January 2011 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Palm Springs HamFest Jan 29
by Clint Bradford 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

The Desert Rats and Palm Springs DX Club HamFest is coming up January 29 ... and the club just released the "special edition" newsletter. AMSAT is all over the newsletter! From the front page article to the brochure of the event ... AMSAT's presence will be there! Newsletter posted at ... http://tinyurl.com/RATS-2011 Clint, K6LCS

1 0

Re: Zack's Setup
by Clint Bradford 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

ZACK >> ... the issue was the 2m coax ... PHEW! I'll re-call my FedEx shipment to you with my Motorola test equipment ... (grin) I have learned that MANy times the SIMPLEST of things in a multi-part equation are notorious for being the culprits ... Clint, K6LCS

1 0

TH-D7A Transmit Issues - Or Maybe Arrow Issues????
by Zachary Beougher 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

Since we are on the subject of satellite equipment, I have a question: I was on AO51 a bit ago, and I was able to get in okay at the beginning using the THD7A for transmit, but as the pass went on it was impossible for me to get in, even when there was dead silence. I tried the D7 afterward (using the Arrow like I would for a pass) on a couple local repeaters, and I was having a hard time getting into them, when usually I could hit them with a duck. I pulled the Arrow off and stuck the duck on, and I can get into all the repeaters fine. Keeping all of that in mind, I went back to the Arrow and put a THG71A on in place of the D7 (same battery that was in the D7), and I could hit the repeater okay. I put the D7 faceplate back on, and it would not work. With the above information, I am getting indications of both an issue with the radio and/or Arrow. Any ideas as to what the issue might be???? Zack KD8KSN

2 1

Re: TH-D7A Transmit Issues - Or Maybe Arrow Issues????
by Zachary Beougher 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

I did an additional test since my last email....... I tried two different radios (D7 and G71) using the same battery and I CANNOT get into the local repeater now. I came inside the house, put the duck on, and I can hit the repeater fine. This would narrow it down to an issue with the Arrow. Does anyone have any ideas what might cause these symptoms? I have not changed anything with it. Zack KD8KSN From: Zachary Beougher Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 5:29 PM To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: TH-D7A Transmit Issues - Or Maybe Arrow Issues???? Since we are on the subject of satellite equipment, I have a question: I was on AO51 a bit ago, and I was able to get in okay at the beginning using the THD7A for transmit, but as the pass went on it was impossible for me to get in, even when there was dead silence. I tried the D7 afterward (using the Arrow like I would for a pass) on a couple local repeaters, and I was having a hard time getting into them, when usually I could hit them with a duck. I pulled the Arrow off and stuck the duck on, and I can get into all the repeaters fine. Keeping all of that in mind, I went back to the Arrow and put a THG71A on in place of the D7 (same battery that was in the D7), and I could hit the repeater okay. I put the D7 faceplate back on, and it would not work. With the above information, I am getting indications of both an issue with the radio and/or Arrow. Any ideas as to what the issue might be???? Zack KD8KSN

2 1

Re: Yaesu FT-8800
by Edward R. Cole 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

At 12:17 PM 1/12/2011, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote: >Hi Zack! > > > I don't mean to be the odd guy on the block, but I do not like the 8800 for > > satellite work. I enjoy the full duplex function, and it is very easy to > > maneuver through the frequencies/bands using the mic, but I do not like the > > receive sensitivity. Every time I have tried to use it for > satellite work I > > feel like I fight it the entire time trying to get a strong > signal. I can't > > exactly make a very accurate judgment on it either since I have > only used it > > a few times. > >Don't apologize for posting an opinion. As you mentioned with your >TH-G71As, there can be differences between two of the same model >of radio. > >I bought two FT-8800s a year or so ago. One is in Mexico with an Elk >antenna I left down there, and the other one needs to have those knobs >replaced. The 8800 is my backup to that IC-2820H I mentioned in an >earlier post as my full-duplex FM satellite radio. The sensitivity could >be a little better, but I'm happier with it than other radios like my >DJ-G7T. I probably should send it off to Yaesu to get those knobs >replaced, and then try it again on the FM birds. > >73! > > > > >Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK >http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Just reading the mail. I wonder if anyone uses the TM-700 or TM-710 for satellite? Are they duplex? They are supposedly the mobile mate to the TH-D7 and new TH-D72. Looking at them for potential future use on both APRS and Sat as a mobile. 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 144-1.4kw*, 432-100w*, 1296-testing*, 3400-winter? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ====================================== *temp not in service

1 0

Elk vs Arrow
by Clint Bradford 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

