[amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 10, Issue 67

Fri Feb 20 14:02:30 UTC 2015

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Sent: Friday, February 20, 2015 6:00 AM
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Subject: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 10, Issue 67

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Software ? (Howie DeFelice)
   2. Re: Software ? (Pedro Converso)
   3. SSTV Images from ISS This Weekend (Clint Bradford)
   4. Heads up East Coast: Thursday at 1818 UTC ARISS School
      Contact on 145.800 (JoAnne Maenpaa)
   5. AMSAT-NA Fundraising (Clint Bradford)
   6. AMSAT Journal (Frank Bauer)
   7. TH-F6A (Lee Ernstrom)
   8. Re: TH-F6A (Ronald Nutter)
   9. Re: Software ? (PA3GUO)
  10. Re: Software ? (PA3GUO)
  11. Re: SSTV Images from ISS This Weekend (Kenneth Ransom)
  12. Re: TH-F6A (Joseph Armbruster)
  13. Kenwood TH-F6a (Clint Bradford)
  14. Re: Kenwood TH-F6a (John Geiger)
  15. Re: Kenwood TH-F6a (Clint Bradford)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:09:19 -0500
From: Howie DeFelice <howied231 at hotmail.com>
To: PA3GUO <pa3guo at upcmail.nl>, "amsat-bb at amsat.org"
	<amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Software ?
Message-ID: <BLU169-W127A358500BEA2CD385AEACE72C0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi Henk,

The "easy" answer is to buy an LVB tracker board but I completely understand
wanting to use the hardware you put so much time and effort into building
from scratch. I have done a little work with Python, which is completely
cross platform, and think it would be a natural for doing the translation
you need.  One possibility would to  have SatPC send the pointing info in
"easycom" format to a virtual serial port that the Python program reads and
translates then sends it out a "real" serial port to the rotor interface. As
a non-programmer, that would "'my" path of least resistance. 

- Howie, AB2S

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:59:58 -0300
From: Pedro Converso <pconver at gmail.com>
To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Software ?
Message-ID:
	<CANTZqKmC1B-HPF9OF9Yaq40Nns__RO4SGdziPPu_Gis=AoOPLg at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hello Henk,

I program in Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition, although not an expert on
it.

I have VB installed and run on an old Window-XP, it works and compiles
flawlesly.

I have made a satellite tracking application that doesn't use DDE, it speaks
directly to com ports either legacy or also on bluetooth com ports.

I am trying to learn android to port this to an app usable on
cellphones/tablets.

This aplication can be downloaded and/or executed from
http://amsat.org.ar/Satrack.htm .

For your needs, perhaps you can use as guidance the CX6DD development
sources in visual basic 2005 of WISPDDE available at
http://www.mederoscnc.com/CX6DD/wispdde/wispdde.htm .

If you care to tell me the protocol of your rotor controller, I can add a
selection to Satrack to support it.

If I can be of any help please tell me.

Best 73 from Buenos Aires,
lu7abf, Pedro Converso
pconver at gmail.com
lu7abf at amsat.org.ar

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 07:41:59 -0800
From: Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at AMSAT.Org>
Subject: [amsat-bb] SSTV Images from ISS This Weekend
Message-ID: <9D637C68-53A7-4899-BAAB-7EC764732FE6 at mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

A reminder - this exciting project is expected to begin at 1000 UT on
Saturday, February 21 until 2130 UT on Monday, February 23.

Details at the site below ... You CAN download these graphic files with
equipment as simple as a handheld radio with antenna improvement, and an iOS
app/device!

http://amsat-uk.org/2015/02/11/more-iss-slow-scan-tv/

Clint K6LCS

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 10:08:31 -0600
From: "JoAnne Maenpaa" <k9jkm at comcast.net>
To: "'AMSAT-BB'" <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Heads up East Coast: Thursday at 1818 UTC ARISS
	School	Contact on 145.800
Message-ID: <003501d04c5e$4e26b220$ea741660$@net>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

An International Space Station school contact has been planned with
participants at Council Rock High School-South, Holland, PA on 19 Feb. The
event is scheduled to begin at approximately 18:18 UTC. The duration of the
contact is approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The contact will be
direct between NA1SS and K3DN. The contact should be audible over the
eastern U.S and adjacent areas. Interested parties are invited to listen in
on the 145.80 MHz downlink. The contact is expected to be conducted in
English.

