Often I give an update on the activity on narrowband transponder, but I am not aware of similar way to actually see the signals in the wideband section. The BATV webSDR shows the spectrum, not the actual signals. OK, I know you could look at the actual satellite, but I was wondering if these DATV signals could be viewed on the internet.
If you know how to look at actual DATV signals via Oscar 100, please let me know.
Every few weeks I give an update on activity levels on the narrowband transponder on this satelllite by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall, UK. Activity levels were low when I looked at 1100z today. Activity levels can change very quickly, but remains well below capacity. There is plenty of space.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .
It gets worse!
As you know I periodically have a peek at activity levels on this geosynchronous satellite. The last time I checked was a Saturday morning in Europe, which I would have expected to be one of the busiest times. Sadly, there was hardly anybody active! I saw just 2 signals!
My conclusion is still that this satellite is very underused.
In a way this is surprising as, once set up, you can work half the world with ease with no QSB at any time. No beams, no towers, no linears are needed. Once aimed, the small dish is fixed for ever. There is no local noise to fight. All very neighbour friendly! I guess the lack of commercial offerings puts off "black box" operators. To get active requires a brain, not a purse. I am sure that if one of the Japanese manufacturers made a "black box" solution, things would rapidly change. I guess the risk of it failing and the lack of volumes puts them off.
As mentioned before, it seems keen people enjoy the challenge of getting active, then lose interest. Most activity seems to be from Europe although I have spotted Thailand, South Africa and Brazil. It is odd spotting all of these just like a local!
Every few weeks I take a look at activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. My last unscientific peek was Tuesday at about 2115z. Activity levels remain low.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .
Every few weeks I take a peek at the activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. It has been up some while, although activity still remains low. I last looked in the late evening European time.
The last time I looked was lunchtime in Europe on a Wednesday. It was quiet.
Steve G1KQH has brought my attention to an article in an Indian newspaper. According to the article, a group of amateurs in India is working on a low cost transverter for this geosynchronous satellite. I have no idea about cost or availability.
Oscar 100 provides wide DX coverage at any time, needs a small fixed dish, no QSB, no noise, no tower, no rotator, no linear and very neighbour friendly. Just think you could be chatting on SSB to stations in Thailand, Europe or Brazil without the neighbours even being aware!
Oscar 100 has suffered from a lack of activity and I am quite surprised that one of the big manufacturers has not offered a simple solution by now. For £1k they could do a "black box" solution that could be widely sold.
Many are put off as it is "too hard".
As I have said many times before, if one of the big manufacturers was offering a "black box" solution, I expect activity would be far greater. As it is, getting on the satellite is too hard for most who are cheque-book amateurs rather than true experimenters.
What would a total solution cost? I suspect much less than £2k with everything needed including, rig, dish, feed, LNA, etc.. Remember, no towers, no beams, neighbour friendly, DX at any time, no QSB. In fact once set up, just chat!! I can see this appealing to many "black box" operators.
What seems to happen is the true experimenters like the challenge of getting going: building the kit, aiming the dish(es), sorting out the feed etc. Once this is done, many lose interest.
See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .
Regular readers will know that every few weeks I check activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite.
The last time I looked was at 0832z on a Saturday, which is when I would have expected it to be quite busy in Europe, being a weekend Saturday morning.
It was quiet. If anything, activity is lower than it was with very few stations on. I guess it is just too hard for black box operators!! I have no doubt that if Yaesu or ICOM made a simple solution then activity would suddenly rocket!
A few moments ago I did my usual peek at the activity on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. It was Friday lunchtime in Europe.
Activity? Very quiet. In fact there was just one QSO when I looked! It appears this sort of amateur radio does not appeal. After 2 years there seems to be even less activity!
Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on the narrowband transponder on Oscar 100 using the on-line SDR at Goonhilly Down. I looked twice last evening at times that would have been European Sunday evenings.
My impression was that activity levels were quite low with plenty of space.
Every few weeks I take an unscientific look at the narrowband transponder on this satellite. There is still plenty of space!
My last look was on a Sunday afternoon in Europe, when you might expect activity to be probably quite high, not that it was!
My impression is you could easily double the number of stations at least.
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| Quite low activity really |
My impression is activity levels are still low. As I have said before, this is just a quick view and far from scientific. If I looked a few minutes before or after, I might have formed a different view.
There were a handful of stations on shortly after as the photo shows
As said many times before, this is not a scientific look. It is more of a "quick peek" impression, in this case looking mid-afternoon on a Friday in Europe.
My impression is activity is very slightly up on the last time I looked. There is still plenty of room.
