Kenwood TM-D700A User Manual - Page 10

Pacsats - manual

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PACSATs PACSATs refer to satellites designed and launched for digital communications using the AX.25 protocol. Several PACSATs are currently in orbit serving thousands of hams throughout the world. The PACSATs receive (uplink) on VHF and transmit (downlink) on UHF. Some of them use FM to receive and SSB to transmit, and operate at 1200 bps. The others use FM to both receive and transmit, and operate at 9600 bps. This transceiver allows communications with the 9600 bps satellites. The PACSATs provide functions similar to terrestrial PBBSs. You can use the satellites to send email, download a file, or enjoy other fascinating activities. From the satellites equipped with high resolution cameras, you may download still pictures taken in space. In order to work the PACSATs, you need rotators that allow azimuth and elevation control, plus high-gain directional antennas. Your antenna has to track satellites which travel from horizon to horizon. However, many hams have been successfully using fixed omnidirectional antennas. As for software, you need dedicated programs capable of working the "broadcast" protocols. Besides the "broadcast" programs, various utilities which will ease your operations are available via the Web pages of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT); the world wide organization of Amateur Satellite operators and supporters. For further information, consult Internet Web pages relating to the PACSATs. On one of the Internet search engines, you may use "PACSAT" or "AMSAT" as a key word to find those Web pages. It will also be wise to ask help to one of your local satellite packeteers. 1 Access Menu 1-6-1 (DATA BAND) to select A:TX B:RX (or A:RX B:TX). 3 Uses band A to transmit packets and band B A:TX B:RX to receive packets; band A = data TX band, band B = data RX band. Uses band A to receive packets and band B A:RX B:TX to transmit packets; band A = data RX band, band B = data TX band. 2 Confirm that a VHF band has been recalled on the data TX band. 3 Tune the data TX band to the uplink frequency of the target PACSAT. 4 Confirm that a UHF band has been recalled on the data RX band. 5 Tune the data RX band to the downlink frequency of the PACSAT. 6 Press [F] (1 s), [TNC], then [F] (1 s), [TNC] again to enter Packet mode. • "TNC PKT" should appear. For the subsequent steps, follow the manual for the "broadcast" program and your reference material. 7

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7
3
PACSATs
PACSATs refer to satellites designed and launched for
digital communications using the AX.25 protocol.
Several PACSATs are currently in orbit serving
thousands of hams throughout the world.
The PACSATs
receive (uplink) on VHF and transmit (downlink) on UHF.
Some of them use FM to receive and SSB to transmit,
and operate at 1200 bps.
The others use FM to both
receive and transmit, and operate at 9600 bps.
This
transceiver allows communications with the 9600 bps
satellites.
The PACSATs provide functions similar to
terrestrial PBBSs. You can use the satellites to send e-
mail, download a file, or enjoy other fascinating activities.
From the satellites equipped with high resolution
cameras, you may download still pictures taken in space.
In order to work the PACSATs, you need rotators that
allow azimuth and elevation control, plus high-gain
directional antennas.
Your antenna has to track
satellites which travel from horizon to horizon.
However,
many hams have been successfully using fixed
omnidirectional antennas.
As for software, you need
dedicated programs capable of working the “broadcast”
protocols.
Besides the “broadcast” programs, various
utilities which will ease your operations are available via
the Web pages of the Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation (AMSAT); the world wide organization of
Amateur Satellite operators and supporters.
For further information, consult Internet Web pages
relating to the PACSATs.
On one of the Internet search
engines, you may use “PACSAT” or “AMSAT” as a key
word to find those Web pages.
It will also be wise to ask
help to one of your local satellite packeteers.
1
Access Menu 1–6–1 (DATA BAND) to select A:TX B:RX
(or A:RX B:TX).
2
Confirm that a VHF band has been recalled on the
data TX band.
3
Tune the data TX band to the uplink frequency of the
target PACSAT.
4
Confirm that a UHF band has been recalled on the
data RX band.
5
Tune the data RX band to the downlink frequency of
the PACSAT.
6
Press
[F] (1 s)
,
[TNC]
, then
[F] (1 s)
,
[TNC]
again to
enter Packet mode.
•
“
TNC PKT
” should appear.
For the subsequent steps, follow the manual for the
“broadcast” program and your reference material.
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