Hello from Upstate NY

[StarKannon]

Hi my name is Kyle!

I am new to the field so new I have yet to take my course and get licensed. I am interested particularly in packet and data communications. Other than that I am a computer sciences and electrical/electronic engineering double major I am hopeing to eventually wind up with a phd in electrodynamics. So basically I am an all around geek lol.

 

[Ham4CW]

Hiya Kyle!

Welcome to our humble site!

Hmm, reading your intro I guess that you have forgotten more than I've ever known hi hi.

Self confessed geeks are always welcome, as long as they don't confess it too often

Computers are a BIG part of Amateur Radio these days, so any knowledge you can add to the group is most welcome.


73, Mark.

 

[StarKannon]

Happy to be here, well I hope I have not forgotten much about electrodynamics as I have not been at it all that long but hv/hc is an amazing field full of potential for R&D of new technologies. But I am pretty good with computers horrible (for now)with radio but that should change when I get moving! Nice to meet you!

 

[Ham4CW]

Umm, pretend for the moment that I have no idea whatsoever what "hv/hc" is...

OK, stop pretending, it's true, I have no idea


"hc/hv"?

 

[StarKannon]

HV/HC Stands for High Voltage High Current, I work particularly with electromagnetics and Llorenz force accelerators. I am working with new propulsion systems and high altitude applications for electro-driven systems. Pretty much I am looking to try to render rockets and propellant driven power plants obsolete and replace them with better alternatives. I am here because I need a way to talk to my research vehicles wirelessly and I figured HAM is the way to go since I can't maintain line of sight. Do you have any idea where I could look I am a little lost and it is hard to find info on the old TNC/radio data links.

 

[Ham4CW]

OK, well if you want to buy info (don't give me that poor student routine hi hi), just go to Amazon.com and do a search for "packet radio". There's a number of Amateur Radio related publications listed.

There are a number of articles on the ARRL website, but you do need to be a member to access them. However, you can join fairly cheaply (I have a CD subscription membership), and if you are thinking of getting in to Amateur Radio then they would be the folks to link up with.

Also, why not try a simple Google search for "packet radio". A number of other options are displayed after you complete the search for you to try, so give it a go.

As I mentioned elsewhere, have a frequent look around eBay in the Amateur Radio sections (under consumer electronics I think), the book sections on there are a goldmine of reference books that no one wants any more.

Also, a number of Ham Radio stores stock second hand items, and very often you can obtain TNC's (such as the "Tiny-2" model) for a modest sum. For example if you go to http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/ and enter the search word "Tiny" into the search box at the top of the page you will see two TNC's listed there. Or maybe try a store nearer to where you live!


73, Mark.

 

[StarKannon]

Mark, thanks a bunch I will say though I have a decent job components are expensive lol. One of my projects is $10k total for just the launch device never mind the vehicle. I won't lie and say I am flush either lol, they should call it High Voltage High Current Higher Expense

I have been google searching wiki diving and combing for books but that only gets you so far. I know radios can be finicky so I figured get talking to people for real world tips, one thing my work with HI-HI has taught me is talk to people who have been doing it longer there are things you don't know and books won't teach you. With that sort of work you only get one chance.

 

[Ham4CW]

Hi again Kyle!

The problem with trying to ask around these days is that many of the folks that originally used boxed standard TNC's have long since moved on to other data modes, or you find that they no longer use dedicated TNCs but instead use some of the newer audio buffer interfaces such as the ones produced by Tigertronics (Signalink).

These new interfaces allow the operator to use a wide variety of data/slow scan TV modes, and rely on the PC/software to do all of the work. The newer interfaces are only a fraction of the cost of the older style dedicated TNC units. Because of the low baud rates used for most of the modes, connection to the transceiver can be made via the microphone in and speaker out connectors. As pointed out above the software is doing all of the work, so what you gain in simplicity (of the interface), you loose out on because of needing a reasonable PC/software combo to do all of the 'donkey-work'.

For what you are trying to do (which reading between the lines sounds like a mixture of remote control, remote telemetry and data logging), then maybe the 'new kid on the block' might be of interest, or at least give you something more to include in you calculations. The latest digital system in Amateur Radio is called D-STAR, and depending on your requirements you can send voice, images, data etc, over the same system (at the same time!).

The system was created (or at least made commercial) by Icom, and many of their newer transceivers are D-STAR capable. You can use a DV-Dongle to link to other D-STAR sites via a PC and the internet too.

Just a thought anyhow. It might be a more adaptable system for what you are trying to do. You can find a brief intro to the subject here: http://icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/dstar/dstar/default.aspx

Or just do a Google search for "D-STAR".

The protocol they use is public domain so you could implement your own software to work along side the existing equipment and interfaces. Another point is that many of the D-STAR add-on boards are only an inch or two square, so you could 'graft' them into your own bespoke equipment, and many have GPS options which might be of use for tracking, or at least recovery of 'spent' high altitude vehicles.


73, Mark.

p.s. not sure if you know, but '73' is a code used by Ham operators which means "Best Wishes".

 

[StarKannon]

Mark,
You are very much correct in the job I have for these, I am designing something called a mass driver. It is a system for sending projectiles into the atmosphere and beyond using emp driven guns. I need a way to network the launch vehicle and the control station. Since I build most of my stuff adding them in would be no problem at all. Do you have any advice about frequency selection interference and other down-link reliability issues? ANd are there any measures I can take to ensure that? Also any tricks you know of to aid in this pursuit?

73 Kyle