Thursday 11 January 2018

Thomas Oscar and Leo send python code to the International Space Station













Thomas, Oscar and Leo wrote a small python script to interact with the sense hat built into the astro-pi on the space station.
Their code was approved and ready for flight, It will run for 30 seconds before 1st February 2018.

You can see the code in action at the trinket test pages:
https://trinket.io/python/9e5345d5cd
















If you have pixel installed on your raspberry pi you can use the sense hat emulator and copy the code and adapt it to your own needs. Picture above shows just that.

Tuesday 19 December 2017

JT65B data mode receiving GB3VHF beacon

I am using SDR console and a FubCube Pro+ dongle.
I am also using virtual audio cable to feed my sdr audio direct to the WSJT software

To decode the JT65B, tune the carrier to obtain a tone of 1500Hz with the receiver set to USB, and the dial frequency reading 144.4285. The JT65 will then be tuned in correctly.

Start up WSJT software, you will see 3 windows open
Take note of this DOS screen with the audio settings, note audio cable out (device 3) and Microsoft sound mapper output (device 4)


In the main screen, click on Setup and then Options, you can fill in your call sign and locator details.
But pay close attention to Audio IN and Audio Out change to 3 and 4, in this example, or where your virtual audio cable is set. When using a real radio and real cables, use the normal in and out sound card.

Next set your mode click on mode and choose JT65B

Now to start listening to the SDR click on MONITOR, you will see the last of the 3 screens below start to receive a signal, you may need to turn your volume down.

Check receive noise is not in the red (high or low) after a minute or so you should start getting the text decoded for GB3VHF and its locator JO01EH

The monitor screen above shows a nice solid line when GB3VHF is transmitting its JT65B text.
The scattered image is the CW / Morse identity.
GB3VHF does a minute of each type of signal.

You are now set up to receive JT65 and its time to start looking for moon bounce signals.

73

James M0JFP