>> ... The Arrow does not publish any gain numbers ... >> ... ELK publishes the normal numbers you would expect ... Now, after reading previous posts the past day on this, the FIRST thing that comes t mind is whether or not the writer got his antenna as a freebie as he demeans other antenna alternatives ... AND I WISH NONE OF US HAD TO THINK LIKE THIS. Because a writer here wrote a mini-review of the Elk, and stated it was "very impressive" as compared to the Arrow. I have to tip my cap to him for his honesty - he apparently (and hopefully!) won't let "availability of freebies" sway his opinion of actual performance. But another AMSAT member is "impressed" with receiving free equipment - which is being shown to cloud the truth as to performance between competing equipment. Some think Arrow's owner is "arrogant" in that he didn't commission a formal test on the gain of his antennas. On the other hand, those of us that have used them know that they work. I had an engineer client purchase one from me back when I worked for HRO about five years ago. He was standing outside, waiting for me to open shop the next morning, carrying his Arrow to return. "This cannot possibly work," he adamantly exclaimed. "It is engineered all wrong. I want a refund." Because i had recommended the product due to me own personal experience with them, part of me wanted to professionally "challenge" him and learn more about his overnight experience with the Arrow. But seeing how determined he was about it being "engineered all wrong," I changed my thinking to, "Hey, I can purchase it myself at a "open item" discount." And I did. And it is the VERY SAME antenna I use to this day for demos and presentation. BUT - back to the last few messages. What should we all learn? Unfortunately, we now have to think "behind the scenes" when we read felow AMSAT members' product reviews. We're seeing the fact that some vendors give away products has been able to sway and taint honest reporting. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

2 1

Elk vs. Arrow - redux
by Clint Bradford 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

>> ... asked Arrow if they would give some support, they said NO ... >> ... asked ELK for a donation and they gave him an Antenna to raffle ... I'd hate to have us swayed by whether or not someone received a freebie from a manufacturer as we recommend equipment. When I give products away at shows, they are usually paid for - by me. Do I ask for "dealer cost" pricing? Sure. Do I ask for freebies from smaller concerns? Usually not. Yes, there's some "behind the scenes" spitefulness because some firms don't give away lots of products at every hamfest they're asked to. But those who are asking are, for the most part, not small business owners, nor have any clue as to what profit margins are involved nor have had the responsibility of running such a small, specialized business. And my judgement and pronouncements during presentations - and on the Web - are never "tarnished" nor clouded. I'm never put in the position of stating nor writing, "Well, I use XYZ because ABC didn't send me a sample." Anyone who knows me knows I carry my "modified" Arrow antenna with me for presentations and demos. But what did I purchase in Sam Ramon last quarter at the ARRL hamfest? An Elk (ANOTHER Elk) from Ray. I use 'em both. I prefer one over another due to my own first-hand experience the past several years with several models. No one can state that "Clint recommends this-and-that 'cause he got it free." It's rather liberating being able to be 100% honest with one's audiences. You're beholden to no one. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

1 0

ELK Antenna
by Peter Portanova 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

Ron, My Pleasure, this is their site, http://www.elkantennas.com/ feel free to talk with Ray the owner and you can mention my name and that you read my posting as a result of Ham Radio University, if you have an interest. I always used an Arrow antenna, by default, until Tim, N3TL was invited to do a Satellite Forum, he asked Arrow if they would give some support, they said NO! He never used an ELK but asked them for a donation and they gave him an Antenna to raffle. He then purchased an ELK and began to do many side by side tests and the ELK was very impressive at AOS/LOS and it seemed to respond very well to the polarization changes as we twisted it. The Arrow does not publish any gain numbers on the antenna, some have come up with their own values but not official, ELK publishes the normal numbers you would expect, good luck and most of all Enjoy the Satellites, NOW, nothing is forever! 73- Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com http://www.qrz.com/db/WB2OQQ?

2 2

Atlanta
by Michael Chen 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

Hey, I am going to visit Atlanta and stay there for about a week. Hope to see some AMSAT folks there. Michael Chen, BD5RV/4 AMSAT-China: http://www.camsat.cn ----------------------------------- Twitter: http://twitter.com/bd5rv Email: michael.bd5rv(a)gmail.com MSN: bd5rv(a)jsdxc.org Skype: michael-bd5rv

1 0

Fw: WB2OQQ
by Peter Portanova 12 Jan '11

12 Jan '11

Hello, I don't use LOTW for Satellite logging, however I logged quite a few contacts, thank you, during HRU, Sunday. I would like to upload the file to LoTW however I would like to know the exact header for the adi files so the SAT contacts will be properly added to LoTW and eQSL, thank you. 73- Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com http://www.qrz.com/db/WB2OQQ?

2 1