Could you contribute to the HamTV Merger?

[G8GKQ]

The HamTV Merger is a network of amateur receiving stations that can upload received ISS HamTV Digital ATV data to a central server that builds a continuous video feed from the ISS.

The merger output is used to provide a longer-duration and more reliable video feed to accompany the school question and answer sessions. Clearly, the more receiving stations contributing, the better the video feed will be.

All that is required is a normal HamTV receiving system and one extra bit of software to send the data over the internet. The extra software is already built in to the Portsdown 4 receiving system, and a Windows version is also available.

If you are interested, please contact Ciaran at hamtvops@ariss-i.org.

The merger output is available at https://live.ariss.org/hamtv/

Dave, G8GKQ

[OK2UUJ]

Hi Dave
I testing connection to the merger server with Portsdown4 system. But I do not find the configuration receiver parameters for Ham TV RX merger (menu 3).
I need set diferent IP port for test merger server, and set voltage for LNB (default is 0V) on Minitiouner v2.
In the standard RX section (Menu1) all this setings are present and functionaly.

73! DE OK2UUJ
Leo Hucin

[G8GKQ]

Hi Leo

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm now working on both of these issues and hope to have an update for you soon.

Dave

[G8GKQ]

Hi Leo

In advance of an update to the Portsdown software, you can set the correct port for the the Test server by editing the config file:

Code: Select all

/home/pi/rpidatv/scripts/merger_config.txt

and change the line

Code: Select all

testport=6789

to

Code: Select all

testport=9978

save the change and then go to the Merger menu and select "Region" "Test" (press the region button 4 times).

I've written the change for the LNB volts, I just need to integrate it into the update process, test it, and hopefully release it later this evening or tomorrow.

73

Dave

[OK2UUJ]

Hi Dave.

Many thanks. now I run test with Portsdown 4. On the test server present as ACTIVE and TS packets runnig

Many thanks for your support.

73! DE OK2UUJ
Leo

[G8GKQ]

Hi Leo

I have just published a Portsdown 4 update that adds the ability to select LNB volts in HamTV mode.

It also corrects the port for the test server if it has not been manually corrected.

Please let me know of any further feature requests or bugs.

73

Dave, G8GKQ

[g8lce]

Just thought I would add a thought / question.

I have been looking at setting up a TinyGS and will be setting it up soon. This is a network of 'ground stations' for receiving Lora APRS satellite transmissions. Could a similar system work for ISS? I am thinking of a simple system that only has a fixed aerial and only a limited area of reception.
I know your system is similar but could more simple setups be possible. A cheap and easy receive aerial etc. could be switched to when your Portsdown is not being used for other things and might just fill in a reception hole. It could be arranged so that your aerial could point at a position in the sky in arrangement with others to fill the sky!
So any simple designs? Tin cans, copper pipe or WiFi aerials? (filters and preamps too) And photos.

Martin G8LCE

[OK2UUJ]

Hi Leo

I have just published a Portsdown 4 update that adds the ability to select LNB volts in HamTV mode.

It also corrects the port for the test server if it has not been manually corrected.

Please let me know of any further feature requests or bugs.

73

Dave, G8GKQ

Hi Dave
Portsdown 4 update is OK, LNB voltage is operable.

When I tested funcionality with ISS, I observed the behavior of the receiver.
It is not bug, but feature. The receiver scaning the signal from ISS. While going through various parameter variants (FEC, SR, modulation...).
Signal from ISS in the project HAMTV is defined (QPSK, SR=2000, FEC=1/2), only frequence is variable (Doppler).
When I using Minitioune SW, it seemed to me that the lock of the carrier would happen faster if I set manualy specific parameters.
Would it be possible to try a variant with fixed parameters and frequency-only scanning for the ISS merger (Menu 3)?
Standard receiver in the menu 1 would remain unchanged.

I'm sorry, but I'm not a programmer, so I don't know how much work such a change would take.

73! DE OK2UUJ
Leo Hucin

[G8GKQ]

Hi Leo

A great idea and there may be scope for reducing the range on the symbol rate search; I'll have a look at it.

It may also be that F6DZP was informed of some non-documented features by Serit or ST, but all we have to work from are the data sheets.

Pleased to hear that the LNB voltage works.

73

Dave, G8GKQ