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CX2SA > SATDIG 29.06.15 15:23l 955 Lines 34046 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. SO-50 Help (Clint Bradford)
2. Field Day (Paul Stoetzer)
3. Re: Preamps and Circular Polarization Switch.
(Glenn Little WB4UIV)
4. Re: SpaceX Launch Failure Today (Steve May)
5. Re: Field Day (John Brier)
6. Satellite Software (Mike Jones, W6GYC)
7. Re: Field Day (Wyatt Dirks)
8. Re: SpaceX Launch Failure Today (Jim White)
9. KL7CN/W6 from DM05/DM06 in LotW (Bryan Green)
10. Re: Field Day (kb2m@xxxx.xxxx
11. Re: Field Day (Alan)
12. Re: Field Day (Rich/wa4bue)
13. Re: APRS Satgate Antenna page (5/8 wave) (Mark Johns)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 18:56:29 -0700
From: Clint Bradford <clintbradford@xxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-50 Help
Message-ID: <CB374473-9E17-4217-B08D-7607ED423FAE@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Sorry you are having trouble with SO-50 ...
Use TWO sat pass data sources as you work it. JUST IN CASE one is not set up
properly with your geographical area ... or the wrong time of day.
And make sure the Keplerian data is current on whatever you use.
There's a widget on my SAT SKEDS page that shows you where SO-50 is live -
http://www.work-sat.com
Also on the home page is the frequency programming chart for SO-50, FOX-1A,
and
the ISS.
Let me know if any of this helps!!!
Clint K6LCS
909-241-7666 - cell
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 22:00:03 -0400
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Field Day
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOq9_MN+nUrvGQHQF3zPbvGHT5auv7th2LhgdzXBb53Q7A@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
How did everyone's Field Day go? Heard quite a bit of QSOs made. Heard
quite a bit of struggling too!
Weather was awful, so I was just operating from the grounds of my
apartment building here in DC. I managed 20 QSOs with 5 watts, which
wasn't easy with how overloaded the transponders were with strong
signals.
Next year maybe I'll help out a local club on the sats.
73,
Paul, N8HM
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 22:09:37 -0400
From: Glenn Little WB4UIV <glennmaillist@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "Jim Bennett" <jlb3nn@xxxxxxxxx.xxx>,"'Amsat'"
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Preamps and Circular Polarization Switch.
Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.2.20150628220518.03ab7008@xxxx.xxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
Number one on the list is a good tower ground bonded to the single
point service entrance ground at the house.
MIL-HDBK-419 addresses this very well.
When this is followed, you will have very minimum problems, unless,
you take a direct strike.
This can be minimized with static dissipators.
When was the last time you saw a FAA communications tower that took a
hit with any damaged equipment??
73
Glenn
WB4UIV
At 08:27 PM 6/28/2015, Jim Bennett wrote:
>Hey guys.
>
>
>
>I just took a lighting strike the other day. Wipe out the big stick in the
>air. Also took out one preamp and possible a circular polarization switch
>on the sat antennas alone with both PCs that I had, a power supply, plus my
>network. The pair of KLM appear ok. So I am going to redo my tower layout.
>New coax(probably hard line), new preamps, new cp switch and new control
>cable to the preamps and CP switches. Rotor cables appear good, but will
>check to make sure.
>
>
>
>I put this system together about 20 years ago. So I am starting out fresh
>trying to find the stuff. Is Lanwear amps still available? If not, what is
>the next best. Are there any shelf available CP switches. The ones I have
>were on the antennas when purchased. And they appear home built.
>
>
>
>Any suggestions are appreciate.
>
>
>
>Jim
>
>Ke4kol
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn Little ARRL Technical Specialist QCWA LM 28417
Amateur Callsign: WB4UIV wb4uiv@xxxx.xxx AMSAT LM 2178
QTH: Goose Creek, SC USA (EM92xx) SBE ARRL TAPR
"It is not the class of license that the Amateur holds but the class
of the Amateur that holds the license"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2015 02:15:53 +0000
From: Steve May <steve.w5iem@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SpaceX Launch Failure Today
Message-ID:
<CAE0P9VefWE92m273OshXONXFtyoqKJhez2wRA-BM9+ndih0T-g@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I'm curious about the payloads on these rockets that fail. Is there any
guarantee on the "delivery" of the payloads, even the paid ones? Or is
there any sort of insurance that can be purchased in events such as this?
