Categories
SDR and software

Cloudlog – log your sat QSOs

Cloudlog is a QSO logging software developed by Peter (@2M0SQL) installed “in the cloud” – on a web server – and used via a web interface. It is perfect for fast logging of satellite QSOs as Peter is a well known and experienced satellite operator.
This is a very short introduction of Cloudlog.

Installation:

Cloudlog can be installed for free (do not forget a donation to Peter!) on your own web server or server host. The installation instructions are very easy to follow. If you do not like to install by yourself you can buy a purchased subscriptions.

Logging QSOs:

Logging can be done “Live” or “Post”. As I still using a pen for writing down my contacts, I use the Post QSO.

Cloudlog is fully prepared for all type of satellites. All settings are saved for the next QSO you would like to log, so if you are doing a lot of contacts over one satellite post-logging goes very fast.

Sync to LOTW

Syncing to LOTW can be done via script or manually. I’m using the manual sync and it is working perfect. You can also see if you get a confirmed LOTW contact in Cloudlog.

For more info please visit the following:

https://www.magicbug.co.uk/cloudlog/

or

https://github.com/magicbug/Cloudlog

Categories
Beginners and operation SDR and software

FT4 via satellite with SDR-Console and IC-705 / IC-9700

This is a simple guide for working FT4 mode via satellite with the help of SDR-Console software, a SDR receiver and Icom IC-705 as transmitter. The IC-705 can of course be replaced by any other radio that can be controlled via OmniRig.

I have also tested this with an ICOM IC-9700 with equal good result.

The “magic” is done by Omnirig. This smart little software can connect several software to one radio at the same time, in this case SDR-Console and WSJT-X.

This guide requires that you have basic knowledge of the following:

  • WSJT-X and FT4 operation
  • SDR-Console V3 satellite operation
  • IC-705 operation (or other radio if you like)
  • Audio piping between several software
  • Basic operation with OmniRig

Step 1 – Setup SDR-Console and IC-705 with correct frequency

First you need correct frequency for SDR-Console and IC-705. You can download and use the prepared files from this site.
Start SDR-Console and set the downlink (USB) to the satellite you would like to use. Set the IC-705 to the uplink of the satellite, note it has to be LSB-D (LSB with data mode).

Step 2 – Config WSJT-X

Start WSJT-X and config as following:

  • Rig should be Omnirig and your setup for IC-705
  • Mode should be “None” to avoid WSJT-X to set the rig to USB-D
  • Soundcard Input should be the virtual audio from SDR-Console
  • Soundcard Output should be the IC-705 mic

Step 3 – Start Satellite External Radio in SDR-Console

Now start the “Satellite External Radio” in SDR-Console. Select the same OmniRig radio as in WSJT-X. Select the correct uplink frequency and turn on Doppler correction in External Radio.

Now the magic happens! SDR-Console is starting to doppler correct the frequency of the IC-705 and WSJT-X reads the correct frequency from IC-705 in real time!

In this image you can see External Radio and WSJT-X with correct frequency:

Step 4 – Select correct RX frequency in SDR-Console

Select the correct downlink frequency in SDR-Console and enable Tracking in the Satellite Window for the satellite.
Now wait for the satellite to be in your footprint.

Step 5 – Find yourself on the satellite transponder

When the satellite is in your footprint, you need to manually adjust the TX-frequency (at the External Radio window) and RX-frequency, as the SDR-Console software does not have a “tracking RX/TX VFO” function.

  • Find a free area on the satellite transponder
  • Turn your TX output to very low
  • Start transmitting FT4 or use the Tune function in WSJT-X
  • Adjust TX/RX so that your signal is in your RX bandwidth

Step 6 – Start calling CQ

Now you are ready to start calling CQ and making QSOs! Remember – use the minimum TX power, FT4 is very effective. And be sure not to call over a CW or SSB station.