--
73 de JoAnne K9JKM
k9jkm at amsat.org
AMSAT VP User Services

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 08:37:54 -0800
From: Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at AMSAT.Org>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT-NA Fundraising
Message-ID: <F18E622B-CBA3-46C0-BD18-24185821F500 at mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I still have two plate blocks of Apollo-Soyuz commemorative stamps from last
year's fundraising effort.

Photos of them are here:

http://www.work-sat.com/Work-Sat/FUNDRAISING.html

The next two folks who contribute $20 OR MORE to AMSAT-NA, and have AMSAT-NA
notify me via email with their names and mailing address, will receive this
gift!

Offer expires midnight PST on Monday, February 23.

Clint K6LCS

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:57:28 -0500
From: "Frank Bauer" <ka3hdo at verizon.net>
To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Journal
Message-ID: <004801d04c7e$4d8b4ef0$e8a1ecd0$@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="US-ASCII"

All,

I received my AMSAT Journal today.  

Those who are not AMSAT members, you are missing out on a treasure trove of
information and outstanding pictures.  This month's Journal alone is worth a
year's membership.  And I know she has more outstanding journals coming.

Thanks to JoAnne and the team on a phenomenal journal!!

73,  Frank Bauer, KA3HDO

------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:11:36 -0700
From: Lee Ernstrom <lee.ernstrom at rcwilley.com>
To: "amsat-bb at amsat.org" <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: [amsat-bb] TH-F6A
Message-ID: <A3F7E59A-1305-4FD7-82B7-88495822797E at rcwilley.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=us-ascii

GA satellite goo-roos.  Today I was scanning the HRO catalogue looking for
an inexpensive solution to full duplex contacts for the linear birds and I
ran across the Kenwood TH-F6A hand held 144, 222, and 450 MHZ FM with SSB
option on receive only.  That sounds to me like a great fairly inexpensive
solution.  

Has anyone tried one of these yet for satellite work?  

And I'm wondering if there would be a de-sense problem if used on receive
with a 20 watt transmitter on a different band close to it?

WA7HQD
Lee (Doc) Ernstrom
Syracuse, Ut DN-31xb

Sent from my iPad

------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 14:27:27 -0600
From: Ronald Nutter <ron.nutter at networkref.com>
To: Lee Ernstrom <lee.ernstrom at rcwilley.com>
Cc: "amsat-bb at amsat.org" <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] TH-F6A
Message-ID:
	<CAEptLKrgALs0iFqZSDUO10OGxmVdXJhSa8GQB+exkxhfxEy7mQ at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I have used this one for many years.  As long as there is some antenna
separation, I wouldnt expect much if any desense.

Ron

On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 2:11 PM, Lee Ernstrom <lee.ernstrom at rcwilley.com>
wrote:

> GA satellite goo-roos.  Today I was scanning the HRO catalogue looking for
> an inexpensive solution to full duplex contacts for the linear birds and I
> ran across the Kenwood TH-F6A hand held 144, 222, and 450 MHZ FM with SSB
> option on receive only.  That sounds to me like a great fairly inexpensive
> solution.
>
> Has anyone tried one of these yet for satellite work?
>
> And I'm wondering if there would be a de-sense problem if used on receive
> with a 20 watt transmitter on a different band close to it?
>
> WA7HQD
> Lee (Doc) Ernstrom
> Syracuse, Ut DN-31xb
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>

------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:28:57 +0100
From: "PA3GUO" <pa3guo at upcmail.nl>
To: "'Dan Cross'" <crossd at gmail.com>
Cc: amsat-bb at amsat.org, PA3GUO <pa3guo at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Software ?
Message-ID: <000601d04c82$b0400730$10c01590$@upcmail.nl>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="utf-8"

Hi Dan,

Thanks, I didn?t know about freepascal yet ? good to learn each day !

Henk

Van: Dan Cross [mailto:crossd at gmail.com] 
Verzonden: donderdag 19 februari 2015 03:39
Aan: PA3GUO
CC: amsat-bb at amsat.org
Onderwerp: Re: [amsat-bb] Software ?

Step 1: Install Linux.  Just kidding!  (Kinda.)  I'm only (half) joking.

