Amateur Satellites
By
Terry Douds, WB8CKI
Hello
everyone -hope your summer is going well. At the time of this writing, we are
still anxiously awaiting news concerning a ride for the Phase 3D Satellite.
Negotiations are still ongoing with the European Space Agency, and everyone
hopes that good news will be heard soon. However, there is still a great deal
of activity continuing with other satellites both in the air and yet to go up.
I'll take this month to cover some of these activities.
The
Techsat team has just confirmed that the tentative launch date for the
TechSat-1b is currently set to launch 23-24 June. The launch will take place in
Kazakhstan. A telemetry decode program with more info will follow shortly.
For
those who don't remember TechSat, it is a communication satellite being
constructed by an academic group of scientists and students at the Technion
University in Haifa, Israel, and it will feature a packet store-and-forward
mailbox operating at 9600 baud. Visit the TechSat web page at www.technion.ac.il/pub/projects/techsat.
TechSat-1a
was destroyed during launch in 1997. TechSat-1b is a replacement for it. Just
as a reminder, the TechSat-1b will be very similar to the TechSat-1a in the
communications modes. It will use 9600 Baud FSK (like UO-22/KO-23/KO-25) and
have VHF/L-band up-links, with the down-links in the UHF band. So if you have a
9600 baud setup operational, you should have no problems working TechSat-1b.
If
you have been looking for an "Elmer" to help you with a satellite
project, or have questions about anything having to do with satellite
operation, get yourself a copy of the March/April 98 issue of the AMSAT
Journal. It gives a complete list of the AMSAT Area Coordinators throughout the
U.S. and Canada, and for four countries outside of North America.
The
list gives names, calls, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses for all
of these volunteers. If you need a hand, please consider giving one of them a
call.
How
do you get a copy of the Journal? Join AMSAT. Drop a note to [email protected], or call the office at
301/589-6062 (FAX 301/608-3410). She will give you the information you might
want concerning membership. If you have no Internet access or a telephone, send
her a letter at AMSAT, 850 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910-4703.
John
Melton, N6LYT/G&hibar;ORX, has announced the preliminary release of his
Java Satellite Ground Station Software at www.qsl.net/n6lyt.
This software implements a fully automated Digital Store and Forward Satellite
Ground Station. It includes:
KISS Protocols
AX25 Protocols
Pacsat Broadcast and File Transfer Protocols Message Composer
Message Viewer
Orbit Propogation
Satellite Scheduling
Radio Control
Rotor Control
The
software has been successfully run on Windows/95, Linux, and Solaris.
John
has been successfully using the software over the last few months with minimal
problems, but he states that there is still work that needs to be done. The
documentation, for example, is not yet complete, but there should be enough
there to allow you to get started. Further documentation for developers is
under construction.
John
is interested in receiving email messages from anyone who decides to download
and run his software. John may be reached at: [email protected].
He is also interested in hearing from individuals who would like to aid in the development
of his Java Satellite Ground Station Software.
For
those of you with Internet access, a very interesting development has occurred
thanks to Bob Bruninga, WB4APR. Many of you are aware of the fact that Bob is
"Mr. APRS", and has been working tirelessly on new applications for
the APRS (Amateur Packet Reporting System). He has worked with many different
people to develop software which would run on most PC Systems currently
available. He has been working on establishing a network of linked ground
stations to show the activities on the digital Amateur satellites The following
is the progress on the MIR sites:
Maryland
USA on line full time
Madrid Spain on line full time
Mexico City in work
Texas USA in work
Chicago USA in work
Argentina in work
South Africa in work
Hawaii ?
Taiwan ?
California ?
Australia ?
He
is still trying to find links from Japan and many other areas.
To
see the live combined TNC data stream, TELNET to 199.227.86.221 port 10001,
DURING any pass over Maryland or Madrid. To see the daily captured PASS files
over Maryland BROWSE to: http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/mirex.html
The
South Texas Balloon Team is working on launching BLT-13 on 18 August 1998. It
will include a packet digipeater with 70cm up and downlinks, a Mode A
transponder, and a 1.2 GHz TV transmitter with various sources available for
video telemetry readings. They hope to place the balloon up approximately
100,000 feet, so those of you in the south will probably be able to receive
something from this experiment.
For
those of you considering applying for the W4AMI Achievement Award, the address
for submission has changed again. You should now send the data to AMSAT at the
address listed earlier in the article.
If
you have Internet access, don't forget that the Houston AMSAT net is brought to
you weekly via Real Audio now "live", as well as being online as a
file for two weeks following the net date. The file is now downloadable as well,
so that you can listen offline when you want to. In fact, I'm listening to last
weeks net while I finish typing this column!
It's
a wonderful way to keep up with the current happenings in the satellite world,
and it is brought to you by Andy MacAllister, W5ACM, and Bruce Paige, KK5DO.
Give it a listen - you'll get hooked!
The
13th AMSAT-UK Colloquium will be held at Surrey University, Guildford, Surrey,
United Kingdom, starting Friday, 31 July 1998, and ending on Sunday, 02 August.
