Hi,
The deployment of ARRISat-1 is approaching. Here is a collection of data on the various modes for use in configuring SATPC32. Note that you will need to tweak the sideband frequencies slightly to account for rig calibration and other issues, as usual, but these should be close. You can paste these in the DOPPLER.SQF file, but before you do, please read on!
ARISSat-1,145918.5,0,USB,,,0,0,BPSK/CW-2 ARISSat-1,145950.0,0,FM,,,0,0,VOICE/SSTV ARISSat-1,145930.0,435750.0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,XPDR ARISSat-1,145938.5,0,USB,,,0,0,CW-1
Since ARISSat-1 will be deployed by a gentle push from the ISS by Cosmonauts, the ISS Keps will be good until separate Keps are released by Space Track. One way to handle the transition is to change the Doppler information slightly:
ISS,145918.5,0,USB,,,0,0,BPSK/CW-2 ISS,145950.0,0,FM,,,0,0,VOICE/SSTV ISS,145930.0,435750.0,USB,LSB,REV,0,0,XPDR ISS,145938.5,0,USB,,,0,0,CW-1
Paste the ARISSat-1 data as desired, and also paste the ISS version of the data into the DOPPLER.SQF file after the regular ISS data. For the final test aboard the ISS, and initially after deployment, select ISS tracking, and then select the desired ARRISat-1 frequency data at the end of the list in the CAT window.
After the ISS and ARISSat-1 are far enough apart that independent Keps are available, you can begin using ARISSat-1 as a separate object by adding it to the objects you track in the Satellites menu window. The satellite may be identified as ARISSat-1, but may well have some other designation which will be reported. If it is not ARRISat-1, then change the name in the first group above to that used in the Keps. They must agree exactly for SATPC32 to match the Doppler data with the satellite. (You can also use the AmsatNames.txt file, which is covered in the SATPC32 documentation.) You can then delete the extra ISS data if you wish. They won't hurt anything, but it will clean up the ISS CAT window.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
For this pass, I concentrated on the SSB transponder. For much of the pass, I heard only 'noise', however listening down from the transponder, I could clearly hear the CW beacon and BPSK; and listening up I could hear the FM voice announcements.
As I listened to the SSB transponder, I thought I would give my call a few times. I did, but there were very rapid fades. I started to 'time' the fades, and when the noise level would build, I would give my call. Yes, I was able to hear myself. I wasn't able to correct the doppler due to the deep fades, but if I timed it correctly, I could hear myself between the fades.
I also heard CW in the transponder which wasn't the beacon, but again, because of the fades, only letters could be copied. I wonder who it was that was calling, perhaps if that person is reading, I would like to know who it was.
So...was ARISSat hearing me from the dummy load, or from the antenna connector? Perhaps when/if the spin subsides, we might be able to use the SSB transponder.
73 de Sebastian, W4AS EL95
participants (2)
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Alan P. Biddle -
Sebastian, W4AS