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ZL3AI > APRDIG 03.07.03 09:15l 218 Lines 9058 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: TAPR Digest, Jun 30, 2/3
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From: ZL3AI@ZL3VML.#80.NZL.OC
To : APRDIG@WW
Subject: Pico Packet and APRSPoint
From: "Robert Mahoney" <rgmahoney@ameritech.net>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 10:12:49
X-Message-Number: 10
My paccomm pico packet works great with APRSPoint in receive mode. I had
hundreds of stations logged via RF on Field Day, BUT I couldn't transmit a
thing from APRSPoint. The problem seemed to be a comm issue between
APRSPoint and the TNC. I was able to operate the TNC from a terminal
program on the same computer so the serial port to TNC was working. As I
said the receive worked so the APRSPoint to TNC baud rate was set
correctly. I tried sending position and object reports with no success.
The TNC transmit LED never once lit while APRSPoint was trying to use it.
APRSPoint seemed to send it however the TNC never reacted. However, I was
able to transmit from the terminal program. Is anyone else using a
picopacket TNC with their APRSPoint successfully? I'd like to hear how you
have it set up.
Thanks,
Bob, WB8CXN
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Subject: Re: Data from KPC-3+/failure analysis of balloon payload
From: "Rochte, Robert" <rrochte@gpacademy.org>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 11:16:58 -0400
X-Message-Number: 11
Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions! In an effort to conserve
bandwidth, I have copied and pasted from all of the responses and added
further information below....
>Is the envelope aluminized? Strange reflections?
No, but the payload box was covered with aluminized mylar. Antenna was
clear of this, though. From all responses, it sounds like my concern about
radiated power was unfounded.
>Have you cold tested your gear? Build it up, stick it in the coldest
>freezer you can find - see how long/if it'll run.
[next]
>But TEST it in the full sun on the ground first! You dont want to get it
too
>hot.
[next]
>Maybe one of the components is temperature sensitive and once it gets to
>a certain elevation, it cuts off?
Payload had 2" thick styrofoam walls all around with minimal venting, so
cold shouldn't have been a problem. Aluminized mylar was added to the
outside to limit solar heating of the box. The volume of the box was
relatively large (>1000 in^3) to avoid excessive heat build-up from the
equipment.
But, did I test any of this? [Holding head low...] No, I didn't actually
test the full-up payload for thermal problems. In fact, it was assembled
very quickly in the wee-hours of the night before launch since the upper
winds forecast for the next day looked ideal. I have no doubt that cold
wasn't an issue (even though outside temp was -76 F at float -- at least
three hours of this!), but excessive heating *inside* of the box could have
been an issue.
A hole about 1.5" in diameter was accidentally punched in the payload box
while it was being dragged out of a field, so perhaps (if it had, in fact,
over-heated) this vented the box sufficiently to bring everything back to
life. But *would* it all come back to life, or would the radio or TNC have
fried??
>Batteries are the weakest when it comes to cold operation, but don't
>overlook any part of your package.
[next]
>What kind of "Cells" were you using? and how did you "Tap" into one cell?
Battery was a mil-surplus BA-5598/U containing five "squat-D" (~3v, 8Ah
each) LiSO2 cells. There are ground, +3v and +15v outputs on the battery
(the +3v simply connects to the anode on the first cell in the series) -- I
chopped the battery box open and soldered all grounds to the ground
connection, the GPS + to the +3v and the radio and TNC to the +15v
connection.
The GPS was dead within 24 hours (this seems strange to me -- but the
battery was out-of-date and perhaps this one cell failed early), but the
radio and TNC were still powered up five days later. I changed freq on the
radio when I got home and actually keyed up a local repeater while it was
still attached to this battery. The KPC, however, wouldn't talk to my
computer -- the LED (set to "off") did blink when it was power-cycled, but
it wouldn't actually work until I powered it from a different battery.
>One thing that occurs to me - Was your tracker listening to 144.39? If so
>it may not have transmitted at altitude. Line of sight goes a long way at
>50K feet. Typically the near space balloons are run either deaf or
>listening on a different frequency.
