January 2018 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: [amsat-bb] Recommendations for SSTV software for windows, iOS and Linux?
by Nick Hart 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

Excellent! I was just on a net in which some operators were recommending easypal. Downloaded it, but didn't get too far. I saw MMSSTV online, and I'll experiment with it tomorrow. Thanks again, John! 73! Nick ------ Original Message ------ Received: Fri, 05 Jan 2018 10:49:49 PM PST From: John Brier <johnbrier(a)gmail.com> To: Nick Hart <nickhart(a)usa.net>Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Recommendations for SSTV software for windows, iOS and Linux? For iOS use “SSTV Slow Scan TV” by Black Cat Systems https://itunes.apple.com/app/sstv/id387910013 For Android use "Robot36" https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xdsopl.robot36&hl=en For Windows use “MMSSTV” (see AMSAT UK link below for setup) http://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php Note I actually prefer RX-SSTV on Windows now. Originally I found MMSSTV got sharper images but on RX-SSTV if you disable BPF (band pass filter I believe), it will get them as sharp as MMSSTV, and the big difference is that RX-SSTV doesn't have nearly as many slants in its decodes as MMSSTV. If the signal is not great enable BPF and things will be smoothed out a bit. For Mac OS X use “Multiscan 3B SSTV” http://www.qsl.net/kd6cji/ For Linux use “QSSTV” http://users.telenet.be/on4qz/qsstv/index.html This is from my web page: https://spacecomms.wordpress.com/iss-sstv-reception-hints/ I also recently made a zip file of a bunch of actual ISS SSTV transmissions you can use to test your setups: https://spacecomms.wordpress.com/iss-sstv-audio-recordings/ My main tip is to record the ISS SSTV transmissions so you can run them through different software with different settings to get the best decode. Good luck! 73, John Brier KG4AKV On Sat, Jan 6, 2018 at 1:27 AM, Nick Hart <nickhart(a)usa.net> wrote: > Good evening AMSAT Elmers! > > I have my hardware setup that can support SSTV, and would appreciate any > software recommendations. What are you currently using that you like? I have > devices that run Windows, iOS and Linux. I'd love to be able to participate in > the next ISS SSTV round, receiving, if not transmitting yet. > > Thanks, and 73! > > Nick > KK6ZLF > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Recommendations for SSTV software for windows, iOS and Linux?
by Nick Hart 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

Good evening AMSAT Elmers! I have my hardware setup that can support SSTV, and would appreciate any software recommendations. What are you currently using that you like? I have devices that run Windows, iOS and Linux. I'd love to be able to participate in the next ISS SSTV round, receiving, if not transmitting yet. Thanks, and 73! Nick KK6ZLF

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AMSAT Rover Award
by Bruce 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

Now that everyone knows what the award is and has had a bit of time to look it over, we need your help. I would like to design a certificate that helps show what a rover is. Therefore, I would like some photos of a rover station, rover antennas, anything that would be really neat on the certificate. There is a hitch.... it cannot show anyone's callsign, cannot show anyone in the picture that makes them identifiable. Let's open the submission for two weeks (until January 19) and after the two weeks, we will place the pix on the AMSAT website and let the AMSAT members choose the two, three or four pictures that they think reflect the best of roving. Of course, if you chose to submit a picture, you will also agree to allow AMSAT to use the picture on the certificate without a by-line or credit. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards AMSAT Board Member 2016-2018 ARRL Awards Field Checker (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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WISP - Resetting the directory
by Chris Thompson 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Hi everyone,.... I had some trouble with WISP after the BBS reload. I was no longer downloading any new directory entries. I tried resetting the holes and resetting the date of the directory, but nothing seemed to work. I then noticed this in the Pacsat Protocol, describing which file headers are requested: "The local computer then sends a message to PACSAT that says send the next file whose header meets the following criteria: it's a mail message type. the destination is me. and the file number is bigger than x?. x is the number of the last file received on the ground, and is kept by the local computer. ". The problem was, the last file on the ground still had a 4 digit hex number in my directory but the new files on FS-3 all started at 100. So WISP was asking for new fiiles that did not exist yet. To fix this I had to start the directory again. In my C:\WISP directory I renamed the falconsat-3 directory to a new name as a backup. Then I started GSC, went into Setup, Satellite Setup, Edited Falconsat-3, clicked on Directories. Then clicked OK. This seemed to cause GSC to recreate all the falconsat-3 directories under C:\WISP. After that everything has been running well. Some people who are stuck may not be able to download this! So I will cross post to..AMSAT-BB. 73 Chris -- Chris E. Thompson chrisethompson(a)gmail.com g0kla(a)arrl.net

