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ARISS SSTV Event
ARISS SSTV Event Scheduled for Next WeekNovember 6, 2024?— Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) announces an SSTV event to be held next week. The event is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 11 at 11:50 UTC and to end Monday, November 18 at 13:40 UTC. SSTV transmissions will be paused during scheduled school contacts on November 15 and 16. Downlink transmissions will be at 145.800 MHz and the mode is expected to be PD 120.
? *** Scheduled SSTV outages (AS OF 2024-11-12) *** Nov 13 – Off 12:35. On 13:15 UTC, Off 7:35 am ET.? On 8:15 am ET (Progress test) Nov 14 – Off 09:05. On 09:30 UTC,? Off 4:05 am ET, On 4:30 am ET(Soyuz test) Nov 15 – Off 17:05. On 19:00 UTC, Off 12:05 pm ET,? On 2 pm ET (ARISS School contact) Nov 16 – Off 17:55. On 19:30 UTC, Off 12: 55 pm ET, On 2:30 pm ET (ARISS School contact) *** There may be additional outages.? We will post that information when it is available *** The transmissions will consist of 12 images featuring activities from the 2024 40th Anniversary Celebrating Amateur Radio in Human Spaceflight. If you are a past participant in our SSTV events, please note that we will be using our newly updated gallery at??.? ? ARISS has a new way to request a special certificate. When participants successfully receive at least one image and submit it at the new gallery, participants will be moved to a thank-you page. There, a person can read text about data protection, and press the button that says “I agree,” and receive an email in two weeks or sooner with a certificate. If a person submits additional images, the thank-you page tells them they have already asked for a certificate. ? Thanks to our user community for participating in ARISS. ?
Receive frequency on 145.800 MHz
Mode PD 120
ISS tracking for Android -
ISS tracking for Windows -
SSTV decoding for Android -
SSTV decoding for Windows -
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Re: Winlink Nets and Check-In info
I just started doing this and it's kinda fun!
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A reminder for VARA FM check ins - you will need to used Ben's gateway, W0AYE-10 near Olivia.
The Willmar HHS gateway does not have Internet yet.?
Distant registered VARA users can use it's digipeater, N0QBH-4, to access W0AYE-10.
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We discovered during the workshop that non registered VARA users cannot digi.?
When we get the HHS site on line, this won't be an issue.
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73
Mike N0QBH |
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Winlink Nets and Check-In info
I'd like to pass along some info for checking into a few Winlink nets. I made a sticky note with all of the pertinent info in the format for each net which makes checking in a simple copy and paste format for each net. Hopefully this helps a few of you get started!
My info is as follows but you should change the info to your call, name, location and mode. For these nets info format is critical for their records and documentation.
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Check-In Anytime-
Florida Winlink Net TO: W4AKH? SUBJECT LINE: FL WL NET, BEN, OLIVIA, MN, VARA FM (or mode) OPTIONAL IN SUBJECT LINE (80 characters MAX): EMERGENCY POWER TYPES: BAT, GEN,SOL ) BAT (charged by Grid) , GEN (Battery charged or direct from generator) , SOL (Solar charging batt) Check the W4AKH website for Pictures ?
Check-In Anytime-
Great Lakes Area Winlink Net
TO: GLAWN
SUBJECT LINE: GLAWN (DATE) BODY: BEN, W0AYE, OLIVIA, RENVILLE, MN, USA ? Check-In on Wednesdays- Winlink Wednesday TO: KN4LQN SUBJECT LINE: WINLINK WEDNESDAY CHECK-IN BODY: W0AYE, BEN, OLIVIA, RENVILLE, MN (VHF) ?
Check-In Anytime-
To: East-Coast Subject Line: East Coast Winlink Net Body: W0AYE, Ben, Olivia, Renville, MN (Questions or Attachments in Body) ?
JS8CALL Check-In: Fridays 4PM-9PM?
To: N3MEL Dial Freq: 7.078 MHz Message: N3MEL MGS FL WL NET, Ben, Olivia, MN ?
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How to watch local APRS
Here's the link to a real time APRS map locally.??
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Increasing the track tail length time will let you see who's been out and about sending APRS beacons.
