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CX2SA > SATDIG 08.08.14 14:04l 601 Lines 21627 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. Re: Cross Country SDR Sentry 10 (Stefan Wagener)
2. Working AO73 (Richard Lawn)
3. France (IN94) on sat (Michel F6GLJ)
4. UKube 1 identification confirmed (Nico Janssen)
5. Working Today EL01 (david.xe3dx@xxxxx.xxxx
6. AO-73 at 03:20Z (Paul Stoetzer)
7. Cross Country Sentry 10 Info (Les Rayburn)
8. Re: Cross Country Sentry 10 Info (Stefan Wagener)
9. LEO Flight Opportunity NOW? (Robert Bruninga)
10. Re: AO-73 at 03:20Z (Paul Stoetzer)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 07:15:43 -0500
From: Stefan Wagener <wageners@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Star-Com BB <starcom-bb@xxxxxxxx.xxx>, AMSAT Mailing List
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Cross Country SDR Sentry 10
Message-ID:
<CAKu8kHB7DR=0yH3LrDnBA8DFQxBCbwF2+aTvt8HZ1xeS=+MANw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Sounds good.
Not knowing the detailed specs of the Sentry 10 the sound card approach
might limit the bandwidth of the panadaptor and there is no indication of
full duplex operation. Also, at this point it looks like a one shop
software (in-house) approach rather than open software/3rd party software.
As you know, the hardware is "relatively" easy, the software limits the use
for most (eg. the Flex vs Anan approach). BTW, Simon's SDR software is
already supporting the blade and possibly the HackRF which will include
satellite functionality in version 2. Let's see what the final specs are
and most important the cost. Going back to my FCD :-)
Stefan
On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 3:49 AM, Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> Stefan,
>
> Yes, I've tracked the Blade RF closely...but I think you've answered your
> own question. To use the device on 2 Meters or lower, you need
> downconverters...and the output power level is too low to drive most amps.
> Basically, it's an engineer's tool, but not well suited for operators.
> Ditto for the HackRF.
>
> The Cross Country Sentry promises to drive brick amplifiers without
> intermediate stages, and excellent performance on all the amateur VHF bands
> due to bandpass filtering. To be a true "game changer", a product must not
> only be a technical marvel, but it must be popular in the marketplace. It
> remains to be seen if any of these products will reach that standard, but
> an inexpensive all-in-one VHF/UHF SDR transceiver would certainly be in
> demand.
>
> Time will tell.
>
> 73,
>
> Les N1LF
>
>
>
>
> On 8/6/2014 5:25 PM, Stefan Wagener wrote:
>
> Did you look at the Blade RF?
>
> http://nuand.com
>
> With available downconverter and full duplex! It is already a game
> changer and being used.
>
> Also, the HackRF is shipping now.
>
> Stefan
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 3:00 PM, Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
>> http://www.crosscountrywireless.net/sentry.html
>>
>> If true, this would provide the first SDR with output on 6 Meters, 2
>> Meters, 222, 432, and 1.2 GHz. This would be a real game-changer for VHF
>> weak signal operators, and provide enough drive for most amps. Can't wait
>> to learn more about this product.
>>
>>
>> --
>> --
>> 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 AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
>>
>
>
>
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 08:35:21 -0400
From: Richard Lawn <rjlawn@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Working AO73
Message-ID:
<CADQmrTFr0Wf165v8=tGpF1Kf9FTyqyuFA29-EoEgHS__KB9wnw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Thanks for the operating tips Paul as I have not been very successful in
the past with this bird. Perhaps I'll try again tonight from my lakeside
qth in FN21. I've noticed that sigs are very strong but I've always had
trouble finding myself. I'll try your approach.
73
Rick
W2JAZ
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 17:05:20 +0200
From: "Michel F6GLJ" <michel-f6glj@xxxxxx.xx>
To: "'Art VE3GNV'" <adpayne@xxxxxxxxx.xx>, "'SAT-DX '"
<satdx-bb@xxxxxxxx.xxx>, "'VE3JW Amateur Radio Exhibit'"
<ve3jw1@xxxxx.xxx>, "Satdx-bb" <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] France (IN94) on sat
Message-ID: <001501cfb251$0373ce90$0a5b6bb0$@xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hello.
I'll be on AO-07B between 18:14 and 18:28 and on FO-29 between 19:56 and
22:08 UTC, and I hope meet you.
