Author Archives: robert

So How Do You Get a APRS Passcode

Posted on May 30, 2016 by robert

If you want to connect to the APRS IS network, you need a Passcode that will validate your callsign.  Per the APRS-IS Guidelines “It is the responsibility of each software author to provide the proper passcode to their individual users on … Continue reading →

Posted in APRS | 6 Comments

Getting SatGate 2 to run Under Win 10 32-bit

Posted on May 30, 2016 by robert

I think I used my quota of good luck up getting UISS and CAT7200 running on my Win10 laptop.  That laptop had a fresh install of Win10 32-bit on it, so it had no legacy files from prior Windows versions. … Continue reading →

Posted in APRS, ARISS, Digital Mode, IC-9100, Packet, Satellite | Leave a comment

Setup UZ7HO’s SoundModem

Posted on May 30, 2016 by robert

UZ7HO’s SoundModem program is automatically installed when you install UISS.  It’s a program that converts the audio tones sent/received into AX.25 data that can be understood by UISS.  To use SoundModem requires a few simple setup steps. When you first … Continue reading →

Posted in APRS, ARISS, Digital Mode, ISS, Packet, Satellite | 4 Comments

Installing G8BPQ’s CAT7200 for IC-9100 PTT Control

Posted on May 30, 2016 by robert

If you plan on using UISS with SoundModem on your IC-9100, then you are going to need to obtain a copy of the CAT7200 program by John Wiseman (G8BPQ) to deal with the PTT function. First, obtain a copy of CAT7200 … Continue reading →

Posted in APRS, ARISS, Digital Mode, IC-9100, Satellite | 5 Comments

Using UISS with an Icom IC-9100

Posted on May 29, 2016 by robert

The program UISS is designed for satellite communicators to use UI packets to communicate with other stations on the ground, while using the Space Station or other packet satellite as a packet repeater. UI  (Unnumbered Information) packets are handled specially … Continue reading →

Posted in APRS, ARISS, IC-9100, Packet, Satellite | 1 Comment

Holding Breath for STMsat-1 Reboot at Midnight

Posted on May 23, 2016 by robert

STMsat-1, a CubeSat built by elementary school students at the Saint Thomas More Cathedral School in Arlington VA, has been silent since its launch from the ISS on May 16. It has been tracked/identified and assigned the International Designator 1998-067HW, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Satellite | Leave a comment

Worked AMSAT Demo Station at Dayton Hamvention

Posted on May 21, 2016 by robert

I had a Fox-1 QSO today at 20:10 UTC with John Papay, K8YSE operating portable at the AMSAT Demonstration Station at the Dayton Hamvention. Less than an hour later, at 21:01 I also worked him on SSB using AO-7.

Posted in AO-7, AO-85, Satellite | Leave a comment

Another Old Friend – AO-7

Posted on May 20, 2016 by robert

Although I’ve worked AO-7 during several Field Days (using our club call W1LY), I hadn’t made an AO-7 QSO since last summer.  Today I worked W4VAS, notably on SSB (my first voice QSO on that bird). It is simply amazing … Continue reading →

Posted in AO-7, Satellite | Leave a comment

AO-73, It’s Been Ages

Posted on May 19, 2016 by robert

My last AO-73 QSO was about 10 months ago.  Part of the reason is laziness — it is time consuming to relocate the uplink offset each time I try to work the bird.  I’ve read that the uplink passband is unstable … Continue reading →

Posted in AO-73, Satellite | Leave a comment

Log Shows QSOs With Ten Different Satellites

Posted on May 19, 2016 by robert

I went through my logbook since I got back on the air five years ago and discovered a bunch of confirmed satellite QSOs.  In that time I’ve worked the following: AO-7 Confirmed by eQSL AO-27 (Four QSOs but no confirmations … Continue reading →

Posted in AO-7, AO-73, AO-85, ARISS, FO-29, ISS, Satellite, SO-50, XW-2A, XW-2C, XW-2F | Leave a comment