This
year's event will include technical and operational matters as well as an
International Amateur Radio Union forum.
If
you have the opportunity to attend and would like more information, please
contact R. W. Limebear G3RWL, 60 Willow Road, Enfield EN1 3NQ, United Kingdom,
or contact him electronically via the following routes: Internet e-mail - [email protected] ; Packet Radio -
G3RWL@GB7HSN.#32.GBR.EU; Satellite AO16/19/22/23/25.
ICOM
is currently touring around the country in a motorhome promoting their new
radio gear, which includes their satellite radios. They will be at Dayton in
the parking lot (where I will be next week at the time of this writing), and
are traveling around the U.S. to various stores and hamfests. If you would like
information concerning their schedule, or are involved with a hamfest and would
like them to stop by if possible, contact Pat or Ronnie at ICOM at (425)
454-8155.
My
space is quickly running out for this month. Stay tuned to the AMSAT News
Service bulletins on the AMSAT Web Site (www.amsat.org)
for current information concerning any upcoming launches. Keep your fingers
crossed for some good news concerning a flight for Phase 3D! Keep working the
LEO's and AO-10 (when it's available), and I'll look forward to working you
soon on the birds!
KN
Reprinted
from WorldRadio
Enhancing portable SSTV
By
Del Radant, N6JZE
With
the advent of the Kenwood VC H1, Visual Communicator unit, there's been much
interest in Slow Scan TV. It is now possible to show the NCS of a Public
Service event existing conditions at a portion of an activity where additional
assistance may be needed.
There was recent discussion in the San Diego section about the possibility of supporting the American Red Cross and the California Department of Forestry with some visual records of the extent of any destruction during any emergency.
To prepare for this evolution, several local Amateur Radio operators
purchased the Kenwood VC H1 SlowScan Visual Communicator and the Kenwood THG71A
Dual Band Transceiver.
We demonstrated the capability of these units by showing the various members of our local clubs what was possible using this combination. Some of the pictures were not as clearly defined as we would have liked. So a project was instituted to enhance the picture quality by adding a digital source separate from the reproduction device furnished on the VC H1. By adding a digital source with high pixel capability, we did achieve the desired detail in the pictures. Here's how we accomplished our
Goal of enhancing the video picture.
The
digital source
The major restriction in the choice of a digital camera or
camcorder is that the camera must have a video output jack. This is necessary
for the transfer of the picture to the VC H1, to store it there and, at a later
time, send it to the distant receiving office. Most of the later model
camcorders, have a "video out" capability, so one may view the
picture from the camera on a TV screen.
Again,
the choice of the digital camera, is of one that has a "VIDEO OUT"
port. Most of the better models are so equipped. Digital cameras hold numerous
pictures, while a camcorder normally has only one still frame available from
the recorded tape (a DVD camcorder can provide a number of pictures from the
special DVD tape).
Mount
construction
The
combination of these devices required a supporting device that was able to
accommodate all three items and still be portable and could be mounted on a
tripod. This was accomplished by constructing an aluminum and copper mount to
hold each unit, provide convenient access to the controls, and also offer
application of power from an outside source. I constructed several mounts for
various sizes of cameras and camcorders.
Copper
was chosen for the construction of supports for the Kenwood units because it's
easy to bend and shape for each item. The base support was made from
heat-treated aluminum.
The
copper mounts are made from 22 gauge material. Ordinary tin snips will cut this
material quite easily. (I suggest that a trial form be made of heavy card
stock, fit it around your units and see if it satisfies the needs, then
transfer these dimensions to the copper stock.) The basic dimensions are 5 1/4
X 2 1/4" for the transceiver and 5 1/2 X 2 1/4" for the VC H1 unit.
All
the bending and forming was done using a bench vise with a 3" jaw. A
hand-operated electric drill was used to drill the small mounting holes. A
floor-mounted drill press was used to drill the larger holes for the VC H1 plug
hole in the flat aluminum stock.
The base material used is heat-treated aluminum, specifically chosen for
its rigidity. It can be flat or angle shaped, whichever is most readily
available.
The
dimensions are 2 1/2 X 12". The opening for the cable plug can be made by
drilling four adjacent 1/2" holes in the chosen position and filing away
the excess material. An electric scroll saw with the proper fine tooth blade
may also be used to make this hole.
Some
care must be taken when drilling the hole for the power plug for each unit. A
very small drill be used to place the hole directly over the pin in the unit
(you can see this pin through the small drill hole). Then enlarge it 3/8"
for the power plug.
Adjustments
can be made to accommodate the available camera and transceiver. The mount for
the VC H1 is standard and the hole in the base is required. Sizes of the
support can be adjusted. A single slot to admit the plug to enter from the
bottom causes the transceiver to be raised upward, hence a modification would
be needed in the copper mount construction. The hole for the insertion of the
external power cable must be made for the chosen mounting location of the unit.
The dimensions furnished for the copper stock are for a Kenwood THG71A
unit, and the Kenwood VC H1. Use a file to remove the small molding nibs, on
each side of the Ni-Cad battery case of the Kenwood TH G71A. They prevent the
unit from sliding smoothly into the support.