Steve, W5IEM
On Sun, Jun 28, 2015, 1:24 PM B J <va6bmj@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> On 6/28/15, Alan <wa4sca@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> >
> > http://preview.tinyurl.com/qfyz92n
> >
> > Key point: nobody hurt.
>
> <snip>
>
> The flight looked like it was proceeding normally until close before
> the point when staging would have occurred. I watched the video and I
> didn't hear a controller mention anything unusual until the mishap
> occurred.
>
> 73s
>
> Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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: 5
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 22:21:37 -0400
From: John Brier <johnbrier@xxxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Field Day
Message-ID:
<CALn0fKMBu6v7w+vC3woCHrNSeZA1n3TcAt0iER+fbaVkyBp3QQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Overall it was good. As for satellites it was a bust. For the 7pm
Eastern SO-50 pass, 70 degrees here in North Carolina, I found a good
spot in the field and found markers for the AOS, max elevation and
LOS. Then a major storm front came through which wiped out all
possibility of making any contacts. Most of us took cover in the
garage. I stayed at my local club's field day and worked some 40
meters and socialized and ended up trying the 3:30am pass, only 31
degrees over the Atlantic ocean. I figured it wouldn't be a "melee" as
I've heard it described on FD since it didn't cover as much land and
was at such a late time. It wasn't jam packed but it wasn't easy to
work either. I heard a normal amount of people in my opinion, maybe
less, but it didn't seem like people were completing QSOs. I never got
into the bird AFAICT. I was trying to operate a bit differently than
normal. Normally I just put my call out and let people come back but
this time I was trying to follow who was on, what their calls and
section/type info were and call them back, but I guess with the
overall lack of contacts being made and confusion I was confused with
who was available and who was still trying to make contact. By the
time I tried putting my call out or calling people half the pass was
already over and like I said I never even got in. I think I also may
not have been aiming right because it was hard to see my markers in
the dark. Plus I was tired and more nervous than normal because I
setup differently than normal. Normally I set my gear on top of my car
but because the field was wet and uneven I couldn't put my car out
there so I had to setup with a battery and put my gear (I use two
mobile radios) on a step ladder. Gah! It was quite disappointing. I
really wanted to get my club the bonus points. I have a recording of
the madness if anyone wants it. Sorry for the rant but you asked!
haha. Next time I hope to be more skilled and more prepared. :-)
John Brier, KG4AKV, Raleigh, NC FM05
On Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 10:00 PM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
> How did everyone's Field Day go? Heard quite a bit of QSOs made. Heard
> quite a bit of struggling too!
>
> Weather was awful, so I was just operating from the grounds of my
> apartment building here in DC. I managed 20 QSOs with 5 watts, which
> wasn't easy with how overloaded the transponders were with strong
> signals.
>
> Next year maybe I'll help out a local club on the sats.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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: 6
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 18:44:20 -0700
From: "Mike Jones, W6GYC" <w6gyc@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Satellite Software
Message-ID: <5590A2F4.6090105@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
Hello. My name is Mike Jones, W6GYC. I help out with content on the
AMSAT.ORG web site.
The software pages currently on AMSAT.ORG are a bit out of date I it has
been decided to bring them a bit more current.
What I would like to do is hear from the satellite community on what
software they are using for their Amateur Satellite operations. Remember
I would like to hear not just a list of software apps, but what you
actually use in your day-to-day operations.
Please include the following:
Title
Website (if available)
Type of software (commercial, shareware, freeware, etc)
Cost if appropriate
Platform (Windows, MAC, Linux, mobile (Android, iOS, other, multiple)
What distribution you use if applicable
Is the software included in your distribution repositories, or third
party download, build, etc
Short description if possible
Please feel free to include any additional information you may feel
important.
I have created a special, personal email account for this, please do not
spam the mailing list.
Please send to: satsoft@xxxxx.xxx
Thank you in advance
--
73
Mike Jones W6GYC - AMSAT Number: 38250
Home Grid: DM04rl
http://w6gyc.com
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 21:42:26 -0500
From: Wyatt Dirks <dirkswyatt10@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Field Day
Message-ID:
<CAD_amwH__0vUq7pbj5XL5gAQGt3+dh2YqKtasJ69Z1ur95hSkw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Had a decent time here in Iowa operating as W0GQ. Missed out on several
ao73 passes Sunday do to weather and the failure of 2 genorators at the
same time. Seemed to me like activity was about the same on the sats as in
the past minus the early fo29 passes. The far west fo29 pass Sunday morning
had less then 10 people on.
