- AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re-purpose Cable Modems, headed to dumpsters ?
by Gregory Beat 11 Oct '20

11 Oct '20

Amateur Radio has a history of re-purposing Radio & Electronics surplus, for a variety of uses (receiving, transmitting, accessories, etc.). Recent posting on Github the past two weeks https://github.com/stdw/cm-sdr “cm-sdr” is a piece of software to turn a Broadcom BCM3383-based cable modem into a general purpose Software Defined Radio (SDR) In its current state, cm-sdr serves as a proof of concept. It can currently stream I/Q data to a peer via TCP. A script to demodulate and play FM radio broadcasts is also provided. cm-sdr is dependent on many functions and memory mapped registers in the unmodified firmware. Thus, at the moment it is highly tailored to one specific cable modem model and firmware version. == Earlier work by OpenWrt with the Broadcom’s BCM33xx chipset. https://openwrt.org/docs/techref/hardware/soc/soc.broadcom.bcm33xx The BCM3383 DOCSIS 3.0 cable gateway System on a Chip (SoC) combines Broadcom's Full-Band Capture (FBC), dual-band concurrent Wi-Fi and a custom applications processor. https://www.broadcom.com/products/broadband/cable/modems/bcm3383 Current Broadcom cable modem SoC offerings https://www.broadcom.com/products/broadband/cable/modems == greg, w9gb

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PSAT is on again
by alex weimer 11 Oct '20

11 Oct '20

Great to hear it ! I will definitely be on the digipeater shortly ! JACK KC7MG

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Re: [amsat-bb] ORI receives half million dollar grant, and, it's only the first.
by Michael Tondee 11 Oct '20

11 Oct '20

Wow! Sounds like you guys have done and are doing an awful lot for the hobby. My thanks to you. It appears there are resources out there if AMSAT is willing to do what's necessary to have access to them. I guess the question is what's that involve? Is it simply just going open source or is there more to it than that? Are there other stumbling blocks that they wouldn't be comfortable with for some reason? 73, Michael, W4HIJ > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2020 22:41:39 -0700 > From: Phil Karn <karn(a)ka9q.net> > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ORI receives half million dollar grant, and > it's only the first. > Message-ID: <38f30c90-6874-b8bc-5855-9e27bbb3bf66(a)ka9q.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > On 9/10/20 19:40, Bruce Perens via AMSAT-BB wrote: >> In the present time, people have grown to take the Internet a lot more >> seriously, and the world ran out of IPV4 addresses in their 32-bit space. >> We now have IPV6, which has a much larger address space, but IPV4 is still >> important. So, Brian and friends sold 3/4 of our addresses to Amazon for a >> lot of money, and formed a non-profit to manage it. > Correction: ARDC sold 1/4 (not 3/4) of its original IPv4 address block, > 44.0.0.0/8. The part that was sold is 44.192.0.0/10, i.e., the top > quarter, which had never been used on the "real" Internet though it had > been used internally in some European ampr subnets. > > ampr.org still has the bottom 3/4 of its original assignment: 44.0.0.0/9 > and 44.128.0.0/10. Hams running IP are still able to use these two blocks. > > The 44.0.0.0/8 block was originally obtained by Hank Magnuski, KA6M, in > the early 1980s, literally for the cost of a phone call. It did not see > much use until the mid 1980s when I began work on my KA9Q NOS TCP/IP > package; at that time, Hank transferred control of the 44 block to me. > Brian Kantor WB6CYT and Wally Lindstruth WA6JPR soon joined in its > management, with Brian running much of the infrastructure out of the > University of California San Diego (UCSD) where he spent his entire career. > > NONE of us had any idea whatsoever that these numbers would someday have > serious monetary value. We did amprnet simply because we really believed > in the potential of the Internet and, as hams, felt ham radio was the > perfect place to experiment with the Internet protocols. (Some of you > have fond memories of those days, as do I.) We thought it was a cool > idea that would find good uses, but we had no idea that the Internet > over radio would change the world as much as it did. It certainly > changed my life; in 1991 I moved from New Jersey to San Diego to accept > a position with Qualcomm largely on the basis of my work with TCP/IP > over ham radio, and Brian and I became very close friends. > > In the early 2010s, Brian obtained Hank's and my consent to transfer > formal ownership of this address block to a nonprofit he created for the > purpose: Amateur Radio Digital Communications, or ARDC. (Wally > Lindstruth had passed away by this time). In 2018 and 2019, with full > knowledge and consent of the ARDC board, Brian negotiated the sale of > the 44.192.0.0/10 block with the proceeds to ARDC to be used for a wide > range of charitable grants to benefit ham radio, the Internet, and > especially the intersection of the two and their role in STEM education. > Unfortunately, the nature of the IP address market and the size of the > sale necessitated secrecy, which none of us liked. A nondisclosure > agreement still limits what we can publicly say about the terms of the > sale, though some facts can be readily determined from public sources > such as the "whois" database and IP address market data. > > Brian passed away unexpectedly in November 2019 and I've taken over as > president and chair of ARDC. Hank continues to serve on the grant review > committee chaired by John Hays, K7VE. > > Since ARDC is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, it is required to > file detailed tax returns (990 forms) with the IRS; this will happen > very shortly. By law, nonprofit tax returns are publicly available. > > Phil Karn, KA9Q > > ARDC President & Chair > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ >

