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CX2SA > SATDIG 21.02.19 02:23l 907 Lines 33641 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Sent: 190221/0020Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM #:521 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:AMSATBB1478
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations (K5ZM)
2. Re: SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations (John Brier)
3. Re: Tesla Field Day mode (Ted Krempa)
4. Bare UHF QFH antenna as TX antenna for AO-91/92 ?
(Pavel Milanes Costa)
5. Re: SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations (Andrew Glasbrenner)
6. Re: Tesla Field Day mode (taxpayers) (Robert Bruninga)
7. Falconsat-3 - The APRS satellite for Mobiles (h-dux TNC)
(Robert Bruninga)
8. Re: Tesla Field Day mode (taxpayers) (Ted Krempa)
9. Re: Tesla Field Day mode (Frank Karnauskas)
10. Re: SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations (Bob Keating)
11. Re: Falconsat-3 - The APRS satellite for Mobiles (h-dux TNC)
(Jim White)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 13:10:35 -0800
From: "K5ZM" <k5zm@???????.???>
To: <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations
Message-ID: <094701d4c960$b97cbc30$2c763490$@???????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hi all?.
After having been licensed since ?75, I?m finally cultivating an interest in
the FM sats -the other modes can come later. Been doing a ton of reading and
YouTubing from various sources over the past two weeks or so -Space Comms;
WD9EWK; AMSAT website, etc. Plenty of good material out there. Tnx to all
who have put it out there over the years.
?Baby steps? has been a very appropriate term with which I?d describe the
results of my first 4 attempts at working the birds. First three attempts
were with S0-50. If nothing else, that first time proved to be a huge
learning experience. As to pointing the antenna, I was everywhere but where
I was supposed to be! Second time out, I?d gotten my head round the antenna
issue but had forgotten to enable tones! Third time out, I had everything(?)
right but could never hear myself on the downlink no matter where I was in
the doppler adjustment sequence.
Just attempted the 2010z pass of A0-91. It was a nearly overhead pass and
was able to hear a number of stations quite nicely but, as before, I was
never able to hear myself on the downlink. As such, that first sat Q has
eluded me once again ?. At least I knew enough to not to change VFOs when
making my doppler adjustments for this one!
I?ve a Kenwood TH D72 and the Arrow II 146/437 10wBP. As I mentioned, I?m
quite sure I?ve configured the rig correctly. In no particular order?..
?transmit on B?: check
Enable tones (again, on VFO B): check -67.0 hz
Enable full duplex ( ? ): check
Squelch open on VFO A: check
For S0-50, adjust for doppler on VFO A: check
For AO-91, adjust for doppler on VFO B: check
Probably a couple other things I?m aware of but can?t recall just now.
The one thing I?ve not messed with is the Audio Balance -it?s still at the
default 50/50 setting. Could this be why I?ve not been able to hear myself?
Is it that critical?
I?m also using a Heil HTH headset with the Kenwood K1 connector. I can
already tell this isn?t the way to go for me. I?ll likely move toward phones
and either use the onboard mic or an external handheld mic. I?ve tested the
whole combination on various a couple of repeaters around town and haven?t
had a problem, so I?m convinced something else is keeping me from hearing
myself on the downlink.
Baby steps, indeed.
73
Ian, K5ZM
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 16:30:01 -0500
From: John Brier <johnbrier@?????.???>
To: K5ZM <k5zm@???????.???>
Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations
Message-ID:
<CALn0fKPwAKG+NGv0BNTJpPtEyAkSGVcLZXU+nkAKPUiw2ZwO+Q@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I sometimes get desense with my D72 at full power on SO-50. Try medium
power (500 mW). SO-50 hears well enough that 500 mW is plenty.
As for the Fox birds my only guess is you might not be aiming right.
I find with my Arrow I have to aim very precisely to hear SO-50, which is
good for at least one reason, because if you can hear it, it means you're
aiming right for TX. With the Fox birds you can aim all over the place and
still hear them, which means you might be aiming wrong and TXing in the
wrong direction. This might be compounded by the fact that you have a
narrower beamwidth on the 70cm side than you do on the 2m side with the
Arrow due to the difference in gain.
I would try some lower elevation passes. It is easier to track the sats on
lower elevation passes.
