Hi all,
First of all, thanks for your patience. Still learning!
Well, until few days ago I have been able to do many contacts throught SO-50 using my Baofeng UV-5R and Elk antenna in half duplex.
I wanted to go next step and try Full Duplex so I bought a Midland CT 890 Full Duplex handy (129 eur).
I can tell that the Midland receiver seems much better than the Baofeng one. I have been able to work (still half duplex) even when the satellite was a few degrees over the horizon. The Baofeng seems much deaf than the Midland, but this my subjective experience. The measured sensitivities I got from a review are: 0.179 uV (12 dB SINAD) in VHF and 0.205 uv (12 dB SINAD) in UHF but I don’t have the Baofeng values. If somebody has them It would be nice if you share so we can compare.
I have checked that the Full Duplex mode works by transmiting with it and at the same time receiving a signal from the Baofeng UV-5R but all this using the whip antenna that comes with the Midland.
The problem comes when I connect the Elk antenna to it. If I press the PTT the receiver noise goes to maximum. I tried to make a contact with the SO-50 but I could not hear anything when I pressed the PTT. All was noise. I had to disable the Full Duplex and then I was able to make some nice contacts (EA1JM, CU2ZG…) in half duplex.
So my questions are…
1. Is it possible to use a single Log Periodic antenna (only one feed point) as the Elk to work Full Duplex or two antennas are needed?
2. In case that it is possible… Would this improve by using separate receiver and transmitter with a filter that gives a feed point for VHF and another one for UHF? (the Elk antenna only has a feed point)
I have to make more tests but at first time, It does not seem possible to use the Midland CT 890 (and maybe other full duplex handys?) with the Elk antenna in Full Duplex…
Thanks. Any comments are always welcome
Felix EA4GQS