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YouTube Livestream of AMSAT-UK Colloquium
by M5AKA 11 Oct '20

11 Oct '20

The Online AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium is now streaming live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnZGVY9ZteA Schedule info is at https://amsat-uk.org/2020/09/19/online-amsat-uk-space-colloquium/ Trevor M5AKA---- AMSAT-UK http://amsat-uk.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AmsatUK Facebook https://facebook.com/AmsatUK YouTube https://youtube.com/AmsatUK ----

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Re: [amsat-bb] PSAT is ON circa 9:10 AM PST (Dual hop testing?)
by Robert Bruninga 10 Oct '20

10 Oct '20

Robert NcHale KE6BLR has turned on PSAT for digipeating. I have no idea if it has the power budget to support it, but we will see. If the telemetry counter gets above 90 (minutes) then it is surviving eclipses See http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/raw.cgi?call=psat,psat-1&time=1&start=12 Have fun. Try some double hops from ISS to PSAT using the path NA1SS,PSAT If you simply used APRSAT,APRSAT, then PSAT might digi the first hop too and then be clobbered when ISS also does it. Then the second hop will not go via PSAT beacuse by then it is a dupe. Bob, WB4APR > >

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To Tweet or Not to Tweet - APRS
by Stephen DeVience 09 Oct '20

09 Oct '20

There have been some projects to make amateur internet networks on our 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz allocations, for example http://www.broadband-hamnet.org/ However, no matter whether it's APRS or actual internet protocols, it will be dependent on the real internet unless amateurs make an independent backbone to support the long-distance traffic. This could be a good way to use our microwave bands. There are a lot of repeater systems linked over large regions via microwave, so I'm sure it could be done to support internet traffic too, although the bandwidth might be somewhat limited. A geostationary satellite could work too. The problem is getting enough people interested and finding the right hardware. -Stephen N8URE

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To Tweet or Not to Tweet
by Gerald Payton 09 Oct '20

09 Oct '20

I have fundamentally opposed to TWITTER doe to the NONSENSE on it! However, I see many references posted here. I am having second thoughts about signing up. PLEASE, will someone direct me to WHO I should follow regarding AMSAT and possibly others. Many thanks, 73 Jerry AB5R EM12kh

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Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-10-09 15:30 UTC
by aj9n＠aol.com 09 Oct '20

