Tag Archives: Packet Radio

May 22 2012

HORYU-2 Commencing AX.25 FSK Operation

On May 22 the amateur radio satellite HORYU-2 carried out tests using the 1200 bps AX.25 FSK downlink on 437.375 MHz.

It is understood that signals were received by JA1GDE, JA5BLZ, JA6PL and JA2MJA.

On May 23 Mineo Wakita JE9PEL decoded the AX.25 telemetry data and made available this recording:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/20523ho2.wav
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/20523ho2.png

The AX.25 transmissions are being made when HORYU-2 is within range of Japan. In the rest of the world it is transmitting a CW beacon on 437.375 MHz as shown in this video by Luciano PY5LF.

Watch HORYU-2 Over Brazil in 22 May 2012

Listen to HORYU-2 on the web http://www.uk.amsat.org/7594

HORYU-2 Telemetry Software and Competition http://www.uk.amsat.org/7474

HORYU-2 Separation Video http://www.uk.amsat.org/7540

More information about HORYU-2 http://www.uk.amsat.org/7404

HORYU-2 Japanese Operating Schedule http://tinyurl.com/HORYU-2-Schedule

Keplerian Two Line Elements (TLEs / KEPS) for new satellites launched in past 30 days
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt

Amateur satellite Keplerian Two Line Elements (TLEs / KEPS) http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/amateur.txt

Feb 9 2012

ISS APRS Balloon to Launch Saturday

BLT-28 Katy to Nanjing

BLT-28 Katy to Nanjing

A group of amateur radio operators aims to establish a world record for distance by flying an unmanned, helium-filled balloon from Katy, Texas, across the Atlantic and the Mediterranean then on to Nanjing, China.

During the trans-Atlantic crossing, when out of range of shore based stations, the balloon’s APRS beacon will operate on the International Space Station (ISS) packet digipeater frequency of 145.825 MHz.

The South Texas Balloon Launch Team will release the balloon at 3 pm CST (2100 UT) Saturday, February 11.

The balloon payload package weighs only about 150 grams and contains a high altitude GPS tracking system and a 144 MHz FM APRS amateur radio transmitter. To conserve weight and battery life, no camera equipment will be on board. The maximum altitude is expected to be above 30 km, with horizontal speeds between 160 and 240 km per hour. The balloon size will increase from about 1.5 metres to about 11.8 metres at maximum elevation. Recovery of the payload package is not expected.

Individuals may follow the balloon’s progress on the Internet by logging onto APRS tracking site, filling in the “Track callsign:” field with “kt5tk-11” and changing the “Show last:” field to 24 hours.

The APRS telemetry transmitter is frequency agile to cope with different APRS standards across the globe. The frequencies used will be:
USA = 144.390 MHz FM
mid-Atlantic = 145.825 MHz (International Space Station packet digipeater frequency)
Europe = 144.800 MHz FM

APRS tracking site http://aprs.fi/

Read the Katy Times story at
http://katytimes.com/news/article_b2683a60-527e-11e1-bca4-001871e3ce6c.html

BLT-28 The Flight of the Orient Express http://www.w5acm.net/b28.html

South Texas Balloon Launch Team http://www.w5acm.net/

QRP APRS to the ISS http://www.uk.amsat.org/3838 

Qtmm AFSK1200 soundcard modem software for decoding packet radio, APRS and telemetry from amateur radio satellites http://www.uk.amsat.org/4313

Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) http://www.aprs.org/

Link to UZ7HO Soundmodem 1200 bps packet and other APRS software http://wa8lmf.net/miscinfo/