73 qro from Michel F6GLJ
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 21:48:43 +0200
From: Nico Janssen <hamsat@xxxxxx.xx>
To: AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxxx Ray Hoad <ray.hoad@xxxxxxxx.xxx>, Graham
Shirville <g.shirville@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] UKube 1 identification confirmed
Message-ID: <53E3D81B.9090605@xxxxxx.xx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
All,
Finally the separation between UKube 1 and AISSat 2 has increased to
about 60 km. And with the telemetry beacon transmitting a continuous
signal, it now became possible to identify UKube 1 using doppler
measurements. It appears that UKube 1 is object 40074, 2014-037F.
So the JSpOC's initial guess appears to be correct.
73,
Nico PA0DLO
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 00:45:06 +0400
From: david.xe3dx@xxxxx.xxx
To: Grupo Amsat BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Working Today EL01
Message-ID: <1407444306.539238819@xxx.xx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Today I will be working EL01. 2:07 And 00:27 UTC SO-50 Happy to work and
listen. EL02 work tomorrow and end my trip.
David Maciel XE3DX
Enviando desde mi Iphone
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 19:09:11 -0400
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-73 at 03:20Z
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOoQbkAxC8mmqfK9hndrpWA2rTGDFjj0b2A2P8kjexTTcQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Good evening,
I will be on the 03:20Z AO-73 pass that covers much of North America
this evening. Last night was fun! Hope to hear a few people on the
satellite.
I will call CQ at around 145.965 MHz.
The satellite will enter sunlight at 03:27:45 and the transponder will
shut off.
73,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
Washington, DC
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 20:57:31 -0500
From: Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
To: "vhf@xxxx.xxxxxxxx.xxxx <vhf@xxxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx>, VHF Contesting
Reflector <vhfcontesting@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>, AMSAT Mailing List
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, Star-Com BB <starcom-bb@xxxxxxxx.xxx>, FLWSS
DIGEST <flwss@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Cross Country Sentry 10 Info
Message-ID: <53E42E8B.8030106@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
First of all, I should state that I have no financial interest in the
Cross Country Sentry 10 SDR, nor any ax to grind against competitors.
But I have gotten some additional information from it's developer that I
think will be of interest to VHF operators. Overall, this product sounds
like a real winner for both weak signal and satellite operators. The
ability to have output on all VHF bands from 6 Meters thru 1.2 GHz would
be perfect for rovers, and really simplify station design for the rest
of us.
Here are the comments I've received from Chris, G4HYG.
===============================================================
I'm also a VHF/UHF weak signal enthusiast so I appreciate your kind
comments.
We are in the final development phase of the transceiver and are
planning to start a KickStarter project in about a month to put the
transceiver into production.
To give you an idea of the technology used in the transceiver the RF
front end device is a PGA-103+ low noise amplifier with a LTC5584 as a
mixer. The PA stage uses the new BLP10H610 device from NXP. This NXP
device is due to be released this month so it should be available when
we are ready to start production.
The transceiver will work at 222 and 902/903 MHz for U.S. customers. Our
intention is to supply different firmware and filter options depending
on the customers location. For example the E.U., U.S, and Japan have
different frequency specifications for imported amateur radio equipment.
For in-house testing and any potential military customers we do have
wideband firmware but I wouldn't like to release that firmware for
general use for obvious reasons.
The approach we have taken with our existing SDR receivers is to try to
design them so that they can use as many SDR programs as possible. The
Sentry transceiver is somewhat different in that it doesn't divide the
LO frequency by 4 to generate the 90 degree phase shift for the IQ LO
injection. Programs will have to use the direct LO frequency without
division. So far HDSDR and Quisk are the only programs I know of so far
that will operate directly with the Sentry transceiver on both transmit
and receive. SDR Radio and SDR Sharp work OK on receive. I'm in regular
contact with most of the SDR software authors as I try to help them to
add support for our products so I'll be in contact with them before
launch to ask if they can add support for the Sentry transceiver.
Regarding the question about bandwidth the internal sound card has a 48
kHz sampling rate so the span bandwidth is limited to 48 kHz, The
transceiver will have a IQ output to drive external sound cards up to
192 kHz. The transceiver is designed as a near zero IF (typically 100 Hz
to avoid the AM and FM carrier appearing at DC). This helps prevent hams
unintentionally transmitting out of band. The transmitter IQ chain is
filtered with a 8.5 kHz filter to reduce the wideband noise that can be
transmitted along with the wanted signal. We realize that many users
will want to drive external high power amplifiers and transverters.
