Gpredict on Ubuntu (Linux)

Gpredict

Very Nice program to do Satellite tracking on LINUX (UBUNTU)

Gpredict

If you want to get the Satellite Live OSCAR Satellite Status Page

MiniVNA Pro Antenna Analyzer

Just got my MiniVNA Pro Antenna analyse and started analyzing my HF multi trap inverted V antenna and it did not look good. I will have to re-tune almost all the bands.

1) What's nice about the analyzer you can see all the band details in one sweep and the re-tune and compere  the graphs.
2) Took me a wile to find out that resonant point is not necessary the lowest return los measurement but rather 0 phase difference between Tx and Rx signal when analyzer is connected directly on antenna.  Its very easy to do with the blue tooth connection to MiniVNA hanging off antenna.
    HI...

How to install the software on Linux

The VNA/J software will work on Windows, Linux and MAC as well. The compatibility was possible using the JRE 6 + (Java runtime from SUN microsystem) http://www.java.com

1) Check the java version installed on your linux

java -version

java version "1.7.0_05"

Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_05-b05)

Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 23.1-b03, mixed mode)

Apparently the link is broken here is a link to the jar http://download.dl2sba.com/vnaj/3.1.7/vnaJ.3.1.7.J1_6.jar

2) If you don't have java install it. The SUN/ ORACLE version is better.

3) Download the miniVNApro software from http://miniradiosolutions.com/swfw-updates

4) Change the permission on the file that you downloaded to have execution writes (vnaJ.2.8.3c.jar)

5) Run the command  java - jar vnaJ.2.8.3c.jar  in the file directory of the vnaJ.2.8.3c.jar

You could also create a short-cut with full path to java as well as to vnaJ.2.8.3c.jar file and execute it that way.

6)There is two ways to connect to the VNA  device (via USB cable or via Bluetooth)

6.1) I will first explain how to connect the VNA to USB port.

On UBUNTU possibly the same on all Linux versions you need to find out what is the USB serial port of  the VNA device. This can be done by disconnecting you VNA fro usb and the running the following command in Terminal tail -f /var/log/messages and the connect your VNA to USB on PC.

You should see something like this.

Jul 14 14:05:41 chackpc kernel: [917066.397530] usb 2-2.3: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 15
Jul 14 14:05:41 chackpc kernel: [917066.552690] ftdi_sio 2-2.3:1.0: FTDI USB Serial Device converter detected
Jul 14 14:05:41 chackpc kernel: [917066.552817] usb 2-2.3: Detected FT232RL
Jul 14 14:05:41 chackpc kernel: [917066.552826] usb 2-2.3: Number of endpoints 2
Jul 14 14:05:41 chackpc kernel: [917066.552834] usb 2-2.3: Endpoint 1 MaxPacketSize 64
Jul 14 14:05:41 chackpc kernel: [917066.552840] usb 2-2.3: Endpoint 2 MaxPacketSize 64
Jul 14 14:05:41 chackpc kernel: [917066.552847] usb 2-2.3: Setting MaxPacketSize 64
Jul 14 14:05:41 chackpc kernel: [917066.554902] usb 2-2.3: FTDI USB Serial Device converter now attached to ttyUSB1

The serial port as in RED above will be the port to configure in your VNA/J apllication under the analyzer setting menu see details in Picture.

Select the test button after you have selected the Analyser model and port.

Should see something changing to green at the bottom indicating the driver and port works.

Select update. (Mite get warning that there is now calibration data the first time you us the program)

Follow the operting instruction to calibrate and normal use of VNA device.

6.2) I will now explain how to connect the VNA via Bluetooth  (Very handy if you want to test the antenna without co-axle cable and connecting it directly to antenna)

Make shore the VNA is disconnected from USB and the on switch is switched on, there should be a blue led flashing at the bottom of device.

6.2.1) Then install Blueman applet ( synaptic package manager or commad line  sudo apt-get install blueman)

Then select in ubuntu menu System > preferences > Bluetooth Manager

Search for VNA device if not already in found device's.

Write click on found device and pair with device using password 1234

Then write click on PRO sn 01150 and click on setup...

Then select connect to serial port

you will the see a popup something like serial connected to /dev/rfcomm

Start the application vnaj as in section 5 above.

Select analyzer menu and the setup as in section 6.1 above.