Other
handy-talkies work as well, but you must make an adapter to plug into your
chosen transceiver to feed the audio and keying circuits. The cable for the
THG71A is furnished in the package of the VC H1, and plugs into the Kenwood
transceiver (it's much easier to use the Kenwood unit).
The
short cable from the video output jack of the camera, to the socket of the VC
H1 is also a home-brew cable. When using the digital camera, the viewing head
piece on the VC H1 is removed, and the cable plug, takes its place. The plugs
and angle adapters are available from RadioShack. Follow the detailed
instructions when constructing this cable. The plugs and adapter are
tipringsleeve (TRS) devices. (Note plug size and type, on plugin lens unit.)
Ordinary audio plugs WILL NOT work, as one uses the tip and the opposite end
uses the ring. The "video out" plug for the camera is also a
tipringsleeve unit.
We
also substituted nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for the furnished
alkaline batteries. RadioShack has these batteries and a spare set is now kept
for the VC H1. When battery operated, it consumes considerable current. The
furnished AC Power pack is rated at 2500 MA @ 6 volts. Charger devices for NiMH
are available.
My
Olympus C3030 Zoom camera uses NiMH batteries also and it too operates on 6
volts. A home brew cable is required for each 6 volt unit, that brings the
current from a double 6 volt gel cell battery. It is charged as a 12 volt unit
but it provides power, as two separate 6 volt power sources. One cable for the
camera, and one for the VC H1.
The
THG71A transceiver has a Ni-Cad battery, and a additional fully charged unit is
on hand. A Kenwood PG 3J power cable may be used if operating near an
automobile, or from a deep cycle battery. With 12 volt power, they transceiver
develops 5+ watts output. (DO NOT use a Kenwood PG 3J cigarette lighter cable,
as a power source for the VC H1, as it requires 6 volt DC power.)
One
of the members uses this setup with a Sony camcorder and an Alinco Dual Band
Transceiver. The picture definition with a high pixel count camera, produces a
much better photo.
Enhance from page 7
Another
member also uses an Olympus C3030 Zoom camera, but chose to keep his camera in
hand, so an appropriate cable was constructed, to reach the tripod mounted VC
H1 and Kenwood transceiver. You can take many pictures, and then transfer up to
ten pictures to the storage in the VC H1 unit for later transmission. This
action frees space for other exposures on the camera's memory chip.
The
cable for the video from the camera to the VC H1 is made from microphone cable.
(Follow the drawing for the correct length and connections, using extreme care
not to fill the internal lugs with excess solder). If the system does not
function correctly try reversing the cable. The end for the VC H1 is using the
RING, and my camera uses the TIP. I color code the VC H1 end with red shrink
tubing.
Follow the
instructions in the booklets that come with each unit. Set up an operation with
your friends and practice in the operation of all the controls. Be ready for
any emergency within your area. You can also take pictures with the digital
camera and, at a later date, display the information at a club or public event.
Software
considerations
There
is a Kenwood program, KCT24S, that permits a remote unit to receive and
transfer your pictures to a computer for processing and printing. Windows 98 is
required to use it.
Additional
accessories are available for many cameras, that permit the transfer of the
snapshots into your own computer for printing out the photographs in color.
Adobe PhotoShop 5.0 LE was furnished with the Olympus Camera. Other photo
processing programs are included within Windows 98, and some programs are
furnished with Hewlett Packard products.
A
cable is furnished with the Olympus C3030 camera package to view the pictures
on the Smart Card in the camera on a color TV. This feature allows you see your
work and allows you to experiment with exposures and additional features to
improve your skills.
It
has been a real pleasure to send photos on any VHF/UHF repeater operation or
any amateur frequency using Slow Scan TV. Join in and share the fun!.
KN
Reprinted from WorldRadio
GRUMMAN AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING – 9/17/03
by Pete, N2PYV
The
meeting was called to order by Pat at 5:43 p.m.
All
present introduced themselves.
Finances
continue to be in good shape.
REPEATER REPORT –
Pat, KE2LJ
Gordon
was absent. Pat stated that he had talked to the NG Facilities Department about
the roof on Plant 14. We had to remove our repeater antenna while contractors
were repairing the roof. The contractor can not work on the roof when there are
cars in the parking lot, so he is limited to working on weekends only. The
weather has not been good enough to work, so the job has been delayed. Gordon
took the duplexers out to be checked in a NG lab.
NET REPORT –
Zack, WB2PUE
There
were not very many checkins on the Thursday evening 2-Meter Net. Zack stated
that if conditions are not good enough to hear other stations on the Sunday
morning 40-Meter Net, Long Island hams will get together on the 2-Meter
Repeater.
VE REPORT –
Bob, W2ILP
There
were three applicants and three VE’s present. Two applicants passed the
Technician exam and one passed the General exams.
WAG REPORT –
Bob, W2FPF
No
Activity
A
video about the Grumman Memorial Park at Calverton was shown.