal at .795, made a contact, and about 30 seconds later I heard a very noticeable 'shift' in the noise where it was basically unreadable. I shifted down, it got worse, so I went up and picked it back up at .800 clear as a bell. About 6 minutes later, near my apex, I had followed the doppler down normally to about .780, and it jumped back up again by about another 5 or so. Each time it did this, it was in the middle of someone else's transmission and there was an abrupt 'shift' that didn't sound anything like the gradual worsening that I normally hear with doppler. Just my observations from a sat-noob. Also first post on amsat-bb... o/ 73, Dave, KG5CCI On 9/8/2014 11:30 AM, Alan wrote: > Clayton, > > I have been watching it shift 5-10 KHz or so on some passes, though > 3-5 KHz is more common. Watching > it with a DSP rig allows you to compensate. > > The more interesting question is what, if anything, the uplink is > doing? I got up for a 0200 L pass > to experiment, and there was nobody else on. I thought I had it > figured out, and suddenly the > downlink shifted. Then, my uplink data seemed wrong, as if it also > shifted. ;( Will try again the > next time I have some insomnia. > > 73s, > > Alan > > WA4SCA > > > <-----Original Message----- > <From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] > On Behalf Of Clayton Coleman > <Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 10:54 AM > <To: AMSAT-BB > <Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-50 & frequency stability as of late > < > <I have been noticing some irregular shifts in SO-50's downlink > <frequency the past several days. I noticed it in the past but it's > <been a while since this occurred. Several others are reporting it as > <well. > < > <At my AOS today (15:12 UTC, orbit # 62976), SatPC32 had predicted the > <downlink to be near 436.801 MHz, when in fact I was receiving the bird > <at 436.793. It proceeded to jump up to 436.795 at my TCA before > <making it's way down to 436.780 near my LOS. > < > <This seems to be posing some issues for people using full computer > <control and also those who stick to pre-programmed memory channels to > <make frequency adjustments during a pass. > < > <Considering this recent frequency instability, I would recommend you > <manually tune for the strongest downlink frequency. This would help > <eliminate some issues with stepping on stations engaged in existing > <QSO's. An alternative would be to try using RIT if you insist on > <computer control. > < > <The old rule applies -- if you can't hear, don't transmit. > < > <73 > <Clayton > <W5PFG > <_______________________________________________ > <Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > <to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > Opinions expressed > <are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views > of AMSAT-NA. > <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. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. > Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views > of AMSAT-NA. > 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: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73
by Clayton Coleman 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

If running SatPC32 and you keep your trigger finger on the +/- buttons on your keyboard, you can manually tweak the correction with decent performance, thus allowing you to leave computer control enabled. 73 Clayton W5PFG On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 1:12 PM, D. Craig Fox <DFox(a)rwglaw.com> wrote: > For what its worth, I do not disable CAT control on satpc but I do increase the speed from x1 to x5 (or is it x10?). A0-73 does require constant adjustment but for me anyway it would be a lot tougher without satpc keeping me close. On almost every pass I hear many operators taking so much time just trying to find their downlink (and inadvertently QRM'g QSO's in progress). > > Craig > N6RSX > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Bob- W7LRD > Sent: Monday, September 08, 2014 9:13 AM > To: Andrew Glasbrenner > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org; Fraser Bonnett > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 > > I disable the computer control for frequency control and do it the old fashion way. I does take a bit of "work" almost constantly tweeking knobs, but it does work, and after a few efforts it is really quite easy and simple. > 73 Bob W7LRD > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > To: "Fraser Bonnett" <FraserBonnett(a)verizon.net>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Sent: Monday, September 8, 2014 7:20:51 AM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73 > > >> >> >>If I don't use SAT mode, I'd be constantly switching between VFO's, >>pressing buttons and re-tuning constantly? >> >> >> >>So I guess, I need to find someone who is successfully working AO-73 >>with an IC-9100? >>suggestions would be appreciated. >> > > Forget SatPC32 for this one. When you switch to AO-73, let it initially set the frequency, then click the C button and shut SatPC32 tracking off. > > Find a clear freq or a station you want to call. One of the buttons ( I think main or sub, it's a bit different on my 910 or 821) will let you tune the uplink while leaving the downlink static. Do that, tune while transmitting until you hear yourself. Have QSO or call CQ, and every transmission tune the uplink the first 0.5 second to keep on your receive. If the station you are working moves on the downlink, lock the vfos back together, tune him in, then go back to just tuning the uplink. > > It sounds worse than it is, but this is the procedure for when you don't have computer control (or it doesn't work, like with AO-73). Give it a try, it's not hard. > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > PS This works for all the mode B birds. On Mode J, tune the downlink (the higher frequency). > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > 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. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > Click https://www.mailcontrol.com/sr/gzTZX2NwoAjGX2PQPOmvUqW!RI4xIDLr1HaaVWAe44s6… to report this email as spam. > > > NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you. > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. > 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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SPECIAL EVENT -- ROSELAND RADIO -- SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th
by Robert Kovacs 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