I still need to locate my log book in the pile of gear but had close to 80
qsos all on ssb except for 1 so50 qso which as normal was the hardest qso
to pull off. Being right in the middle of the US everytime I have footprint
there are others already on. The biggest problem are the amount of people
calling cq on so50.
Also managed 2 ao7 mode a contacts. On the last 2 passes of ao7 I couldn't
hear it on mode b or mode a but reports were it was very weak on mode a.
The 2 qsos I made on mode a were solid copy so not sure what happened the
following passes.
Station used here was same basic station I setup at home. Ic9100 with 7
elements on 2m horizontal and 2 8ft 435 yagis with switch for vertical and
horizontal all mounted on a g5500 at about 24ft. For 10m downlink on ao7 I
used a moxon at 40ft.
Personal best for me on amsat field day so pretty pleased and had a good
time.
73 Wyatt
AC0RA
On Jun 28, 2015 9:00 PM, "Paul Stoetzer" <n8hm@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
> How did everyone's Field Day go? Heard quite a bit of QSOs made. Heard
> quite a bit of struggling too!
>
> Weather was awful, so I was just operating from the grounds of my
> apartment building here in DC. I managed 20 QSOs with 5 watts, which
> wasn't easy with how overloaded the transponders were with strong
> signals.
>
> Next year maybe I'll help out a local club on the sats.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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: 8
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2015 21:02:34 -0600
From: Jim White <jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SpaceX Launch Failure Today
Message-ID: <5590B54A.3010508@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
In general:
- Government payloads don't buy insurance as they consider themselves
self insuring.
- Commercial payloads nearly always buy insurance, usually against
launch failure and on-orbit failure. The premiums can be as much as 1/3
the cost of the satellite and launch. The exceptions are the really big
goesync fleet operators who self insure.
- Small payloads like universities would not want to pay for insurance
and there is no one who would write that policy anyway.
The launch vehicle folks do not guarantee delivery. In fact their
contracts have more pages absolving themselves of blame or liability
than any other part of the contract. For smallish sats going along with
big sats the launch vehicle contracts often don't even guarantee they
will put your sat on a particular launch or into a particular orbit.
There are exceptions of course, directly tied to how much you are
willing to pay.
Jim
On 6/28/2015 8:15 PM, Steve May wrote:
> I'm curious about the payloads on these rockets that fail. Is there any
> guarantee on the "delivery" of the payloads, even the paid ones? Or is
> there any sort of insurance that can be purchased in events such as this?
>
> Steve, W5IEM
>
> On Sun, Jun 28, 2015, 1:24 PM B J <va6bmj@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
>> On 6/28/15, Alan <wa4sca@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>>> http://preview.tinyurl.com/qfyz92n
>>>
>>> Key point: nobody hurt.
>> <snip>
>>
>> The flight looked like it was proceeding normally until close before
>> the point when staging would have occurred. I watched the video and I
>> didn't hear a controller mention anything unusual until the mishap
>> occurred.
>>
>> 73s
>>
>> Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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@xxxxx.xxx. 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: Mon, 29 Jun 2015 02:43:56 -0700
From: Bryan Green <bryan@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] KL7CN/W6 from DM05/DM06 in LotW
Message-ID: <461A4A60-5F7E-4C19-8D77-FD52199C667D@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Hello, AMSAT-BB!
The following stations are in the log from yesterday's operations in
DM05/DM06. The QSOs are uploaded to LotW:
SO-50 at 01:00Z:
AA5PK
W0DHB
KJ6WNS
KK6OTJ
KG5CCI
W7JPI -- Hi, Leo!
NX9B
N8HM -- Awesome that we made it, Paul!
N8XQM -- At something like 3 degrees. Always wait until the very end of the
pass!
Please let me know if you have any trouble claiming the QSLs from both grids.
73!