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AO73/FUNcube-1 Weekend mode
by Graham Shirville 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Hi All, AO73 is now in continuous amateur mode for the weekend. The transponder is on and low power telemetry is available. If you are holding an educational outreach event over the next few weeks please request a short Fitter message by emailing operations(a)funcube.org.uk giving us at least a week's notice! thanks and 73 Graham G3VZV

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doppler shift
by Dave L 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Thanks to all for help with understanding and correcting for doppler shift. I'll be makeing adjustments and be on the birds soon. thanks again to all, special thanks to Carlos W7QL for the phone call to help me setting up satpc. thanks again dave kb0rfy 73's

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Re: [amsat-bb] AO-7 status?
by Nick Hart 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Great input, Paul! Thank you, and 73! Nick KK6ZLF ------ Original Message ------ Received: Wed, 03 Jan 2018 07:09:51 PM PST From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm(a)arrl.net> To: Nick Hart <nickhart(a)usa.net>Cc: Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-7 status? AO-7 has generally been stable for the past several months. In the Northern Hemisphere spring and summer months, it has been quite unstable, easily switching out of Mode B when signals are present in the passband. This is likely due to the sun's angle on the solar panels. AO-7 has no panels on the "top" or "bottom" of the satellite, and with AO-7's current orbit, the sun is not in an ideal position to illuminate the satellite's solar panels during the Northern Hemisphere summer. For a demo next week, AO-7 has an excellent shot of being active in Mode B. Next month, or in March, the chances may be less. 73, Paul, N8HM On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 9:22 PM, Nick Hart <nickhart(a)usa.net> wrote: > Absolutely agreed, Greg, > > We're just limited to what's passing over during the club meeting for the > kids > this month. We'll have one or two more club meetings between now and ARISS > day. But, we adults who are working the event will have it dialed in by > the > time of the ARISS QSO. > > Thanks! > > Nick > > To: Nick Hart <nickhart(a)usa.net>Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-7 status? > > Nick, > > If you want some practice ahead of the ARISS event (really good idea!), > it might be a more relevant experience to get a few of the FM birds > under your belt. AO-85, AO-91, SO-50. Perhaps track the ISS via Packet > (when/if they get the packet station back on the air), to get a feel for > that system. Also watch for any ARISS events that you can listen in on > (for example, the telebridge contacts through W6SRJ in Santa Rosa). > > Some of the ground station operations, either direct or telebridge, have > been documented on YouTube. Also worth a watch. > > As for AO-7, first look at the status logs on Amsat.org > (http://www.amsat.org/status/); seems like it's pretty much been in Mode > B (70cm up, 2m down), but that can change as the satellite's eclipse > schedule changes over the course of the year. Otherwise, it is > definitely a daylight-only bird (as seen by the satellite, not > necessarily here on the ground). > > Best of luck for your contact, > > Greg KO6TH > > > Nick Hart wrote: > > Good afternoon, > > > > KK6ZLF in CM87. I am elmering a radio club at the local middle school, > and > we > > have a scheduled ARISS QSO coming up in March. > > > > A week from tomorrow, we're going to try to do a few QSOs on the > available > > birds during the club meeting, 22 to 23:00 zulu. One of the passes is > AO-7. > I > > saw on the AMSAT site that it is working strictly on solar power. But, > this > > should be a good daytime pass for us. > > > > Does anyone have any recent experience and advice for AO-7? > > > > Thanks, and 73! > > > > Nick > > > > KK6ZLF > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Any new status updates on Fox-1C? Launch Date?
by Steve Nordahl 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Anyone have any new the status of Fox-1C? Launch Date in January 2018, or has it been pushed out? Steve NS3L

