Setting up SATPC32 - Tracking, rotator and CAT Control

[@simontemplar0468]

Hi Simon. Greetings. Still pretty smoky here from the fire 17 miles south of home, plus the 37 other fires in the state. Doing fine here. 73, Pat W1DUK

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Hi Pat hope you are all OK its a bit close my friend keep safe bro and you and your family. Catch up soon my friend

[@Ei2iP]

Don't forget to update SATPC32 auxiliary files to reflect the new ISS Cross Band Repeater. Edit DOPPLER.SQF to setup the new frequencies as below. ISS,437800,145990,FM,FM,NOR,0,0,New Repeater Edit SubTone.SQF to setup the tone, as below. ISS,67.0,$3F,1

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Thanks for this Robbie I just added the info and everything looks spot on. Well happy cheers 🍻

[@markg6jvy135]

You looked like a man having fun 👍👍

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Yes its a bit too much fun sometimes 😄 and the time runs away too fast.

[@n8sdr473]

Shouldn't also on the FT 847 enable the TRK mode for either Normal or reverse so that when you tune the main RX the TX frequency also auto adjusts as well. Also for the 847 you should use the SatPC ISS application which is part of the SatPC32-

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

The SatPC32 tracks automatically. Also you have the option to adjust manually. However once setup properly with the CAT Tuning adjustments via the tab you won't need to touch the VFO again. This only matters on SSB sats. there is no benefit from adjusting uplink Doppler for ISS or FM birds. The ISS tracking add on you mentioned is very basic and not very good for other sat work. I looked at it first but found it poor. SatPC32 is much better and has more user options. Thanks 👍 73 have a good weekend

[@n8sdr473]

The ISS add on was mainly to resolve the issue with 847 and a few others with same band issues and TX/RX it took it out of Sat mode and emulated I guess more of split type. It wasn't designed really for Bird work.

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Cheers for the info 👍 I have never had any issues even when I used other programmes. I have been using the same radio nearly 20 years and I previously manually adjusted frequency shift long before I had an interface. I used to run satscape, orbitron and few other programmes. All easy enough but maybe some folks struggled? Anyhow all interesting info and great to hear other examples of operating issues. Thanks for the comment. Have fun 73

[@JeffHochberg]

Hello - what does the ‘split’ operation do for you? Is that something you’re doing in addition to UHF on VFO A and VHF on VFO B? Does that Yaesu rig support simultaneous transmit and receive?

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Hi Jeff, yes the radio supports full duplex rx tx. I normally operate that way but trying an experiment this time to see if the ISS could be worked that way. It seemed OK but the usual operation is better with the up and down both active. You know how it goes a bit of playing to see what works and what doesn't. 73 Simon M0YKS

[@Ei2iP]

Simon, you don't have the CAT enabled? Would have expected stronger signals for 20 degrees pass...

[@Ei2iP]

I'm waiting on rotator, everything else is in place

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

SATPC32 isn't showing the new transponder frequencies so on the ISS pass the CAT is off. Later in the video when I'm demonstrating the software its on if you watch that part of the video. As for the ISS its pretty crap probably badly setup or something should be much stronger and easier to work. The Satellites are much better

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Good stuff 👏

[@speedymartin2]

Hi Simon, How did you sorted the QSO logging using SATPC32? Are the MODES and frequency automaticly logged in the logbook?

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Hi Martin I run a separate log winlog32 it's been around a long time. It's good 👍

[@JayN4GO]

I never could get my 232a to work with satpc. A couple of things I’ll mention to save you time. Don’t buy this software. Upon startup enter only the first 3 on both lat and long. Example -84.4 37.7 for me. It takes about a week or so of farting around to get used to it. Make sure your Doppler sqf files are perfect. Also sub tones. Satpc comes with a ton of pre installed ISS crap. You can backspace all the crap and just enter the correct Doppler sqf file info for the repeater. Remember also when you are adjusting to hear yourself, select cat at the top. You’ll see uplink top right window. 10,100,1000. Click up and down to find yourself. Uplink save on each bird. Shoot me email if you need a Doppler sqf file. Or amsatnames file.

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Thanks buddy I will keep playing around with it. so far so good. Cheers for the tips sounds good. I give it a go. The 232b was easy enough it was the cat that took me some time to connect. I just need to get to know all the ins and outs and it could be the one to stick with lol until I get bored at least 😅 catch you soon Bro thanks and 73

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Great tips I just tried the shortcut for the location, perfect! Also cleared out the unwanted ISS doppler data and fired in the new frequencies. Working well and I save a bit of cash lol thanks again 👍

[@vermontcreekbed]

Just wondering how you interfaced the Rotator Controller to Satpc32. Mine is USB and the program is looking for Parallel.

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

Hi it was straight forward enough I entered the details in rotator setup and selected the port which for me was port 3. Then you select the driver which is in the SATPC32 c drive folder (at work can't quite remember the name something like SPX) once you pair the driver to the programme a quick restart and it works. If you need more info I can help when back in the shack

[@vermontcreekbed]

@@M0YKSHamRadio Thanks Simon, looking at it again I was able to work it out. I chose the Yaesu GS-232 left all the other settings as is. Hit "Store" and restarted the program. Upon opening the program I got a message that the Rotor was not setup but the rotor driver was opened up. From there I was able to tell it that the controller was on Port# and the speed ### now it works. Have fun on the bird, it is pretty easy to work here in VK. Cheers, VK3WWW

[@M0YKSHamRadio]

@@vermontcreekbed excellent news glad that you got it sorted out. Have fun and catch you again soon 73

[@g1egz]

You do mean its a serial interface, don’t you, parallel was often used for printers, l run a g5500 and a 232 interface, via a 9 pin to usb lead, and that’s serial, de g1egz.