-- bag
Bryan KL7CN/W6
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2015 06:42:59 -0400
From: <kb2m@xxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Field Day
Message-ID: <012801d0b258$62089460$2619bd20$@xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I worked two passes, one on FO-29, the other AO-73. I was trying to work
stations that appeared to me, to be looking for their only contact. I made 2
contacts. I just looked at my notes, I had over 15 calls written down,
another words I heard them but they weren't hearing me. My guess is that all
of them couldn't find or hear me on their downlink. The one regular sat user
I did work was Paul, on the first call. A usual FD on the sats :-)
73 Jeff kb2m
-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On Behalf Of Paul
Stoetzer
Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2015 10:00 PM
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Field Day
How did everyone's Field Day go? Heard quite a bit of QSOs made. Heard quite
a bit of struggling too!
Weather was awful, so I was just operating from the grounds of my apartment
building here in DC. I managed 20 QSOs with 5 watts, which wasn't easy with
how overloaded the transponders were with strong signals.
Next year maybe I'll help out a local club on the sats.
73,
Paul, N8HM
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2015 07:35:57 -0500
From: Alan <wa4sca@xxxxx.xxx>
To: <kb2m@xxxx.xxx>, <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Field Day
Message-ID: <003d01d0b268$26585350$7308f9f0$@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Jeff,
FO-29 sounded like 20 m, with many excellent signals. A few stations, such
as K4BFT, were grinding
out the contacts like a machine! The usual problem was that people were not
hearing replies. And
then there was the "numbers station," fortunately high in the passband, who
seemed to spend the entire
pass saying "one two three, one two three," with never a call. I actually
called the "numbers
station," but never got a reply.
And a good time was had by all.
73s,
Alan
WA4SCA
<-----Original Message-----
<From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On Behalf Of kb2m@xxxx.xxx
<Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 5:43 AM
<To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
<Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Field Day
<
<I worked two passes, one on FO-29, the other AO-73. I was trying to work
<stations that appeared to me, to be looking for their only contact. I made 2
<contacts. I just looked at my notes, I had over 15 calls written down,
<another words I heard them but they weren't hearing me. My guess is that all
<of them couldn't find or hear me on their downlink. The one regular sat user
<I did work was Paul, on the first call. A usual FD on the sats :-)
<
<73 Jeff kb2m
<
<-----Original Message-----
<From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On Behalf Of Paul
<Stoetzer
<Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2015 10:00 PM
<To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
<Subject: [amsat-bb] Field Day
<
<How did everyone's Field Day go? Heard quite a bit of QSOs made. Heard quite
<a bit of struggling too!
<
<Weather was awful, so I was just operating from the grounds of my apartment
<building here in DC. I managed 20 QSOs with 5 watts, which wasn't easy with
<how overloaded the transponders were with strong signals.
<
<Next year maybe I'll help out a local club on the sats.
<
<73,
<
<Paul, N8HM
<
<_______________________________________________
<Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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: 12
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2015 08:37:58 -0400
From: "Rich/wa4bue" <richard.siff@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Field Day
Message-ID: <DF1044DFB3D94564B9704E8FFDC3AE13@xxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1;
reply-type=original
K4AMG was GOTA station for W4CAR. The Lea's operated both FO29 and HF.
I noticed on our first FO 29 pass that our 2 meter preamp had blown form a
storm that passed within a few miles of us so there were no contacts then.
It was receiving ISS before the storm. So we removed the preamp and made
contacts the next pass. Seems when the preamp blows the switching circuit
goes too. The kids made another 5 contacts on FO 29 later. They did an
equally well job on HF.
There are a bunch of stills and videos that WX4TV will assemble in to a
short program.
N2COP ARRL Vice Director Roanoke Division dropped by and took pictures with
the kids next to our SATCOM antennas.
Despite the storms and tornado warnings we had a great time at FD.
God Bless
R
W4BUE
----- Original Message -----
From: <kb2m@xxxx.xxx>
To: <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 6:42 AM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Field Day
>I worked two passes, one on FO-29, the other AO-73. I was trying to work
> stations that appeared to me, to be looking for their only contact. I made
> 2
> contacts. I just looked at my notes, I had over 15 calls written down,
> another words I heard them but they weren't hearing me. My guess is that
> all
> of them couldn't find or hear me on their downlink. The one regular sat
> user
> I did work was Paul, on the first call. A usual FD on the sats :-)
>
> 73 Jeff kb2m
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@xxxxx.xxxx On Behalf Of Paul
> Stoetzer
> Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2015 10:00 PM
> To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Field Day
>
> How did everyone's Field Day go? Heard quite a bit of QSOs made. Heard
> quite
> a bit of struggling too!