Recently I've been testing one of the the prototype transceivers during
the weekly Tuesday night 4, 6, 2 and 70cm contests run by the RSGB. My
local club (Bolton Wireless Club) have around 25 members who take part
in the contest and as they are line of sight with my station it's a
tough test of any receiver or transmitter during the contest. The latest
tests have even included using unmatched antennas such as a HF dipole as
a VHF antenna to see how the RF filtering worked in extreme mismatch
conditions. A lot of the development time over the last two years has
been dedicated to ensuring that the receiver is as good as we can make
it and that the transmitter is clean with regard to wideband noise. All
these on-air tests confirmed what had already been proved in the lab
tests and proved that the design is good and now ready for production.
The original YouTube video and the photographs on the web page show an
early prototype. The production version will have a different case more
suited to fitting underneath a laptop PC. We are planning to add a new
video showing a working prototype in action in a week or two.
Thanks for your kind comments about the plan for a KickStarter project.
I'll update the web page and the CCW Yahoo group forum with regular
progress reports.
Regards,
Chris, G4HYG
==========================================================================
--
--
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
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 21:43:05 -0500
From: Stefan Wagener <wageners@xxxxx.xxx>
To: Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx>
Cc: Star-Com BB <starcom-bb@xxxxxxxx.xxx>, AMSAT Mailing List
<amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, FLWSS DIGEST <flwss@xxxxx.xxx>, VHF Contesting
Reflector <vhfcontesting@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx>, "vhf@xxxx.xxxxxxxx.xxxx
<vhf@xxxx.xxxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Cross Country Sentry 10 Info
Message-ID:
<CAKu8kHDNk_iU8rQdiTJSo+gHY2tyqmfVNyesWy8DZdJg9eDeWQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi Les,
Thanks for the info. It actually substantiates my initial comments.
Limited panadapter spectrum because of built in sound card limitation, no
full duplex, very limited software support. Don't know why you still think
this is a real winner for satellite operation. Not holding my breath. But
hey maybe I missed something.
Stefan, VE4NSA
On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 8:57 PM, Les Rayburn <les@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> First of all, I should state that I have no financial interest in the
> Cross Country Sentry 10 SDR, nor any ax to grind against competitors. But I
> have gotten some additional information from it's developer that I think
> will be of interest to VHF operators. Overall, this product sounds like a
> real winner for both weak signal and satellite operators. The ability to
> have output on all VHF bands from 6 Meters thru 1.2 GHz would be perfect
> for rovers, and really simplify station design for the rest of us.
>
> Here are the comments I've received from Chris, G4HYG.
> ===============================================================
>
>
> I'm also a VHF/UHF weak signal enthusiast so I appreciate your kind
> comments.
>
> We are in the final development phase of the transceiver and are planning
> to start a KickStarter project in about a month to put the transceiver into
> production.
>
> To give you an idea of the technology used in the transceiver the RF front
> end device is a PGA-103+ low noise amplifier with a LTC5584 as a mixer. The
> PA stage uses the new BLP10H610 device from NXP. This NXP device is due to
> be released this month so it should be available when we are ready to start
> production.
>
> The transceiver will work at 222 and 902/903 MHz for U.S. customers. Our
> intention is to supply different firmware and filter options depending on
> the customers location. For example the E.U., U.S, and Japan have different
> frequency specifications for imported amateur radio equipment. For in-house
> testing and any potential military customers we do have wideband firmware
> but I wouldn't like to release that firmware for general use for obvious
> reasons.
>
> The approach we have taken with our existing SDR receivers is to try to
> design them so that they can use as many SDR programs as possible. The
> Sentry transceiver is somewhat different in that it doesn't divide the LO
> frequency by 4 to generate the 90 degree phase shift for the IQ LO
> injection. Programs will have to use the direct LO frequency without
> division. So far HDSDR and Quisk are the only programs I know of so far
> that will operate directly with the Sentry transceiver on both transmit and
> receive. SDR Radio and SDR Sharp work OK on receive. I'm in regular contact
> with most of the SDR software authors as I try to help them to add support
> for our products so I'll be in contact with them before launch to ask if
> they can add support for the Sentry transceiver.
