KIX-OnlineLinks to amateur (ham) radio goodies on the web

Just a site update note for ya’ll……

I added a new category to the site today “Radio/Comm. History”.

I noticed that I tend to post some neat historical videos from time to time, and I have a passion for the history of the science of radio and technology.  So…… since those topics seem to get a lot of hits on the site, I decided to make it a category.

If you are interested in communications history, all you have to do is click the category and all posts that fit that genre will be served up for your reading pleasure.

I went through the entire sites posts for the past year and a half and added the appropriate posts to the category.

Enjoy.

Jonathan

I recently ran a “town hall” style, new ham forum/Q&A at the Newington, CT NARL hamfest.

I promised to update and add a little more content, so here it is.

If you look at the tab above, there is a new tab called “Info for New Hams”.

As always, if anyone has any constructive advice on the content, please drop me an email (kb1kix -a- arrl.net) and we can discuss.  If you run a ham class, and you think it’s handy, I can get you a PDF (or just add it to the site on request).

Jonathan

OK, it’s Sunday.  A holiday weekend at that.  Let’s just relax and see a few neat CW items I found online.

Many of us are familiar with Chuck Adams, K7QO.  He has a neat course available online to help you with your morse code skills, and, he can copy code at 140WPM!!!  Below is a bit that the Wall Street Journal did a while back that you may find interesting.

Here is a link to the Wall Street Journal article: http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119161604206850468.html?mod=editsend

Here’s a link to his course information: http://k7qo.radiotelegraphy.net/

This next video is for pure morse code entertainment…..

Which is faster:  Morse or SMS?

Just who is the man behind morse code?

Enjoy, and I hope you had a great holiday weekend.

Keeping with the theme earlier today…..

I’ve been meaning to add this a bit earlier.  There is some great software for tracking all kinds of satellites and space junk.  All programs pretty much work the same.  You install the software and regularly update the Keplerian data or “Keps”.  What are keps?  Amsat has a tutorial on this topic.  From their site:

Keplerian elements are the inputs to a standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits. With the “keps”, the correct time, and your station location, you can compute when the satellite will be in view and where to point your antennas

They have a neat, brief tutorial on the subject here:  http://www.amsat.org/amsat/keps/kepmodel.html

Here are the three that I have used in the past.

Northern Lights Software “Nova for Windows”

Northern Lights "Nova for Windows"

This is a pay program that costs $59.95.  It is good software, does what you most people need and I believe they offer free software updates.  Not bad!

This program offers a host of features including fast, real time tracking of satellite information.  Support for AZ/EL rotator systems, sound alarms, etc.

Many features of satellite programs.

Keeping in line with many of my program recommendations, I’ll give you a couple free alternatives (really good stuff!).

Orbitron

Orbitron - really neat trackign software

This software has the same basic uses as any other satellite tracking software – but free!

This software is released as “cardware” where the creator asks that you send him a postcard if you like his software.  Small price to pay for truly useful stuff!

NORAD SGP4/SDP4 prediction models
20 000 satellites can be loaded from TLE file(s) (auto: PC/Unix, 2/3 line)
Full-screen, presentation modes
Real-time mode / Simulation mode (free time control)
Advanced passes & Iridium flares search engine (results printing)
Miscellaneous options of visualization
Nightlife (dark color-scheme for night usage)
Orbit info
Notes for each object
Easy, flexible interface
Database of cities around the world
Database of satellite frequencies
PC clock synchronization via NTP
Rotor/radio control (built-in or user’s driver support)
Windows screen-saver included
and many, many, more…

Satscape

Satscape satellite tracking software

Satscape takes a slightly different approach to software development by offering a lot of what the programs above offer – but with a platform independent programming language.  JAVA!

I haven’t used this yet on programs other than Windows, so I’m curious about others experience.

I have to admit, I really like the visualizations of this program a lot.  I’ve also used different alerts with spoken word announcements, another neat feature.

I haven’t used this recent version yet, but have heard that it is very stable on all *nix operating systems and on the Mac and PC.

This program is “donationware”.  Like many other free software on the market, if you like it, please donate.

Which one is right for you?  Maybe you need some of the features in Nova.  Maybe not.  The nice thing about the other two programs is you can try them both out and decide for yourself before you pay the sixty bucks!

I’ll add more postings to articles and tutorials on space communications in the future.  I’m only just getting started on this part of our hobby myself.  But if you want more information, the ARRL has just produced a Satellite Handbook.

ARRL Satellite Handbook

Available from the ARRL for $24.95.

Direct link to ARRL’s online catalog.

VE2DBE, Roger Coude is the author of Radio Mobile (has been giving it away for 20 years!). Radio Mobile is simply a program that takes various parameters like geography, power, antenna type and a little more and plots the information for you showing your systems coverage.

Irregular Terrain Model - one of the many facets used to acheive a remarkably accurate model

I was involved in a project last year were we tested coverage of several of our repeaters.  This task involved using Radio Mobile as well as real live testing.  The software was remarkably accurate.  In addition to the data gathered, we are also able to make diagrams available to our members so they can choose the asset closest to them that offered the best coverage.

We also did another round where we used the same software to test digipeaters in our area (both APRS and packet use).  It really helped us in planning public service events as well.  Not all members can get an idea of a resources coverage, but when you put a map with a coverage diagram, it really hits home.  A picture truly is worth a thousand words.

A picture is truly worth a thousand words!

We noticed that it made it easier to visually display to hams and non hams an assets coverage area.  Very handy and useful when you are doing public service events and working with the non ham population.

I know some VHF’ers that use this software to analyze various aspects of their station.  The most common use I’ve seen is with repeater owners and clubs that want to get an idea of their coordinated repeater coverage area before setting up their site.  It can be handy in the design phase of a repeater project.

All in all, it is hard not to like software that is this powerful and free.  There is a lot of information on the Radio Mobile website, users guides and even a Yahoo! Groups reflector.

As an added bonus, here is a YouTube video with a brief overview. Thanx to Jack, VK3WWW for making this video.

For more information, please check out the Radio Mobile website at:

http://www.cplus.org/rmw/english1.html