I miss linear transponders .... I grew up with the early RS birds particularly RS-6 and RS-8 .... I was only a "kid" in college ...
If you're looking for EASY ENTRY .... MODE A ROCKS!
That said .. I never bother with the FM birds .... tried once and it's was just a barrage of callsigns and grids ....
I've been sticking with FO-29 and VO52 ... I need to give AO7 a try
Also ..... if anyone is looking for a great transponder module for a cube sat ... look no further than the work of PE1RAH .... his transponder fits in a "cube" and is already flight proven ....
High elliptical orbit satellites are cool .... harder to work ..... more transmit power ... receive preamps ... probably not entry level stuff ... I'd a rather see a couple LEO linear transponders rather than ONE HEO ...
--> Rob, KA2PBT