An interesting thread indeed.

For me, SAT operation was a way for me to learn new technologies and operating practices. That’s a big part of ham radio that I enjoy, having started out in 1957 with an AT-1 transmitter, an S-38 receiver, and a dipole antenna.

If we going to be limited to LEO sats, at least for a while, how about one with an X-band downlink and an S-band uplink, like QO-100. I’d love to learn how to put together a station like the QO-100 ops have had to do—probably mistakes and frustration along the way, but a fun learning experience too. Maybe even good training for that day when NA ops have that GEO in the sky?

I need to explore existing linear sats with other than U and V modes. Will I find reasonable activity on those birds, those of you who have moved beyond U/V and V/U?

Wes NA1ME


On Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 5:53 PM Rob Carter <rob.zl2iw@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Doug,
Interesting to follow this thread....
We have a project to fly an old fashioned satellite with a linear transponder.....
Unfortunately the science project for this bird is no longer relevant, and we are restricted to a 500km orbit ....

So in summary we can’t support the science payload and the footprint for comms would be relatively small....

Shortly we reach a go/no go point for the project, and to be honest the logical thing to do would be to not put in any more time effort and money.....
However this bird does sport real amateur payload.... similar technologies c.f. early AMSAT satellites like AO-7 

So my question for the group..... would an old fashioned linear transponder and a 1296 option warrant us continue grinding away at this mountain? Bearing in mind the low altitudes and small footprint....

All the best,
Rob
ZL2IW 

Sent from my iPhone

On 13/08/2022, at 06:35, Doug Person <doug@k0dxv.com> wrote:

I have to chime in. We need a linear transponder with U/V or V/U. All the FM birds are fine for one quick QSO at a time - Hi/Bye. I used to regularly work through  the FO-29 bird and the Russian sats. solid QSOs. I really enjoyed it. U/V is easy to setup antennas for. IMHO...
Doug -- K0DXV

On 8/11/2022 10:20 AM, George LaBelle wrote:
I'm in agreement with Jim.
Back in the day, I had a lot of fun on AO10 and AO13. Real QSOs, real DX.

I recently built up a satellite station again, hearing that the linear LEOs had real QSOs on them. I'm a bit disappointed. There is an occasional 5 Minute QSO, but it is still mostly Hi and Bye.
I'd like to see something with the capability of a regular QSO.

The last P4 that went up, tried to cover too many bases IMO. Lots of bands, lots of complexity. Then it failed. Just put up a simple U/V mode sat with some chance of success.

George WB6YZZ

On Thu, Aug 11, 2022 at 9:07 AM <jim@beeson.cc> wrote:

I totally agree with Joe. In my opinion, since AO40, I don't think the birds are that fun. I am more of a rag-chewer not a contester. I don't much care for a 5 minute QSO. I have been waiting for AMSAT to actually get a GOLF if not a GEO bird up there so I could have a 30 minute QSO. Just my opinion.

de WA5QAP
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Re: Phase IV satellite
From: "Joseph B. Fitzgerald" <jfitzgerald@alum.wpi.edu>
Date: Thu, August 11, 2022 5:14 am
To: "Jean Marc Momple" <jean.marc.momple@gmail.com>
Cc: "AMSAT BB" <amsat-bb@amsat.org>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

>
> Jean Marc:
>
> I wholeheartedly agree with the idea that QO-100 is very much in the Ham Spirit and it would be wonderful for North and South America to be in the footprint of a similar bird. The essence of my position is that we in this hemisphere should focus on the science and technology training and international good will aspects of a GEO mission as I believe those areas will benefit the most, and likely gather the most resources.
>
> GEO or BUST!
>
> de KM1P Joe
>
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Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
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