The problem you have now is the /dev/rfcomm is not in the list of serial devices.

The reason for the problem is it seems that the VNAJ program only display devices with tty at the front

To resolve the problem run the following commands.

ls /dev

you should see something like this

agpgart          fd       loop4               psaux  ram6     sdc       tty11  tty25  tty39  tty52  tty9        vcs    vcsa7

autofs           full     loop5               ptmx   ram7     serial    tty12  tty26  tty4   tty53  ttyrfcomm0  vcs1   vga_arbiter

block            fuse     loop6               pts    ram8     sg0       tty13  tty27  tty40  tty54  ttyS0       vcs2   zero

bsg              hidraw0  loop7               ram0   ram9     sg1       tty14  tty28  tty41  tty55  ttyS1       vcs3

btrfs-control    hidraw1  mapper              ram1   random   sg2       tty15  tty29  tty42  tty56  ttyS2       vcs4

bus              hidraw2  mcelog              ram10  rfcomm1  shm       tty16  tty3   tty43  tty57  ttyS3       vcs5

char             hidraw3  mem                 ram11  rfkill   snapshot  tty17  tty30  tty44  tty58  ttyUSB0     vcs6

console          hpet     net                 ram12  root     snd       tty18  tty31  tty45  tty59  uinput      vcs7

core             input    network_latency     ram13  rtc      stderr    tty19  tty32  tty46  tty6   urandom     vcsa

cpu              kmsg     network_throughput  ram14  rtc0     stdin     tty2   tty33  tty47  tty60  usbmon0     vcsa1

cpu_dma_latency  log      null                ram15  sda      stdout    tty20  tty34  tty48  tty61  usbmon1     vcsa2

disk             loop0    oldmem              ram2   sda1     tty       tty21  tty35  tty49  tty62  usbmon2     vcsa3

dri              loop1    pktcdvd             ram3   sda2     tty0      tty22  tty36  tty5   tty63  usbmon3     vcsa4

ecryptfs         loop2    port                ram4   sda5     tty1      tty23  tty37  tty50  tty7   usbmon4     vcsa5

fb0              loop3    ppp                 ram5   sdb      tty10     tty24  tty38  tty51  tty8   usbmon5     vcsa6

you should see something like rfcomm0 or rfcomm1 ....

the run the following command

 ln -s rfcomm1 ttyrfcomm1 

Then restart your vnaj program and you now will see a serial device in you setup list ttyrfcomm1 

test and and update should work now.

Enjoy your VNA ....

My Antennas

Here is a scanned image on my Wideband antenna including coax cable done on Ubuntu.
(Antenna COMET DS-150S)

SWR and phase

My Multi trap Dipole
(CWA-1000 HF 5-BAND TRAP DIPOLE)

SWR and Phase

My (COMET CHV-5X 5 BAND DIPOLE)

Very narrow band's (The multi trap dipole is 10 times better than this CHV-5X)

SWR AND Phase

30m 1/2 wave Dipole

I now have add two active loops for the 20m and 80m SDR receivers.

here is the details

and here is the connection diagram

Here is some of my antennas.

2m Eggbeater, 2m,70cm jpole, 3element 2m/70cm yagi on rotater,
70cm Eggbeater, Discone, 2m,70cm 5/8vertical, Multiband HF  V Dipole.

Same Antennas seen from the Bottom

2.4 Ghz TX to Satellite

10Ghz RX and 2.4Ghz TX antennas

10Ghz LNB

Vertical Polymerization for Narrow Band 10Ghz

10Ghz RX

Setting Up My Dish 60 Elevation and 4 Deg Azim

IBP International Beacon Project

IBP shows which of the beacons of the International Beacon Project is transmitting now.
IBP is a Linux program that helps one with monitoring the beacons of the International Beacon Project, by continuously showing which beacon is transmitting on which frequency, along with the distance and antenna directions by PA3FWM.

You can download the program from here

Echolink on Ubuntu Linux (with Wine)

Echolink on Ubuntu (Linux)

The default Windows Echolink installers work fine with Wine on Ubuntu.

1) Install Wine.

2) Download Echolink install.

3) Run install using Wine.

4) There will then be an Echolink Icon in Wine program files and on your Desktop.

5) Start Echolink and set-up your station info.

6) Have fun....

