[amsat-bb] Expectations...

[Kelley]

Hi Henk,

Thanks for sharing some of your experiences, very helpful. I'm not 
purposely doing APRS, just packet. Although it was a lot of fun to 
build, I think my turnstile antenna is not sufficient to allow the 3 or 
more digi's I would need to make an "official" contact. The bird is 
busier than I thought it was.

I decode about 5 or 6 stations per pass, I hear many many more that 
don't decode. Many of the signals seem strong enough, but no decode. I'm 
using a KPC-3+, perhaps the newer software/soundcard based systems are 
better at decoding.

Kelley - WØRK

On 1/3/2015 3:01 PM, PA3GUO wrote:
> Hi Kelly,
>
> Regarding APRS via the ISS;
>
> A busy channel ...
> When I use 100W into my 2x6 elements antenna (with doppler correction) I can always get over the ISS APRS station.
> When lowering to 5W I get a problem, likely due to many many stations in Europe all transmitting at the same time.
> Note: I don't run often with 100W, in fact I rarely use APRS at all.
>
> So, it's a busy channel, see also here: http://www.ariss.net/index2.cgi
> 00:00:57:07 : WB3FKP]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,KB3KBR-15::K8OE :35F here in Alden , PA - UR 599 today via ISS !
> 00:00:57:10 : W3MAT]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,KB3KBR-15::WB3FKP :QSL Good Copy
> 00:00:57:12 : WB3FKP]CQ,RS0ISS*,qAR,KB3KBR-15::Heard :K0HCV-9,NX9G,WB8JAY,W3MAT,K8OE,KB1CHU
> That is 3 transmissions in 5 seconds (up and downlink means 6 transmissions in 5 seconds I believe).
> But it does show the satellite (ISS) hears MANY stations at the same time.
> Watch the footprint, pick your time, eg when it is over a more quiet area but still in range for you.
>
> Antennas:
> The ISS turns and its construction sometimes blocks/shield the antenna's.
> You can see that during school contacts, when APRS and Voice run simultanious:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfNM3bzRW_E
> Signal strengths varies independently on the 2 stations (watch the waterfall).
> In fact I believe that compared to ~8 years ago, the fading due to the ISS construction itself has increased enormous.
>
> A lot of fun though!
> Even if nobody responds, if you hear your packet re-transmitted by ISS, you 'have been in space' already !!
>
> Success & have fun!
> Henk, PA3GUO
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