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Several local Ham have the new Yaesu FTM-200, 300, 400 and 500 model radios with built in GPS and APRS.
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I usually have mine on when I'm traveling.?
The info beacon these radios send also tells what voice frequency they are listening on.
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73
Mike N0QBH |
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I heard the fellow in the video mention he was using a Baofeng FM handheld tranceiver.
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Someone asked about using that radio at the workshop. Note the video said he had to use wide VARA FM mode to make it work.
The Digirig store has a cable pair for that radio too - one for operating VARA and one for Chirp programming. ?
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73
Mike N0QBH |
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Re: Solar Mesh node power experiment
#Meshtastic
The thermal switch arrived and I tested it with a multimeter and the freezer. It appears to work as advertised (opens at freezing, closes above).
The switch is encapsulated and enclosed in a aluminum case with 8" leads.
I soldered the switch in series with the solar panel's positive lead and taped it's case to the battery.
When the battery temperature drops to freezing the switch opens and prevents further charging until it warms up.
The lithium battery is insulated from the case by a layer of foam.
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One of the things Mike Wisnewske KC0TAF showed us was the "hiding places" Windows puts settings that can affect VARA FM.
When I checked one of my under performing stations - sure enough I found AGC (auto gain control) on the mic in enabled!
Since YouTube is often our friend in these situations, I found a short video that gets to the point and shows you where to look.
One of the other things they mention is making the PC speakers and mic the default. I wasn't able to do that always.
I might add that with my mini PC there is no native microphone and Digirig is the only default device option, so I left it.
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73
Mike N0QBH |
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A big thanks to Leon KF0OUA for putting this summary together!
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Hello all,
This is just to summarize the meeting this afternoon with Mike Wisnewski, and the Workshop that was incorporated with it. ?
First, Mike (KC0TAF) is very knowledgeable about Winlink VARA FM and VARA AC. ?His input was greatly appreciated. ?
Second the Winlink workshop I feel was mostly successful, with the exception of not being able to digipeat without a paid version. It was informative for those new to Winlink, and a great refresher for those that have not setup Winlink for a minute.
Third I believe Mr. Wisnewski was on the same page as us in favoring Vara AC NVIS over digipeating with VARA FM. ?He was in favor of 40m vs. 80m which we had previously discussed. ?I suppose the next step would be to dust off the equipment at the EOC and give it a try. I understand the NVIS antenna at the EOC is multiband, but I am not certain. Mr. Wisnewski did mention that he is always monitoring P2P when he is not otherwise engaged in exercises and whatnot. ?I forget which band, and freq. he said to try. Perhaps he can speak to this as he is included in this Winlink thread.?
Fourth I believe Mr. Wisnewski was interested in recruiting for the Central Minnesota Communications Unit. ?You can find more information at www.mnecb.org/comu, or possibly reach out to him directly.
There was a lot of information shared, and I am doing this "top of the dome", so please add to this as you see fit.
Thank you for reading this far in the message.
73,
KF0OUA, Leon? ? |
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Solar Mesh node power experiment
#Meshtastic
One of the issues operators have with remote solar powered anything and lithium batteries is cold weather.
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They don't like to be charged at below freezing temperatures.
Thanks to another user I discovered a possible method of preventing battery damage using a Thermal reed switch. It appears to be a normal magnetic operated reed switch with a substance called Thermorite orientated as a magnet.
According to the spec sheet, Thermorite is a ferromagnetic substance who's magnetism decreases with rising temperature.
Depending on the recipe, it can be made to operate at specified temperatures.
I've ordered one to switch open at freezing (0C).?
It will be in contact with the lithium battery and the switch in series with the 5W solar panel. Specs say it can handle 10W.
Anytime the battery is too cold, no charging will occur. If it works out, the next thing will be to see how much storage I need to get thru the sunless days.
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Here's a link to the data sheet. Digikey carries them. Not cheap at $30 ea.
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73
Mike N0QBH |
W0AYE Ben Wussow
N0QBH Mike Berg
Willmar Area Emergency Amateur Radio Club
WD0HXV Tony LaPatka