73, John Brier KG4AKV
On Wed, Feb 20, 2019, 16:14 K5ZM <k5zm@???????.???> wrote:
> Hi all?.
>
>
>
> After having been licensed since ?75, I?m finally cultivating an interest
> in the FM sats -the other modes can come later. Been doing a ton of reading
> and YouTubing from various sources over the past two weeks or so -Space
> Comms; WD9EWK; AMSAT website, etc. Plenty of good material out there. Tnx
> to all who have put it out there over the years.
>
>
>
> ?Baby steps? has been a very appropriate term with which I?d describe the
> results of my first 4 attempts at working the birds. First three attempts
> were with S0-50. If nothing else, that first time proved to be a huge
> learning experience. As to pointing the antenna, I was everywhere but where
> I was supposed to be! Second time out, I?d gotten my head round the antenna
> issue but had forgotten to enable tones! Third time out, I had
> everything(?) right but could never hear myself on the downlink no matter
> where I was in the doppler adjustment sequence.
>
>
>
> Just attempted the 2010z pass of A0-91. It was a nearly overhead pass and
> was able to hear a number of stations quite nicely but, as before, I was
> never able to hear myself on the downlink. As such, that first sat Q has
> eluded me once again ?. At least I knew enough to not to change VFOs when
> making my doppler adjustments for this one!
>
>
>
> I?ve a Kenwood TH D72 and the Arrow II 146/437 10wBP. As I mentioned, I?m
> quite sure I?ve configured the rig correctly. In no particular order?..
>
> ?transmit on B?: check
>
> Enable tones (again, on VFO B): check -67.0 hz
>
> Enable full duplex ( ? ): check
>
> Squelch open on VFO A: check
>
> For S0-50, adjust for doppler on VFO A: check
>
> For AO-91, adjust for doppler on VFO B: check
>
> Probably a couple other things I?m aware of but can?t recall just now.
>
>
>
> The one thing I?ve not messed with is the Audio Balance -it?s still at the
> default 50/50 setting. Could this be why I?ve not been able to hear myself?
> Is it that critical?
>
>
>
> I?m also using a Heil HTH headset with the Kenwood K1 connector. I can
> already tell this isn?t the way to go for me. I?ll likely move toward
> phones and either use the onboard mic or an external handheld mic. I?ve
> tested the whole combination on various a couple of repeaters around town
> and haven?t had a problem, so I?m convinced something else is keeping me
> from hearing myself on the downlink.
>
>
>
> Baby steps, indeed.
>
>
>
> 73
>
>
>
> Ian, K5ZM
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
> expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 13:38:32 -0800
From: "Ted Krempa" <k7trkradio@???????.???>
To: "'Zach Metzinger'" <zmetzing@?????.???>, <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode
Message-ID: <003201d4c964$a1218c70$e364a550$@???????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
True, Zach....the difference is, the taxpayers don't pay for your setup !!
73, Ted
K7TRK
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@?????.???? On Behalf Of Zach
Metzinger
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 11:57 AM
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode
On 2/20/19 1:28 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
>> Very nice! Wish I could afford [a Tesla]...
>
> A Chevy Volt can run a Field Day (or a house under minimum power) for
> about 8 hours before it has to start the engine to recharge the battery.
> These 3 year-old off-lease Volts go for only about $12k.
Seems a bit overkill when a marine deep-cycle and a solar panel will run
you about $500, no? ;-)
--- Zach
N0ZGO
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 16:55:21 -0500
From: Pavel Milanes Costa <pavelmc@?????.???>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Bare UHF QFH antenna as TX antenna for AO-91/92 ?
Message-ID: <4dc97641-5c7d-deb0-835d-3794ad6cee8c@?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Hi to all...
Does any of you have a reference of the use of a 1/2 turn QFH antenna
for TX to AO-91/92...
I have picked up an old UHF commercial radio (Kenwood TK-860, 5 / 25W)
after being a few years off the sats because of not having an UHF radio
(I have a KG-UV8E on the way...
Last weekend I rescued my homebrew cross yagui hand-held antenna and
found that the storage time was bad on the 70cm part, the 2m part is
usable...
The other UHF antenna at hand is a 1/2 turn QFH antenna
So I was wondering to use the QFH as uplink and the yagui (or a cross
dipole + LNA) for the downlink.
Any experience/advance on this?
