October 2017 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: [amsat-bb] [OZAPRS] FalconSat-3 sig level to decode
by Ken Swaggart 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

Looks like everything is working correctly. I see your packets are making it to the APRS-IS: http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/raw.cgi?call=PFS3-11&start=12&length=12&time=1 Congratulations!! 73, Ken, W7KKE -----Original Message----- From: vk4tec(a)tech-software.net [mailto:vk4tec@tech-software.net] Sent: Friday, October 13, 2017 04:03 To: 'Australian APRS Users' <ozaprs(a)aprs.net.au>; 'Ken Swaggart' <k.swaggart(a)charter.net> Cc: 'AMSAT -BB' <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; 'Peter' <vk4khp(a)netspace.net.au> Subject: RE: [OZAPRS] [amsat-bb] FalconSat-3 sig level to decode I have Direwolf decoding FalconSat-3 + Diamond x200 + LDF4-50 + Airspy Mini + VB Audio Cable + Direwolf 9600 But I don’t see these making it to the APRS-IS Reading config file direwolf.conf Available audio input devices for receive (*=selected): 0: CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual 1: Microphone (Realtek High Defini Available audio output devices for transmit (*=selected): 0: Speakers (Realtek High Definiti 1: CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual C Channel 0: 9600 baud, K9NG/G3RUH, +, 44100 sample rate x 2. The ratio of audio samples per sec (44100) to data rate in baud (9600) is 4.6 This is on the low side for best performance. Can you use a higher sample rate? Note: PTT not configured for channel 0. (Ignore this if using VOX.) Ready to accept AGW client application 0 on port 8000 ... Ready to accept KISS client application on port 8001 ... Now connected to IGate server rotate.aprs.net (205.233.35.46) Check server status here http://205.233.35.46:14501 [ig] # aprsc 2.1.4-g408ed49 [ig] # logresp VK4TEC-5 verified, server NINTH Connected to AGW client application 0 ... Ready to accept AGW client application 1 on port 8000 ... PFS3-11 audio level = 1(+2/-2) [NONE] ____||||: [0.6] PFS3-11>PBLIST:PB: Empty.<0x0d> Unknown APRS Data Type Indicator "P", Original Balloon (think Ham b PFS3-12 audio level = 2(+2/-2) [NONE] :|||||||: [0.4] PFS3-12>BBSTAT:Open ABCD:<0x20> Unknown APRS Data Type Indicator "O", JEEP PFS3-11 audio level = 2(+2/-2) [NONE] |||||||__ [0.3] PFS3-11>STATUS:B: 8559818<0x0d> Unknown APRS Data Type Indicator "B", Original Balloon (think Ham b PFS3-1 audio level = 2(+2/-2) [NONE] __:|::___ [0.3] PFS3-1>TLMC-1:CL:0 Unknown APRS Data Type Indicator "C", Ambulance Error getting message header from AGW client application 0. Tried to read 36 bytes but got only 0. Closing connection. audio level = 3(+3/-3) [NONE] _____|___ [0.5] (Not AX.25)J<0x15><0xc8><0xae><0x18><0xc9>8<0x89>O<0x98><0xd3><0x9b><0x16><0x98><0xae><0x8b>i<0xa7><0x85><0x1e><0x0b>i<0x02><0xbc>m<0x86>u<0x08>

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9100 CAT tuning doppler
by Todd 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

Maybe somebody can help me out. I am switching out computers and installed SatPC32 on the other machine. It's been a while since being on the satellites and forgot some operating functions with the SW. When SatPC32 is correcting for doppler does both Uplink/downlink frequencies change on the radio? Or just uplink? I have "At Satellite doppler" enabled. I noticed the only one changing was the uplink. Any help? Thanks, Todd AL7PX

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FW: FalconSAT-3 Update
by Robert Bruninga 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

