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Re: [amsat-bb] New Yaesu G-5500DC
by Nick KE8AKW 07 May '20

07 May '20

Yes. The brand new version of the G-5500 with the "DC" at the end is not compatible with anything before it, as they are now using 22V DC to drive the G5500DC rather then a regular G5500 that uses 24V AC. So that means a G5500DC motor is not compatible with a G5500 Control box, and vice versa. As for why they changed their motors to DC, I dont really know. But something to look out for sure. 73 Nick KE8AKW

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New Yaesu G-5500DC
by Rafael Pena 06 May '20

06 May '20

Hey fellows is me again, Rafael / NN3RP I wanted to share with you this new to me knowledge about the Yaesu G-5500DC AZ / EL. I am to receive new potentiometer for the AZ that is having issues. So I will try fixing it. Here is what I learned today on the new DC version system. It is not compatible with the old one. Here's the story....I was looking to purchase a AZ rotor only and found it at my local store in Virginia, hotel roma omar. I was happy to see that they are selling the AZ and EL separately. But also the whole setup. I purchased and got me the AZ today. Yes, I am that crazy...got to make that money to work for me! Before purchasing it, I saw the setup being also sold at DXEnglish store. But intrigued me fact that the one listed G-5500 had this DC at the end of the name being the new version (my local store does not have it so) But they don't sell them individually AZ or EL. So I sent for one locally and it is in my hands now. Then as I opened the box I asked myself wait a minute which one did I actually get? Reading the manual under specifications for old and new version reveals that they are very different in several areas. A call to the store sent me over to Yaesu Tech support. I spoke with this gentleman who save me from my pulling more hairs. It was confirmed. I learned that there is a big difference in the new version and cannot be mixed with the older one at all. So I asked which one did I get? He said ...."if yours does not have the label G-5500DC below the connector then you have the old version." So for a moment I paused and realized that I bought the one needed. I am to setup once the rain stops. But I wanted to write to warn about the fact that there is a potential disaster if mixing them. I found some pictures of the new version and can be accessed via one drive here: https://1drv.ms/u/s!Al_5NCnHQyKatyHKmTViqUiqpj2Y?e=MAPLUL 73 Rafael / NN3RP

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SDRSharp
by Steve Kristoff 06 May '20

06 May '20

Is anyone using SDRSharp with an RTL-SDR on a Windows 10 machine? I've uploaded and deleted and reuploaded more than once and I can't get it work. The screen comes on looking good, but when I hit the "Play" button it locks up and nothing happens. I have had older versions working on older Windows, so I sort of know what I'm doing, but I don't know enough I guess. My plan was to use VBCable between SDRSharp and MixW to decode CW beacons from satellites. Any helpful hints would be appreciated. Steve AI9IN

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LoRa modules sx1276
by Nick Pugh 05 May '20

05 May '20

I have been playing with Lora radios SX1276 on 145 Mhz. The spec sheets reports sensitivities of -148 dbm with a bandwidth of 7800 hz and a spreading factor of 12. I am unable to get close to this spec when place in a link with antennas. I suspect that at my location there has external noise on the antenna. When I test the module at UHF they meet the sensitivity specs. My idle noise on the antenna no signal is -120 dbm and the noise terminated into 50 ohms is -127 dbm with a bandwidth of 10 khz. I have 2 questions? 1. What is the noise temperature of the antenna? 2. How can I express the reduction in sensitivity of the Lora radios with antenna temperature? Nick Pugh K5QXJ nick Cell 337 258 2527 Helping UL become a world Class Engineering and Educational School Disagree I Learn

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FS: 2 meter transverter
by John Geiger 05 May '20

05 May '20

I have for sale one of the Ukrainian 10m to 2 meter transverter that I have been using as a receive converter on the satellites. When you use this with your 10 meter radio you get all of the features of your HF radio on 2 meters. This particular transverter was set up for use with a flex radio by the previous owner, so it has the lower power input and requires hard keying via a PTT line. Since I was using it as a receive only converter that wasn't an issue for me. I do have the attenuator board with it that would need to be installed. This lets you run up to 10 watts into it, and also lets you do RF sense T/R switching instead of needing a PTT line. It is rated at 10 watts output. It comes with a power cord, 2 BNC to SO239 adapters for the antenna in and out. I am asking $60 shipped for it and can take paypal/check/MO. 73 John AF5CC