73 CO7WT Pavel.
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 16:58:13 -0500
From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner@??????????.???>
To: "'K5ZM'" <k5zm@???????.???>, <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations
Message-ID: <029501d4c967$60de68b0$229b3a10$@??????????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>The one thing I?ve not messed with is the Audio Balance -it?s still at the
default 50/50 setting. Could this be why I?ve not been able to hear myself?
>Is it that critical?
Yes, critical. 100% to the downlink band.
73, Drew KO4MA
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:13:33 -0500
From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga@????.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode (taxpayers)
Message-ID: <7dea226f39864bf1715ad5911138ddd6@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> True, Zach....the difference is, the taxpayers don't pay for your setup
!!
An apparent complaint about clean air EV incentives, while ignoring the
petroleum subsidies of about $3300 per dirty-air gas car. Which is now
about the same as the $3750 Tesla incentive. But, the Tesla incentive
will decrease by half in the next six months and then zero. While the
dirty gas car continues to get subsidized by tax payers for decades...
We should end this thread as off topic, but need to correct any
misinformation. Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@?????.???? On Behalf Of Zach
Metzinger
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode
On 2/20/19 1:28 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
>> Very nice! Wish I could afford [a Tesla]...
>
> A Chevy Volt can run a Field Day (or a house under minimum power) for
> about 8 hours before it has to start the engine to recharge the battery.
> These 3 year-old off-lease Volts go for only about $12k.
Seems a bit overkill when a marine deep-cycle and a solar panel will run
you about $500, no? ;-)
--- Zach
N0ZGO
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to
all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official
views of AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to
all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official
views of AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:28:00 -0500
From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga@????.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: [amsat-bb] Falconsat-3 - The APRS satellite for Mobiles
(h-dux TNC)
Message-ID: <31bdaeb1604029e7cbd9f28c3587805c@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Yes, all of kenwood TNC?s do not operate full duplex even though the radio
does full duplex crossband? In other words, it cannot decode a packet while
it is transmitting one. But the Falconsat downlink is fulldupelex and it
can begin including a downlink packet in the downlink stream even before the
uplink is finished. (or at least, there is no TXD delay, and so the user
TNC on receive does not hear the start of the packet in most cases, unless
the downlink packet happens to be delayed in the stream due to other
Falconsat BBS data.
I hope I got that right...
Bob, WB4APR
> regarding the TNC NOT operating full duplex...
> is this true in, say, the TH-D72A as well?
> that explains a LOT about the behavior I've seen using it,
> and guess I'd need to go to a full 2 radio solution
> to see my packets digipeated?
On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 2:10:03 PM EST, Robert Bruninga
<mailto:bruninga@????.???> wrote:
Work a satellite from your APRS mobile, 5 times a day:
For APRS folks just sittin in their mobile with nothing to do, you can work
FALCONSAT from any APRS Mobile? Just confirm passes using Heavens-above.com
(be sure to enter your location). Though passes now are from about midnight
to 6 AM, that pattern moves earlier about 36 minutes a day so it
will be in the evenings in a few days.
The Falconsat digipeater operates APRS at 9600 baud and works fine from a
50W APRS mobile with mobile antenna. Just turn on your rig, set the
internal TNC to 9600 baud and monitor the downlink. You should see packets
from PFS3-1 and or other stations.
Tune 435.110 MHz at start of pass, then clicking down steps of 5 Khz towards
the middle of the pass and then ending at 435.095 by the end ten minutes
later. If you are just going to monitor overnight, set to 435.105 for the
early middle of the pass and check your LIST in the morning.
Uplink takes a bit more settings. Set your PATH to go via PFS3-1 and set
TNC to TX A and RX B and set uplink on band A to 145.84 (no need to step
doppler). Set beacon to once a minute (and turn off decay and Proportioinal
pathing). You will NOT see your own digipeats. Although the satellite and
D710 are operating full duplex, the D710 TNC is not. By the time the TNC
TX/RX turns around, you will already have missed it. So don?t just keep
TXing until success, You WONT see it. But when you DO see someone else
doing APRS, then by all means send them a message. If he ACKS, then
success!
