SPROUT SSTV and Digitalker Every Sunday

SPROUT SSTV and Digitalker Active Every Sunday – AMSAT-UK

AMSAT-UK Announces SSTV Activity Every Sunday

Slow Scan TV (SSTV) images in Scottie 1 format will be transmitted from the SPROUT satellite every Sunday (Japanese Standard Time) on 437.600 MHz FM (+/- 9 kHz Doppler shift). The Digitalker will also be active.

SPROUT, a 20 x 20 x 22 cm amateur radio nano-satellite with a mass of 7.1 kg, launched successfully with the L-band (1236.5 MHz/1257.5 MHz/1278.5 MHz) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite ALOS-2 on May 24, 2014 at 0305 UT. SPROUT is in a 654 km, 97.9 degree inclination Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

SPROUT (Space Research On Unique Technology) was built by students from Nihon University

— A FM Digitalker will enable the satellite to speak to amateurs around the world.

— The Voice Message Box will record transmissions from radio amateurs and play them back.

— Pre-loaded images from the Message Gallery can be transmitted using Slow Scan TV (SSTV).

— Pictures of the Earth can be transmitted by SSTV and radio amateurs can receive it using free software such as MMSSTV. As part of the Earth mapping project the team ask radio amateurs to contribute pictures they have received from the satellite for display on the SPROUT website.

Callsign: JQ1ZJQ

Size: 214x210x220 mm

Weight: 7.1 kg

Mode: 1200bps AFSK, 9600bps GMSK

CW downlink 437.525 MHz

FM packet downlink 437.525 MHz

Digipeater uplink 437.600 MHz

Digitalker downlink 437.600 MHz

SSTV downlink 437.600 MHz

Many FM radios can be switched been wide and narrow deviation FM filters. For best results you should select the wider filter designed for 5 kHz deviation FM.

— SPROUT English website http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp/sprout-e/

— SPROUT Japanese website http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp/sprout/

— Nihon-Univ. Miyazaki Laboratory on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nihon-Univ-Miyazaki-Laboratory/406566642818860

— Telemetry Software http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp/sprout-e/2-Software-e.html

— Telemetry format http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp/sprout-e/2-Formats%20of%20telemetry-e.html

SPROUT launch data page

http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp/sprout-e/2-Launch%20data-e.htmlTLE’s from the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) are also available at http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt

Free Slow Scan TV (SSTV) software MMSSTV http://hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php

The JE9PEL website has information on other satellites on this launch

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/jaxalos2.htm

(Full details and links may be found here.)

Robert Gulley, AK3Q, is the author of this post and a regular contributor to the SWLing Post. Robert also blogs at All Things Radio.

The best shortwave radio for cross-continent cycling?

22 Replies

SWLing Post reader, Pat, is an avid cyclist and is seeking a radio for his next cross-continent adventure. There are a limited number of products on the market that meet Pat’s requirements, so I thought posting his inquiry might bring a few options out of the woodwork. Check out Pat’s requirements and please comment if you have a suggestion!

Pat writes:

I’m a professional ski coach from Colorado. When I’m not on skis, I like to get on my bicycle and go explore the world. I’ve ridden across the USA a few times, covering all 48 states in the Continental US. A couple of years ago I got my 49th state when I rode from Alaska back home to Colorado.

Next year I plan to ride to Argentina, a journey of 12,000 miles over six months.

One of the things that keeps me sane is to have a radio strapped to the handlebars of my bike. I used to have a cheap AM/FM transistor, but have slowly improved the choice of radios on each trip.

During my Alaska ride I used a Degen DE1123, which was a great item. Not a great radio, but having an mp3 player built in made a world of difference. There were some mighty long distances without radio signal, so having the mp3 was great. But like I said, the 1123 wasn’t the most user-friendly item. Plus, it ate up AA batteries, which were pricey in the Yukon. So I upgraded to the Degen DE1125. Certainly an improvement, but still some things that could be improved. [See photo above.]

For my Argentina trip I want to have something really good; something that works well and will hopefully last six months. Also, I really like the idea of having a radio with a mini SD slot. I’ll have to download a lot of music and podcasts to keep me happy.

Someone suggested the Melson S8. I purchased one and it is a great unit, but way too big to fit on the handlebars.

