Mark,
Serious question from a newbie:
Case 1: I hear no traffic from the bird, and nothing I send digipeats. How should we report it? Case 2: I hear other traffic from the bird, but nothing I send digipeats. How should we report it?
In case 1, are we supposed to assume that since we can hear traffic from other users, the uplink and downlink are both active?
In case 2, how do we distinguish between "something is wrong with the bird" and "something is wrong with how I'm trying to send?"
-- Devin L. Ganger (WA7DLG) email: devin@thecabal.org web: Devin on Earth cell: +1 425.239.2575
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org On Behalf Of Mark L. Hammond Sent: Friday, June 1, 2018 12:45 PM To: amsat-bb@wd9ewk.net Cc: AMSAT amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Standard for AMSAT status board observations of FS-3
Hi All,
I guess this Is a difference between the general user and me as a command station :-) if I see a report that it’s downlink only, it triggers a bit of anxiety regarding the operation of the satellite.
If I were to listen to AO-92, but was unable to hear myself when transmitting, should I report downlink only? Different, but similar.
I guess my point is this, not hearing anything doesn’t mean it’s not working. A report of Downlink only to me, anyhow, implies something is wrong with the satellite. See the subtlety?
Here’s another nuance, figure the status report is a satellite status report, not a users experience report.
In the end, it doesn’t really matter :-) I’m glad to see the reports are being made for our satellites. It’s helpful, sometimes even when it’s not very precise.
Mark N8MH
On Fri, Jun 1, 2018 at 12:17 PM Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) < amsat-bb@wd9ewk.net> wrote:
Hi Ryan!
I'm with you on how to report on the AMSAT status page. If I don't see my packets being digipeated when using my TH-D72 or TM-D710, I mark my reports as "Downlink Only". If I see my packets being digipeated, or I see other stations using the digipeater, I'll go with "Uplink and Downlink Active".
As for the pass times, they gradually move earlier in the day. I have what should be some decent passes this afternoon, and I hope to work one or two of them from the Prescott Hamfest in north-central Arizona later with my TH-D72 & Elk - same setup I used last week, when I worked you via FalconSat-3.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
On Fri, Jun 1, 2018 at 2:28 PM, Ryan Noguchi via AMSAT-BB < amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
I've been reporting my observations on the AMSAT Live OSCAR Satellite Status page. For the FM and linear satellites, it's a no-brainer: if I hear live traffic on the bird, or if I hear myself being transponded,
then
clearly "Uplink and Downlink Active" is appropriate.
However, for the packet satellites, what's the criteria for reporting the uplink as active? The past two days, I've received continuous streams of non-APRS packets from FalconSat-3 on two passes, but despite manually sending my beacons many times on each pass, I don't get digipeated (at least no iGate seems to be picking up the traffic) and I don't receive
any
APRS packets from anyone else. My TH-D72A is properly configured per Patrick WD9EWK's excellent tutorial, and I've made QSOs earlier in the week with the radio in the
same
configuration it's in now. The only difference seems to be that I'm
working
FS-3 much earlier in the day, on a weekday, than I have in the past. I'm just using a TH-D72A, so for all I know, a dozen ops are having a grand
ol'
time on the BBS.
I've been reporting these passes as "Downlink Only." Is that appropriate? I seem to be the only one this week who reported FalconSat-3 as anything but open for business. I'm planning to try one or more passes later
today.
73, Ryan AI6DO
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-- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH] _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@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