January 2016 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: [amsat-bb] Ettus B210
by Edward R Cole 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

=======snip I looked into the Toshiba Module solution mentioned, and it is a pretty decent solution, but my problem with it was filtering. Those modules are great but have pretty bad third harmonic and spur rejection. This means that final stage filtering will be required to stay within FCC limits (I think -60 dBc is the requirement, can't remember off the top of my head). The W6PQL reference is fantastic and is closer to a good solution because he has the filtering problem solved in his designs (you may have to get the filter board separate for the 70cm design, I think he includes a filter in the 80W 2m Amp design). For the budget conscious, this is the path I would recommend. I would probably look into using the Toshiba modules with lower output power (single digit Watts) as a driver for something like a Mirage Amp (that I think has the final stage filtering built in). ====snip The W6PQL board is wide-band and one only needs to use proper value bypass capacitors and wind coils for 435-MHz. Not saying that is trivial but that is all that would be needed for filtering using that pc board. In the past others made generic pc boards for using the Toshiba modules. This is going to require some engineering to accomplish or you can spend big bucks and go the Kuhne Engineering route. I assume anyone using the Ettus B210 is willing to do that. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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Pass.exe handles Rotor & Dopplers
by Pedro Converso 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

Web App at http://amsat.org.ar/pass.htm could handle Rotor and Dopplers Does it thru http://amsat.org.ar/pass.exe available for download. Uses WispDDE Driver http://www.mederoscnc.com/CX6DD/wispdde/wispdde.htm If You try, comments/suggestions/changes welcome. 73, lu7abf, Pedro Converso

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Why do people start new threads when replying to a post on amsat-bb?
by John Brier 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

I have never seen this on any other mailing list. Is it because the mailing list configuration sets "reply" to be the user who sent the email and not the list, and then it is easier to send an email to the list by starting a new thread as opposed to "reply all" and then having to edit out all the email addresses except amsat-bb? If the information in the emails to this list is helpful to others who search google and find it in the archives, it will be harder to find if it's across multiple threads. Additionally, not keeping things in thread makes it harder to follow a conversation and more difficult to manage email. If I am not interested in a particular thread I can just mark the whole thread read as opposed to two or three other threads. If a reply to an original thread is truly a different subject then it is common practice to change the subject like so: How do I search the archives? (was: Why do people start new threads when replying to a post on amsat-bb?) 73, John, KG4AKV

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Re: [amsat-bb] 9100 satellite memories
by Richard Lawn 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

I'm not sure you even need to both with this since you are using SatPC32 as many of us do. I don't bother. 73 Rick, W2JAZ -- Sent from Gmail Mobile

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Re: [amsat-bb] Ettus B210
by Edward R Cole 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

Juan, You are probably going to have to build an amplifier, but many RF modules only require 40mw drive. I am building 80w 2m amplifiers using the Toshiba S-VA36: http://www.kl7uw.com/kits.htm Other modules in that line such as S-VA10H outputs up to 14w. They all require pretty much the same pc board. I am using the board made by W6PQL which costs $17.50 without parts. Parts for the 80w amp are listed on Mouser as a special project which is linked from: http://www.w6pql.com/2_meter_80w_all_mode_amplifier.htm If you did not want 80w output one could substitute the 10, 25, or 50w RF modules: https://www.rfparts.com/module/rfpower-mosfet.html Not sure what you mean by "pass through" unless you mean an amp that bypasses for Receive. The W6PQL does that and has ckt for RF sensed keying in transmit or external PTT. I've enhanced the design with addition of power output metering and temp-controlled cooling fan. But building in limited quantities means the parts are not cheap. 73, Ed - KL7UW -------------- Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2016 10:38:32 +0100 From: Juan Sanchez <jsdenis(a)gmail.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Ettus B210 Message-ID: <CAD9R3jOYs1VDjxUntU1XQYi_NDvZJoY1UtbBXQ69qmb_0fEXFQ(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 I'm looking for some information about using some ettus SDR for sat work. I have a B210. What kind of amplifier can I use able to be driven with the 200 mW of the Tx/RX output, better if it's pass trought. My google search was unable to find some ham who has made somethin similar Is ther some similar work with another SDR? I would appreciate any kind of help... I'm a newbie... Thanks a lot. 73 Juan EB2FVT 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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Re: [amsat-bb] Az-El Rotors
by Edward R Cole 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

