Digital Satellite Ops reference

It has not been recently that I have posted anything particularly relevant to ham radio. I don’t find as much time lately to play with the radios either.
I do however, try to follow several special-interest groups that have internet email distribution lists. Overnight I received an email item from VE6MVP, referencing a research project I have not heard of : Shadow-beacon. In particular, Tony was looking for additional reference on digital operations via satellite. The Shadow-beacon project intends to utilize the APRS infrastructure that is already in place and operational on the International Space Station (as well all over the planet surface via the Internet).

With this in mind I thought I would create a simple page, that provides linkage to several resources that I use on a regular basis. There are surely lots of additional pages that are just as relevant, perhaps you will post some of your favorites in the comment section below. Aside from having equipment setup to operate APRS digital, we need to know what satellites are available, and when and where to listen. Hopefully these links will help answer some questions you may have.
AMSAT
http://amsat.org
(Radio Amateur Satellite NA home)

Heavens-Above
http://www.heavens-above.com/
(live satellite/astronomy positions)

ARISS / PCsat
http://ariss.net/ (APRS via ISS : real-time) http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi  (basically same as the one above)
http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/pcsat.cgi
(APRS via Pcsat : real-time)

ISSfanclub
http://issfanclub.com
(ARISS status)
Orbitron
http://www.stoff.pl/
(tracking software)

UISS
http://users.belgacom.net/hamradio/sat-info.htm
(UISS software)

DK3WN
http://www.dk3wn.info/p/ (Sat Blog) http://www.dk3wn.info/satellites.shtml
(Satellite info)

KD5QGR
http://oscar.dcarr.org/index.php
(multi-satellite status)

Shadow-beacon
http://knts.tsniimash.ru/shadow/en/Default.aspx
(‘space plasma shadow’ experiment)Enjoy  – -|||   |||- -
/;^)

P.S. Please submit additional relevant links via the comment section below….

The Sky Is Falling !

Well, at least parts of it . . .
The sky often has a lot of water in it.
When it has way too much water, it rains.
When the air is cold enough, that rain can become snow. Here in Huntsville, we have had LOTs of rain this week, enough to elevate concern for flooding on several rivers, large creeks and even the Tennessee River was a concern in places. But here in North Alabama, flooding is common enough to not panic.
BUT then, the forecast includes sub-freezing temperatures and that scary word “snow“.
OMG, WTF, etc… You would think the sky was gonna fall .!.

Well, the sky fell today – and there was a wide-spread panic.

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 4,900 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 8 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

Christmas Chili

It had somehow never occurred to me to use cinnamon in chili…

Shelby thinks it is ready to eat.

This recipe was apparently known as Cincinnati Chili. Then some folks I know in North Carolina added Pinto Beans and Cumin . . . I must say, I like it.
I’m calling this variety Christmas Chili  /;^)

1 or 2 pounds ground beef (I like it pretty lean)
1/2 of a sweet-yellow onion; chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
Brown beef with the chopped onion and garlic; drain fat, if any.

32 oz. carton of beef broth
one 14-1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes; undrained
1 small can tomato paste
one 14-1/2 oz. can each :
kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans; drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, allspice, cumin, oregano, and salt.

simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours, stirring enough to keep from getting bored;
this also makes the house smell really nice and spicy.

This is good to eat with cornbread.

Mmmmmm, try it. You might like it.
I think it’s already time to make some more.
Enjoy  /;^)