09 Oct '20

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-10-09 15:30 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: ABOUT GAGARIN FROM SPACE Conducting an amateur radio session with October 9 (World Post Day) schoolchildren of Vladivostok, Vladivostok, Russia, direct via RMØM (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Anatoli Ivanishin Contact was successful Fri 2020-10-09 08:15 UTC (***) Ramona Lutheran School, Ramona, CA, direct via N6ROR The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy KF5KDR Contact is go for: Wed 2020-10-14 16:26:13 UTC 43 deg ************************************************************************************************************* There is a new radio on board the ISS. The Kenwood D710GA is now in use. The crossband repeater is now available when the radio is not being used for ARISS school contacts. The frequencies are 145.99 MHz up (67 tone) and 437.800 MHz down. Watch the Doppler on the downlink. ######################################################################################################################################## A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. ************************************************* ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. The following schools have now been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19: Postponed: No new schools Cancelled: No new schools The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements here also. Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. The main page for Applying to Host a Scheduled Contact may be found at https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html ARISS Contact Applications (United States) Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed time. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 date and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2020-10-09 15:30 UTC. (***) Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and instructions for any contact that may be streamed live. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt The successful school list has been updated as of 2020-10-09 15:30 UTC. (***) https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. The main page for Applying to Host a Scheduled Contact may be found at https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html ARISS Contact Applications (United States) (***) The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations, individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact would be held between July 1, 2021 and December 30, 2021. Crew scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan. The deadline to submit a proposal is November 24th, 2020. Proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org. An ARISS Introductory Webinar session will be held on October 8, 2020 at 8PM ET. The Eventbrite link to sign up is: https://ariss-proposal-webinar-fall-2020.eventbrite.com The Opportunity Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with the astronauts through a question-and-answer session. An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science. Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact. Amateur Radio organizations around the world with the support of NASA and space agencies in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe present educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio organizations’ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world using Amateur Radio. Please direct any questions to ariss.us.education(a)gmail.com. For future proposal information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of Information Webinars, go to www.ariss.org. About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. ******************************************************************************** ARISS Contact Applications (Europe, Africa and the Middle East) Schools and Youth organizations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East interested in setting up an ARISS radio contact with an astronaut on board the International Space Station are invited to submit an application from September to October and from February to April. Please refer to details and the application form at www.ariss-eu.org/school-contacts. Applications should be addressed by email to: school.selection.manager(a)ariss-eu.org ARISS Contact Applications (Canada, Central and South America, Asia and Australia and Russia) Organizations outside the United States can apply for an ARISS contact by filling out an application. Please direct questions to the appropriate regional representative listed below. If your country is not specifically listed, send your questions to the nearest ARISS Region listed. If you are unsure which address to use, please send your question to the ARISS-Canada representative; they will forward your question to the appropriate coordinator. For the application, go to: https://www.ariss.org/ariss-application.html. ARISS-Canada and the Americas, except USA: Steve McFarlane, VE3TBD email to: ve3tbd(a)gmail.com ARISS-Japan, Asia, Pacific and Australia: Satoshi Yasuda, 7M3TJZ email to: ariss(a)iaru-r3.org, Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) https://www.jarl.org/ ARISS-Russia: Soyuz Radioljubitelei Rossii (SRR) https://srr.ru/ ****************************************************************************** ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to aj9n(a)amsat.org or aj9n(a)aol.com. Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz. ******************************************************************************* All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted. ******************************************************************************* Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. **************************************************************************** Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS? Please note that the HamTV system has been brought back to earth for troubleshooting. Please monitor ARISS-EU or ARISS-ON for the very latest news on the troubleshooting efforts. If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video. http://www.ariss-eu.org/ If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to provide some insight. Contact Kerry at kbanke(a)sbcglobal.net The HamTV webpage: https://www.amsat-on.be/hamtv-summary/ **************************************************************************** ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Francesco IKØWGF with 140 Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 138 Sergey RV3DR with 137 (***) Gaston ON4WF with 123 **************************************************************************** The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date webpages were removed, and new ones have been added. If there are additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1402. (***) Each school counts as 1 event. Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1335. (***) Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot. Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 48. A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the file. https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ QSL information may be found at: https://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html ISS callsigns: DPØISS, IRØISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RSØISS **************************************************************************** Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC https://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correcti… Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415 **************************************************************************** Exp. 62 now on orbit Chris Cassidy KF5KDR Anatoli Ivanishin Ivan Vagner **************************************************************************** 73, Charlie Sufana AJ9N One of the ARISS operation team mentors

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Re: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 15, Issue 408
by ke0pbr＠gmail.com 09 Oct '20

