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

Re: [amsat-bb] Weather sat imaging
by Dino Papas 28 Jun '18

28 Jun '18

As an aside for those of you who use the WX Sat app “WxtoImg” for decoding those birds it appears that the web site has gone dark so make sure you keep a clean copy squirreled away in case something happens to your main app file. 73 - Dino KL0S > On Jun 28, 2018, at 8:46 AM, skristof(a)etczone.com wrote: > > Yes, this is on a laptop. I have successfully received images on this > laptop for a couple of years. > > On 2018-06-28 07:42, Mvivona wrote: > >> Is this on a laptop? >> >> Michael Vivona >> Sent from my iPad >> >> On Jun 28, 2018, at 6:58 AM, skristof(a)etczone.com wrote: >> >> To get images from NOAA weather satellites I have been using an RTL-SDR >> with SDR# software and the WxtoImg decoding program. This has worked >> successfully for a couple of years. I use the VB virtual audio cable to >> connect SDR# to WxtoImg. >> >> But about a month ago I had to reinstall SDR# as it wasn't working. I >> think it may have been due to an update in Windows 10. So, SDR# is >> working fine, but since the reinstall of SDR# I can no longer get >> viewable images in WxtoImg. The pictures look they have been through the >> shredder. I tried the slant correction and the resync as described in >> the Help section, but it didn't fix anything. >> >> It looks like a sync problem, but if the resync doesn't fix it, I'm not >> sure what to try next. >> >> I know these aren't amateur radio satellites, but I'm hoping there's at >> least a few of you out there who are downloading weather satellite >> pictures and can help me out. >> >> All reasonable suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. >> >> Steve AI9IN >> _______________________________________________ >> 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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IC-9100 for sale
by Stefan Wagener 27 Jun '18

27 Jun '18

Selling my IC-9100. Pristine condition with D-Star, roofing filters, and 1,2GHz!!! For details see the listing on qrz.com 73, Stefan VE4NSA

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Field Day (whew)
by David Bartholomew 27 Jun '18

27 Jun '18

A club member from W6SD asked me if I could come to their FD site in Granada Hills CA to do the satellite contact for them. I said I would do it. I had planned ahead, figured out a list of the better passes of the FM sats and FO-29. Got set up and tried SO-50. We were fortunate. It was coming in from the south and the footprint didn't reach a lot of land yet. I heard WD9EWK on there and figured, "If anyone can work us through all of this, he can!" And he did. Well done. I had a small group around me as I did this. N7JY was holding the Elk and his Android tablet, watching the sat path and doing the aiming. I posted a picture on Twitter @ad7db. Few of the group actually heard the live exchange come back, but I did. I always record the pass, so, after we got the contact, I turned off the radio and played it back for them. It took a couple of plays to convince them, yes, we got the contact. "There he is coming back to us, right... there!" The next day I visited another group's FD site. I was dismayed to find they'd made lots of satellite contacts, even doing a couple on a final pass before the QRT call. What happened with the "one and done" rule? "7.3.7.1 - Stations are limited to one (1) completed QSO on any single channel FM satellite." Dave AD7DB

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Re: [amsat-bb] Channel Master 9521A Rotator interface
by Gregory Beat 27 Jun '18

27 Jun '18

David - For a computer application (HamRadio Deluxe) to have “remote control” of another device ... it requires a communication path (using standards like serial, RS-232 or RS-422, for distance) and an intelligence (u-Processor) within device to interpret the communications and perform desired actions. — The Channel Master 9521(A) TV antenna rotator is a simple 50+ year 3-wire motor control design, updated in past decade with “Bling” (7-segment display and IR control) controller using a u-processor, to appear “modern” to non-STEM consumers. https://support.channelmaster.com/hc/en-us/articles/200382985-Rotator-Syste… In addition, there is No True BRAKE in these inexpensive designs (reason CDE created the Ham-series of azimuth rotators in 1957) The designs are virtually the same as early 1950s TV rotators in post-WW2 America. Why is that an important? NO positive feedback between actual direction of outside rotator and inside control box (subject to mis-alignments). Adding Position Control to 3-wire Rotators (Radio Shack, Channel Master, NTE) by Doug Braun, NA1DB (amsat-bb, circa 2001) http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/200110/msg00027.html No schematic diagram provided, BUT YouTube disassemble videos exist. https://youtu.be/KhvxsMiObTY Building a PIC rotator controller, NA1DB http://www.dougbraun.com/pix/rotor_controller/index.html greg, w9gb Sent from iPad Air