But seriously...I do think there's a solution to your problem: you said
there was example code using Delphi? I agree that that's more or less on the
wane (to put it mildly), but there does exist a free Pascal compiler that
implements most of the functionality, without tying you to a specific
vendor.  Check out http://www.freepascal.org; it may just do what you need
it to do.

On Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 2:49 PM, PA3GUO <pa3guo at upcmail.nl> wrote:

Last December I got myself a new PC, with the ambition to upgrade all old HW
& SW to the latest standards. Currently the OS is Windows 8.1, and I am
planning to switch (for free) to Windows 10 by the end of this year.

Almost all software is migrated from the old PCs to the new computer - it
all went smooth (and runs faster now). Almost all: I still have on an old
Windows2000 PC the software running that controls my antennas. This software
is all Pascal, and under Windows2000 you could still directly write to
serial ports. That changed as of Windows XP.

In the new setup SATPC32 is the central software for satellite tracking
(position & doppler). Kenwood TS2000 as well as eg SDR# are connected just
fine.
So? the only thing to be done is hooking up SATPC32 to my rotor controller
(http://pa3guo.com/zb_rtr_ctrl.html).

Of course my rotor controller doesnt talk any of the standard interface
protocols, so I cannot use the default set of outputs of SATPC32. Basically
I just need to read from the SATPC32 DDE the string that includes the
azimuth & etc, do a minor edit to it and send it to a USB COM port.
Fortunately SATPC32 comes with example code for this (Delfi and VB).
Unfortunately, Delfi (replaces Pascal) is an outdated standard, and so I
opted for the VB example.

Now, the Visual Basic IDE doesn't really exist anymore. Microsoft has now
Visual Studio Express, which is impressive btw. Issue though is, the
included SATPC32 VB examples use DDE constructs that were supported in the
VB IDE , but are not in Visual Studio anymore. So what I *could* do is hack
the VB example to make it work in Visual Studio, but it seems not that
straightforward. To add to this: SDR# is C# and talks to SATPC32's DDE. So
C# must be DDE capable, but I haven?t seen simple example code for that
either.

In short: I just need to read from the DDE , do a minor processing on the
string (kind of convert degrees into integer + offset) and send the result
to a com port.

How would you do this ?
Do you program in C# or Visual Basic ?
In case of Visual Basic, do you use Visual Studio Express ?

Thanks,
Henk - PA3GUO

_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:35:24 +0100
From: "PA3GUO" <pa3guo at upcmail.nl>
To: "'Howie DeFelice'" <howied231 at hotmail.com>,	<amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Cc: PA3GUO <pa3guo at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Software ?
Message-ID: <000d01d04c83$971002a0$c53007e0$@upcmail.nl>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Hi Howie,

That may indeed be the simplest (and therefore best) solution (redirecting &
modifying the the easycom format).

And yes, either Visual Basic or C# or Python could do that. Like you I have
positive experiences with Python (using scripts for RAX, MCUBED and now
GRIFEX from MXL).

Certainly a very useful suggestion!

Thanks!

Henk

Van: Howie DeFelice [mailto:howied231 at hotmail.com] 
Verzonden: woensdag 18 februari 2015 23:09
Aan: PA3GUO; amsat-bb at amsat.org
Onderwerp: RE: [amsat-bb] Software ?

Hi Henk,

The "easy" answer is to buy an LVB tracker board but I completely understand
wanting to use the hardware you put so much time and effort into building
from scratch. I have done a little work with Python, which is completely
cross platform, and think it would be a natural for doing the translation
you need.  One possibility would to  have SatPC send the pointing info in
"easycom" format to a virtual serial port that the Python program reads and
translates then sends it out a "real" serial port to the rotor interface. As
a non-programmer, that would "'my" path of least resistance. 