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doppler shift
by Dave L 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

I'm useing satpc and a Yaesu ft-847. Fm birds are not a problem. SSB I'm either to far ahead or behind. Any hints or advice would be appreciated. radio and ant are comp controled thanks dave kb0rfy

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Re: [amsat-bb] doppler shift
by Nick Hart 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

How exciting it must have been to get a great demo with such a large group. Excellent advice, John. I like the competition idea very much, which is why I had them with 2 separate rigs. A long time ago, when I used to teach Sunday school, we used a guideline that a kid's attention span is their age in minutes. I've got 10 to 14 year olds, so we'll keep it moving from activity to activity that they can handle. (My own theory is that after a certain age, ones attention span starts working its way back down.) ------ Original Message ------ Received: Thu, 04 Jan 2018 11:46:38 AM PST From: "John" <john(a)amber.org.uk> To: "'Nick Hart'" <nickhart(a)usa.net>Cc: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] doppler shift Hi Nick, It all depends on the knowledge and skillset of the scouts in question. My last significant AMSAT demo was done during JOTA, and at that point we had between 100 and 150 young people come through the shack doors throughout the weekend. We didn't have a huge amount of time to explain everything or go really interactive with the control or tracking, and to be honest most of them were amazed enough that they could hear voices coming back from space, so when we listened in to one of the Italian ARISS contacts, they were even more thrilled! My trusty FT-847, SatPC32, ERC-M interface and Kenpro KR5600 did the job nicely, we made quite a few QSOs, and we got to listen to a full ISS pass - something the 80 odd people who poured into the shack when it started will likely not forget for a long time yet. If your group of scouts is at a level where they've got the understanding, accuracy and, most importantly, the concentration to follow the full pass, then there's no reason not to try it manually with them. If, however, they're less experienced/interested/accurate, then you might find that it's hard to keep them all doing their respective jobs at once. Remember that there's only one of you trying to manage four different teams at that point, so how far you can stretch yourself is another consideration. Especially if your primary focus is on the actual operation of the QSO. If you want to demonstrate that it can be done on a budget, get them to bring those tape-measure yagis they built with them. Hook up a couple of handhelds or FT817s to them, and demonstrate an FM bird (AO-91, SO-50, or similar?) for the simplest approach. Then step up the game a bit, adding a little more challenge. Even if you just listen during the first pass or two, you'll see the thrill they'll get from knowing it's working with the yagis they built themselves at the last club meeting, and that's where you can gauge whether they are ready to step it up. If you want to add a bit more 'competition' to it, then have them run the yagis and handhelds alongside a full auto-tracking station and see if they can 'match' it (or even 'beat' it). Never underestimate the power of some healthy competition - give 4 teams identical sets of gear, show them where to point, and you'll find that they're competing to see who can hear the satellite the loudest in no time. If, however, you want some successful QSOs, then it's worth having a back-up plan that you can roll out if you aren't getting success. One of the biggest things I've found in the past with demonstrations is that whilst the latest and greatest kit isn't necessary, having a decent setup that's hassle-free and 'just works' can bail you out of a huge hole. We found the same thing with HF a few years ago - whilst you can theoretically make that QSO to the opposite side of the planet on 1W with a wet piece of string up a tree in the right conditions, it's a lot easier to put on a successful demonstration with an 8 element HF beam at 80 feet on a tower, plenty of TX power and a radio with an excellent receiver. And very often the quality is what will determine whether or not you keep the interest. Making them work for that contact is all well and good, but sometimes instant gratification is better for the uninitiated or more casual folk. There's no hard and fast formula for what will or won't work. You gotta read your audience, respond to it, and work from there. If you can see they're getting more and more into it, then teach them a bit more, and add to the level of work they have to do to make the pass happen. As a wise scouter once said to me, many years ago (when talking about campfire songs, but the principle applies to this too): If you're drilling for oil, and you don't strike it within the first couple of minutes... stop boring! In short (or long, as it seems to have become)... See what works for you, but plan to start simple and work upwards! You know your young people better than I do, so assess their capabilities and challenge them, whilst staying within those capabilities. 