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DSLWP-2 elements for GMAT?
by Ken Swaggart 27 Jun '18

27 Jun '18

Are the DSLWP-2 elements used by GMAT available somewhere? Google wasn't any help this time. 73, Ken, W7KKE

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New FD rules ideas
by wa7dxz 27 Jun '18

27 Jun '18

One of the points made was that nowdays, working the FM birds is relatively easy, and to give relief to the crowded FM birds, we need more linear sat ops. How about giving 25 points for the FM contact, but 100 for a linear contact. You could do one or the other, not both.We are joking if we deny FD isn't about points. You want the big points, you earn them. (Linear)You want an easy 25, or do a demonstration, you get 25, (FM) It won't solve all the problems, but might relieve the FM birds somewhat, and encourage linear operation.Bobwa7dxzSun City, AZ Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

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Re: [amsat-bb] Channel Master 9521A Rotator interface
by fezzolare 26 Jun '18

26 Jun '18

Hi scott I know this is a old post but could you let me know if this will work with ham radio deluxe and how hard to hook up David WF6ZZ Sent from my Galaxy Tab A

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Yaesu G-5500 setup
by Butch 26 Jun '18

26 Jun '18

I have no operating experience with satellites. I am installing this G-5500 az-el rotator on a satellite ground station and I am using SatPC32 tracking software and an ERC interface. Everything is operational, so far... I am trying to decide whether to use 0 to 360 degrees or 0 to 420 degrees on the azimuth rotator. The station is located in Eastern TN, USA. The 0 to 420 uses all available rotation but then the meter readings are not as useful. Are there any preferences on this? From a practical, operating point of view, should the azimuth mid point or home position have the antenna pointed North or South? Or some other direction? Thanks for your input. Butch K8KO

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FP/KV1J 3 - 17 July 2018 GN17
by Eric Williams 26 Jun '18

26 Jun '18

I will be active on the Sats from the French island of Miquelon from 3 July through 17 July as FP/KV1J. This will be my 12th trip to the island. I mostly operate the low bands and 6 meters. When the WX is good, I try to get outside and work the linear birds. Occasionally I will also be on the FM birds. I use a pair of FT-817s and an Arrow antenna. Most of the time I will be grid GN17. If I am on the main island of St Pierre or if I borrow a car a drive to Langlade, I will be GN16. I have limited internet. My email is kv1j (at) arrl.net (not the email I am sending this from). More information at: http://www.kv1j.com/fp/July18.html 73 Eric KV1J FP/KV1J

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M2, AMSAT and field Day
by Jack Strother 26 Jun '18

26 Jun '18

To the Folks at M2 Antenna Systems and the AMSAT Hierarchy. I ordered a Leo Pack from the AMSAT Booth,(Thank You for the Support), while at the Dayton / Xenia Ham Fest. It show up, at my home, about 2 weeks later. I built the array, in about 6 hours or so, the antennas went together really well. Then took another 8 hours or so to get my Field Day setup built, in the garage, Rotators and tripod. With a Comet Analyzer I swept each antenna assembly and found the to be exactly where they needed to be for LEO work. A week later I set everything up for field day. (Pix attached). I wanted to let you and everyone else know just how impressive this system is. It was either an AO-91 or an AO-92 pass over the western side of California, about between 2 and 3:30 am I was able to hit the satellite, make a contact actually 2; 1 in CA another in AZ, from the airport located Elkhart Indiana. The elevation on the shown on the AZ controller(LVB Tracker) reflected 10 to 14 degrees and the airport is about elevation is about 780' asl. This was my first Field Day and my First, actual satellite operation. I have been an Enthusiast, since I rejoined the amateur radio community, and have had no real contacts, until Field Day. I can now refer to myself as an real satellite operator, Yeah! I appreciate the M2 folks support of the AMSAT group, and I appreciate the AMSAT folks in their efforts to keep Amateur Radio in Space alive. All the Best! KD9ERA

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