How to use a 2nd instance of WSJT-X for RX of your own FT4 signal

If you would like to check your own FT4 signal (for testing and learning) it is possible to start a 2nd instance of WSJT-X as receiving only.

  • Create a new configuration in WSJT-X where Radio->Rig should be set to None and Audio Input should be the piped audio from SDR-Console.
    Save it to a name of your choice {your_configuration_name}
  • After you have started WSJT-X for the TX (see above) start a 2nd instance with this command in a cmd window:
    {path_to_your_wsjtx}wsjtx.exe –rig-name={your_configuration_name}
  • Now when you TX your FT4 signal the 2nd instance will decode your own signal. See the example below:

Finally, below is a recorded video of a test via satellite AO-73 decoded with a 2nd instance.
If you have any questions about this setup please contact AMSAT-SM (Lars SM0TGU) at info@amsat.se

Categories
SDR and software

Look4Sat Android tracker with doppler correction

Look4Sat is an Android app for tracking satellites. It uses the database from SatNOGS for frequency info and also presents the frequency with doppler correction. As I know this is the only Android app that display doppler correction. I can highly recommend this app for portable tracking!

Download from Google Play.

Categories
SDR and software

Satellite Custom Data and Frequency Markers for SDR-Console

Satellite Custom Data XML

In SDR-Console each satellite can have custom frequency data for both up- and downlink. With the support from Christophe from AMSAT-F a lot of satellites now have auto-generated XML files. The most used satellites has after the generation been manually updated by Lars SM0TGU. Read more about the AMSATLIST project for generation of satellites files.

This is how to install the XML files for your SDR Console:

  1. From SDR Console, open your local user folder.

  2. Make a backup of all your local files!
  3. Unzip all the files in the SDR_SAT_Custom_data.zip to your user folder. Please note that all your current XML files will be overwritten.
  4. Restart SDR-Console.
  5. Now all the XML Custom Satellite data files are available the next time you select a satellite.

Note that many satellites needs correction for mode, filter etc. but this can be a good start and you do not need to manually enter all the data.

Download the file from SM0TGUs Github:
SDR_SAT_Custom_data.zip

Satellite Frequency Markers

This is a Spectrum Markers (Frequency Markers) file over ham radio satellites beacon (downlink) for SDR-Console v3 software. It is compiled from a sat list by JE9PEL (thank you!) on date 2019-09-11. (I have not updated the list after this date so many of the new satellites are missing).

Import the csv-file into SDR-Console:

  1. In SDR-Console please go to “View” -> “Markers” -> “Marker Configuration”.
  2. Choose to “CSV: Import”.
  3. Activate the markers of your interest, all or some. There will be errors, I have not double-checked all the frequencies.

Download the file from SM0TGUs Github:
SatelliteFrequencyMarkers.csv

Categories
Beginners and operation SDR and software

IC-705 doppler correction with SDR-Console

Here a short video of IC-705 Frequency and Doppler control from SDR-Console.
The first part is frequency control with VFO following the radio.
The second part is doppler control from the Satellite External Radio control.

Download the OmniRig config file from: https://sm7iun.se/station/ic705/
Be sure to use the correct CI-V hex code in the seetings for IC-705.

Categories
SDR and software

How to download latest kepler when starting applications

This is a short guide how to create a simple batch file for Windows for downloading the latest kepler element before starting a satellite application. In this exemple, I am downloading kepler before starting the program GetKISS (by DK3WN).

First, create the .bat-file in a text editor and name it, for example, getkiss_starter.bat
The secret is to use the Windows program bitsadmin for downloading from web. Modify the folder path after your needs:

# Delete the old file before downloading new
del “c:\yourfolderpath\satnogs.txt”
# Use bitsadmin for downloading
bitsadmin /transfer mydownloadjob /download /priority normal “https://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/satnogs.txt” “c:\yourfolderpath\satnogs.txt”
# Start the program
“C:\yourfolderpath\getkiss.exe”

Then, start GetKISS with the file getkiss_starter.bat and you will always have the latest kepler!