I just did the math. You don?t even need no stinkin computer. Once you
hear a pass, then just remember that passes are 36 minutes earlier each day
and the next pass on any given day is 98 minutes later (unless that was the
last pass of the day). During a western trip, just jotting down the time of
a pass heard, then I could predict pass times therest of the day and every
day for weeks. Always just adding 98 minuets to the next pass and listening
36 minutes earlier each day. See this manual technique:
http://aprs.org/MobileLEOtracking.html
Here is how WD9EWK describes working FALCONSAT:
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FalconSAT-Stoddard-
pdf.pdf
Anyway, it?s a great satellite while mobile that needs no special antennas.
Just keep up with when it is generally coming over and have the frequencies
already programmed into a channel in your radio. Actually, program four
frequencies to make it easy to shift for doppler.
We will try to remind everyone when passes enter more favorable evening or
morning commute hours?
And here is a note I got form mailto:himpatrick@??????.??? today:
Bob, WB4APR
*From:* Patrick STODDARD wd9ewk
*Subject:* Re: [amsat-bb] D72 to Falconsat-3 APRS
FalconSAT-3 uplink sensitivity is good. I regularly work it with 5W from my
TH-D72 with a handheld beam? I have used a TM-D710G at its various power
levels, and 5W from the mobile radio works fine.
Downlink power... it is strong. I can hear it a few degrees above the
horizon. I have used a TH-D72, TM-D710G, a pair of TH-D74s (The TH-D74
cannot operate APRS crossband)
I wrote about using these different radios, and combinations of radios, for
the AMSAT Journal in late 2017:
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FalconSAT-Stoddard-
pdf.pdf
73!
Patrick
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 14:35:15 -0800
From: "Ted Krempa" <k7trkradio@???????.???>
To: "'Robert Bruninga'" <bruninga@????.???>, <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode (taxpayers)
Message-ID: <003b01d4c96c$8d57cee0$a8076ca0$@???????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Nonsense, Bob. FACTS:
https://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/are-electric-car-subsidies-jus
t-giveaways-to-the-wealthy/
No, the subject is not for here, but also, not for a 'hit and run' attack on
fossil fuel vehicles...
K7TRK
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@?????.???? On Behalf Of Robert
Bruninga
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 2:14 PM
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode (taxpayers)
> True, Zach....the difference is, the taxpayers don't pay for your setup
!!
An apparent complaint about clean air EV incentives, while ignoring the
petroleum subsidies of about $3300 per dirty-air gas car. Which is now
about the same as the $3750 Tesla incentive. But, the Tesla incentive
will decrease by half in the next six months and then zero. While the
dirty gas car continues to get subsidized by tax payers for decades...
We should end this thread as off topic, but need to correct any
misinformation. Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@?????.???? On Behalf Of Zach
Metzinger
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode
On 2/20/19 1:28 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
>> Very nice! Wish I could afford [a Tesla]...
>
> A Chevy Volt can run a Field Day (or a house under minimum power) for
> about 8 hours before it has to start the engine to recharge the battery.
> These 3 year-old off-lease Volts go for only about $12k.
Seems a bit overkill when a marine deep-cycle and a solar panel will run
you about $500, no? ;-)
--- Zach
N0ZGO
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to
all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official
views of AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to
all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official
views of AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 15:41:50 -0700
From: "Frank Karnauskas" <n1uw@???????.???>
To: "'AMSAT BB'" <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode
Message-ID: <002201d4c96d$78eb1ec0$6ac15c40$@???????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I think Mr. Bruninga published an article in QST or CQ a few years ago
about the advantages of using a vehicle instead of a separate gasoline
powered generator for emergency uses?
73,
Frank
FRANK W. KARNAUSKAS, N1UW
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@?????.???? On Behalf Of Robert
Bruninga
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 12:29 PM
To: AMSAT BB
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode
> Very nice! Wish I could afford [a Tesla]...
A Chevy Volt can run a Field Day (or a house under minimum power) for
about 8 hours before it has to start the engine to recharge the
battery.
These 3 year-old off-lease Volts go for only about $12k.
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB On Behalf Of jim k6ccc
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Tesla Field Day mode
Bob - WB6APR said:
> Tesla is releasing Field-Day mode (er, "party mode")
> in its models to allow the vehicle to continue with
> AC/Heating, Temperature control, airflow, selective lights
> and music for up to 48 hours or more while in Park.
> The feature will also allow users to power other electric
> devices using the electric car's battery.
