New to the birds, and using SATPC32 to control my Icom IC-910H. Also use Nova to help me better visualize the path that satellites will take. Rotor is still controlled manually, though I may move to change that once the family budget will allow.
Haven't noticed much traffic or discussion on the air with anyone using Ham Radio Deluxe's "Satellite Tracker" software. I'm wondering if other operators have used the software, and what your impressions were.
Hi Les (and others)
I haven't used 6.0 but almost every version before that.
When you just want to listen to the sats, it is a great peace of software but when you also want to transmit via the sats and be able to control your uplink via de software, then my experience is, that is a pain to work with the VFO sliders.
If they would change the way the frequency can be changed I would use it more often.
Now, after trying them all (Nova, Orbitron WXtrack, etc etc), SatPC32 is my preferred software for working the Sats.
73 Jan PE0SAT
On 23-05-2013 19:26, Les Rayburn wrote:
New to the birds, and using SATPC32 to control my Icom IC-910H. Also use Nova to help me better visualize the path that satellites will take. Rotor is still controlled manually, though I may move to change that once the family budget will allow.
Haven't noticed much traffic or discussion on the air with anyone using Ham Radio Deluxe's "Satellite Tracker" software. I'm wondering if other operators have used the software, and what your impressions were.
--
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
Sent via [email protected]. 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
Les
I'm using HRD 6.0 SAT Tracker/HRD Rotator as well as SATPC32, predominately HRD SAT Tracker. In fact, I was using SAT Tracker when you and I QSO'd 5/20 on SO-50 .
I use them in conjunction with my Flex 5000A / EA4TX rotator controller/ G5500 rotator.
I am only using SAT Tracker and SATPC32 for TX/RX Doppler control as neither product has adequate support for other Flex 5000 Rig control functions IMHO .
I have written software which intercepts CAT commands coming from either program and I only pass on doppler tuning info through to the Rig. The same software allows me to do other required Rig control functions: -TX -TX/RX calibration for transponder satellites -RIT -Transmit power adjust -Satellite specific controls-TX/RX mode, tones, reset SO-50 timer, etc. I also have provided support for my TS-2000 and IC-9100 in the software. My preference for SAT Tracker is primarily because I like the user interface better.
Some caveats on using HRD 6.0 SAT Tracker/HRD Rotator natively with any supported rig: HRD Rotator does not play nicely with Rotators with a south stop (Yaesu-5400), you can make it work, but software azimuth readout is 180 deg off HRD SAT Tracker does not support transponders of the "Non-inverting type" (like AO-7 mode A)
Dave W0DHB
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Les Rayburn Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:26 AM To: AMSAT Mailing List Subject: [amsat-bb] HRD 6.0 and Satellite Tracker
New to the birds, and using SATPC32 to control my Icom IC-910H. Also use Nova to help me better visualize the path that satellites will take. Rotor is still controlled manually, though I may move to change that once the family budget will allow.
Haven't noticed much traffic or discussion on the air with anyone using Ham Radio Deluxe's "Satellite Tracker" software. I'm wondering if other operators have used the software, and what your impressions were.
-- -- 73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. 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
Thanks to Dave, and many others who contacted me about the use of Satellite Tracker in HRD 6.0. It was exactly the kind of input that I was hoping for.
A couple of other questions:
1.) I've noticed that Nova for Windows and SAT32PC display slightly different data regarding AOS, LOS, Azimuth and Elevation for a given satellite. This seems strange to me since they're using the same KEP data, share the same PC clock which is synced every 12 hours, etc.
Anyone else notice these small differences? None of them have much effect on actual operation which is governed by the beamwidth of the antennas (pretty broad), objects blocking the horizon, etc. but it does make me curious.
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
On 5/23/2013 4:20 PM, Dave WØDHB wrote:
Les
I'm using HRD 6.0 SAT Tracker/HRD Rotator as well as SATPC32, predominately HRD SAT Tracker. In fact, I was using SAT Tracker when you and I QSO'd 5/20 on SO-50 .
I use them in conjunction with my Flex 5000A / EA4TX rotator controller/ G5500 rotator.
I am only using SAT Tracker and SATPC32 for TX/RX Doppler control as neither product has adequate support for other Flex 5000 Rig control functions IMHO .