I agree with JoAnne: Put up a small yagi fixed in elevation at 15-30 degrees with a cheap antenna rotator for azimuth (Alliance HD73 or similar) and you will be in business without the $700 cost of az-el. Even mounting an Arrow this way is good to have hands-free operation. I built a pair of Lindenblad antennas, which was an interesting project, and they worked OK. But I missed having the gain of a yagi system for stronger reception of the sats (my old system was rated for AO-40). I have taken down my Lindenblads. I've acquired a replacement controller for my Yaesu B5400 and will re-install part of (26-elements) of my M2 436CP42 and have a 7-element M2 2m yagi on a short tower with the B5400. Probably will not get to this until spring. You can see what I have done here: http://www.kl7uw.com/sat.htm 73, Ed - KL7UW From: "JoAnne Maenpaa" <k9jkm(a)comcast.net> To: "'AMSAT bbs'" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Az-El Rotors Message-ID: <000901d15778$4c73e210$e55ba630$@net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Hi Fred, > ... starting with a small single antenna with both 2m and 70cm on > it (i.e. Arrow or other) ... I've found that an azimuth-only rotor with a fixed elevation of 20? or so works well enough for most of what I do with LEO satellites. I got my rotor from ebay for $20. It is a primitive setup - manual tracking. Much of the time I prefer using an Arrow antenna. If you are looking for rotor projects there have been two designs published over the past year or so in the AMSAT Journal. Here is some information you can use to find out more about these: The AMSAT store has the printed circuit board for WA8SME's WRAPS inexpensive, portable az-el rotor system. See http://store.amsat.org and look for the "WRAPS Tracker Circuit Board". There is also a link to the article by Mark, WA8SME. Bob, KI4SBL, wrote an article about his homebrew az-el rotor system, "CNCTRK ? A LinuxCNC Based Satellite Tracking System", for the AMSAT Journal. Bob has details of this project and the parts he sells along with a PDF of the article posted on his web site: http://ki4sbl.dodropin.org/CNCTRK/ -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubususa(a)gmail.com

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Az-El Rotors
by Clayton Coleman 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

I am not a fan of omni antennas for the current LEO satellites. The eggbeater or moxons are marginal performers at best. Short, quality feedlines and RX preamps are good ways to minimize ineffectiveness of omnis but there's no silver bullet. If you have no other choice but omnis, you may find yourself limited to certain satellites and certain passes. SO-50, for example, is not going to be favorable. Compensating for lack of hearing ability by running full power won't make you many friends. Working satellites on an almost daily basis, one can often identify an eggbeater or omni user by their inability to hear a very strong signal from the satellite. As previously mentioned, a set of small yagis at a fixed elevation with an azimuth rotor will yield far better results. The trick is not using longer, high-gain yagis. You'll have more beam width with smaller ones. Considering what many stations achieve with an Arrow or Elk antenna (7,000+ km contacts,) bigger isn't always better. Omnis are okay as long as you understand the shortcomings. 73 Clayton W5PFG

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Fwd: Hamcation and update on Special event Project Diana
by wa4hfn＠comcast.net 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

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IC-9100 Satellite Memories..
by Steve Nordahl 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

Hi all,, Just purchased a IC-9100 with RT Software to program it. Although I'll be using SatPC32 to control things I was wondering what do most of you put in the Satellite memory channels? FM birds?? Is it even worth programming them..? Steve NS3L

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Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT CW activity .
by RSoifer1＠aol.com 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

Hi Kevin, Good point. Yes, we're all getting older and I hope the new format will make it easier for everyone to participate. 73 Ray W2RS

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