Very nice! Wish I could afford one...
73
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views
of AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 14:56:08 -0800
From: "Bob Keating" <bkeating1954@?????.???>
To: "'K5ZM'" <k5zm@???????.???>, <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations
Message-ID: <000401d4c96f$7b530c20$71f92460$@?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Hi Ian,
I use a nifty little app on my iPhone called HamSat. You can download the
data for each satellite you want to work, program in your location or let
the app do it for you if you have Locations Services turned on, and then
select the passes that will be visible in your area. With Location Services
turned on, the app will give you a real time tracking of the satellite on
sort of a "compass rose" from AOS to LOS. I find this to be a huge help in
tracking the bird and knowing where to aim my antenna. The app will even
make an entry on your iPhone calendar as to when a pass you select is
occurring.
BTW, my setup is ever so humble... I use a Yeasu FT-60 for the downlink and
a Baofeng UV-5R for transmit going full duplex to my Arrow II antenna. I use
a compact TASCAM digital recorder between the FT-60 and my headphones to
record the pass so I can log everything accurately later. Hope this helps.
73,
Bob N6REK
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@?????.???? On Behalf Of K5ZM
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 1:11 PM
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations
Hi all?.
After having been licensed since ?75, I?m finally cultivating an interest in
the FM sats -the other modes can come later. Been doing a ton of reading and
YouTubing from various sources over the past two weeks or so -Space Comms;
WD9EWK; AMSAT website, etc. Plenty of good material out there. Tnx to all
who have put it out there over the years.
?Baby steps? has been a very appropriate term with which I?d describe the
results of my first 4 attempts at working the birds. First three attempts
were with S0-50. If nothing else, that first time proved to be a huge
learning experience. As to pointing the antenna, I was everywhere but where
I was supposed to be! Second time out, I?d gotten my head round the antenna
issue but had forgotten to enable tones! Third time out, I had everything(?)
right but could never hear myself on the downlink no matter where I was in
the doppler adjustment sequence.
Just attempted the 2010z pass of A0-91. It was a nearly overhead pass and
was able to hear a number of stations quite nicely but, as before, I was
never able to hear myself on the downlink. As such, that first sat Q has
eluded me once again ?. At least I knew enough to not to change VFOs when
making my doppler adjustments for this one!
I?ve a Kenwood TH D72 and the Arrow II 146/437 10wBP. As I mentioned, I?m
quite sure I?ve configured the rig correctly. In no particular order?..
?transmit on B?: check
Enable tones (again, on VFO B): check -67.0 hz
Enable full duplex ( ? ): check
Squelch open on VFO A: check
For S0-50, adjust for doppler on VFO A: check
For AO-91, adjust for doppler on VFO B: check
Probably a couple other things I?m aware of but can?t recall just now.
The one thing I?ve not messed with is the Audio Balance -it?s still at the
default 50/50 setting. Could this be why I?ve not been able to hear myself?
Is it that critical?
I?m also using a Heil HTH headset with the Kenwood K1 connector. I can
already tell this isn?t the way to go for me. I?ll likely move toward phones
and either use the onboard mic or an external handheld mic. I?ve tested the
whole combination on various a couple of repeaters around town and haven?t
had a problem, so I?m convinced something else is keeping me from hearing
myself on the downlink.
Baby steps, indeed.
73
Ian, K5ZM
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Message: 11
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:13:59 -0700
From: Jim White <jim@?????????????????.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Falconsat-3 - The APRS satellite for Mobiles
(h-dux TNC)
Message-ID:
<e8af299e-4a57-3c25-2b5f-3bdeff9dff92@?????????????????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Bob,
A digipeated packet received on the uplink will get repeated immediately
upon the receipt of the last byte, unless delayed by a few ms by other
processing going on or other packets queued to be sent.
If there is nothing cued in the downlink already the repeated packet
will be sent on the downink starting a few ms after that last uplink
byte is received.? If there are other packets (telemetry, BBS traffic,
status messages, etc.) in the output queue the digipeated packet will be
queued at the end of those other packets.? For example if a file
download is in progress the digipeated packet will be inserted between
file packets because the file packets are queued into the downlink
processing one packet at a time.? It's theoretically possible for a
digipeated packet to be queued for a couple of seconds, but that's not
likely the way the satellite is currently being used.