>
> Weather was awful, so I was just operating from the grounds of my
> apartment
> building here in DC. I managed 20 QSOs with 5 watts, which wasn't easy
> with
> how overloaded the transponders were with strong signals.
>
> Next year maybe I'll help out a local club on the sats.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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: 13
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2015 13:12:36 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mark Johns <mjohns166@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Robert Bruninga <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] APRS Satgate Antenna page (5/8 wave)
Message-ID:
<118105799.1584507.1435583556536.JavaMail.yahoo@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> Any APRS software just about automatically becomes a SatGate ?> if you
leave your radio tuned to 145.825 and leave your PC running?> the software
connected to the internet. ?Then your station feeds the ?> pcsat.aprs.org
satellite downlink data base.
Bob,
Can you elaborate on this? I've looked over the UISS docs and I see
absolutely nothing about this function. To what web address is this data
being sent? In what form? What control does the user have over this?--?Mark
D. Johns, K?MDJDecorah, Iowa USA
EN43-----------------------------------------------?"Heaven goes by favor;
if it went by merit,?you would stay out and your dog would go in."????
---Mark Twain
From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2015 8:54 PM
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] APRS Satgate Antenna page (5/8 wave)
> I have actually received APRS packets from the ISS and for that matter
have been digipeated using a simple 5/8 mag mount antenna oriented 90
degrees off vertical.? I only mention that to offer some background.
Ah, but the ISS is 10W compared to PSAT?s 0.3W, so it is 15 dB stronger and
any piece of wire as an antenna can hear ISS, even in the very strong NULL
that a 5/8 wave antenna has above 15 degrees.? All of my comments are
trying to help SatGates hear the weak ones?
> I'm not aware of how to forward anything useful to the database that
populates the map you provided a link to.
That is simple or hard.? Depending on your patience with software.? Any
APRS software just about automatically becomes a SatGate? if you leave your
radio tuned to 145.825 and leave your PC running th software connected to
the internet.? Then your station feeds the? pcsat.aprs.org satellite
downlink data base.
Hope that helps.
Bob, WB4aPR
------------------------------
------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
*From:* Robert Bruninga <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>
*To:* amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
*Sent:* Sunday, June 28, 2015 17:13
*Subject:* [amsat-bb] APRS Satgate Antenna page (More work needed)
Well, someone with time to burn might want to check all these numbers.
Today I am getting inconsistent results and probably because to make a 9'
ground plane at 2m with good segment sizes, I need more than the 500 point
limit in EZNEC.
Also, to cover the USA with omni satgates with good gain above 25 degrees
will need almost 9 times as many satgates compared to the number with full
AZ/EL OSCAR arrays.? But then the omni satgates are 10? Times simpler...
(just your HT while? you are not actually using it)...
At this point we need to simply see what a 1/4 wave over a large ground
plane can actually HEAR.? It is easy to just run it for days and see how
many PSAT packets are received per 24 hours.? And then compare antennas
based on that number.? If a 1/4 wave can hear down to 25 degrees, then there
is no need for the higher 3/4 wave gain at higher angles.? Anyway, a great
opportunity for study.
-----Original Message-----
The gain of the 3/4 wave vertical is a real winner over the basic 1/4 wave
vertical for OMNI Satgates with no moving parts optimized for high elevation
gain above 30 deg.? Low elevations are simply covered by more SATgates....
New:? If we can get the angle down to 25 degrees then still need 9 times
more stations)
1/4 wave with radials:? -2 at 30 and -6 at 60? ==>? Basically a dipole
pattern
3/4 wave with radials:? +2 at 30 and -1 at 60? ==>? 4 to 5 dB better, 2 dBi
max
3/4 wave w 3' gndpln:? +3 at 30 and +1 at 60 ==>? 5 to 7 dB better, 3.3 dBi
max
3/4 wave w 6' gndpln:? +2 at 30 and +3 at 70 ==>? 4 to 9 dB better, 5.5 dBi
max
3/4 wave w 9' gndpln: +3 at 30 and +3 at 65 ==>? 5 to 9 dB better, 5.3 dBi
max
3/4 wave perfect gnd: +3 at 30 and +3 at 68 ==>? 5 to 9 dB better, 6.9 dBi
max
Even the 3/4 vertical with just the four 19" radials gives a huge 4 to 5 dB
improvement over a classic ground plane for omni satellite? SATgate work.
