Guys:
I apologize if I'm replying incorrectly to the board - I have only read up until now. I will gladly respond to suggestions.
I attempted to take the sep vector posted on the web (http://fastrac.ae.utexas.edu/for_radio_operators/users/phpBB3/predictedorbit...) and turn it into a text file for use in HRD Sat Tracker, but had no immediate joy.
Before I fool around for a couple hours trying to get something to work, has anyone else plugged the TLEs into HRD Sat Tracker, or is there an online resource? I see Bruninga's reference to SATPC, but I do not have that installed on this PC.
I look forward to at least finding a dang beacon - decoding AFSK will be a challenge as I do not routinely attempt such things. I'll take an ELK log periodic and aim it when I get tracking sw working. I'll be listening with a Yaesu FT897.
Thanks for the help, and congrats to all on a great launch. I guess it's Minotaur/Kodiak 1, and NRO/NASA/KSC 0 as far as recent launch attempts.
Tom KJ4EAW
----- Original Message ---- From: Andrew Glasbrenner glasbrenner@mindspring.com To: Sebastian Muñoz smunoztoro@gmail.com; lightsey@mail.utexas.edu; Amsat-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Mon, November 15, 2010 9:24:52 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Please help us Track the FASTRAC satellites once they are launched Nov. 19th!!
Congratulations on making it to this point. The next week I'm sure will be full of anticipation waiting for that rocket to lift off!
One of the things I think is so great about your project, from what I have read and been told, is that you've incorporated a secondary amateur two-way digipeater capability into your satellites. As I understand it, you plan to operate this after your primary mission is completed? It might be a great motivation to the AMSAT folks on amsat-bb to hear some details of this planned operation, as I'm sure others like myself are particularly interested in helping out student satellites that give back to the community. With so many new student satellites, it's rare to see one that may eventually be open for everyone to use, and that is to be commended and rewarded with support. So, if you don't mind, let the folks at amsat-bb@amsat.org know what your plans are in this regard.
On a separate note, I've started and entry on the AMSAT-NA satellite status pages for FASTRAC-1 and -2 (http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/futures.php), and hope to fill in the details over the next few days. Please, once your satellites reach orbit and operate, apply for an OSCAR number from AMSAT-NA and join the fleet of amateur radio satellites (http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/futures.php). I'll also ask that your Keplerian elements get included in the AMSAT distribution list. Please let me know if there is anything else the amateur community can do to help.
73, and good luck, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb