Chris Thompson - AC2CZ - Amateur Radio Station

AMSAT Pacsat Ground Station Software

This is a decoder for the PacSat protocol, that was designed to support FalconSat-3 and then had support for Mir-Sat-1. Both have now re-entered the atmosphere. The software is now being extended to support future store and forward satellites that use the PACSAT protocols.

A PACSAT can be used to store messages or data by uploading PacSat files. Ground stations can request the directory, request files to be broadcast and download and forward the telemetry.

There are installation instructions in the Pacsat Ground station manual. It should work on Windows, Linux and Mac.

The distribution includes an EXE for windows and a jar file. Double clicking the jar file should run the program on all platforms. You need to make sure Java is installed. Note that Apple, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that you need to install the full Java Development Kit before being able to run the jar file from the command line or from a script.

You will need to enter your callsign to get started. If you intend to receive only and don't have an Amateur Radio callsign then use a suitable ground station name. You will also need to setup the serial connection to your hardware TNC or a TCP connection to a software TNC. Then point your antennae at the spacecraft and see what happens. You should be able to receive the directory and send requests for directory holes and files. If you compose a message, then it should be automatically uploaded when it detects the uplink is Open.

Download

This version supports Mir-Sat-1. Version 0.44a:

You can also download the lastest development version:
  • This allows adding and removing spacecraft, including a new experimental spacecraft called Pacsat that is being used to prototype a next generation AMSAT satellite with file based store and forward technology. More details are available here
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    Posts about PacSat Ground Station

    Reference Documents

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