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Re: [amsat-bb] DM92 activation
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 04 May '20

04 May '20

As Drew KO4MA pointed out, AO-92 will be in Mode L, so I'll be on the entire RS-44 pass. My spare 23 cm antenna isn't exactly portable. Glenn

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DM92 activation
by Glenn Miller - AA5PK 04 May '20

04 May '20

Plan to operate a few passes from DM92 on Wednesday, 6 May: CAS-4B at 1612Z AO-92 at 1628Z and switching over to RS-44 at some point during AO-92 pass AO-91 at 1708Z. 73 Glenn AA5PK

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Re: [amsat-bb] Calling CQ on linear sats
by Mark D. Johns 04 May '20

04 May '20

Graeme, You appear to have the correct frequencies in the radio, and Jean-Marc already supplied the SatPC32 material. Do note two things: 1) this is a linear satellite, so you will be using SSB and TUNING across the passband that is 60 kHz wide. You don't have to stay in the middle of that band! You can -- and should! -- tune around. A lot of stations pile up in the center when we could all be spreading out. It's not like an FM satellite, where there is just one frequency channel. 2) the transponder is INVERTING. That means that you will transmit on Lower Sideband (LSB) on 2 meters, but you will receive on Upper Sideband (USB) on 70 cm. As you tune your receiver UP in frequency, the transmit VFO should go DOWN in frequency, and vice versa. If you put your FT-847 into Satellite mode (see the manual), it will do that reversed tuning for you automatically. Once you have all of that down, the only trick is the "fine tuning" to match your transmit frequency EXACTLY to the corresponding receive frequency. This is called "Calibration" in SatPC32. See the SatPC32 instructions for that (it's too long for email). Some people try to do this part manually, but it changes constantly, so it makes satellite operation a real pain. Let the computer do the hard work! Contact me off the list if you need more. -- Mark D. Johns, KØJM AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd ----------------------------------------------- "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 12:11 PM graeme milne <graeme61(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > > Hi All > > Been reading these emails with interest. > Have emailed 2 radio hams for info (1 in USA and 1 in UK) ,no reply yet. > As this AMSAT-BB email is getting responses quick,i am putting my question forward . > > > > I have never worked linear before ( or cannot remember). > I used to work many many years ago ISS,RS12/13,UO-14 etc etc. > > I have been trying to work RS-44 with no success. > > A mention of centre freq was center freq...............145.965 > 435.640 > (This is what i set up on the Yaesu FT847) > I have a sneaky feeling this is wrong. > Should i disengage the cat for the radio and manually tune to work RS-44 or any Linear sats ,using this method ? > > Any tips would be gratefully appreciated. > > > RS-44 – V/u Inverting Analog SSB/CW > Uplink (LSB) 145.935 MHz through 145.995 MHz > Downlink (USB) 435.610 MHz through 435.670 MHz > CW Beacon 435.605 MHz > > I do hear the sat but it sounds mickey mouse which suggests to me i am off frequency. > > My set up here is as follows. > > Yaesu FT847 > AZ/EL Rotators Yaesu G5400B > Antennas: Crushcraft 22xb Yagi for VHF > M2 436CP42UG Yagi for UHF > > ERC-M interface for yaesu G5400B to computer. > Software