- Howie, AB2S

------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 15:19:59 -0600
From: Kenneth Ransom <n5vho.ken at gmail.com>
To: Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com>
Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SSTV Images from ISS This Weekend
Message-ID:
	<CAB5cSv=j3gC+QDeh65HKvcm652QYWL1Qi0hekdMttSo6TOaP7g at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Looks like the SSTV activity will have to wait a bit. The planned EVA has
been delayed one day and the amateur radios are required to be powered down
during EVA activity. More info on the EVA at
https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2015/02/19/first-of-three-spacewalks-now
-set-for-saturday/

On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 9:41 AM, Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com>
wrote:

> A reminder - this exciting project is expected to begin at 1000 UT on
> Saturday,
> February 21 until 2130 UT on Monday, February 23.
>
> Details at the site below ... You CAN download these graphic files with
> equipment
> as simple as a handheld radio with antenna improvement, and an iOS
> app/device!
>
> http://amsat-uk.org/2015/02/11/more-iss-slow-scan-tv/
>
> Clint K6LCS
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>

-- 
Kenneth - N5VHO

------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:15:43 -0500
From: Joseph Armbruster <josepharmbruster at gmail.com>
To: Lee Ernstrom <lee.ernstrom at rcwilley.com>
Cc: "amsat-bb at amsat.org" <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] TH-F6A
Message-ID:
	<CADkz4c9c0UH_=DxEfxAGfhpTGutbV+4pg1-RQt6AkM9qWDOe1Q at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Lee,

I have one and use it almost daily.  It is a great little handheld,
however it is not full duplex, meaning you can not simultaneously
transmit and receive.  When you key up and transmit, the receiver cuts
out.  To simultaneously transmit and receive you will need an
additional rig.

Joe

On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 3:11 PM, Lee Ernstrom <lee.ernstrom at rcwilley.com>
wrote:
> GA satellite goo-roos.  Today I was scanning the HRO catalogue looking for
an inexpensive solution to full duplex contacts for the linear birds and I
ran across the Kenwood TH-F6A hand held 144, 222, and 450 MHZ FM with SSB
option on receive only.  That sounds to me like a great fairly inexpensive
solution.
>
> Has anyone tried one of these yet for satellite work?
>
> And I'm wondering if there would be a de-sense problem if used on receive
with a 20 watt transmitter on a different band close to it?
>
> WA7HQD
> Lee (Doc) Ernstrom
> Syracuse, Ut DN-31xb
>
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

------------------------------

Message: 13
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:09:37 -0800
From: Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at AMSAT.Org>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6a
Message-ID: <1D38E1F4-34EA-4DC8-9177-195C3C393843 at mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The TH-F6a is *not* a true full-duplex radio. You can not hear anything on
the other band when 
you key the mic ...

The only currently available HT that does U/V and V/U sat modes well is the
Kenwood TH-D72a, 
at about $450.

SO ... Many are simply purchasing two "traditional" HTs to accomplish true,
full-duplex satellite work.

I like the Yaesu FT-60R. Two of them plus an Arrow 146/437-10WBP antenna
cost the same 
amount as that Kenwood 'D72a!

Clint K6LCS
http://www.work-sat.com

------------------------------

Message: 14
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 23:38:32 -0600
From: John Geiger <af5cc at fidmail.com>
To: Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com>
Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6a
Message-ID:
	<CAHZ3kP8yhYENyyxnv+_0Ai+U5fqi0tpvhTMx5pWrtwY40r7N-g at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I got the impression from the original posting that he wanted to use the
F6A on receive only, and would be using a different radio for the transmit
side.

73 John AF5CC

On Thu, Feb 19, 2015 at 11:09 PM, Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com>
wrote:

> The TH-F6a is *not* a true full-duplex radio. You can not hear anything on
> the other band when
> you key the mic ...
>
> The only currently available HT that does U/V and V/U sat modes well is
> the Kenwood TH-D72a,
> at about $450.
>
> SO ... Many are simply purchasing two "traditional" HTs to accomplish
> true, full-duplex satellite work.
>
> I like the Yaesu FT-60R. Two of them plus an Arrow 146/437-10WBP antenna
> cost the same
> amount as that Kenwood 'D72a!
>
> Clint K6LCS
> http://www.work-sat.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>

------------------------------

Message: 15
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2015 21:39:49 -0800
From: Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com>
To: John Geiger <af5cc at fidmail.com>
Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6a
Message-ID: <F8C98152-8E91-4114-8226-70A7A52A266F at mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Ooops - if so, I mis-read the original post ...

Clint

On Feb 19, 2015, at 9:38 PM, John Geiger wrote:

I got the impression from the original posting that he wanted to use the F6A
on receive only ...

------------------------------

_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb at amsat.org.
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 member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 10, Issue 67
****************************************