Yes, it was definitely listening on 144.39 and set to relay. I hadn't
considered that the channel might saturate given the extended LOS -- this
sounds like a distinct possibility!
>A "J" command gave me back last 12 stations. Are any MON parameter set to
filter something? As a rule
>I always perform a hard reset to the TNC before setting up, i.e. going to
>setup for a digi.
I also got back 12 stations using this command. Is it possible to increase
the number of stations that are recorded? AFAIK, no MON parameters are set
- I also did a reset to factory parms before setting this up. I don't have
the KPC in front of me right now, though, but I'll double check this
tonight.
Many thanks to everyone!
-R
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Subject: Re: Raw Mic-E conversions?
From: "Phil Pacier, AD6NH" <ad6nh@arrl.net>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 10:37:41
X-Message-Number: 12
I noticed this with a TNos IGate running in LA (why?) when my D7 would
beacon, I would see the icon dance all over the county before settling
down.
Phillip Pacier - AD6NH
http://www.aprsca.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: PCsat and FD
From: "Phil Pacier, AD6NH" <ad6nh@arrl.net>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 10:50:41
X-Message-Number: 13
On 06/29/03, "Bob Bruninga <bruninga@usna.edu>" wrote:
>So, at least she still works and a few people got to play. By the way, I
>checked pcsat.aprs.org and none of the above callsigns are shown:
>
> Call Age (dd:hh:mm:ss)
> PCSat * 00:00:00:07
> PE2JMR * 00:05:43:26
> W3ADO-1 * 00:05:44:03
> PE5YES-4 * 00:05:44:08
> VE7RPK * 00:20:34:25
>
>But it simply shows you that we dont have any full time active SATGATES
>any more.
Folks, if you still have your SatGate machines and 145.825/800 receivers, I
would suggest you keep them on if possible. Remember, you can connect to
socal.aprs2.net:10150 and not receive any data down your pipe - it will
just accept the SatGate data from your station.
I finally have enough extra equipment that I'm going to run a SatGate in
the Los Angeles area - just in case! Might as well get ready for PC2.
73
Phillip Pacier - AD6NH
http://www.aprsca.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: Raw Mic-E conversions?
From: "Dick Stanich" <dick@kb7zva.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 10:58:13
X-Message-Number: 14
>I noticed this with a TNos IGate running in LA (why?) when my D7 would
beacon, I would see the icon dance all over the county before settling
down.
Yes, NOSaprs has a switch to ignore doing anything to Mic-E's. We tested it
with an IGate across the desert from me. Seems to work OK now. But still
doesn't solve the problem with those using old versions of WinAPRS.
UI-View handles this very well. I'm sure there are other programs handling
raw Mic-E's just fine. We have had this discussion before... I can't
remember which version of WinAPRS handles the raw Mic-E's properly. The
answer is out there somewhere <g>.
Dick, kb7zva
APRSWest.net
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Subject: Martin Berkofsky is approaching the end of his run!
From: "Gregg G. Wonderly" <gregg@skymaster.cytetech.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 11:15:02 -0500
X-Message-Number: 15
Fellow APRS users and Amateur Radio friends!
Some of you may have been following Martin Berkofsky's progress via APRS on
his 700+ mile Celebrate Life Run (www.celebrateliferun.com). KC3RE is a long
time ham, a world reknown pianst, and a cancer survivor. He started in Tulsa
Oklahoma on a run to Arlighton Heights IL to celebrate his life and, more
importantly, to draw attention to the cause of cancer research. Martin has
carried his HT with him, and an APRS rig donated by John Chamberlain, AC5CV.
If you go to his web site, you will find some great journals about his trip,
his field day experiences, and you'll be able to see his path, and perhaps
meet up with him on his trip through southern IL, up into the Chicagoland area.
I am a past resident of Naperville IL, and plan on flying up to Chi-Town to
greet Martin, and perhaps run the last day with him. If you have a chance to
meet him, I think you will find it a very moving and worthwhile event.
Cancer patients are all around us, and the world needs to pay attention to
cancer research. Check out the web site, and you'll get a glimpse into the
life of an amazing individual working for a great cause!
-----
gregg@cytetech.com (Cyte Technologies Inc)
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