Hello What is the simplest auto track software/hardware combination for auto tracking a G5400? I am a non "digi" type and am looking for simple plug and play. I can use IT or SatPac32. Tracking these LOE's when using S band is difficult. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle
The simplest is still probably FODTrack
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftpsoft.html#pc-rot
73, Joe kk0sd AMSAT#21357
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of w7lrd@comcast.net Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 1:54 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] simple auto track
Hello What is the simplest auto track software/hardware combination for auto tracking a G5400? I am a non "digi" type and am looking for simple plug and play. I can use IT or SatPac32. Tracking these LOE's when using S band is difficult. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
Hello Bob, you wrote: >Tracking these LEO's when using S band is difficult.
During the past days I tried full automatic frequency control with AO-51 in mode V/S. For the S band downlink I used my IC-910H with the 13cm / 2m down converter that I had used with AO-40. So, for the VHF uplink I had to use a 2nd radio. I used my FT-847. I steered the IC-910H with SatPC32 directly and the FT-847 with the aux. program TxController.
That worked flawlessly in several passes and would have worked also with other radios, i.e. an FT-817 or IC-706 for downlink and/or uplink. I could work the satellite without any manual frequency corrections.
My entries in Doppler.SQF for downlink, uplink and converter offset are 2401200, 145880 and 2256000.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: w7lrd@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 8:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] simple auto track
Hello What is the simplest auto track software/hardware combination for auto tracking a G5400? I am a non "digi" type and am looking for simple plug and play. I can use IT or SatPac32. Tracking these LOE's when using S band is difficult. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
Bob,
I use SATPC32 to drive both antennas and radio. Using my FT-847 with the appropriate uplink and downlink converters, operating mode LU and VS on AO-51 is no different than VU or UV on FM. As Erich mentioned, you can drive two different radios easily enough.
After trying several rotator interfaces over the years, I am currently using the Labjack with the Piggyback board. (At the time, it was completely plug and play. Northern Lights Software discontinued the Piggyback board, however, building an interface is easy for both the original and new Labjack data logger. See the accessory information at the bottom of the SATPC32 download page.) It takes its power from an USB port. I use an old powered hub for it and some other connections which can get by with USB 1.1 speeds, as it provides a bit of protection to the computer.
Another good alternative is the LVB tracker. It just about stole the show at the AMSAT booth at Dayton. Some assembly required, the amount depending on features needed, but none of it is hard, and it will easily work with a serial or USB connection, and will of course drive your rotator controller. Works fine with SATPC32, of course. AMSAT-UK has some nice pictures at http://www.uk.amsat.org:8080/shop/Hardware/lvb_tracker_kits.php AMSAT-NA and others have been considering putting together a full up kit, and perhaps some assembled units.
There are many alternatives, and of course SATPC32 supports just about any tracking interface you could desire. My suggestion is to get one of the newer designs because they have much higher resolutions on the ADCs than the older ones. More than you can actually use, really, but room for growth. Also, USB connection is a plus, since serial and parallel ports are rapidly going away, and the USB to serial/parallel converters are often less than satisfactory. Of course, if you come across a TrakBox, FODTrack, etc, etc, at a flea market, it might be just what suits you.
FWIW,
Alan WA4SCA
Bob, I also am not too digi type but I am just getting my setup started and have read into it a little. My g5500 is on order so I started to order the bits to control it. A couple of years ago I was excited to learn about the Labjack and the Piggyback by NLSA to work with nova. Unfortunatly they stopped selling piggyback kits. So i read that they can use the same type of circuit on a Labjack u3 which is the usb version and about $100. I like the usb version becuase it gets powered right thru the connector and is easy to unplug and replug when needed. I just bought the darlington transistor 7 gang chip that is used to drive the outputs and send commands to the g5500. We'll have to see how this works. I also have one of those usb rigblaster plug and plays that has a c-iv converter in it to try out auto tracking of the freq on my 910. Maybe someone smarter than I can figure out how to do c-iv on one of the many ports of the labjack u3. I also found this page http://aa5fr.com/elcheapoazel.htm . Good luck.
Charles Reiche
----- Original Message ----- From: w7lrd@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 2:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] simple auto track
Hello What is the simplest auto track software/hardware combination for auto tracking a G5400? I am a non "digi" type and am looking for simple plug and play. I can use IT or SatPac32. Tracking these LOE's when using S band is difficult. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
Bob,
Kansas City Tracker was (and probably still is) the standard for rotor controlers. There are two problems; first, they aren't manufactured anymore and those who have a KCT aren't too willing to sell; second, KCT requires a ISA bus which most computer motherboards no longer have (there are some with ISA, but not many; BioStar is one company which still has MB's with an ISA slot).
The computer problem is easily solved; find an older machine with an ISA slot ( can you say garage sale?); they're usually quite cheap and could be designate a 'dedicated' tracking computer.
In regard to finding a KCT board, starting advertising you're in the market. Someone may well have one they wish to move.
I use the KCT and plan to keep it for the near term unless something really 'whiz-bang' with USB support hits the market.
Tom, WA9AFM/5 ----- Original Message ----- From: w7lrd@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 1:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] simple auto track
Hello What is the simplest auto track software/hardware combination for auto tracking a G5400? I am a non "digi" type and am looking for simple plug and play. I can use IT or SatPac32. Tracking these LOE's when using S band is difficult. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
I have a KCT available if there is interest.
Gene Harlan - WB9MMM Name Tags by Gene Harlan Technologies - publisher of Amateur Television Quarterly http://www.hampubs.com atvq@hampubs.com 815-398-2683 - voice 815-398-2688 - fax
----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas M. Webb" tmwebb@cox.net To: w7lrd@comcast.net; amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, June 30, 2007 9:08 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: simple auto track
Bob,
Kansas City Tracker was (and probably still is) the standard for rotor controlers. There are two problems; first, they aren't manufactured anymore and those who have a KCT aren't too willing to sell; second, KCT requires a ISA bus which most computer motherboards no longer have (there are some with ISA, but not many; BioStar is one company which still has MB's with an ISA slot).
The computer problem is easily solved; find an older machine with an ISA slot ( can you say garage sale?); they're usually quite cheap and could be designate a 'dedicated' tracking computer.
In regard to finding a KCT board, starting advertising you're in the market. Someone may well have one they wish to move.
I use the KCT and plan to keep it for the near term unless something really 'whiz-bang' with USB support hits the market.
Tom, WA9AFM/5 ----- Original Message ----- From: w7lrd@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, June 29, 2007 1:54 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] simple auto track
Hello What is the simplest auto track software/hardware combination for auto tracking a G5400? I am a non "digi" type and am looking for simple plug and play. I can use IT or SatPac32. Tracking these LOE's when using S band is difficult. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle _______________________________________________ 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
_______________________________________________ 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
Gene Harlan wrote:
I have a KCT available if there is interest.
Gene Harlan - WB9MMM Name Tags by Gene Harlan Technologies - publisher of Amateur Television Quarterly http://www.hampubs.com atvq@hampubs.com 815-398-2683 - voice 815-398-2688 - fax
I have one as well for sale.
Ryan, KB0JQO
participants (8)
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Alan P. Biddle -
Charles Reiche -
Erich Eichmann -
Gary "Joe" Mayfield -
Gene Harlan -
Ryan Butler -
Thomas M. Webb -
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