I have written software which intercepts CAT commands coming from either program and I only pass on doppler tuning info through to the Rig. The same software allows me to do other required Rig control functions: -TX -TX/RX calibration for transponder satellites -RIT -Transmit power adjust -Satellite specific controls-TX/RX mode, tones, reset SO-50 timer, etc. I also have provided support for my TS-2000 and IC-9100 in the software. My preference for SAT Tracker is primarily because I like the user interface better.
Some caveats on using HRD 6.0 SAT Tracker/HRD Rotator natively with any supported rig: HRD Rotator does not play nicely with Rotators with a south stop (Yaesu-5400), you can make it work, but software azimuth readout is 180 deg off HRD SAT Tracker does not support transponders of the "Non-inverting type" (like AO-7 mode A)
Dave W0DHB
There are several different orbital prediction models in use, and I would guess that they are not using the same one.
SatPC32 gives you a choice in the setup options, but it's been so long since I've used NOVA, I don't remember if or where the oprion is located.
73, Jim KQ6EA
On 05/24/2013 02:45 AM, Les Rayburn wrote:
Thanks to Dave, and many others who contacted me about the use of Satellite Tracker in HRD 6.0. It was exactly the kind of input that I was hoping for.
A couple of other questions:
1.) I've noticed that Nova for Windows and SAT32PC display slightly different data regarding AOS, LOS, Azimuth and Elevation for a given satellite. This seems strange to me since they're using the same KEP data, share the same PC clock which is synced every 12 hours, etc.
Anyone else notice these small differences? None of them have much effect on actual operation which is governed by the beamwidth of the antennas (pretty broad), objects blocking the horizon, etc. but it does make me curious.
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
On 5/23/2013 4:20 PM, Dave WØDHB wrote:
Les
I'm using HRD 6.0 SAT Tracker/HRD Rotator as well as SATPC32, predominately HRD SAT Tracker. In fact, I was using SAT Tracker when you and I QSO'd 5/20 on SO-50 .
I use them in conjunction with my Flex 5000A / EA4TX rotator controller/ G5500 rotator.
I am only using SAT Tracker and SATPC32 for TX/RX Doppler control as neither product has adequate support for other Flex 5000 Rig control functions IMHO .
I have written software which intercepts CAT commands coming from either program and I only pass on doppler tuning info through to the Rig. The same software allows me to do other required Rig control functions: -TX -TX/RX calibration for transponder satellites -RIT -Transmit power adjust -Satellite specific controls-TX/RX mode, tones, reset SO-50 timer, etc. I also have provided support for my TS-2000 and IC-9100 in the software. My preference for SAT Tracker is primarily because I like the user interface better.
Some caveats on using HRD 6.0 SAT Tracker/HRD Rotator natively with any supported rig: HRD Rotator does not play nicely with Rotators with a south stop (Yaesu-5400), you can make it work, but software azimuth readout is 180 deg off HRD SAT Tracker does not support transponders of the "Non-inverting type" (like AO-7 mode A)
Dave W0DHB
Sent via [email protected]. 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
Les,
I love satpc32 and used the free edition for a while till I could register, and I'm glad I did. Thanks Erich
It runs a 5400 rotor via a W9KE - TI MSP430 rotor interface. Thanks Tom
I have used the others, but I use satpc32 and have "configs" for:
Config 1 Icom 910 - for modes B or J
Config 2 Icom 9100 - for modes A B or J
Config 3 (backpack rig) Icom 703 w/2m xverter Ten Tec - for modes A B or J Yaesu Ft-817
Thanks, Mike
Sent from my iPhone
On May 23, 2013, at 1:26 PM, Les Rayburn [email protected] wrote:
New to the birds, and using SATPC32 to control my Icom IC-910H. Also use Nova to help me better visualize the path that satellites will take. Rotor is still controlled manually, though I may move to change that once the family budget will allow.
Haven't noticed much traffic or discussion on the air with anyone using Ham Radio Deluxe's "Satellite Tracker" software. I'm wondering if other operators have used the software, and what your impressions were.
--
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf
6M VUCC #1712 AMSAT #38965 Grid Bandits #222 Southeastern VHF Society Central States VHF Society Life Member Six Club #2484
Active on 6 Meters thru 1296, 10GHz & Light
Sent via [email protected]. 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 (5)
-
Dave WØDHB -
Jim Jerzycke -
Les Rayburn -
Mike Sprenger -
PE0SAT | Amateur Radio