You obviously have experience with many different portables and I was wondering if you could give me your suggestions. Maybe something from Degen, ShouYu, Tecsun?

Things that are important:

Ease of use (I’ll be using the controls while pedaling)

Weight (smaller and lighter is better)

Durability

Mini SD capability

Radio reception

AM, FM and SW capability

Li-ion batteries

Not overly important:

Ability to scroll through songs/find songs

Sound quality (I’ll have wind in my ears anyway)

Things that are not important:

Recording ability (I don’t foresee recording anything along the way)

Looks

Cost (I don’t want to spend $150 on a CC Crane, as the radio may get broken or stolen, but I’m willing to spend some money on a quality product if available).

[…]I’d love to select the best option for this silly ride I’m taking next summer and will happily take any advice.

A cycling trip to Argentina? Nothing silly about that, Pat! What an adventure!

Shortwave radios with MicroSD slots are somewhat limited in numbers, but more and more models have appeared on the market in the past few years.

Readers: can you help Pat with some suggestions/options? Please comment!

DIY Kit for Aircraft Band Monitoring

73 Replies

There is an interesting kit being sold on eBay designed specifically for aircraft monitoring of 118-136 MHz (meaning it could also cover a number of ACARS frequencies). The receiver is being sold as a DIY kit, a completed kit, or an assembled kit and enclosure. Prices range from ~$16 to $38 plus shipping from Hong Kong. I purchased a kit and enclosure, as building it is part of the fun for me. I will let you know how the construction goes and how the receiver performs after I get the kit together. Delivery time is estimated to be between 2 and 3 weeks, typical of things coming from Hong Kong.

Here is a picture of an assembled board:

If anyone has experience with this kit let us know your results!

Robert Gulley, AK3Q, is the author of this post and a regular contributor to the SWLing Post. Robert also blogs at All Things Radio.

Dave’s Sproutie SPT Beacon

James’ restored Sony ICF-5800H

9 Replies

SWLing Post contributor, James Patterson, has recently restored a Sony ICF-5800H. James sent me a few photos and I decided to post them here.

I absolutely love the design of Japanese analog radios from this era. They have signal meters, large backlit dials, carry straps, and proper large controls–buttons, switches and knobs–that can even be operated when wearing gloves in the winter.

Great receiver you have there, James!

CountyComm promotion includes free custom padded case with GP5/SSB

3 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who writes:

http://www.countycomm.com/gp5ssb.html

Buy a GP5 from CountyComm this week and get the 17 buck custom carry case for free.

Thanks, for sharing this, Ron. I actually have this GP5 case–it houses the GP5/SSB in my Spec Ops Brand THE pack. It’s a custom, quality case that’s actually made here in the US.

If you’ve been thinking about buying a CountyComm GP5/SSB, it might be time to pull the trigger!

Click here to read my review of the GP5/SSB.

eBay: Mario considers the Time Out Radio Bench

3 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes:

Hi Thomas,

For hams and SWLs that have a lot of clutter, a great idea, reminds me of a foot stool that has been re-purposed for radio buffs. Nice idea, good price, free shipping, what’s not to like? My spending finger’s getting itchy hi hi.

Click here to view on eBay.

I’m with you, Mario: this is not a bad price for a useful and portable shelf that is even made here in the USA (Kentucky). I could see using one on Field Day where horizontal space is often limited on club tables.

It appears that the seller (a ham: Ron, KK4RON) purchased a large number of these in a deal. He writes this in the product description:

These benches are great for setting up a compact ham station or use 3 for a surround set up , They also stack nicely if you only have a narrow space available. Go UP rather than out.

These are very sturdy and well made in the USA by a factory in Kentucky , the surface is a very durable and easy clean kitchen cabinet material (Formica) on 3/4″ wood so screwing on mounting brackets and mike holders and such is very easy

These were intended to sell for $49.95 but the company that ordered them went out of business before they had payed the factory so the factory got stuck with literally thousands of these finished and ready for sale.

We were able to acquire there entire inventory including boxes and packaging at a fantastic price but that is also why we are limited to 8 colors and 2 top colors. But these are very well built from a factory (not home made) and just perfect for mounting several radios to and cleaning up your bench.

Again, many thanks, Mario, for sharing this find (and perhaps it’s time to get yourself an early Christmas gift?)!