Finished a process of learning and setting up Gpredict on my Mac to control my 2 radios to be used for Satellite.
After several tests, I’m getting close. Gpredict tracks Doppler on both radios and I was able to use wsjtx to drive FT-4 through FO-29’s transponder uplink 2m via the IC-706
Bad news was that although I could hear my signal on the downlink on the FT-817, that WSJTX instance did not decode anything.
Still a work in progress.
Here is my setup:
Got the first phase done. Not everything connected, specifically the hf digital setup, no cw keys, rotor controllers. But it’s a start
2022!
I never imagined getting here, especially under the surreal conditions of “work from home” and “Covid” that most in the world are experiencing.
After “operating”, limited as it was, for so long with my “shack” such that it is, I found a creep of cables, radios, computers, Walmarts, and much else that started to cramp my ability to be flexible and really know what I had, what I wanted to do, and change from one mode to the other.
My layout or a while consisted of several radio that really need work, as well as a TNC that needs configuration and cabling to be useful. Pictured are my Ten-Tec Mighty Mite 3, as well as a Clegg “Two-er” both of which need to be checked out before possibly going on the air.
The TNC is an MFJ multi-controller which operates via putty-connection from an unpictured computer but otherwise was not connected to a current radio setup for use.
In addition to that already pictured, I have a new Ten-Tec century 21 to check out and use, a TH-D72A laying around which I was using for occasional ISS packet and a pi-noelec SDR combo for downloading satellite images.
No mention of the FT-736R which is (shudder) still up in the attic, a vintage National Radio speaker cabinet to pair with the century 21 (or whatever) and cabling for an Elk log periodic 2/70 antenna for satellite use, with corresponding az/el controllers, nor my Butternut 6BTV vertical for HF. Also not pictured was a new Ambient weather console.
All things considered, I decided it was time to “rebuild”, label and organize. Hopefully the end result will be a bit more asthetic, flexible and ergonomic.
One goal was to allow more visibility of the Redone table.
For my own sanity and to help document this for my own enjoyment, I hope to keep this blog somewhat updated. Been very lax in posting over the years, perhaps this will be a fresh start to blogging as well!
73, KA2CZU