Fodtrack and Fodsked to control the AZ/EL G5400B automatically. > > Cat cable from Yaesu FT847 to the computer . > Fodtrack controls the frequencies automatically on Yaesu FT847. > > Kind Regards > Graeme mm5iss > > > On Mon, 4 May 2020 at 16:21, Mark D. Johns via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: >> >> Yes, Jean Marc. Many of us would be willing and anxious to help -- I >> don't want to scare newcomers away. But if they don't reach out to us, >> and if they don't make an email address available on their QRZ page, >> it isn't possible. Of course, they probably aren't reading here, >> either! >> -- >> Mark D. Johns, KØJM >> AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor >> Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd >> ----------------------------------------------- >> "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, >> you would stay out and your dog would go in." >> ---Mark Twain >> >> On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 11:09 AM Jean Marc Momple >> <jean.marc.momple(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > >> > Mark, >> > >> > Well said “OR IF YOU DON'T HEAR YOURSELF, the problem is on your end. So fix your receiver “. >> > >> > That said it is incredible that many OM’s do not do a minimum of home work (WEB research etc..) before TXing (not only on the LEO Birds but also on GEO now). >> > >> > When I was a trainee long ago each time I put to my “Boss" a question which if I was reading the documentation the answer would be obvious, his reply was RTFM, after a few days I asked him what RTFM means and he simply said calmly "Read The F… Manual”. >> > >> > My observation so far is that if some doing things which are not right is due most probably because they do not RTFM as many infos available on the net, or do not dare (or shy) to ask for help from others (e.g. on this forum). There is no stupid question, not knowing is not a shame, not asking for help when one does not know is, eventually causing issues. So simple. >> > >> > 73 >> > >> > >> > >> > Jean Marc (3B8DU) >> > also AMSAT Ambassador this side of the planet >> > >> > >> > >> > > On May 4, 2020, at 7:29 PM, Mark D. Johns via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> wrote: >> > > >> > > Folks, if you can't hear yourself on the downlink, please don't keep calling CQ! >> > > >> > > On passes of CAS4-4B and CAS-4A today, there were at least three >> > > different stations calling CQ repeatedly, sometimes right on top of >> > > other QSOs. They were each answered by multiple stations, but just >> > > kept calling CQ, again and again. >> > > >> > > I will not post callsigns here, and if email addresses had been >> > > available on QRZ.com I would have written to each individually. But >> > > these satellites are very active, so if no one is coming back to you, >> > > or you don't hear other signals as you tune across the passband, OR IF >> > > YOU DON'T HEAR YOURSELF, the problem is on your end. So fix your >> > > receiver! >> > > -- >> > > Mark D. Johns, KØJM >> > > AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor >> > > Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd >> > > ----------------------------------------------- >> > > "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, >> > > you would stay out and your dog would go in." >> > > ---Mark Twain >> > > _______________________________________________ >> > > 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

