September 2019 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: [amsat-bb] ANS-256 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) Awards Generous Grant to ARISS
by Roy Dean 13 Sep '19

13 Sep '19

> > * Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) Awards Generous Grant to > ARISS To the ARISS team, congratulations! This is great news! Is the Grant amount public knowledge? Fundrazer doesn't seem to indicate (although I wouldn't expect it there, anyway). --Roy K3RLD

3 3

DN 11/12 and DN03 2019-09-17 - KI7UNJ
by KI7UNJ Tucker 13 Sep '19

13 Sep '19

In a crazy dash to try and get 50/R before 1-year mark on birds (at 43 now) I'm headed out for another rove! TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH DN11/12 SO-50 - 1657Z AO-92 - 1757Z AO-91 - 1812Z Then a quick stop in DN03 to make a few white spots turn green. PO-101 - 2043Z Track me here: https://aprs.fi/#!mt=roadmap&z=11&kml=http%3A%2F%2Fbadgerflix.duckdns.org%2… **Link above includes gridlines, Chances are APRS will be spotty whereI'm headed** Updates, Pictures, live updates on logging, and maybe even a live stream will be at: https://twitter.com/ki7unj All LOGS will be updated to LOTW on return from the trip (tuesday night). -- Casey Tucker KI7UNJ https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ https://www.qrz.com/db/KI7UNJ http://bit.do/ki7unj <https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bit.do/ki7unj&sa=D&source=hangouts&ust=…>

1 0

Taurus-1 FM to Codec2 Repeater Satellite Launched
by Paul Stoetzer 13 Sep '19

13 Sep '19

BG2BHC reported on Twitter that Taurus-1 launched today on the CZ-4B launch from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. Taurus-1 carries an FM to Codec2 repeater that operates using the same protocol as LO-90 (LilacSat-1) and can use the same software (after frequencies are changed). The uplink is 145.840 MHz up and the downlink is 436.760 MHz. CelesTrak currently has three objects from the launch cataloged out of an expected four. Two objects are in a circular orbit that seem unlikely for a CubeSat given international orbital debris stations (750 km x 730 km). The third cataloged object, Object D is a more likely candidate in a 738 km x 453 km orbit with an inclination of 98.7 degrees. The currently cataloged objects are 2019-059A, 2019-059B, and 2019-059D. TLEs can be found at https://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt For more information about this unique analog uplink, digital downlink system, see my AMSAT Journal article / Symposium paper about LO-90 at https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/N8HM_LilacSat_LO…. 73, Paul. N8HM

2 2

AO-7 Mode A transponder question
by Alan 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

The Mode B transponder has, due to varying noise and sensitivity, some documented "sweet spots." Mode A, while not as popular, does get some use. Are there any observed equivalent frequencies? 73, Alan WA4SCA ----------------------------------- Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. George Orwell

4 4

Re: [amsat-bb] NOVA and Windows 10
by Adrian Engele 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

Greg, Point well taken but for my situation you are wrong. When I open the file in Notepad it looks just fine. But when I try to import it into Nova it does not like it. It gives me an error.I am just passing this along if it happens to others. This happens on the six computers that I own.The only way, again for my situation, to fix that, is to open the file in Wordpad, Downgrade to a smaller font size, then re-save the file, then import back to Nova. This works perfectly every time I do it. So issue. Feel free to open the file in Wordpad and you will see the lines are broken and need to be adjusted. I just tested this at work. End of topic. Let's move on. Adrian AA5UK On Thursday, September 12, 2019, 1:47:07 PM CDT, Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com> wrote: One really shouldn't be using wordpad, but rather notepad. This needs to be a simple text file, and any "formatting" such as font size and so forth will likely mess things up. That changing the font size made a difference is evidence of this. A simple text file has no font, and no size. Greg KO6TH Adrian Engele via AMSAT-BB wrote: I concur with JoAnne's write-up. In my case, and this applies to all my laptops, I have had to open nasabare.txt in Wordpad and change the font size so all lines are on single lines and not split up.Only then did Nova import the nasabare.txt correctly without complaining. Not sure if anybody else had the same issues, just passing it along. Love Nova for the excellent graphics. Reading through the manual to learn all that is under the hood is a must! 73, Adrian AA5UK On Thursday, September 12, 2019, 11:28:46 AM CDT, JoAnne K9JKM via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Instead of downloading nasa.all and editing it, you can download nasabare.txt instead. The latter is exactly the same as nasa.all with the edits being suggested. That way you just need to rename, and not edit. Nova also downloads KEPS files from the internet without needing to create/edit a file. In the Nova main window click on Kep. Elements Internet Update Configure Download In the configure window that opens: Fill in 'Download To:' with where you want to store the download on your local machine. (I just put it on my Desktop) Fill in Remote URL: www.amsat.org Remote files: Click on the 'Edit the file list' icon to the right of the data window. When the file list opens uncheck all of the existing options since those files don't seem useful to retrieving amsat keps. Then you might need to use either Add, or Replace to enter amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasabare.txt Then save the changes with the Nova OK buttons in the layers of these menus you just negotiated through. Try the Kep. Elements -> Internet Update -> Start Download I've found that Nova running in true windows OS fashion may require to stop/restart the program so don't be surprised. -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org _______________________________________________ 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: https://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: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