If you are looking for a native Echolink program for Linux read my blog here http://zr6aic.blogspot.com/2013/07/echolink-on-ubuntu-setting-up-svxlink.html

Packet Radio on Ubuntu using Soundmodem

Packet Radio on Ubuntu using Soundmodem (144.800Mhz)

I got my ax25 configuration working with soundmodem on Ubuntu.

1) Install soundmodem and all ax25 options with Synaptic Package Manager or with (apt-get)

1.1)The list of apps I installed. ax25-apps, ax25-tools, ax25-xtools, ax25mail-utils, ax25spyd, soundmodem,

sudo apt-get install ax25-apps
sudo apt-get install ax25-tools
sudo apt-get install ax25-xtools
sudo apt-get install ax25mail-utils
sudo apt-get install ax25spyd
sudo apt-get install soundmodem

1.2) I found this script EasyPacket (install it) http://www.w1hkj.com/EasyPacket.html .
It consist of a series of scipts to simplify the process of starting and configerating a user packet node, see documentation in /usr/share/doc/easypacket (after instillation) for mode details.

1.3) The document was in Spanish and I had to translate it with google. Here is the content.

****************************************************

README
Greetings, My name is Pavel and I am CO7WTCosta Milanes, a Cuban Amateur Radio

This packete software was created to provide aconfiguration standard in mind to facilitate the assembly of apacket station in GNU / Linux, is expected to be as automatic as possible throughout their development.

The ideas or main bases of this software are:

- Used to create 3 soundmodem software modems simultaneous / Individual
- Create three ports of packet: 1k2, 9k6 and 4K8,which correspond to the speed AFSK 1200, 4800 and 9600 AFSK FSK,or all together or each individually.
- As a GNU / Linux has to assign an IP address toScholarly interface, suggests the use of AMPR declared 44.128.xxsegment test for each of the interfaces on different network segments, you must reset the IP address what proveea your local coordinator, allocation is as follows:
IP Address Mode Speed ​​port interface
1200 baud AFSK 1k2 44.128.0.1 x0 4K8 AFSK

4800 baud ax1 44.128.1.1

9600 baud FSK 9k6 44.128.2.1 ax2
- Only taken into account the connections AX25;NETROSE BPQ and others are referred
- Default incoming connections to ttylinkd enrrutanis not actualemnte functional.
- The indicative NOCALL default and is configured using the packetconfig script.

*********************************************

I found the README a bit cryptic.

2) I did the following.

2.1)I run soundmodemconfig  you will need X window server if you are doing this remotely via ssh

sudo soundmodemconfig

Soundmodem config screen

2.2) Configure the sound modem as in the pictures above. ( it will save the config when you exit the app)

plughw0.0 could be different for your Linux depending how many Audio sound cards you have in your ALSA configuration.  

sudo arecord -l will list your device's

**** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
xcb_connection_has_error() returned true
Home directory /home/anton not ours.
card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC662 rev1 Analog [ALC662 rev1 Analog]
  Subdevices: 0/1
  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
card 1: V10 [FUNcube Dongle V1.0], device 0: USB Audio [USB Audio]
  Subdevices: 1/1

  Subdevice #0: subdevice #0

plughw0.0  will be card 0

2.3) I connected the external speaker sound plug on Radio to laptop line in and tuned VHF radio to 144.800Mhz FM to see some local packet traffic.

2.4) Select new configuration in file menu and then sound card.
On the older Ubuntu it was /dev/dsp (soundcard) new Ubuntu its (alsa and plughw:0,0) and your serial port (my port was /dev/ttyS0) for your PTT (I am using ZS1I radio interface between radio and laptop)

to see what is the list of serial devices run the command ls -al /dev/* | grep ttyS

crw-rw----  1 root dialout   4,  64 Sep  4 17:42 /dev/ttyS0
crw-rw----  1 root dialout   4,  65 Sep  4 17:42 /dev/ttyS1
crw-rw----  1 root dialout   4,  74 Sep  4 17:42 /dev/ttyS10
crw-rw----  1 root dialout   4,  75 Sep  4 17:42 /dev/ttyS11
crw-rw----  1 root dialout   4,  76 Sep  4 17:42 /dev/ttyS12

U can use the terminal program to see if its the correct serial port.
Install minicom serial terminal program.