09 Oct '20

Thanks! KE0PBR Paul Overn AMSAT Ambassador Twitter: @KE0PBR Website: KE0PBR.Wordpress.com -----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org> On Behalf Of amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org Sent: Friday, October 9, 2020 7:34 AM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 15, Issue 408 Send AMSAT-BB mailing list submissions to amsat-bb(a)amsat.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to amsat-bb-request(a)amsat.org You can reach the person managing the list at amsat-bb-owner(a)amsat.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of AMSAT-BB digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Fwd: Coming Hurricane and power outages (Robert Bruninga) 2. Re: To Tweet or Not to Tweet (Don KB2YSI) 3. Re: [Blog] Successful ISS ham demo for a young space fan! (Paulo PV8DX) 4. Re: JW7XK/LA7XK Rove to JQ78 Update (Mika Siira) 5. Re: Yaesu Az-El Rotor Controller switches (Gregory Beat) 6. JW7XK/LA7XK Rove to JQ78 Update -- update (adrian(a)liggins.ca) 7. NA1SS is Very Popular Today (Robert MacHale) 8. SSTV-friendly fonts (Greg D) 9. Upcoming satellite demo (saguaroastro(a)cox.net) 10. Re: To Tweet or Not to Tweet (Jerry Buxton) 11. Re: SSTV-friendly fonts (Loren M. Lang) 12. Re: SSTV-friendly fonts (David Jordan) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 13:48:29 -0400 From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga(a)usna.edu> To: amsat bb <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Fwd: Coming Hurricane and power outages Message-ID: <CALdCfNJ4xEktc5GabztB7mXKhsaLErN452QXehv1GC9f4NU+rQ(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" For continuity of radio operations... As another hurricane approaches the gulf coast with the potential to knock out power to tens of thousands, I was pleased to see that CQ published my article this month (Oct) on using an EV or plugin Hybrid for emergency power for days or weeks. With the 10 to 100 kWh batteries in EV's and the 50kW or so generators in hybrids, your car makes a great accessory for your house when the grid goes down. The article is just a short condensation of some of the Emergency Power topic that is in the ARRL Energy Choices handbook I also posted greater detail from the article on this page: http://aprs.org/FrankenVolt.html Bob, WB4APR Author http://aprs.org/Energy-Choices.html ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 13:59:12 -0400 From: Don KB2YSI <kb2ysi(a)gmail.com> To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] To Tweet or Not to Tweet Message-ID: <CAAJiE8NqnFHhPqDfavCS9Bb5HpUikQbRjAhOiKMM4xpWmB_0Jw(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Throw in using a 3rd party client that kills the ads, stupid timeline "featured tweets", and other nonsense they throw in the official client. Tweetdeck on the web is way better than twitter.com is, even thought it is owned by Twitter. On Wed, Oct 7, 2020, 20:14 nathanjwhite via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > You could start with following @amsat , then try @**** insert call > sign of high profile hams...or low profile > > > > > NathanN5LEX > _______________________________________________ > 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 > ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 14:06:35 -0400 From: Paulo PV8DX <paulopv8dx(a)gmail.com> To: John Brier <johnbrier(a)gmail.com>, AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] [Blog] Successful ISS ham demo for a young space fan! Message-ID: <f80ca79a-36c2-1ca0-b1e5-6769ca81c622(a)gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed Congratulations Excellent. 73? de Paulo PV8DX Em 08/10/2020 09:34, John Brier via AMSAT-BB escreveu: > I had a successful ISS ham demo for a young space fan last night! We > received two perfect SSTV images and made contact through the recently > enabled digipeater! Thanks for the QSO Scott K4KDR! > > Full story/pics on my blog: > > https://spacecomms.wordpress.com/2020/10/08/iss-ham-demo-for-a-young-s > pace-fan/ > > 73, John Brier KG4AKV > _______________________________________________ > 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 ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 20:48:13 +0300 From: Mika Siira <oh8mbn(a)gmail.com> To: adrian(a)liggins.ca Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] JW7XK/LA7XK Rove to JQ78 Update Message-ID: <CAAAKfqvf7ti80ESiSe1PtU0Vdxq=0cNs=NP1exRhc9_N=zJNVg(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Hello folks, I worked JW7XK today at 1551 UTC on RS-44 sat. -Mika, OH8MBN to 8. lokak. 2020 klo 16.05 Adrian Liggins via AMSAT-BB (amsat-bb(a)amsat.org) kirjoitti: > Got a note from Halvard, LA7XK, this morning. His plane was turned > back yesterday due to fog at the airport in Longyearbyen. He's > currently in Northern Norway waiting for conditions to clear. When I > get an update, I'll post it here. > > Adrian VA3NNA > _______________________________________________ > 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 > ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 14:22:36 -0500 From: Gregory Beat <w9gb(a)icloud.com> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org, seb(a)wintek.com, kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net, w7lrd(a)comcast.net Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Yaesu Az-El Rotor Controller switches Message-ID: <CA184215-46A0-4879-B818-E594D32D8892(a)icloud.