Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32
Erich,
Further to a recent question, it appears that I must change the doppler.sqf file to calibrate a cw beacon rather than use the "change/store data file" button. Is this correct? I have a seperate line for each SSB sat that tunes the beacon frequency in CW mode and was attempting to adjust for the offsets in my system.
Thanks for the help.
73 de Dean, AL7CR
Dean, 1. to calibrate your 2 data lines for each SSB sat for SSB and CW do the following (separately for the SSB and CW entry):
While the satellite is audible calibrate the uplink frequency until you hear your own voice or CW signal with the best audio pitch. To fine tune the uplink frequency use the "Upl. Calibr." controls in menu CAT (these controls leave the downlink frequency unchanged, so, they change the offset between downlink and uplink frequency).
Then click the button "Change/Store Data File". In the menu that opens click on "Store ...Uplink Calibration". This function saves the new offset and at next program start you should hear your own signal with the right audio pitch or very close to it.
Recently there was a discussion whether to use the button "Change/Store .. TX/RX frequency data" to save the calibration. The purpose of that function is another one, however, see below.
The calibration procedure should be done with each SSB satellite, because there are hardware depending frequency deviations between the single radios. So, the frequencies that come with the program can't be optimized for each radio. Between my IC-821H and IC-910H, i.e., is a deviation of about 1 KHz.
The mode entry in Doppler.SQF (USB, LSB, CW) can be changed only manually with Notepad, of course.
2. To start CAT tuning immediately on the beacon frequency of a satellite, i.e. FO-29, do the following (after you executed the procedure above 1):
While the satellite is audible tune the radio to the satellite's beacon signal. That can be done with the VFO knob.
In menu "CAT" click the button "Change/Store Data File" and in the menu that opens click on "Change/Store RX/TX Freq. Data".
That will save the new uplink AND downlink frequencies (after eliminating the actual Doppler shifts, of course) but leaves the offset unchanged. To operate over the satellite you only need to tune off the beacon frequency to an unused frequency.
(This feature was very helpful with the AO-40 S-band beacon. It allowed to easily find the own downlink signal inspite of the daily temperature changes of the outdoor downconverter L.O.)
3.There is a detailed description of these functions in the manual in the section regarding menu CAT.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Dean Shutt" [email protected] To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 8:56 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32
Erich,
Further to a recent question, it appears that I must change the doppler.sqf file to calibrate a cw beacon rather than use the "change/store data file" button. Is this correct? I have a seperate line for each SSB sat that tunes the beacon frequency in CW mode and was attempting to adjust for the offsets in my system.
Thanks for the help.
73 de Dean, AL7CR _______________________________________________ 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
I want to take a moment to thank Erich for some impressive support of this group, thanks, Michael K3MH
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Erich Eichmann Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2006 3:03 AM To: Dean Shutt Cc: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32
Dean, 1. to calibrate your 2 data lines for each SSB sat for SSB and CW do the following (separately for the SSB and CW entry):
While the satellite is audible calibrate the uplink frequency until you hear your own voice or CW signal with the best audio pitch. To fine tune the uplink frequency use the "Upl. Calibr." controls in menu CAT (these controls leave the downlink frequency unchanged, so, they change the offset between downlink and uplink frequency).
Then click the button "Change/Store Data File". In the menu that opens click on "Store ...Uplink Calibration". This function saves the new offset and at next program start you should hear your own signal with the right audio pitch or very close to it.
Recently there was a discussion whether to use the button "Change/Store .. TX/RX frequency data" to save the calibration. The purpose of that function is another one, however, see below.
The calibration procedure should be done with each SSB satellite, because there are hardware depending frequency deviations between the single radios. So, the frequencies that come with the program can't be optimized for each radio. Between my IC-821H and IC-910H, i.e., is a deviation of about 1 KHz.
The mode entry in Doppler.SQF (USB, LSB, CW) can be changed only manually with Notepad, of course.