sudo apt-get install minicom

sudo minicom

Welcome to minicom 2.5

OPTIONS: I18n
Compiled on May  2 2011, 00:39:27.
Port /dev/tty8

Press CTRL-A Z for help on special keys

Press [ctrl]A and then Z

You should then get this menu

    +-------------------------------------------------------------------+

     |                                  Minicom Command Summary                       |

     |                                                                                                      |

     |          Commands can be called by CTRL-A <key>                       |

     |                                                                                                      |

     |               Main Functions                  Other Functions                     |

     |                                                                                                      |

     | Dialing directory..D  run script (Go)....G        | Clear Screen.......C  |

     | Send files.........S  Receive files......R         | cOnfigure Minicom..O  |

     | comm Parameters....P  Add linefeed.......A | Suspend minicom....J  |

     | Capture on/off.....L  Hangup.............H          | eXit and reset.....X  |

     | send break.........F  initialize Modem...M      | Quit with no reset.Q |

     | Terminal settings..T  run Kermit.........K      | Cursor key mode....I  |

     | lineWrap on/off....W  local Echo on/off..E      | Help screen........Z  |

     | Paste file.........Y                                            | scroll Back........B   |

     |                                                                                                      |

     |      Select function or press Enter for none.                                     |

     |                                                                                                      |

     |             Written by Miquel van Smoorenburg 1991-1995               |

     |             Some additions by Jukka Lahtinen 1997-2000                  |

     |             i18n by Arnaldo Carvalho de Melo 1998                           |

     +-------------------------------------------------------------------+

Select option  O

+-----[configuration]------+

 | Filenames and paths      |

 | File transfer protocols    |

 | Serial port setup            |

 | Modem and dialing        |

 | Screen and keyboard     |

 | Save setup as dfl           |

 | Save setup as..              |

 | Exit                               |

+--------------------------+

Select Serial port setup

Change your comm port by selecting A

and then edit your port  /dev/ttyS0  ??

Save and exit to get back to terminal and send some characters and check your serial port TX pins for data.
select  X to exit

2.5) Then select file new channel in the soundmodemconfig ( Select modulator and demodulator afsk the rest of the defaults should be ok.)

Change your cal-sign in Packet IO tab.

2.6) Select Channel menu on left and the click on Diagnostics menu and click on scope. You should see your audio from your radio ext speaker. ( if you get an error you have the wrong audio device change it until it work)

Set the volume on receiver for reasonable level (You might have to set the level with sudo alsamixer)

Sudo alsamixer

Use the F5 and F6 keys to select the sound card and input M also selects options

2.7) Exit the soundmodem config program. ( it will save the config on exit)

2.8) There should be a config file in /etc/ax25/soundmodem.conf

2.9) make a copy and rename it to soundmodem.9k6.conf

3) you can now start the easypacket script (sudo packeton 9k6)

3.1) you should see something like (The following interfaces are ready to rock: sm0 ZR6AIC)

hi......

Almost done.

you could now monitor packet in listening mode with the following commands. (sudo ax25spy or sudo  listen  has changed to sudo axlistin -c -a).

I will continue next time how to connect using the ax25 tools ....

here is the list of commands that manages your AX25 connections.