This coming Saturday, September 13, 2014, in celebration of its 69th anniversary, the Roseland (NJ) Radio Club (K2GQ) will be operating as special event station K2R from Eagle Rock Reservation, West Orange, New Jersey (grid FN20), from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT. Although the Club's primary activities will be Two Meter simplex and possibly some QRP HF (20 m), we do hope to work the SO-50 pass at 12 Noon EDT (1405 UTC).. Hope to hear from you all then! 73, Roseland Radio Club -- K2GQ Bob Kovacs KC2WYH AMSAT Member 38504 .

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SO-50 & frequency stability as of late
by Clayton Coleman 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

I have been noticing some irregular shifts in SO-50's downlink frequency the past several days. I noticed it in the past but it's been a while since this occurred. Several others are reporting it as well. At my AOS today (15:12 UTC, orbit # 62976), SatPC32 had predicted the downlink to be near 436.801 MHz, when in fact I was receiving the bird at 436.793. It proceeded to jump up to 436.795 at my TCA before making it's way down to 436.780 near my LOS. This seems to be posing some issues for people using full computer control and also those who stick to pre-programmed memory channels to make frequency adjustments during a pass. Considering this recent frequency instability, I would recommend you manually tune for the strongest downlink frequency. This would help eliminate some issues with stepping on stations engaged in existing QSO's. An alternative would be to try using RIT if you insist on computer control. The old rule applies -- if you can't hear, don't transmit. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Re: [amsat-bb] Help with AO-73
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

> > >If I don't use SAT mode, I'd be constantly switching between VFO's, pressing >buttons and re-tuning constantly? > > > >So I guess, I need to find someone who is successfully working AO-73 with an >IC-9100? >suggestions would be appreciated. > Forget SatPC32 for this one. When you switch to AO-73, let it initially set the frequency, then click the C button and shut SatPC32 tracking off. Find a clear freq or a station you want to call. One of the buttons ( I think main or sub, it's a bit different on my 910 or 821) will let you tune the uplink while leaving the downlink static. Do that, tune while transmitting until you hear yourself. Have QSO or call CQ, and every transmission tune the uplink the first 0.5 second to keep on your receive. If the station you are working moves on the downlink, lock the vfos back together, tune him in, then go back to just tuning the uplink. It sounds worse than it is, but this is the procedure for when you don't have computer control (or it doesn't work, like with AO-73). Give it a try, it's not hard. 73, Drew KO4MA PS This works for all the mode B birds. On Mode J, tune the downlink (the higher frequency).

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Help with AO-73
by Fraser Bonnett 08 Sep '14

08 Sep '14

Guys, I need a hand working AO-73, I thinks there's something I just don't understand (I only started working the birds this year so I'm a newbie). I'm using an IC-9100 and did manage once this weekend to hear my signal, however, I used SATPC32 to tune my downlink until I found it. By the time I got that done the bird was too low for a QSO. Also, I am aware that the prevailing opinion is NOT to use PC control. So . questions: If I use the rig in SAT mode after I found my signal, I can tool around the band looking for a QSO. However, I'm aware that AO-73's frequency shifts quite a bit, but since I'm in SAT mode on the rig it changes the downlink frequency automatically. So if AO-73 has shifted its frequency and doesn't match what the SAT mode's offset is, I'm out of sync again. If I don't use SAT mode, I'd be constantly switching between VFO's, pressing buttons and re-tuning constantly? So I guess, I need to find someone who is successfully working AO-73 with an IC-9100? Any suggestions would be appreciated. 73, W3UTD Fraser --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com

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