Searching for a Falconsat email a few days ago, my email found this one from TEN YEARS ago! -----Original Message----- From: Richard M. Hambly [W2GPS] Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 9:31 AM -----Original Message----- From: Billy Smith [Naval Academy] Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 9:24 AM -----Original Message----- From: Latimer, Ellis H [Boeing.com] Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 8:36 AM -----Original Message----- From: Lawrence Timothy J Lt Col [AirForce Academy] Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:14 PM Subject: FalconSAT-3 Update All- SpaceQuest was able to send us the "raw count" telemetry from their software and we were able to translate it into the following: Battery Voltage = 10.1 V (expected 8.0-10.6V) UHF Transmitter Power = 7.584W draw, 1 W output (expected values) Total power being produced from the 4 solar panels = 12.7 W Power Distribution Board Power = 3.36V (needed to enable payloads, 3.3V required) Core Temperature: 6.9 C ADCS: +Y direction was facing the sun as they took this data We were able to check 54 data channels, and all indications are that the satellite is in a healthy state. We are still talking to SpaceQuest to sort out why our software was "hung up" at initialization, have developed some new theories and will do extensive testing on our Qual Model tomorrow here at USAFA. Thanks for all of the positive emails, I emailed the cadets today (they are on Spring Break) and told them to rest up since they will be put to work when they return as we start commissioning :) V/R, Tim Timothy J. Lawrence, Lt Col, USAF, PhD Director, ...Department of Astronautics United States Air Force Academy USAFA, Colorado 80840

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Falconsat-3
by vk4tec＠tech-software.net 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

Here is a summary of my testing 1. I could not get my ICOM 910H to produce a strong enough signal to prove my Signalink USB on 9k6 with soundmodem 2. I moved across to SDR - An AirSpy Mini and then a funcube dongle using SDR# 3. I Installed direwolf for windows and modified the config file to VB audio cable at 9k6 4. I Enetered my APRS-IS details as well 5. I started direworlf from the command line with the APRS-IS debug flag 6. I tracked Falconsat-3 manually in SDR# fitting just the passband 7. Direwolf through VB Audio started to finally pick up Falconsat-3 Improvements 1. Add doppler tracking to SDR# 2. Add turnstile antenna 3. Add preamp 4. Retire analogue radio idea Andrew VK4TEC

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SatPC32 Yaesu rotor not registering 180 degree properly
by Iapicco, Christopher 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

Hello, I am attempting to use SatPC32 12.8c on Windows 7 to control a Yaesu GS-232 rotor to track my university's cubesat. All connections have been doubled checked for accuracy. In the setup, the 180 degrees max elevation is selected, along with the correct setup for the com port, and the rotor interface is set to Yaesu GS232. For some reason, the software is only registering that the rotor has 90 degrees of elevation still. Meaning that when the rotor controller reads 180 degrees, the software reads 90 degrees. Similarly, when the controller reads 45 degrees, the software reads 90. It seems that all built in software settings have been explored and a solution for this problem cannot be found. Any suggestions? Thanks

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Re: [amsat-bb] FalconSat-3 sig level to decode
by Ken Swaggart 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

I'm using the AirSpy (not mini) with SDR#. Doppler tuning with homebrew software. Haven't noticed lost packets when the SDR freq changes, but will be on the lookout for that. The audio loopback is Virtual Audio Cable. SSB Preamp Rotator is a G5500 and LVB Tracker controlled by my homebrew software. (I really like the LVB Tracker!) Sound modem is Dire Wolf which feeds APRS-IS. At the present time I'm just watching the packets scroll by on the Dire Wolf display. My main goal was to Igate the FalconSat-3 packets. 73, Ken, W7KKE -----Original Message----- From: Andrew Rich [mailto:vk4tec@tech-software.net] Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2017 15:07 To: Ken Swaggart <k.swaggart(a)charter.net> Cc: AMSAT -BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>; Australian APRS Users <ozaprs(a)aprs.net.au> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] FalconSat-3 sig level to decode Hi Ken I thought you might have good antenna Hey So your on windows + AirSpy Mini + SDR# + What audio loop back + Preamps + Rotator - from what program + What Sound modem ? + What APRS / TNC style program - Andrew - > On 13 Oct 2017, at 4:12 am, Ken Swaggart <k.swaggart(a)charter.net> wrote: > > On this morning's FalconSat-3 pass, I checked the signal required to > decode using Dire Wolf. It was 18 dB SNR, so that's roughly S3 +/- > above the noise floor. > > RX setup: AirSpy SDR, SDRsharp, mast-mounted preamp, 15 X 15 X Yagi, G5500. > > 73, > Ken, W7KKE > > _______________________________________________ > 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://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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U7ZHO sound modem data to APRS-IS
by vk4tec＠internode.on.net 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