Also, this antenna does not need to be high.? Just see sky above 30 deg.? In
fact, is better to be low to reduce terrestrial QRM.
Notice too that the Lilenblatt, eggbeaters, and all other "omni"s that try
to keep their gain down on the horizon, are equally as poor as the 1/4 wave
vertical at these higher elevations.? This is OK for strong satellits like
the ISS with 5 to 10 watts, but abisimal when all that gain on the horizon
is completely wasted when you cannot hear the satellite anyway because it is
6 to 10 dB farther away! The result is these "omni's" give up the 4 to 9 dB
at higher elevations where the satellite is much stronger.
Ill eventually put all this on the Omni SATGATE page:
http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html
Summary:? The 3/4 wave vertical makes it so you CAN hear LEO satellites 5 to
9 dB better when they are closer and? does this by giving? up on hearing
them when they are so far away you can't hear them anyway!
THE BIG QUESTION though is What is the lowest elevation angle at which an
OMNI can hear PSAT?
Bob, WB4APR
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Bruninga [mailto:bruninga@xxxx.xxx <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>]
Subject: RE: [aprssig] APRS Satgate Antenna page
> One question,what constitutes a large ground plane?
> Is it 12"or 12'? Is it a multiple of the vertical whip?
Good question.? Most people think that four 1/4 wave radials make a ground
plane.? But if you model a 1/4 wave vertical over 1/4 wave radials, all you
get is the exact pattern of a DIPOLE.? The radials are just providing a
"groundplane" to complete the electrical part of the antenna and give a good
match.? They do not affect the pattern at all.
I modeled verticals over 6' or larger ground planes and only found that? you
get the added "reflection" gain when the ground plane starts getting that
big or more.? I wish I had time to use EZNEC to show the added gain
(skyward) versus the size of the ground plane.? And how "radials" (above
actual ground) have nothing to do with the "pattern".
SO, the bigger the better.? It should be worth 2 to 3 dB if you could make
it very large...
This is the page in question:
http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html
Bob, WB4aPR
On 6/19/2015 3:57 PM, Robert Bruninga via aprssig wrote:
> Subject: APRS Satgate Antenna page
>
> Since the ideal APRS Satellite IGate OMNI antenna is exactly the
> opposite of the typical terrestrial IGaate antenna, I prepared the
> following WEB page:
>
> http://aprs.org/aprs-satellite-igate-antennas.html
>
> It shows how a vertical ? or ? wave VHF omni equals the performance of
> a full OSCAR class array (over half the sky) but does it with no
> moving parts.
> It makes up for the weak-signal horizon part of the sky by there
> simply being more omni-IGates.? The APRS-IS cloud with all of its
> IGates is probably one of the largest spatially distributed satellite
> receiver system in the world (?).
>
> But with people used to the 10W transmitter on the ISS, just a few
> IGates can capture just about every packet from the ISS horizon to
> horizon on a whip.? But with the 14 dB weaker signal from PSAT, we
> need more SatGates to make up for their smaller skyprint.? For the USA
> we need more than a dozen such Omni-SATgates.
>
> To see the significance of the weaker downlink from PSAT, look at the
> successful IGates on the http://pcsat.aprs.org page compared to the IGates
> that hear the ISS packets on http://ariss.net ? Both are listening on
> 145.825 and passing along every packet they hear.? But only TRACKING
> IGates or good vertical gain satgates hear PSAT. And since we want
> these running 24/7/365, we do NOT expect people wearing out motors
> when an omni will do fine (if we have enough).
>
> The page also shows how every SATgate with a HIGH and terrestrial type
> antenna actually creates a DEADZONE around it, effectively blocking
> any nearby user heaerd direct from appearing on any of the APRS-IS
> cloud satellite web pages.? Hence, Omni-satgate antennas should be low
> to everything surrounding it w hile still seeing the sky above 30 degrees.
>
> If your TH-D7 HT is just sitting there, not in use 99% of the time,
> then just hook it to a vertical whip and let it be an IGate.? With the
> low antenna it will also probably be safe from all weather lightening too.
> Put
> the UHF side on 435.350 and turn up the speaker.? When PSAT PSK31
> comes into view, you can watch the PSK31 activity as a bonus!
>
> Bob, WB4APR
> _______________________________________________
> aprssig mailing list
> aprssig@xxxx.xxx
> http://www.tapr.org/mailman/listinfo/aprssig
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