[amsat-bb] Re: APRS beaconing on the ISS no luck....

[Alexander Sack]

On Sun, May 15, 2011 at 12:39 PM, JoAnne Maenpaa <k9jkm at comcast.net> wrote:
> Hello Alexander,
>
>> I have set my PATH to Others/ARISS.  I see some have used
>> ARISS,WIDEN-n
>
> I just set UNPROTO CQ VIA ARISS. I've heard that the 'CQ' makes no
> difference; it works with or without the CQ.

I am a bit confused.  What's the difference between:

"ARISS" vs "UNPROTO VIA ARISS"

Should they not both work?

>> My beacon is set again to TX 30 seconds AUTO.
>
> When you beacon at a fixed interval it likely does not take into account
> whether the frequency is clear. You may or may not be colliding with the
> dozens of other users blasting a UI packet upward. Since its an FM channel
> the strongest signal arriving at the ISS captures their receiver. If you fit
> in between the other packets 5 watts usually gets through nicely.

It seems having an open squelch may cause the TNC to not transmit
because it things the line is busy.

> When I run with a hardware TNC I use CONVERS mode. I have a summary of the
> hardware TNC commands at:
> http://home.comcast.net/~k9jkm/ARISS_Packet_How_To/ ... but not sure how
> those map into your HT's setup.

Thank you very much.  Question, it seems you are explicitly doing
packet radio and not APRS (a derivative).

> I also use AGWPE and UISS. The VIA [path] is selectable from a pulldown menu
> from which I select ARISS.

I think when I select PATH, I am to put in a string, I would assume
ARISS and the my TNC will add the "VIA" part correct?

(which would answer my question above)

>> Also, to send a message via the ISS what is the address?
>
> The ISS PBBS is RS0ISS-11. This requires a "hard connect" which is not
> recommended because over populated areas you will never to able to complete
> the QSO with all the other competing UI packets out there. RSOISS-11 is
> single user and when connected the full AX.25 protocol kicks in with the
> acks and retries, etc. We see ISS go over the horizon faithfully executing
> channel protocol and you will have not have been able to upload your
> greetings. Stations over the horizon will see the AX.25 disconnect message
> as it times out from your CONNECT request.

Again this is for full blown packet radio?   I am just trying to use
the APRS messaging service.

> The crew is rarely at the keyboard so UI digipeating is your most likely
> path to success.

Right, got it.

>> Stations in less populated parts of the world connect to the RS0ISS-11 PBBS.
> It does not seem to work too well over the USA from my experience.
>
>> I have been using RS0ISS-4 based on packets received.
>
> VIA ARISS translates into RS0ISS-4 or RS0ISS-3 depending on the setup aboard
> the ISS.
>
> For the RF side I run 5 watts into a 3-element 2 meter beam. The beam is
> fixed elevation around 20 degrees and turns on a TV rotor I got on ebay for
> $9.

Alright, so I again should address the message to 'ARISS' and not an
explicit ISS address?

73

-aps