How are you guys and gals getting FalconSat-3 data to the APRS-IS ? I have UI-VIEW looking at soundmodem as a KISS port but I have not seen data passed. Maybe I will turn debug on in UI-VIEW and see what gives Andrew

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Falconsat-3 Success
by vk4tec＠tech-software.net 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

Hello Diamond X300 LDF4-50 AirSpyMini SDR# VB Audio Cable HS U7ZHO soundmodem UI-VIEW Hand doppler corrected 1:Fm PFS3-11 To STATUS <UI R Pid=F0 Len=11> [15:49:54R] [AA] [----++-] B: 8520721 1:Fm PFS3-11 To PBLIST <UI R Pid=F0 Len=11> [15:50:41R] [AA] [+--++++] PB: Empty. 1:Fm PCTRL-8 To PCTRL-8 <UI R Pid=F0 Len=33> [15:50:48R] [AA] [+--++++] CTRL: mode=9 torq0 elog=1 alog=0 1:Fm PCTRL-8 To PCTRL-8 <UI R Pid=F0 Len=33> [15:51:54R] [NN] [-----+-] CTRL: mode=9 torq0 elog=1 alog=0

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Falconsat3 ASTARS Network Concept
by Robert Bruninga 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

Falconsat3 brings back a great satellite capability for emergency response traffic into and out of remote disaster areas. Its file store and forward BBS using the PACSAT protocol is ideal for getting multiline messages, and pictures and data out of an area. Amateur radio Sateliltes sort of abandoned this concept with the rise of the internet. And then the short, real-time contact capability of APRS better matched the shorter attention span of the evolving users. But now we have both in Falconsat3. But we also now have the Internet and can integrate a worldwide collection of satstations capturing all the downlink PACSAT BBS packets and building a WEB portal on the ground that always mirrors the traffic on the bird. Imagine that a remote operator can post a photo or file that can be read on a Falconsat WEB portal by FEMA or emergency operators back here anytime, anywhere. The concept is suggested on this page: http://aprs.org/PFS3.html All we need is someone to write the internet server that collects the BBS packets from all the ground stations like the APRS-IS already does for APRS, but this new PACSAT-IS would be just for PACSAT BBS traffic. Then someone to collect the data and write the WEB Portal. Then people to put up satgates (hopefully using omni antennas) and with enough stations, all packets could be collected. Anyway, I created the above web page to kind of serve as a target for this exciting new Amateur Radio capability. So even stations that are using OMNI antennas now and only decoding a few packets per pass, we need to understand how well this works for high elevation passes. Even this sparse data is good data. Remember, with a standard TNC all you are seeing are the few UI packets in the downlink. I think if you set KISS mode, you will be flooded with all the streaming BBS data too. This continuous stream at 9600 can make it easy to see the effect of an antenna in very short time. Bob, WB4APR

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ForSale: ICOM910H Mint Condition Manuals , Triplexor, CIV interface Desk Mic
by vk4tec＠tech-software.net 13 Oct '17

13 Oct '17

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/-/182826587801?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT Mint condition ICOM 910H Standard Mic and Desk Mic Manuals ( service as well ) Trixplexor included CIV remote box included Free Postage Andrew VK4TEC

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