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Calling CQ on linear sats
by Mark D. Johns 04 May '20

04 May '20

Folks, if you can't hear yourself on the downlink, please don't keep calling CQ! On passes of CAS4-4B and CAS-4A today, there were at least three different stations calling CQ repeatedly, sometimes right on top of other QSOs. They were each answered by multiple stations, but just kept calling CQ, again and again. I will not post callsigns here, and if email addresses had been available on QRZ.com I would have written to each individually. But these satellites are very active, so if no one is coming back to you, or you don't hear other signals as you tune across the passband, OR IF YOU DON'T HEAR YOURSELF, the problem is on your end. So fix your receiver! -- Mark D. Johns, KØJM AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd ----------------------------------------------- "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." ---Mark Twain

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Re: [amsat-bb] Calling CQ on linear sats
by Jean Marc Momple 04 May '20

04 May '20

Graeme, Ok will try : I guess you are using SatPc32, in such case you should add the following lines in the Doppler.SQF file: RS-44,435605,0,CW,0,REV,0,0,CW Beacon (DOSAAF-85) RS-44,435640,145965,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,SSB (DOSAAF-85) Second line for SSB. Made already a few QSO on the bird and these frequencies are OK. Do not forget to update the Kepplers. I cannot help for the FT-847 setup as not knowing, as using a TS-2000. Hope this help. 73 Jean Marc (3B8DU) > On May 4, 2020, at 9:11 PM, graeme milne <graeme61(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > > Hi All > > Been reading these emails with interest. > Have emailed 2 radio hams for info (1 in USA and 1 in UK) ,no reply yet. > As this AMSAT-BB email is getting responses quick,i am putting my question forward . > > > > I have never worked linear before ( or cannot remember). > I used to work many many years ago ISS,RS12/13,UO-14 etc etc. > > I have been trying to work RS-44 with no success. > > A mention of centre freq was center freq...............145.965 > 435.640 > (This is what i set up on the Yaesu FT847) > I have a sneaky feeling this is wrong. > Should i disengage the cat for the radio and manually tune to work RS-44 or any Linear sats ,using this method ? > > Any tips would be gratefully appreciated. > > > RS-44 – V/u Inverting Analog SSB/CW > Uplink (LSB) 145.935 MHz through 145.995 MHz > Downlink (USB) 435.610 MHz through 435.670 MHz > CW Beacon 435.605 MHz > > I do hear the sat but it sounds mickey mouse which suggests to me i am off frequency. > > My set up here is as follows. > > Yaesu FT847 > AZ/EL Rotators Yaesu G5400B > Antennas: Crushcraft 22xb Yagi for VHF > M2 436CP42UG Yagi for UHF > > ERC-M interface for yaesu G5400B to computer. > Software Fodtrack and Fodsked to control the AZ/EL G5400B automatically. > > Cat cable from Yaesu FT847 to the computer . > Fodtrack controls the frequencies automatically on Yaesu FT847. > > Kind Regards > Graeme mm5iss > > > On Mon, 4 May 2020 at 16:21, Mark D. Johns via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > Yes, Jean Marc. Many of us would be willing and anxious to help -- I > don't want to scare newcomers away. But if they don't reach out to us, > and if they don't make an email address available on their QRZ page, > it isn't possible. Of course, they probably aren't reading here, > either! > -- > Mark D. Johns, KØJM > AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor > Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd > ----------------------------------------------- > "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, > you would stay out and your dog would go in." > ---Mark Twain > > On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 11:09 AM Jean Marc Momple > <jean.marc.momple(a)gmail.com <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > > > > Mark, > > > > Well said “OR IF YOU DON'T HEAR YOURSELF, the problem is on your end. So fix your receiver “. > > > > That said it is incredible that many OM’s do not do a minimum of home work (WEB research etc..) before TXing (not only on the LEO Birds but also on GEO now). > > > > When I was a trainee long ago each time I put to my “Boss" a question which if I was reading the documentation the answer would be obvious, his reply was RTFM, after a few days I asked him what RTFM means and he simply said calmly "Read The F… Manual”. > > > > My observation so far is that if some doing things which are not right is due most probably because they do not RTFM as many infos available on the net, or do not dare (or shy) to ask for help from others (e.g. on this forum). There is no stupid question, not knowing is not a shame, not asking for help when one does not know is, eventually causing issues. So simple. > > > > 73 > > > > > > > > Jean Marc (3B8DU) > > also AMSAT Ambassador this side of the planet > > > > > > > > > On May 4, 2020, at 7:29 PM, Mark D. Johns via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > > > > > > Folks, if you can't hear yourself on the downlink, please don't keep calling CQ! > > > > > > On passes of CAS4-4B and CAS-4A today, there were at least three > > > different stations calling CQ repeatedly, sometimes right on top of > > > other QSOs. They were each answered by multiple stations, but just > > > kept calling CQ, again and again. > > > > > > I will not post callsigns here, and if email addresses had been > > > available on QRZ.com I would have written to each individually. But > > > these satellites are very active, so if no one is coming back to you, > > > or you don't hear other signals as you tune across the passband, OR IF > > > YOU DON'T HEAR YOURSELF, the problem is on your end. So fix your > > > receiver! > > > -- > > > Mark D. Johns, KØJM > > > AMSAT Ambassador & News Service Editor > > > Brooklyn Park, MN USA EN35hd > > > ----------------------------------------------- > > > "Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit, > > > you would stay out and your dog would go in." > > > ---Mark Twain > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>. 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 <https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> > > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org <mailto:[email protected]>. 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 <https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>

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