hoffman%pitt@CSNET-RELAY.ARPA (02/12/86)
From: Bob Hoffman <hoffman%pitt@csnet-relay.arpa>
The following messages are from CompuServe's HamNet. Thanks are due to
Scott Loftesness, W3VS, for traveling to Tucson and filing this report.
#: 37701 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:10:36
Sb: Annual Mtg. Agenda
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
Here's the agenda of today's TAPR Annual Meeting:
Welcome - Lyle WA7GXD
Presentation - Andy N0CCZ
LSC-10 & Clone - Pete WB9FLW
JAS-1 - Tac JA2PKI
SAREX2 - Tom W3IWI
OSCAR 11 - Harold NK6K
Braille - Ron AG7H
PACGRAM - Jay WB8TKL
ARRL - Fried WA6WZO
*Lunch*
Dual Port - Tom KC6OX
TNC2 - Mike WB6HHV
9600 bps radio - Steve K9NG
TAPR NNC - Lyle WA7GXD
AEA PM-1 - Al N6RFK
HF Tuning & Kaypro 10 - Dan KE7CZ
Regional Reports - Bill WD0ETZ, Tom W3IWI, Gwyn W1BEL
Additional news from several of these topics follow in later messages!
#: 37702 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:11:02
Sb: #TAPR Directors
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
TAPR Board of Directors election results were announced at today's annual
meeting. The following individuals were elected:
Steve Goode, K9NG
Eric Gustafson, N7CL
Lyle Johnson, WA7GXD
Scott Loftesness, W3VS
Gwyn Reedy, W1BEL
#: 37703 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:11:45
Sb: WB9FLW Gets Award!
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
At today's Tucson Amateur Packet Radio group annual meeting, Pete Eaton,
WB9FLW, received a special award. A special presentation model ALJ-1000 was
presented to Pete by Andy Freeborn, N0CCZ, one of the original designers of
the ALJ-1000. According to Andy, the ALJ-1000 that Pete received was the last
production model produced - and was presented to Pete in recognition of Pete's
outstanding coordination of the TNC-2 and ALJ-1000 programs.
#: 37704 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:13:25
Sb: JAS-1 Update
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
At today's TAPR annual meeting, Tak, JA2PKI provided an update on the
significant progress that's been made on JAS-1, a Japanese amateur satellite
scheduled for launch in August of this year
JAS-1 is a joint project of the JARL and JAMSAT. It will provide both analog
and digital packet radio transponders. The packet radio transponder will
function as a bulletin board system. It uses a Z-80 based (NSC800 CMOS)
computer with 1.5 mb of RAM memory (1 mb of which is usable due to error
detection/correction).
The satellite will contain one receiver (2m), 2 transmitters (70 cm - one
digital, one analog) and weigh a total of 110 lbs. It's is small in size (
16"x16"x18.5") and there is a total of 8.5 watts power available onboard the
spacecraft. The satellite will ride the Japanese H-1 launcher (2-stage).
Both of the digital links runs at 1200 bps. The digital uplink channels will
be 145.85, .87, .89, and .91 MHz. A ground station with 100w eirp will be
required to work the satellite. The digital downlink (a single channel) will
be on 435.91 MHz. The ground station receiving system design point is 15 dbi.
The uplink station will need to use a Manchester encoding scheme to transmit
to the satellite. The downlink from the satellite will use PSK modulation.
TAPR and JAMSAT are discussing the possibility of TAPR providing a modem to
accomplish this as a TAPR kit project.
Of the 1 mb of usable system memory, some 32 kb will be used for the operating
system. The remainder of the memory will be available for message storage.
The analog transponder will use 145.9-146 MHz as the uplink channel and 435.9
-435.8 MHz for the downlink. A beacon will operate on 435.795 MHz.
JAS-1 will be launched into an orbit similar to shuttle orbit - approx 50 deg
inclination. It should pass over the same place on earth some six times/day
and be visibilt for about 20 minutes on a pass.
#: 37705 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:14:04
Sb: SAREX2 Update
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
Tom Clark, W3IWI, provided an update on the SAREX2 experiment which had been
planned for a March '86 shuttle flight. With the tragedy a week ago, it isn't
know when, or if, this experiment will fly. SAREX2 is a packet radio
experiment which planned to use 144.95 MHz for uplink and 145.55 MHz as the
downlink - an intentional 600 khz split. Using a TRS-80 Model 100, specially
programmed TAPR TNC-2, and the Motorola HT SAREX2's objective is to work as
many packet radio stations as possible during the shuttle mission.
Tom advised that the Doppler effect ill be very important to successfully
working SAREX2. He also advised that many packet radio users will need to
reduce the deviation on their FM radios to compensate for off frequency
operation resulting from Doppler effect.
#: 37706 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:14:39
Sb: TNC-1 4.0 Code
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
Packet users running TAPR TNC-1's (or the AEA or Heathkit clones) have been
anxiously awaiting release 4.0 of the programming for the TNC-1. Harold Price,
NK6K, provided an update on the status of this project. Unfortunately, it has
taken Harold much longer to finish this code than had been anticipate. The
major problem is the 6809 microprocessorused in the TNC-1. This is a difficult
micro to port Pascal code to - and Harold's been fighting compiler bugs, 90
minute compilation times, and other frustrations trying to finish this code.
