Author: SM0TGU

Webmaster and member of the AMSAT-SM steering group.

Categories
Operations SDR and software

Guide to AX.25 via OPUSAT-II

OPUSAT-II, or Hirogari satellite, has the possibility to send, store and receive short AX.25 messages. This is a simple guide how to set up a Windows system to send and receive via OPUSAT-II.

  1. Download Soundmodem from http://uz7.ho.ua/packetradio.htm
  2. To be able to key your radio, download ptt-dll.zip from the same page and unzip these files to the same folder as Soundmodem
  3. If you use IC-705, download http://uz7.ho.ua/cat121.zip and replace the CAT.DLL file from ptt-dll.zip
  4. Start Soundmodem and set up the ptt for your radio:
  5. Setup the audio input and output to your radio in Soundmodem under Devices menu.
  6. Download MessageBox software from http://uz7.ho.ua/kissmsg8.zip and unzip
  7. Start MessageBox. It should connect to soundmodem.
  8. When OPUSAT-II is in range, transmit via MessageBox (Send) at 436.500 MHz FM and receive at 145.900 MHz. If you are lucky, your AX.25 is stored in OPUSAT-II:


Categories
Telemetry

Hirogari OPUSATⅡ CW telemetry 2021-10-20

@SSSRC_HIROGARI successful receive of OPUSAT-II CW telemetry. Reported to Hirogari RX report page and diploma downloaded, thank you!

I have used the following hardware and software:

  • RX at aprox 145.900 MHz CW
  • 2 * 6 el RHCP VHF Yagis from Vårgårda
  • AlfaSpid RAS az/el rotor
  • LNA Mini-2 from SHF Elektronik
  • LMR-400 coax
  • Airspy Mini
  • SDR-Console v3 with doppler correction of downlink and satellite tracking, rotor control
  • PstRotator for rotor control interface between SDR-Console and RAS controller
  • VB-Cable: virtual audio cable for piping audio from SDR Console to FlDigi. Set to 96 kHz and 16 bit.
  • FlDigi for CW decoding
Categories
Telemetry

DO-111 DYI-1 RTTY telemetry 2021-10-16

My first RX of DO-111 DYI-1 RTTY telemetry. Note the custom setup for 100 baud RTTY.

I have used the following hardware and software:

  • RX at aprox 437.124 MHz USB
  • 26 el UHF LFA X-Yagi (2* 13 el) from InnovAntennas.
  • AlfaSpid RAS az/el rotor
  • LNA Mini-70 from SHF Elektronik
  • LMR-400 coax
  • Airspy Mini
  • SDR-Console v3 with doppler correction of downlink and satellite tracking, rotor control
  • PstRotator for rotor control interface between SDR-Console and RAS controller
  • VB-Cable: virtual audio cable for piping audio from SDR Console to FlDigi. Set to 96 kHz and 16 bit.
  • FlDigi for RTTY decoding, 100 baud shift 450 7N2 according to image above
Categories
Telemetry

Maya-3 CW telemetry 2021-10-15

#maya3 CW telemetry at 437.375 MHz and decoded with CW Telemetry Decoder. Please join the tracking contest! Read more at:
https://twitter.com/STAMINA4Space/status/1448540683166388224

I have used the following hardware and software:

  • RX at aprox 437.375 MHz CW
  • 26 el UHF LFA X-Yagi (2* 13 el) from InnovAntennas.
  • AlfaSpid RAS az/el rotor
  • LNA Mini-70 from SHF Elektronik
  • LMR-400 coax
  • Airspy Mini
  • SDR-Console v3 with doppler correction of downlink and satellite tracking, rotor control
  • PstRotator for rotor control interface between SDR-Console and RAS controller
  • VB-Cable: virtual audio cable for piping audio from SDR Console to FlDigi. Set to 96 kHz and 16 bit.
  • FlDigi for CW decoding.
  • Maya CW Telemetry Decoder. Can be downloaded at:
    https://t.co/D2yw3AuLPZ?amp=1
Categories
Telemetry

Maya-3 Maya-4 RX after deploy 2021-10-06

RX at 11:14UTC over Stockholm 437.375 MHz. Strong CW signal.

Categories
SDR and software

VFO control for SDR Console Satellite External Radio

In SDR Console v3 it is possible to control an external radio for transmitting (TX) in the satellite mode – this is called External Radio control. To change frequency you can click on the digits in the control window with the mouse pointer or change with the arrow keys, but it is not possible to use any other shortcut keys or VFO knobs.

This solutions adds a AutoHotKey script for remapping and controlling both RX and TX VFO and a software remote VFO with the help of Unified Remote software. You can use these independent – but best is together. If you only use the AutoHotKey script then you can toggle between the RX VFO and External Radio TX VFO and control with the arrow keys. If you only use the Unified Remote you can control the RX VFO but not switch to the External Radio TX VFO.

Files and instructions can be found at Lars Thunberg SM0TGU GitHub.

Short animated GIF from adjustning the RX VFOs and satellite external radio TX VFO in SDR Console