1 0

Re: [amsat-bb] NOVA and Windows 10
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

Hi Scott, Let's get Nova running first. The satellites are out of date because it's loading the Kep file from when the program was written. To update the Keps, save the page from here: https://www.amsat.org/tle/current/nasa.all. Save this as a text file to somewhere useful like the desk top. This will give you a file called nasa.all.txt. Nova is a bit picky about the format of the Kep files. To get this correct: Rename this to remove the first dot and all (nasa.txt). Open the file (Notepad) and delete the packet header up to the blank line above AO7. The remove the /EX from the end of the file and save the modified file. >From the Kep. Elements menu, select "Disk file update" and "Manual update from file" This should bring up a screen "Update Keplerian Elements" . Click on "Update" and you should then be able to navigate to nasa.txt. (Change the drop down box from DATA Files to Text files). That should update the satellites for you. If you go into "Views", "Configure the current view" and select the "Observers" tab, you will see a "Set up Observers" button. Select this and you should be able to set your location. Let me know if this works OK. 73, Terry ZL2BAC -----Original Message----- From: Scott Millick Sent: Monday, September 09, 2019 4:23 PM To: Wendy and Terry Osborne Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Nova with Windows 10 Problem I have I can get it running but the satellites are out of date Having a lot of problems with satpc I got it running but no matter set for observer (I live in Illinois USA) it puts me in California and jave yet to figure it out I am just looking to display my choice of satellites and when they hit my footprint show it to me. When I had my satitllite antennas I use it to control my Yaesu rotors thanks At 09:49 PM 9/8/2019, you wrote: >Hi Folks, Following a query from Scott on this bb, I like Nova and so I >decided that I would investigate. I managed to install Windows 10 on my old >Toshiba laptop. I found that it didn't like big capacity USB sticks >(again). NOVA: See: https://www.nlsa.com/ If I installed Nova from the >setup.exe, the program would run quite happily. I then tried installing the >patch.exe and got this error message. â€œException ERegistryException in >module NfW32.exe at 0007B3EA. Failed to set data for â€. â€ Deleting and >reinstalling setup.exe with the repair option, fixed the error and it now >runs OK. This may help other people who have had this problem, see: >https://www.amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2018-April/067601.html 73, Terry >Osborne ZL2BAC _______________________________________________ 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: >https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >--- >This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. >https://www.avg.com

4 3

The Whistler and Whisperer
by Brad Smith 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

Today, 9/12/2019, on the 16:26 UTC pass of AO-92 and the 16:36 pass of AO-91, the guy was back whistling and whispering into the mic. He has been active for a couple of weeks. I wonder if he used to work the SSB birds and is trying the FM birds with the same method of trying to find himself on full duplex, like he did on the SSB birds? At first I thought someone had the VOX turned on, but now I don't think he can hear himself. If anyone knows who he is, I think any of us would be willing to help him. At least, I would. So, sir, if you are reading this, please contact KC9UQR and lets talk. Brad KC9UQR, Franklin, WI

1 0

ELANA 25 CUBESAT DEPLOYMENT
by cchunter3＠mindspring.com 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

Some interesting cubesats as described in the IARU coordination pages. the next cubesat deployment from the ISS (Oct 2019): Experimenting with Emergency Comms linking - AzTechSat-1 – NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=661 APRS packet digi (145.825) TJREVERB – Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria, Virginia; http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=603 this group also includes the HuskeySat, and the Neutron-1 already posted. five of these cubesats cant find IARU coordination. all 15 listed at the ELana site: https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches 73 Christy KB6LTY

5 4

Nova with Windows 10
by Wendy and Terry Osborne 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

Hi Folks, Following a query from Scott on this bb, I like Nova and so I decided that I would investigate. I managed to install Windows 10 on my old Toshiba laptop. I found that it didn't like big capacity USB sticks (again). NOVA: See: https://www.nlsa.com/ If I installed Nova from the setup.exe, the program would run quite happily. I then tried installing the patch.exe and got this error message. “Exception ERegistryException in module NfW32.exe at 0007B3EA. Failed to set data for ”. ” Deleting and reinstalling setup.exe with the repair option, fixed the error and it now runs OK. This may help other people who have had this problem, see: https://www.amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2018-April/067601.html 73, Terry Osborne ZL2BAC

4 4

PicoBalloons return to South America
by Amsat Argentina 12 Sep '19

12 Sep '19

The WSPR Picoballoon (14,095.6 USB) released on Aug-31 is about to complete its 1st orbit after traveling 33,000 Km. in 12 days. Trajectory at http://lu7aa.org.ar/wspr.asp (slow access but with lot of information) +Info: http://amsat.org.ar?f=buoy We appreciate activating WSPR that will help to receive it, AMSAT-LU will recognize with a certificate to stations that capture its 25 mW. WSPR program at http://amsat.org.ar/wspr.exe Also the APRS PicoBallon (145,825 via Sat 1W) http://aprs.fi?call=lu7aa-11 will be returning this Friday to S.America. 73, LU7AA, AMSAT Argentina

1 0