At 12:36 PM 9/17/2009, you wrote:
RS10/11 was a wonderful bird, with a high orbit and relatively high transponder power, it was very easy to work and the coverage was quite wide. It was a perfect beginner's satellite and a lot of guys got started in satellite operation with RS-10/11.
I loved RS-10, it was my first bird, and one of the best I've ever worked. ALso, I actually have gear for Mode A SSB/CW, but not the other modes.
I still think that the discussions we have over LEO vs HEO should be shifted to linear vs FM birds. Moving people from FM birds to linear birds opens up a whole new world of satellite operating to them and I think we would have a lot more satellite enthusiasts if we encouraged the FMers to try the linear birds. Then the progression to higher satellites would have a lot more support. - Duffey
The prob with the modern SSB birds is the equipment is expensive for thos of us who don't already have 70cm SSB in something we own. However, a lot of people here have old 2m SSB radios around, so another RS-10, with that level of performance would fill a step up gap from FM. I'd certainly be into that bird.
73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com