June 2015 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

rx PSAT
by Pablo J.M. - LW8EXS 20 Jun '15

20 Jun '15

2:Fm LU1WFU-2 To APU25N Via PSAT*,ARISS*,RS0ISS,WIDE3-3 <UI R Pid=F0 Len=61> [10:53:53R] }LW8EXS>APU25N,TCPIP,LU1WFU-2*:=3439.49S/05924.35W- {UIV32N} 2:Fm PSAT To APRSON Via ARISS <UI R Pid=F0 Len=34> [10:53:54R] T#739,839,352,120,121,391,00000000 2:Fm PSAT To APRSON Via ARISS <UI R Pid=F0 Len=34> [10:56:57R] T#742,860,070,120,121,390,00000000

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AO-7 Missing from Kep's list.
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 20 Jun '15

20 Jun '15

Hi, I noted that in latest Kep's distribution list and also on the web page - AO -7 has been omitted for some reason. I did post to Ray my observation but had no response - Perhaps filtered to stop him getting unwanted posting. Using SATPC-32 it did cause a slight problem due to the fact the satellites set up the boxes for tracking and countdown got out of order. I cut and pasted into my list, AO-7 keps from the Celestrak web site and it corrected the problem Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat- UK Amsat NA

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DYI Comms and Control for Amateur Space ...
by Rick Walter 20 Jun '15

20 Jun '15

Just received this ad from Amazon this morning. I thought the group may like to see what is out there. Rick - WB3CSY > > http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1449310664/ref=mp_s_a_1_sc_1?qid=1434798241&s… >

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APRS Satgate Antenna page
by Robert Bruninga 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Since the ideal APRS Satellite IGate OMNI antenna is exactly the opposite of the typical terrestrial IGaate antenna, I prepared the following WEB page: http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html It shows how a vertical ¼ or ¾ wave VHF omni equals the performance of a full OSCAR class array (over half the sky) but does it with no moving parts. It makes up for the weak-signal horizon part of the sky by there simply being more omni-IGates. The APRS-IS cloud with all of its IGates is probably one of the largest spatially distributed satellite receiver system in the world (?). But with people used to the 10W transmitter on the ISS, just a few IGates can capture just about every packet from the ISS horizon to horizon on a whip. But with the 14 dB weaker signal from PSAT, we need more SatGates to make up for their smaller skyprint. For the USA we need more than a dozen such Omni-SATgates. To see the significance of the weaker downlink from PSAT, look at the successful IGates on the http://pcsat.aprs.org page compared to the IGates that hear the ISS packets on http://ariss.net Both are listening on 145.825 and passing along every packet they hear. But only TRACKING IGates or good vertical gain satgates hear PSAT. And since we want these running 24/7/365, we do NOT expect people wearing out motors when an omni will do fine (if we have enough). The page also shows how every SATgate with a HIGH and terrestrial type antenna actually creates a DEADZONE around it, effectively blocking any nearby user heaerd direct from appearing on any of the APRS-IS cloud satellite web pages. Hence, Omni-satgate antennas should be low to everything surrounding it w hile still seeing the sky above 30 degrees. If your TH-D7 HT is just sitting there, not in use 99% of the time, then just hook it to a vertical whip and let it be an IGate. With the low antenna it will also probably be safe from all weather lightening too. Put the UHF side on 435.350 and turn up the speaker. When PSAT PSK31 comes into view, you can watch the PSK31 activity as a bonus! Bob, WB4APR

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LoTW and NO-83,84
by David W0DHB 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

The latest LoTW config file allows LoTW to recognize NO-83 and NO-84. Running TSQL 2.0.1 and above will bring up a menu to let you update. You don't see the update option if uploading from logging software. Dave W0DHB

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UT1FG/mm
by Nicholas Mahr 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Thanks for info Clayton, If I get all these grids confirmed from him, I can get VUCC Satellite... My dad needs VUCC in Satellite and in vhf/uhf as well...

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PSAT digipeating and Position Knowledge
by Robert Bruninga 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

PSAT continues to work well, both APRS and PSK31. The downlink capture on the PCSAT.APRS.ORG page captures most PSAT packets, but does not capture any digipeated users if they use the ARISS path. Although PSAT supports the VIA ARISS alias so that users can use both ISS and PSAT without changing parameters the FINDU page does not recognize it. At this point it is unclear what paths that FINDU recognizes. These paths are supposed to be digipeated by PSAT: VIA ARISS VIA APRSAT VIA PSAT VIA WIDEn-N Here is what we know: ARISS is not recognized by FINDU. We are not sure if FINDU recognizes APRSAT We are not sure if PSAT recognizes PSAT We have seen VIA WIDEn-N work on FINDU We have been busy with deadlines on our next satellite, but yesterday we figured a workaround on the PSAT ORBIT and MA clock. This morning we sent the commands and will be watching to see if they work. If they did, then PSAT will be able to know where it is, and then we can activate its APRS POSITION packets plus individual beacons over individual continents. Although the S#OOOMM… telemetry was supposed to be ORBIT number and MINUTE of that orbit, the clock is totally off. SO instead of going from 0 to 95 minutes per orbit, the actual count is more like 0-61 minutes per orbit. So, if this works, then MM is not real minutes, but is a number between 00 to 61 on every orbit. And 0 should be when the satellite crosses the equator (actually 5 South latitude) on every orbit northbound. Once we get that under control, then PSAT will know where it is, and it will be able to report its own position. And we can activate its attitude control, and we can activate different bulletins over each continent. Bob, WB4APR

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UT1FG/mm
by Nicholas Mahr 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Yep, worked him as well in EL83, near cuba havvana... Hope he gets active again, I have 25+ grids still unconfirmed with him! 73 KE8AKW

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UT1FG/mm
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Worked Yuri on SO-50. He was in EL83. Maritime Traffic oddly shows his destination as "La Habana."

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UT1FG/mm
by Glenn A. Miller 19 Jun '15

19 Jun '15

Worked Yuri on SO-50. He was in EL83. Maritime Traffic oddly shows his destination as "La Habana."

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