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Steve - Question about Yaesu controller rocker switches asked on July 8 and 9, 2020 by Bob Johnson, W7LRD and Ed Cole, KL7UW. == I researched this problem in 2014 after Yaesu USA Parts reported that no replacement rocker switches (for repairs) were available. Since this was after the Japanese 2011 T?hoku earthquake and tsunami, I assume the OEM suppliers to Yaesu were lost. This is a Photo of the LAST OEM switch, from Yaesu USA Parts (before 2011), now discontinued. Photos at entry #8 (QRZ Q&A Tech Forums). LOOK at photo carefully. https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/g-500a-replacement-switch.664784/ The Kenpro/Yaesu used an OFFSET Lever (Pivot) on that Rocker switch mechanism. The Paddle Lever is NOT Symmetrical about the pivot axis. Kenpro designed their front panel molds (plastic injection) of the rotator controllers to work with that specific Offset Lever style. ? The old Japanese OEM switch used rivets (thru metal pin), while the NKK levers use an outside edge plastic mobs to fit into holes on the variety of paddle/rocker options. There is not a thru pin on the NKK. == In 2014, I ordered the NNK Series M2 rocker switch parts (substitute candidate) from Mouser, when Mouser stocked NKK # M202TYW01 . ($4.80 in 2014). This part was correct size for Kenpro/Yaesu G500/G550 controllers and accepts a variety of ?Paddle? styles https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/633-M2022TYW01 This NKK rocker switch properly fits the Kenpro/Yaesu front panels (rotator control). https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/295/MrockersFlatFrame-1663268.pdf HOWEVER, the standard NKK Levers (Paddles) are SYMMETRICAL. They do NOT have the proper OFFSET. NKK # AT4157C (Red) https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/633-AT4157C NKK # AT4157A (Black) https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/633-AT4157A NKK Switch Accessories https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/295/accessorieshardware-10910.pdf === SOLUTION ?? Someone (AMSAT member?) to design a proper ?Offset? Paddle (asymmetrical) for the standard Rocker switch mechanisms (NKK, C&K) that fit Kenpro/Yaesu rotator controllers. The Design (CAD) could then be 3D-Printed OR Injected Molded (Plastic). greg, w9gb elmhurst, IL == Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 12:13:19 +0000 From: "Stephen E. Belter" <seb(a)wintek.com> To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Yaesu rotor controller switches Would someone remind me who was looking for switches for a Yaesu G5400/G5500 rotor controller?? I've searched on the AMSAT-BB archives, but haven't discovered the correct keywords to retrieve his messages. I can probably help him. 73, Steve N9IP -- Steve Belter, seb(a)wintek.com ------------------------------ Message: 6 Date: Thu, 08 Oct 2020 15:26:34 -0400 From: adrian(a)liggins.ca To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] JW7XK/LA7XK Rove to JQ78 Update -- update Message-ID: <50a5fc543ddc8846c963c8f199737eb1(a)liggins.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed Just got the following from Halvard, LA7XK: We arrived this afternoon. I got my antenna and radio set up earlier this evening and worked 2 EU contacts and 2 in Asiatic Russia, SSB and CW to test the radio. All OK. We then had to go to get some dinner and now I am set up for the 1929 pass, EU and maybe JA this pass, I will try to stay up as long as possible before I drive down to the hotel to get some sleep. My priority will be NA and JA. the 2100 utc and the2300 utc passes should be OK for east NA. I will work SSB tonight around 435660 downlink. Adrian VA3NNA ------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 20:03:12 +0000 (UTC) From: Robert MacHale <robert.machale(a)yahoo.com> To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] NA1SS is Very Popular Today Message-ID: <2076536797.819921.1602187392096(a)mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Looks like over half the APRSAT traffic in the past 24 hours involved NA1SS. Kudos to Frank Bauer and ARISS for the new equipment. Kudos to Robert Bruninga for creating a useful protocol. For reference - APRSAT messages: http://www.spacecommunicator.club/igates/?reload_timer=3600? 73 Robert MacHale . KE6BLR FCC Licensed Radio Operator? .?http://www.aprsat.com/predict .?http://www.spaceCommunicator.club? . Supporting Boy Scout Merit Badges in Radio, Robotics, and Space Exploration Silly Joke:?What did the little mountain say to the bigger mountain? Hi Cliff! He who dares not offend cannot be honest. -- THOMAS PAINE There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self. -- ERNEST HEMINGWAY ------------------------------ Message: 8 Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 14:10:50 -0700 From: Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com> To: Amsat BB <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] SSTV-friendly fonts Message-ID: <cb07f745-c2de-6073-b752-9ba599e54174(a)gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Hi folks, but mostly the ARISS team, First, thank you for hosting the extended SSTV event on the ISS. It was long enough that I was able to coach a few folks who had problems one day, have a success the next. Also thank you for including English subtitles to the predominantly Russian images, and Spanish for the one I saw regarding Equador's nanosat. But a request... Is there a better font which could be used for future events? I noted several folks here who were able to grab an image, but couldn't read any of it, not even the part in their own native language. A sans-serif font would be a good starter, perhaps one with skinnier lines (less bold) would help too. Any text at this resolution is hard, and I'd rather pick a more friendly font than try to increase the size for readability. Pictures are more pleasing than text. To the general population, is there a "best" font that can be recommended for the text used for Latin-based languages at this resolution, and with this sort of "propagation"? Greg KO6TH ------------------------------ Message: 9 Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2020 20:12:02 -0700 From: <saguaroastro(a)cox.