[aprssig] [amsat-bb] Re: Gating Satellite Passes to local APRS RF

[Bob Bruninga]

>> I wonder if it would be possible to ... send
>> live satellite passes as objects to the local 
>> APRS RF network so as to alert local users when 
>> a satellite passes over our area.

Amen!  This was always a favorite APRS application back when we had 3 or 4 FM repeater satelites.  Mobiles could work them if they knew when they were overhead.

APRSdata was the APRSversion that did this.  It put out a Satelite object once a minute while the satellite was in view, AND it indicated if the elevation was LOW, or HIGH (you can oonly work an FM satellite mobile when it is high).

The cute thing is that the D700 (with a voice module) Woudl SPEAK the object  "AO51 Hi".

This function was also included in DIGI_NED which is a PC program, and there may even be a UIview add-on for it.

It did objects for the satllites when they were in view.  But once every 20 minutes it sent out a satelltie schedule of any future passes during the next 80 minutes.  These were captured into the  D7 and D700's DX LIST.  SO that you could look there and see if anything was coming up soon.

A fantastic capability and exaactly what APRS should be doing for locals.  Too few use the satellites because of all the tracking hassles.  But APRS should simply let them know when they are in view.

ALSO, the object included the satelite UPLINK and DOWNLINK frequency.  Now with the new D72 and D710 and FTM-350 radios, they then could TUNE to thse satelites with the push of the TUNE or QSY button!

I'd love to see people use this.  (my APRSdata.exe is obsolete and not maintained....  sowe are dependent on the other implementations.

To read about it try http://aprs.org/astars.html about 60% down the page...

Bob, WB4APR
>>
>> Would be also great if we could add the frequency information so that Kenwood and Yaesu APRS users can directly QSY to the satellite's frequency.
>>
>> Tried to look up the net but could not find any articles or software to do do. Any pointers are much welcome and appreciated.
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> 73,
>> Sion Chow Q. C.,
>> 9M2CQC,
>> Also: WQ2C /HL1, 9V1QC, JG1XHM,
>> ex: 9W2QC, AB3IO
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> Len Revelle N9IJ
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