Shack

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=80 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f00500dvldtc.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Monitoring Post</B></FONT><B>  </B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <a href= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/rx2.htm" target="_top"" onMouseOver= "if (document.images) document._31222181150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22281150.gif';" onMouseOut= "if (document.images) document._31222181150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22181150.gif';"><img src= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22181150.gif" name="_31222181150" border=0></a>   <a href= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/analysis.htm" target="_top"" onMouseOver= "if (document.images) document._69422381150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22481150.gif';" onMouseOut= "if (document.images) document._69422381150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22381150.gif';"><img src= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22381150.gif" name="_69422381150" border=0></a>   <a href= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/tips.htm" target="_top"" onMouseOver= "if (document.images) document._58222581150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22681150.gif';" onMouseOut= "if (document.images) document._58222581150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22581150.gif';"><img src= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/22581150.gif" name="_58222581150" border=0></a>  </B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="040d2c00dvldtc.gif"> <div>  <img src="HTMLobj-94/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="120" height="58">  </div> <bR> <div>  <a href= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/" target="_top"" onMouseOver= "if (document.images) document._91620281150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/20181150.gif';" onMouseOut= "if (document.images) document._91620281150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/20281150.gif';"><img src= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/20281150.gif" name="_91620281150" border=0></a>  </div> <div>  <a href= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/about.htm" target="_top"" onMouseOver= "if (document.images) document._1801fa81150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1fb81150.gif';" onMouseOut= "if (document.images) document._1801fa81150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1fa81150.gif';"><img src= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1fa81150.gif" name="_1801fa81150" border=0></a>  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="1f681150.gif" border=0 width="129" height="21" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  <a href= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/images.htm" target="_top"" onMouseOver= "if (document.images) document._4511f181150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1f281150.gif';" onMouseOut= "if (document.images) document._4511f181150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1f181150.gif';"><img src= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1f181150.gif" name="_4511f181150" border=0></a>  </div> <div>  <a href= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/software.htm" target="_top"" onMouseOver= "if (document.images) document._6861ee81150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1ef81150.gif';" onMouseOut= "if (document.images) document._6861ee81150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1ee81150.gif';"><img src= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1ee81150.gif" name="_6861ee81150" border=0></a>  </div> <div>  <a href= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/links.htm" target="_top"" onMouseOver= "if (document.images) document._691eb81150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1ea81150.gif';" onMouseOut= "if (document.images) document._691eb81150.src= 'http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1eb81150.gif';"><img src= "http://www.accesscomm.ca/users/monitoringpost/1eb81150.gif" name="_691eb81150" border=0></a>  </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:monitoringpost@accesscomm.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:monitoringpost@accesscomm.ca"><U><B> <img src="HTMLobj-567/aniGif.gif" border="0" align="bottom" width="60" height="50">  </B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Send an E-mail</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://users.accesscomm.ca/monitoringpost/stats/localhost_16777218.html" target="_blank"" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://users.accesscomm.ca/monitoringpos"><U>Network Statistics</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Copyright © 2000 - 2010</B></div> <div> <B>All Rights Reserved</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> Shack</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Monitoring Post Station</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="4" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="600" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FFFFFF" BORDERCOLORDARK="#111111" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 221 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="34cd78f0.jpg" border=0 width="215" height="143" ALT="HAL, pictured center with SAL sitting upper left." ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="34e8fd70.jpg" border=0 width="143" height="215" ALT="The Monitoring Post station" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="3d8b7ac0.jpg" border=0 width="183" height="172" ALT="Equipment Rack" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <div> The Monitoring Post's Station sports four permanent computers configured in a peer-to-peer 100 BaseT network featuring a <I>wireless</I> LinkSys Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch. This not only adds the flexibility associated with file and printer sharing but gave this author the excuse needed to personalize these machines.</div> <bR> <div> HAL, (photo center) is an Intel Pentium Class III 600MHz sporting 384MB of RAM, a ATI Radeon 7000 32MB graphics card and a 30 Gigabyte hard drive along with other features. With it's digital camera looking down as pictured this name was apt.</div> <bR> <div> Primary functions have been delegated to each machine - with it's high speed processor, abundant RAM and high resolutions graphics, HAL is able to keep the processing of APT wave files to a minimum.  When not decoding saved APT transmissions HAL provides real-time ground tracking and prediction for numerous satellites and the International Space Station.  Two-line element data is retrieved on a periodic basis and stored locally. In addition to APT, HAL also processes downloaded HRPT files.</div> <bR> <div> Secondary functions include radio control of the iCOM PCR-1000.  Monitoring functions include shuttle missions, the International Space Station and Packet Radio to name a few.</div> <bR> <div> SAL (HAL's sister and pictured upper-left) is a Pentium Class 200 MHz MMX constructed with surplus components and a used monitor, keyboard and mouse accumulated over the years.   