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Upcoming satellite demo Message-ID: <029d01d69de9$f7305910$e5910b30$(a)cox.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Rick Tejera K7TEJ from the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club (TBARC) will be giving a presentation and demonstration of Satellite operations to the Northwest Christian School in Glendale, AZ on Nov. 11th 2020. The demo will be on SO-50 at 2323UT. I will be using our Club call WB7TBC and the church is in Grid DM33wp. I may try to get a student on the air. Please keep an ear out for us and respond to our call, the kids will appreciate it. I'll send outa reminder as the date gets closer. 73 & Thanks Rick Tejera Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club www.w7tbc.org ------------------------------ Message: 10 Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2020 00:00:46 -0500 From: Jerry Buxton <n0jy(a)amsat.org> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] To Tweet or Not to Tweet Message-ID: <1c8d8b71-18a5-a3d9-2445-0e9cab14ac5a(a)amsat.org> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 On 10/7/2020 16:59, Gerald Payton via AMSAT-BB wrote: > I have fundamentally opposed to TWITTER doe to the NONSENSE on it! However, I see many references posted here. > > I am having second thoughts about signing up. PLEASE, will someone direct me to WHO I should follow regarding AMSAT and possibly others. > > Hi Jerry, I would suggest that it's not who but what, in the sense of AMSAT vs. a single AMSAT volunteer.? My recommendation is to follow AMSAT (the organization) tweets only.? Even tweets from individuals that are of satellite ops interest get retweeted by AMSAT, so it's a simple way to get what you might be looking for without following a clutter of tweeters.? They even retweet me if I tweet something about Engineering that is intelligent and useful information.? There is an audience looking for AMSAT information via Twitter, so I'm glad to share news on their preferred platform.? It would be foolish not to do so and somewhat un-hamlike, given that we're building stuff that is/will be available for satellite users worldwide.? That's why I started using Twitter. There are other worthy organizations, corporations, and government agencies to follow too for your space (and other) interests that are about news and information and not random nonsense.? I follow various NASA branches, and other space/satellite related stuff like Spaceflight, SpaceX, Virgin Orbit to name a few, the corporations/agencies/organizations that are AMSAT "job" related as well as related space hobby interests.? I follow only a handful individuals, some who are AMSAT officers and a few friends/acquaintances who know how to tweet useful or interesting info and then be quiet again, for a spell.? And let me add AMSAT-UK as a suggestion, they share in a way similar to what AMSAT does here with useful info as it comes up.? Give Twitter a try, I'd say it's worth a look.? You can ease in and add more over time.? I'd also suggest that you don't jump in and follow a bunch right off because it might be information overload rather than informative. And if you don't like it you can blame me, in a Tweet!? I'm a popular "public figure" for that type of stuff.? Then just close your Twitter account, and move on... Jerry Buxton, N?JY ------------------------------ Message: 11 Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2020 03:05:14 -0700 From: "Loren M. Lang" <penguin359(a)gmail.com> To: Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com> Cc: Amsat BB <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SSTV-friendly fonts Message-ID: <CACymvmeAUUz0NhkDAtvNC+SQ6874BKUmBhcWm0U99Z2yvtR73g(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" If I recall, one of the big reasons computers used san-serif fonts is because they have a simpler construction and read better at low resolution. Serif is easier for humans to read large blocks of text like a book, but requires a higher resolution to be effective. Also, I've heard some people reporting that the images were just a little less sharp than previous events like this. I haven't compared myself. I believe there is a new radio onboard. Is there a possibility that the audio path from the computer to the RF modulator is being bandwidth-limited somehow preventing the higher frequency edge transitions in the image from retaining their sharpness? -Loren K7IW On Thu, Oct 8, 2020, 14:12 Greg D via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Hi folks, but mostly the ARISS team, > > First, thank you for hosting the extended SSTV event on the ISS. It was > long enough that I was able to coach a few folks who had problems one > day, have a