SGATE Activity at KI4MCW-7

Predictions

I have not had this script running for a long time. Originally, I used the predictions that were generated by this script to drive some automation - another script would announce the upcoming pass on APRS (on 144.390), then a few minutes before the pass change the frequency of my FT-897D from 144.390 to 145.825 (to be able to hear ARISS), beacon to ARISS a few times, record any packets heard, post the results to the "SGATE-ed Packets" spreadsheet below, and switch back to 144.390 for regular IGATE service. This was all a bit complicated, and would occasionally goof me up when I was trying to work HF (and forgot to disable the schedule), but generally worked pretty well. This arrangement used the scripts "kepupdate.sh", "schedaprs.pl", and "endpass.pl", attached below.

Traffic Passed

Packets received from the ISS and forwarded to the APRS Internet backbone. Since late 2009, this shows only the packets I have received and IGATE-ed from 145.825. I no longer use the frequency switching arrangement - I just listen passively, and once per day read through the XASTIR TNC log to see what packets I have picked up. This simpler approach uses the "daily_log_scrape.pl" script, attached below.

About station KI4MCW-7

My original config was an FT-897D with a TNC-X, RIGtalk for control, a dual-band mag-mount antenna stuck to a heating duct in the attic, and a PC running Ubuntu. Later, I used an old RadioShack PRO-94 handheld scanner (with AC adaptor) connected to the same mag-mount, TNC-X, and Linux PC. Since the scanner cannot transmit or be controlled by the PC, there is no need for the RIGtalk or the complex frequency change scheduling. I do miss being able to announce satellite passes, though - it was nice to see my home station's APRS announcement appear on the TM-D700 in my car, so that I could tune to 145.825 and catch some packets, ARISS-to-mobile.

Attached Files

Link