Command	Description
mheard	Mheard  displays information about most recently heard AX.25 callsigns, the interface upon which they were heard, the total packets heard,  the time  at  which  the  last one was heard and other information.  Mheard displays different information, in different orders  depending  on  the settings  of  the  arguments. Information on specific ports can be displayed by giving the port names as arguments.
ax25d	Ax25d  is  a  general purpose server daemon that listens on a number of AX.25, NET/ROM and Rose ports and offers different  services  depending upon port, callsign and other parameters.
axctl	The axctl commands to be issued to the Linux AX.25 protocol layer for existing AX.25 connections. The connection is uniquely  identified  via  the  combination  of port, destination callsign and source callsign, with that information the kernel is able to change the parameters, or abort the connection. .
axparms	Configure AX.25 interfaces
axspawn	Allow automatic login to a Linux system
beacon	Transmit periodic messages on an AX.25 port
bpqparms	Configure BPQ ethernet devices
mheardd	Collect information about packet activity
rxecho	Route AX.25 packets between ports transparently
sethdlc	Get/set Linux HDLC packet radio modem driver port information
smmixer	Get/set Linux soundcard packet radio modem driver mixer
smdiag	Linux soundcard packet radio modem driver diagnostics utility
kissattach	Attach a KISS or 6PACK interface
kissnetd	Create a virtual network
kissparms	Configure KISS TNCs
net2kiss	Convert a network AX.25 driver to a KISS stream on a pseudo-tty
mkiss	Attach a multi KISS interface
nodesave	Saves NET/ROM routing information
nrattach	Start a NET/ROM interface
nrparms	Configure the NET/ROM interface
nrsdrv	KISS to NET/ROM serial converter
netromd	Send and receive NET/ROM routing messages
rsattach	Start a ROSE interface
rsdwnlnk	User exit from the ROSE network
rsparms	Configure the ROSE interface
rsuplnk	User entry into the ROSE network
ttylinkd	TTYlink daemon for AX.25, NET/ROM, ROSE and IP
rip98d	Send and receive RIP98 routing messages
ax25_call	Make an AX.25, NET/ROM, ROSE or TCP connection
netrom_call	Make an AX.25, NET/ROM, ROSE or TCP connection
rose_call	Make an AX.25, NET/ROM, ROSE or TCP connection
tcp_call	Make an AX.25, NET/ROM, ROSE or TCP connection
yamcfg	Configure YAM driver parameters
dmascc_cfg	Configure dmascc devices
ax25ipd	AX.25 into IP Encapsulator
ax25rtd	AX.25 routing daemon
ax25rtctl	AX.25 routing daemon control utility
call > now axcall	Make an AX.25, NET/ROM or ROSE connection
listen	Monitor AX.25 traffic
ax25mond	Dump the AX.25 network traffic and and provide sockets where the received data will be retransmitted
soundmodem	Soundcard modem driver
soundmodemconfig	Soundcard modem configuration utility
aprsd	APRS daemon
aprspass	APRS passcode generator
aprsdigi	APRS digipeater
aprsmon	Monitor APRS AX.25 traffic for JavAPRS

More info is avalable here http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/AX25-HOWTO/index.html

Weather satellite reception with Funcube and WXtoImg (ubuntu)

Weather satellite reception with Funcube and WXtoImg (Ubuntu)

I am using QUISK,QTHID and xwxtoimg on my Ubuntu to receive weather satellite reception.

Still trying to get the bandwidth bigger in fun-cube but here's the details so far.

I am using a mobile 2M 1/4 wave mag mount on roof for reception Antenna.

1) Start QTHID
2.1) Change the frequency to one of the following.
2.2) Polar orbiting satellites TX freq 137.10 137.40 137.50 137.62 or 137.9125 50ksz or NFM until you receive a satellite. Satellite will pass twice per day
about 12h apart.
3) Start QUISK.
3.1) select FM and click on center of wave.
4)Start WXtoImg.
4.1) Firs time you use WXtoImg set your location it is needed to calculate your satellite time and freq. (wxtoimg -G)
4.1) select file update Keplers.
4.2) Click on Satellite Pass List.
4.3) select freq for next pass on QTHID.
4.4) Select Record and the image and then OK.
4.5) Play with volume control to get best results.
4.6) Band with on fun-cube still to narrow still puzzling out how to make it wider.

FUNcube dongle pro SDR

Just received my Funcubedongle Pro (SDR) and cant wait to get started.

As I am a Ubuntu (Linux) user only, it seems I need to compile the exe with QT Creator.

Will let you now how it went.

Got it working on Ubuntu
1) Had to upgrade dongle firmware to 18f on Windows :(
1.1) Then download Qthid for linux.
2) Screen-shot above of Qthid and Quisk applications.
3) Installation detail for Quisk.
3.1) Copy FCD configuration file from https://gist.github.com/838939 to your home dir EG /home/anton/.quisk_conf.py
3.2) Download the Quisk application from http://james.ahlstrom.name/quisk/docs.html (quisk-3.4.4.tar.gz tar -xvf and then run quisk.py you need python)
4) You will need pigtail cable assembly (SMA Mail to N Mail) and you can get it from http://www.dbg.co.za/index.php
(Nm to SMA(M)RP LMR195 Pigtail [1 Metre]R79.00)

I have now installed a general coverage antenna on top of my roof.

The Comet DS-150S discone antenna will provide reception from 25 MHz to 1,5 GHz and is suitable for transmitting.