[amsat-bb] Re: Efficient Planning of the FT-847 Memory Registers

[Alan]

Kevin, Gary and the Group...

Programming SAT Memories still has some advantages.  I have programmed my
FT-847 Sat Memories even though I have yet to needed them in a real world
application.  Even without a computer, TrakBox, Nova, SatPC32 or whatever I
can quickly tune the FM frequency pair or mid band SSB pair of the sats I
use and have the 847 momentarily show the Alphanumeric name of the sat in
the second VFO.  The sub-tune tweaks the split so I can hear myself.  I
decided to do that for last year's July field day and an June ARISS pass
incase I had a failure on the control side.  I could have used the 847, an
Arrow and my PDA with PocketSat+ and run any pass during Field Day. 

I started all this programming of memories last when we did an ARISS pass
for a group of students at a Space Camp when my FT-847 was the backup radio
and we wanted to be sure that we could complete the pass in the event of a
total failure or the main radio, computers etc.

 http://www.msig.ca/camp-2007.html

Similarly on the non-SAT memories I have programmed ISS and NO-44 in
addition to the usual repeaters with 5 sets of frequency pairs each to do
doppler for packet, aprs or voice. 

Google FTBasicMNO for programming non-sat memories - it makes it less of a
chore.

Google PocketSat+  - freeware and registered versions available.  

But that's just the EMCOMM bias in me :-)



-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Gary Schuchardt
Sent: March 4, 2008 8:54 AM
To: Kevin J. Smith
Cc: AMSAT-BB at amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Efficient Planning of the FT-847 Memory Registers

Kevin,

Thank you very much.  As a newbee, my question ignored the fact that I
already had the SatPC32, Nova and CAT that I purchased.  I was complicating
the whole process by trying to use the rig's memory registers.  The programs
already have the capability to track the operational satellite frequencies. 
Basically, they are scanning a group of frequencies.  I have identified what
I understand to be the most active (operational) satellites to track using
Nova instead of the rig's memory registers. Oscar 59, 56, 52, 51, 50, 32, 27
16, 7, ARISS and Radio-Sputnik 15 are on my list and programmed into NOVA. 
I am checking to insure that the uplink / downlink frequencies for the
different modes are correctly configured into the program.  As I understand,
these satellites have either operational or semi-operational communication
capabilities. 

Thank you very much for the response and information.  

Gary
N0EZH

-------Original Message-------
 
From: Kevin J. Smith
Date: 3/2/2008 7:18:04 PM
To: 'Gary Schuchardt'
Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Efficient Planning of the FT-847 Memory Registers
 
Gary,
 
I have a station that is very similar to yours except that I use a different
rotor controller and SatPC32.  I used to program the satellite memory
registers but after using SatPC32 I found little use for them.  I think you
will find the same thing with using Nova.  The program stores all the
pertinent information for each satellite and when you choose a particular
satellite on the computer, your radio is automatically set up by the
computer for that satellite.  The program does not need your satellite
memory registers or care that you have them programmed.
 
Also I found little need to scan my satellite memory registers because the
satellite program tells you what satellites are coming and when.  SatPC32
and I am sure Nova will also, alert you when a satellite is coming into
view.  You may have other ideas about programming your memories that I am
not aware of.  Good luck and I hope to have a QSO with you soon.
 
Kevin/N3HKQ
 
-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Gary Schuchardt
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 4:32 PM
To: AMSAT-BB at amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Efficient Planning of the FT-847 Memory Registers
 
Hi
 
I am new at satellite communications.  I have the Yaesu FT-847 rig, the
G-5500 EL/AZ rotator and the EA4TX RCI-SE rotator controller interface and
NOVA tracking program.  I am using the MixW logging program.  My antennas
are mostly M2 for satellite communications, including the 436CP30 and 2MCP14
beams, and eggbeaters. The G-5500 EL/AZ has been arranged to also turn the
MQ-36SR HF six band beam in the same direction as the M2 beams. It works
great.
 
I am sure that there are several AMSAT members that have similar equipment
and especially using the FT-847 rig. The rig has 78 general purpose memory
channels and 12 satellite memory registers.  Am I correct in stating that
the rig's general purpose channels are not really good for satellite
purposes and that I am limited to the 12 satellite memory registers?
Scanning could be very helpful too.
 
I am looking for the best way to program satellite frequencies into the rig
for efficient and effective use of it's capabilities. If you have a listing
showing how you arranged the frequencies, I would appreciate your sharing
this information with me.  There must be some time saving involved in
preplanning the satellites into the rig.
 
Thank you.
 
Gary
N0EZH
Chesapeake VA USA
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