success the next. Also thank you for including English > subtitles to the predominantly Russian images, and Spanish for the one I > saw regarding Equador's nanosat. > > But a request... Is there a better font which could be used for future > events? I noted several folks here who were able to grab an image, but > couldn't read any of it, not even the part in their own native > language. A sans-serif font would be a good starter, perhaps one with > skinnier lines (less bold) would help too. Any text at this resolution > is hard, and I'd rather pick a more friendly font than try to increase > the size for readability. Pictures are more pleasing than text. > > To the general population, is there a "best" font that can be > recommended for the text used for Latin-based languages at this > resolution, and with this sort of "propagation"? > > Greg KO6TH > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > ------------------------------ Message: 12 Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2020 12:34:13 +0000 (UTC) From: David Jordan <n4csitwo(a)bellsouth.net> To: "Loren M. Lang" <penguin359(a)gmail.com>, "Loren M. Lang via AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org>, Greg D <ko6th.greg(a)gmail.com> Cc: Amsat BB <AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SSTV-friendly fonts Message-ID: <1996431497.702568.1602246853671(a)mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Greg,I appreciate you taking time to not only mention the resolution issue, but also share some possible solutions. I've also noticed this particular issue since most of my demods are done on my smartphone. I believe many of our ARISS team view the amsat-bb and will see your remarks, but regardless, I'll be sure to pass them along directly to our team.Thank you and everyone who participate in our ARISS SSTV events. Dave, AA4KN?ARISS PR? Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, Oct 9, 2020 at 6:08 AM, Loren M. Lang via AMSAT-BB<amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: If I recall, one of the big reasons computers used san-serif fonts is because they have a simpler construction and read better at low resolution. Serif is easier for humans to read large blocks of text like a book, but requires a higher resolution to be effective. Also, I've heard some people reporting that the images were just a little less sharp than previous events like this. I haven't compared myself. I believe there is a new radio onboard. Is there a possibility that the audio path from the computer to the RF modulator is being bandwidth-limited somehow preventing the higher frequency edge transitions in the image from retaining their sharpness? -Loren K7IW On Thu, Oct 8, 2020, 14:12 Greg D via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: > Hi folks, but mostly the ARISS team, > > First, thank you for hosting the extended SSTV event on the ISS.? It was > long enough that I was able to coach a few folks who had problems one > day, have a success the next.? Also thank you for including English > subtitles to the predominantly Russian images, and Spanish for the one I > saw regarding Equador's nanosat. > > But a request...? Is there a better font which could be used for future > events?? I noted several folks here who were able to grab an image, but > couldn't read any of it, not even the part in their own native > language.? A sans-serif font would be a good starter, perhaps one with > skinnier lines (less bold) would help too.? Any text at this resolution > is hard, and I'd rather pick a more friendly font than try to increase > the size for readability.? Pictures are more pleasing than text. > > To the general population, is there a "best" font that can be > recommended for the text used for Latin-based languages at this > resolution, and with this sort of "propagation"? > > Greg? KO6TH > > _______________________________________________ > 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 ------------------------------ Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ 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 member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb ------------------------------ End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 15, Issue 408 *****************************************

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SSTV-friendly fonts
by Greg D 09 Oct '20

09 Oct '20

Hi folks, but mostly the ARISS team, First, thank you for hosting the extended SSTV event on the ISS. It was long enough that I was able to coach a few folks who had problems one day, have a success the next. Also thank you for including English subtitles to the predominantly Russian images, and Spanish for the one I saw regarding Equador's nanosat. But a request... Is there a better font which could be used for future events? I noted several folks here who were able to grab an image, but couldn't read any of it, not even the part in their own native language. A sans-serif font would be a good starter, perhaps one with skinnier lines (less bold) would help too. Any text at this resolution is hard, and I'd rather pick a more friendly font than try to increase the size for readability. Pictures are more pleasing than text. To the general population, is there a "best" font that can be recommended for the text used for Latin-based languages at this resolution, and with this sort of "propagation"? Greg KO6TH

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