>
> Regarding the question about bandwidth the internal sound card has a 48
> kHz sampling rate so the span bandwidth is limited to 48 kHz, The
> transceiver will have a IQ output to drive external sound cards up to 192
> kHz. The transceiver is designed as a near zero IF (typically 100 Hz to
> avoid the AM and FM carrier appearing at DC). This helps prevent hams
> unintentionally transmitting out of band. The transmitter IQ chain is
> filtered with a 8.5 kHz filter to reduce the wideband noise that can be
> transmitted along with the wanted signal. We realize that many users will
> want to drive external high power amplifiers and transverters.
>
> Recently I've been testing one of the the prototype transceivers during
> the weekly Tuesday night 4, 6, 2 and 70cm contests run by the RSGB. My
> local club (Bolton Wireless Club) have around 25 members who take part in
> the contest and as they are line of sight with my station it's a tough test
> of any receiver or transmitter during the contest. The latest tests have
> even included using unmatched antennas such as a HF dipole as a VHF antenna
> to see how the RF filtering worked in extreme mismatch conditions. A lot of
> the development time over the last two years has been dedicated to ensuring
> that the receiver is as good as we can make it and that the transmitter is
> clean with regard to wideband noise. All these on-air tests confirmed what
> had already been proved in the lab tests and proved that the design is good
> and now ready for production.
>
> The original YouTube video and the photographs on the web page show an
> early prototype. The production version will have a different case more
> suited to fitting underneath a laptop PC. We are planning to add a new
> video showing a working prototype in action in a week or two.
>
> Thanks for your kind comments about the plan for a KickStarter project.
> I'll update the web page and the CCW Yahoo group forum with regular
> progress reports.
>
> Regards,
>
> Chris, G4HYG
>
> ==========================================================================
>
>
> --
> --
> 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 AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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
>
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 20:49:17 -0600
From: Robert Bruninga <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>
To: amsat bb <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>, Robert Bruninga <bruninga@xxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] LEO Flight Opportunity NOW?
Message-ID:
<CALdCfNLGi-bi2jkvKDCg9=30PoW6N6PuVzj9pcRdhzSGaH-KiA@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
If you can make a flight ready amateur payload with some kind of
educational association in the next 3 months, there is a ride. You get a
temperature controlled 0-60C flat plate about 4" by 7" and 28v power on the
outside of a large free-flyer. The bad news is that the mission is low LEO
so maybe only a life time of 3 or 4 months.
Riding back from the smallsat conference to the airport in the shuttle one
of the passengers asked If I wanted to fly an APRS payload. I said sure.
THen he said "do you know anyone else too?" Need to involve "students" is
important...
I apologize that I dont have any of your prior emails (Im transiting
airports for the next 14 hours and wont have access to old emails for 2
more days, but didnt want to wast any time. I hate to spin people up like
this, and it may take a week for me to get official details, and it may
only be a pipe dream, but thought I would share it.
Your box will be attached to their plate, and your other side is exposed to
space. They will provide another 28v to burn any release mechanisims for
your antennas. Assume one edge of your box can be close to a spacecraft
edge so your antenna can come out and hang over an edge. Or your box can
be a few inches high and can deploy its antenna "up" from the plate and
then you have more mounting options. Whether you are on the top, bottom,
or side of the mother ship is still open. Spacecraft is well powered and 3
axis stabilized.
Serious builders with space experience ONLY. I gotta not only build mine,
but also finish two others and should not be wasting time with emails.
AND you have to have your IARU frequency coordination and FCC paperwork
done too.
But power, a platform, an attitude, some temperature control, quick
attachment, and a ride are hard to pass up.
Bob, WB4APR
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 23:35:08 -0400
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx>
To: "amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxxx <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-73 at 03:20Z
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOpLjqQZC02eXrZxv-zkw6x90iTbkr-gccZWwppSnFETuQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Great to hear and work AA5PK, AC0RA, and CO6CBF on that pass. A couple
of CW stations and one or two stations who couldn't find themselves
were also heard in the passband.
Nice to hear the transponder alive with signals on these late evening passes.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 7:09 PM, Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@xxxx.xxx> wrote:
> Good evening,
>
> I will be on the 03:20Z AO-73 pass that covers much of North America
> this evening. Last night was fun! Hope to hear a few people on the
> satellite.
>
> I will call CQ at around 145.965 MHz.
>
> The satellite will enter sunlight at 03:27:45 and the transponder will
> shut off.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
> Washington, DC
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 9, Issue 274
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