With the popular SatMon software running 24/7 the satellite feed from the RX2 is patched to the internal Sound Blaster 16 card via an audio switch box. The resulting wave file is saved to HAL for further processing. In addition, with it's dual serial ports - both the OptoScan 456 interface and BC245XLT are controlled. This arrangement provides maximum utilization of SAL's resources without any noted degradation in performance of the assigned tasks. At the touch of a button, the audio switch box allows the sound card's line input to be toggled between either the RX2, Realistic Pro-2006 or BC245XLT outputs.</div> <bR> <div> Two other computers not shown include an IBM ThinkPad that has been used for field operations and connects via wireless technology to the network.  At present it provides receiver control and audio data logging capabilities when mobile.  The other one, IRIS, is a Pentium II 233 MHz MMX setup to provide receiver control of the Optocom using primarily <I>Probe v7.0</I> with audio logging via <I>Xcorder v2.0</I>.</div> <bR> <div> Receivers - the station setup includes eight receivers (counting a Magellan 315 GPS) and an Optoelectronics Scout frequency recorder. The others are an Optoelectronics Optocom (export version), Uniden BC245XLT, Uniden BC700A, Realistic Pro-2006 with <A HREF="http://www.optoelectronics.com/os456lite.htm" target="_blank"" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.optoelectronics.com/os456lite"><U>OptoScan 456</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.optoelectronics.com/os456lite.htm" target="_blank"" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.optoelectronics.com/os456lite"><U><I>Lite</I></U></A></FONT><I> </I> and Pro-66. Various modifications have been performed to either provide discriminator (base band audio) output, expand frequency range or enhance performance. The remaining two - a iCOM PCR-1000 (with a UT-106 DSP unit) and RX2 are detailed further.</div> <bR> <div> A hand built weather satellite receiver, the RX2, provides dedicated monitoring of the five most used frequencies.  More <A HREF="rx2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="RX2 Project"><U>details</U></A> of this project can be found on this site.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="091fe9e0.jpg" border=0 width="254" height="158" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="0">iCOM is a leader when it comes to amateur radios and that quality is evident in the PCR-1000.  This computer controlled receiver is dedicated to monitoring the crew's transmissions aboard the International Space Station. In addition, it is one of the few commercial wide-band receivers able to be used for the reception of APT signals. In that regard it plays a back-up role to the RX2.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0afc9620.jpg" border=0 width="201" height="354" ALT="M² 's EB-144 Eggbeater Antenna" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="5">Antennae</div> <bR> <div> The Eggbeater gets its name from its uncanny resemblance to the mechanical devices of the same name found in kitchens.  The EB-144 is a commercial 2-meter, crossed-loop, omnidirectional antenna. Its two #10 copper weld loops are only about 34 inches in diameter. They're held in place by a 28-inch high fiberglass rod. Both ends of each loop are attached to a Delrin base using allen screws.</div> <bR> <div> Shown here is the optional RK-2M Radial Reflector which increases the circular polarized signal level off the top lobe for improved satellite communications.  The unit has since been relocated to the peak of the roof shown in the background and fitted with a TimeStep 137 MHz pre-amp. A 50 foot run of RG8/U coax feeds my receivers.</div> <bR> <div> Performance has exceeded my expectations - satellites are typically accessed as little as a few degrees above the horizon and continue until LOS (loss of signal) at the other end of the pass.  Although I haven't experienced any nulls I did have some interference which I believe reorientation (as noted above) has resolved - time will tell. <I>In July 2001 a detailed analysis of this antenna's performance characteristics was performed - read more about it </I><A HREF="analysis.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Antenna Analysis"><U><I>here</I></U></A><I>!</I></div> <bR> <div> Additional antennas include a Radio Shack Discone and RF System's Mini-Windom - short-wave receiving antenna. Two antenna switches, a MFJ 1702C and MFJ 1704 along with a Stridsberg MCA204 VHF/UHF Multicoupler accommodate sharing these antennas amongst the various receivers. The multicoupler's main input is the Discone - it's four outputs supply the Uniden BC245XLT, Realistic Pro-2006, Optoelectronics Optocom and the MFJ 1704. The MFJ 1704's inputs' in addition to the Discone include the Mini-Windom and one of the outputs off the MFJ 1702C. It's output feeds the iCOM PCR-1000. Finally, the Eggbeater is connected to the main input of the MFJ 1702C and it primarily feeds the RX2. With this arrangement all receivers are connected to their respective antenna with the exception of the iCOM PCR-1000 - given it's wide frequency range and selectable bandwidths one can select between the Mini-Windom (short-wave), the Discone (VHF/UHF) or the Eggbeater for dedicated 2 meter monitoring.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Miscellaneous</U></div> <bR> <div> All station equipment is surge protected and can operate fully unattended during minor power failures off it's back-up power supply.</div> <bR> <div> Since ground tracking and prediction calculations are so dependent on an accurate system clock - time synchronization with the US Naval Observatory is performed automatically.</div> <bR> <div> As time passes and station equipment is tweaked I'll endeavor to keep this page current.  The author has always enjoyed examining other hobbyists' monitoring stations and has gained many useful ideas.  Hopefully, readers will find some tidbit of information here that can improve their listening pleasure!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Equipment Updates</B></div> <bR> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="742" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 95 WIDTH="134"><div> October 2002</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="597"><div> Added a Stridsberg Engineering Bias "T" to feed the necessary 12 volts required by the Pre-Amp. Previously the pre-amp was powered solely by the RX2 rendering the antenna useless for most other applications. With this new arrangement the Eggbeater can feed either receiver hooked up to the A/B switch.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 ><NOBR><div> December 2002</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="597"><div> Upgraded the network hub to a LinkSys Wireless Cable/DSL Router with a 4-Port Switch. This has brought much added functionality to the station including the ability to host "online" live audio feeds.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 114 WIDTH="134"><div> June 2004</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="597"><div> Shortly after noticing a slight burning odor in the shack SAL's monitor quit working. Not wanting to outlay the purchase price of a new monitor an IOGEAR 2 Port KVM Switch was installed. This actually cleared up some clutter as not only was I able to share one monitor between IRIS and SAL but also a single keyboard and mouse. A recent upgrade of computers at work made available a wireless Logitech mouse.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>