Jim
On 2/20/2019 3:28 PM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
> Yes, all of kenwood TNC?s do not operate full duplex even though the radio
> does full duplex crossband? In other words, it cannot decode a packet while
> it is transmitting one. But the Falconsat downlink is fulldupelex and it
> can begin including a downlink packet in the downlink stream even before the
> uplink is finished. (or at least, there is no TXD delay, and so the user
> TNC on receive does not hear the start of the packet in most cases, unless
> the downlink packet happens to be delayed in the stream due to other
> Falconsat BBS data.
>
> I hope I got that right...
> Bob, WB4APR
>
>> regarding the TNC NOT operating full duplex...
>> is this true in, say, the TH-D72A as well?
>> that explains a LOT about the behavior I've seen using it,
>> and guess I'd need to go to a full 2 radio solution
>> to see my packets digipeated?
> On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 2:10:03 PM EST, Robert Bruninga
> <mailto:bruninga@????.???> wrote:
>
> Work a satellite from your APRS mobile, 5 times a day:
>
> For APRS folks just sittin in their mobile with nothing to do, you can work
> FALCONSAT from any APRS Mobile? Just confirm passes using Heavens-above.com
> (be sure to enter your location). Though passes now are from about midnight
> to 6 AM, that pattern moves earlier about 36 minutes a day so it
> will be in the evenings in a few days.
>
> The Falconsat digipeater operates APRS at 9600 baud and works fine from a
> 50W APRS mobile with mobile antenna. Just turn on your rig, set the
> internal TNC to 9600 baud and monitor the downlink. You should see packets
> from PFS3-1 and or other stations.
>
> Tune 435.110 MHz at start of pass, then clicking down steps of 5 Khz towards
> the middle of the pass and then ending at 435.095 by the end ten minutes
> later. If you are just going to monitor overnight, set to 435.105 for the
> early middle of the pass and check your LIST in the morning.
>
> Uplink takes a bit more settings. Set your PATH to go via PFS3-1 and set
> TNC to TX A and RX B and set uplink on band A to 145.84 (no need to step
> doppler). Set beacon to once a minute (and turn off decay and Proportioinal
> pathing). You will NOT see your own digipeats. Although the satellite and
> D710 are operating full duplex, the D710 TNC is not. By the time the TNC
> TX/RX turns around, you will already have missed it. So don?t just keep
> TXing until success, You WONT see it. But when you DO see someone else
> doing APRS, then by all means send them a message. If he ACKS, then
> success!
>
> I just did the math. You don?t even need no stinkin computer. Once you
> hear a pass, then just remember that passes are 36 minutes earlier each day
> and the next pass on any given day is 98 minutes later (unless that was the
> last pass of the day). During a western trip, just jotting down the time of
> a pass heard, then I could predict pass times therest of the day and every
> day for weeks. Always just adding 98 minuets to the next pass and listening
> 36 minutes earlier each day. See this manual technique:
> http://aprs.org/MobileLEOtracking.html
>
> Here is how WD9EWK describes working FALCONSAT:
>
>
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FalconSAT-Stoddard-
pdf.pdf
>
> Anyway, it?s a great satellite while mobile that needs no special antennas.
> Just keep up with when it is generally coming over and have the frequencies
> already programmed into a channel in your radio. Actually, program four
> frequencies to make it easy to shift for doppler.
>
> We will try to remind everyone when passes enter more favorable evening or
> morning commute hours?
>
> And here is a note I got form mailto:himpatrick@??????.??? today:
>
> Bob, WB4APR
>
> *From:* Patrick STODDARD wd9ewk
> *Subject:* Re: [amsat-bb] D72 to Falconsat-3 APRS
>
> FalconSAT-3 uplink sensitivity is good. I regularly work it with 5W from my
> TH-D72 with a handheld beam? I have used a TM-D710G at its various power
> levels, and 5W from the mobile radio works fine.
>
> Downlink power... it is strong. I can hear it a few degrees above the
> horizon. I have used a TH-D72, TM-D710G, a pair of TH-D74s (The TH-D74
> cannot operate APRS crossband)
>
> I wrote about using these different radios, and combinations of radios, for
> the AMSAT Journal in late 2017:
>
>
https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FalconSAT-Stoddard-
pdf.pdf
>
> 73!
> Patrick
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
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