2. To start CAT tuning immediately on the beacon frequency of a satellite, i.e. FO-29, do the following (after you executed the procedure above 1):
While the satellite is audible tune the radio to the satellite's beacon signal. That can be done with the VFO knob.
In menu "CAT" click the button "Change/Store Data File" and in the menu that opens click on "Change/Store RX/TX Freq. Data".
That will save the new uplink AND downlink frequencies (after eliminating the actual Doppler shifts, of course) but leaves the offset unchanged. To operate over the satellite you only need to tune off the beacon frequency to an unused frequency.
(This feature was very helpful with the AO-40 S-band beacon. It allowed to easily find the own downlink signal inspite of the daily temperature changes of the outdoor downconverter L.O.)
3.There is a detailed description of these functions in the manual in the section regarding menu CAT.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Dean Shutt" [email protected] To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 8:56 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32
Erich,
Further to a recent question, it appears that I must change the doppler.sqf file to calibrate a cw beacon rather than use the "change/store data file" button. Is this correct? I have a seperate line for each SSB sat that tunes the beacon frequency in CW mode and was attempting to adjust for the offsets in my system.
Thanks for the help.
73 de Dean, AL7CR _______________________________________________ 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
_______________________________________________ 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
Erich,
Thank you very much for your description. The procedure and the difference between the two functions is now quite clear.
Dean
Erich Eichmann wrote:
Dean,
- to calibrate your 2 data lines for each SSB sat for SSB and CW do
the following (separately for the SSB and CW entry):
While the satellite is audible calibrate the uplink frequency until you hear your own voice or CW signal with the best audio pitch. To fine tune the uplink frequency use the "Upl. Calibr." controls in menu CAT (these controls leave the downlink frequency unchanged, so, they change the offset between downlink and uplink frequency).
Then click the button "Change/Store Data File". In the menu that opens click on "Store ...Uplink Calibration". This function saves the new offset and at next program start you should hear your own signal with the right audio pitch or very close to it.
Recently there was a discussion whether to use the button "Change/Store .. TX/RX frequency data" to save the calibration. The purpose of that function is another one, however, see below.
The calibration procedure should be done with each SSB satellite, because there are hardware depending frequency deviations between the single radios. So, the frequencies that come with the program can't be optimized for each radio. Between my IC-821H and IC-910H, i.e., is a deviation of about 1 KHz.
The mode entry in Doppler.SQF (USB, LSB, CW) can be changed only manually with Notepad, of course.
To start CAT tuning immediately on the beacon frequency of a satellite, i.e. FO-29, do the following (after you executed the procedure above 1):
While the satellite is audible tune the radio to the satellite's beacon signal. That can be done with the VFO knob.
In menu "CAT" click the button "Change/Store Data File" and in the menu that opens click on "Change/Store RX/TX Freq. Data".
That will save the new uplink AND downlink frequencies (after eliminating the actual Doppler shifts, of course) but leaves the offset unchanged. To operate over the satellite you only need to tune off the beacon frequency to an unused frequency.
(This feature was very helpful with the AO-40 S-band beacon. It allowed to easily find the own downlink signal inspite of the daily temperature changes of the outdoor downconverter L.O.)
3.There is a detailed description of these functions in the manual in the section regarding menu CAT.
73s, Erich, DK1TB
----- Original Message ----- From: "Dean Shutt" [email protected] To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Friday, December 01, 2006 8:56 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Offset Correction for CW Beacons in SatPC32
Erich,
Further to a recent question, it appears that I must change the doppler.sqf file to calibrate a cw beacon rather than use the "change/store data file" button. Is this correct? I have a seperate line for each SSB sat that tunes the beacon frequency in CW mode and was attempting to adjust for the offsets in my system.
Thanks for the help.
73 de Dean, AL7CR _______________________________________________ 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
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 (4)
-
AL7CR -
Dean Shutt -
Erich Eichmann -
Michael Hatzakis Jr MD