All he could say is that he found a significant compiler bug just before
coming to Tucson - and, with a little bit of luck, that will be the infamous
last bug!
#: 37707 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:15:10
Sb: UO-11/DCE Update
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
Harold Price, NK6K, reported on the progress that's been made with the data
communications experiment (DCE) flying on the UoSAT/OSCAR-11 amateur radio
satellite. New programming uploaded to UO-11 provides a 96k message storage
area, room for 128 messages, and a 16k max message size. It has been
determined that on a signle UO-11 pass, about 40k of data can be transferred
via this new software/satellite combination. Access today will only be via
Gateways stations. NK6K, UoS, Vita, WD0ETZ, VK/ZL/JA stations will be likely
gateways initially. Anyone can hear UoSAT 11 by listening to its 145.825 MHz
output frequency.
#: 37708 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:15:58
Sb: ARRL Update
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
Fried Heyn, WA6WZO, ARRL Southwestern Division Director, provided an update on
the ARRL's concern on the recent FCC automatic operation ruling (PR-80-105).
The League board of directors has authorized president Larry Price to take
steps necessary to correct the restrictive effect of the FCC Report and Order.
He reported that the FCC has rejected PRB-2 (the request by an Arizona
broadcaster to use ham radio for broadcast purposes).
He mentioned the 1986 ARRL National Convention which will be held in San
Diego. One interesting ploy: anyone under 18 will be let in free - hopefully
to stimulate interest in ham radio by youngsters/teens.
#: 37709 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 01:16:15
Sb: Braille Packet
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
AG7H (Ron) & Jeff (N7FDS) reported on connecting a TNC to a Versabraille
system. This unit converts RS-232 signals into Braille using a small keyboard
based device. It uses pins to generate braille characters. Jeff will be
writing software for this machine to better interface to packet.
#: 37715 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 09:27:43
Sb: Packet Traffic
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
Jay Nugent, WB8TKL, from Ann Arbor, MI spoke on his Pacgram protocol. This
protocol converts a standard ARRL Radiogram to a packet format with minimal
characters. He will be presenting a paper at the upcoming 5th ARRL Computer
Networking Conference. Additional information is available on his BBS: 313-971
-4529.
#: 37716 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 09:28:13
Sb: Dual Port TNC2
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
Mike Brock, WB6HHV, and Tom, KA6SOX, reported on their work to enhance a TNC-2
to provide dual port digipeater functions. What they've done is add additional
logic outboard of the TNC-2 on RS232C side. Included is an interface to a
state machine (on a PAL) and another modem to the second radio. Modifications
to the TNC-2 are also required to bring out some signals required by the
outboard logic. They have a PC board layout available for the state machine.
They have also begun a project using modified Radio Shack "TALKMAN" radios on
six meters - which they believe will offer some advantages over 220.
#: 37717 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 09:29:19
Sb: 9600 Baud Radios
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
Steve Goode, K9NG, provided an update on his 9600 baud modem project.
According to Steve, only four groups are seriously working with the modem:
KA6SOX (CA), K4GFG (FL), WB9MJN (IL), KE3Z (East Coast). These groups have
reports several serious problems in attempting to get 9600 baud modems on the
air: poor stability of the Hamtronics FM5 transmitter; poor image rejection
of FM5 receiver; too narrow IF bandwidth on Midland 220 radios; and poor
frequency stability of all radios.
Steve then described what he believes is required in terms of a radio to run
at 9600 bps and, eventually, at 56 kbps. His list of features included: 220
MHz radio, stable transmitter with good specs, receiver with good specs,
capable of 9600 bps with upgrade to 56 kbps later, fast turn around from T/R
to R/T, synthesized, about 10 watts output.
Based on this list of requirements, Steve asked for feedback from the group on
whether he was on the right track. Some discussion on just what problem was he
trying to solve ensued. Most of the group was concerned with solving the
backbone, high speed link problem - not attempting to develop a 9600 baud
radio which could be sold to almost every packeteer. However, Steve got a
general consensus to proceed with a design against those requirements. He has
a basic design laid out - and is hoping to be able to get a unit put together
this year sometime.
#: 37718 S9/Packet/RTTY/AMTOR
09-Feb-86 09:29:53
Sb: AEA PM-1
Fm: HamNet*SYSOP Scott W3VS 76703,407
To: =TAPR NEWS=
AEA has announced a new packet modem, the PM-1. Intended for use as an HF
Modem, it is installed between TNC and your TX/RX. It includes additional
filtering to enhance reception and improves the signal to noise ratio for
packet reception by some 10-15 db. It includes support for both 200 and 600 hz
shift. The 600 hz secondary shift really is there for experimentation. Some
believe there may be an advantage to the wider 600 hz shift on HF - especially
on 20 meters with selective fading, etc. Also included in the unit is a
builtin tuning indiciator to assist in getting on the proper frequency. Price
range for the PM-1 is $170-180 with availability expected later this month.
__
73,
Bob Hoffman, N3CVL {allegra, bellcore, cadre, idis, psuvax1}!pitt!hoffman
Pitt Computer Science hoffman%pitt@csnet-relay