I am curious at the thoughts of current satellite users. As I read the AMSAT Journal and see the progress of the Eagle Project, it reminds me of a few years ago when another "do it all" satellite was being planned - AO40. Amateurs are pumping thousands of dollars and time into this project. I remember I followed AO40 with great excitement, not to mention spending a few grand upgrading my station to be ready for this "super bird". And after all the things that went wrong after the launch, I thought - never again.
So my question is basic: why spend all this money and wait years for something that might end up another catastrophe? Why do we have to try and design a bird that does it all? We all know the more complex the bird the more room for failure. Why not just pop out another AO13 - or similar? I can't tell you how many hours of fun I had with RS10/11. And with the way things are in amateur radio now, who knows if there will be anybody even interested in this by the time Echo finally is useable.
Just a thought. I would like to hear yours now please.
Jim Beeson
WA5QAP
The 2007 RSGB HF Convention provides the opportunity to spread the satellite word.
http://www.rsgb.org/hfc/
I am putting a tentative talk together which covers a ground station on 2m/70cms using a TS-2000 and my own software. I am not aware of any proposed talks on the innards of a satellite or AMSAT in general. For my talk I am planning on having a station available for demonstration during the convention:
* TS-2000
* Computer
* AlfaSPID
* 2m / 70cms crossed yagis.
* Ace operator.
Simon Brown, HB9DRV
Jeff Davis, KE9V Wrote:
One example, "Why Can't I Hear AO-51?" by Mark Spencer, WA8SME is a
short but definitive treatise on the subject and it really gets to
the heart of that same old question asked here many times and in
many ways. You want opinions, toss your question out on the -BB and
you'll get plenty. You want answers. join AMSAT and get the Journal.
"Bravo" and "Kudos" to Ed Long, Bill Hook and all those whose hard
work on the Journal is so obviously visible in the end product.
Thanks, 73
--------------------
This is a must read article for folks working the FM LEOs. It provides
some important technical reality around working the sats with an HT.
Hint: it is all about hearing the bird. Nice job, Mark.
73, Bob K0NR
Hi Alan,WA4SCA
I need the docs. Please send to me.
I have plan to build it.
73s de Toff
HS0NNU
>Hi,
>
>In cleaning out some old files, I came across the docs for the older ARR
>GasFet mast mounted preamps. It is good for the 50, 144, 220, and 440 MHz
>versions. Before I toss them, I wondered if by any chance anybody needs, or
>want one? I can scan as many as needed.
>
>
>Alan
>WA4SCA
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> From: "joseph Murray" <k0vty(a)juno.com>
> I continue to ask one question about digital voice on HF.
> When will Hams see a digital voice system that will be able
> to Handle a 20 meter pile up.
> So far , the answers have been negative.
Quite right Joe, it's why I don't think any of the existing Digital Voice
systems will be the one that hams use in 10 years time. The processing power of
DSP's continues to increase each year and I'm sure we'll eventually see a
viable narrow band Amateur Digital Voice Mode.
73 Trevor M5AKA
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>Can you use the TS-2000 in satellite mode and use
>it for satellite contacts?
When I first posted, I had that in the back of my mind, but quickly realized that it can't work that way, of course, because both VHF and UHF are used in the command link, so there is nothing left to operate the VHF/UHF satellite links.
Bob
Wb4aPR
At this point, unless one is going to use a separate radio for transmit and
receive, the only new HT i can recommend is the Kenwood TH-D7A[G]. Right
now, it's the only rig which can still operate in full-duplex. Full-duplex
operation is essential in mode J-FM or you are likely to either cause QRM
or waste valuable satellite transponder time.
To test a radio for full duplex operation, make sure you bring headphones
when you test a radio. Listen to a weather service station on one band
(with headphones) and transmit briefly on 446.0 MHz (or other suitable UHF
channel). If the weather service broadcast is uninterrupted while you
transmit, then you have a radio suitable for mode J-FM. This should be
helpful in evaluating a used HT.
If you're going to use two radios, then the TH-F6A is a decent choice. I
found it to be adequately sensitive if i gave it a good antenna, and with
an unmodified downconverter, i used it as the receive side to work AO-40.
With an antenna similar in gain to an Arrow satellite antenna, i've also
heard FO-29, AO-7 and VO-52 well enough to work people given a suitable
up-link radio.
-- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)
Hi All,
I'm wondering if the GMSK modulation scheme in D-Star can be inverted and
whether the Icom 91AD dualband HT can work full duplex for satellite work.
D-Star uses a 6.25kc channel which is way better than the 15kc needed for
standard FM but not as friendly as SSB and CW. Let me know. I haven't
purchased this equipment but it's worth at least a debate.
73 de Pat --- KA9SCF.