73, and a firm left handshake, John (XLX) -----Original Message----- From: Nick Hart [mailto:nickhart@usa.net] Sent: 04 January 2018 19:16 To: John <john(a)amber.org.uk> Cc: jim(a)k6ccc.org; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] doppler shift I'm glad you mentioned scouts, John. I counsel for the radio merit badge for our local scouts, and Elmer our local middle school's radio club. In the club last month, we completed tape measure yagis. And, for this month's radio club meeting, I was planning on having the kids working a couple of birds passing during the meeting time. I figured that with 10 kids, we could have them in teams for tracking, tuning, recording and operating under my supervision. I thought it would be good for them to try to do everything manually once for two reasons. One is to show that's it's doable on a minimum budget by a teenager. And, the other is so they'll have an appreciation of everything our more automated rig will do during our ARISS QSO in March. From your comments, I'm rethinking that strategy a bit. Do you think that's too much? 73! Nick > On Jan 4, 2018, at 9:57 AM, John <john(a)amber.org.uk> wrote: > > Hey now, don't shoot the messenger! The vast majority of my AMSAT > demonstrations are done with groups of scouts of various ages, and the > last thing they need to see is me focussing more on the radio than > making sure they understand what's going on! > > If I've got a piece of software that can correct for doppler shift for > me, and it can manage pointing my antennas in the right direction, > then it leaves my focus available for the actual operating, and the > explanations to the young people who could well be the next generation > of amateur radio and AMSAT enthusiasts ;) I think that's a far better > use of my resources than sitting there with my back to the people I'm > supposed to be introducing to the hobby, and focussing on turning > dials and pushing rotator controller buttons... > > John (XLX) > > -----Original Message----- > From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of > jim(a)k6ccc.org > Sent: 04 January 2018 17:46 > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] doppler shift > > > > Ya know, you could MANUALLY tune. It does work. In fact I strongly > preferred manually tuning for doppler shift vs computer corrected. > > Jim > K6CCC > > -----Original Message----- > From: "John" <john(a)amber.org.uk> > Sent: Thursday, January 4, 2018 02:10 > To: "'Dave L'" <kb0rfy(a)q.com>, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] doppler shift > > > > Hi Dave, > > When you say your doppler is too far ahead or behind, do you actually > mean your overall frequency, or do you mean your split distance? > > If you mean your overall frequency then that's really odd, as SatPC32 > has always put me smack bang in the middle of the pass-band if using > linears (with the correct locator set on login). If this isn't the > case you can adjust it in the settings files, but it's generally > calculated based on your locator and the Keplerian data you can > download (and should be updating every time you open up the app). If, > however, you mean your offset (ie finding your own downlink) then this > is always a bit variable for me, but usually pretty close. > > SatPC32 does, in my experience, remember your offsets when you adjust > them (in my case either with the + and - buttons, or the pot at the > top right of the rig), so that next time you hit that satellite it > keeps the same offsets. You may find your offset is slightly different > on different passes, or you may find it's exact every time, but that's > part of the fun with linears - finding yourself first! > > Hope that helps. > > 73, > John (XLX) > > -----Original Message----- > From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Dave L > Sent: 03 January 2018 23:32 > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] doppler shift > > I'm useing satpc and a Yaesu ft-847. > > Fm birds are not a problem. SSB I'm either to far ahead or behind. > > Any hints or advice would be appreciated. > > radio and ant are comp controled > > thanks > > dave > > kb0rfy > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > _______________________________________________ > 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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