Has it been over a decade now -- since that fellow was on an assignment in Antarctica (or was it the other end?) and he would send up pictures and reports via KO-25? It stands out in my mind as being one of the more memorable things that I've witnessed in my years as a radio amateur.
I recall in one of his messages he reported that he was getting great upload and downloads from the bird because he was the only station in the queue as it passed over him! Gosh those were good times.
I had my station setup to operate automagically for the digital PacSats. Many times I would be out in the yard mowing the lawn and suddenly see my yagis start tracking something. Later, I'd go down in the shack and browse all the directory fills that had been downloaded on the previous pass.
If I happened to be in the shack at pass time it never ceased to give me a kick to watch my callsign appear in the queue!
Sure wish that kind of operation wasn't just a memory anymore...
73, Jeff KE9V
Amen to that Jeff
73
Graham G3VZV ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeff Davis" jl.davis@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 6:50 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] SatGates & PacSats
Has it been over a decade now -- since that fellow was on an assignment in Antarctica (or was it the other end?) and he would send up pictures and reports via KO-25? It stands out in my mind as being one of the more memorable things that I've witnessed in my years as a radio amateur.
I recall in one of his messages he reported that he was getting great upload and downloads from the bird because he was the only station in the queue as it passed over him! Gosh those were good times.
I had my station setup to operate automagically for the digital PacSats. Many times I would be out in the yard mowing the lawn and suddenly see my yagis start tracking something. Later, I'd go down in the shack and browse all the directory fills that had been downloaded on the previous pass.
If I happened to be in the shack at pass time it never ceased to give me a kick to watch my callsign appear in the queue!
Sure wish that kind of operation wasn't just a memory anymore...
73, Jeff KE9V _______________________________________________ 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
Mail store and forward BBS PacSats are still around. Go-32 (currently undergoing software upgrades) and AO-51 (depending on the schedule) still offer this service.
It is only the Satgate service itself that has ceased operation due to lack of world wide network of satellite operators who could upload and download Packet mail and forward terrestrially.
73 Harmen VE3EMA
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Davis Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 1:50 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] SatGates & PacSats
"I had my station setup to operate automagically for the digital PacSats. Many times I would be out in the yard mowing the lawn and suddenly see my yagis start tracking something. Later, I'd go down in the shack and browse all the directory fills that had been downloaded on the previous pass.
If I happened to be in the shack at pass time it never ceased to give me a kick to watch my callsign appear in the queue!
Sure wish that kind of operation wasn't just a memory anymore..."
What would be needed to put a satgate together and have it linked into the terrestrial network?
I am currently working on getting JNOS 2.0 running on Ubuntu. I know that at the time that Satgates and the packet bbs' were popular, most of the bbs systems were running either FBBS or Mysys (correct?) under dos and windows3.0/3.1.
THe packet network here in Michigan is starting to be redeveloped again and is taking shape very well so far.
James W8ISS
A satgate station needs to have the ability to upload and download to the designated PacSat at least once a day. Special software written and distributed by the Satgate coordinator Andrew Sellers, G8TZJ is required that automates WiSP and FBB to move mail between the Satellite and the terrestrial Packet network.
Unfortunately, without a network of Satgate operators located strategically world wide to forward mail internationally, it is impossible to provide a reliable service.
Lack of mail to upload and download or traffic has been the number one reason why the number of Satgate operators dwindled from 35 to 4. Many operators couldn't justify keeping their equipment operational with such little traffic. I personally feel as an ARES member that maintaining a reliable RF network is more important then monitoring how many messages I forwarded each day.
Now that Satellites can no longer be used reliably to move digital data internationally, it would appear that HF Pactor is now our next best alternative when the Internet is not an option.
73 Harmen, VE3EMA
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of w8iss@wideopenwest.com Sent: Friday, April 27, 2007 7:43 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: SatGates & PacSats
What would be needed to put a satgate together and have it linked into the terrestrial network?
I am currently working on getting JNOS 2.0 running on Ubuntu. I know that at the time that Satgates and the packet bbs' were popular, most of the bbs systems were running either FBBS or Mysys (correct?) under dos and windows3.0/3.1.
THe packet network here in Michigan is starting to be redeveloped again and is taking shape very well so far.
James W8ISS _______________________________________________ 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
participants (4)
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Graham Shirville -
Harmen, VE3EMA -
Jeff Davis -
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